MPLX LP Reports Third-Quarter 2021 Financial Results

FINDLAY, Ohio, Nov. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

• Reported net income attributable to MPLX of $802 million and adjusted EBITDA attributable to MPLX of $1.4 billion
• Generated $1.2 billion in net cash provided by operating activities; returned $900 million in capital to unitholders through $745 million of distributions and $155 million of unit repurchases; 1.61x adjusted distribution coverage and 3.7x leverage
• Exceptionally strong year-to-date cash flow supports announced distribution of $1.34 billion; consisting of a 2.5% increase to the base distribution amount and a special distribution amount of approximately $600 million

MPLX LP (NYSE: MPLX) today reported third-quarter 2021 net income attributable to MPLX of $802 million, compared to $665 million for the third quarter of 2020. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) attributable to MPLX was $1,389 million, compared with $1,335 million in the third quarter of 2020.

The Logistics and Storage (L&S) segment income from operations was $752 million for the third quarter of 2021, compared with $677 million for the third quarter of 2020. Segment adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2021 was $904 million, compared with $893 million for the third quarter of 2020.

The Gathering and Processing (G&P) segment income from operations was $279 million for the third quarter of 2021, compared with $222 million for the third quarter of 2020. Segment adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2021 was $485 million, compared with $442 million for the third quarter of 2020. 

During the quarter, MPLX generated $1,182 million in net cash provided by operating activities, $1,191 million of distributable cash flow, and excess cash flow of $310 million. Adjusted distribution coverage was 1.61x and leverage was 3.7x. Year to date, MPLX has generated $3,671 million in net cash provided by operating activities, $3,578 million of distributable cash flow, and excess cash flow of $1,068 million.

Today, MPLX declared a quarterly cash distribution of $1.28 per common unit for the third quarter of 2021, including a base distribution amount of $0.705 per common unit and a special distribution amount of $0.575 per common unit. The base distribution amount represents a 2.5% increase over the second quarter 2021 distribution. The distribution will be paid on November 19, 2021 to common unitholders of record as of November 12, 2021.

"Our business performance and lower capital spending have produced exceptionally strong cash flow, allowing MPLX to return $1.34 billion through our third quarter distributions," said Michael J. Hennigan, MPLX chairman, president and chief executive officer. "In 2021 we have announced a total of $2.8 billion of distributions and completed $465 million of unit repurchases."

Financial Highlights

Segment Results

Logistics & Storage

L&S segment income from operations for the third quarter of 2021 increased by $75 million compared to the same period in 2020, while segment adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2021 increased by $11 million compared to the same period in 2020. Results for the quarter benefited from higher revenue and lower operating expenses.

Total pipeline throughputs were 5.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in the third quarter, 17% higher than the same quarter of 2020. The average tariff rate was $0.90 per barrel for the quarter, a decrease of 3% versus the same quarter of 2020. Terminal throughput was 3.0 million bpd for the quarter, an increase of 13% versus the same quarter of 2020.

Gathering & Processing

G&P segment income from operations for the third quarter of 2021 increased by $57 million compared to the third quarter of 2020. Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2021 increased by $43 million compared to the same period in 2020 as a result of higher natural gas liquids prices and lower operating expenses. These benefits were partially offset by lower processed and fractionated volumes.

In the third quarter of 2021:

• Gathered volumes averaged 5.4 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d), roughly flat with the third quarter of 2020.
• Processed volumes averaged 8.4 bcf/d, a 2% decrease versus the third quarter of 2020.
• Fractionated volumes averaged 553 thousand bpd, a 2% decrease versus the third quarter of 2020.

In the Marcellus: 

• Gathered volumes averaged 1.4 bcf/d in the third quarter, a 5% increase versus the third quarter of 2020.
• Processed volumes averaged 5.6 bcf/d in the third quarter, a 1% decrease versus the third quarter of 2020.
• Fractionated volumes averaged 487 thousand bpd in the third quarter, a 2% increase versus the third quarter of 2020.

Strategic Update

MPLX remains focused on executing the strategic priorities of strict capital discipline, lowering the cost structure, and portfolio optimization. The partnership announced it is pursuing strategic alternatives for its Alaskan logistics and storage operations, which could include a sale. 

MPLX continues to advance its strategy of creating integrated crude oil and natural gas logistics systems from the Permian to the U.S. Gulf Coast. The three major pipeline projects in this region have either already started up or remain on track to begin service in 2021.

The Wink to Webster crude oil pipeline, in which MPLX has a 15% equity interest, continues to progress, with segments and assets coming online throughout 2021. The 36-inch diameter pipeline, of which 100% of the contractible capacity is committed with minimum volume commitments (MVCs), will originate in the Permian Basin and have destination points in the Houston market, with connectivity to Marathon Petroleum Corporation's (MPC's) Galveston Bay refinery.

Also in the Permian, the Whistler Pipeline is designed to transport approximately 2 bcf/d of natural gas to the Agua Dulce market in south Texas. MPLX has an approximate 38% ownership in Whistler, which was placed into service in the beginning of July and is expected to ramp up throughout 2022. Whistler is more than 90% committed with MVCs.

On October 1, MPLX, WhiteWater Midstream, and West Texas Gas, Inc. (WTG) through a joint venture (JV) placed in-service a solution for natural gas liquids takeaway capacity from MPLX and WTG gas processing plants to Sweeny, Texas. The JV currently utilizes existing infrastructure with limited new construction.

MPLX continues to evaluate opportunities to expand its logistics to meet the needs of today and participate in an energy-diverse future.

Financial Position and Liquidity

As of September 30, 2021, MPLX had $39 million in cash and full availability of its $3.5 billion bank revolving credit facility. The company's leverage ratio was 3.7x.

The partnership repurchased $155 million of common units held by the public in the third quarter of 2021. As of September 30, 2021, MPLX has approximately $500 million remaining available under the current $1 billion board authorization.

MPLX remains committed to maintaining an investment-grade credit profile.

Conference Call

At 9:30 a.m. ET today, MPLX will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss the reported results and provide an update on operations. Interested parties may listen by visiting MPLX's website at www.mplx.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on MPLX's website for two weeks. Financial information, including this earnings release and other investor-related material, will also be available online prior to the conference call and webcast at www.mplx.com.

About MPLX LP

MPLX is a diversified, large-cap master limited partnership that owns and operates midstream energy infrastructure and logistics assets and provides fuels distribution services. MPLX's assets include a network of crude oil and refined product pipelines; an inland marine business; light-product terminals; storage caverns; refinery tanks, docks, loading racks, and associated piping; and crude and light-product marine terminals. The company also owns crude oil and natural gas gathering systems and pipelines as well as natural gas and NGL processing and fractionation facilities in key U.S. supply basins. More information is available at www.MPLX.com

Investor Relations Contact: (419) 421-2071
Kristina Kazarian, Vice President
Jamie Madere, Manager
Isaac Feeney, Analyst

Media Contact: (419) 421-3312
Jamal Kheiry, Communications Manager

Non-GAAP references

In addition to our financial information presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), management utilizes additional non-GAAP measures to facilitate comparisons of past performance and future periods. This press release and supporting schedules include the non-GAAP measures adjusted EBITDA; consolidated debt to last twelve months pro forma adjusted EBITDA, which we refer to as our leverage ratio; distributable cash flow (DCF); distribution coverage ratio; and free cash flow (FCF) and excess/deficit cash flow. The amount of adjusted EBITDA and DCF generated is considered by the board of directors of our general partner in approving the Partnership's cash distribution. Adjusted EBITDA and DCF should not be considered separately from or as a substitute for net income, income from operations, or cash flow as reflected in our financial statements. The GAAP measures most directly comparable to adjusted EBITDA and DCF are net income and net cash provided by operating activities. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income adjusted for (i) depreciation and amortization; (ii) provision/benefit for income taxes; (iii) amortization of deferred financing costs; (iv) gain/loss on extinguishment of debt; (v) non-cash equity-based compensation; (vi) impairment expense; (vii) net interest and other financial costs; (viii) income/loss from equity method investments; (ix) distributions and adjustments related to equity method investments; (x) unrealized derivative gains/losses; (xi) acquisition costs; (xii) noncontrolling interest and (xiii) other adjustments as deemed necessary. In general, we define DCF as adjusted EBITDA adjusted for (i) deferred revenue impacts; (ii) sales-type lease payments, net of income; (iii) net interest and other financial costs; (iv) net maintenance capital expenditures; (v) equity method investment capital expenditures paid out; and (vi) other adjustments as deemed necessary.

The Partnership makes a distinction between realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives. During the period when a derivative contract is outstanding, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded as an unrealized gain or loss. When a derivative contract matures or is settled, the previously recorded unrealized gain or loss is reversed and the realized gain or loss of the contract is recorded.

Adjusted EBITDA is a financial performance measure used by management, industry analysts, investors, lenders, and rating agencies to assess the financial performance and operating results of our ongoing business operations. Additionally, we believe adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors for trending, analyzing and benchmarking our operating results from period to period as compared to other companies that may have different financing and capital structures.

DCF is a financial performance measure used by management as a key component in the determination of cash distributions paid to unitholders. We believe DCF is an important financial measure for unitholders as an indicator of cash return on investment and to evaluate whether the partnership is generating sufficient cash flow to support quarterly distributions. In addition, DCF is commonly used by the investment community because the market value of publicly traded partnerships is based, in part, on DCF and cash distributions paid to unitholders.

FCF and excess/deficit cash flow are financial performance measures used by management in the allocation of capital and to assess financial performance. We believe that unitholders may use this metric to analyze our ability to manage leverage and return capital. We define FCF as net cash provided by operating activities adjusted for (i) net cash used in investing activities; (ii) cash contributions from MPC; (iii) cash contributions from noncontrolling interests and (iv) cash distributions to noncontrolling interests. We define excess/deficit cash flow as FCF adjusted for distributions to common and preferred unitholders.

Distribution coverage ratio is a financial performance measure used by management to reflect the relationship between the partnership's financial operating performance and cash distribution capability. We define the distribution coverage ratio as the ratio of DCF attributable to GP and LP unitholders to total GP and LP distributions declared.

Leverage ratio is a liquidity measure used by management, industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies to analyze our ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding MPLX LP (MPLX). These forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, MPLX's expectations, estimates and projections concerning its business and operations, financial priorities, including with respect to positive free cash flow and distribution coverage, strategic plans, capital return plans, operating cost and capital expenditure reduction objectives, and environmental, social and governance goals. You can identify forward-looking statements by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "commitment," "could," "design," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "guidance," "imply," "intend," "may," "objective," "opportunity," "outlook," "plan," "policy," "position," "potential," "predict," "priority," "project," "proposition," "prospective," "pursue," "seek," "should," "strategy," "target," "will," "would" or other similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. MPLX cautions that these statements are based on management's current knowledge and expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of the control of MPLX, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from the statements made herein. Factors that could cause MPLX's actual results to differ materially from those implied in the forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: general economic, political or regulatory developments, including inflation, changes in governmental policies relating to refined petroleum products, crude oil, natural gas or NGLs, or taxation; the magnitude, duration and extent of future resurgences of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects, including the continuation or re-imposition of travel restrictions, business and school closures, increased remote work, stay at home orders and other actions taken by individuals, government and the private sector to stem the spread of the virus; the adequacy of capital resources and liquidity, including the availability of sufficient free cash flow from operations to pay distributions and to fund future unit repurchases; the ability to access debt markets on commercially reasonable terms or at all; the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices and demand for crude oil, refined products, feedstocks or other hydrocarbon-based products; changes to the expected construction costs and timing of projects and planned investments, the availability of desirable strategic initiatives for the Alaska logistics and storage operations or other portfolio assets and the ability to obtain regulatory and other approvals with respect thereto; accidents or other unscheduled shutdowns affecting our machinery, pipelines, processing, fractionation and treating facilities or equipment, means of transportation, or those of our suppliers or customers; the suspension, reduction or termination of MPC's obligations under MPLX's commercial agreements; other risk factors inherent to MPLX's industry; the impact of adverse market conditions or other similar risks to those identified herein affecting MPC; and the factors set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in MPLX's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2020, and in other filings with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the applicable communication and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement except to the extent required by applicable law.

Copies of MPLX's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings are available on the SEC's website, MPLX's website at https://ir.mplx.com or by contacting MPLX's Investor Relations office. Copies of MPC's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings are available on the SEC's website, MPC's website at https://www.marathonpetroleum.com/Investors/ or by contacting MPC's Investor Relations office.