Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Partners' Capital Notes [Abstract]

Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit

Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit

Net income per unit applicable to common limited partner units is computed by dividing the respective limited partners’ interest in net income attributable to the Partnership for the period by the weighted average number of common units outstanding for the period. Prior to April 1, 2020, the classes of participating securities included common units, general partner units and IDRs. Because we had more than one class of participating securities, we used the two-class method when calculating the net income per unit applicable to limited partners. Effective April 1, 2020, the classes of participating securities included only common units, as the general partner units and the IDRs were eliminated and the Series A Preferred Units are not considered a participating security. See Note 11 – (Deficit) Equity for a discussion of the elimination of our general partner’s IDRs and 2% economic interest effective April 1, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, our Series A Preferred Units were dilutive to net income per limited partner unit.

Net income earned by the Partnership is allocated between the classes of participating securities in accordance with the terms of our partnership agreement as in effect on the date such calculation is performed, after giving effect to priority income allocations to the holders of the Series A Preferred Units if applicable. Earnings are allocated based on actual cash distributions declared to our unitholders, including those attributable to the IDRs prior to the second quarter of 2020, if applicable. To the extent net income attributable to the Partnership exceeds or is less than cash distributions, this difference is allocated based on the unitholders’ respective ownership percentages. For the diluted net income per limited partner unit calculation under the Second Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement, the Series A Preferred Units are assumed to be converted at the beginning of the period into common limited partner units on a one-for-one basis, and the distribution formula for available cash is recalculated using the available cash amount increased only for the preferred distributions, which would have been attributable to the common units after conversion.

The following tables show the allocation of net income attributable to the Partnership to arrive at net income per limited partner unit:

 

	2021 (1)	2020		2019
Net income	*	$	556	$	546
Less:
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	*	13		18
Net income attributable to the Partnership	*	543		528
Less:
General partner’s distribution declared (2)	*	55		148
Preferred unitholder’s interest in net income	*	36		—
Limited partners’ distribution declared on common units (3)	*	590		404
Distributions in excess of income	*	$	(138)	$	(24)

(1) Effective April 1, 2020, the classes of participating securities included only common units, as the general partner units and the IDRs were eliminated and the Series A Preferred Units are not considered a participating security. Therefore, the allocation of net income attributable to the Partnership to arrive at net income per limited partner unit is not applicable for the year ended December 31, 2021.

(2) For 2019, this includes the impact of waived distributions to the holders of the IDRs. See Note 4 — Related Party Transactions for additional information.

(3) For 2020, this includes the impact of waived distributions to SPLC. See Note 4 — Related Party Transactions for additional information.

		2021
		Limited Partners’ Common Units
	(in millions of dollars, except per unit data)
Net income attributable to the Partnership’s common unitholders (basic)		$	508
Dilutive effect of preferred units		48
Net income attributable to the Partnership’s common unitholders (diluted)		$	556
Weighted average units outstanding - Basic		393.3
Dilutive effect of preferred units		50.8
Weighted average units outstanding - Diluted		444.1
Net income per limited partner unit:
Basic		$	1.29
Diluted		$	1.25

	2020
	General Partner		Limited Partners’ Common Units		Total
	(in millions of dollars, except per unit data)
Distributions declared (1)	$	55	$	590	$	645
Distributions in excess of income	—		(138)		(138)
Net income attributable to the Partnership’s common unitholders (basic)	$	55	$	452	$	507
Dilutive effect of preferred units			36
Net income attributable to the Partnership’s common unitholders (diluted)			$	488
Weighted average units outstanding - Basic			353.5
Dilutive effect of preferred units			38.2
Weighted average units outstanding - Dilutive			391.7
Net income per limited partner unit:
Basic			$	1.28
Diluted			$	1.25

(1) This includes the impact of waived distributions to SPLC. See Note 4 — Related Party Transactions for additional information.

	2019
	General Partner		Limited Partners’ Common Units		Total
	(in millions of dollars, except per unit data)
Distributions declared (1)	$	148	$	404	$	552
Distributions in excess of income	(1)		(23)		(24)
Net income attributable to the Partnership	$	147	$	381	$	528
Weighted average units outstanding:
Basic and diluted			229.2
Net income per limited partner unit:
Basic and diluted			$	1.66

(1) This includes the impact of waived distributions to the holders of the IDRs. See Note 4 — Related Party Transactions for additional information.