SECOND-QUARTER 2020 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Highlights
- Adjusted EBITDA increased by $20.1 million to $41.9 million in the second quarter of 2020 as compared to $21.8 million in the second quarter of 2019, resulting in over 92% EBITDA growth as a result of the acquisition of the Prince George Refinery (“PGR”) and the commissioning of the Pipestone Gas Plant. Net loss attributable to shareholders was $0.3 million for the second quarter of 2020 as compared to $4.1 million in the second quarter of 2019.
- Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $59.0 million for the second quarter of 2020, with distributable cash flow of $10.6 million and a payout ratio of 32%.
- On June 18, 2020, the Corporation entered into a definitive purchase and sale agreement for its 50% interest in the Pioneer Pipeline LP to NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (“NGTL”) for gross proceeds of $255 million (the “Pioneer Transaction”). In addition, Tidewater and TransAlta Corporation (“TransAlta”) have agreed to terms whereby, upon closing of the Pioneer Transaction, TransAlta will pay Tidewater $10.5 million for certain ancillary assets not included in the Pioneer Transaction, and for completion of budgeted restoration work, resulting in approximately $138 million in total cash consideration net to Tidewater. Tidewater expects to close the transaction by year-end 2020, however delays in obtaining regulatory approvals could impact the expected closing date.
- The Corporation’s top priority remains free cash flow generation and debt reduction. The Corporation remains committed to reducing leverage throughout 2020 with a target of 3.0x to 3.5x Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA, with the closing of the Pioneer Transaction.
- Tidewater expects results in the second half of 2020 to improve as demand at its facilities, including PGR, recovers to pre-pandemic levels. Guidance of forecasted Adjusted EBITDA remains at $175 million to $185 million for the full year 2020. Tidewater debottlenecked various processing units at PGR. As a result, PGR is seeing record throughput at over 12,000 bbls/day and combined gasoline and diesel production of over 10,500 bbls/day. The Pipestone Gas Plant had its strongest run times and cashflow generation to date in the second quarter and Tidewater expects this to continue throughout the remainder of 2020. The facility remains fully contracted.
- The Corporation continues to be committed to its Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) performance by investing in infrastructure to increase energy and natural resource efficiency, reduce emissions, and enhance environmental performance. Tidewater’s ESG Management Committee continues to meet weekly and has developed an interface on its website for the investment community to view as part of its transparency to communicate key environmental, safety and other sustainability metrics. Tidewater is evaluating certain small and medium-scale green capital projects in conjunction with government funding programs at many of its assets, including PGR.
- The Corporation is pleased to welcome Mr. Michael Salamon and Mr. Neil McCarron, both of Birch Hill Equity Partners Management Inc., and Ms. Gail Yester to its Board of Directors.
COVID-19 UPDATE
- Tidewater continues to monitor the developments related to the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”). Safeguarding the well-being of Tidewater’s personnel is its principal concern and it remains focused on operating safely and responsibly and providing the essential services that its communities and customers rely on during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board of Directors, executive team and division leaders continue to meet regularly to align response strategies and efforts within all areas of the Corporation. The Corporation commends its employees for continuing to operate safely and responsibly and providing extra customer service in this challenging environment.
- Second-quarter results were interrupted by the effects of the pandemic, including reduced demand for refined products and a sharp decrease in crude oil prices at the start of the quarter. After leveling off in May, volume trends across the Corporation’s operating areas have increased with the recent stability in commodity prices and increased demand in refined products providing positive momentum as the Corporation enters the second half of 2020. Tidewater is encouraged by the resilience of its operations and continues to deliver value to its investors through its strategic and integrated assets. These assets are supported by a strong, stable customer base and growing demand for its products.
- While volume trends are improving, financial markets and commodity prices continue to remain volatile impacting overall economic activity. Tidewater’s defensive assets perform well in low commodity price environments. These defensive assets include its gas storage assets, which are contracted to six investment grade counterparties; the Brazeau River Complex (“BRC”) which allows producers access to three natural gas egress solutions; the Pipestone Gas Plant which has over 80% of its volumes under take or pay contracts; and PGR which has a five-year offtake agreement with an investment grade counterparty. Approximately 50% of the Corporation’s cashflow is derived from investment grade counterparties.
- The Corporation remains focused on creating value for its stakeholders and remains committed to deleveraging throughout 2020. The timing and extent of the economic recovery, especially as COVID-19 cases continue to rise, could impact these forecasts.
Selected financial and operating information is outlined below and should be read with Tidewater’s consolidated financial statements and related MD&A as at and for the three and six-month period ended June 30, 2020 which are available at www.sedar.com and on our website at www.tidewatermidstream.com.
Financial Overview
Consolidated Financial Highlights
Three months ended |
Six months ended |
|||||||||||
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except per share information) |
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
||||||||
Revenue |
$ |
178,568 |
$ |
155,311 |
$ |
431,032 |
$ |
278,976 |
||||
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders |
$ |
(311) |
$ |
(4,086) |
$ |
(39,942) |
$ |
(11,221) |
||||
Basic and diluted net income (loss) attributable to shareholders per share |
$ |
(0.00) |
$ |
(0.01) |
$ |
(0.12) |
$ |
(0.03) |
||||
Adjusted EBITDA (1) |
$ |
41,873 |
$ |
21,786 |
$ |
83,379 |
$ |
44,190 |
||||
Adjusted EBITDA per common share – basic (1) |
$ |
0.12 |
$ |
0.07 |
$ |
0.25 |
$ |
0.13 |
||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
$ |
58,985 |
$ |
29,015 |
$ |
86,975 |
$ |
25,705 |
||||
Distributable cash flow (2) |
$ |
10,559 |
$ |
11,295 |
$ |
23,048 |
$ |
27,605 |
||||
Distributable cash flow per common share – basic (2) |
$ |
0.03 |
$ |
0.03 |
$ |
0.07 |
$ |
0.08 |
||||
Dividends declared |
$ |
3,384 |
$ |
3,311 |
$ |
6,761 |
$ |
6,620 |
||||
Dividends declared per common share |
$ |
0.01 |
$ |
0.01 |
$ |
0.02 |
$ |
0.02 |
||||
Total common shares outstanding (000s) |
338,413 |
331,054 |
338,413 |
331,054 |
||||||||
Payout ratio (3) |
32% |
29% |
29% |
24% |
||||||||
Total assets |
$ |
2,023,884 |
$ |
1,577,732 |
$ |
2,023,884 |
$ |
1,577,732 |
||||
Net debt (4) |
$ |
862,493 |
$ |
437,457 |
$ |
862,493 |
$ |
437,457 |
||||
Notes: |
|
1 |
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, share-based compensation, unrealized gains/losses, non-cash items, transaction costs, items that are considered non-recurring in nature and the Corporation’s proportionate share of EBITDA in their equity investments. Adjusted EBITDA per common share is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the three and six-month period June 30, 2020. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per common share are not standard measures under GAAP. See “Non-GAAP Measures” in the Corporation’s MD&A for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per common share to their most closely related GAAP measures. |
2 |
Distributable cash flow is calculated as net cash used in operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital and after any expenditures that use cash from operations. Distributable cash flow per common share is calculated as distributable cash flow over the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the three and six-month period ended June 30, 2020. Distributable cash flow and distributable cash flow per common share are not standard measures under GAAP. See “Non-GAAP Measures” in the Corporation’s MD&A for a reconciliation of distributable cash flow and distributable cash flow per common share to their most closely related GAAP measures. |
3 |
Payout Ratio is calculated by expressing dividends declared to shareholders for the period as a percentage of distributable cash flow attributable to shareholders. This measure, in combination with other measures, is used by the investment community to assess the sustainability of the current dividends. Payout Ratio is not a standard measure under GAAP. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in the Corporation’s MD&A for a reconciliation of Payout Ratio to its most closely related GAAP measure. |
4 |
Net debt is defined as bank debt, convertible debentures and notes payable, less cash. Net Debt is not a standard measure under GAAP. See “Non-GAAP Measures” in the Corporation’s MD&A for a reconciliation of Net Debt to its most closely related GAAP measure. |
OUTLOOK AND CORPORATE UPDATE
Tidewater is well positioned to weather the current economic environment and remains focused on cash flow generation, increasing liquidity and reducing leverage. The Corporation does not plan to spend significant capital in 2020 with its large 2019 capital program now complete. Tidewater’s forecasted payout ratio is expected to range from 20% to 30% with the remainder of Distributable Cash Flow used to reduce leverage. The proceeds from the Pioneer Transaction will significantly reduce leverage with net proceeds of approximately $138 million. A large portion of Tidewater’s cashflow is generated from take-or-pay contracts and long-term agreements with over 50% generated from investment grade counterparties. Tidewater expects net debt to adjusted EBITDA of approximately 3.0x – 3.5x subsequent to the completion of the Pioneer Transaction.
Prince George Refinery
PGR is a 12,000 bbl/day light oil refinery that predominantly produces low sulphur diesel and gasoline, in addition to other products, to supply the greater Prince George region. PGR has significant onsite storage capacity of greater than 1.0 MMbbl and flexible logistics, with pipeline, rail and truck connectivity in place. The Prince George region is generally in short supply of refined products and the refinery’s location within the region makes it a critical piece of infrastructure with a significant logistical advantage to address demand in northern British Columbia.
During the second quarter of 2020, PGR achieved over 85% utilization. Utilization declined during the second quarter as compared to the first quarter by approximately 5% due to the planned two-week maintenance program at the refinery during April 2020. Tidewater has debottlenecked various processing units at PGR resulting in PGR seeing record throughput of over 12,000 bbls/day and combined gasoline and diesel production of over 10,500 bbls/day.
Tidewater’s refined product yields at PGR for the second quarter of 2020 were as follows:
Throughput |
10,500 bbl/day |
Gasoline yield |
42% |
Diesel yield |
43% |
Other (1) |
15% |
(1) Other refers to heavy fuel oil (HFO), LPG and feedstock consumed to fuel the refinery. |
Tidewater’s refining margins are largely driven by commodity prices, particularly the cost of crude feedstock and other raw materials, along with market prices for refined products. During the first half of the second quarter, as a result of the developing COVID-19 pandemic, refined product demand decreased and realized margins on refined product sales contracted due to declining commodity prices and a higher weighted average cost of inventory carried over from the first quarter of 2020. However, this is partially offset by a portion of the realized gain on derivative contracts.
As a result of reduced social quarantine restrictions by provincial and federal governments during the latter half of the second quarter, refined product demand has steadily increased. Tidewater achieved improved margins due to a recovery in refined product pricing and a lower weighted average cost of inventory from less expensive crude feedstock purchased during the first half of the quarter, while throughput remained consistent.
Tidewater is encouraged by the resilience of the PGR asset in an unprecedented time with crack spreads holding steady at approximately $50/BBL. This demonstrates the refinery’s long-term value in servicing the markets where in which it operates.
The Corporation also continues to evaluate opportunities to participate in future low-carbon fuel standard (“LCFS”) agreements at the PGR.
Tidewater is also pursuing numerous low capital and high rate of return debottlenecks and optimization opportunities within its downstream business unit.
Pipestone Gas Plant
The Pipestone Gas Plant is designed to process approximately 100 MMcf/day of sour natural gas. This asset includes two acid gas injection wells, a saltwater disposal well, and sales gas pipelines directly connected to the Pipestone Gas Storage Facility, as well as Alliance and TC Energy pipelines. The facility is also pipeline connected to Pembina for C2+ and C5+ liquid streams.
Tidewater processed an average volume of 72 MMcf/day in the second quarter of 2020, an increase of 10% over the first quarter. Liquids production also increased by 65% with the commissioning of the Pembina C2+ pipeline and the deep cut processing unit. Facility uptime and availability for the quarter averaged 96% and 92% respectively. The Pipestone Gas Plant is fully contracted with over 80% committed on take or pay arrangements.
Pioneer Pipeline
On June 18, 2020, Tidewater and TransAlta entered into a definitive Purchase and Sale Agreement to sell the majority of the assets of Pioneer Pipeline LP to NGTL for gross proceeds of $255 million. Tidewater and TransAlta have also entered into a separate letter of intent whereby TransAlta will pay Tidewater $10.5 million for certain ancillary assets that are not part of the NGTL transaction, resulting in approximately $138 million in total cash consideration net to Tidewater. Proceeds from the transaction will be used to accelerate Tidewater’s commitment to achieve approximately 3.0x – 3.5x net debt to Adjusted EBITDA. Tidewater remains committed to closing the transaction by year-end 2020, with potential for closing to occur in 2021 subject to timing of regulatory approvals.
Tidewater and NGTL have agreed to terms and conditions to qualify Tidewater to receive interruptible storage services (“IT-S Service”) at Tidewater’s Brazeau River Complex storage facilities (“BRC Storage Facilities”). With the IT-S Service, Tidewater will be able to attract new, creditworthy storage customers at the BRC Storage Facilities, creating expansion opportunities to increase storage capacities at the BRC Storage Facilities.
Subject to regulatory approvals, Tidewater and NGTL have also agreed to terms and conditions to qualify Tidewater for NGTL services with respect to the natural gas currently transported on the Pioneer Pipeline and incremental natural gas from increased access to the NGTL system, which will lead to higher fractionation and processing utilization levels at the BRC. The terms and conditions of this arrangement would be for a similar term as TransAlta’s current 15-year take-or-pay agreement on the Pioneer Pipeline, and it is expected that the EBITDA generated from the new service will partially offset the reduction in EBITDA from the Pioneer Pipeline sale.
Through the first twelve months of operation, the Pioneer Pipeline has run steadily with minimal interruptions and Tidewater has met its take or pay obligations. The Pioneer Pipeline has performed to expectation, delivering forecasted EBITDA, largely backed by TransAlta’s take-or-pay commitment.
Brazeau River Complex and Fractionation Facility
Throughput at the BRC for the second quarter of 2020 was in-line with the previous quarter. Tidewater is working diligently with producers to improve netbacks by fully utilizing the BRC’s facilities, including its two NGL pipeline connections, condensate pipeline connection, truck loading and offloading facilities, fractionation, natural gas storage facilities and two natural gas sales pipeline connections.
The Brazeau River fractionation facility performed well through the second quarter of 2020, despite a challenging pricing environment, and has maintained near capacity throughput since the start of the NGL contract year with several investment grade counterparties. The marketing business found new ways to enhance producer netbacks and create operational flexibility by utilizing Tidewater facilities and maintaining disciplined risk management processes to mitigate frac spread and commodity exposure.
The Brazeau River Complex remains a core asset for Tidewater, offering a full suite of services to producers, including C2, C3, C4 and C5 pipeline connections, NGL fractionation capacity, sweet and sour deep-cut gas processing capability, and two natural gas egress solutions given the BRC’s connection to the NGTL system and the Pioneer Pipeline.
Natural Gas Storage
Tidewater operates natural gas storage reservoirs at three different facilities: Dimsdale Paddy A (Pipestone Gas Storage Facility), Brazeau Nisku F, and Brazeau Nisku A. The Pipestone Gas Storage Facility and Brazeau Nisku A are owned through joint ventures with a private Canadian entity and are accounted for as equity investments.
The second quarter of 2020 saw AECO natural gas price volatility continue to experience normal levels, with spot prices generally rangebound between $1.70 and $2.00 aside from a short burst of strength in the first week of May.
The Pipestone Gas Storage Facility performed well in the quarter as it entered its first injection season following the 2019 expansion. The facility successfully met customer park-and-loan commitments while pressuring up with a rapid inventory build in anticipation of next winter’s expanded withdrawal obligations. The Facility complex demonstrated its inherent optionality in the period by delivering gas to both Alliance Pipeline at the Saskatoon Mountain meter station and to TC Energy’s NGTL at Pipestone Creek.
The Pipestone Gas Storage Facility is fully contracted with take-or-pay contracts spanning as long as eight-years with multiple investment grade counterparties. The facility represents a significant step forward in Tidewater’s fee-for-service gas storage business and offers producers at the Pipestone Gas Plant significant optionality where the plant has three egress solutions including connections to the TC Energy and Alliance systems and gas storage.
Similarly, both Brazeau Nisku A and Brazeau Nisku F storage pools have also been building inventories through the first part of the injection season while continuing to meet the Pioneer Pipeline delivery obligations as well as realizing liquids value benefit through cycling.
CAPITAL PROGRAM
During 2019, Tidewater commissioned three of the largest capital projects in the Corporation’s history related to the Pioneer Pipeline, Pipestone Gas Plant and Pipestone Gas Storage Facility. The Corporation’s focus in 2020 is on small-scale optimization and commissioning projects.
Tidewater’s focus over the next 12 months is to employ the related cashflow from its 2019 large completed capital projects and PGR, as well as proceeds from the Pioneer Transaction, towards deleveraging with a target net debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio of approximately 3.0x – 3.5x by the end of 2020. To date, Tidewater has not committed to a significant capital program in 2020, however continues to evaluate smaller capital projects with the potential to generate returns in excess of 50%.
APPOINTMENT OF NEW DIRECTOR
The Corporation is pleased to announce that Ms. Gail Yester has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Corporation. Ms. Yester will add significant legal, land, acquisition and divestiture experience to the Board. The Board and Management look forward to working with Ms. Yester.
SECOND QUARTER 2020 EARNINGS CALL
In conjunction with the earnings release, investors will have the opportunity to listen to Tidewater senior management review its second quarter 2020 results via conference call on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 11:00 am MDT (1:00 pm EDT).
To access the conference call by telephone, dial 647-427-7450 (local / international participant dial in) or 1-888-231-8191 (North American toll free participant dial in). A question and answer session for analysts will follow management’s presentation.
A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available by following this link: https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1349898&tp_key=ff20a30bf5 and will also be archived there for 90 days.
For those accessing the call via Cision’s investor website, we suggest logging in at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the live event. For those dialing in, participants should ask to be joined into the Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure Ltd. earnings call.
ABOUT TIDEWATER
Tidewater is traded on the TSX under the symbol “TWM”. Tidewater’s business objective is to build a diversified midstream and infrastructure company in the North American natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil and refined product space. Its strategy is to profitably grow and create shareholder value through the acquisition and development of oil and gas infrastructure. Tidewater plans to achieve its business objective by providing customers with a full service, vertically integrated value chain, including gas plants, pipelines, railcars, trucks, export terminals, storage and downstream facilities.
Additional information relating to Tidewater is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and at www.tidewatermidstream.com.