NuStar Energy L.P. (NYSE: NS) today announced second quarter 2014 distributable cash flow from continuing operations available to limited partners of $93.6 million, or $1.20 per unit, compared to 2013 second quarter distributable cash flow from continuing operations available to limited partners of $56.8 million, or $0.73 per unit. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, distributable cash flow from continuing operations available to limited partners was $171.5 million, or $2.20 per unit, compared to $113.9 million, or $1.46 per unit for the six months ended June 30, 2013.

Second quarter earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) from continuing operations was $140.1 million compared to second quarter 2013 EBITDA of $114.3 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, EBITDA was $266.8 million, compared to $208.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013.

The partnership reported second quarter net income applicable to limited partners of $43.6 million, or $0.56 per unit, compared to $21.6 million, or $0.28 per unit, earned in the second quarter of 2013. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, net income applicable to limited partners was $71.7 million, or $0.92 per unit, compared to net income applicable to limited partners of $34.9 million, or $0.45 per unit, for the six months ended June 30, 2013.

The partnership also announced that its board of directors has declared a second quarter 2014 distribution of $1.095 per unit. The second quarter 2014 distribution will be paid on August 11, 2014, to holders of record as of August 6, 2014. Distributable cash flow from continuing operations available to limited partners covers the distribution to the limited partners by 1.10 times for the second quarter of 2014 and by 1.00 times for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

“All three of our operating segments continued to perform well in the second quarter,” said Brad Barron, President and Chief Executive Officer of NuStar Energy L.P. and NuStar GP Holdings, LLC. “In May, we completed Phase 1 of our South Texas Crude Oil Pipeline expansion and set a new single-vessel loading record at our Corpus Christi North Beach Terminal, when we loaded over 750,000 barrels. These were significant milestones for us and contributed to improved results in both our pipeline and storage segments.”

Barron went on to say, “Our coverage ratio in the second quarter was our highest since the third quarter of 2011 and was better than we initially projected. Higher than expected throughput volumes in both our pipeline and storage segments, as well as the deferral of some maintenance expenses and reliability capital spending to the back half of 2014 helped drive the coverage ratio to 1.10 times.”

Internal Growth Project Update

Phase 2 of the South Texas Crude Oil Pipeline expansion is expected to come on line during the first quarter of 2015 and will allow for increased throughputs of up to 65,000 barrels per day. NuStar’s 12-inch pipeline between Mont Belvieu and Corpus Christi, Texas began generating distributable cash flow in the second quarter and is expected to be in full NGL service in the second quarter of 2015, at which time it is expected to generate an incremental $23 million in annual EBITDA, based on committed volumes.

2014 Earnings Guidance

“NuStar’s third quarter EPU and EBITDA results as well as our coverage ratio should exceed last year’s third quarter results. Similar to the second quarter, third quarter EBITDA results in our pipeline, storage and fuels marketing segments are all expected to be higher than last year’s third quarter,” said Barron.

“In regard to full year 2014 guidance, we still expect our pipeline segment EBITDA to be $40 to $60 million higher than 2013 and our storage segment adjusted EBITDA to be comparable to 2013. However, we now expect our fuels marketing segment to generate EBITDA in the range of $20 to $30 million. Based on these projections, we expect to cover our distributions for the full year 2014,” Barron said.

Barron went on to say, “Our 2014 internal growth spending projections have been reduced slightly to reflect the deferral of spending on some of our key growth projects into 2015. Spending is now expected to be in the range of $330 to $350 million, the majority of which will be spent on projects in our pipeline segment.”

Second Quarter 2014 Earnings Conference Call Details

A conference call with management is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. CT today, July 25, 2014, to discuss the financial and operational results for the second quarter of 2014. Investors interested in listening to the presentation may call 800/622-7620, passcode 63499232. International callers may access the presentation by dialing 706/645-0327, passcode 63499232. The company intends to have a playback available following the presentation, which may be accessed by calling 800/585-8367, passcode 63499232. International callers may access the playback by calling 404/537-3406, passcode 63499232.

Investors interested in listening to the live presentation or a replay via the internet may access the presentation directly by clicking here or by logging on to NuStar Energy L.P.’s Web site at www.nustarenergy.com.

NuStar Energy L.P., a publicly traded master limited partnership based in San Antonio, is one of the largest independent liquids terminal and pipeline operators in the nation. NuStar currently has 8,643 miles of pipeline and 84 terminal and storage facilities that store and distribute crude oil, refined products and specialty liquids. The partnership’s combined system has approximately 92 million barrels of storage capacity, and NuStar has operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, including St. Eustatius in the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and Turkey. For more information, visit NuStar Energy L.P.’s Web site at www.nustarenergy.com.

This release serves as qualified notice to nominees under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.1446-4(b)(4) and (d). Please note that 100% of NuStar’s distributions to foreign investors are attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, all of NuStar’s distributions to foreign investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest effective tax rate for individuals and corporations, as applicable. Nominees, and not NuStar, are treated as the withholding agents responsible for withholding on the distributions received by them on behalf of foreign investors.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding future events. All forward-looking statements are based on the partnership and company’s beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the partnership and company. These statements reflect the partnership and company’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions are discussed in NuStar Energy L.P. and NuStar GP Holdings, LLC’s 2013 annual reports on Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

   
NuStar Energy L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Financial Information
(Unaudited, Thousands of Dollars, Except Unit and Per Unit Data)
 
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
  2014       2013     2014       2013  
Statement of Income Data:
Revenues:
Service revenues $ 259,562 $ 231,451 $ 488,900 $ 457,210
Product sales   490,183     670,563     1,110,058     1,442,990  
Total revenues   749,745     902,014     1,598,958     1,900,200  
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product sales 473,755 648,766 1,068,714 1,401,020
Operating expenses 115,537 111,315 221,602 224,832
General and administrative expenses 23,163 19,653 44,019 47,147
Depreciation and amortization expense   47,936     45,308     94,166     86,871  
Total costs and expenses   660,391     825,042     1,428,501     1,759,870  
Operating income 89,354 76,972 170,457 140,330
Equity in earnings (loss) of joint ventures 3,294 (10,128 ) (1,012 ) (21,271 )
Interest expense, net (33,122 ) (31,035 ) (67,539 ) (62,026 )
Interest income from related party 1,610 1,055 2,732
Other (expense) income, net   (474 )   2,184     3,204     2,528  

Income from continuing operations before income tax expense

59,052 39,603 106,165 62,293
Income tax expense   1,865     4,891     5,982     7,982  
Income from continuing operations 57,187 34,712 100,183 54,311

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax (Note 1)

  (1,788 )   (1,743 )   (5,147 )   3,062  
Net income $ 55,399   $ 32,969   $ 95,036   $ 57,373  
Net income applicable to limited partners $ 43,599   $ 21,619   $ 71,743   $ 34,887  
Net income (loss) per unit applicable to limited partners:
Continuing operations $ 0.58 $ 0.30 $ 0.98 $ 0.40
Discontinued operations (Note 1)   (0.02 )   (0.02 )   (0.06 )   0.05  
Total $ 0.56   $ 0.28   $ 0.92   $ 0.45  
Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding   77,886,078     77,886,078     77,886,078     77,886,078  
 
EBITDA from continuing operations (Note 2) $ 140,110 $ 114,336 $ 266,815 $ 208,458
DCF from continuing operations (Note 2) $ 106,321 $ 69,565 $ 197,033 $ 139,451
 
June 30, December 31,
  2014     2013     2013  
Balance Sheet Data:
Long-term debt $ 2,726,629 $ 2,500,948

$

2,655,553
Partners’ equity $ 1,809,359 $ 2,440,266

$

1,903,794
Consolidated debt coverage ratio (Note 3) 4.0x 4.3x 4.4x
   
NuStar Energy L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Financial Information - Continued
(Unaudited, Thousands of Dollars, Except Barrel Data)
 
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
  2014       2013     2014       2013  
Pipeline:
Refined products pipelines throughput (barrels/day) 521,391 459,663 497,315 465,446
Crude oil pipelines throughput (barrels/day)   427,122     350,850     393,457     351,021  
Total throughput (barrels/day) 948,513 810,513 890,772 816,467
Throughput revenues $ 117,798 $ 96,976 $ 220,757 $ 190,253
Operating expenses 38,072 29,101 69,689 66,507
Depreciation and amortization expense   19,490     16,648     37,842     32,638  
Segment operating income $ 60,236   $ 51,227   $ 113,226   $ 91,108  
Storage:
Throughput (barrels/day) 894,194 813,345 857,967 741,872
Throughput revenues $ 31,216 $ 26,626 $ 58,686 $ 48,987
Storage lease revenues   113,770     116,053     218,866     235,369  
Total revenues 144,986 142,679 277,552 284,356
Operating expenses 69,091 72,212 134,358 136,865
Depreciation and amortization expense   25,888     26,055     51,180     49,123  
Segment operating income $ 50,007   $ 44,412   $ 92,014   $ 98,368  
Fuels Marketing:
Product sales and other revenue $ 493,651 $ 670,604 $ 1,114,622 $ 1,443,612
Cost of product sales   477,830     654,202     1,077,305     1,412,934  
Gross margin 15,821 16,402 37,317 30,678
Operating expenses 10,996 12,964 22,927 28,826
Depreciation and amortization expense   4     6     11     13  
Segment operating income $ 4,821   $ 3,432   $ 14,379   $ 1,839  
Consolidation and Intersegment Eliminations:
Revenues $ (6,690 ) $ (8,245 ) $ (13,973 ) $ (18,021 )
Cost of product sales (4,075 ) (5,436 ) (8,591 ) (11,914 )
Operating expenses   (2,622 )   (2,962 )   (5,372 )   (7,366 )
Total $ 7   $ 153   $ (10 ) $ 1,259  
Consolidated Information:
Revenues $ 749,745 $ 902,014 $ 1,598,958 $ 1,900,200
Cost of product sales 473,755 648,766 1,068,714 1,401,020
Operating expenses 115,537 111,315 221,602 224,832
Depreciation and amortization expense   45,382     42,709     89,033     81,774  
Segment operating income 115,071 99,224 219,609 192,574
General and administrative expenses 23,163 19,653 44,019 47,147
Other depreciation and amortization expense   2,554     2,599     5,133     5,097  
Consolidated operating income $ 89,354   $ 76,972   $ 170,457   $ 140,330  
 

NuStar Energy L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Financial Information - Continued
(Unaudited, Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Unit Data)

Notes:

(1) The results of operations for the following have been reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented: (i) the San Antonio Refinery and related assets, which we sold on January 1, 2013, and (ii) certain storage assets that were classified as “Assets held for sale” on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013.

(2) NuStar Energy L.P. utilizes financial measures, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) from continuing operations, distributable cash flow (DCF) from continuing operations and DCF from continuing operations per unit, which are not defined in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Management uses these financial measures because they are widely accepted financial indicators used by investors to compare partnership performance. In addition, management believes that these measures provide investors an enhanced perspective of the operating performance of the partnership’s assets and the cash that the business is generating. None of EBITDA from continuing operations, DCF from continuing operations or DCF from continuing operations per unit are intended to represent cash flows from operations for the period, nor are they presented as an alternative to net income or income from continuing operations. They should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for a measure of performance prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The following is a reconciliation of income from continuing operations to EBITDA from continuing operations and DCF from continuing operations:

  Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,
  2014       2013     2014       2013  
Income from continuing operations $ 57,187 $ 34,712 $ 100,183 $ 54,311

Plus interest expense, net and interest income from related party

33,122 29,425 66,484 59,294
Plus income tax expense 1,865 4,891 5,982 7,982
Plus depreciation and amortization expense   47,936     45,308     94,166     86,871  
EBITDA from continuing operations 140,110 114,336 266,815 208,458
Equity in (earnings) loss of joint ventures (3,294 ) 10,128 1,012 21,271

Interest expense, net and interest income from related party

(33,122 ) (29,425 ) (66,484 ) (59,294 )
Reliability capital expenditures (7,239 ) (10,987 ) (11,998 ) (16,464 )
Income tax expense (1,865 ) (4,891 ) (5,982 ) (7,982 )
Distributions from joint ventures 728 3,094 4,652
Other items (a) 4,311 (6,500 ) 3,869 (6,500 )
Mark-to-market impact of hedge transactions (b)   6,692     (3,096 )   6,707     (4,690 )
DCF from continuing operations $ 106,321 $ 69,565 $ 197,033 $ 139,451
 
Less DCF from continuing operations available to

general partner

  12,766     12,766     25,532     25,532  
DCF from continuing operations available to

limited partners

$ 93,555   $ 56,799   $ 171,501   $ 113,919  
 
DCF from continuing operations per limited partner unit $ 1.20 $ 0.73 $ 2.20 $ 1.46

(a) For 2014, other items consist of a net increase in deferred revenue associated with throughput deficiency payments and construction reimbursements. For 2013, other items consist of a $6.5 million reduction of the contingent consideration recorded in association with an acquisition.

(b) DCF from continuing operations excludes the impact of unrealized mark-to-market gains and losses that arise from valuing certain derivative contracts, as well as the associated hedged inventory. The gain or loss associated with these contracts is realized in DCF from continuing operations when the contracts are settled.

(3) The consolidated debt coverage ratio is calculated as consolidated indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA, as defined in our $1.5 billion five-year revolving credit agreement.