EX-99.2 5 ex992-wgp123113onform8xk.htm EX-99.2 EX 99.2 - WGP 12.31.13 on Form 8-K

EXHIBIT 99.2

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Western Gas Equity Partners, LP (“WGP”) is a Delaware master limited partnership (“MLP”) formed by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation to own three types of partnership interests in Western Gas Partners, LP (“WES”). For purposes of this report, “WGP,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or “Western Gas Equity Partners” refers to Western Gas Equity Partners, LP in its individual capacity or to Western Gas Equity Partners, LP and its subsidiaries, including Western Gas Holdings, LLC (“WES GP”), the general partner of WES and our wholly owned subsidiary, as the context requires. Our general partner, Western Gas Equity Holdings, LLC (“WGP GP”), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. “Anadarko” refers to Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries, excluding us, and “affiliates” refers to subsidiaries of Anadarko, excluding us, and includes equity interests in Fort Union Gas Gathering, LLC (“Fort Union”), White Cliffs Pipeline, LLC (“White Cliffs”), Rendezvous Gas Services, LLC (“Rendezvous”), Enterprise EF78 LLC (the “Mont Belvieu JV”), Texas Express Pipeline LLC (“TEP”), Texas Express Gathering LLC (“TEG”) and Front Range Pipeline LLC (“FRP”). The interests in TEP, TEG and FRP are referred to collectively as the “TEFR Interests.” “Equity investment throughput” refers to WES’s 14.81% share of average Fort Union throughput and 22% share of average Rendezvous throughput, but excludes throughput measured in barrels, consisting of WES’s 10% share of average White Cliffs throughput, 25% share of average Mont Belvieu JV throughput, 20% share of average TEP and TEG throughput and 33.33% share of average FRP throughput.
References to the “WES assets” refer collectively to the assets indirectly owned and interests accounted for under the equity method by us through our partnership interests in WES as of December 31, 2013, including the TEFR Interests. Because we own and control WES GP, and WGP GP is owned and controlled by Anadarko, each of WES’s acquisitions of WES assets from Anadarko has been considered a transfer of net assets between entities under common control. As such, WES assets acquired from Anadarko were initially recorded at Anadarko’s historic carrying value, which did not correlate to the total acquisition price paid by WES (see Note 2—Acquisitions in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K). Further, after an acquisition of WES assets from Anadarko, we, by virtue of our consolidation of WES, may be required to recast our financial statements to include the activities of such WES assets as of the date of common control. For those periods requiring recast, the consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the acquisition of WES assets from Anadarko, including the TEFR Interests, have been prepared from Anadarko’s historical cost-basis accounts and may not necessarily be indicative of the actual results of operations that would have occurred if WES had owned the WES assets during the periods reported. For ease of reference, we refer to the historical financial results of the WES assets prior to the acquisitions from Anadarko as being “our” historical financial results.
The following discussion analyzes our financial condition and results of operations and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements, in which Western Gas Partners, LP is fully consolidated, which are included in Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We were formed by Anadarko in September 2012 by converting WGR Holdings, LLC into an MLP and changing its name to Western Gas Equity Partners, LP. We closed our initial public offering (“IPO”) in December 2012 and own WES GP and a significant limited partner interest in WES, a growth-oriented Delaware MLP organized by Anadarko to own, operate, acquire and develop midstream energy assets. Our consolidated financial statements include the consolidated financial results of WES due to our 100% ownership interest in WES GP and WES GP’s control of WES. Our only cash-generating assets consist of our partnership interests in WES, and we currently have no independent operations.




WES currently owns or has investments in assets located in the Rocky Mountains (Colorado, Utah and Wyoming), the Mid-Continent (Kansas and Oklahoma), north-central Pennsylvania, and Texas, and is engaged in the business of gathering, processing, compressing, treating and transporting natural gas, condensate, NGLs and crude oil for Anadarko, as well as for third-party producers and customers. As of December 31, 2013, WES’s assets and investments accounted for under the equity method, including the TEFR Interests, consisted of the following:
 
 
Owned and
Operated
 
Operated
Interests
 
Non-Operated
Interests
 
Equity Interests
Natural gas gathering systems
 
13

 
1

 
5

 
2

NGL gathering systems
 

 

 

 
2

Natural gas treating facilities
 
8

 

 

 
1

Natural gas processing facilities
 
8

 
3

 

 
2

NGL pipelines
 
3

 

 

 
2

Natural gas pipelines
 
3

 

 

 

Oil pipeline
 

 

 

 
1


See also Note 13—Subsequent Events in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Significant financial and operational highlights during the year ended December 31, 2013 included the following:

We raised our distribution to $0.23125 per unit for the fourth quarter of 2013, representing an 8% increase over the distribution for the third quarter of 2013.

WES issued $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.600% Senior Notes due 2018. Net proceeds were used to repay amounts then outstanding under WES’s $800.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility (“WES RCF”). See Liquidity and Capital Resources within this Item 7 for additional information.

WES completed construction and commenced operations in June 2013 of the 200 MMcf/d Brasada processing and stabilization facility in the Eagleford shale area of South Texas.

WES announced a project to expand the processing capacity at its Lancaster plant by another 300 MMcf/d with a second cryogenic processing train. The expansion project is currently under construction.

WES completed the following acquisitions: (i) Anadarko’s 33.75% interest (non-operated) in the Liberty and Rome gas gathering systems in north-central Pennsylvania, (ii) a third party’s 33.75% interest (operated by Anadarko) in each of the Larry’s Creek, Seely and Warrensville gas gathering systems, also in north-central Pennsylvania, (iii) a 25% interest in the Mont Belvieu JV, an entity formed to design, construct and own two NGL fractionation trains located in Mont Belvieu, Texas, and (iv) Overland Trail Transmission, LLC, which owns and operates a natural gas pipeline connecting WES’s Red Desert and Granger complexes in southwestern Wyoming. See Acquisitions under Items 1 and 2 of our 2013 Form 10-K for additional information.

WES issued 12,200,735 common units to the public, generating net proceeds of $740.3 million, including WES GP’s proportionate capital contribution to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest. Net proceeds were used to repay a portion of the amount outstanding under the WES RCF, with the remaining net proceeds used for general partnership purposes, including the funding of capital expenditures.

WES raised its distribution to $0.60 per unit for the fourth quarter of 2013, representing a 3% increase over the distribution for the third quarter of 2013, a 15% increase over the distribution for the fourth quarter of 2012, and its nineteenth consecutive quarterly increase.


2




Significant operational highlights during the year ended December 31, 2013 included the following:

Throughput attributable to WES for natural gas assets totaled 3,200 MMcf/d for the year ended December 31, 2013, representing a 14% increase compared to the year ended December 31, 2012.

Adjusted gross margin attributable to WES for natural gas assets (as defined under the caption Key Performance Metrics within this Item 7) averaged $0.56 per Mcf for the year ended December 31, 2013, representing a 6% increase compared to the year ended December 31, 2012.

WES’S OPERATIONS

WES’s results are driven primarily by the volumes of natural gas and NGLs WES gathers, processes, treats or transports through its systems. For the year ended December 31, 2013, 78% of total revenues and 57% of throughput (excluding equity investment throughput and throughput measured in barrels) were attributable to transactions with Anadarko.
In WES’s gathering operations, it contracts with producers and customers to gather natural gas from individual wells located near its gathering systems. WES connects wells to gathering lines through which natural gas may be compressed and delivered to a processing plant, treating facility or downstream pipeline, and ultimately to end users. WES also treats a significant portion of the natural gas that it gathers so that it will satisfy required specifications for pipeline transportation.
WES received significant dedications from its largest customer, Anadarko, solely with respect to its Wattenberg, Dew, Pinnacle, Haley, Helper, Clawson and Hugoton gathering systems. Specifically, pursuant to the terms of WES’s applicable gathering agreements, Anadarko has dedicated all of the natural gas production it owns or controls from (i) wells that are currently connected to such gathering systems, and (ii) additional wells that are drilled within one mile of wells connected to such gathering systems, as those systems currently exist and as they are expanded to connect additional wells in the future. As a result, this dedication will continue to expand as long as additional wells are connected to these gathering systems.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, 74% of WES’s gross margin was attributable to fee-based contracts, under which a fixed fee is received based on the volume or thermal content of the natural gas WES gathers, processes, treats or transports. This type of contract provides WES with a relatively stable revenue stream that is not subject to direct commodity price risk, except to the extent that (i) WES retains and sells drip condensate that is recovered during the gathering of natural gas from the wellhead or (ii) actual recoveries differ from contractual recoveries under a limited number of processing agreements. Fee-based gross margin includes equity income from WES’s interests in Fort Union, White Cliffs, Rendezvous, the Mont Belvieu JV and the TEFR Interests.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, 26% of WES’s gross margin, including gross margin attributable to condensate sales, was attributable to percent-of-proceeds and keep-whole contracts, pursuant to which WES has commodity price exposure. A substantial majority of the commodity price risk associated with its percent-of-proceeds and keep-whole contracts is hedged under commodity price swap agreements with Anadarko. For the year ended December 31, 2013, 99% of WES’s gross margin was derived from either long-term, fee-based contracts or from percent-of-proceeds or keep-whole agreements that were hedged with commodity price swap agreements. See Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
WES also has indirect exposure to commodity price risk in that persistent low natural gas prices have caused and may continue to cause current or potential customers to delay drilling or shut in production in certain areas, which would reduce the volumes of natural gas available for WES’s systems. WES also bears a limited degree of commodity price risk through settlement of natural gas imbalances. Please read Item 7A of our 2013 Form 10-K.
As a result of acquisitions from Anadarko and third parties, our results of operations, financial position and cash flows may vary significantly for 2013, 2012 and 2011 as compared to future periods. Please see the caption Items Affecting the Comparability of Financial Results, set forth below in this Item 7.


3




HOW WES EVALUATES ITS OPERATIONS

WES’s management relies on certain financial and operational metrics to analyze its performance. These metrics are significant factors in assessing WES’s operating results and profitability and include (1) throughput, (2) operating and maintenance expenses, (3) general and administrative expenses, (4) Adjusted gross margin (as defined below), (5) Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) and (6) Distributable cash flow (as defined below).

Throughput. Throughput is an essential operating variable WES uses in assessing its ability to generate revenues. In order to maintain or increase throughput on WES’s gathering and processing systems, WES must connect additional wells to its systems. WES’s success in maintaining or increasing throughput is impacted by successful drilling of new wells by producers that are dedicated to WES’s systems, recompletions of existing wells connected to its systems, its ability to secure volumes from new wells drilled on non-dedicated acreage and its ability to attract natural gas volumes currently gathered, processed or treated by its competitors. During the year ended December 31, 2013, excluding the acquisition of the TEFR Interests, WES added 273 receipt points to its systems.

Operating and maintenance expenses. WES monitors operating and maintenance expenses to assess the impact of such costs on the profitability of its assets and to evaluate the overall efficiency of its operations. Operating and maintenance expenses include, among other things, field labor, insurance, repair and maintenance, equipment rentals, contract services, utility costs and services provided to WES or on its behalf. For periods commencing on the date of and subsequent to WES’s acquisition of its assets, certain of these expenses are incurred under and governed by WES’s services and secondment agreement with Anadarko.

General and administrative expenses. To help ensure the appropriateness of WES’s general and administrative expenses and maximize its cash available for distribution, WES monitors such expenses through comparison to prior periods, to the annual budget approved by WES GP’s board of directors, as well as to general and administrative expenses incurred by similar midstream companies. General and administrative expenses for periods prior to WES’s acquisition of the WES assets include amounts attributable to costs incurred on WES’s behalf and allocations of general and administrative costs by Anadarko and WES GP to WES. For periods subsequent to the acquisition of the WES assets, Anadarko is no longer compensated for corporate services through a management services fee. Instead, allocations and reimbursements of general and administrative expenses are determined by Anadarko in its reasonable discretion, in accordance with WES’s partnership agreement and WES’s omnibus agreement. Amounts required to be reimbursed to Anadarko under WES’s omnibus agreement also include those expenses attributable to its status as a publicly traded partnership, such as the following:

expenses associated with annual and quarterly reporting;

tax return and Schedule K-1 preparation and distribution expenses;

expenses associated with listing on the New York Stock Exchange; and

independent auditor fees, legal expenses, investor relations expenses, director fees, and registrar and transfer agent fees.

See further detail under Items Affecting the Comparability of Financial Results —Western Gas Partners, LP —General and administrative expenses below and Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.


4




Non-GAAP financial measures

Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP. WES defines Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP (“Adjusted gross margin”) as total revenues less cost of product, plus distributions from equity investees and excluding the noncontrolling interest owners’ proportionate share of revenue and cost of product. WES believes Adjusted gross margin is an important performance measure of the core profitability of its operations, as well as its operating performance as compared to that of other companies in the industry. Cost of product expenses include (i) costs associated with the purchase of natural gas and NGLs pursuant to WES’s percent-of-proceeds and keep-whole processing contracts, (ii) costs associated with the valuation of WES’s gas imbalances, (iii) costs associated with WES’s obligations under certain contracts to redeliver a volume of natural gas to shippers, which is thermally equivalent to condensate retained by WES and sold to third parties, and (iv) costs associated with WES’s fuel-tracking mechanism, which tracks the difference between actual fuel usage and loss, and amounts recovered for estimated fuel usage and loss pursuant to its contracts. These expenses are subject to variability, although WES’s exposure to commodity price risk attributable to purchases and sales of natural gas, condensate and NGLs is mitigated through its commodity price swap agreements with Anadarko.
To facilitate investor and industry analyst comparisons between WES and its peers, WES also discloses Adjusted gross margin per Mcf attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets and Adjusted gross margin per Bbl for crude/NGL assets. See Key Performance Metrics within this Item 7.

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP. WES defines Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP (“Adjusted EBITDA”) as net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP, plus distributions from equity investees, non-cash equity-based compensation expense, interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation, amortization and impairments, and other expense, less income from equity investments, interest income, income tax benefit, and other income. WES believes that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA provides information useful to investors in assessing its financial condition and results of operations and that Adjusted EBITDA is a widely accepted financial indicator of a company’s ability to incur and service debt, fund capital expenditures and make distributions. Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental financial measure that WES’s management and external users of WES’s consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, commercial banks and rating agencies, use to assess the following, among other measures:

WES’s operating performance as compared to other publicly traded partnerships in the midstream energy industry, without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis;

the ability of WES’s assets to generate cash flow to make distributions; and

the viability of acquisitions and capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various investment opportunities.

Distributable cash flow. WES defines “Distributable cash flow” as Adjusted EBITDA, plus interest income, less net cash paid for interest expense (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs originally paid in cash, offset by non-cash capitalized interest), maintenance capital expenditures, and income taxes. WES compares Distributable cash flow to the cash distributions WES expects to pay its unitholders. Using this measure, management can quickly compute the Coverage ratio of estimated cash flows to planned cash distributions. WES believes Distributable cash flow is useful to investors because this measurement is used by many companies, analysts and others in the industry as a performance measurement tool to evaluate WES’s operating and financial performance and compare it with the performance of other publicly traded partnerships.
While Distributable cash flow is a measure WES uses to assess its ability to make distributions to its unitholders, it should not be viewed as indicative of the actual amount of cash that WES has available for distributions or that it plans to distribute for a given period.


5




Reconciliation to GAAP measures. Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash flow are not defined in generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The GAAP measure used by WES that is most directly comparable to Adjusted gross margin is operating income, while net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP and net cash provided by operating activities are the GAAP measures used by WES most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA. The GAAP measure used by WES most directly comparable to Distributable cash flow is net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP. WES’s non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash flow should not be considered as alternatives to the GAAP measures of operating income, net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP, net cash provided by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash flow have important limitations as analytical tools because they exclude some, but not all, items that affect operating income, net income and net cash provided by operating activities. Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash flow should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of WES’s results as reported under GAAP. WES’s definitions of Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies in WES’s industry, thereby diminishing their utility.
WES’s management compensates for the limitations of Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash flow as analytical tools by reviewing the comparable GAAP measures, understanding the differences between Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash flow compared to (as applicable) operating income, net income and net cash provided by operating activities, and incorporating this knowledge into its decision-making processes. WES believes that investors benefit from having access to the same financial measures that its management uses in evaluating its operating results.
The following tables present (a) a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted gross margin to the GAAP financial measure of operating income, (b) a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA to the GAAP financial measures of net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP and net cash provided by operating activities, and (c) a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure of Distributable cash flow to the GAAP financial measure of net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Reconciliation of Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP to Operating income
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets
 
$
654,924

 
$
544,853

 
$
516,038

Adjusted gross margin for crude/NGL assets
 
15,274

 
13,221

 
9,497

Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP
 
$
670,198

 
$
558,074

 
$
525,535

Adjusted gross margin attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
17,416

 
20,983

 
21,237

Equity income, net
 
22,948

 
16,042

 
11,261

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions from equity investees
 
22,136

 
20,660

 
15,999

Operation and maintenance
 
168,657

 
140,106

 
126,464

General and administrative
 
29,751

 
99,212

 
40,564

Property and other taxes
 
23,244

 
19,688

 
16,579

Depreciation, amortization and impairments
 
145,916

 
120,608

 
113,133

Operating income
 
$
320,858

 
$
194,825

 
$
245,294



6




 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP to Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP
 
$
457,773

 
$
377,929

 
$
361,653

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions from equity investees
 
22,136

 
20,660

 
15,999

Non-cash equity-based compensation expense (1)
 
3,575

 
73,508

 
13,754

Interest expense
 
51,797

 
42,060

 
30,345

Income tax expense
 
4,219

 
20,690

 
32,150

Depreciation, amortization and impairments (2)
 
143,375

 
118,279

 
110,380

Other expense (2)
 
175

 
1,665

 
3,683

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity income, net
 
22,948

 
16,042

 
11,261

Interest income, net – affiliates
 
16,900

 
16,900

 
24,106

Other income (2) (3)
 
419

 
368

 
2,049

Income tax benefit
 
1,864

 

 

Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP
 
$
274,627

 
$
134,377

 
$
192,758

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP to Net cash provided by operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP
 
$
457,773

 
$
377,929

 
$
361,653

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interests of Western Gas Partners, LP
 
13,348

 
17,214

 
16,850

Interest income (expense), net
 
(34,897
)
 
(25,160
)
 
(6,239
)
Non-cash equity-based compensation expense (1)
 
(54
)
 
(69,791
)
 
(10,264
)
Debt-related amortization and other items, net
 
2,449

 
2,319

 
3,110

Current income tax benefit (expense)
 
29,536

 
9,419

 
(15,570
)
Other income (expense), net (3)
 
253

 
(1,292
)
 
(1,628
)
Distributions from equity investments in excess of cumulative earnings
 
(4,438
)
 

 

Changes in operating working capital of Western Gas Partners, LP:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
 
(34,019
)
 
22,916

 
(44,725
)
Accounts and natural gas imbalance payables and accrued liabilities, net
 
21,952

 
5,045

 
30,884

Other
 
(3,702
)
 
(552
)
 
(21,233
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
448,201

 
$
338,047

 
$
312,838

Cash flow information of Western Gas Partners, LP
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
448,201

 
$
338,047

 
$
312,838

Net cash used in investing activities
 
$
(1,652,995
)
 
$
(1,357,537
)
 
$
(485,832
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
 
$
885,541

 
$
1,212,912

 
$
372,479

                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
For the year ended December 31, 2012, includes $69.8 million of equity-based compensation associated with the Western Gas Holdings, LLC Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “Incentive Plan”) (as defined and described in Note 6—Equity-based Compensation in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K), paid and contributed by Anadarko.
(2) 
Includes WES’s 51% share prior to August 1, 2012, and its 75% share after August 1, 2012, of depreciation, amortization and impairments; other expense; and other income attributable to Chipeta. See Note 2—Acquisitions in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
(3) 
Excludes income of $1.6 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, related to a component of a gas processing agreement accounted for as a capital lease.

7




 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands except Coverage ratio
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Reconciliation of Distributable cash flow to Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP and calculation of the Coverage ratio
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributable cash flow
 
$
380,529

 
$
309,945

 
$
319,294

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions from equity investees
 
22,136

 
20,660

 
15,999

Non-cash equity-based compensation expense (1)
 
3,575

 
73,508

 
13,754

Interest expense, net (non-cash settled)
 

 
326

 

Income tax expense
 
2,355

 
20,690

 
32,150

Depreciation, amortization and impairments (2)
 
143,375

 
118,279

 
110,380

Other expense (2)
 
175

 
1,665

 
3,683

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity income, net
 
22,948

 
16,042

 
11,261

Cash paid for maintenance capital expenditures (2) (3)
 
29,850

 
36,459

 
28,304

Capitalized interest
 
11,945

 
6,196

 
420

Cash paid for income taxes
 
552

 
495

 
190

Other income (2) (4)
 
419

 
368

 
2,049

Interest income, net (non-cash settled)
 

 

 
7,206

Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP
 
$
274,627

 
$
134,377

 
$
192,758

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions declared (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Limited partners of WES
 
$
255,308

 
 
 
 
General partner of WES
 
70,745

 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
326,053

 
 
 
 
Coverage ratio
 
1.17

x
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
For the year ended December 31, 2012, includes $69.8 million of equity-based compensation associated with the Incentive Plan (as defined and described in Note 6—Equity-based Compensation in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K), paid and contributed by Anadarko.
(2) 
Includes WES’s 51% share prior to August 1, 2012, and its 75% share after August 1, 2012, of depreciation, amortization and impairments; other expense; cash paid for maintenance capital expenditures; and other income attributable to Chipeta. See Note 2—Acquisitions in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
(3) 
Net of a prior period adjustment reclassifying $0.7 million from capital expenditures to operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2012.
(4) 
Excludes income of $1.6 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, related to a component of a gas processing agreement accounted for as a capital lease. See Note 2—Acquisitions in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
(5) 
Reflects WES distributions of $2.28 per unit declared for the year ended December 31, 2013.


8




ITEMS AFFECTING THE COMPARABILITY OF FINANCIAL RESULTS

Western Gas Equity Partners, LP

Our consolidated financial statements include the consolidated financial results of WES due to our 100% ownership interest in WES GP and WES GP’s control of WES. Our only cash-generating assets consist of our partnership interests in WES, and we currently have no independent operations. As a result, our results of operations do not differ materially from the results of operations and cash flows of WES, which are reconciled below.

Income taxes. Prior to our conversion from WGR Holdings, LLC to a limited partnership in September 2012, we were a single-member limited liability company. The separate existence of a limited liability company is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, resulting in the treatment of WGR Holdings, LLC as a division of Anadarko and its inclusion in Anadarko’s consolidated income tax return for federal and state tax purposes. The income tax expense recorded on the financial statements of WGR Holdings, LLC, and now included in our consolidated financial statements, reflects our income tax expense and liability on a separate-return basis.
The deferred federal and state income taxes included in our consolidated financial statements are primarily attributable to the temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amount of our investment in WES and our outside tax basis with respect to our partnership interests in WES. When determining the deferred income tax asset and liability balances attributable to our partnership interests in WES, we applied an accounting policy that looks through our investment in WES. The application of such accounting policy resulted in no deferred income taxes being created on the difference between the book and tax basis on the non-tax deductible goodwill portion of our investment in WES in our consolidated financial statements.
Upon the completion of our IPO in December 2012, we became a publicly traded limited partnership for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes and therefore are not subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes, except for Texas margin tax.

General and administrative expenses. As a separate publicly traded partnership, we incur general and administrative expenses which are separate from, and in addition to, those incurred by WES. In connection with our IPO in December 2012, we entered into an omnibus agreement with WGP GP and Anadarko that governs the following: (i) our obligation to reimburse Anadarko for expenses incurred or payments made on our behalf in conjunction with Anadarko’s provision of general and administrative services to us, including our public company expenses and general and administrative expenses; (ii) our obligation to pay Anadarko, in quarterly installments, an administrative services fee of $250,000 per year (subject to an annual increase as described in the agreement); and (iii) our obligation to reimburse Anadarko for all insurance coverage expenses it incurs or payments it makes on our behalf.
The following table summarizes the amounts we reimbursed to Anadarko, separate from, and in addition to, those reimbursed by WES:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
General and administrative expenses
 
$
271

 
$
13

Public company expenses
 
2,391

 
503

Total reimbursement
 
$
2,662

 
$
516



9




Noncontrolling interests. The publicly held common units of WES are reflected as noncontrolling interests in our consolidated financial statements, and are in addition to the noncontrolling interests in Chipeta held by a third party and Anadarko, which are already reflected as noncontrolling interests in WES’s consolidated financial statements (see Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 2—Acquisitions in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K for further information). In addition, as part of the consideration paid for the March 2013 acquisition of the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, WES issued 449,129 WES common units to AMM, a subsidiary of Anadarko. The limited partner interest in WES held by AMM is reflected within noncontrolling interests in our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013.
The difference between the carrying value of WGP’s investment in WES and the underlying book value of common units issued by WES is accounted for as an equity transaction. Thus, if WES issues common units at a price different than WGP’s per-unit carrying value, any resulting change in the carrying value of WGP’s investment in WES is reflected as an adjustment to partners’ capital.

Distributions. Our partnership agreement requires that we distribute all of our available cash (as defined in our partnership agreement) within 55 days after the end of each quarter. Our only cash-generating assets are our partnership interests in WES, consisting of general partner units, common units and incentive distribution rights, on which we expect to receive quarterly distributions from WES. Our cash flow and resulting ability to make cash distributions are therefore completely dependent upon WES’s ability to make cash distributions with respect to our partnership interests in WES. Generally, our available cash is our cash on hand at the end of a quarter after the payment of our expenses and the establishment of cash reserves and cash on hand resulting from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter.

Equity Incentive Plan. Equity-based awards issued under the Western Gas Holdings, LLC Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “Incentive Plan”) were settled in cash in December 2012 upon our IPO. Anadarko, as our parent company, directed the issuance of equity-based awards under the Incentive Plan to its employees who provide services to WES. As such, our consolidated balance sheets prior to December 2012 present the fair value of the then-outstanding awards under the Incentive Plan as a dividend payable to Anadarko within current liabilities for awards vested and unsettled, and as long-term liabilities for unvested awards which were outstanding at that time. A similar liability also appeared on WES’s consolidated balance sheets as an affiliate payable to Anadarko for the portion of the Incentive Plan awards allocated to WES prior to the termination and settlement of the Incentive Plan in December 2012. See Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K for further information.

Western Gas Equity Partners, LP 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Concurrently with our IPO, WGP GP adopted the Western Gas Equity Partners, LP 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“WGP LTIP”). Equity-based compensation expense attributable to grants made under the WGP LTIP impacts cash flows from operating activities only to the extent cash payments are made to a participant in lieu of issuance of WGP common units to the participant. During the year ended December 31, 2013, WGP GP awarded phantom units under the WGP LTIP to its independent directors and certain of its executive officers. See Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 6—Equity-based Compensation in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K for further information.


10




Working capital facility. On November 1, 2012, we entered into a $30.0 million working capital facility (“WGP WCF”) with Anadarko as the lender. The facility is available exclusively to fund our working capital borrowings. Borrowings under the facility will mature on November 1, 2017, and will bear interest at London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.50%. The interest rate was 1.67% and 1.71% at December 31, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
We are required to reduce all borrowings under the WGP WCF to zero for a period of at least 15 consecutive days during the twelve month period commencing on November 1, 2012, and during the twelve month period commencing on each anniversary thereof. As of December 31, 2013, we had no outstanding borrowings under the WGP WCF. At December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with all covenants under the WGP WCF.

Reconciliation of net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP to net income attributable to Western Gas Equity Partners, LP. The differences between net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP and net income attributable to Western Gas Equity Partners, LP are reconciled as follows:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Net income attributable to WES
 
$
274,627

 
$
134,377

 
$
192,758

Incremental income tax benefit (expense) (1)
 
50

 
(28,194
)
 
(26,646
)
Limited partner interests in WES not held by WGP (2)
 
(111,357
)
 
(44,291
)
 
(71,954
)
General and administrative expenses (3)
 
(3,713
)
 
(516
)
 

Other income
 
98

 

 

Net income attributable to WGP
 
$
159,705

 
$
61,376

 
$
94,158

                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
The income tax expense recorded in the financial statements of WGR Holdings, LLC, and now reflected in the consolidated financial statements of WGP, reflects our pre-IPO income tax expense and liability on a separate-return basis. Upon the completion of our IPO in December 2012, we became a partnership for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes and therefore are subsequently not subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes, except for Texas margin tax.
(2) 
Represents the portion of net income allocated to the limited partner interests in WES not held by WGP. As of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, publicly held limited partner interest represented a 56.4%, 51.8% and 54.7% interest in WES respectively. As of December 31, 2013 AMM held 0.4% interest in WES. See Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
(3) 
Represents general and administrative expenses incurred by WGP separate from, and in addition to, those incurred by WES.


11




Reconciliation of net cash provided by operating and financing activities. The differences between net cash provided by operating and financing activities for WGP and WES are reconciled as follows:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
WES net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
448,201

 
$
338,047

 
$
312,838

Income tax benefit (expense) (1)
 
50

 
(60,566
)
 
(53,949
)
General and administrative expenses (2)
 
(3,713
)
 
(516
)
 

Non-cash equity-based compensation expense
 
301

 

 

Changes in working capital
 
(157
)
 
516

 

Other income
 
98

 

 

WGP net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
444,780

 
$
277,481

 
$
258,889

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WES net cash provided by financing activities
 
$
885,541

 
$
1,212,912

 
$
372,479

Proceeds from issuance of WES common and general partner units, net of offering expenses (3)
 
(15,775
)
 
(413,945
)
 
(6,972
)
Proceeds (offering expenses) from the issuance of WGP common units, net of offering expenses (4)
 
(2,367
)
 
412,020

 

Distributions to WGP unitholders (5)
 
(137,000
)
 

 

Distributions to WGP from WES (6)
 
168,395

 
98,280

 
68,039

Net contributions from (distributions to) Anadarko (7)
 
(50
)
 
(33,214
)
 
(7,118
)
WGP net cash provided by financing activities
 
$
898,744

 
$
1,276,053

 
$
426,428

                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
The income tax expense recorded in the financial statements of WGR Holdings, LLC, and now reflected in the consolidated financial statements of WGP, reflects our pre-IPO income tax expense and liability on a separate-return basis. Upon the completion of our IPO in December 2012, we became a partnership for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes and therefore are subsequently not subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes, except for Texas margin tax.
(2) 
Represents general and administrative expenses incurred by WGP separate from, and in addition to, those incurred by WES.
(3) 
For the years ended December 31, 2013, and 2011, difference is attributable to elimination upon consolidation of proceeds to WES from the issuance of WES general partner units in exchange for WES GP’s proportionate capital contribution to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest. The amount for the year ended December 31, 2012, also includes elimination upon consolidation of WGP’s use of proceeds received from its IPO to purchase WES common units.
(4) 
For the year ended December 31, 2013, amount represents additional offering costs billed in conjunction with WGP’s IPO, and for the year ended December 31, 2012, difference is attributable to proceeds from WGP’s IPO.
(5) 
Represents distributions to WGP common unitholders for the pro-rated fourth quarter of 2012 and for the first, second and third quarters of 2013. See Note 3—Partnership Distributions in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
(6) 
Difference attributable to elimination upon consolidation of WES’s distributions on partnership interests owned by WGP. See Note 3—Partnership Distributions and Note 4—Equity and Partners’ Capital in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
(7) 
Difference attributable to (i) proceeds from WGP’s IPO in excess of the purchase of WES common and general partner units, (ii) contribution of current tax expense, (iii) changes in net income, and (iv) elimination upon consolidation of proceeds from WES equity transactions and WES distributions to WGP.


12




Western Gas Partners, LP

WES’s historical results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented may not be comparable to future or historic results of operations or cash flows for the reasons described below:

Gathering and processing agreements. The gathering agreements of WES’s initial assets and the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest allow for rate resets that target a return on invested capital in those assets over the life of the agreement. Effective July 1, 2010, contracts covering all of Wattenberg’s affiliate throughput were converted from primarily keep-whole contracts into a 10-year fee-based agreement. This contract change impacts the comparability of the consolidated statements of income and cash flows. In addition, in connection with the MGR acquisition, WES entered into 10-year, fee-based gathering and processing agreements with Anadarko effective December 1, 2011, for all affiliate throughput on the MGR assets. See Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Commodity price swap agreements. WES has commodity price swap agreements with Anadarko to mitigate exposure to commodity price volatility that would otherwise be present as a result of the purchase and sale of natural gas, condensate or NGLs. Notional volumes for each of the commodity price swap agreements are not specifically defined; instead, the commodity price swap agreements apply to the actual volume of WES’s natural gas, condensate and NGLs purchased and sold at the Granger, Hilight, Hugoton, Newcastle, MGR and Wattenberg assets, with various expiration dates through December 2016. In December 2013, WES extended the commodity price swap agreements for the Hilight and Newcastle assets through December 2014. See Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Income taxes. With respect to assets acquired from Anadarko, WES records Anadarko’s historic current and deferred income taxes for the periods prior to its ownership of the assets. For periods subsequent to its acquisitions from Anadarko, WES is not subject to tax except for the Texas margin tax and accordingly, does not record current and deferred federal income taxes related to such assets.

General and administrative expenses. Pursuant to the WES omnibus agreement, Anadarko and WES GP perform centralized corporate functions for WES. Prior to WES’s acquisition of its assets from Anadarko, WES’s historical consolidated financial statements reflect a management services fee representing the general and administrative expenses attributable to the WES assets. The amounts reimbursed under the WES omnibus agreement are greater than amounts allocated by Anadarko for the aggregate management services fees, and are reflected in WES’s historical consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the acquisition of the WES assets from Anadarko. Public company expenses include expenses such as external audit and consulting fees.
The following table summarizes the amounts WES reimbursed to Anadarko:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
General and administrative expenses
 
$
16,882

 
$
14,904

 
$
11,754

Public company expenses
 
7,152

 
6,830

 
7,735

Total reimbursement
 
$
24,034

 
$
21,734

 
$
19,489


WES records the equity-based compensation allocated by Anadarko as an adjustment to partners’ capital in its consolidated financial statements in the period in which it is contributed. During the fourth quarter of 2012, WES was allocated $54.9 million of general and administrative expenses from Anadarko associated with the Incentive Plan. See Note 6—Equity-based Compensation in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K for further information.


13




Interest on intercompany balances. For periods prior to WES’s acquisition of assets from Anadarko, except for Chipeta, WES incurred interest expense or earned interest income on current intercompany balances with Anadarko related to such assets. These intercompany balances were extinguished through non-cash transactions in connection with the closing of WES’s IPO, the Powder River acquisition, the Chipeta acquisition, the Granger acquisition, the Wattenberg acquisition, the acquisition of a 0.4% interest in White Cliffs, the Bison acquisition, the MGR acquisition, and the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest acquisition. Therefore, interest expense and interest income attributable to these balances are reflected in WES’s historical consolidated financial statements for the periods ending prior to the acquisition of the WES assets from Anadarko, except for Chipeta. Chipeta cash settles its transactions directly with third parties and Anadarko, as well as with the other subsidiaries of WES.
Beginning December 7, 2011, Anadarko discontinued charging interest on intercompany balances. The outstanding affiliate balances on the aforementioned assets prior to their acquisition were entirely settled through an adjustment to net investment by Anadarko.

Platte Valley acquisition. In February 2011, WES acquired a natural gas gathering system and cryogenic gas processing facilities, collectively referred to as the “Platte Valley assets,” financed with borrowings under the WES RCF. These assets, acquired from a third-party, have been recorded in WES’s consolidated financial statements at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date under the acquisition method of accounting. Results of operations attributable to the Platte Valley assets have been included in WES’s consolidated statements of income beginning on the acquisition date in the first quarter of 2011.
The fair values of the plant and processing facilities, related equipment, and intangible assets acquired were based on the market, cost and income approaches. The liabilities assumed include certain amounts associated with environmental contingencies estimated by management. All fair-value measurements of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 inputs. See Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Note 2—Acquisitions and Note 12—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K for further information.

Noncontrolling interests. Prior to August 1, 2012, the 24% membership interest in Chipeta held by Anadarko and the 25% membership interest in Chipeta held by a third-party were reflected as noncontrolling interests in WES’s consolidated financial statements. On August 1, 2012, WES acquired Anadarko’s then-remaining 24% membership interest in Chipeta (the “additional Chipeta interest”), receiving distributions related to this additional interest beginning July 1, 2012. Since WES acquired an additional interest in an already-consolidated entity, the acquisition of the additional Chipeta interest was accounted for on a prospective basis. As such, effective on the date of acquisition, WES’s noncontrolling interest excludes the financial results and operations of the additional Chipeta interest. The remaining 25% membership interest held by a third-party member is reflected as noncontrolling interest in WES’s consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. See Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 2—Acquisitions in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K for further information.

Execution of Construction, Ownership and Operation Agreement for the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest. In March 2013, WES completed the acquisition of the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest. Anadarko and a third party entered into a 50/50 Joint Exploration Agreement, dated September 1, 2006, covering counties in north-central Pennsylvania within an Area of Mutual Interest that the parties designated as “Area A.” Initial construction of the midstream assets within Area A began in May 2008, and limited gathering services were provided to producers in 2008, 2009 and 2010, with the midstream assets becoming fully operational in 2011. In December 2011, following various sales of interests, AMM and three third-party owners entered into a Construction, Ownership and Operation agreement (the “COO Agreement”) to jointly own and develop the midstream assets in Area A (the “AMI Assets”). Deferred revenues and expenses associated with the third-party operation of the AMI Assets were recognized in 2011 upon the execution of the COO Agreement.


14




GENERAL TRENDS AND OUTLOOK

We expect WES’s business to continue to be affected by the following key trends and uncertainties. Our expectations are based on assumptions made by us and information currently available to us. To the extent our underlying assumptions about, or interpretations of, available information prove to be incorrect, WES’s actual results may vary materially from expected results.

Impact of natural gas and NGL prices. The relatively low natural gas price environment, which has persisted over the past three years, has led to lower levels of drilling activity in areas served by certain of WES’s assets. Several of WES’s customers, including Anadarko, have reduced activity levels in certain areas, shifting capital toward liquid-rich opportunities that offer higher margins and superior economics to producers. This trend has resulted in fewer new well connections and, in some cases, temporary curtailments of production in those areas. To the extent opportunities are available, WES will continue to connect new wells to its systems to mitigate the impact of natural production declines in order to maintain throughput on its systems. However, WES’s success in connecting new wells to its systems is dependent on the activities of natural gas producers and shippers.

Changes in regulations. WES’s operations and the operations of its customers have been, and at times in the future may be, affected by political developments and are subject to an increasing number of complex federal, state, tribal, local and other laws and regulations such as production restrictions, permitting delays, limitations on hydraulic fracturing and environmental protection regulations. WES and/or its customers must obtain and maintain numerous permits, approvals and certificates from various federal, state, tribal and local governmental authorities. For example, regulation of hydraulic fracturing is currently primarily conducted at the state level through permitting and other compliance requirements. If proposed federal legislation is adopted, it could establish an additional level of regulation and permitting. Any changes in statutory regulations or delays in the issuance of required permits may impact both the throughput on and profitability of WES’s systems.

Access to capital markets. WES requires periodic access to capital in order to fund acquisitions and expansion projects. Under the terms of WES’s partnership agreement, it is required to distribute all of its available cash to its unitholders, which makes WES dependent upon raising capital to fund growth projects. Historically, MLPs have accessed the debt and equity capital markets to raise money for new growth projects and acquisitions. Recent market turbulence has from time to time either raised the cost of capital markets financing or, in some cases, temporarily made such financing unavailable. If WES is unable either to access the capital markets or find alternative sources of capital, WES’s growth strategy may be more challenging to execute.

Impact of inflation. Although inflation in the U.S. has been relatively low in recent years, the U.S. economy could experience a significant inflationary effect from, among other things, the governmental stimulus plans enacted since 2008. To the extent permitted by regulations and escalation provisions in certain of WES’s existing agreements, it has the ability to recover a portion of increased costs in the form of higher fees.


15




Impact of interest rates. Interest rates were at or near historic lows at certain times during 2013. Should interest rates rise, WES’s financing costs would increase accordingly. Additionally, as with other yield-oriented securities, WES’s unit price is impacted by the level of its cash distributions and an associated implied distribution yield. Therefore, changes in interest rates, either positive or negative, may affect the yield requirements of investors who invest in WES’s units, and a rising interest rate environment could have an adverse impact on WES’s unit price and its ability to issue additional equity, or increase the cost of issuing equity, to make acquisitions, reduce debt or for other purposes. However, WES expects its cost of capital to remain competitive, as its competitors would face similar circumstances.

Acquisition opportunities. As of December 31, 2013, Anadarko’s total domestic midstream asset portfolio, excluding the assets WES owns, consisted of 16 gathering systems, 6,259 miles of pipeline and 10 processing and/or treating facilities. A key component of WES’s growth strategy is to acquire midstream assets from Anadarko and third parties over time.
As of December 31, 2013, Anadarko held 199,137,365 of our common units, representing a 91.0% limited partner interest in us. Given Anadarko’s significant limited partner interest in us and indirect economic interests in WES, we believe Anadarko will continue to be motivated to promote and support the successful execution of WES’s business plan and to pursue projects that help to enhance the value of its business. However, Anadarko continually evaluates acquisitions and divestitures and may elect to acquire, construct or dispose of midstream assets in the future without offering WES the opportunity to acquire or construct those assets. Should Anadarko choose to pursue additional midstream asset sales, it is under no contractual obligation to offer assets or business opportunities to WES. WES may also pursue certain asset acquisitions from third parties to the extent such acquisitions complement its or Anadarko’s existing asset base or allow WES to capture operational efficiencies from Anadarko’s or third-party production. However, if WES does not make additional acquisitions from Anadarko or third parties on economically acceptable terms, its future growth will be limited, and the acquisitions WES makes could reduce, rather than increase, cash flows generated from operations on a per-unit basis.

Other. There is uncertainty related to the ultimate outcome of the Tronox Adversary Proceeding (as defined and described in Note 17—Contingencies—Tronox Litigation in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Anadarko’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, which is not, and shall not be deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein) and such outcome’s ultimate impact on Anadarko, WES and us.


16




RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OPERATING RESULTS

The following tables and discussion present a summary of WES’s results of operations:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids
 
$
482,542

 
$
382,330

 
$
347,469

Natural gas, natural gas liquids and condensate sales
 
541,244

 
508,339

 
502,383

Other, net
 
5,977

 
3,807

 
8,292

Total revenues (1)
 
1,029,763

 
894,476

 
858,144

Equity income, net
 
22,948

 
16,042

 
11,261

Total operating expenses (1)
 
731,853

 
715,693

 
624,111

Operating income
 
320,858

 
194,825

 
245,294

Interest income, net – affiliates
 
16,900

 
16,900

 
24,106

Interest expense
 
(51,797
)
 
(42,060
)
 
(30,345
)
Other income (expense), net
 
1,837

 
292

 
(44
)
Income before income taxes
 
287,798

 
169,957

 
239,011

Income tax expense
 
2,355

 
20,690

 
32,150

Net income
 
285,443

 
149,267

 
206,861

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
10,816

 
14,890

 
14,103

Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP (2)
 
$
274,627

 
$
134,377

 
$
192,758

Key performance metrics (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP
 
$
670,198

 
$
558,074

 
$
525,535

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP
 
$
457,773

 
$
377,929

 
$
361,653

Distributable cash flow
 
$
380,529

 
$
309,945

 
$
319,294

                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
Revenues include amounts earned by WES from services provided to its affiliates, as well as from the sale of residue, condensate and NGLs to its affiliates. Operating expenses include amounts charged by WES affiliates for services as well as reimbursement of amounts paid by affiliates to third parties on WES’s behalf. See Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
(2) 
For reconciliations to comparable consolidated results of WGP, see Items Affecting the Comparability of Financial Results within this Item 7.
(3) 
Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash flow are defined under the caption How WES Evaluates Its Operations—Non-GAAP financial measures within this Item 7. For reconciliations of Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash flow to their most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, see How WES Evaluates Its Operations—Reconciliation to GAAP Measures within this Item 7.

For purposes of the following discussion, any increases or decreases “for the year ended December 31, 2013” refer to the comparison of the year ended December 31, 2013, to the year ended December 31, 2012, and any increases or decreases “for the year ended December 31, 2012” refer to the comparison of the year ended December 31, 2012, to the year ended December 31, 2011.


17




Throughput
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
MMcf/d (except throughput measured in barrels)
 
2013
 
2012
 
Inc/
(Dec)
 
2011
 
Inc/
(Dec)
Throughput for natural gas assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gathering, treating and transportation
 
1,803

 
1,601

 
13
 %
 
1,555

 
3
 %
Processing
 
1,359

 
1,187

 
14
 %
 
962

 
23
 %
Equity investment (1)
 
206

 
235

 
(12
)%
 
198

 
19
 %
Total throughput for natural gas assets
 
3,368

 
3,023

 
11
 %
 
2,715

 
11
 %
Throughput attributable to noncontrolling interests for natural gas assets
 
168

 
228

 
(26
)%
 
242

 
(6
)%
Total throughput attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets (2)
 
3,200

 
2,795

 
14
 %
 
2,473

 
13
 %
Total throughput (MBbls/d) for crude/NGL assets (3)
 
40

 
31

 
29
 %
 
28

 
11
 %
                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
Represents WES’s 14.81% share of average Fort Union and 22% share of average Rendezvous throughput. Excludes equity investment throughput measured in barrels (captured in “Total throughput (MBbls/d) for crude/NGL assets” as noted below).
(2) 
Includes affiliate, third-party and equity investment throughput (as equity investment throughput is defined in the above footnote), excluding the noncontrolling interest owners’ proportionate share of throughput.
(3) 
Represents total throughput measured in barrels consisting of throughput from WES’s Chipeta NGL pipeline, WES’s 10% share of average White Cliffs throughput, 25% share of average Mont Belvieu JV throughput, 20% share of average TEG and TEP throughput and 33.33% share of average FRP throughput.

Gathering, treating and transportation throughput increased by 202 MMcf/d for the year ended December 31, 2013, due to increased volumes at the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest and additional throughput from the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest beginning in March 2013. These increases were partially offset by decreases at the Bison facility resulting from reduced drilling activity in the area and at MIGC due to the expiration of a firm transportation agreement effective September 2012.
Gathering, treating and transportation throughput increased by 46 MMcf/d for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to increased volumes at the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest. This increase was partially offset by throughput decreases at the Pinnacle and Dew systems resulting from natural production declines in those areas, throughput decreases at MIGC due to the September 2012 expiration of a firm transportation agreement, and throughput decreases at the Bison facility resulting from reduced drilling activity in the area driven by unfavorable producer economics.
Processing throughput increased by 172 MMcf/d for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to throughput increases at Chipeta, the start-up of the Brasada facility in June 2013, and an increase in volumes at the Red Desert complex due to additional well connections during the period. In addition, increased volumes processed at a plant included in the MGR acquisition (“the Granger straddle plant”) contributed to the increase. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in throughput at the Granger complex due to natural production declines in the area.
Processing throughput increased by 225 MMcf/d for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to volumes processed under a new contract effective January 2012 at the Granger straddle plant compared to no such volumes in the comparable period, and throughput increases at the Chipeta system resulting from increased drilling activity.
Equity investment volumes decreased by 29 MMcf/d for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to lower throughput at the Fort Union system due to production declines in the area. Equity investment volumes increased by 37 MMcf/d for the year ended December 31, 2012, resulting from higher throughput at the Fort Union system due to producers choosing to route additional gas to reach desired end markets and at the Rendezvous system due to increased third-party drilling activity.
Throughput for crude/NGL assets measured in barrels increased by 9 MBbls/d for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to the start-up of the Mont Belvieu JV fractionation trains, TEP and TEG in the fourth quarter of 2013. Throughput for crude/NGL assets measured in barrels increased by 3 MBbls/d for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to an increase in volumes at White Cliffs.


18




Natural Gas Gathering, Processing and Transportation Revenues
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands except percentages
 
2013
 
2012
 
Inc/
(Dec)
 
2011
 
Inc/
(Dec)
Gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids
 
$
482,542

 
$
382,330

 
26
%
 
$
347,469

 
10
%

Revenues from gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids increased by $100.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to increases of $30.5 million, $20.8 million, and $15.3 million at the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, the Wattenberg system, and Chipeta, respectively, all due to higher throughput, an increase of $14.1 million due to the addition of the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest beginning in March 2013, and an increase of $16.3 million due to the start-up of the Brasada facility in June 2013.
Revenues from gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids increased by $34.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to increases of $15.0 million and $13.4 million at the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest and Chipeta system, respectively, due to increased volumes, and a $13.6 million increase at the Wattenberg system due to increased gathering rates and volumes. These increases were partially offset by decreased revenue of $3.0 million at the Helper system due to a downward rate revision effective April 1, 2012, decreased revenue of $3.0 million at MIGC due to the expiration of firm transportation agreements, and decreased revenue of $2.4 million at the Granger system due to diverted volumes.

Natural Gas, Natural Gas Liquids and Condensate Sales
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands except percentages and per-unit amounts
 
2013
 
2012
 
Inc/
(Dec)
 
2011
 
Inc/
(Dec)
Natural gas sales
 
$
118,134

 
$
101,116

 
17
 %
 
$
129,939

 
(22
)%
Natural gas liquids sales
 
391,608

 
377,377

 
4
 %
 
345,375

 
9
 %
Drip condensate sales
 
31,502

 
29,846

 
6
 %
 
27,069

 
10
 %
Total
 
$
541,244

 
$
508,339

 
6
 %
 
$
502,383

 
1
 %
Average price per unit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas (per Mcf)
 
$
4.58

 
$
4.24

 
8
 %
 
$
5.32

 
(20
)%
Natural gas liquids (per Bbl)
 
$
47.69

 
$
48.22

 
(1
)%
 
$
47.44

 
2
 %
Drip condensate (per Bbl)
 
$
76.62

 
$
75.88

 
1
 %
 
$
73.60

 
3
 %

Including the effects of commodity price swap agreements, total natural gas, natural gas liquids and condensate sales increased by $32.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, which consisted of a $17.0 million increase in sales of natural gas, a $14.2 million increase in NGLs sales and a $1.7 million increase in drip condensate sales.
The growth in natural gas sales for the year ended December 31, 2013, was primarily due to an 8% increase in the overall sales price of natural gas, as well as higher sales volumes at the Wattenberg system and the Red Desert complex, partially offset by a decrease at the Platte Valley system due to a gas flow change that became effective in July 2013, whereby volumes previously processed under percentage-of-proceeds contracts are now processed under fee-based arrangements.
The growth in NGLs sales for the year ended December 31, 2013, was primarily due to increases of $22.1 million, $15.4 million, $9.0 million and $4.2 million resulting from higher volumes processed and sold at the Red Desert complex, the Hilight system, the Wattenberg system and the Granger straddle plant, respectively. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $14.0 million at Chipeta (with a corresponding decrease in cost of product), a decrease of $12.8 million at the Platte Valley system due to the aforementioned gas flow changes, and a decrease of $9.1 million at the Granger complex due to a decrease in volumes sold as a result of decreased throughput.
The growth in drip condensate sales for the year ended December 31, 2013 was primarily due to a $2.4 million increase at the Wattenberg system due to an increase in condensate volumes sold as a result of increased throughput, partially offset by a $0.9 million decrease at Hugoton due to a decrease in condensate volumes sold as a result of decreased throughput.

19




Including the effects of commodity price swap agreements, total natural gas, natural gas liquids and condensate sales increased by $6.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, which consisted of a $32.0 million increase in NGLs sales and a $2.8 million increase in drip condensate sales, partially offset by a $28.8 million decrease in natural gas sales.
The growth in NGLs sales for the year ended December 31, 2012, was primarily due to increases of $10.3 million, $9.2 million, and $3.1 million resulting from higher volumes sold at the Chipeta, Hilight, and Wattenberg systems, respectively; increases of $5.1 million and $2.3 million at the Granger system and Red Desert complex, respectively, due to increased pricing, which was offset by a decrease in volumes; and an increase of $9.6 million related to volumes processed at the Granger straddle plant under a new contract effective January 2012, with no volumes in the comparable period. These increases were partially offset by an $8.5 million price-related decrease at the Platte Valley system.
The increase in drip condensate sales for the year ended December 31, 2012, was primarily due to a $2.9 million increase at the Wattenberg system and a $0.7 million increase at the Platte Valley system, both resulting from increased volumes. These increases were partially offset by a $0.8 million decrease at the Hugoton system as a result of lower volumes.
The decrease in natural gas sales for the year ended December 31, 2012, was primarily due to a 20% decrease in overall natural gas sales prices and lower sales volumes, resulting in decreases of $17.0 million at the Hilight system, $3.8 million at the Red Desert complex, and $2.7 million at the Wattenberg system. Also contributing to the overall decrease in natural gas sales was a decline at the Platte Valley system of $3.2 million resulting from price decreases, partially offset by an increase in volumes sold.
For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, average natural gas, NGL and drip condensate prices include the effects of commodity price swap agreements attributable to sales for the Granger, Hilight, Newcastle, Hugoton and Wattenberg systems, and the MGR assets. See Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Equity Income, Net and Other Revenues
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands except percentages
 
2013
 
2012
 
Inc/
(Dec)
 
2011
 
Inc/
(Dec)
Equity income, net
 
$
22,948

 
$
16,042

 
43
%
 
$
11,261

 
42
 %
Other revenues, net
 
5,977

 
3,807

 
57
%
 
8,292

 
(54
)%
Total
 
$
28,925

 
$
19,849

 
46
%
 
$
19,553

 
2
 %

For the year ended December 31, 2013, equity income, net increased by $6.9 million, primarily due to the fourth quarter 2013 start-up of the Mont Belvieu JV fractionation trains, and volume increases at White Cliffs. These increases were offset by net losses associated with the initial start-up and line-fill stage of TEP during the fourth quarter of 2013. Equity income, net increased by $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to a $3.8 million increase in income from White Cliffs and a $0.7 million increase in income from Rendezvous as a result of increased volumes.
Other revenues, net increased by $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to the collection of deficiency fees associated with volume commitments at Chipeta. Other revenues, net decreased by $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to indemnity fees associated with volume commitments received in the prior year at the Red Desert complex and Hugoton system, with no comparable activity in the current period, along with changes in gas imbalance positions at the Wattenberg and Hilight systems.


20




Cost of Product and Operation and Maintenance Expenses
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands except percentages
 
2013
 
2012
 
Inc/
(Dec)
 
2011
 
Inc/
(Dec)
NGL purchases
 
$
191,788

 
$
181,078

 
6
%
 
$
158,288

 
14
 %
Residue purchases
 
156,170

 
143,962

 
8
%
 
156,555

 
(8
)%
Other
 
16,327

 
11,039

 
48
%
 
12,528

 
(12
)%
Cost of product
 
$
364,285

 
$
336,079

 
8
%
 
$
327,371

 
3
 %
Operation and maintenance
 
168,657

 
140,106

 
20
%
 
126,464

 
11
 %
Total cost of product and operation and maintenance expenses
 
$
532,942

 
$
476,185

 
12
%
 
$
453,835

 
5
 %

Including the effects of commodity price swap agreements on purchases, cost of product expense for the year ended December 31, 2013, increased by $28.2 million primarily due to the volume fluctuations noted in Throughput and Natural Gas, Natural Gas Liquids and Condensate Sales within this Item 7, resulting in the following:
 
an $11.6 million net increase in residue purchases primarily at the Wattenberg system and the Red Desert complex, partially offset by decreases at the Platte Valley system and the Granger complex; and

a $10.7 million net increase in NGL purchases primarily at the Red Desert complex, the Hilight system, and the Wattenberg system, partially offset by decreases at Chipeta, the Platte Valley system, and the Granger complex.

Including the effects of commodity price swap agreements on purchases, cost of product expense for the year ended December 31, 2012, increased by $8.7 million primarily due to the following:

a $22.8 million net increase in NGL purchases primarily at Chipeta, the Hilight system, and the Wattenberg system due to volume fluctuations noted in Throughput and Natural Gas, Natural Gas Liquids and Condensate Sales within this Item 7, and an increase for the MGR assets as a result of entering into commodity price swap agreements that became effective in January 2012, partially offset by a decrease at the Platte Valley system due to lower pricing subsequent to its acquisition in February 2011; and

a $12.6 million net decrease in residue purchases at the Hilight system due to declines in residue purchase prices, partially offset by an increase in cost of product expense for residue purchases for the MGR assets as a result of entering into commodity price swap agreements that became effective in January 2012.

Cost of product expense for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, includes the effects of commodity price swap agreements attributable to purchases for the Granger, Hilight, Hugoton, Newcastle and Wattenberg systems, and the MGR assets. See Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Operation and maintenance expense increased by $28.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to an increase of $9.7 million in property, facility and overhead expense attributable to the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, an increase of $8.3 million for plant repairs and maintenance primarily at the Wattenberg system and Chipeta, and an increase of $7.7 million for salaries, wages and payroll tax expense primarily at the Wattenberg system, the Brasada facility and the Hilight system.
Operation and maintenance expense increased by $13.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to increased contract labor expense of $5.1 million at the Platte Valley and Wattenberg systems, increased expense of $1.1 million related to general equipment for operations and increased maintenance expense at the Wattenberg system, increased expense of $1.7 million related to plant repairs and turnaround expenses at the Bison facility and Hilight system, and increased facility expense of $0.8 million for the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest.


21




General and Administrative, Depreciation and Other Expenses
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands except percentages
 
2013
 
2012
 
Inc/
(Dec)
 
2011
 
Inc/
(Dec)
General and administrative
 
$
29,751

 
$
99,212

 
(70
)%
 
$
40,564

 
145
%
Property and other taxes
 
23,244

 
19,688

 
18
 %
 
16,579

 
19
%
Depreciation, amortization and impairments
 
145,916

 
120,608

 
21
 %
 
113,133

 
7
%
Total general and administrative, depreciation and other expenses
 
$
198,911

 
$
239,508

 
(17
)%
 
$
170,276

 
41
%

General and administrative expenses decreased by $69.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to a decrease of $69.9 million in non-cash compensation expenses attributable to the awards outstanding under the Incentive Plan, which were settled in December 2012 when the Incentive Plan terminated in conjunction with our IPO. These declines were partially offset by an increase of $2.2 million in corporate and management personnel costs for which WES reimbursed Anadarko pursuant to the WES omnibus agreement.
General and administrative expenses increased by $58.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, due to an increase of $59.8 million in non-cash compensation expenses primarily attributable to the increase in the value of the outstanding awards under the Incentive Plan from $634.00 per Unit Appreciation Right (“UAR”) to $2,745.00 per UAR and the related increase of $1.2 million in payroll taxes. In addition, corporate and management personnel costs for which WES reimbursed Anadarko pursuant to WES’s omnibus agreement increased $3.6 million. These increases were partially offset by a $3.9 million decrease in management fees allocated to the Bison and MGR assets, the agreements for which were discontinued as of the respective dates of contribution, and a $1.2 million decrease in consulting and audit fees.
Property and other taxes increased by $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to ad valorem tax increases of $2.6 million associated with capital additions at the Platte Valley, Chipeta and Wattenberg systems and $0.9 million due to the completion of the Brasada facility in June 2013. Property and other taxes increased by $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to ad valorem tax increases at the Platte Valley and Wattenberg assets.
Depreciation, amortization and impairments increased by $25.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily attributable to a $12.1 million increase in depreciation expense associated with capital projects completed at the Wattenberg, Chipeta, Platte Valley and Hilight systems, a $6.2 million increase in depreciation and impairment expense associated with the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, a $6.1 million increase in depreciation expense related to the completion of the Brasada facility in June 2013, and a $3.9 million increase in depreciation expense associated with the March 2013 acquisition of the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease of $5.3 million in impairment expense, due to a $1.2 million impairment recognized in 2013 primarily related to the cancellation of various capital projects by the third-party operator of the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, as compared to the $6.6 million impairment recognized in 2012 related to a gathering system in central Wyoming and a relocated compressor.
Depreciation, amortization and impairments increased by $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily attributable to the addition of the Platte Valley assets, and depreciation associated with capital projects completed at the Wattenberg, Hilight, and Chipeta systems, the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, and the Red Desert complex, partially offset by a $3.9 million decrease in impairment expense. The decrease is primarily due to a $6.6 million impairment recognized during 2012 related to a gathering system in central Wyoming and a relocated compressor, as compared to $10.3 million in impairment expense recognized during 2011, related to an indefinitely postponed expansion project at the Red Desert complex and a pipeline included in the MGR acquisition. See Note 8—Property, Plant and Equipment in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.


22




Interest Income, Net – Affiliates and Interest Expense

Amortization of debt issuance costs and commitment fees in the table below includes amortization of (i) the original issue discount for the June 2012 offering of $520.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2022, (ii) the original issue premium for the October 2012 offering of an additional $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2022, (iii) the original issue discount for the $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”), (iv) the original issue discount for the August 2013 offering of $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.600% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “2018 Notes”), and (v) underwriters’ fees. The October 2012 notes and the June 2012 notes were issued under the same indenture and are considered a single class of securities, collectively referred to as the “2022 Notes.”
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands except percentages
 
2013
 
2012
 
Inc/
(Dec)
 
2011
 
Inc/
(Dec)
Interest income on note receivable
 
$
16,900

 
$
16,900

 
 %
 
$
16,900

 
 %
Interest income, net on affiliate balances (1)
 

 

 
 %
 
7,206

 
(100
)%
Interest income, net – affiliates
 
$
16,900

 
$
16,900

 
 %
 
$
24,106

 
(30
)%
Third parties
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense on long-term debt
 
$
(59,293
)
 
$
(41,171
)
 
44
 %
 
$
(20,533
)
 
101
 %
Amortization of debt issuance costs and commitment fees (2)
 
(4,449
)
 
(4,319
)
 
3
 %
 
(5,297
)
 
(18
)%
Capitalized interest
 
11,945

 
6,196

 
93
 %
 
420

 
NM

Affiliates
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense on WES note payable to Anadarko (3)
 

 
(2,440
)
 
(100
)%
 
(4,935
)
 
(51
)%
Interest expense on affiliate balances (4)
 

 
(326
)
 
(100
)%
 

 
NM

Interest expense
 
$
(51,797
)
 
$
(42,060
)
 
23
 %
 
$
(30,345
)
 
39
 %
                                                                                                                                                                                    
NM-Not meaningful
(1) 
Incurred on affiliate balances related to the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, the MGR assets, and the Bison assets for periods prior to the acquisition of such assets. Beginning December 7, 2011, Anadarko discontinued charging interest on intercompany balances. The outstanding affiliate balances on WES assets prior to their acquisition were entirely settled through an adjustment to net investment by Anadarko.
(2) 
For the year ended December 31, 2013, includes $1.2 million of amortization of debt issuance costs and underwriters’ fees for the 2022 Notes, the 2021 Notes, and the 2018 Notes. For the year ended December 31, 2012, includes $1.1 million of amortization of debt issuance costs and underwriters’ fees for the 2022 Notes and the 2021 Notes.
(3) 
In June 2012, the WES note payable to Anadarko was repaid in full. See Note 11—Debt and Interest Expense in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
(4) 
Imputed interest expense on the reimbursement payable to Anadarko for certain expenditures incurred in 2011 related to the construction of the Brasada facility and Lancaster plant. In the fourth quarter of 2012, WES repaid the reimbursement payable to Anadarko associated with the construction of the Brasada facility and Lancaster plant. See Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Interest expense increased by $9.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to interest expense incurred on the 2022 Notes of $15.0 million as well as interest incurred on the 2018 Notes of $2.5 million. In addition, interest expense increased on the WES RCF by $0.6 million primarily due to greater average outstanding borrowings in the current period, partially offset by a decrease of $2.4 million attributable to the repayment of the note payable to Anadarko in June 2012. See Note 11—Debt and Interest Expense in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Also partially offsetting the increases in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2013, was an increase of capitalized interest of $5.7 million primarily associated with the expansion of the Lancaster plant and construction of the two Mont Belvieu JV fractionation trains.

23




Interest expense increased by $11.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to interest expense incurred on the $670.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2022 Notes, partially offset by increased capitalized interest associated with the construction of a second cryogenic train at the Chipeta plant and a decrease in interest expense on the note payable to Anadarko. See Note 11—Debt and Interest Expense in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Other Income (Expense), Net
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
 
Inc/
(Dec)
 
2011
 
Inc/
(Dec)
Other income (expense), net
 
$
1,837

 
$
292

 
NM
 
$
(44
)
 
NM

For the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, other income (expense), net included $1.6 million of interest income related to the capital lease component of a processing agreement assumed in connection with the MGR acquisition. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2013, other income (expense), net included $0.5 million of interest earned on overnight investments, which was offset by $0.2 million of expense associated with a remediation project for MGR.
For the year ended December 31, 2012, other income (expense), net also included a realized loss of $1.7 million resulting from U.S. Treasury Rate lock agreements settled simultaneously with WES’s June 2012 offering of the 2022 Notes. See Note 11—Debt and Interest Expense in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Income Tax Expense
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands except percentages
 
2013
 
2012
 
Inc/
(Dec)
 
2011
 
Inc/
(Dec)
Income before income taxes
 
$
287,798

 
$
169,957

 
69
 %
 
$
239,011

 
(29
)%
Income tax expense
 
2,355

 
20,690

 
(89
)%
 
32,150

 
(36
)%
Effective tax rate
 
1
%
 
12
%
 
 
 
13
%
 
 

WES is not a taxable entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes; however, income apportionable to Texas is subject to Texas margin tax. For the periods presented, the variance from the federal statutory rate, which is zero percent as a non-taxable entity, is primarily due to federal and state taxes on pre-acquisition income attributable to the WES assets acquired from Anadarko, and WES’s share of Texas margin tax.
Income attributable to (a) the TEFR Interests prior to and including February 2014, (b) the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest prior to and including March 2013, (c) the MGR assets prior to and including January 2012 and (d) the Bison assets prior to and including June 2011, was subject to federal and state income tax. Income earned on the TEFR Interests, the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, MGR assets and Bison assets for periods subsequent to February 2014, March 2013, January 2012, and June 2011, respectively, was only subject to Texas margin tax on income apportionable to Texas.

Noncontrolling Interests
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands except percentages
 
2013
 
2012
 
Inc/
(Dec)
 
2011
 
Inc/
(Dec)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
$
10,816

 
$
14,890

 
(27
)%
 
$
14,103

 
6
%

For the year ended December 31, 2013, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests decreased by $4.1 million primarily due to WES’s acquisition of the additional Chipeta interest in August 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2012, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased by $0.8 million primarily due to higher volumes at the Chipeta system, partially offset by the acquisition of the additional Chipeta interest in August 2012. See Note 2—Acquisitions in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.


24




KEY PERFORMANCE METRICS
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands except percentages and per-unit amounts
 
2013
 
2012
 
Inc/
(Dec)
 
2011
 
Inc/
(Dec)
Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets (1)
 
$
654,924

 
$
544,853

 
20
 %
 
$
516,038

 
6
 %
Adjusted gross margin for crude/NGL assets (2)
 
15,274

 
13,221

 
16
 %
 
9,497

 
39
 %
Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP (3)
 
$
670,198

 
$
558,074

 
20
 %
 
$
525,535

 
6
 %
Adjusted gross margin per Mcf attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets (4)
 
0.56

 
0.53

 
6
 %
 
0.57

 
(7
)%
Adjusted gross margin per Bbl for crude/NGL assets (5)
 
1.05

 
1.17

 
(10
)%
 
0.94

 
24
 %
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP (6)
 
457,773

 
377,929

 
21
 %
 
361,653

 
5
 %
Distributable cash flow (6)
 
$
380,529

 
$
309,945

 
23
 %
 
$
319,294

 
(3
)%
                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets is calculated as total revenues for natural gas assets less cost of product for natural gas assets plus distributions from WES’s equity investments in Fort Union and Rendezvous, which are measured in Mcf, and excluding the noncontrolling interest owners’ proportionate share of revenue and cost of product.
(2) 
Adjusted gross margin for crude/NGL assets is calculated as total revenues for crude/NGL assets less cost of product for crude/NGL assets plus distributions from WES’s equity investments in White Cliffs, the Mont Belvieu JV, TEG, TEP and FRP, which are measured in barrels.
(3) 
For a reconciliation of Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, see How WES Evaluates Its OperationsReconciliation to GAAP measures within this Item 7.
(4) 
Average for period. Calculated as Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets, divided by total throughput attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets.
(5) 
Average for period. Calculated as Adjusted gross margin for crude/NGL assets, divided by total throughput (MBbls/d) for crude/NGL assets.
(6) 
For reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash flow to their most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, see How WES Evaluates Its OperationsReconciliation to GAAP measures within this Item 7.

Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP. Adjusted gross margin increased by $112.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to higher margins on the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, the Wattenberg system, the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest, Chipeta, and the start-up of the Brasada facility in June 2013.
Adjusted gross margin increased by $32.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to higher margins on the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest and on the Wattenberg and Chipeta systems due to increases in volumes sold (including the impact of commodity price swap agreements at the Wattenberg system). These increases were partially offset by lower gross margins at the Red Desert complex due to higher prices in 2011, as we entered into commodity price swap agreements associated with the MGR acquisition that became effective in January 2012.
Adjusted gross margin per Mcf attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets increased by $0.03 for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to higher margins and increases in throughput at Chipeta, the Wattenberg system, and the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, as well as overall changes in the throughput mix of our portfolio.
Adjusted gross margin per Mcf attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets decreased by $0.04 for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to a decrease in volumes sold at the Red Desert complex coupled with an increase in cost of product as a result of commodity price swap agreements associated with the MGR acquisition which became effective in January 2012, partially offset by increases associated with growth in certain of our lower-margin assets.
Adjusted gross margin per Bbl for crude/NGL assets decreased by $0.12 for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to net losses associated with the initial start-up and line-fill stage of TEP during the fourth quarter of 2013. Adjusted gross margin per Bbl for crude/NGL assets increased by $0.23 for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to an increase in volumes at White Cliffs.


25




Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA increased by $79.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to a $135.3 million increase in total revenues and a $4.1 million decrease in net income attributable to noncontrolling interest as a result of the acquisition of the additional Chipeta interest. These amounts were offset by a $28.6 million increase in operation and maintenance expenses, a $28.2 million increase in cost of product, and a $3.6 million increase in property and other tax expense.
Adjusted EBITDA increased by $16.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to a $36.3 million increase in total revenues, a $4.7 million increase in distributions from equity investees, and a $1.1 million decrease in general and administrative expenses excluding non-cash equity-based compensation. These increases were partially offset by a $13.6 million increase in operation and maintenance expenses, an $8.7 million increase in cost of product, a $3.1 million increase in property and other tax expense, and a $0.8 million increase in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.

Distributable cash flow. Distributable cash flow increased by $70.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to a $79.8 million increase in Adjusted EBITDA and a $6.6 million decrease in maintenance capital expenditures, offset by a $15.8 million increase in net cash paid for interest expense.
Distributable cash flow decreased by $9.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to a $17.2 million increase in net cash paid for interest expense, an $8.2 million increase in cash paid for maintenance capital expenditures and a $0.3 million increase in cash paid for income taxes, partially offset by the $16.3 million increase in Adjusted EBITDA.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

WES’s primary cash requirements are for acquisitions and other capital expenditures, debt service, customary operating expenses, quarterly distributions to its limited partners and general partner, and distributions to its noncontrolling interest owner. WES’s sources of liquidity as of December 31, 2013, included cash and cash equivalents, cash flows generated from operations, interest income on WES’s $260.0 million note receivable from Anadarko, available borrowing capacity under the WES RCF, and issuances of additional equity or debt securities. WES believes that cash flows generated from these sources will be sufficient to satisfy its short-term working capital requirements and long-term maintenance and expansion capital expenditure requirements. The amount of future distributions to unitholders will depend on its results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors, and will be determined by the board of directors of its general partner on a quarterly basis. Due to WES’s cash distribution policy, WES expects to rely on external financing sources, including equity and debt issuances, to fund expansion capital expenditures and future acquisitions. However, to limit interest expense, WES may use operating cash flows to fund expansion capital expenditures or acquisitions, which could result in subsequent borrowings under the WES RCF to pay distributions or fund other short-term working capital requirements.
WES has made cash distributions to its unitholders each quarter since its IPO and has increased its quarterly distribution each quarter since the second quarter of 2009. On January 20, 2014, the board of directors of WES GP declared a cash distribution to WES unitholders of $0.60 per unit, or $92.6 million in aggregate, including incentive distributions. The cash distribution was paid on February 12, 2014, to WES unitholders of record at the close of business on January 31, 2014.
WES’s management continuously monitors its leverage position and coordinates its capital expenditure program, quarterly distributions and acquisition strategy with its expected cash flows and projected debt-repayment schedule. WES’s management will continue to evaluate funding alternatives, including additional borrowings and the issuance of debt or equity securities, to secure funds as needed or to refinance outstanding debt balances with longer-term notes. To facilitate a potential debt or equity securities issuance, WES has the ability to sell securities under its shelf registration statements. WES’s ability to generate cash flows is subject to a number of factors, some of which are beyond its control. Please read Item 1A—Risk Factors of our 2013 Form 10-K.

Working capital. As of December 31, 2013, WES had $4.4 million of working capital, which it defines as the amount by which current assets exceed current liabilities. Working capital is an indication of liquidity and potential need for short-term funding. Working capital requirements are driven by changes in accounts receivable and accounts payable and factors such as credit extended to, and the timing of collections from, WES’s customers, and the level and timing of its spending for maintenance and expansion activity. As of December 31, 2013, WES had $787.2 million available for borrowing under its $800.0 million WES RCF. In addition, we have availability under our $30.0 million WGP WCF. See Note 11—Debt and Interest Expense in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.


26




Capital expenditures. WES’s business is capital intensive, requiring significant investment to maintain and improve existing facilities or develop new midstream infrastructure. WES categorizes capital expenditures as either of the following:
 
maintenance capital expenditures, which include those expenditures required to maintain the existing operating capacity and service capability of WES’s assets, such as to replace system components and equipment that have been subject to significant use over time, become obsolete or reached the end of their useful lives, to remain in compliance with regulatory or legal requirements or to complete additional well connections to maintain existing system throughput and related cash flows; or

expansion capital expenditures, which include expenditures to construct new midstream infrastructure and those expenditures incurred in order to extend the useful lives of WES’s assets, reduce costs, increase revenues or increase system throughput or capacity from current levels, including well connections that increase existing system throughput.

Capital expenditures in the consolidated statements of cash flows reflect capital expenditures on a cash basis, when payments are made. Capital incurred is presented on an accrual basis. WES’s capital expenditures as presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows and capital incurred were as follows: 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Acquisitions
 
$
716,985

 
$
611,719

 
$
330,794

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expansion capital expenditures
 
$
615,924

 
$
600,893

 
$
121,318

Maintenance capital expenditures
 
29,930

 
37,228

 
28,399

Total capital expenditures (1)
 
$
645,854

 
$
638,121

 
$
149,717

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital incurred (2)
 
$
628,285

 
$
690,041

 
$
182,536

                                                                                                                                                                                     
(1) 
Capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, included $10.6 million and $6.8 million, respectively, of capitalized interest. Capital expenditures included the noncontrolling interest owners’ share of Chipeta’s capital expenditures, funded by contributions from the noncontrolling interest owners for all periods presented. Capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, included $178.8 million and $20.1 million, respectively, of pre-acquisition capital expenditures for the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, the MGR assets, and the Bison assets.
(2) 
Includes the noncontrolling interest owners’ share of Chipeta’s capital incurred, funded by contributions from the noncontrolling interest owners for all periods presented. Capital incurred for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, included $10.6 million and $6.8 million, respectively, of capitalized interest. Capital incurred for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, included $8.8 million, $160.9 million and $45.7 million, respectively, of pre-acquisition capital incurred for the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, the MGR assets, and the Bison assets.

Acquisitions during 2013 included OTTCO, the Mont Belvieu JV, the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest and the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest. Acquisitions during 2012 included the additional Chipeta interest and the MGR assets. Acquisitions during 2011 included the Bison facility and the Platte Valley system. See Note 2—Acquisitions in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions, increased by $7.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Expansion capital expenditures increased by $15.0 million (including a $3.8 million increase in capitalized interest) for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to an increase of $114.2 million related to the construction of the Lancaster plants and a $91.7 million increase in expenditures at the Wattenberg and Hilight systems and the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest. These increases were partially offset by a $191.2 million decrease at Chipeta, the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, the Brasada facility and the Platte Valley system. Maintenance capital expenditures decreased by $7.3 million, primarily as a result of decreased expenditures of $7.5 million at the Wattenberg, Hilight, Haley, and Platte Valley systems, the Red Desert complex and the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, partially offset by a $1.7 million increase at the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest.

27




Capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions, increased by $488.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Expansion capital expenditures increased by $479.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to an increase of $189.3 million related to the construction of the Brasada gas processing facility and Lancaster plant, $167.3 million in expenditures for the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, $127.3 million in expenditures at WES’s Wattenberg, Chipeta, and Platte Valley systems and at the Red Desert complex, and $6.8 million of capitalized interest expense. These increases were partially offset by a $7.2 million decrease related to the Bison assets due to the continued startup costs incurred in early 2011, and a $1.2 million decrease at the Granger complex. Maintenance capital expenditures increased by $8.8 million, primarily as a result of increased expenditures of $10.0 million due to higher well connects at the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, the Platte Valley and Haley systems, and the Red Desert complex, partially offset by $2.3 million in 2011 improvements at the Hugoton system.
WES estimates its total capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2014, including its 75% share of Chipeta’s capital expenditures and excluding acquisitions, to be $614 million to $664 million and its maintenance capital expenditures to be 9% to 11% of total capital expenditures. Expected 2014 projects include the construction of a second train at WES’s Lancaster plant and continued well connections in the Denver-Julesburg basin and the Marcellus shale. WES’s future expansion capital expenditures may vary significantly from period to period based on the investment opportunities available to it, which are dependent, in part, on the drilling activities of Anadarko and third-party producers. WES expects to fund future capital expenditures from cash flows generated from operations, interest income from its note receivable from Anadarko, borrowings under the WES RCF, the issuance of additional WES units or debt offerings.

WESs historical cash flow. The following table and discussion present a summary of WES’s net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities, investing activities and financing activities:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Net cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
 
$
448,201

 
$
338,047

 
$
312,838

Investing activities
 
(1,652,995
)
 
(1,357,537
)
 
(485,832
)
Financing activities
 
885,541

 
1,212,912

 
372,479

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
$
(319,253
)
 
$
193,422

 
$
199,485


Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2013, was $448.2 million, compared to $338.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Operating cash flows increased primarily due to the impact of changes in working capital items, in addition to higher sales volumes and higher average natural gas prices.
Net cash provided by operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2012, was $338.0 million, compared to $312.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. Operating cash flows increased primarily due to the impact of changes in working capital items, in addition to higher sales volumes and increased average commodity prices pursuant to commodity price swap agreements and the addition of the Platte Valley assets in March 2011. The impact of changes in working capital items was primarily due to accruals of expected future operating cash receipts and payments.
Refer to Operating Results within this Item 7 for a discussion of our results of operations as compared to the prior periods.

Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2013, included the following:
 
$465.5 million of cash paid for the acquisition of the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest;

$646.5 million of capital expenditures, net of $0.6 million of contributions in aid of construction costs from affiliates;

$221.2 million of capital contributions to TEG, TEP and FRP for construction costs;

$134.6 million of cash paid for the acquisition of the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest;

$78.1 million of cash paid for the acquisition of the Mont Belvieu JV;


28




$37.3 million of capital contributions to the Mont Belvieu JV to fund WES’s share of construction costs for the fractionation facilities completed in the fourth quarter of 2013;

$27.5 million of cash paid for the acquisition of OTTCO;

$19.1 million of cash paid related to a White Cliffs expansion project anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2014;

$17.0 million of capitalized interest on equity investments related to the Mont Belvieu JV, TEP, TEG and FRP;

$11.2 million of cash paid for equipment purchases from Anadarko; and

$4.4 million of distributions from equity investments in excess of cumulative earnings.

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2012, included the following:
 
$458.6 million of cash paid for the acquisition of the MGR assets;

$638.1 million of capital expenditures;

$128.3 million of cash paid for the additional Chipeta interest;

$107.6 million of cash paid for the capital contributions to TEP for construction costs and the initial investments in TEG and FRP; and

$24.7 million of cash paid for equipment purchases from Anadarko.

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2011, included the following:

$302.0 million of cash paid for the acquisition of the Platte Valley system;

$149.7 million of capital expenditures;
 
$25.0 million of cash paid for the acquisition of the Bison facility;

$6.1 million of cash paid for the initial investment in TEP; and
 
$3.8 million for equipment purchases from Anadarko.

Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2013, included the following:

$273.7 million of net proceeds from WES’s December 2013 equity offering, including net proceeds from the issuance of general partner units to WES GP to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest, $215.0 million of which was used to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the WES RCF;

$424.7 million of net proceeds from the WES May 2013 equity offering, including net proceeds from the issuance of general partner units to WES GP to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest, $245.0 million of which was used to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the WES RCF;

$247.6 million of net proceeds from the WES 2018 Notes offering in August 2013, after underwriting and original issue discounts and offering costs, all of which was used to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the WES RCF, including $250.0 million of borrowings to fund the acquisition of the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest;

$133.5 million of borrowings to fund the acquisition of the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest;


29




$299.0 million of borrowings to fund capital expenditures;

$27.5 million of borrowings to fund the acquisition of OTTCO;

$41.8 million of net proceeds from activity under WES’s Continuous Offering Program (as defined and discussed in Registered Securities within this Item 7), including net proceeds from the issuance of general partner units to WES GP to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest; and

$0.5 million of net proceeds from the issuance of general partner units to WES GP to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest after WES common units were issued in conjunction with the acquisition of the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest.

Net contributions from Anadarko attributable to intercompany balances were $209.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2013, representing intercompany transactions attributable to the acquisitions of the TEFR Interests and the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2012, included the following:

$511.3 million and $156.4 million of net proceeds from the WES 2022 Notes offering in June 2012 and October 2012, respectively, after underwriting and original issue discounts, original issue premiums and offering costs;

$409.4 million of net proceeds from common and general partner units WES sold in connection with the closing of our December 2012 IPO;

$299.0 million of borrowings to fund the acquisition of the MGR assets; and

$216.4 million of net proceeds from the June 2012 WES equity offering.

Proceeds from the WES 2022 Notes offerings were used to repay amounts outstanding under the WES RCF and the WES note payable to Anadarko.
Net contributions from Anadarko attributable to intercompany balances were $278.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2012, representing intercompany transactions attributable to the acquisitions of the TEFR Interests and the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, the compensation expense allocated to WES since the inception of the Incentive Plan and the settlement of intercompany transactions attributable to the MGR assets.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2011, included the following:

$493.9 million of net proceeds from WES’s 2021 Notes offering in May 2011, after underwriting and original issue discounts and offering costs;

$303.0 million of borrowings to fund the acquisition of the Platte Valley system;

$250.0 million repayment of the Wattenberg term loan (described below) using borrowings from the WES RCF;

$202.8 million of net proceeds from the September 2011 WES equity offering; and

$132.6 million of net proceeds from the March 2011 WES equity offering.

Proceeds from WES’s 2021 Notes offering and the March 2011 WES equity offering were used to repay $619.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the WES RCF.
Net distributions to Anadarko attributable to pre-acquisition intercompany balances were $29.9 million during 2011, attributable to the acquisitions of the TEFR Interests and the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, and the net non-cash settlement of intercompany transactions attributable to the MGR assets and the Bison facility.


30




For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, WES paid $299.1 million, $197.9 million, and $140.1 million, respectively, of cash distributions to its unitholders. Contributions from noncontrolling interest owners of Chipeta totaled $2.2 million, $29.1 million and $33.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, primarily for expansion of the cryogenic units and plant construction. Distributions to noncontrolling interest owners of Chipeta totaled $13.1 million, $17.3 million and $17.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, representing the distributions paid as of December 31 of the respective year. Decreases in contributions by and distributions to noncontrolling interest owners of Chipeta were also impacted by WES’s August 2012 acquisition of the additional Chipeta interest.

Debt and credit facilities. As of December 31, 2013, the carrying value of WES’s outstanding debt consisted of $249.7 million of the 2018 Notes, $673.3 million of the 2022 Notes and $495.2 million of the 2021 Notes. See Note 11—Debt and Interest Expense in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

WES Senior Notes. In August 2013, WES completed the offering of $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.600% Senior Notes due 2018 at a price to the public of 99.879% of the face amount. Including the effects of the issuance and underwriting discounts, the effective interest rate of the 2018 Notes is 2.806%. Interest is paid semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year. Proceeds (net of underwriting discount of $1.5 million, original issue discount and debt issuance costs) were used to repay amounts then outstanding under the WES RCF.
The 2018 Notes mature on August 15, 2018, unless earlier redeemed. The Partnership may redeem the 2018 Notes in whole or in part, at any time before July 15, 2018, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the 2018 Notes to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on such 2018 Notes (exclusive of interest accrued to the redemption date) discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined in the indenture governing the 2018 Notes) plus 20 basis points, plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest to such redemption date, if any, on the principal amount being redeemed. On or after July 15, 2018, the 2018 Notes may be redeemed, at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2018 Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued interest on the 2018 Notes to be redeemed to the date of redemption.
In June 2012, WES completed the offering of $520.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2022 Notes at a price to the public of 99.194% of the face amount. In October 2012, WES issued an additional $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2022 Notes at a price to the public of 105.178% of the face amount. The additional notes were issued under the same indenture as, and as a single class of securities with, the June 2012 issuance. Including the effects of the issuance discount for the June 2012 offering, the issuance premium for the October 2012 offering, and underwriting discounts, the effective interest rate of the 2022 Notes is 4.040%. Interest is paid semi-annually on January 1 and July 1 of each year. Proceeds (net of underwriting discounts of $4.4 million and debt issuance costs) were used to repay all amounts then outstanding under the WES RCF and the $175.0 million WES note payable to Anadarko (see below), with the remaining net proceeds used for general partnership purposes.
The 2022 Notes mature on July 1, 2022, unless earlier redeemed. WES may redeem the 2022 Notes in whole or in part, at any time before April 1, 2022, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the 2022 Notes to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on such 2022 Notes (exclusive of interest accrued to the redemption date) discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined in the indenture governing the 2022 Notes) plus 37.5 basis points, plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the principal amount being redeemed to such redemption date. On or after April 1, 2022, the 2022 Notes may be redeemed, at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2022 Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued interest on the 2022 Notes to be redeemed to the date of redemption.

31




In May 2011, WES completed the offering of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2021 Notes at a price to the public of 98.778% of the face amount. Including the effects of the issuance and underwriting discounts, the effective interest rate is 5.648%. Interest on the 2021 Notes is paid semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year. Proceeds from the offering of the 2021 Notes (net of the underwriting discount of $3.3 million and debt issuance costs) were used to repay the then-outstanding balance on the WES RCF, with the remainder used for general partnership purposes. Upon issuance, the 2021 Notes were fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of WES’s wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The Subsidiary Guarantors’ guarantees were immediately released on June 13, 2012, upon the Subsidiary Guarantors becoming released from their obligations under the WES RCF, as discussed below.
The 2021 Notes mature on June 1, 2021, unless earlier redeemed. WES may redeem the 2021 Notes in whole or in part, at any time before March 1, 2021, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the 2021 Notes to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on such 2021 Notes (exclusive of interest accrued to the redemption date) discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined in the indenture governing the 2021 Notes) plus 40 basis points, plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the principal amount being redeemed to such redemption date. On or after March 1, 2021, the 2021 Notes may be redeemed, at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2021 Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued interest on the 2021 Notes to be redeemed to the date of redemption.
The indentures governing the 2021 Notes, 2022 Notes, and 2018 Notes contain customary events of default including, among others, (i) default for 30 days in the payment of interest when due; (ii) default in payment, when due, of principal of or premium, if any, at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise; and (iii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency. The indentures also contain covenants that limit, among other things, WES’s ability, as well as that of certain of its subsidiaries, to (i) create liens on WES’s principal properties; (ii) engage in sale and leaseback transactions; and (iii) merge or consolidate with another entity or sell, lease or transfer substantially all of our properties or assets to another entity. At December 31, 2013, WES was in compliance with all covenants under the indentures governing the 2021 Notes, 2022 Notes, and the 2018 Notes.

WES note payable to Anadarko. In 2008, WES entered into a five-year $175.0 million term loan agreement with Anadarko. The interest rate was fixed at 2.82% prior to June 2012 when the note payable to Anadarko was repaid in full with proceeds from the June 2012 offering of the 2022 Notes.

WES RCF. As of December 31, 2013, WES had no outstanding borrowings and $12.8 million in outstanding letters of credit issued under the $800.0 million WES RCF. The RCF matures in March 2016 and bears interest at LIBOR plus applicable margins currently ranging from 1.30% to 1.90%, or an alternate base rate equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.5%, or (c) LIBOR plus 1%, in each case plus applicable margins currently ranging from 0.30% to 0.90%. The interest rate was 1.67% and 1.71% at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. WES is required to pay a quarterly facility fee currently ranging from 0.20% to 0.35% of the commitment amount (whether used or unused), based upon WES’s senior unsecured debt rating. The facility fee rate was 0.25% at December 31, 2013 and 2012. At December 31, 2013, WES was in compliance with all covenants under the WES RCF. See Note 13—Subsequent Events in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

32




On June 13, 2012, following the receipt of a second investment grade rating as defined in the RCF, the guarantees provided by WES’s wholly owned subsidiaries were released, and WES is no longer subject to certain of the restrictive covenants associated with the WES RCF, including the maintenance of an interest coverage ratio and adherence to covenants that limit, among other things, WES’s ability, and that of certain of its subsidiaries, to dispose of assets and make certain investments or payments. The WES RCF continues to contain certain covenants that limit, among other things, WES’s ability, and that of certain of its subsidiaries, to incur additional indebtedness, grant certain liens, merge, consolidate or allow any material change in the character of its business, enter into certain affiliate transactions and use proceeds other than for partnership purposes. The WES RCF also contains various customary covenants, customary events of default and a maximum consolidated leverage ratio as of the end of each fiscal quarter (which is defined as the ratio of consolidated indebtedness as of the last day of a fiscal quarter to Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such day) of 5.0 to 1.0, or a consolidated leverage ratio of 5.5 to 1.0 with respect to quarters ending in the 270-day period immediately following certain acquisitions. At December 31, 2013, WES was in compliance with all remaining covenants under the RCF.
The 2021 Notes, the 2022 Notes, the 2018 Notes and obligations under the WES RCF are recourse to WES GP. WES GP is indemnified by a wholly owned subsidiary of Anadarko, Western Gas Resources, Inc. (“WGRI”), against any claims made against WES GP under the 2022 Notes, the 2021 Notes, and/or the WES RCF. See Note 2—Acquisitions and Note 13—Subsequent Events in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K for a discussion of amendments to the WES RCF and borrowing activity under the new WES RCF in March 2014, related to acquisitions that closed after December 31, 2013.
In connection with the acquisition of the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest in March 2013, WES GP and another wholly owned subsidiary of Anadarko entered into an indemnification agreement (the “2013 Indemnification Agreement”) whereby such subsidiary agreed to indemnify WES GP for any recourse liability it may have for WES RCF borrowings, or other debt financing, attributable to the acquisitions of the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest or the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest. The 2013 Indemnification Agreement applies to the 2018 Notes. WES GP and WGRI also amended and restated the existing indemnity agreement between them to reduce the amount for which WGRI would indemnify WES GP by an amount equal to any amounts payable to WES GP under the 2013 Indemnification Agreement. See Note 13—Subsequent Events in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

WES Wattenberg term loan. In connection with the Wattenberg acquisition, in August 2010 WES borrowed $250.0 million under a three-year term loan from a group of banks (“WES Wattenberg term loan”). The WES Wattenberg term loan incurred interest at LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.50% to 3.50% depending on WES’s consolidated leverage ratio as defined in the WES Wattenberg term loan agreement. WES repaid the WES Wattenberg term loan in March 2011 using borrowings from the WES RCF and recognized $1.3 million of accelerated amortization expense related to its early repayment.

WGP working capital facility. On November 1, 2012, we entered into the $30.0 million WGP WCF with Anadarko as the lender. The facility is available exclusively to fund our working capital borrowings. Borrowings under the facility will mature on November 1, 2017, and will bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.50%. The interest rate was 1.67% and 1.71% at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
We are required to reduce all borrowings under the WGP WCF to zero for a period of at least 15 consecutive days during the twelve month period commencing on November 1, 2012, and during the twelve month period commencing on each anniversary thereof. As of December 31, 2013, we had no outstanding borrowings under the WGP WCF and were in compliance with all covenants under the WGP WCF.

Registered securities. WES may issue an indeterminate amount of common units and various debt securities under its effective shelf registration statements on file with the SEC.
In August 2012, WES filed a registration statement with the SEC authorizing the issuance of up to an aggregate of $125.0 million of WES common units, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions and other factors at the time of the offerings (the “Continuous Offering Program”). See Note 4—Equity and Partners’ Capital in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K for a discussion of trades completed by WES under its Continuous Offering Program.


33




Credit risk. As stated above, our assets consist solely of ownership interests in WES. Accordingly, we are dependent upon WES’s ability to pay cash distributions to us. WES bears credit risk represented by its exposure to non-payment or non-performance by its counterparties, including Anadarko, financial institutions, customers and other parties. Generally, non-payment or non-performance results from a customer’s inability to satisfy payables to WES for services rendered or volumes owed pursuant to gas imbalance agreements. WES examines and monitors the creditworthiness of third-party customers and may establish credit limits for third-party customers. A substantial portion of WES’s throughput, however, comes from producers that have investment-grade ratings.
WES is dependent upon a single producer, Anadarko, for the substantial majority of its natural gas volumes, and WES does not maintain a credit limit with respect to Anadarko. Consequently, WES is subject to the risk of non-payment or late payment by Anadarko for gathering, processing and transportation fees and for proceeds from the sale of residue, NGLs and condensate to Anadarko.
WES expects its exposure to concentrated risk of non-payment or non-performance to continue for as long as it remains substantially dependent on Anadarko for its revenues. Additionally, WES is exposed to credit risk on the note receivable from Anadarko, which was issued concurrently with the closing of its initial public offering. WES is also party to agreements with Anadarko under which Anadarko is required to indemnify WES for certain environmental claims, losses arising from rights-of-way claims, failures to obtain required consents or governmental permits and income taxes with respect to the assets acquired from Anadarko. Finally, WES has entered into various commodity price swap agreements with Anadarko in order to reduce its exposure to commodity price risk and is subject to performance risk thereunder.
WES’s ability to make distributions to its unitholders may be adversely impacted if Anadarko becomes unable to perform under the terms of its gathering, processing and transportation agreements, natural gas and NGL purchase agreements, Anadarko’s note payable to WES, the WES omnibus agreement, the services and secondment agreement, contribution agreements or the commodity price swap agreements.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following is a summary of WES’s contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2013, including the contractual obligations of the TEFR Interests. The table below excludes amounts classified as current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, other than the current portions of the categories listed within the table. It is expected that the majority of the excluded current liabilities will be paid in cash in 2014.
 
 
Obligations by Period
thousands
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Long-term debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal
 

 

 

 

 
250,000

 
1,170,000

 
1,420,000

Interest
 
59,652

 
59,634

 
59,614

 
59,595

 
56,324

 
160,275

 
455,094

Asset retirement obligations
 
1,966

 
1,755

 
127

 

 

 
74,187

 
78,035

Capital expenditures
 
47,112

 

 

 

 

 

 
47,112

Credit facility fees
 
2,000

 
2,000

 
460

 

 

 

 
4,460

Environmental obligations
 
932

 
532

 
532

 
135

 
135

 
579

 
2,845

Operating leases
 
309

 
245

 
233

 
157

 
34

 

 
978

Total
 
$
111,971

 
$
64,166

 
$
60,966

 
$
59,887

 
$
306,493

 
$
1,405,041

 
$
2,008,524


Debt and credit facility fees. For additional information on credit facility fees required under the WES RCF, see Note 11—Debt and Interest Expense in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Asset retirement obligations. When assets are acquired or constructed, the initial estimated asset retirement obligation is recognized in an amount equal to the net present value of the settlement obligation, with an associated increase in properties and equipment. Revisions to estimated asset retirement obligations can result from revisions to estimated inflation rates and discount rates, changes in retirement costs and the estimated timing of settlement. For additional information, see Note 10—Asset Retirement Obligations in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.



34




Capital expenditures. Included in this amount are capital obligations related to WES expansion projects. WES has other planned capital and investment projects that are discretionary in nature, with no substantial contractual obligations made in advance of the actual expenditures. See Note 12—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Environmental obligations. WGP, through its partnership interests in WES, is subject to various environmental-remediation obligations arising from federal, state and local regulations regarding air and water quality, hazardous and solid waste disposal and other environmental matters. WES regularly monitors the remediation and reclamation process and the liabilities recorded and believes that the amounts reflected in its recorded environmental obligations are adequate to fund remedial actions to comply with present laws and regulations. For additional information on environmental obligations, see Note 12—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Operating leases. Anadarko, on WES’s behalf, has entered into lease agreements for corporate offices, shared field offices and a warehouse supporting WES’s operations, for which it charges WES rent. The amounts above represent existing contractual operating lease obligations that may be assigned or otherwise charged to WES pursuant to the reimbursement provisions of the WES omnibus agreement. See Note 12—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
For additional information on contracts, obligations and arrangements we and WES enter into from time to time, see Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates and Note 12—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make informed judgments and estimates that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and affect the amounts of revenues and expenses recognized during the periods reported. On an ongoing basis, management reviews its estimates, including those related to the determination of properties and equipment, asset retirement obligations, litigation, environmental liabilities, income taxes and fair values. Although these estimates are based on management’s best available knowledge of current and expected future events, changes in facts and circumstances or discovery of new information may result in revised estimates, and actual results may differ from these estimates. WES’s management considers the following to be its most critical accounting estimates that involve judgment and it discusses the selection and development of these estimates with WES GP’s audit committee. For additional information concerning accounting policies, see Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Depreciation. Depreciation expense is generally computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets. Determination of depreciation expense requires judgment regarding the estimated useful lives and salvage values of property, plant and equipment. As circumstances warrant, depreciation estimates are reviewed to determine if any changes in the underlying assumptions are necessary. The weighted-average life of WES’s long-lived assets is 23 years. If the depreciable lives of WES’s assets were reduced by 10%, WES estimates that annual depreciation expense would increase by $18.7 million, which would result in a corresponding reduction in WES’s operating income.

Impairments of tangible assets. Property, plant and equipment are generally stated at the lower of historical cost less accumulated depreciation or fair value, if impaired. Because acquisitions of assets from Anadarko are transfers of net assets between entities under common control, the WES assets acquired by WES from Anadarko are initially recorded at Anadarko’s historic carrying value. Assets acquired in a business combination or non-monetary exchange with a third party are initially recorded at fair value. Property, plant and equipment balances are evaluated for potential impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable from expected undiscounted cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of an asset. If the carrying amount of the asset is not expected to be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment may be recognized. Any impairment is measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its estimated fair value.

35




In assessing long-lived assets for impairments, WES’s management evaluates changes in its business and economic conditions and their implications for recoverability of the assets’ carrying amounts. Since a significant portion of WES’s revenues arises from gathering, processing and transporting the natural gas production from Anadarko-operated properties, significant downward revisions in reserve estimates or changes in future development plans by Anadarko, to the extent they affect WES’s operations, may necessitate assessment of the carrying amount of its affected assets for recoverability. Such assessment requires application of judgment regarding the use and ultimate disposition of the asset, long-range revenue and expense estimates, global and regional economic conditions, including commodity prices and drilling activity by WES’s customers, as well as other factors affecting estimated future net cash flows. The measure of impairments to be recognized, if any, depends upon management’s estimate of the asset’s fair value, which may be determined based on the estimates of future net cash flows or values at which similar assets were transferred in the market in recent transactions, if such data is available.
During 2013, WES recognized a $1.2 million impairment primarily related to the cancellation of various capital projects by the third-party operator of the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest.
During 2012, WES recognized a $6.0 million impairment related to a gathering system in central Wyoming that was impaired to its estimated fair value using Level 3 fair-value inputs. Also during 2012, an impairment of $0.6 million was recognized for the original installation costs on a compressor relocated within WES’s operating assets.
During 2011, WES recognized a $7.3 million impairment related to certain equipment and materials. The costs of the equipment and materials, previously capitalized as assets under construction and related to a Red Desert complex expansion project, were deemed no longer recoverable as the expansion project was indefinitely postponed by Anadarko management. Subsequent to the project evaluation and impairment, the remaining fair value of the equipment and materials was reclassified from within property, plant and equipment to other assets on the consolidated balance sheet and was $10.6 million as of December 31, 2011. Also during 2011, following an evaluation of future cash flows, an impairment of $3.0 million was recognized for a transportation pipeline that was impaired to its estimated fair value using Level 3 fair-value inputs.

Impairments of goodwill. Goodwill represents the allocated portion of Anadarko’s midstream goodwill attributed to the assets WES has acquired from Anadarko. The carrying value of Anadarko’s midstream goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an entity over the estimated fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed by Anadarko. Accordingly, WES’s goodwill balance does not reflect, and in some cases is significantly higher than, the difference between the consideration paid by WES for acquisitions from Anadarko compared to the fair value of the net assets acquired.
WES evaluates whether goodwill has been impaired annually as of October 1, unless facts and circumstances make it necessary to test more frequently. Accounting standards require that goodwill be assessed for impairment at the reporting unit level. Management has determined that WES has one operating segment and two reporting units: (i) gathering and processing and (2) transportation. The carrying value of goodwill as of December 31, 2013, was $100.5 million for the gathering and processing reporting unit and $4.8 million for the transportation reporting unit.
The first step in assessing whether an impairment of goodwill is necessary is an optional qualitative assessment to determine the likelihood of whether the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount. If WES concludes that the fair value of the reporting unit more than likely exceeds the related carrying amount, then goodwill is not impaired and further testing is not necessary. If the qualitative assessment is not performed or indicates the fair value of the reporting unit may be less than its carrying amount, WES would compare the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to which goodwill is assigned to the carrying amount of the associated net assets, including goodwill, and determine whether an impairment is necessary. In this manner, estimating the fair value of WES’s reporting units was not necessary based on the qualitative evaluation as of October 1, 2013. However, fair-value estimates of WES’s reporting units may be required for goodwill impairment testing in the future, and if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is written down to the implied fair value through a charge to operating expense based on a hypothetical purchase price allocation.

36




Because quoted market prices for WES’s reporting units are not available, WES’s management must apply judgment in determining the estimated fair value of reporting units for purposes of performing the goodwill impairment test, when necessary. Management uses information available to make these fair value estimates, including market multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”). Specifically, WES’s management estimates fair value by applying an estimated multiple to projected 2014 EBITDA. Management considered observable transactions in the market, as well as trading multiples for peers, to determine an appropriate multiple to apply against WES’s projected EBITDA. A lower fair value estimate in the future for any of WES’s reporting units could result in a goodwill impairment. Factors that could trigger a lower fair-value estimate include sustained price declines, throughput declines, cost increases, regulatory or political environment changes, and other changes in market conditions such as decreased prices in market-based transactions for similar assets. Based on WES’s most recent goodwill impairment test, WES concluded, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded the carrying value of the reporting unit. Therefore, no goodwill impairment was indicated, and no goodwill impairment has been recognized in our consolidated financial statements.

Impairments of intangible assets. WES’s intangible asset balance as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, primarily represents the fair value, net of amortization, of (i) contracts WES assumed in connection with the Platte Valley acquisition in February 2011, which are amortized on a straight-line basis over 50 years, and (ii) interconnect agreements at Chipeta entered into in November 2012, amortized on a straight-line basis over 10 years.
Management assesses intangible assets for impairment together with the related underlying long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Impairments exist when the carrying amount of an asset exceeds estimates of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. When alternative courses of action to recover the carrying amount are under consideration, estimates of future undiscounted cash flows take into account possible outcomes and probabilities of their occurrence. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable based on the estimated future undiscounted cash flows, the impairment loss is measured as the excess of the asset’s carrying amount over its estimated fair value, such that the asset’s carrying amount is adjusted to its estimated fair value with an offsetting charge to impairment expense. No intangible asset impairment has been recognized in connection with these assets.

Fair value. Management estimates fair value in performing impairment tests for long-lived assets and goodwill as well as for the initial measurement of asset retirement obligations and the initial recognition of environmental obligations assumed in third-party acquisitions. When WES’s management is required to measure fair value and there is not a market-observable price for the asset or liability or a market-observable price for a similar asset or liability, management utilizes the cost, income, or market multiples valuation approach depending on the quality of information available to support management’s assumptions. The income approach uses management’s best assumptions regarding expectations of projected cash flows, and discounts the expected cash flows using a commensurate risk adjusted discount rate. Such evaluations involve a significant amount of judgment, since the results are based on expected future events or conditions, such as sales prices, estimates of future throughput, capital and operating costs and the timing thereof, economic and regulatory climates and other factors. A multiple approach uses management’s best assumptions regarding expectations of projected EBITDA and multiple of that EBITDA that a buyer would pay to acquire an asset. Management’s estimates of future net cash flows and EBITDA are inherently imprecise because they reflect management’s expectation of future conditions that are often outside of management’s control. However, assumptions used reflect a market participant’s view of long-term prices, costs and other factors, and are consistent with assumptions used in WES’s business plans and investment decisions.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements. WES does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements other than operating leases. The information pertaining to operating leases required for this item is provided under Note 12—Commitments and Contingencies included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

None.


37