RGP-9.30.14-10Q
Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014
or
 
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 1-35262
REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
DELAWARE
 
16-1731691
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
2001 BRYAN STREET, SUITE 3700
DALLAS, TX
 
75201
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(214) 750-1771
(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  ý    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  ý    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 “small reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
 
ý
  
Accelerated filer
 
¨
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
The issuer had 403,726,597 common units and 6,274,483 Class F units outstanding as of October 31, 2014.
 


Table of Contents

FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 2.
 
 
 
ITEM 3.
 
 
 
ITEM 4.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 1.
 
 
 
ITEM 1A.
 
 
 
ITEM 4.
 
 
 
ITEM 6.
 
 
























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Introductory Statement
References in this report to the “Partnership,” “we,” “our,” “us” and similar terms refer to Regency Energy Partners LP and its subsidiaries. We use the following definitions in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q:
Name
 
Definition or Description
/d
 
Per day
2018 Notes
 
$600 million of 6.875% senior notes that mature on December 1, 2018
AOCI
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Aqua - PVR
 
Aqua - PVR Water Services, LLC
ARO
 
Asset Retirement Obligation
Barclays
 
Barclays Capital Inc.
Bbls
 
Barrels
bps
 
Basis points
Citi
 
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Coal Handling
 
Coal Handling Solutions LLC, Kingsport Handling LLC, and Kingsport Services LLC
Eagle Rock
 
Eagle Rock Energy Partners, L.P.
ELG
 
Edwards Lime Gathering LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, ELG Oil LLC and ELG Utility LLC
ETC
 
Energy Transfer Company, the name assumed by La Grange Acquisition, L.P. for conducting business and shared services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETP
ETE
 
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.
ETE Common Holdings
 
ETE Common Holdings, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETE
ETP
 
Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.
Finance Corp.
 
Regency Energy Finance Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership
GAAP
 
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
General Partner
 
Regency GP LP, the general partner of the Partnership, or Regency GP LLC, the general partner of Regency GP LP, which effectively manages the business and affairs of the Partnership through Regency Employees Management LLC
Grey Ranch
 
Grey Ranch Plant LP, a former joint venture between the Partnership and a subsidiary of SandRidge Energy, Inc.
Gulf States
 
Gulf States Transmission LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership
Holdco
 
ETP Holdco Corporation
Hoover
 
Hoover Energy Partners, LP
HPC
 
RIGS Haynesville Partnership Co. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Regency Intrastate Gas LP
IDRs
 
Incentive Distribution Rights
Lone Star
 
Lone Star NGL LLC
LTIP
 
Long-Term Incentive Plan
MBbls
 
One thousand barrels
MEP
 
Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC
MMBtu
 
One million BTUs. BTU is a unit of energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit
NGLs
 
Natural gas liquids, including ethane, propane, normal butane, iso butane and natural gasoline
NYMEX
 
New York Mercantile Exchange
NMED
 
New Mexico Environmental Department
ORS
 
Ohio River System LLC
PADEP
 
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Partnership
 
Regency Energy Partners LP
PEPL
 
Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company, LP

ii

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Name
 
Definition or Description
PEPL Holdings
 
PEPL Holdings, LLC, a former wholly-owned subsidiary of Southern Union that merged into PEPL
PVR
 
PVR Partners, L.P.
Ranch JV
 
Ranch Westex JV LLC
Regency Western
 
Regency Western G&P LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership
RGS
 
Regency Gas Services LP, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership
RIGS
 
Regency Intrastate Gas System
SEC
 
Securities and Exchange Commission
Senior Notes
 
The collective of 2018 Notes, 2018 PVR Notes, 2020 Notes, 2020 PVR Notes, 2021 Notes, 2021 PVR Notes, 2022 Notes, 2023 5.5% Notes and 2023 4.5% Notes
Series A Preferred Units
 
Series A convertible redeemable preferred units
Services Co.
 
ETE Services Company, LLC
Southern Union
 
Southern Union Company
SUGS
 
Southern Union Gathering Company LLC
Sweeny JV
 
Sweeny Gathering, L.P.
TCEQ
 
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
WTI
 
West Texas Intermediate Crude

iii

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Forward-Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this report include “forward-looking” statements. Forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Statements using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “project,” “will,” “plan,” “expect,” “continue,” “estimate,” “goal,” “forecast,” “may” or similar expressions help identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe our forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and current expectations and projections about future events, we cannot give assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and assumptions including without limitation the following:
volatility in the price of oil, natural gas, condensate, NGLs and coal;
unexpected difficulties in integrating any significant acquisitions into our operations, including the PVR Acquisition, the Eagle Rock Midstream Acquisition and the Hoover Acquisition;
declines in the credit markets and the availability of credit for us as well as for producers connected to our pipelines and our gathering and processing facilities, and for our customers of our contract services business;
the level of creditworthiness of, and performance by, our counterparties and customers;
our access to capital to fund organic growth projects and acquisitions, and our ability to obtain debt or equity financing on satisfactory terms;
our use of derivative financial instruments to hedge commodity risks;
the amount of collateral required to be posted from time-to-time in our transactions;
changes in commodity prices, interest rates and demand for our services;
changes in laws and regulations or enforcement practices impacting the midstream sector of the natural gas industry, oil industry and the coal mining industry, including those that relate to climate change and environmental protection and safety, including with respect to emissions levels applicable to coal-burning power generators and permissible levels of mining runoff;

the adoption of new laws, or the promulgation of new regulations, at the federal, state or local level that promote use and development of renewable energy or limit use or development of fossil fuels;
weather and other natural phenomena;
industry changes including the impact of consolidation and changes in competition;
regulation of transportation rates on our natural gas, NGL, and oil pipelines;
our ability to obtain indemnification related to cleanup liabilities and to clean up any hazardous materials release on satisfactory terms;
our ability to obtain required approvals for construction or modernization of our facilities and the timing of production from such facilities;
the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by accounting standard setting boards;
the extent to which the amount and quality of actual production of our coal differs from estimated recoverable coal reserves;
the experience and financial condition of our coal lessees, including our lessees’ ability to satisfy their royalty, environmental, reclamation and other obligations to us and others;
operating risks, including unanticipated geological problems, incidental to our Gathering and Processing segment and Natural Resources segment;
the ability of our lessees to produce sufficient quantities of coal on an economic basis from our reserves and obtain favorable contracts for such production;
delays in anticipated start-up dates of new development in our Gathering and Processing segment and our lessees’ mining operations and related coal infrastructure projects, including the timing of receipt of necessary governmental permits by us or our lessees; and
uncertainties relating to the effects of regulatory guidance on permitting under the Clean Water Act and the outcome of current and future litigation regarding mine permitting.

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If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected or expected.
Other factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results are discussed in Item 1A of our December 31, 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Part II — Other Information — Item 1A Risk Factors in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.
Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.         FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
15

 
$
19

Trade accounts receivable, net
542

 
292

Related party receivables
52

 
28

Inventories
71

 
42

Other current assets
36

 
19

Total current assets
716

 
400

Property, plant and equipment
9,915

 
5,050

Less accumulated depreciation and depletion
(922
)
 
(632
)
Property, plant and equipment, net
8,993

 
4,418

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
2,371

 
2,097

Other, net of accumulated amortization of debt issuance costs of $30 and $24
100

 
57

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $179 and $107
3,472

 
682

Goodwill
1,528

 
1,128

TOTAL ASSETS
$
17,180

 
$
8,782

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Drafts payable
$
23

 
$
26

Trade accounts payable
559

 
291

Related party payables
44

 
69

Accrued interest
97

 
38

Other current liabilities
102

 
51

Total current liabilities
825

 
475

Long-term derivative liabilities
31

 
19

Other long-term liabilities
74

 
30

Long-term debt, net
6,427

 
3,310

Commitments and contingencies

 

Series A Preferred Units, redemption amounts of $38 and $38
32

 
32

Partners’ capital and noncontrolling interest:
 
 
 
Common units
8,741

 
3,886

Class F units
151

 
146

General partner interest
782

 
782

Total partners’ capital
9,674

 
4,814

Noncontrolling interest
117

 
102

Total partners’ capital and noncontrolling interest
9,791

 
4,916

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
$
17,180

 
$
8,782




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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Table of Contents

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in millions, except unit data and per unit data)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gas sales, including related party amounts of $23, $22, $58 and $56
$
549

 
$
213

 
$
1,359

 
$
600

NGL sales, including related party amounts of $89, $11, $196 and $23
555

 
286

 
1,308

 
766

Gathering, transportation and other fees, including related party amounts of $13, $6, $26 and $20
283

 
147

 
682

 
405

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from derivatives
18

 
(10
)
 

 

Other
78

 
29

 
175

 
73

Total revenues
1,483

 
665

 
3,524

 
1,844

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales, including related party amounts of $19, $8, $45 and $35
1,051

 
477

 
2,517

 
1,309

Operation and maintenance
129

 
78

 
300

 
220

General and administrative
36

 
13

 
123

 
64

Loss (gain) on asset sales, net
1

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
1

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
122

 
74

 
384

 
207

Total operating costs and expenses
1,339

 
641

 
3,323

 
1,801

OPERATING INCOME
144

 
24

 
201

 
43

Income from unconsolidated affiliates
53

 
37

 
143

 
103

Interest expense, net
(86
)
 
(41
)
 
(220
)
 
(119
)
Gain (loss) on debt refinancing, net
2

 

 
2

 
(7
)
Other income and deductions, net
(2
)
 
24

 
(7
)
 
3

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
111

 
44

 
119

 
23

Income tax expense (benefit)
4

 
2

 
4

 
(1
)
NET INCOME
$
107

 
$
42

 
$
115

 
$
24

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
(4
)
 
(3
)
 
(11
)
 
(4
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
$
103

 
$
39

 
$
104

 
$
20

Amounts attributable to Series A Preferred Units
1

 
1

 
3

 
5

General partner’s interest, including IDRs
10

 
3

 
22

 
8

Beneficial conversion feature for Class F units
1

 
2

 
5

 
3

Pre-acquisition loss from SUGS allocated to predecessor equity

 

 

 
(36
)
Limited partners’ interest in net income
$
91

 
$
33

 
$
74

 
$
40

Basic and diluted net income per common unit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount allocated to common units
$
91

 
$
33

 
$
74

 
$
40

Weighted average number of common units outstanding
397,961,321

 
209,559,854

 
328,989,245

 
191,334,032

Basic income per common unit
$
0.23

 
$
0.16

 
$
0.22

 
$
0.21

Diluted income per common unit
$
0.23

 
$
0.05

 
$
0.22

 
$
0.21

Distributions per common unit
$
0.5025

 
$
0.470

 
$
1.4725

 
$
1.395

Amount allocated to Class F units due to beneficial conversion feature
$
1

 
$
2

 
$
5

 
$
3

Total number of Class F units outstanding
6,274,483

 
6,274,483

 
6,274,483

 
6,274,483

Income per Class F unit due to beneficial conversion feature
$
0.27

 
$
0.27

 
$
0.81

 
$
0.45


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net income
$
107

 
$
42

 
$
115

 
$
24

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income

 

 

 

Comprehensive income
107

 
42

 
115

 
24

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
4

 
3

 
11

 
4

Comprehensive income attributable to Regency Energy Partners LP
$
103

 
$
39

 
$
104

 
$
20



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3

Table of Contents

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net income
$
115

 
$
24

Reconciliation of net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization, including debt issuance cost amortization and bond premium write-off and amortization
363

 
211

Income from unconsolidated affiliates
(143
)
 
(103
)
Derivative valuation changes
(3
)
 
3

Loss (gain) on asset sales, net
(1
)
 
1

Unit-based compensation expenses
8

 
5

Cash flow changes in current assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Trade accounts receivable and related party receivables
(45
)
 
(73
)
Other current assets and other current liabilities
52

 
(26
)
Trade accounts payable and related party payables
73

 
103

Distributions of earnings received from unconsolidated affiliates
147

 
108

Cash flow changes in other assets and liabilities
4

 
128

Net cash flows provided by operating activities
570

 
381

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(764
)
 
(762
)
Capital contributions to unconsolidated affiliates
(274
)
 
(125
)
Distributions in excess of earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
47

 
232

Acquisitions, net of cash received
(790
)
 
(463
)
Proceeds from asset sales
7

 
13

Net cash flows used in investing activities
(1,774
)
 
(1,105
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Repayments under revolving credit facility, net
(436
)
 
(15
)
Proceeds from issuances of senior notes
1,600

 
1,000

Redemptions of senior notes
(403
)
 
(163
)
Debt issuance costs
(29
)
 
(24
)
Drafts payable
(3
)
 
8

Partner distributions and distributions on unvested unit awards
(492
)
 
(282
)
Common unit offering, net of issuance costs
800

 

Common units issued under equity distribution program, net of costs
162

 
149

Distributions to Series A Preferred Units
(3
)
 
(5
)
       Noncontrolling interest contributions, net of distributions
4

 
15

Net cash flows provided by financing activities
1,200

 
683

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(4
)
 
(41
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
19

 
53

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
15

 
$
12

 
 
 
 
Supplemental cash flow information:
 
 
 
Accrued capital expenditures
$
61

 
$
70

Issuance of Class F and common units in connection with SUGS Acquisition

 
961

Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized
196

 

Issuance of common units in connection with PVR, Hoover and Eagle Rock acquisitions
4,281

 

Long-term debt assumed in PVR Acquisition
1,887

 

Long-term debt exchanged in connection with the Eagle Rock Midstream Acquisition
499

 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
(Dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
 
Regency Energy Partners LP
 
 
 
 
Common
Units
 
Class F Units
 
General
Partner
Interest
 
Noncontrolling
Interest
 
Total
Balance - December 31, 2013
$
3,886

 
$
146

 
$
782

 
$
102

 
$
4,916

Issuance of common units under equity distribution program, net of costs
162

 

 

 

 
162

Issuance of common units to ETE Common Holdings
800

 

 

 

 
800

Issuance of common units in connection with Hoover Acquisition
109

 

 

 

 
109

Issuance of common units in connection with PVR Acquisition
3,906

 

 

 

 
3,906

Issuance of common units in connection with Eagle Rock Acquisition
266

 

 

 

 
266

Unit-based compensation expenses
8

 

 

 

 
8

Partner distributions and distributions on unvested unit awards
(470
)
 

 
(22
)
 

 
(492
)
Noncontrolling interest contributions, net of distributions

 

 

 
4

 
4

Net income
77

 
5

 
22

 
11

 
115

Distributions to Series A Preferred Units
(3
)
 

 

 

 
(3
)
Balance - September 30, 2014
$
8,741

 
$
151

 
$
782

 
$
117

 
$
9,791




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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Table of Contents

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular dollar amounts, except per unit data, are in millions)
(unaudited)
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements presented herein contain the results of Regency Energy Partners LP and its subsidiaries (the “Partnership”), a Delaware limited partnership. The Partnership and its subsidiaries are engaged in the business of gathering and processing, compression, treating and transportation of natural gas; the transportation, fractionation and storage of NGLs; the gathering, transportation and terminaling of oil (crude and/or condensate, a lighter oil) received from producers; natural gas and NGL marketing and trading, and the management of coal and natural resource properties in the United States. Regency GP LP is the Partnership’s general partner and Regency GP LLC (collectively the “General Partner”) is the managing general partner of the Partnership and the general partner of Regency GP LP.
SUGS Acquisition. On April 30, 2013, the Partnership and Regency Western acquired SUGS from Southern Union, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdco, for $1.5 billion (the “SUGS Acquisition”).
The Partnership accounted for the acquisition in a manner similar to the pooling of interests method of accounting as it was a transaction between commonly controlled entities. The Partnership retrospectively adjusted its March 31, 2013 financial statements to include the operations of SUGS for periods prior to April 30, 2013. The SUGS Acquisition did not impact historical earnings per unit as pre-acquisition earnings were allocated to predecessor equity.
The following table presents the revenues and net income for the previously separate entities and the combined amounts presented herein:
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 (1)
Revenues:
 
Partnership
$
1,576

SUGS
268

Combined
$
1,844

 
 
Net income (loss):
 
Partnership
$
60

SUGS
(36
)
Combined
$
24

(1) The SUGS Acquisition closed on April 30, 2013. Therefore, amounts attributable to SUGS only include four months of activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Basis of Presentation. The unaudited financial information included in this Form 10-Q has been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. In the opinion of the Partnership’s management, such financial information reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations for such interim periods in accordance with GAAP. All inter-company items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Use of Estimates. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, which includes the use of estimates and assumptions made by management that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities that exist at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements. Although these estimates are based on management’s available knowledge of current and expected future events, actual results could be different from those estimates.
Equity Method Investments. Even though there is a presumption of a controlling financial interest in Aqua - PVR (because of our 51% ownership), our partner in this joint venture has substantive participating rights and management authority that preclude us from controlling the joint venture. Therefore, it is accounted for as an equity method investment.

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Coal Royalties Revenues and Deferred Income. The Partnership recognizes coal royalties revenues on the basis of tons of coal sold by its lessees and the corresponding revenues from those sales. The Partnership does not have access to actual production and revenues information until 30 days following the month of production. Therefore, financial results include estimated revenues and accounts receivable for the month of production. The Partnership records any differences between the actual amounts ultimately received or paid and the original estimates in the period they become finalized. Most lessees must make minimum monthly or annual payments that are generally recoverable over certain time periods. These minimum payments are recorded as deferred income. If the lessee recovers a minimum payment through production, the deferred income attributable to the minimum payment is recognized as coal royalties revenues. If a lessee fails to meet its minimum production for certain pre-determined time periods, the deferred income attributable to the minimum payment is recognized as minimum rental revenues, which is a component of other revenues on our consolidated statements of operations. Other liabilities on the balance sheet also include deferred unearned income from a coal services facility lease, which is recognized as other income as it is earned.

New Accounting Pronouncement. In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), which clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue based on the core principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, with earlier adoption not permitted. ASU 2014-09 can be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that adopting this new accounting standard will have on our revenue recognition policies.

2. PARTNERS’ CAPITAL AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Beneficial Conversion Feature. The beneficial conversion feature, incurred as a result of the issuance of Class F units, is reflected in income per unit using the effective yield method over the period the Class F units are outstanding, as indicated on the statement of operations in the line item entitled “beneficial conversion feature for Class F units.” The Class F units will convert to common units on a one-for-one basis on May 8, 2015.
Equity Distribution Agreement. In June 2012, the Partnership entered into an equity distribution agreement with Citi under which the Partnership may offer and sell common units having an aggregate offering price of up to $200 million, from time to time through Citi, as sales agent for the Partnership. Sales of these units made from time to time under the equity distribution agreement were made by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions on the New York Stock Exchange at market prices, in block transactions, or as otherwise agreed upon by the Partnership and Citi. The Partnership used the net proceeds from the sale of these common units for general partnership purposes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Partnership received net proceeds of $34 million from common units sold pursuant to this equity distribution agreement. No amounts remained available to be issued under this agreement and it is no longer effective.
In May 2014, the Partnership entered into an equity distribution agreement with Barclays under which the Partnership may offer and sell common units having an aggregate offering price of up to $400 million, from time to time through Barclays, as sales agent for the Partnership. Sales of these units made from time to time under the equity distribution agreement will be made by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions on the New York Stock Exchange at market prices, in block transactions, or as otherwise agreed upon by the Partnership and Barclays. The Partnership may also sell common units to Barclays as principal for its own account at a price agreed upon at the time of sale. Any sale of common units to Barclays as principal would be pursuant to the terms of a separate agreement between the Partnership and Barclays. The Partnership intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of these units for general partnership purposes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Partnership received net proceeds of $128 million from common units sold pursuant to this equity distribution agreement; $272 million remains available to be issued as of September 30, 2014.
Common Units Sold. In June 2014, the Partnership sold 14.4 million common units to ETE Common Holdings for proceeds of $400 million. Proceeds from the issuance were used to pay down borrowings on the Partnership’s revolving credit facility, to redeem certain senior notes of the Partnership and for general partnership purposes. In July 2014, the Partnership sold 16.5 million common units to ETE Common Holdings for proceeds of $400 million. Proceeds from the issuance were used to fund a portion of the cash consideration paid to Eagle Rock in connection with the Eagle Rock Midstream Acquisition.




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Units Activity. The change in common and Class F units during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was as follows:
 
Common
 
Class F
Balance - December 31, 2013
210,850,232

 
6,274,483

Issuance of common units under LTIP, net of forfeitures and tax withholding
37,191

 

Issuance of common units under the equity distribution agreements
5,442,878

 

Issuance of common units in connection with Hoover Acquisition
4,040,471

 

Issuance of common units in connection with PVR Acquisition
140,388,382

 

Issuance of common units to ETE Common Holdings
30,890,565

 

Issuance of common units in connection with Eagle Rock Midstream Acquisition
8,245,859

 

Balance - September 30, 2014
399,895,578

 
6,274,483

Quarterly Distributions of Available Cash. Following are distributions declared by the Partnership subsequent to December 31, 2013:
Quarter Ended
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Cash Distributions
(per common unit)
December 31, 2013
 
February 7, 2014
 
February 14, 2014
 
$0.475
March 31, 2014
 
May 8, 2014
 
May 15, 2014
 
$0.480
June 30, 2014
 
August 7, 2014
 
August 14, 2014
 
$0.490
September 30, 2014
 
November 7, 2014
 
November 14, 2014
 
$0.5025
3. INCOME PER COMMON UNIT
The following tables provide a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per common unit computations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Income
(Numerator)
 
Units
(Denominator)
 
Per-Unit
Amount
 
Income
(Numerator)
 
Units
(Denominator)
 
Per-Unit
Amount
Basic income per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount allocated to common units
$
91

 
397,961,321

 
$
0.23

 
$
33

 
209,559,854

 
$
0.16

Effect of Dilutive Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common unit options

 
31,777

 
 
 

 
32,489

 
 
Phantom units

 
737,205

 
 
 

 
435,606

 
 
Series A Preferred Units

 

 
 
 
(23
)
 
2,047,571

 
 
Diluted income per unit
$
91

 
398,730,303

 
$
0.23

 
$
10

 
212,075,520

 
$
0.05

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Income
(Numerator)
 
Units
(Denominator)
 
Per-Unit
Amount
 
Income
(Numerator)
 
Units
(Denominator)
 
Per-Unit
Amount
Basic income per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount allocated to common units
$
74

 
328,989,245

 
$
0.22

 
$
40

 
191,334,032

 
$
0.21

Effect of Dilutive Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common unit options

 
27,574

 
 
 

 
23,931

 
 
Phantom units

 
590,034

 
 
 

 
351,811

 
 
Diluted income per unit
$
74

 
329,606,853

 
$
0.22

 
$
40

 
191,709,774

 
$
0.21


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The following data show securities that could potentially dilute earnings per unit in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per unit because to do so would have been antidilutive for the periods presented:
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
Series A Preferred Units
2,061,191

 
2,057,716

 
2,047,571

4. ACQUISITIONS
2014

Eagle Rock Midstream Acquisition. On July 1, 2014, the Partnership acquired Eagle Rock’s midstream business (the “Eagle Rock Midstream Acquisition”) for $1.3 billion, including the assumption of $499 million of Eagle Rock’s 8.375% Senior Notes due 2019. The remainder of the purchase price was funded by $400 million in common units sold to ETE Common Holdings, 8.2 million common units issued to Eagle Rock, and borrowings under the Partnership’s revolving credit facility. The Partnership is accounting for the Eagle Rock Midstream Acquisition using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires, among other things, that assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized on the balance sheet at their fair values as of the acquisition date. This acquisition is expected to complement the Partnership’s core gathering and processing business and is expected to further diversify the Partnership’s geographic presence in the mid-continent region, east Texas and south Texas. Revenues attributable to Eagle Rock’s operations included in the statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $472 million. Net income attributable to Eagle Rock’s operations included in the statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $18 million.

Management’s evaluation of the assigned fair values is ongoing. The table below represents a preliminary allocation of the total purchase price:
Assets
At July 1, 2014
Current assets
$
115

Property, plant and equipment
1,329

Other long-term assets
4

Total Assets Acquired
$
1,448

Liabilities
 
Current liabilities
$
109

Long-term debt
499

Long-term liabilities
12

Total Liabilities Assumed
$
620

 
 
Net Assets Acquired
$
828


The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is being determined using various valuation techniques, including the income and market approaches.

PVR Acquisition. On March 21, 2014, the Partnership acquired PVR for a total purchase price of $5.7 billion (based on the Partnership’s closing price of $27.82 per unit on March 21, 2014), including $1.8 billion principal amount of assumed debt (“PVR Acquisition”). PVR unitholders received (on a per unit basis) 1.02 Partnership common units and a one-time cash payment of $36 million, which was funded through borrowings under the Partnership’s revolving credit facility. The PVR Acquisition enhances the Partnership’s geographic diversity with a strategic presence in the Marcellus and Utica shales in the Appalachian Basin and the Granite Wash in the Mid-Continent region. The Partnership accounted for the acquisition of PVR using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires, among other things, that assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized on the balance sheet at their fair values as of the acquisition date. Revenues attributable to PVR’s operations included in the statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $302 million and $653 million, respectively. Net income attributable to PVR’s operations included in the statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $84 million and $119 million, respectively.


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Management completed the evaluation of the assigned fair values to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The total purchase price was allocated as follows:
Assets
At March 21, 2014
Current assets
$
149

Gathering and transmission systems
1,396

Compression equipment
342

Gas plants and buildings
110

Natural resources
454

Other property, plant and equipment
229

Construction in process
185

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
62

Intangible assets
2,717

Goodwill (1)
370

Other long-term assets
18

Total Assets Acquired
$
6,032

Liabilities
 
Current liabilities
$
168

Long-term debt
1,788

Premium related to senior notes
99

Long-term liabilities
30

Total Liabilities Assumed
$
2,085

 
 
Net Assets Acquired
$
3,947

(1) Goodwill is reported in the Gathering and Processing segment.
The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were determined using various valuation techniques, including the income and market approaches.

Assets. Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, net, other current assets, and construction in process, were valued using a cost basis as this basis approximates fair value due to the current nature of these items. Real property, including gathering and transmission systems, compression equipment, gas plants and buildings, and other property, plant and equipment, were valued based on a combination of the income, market and cost approaches, depending on the type of asset. Coal and timber reserves were valued using the income approach for active coal and timber reserves. The investments in unconsolidated affiliates were valued using the income approach. Intangible assets, other than goodwill, are customer contract related intangibles, which have an average useful life of 30 years, and have been valued using the income approach. The goodwill is the excess of the consideration transferred over the net assets recognized and represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized.

Liabilities. The Partnership assumed accounts payable, accrued liabilities, deferred income, and other long-term liabilities as part of the PVR Acquisition. The Partnership determined that the historical cost basis of these liabilities approximated fair value as they comprise normal operating liabilities. The Partnership assumed long-term debt as part of the acquisition, consisting of amounts outstanding under PVR’s revolving credit facility and PVR’s outstanding senior notes. The amount related to the revolving credit facility was valued at historical book value while the senior notes were valued using quoted market prices, which are considered Level 1 inputs.

Change in Control. The PVR Acquisition constituted a change of control for certain PVR employment agreements. Pursuant to the terms of those agreements, certain payments and benefits, including severance payments, were triggered by the PVR Acquisition. The Partnership recorded $10 million of severance payments due to the change in control and recorded $2 million in retention bonuses that were paid to various retained PVR employees upon the expiration of their retention period.

Hoover Energy Acquisition. On February 3, 2014, the Partnership acquired certain subsidiaries of Hoover for a total purchase price of $293 million, consisting of (i) 4,040,471 common units issued to Hoover and (ii) $184 million in cash, and (iii) $2 million in asset retirement obligations assumed (the “Hoover Acquisition”). The Hoover Acquisition increases the Partnership’s fee-based

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revenue, expanding its existing footprint in the southern portion of the Delaware Basin in west Texas, and its services to producers into crude and water gathering. A portion of the consideration is being held in escrow as security for certain indemnification claims. The Partnership financed the cash portion of the purchase price through borrowings under its revolving credit facility. The Partnership accounted for the Hoover Acquisition using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires, among other things, that assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized on the balance sheet at their fair values as of the acquisition date. Revenues attributable to Hoover’s operations included in the statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $11 million and $26 million, respectively. Net income attributable to Hoover’s operations included in the statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were losses of $2 million and income of $2 million, respectively.

Management completed the evaluation of the assigned fair values to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The total purchase price was allocated as follows:
Assets
At February 3, 2014
Accounts receivable, net
$
5

Gathering and transmission systems
60

Compression equipment
16

Gas plants and buildings
12

Other property, plant, and equipment
23

Construction in process
6

Intangible assets
148

Goodwill (1)
30

Total Assets Acquired
$
300

Liabilities
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
5

Asset retirement obligation
2

Total Liabilities Assumed
$
7

 
 
Net Assets Acquired
$
293

(1) Goodwill is reported in the Gathering and Processing segment.
The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were determined using various valuation techniques, including the income and market approaches.

Assets. Accounts receivable, net, other current assets, and construction in process were valued using a cost basis as this basis approximates fair value due to the current nature of these items. Real property, including gathering and transmission systems, compression equipment, and other property, plant and equipment, were valued based on a combination of the income, market and cost approaches, depending on the type of asset. Intangible assets, other than goodwill, are customer contract related intangibles, which have an average useful life of 30 years, and have been valued using the income approach. The goodwill is the excess of the consideration transferred over the net assets recognized and represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized.

Liabilities. The Partnership assumed accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and an asset retirement obligation as part of the Hoover Acquisition. The Partnership determined that the historical cost basis of the accounts payable and the accrued liabilities approximated fair value as they comprise normal operating liabilities. The asset retirement obligation was valued based on estimates prepared by an independent environmental consulting firm.

Pro Forma Results of Operations

The following unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are presented as if the PVR, Hoover and Eagle Rock Midstream acquisitions had been completed on January 1, 2013. The pro forma information includes adjustments to reflect incremental expenses associated with the fair value adjustments recorded as a result of applying the acquisition method of accounting and incremental interest expense related to the financing of a portion of the purchase price. This pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had the

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acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2013, nor is it indicative of future results of operations. Actual results for the three months ended September 30, 2014 include PVR, Hoover and the Eagle Rock midstream business for the entire period.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Revenues
$
1,483

 
$
1,230

 
$
4,354

 
$
3,453

Net income (loss) attributable to the Partnership
103

 
(6
)
 
(23
)
 
(119
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net income (loss) per Limited Partner unit
$
0.23

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(0.01
)
Diluted net income (loss) per Limited Partner unit
$
0.23

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(0.01
)
5. INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES
As of September 30, 2014, the Partnership has a 49.99% general partner interest in HPC, a 50% membership interest in MEP, a 30% membership interest in Lone Star, a 33.33% membership interest in Ranch JV, a 51% membership interest in Aqua - PVR, a 50% membership interest in Coal Handling, and a 50% partnership interest in Sweeny JV. The Partnership’s interests in the Aqua - PVR and Coal Handling joint ventures were acquired in the PVR Acquisition and its interest in Sweeny JV was acquired in the Eagle Rock Midstream Acquisition. In March 2014, the Partnership entered into an agreement, whereby the Partnership’s 50% interest in Grey Ranch was assigned to SandRidge Midstream, Inc., resulting in a cash settlement of $4 million and a loss of $1 million recorded to income from unconsolidated affiliates.
The carrying value of the Partnership’s investment in each of the unconsolidated affiliates as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is as follows:
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
HPC
$
428

 
$
442

MEP
703

 
548

Lone Star
1,145

 
1,070

Ranch JV
35

 
36

Aqua - PVR
47

 

Coal Handling
12

 

Sweeny JV
1

 

Grey Ranch

 
1

Total
$
2,371

 
$
2,097

The following tables summarize the Partnership’s investment activities in each of the unconsolidated affiliates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
       HPC
 
MEP
 
Lone Star
 
Ranch JV
 
Aqua - PVR
 
Coal Handling
Contributions to unconsolidated affiliates
$

 
$

 
$
15

 
$

 
$

 
$

Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates
(14
)
 
(17
)
 
(37
)
 
(7
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
Share of earnings of unconsolidated affiliates’ net income (loss)
9

 
11

 
31

 
3

 
(1
)
 
1

Amortization of excess fair value of investment
(1
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
HPC (1)
 
MEP
 
Lone Star
 
Ranch JV
Contributions to unconsolidated affiliates
$

 
$

 
$
51

 
$
1

Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates
(196
)
 
(18
)
 
(16
)
 
(1
)
Share of earnings of unconsolidated affiliates’ net income
9

 
11

 
18

 

Amortization of excess fair value of investment
(1
)
 

 

 


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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
       HPC
 
MEP (2)
 
Lone Star
 
Ranch JV
 
Aqua - PVR
 
Coal Handling
Contributions to unconsolidated affiliates
$

 
$
175

 
$
86

 
$

 
$

 
$

Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates
(35
)
 
(54
)
 
(94
)
 
(8
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
Share of earnings of unconsolidated affiliates’ net income (loss)
25

 
33

 
83

 
7

 
(2
)
 
1

Amortization of excess fair value of investment
(4
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
HPC (1)
 
MEP
 
Lone Star
 
Ranch JV
Contributions to unconsolidated affiliates
$

 
$

 
$
100

 
$
2

Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates
(226
)
 
(56
)
 
(56
)
 
(1
)
Share of earnings of unconsolidated affiliates’ net income
28

 
31

 
48

 

Amortization of excess fair value of investment
(4
)
 

 

 

(1) The Partnership received a non-recurring return of capital of $185 million from HPC in September 2013.
(2) The Partnership paid $175 million to MEP in September 2014.
The following tables present selected income statement data for each of the unconsolidated affiliates, on a 100% basis, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
HPC
 
MEP
 
Lone Star
 
Ranch JV
 
Aqua - PVR
 
Coal Handling
Total revenues
$
39

 
$
64

 
$
1,166

 
$
10

 
$
2

 
$
3

Operating income (loss)
21

 
33

 
105

 
8

 
(1
)
 
1

Net income (loss)
19

 
21

 
104

 
8

 
(1
)
 
1

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
HPC
 
MEP
 
Lone Star
 
Ranch JV
Total revenues
$
38

 
$
66

 
$
537

 
$
4

Operating income
19

 
34

 
61

 
1

Net income
18

 
21

 
61

 
1

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
HPC
 
MEP
 
Lone Star
 
Ranch JV
 
Aqua - PVR
 
Coal Handling
Total revenues
$
113

 
$
196

 
$
2,859

 
$
30

 
$
2

 
$
6

Operating income (loss)
59

 
102

 
279

 
22

 
(4
)
 
3

Net income (loss)
50

 
65

 
276

 
21

 
(4
)
 
3

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
HPC
 
MEP
 
Lone Star
 
Ranch JV
Total revenues
$
116

 
$
194

 
$
1,320

 
$
10

Operating income
58

 
101

 
162

 
2

Net income
56

 
63

 
160

 
2


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6. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
Policies. The Partnership established comprehensive risk management policies and procedures to monitor and manage the market risks associated with commodity prices, counterparty credit and interest rates. The General Partner is responsible for delegation of transaction authority levels, and the Audit and Risk Committee of the General Partner is responsible for overseeing the management of these risks, including monitoring exposure limits. The Audit and Risk Committee receives regular briefings on exposures and overall risk management in the context of market activities.
Commodity Price Risk. The Partnership is a net seller of NGLs, condensate and natural gas as a result of its gathering and processing operations. The prices of these commodities are impacted by changes in supply and demand as well as market forces. Both the Partnership’s profitability and cash flow are affected by the inherent volatility of these commodities which could adversely affect its ability to make distributions to its unitholders. The Partnership manages this commodity price exposure through an integrated strategy that includes management of its contract portfolio, matching sales prices of commodities with purchases, optimization of its portfolio by monitoring basis and other price differentials in operating areas, and the use of derivative contracts. In some cases, the Partnership may not be able to match pricing terms or cover its risk to price exposure with financial hedges, and it may be exposed to commodity price risk.
Commodity Derivative Instruments - Marketing & Trading. The Partnership conducts natural gas marketing and trading activities intended to capitalize on favorable price differentials between various receipt and delivery locations.
As part of its natural gas marketing and trading activities, the Partnership enters into both financial derivatives and physical contracts. These financial derivatives, primarily basis swaps, are transacted: (i) to economically hedge subscribed capacity exposed to market rate fluctuations and (ii) to mitigate the price risk related to other purchase and sales of natural gas. By entering into a basis swap, one pricing index is exchanged for another, effectively locking in the margin between the natural gas purchase and sale by removing index spread risk on the combined physical and financial transaction. Changes in the fair value of these financial and physical contracts are recorded as adjustments to natural gas sales and realized (unrealized) gain (loss) from derivatives, as appropriate.
The Partnership has credit exposure to additional counterparties. The Partnership monitors its exposure to any single counterparty and the creditworthiness of its counterparties on an ongoing basis. In addition, the Partnership's natural gas purchase and sale contracts, for certain counterparties, are subject to counterparty netting agreements governing settlement under such natural gas purchase and sales contracts, and when possible, the Partnership nets the open positions of each counterparty.
Interest Rate Risk. The Partnership is exposed to variable interest rate risk as a result of borrowings under its revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2014, the Partnership had $689 million of outstanding borrowings exposed to variable interest rate risk.
Credit Risk. The Partnership’s resale of NGLs, condensate and natural gas exposes it to credit risk, as the margin on any sale is generally a very small percentage of the total sales price. Therefore, a credit loss can be very large relative to overall profitability on these transactions. The Partnership attempts to ensure that it issues credit only to credit-worthy counterparties and that in appropriate circumstances any such extension of credit is backed by adequate collateral, such as a letter of credit or parental guarantee from a parent company with potentially better credit.
The Partnership is exposed to credit risk from its derivative contract counterparties. The Partnership does not require collateral from these counterparties. The Partnership deals primarily with financial institutions when entering into financial derivatives, and utilizes master netting agreements that allow for netting of swap contract receivables and payables in the event of default by either party. If the Partnership’s counterparties failed to perform under existing swap contracts, the Partnership’s maximum loss as of September 30, 2014 would be $10 million, which would be reduced by $2 million, due to the netting features. The Partnership has elected to present assets and liabilities under master netting agreements gross on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Embedded Derivatives. The Series A Preferred Units contain embedded derivatives which are required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately, such as the holders’ conversion option and the Partnership’s call option. These embedded derivatives are accounted for using mark-to-market accounting. The Partnership does not expect the embedded derivatives to affect its cash flows.

14

Table of Contents

The Partnership’s derivative assets and liabilities, including credit risk adjustments, as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are detailed below:
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current amounts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
$
11

 
$
3

 
$
3

 
$
9

Long-term amounts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
1

 
1

 
1

 

Embedded derivatives in Series A Preferred Units

 

 
30

 
19

Total derivatives
$
12

 
$
4

 
$
34

 
$
28

The Partnership’s statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were impacted by derivative instruments activities as follows:
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
Derivatives not designated in a hedging relationship
 
Location of Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in Income
 
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized
in Income on Derivatives
Commodity derivatives
 
Revenues
 
$
18

 
$
(10
)
Embedded derivatives in Series A Preferred Units
 
Other income &  deductions, net
 
(1
)
 
24

 
 
 
 
$
17

 
$
14

 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
Derivatives not designated in a hedging relationship
 
Location of Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in Income
 
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized
in Income on Derivatives
Embedded derivatives in Series A Preferred Units
 
Other income &  deductions, net
 
(11
)
 
2

 
 
 
 
$
(11
)
 
$
2


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Table of Contents

7. LONG-TERM DEBT
Obligations in the form of senior notes and borrowings under the revolving credit facility are as follows:
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Senior notes
$
5,688

 
$
2,800

Revolving loans
689

 
510

Unamortized premium and discounts
50

 

Long-term debt
$
6,427

 
$
3,310

Availability under revolving credit facility:
 
 
 
Total credit facility limit
$
1,500

 
$
1,200

Revolving loans
(689
)
 
(510
)
Letters of credit
(25
)
 
(14
)
Total available
$
786

 
$
676

Long-term debt maturities as of September 30, 2014 for each of the next five years are as follows:
Years Ending December 31,
 
Amount
2014 (remainder)
 
$

2015
 

2016
 

2017
 

2018
 
600

Thereafter
 
5,777

Total *
 
$
6,377

*
Excludes a $70 million unamortized premium on the 2020 PVR Notes and the 2021 PVR Notes assumed by the Partnership and a $20 million unamortized discount on the combined 2022 Notes.
Revolving Credit Facility
In February 2014, RGS entered into the First Amendment to the Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) to, among other things, expressly permit the pending PVR and Eagle Rock Midstream acquisitions, and to increase the commitment to $1.5 billion and increase the uncommitted incremental facility to $500 million. The amendment allowed the Partnership to assume the series of PVR senior notes that mature prior to the Credit Agreement.
In September 2014, RGS entered into the Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement to, among other things, increase the letter of credit sublimit from $50 million to $100 million, with none of the four individual issuing banks being required to issue letters of credit in excess of $25 million; increase in the general basket of permitted investments from $300 million to $500 million; add provisions permitting investments in ORS affording it similar treatment to the Partnership’s existing joint ventures; and update various swap agreement provisions to conform to current market standards.
The weighted average interest rate on the amounts outstanding under the Partnership’s Credit Agreement was 2.66% as of September 30, 2014.
Senior Notes
In February 2014, the Partnership and Finance Corp. issued $900 million of senior notes that mature on March 1, 2022 (the “2022 Notes”). The 2022 Notes bear interest at 5.875% with interest payable semi-annually in arrears on September 1 and March 1. At any time prior to December 1, 2021, the Partnership may redeem some or all of the notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus a “make-whole” redemption price and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. On or after December 1, 2021, the Partnership may redeem some or all of the notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. If the Partnership undergoes certain change of control transactions, the Partnership may be required to offer to purchase the notes from holders. The 2022 Notes are guaranteed by the Partnership’s existing consolidated subsidiaries except Finance Corp, ELG and ORS. The 2022 Notes rank equally in right of payment with all of the Partnership’s existing and future senior unsecured debt, including the Partnership’s other outstanding Senior Notes, and contain the same covenants as the Partnership’s other existing Senior Notes.

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In March 2014, in connection with the PVR Acquisition, the Partnership assumed $1.2 billion in aggregate principal amount of PVR’s outstanding senior notes, consisting of $300 million of 8.25% senior notes that mature on April 15, 2018 (the “2018 PVR Notes”), $400 million of 6.5% senior notes that mature on May 15, 2021 (the “2021 PVR Notes”), and $473 million of 8.375% senior notes that mature on June 1, 2020 (the “2020 PVR Notes”). In April 2014, the Partnership redeemed all of the 2018 PVR Notes for $313 million at a price of 104.125% plus accrued and unpaid interest paid to the redemption date. Interest on the 2021 PVR Notes and the 2020 PVR Notes accrue semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 and June 1 and December 1, respectively.

On March 24, 2014, in accordance with our obligations under the indentures governing the 2020 PVR Notes and the 2021 PVR Notes, we commenced change of control offers pursuant to which holders of such notes were entitled to require us to repurchase all or a portion of their notes at a purchase price of 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date. The change of control offers for the 2020 PVR Notes and the 2021 PVR Notes expired on April 22, 2014 and, on April 23, 2014, we accepted for purchase less than $1 million in aggregate principal amount of 2021 PVR Notes.

In July 2014, the Partnership exchanged $499 million of 8.375% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Eagle Rock Notes”) of Eagle Rock and Eagle Rock Energy Finance Corp. for 8.375% Senior Notes due 2019 issued by the Partnership and Finance Corp. (the “New Partnership Notes”). The New Partnership Notes have substantially the same economic terms as the outstanding Eagle Rock Notes, including interest rate, interest payment dates, optional redemption terms and maturity. The New Partnership Notes rank equally with the Partnership’s existing Senior Notes.

In July 2014, the Partnership and Finance Corp. issued $700 million of senior notes that mature on October 1, 2022 (the “October 2022 Notes”). The October 2022 Notes bear interest at 5% with interest payable semi-annual in arrears on October 1 and April 1, beginning April 1, 2015. At any time prior to July 1, 2022, the Partnership may redeem some or all of the notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus a “make-whole” redemption price and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. On or after, July 1, 2022, the Partnership may redeem some or all of the notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. If the Partnership undergoes certain change of control transactions, it may be required to offer to purchase the notes from holders. The October 2022 Notes will be guaranteed by substantially all of the Partnership’s consolidated subsidiaries, except Finance Corp., ELG and ORS. The October 2022 Notes rank equally in right of payment with all of its existing and future senior unsecured debt, including its other outstanding Senior Notes, and contain substantially the same covenants as its other existing Senior Notes.

In July 2014, the Partnership redeemed $83 million of the $473 million outstanding 2020 PVR Notes for $91 million, including $8 million of accrued interest and redemption premium.

On October 28, 2014, the Partnership issued a notice of redemption to the holders of the $600 million 2018 Notes, with a redemption date of December 2, 2014, for a total price of 103.438%.
At September 30, 2014, the Partnership was in compliance with all material covenants under the Credit Agreement and the indentures governing the Senior Notes.
The Senior Notes issued by the Partnership and Finance Corp. will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by substantially all of the Partnership’s existing, 100% owned, consolidated subsidiaries, except for ELG, Aqua - PVR and ORS.
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal. The Partnership is involved in various claims, lawsuits and audits by taxing authorities incidental to its business. These claims and lawsuits in the aggregate are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Partnership’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
PVR Shareholder Litigation. Five putative class action lawsuits challenging the PVR Acquisition are currently pending. All of the cases name PVR, PVR GP and the current directors of PVR GP, as well as the Partnership and the General Partner (collectively, the “Regency Defendants”), as defendants. Each of the lawsuits has been brought by a purported unitholder of PVR, both individually and on behalf of a putative class consisting of public unitholders of PVR. The lawsuits generally allege, among other things, that the directors of PVR GP breached their fiduciary duties to unitholders of PVR, that PVR GP, PVR and the Regency Defendants aided and abetted the directors of PVR GP in the alleged breach of these fiduciary duties, and, as to the actions in federal court, that some or all of PVR, PVR GP, and the directors of PVR GP violated Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The lawsuits purport to seek, in general, (i) injunctive relief, (ii) disclosure of certain additional information concerning the transaction, (iii) in the event the merger is consummated, rescission or an award of rescissory damages, (iv) an award of plaintiffs’ costs and (v) the accounting for damages allegedly causes by the defendants to these actions, and, (vi) such further relief as the court deems just and proper. The styles of the pending cases are as

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follows: David Naiditch v. PVR Partners, L.P., et al. (Case No. 9015-VCL) in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware); Charles Monatt v. PVR Partners, LP, et al. (Case No. 2013-10606) and Saul Srour v. PVR Partners, L.P., et al. (Case No. 2013-011015), each pending in the Court of Common Pleas for Delaware County, Pennsylvania; Stephen Bushansky v. PVR Partners, L.P., et al. (C.A. No. 2:13-cv-06829-HB); and Mark Hinnau v. PVR Partners, L.P., et al. (C.A. No. 2:13-cv-07496-HB), pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

On January 28, 2014, the defendants entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Monatt, Srour, Bushansky, Naiditch and Hinnau pursuant to which defendants and the referenced plaintiffs agreed in principle to a settlement of their lawsuits (“Settled Lawsuits”), which will be memorialized in a separate settlement agreement, subject to customary conditions, including consummation of the PVR Acquisition, which occurred on March 21, 2014, completion of certain confirmatory discovery, class certification and final approval by the Court of Common Pleas for Delaware County, Pennsylvania. If the Court approves the settlement, the Settled Lawsuits will be dismissed with prejudice and all defendants will be released from any and all claims relating to the Settled Lawsuits.

The settlement will not affect any provisions of the merger agreement or the form or amount of consideration received by PVR unitholders in the PVR Acquisition. The defendants have denied and continue to deny any wrongdoing or liability with respect to the plaintiffs’ claims in the aforementioned litigation and have entered into the settlement to eliminate the uncertainty, burden, risk, expense, and distraction of further litigation.
Utility Line Services, Inc. vs. PVR Marcellus Gas Gathering LLC.  On May 22, 2012, Plaintiff and Counterclaim Defendant, Utility Line Services, Inc. (“ULS”) filed suit against PVR Marcellus Gas Gathering, LLC now known as Regency Marcellus Gas Gathering LLC (“Regency Marcellus”) relating to a dispute involving payment under a construction contract (the “Construction Contract”) entered into in October 2010 for Regency Marcellus’ multi-phase pipeline construction project in Lycoming County, PA (the “Project”). Under the terms of the Construction Contract, Regency Marcellus believed ULS was obligated to design, permit and build Phases I and II of Regency Marcellus’ 30-inch pipeline and to design additional phases of the project. Due to ULS’ deficiencies and delays throughout the project, as well as extensive overbilling for its services, Regency Marcellus allowed the Construction Contract to terminate in accordance with its terms in December 2011 and refused to pay ULS’ outstanding invoices for the Project. ULS then filed suit alleging: Regency Marcellus’ refusal to pay certain invoices totaling approximately $17 million; penalties pursuant to the Pennsylvania Contractor and Subcontractor Payment Act, 73 P.S. § 501, et seq. (“CASPA”), Regency Marcellus’ alleged wrongful withholding of payments owed to ULS; and breach of contract in connection with Regency Marcellus’ alleged wrongful termination of ULS in December 2011. ULS alleged damages, inclusive of CASPA penalties, are in excess of $30 million. Regency Marcellus alleged counterclaims against ULS for breach of the parties’ contract for engineering and construction services; restitution for Regency Marcellus’ overpayments to ULS because of ULS’ improper billing practices; attorneys’ fees resulting from ULS’ meritless claim under CASPA; and professional malpractice against ULS for negligent performance of various engineering services on the Project. Regency Marcellus’ alleged damages exceed $21 million.

Trial commenced on March 24, 2014 and on April 17, 2014, the jury found in favor of ULS and assessed damages against Regency Marcellus of approximately $24 million plus interest and penalties. In June 2014, ULS and Regency Marcellus reached a settlement in this matter, the terms of which are confidential. The settlement did not have a material adverse effect on the Partnership’s business or financial position.

Eagle Rock Shareholder Litigation. Three putative class action lawsuits challenging the Eagle Rock Midstream Acquisition are currently pending in federal district court in Houston, Texas. All cases name Eagle Rock and its current directors, as well as the Partnership and a subsidiary, as defendants. One of the lawsuits also names additional Eagle Rock entities as defendants. Each of the lawsuits has been brought by a purported unitholder of Eagle Rock (collectively, the “Plaintiffs”), both individually and on behalf of a putative class consisting of public unitholders of Eagle Rock. The Plaintiffs in each case seek to rescind the transaction, claiming, among other things, that it yields inadequate consideration, was tainted by conflict and constitutes breaches of common law fiduciary duties or contractually imposed duties to the shareholders. Plaintiffs also seek monetary damages and attorneys’ fees. The Partnership and its subsidiary are named as “aiders and abettors” of the allegedly wrongful actions of Eagle Rock and its board.
Environmental. The Partnership is responsible for environmental remediation at certain sites on its gathering and processing systems, resulting primarily from releases of hydrocarbons. The Partnership’s remediation program typically involves the management of contaminated soils and may involve remediation of groundwater. Activities vary with site conditions and locations, the extent and nature of the contamination, remedial requirements and complexity. The ultimate liability and total costs associated with these sites will depend upon many factors.


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The table below reflects the environmental liabilities recorded at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Except as described above, the Partnership does not have any material environmental remediation matters assessed as reasonably possible that would require disclosure in the financial statements.
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Current
$
2

 
$
2

Noncurrent
8

 
6

Total environmental liabilities
$
10

 
$
8

The Partnership recorded less than $1 million in expenditures related to environmental remediation for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
Endangered Species Act. In March 2014, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service listed the lesser prairie chicken as a “threatened” species under the federal Endangered Species Act. This species is predominantly located in the Partnership’s Permian and Midcontinent regions; therefore, the Partnership may encounter additional costs and delays in infrastructure development. The Partnership is participating, along with other companies in our industry, in a conservation plan for this species, which will allow the Partnership to participate in managing the related conservation efforts. 
Air Quality Control. The Partnership is currently negotiating settlements to certain enforcement actions by the NMED and the TCEQ. The TCEQ recently initiated a state-wide emissions inventory for the sulfur dioxide emissions from sites with reported emissions of 10 tons per year or more. If this data demonstrates that any source or group of sources may cause or contribute to a violation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, they must be sufficiently controlled to ensure timely attainment of the standard. This may potentially affect three recovery units in Texas. It is unclear at this time how the NMED will address the sulfur dioxide standard.
Compliance Orders from the NMED. The Partnership has been in discussions with the NMED concerning allegations of violations of New Mexico air regulations related to the Jal #3 and Jal #4 facilities. Hearings on the compliance orders were delayed until October 2014 to allow the parties to pursue substantive settlement discussions. The Partnership has meritorious defenses to the NMED claims and can offer significant mitigating factors to the claimed violations. The Partnership has recorded a liability of less than $1 million related to the claims and will continue to assess its potential exposure to the allegations as the matters progress.
PADEP Consent Assessment. On October 21, 2013 the PADEP presented the Partnership’s subsidiary, Regency Marcellus Gas Gathering LLC (“Regency Marcellus”), with a proposed Consent Assessment of Civil Penalty totaling approximately $0.3 million in connection with alleged erosion and sediment control violations incurred during construction of its pipelines and related facilities in Lycoming and Tioga Counties, Pennsylvania. In September 2014, Regency Marcellus entered into a Consent Assessment of Civil Penalty (“Assessment”) with the PADEP, settling and resolving the penalty assessment. Pursuant to the Assessment, Regency Marcellus agreed to pay a civil penalty of approximately $0.3 million to settle the aforementioned violations alleged by the PADEP. Such penalty was paid in full in September 2014.
CDM Sales Tax Audit. CDM Resource Management LLC (“CDM”), a subsidiary of the Partnership, has historically claimed the manufacturing exemption from sales tax in Texas, as is common in the industry. The exemption is based on the fact that CDM’s natural gas compression equipment is used in the process of treating natural gas for ultimate use and sale. In a recent audit by the Texas Comptroller’s office, the Comptroller has challenged the applicability of the manufacturing exemption to CDM. The period being audited is from August 2006 to August 2007, and liability for that period is potentially covered by an indemnity obligation from CDM’s prior owners. CDM may also have liability for periods since 2008, and prospectively, if the Comptroller’s challenge is ultimately successful. An audit of the 2008 period has commenced. In April 2013, an independent audit review agreed with the Comptroller’s position. While CDM continues to disagree with this position and intends to seek redetermination and other relief, we are unable to predict the final outcome of this matter.
Mine Health and Safety Laws. There are numerous mine health and safety laws and regulations applicable to the coal mining industry. However, since the Partnership does not operate any mines and does not employ any coal miners, it is not subject to such laws and regulations. Accordingly, the Partnership has not accrued any related liabilities.
In addition to the matters discussed above, the Partnership is involved in legal, tax and regulatory proceedings before various courts, regulatory commissions and governmental agencies regarding matters arising in the ordinary course of business.

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9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, details of the Partnership’s related party receivables and related party payables were as follows:
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Related party receivables
 
 
 
ETE and its subsidiaries
$
48

 
$
25

HPC
1

 
1

Ranch JV

 
2

Other
3

 

Total related party receivables
$
52

 
$
28

 
 
 
 
Related party payables
 
 
 
ETE and its subsidiaries
$
43

 
$
68

HPC
1

 
1

Total related party payables
$
44

 
$
69

Transactions with ETE and its subsidiaries. Under the service agreement with Services Co., the Partnership paid Services Co.’s direct expenses for services performed, plus an annual fee of $10 million, and received the benefit of any cost savings recognized for these services. The service agreement has a five year term ending May 26, 2015, subject to earlier termination rights in the event of a change in control, the failure to achieve certain cost savings for the Partnership or upon an event of default. On April 30, 2013, this agreement was amended to provide for a waiver of the $10 million annual fee effective as of May 1, 2013 through and including April 30, 2015 and to clarify the scope and expenses chargeable as direct expenses thereunder.
On April 30, 2013, the Partnership entered into the second amendment (the “Operation and Service Amendment”) to the Operation and Service Agreement (the “Operation and Service Agreement”), by and among the Partnership, ETC, the General Partner and RGS. Under the Operation and Service Agreement, ETC performs certain operations, maintenance and related services reasonably required to operate and maintain certain facilities owned by the Partnership, and the Partnership reimburses ETC for actual costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of these services based on an annual budget agreed upon by both parties. The Operation and Service Agreement Amendment describes the services that ETC will provide in the future.
The Partnership incurred total service fees related to the agreements described above from ETE and its subsidiaries of $1 million and $2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $4 million and $9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
In conjunction with distributions by the Partnership to the limited and general partner interests, ETE and its subsidiaries received cash distributions of $53 million and $31 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $119 million and $62 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The Partnership’s Contract Services segment provides contract compression and treating services to subsidiaries of ETE and records revenue in gathering, transportation and other fees. The Partnership’s Contract Services segment purchased compression equipment from a subsidiary of ETE for $27 million and $39 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $58 million and $76 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Transactions with Lone Star. Subsidiaries of the Partnership have entered into various agreements to sell NGLs to Lone Star. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Partnership had recorded $86 million and $193 million, respectively, in NGL sales under these contracts of which the unsettled portion are included in the related party receivable from ETE and its subsidiaries.
Transactions with Southern Union. Prior to April 30, 2013, Southern Union provided certain administrative services for SUGS that were either based on SUGS’s pro-rata share of combined net investment, margin and certain expenses or direct costs incurred by Southern Union on the behalf of SUGS. Southern Union also charged a management and royalty fee to SUGS for certain management support services provided by Southern Union on the behalf of SUGS and for the use of certain Southern Union trademarks, trade names and service marks by SUGS. These administrative services are no longer being provided subsequent to the SUGS Acquisition.


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Transactions with HPC. Under a Master Services Agreement with HPC, the Partnership operates and provides all employees and services for the operation and management of HPC. The related party general and administrative expenses reimbursed to the Partnership were $3 million and $4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $11 million and $14 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which are recorded in gathering, transportation and other fees.
The Partnership’s Contract Services segment provides compression services to HPC and records revenues in gathering, transportation and other fees. The Partnership also receives transportation services from HPC and records it as cost of sales.
10. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Partnership has six reportable segments: Gathering and Processing, Natural Gas Transportation, NGL Services, Contract Services, Natural Resources and Corporate. The reportable segments are as described below:
Gathering and Processing. The Partnership provides “wellhead-to-market” services to producers of natural gas, which include transporting raw natural gas from the wellhead through gathering systems, processing raw natural gas to separate NGLs from the raw natural gas and selling or delivering pipeline-quality natural gas and NGLs to various markets and pipeline systems, the gathering of oil (crude and/or condensate, a lighter oil) received from producers, the gathering and disposing of salt water, and natural gas and NGL marketing and trading. This segment also includes the Partnership’s 60% membership interest in ELG, which operates natural gas gathering, oil pipeline, and oil stabilization facilities in south Texas, the Partnership’s 33.33% membership interest in Ranch JV, which processes natural gas delivered from NGL-rich shale formations in west Texas, the Partnership’s 50% interest in Sweeny JV, the Partnership’s 51% membership interest in Aqua - PVR, which transports and supplies fresh water to natural gas producers in the Marcellus shale in Pennsylvania, and the Partnership’s 75% membership interest in ORS, which will operate a natural gas gathering system in the Utica shale in Ohio. The Partnership completed the SUGS Acquisition on April 30, 2013 which was a reorganization of entities under common control.
Natural Gas Transportation. The Partnership owns a 49.99% general partner interest in HPC, which owns RIGS, a 450- mile intrastate pipeline that delivers natural gas from northwest Louisiana to downstream pipelines and markets, and a 50% membership interest in MEP, which owns a 500-mile interstate natural gas pipeline stretching from southeast Oklahoma through northeast Texas, northern Louisiana and central Mississippi to an interconnect with the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line system in Butler, Alabama. This segment also includes Gulf States, which owns a 10-mile interstate pipeline that extends from Harrison County, Texas to Caddo Parish, Louisiana.
NGL Services. The Partnership owns a 30% membership interest in Lone Star, an entity owning a diverse set of midstream energy assets including NGL pipelines, storage, fractionation and processing facilities located in Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Contract Services. The Partnership owns and operates a fleet of compressors used to provide turn-key natural gas compression services for customer specific systems. The Partnership also owns and operates a fleet of equipment used to provide treating services, such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide removal, natural gas cooling, dehydration and BTU management.
Natural Resources. The Partnership is involved in the management of coal and natural resources properties and the related collection of royalties. The Partnership also earns revenues from other land management activities, such as selling standing timber, leasing coal-related infrastructure facilities, and collecting oil and gas royalties. This segment also includes the Partnership’s 50% interest in Coal Handling, which owns and operates end-user coal handling facilities.
Corporate. The Corporate segment comprises the Partnership’s corporate assets.
The Partnership accounts for intersegment revenues as if the revenues were to third parties, exclusive of certain cost of capital charges.
Management evaluates the performance of each segment and makes capital allocation decisions through the separate consideration of segment margin and operation and maintenance expenses. Segment margin for the Gathering and Processing and the Natural Gas Transportation segments is defined as total revenues, including service fees, less cost of sales. In the Contract Services segment, segment margin is defined as revenues less direct costs. The Natural Resources segment margin is generally equal to total revenues as there is typically minimal cost of sales associated with the management and leasing of properties.
Management believes segment margin is an important measure because it directly relates to volume, commodity price changes and revenue generating horsepower. Operation and maintenance expenses are a separate measure used by management to evaluate performance of field operations. Direct labor, insurance, property taxes, repair and maintenance, utilities and contract services

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comprise the most significant portion of operation and maintenance expenses. These expenses fluctuate depending on the activities performed during a specific period. The Partnership does not deduct operation and maintenance expenses from total revenues in calculating segment margin because management separately evaluates commodity volume and price changes in segment margin. The Partnership does not record segment margin for its investments in unconsolidated affiliates (HPC, MEP, Lone Star, Ranch JV, Aqua - PVR, and Coal Handling) because it records its ownership percentages of their net income as income from unconsolidated affiliates in accordance with the equity method of accounting.

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Results for each segment are shown below:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
External Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gathering and Processing
$
1,387

 
$
603

 
$
3,254

 
$
1,671

Natural Gas Transportation

 

 

 

NGL Services

 

 

 

Contract Services
76

 
58

 
217

 
159

Natural Resources
18

 

 
40

 

Corporate
2

 
4

 
13

 
14

Eliminations

 

 

 

Total
$
1,483

 
$
665

 
$
3,524

 
$
1,844

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intersegment Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gathering and Processing
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Natural Gas Transportation

 

 

 

NGL Services

 

 

 

Contract Services
3

 
4

 
11

 
11

Natural Resources

 

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

Eliminations
(3
)
 
(4
)
 
(11
)
 
(11
)
Total
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment Margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gathering and Processing
$
349

 
$
136

 
$
784

 
$
383

Natural Gas Transportation

 

 

 

NGL Services

 

 

 

Contract Services
66

 
52

 
185

 
149

Natural Resources
18

 

 
40

 

Corporate
2

 
4

 
9

 
14

Eliminations
(3
)
 
(4
)
 
(11
)
 
(11
)
Total
$
432

 
$
188

 
$
1,007

 
$
535

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operation and Maintenance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gathering and Processing
$
104

 
$
63

 
$
237

 
$
177

Natural Gas Transportation

 

 

 

NGL Services

 

 

 

Contract Services
21

 
19

 
62

 
53

Natural Resources
4

 

 
9

 

Corporate
1

 

 
2

 
1

Eliminations
(1
)
 
(4
)
 
(10
)
 
(11
)
Total
$
129

 
$
78

 
$
300

 
$
220


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The table below provides a reconciliation of total segment margin to income before income taxes:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014

2013
 
2014
 
2013
Total segment margin
$
432

 
$
188

 
$
1,007

 
$
535

Operation and maintenance