UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 27, 2014
 
WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware
001-35753
46-0967367
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(Commission
File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1201 Lake Robbins Drive
The Woodlands, Texas 77380-1046
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(832) 636-6000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))







Item 8.01 Other Events.

On March 3, 2014, our consolidated subsidiary, Western Gas Partners, LP (“WES”) acquired a 20% interest in Texas Express Pipeline LLC and Texas Express Gathering LLC, and a 33.33% interest in Front Range Pipeline LLC, pursuant to the terms and conditions of a Contribution Agreement, dated February 27, 2014, among WGR Asset Holding Company, LLC and APC Midstream Holdings, LLC, and WES, Western Gas Operating, LLC and WGR Operating, LP and, for certain limited purposes, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (“Anadarko”). The interests acquired are referred to as the “TEFR Interests” and the acquisition as the “TEFR Interests acquisition.” The consideration paid by WES for the TEFR Interests consisted of $356.3 million in cash and 308,490 common units of WES.
Because WGP owns and controls WES’s general partner, and WGP’s general partner is owned and controlled by Anadarko, WES’s acquisition of the TEFR Interests is considered a transfer of net assets between entities under common control. As such, WGP, by virtue of its consolidation of WES, is required to recast its financial statements to include the activities of the TEFR Interests as of the date of common control. Exhibits 12.1, 99.1, 99.2, and 99.3 included in this Current Report on Form 8-K give retroactive effect to WES’s acquisition of the TEFR Interests as if the TEFR Interests had been owned from 2011 when Anadarko made its initial investment in the respective businesses.
WGP’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “2013 Form 10-K”), as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 28, 2014, is hereby recast by this Current Report on Form 8-K as follows:

the Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges of WGP included herein on Exhibit 12.1 supersedes Exhibit 12.1 filed under Part IV, Item 15 of the 2013 Form 10-K;
the Selected Financial and Operating Data of WGP included herein on Exhibit 99.1 supersedes Part II, Item 6 of the 2013 Form 10-K;
the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of WGP included herein on Exhibit 99.2 supersedes Part II, Item 7 of the 2013 Form 10-K; and
the Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of WGP included herein on Exhibit 99.3 supersedes Part II, Item 8 of the 2013 Form 10-K, except for the Report of Management, Management’s Assessment of Internal Control over Financial Reporting and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with regard to internal control over financial reporting, included at pages 116 and 117 of the 2013 Form 10-K, respectively, which are not impacted by this Current Report on Form 8-K.

There have been no revisions or updates to any other sections of the 2013 Form 10-K other than the revisions noted above. This Current Report on Form 8-K should be read in conjunction with the 2013 Form 10-K, and any references herein to Items 6, 7 and 8 under Part II of the 2013 Form 10-K refer to Exhibits 99.1, 99.2, and 99.3, respectively. As of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K, future references to WGP’s historical financial statements should be made to this Current Report as well as future quarterly and annual reports on Forms 10-Q and Form 10-K, respectively.








Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)
Exhibits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12.1
 
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
 
 
 
 
23.1
 
 
Consent of KPMG LLP.
 
 
 
 
99.1
 
 
Selected Financial and Operating Data.
 
 
 
 
99.2
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
 
 
 
99.3
 
 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
 
 
 
 
101.INS
 
 
XBRL Instance Document.
 
 
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
 
XBRL Schema Document.
 
 
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
 
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
 
XBRL Label Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
 
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
 
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document.









SIGNATURE
    
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
 
WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
 
 
 
 
 
By:
Western Gas Equity Holdings, LLC, its general partner
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dated:
August 27, 2014
By:
/s/ Donald R. Sinclair
 
 
 
Donald R. Sinclair
President and Chief Executive Officer








EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit Title
 
 
12.1*
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
 
 
23.1*
 
Consent of KPMG LLP.
 
 
99.1*
 
Selected Financial and Operating Data.
 
 
99.2*
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
 
99.3*
 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
 
 
101.INS**
 
XBRL Instance Document.
 
 
 
101.SCH**
 
XBRL Schema Document.
 
 
 
101.CAL**
 
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
101.LAB**
 
XBRL Label Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
101.PRE**
 
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
101.DEF**
 
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document.
 
                                                                             

*
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
**
 
Furnished herewith



EX 12.1 - WGP 12.31.13 on Form 8K


EXHIBIT 12.1

WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
 
$
284,183

 
$
169,441

 
$
239,011

 
$
178,450

 
$
148,520

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed charges
 
63,903

 
48,422

 
30,993

 
19,292

 
10,992

Distributions from equity investees
 
22,136

 
20,660

 
15,999

 
10,973

 
11,206

Amortization of capitalized interest
 
814

 
479

 
294

 
256

 
182

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity income
 
22,948

 
16,042

 
11,261

 
7,628

 
7,923

Capitalized interest
 
11,945

 
6,196

 
420

 

 

Net income before taxes attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
121,585

 
59,704

 
86,579

 
64,018

 
37,295

Earnings
 
$
214,558

 
$
157,060

 
$
188,037

 
$
137,325

 
$
125,682

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed charges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, including capitalized interest
 
$
63,742

 
$
48,256

 
$
30,765

 
$
18,794

 
$
9,955

Interest component of rent expense
 
161

 
166

 
228

 
498

 
1,037

Fixed charges
 
$
63,903

 
$
48,422

 
$
30,993

 
$
19,292

 
$
10,992

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
 
3.4x

 
3.2x

 
6.1x

 
7.1x

 
11.4x


These ratios were computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For this purpose, earnings include pre-tax income, plus fixed charges to the extent they affect current year earnings, amortization of capitalized interest and distributed income of equity investees, then subtracting equity income, noncontrolling interests in pre-tax income from subsidiaries that did not incur fixed charges, and interest capitalized during the year. Fixed charges include interest expensed and capitalized, amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness, and estimates of interest within rental expenses.




EX 23.1 - WGP 12.31.13 on Form 8K


EXHIBIT 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


The Board of Directors
Western Gas Equity Holdings, LLC (as general partner of Western Gas Equity Partners, LP):

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements on Form S-8 (No. 333-186306) and Form S-3 (No. 333-193163) of Western Gas Equity Partners, LP of our report dated August 27, 2014, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Western Gas Equity Partners, LP and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income, equity and partners’ capital, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013, which report appears in the Current Report on Form 8-K of Western Gas Equity Partners, LP and subsidiaries dated August 27, 2014.

/s/ KPMG LLP
Houston, Texas

August 27, 2014




EX 99.1 - WGP 12.31.13 on Form 8K
EXHIBIT 99.1

Item 6.  Selected Financial and Operating Data

Western Gas Equity Partners, LP (“WGP”) is a Delaware master limited partnership 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.
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.
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 the 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.





Acquisitions

The following table shows our selected financial and operating data, which are derived from our consolidated financial statements for the periods and as of the dates indicated. In May 2008, concurrently with the closing of the initial public offering (“IPO”) of WES, Anadarko contributed to WES the assets and liabilities of Anadarko Gathering Company LLC (“AGC”), Pinnacle Gas Treating LLC (“PGT”) and MIGC LLC (“MIGC”), which were the initial assets. In December 2008, WES completed the acquisition of the Powder River assets from Anadarko, which included (i) the Hilight system, (ii) a 50% interest in the Newcastle system and (iii) a 14.81% membership interest in Fort Union. In July 2009, WES closed on the acquisition of a 51% membership interest in Chipeta Processing LLC (“Chipeta”) from Anadarko. WES closed the acquisitions of Anadarko’s Granger and Wattenberg assets in January 2010 and August 2010, respectively. In September 2010, WES acquired a 10% interest in White Cliffs, which consisted of a 9.6% third-party interest, and a 0.4% interest from Anadarko. In February 2011, WES acquired the Platte Valley gathering system and processing plant from a third party, and in July 2011, WES acquired the Bison gas treating facility from Anadarko. In January 2012, WES acquired Mountain Gas Resources, LLC (“MGR”) from Anadarko, which acquisition included the Patrick Draw processing plant, the Red Desert processing plant, gathering lines, and related facilities (collectively, the “Red Desert complex”), and the 22% interest in Rendezvous. In August 2012, WES acquired Anadarko’s then-remaining 24% membership interest in Chipeta (the “additional Chipeta interest”), receiving distributions related to the additional interest effective July 1, 2012. In March 2013, WES completed the acquisition of a 33.75% interest in both the Liberty and Rome gas gathering systems from a wholly owned subsidiary of Anadarko, Anadarko Marcellus Midstream, L.L.C. (the “Non-Operated Marcellus Interest”). Also in March 2013, WES completed the acquisition of a 33.75% interest in the Larry’s Creek, Seely and Warrensville gas gathering systems from a third party (the “Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest”). In June 2013, WES acquired a 25% interest in the Mont Belvieu JV from a third party, and in September 2013 WES acquired Overland Trail Transmission, LLC, (“OTTCO”) from a third party. In March 2014, WES acquired the TEFR Interests from Anadarko.

Dates of common control

In connection with its August 23, 2006, acquisition of Western Gas Resources, Inc., Anadarko acquired MIGC, the Powder River assets, the Granger assets and the assets of MGR. Anadarko acquired the Wattenberg assets and a 75% interest in Chipeta in connection with its August 10, 2006, acquisition of Kerr-McGee Corporation. Anadarko made its initial investment in White Cliffs on January 29, 2007.
Our consolidated financial statements include (i) the combined financial results and operations of AGC and PGT for all periods presented, (ii) the consolidated financial results and operations of Western Gas Partners, LP and its subsidiaries combined with the financial results and operations of MIGC, the Powder River assets, the Granger assets, the MGR assets, the Chipeta assets, the Wattenberg assets, the 0.4% interest in White Cliffs, and the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest, for all periods presented, (iii) the financial results and operations of the Bison assets from 2009 (when Anadarko began construction of such assets, which were subsequently placed in service in June 2010), and (iv) the financial results and operations of the TEFR Interests from 2011 when Anadarko made its initial investment in the respective businesses. Effective August 1, 2012, noncontrolling interests exclude the financial results and operations of the additional Chipeta interest.


2



The information in the following table should be read together with the information in the captions How WES Evaluates Its Operations, Items Affecting the Comparability of Financial Results, Results of Operations, and Key Performance Metrics under Item 7 of Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K:
 
Summary Financial Information
thousands except per-unit data and throughput
2013 (1)
 
2012 (1)
 
2011 (1)
 
2010
 
2009
Statement of Income Data (for the year ended):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
$
1,029,763

 
$
894,476

 
$
858,144

 
$
655,646

 
$
611,841

Operating income
317,145

 
194,309

 
245,294

 
177,539

 
136,130

Net income
281,878

 
120,557

 
180,215

 
127,171

 
108,909

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (2)
122,173

 
59,181

 
86,057

 
63,495

 
36,772

Net income attributable to Western Gas Equity Partners, LP
$
159,705

 
$
61,376

 
$
94,158

 
$
63,676

 
$
72,137

Limited partners’ interest in net income (3)
155,528

 
2,809

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per common unit (basic and diluted) (3)
$
0.71

 
$
0.01

 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions per unit (4)
$
0.82125

 
$
0.03587

 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
4,630,825

 
$
3,864,450

 
$
2,997,689

 
$
2,345,255

 
$
2,278,512

Total long-term liabilities
1,535,312

 
1,284,176

 
1,274,817

 
1,021,805

 
786,101

Total equity and partners’ capital
$
2,904,030

 
$
2,394,019

 
$
1,559,928

 
$
1,233,940

 
$
1,408,880

Cash Flow Data (for the year ended):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash flows provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
444,780

 
$
277,481

 
$
258,889

 
$
210,480

 
$
183,001

Investing activities
(1,652,995
)
 
(1,357,537
)
 
(485,832
)
 
(921,398
)
 
(223,128
)
Financing activities
898,744

 
1,276,053

 
426,428

 
668,008

 
74,037

Capital expenditures
$
(645,854
)
 
$
(638,121
)
 
$
(149,717
)
 
$
(173,891
)
 
$
(121,295
)
Throughput (MMcf/d except throughput measured in barrels):
Total throughput for natural gas assets
3,368

 
3,023

 
2,715

 
2,224

 
2,262

Throughput attributable to noncontrolling interests for natural gas assets
168

 
228

 
242

 
197

 
180

Throughput attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets (5)
3,200

 
2,795

 
2,473

 
2,027

 
2,082

Throughput (MBbls/d) for crude/NGL assets (6)
40

 
31

 
28

 
17

 
11

                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
Information has been recast to include the financial position, results and throughput attributable to the TEFR Interests. 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.
(2) 
Represents the publicly held common units of WES and our noncontrolling interests in Chipeta that were held by Anadarko and a third-party member. Effective August 1, 2012, WES acquired Anadarko’s remaining interest in Chipeta, accounted for on a prospective basis. 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) 
Includes financial results after our IPO on December 12, 2012, excluding pre-acquisition net (income) loss attributable to Anadarko as described in Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 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. Results for the periods prior to our IPO are attributable to subsidiaries of Anadarko. Net income per common unit (basic and diluted) for the 20-day period beginning on the date our IPO closed through December 31, 2012, was calculated using the number of common units outstanding after the IPO. 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.
(4) 
On January 21, 2013, the board of directors of WGP GP declared a prorated quarterly distribution of $0.03587 per unit for the fourth quarter of 2012. The distribution was the first declared by WGP and corresponded to a quarterly distribution of $0.165 per unit, or $0.66 per unit on an annualized basis. The initial distribution was prorated for the 20-day period from the date of the closing of WGP’s IPO on December 12, 2012, through the end of the quarter.
(5) 
Includes affiliate, third-party and equity investment throughput (defined as WES’s 14.81% share of average Fort Union and 22% share of average Rendezvous throughput), excluding the noncontrolling interest owners’ proportionate share of throughput.
(6) 
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.

3


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.

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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;


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$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.



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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


EX 99.3 - WGP 12.31.13 on Form 8-K

EXHIBIT 99.3

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                
WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


1



WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Unitholders
Western Gas Equity Holdings, LLC (as general partner of Western Gas Equity Partners, LP):
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Western Gas Equity Partners, LP (the Partnership) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income, equity and partners’ capital, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Western Gas Equity Partners, LP and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Houston, Texas
August 27, 2014


2


WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands except per-unit amounts
 
2013 (1)
 
2012 (1)
 
2011 (1)
Revenues – affiliates
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids
 
$
306,810

 
$
249,997

 
$
227,535

Natural gas, natural gas liquids and condensate sales
 
496,848

 
436,423

 
417,547

Other, net
 
1,868

 
1,606

 
2,337

Total revenues – affiliates
 
805,526

 
688,026

 
647,419

Revenues – third parties
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids
 
175,732

 
132,333

 
119,934

Natural gas, natural gas liquids and condensate sales
 
44,396

 
71,916

 
84,836

Other, net
 
4,109

 
2,201

 
5,955

Total revenues – third parties
 
224,237

 
206,450

 
210,725

Total revenues
 
1,029,763

 
894,476

 
858,144

Equity income, net (2)
 
22,948

 
16,042

 
11,261

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of product (3)
 
364,285

 
336,079

 
327,371

Operation and maintenance (3)
 
168,657

 
140,106

 
126,464

General and administrative (3)
 
33,464

 
99,728

 
40,564

Property and other taxes
 
23,244

 
19,688

 
16,579

Depreciation, amortization and impairments
 
145,916

 
120,608

 
113,133

Total operating expenses
 
735,566

 
716,209

 
624,111

Operating income
 
317,145

 
194,309

 
245,294

Interest income, net – affiliates
 
16,900

 
16,900

 
24,106

Interest expense (4)
 
(51,797
)
 
(42,060
)
 
(30,345
)
Other income (expense), net
 
1,935

 
292

 
(44
)
Income before income taxes
 
284,183

 
169,441

 
239,011

Income tax expense
 
2,305

 
48,884

 
58,796

Net income
 
281,878

 
120,557

 
180,215

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
122,173

 
59,181

 
86,057

Net income attributable to Western Gas Equity Partners, LP
 
$
159,705

 
$
61,376

 
$
94,158

Limited partners’ interest in net income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Western Gas Equity Partners, LP
 
$
159,705

 
$
61,376

 

Results attributable to the pre-IPO period
 
(49
)
 
(56,860
)
 
 
Pre-acquisition net (income) loss allocated to Anadarko
 
(4,128
)
 
(1,707
)
 
 
Limited partners’ interest in net income
 
$
155,528

 
$
2,809

 
 
Net income per common unit – basic and diluted (5)
 
$
0.71

 
$
0.01

 
 
Weighted average common units outstanding – basic and diluted (5)
 
218,896

 
218,896

 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the TEFR Interests. See Note 1 and Note 2.
(2) 
Income earned from equity investments is classified as affiliate. See Note 1.
(3) 
Cost of product includes product purchases from Anadarko (as defined in Note 1) of $129.0 million, $145.3 million and $83.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Operation and maintenance includes charges from Anadarko of $56.4 million, $51.2 million and $51.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. General and administrative includes charges from Anadarko of $24.2 million, $92.9 million and $33.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. See Note 5.
(4) 
Includes affiliate (as defined in Note 1) interest expense of zero, $2.8 million and $4.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. See Note 11.
(5) 
Represents net income available to limited partners subsequent to closing the IPO of Western Gas Equity Partners, LP on December 12, 2012. Amounts for net income per common unit and weighted average common units outstanding are not applicable prior to closing the IPO of Western Gas Equity Partners, LP on December 12, 2012. See Note 4.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
December 31,
thousands except number of units
 
2013 (1)
 
2012 (1)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
113,085

 
$
422,556

Accounts receivable, net (2)
 
83,943

 
48,550

Other current assets (3)
 
10,799

 
6,998

Total current assets
 
207,827

 
478,104

Note receivable – Anadarko
 
260,000

 
260,000

Property, plant and equipment
 
 
 
 
Cost
 
4,239,100

 
3,432,392

Less accumulated depreciation
 
855,845

 
714,436

Net property, plant and equipment
 
3,383,255

 
2,717,956

Goodwill
 
105,336

 
105,336

Other intangible assets
 
53,606

 
55,490

Equity investments
 
593,400

 
219,766

Other assets
 
27,401

 
27,798

Total assets
 
$
4,630,825

 
$
3,864,450

LIABILITIES, EQUITY AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
 
Accounts and natural gas imbalance payables (4)
 
$
39,589

 
$
25,154

Accrued ad valorem taxes
 
13,860

 
11,949

Income taxes payable
 

 
552

Accrued liabilities (5)
 
138,034

 
148,600

Total current liabilities
 
191,483

 
186,255

Long-term debt
 
1,418,169

 
1,168,278

Deferred income taxes
 
37,998

 
47,149

Asset retirement obligations and other
 
79,145

 
68,749

Total long-term liabilities
 
1,535,312

 
1,284,176

Total liabilities
 
1,726,795

 
1,470,431

Equity and partners’ capital
 
 
 
 
Common units (218,895,515 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012)
 
905,082

 
912,376

Net investment by Anadarko
 
312,092

 
313,600

Total partners’ capital
 
1,217,174

 
1,225,976

Noncontrolling interests
 
1,686,856

 
1,168,043

Total equity and partners’ capital
 
2,904,030

 
2,394,019

Total liabilities, equity and partners’ capital
 
$
4,630,825

 
$
3,864,450

                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the TEFR Interests. See Note 1 and Note 2.
(2) 
Accounts receivable, net includes amounts receivable from affiliates (as defined in Note 1) of $47.8 million and $17.5 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
(3) 
Other current assets includes natural gas imbalance receivables from affiliates of $0.1 million and $0.4 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
(4) 
Accounts and natural gas imbalance payables includes amounts payable to affiliates of $2.3 million and $2.5 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
(5) 
Accrued liabilities include amounts payable to affiliates of $0.1 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4


WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
 
 
Partners’ Capital
 
 
 
thousands
 
Net
Investment
by Anadarko
 
Common
Units
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2010
 
$
421,121

 
$

 
$
812,821

 
$
1,233,942

Net income
 
94,158

 

 
86,057

 
180,215

Dividend payable—Anadarko (1)
 
(30,101
)
 

 

 
(30,101
)
Conversion of subordinated units to common units (2)
 
160,407

 

 
(160,407
)
 

WES equity transactions, net (3)
 
31,623

 

 
255,289

 
286,912

Contributions received from Chipeta noncontrolling interest owners (including Anadarko)
 

 

 
33,637

 
33,637

Distributions to Chipeta noncontrolling interest owners (including Anadarko)
 

 

 
(17,478
)
 
(17,478
)
Distributions to WES noncontrolling interest owners
 

 

 
(72,079
)
 
(72,079
)
Acquisitions from affiliates
 
(25,000
)
 

 

 
(25,000
)
Contributions of equity-based compensation to WES by Anadarko (4)
 
9,689

 

 
(23
)
 
9,666

Net pre-acquisition contributions from (distributions to) Anadarko
 
(61,549
)
 

 

 
(61,549
)
Elimination of net deferred tax liabilities
 
22,072

 

 

 
22,072

Other
 
(573
)
 

 
264

 
(309
)
Balance at December 31, 2011 (5)
 
$
621,847

 
$

 
$
938,081

 
$
1,559,928

Net income
 
58,567

 
2,809

 
59,181

 
120,557

Issuance of common units, net of offering expenses
 

 
409,903

 

 
409,903

Dividend payable—Anadarko (1)
 
(158,791
)
 

 

 
(158,791
)
WES equity transactions, net (3)
 
52,875

 
(173,787
)
 
332,844

 
211,932

Contributions received from Chipeta noncontrolling interest owners (including Anadarko)
 

 

 
29,108

 
29,108

Distributions to Chipeta noncontrolling interest owners (including Anadarko)
 

 

 
(17,303
)
 
(17,303
)
Distributions to WES noncontrolling interest owners
 

 

 
(99,570
)
 
(99,570
)
Acquisitions from affiliates
 
(458,764
)
 

 

 
(458,764
)
Acquisition of additional 24% interest in Chipeta (6)
 
(43,909
)
 

 
(77,195
)
 
(121,104
)
Contributions of equity-based compensation to WES by Anadarko (4)
 
86,673

 

 
384

 
87,057

Net distributions of other assets to Anadarko
 
(15,275
)
 

 
(21
)
 
(15,296
)
Net pre-acquisition contributions from (distributions to) Anadarko
 
363,977

 

 

 
363,977

Conversion of net investment by Anadarko to limited partner interest upon IPO
 
(673,451
)
 
673,451

 

 

Elimination of net deferred tax liabilities upon IPO
 
373,353

 

 

 
373,353

Elimination of net deferred tax liabilities
 
106,504

 

 

 
106,504

Other
 
(6
)
 

 
2,534

 
2,528

Balance at December 31, 2012 (5)
 
$
313,600

 
$
912,376

 
$
1,168,043

 
$
2,394,019

Net income
 
4,177

 
155,528

 
122,173

 
281,878

WES equity transactions, net (3)
 

 
187,016

 
537,795

 
724,811

Contributions received from Chipeta noncontrolling interest owners (including Anadarko)
 

 

 
2,247

 
2,247

Distributions to Chipeta noncontrolling interest owners (including Anadarko)
 

 

 
(13,127
)
 
(13,127
)
Distributions to WES noncontrolling interest owners
 

 

 
(130,706
)
 
(130,706
)
Distributions to WGP unitholders
 

 
(137,000
)
 

 
(137,000
)
Acquisitions from affiliates
 
(255,635
)
 
(209,865
)
 

 
(465,500
)
Contributions of equity-based compensation to WES by Anadarko (4)
 

 
2,846

 
86

 
2,932

Net pre-acquisition contributions from (distributions to) Anadarko (7)
 
203,420

 

 

 
203,420

Net distributions of other assets to Anadarko
 

 
(5,855
)
 

 
(5,855
)
Elimination of net deferred tax liabilities
 
46,530

 

 

 
46,530

Other
 

 
36

 
345

 
381

Balance at December 31, 2013 (5)
 
$
312,092

 
$
905,082

 
$
1,686,856

 
$
2,904,030

                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
Associated with the Incentive Plan. See Note 6.
(2) 
Includes $93.6 million of tax associated with WES equity transactions that occurred prior to the one-for-one conversion of WES subordinated units to common units in August 2011.
(3) 
Includes the impact of WES’s public equity offerings and units issued in connection with acquisitions of assets from Anadarko as described in Note 2. Partners’ capital and noncontrolling interest include $18.4 million and $23.0 million, respectively, of tax associated with WES equity transactions for the year ended December 31, 2011. The $120.9 million decrease to partners’ capital, together with net income attributable to Western Gas Equity Partners, LP, totaled $(59.5) million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The $187.0 million increase to partners’ capital, together with net income attributable to Western Gas Equity Partners, LP totaled $346.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.
(4) 
Associated with the Anadarko Incentive Plans for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2013, and associated with the Anadarko Incentive Plans and the Incentive Plan for the year ended December 31, 2012, as defined and described in Note 1 and Note 6.
(5) 
Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the TEFR Interests. See Note 1 and Note 2.
(6) 
See Note 2 for a description of WES’s acquisition of Anadarko’s then-remaining 24% membership interest in Chipeta in August 2012. The $43.9 million decrease to partners’ capital resulting from the August 2012 Chipeta acquisition, together with net income attributable to Western Gas Equity Partners, LP, totaled $17.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.
(7) 
Includes deferred taxes on capitalized interest of $5.5 million associated with the acquisition of the TEFR Interests for the year ended December 31, 2013.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5


WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands
 
2013 (1)
 
2012 (1)
 
2011 (1)
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
281,878

 
$
120,557

 
$
180,215

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation, amortization and impairments
 
145,916

 
120,608

 
113,133

Non-cash equity-based compensation expense
 
3,822

 
3,717

 
3,490

Deferred income taxes
 
31,891

 
(2,263
)
 
(10,723
)
Debt-related amortization and other items, net
 
2,449

 
2,319

 
3,110

Equity income, net (2)
 
(22,948
)
 
(16,042
)
 
(11,261
)
Distributions from equity investment earnings (2)
 
17,698

 
20,660

 
15,999

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable, net
 
(34,148
)
 
23,157

 
(44,725
)
Increase (decrease) in accounts and natural gas imbalance payables and accrued liabilities, net
 
22,700

 
5,320

 
30,884

Change in other items, net
 
(4,478
)
 
(552
)
 
(21,233
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
444,780

 
277,481

 
258,889

Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
(646,471
)
 
(638,121
)
 
(149,717
)
Contributions in aid of construction costs from affiliates
 
617

 

 

Acquisitions from affiliates
 
(476,711
)
 
(611,719
)
 
(28,837
)
Acquisitions from third parties
 
(240,274
)
 

 
(301,957
)
Investments in equity affiliates
 
(294,693
)
 
(108,457
)
 
(6,203
)
Distributions from equity investments in excess of cumulative earnings (2)
 
4,438

 

 

Proceeds from the sale of assets to affiliates
 
85

 
760

 
382

Other
 
14

 

 
500

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(1,652,995
)
 
(1,357,537
)
 
(485,832
)
Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Borrowings, net of debt issuance costs
 
957,503

 
1,041,648

 
1,055,939

Repayments of debt
 
(710,000
)
 
(549,000
)
 
(869,000
)
Increase (decrease) in outstanding checks
 
(1,763
)
 
1,800

 
4,039

Proceeds from the issuance of WGP common units, net of offering expenses
 
(2,367
)
 
412,020

 

Proceeds from the issuance of WES common units, net of offering expenses
 
725,050

 
211,932

 
328,345

Distributions to WGP unitholders
 
(137,000
)
 

 

Contributions received from Chipeta noncontrolling interest owners (including Anadarko)
 
2,247

 
29,108

 
33,637

Distributions to Chipeta noncontrolling interest owners (including Anadarko)
 
(13,127
)
 
(17,303
)
 
(17,478
)
Distributions to WES noncontrolling interest owners
 
(130,706
)
 
(99,570
)
 
(72,079
)
Net contributions from (distributions to) Anadarko
 
208,907

 
245,418

 
(36,975
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
 
898,744

 
1,276,053

 
426,428

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
(309,471
)
 
195,997

 
199,485

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
422,556

 
226,559

 
27,074

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
113,085

 
$
422,556

 
$
226,559

Supplemental disclosures
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net distributions to (contributions from) Anadarko of other assets
 
$
5,855

 
$
15,296

 
$
(29
)
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest
 
$
47,098

 
$
28,042

 
$
25,828

Taxes paid
 
$
552

 
$
495

 
$
190

                                                                                                                                                                                   
(1) 
Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the TEFR Interests. See Note 1 and Note 2.
(2) 
Income earned on, distributions from and contributions to equity investments are classified as affiliate. See Note 1.



See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

General. Western Gas Equity Partners, LP is a Delaware master limited partnership formed in September 2012 to own three types of partnership interests in Western Gas Partners, LP, a publicly traded partnership. Western Gas Equity Partners, LP was formed in September 2012 by converting WGR Holdings, LLC into a limited partnership and changing its name. Western Gas Partners, LP (together with its subsidiaries, “WES”) is a Delaware master limited partnership formed by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation in 2007 to own, operate, acquire and develop midstream energy assets. WES closed its initial public offering (“IPO”) to become publicly traded in 2008.
For purposes of these consolidated financial statements, “WGP” 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 and WES, as the context requires. “WES GP” refers to Western Gas Holdings, LLC, individually as the general partner of WES, and excludes WES itself. WGP’s 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 WGP and WGP GP, and “affiliates” refers to subsidiaries of Anadarko, excluding WGP and its subsidiaries, 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.” All income earned on, distributions from and contributions to WES’s equity investments are considered to be affiliate transactions. See Note 2. “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.
The three types of partnership interests in WES owned by WGP are as follows: (i) a 2.0% general partner interest in WES, held through a consolidated subsidiary, WES GP; (ii) 100% of the incentive distribution rights (“IDRs”) in WES, which entitle WGP to receive increasing percentages, up to the maximum level of 48.0%, of any incremental cash distributed by WES as certain target distribution levels are reached in any quarter; and (iii) a significant limited partner interest in WES. WES GP owns a 2.0% general partner interest in WES, which constitutes substantially all of its business, which primarily is to manage the affairs and operations of WES. Refer to Note 4 for a discussion of WGP’s holdings of WES equity.
In December 2012, WGP completed its IPO of 19,758,150 common units representing limited partner interests at a price of $22.00 per common unit, generating net proceeds of $412.0 million. The common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WGP.” WGP used $409.4 million of the net proceeds from its IPO to purchase common and general partner units of WES (see Note 4).
WES is engaged in the business of gathering, processing, compressing, treating and transporting natural gas, condensate, NGLs and crude oil for Anadarko, as well as 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


These assets are located in the Rocky Mountains (Colorado, Utah and Wyoming), the Mid-Continent (Kansas and Oklahoma), north-central Pennsylvania, and Texas. WES was also constructing the Lancaster processing plant in Northeast Colorado at the end of the fourth quarter of 2013.

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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Basis of presentation. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The information furnished herein reflects all normal recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements.
The consolidated financial results of WES are included in WGP’s consolidated financial statements due to WGP’s 100% ownership interest in WES GP and WES GP’s control of WES. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Throughout these notes to the consolidated financial statements, and to the extent material, any differences between the consolidated financial results of WGP and WES are identified as those of WGP as a standalone parent and its subsidiaries, excluding WES.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of WGP and entities in which it holds a controlling financial interest, including WES and WES GP. Investments in non-controlled entities over which WES, or WGP through its investment in WES, exercises significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. WGP proportionately consolidates WES’s 33.75% share of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses attributable to the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest and Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest (see Note 2) and WES’s 50% share of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses attributable to the Newcastle system in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
WGP has no independent operations or material assets other than its partnership interests in WES. WGP’s consolidated financial statements differ from those of WES primarily as a result of (i) the presentation of noncontrolling interest ownership (attributable to the limited partner interests in WES held by the public and Anadarko Marcellus Midstream, L.L.C. (“AMM”) (see Note 2)), (ii) the elimination of WES GP’s investment in WES with WES GP’s underlying capital account, (iii) income tax expense and liabilities incurred by WGR Holdings, LLC, computed on a separate-return basis prior to its conversion into a limited partnership, and (iv) the general and administrative expenses incurred by WGP, which are separate from, and in addition to, those incurred by WES.

Noncontrolling interests. The interests in Chipeta Processing LLC (“Chipeta”) held by a third-party member, and the limited partner interests in WES held by AMM and the public, are reflected as noncontrolling interests in the consolidated financial statements.

Chipeta. In July 2009, WES acquired a 51% interest in Chipeta and became party to Chipeta’s limited liability company agreement (the “Chipeta LLC agreement”). On August 1, 2012, WES acquired Anadarko’s then-remaining 24% membership interest in Chipeta (the “additional Chipeta interest”). Prior to this transaction, the interests in Chipeta held by Anadarko and a third-party member were reflected as noncontrolling interests in the consolidated financial statements. The acquisition of the additional Chipeta interest was accounted for on a prospective basis as WES acquired an additional interest in an already-consolidated entity. As such, effective August 1, 2012, noncontrolling interest excludes the financial results and operations of the additional Chipeta interest. The remaining 25% membership interest held by the third-party member is reflected within noncontrolling interests in the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. See Note 2.

WES. The publicly held limited partner interests in WES are reflected as noncontrolling interests in the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. In addition, in March 2013, WES acquired a 33.75% interest in both the Liberty and Rome gas gathering systems from AMM, a wholly owned subsidiary of Anadarko. As part of the consideration paid, WES issued 449,129 WES common units to AMM. The limited partner interest in WES held by AMM is reflected within noncontrolling interests in the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013. See Note 2.
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.

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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Presentation of WES assets. The “WES assets” refer collectively to the assets indirectly owned and interests accounted for under the equity method by WGP through its partnership interests in WES as of December 31, 2013. Because WGP owns and controls 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. Further, after an acquisition of WES assets from Anadarko, WES and WGP (by virtue of its consolidation of WES) may be required to recast their financial statements to include the activities of such WES assets as of the date of common control. See Note 2.
For those periods requiring recast, the consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the acquisition of WES assets from Anadarko 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. Net income attributable to the WES assets acquired from Anadarko for periods prior to WES’s acquisition of the WES assets is not allocated to the limited partners for purposes of calculating net income per common unit.

Use of estimates. In preparing financial statements in accordance with GAAP, management makes informed judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Management evaluates its estimates and related assumptions regularly, using historical experience and other methods considered reasonable under the particular circumstances. Changes in facts and circumstances or additional information may result in revised estimates and actual results may differ from these estimates. Effects on the business, financial condition and results of operations resulting from revisions to estimates are recognized when the facts that give rise to the revisions become known.

Fair value. The fair-value-measurement standard defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The standard characterizes inputs used in determining fair value according to a hierarchy that prioritizes those inputs based upon the degree to which they are observable. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 – Inputs represent quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly (for example, quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets not considered to be active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, or market-corroborated inputs).

Level 3 – Inputs that are not observable from objective sources, such as management’s internally developed assumptions used in pricing an asset or liability (for example, an estimate of future cash flows used in management’s internally developed present value of future cash flows model that underlies the fair value measurement).

Nonfinancial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value include certain assets and liabilities acquired in a third-party business combination, assets and liabilities exchanged in non-monetary transactions, long-lived assets (asset groups), goodwill and other intangibles, initial recognition of asset retirement obligations, and initial recognition of environmental obligations assumed in a third-party acquisition. Impairment analyses for long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangibles, and the initial recognition of asset retirement obligations and environmental obligations use Level 3 inputs. When a fair value measurement is required and there is not a market-observable price for the asset or liability or a market-observable price for a similar asset or liability, the cost, income, or market valuation approach is used, depending on the quality of information available to support management’s assumptions.

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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

The fair value of debt reflects any premium or discount for the difference between the stated interest rate and the quarter-end market interest rate, and is based on quoted market prices for identical instruments, if available, or based on valuations of similar debt instruments. See Note 11.
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable reported on the consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these items.

Cash equivalents. All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents.

Bad-debt reserve. Revenues are primarily from Anadarko, for which no credit limit is maintained. Exposure to bad debts is analyzed on a customer-by-customer basis for its third-party accounts receivable and may establish credit limits for significant third-party customers. As of December 31, 2013, the third-party accounts receivable balance was net of the associated bad-debt reserve of $13,000. As of December 31, 2012, there was no reserve for bad debts.

Natural gas imbalances. The consolidated balance sheets include natural gas imbalance receivables and payables resulting from differences in gas volumes received into WES’s systems and gas volumes delivered by WES to customers’ pipelines. Natural gas volumes owed to or by WES that are subject to monthly cash settlement are valued according to the terms of the contract as of the balance sheet dates and reflect market index prices. Other natural gas volumes owed to or by WES are valued at the weighted average cost of natural gas as of the balance sheet dates and are settled in-kind. As of December 31, 2013, natural gas imbalance receivables and payables were $3.6 million and $2.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, natural gas imbalance receivables and payables were $1.7 million and $3.1 million, respectively. Changes in natural gas imbalances are reported in equity income and other, net for imbalance receivables or in cost of product for imbalance payables.

Inventory. The cost of NGLs inventories is determined by the weighted average cost method on a location-by-location basis. Inventory is stated at the lower of weighted-average cost or market value and is reported in other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

Property, plant and equipment. 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 assets acquired from Anadarko are initially recorded at Anadarko’s historic carrying value. The difference between the carrying value of net assets acquired from Anadarko and the consideration paid is recorded as an adjustment to partners’ capital.
Assets acquired in a business combination or non-monetary exchange with a third party are initially recorded at fair value. All construction-related direct labor and material costs are capitalized. The cost of renewals and betterments that extend the useful life of property, plant and equipment is also capitalized. The cost of repairs, replacements and major maintenance projects that do not extend the useful life or increase the expected output of property, plant and equipment is expensed as incurred.
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives and salvage values of assets. However, subsequent events could cause a change in estimates, thereby impacting future depreciation amounts. Uncertainties that may impact these estimates include, but are not limited to, changes in laws and regulations relating to environmental matters, including air and water quality, restoration and abandonment requirements, economic conditions, and supply and demand in the area.

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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Management evaluates the ability to recover the carrying amount of its long-lived assets to determine whether its long-lived assets have been impaired. 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 of a long-lived asset 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. Refer to Note 8 for a description of impairments recorded during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Capitalized interest. Interest is capitalized as part of the historical cost of constructing assets for significant projects that are in progress. Capitalized interest is determined by multiplying WES’s weighted-average borrowing cost on debt by the average amount of qualifying costs incurred. Once the construction of an asset subject to interest capitalization is completed and the asset is placed in service, the associated capitalized interest is expensed through depreciation or impairment, together with other capitalized costs related to that asset.

Goodwill. Goodwill represents the allocated portion of Anadarko’s midstream goodwill attributed to the assets WGP, through its consolidation of WES, has acquired from Anadarko. The carrying value of Anadarko’s midstream goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid to a third-party entity over the estimated fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed by Anadarko. Accordingly, the goodwill balance does not represent, and in some cases is significantly different from, the difference between the consideration WES paid for its acquisitions from Anadarko and the fair value of such net assets on their respective acquisition dates. The consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, include goodwill of $105.3 million, the impairment of which (if applicable) is not deductible for tax purposes.
Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually, as of October 1, or more often as facts and circumstances warrant. WES has allocated goodwill on its two reporting units: (i) gathering and processing and (ii) transportation. An initial qualitative assessment may be performed prior to proceeding to the comparison of the fair value of each reporting unit to which goodwill has been assigned, to the carrying amount of net assets, including goodwill, of each reporting unit. If, based on qualitative factors, it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, then goodwill is not impaired, and estimating the fair value of the reporting unit is not necessary. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is written down to its implied fair value through a charge to operating expense based on a hypothetical purchase price allocation. The carrying value of goodwill after such an impairment would represent a Level 3 fair value measurement. Estimating the fair value of the reporting units was not necessary based on the qualitative evaluation as of October 1, 2013, and no goodwill impairment has been recognized in these consolidated financial statements.

Other intangible assets. The intangible asset balance in the consolidated balance sheets includes the fair value, net of amortization, of (i) contracts assumed by WES 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.
WES assesses intangible assets for impairment together with related underlying long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. See Property, plant and equipment within this Note 1 for further discussion of management’s process to evaluate potential impairment of long-lived assets. No intangible asset impairment has been recognized in these consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2013, the intangible asset carrying value was $53.6 million, net of $3.4 million of accumulated amortization. An estimated $1.4 million of intangible asset amortization will be recorded for each of the next five years. As of December 31, 2012, the intangible asset carrying value was $55.5 million, net of $2.0 million of accumulated amortization.


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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Equity-method investments. The following table presents the activity of WES’s investments in equity of Fort Union, White Cliffs, Rendezvous, Mont Belvieu JV, TEG, TEP and FRP:
 
Equity Investments
thousands
Fort 
Union (1)
 
White 
Cliffs (2)
 
Rendezvous (3)
 
Mont
Belvieu JV (4)
 
TEG (5)
 
TEP (6)
 
FRP (7)
Balance at December 31, 2011
$
22,268

 
$
17,710

 
$
69,839

 
$

 
$

 
$
6,110

 
$

Initial investment

 

 

 

 
9,086

 

 
23,878

Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization
6,383

 
7,871

 
1,857

 

 
(53
)
 
(4
)
 
(12
)
Contributions

 
862

 

 

 

 
74,631

 

Distributions
(5,198
)
 
(8,876
)
 
(6,586
)
 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012
$
23,453

 
$
17,567

 
$
65,110

 
$

 
$
9,033


$
80,737

 
$
23,866

Initial investment

 

 

 
78,129

 

 

 

Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization
6,273

 
9,681

 
2,088

 
5,690

 
93

 
(776
)
 
(101
)
Contributions
16

 
19,087

 

 
37,309

 
6,732

 
108,969

 
105,547

Capitalized interest

 

 

 
1,352

 
791

 
8,801

 
6,089

Distributions
(4,570
)
 
(9,099
)
 
(4,029
)
 

 

 

 

Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings

 
(2,197
)
 
(2,241
)
 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013
$
25,172

 
$
35,039

 
$
60,928

 
$
122,480

 
$
16,649

 
$
197,731

 
$
135,401

                                                                                                                                                                                   
(1)
WES has a 14.81% interest in Fort Union, a joint venture which owns a gathering pipeline and treating facilities in the Powder River Basin. Anadarko is the construction manager and physical operator of the Fort Union facilities. Certain business decisions, including, but not limited to, decisions with respect to significant expenditures or contractual commitments, annual budgets, material financings, dispositions of assets or amending the owners’ firm gathering agreements, require 65% or unanimous approval of the owners.
(2)
WES has a 10% interest in White Cliffs, a limited liability company which owns a crude oil pipeline that originates in Platteville, Colorado and terminates in Cushing, Oklahoma. The third-party majority owner is the manager of the White Cliffs operations. Certain business decisions, including, but not limited to, approval of annual budgets and decisions with respect to significant expenditures, contractual commitments, acquisitions, material financings, dispositions of assets or admitting new members, require more than 75% approval of the members.
(3)
WES has a 22% interest in Rendezvous, a limited liability company that operates gas gathering facilities in Southwestern Wyoming. Certain business decisions, including, but not limited to, decisions with respect to significant expenditures or contractual commitments, annual budgets, material financings, dispositions of assets or amending the members’ gas servicing agreements, require unanimous approval of the members.
(4) 
WES has a 25% interest in the Mont Belvieu JV, an entity formed to design, construct, and own two fractionation trains located in Mont Belvieu, Texas. A third party is the operator of the Mont Belvieu JV fractionation trains. Certain business decisions, including, but not limited to, decisions with respect to the execution of contracts, settlements, disposition of assets, or the creation, appointment, or removal of officer positions require 50% or unanimous approval of the owners.
(5) 
WES has a 20% interest in TEG, an entity that consists of two NGL gathering systems that link natural gas processing plants to TEP. Enbridge Midcoast Energy, LP (“Enbridge”) is the operator of the two gathering systems. Certain business decisions, including, but not limited to, decisions with respect to the execution of contracts, settlements, disposition of assets, or the delegation, creation, appointment, or removal of officer positions require more than 50% approval of the members.
(6) 
WES has a 20% interest in TEP, which consists of an NGL pipeline that originates in Skellytown, Texas and extends to Mont Belvieu, Texas. Enterprise Products Operating LLC (“Enterprise”) is the operator of TEP. Certain business decisions, including, but not limited to, decisions with respect to the execution of contracts, settlements, disposition of assets, or the creation, appointment, or removal of officer positions require more than 50% approval of the members.
(7) 
WES has a 33.33% interest in the FRP, an NGL pipeline that extends from Weld County, Colorado to Skellytown, Texas. Enterprise is the operator of FRP. Certain business decisions, including, but not limited to, decisions with respect to the execution of contracts, settlements, disposition of assets, or the creation, appointment, or removal of officer positions require more than 50% approval of the members owners.

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Table of Contents
WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

The investment balance at December 31, 2013, includes $2.5 million and $44.0 million for the purchase price allocated to the investment in Fort Union and Rendezvous, respectively, in excess of the historic cost basis of Western Gas Resources, Inc. (“WGRI”), the entity that previously owned the interests in Fort Union and Rendezvous, which Anadarko acquired in August 2006. This excess balance is attributable to the difference between the fair value and book value of such gathering and treating facilities (at the time WGRI was acquired by Anadarko) and is being amortized over the remaining estimated useful life of those facilities.
The investment balance in White Cliffs at December 31, 2013, is $9.3 million less than WES’s underlying equity in White Cliffs’ net assets as of December 31, 2013, primarily due to WES recording the acquisition of its initial 0.4% interest in White Cliffs at Anadarko’s historic carrying value. This difference is being amortized to equity income over the remaining estimated useful life of the White Cliffs pipeline.
Management evaluates its equity-method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such investments may have experienced a decline in value that is other than temporary. When evidence of loss in value has occurred, management compares the estimated fair value of the investment to the carrying value of the investment to determine whether the investment has been impaired. Management assesses the fair value of equity-method investments using commonly accepted techniques, and may use more than one method, including, but not limited to, recent third-party comparable sales and discounted cash flow models. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value, the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value is recognized as an impairment loss.
The following tables present the summarized combined financial information for WES’s equity method investments (amounts represents 100% of investee financial information):
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
$
261,705

 
$
199,764

 
$
153,131

Operating income
 
171,496

 
135,498

 
90,544

Net income
 
170,175

 
133,987

 
88,504

 
 
December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
$
186,690

 
$
79,835

Property, plant and equipment, net
 
2,676,531

 
1,174,311

Other assets
 
38,258

 
45,100

Total assets
 
$
2,901,479

 
$
1,299,246

Current liabilities
 
206,602

 
76,862

Non-current liabilities
 
34,012

 
50,759

Equity
 
2,660,865

 
1,171,625

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
2,901,479

 
$
1,299,246


Asset retirement obligations. Management recognizes a liability based on the estimated costs of retiring tangible long-lived assets. The liability is recognized at fair value, measured using discounted expected future cash outflows for the asset retirement obligation when the obligation originates, which generally is when an asset is acquired or constructed. The carrying amount of the associated asset is increased commensurate with the liability recognized. Over time, the discounted liability is adjusted to its expected settlement value through accretion expense, which is reported within depreciation, amortization and impairments in the consolidated statements of income. Subsequent to the initial recognition, the liability is also adjusted for any changes in the expected value of the retirement obligation (with a corresponding adjustment to property, plant and equipment) until the obligation is settled. Revisions in estimated asset retirement obligations may result from changes in estimated inflation rates, discount rates, asset retirement costs and the estimated timing of settling asset retirement obligations. See Note 10.

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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Environmental expenditures. WES expenses environmental obligations related to conditions caused by past operations that do not generate current or future revenues. Environmental obligations related to operations that generate current or future revenues are expensed or capitalized, as appropriate. Liabilities are recorded when the necessity for environmental remediation or other potential environmental liabilities becomes probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Accruals for estimated losses from environmental remediation obligations are recognized no later than at the time of the completion of the remediation feasibility study. These accruals are adjusted as additional information becomes available or as circumstances change. Costs of future expenditures for environmental-remediation obligations are not discounted to their present value. See Note 12.

Segments. Because WGP reflects its ownership interest in WES on a consolidated basis, and has no independent operations or material assets outside those of WES, WGP’s segment analysis and presentation is the same as that of WES. WES’s operations are organized into a single operating segment, the assets of which gather, process, compress, treat and transport Anadarko and third-party natural gas, condensate, NGLs and crude oil in the United States.

Revenues and cost of product. Under its fee-based gathering, treating and processing arrangements, WES is paid a fixed fee based on the volume and thermal content of natural gas and recognizes revenues for its services in the month such services are performed. Producers’ wells are connected to WES’s gathering systems for delivery of natural gas to WES’s processing or treating plants, where the natural gas is processed to extract NGLs and condensate or treated in order to satisfy pipeline specifications. In some areas, where no processing is required, the producers’ gas is gathered and delivered to pipelines for market delivery. Under cost-of-service gathering agreements, fees are earned for gathering and compression services based on rates calculated in a cost-of-service model and reviewed periodically over the life of the agreements. Under percent-of-proceeds contracts, revenue is recognized when the natural gas, NGLs or condensate are sold. The percentage of the product sale ultimately paid to the producer is recorded as a related cost of product expense.
WES purchases natural gas volumes at the wellhead for gathering and processing. As a result, WES has volumes of NGLs and condensate to sell and volumes of residue to either sell, to use for system fuel or to satisfy keep-whole obligations. In addition, depending upon specific contract terms, condensate and NGLs recovered during gathering and processing are either returned to the producer or retained and sold. Under keep-whole contracts, when condensate or NGLs are retained and sold, producers are kept whole for the condensate or NGL volumes through the receipt of a thermally equivalent volume of residue. The keep-whole contract conveys an economic benefit to WES when the combined value of the individual NGLs is greater in the form of liquids than as a component of the natural gas stream; however, WES is adversely impacted when the value of the NGLs is lower than the value of the natural gas stream including the liquids. WES has commodity price swap agreements with Anadarko to mitigate exposure to commodity price uncertainty that would otherwise be present as a result of the purchase and sale of natural gas, condensate or NGLs. See Note 5. Revenue is recognized from the sale of condensate and NGLs upon transfer of title and related purchases are recorded as cost of product.
WES earns transportation revenues through firm contracts that obligate each of its customers to pay a monthly reservation or demand charge regardless of the pipeline capacity used by that customer. An additional commodity usage fee is charged to the customer based on the actual volume of natural gas transported. Transportation revenues are also generated from interruptible contracts pursuant to which a fee is charged to the customer based on volumes transported through the pipeline. Revenues for transportation of natural gas and NGLs are recognized over the period of firm transportation contracts or, in the case of usage fees and interruptible contracts, when the volumes are received into the pipeline. From time to time, certain revenues may be subject to refund pending the outcome of rate matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the “FERC”) and reserves are established where appropriate.
Proceeds from the sale of residue, NGLs and condensate are reported as revenues from natural gas, natural gas liquids and condensate sales in the consolidated statements of income. Revenues attributable to the fixed-fee component of gathering and processing contracts as well as demand charges and commodity usage fees on transportation contracts are reported as revenues from gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids in the consolidated statements of income.


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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Equity-based compensation. Concurrently with WGP’s IPO, WGP GP adopted the Western Gas Equity Partners, LP 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“WGP LTIP”). The WGP LTIP permits the issuance of up to 3,000,000 WGP common units, of which 2,963,762 units remained available for future issuance as of December 31, 2013. Upon vesting of each phantom unit, the holder will receive common units of WGP or, at the discretion of WGP GP’s board of directors, cash in an amount equal to the market value of common units of WGP on the vesting date. 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. Stock-based compensation expense attributable to awards granted under the WGP LTIP will be amortized over the vesting periods applicable to the awards.
The Western Gas Partners, LP 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “WES LTIP”) was adopted by WES GP concurrently with the IPO of WES and permits the issuance of up to 2,250,000 WES common units, of which 2,139,027 units remained available for future issuance as of December 31, 2013. Upon vesting of each phantom unit award, the holder will receive common units of WES or, at the discretion of WES GP’s board of directors, cash in an amount equal to the market value of common units of WES on the vesting date. Equity-based compensation expense attributable to grants made under the WES LTIP impact cash flows from operating activities only to the extent cash payments are made to a participant in lieu of issuance of common units to the participant. Stock-based compensation expense attributable to awards granted under the WES LTIP will be amortized over the vesting periods applicable to the awards.
Additionally, general and administrative expenses include equity-based compensation costs allocated by Anadarko for grants made pursuant to (i) the Western Gas Holdings, LLC Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “Incentive Plan”) for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 and (ii) the Anadarko Petroleum Corporation 1999 Stock Incentive Plan and the Anadarko Petroleum Corporation 2008 and 2012 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plans (Anadarko’s plans are referred to collectively as the “Anadarko Incentive Plans”) for all periods presented. Grants made under equity-based compensation plans result in equity-based compensation expense, which is determined by reference to the fair value of equity compensation. For equity-based awards ultimately settled through the issuance of units or stock, the fair value is measured as of the date of the relevant equity grant. Equity-based compensation granted under the Anadarko Incentive Plans does not impact cash flows from operating activities since the offset to compensation expense is recorded as a contribution to partners’ capital in the consolidated financial statements at the time of contribution, when the expense is realized. However, distribution equivalent rights awarded in tandem with equity-or liability-based awards are paid in cash and reflected within financing cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows. See Note 6.

WES income taxes. WES generally is not subject to federal income tax or state income tax other than Texas margin tax on the portion of its income that is apportionable to Texas. Deferred state income taxes are recorded on temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. WES routinely assesses the realizability of its deferred tax assets. If WES concludes that it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, the tax asset is reduced by a valuation allowance. Federal and state current and deferred income tax expense was recorded on WES assets prior to WES’s acquisition of these assets from Anadarko.
For periods beginning on and subsequent to WES’s acquisition of the WES assets, WES makes payments to Anadarko pursuant to the tax sharing agreement entered into between Anadarko and WES for its estimated share of taxes from all forms of taxation, excluding taxes imposed by the United States, that are included in any combined or consolidated returns filed by Anadarko. The aggregate difference in the basis of WES’s assets for financial and tax reporting purposes cannot be readily determined as WES does not have access to information about each partner’s tax attributes in WES.
The accounting standards for uncertain tax positions defines the criteria an individual tax position must satisfy for any part of the benefit of that position to be recognized in the financial statements. WES had no material uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2013 or 2012.
With respect to assets acquired from Anadarko, WES recorded Anadarko’s historic current and deferred income taxes for the periods prior to WES’s ownership of the assets. For periods subsequent to WES’s acquisition, 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 the assets acquired from Anadarko.

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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

WGP income taxes. Prior to its September 2012 conversion to a limited partnership legal form, WGP was WGR Holdings, LLC, a single-member Delaware limited liability company treated as a division of Anadarko and disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As such, WGR Holdings, LLC was included in Anadarko’s consolidated income tax return for federal and state income tax purposes. In addition to WES’s historic Texas margin tax expense and liabilities, the accompanying consolidated financial statements of WGP include income tax expense and liabilities incurred by WGR Holdings, LLC, computed on a separate-return basis.
Deferred federal and state income taxes included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amount and tax basis of WGP’s investment in WES. WGP’s accounting policy is to “look through” its investment in WES for purposes of calculating deferred income tax asset and liability balances attributable to WGP’s interests in WES. The application of such accounting policy resulted in no deferred income taxes being recognized for the book and tax basis difference in goodwill, which is non-deductible for tax purposes for all periods presented. WGP had no material uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2013 or 2012.

Net income per common unit. Earnings per unit is calculated by dividing the limited partners’ interest in net income by the weighted average number of common units outstanding. Net income per common unit is calculated assuming that cash distributions are equal to the net income attributable to WGP. Net income attributable to periods prior to WGP’s IPO is not allocated to the limited partners for purposes of calculating net income per unit. As a result, pre-IPO net income, representing the financial results prior to WGP’s IPO on December 12, 2012, has been excluded from the limited partners’ interest in net income. Net income equal to the amount of available cash (as defined in WGP’s partnership agreement) is allocated to the common unitholders consistent with actual cash distributions. See Note 4.

Other assets. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets includes $0.4 million for a receivable recognized in conjunction with the capital lease component of a processing agreement assumed in connection with the acquisition of Mountain Gas Resources, LLC (“MGR”). See Note 2. The agreement, in which WES is the lessor, extends through December 2014. Other assets includes $4.6 million related to the unguaranteed residual value of the processing plant included in the processing agreement, based on a measurement of fair value estimated when the plant was acquired by Anadarko in 2006. Interest income related to the capital lease is recorded to other income (expense), net on the consolidated statements of income.

Contributions in aid of construction costs from affiliates. On certain of WES’s capital projects, Anadarko is obligated to reimburse WES for all or a portion of project capital expenditures. The majority of such arrangements are associated with projects related to pipeline construction activities and production well tie-ins. These cash receipts are presented as “Contributions in aid of construction costs from affiliates” within the investing section of the consolidated statements of cash flows. See Note 5.

2.  ACQUISITIONS

In May 2008, concurrently with the closing of the WES’s IPO, Anadarko contributed to WES the assets and liabilities of Anadarko Gathering Company LLC, Pinnacle Gas Treating LLC, and MIGC LLC. In December 2008, WES completed the acquisition of the Powder River assets from Anadarko, which included (i) the Hilight system, (ii) a 50% interest in the Newcastle system and (iii) a 14.81% membership interest in Fort Union. In July 2009, the WES closed on the acquisition of a 51% membership interest in Chipeta from Anadarko. WES closed the acquisitions of Anadarko’s Granger and Wattenberg assets in January 2010 and August 2010, respectively. In September 2010, WES acquired a 10% interest in White Cliffs. See Note 13.

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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2.  ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)

The following table presents the acquisitions completed by WES during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, and identifies the funding sources for such acquisitions:
thousands except unit and percent amounts
 
Acquisition
Date
 
Percentage
Acquired
 
Borrowings
 
Cash
On Hand
 
WES Common
Units Issued
 
WES GP Units
Issued
Platte Valley (1)
 
02/28/2011
 
100
%
 
$
303,000

 
$
602

 

 

Bison (2)
 
07/08/2011
 
100
%
 

 
25,000

 
2,950,284

 
60,210

MGR (3)
 
01/13/2012
 
100
%
 
299,000

 
159,587

 
632,783

 
12,914

Chipeta (4)
 
08/01/2012
 
24
%
 

 
128,250

 
151,235

 
3,086

Non-Operated Marcellus Interest (5)
 
03/01/2013
 
33.75
%
 
250,000

 
215,500

 
449,129

 

Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest (6)
 
03/08/2013
 
33.75
%
 
133,500

 

 

 

Mont Belvieu JV (7)
 
06/05/2013
 
25
%
 

 
78,129

 

 

OTTCO (8)
 
09/03/2013
 
100
%
 
27,500

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
WES acquired (i) a natural gas gathering system and related compression and other ancillary equipment and (ii) cryogenic gas processing facilities from a third party. These assets are located in the Denver-Julesburg Basin. The acquisition is referred to as the “Platte Valley acquisition.”
(2) 
The Bison gas treating facility acquired from Anadarko is located in the Powder River Basin in northeastern Wyoming and includes (i) three amine treating units, (ii) compressor units, and (iii) generators. These assets are referred to collectively as the “Bison assets.” The Bison assets are the only treating and delivery point into the third-party-owned Bison pipeline. The Bison assets were placed in service in June 2010.
(3) 
The assets acquired from Anadarko consisted of (i) the Red Desert complex, which is located in the greater Green River Basin in southwestern Wyoming, and includes the Patrick Draw processing plant, the Red Desert processing plant, gathering lines, and related facilities, (ii) a 22% interest in Rendezvous, which owns a gathering system serving the Jonah and Pinedale Anticline fields in southwestern Wyoming, and (iii) certain additional midstream assets and equipment. These assets are collectively referred to as the “MGR assets” and the acquisition as the “MGR acquisition.”
(4) 
WES acquired Anadarko’s additional Chipeta interest (as described in Note 1). WES received distributions related to the additional interest beginning July 1, 2012. This transaction brought WES’s total membership interest in Chipeta to 75%. The remaining 25% membership interest in Chipeta held by a third-party member is reflected as noncontrolling interests in the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.
(5) 
WES acquired Anadarko’s 33.75% interest (non-operated) in the Liberty and Rome gas gathering systems, serving production from the Marcellus shale in north-central Pennsylvania. The interest acquired is referred to as the “Non-Operated Marcellus Interest” and the acquisition as the “Non-Operated Marcellus Interest acquisition.” In connection with the issuance of WES common units, WES GP purchased 9,166 general partner units for consideration of $0.5 million in order to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest in WES.
(6) 
WES acquired a 33.75% interest in each of the Larry’s Creek, Seely and Warrensville gas gathering systems, which are operated by Anadarko and serve production from the Marcellus shale in north-central Pennsylvania, from a third party. The interest acquired is referred to as the “Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest” and the acquisition as the “Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest acquisition.” See Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest acquisition below for further information, including the final allocation of the purchase price.
(7) 
WES acquired a 25% interest in Enterprise EF78 LLC, an entity formed to design, construct, and own two fractionation trains located in Mont Belvieu, Texas, from a third party. The interest acquired is accounted for under the equity method of accounting and is referred to as the “Mont Belvieu JV” and the acquisition as the “Mont Belvieu JV acquisition.” See Mont Belvieu JV acquisition below for further information.
(8) 
WES acquired Overland Trail Transmission, LLC (“OTTCO”), a Delaware limited liability company, from a third party. OTTCO owns and operates an intrastate pipeline that connects WES’s Red Desert and Granger complexes in southwestern Wyoming.

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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2.  ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)

Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest acquisition. The Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest acquisition has been accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest acquisition were recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Results of operations attributable to the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest were included in the consolidated statements of income beginning on the acquisition date in the first quarter of 2013.
The following is the final allocation of the purchase price, including $1.1 million of post-closing purchase price adjustments, to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest acquisition as of the acquisition date:
thousands
 
 
Property, plant and equipment
 
$
134,819

Asset retirement obligations
 
(174
)
Total purchase price
 
$
134,645


The purchase price allocation is based on an assessment of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest acquisition. The fair values of the interests in the land, right-of-way contracts, and gathering systems were based on the market and income approaches. 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.
The following table presents pro forma condensed financial information as if the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2012:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands except per-unit amounts
 
2013
 
2012
Revenues
 
$
1,031,017

 
$
899,353

Net income
 
282,026

 
118,528

Net income attributable to Western Gas Equity Partners, LP
 
159,853

 
59,347

Net income per common unit - basic and diluted
 
$
0.71

 
$

 
The pro forma information is presented for illustration purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have occurred had the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest acquisition been completed at the assumed date, nor is it necessarily indicative of future operating results of the combined entity. The pro forma information in the table above includes $14.1 million of revenues and $0.7 million of operating expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization and impairments, attributable to the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest that are included in the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2013. The pro forma adjustments reflect pre-acquisition results of the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest including (a) estimated revenues and expenses; (b) estimated depreciation and amortization based on the purchase price allocated to property, plant and equipment and estimated useful lives; and (c) interest on borrowings under WES’s revolving credit facility to finance the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest acquisition. The pro forma adjustments include estimates and assumptions based on currently available information. Management believes the estimates and assumptions are reasonable, and the relative effects of the transaction are properly reflected. The pro forma information does not reflect any cost savings or other synergies anticipated as a result of the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest acquisition, nor any future acquisition related expenses.

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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)

Mont Belvieu JV acquisition. The acquisition purchase price represented WES’s 25% share of construction costs incurred by the joint venture partner and 25% of the capitalized interest charged to the financial statements of the Mont Belvieu JV up to the date of acquisition. The allocated capitalized interest is reflected as a component of the equity investment balance recorded upon acquisition. Based on the total estimated net project cost, the construction of the fractionation facilities owned by the Mont Belvieu JV is considered a significant project and satisfies criteria for capitalization of interest. Capitalization of interest subsequent to the acquisition is treated as a basis difference between the cost of the investment and the underlying equity in the net assets of the Mont Belvieu JV. Upon completion of construction in the fourth quarter of 2013, WES began amortizing the capitalized interest recognized subsequent to the Mont Belvieu JV acquisition. This amortization is reflected as an adjustment to equity earnings from the Mont Belvieu JV.

TEFR Interests Acquisition. On March 3, 2014, WES acquired Anadarko’s 20% interest in TEP and TEG, and a 33.33% interest in FRP (collectively, the “TEFR Interests acquisition”) for $375.0 million. WES financed the TEFR Interests acquisition with $6.3 million of cash on hand, borrowings of $350.0 million on the 2014 WES RCF, and the issuance of 308,490 WES common units to Anadarko at an implied price of $60.78 per unit. See Note 13.
Due to Anadarko’s control of WES through its ownership and control of WGP, the acquisition of the TEFR Interests is considered a transfer of net assets under common control. As such, WGP’s historical financial statements previously filed with the SEC have been recast in this Current Report on Form 8-K to include the results attributable to the TEFR Interests from 2011 when Anadarko made its initial investment in the respective businesses. The consolidated financial statements for periods prior to WES’s acquisition of 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 TEFR Interests during the period reported.
The following table presents the impact of the TEFR Interests on revenue, equity income (loss), net and net income (loss) as presented in WGP’s historical consolidated statements of income:
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
thousands
 
WGP Historical
 
TEFR Interests
 
Combined
Revenues
 
$
1,029,763

 
$

 
$
1,029,763

Equity income (loss), net
 
23,732

 
(784
)
 
22,948

Net income (loss)
 
$
282,387

 
$
(509
)
 
$
281,878

 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2012
thousands
 
WGP Historical
 
TEFR Interests
 
Combined
Revenues
 
$
894,476

 
$

 
$
894,476

Equity income (loss), net
 
16,111

 
(69
)
 
16,042

Net income (loss)
 
$
120,601

 
$
(44
)
 
$
120,557


 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2011
thousands
 
WGP Historical
 
TEFR Interests
 
Combined
Revenues
 
$
858,144

 
$

 
$
858,144

Equity income (loss), net
 
11,261

 

 
11,261

Net income (loss)
 
$
180,215

 
$

 
$
180,215



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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3.  PARTNERSHIP DISTRIBUTIONS

WGP partnership distributions. WGP’s partnership agreement requires WGP to distribute all of its available cash (as defined in its partnership agreement) to WGP unitholders of record on the applicable record date within 55 days of the end of each quarter.
The board of directors of WGP GP declared the following cash distributions to WGP unitholders for the periods presented:
thousands except per-unit amounts
Quarters Ended
 
Total Quarterly
Distribution
per Unit
 
Total Quarterly
Cash Distribution
 
Date of
Distribution
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31 (pro-rated from IPO date)
 
$
0.03587

 
$
7,852

 
February 2013
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31
 
$
0.17875

 
$
39,128

 
May 2013
June 30
 
$
0.19750

 
$
43,232

 
August 2013
September 30
 
$
0.21375

 
$
46,789

 
November 2013
December 31 (1)
 
$
0.23125

 
$
50,620

 
February 2014
                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
On January 20, 2014, the board of directors of WGP GP declared a cash distribution to WGP unitholders of $0.23125 per unit, or $50.6 million in aggregate. The cash distribution was paid on February 21, 2014, to WGP unitholders of record at the close of business on January 31, 2014.

WES partnership distributions. WES’s partnership agreement requires WES to distribute all of its available cash (as defined in WES’s partnership agreement) to WES unitholders of record on the applicable record date within 45 days of the end of each quarter. The board of directors of WES GP declared the following cash distributions to WES unitholders for the periods presented:
thousands except per-unit amounts
Quarters Ended
 
Total Quarterly
Distribution
per Unit
 
Total Quarterly
Cash Distribution
 
Date of
Distribution
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31
 
$
0.390

 
$
33,168

 
May 2011
June 30
 
$
0.405

 
$
36,063

 
August 2011
September 30
 
$
0.420

 
$
40,323

 
November 2011
December 31
 
$
0.440

 
$
43,027

 
February 2012
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31
 
$
0.460

 
$
46,053

 
May 2012
June 30
 
$
0.480

 
$
52,425

 
August 2012
September 30
 
$
0.500

 
$
56,346

 
November 2012
December 31
 
$
0.520

 
$
65,657

 
February 2013
2013
 
 
 
 
 

March 31
 
$
0.540

 
$
70,143

 
May 2013
June 30
 
$
0.560

 
$
79,315

 
August 2013
September 30
 
$
0.580

 
$
83,986

 
November 2013
December 31 (1)
 
$
0.600

 
$
92,609

 
February 2014
                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
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.


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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3.  PARTNERSHIP DISTRIBUTIONS (CONTINUED)

WES’s available cash. The amount of available cash (as defined in WES’s partnership agreement) generally is all cash on hand at the end of the quarter, plus, at the discretion of WES GP, working capital borrowings made subsequent to the end of such quarter, less the amount of cash reserves established by WES GP to provide for the proper conduct of WES’s business, including reserves to fund future capital expenditures; to comply with applicable laws, debt instruments or other agreements (such as the Chipeta LLC agreement); or to provide funds for distributions to WES unitholders and to WES GP for any one or more of the next four quarters. Working capital borrowings generally include borrowings made under a credit facility or similar financing arrangement. It is intended that working capital borrowings be repaid within 12 months. In all cases, working capital borrowings are used solely for working capital purposes or to fund distributions to partners.

General partner interest and incentive distribution rights of WES. WES GP is currently entitled to 2.0% of all quarterly distributions by WES. WES GP is entitled to incentive distributions if the amount distributed by WES with respect to any quarter exceeds specified target levels shown below:
 
 
Total Quarterly Distribution
Target Amount
 
Marginal Percentage
Interest in Distributions
 
 
 
Unitholders
 
General Partner
Minimum quarterly distribution
 
$0.300
 
98.0%
 
2.0%
First target distribution
 
up to $0.345
 
98.0%
 
2.0%
Second target distribution
 
above $0.345 up to $0.375
 
85.0%
 
15.0%
Third target distribution
 
above $0.375 up to $0.450
 
75.0%
 
25.0%
Thereafter
 
above $0.450
 
50.0%
 
50.0%

The table above assumes that WES GP maintains its 2.0% general partner interest in WES that WES GP continues to own the IDRs. The maximum distribution sharing percentage of 50.0% includes distributions paid to WES GP on its 2.0% general partner interest and does not include any distributions that it may receive on WES common units that it owns or may acquire.

4.  EQUITY AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

Initial Public Offering. In December 2012, WGP completed its IPO of 19,758,150 common units representing limited partner interests at a price of $22.00 per common unit. As of December 31, 2013, Anadarko held 199,137,365 of WGP’s common units, representing a 91.0% limited partner interest in WGP, and, through its ownership of WGP GP, Anadarko indirectly held a non-economic general partner interest in WGP. The public held 19,758,150 WGP common units, representing a 9.0% limited partner interest in WGP.

Net income per common unit. For WGP, earnings per unit is calculated by dividing the limited partners’ interest in net income by the weighted average number of common units outstanding. Net income per common unit is calculated assuming that cash distributions are equal to the net income attributable to WGP. Net income attributable to periods prior to WGP’s IPO, including compensation expense for grants of awards under the Incentive Plan (see Note 6), is attributable to subsidiaries of Anadarko and therefore not allocated to the limited partners for purposes of calculating net income per unit. As a result, pre-IPO net income, representing the financial results prior to WGP’s IPO on December 12, 2012, has been excluded from the limited partners’ interest in net income. Similarly, post-IPO net income attributable to the WES assets (as defined in Note 1) acquired from Anadarko, for periods prior to WES’s acquisition of such assets, is not allocated to the limited partners when calculating net income per common unit.
Net income equal to the amount of available cash (as defined by WGP’s partnership agreement) is allocated to WGP common unitholders consistent with actual cash distributions. Net income available to limited partners for the 20-day period beginning on the date WGP’s IPO closed through December 31, 2012, was calculated based on the number of common units outstanding after the IPO.


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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4.  EQUITY AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL (CONTINUED)

Holdings of WES equity. WES’s common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WES.” As of December 31, 2013, WGP and affiliates held 49,296,205 WES common units, representing a 41.2% limited partner interest in WES, and, through its ownership of WES GP, WGP indirectly held 2,394,345 general partner units, representing a 2.0% general partner interest in WES, and 100% of WES’s IDRs. As of December 31, 2013, AMM, a subsidiary of Anadarko, separately held 449,129 WES common units, representing a 0.4% limited partner interest in WES, and the public held 67,577,478 WES common units, representing a 56.4% limited partner interest in WES, which are both reflected as noncontrolling interests within the consolidated financial statements of WGP (see Note 1 and Note 2).

WES public equity offerings. WES completed the following public offerings of its common units during 2011, 2012 and 2013:
thousands except unit
   and per-unit amounts
WES Common
Units Issued (1)
 
WES GP
Units Issued (2)
 
Price Per
Unit
 
Underwriting
Discount and
Other Offering
Expenses
 
Net
Proceeds to WES
March 2011 equity offering
3,852,813

 
78,629

 
$
35.15

 
$
5,621

 
$
132,569

September 2011 equity offering
5,750,000

 
117,347

 
35.86

 
7,655

 
202,748

June 2012 equity offering
5,000,000

 
102,041

 
43.88

 
7,468

 
216,409

May 2013 equity offering
7,015,000

 
143,163

 
61.18

 
13,203

 
424,733

December 2013 equity offering (3)
4,500,000

 
91,837

 
61.51

 
8,716

 
273,728

                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
Includes the issuance of 302,813 WES common units, 750,000 WES common units and 915,000 WES common units pursuant to the full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option granted in connection with the March 2011, September 2011 and May 2013 equity offerings, respectively.
(2) 
Represents general partner units of WES issued to WES GP in exchange for WES GP’s proportionate capital contribution to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest.
(3) 
Excludes the issuance of 300,000 WES common units on January 3, 2014, pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, and the corresponding issuance of 6,122 general partner units of WES to WES GP in exchange for WES GP’s proportionate capital contribution to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest. Total net proceeds for the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option (including the WES GP’s proportionate capital contribution) were $18.3 million.

In addition, pursuant to WES’s registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in August 2012 authorizing the issuance of up to an aggregate of $125.0 million of WES common units (the “Continuous Offering Program”), during the three months ended December 31, 2013, WES completed trades totaling 642,385 common units at an average price per unit of $60.83, generating gross proceeds of $39.9 million (including the WES GP’s proportionate capital contribution and before $0.9 million of associated offering expenses). During the year ended December 31, 2013, WES completed trades totaling 685,735 common units at an average price per unit of $60.84, generating gross proceeds of $42.6 million (including WES GP’s proportionate capital contribution and before $1.0 million of associated offering expenses).


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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4.  EQUITY AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL (CONTINUED)

WES common and general partner units. The following table summarizes WES’s common and general partner units issued during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013:
 
 
WES Common
Units
 
WES General
Partner Units
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2011
 
90,140,999

 
1,839,613

 
91,980,612

MGR acquisition
 
632,783

 
12,914

 
645,697

Long-Term Incentive Plan awards
 
12,570

 
257

 
12,827

June 2012 equity offering
 
5,000,000

 
102,041

 
5,102,041

Chipeta acquisition
 
151,235

 
3,086

 
154,321

WGP unit purchase agreement
 
8,722,966

 
178,019

 
8,900,985

Balance at December 31, 2012
 
104,660,553

 
2,135,930

 
106,796,483

Non-Operated Marcellus Interest acquisition
 
449,129

 
9,166

 
458,295

Long-Term Incentive Plan awards
 
12,395

 
253

 
12,648

May 2013 equity offering
 
7,015,000

 
143,163

 
7,158,163

Continuous Offering Program
 
685,735

 
13,996

 
699,731

December 2013 equity offering
 
4,500,000

 
91,837

 
4,591,837

Balance at December 31, 2013
 
117,322,812

 
2,394,345

 
119,717,157


5.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Affiliate transactions. Revenues from affiliates include amounts earned by WES from services provided to Anadarko as well as from the sale of residue, condensate and NGLs to Anadarko. In addition, WES purchases natural gas from an affiliate of Anadarko pursuant to gas purchase agreements. Operating and maintenance expense includes amounts accrued for or paid to affiliates for the operation of WES assets, whether in providing services to affiliates or to third parties, including field labor, measurement and analysis, and other disbursements. A portion of general and administrative expenses is paid by Anadarko, which results in affiliate transactions pursuant to the reimbursement provisions of the omnibus agreements of WES and WGP. Affiliate expenses do not bear a direct relationship to affiliate revenues, and third-party expenses do not bear a direct relationship to third-party revenues. See Note 2 for further information related to contributions of assets to WES by Anadarko.

Cash management. Anadarko operates a cash management system whereby excess cash from most of its subsidiaries’ separate bank accounts is generally swept to centralized accounts. Prior to the acquisition of WES assets, third-party sales and purchases related to such assets were received or paid in cash by Anadarko within its centralized cash management system. Anadarko charged or credited WES interest at a variable rate on outstanding affiliate balances for the periods these balances remained outstanding. The outstanding affiliate balances were entirely settled through an adjustment to net investment by Anadarko in connection with the acquisition of WES assets. Subsequent to the acquisition of WES assets from Anadarko, transactions related to such assets are cash-settled directly with third parties and with Anadarko affiliates, and affiliate-based interest expense on current intercompany balances is not charged. Chipeta cash settles its transactions directly with third parties and Anadarko, as well as with the other subsidiaries of WES.


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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (CONTINUED)

WES note receivable from and amounts payable to Anadarko. Concurrently with the closing of WES’s May 2008 IPO, WES loaned $260.0 million to Anadarko in exchange for a 30-year note bearing interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.50%, payable quarterly. The fair value of the note receivable from Anadarko was $296.7 million and $334.8 million at December 31, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The fair value of the note reflects consideration of credit risk and any premium or discount for the differential between the stated interest rate and quarter-end market interest rate, based on quoted market prices of similar debt instruments. Accordingly, the fair value of the note receivable from Anadarko is measured using Level 2 inputs.
In 2008, WES entered into a five-year $175.0 million term loan agreement with Anadarko, which was repaid in full in June 2012 using the proceeds from the issuance of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2022. See Note 11.

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 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. The commodity price swap agreements do not satisfy the definition of a derivative financial instrument and, therefore, are not required to be measured at fair value.
Below is a summary of the fixed price ranges on WES’s outstanding commodity price swap agreements as of December 31, 2013 excluding the Hilight and Newcastle assets: 
per barrel except natural gas
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
Ethane
 
$
18.36

$
30.53

 
$
18.41

$
23.41

 
$
23.11

Propane
 
$
46.47

$
53.78

 
$
47.08

$
52.99

 
$
52.90

Isobutane
 
$
61.24

$
75.13

 
$
62.09

$
74.02

 
$
73.89

Normal butane
 
$
53.89

$
66.01

 
$
54.62

$
65.04

 
$
64.93

Natural gasoline
 
$
71.85

$
83.04

 
$
72.88

$
81.82

 
$
81.68

Condensate
 
$
75.22

$
83.04

 
$
76.47

$
81.82

 
$
81.68

Natural gas (per MMBtu)
 
$
4.45

$
6.20

 
$
4.66

$
5.96

 
$
4.87


Below is a summary of the fixed prices or ranges on the WES’s outstanding commodity price swap agreements for the Hilight and Newcastle assets as of December 31, 2013:
per barrel except natural gas
 
2014
Propane
 
 
 
$
40.38

Normal butane
 
$
64.73

$
66.83

Natural gasoline
 
 
 
$
90.89

Condensate
 
 
 
$
87.30

Natural gas (per MMBtu)
 
 
 
$
3.45




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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (CONTINUED)

The following table summarizes realized gains and losses on commodity price swap agreements:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements related to sales: (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas sales
 
$
21,382

 
$
37,665

 
$
33,845

Natural gas liquids sales
 
102,076

 
66,260

 
(36,802
)
Total
 
123,458

 
103,925

 
(2,957
)
Losses on commodity price swap agreements related to purchases (2)
 
(85,294
)
 
(89,710
)
 
(27,234
)
Net gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements
 
$
38,164

 
$
14,215

 
$
(30,191
)
                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
Reported in affiliate natural gas, NGLs and condensate sales in the consolidated statements of income in the period in which the related sale is recorded.
(2) 
Reported in cost of product in the consolidated statements of income in the period in which the related purchase is recorded. 
    
Gas gathering and processing agreements. WES has significant gas gathering and processing arrangements with affiliates of Anadarko on a majority of its systems. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, 57%, 64% and 67%, respectively, of WES’s gathering, transportation and treating throughput (excluding equity investment throughput and volumes measured in barrels) was attributable to natural gas production owned or controlled by Anadarko. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, 56%, 59% and 64%, respectively, of WES’s processing throughput (excluding equity investment throughput and volumes measured in barrels) was attributable to natural gas production owned or controlled by Anadarko.

Gas purchase and sale agreements. WES sells substantially all of its natural gas, NGLs, and condensate to Anadarko Energy Services Company (“AESC”), Anadarko’s marketing affiliate. In addition, WES purchases natural gas from AESC pursuant to gas purchase agreements. WES’s gas purchase and sale agreements with AESC are generally one-year contracts, subject to annual renewal.

Omnibus agreements. Pursuant to the omnibus agreements discussed below, Anadarko performs centralized corporate functions for WGP and WES such as legal; accounting; treasury; cash management; investor relations; insurance administration and claims processing; risk management; health, safety and environmental; information technology; human resources; credit; payroll; internal audit; tax; marketing; and midstream administration.

WGP omnibus agreement. In connection with WGP’s IPO in December 2012, WGP entered into an omnibus agreement with WGP GP and Anadarko that governs the following: (i) WGP’s obligation to reimburse Anadarko for expenses incurred or payments made on WGP’s behalf in conjunction with Anadarko’s provision of general and administrative services to WGP, including public company expenses and general and administrative expenses; (ii) WGP’s 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) WGP’s obligation to reimburse Anadarko for all insurance coverage expenses it incurs or payments it makes with respect to our assets.
The following table summarizes the amounts WGP 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



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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (CONTINUED)

WES omnibus agreement. In connection with WES’s IPO in 2008, WES entered into an omnibus agreement with Anadarko and WES GP that governs its relationship regarding certain reimbursement and indemnification matters (the “WES omnibus agreement”).
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


Services and secondment agreement. Pursuant to the services and secondment agreement, specified employees of Anadarko are seconded to provide operating, routine maintenance and other services with respect to the assets owned and operated by WES under the direction, supervision and control of WES GP. Pursuant to the services and secondment agreement, WES reimburses Anadarko for services provided by the seconded employees. The initial term of the services and secondment agreement extends through May 2018 and the term will automatically extend for additional twelve-month periods unless either party provides 180 days written notice of termination before the applicable twelve-month period expires. The consolidated financial statements include costs allocated by Anadarko for expenses incurred under the services and secondment agreement for periods including and subsequent to the acquisition of the WES assets.

WGP tax sharing agreement. Prior to WGP’s conversion from WGR Holdings, LLC to a limited partnership in September 2012, WGP was a single-member limited liability company, required to reflect its income tax expense liability on a separate-return basis. Upon the completion of WGP’s IPO in December 2012, WGP became a partnership for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes and is therefore not subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes, except for Texas margin tax on the portion of WGP’s income apportionable to Texas. See Note 7.
In connection with WGP’s IPO in December 2012, WGP entered into a tax sharing agreement with Anadarko, pursuant to which WGP reimburses Anadarko for its estimated share of taxes from all forms of taxation, excluding taxes imposed by the United States, borne by Anadarko on WGP’s behalf as a result of WGP’s results being included in a combined or consolidated tax return filed by Anadarko with respect to periods including and subsequent to the closing date of the IPO. Anadarko may use its tax attributes to cause its combined or consolidated group, of which WGP may be a member for this purpose, to owe no tax. Nevertheless, WGP will be required to reimburse Anadarko for the estimated share of taxes that WGP would have owed had the attributes not been available or used for WGP’s benefit, regardless of whether Anadarko pays taxes for the period.

WES tax sharing agreement. Concurrently with WES’s IPO in 2008, WES entered into a tax sharing agreement, pursuant to which WES reimburses Anadarko for its estimated share of applicable state taxes.
These taxes include income taxes attributable to WES’s income which are directly borne by Anadarko through its filing of a combined or consolidated tax return with respect to periods beginning on and subsequent to the acquisition of the WES assets from Anadarko. Anadarko may use its own tax attributes to reduce or eliminate the tax liability of its combined or consolidated group, which may include WES as a member. However, under this circumstance, WES nevertheless is required to reimburse Anadarko for the allocable share of taxes that would have been owed had tax attributes not been available to Anadarko.


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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (CONTINUED)

WES long-term debt and WES RCF indemnification agreements. WES’s long-term debt is recourse to WES GP. In turn, WES GP has been indemnified by wholly owned subsidiaries of Anadarko for any claims made against WES GP under the indentures governing WES’s long-term debt or the WES RCF. See Note 11.

Allocation of costs. For periods prior to the acquisition of the WES assets, the consolidated financial statements include costs allocated by Anadarko in the form of a management services fee, which approximated the general and administrative costs incurred by Anadarko attributable to the WES assets. This management services fee was allocated to WES based on its proportionate share of Anadarko’s assets and revenues or other contractual arrangements. Management believes these allocation methodologies are reasonable.
The employees supporting WES’s operations are employees of Anadarko. Anadarko allocates costs to WES for its share of personnel costs, including costs associated with equity-based compensation plans, non-contributory defined pension and postretirement plans, defined contribution savings plan pursuant to the WES omnibus agreement and services and secondment agreement. In general, WES’s reimbursement to Anadarko under the WES omnibus agreement or services and secondment agreement is either (i) on an actual basis for direct expenses Anadarko and WES GP incur on behalf of WES, or (ii) based on an allocation of salaries and related employee benefits between WES, WES GP and Anadarko based on estimates of time spent on each entity’s business and affairs. Most general and administrative expenses charged to WES by Anadarko are attributed to WES on an actual basis, and do not include any mark-up or subsidy component. With respect to allocated costs, management believes the allocation method employed by Anadarko is reasonable. Although it is not practicable to determine what the amount of these direct and allocated costs would be if WES were to directly obtain these services, management believes that aggregate costs charged to WES by Anadarko are reasonable.

Equipment purchases and sales. The following table summarizes WES’s purchases from and sales to Anadarko of pipe and equipment:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
thousands
 
Purchases
 
Sales
Cash consideration
 
$
11,211

 
$
24,705

 
$
3,837

 
$
85

 
$
760

 
$
382

Net carrying value
 
5,309

 
8,009

 
1,998

 
38

 
393

 
316

Partners’ capital adjustment
 
$
5,902

 
$
16,696

 
$
1,839

 
$
47

 
$
367

 
$
66


Contributions in aid of construction costs from affiliates. During the fourth quarter of 2013, a subsidiary of Anadarko entered into an aid in construction agreement with WES, whereby WES will construct five receipt-point facilities at its Brasada system that will serve the Anadarko subsidiary. Such subsidiary will reimburse WES for costs associated with construction of the receipt points. These reimbursements are presented within the investing section of the consolidated statements of cash flows as “Contributions in aid of construction costs from affiliates.”

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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (CONTINUED)

Summary of affiliate transactions. Transactions with affiliates include revenue from affiliates, reimbursement of operating expenses and purchases of natural gas. The following table summarizes affiliate transactions, including transactions with Anadarko, its affiliates, WGP GP and WES GP:
 
 
Year ended December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Revenues (1)
 
$
805,526

 
$
688,026

 
$
647,419

Equity income, net
 
22,948

 
16,042

 
11,261

Cost of product (1)
 
129,045

 
145,250

 
83,722

Operation and maintenance (2)
 
56,435

 
51,237

 
51,339

General and administrative (3)
 
24,235

 
92,887

 
33,305

Operating expenses
 
209,715

 
289,374

 
168,366

Interest income, net (4)
 
16,900

 
16,900

 
24,106

Interest expense (5)
 

 
2,766

 
4,935

Distributions to WGP unitholders (6)
 
124,634

 

 

Distributions to WES unitholders (7)
 
755

 

 

Contributions from Anadarko as a Chipeta noncontrolling interest owner (8)
 

 
12,588

 
16,476

Distributions to Anadarko as a Chipeta noncontrolling interest owner (8)
 

 
6,528

 
9,437

                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
Represents amounts recognized under gathering, treating or processing agreements, and purchase and sale agreements.
(2) 
Represents expenses incurred on and subsequent to the date of the acquisition of WES assets, as well as expenses incurred by Anadarko on a historical basis related to WES assets prior to the acquisition of such assets by WES.
(3) 
Represents general and administrative expense incurred on and subsequent to the date of WES’s acquisition of WES assets, as well as a management services fee for reimbursement of expenses incurred by Anadarko for periods prior to the acquisition of WES assets by WES. These amounts include equity-based compensation expense allocated to WES by Anadarko (see Note 6) and amounts charged by Anadarko under the WGP omnibus agreement.
(4) 
Represents interest income recognized on the note receivable from Anadarko. For the year ended December 31, 2011, this line item also includes interest income, net 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 the aforementioned assets prior to their acquisition were entirely settled through an adjustment to net investment by Anadarko.
(5) 
For the year ended December 31, 2012, includes interest expense recognized on the WES note payable to Anadarko (see Note 11) and interest imputed on the reimbursement payable to Anadarko for certain expenditures Anadarko incurred in 2011 related to the construction of the Brasada facility and Lancaster plant. WES repaid the WES note payable to Anadarko in June 2012, and repaid the reimbursement payable to Anadarko related to the construction of the Brasada facility and Lancaster plant in the fourth quarter of 2012.
(6) 
Represents distributions paid under WGP’s partnership agreement.
(7) 
Represents distributions paid under WES’s partnership agreement (see Note 4).
(8) 
As described in Note 2, WES acquired the additional Chipeta interest on August 1, 2012, and accounted for the acquisition on a prospective basis. As such, contributions from noncontrolling interest owners and distributions to noncontrolling interest owners subsequent to the acquisition date no longer reflect contributions from or distributions to Anadarko.

Concentration of credit risk. Anadarko was the only customer from whom revenues exceeded 10% of consolidated revenues for all periods presented on the consolidated statements of income.
 

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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6.  EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

WGP LTIP. During the year ended December 31, 2013, WGP GP awarded 9,480 phantom units valued at a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $39.19 per common unit under the WGP LTIP to its independent directors, all of which were unvested at December 31, 2013. The phantom units awarded to the independent directors vest one year from the grant date. Compensation expense over the vesting period was $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2013, there was $27,000 of unrecognized compensation expense attributable to the outstanding independent director awards under the WGP LTIP, which will be realized by WGP and is expected to be recognized in one month.

WES LTIP. WES GP awards phantom units under the WES LTIP primarily to its independent directors and its Chief Executive Officer. The phantom units awarded to the independent directors vest one year from the grant date, while all other awards are subject to graded vesting over a three-year service period. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period and was $0.6 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, there was $0.6 million of unrecognized compensation expense attributable to the outstanding awards under the WES LTIP, of which $0.5 million will be realized by WES, and which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.
The following table summarizes WES LTIP award activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
 
Units
 
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
 
Units
 
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
 
Units
Phantom units outstanding at beginning of year
$
41.77

 
25,619

 
$
33.92

 
23,978

 
$
20.19

 
17,503

Vested
$
41.28

 
(14,695
)
 
$
33.20

 
(14,260
)
 
$
20.51

 
(15,119
)
Granted
$
62.49

 
5,920

 
$
45.91

 
15,901

 
$
35.66

 
21,594

Phantom units outstanding at end of year
$
49.47

 
16,844

 
$
41.77

 
25,619

 
$
33.92

 
23,978


WGP LTIP and Anadarko Incentive Plans. During the year ended December 31, 2013, WGP GP awarded 26,758 phantom units valued at a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $39.19 per common unit under the WGP LTIP to certain of its executive officers, all of which were unvested at December 31, 2013. These phantom unit awards are subject to graded vesting over a three-year service period. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, general and administrative expenses included $3.0 million, $3.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively, of equity-based compensation expense, allocated to WES by Anadarko, for awards granted to the executive officers of WES GP and other employees under the WGP LTIP and Anadarko Incentive Plans. Of these amounts, $2.9 million, $3.2 million and $1.0 million are reflected as a contribution to partners’ capital in the consolidated statements of equity and partners’ capital for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, $5.5 million of estimated unrecognized compensation expense attributable to the WGP LTIP and Anadarko Incentive Plans (excluding performance-based awards) will be allocated to WES over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years.
During the fourth quarter of 2011, $9.7 million was recorded to partners’ capital in the consolidated financial statements related to accumulated compensation expense attributable to the Anadarko Incentive Plans that was allocated to WES by Anadarko.


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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6.  EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION (CONTINUED)

The Incentive Plan. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, general and administrative expenses included $68.8 million and $11.4 million, respectively, of compensation expense for grants of Unit Value Rights (“UVRs”), Unit Appreciation Rights (“UARs”) and Distribution Equivalent Rights (“DERs”) under the Incentive Plan to certain executive officers of WES GP as a component of their compensation, which was allocated to WES by Anadarko.
Under the terms of the Incentive Plan, the value of a UAR was equal to an amount calculated by dividing the “determined value” (defined below) by 1,000,000, less the applicable UAR exercise price. Prior to WGP’s IPO in December 2012, the value of awards issued under the Incentive Plan were revised periodically based on the estimated fair value of WES GP using a discounted cash flow estimate and multiples-valuation terminal value. UARs outstanding under the Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2011 were valued at $634.00 per UAR.
Anadarko and the Incentive Plan participants entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (the “MOU”) that, among other things, confirmed the intent and the understanding that WGP’s IPO resulted in the vesting of all unvested Incentive Plan awards and that the value of WES’s common units held by WGP prior to its IPO would not be considered in the valuation of the Incentive Plan awards.
WGP’s IPO and concurrent execution of the MOU triggered the exercise of all outstanding UARs and lump-sum cash payments (less any applicable withholding taxes) to plan participants equal to the value of each award, less its exercise price, if applicable. Pursuant to the MOU, the “determined value” was defined as equal to the aggregate WGP equity value, as determined using the market price of WGP based on the IPO price of WGP’s common units, reduced by the market value of WES’s common units owned by WGP prior to its IPO (based on the closing price of WGP’s common units on the day of the pricing of the IPO). Awards outstanding under the Incentive Plan at the time of WGP’s IPO (and the effective termination of the Incentive Plan) were valued at $2,745.00 per UAR and $12.00 per DER. Outstanding UVRs that vested concurrent with WGP’s IPO were cash-settled at their grant-date fair value.
In addition to the execution of the MOU, WGP, WES GP and Anadarko entered into a contribution agreement whereby cash, in an amount equal to the aggregate cash payment required to settle all outstanding awards, was contributed to WES GP by Anadarko. The cash payments made in connection with WGP’s IPO and the vesting, exercise and settlement of all outstanding awards under the Incentive Plan as described above, impacted WGP’s cash flows to the extent compensation expense was allocated to WES since the inception of the Incentive Plan. The compensation expense allocated to WES since the inception of the Incentive Plan, and subsequently contributed by Anadarko during the fourth quarter of 2012, was recorded to partners’ capital in the consolidated financial statements.
The following table summarizes Incentive Plan award activity for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:
 
 
UVRs
 
UARs
 
DERs
Outstanding at December 31, 2011
 
14,691

 
75,369

 
75,369

Vested and settled (1)
 
(14,691
)
 
(75,369
)
 
(75,369
)
Outstanding at December 31, 2012
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average intrinsic per-unit value as of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2011 (2)
 
$
65.24

 
$
579.54

 
$

December 31, 2012 (3)
 
$
65.24

 
$
2,690.47

 
$
11.93

                                                                                                                                                                                   
(1)
UARs and DERs remained outstanding upon vesting until they were settled in cash, forfeited, or expired. As of December 31, 2011, 60,678 of the outstanding UARs and 3,334 of the DERs were vested.
(2)
The DERs had no attributed value since WES GP had not declared or paid distributions.
(3)
As discussed above, all awards then outstanding under the Incentive Plan were settled upon the closing of WGP’s IPO.


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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

7.  INCOME TAXES

The components of income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Current income tax expense (benefit)
 
 
 
 
 
Federal income tax expense (benefit)
$
(30,222
)
 
$
48,223

 
$
64,959

State income tax expense
636

 
2,924

 
4,560

Total current income tax expense (benefit)
(29,586
)
 
51,147

 
69,519

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
 
 
 
 
 
Federal income tax expense (benefit)
32,930

 
(9,144
)
 
(13,464
)
State income tax expense (benefit)
(1,039
)
 
6,881

 
2,741

Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)
31,891

 
(2,263
)
 
(10,723
)
Total income tax expense
$
2,305

 
$
48,884

 
$
58,796


Total income taxes differed from the amounts computed by applying the statutory income tax rate to income before income taxes. The sources of these differences are as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands except percentages
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Income before income taxes
$
284,183

 
$
169,441

 
$
239,011

Statutory tax rate
%
 
%
 
%
Tax computed at statutory rate
$

 
$

 
$

Adjustments resulting from:
 
 
 
 
 
Non-deductible goodwill

 

 
1,484

Federal taxes on income attributable to Anadarko’s investment in WES
3,043

 
41,557

 
23,872

State taxes on income attributable to Anadarko’s investment in WES (net of federal benefit)
621

 
6,069

 
1,290

Federal taxes on income attributable to WES assets pre-acquisition

 

 
29,502

State taxes on income attributable to WES assets pre-acquisition (net of federal benefit)

 

 
1,984

Texas margin tax expense (benefit)
(1,359
)
 
1,258

 
664

Income tax expense
$
2,305

 
$
48,884

 
$
58,796

Effective tax rate
1
%
 
29
%
 
25
%

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:
 
December 31,
thousands
2013
 
2012
Credit carryforwards
$
14

 
$
14

Net current deferred income tax assets
14

 
14

Depreciable property
(38,528
)
 
(47,554
)
Credit carryforwards
527

 
541

Other
3

 
(136
)
Net long-term deferred income tax liabilities
(37,998
)
 
(47,149
)
Total net deferred income tax liabilities
$
(37,984
)
 
$
(47,135
)

Credit carryforwards, which are available for use on future income tax returns, consist of $0.5 million of state income tax credits that expire in 2026.

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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

8.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

A summary of the historical cost of property, plant and equipment is as follows:
 
 
 
 
December 31,
thousands
 
Estimated Useful Life
 
2013
 
2012
Land
 
n/a
 
$
2,584

 
$
501

Gathering systems
 
3 to 47 years
 
3,673,008

 
2,911,572

Pipelines and equipment
 
15 to 45 years
 
146,008

 
91,126

Assets under construction
 
n/a
 
405,633

 
422,002

Other
 
3 to 40 years
 
11,867

 
7,191

Total property, plant and equipment
 
 
 
4,239,100

 
3,432,392

Accumulated depreciation
 
 
 
855,845

 
714,436

Net property, plant and equipment
 
 
 
$
3,383,255

 
$
2,717,956


The cost of property classified as “Assets under construction” is excluded from capitalized costs being depreciated. These amounts represent property that is not yet suitable to be placed into productive service as of the respective balance sheet date.
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 and an impairment of $0.6 million 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 (see Note 2) expansion project, were deemed no longer recoverable as the expansion project was indefinitely postponed. Also during 2011, following an evaluation of estimated 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.

9.  COMPONENTS OF WORKING CAPITAL

A summary of other current assets is as follows: 
 
 
December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
Natural gas liquids inventory
 
$
2,584

 
$
1,678

Natural gas imbalance receivables
 
3,605

 
1,663

Prepaid insurance
 
2,900

 
1,897

Other
 
1,710

 
1,760

Total other current assets
 
$
10,799

 
$
6,998



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

9.  COMPONENTS OF WORKING CAPITAL (CONTINUED)

A summary of accrued liabilities is as follows:
 
 
December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
Accrued capital expenditures
 
$
94,750

 
$
112,311

Accrued plant purchases
 
21,396

 
16,350

Accrued interest expense
 
18,119

 
15,868

Short-term asset retirement obligations
 
1,966

 
1,711

Short-term remediation and reclamation obligations
 
562

 
799

Other
 
1,241

 
1,561

Total accrued liabilities
 
$
138,034

 
$
148,600


10.  ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

The following table provides a summary of changes in asset retirement obligations:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
Carrying amount of asset retirement obligations at beginning of year
 
$
66,723

 
$
64,345

Liabilities incurred
 
14,143

 
9,414

Liabilities settled
 
(1,943
)
 
(786
)
Accretion expense
 
4,326

 
4,270

Revisions in estimated liabilities
 
(5,214
)
 
(10,520
)
Carrying amount of asset retirement obligations at end of year
 
$
78,035

 
$
66,723


Revisions in estimated liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2013, related primarily to the change in the estimated timing of settling asset retirement obligations at the Wattenberg system. The liabilities incurred for the year ended December 31, 2013, represented the increase in the capital expansion at the Wattenberg and Hilight systems and the June 2013 completion of the Brasada facility.
Revisions in estimated liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2012, related primarily to the change in the estimated timing of settling asset retirement obligations at the Wattenberg system. The liabilities incurred for the year ended December 31, 2012, represented the increase in asset retirement obligations primarily related to the capital expansion at the Wattenberg system.



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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

11.  DEBT AND INTEREST EXPENSE

The following table presents outstanding debt as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
thousands
 
Principal
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Principal
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value (1)
4.000% Senior Notes due 2022
 
$
670,000

 
$
673,278

 
$
641,237

 
$
670,000

 
$
673,617

 
$
669,928

5.375% Senior Notes due 2021
 
500,000

 
495,173

 
533,615

 
500,000

 
494,661

 
499,946

2.600% Senior Notes due 2018
 
250,000

 
249,718

 
247,988

 

 

 

Total debt outstanding
 
$
1,420,000

 
$
1,418,169

 
$
1,422,840

 
$
1,170,000

 
$
1,168,278

 
$
1,169,874

                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
Fair value is measured using Level 2 inputs.

Debt activity. The following table presents the debt activity for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
thousands
 
Carrying Value
Balance as of December 31, 2011
 
$
669,178

WES revolving credit facility borrowings
 
374,000

Issuance of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2022
 
670,000

Repayment of WES revolving credit facility
 
(374,000
)
Repayment of WES note payable to Anadarko
 
(175,000
)
WES revolving credit facility borrowings - Swingline
 
20,000

WES repayment of revolving credit facility - Swingline
 
(20,000
)
Other
 
4,100

Balance as of December 31, 2012
 
$
1,168,278

WES revolving credit facility borrowings
 
710,000

Repayments of WES revolving credit facility
 
(710,000
)
Issuance of 2.600% Senior Notes due 2018
 
250,000

Other
 
(109
)
Balance as of December 31, 2013
 
$
1,418,169


WES Senior Notes. In August 2013, WES completed the offering of $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.600% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “2018 Notes”) 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 WES’s $800.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility (“WES RCF”).
The 2018 Notes mature on August 15, 2018, unless earlier redeemed. WES 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.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

11.  DEBT AND INTEREST EXPENSE (CONTINUED)

In June 2012, WES completed the offering of $520.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2022. In October 2012, WES issued an additional $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2022. 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.”
In May 2011, WES completed the offering of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”). The indentures governing the 2021 Notes, the 2022 Notes, and the 2018 Notes contain customary events of default. At December 31, 2013, WES was in compliance with all covenants under the indentures governing the 2021 Notes, 2022 Notes, and the 2018 Notes.

Interest rate agreements. In May 2012, WES entered into U.S. Treasury Rate lock agreements to mitigate the risk of rising interest rates prior to the issuance of the 2022 Notes. WES settled the rate lock agreements simultaneously with the June 2012 offering of the 2022 Notes, realizing a loss of $1.7 million, which is included in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of income.
In March 2011, WES entered into a forward-starting interest-rate swap agreement to mitigate the risk of rising interest rates prior to the issuance of the 2021 Notes. In May 2011, WES issued the 2021 Notes and terminated the swap agreement, realizing a loss of $1.9 million, which is included in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of income.

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 WES note payable to Anadarko was repaid in full with proceeds from the June 2012 offering of the 2022 Notes.

WES revolving credit facility. In March 2011, WES entered into the amended and restated $800.0 million senior unsecured WES RCF and borrowed $250.0 million under the WES RCF to repay the WES Wattenberg term loan (described below). The WES RCF amended and restated a $450.0 million credit facility, which was originally entered into in October 2009. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the interest rate on the WES RCF was 1.67% and 1.71%, 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 its senior unsecured debt rating. The facility fee rate was 0.25% at December 31, 2013 and 2012. See Note 13.
As of December 31, 2013, WES had no outstanding borrowings, $12.8 million in outstanding letters of credit issued and $787.2 million available for borrowing under the WES RCF. At December 31, 2013, WES was in compliance with all covenants under the WES RCF.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

11.  DEBT AND INTEREST EXPENSE (CONTINUED)

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, WGRI, against any claims made against WES GP under the 2022 Notes, the 2021 Notes, and/or the WES RCF. See Note 2 and Note 13 for a discussion of amendments to the RCF and borrowing activity under the new RCF in March 2014, related to acquisitions which 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.

WGP working capital facility. On November 1, 2012, WGP entered into a $30.0 million working capital facility (the “WGP WCF”) with Anadarko as the lender. The facility is available exclusively to fund WGP’s 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.
WGP is 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, WGP had no outstanding borrowings under the WGP WCF, and WGP was in compliance with all covenants under the WGP WCF.

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 (“Wattenberg term loan”). The 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 Wattenberg term loan agreement. WES repaid the 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.


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WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

11.  DEBT AND INTEREST EXPENSE (CONTINUED)

Interest expense. The following table summarizes the amounts included in interest expense:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
thousands
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Third parties
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense on long-term debt
 
$
59,293

 
$
41,171

 
$
20,533

Amortization of debt issuance costs and commitment fees (1)
 
4,449

 
4,319

 
5,297

Capitalized interest
 
(11,945
)
 
(6,196
)
 
(420
)
Total interest expense – third parties
 
51,797

 
39,294

 
25,410

Affiliates
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense on WES note payable to Anadarko (2)
 

 
2,440

 
4,935

Interest expense on affiliate balances (3)
 

 
326

 

Total interest expense – affiliates
 

 
2,766

 
4,935

Interest expense
 
$
51,797

 
$
42,060

 
$
30,345

                                                                                                                                                                                    
(1) 
For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, includes $1.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively, of amortization of (i) the original issue discount for the June 2012 offering of the 2022 Notes, partially offset by the original issue premium for the October 2012 offering of the 2022 Notes, (ii) original issue discount for the 2021 Notes and (iii) underwriters’ fees. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2013, includes the amortization of the original issue discount and underwriters’ fees for the 2018 Notes of $0.2 million. For the year ended December 31, 2011, includes $0.5 million of amortization of the original issue discount and underwriters’ fees for the 2021 Notes.
(2) 
In June 2012, the WES note payable to Anadarko was repaid in full. See WES note payable to Anadarko within this Note 11.
(3) 
Imputed interest expense on the reimbursement payable to Anadarko for certain expenditures Anadarko 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.

12.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Environmental obligations. WGP, through its partnership interest 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. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, asset retirement obligations and other on the consolidated balance sheets included a $1.9 million long-term liability for remediation and reclamation obligations. The recorded obligations do not include any anticipated insurance recoveries. The majority of payments related to these obligations are expected to be made over the next five years. Management regularly monitors the remediation and reclamation process and the liabilities recorded and believes its environmental obligations are adequate to fund remedial actions to comply with present laws and regulations, and that the ultimate liability for these matters, if any, will not differ materially from recorded amounts nor materially affect the overall results of operations, cash flows or financial condition of WGP. There can be no assurance, however, that current regulatory requirements will not change, or past non-compliance with environmental issues will not be discovered. See Note 9.

Litigation and legal proceedings. In March 2011, DCP Midstream LP (“DCP”) filed a lawsuit against Anadarko and others, including a subsidiary of WES, Kerr-McGee Gathering LLC, in Weld County District Court (the “Court”) in Colorado, alleging that Anadarko diverted gas from DCP’s gathering and processing facilities in breach of certain dedication agreements. In addition to various claims against Anadarko, DCP is claiming unjust enrichment and other damages against Kerr-McGee Gathering LLC, the entity which holds the Wattenberg assets. Anadarko countersued DCP asserting that DCP has not properly allocated values and charges to Anadarko for the gas that DCP gathers and/or processes, and seeks a judgment that DCP has no valid gathering or processing rights to much of the gas production it is claiming, in addition to other claims.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

12.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)

In July 2011, the Court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss without ruling on the merits and the case is in the discovery phase. Trial is set for April 2014. Management does not believe the outcome of this proceeding will have a material effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of WGP. WES intends to vigorously defend this litigation. Furthermore, without regard to the merit of DCP’s claims, management believes that WES has adequate contractual indemnities covering the claims against it in this lawsuit.
In addition, from time to time, WGP, through its partnership interests in WES, is involved in legal, tax, regulatory and other proceedings in various forums regarding performance, contracts and other matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. Management is not aware of any such proceeding for which a final disposition could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of WGP.

Other commitments. WES has short-term payment obligations, or commitments, related to its capital spending programs, as well as those of its unconsolidated affiliates. As of December 31, 2013, WES had unconditional payment obligations for services to be rendered or products to be delivered in connection with its capital projects of $47.1 million, the majority of which is expected to be paid in the next twelve months. These commitments relate primarily to the continued construction of the Lancaster plant and an expansion project at the Fort Lupton compressor station in the Wattenberg system.

Lease commitments. Anadarko, on WES’s behalf, has entered into lease agreements for corporate offices, shared field offices and a warehouse supporting WES’s operations. The leases for the corporate offices and shared field offices extend through 2017 and 2018, respectively, and the lease for the warehouse extends through February 2014 and includes an early termination clause.
Rent expense associated with the office, warehouse and equipment leases was $2.8 million, $3.0 million and $4.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The amounts in the table below represent existing contractual operating lease obligations as of December 31, 2013, that may be assigned or otherwise charged to WES pursuant to the reimbursement provisions of the WES omnibus agreement:
thousands
Operating Leases
2014
$
309

2015
245

2016
233

2017
157

2018
34

Thereafter

Total
$
978



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

13.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Effective February 12, 2014, Anthony R. Chase resigned as a director of WES GP due to his appointment to the board of directors of Anadarko. In connection with his resignation and in recognition of his service, WES GP’s board of directors accelerated the vesting of 1,280 phantom units held by Mr. Chase. Also effective February 12, 2014, Steven D. Arnold was appointed to the WES GP’s board of directors as an independent director and member of the audit committee and special committee of WES GP’s board of directors.
On February 26, 2014, WES entered into a five-year senior unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “2014 WES RCF”), amending and restating the WES RCF, which was originally entered into in March 2011 and had an outstanding balance of $60.0 million immediately prior to closing on the 2014 WES RCF. The aggregate initial commitments of the 2014 WES RCF lenders are $1.2 billion and are expandable to a maximum of $1.5 billion. The 2014 WES RCF matures on February 26, 2019, and bears interest at LIBOR, plus applicable margins ranging from 0.975% to 1.45%, 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 zero to 0.45%, based on WES’s senior unsecured debt rating. WES is required to pay a quarterly facility fee ranging from 0.15% to 0.30% of the commitment amount (whether used or unused), also based upon its senior unsecured debt rating. As of February 26, 2014, there was $60.0 million outstanding on the 2014 RCF, drawn to repay amounts that were outstanding on the RCF upon WES entering into the 2014 RCF.
Refer to Note 2 for a description of the TEFR Interests acquisition on March 3, 2014. In connection with the TEFR Interests acquisition, WES GP and another wholly owned subsidiary of Anadarko entered into an indemnification agreement (the “TEFR Indemnification Agreement”) whereby such subsidiary will indemnify WES GP for any recourse liability it may have for 2014 WES RCF borrowings, or other debt financing, attributable to the TEFR Interests acquisition. WES GP and WGRI also amended and restated the existing indemnity agreement between them (as discussed in Note 11) to reduce the amount for which WGRI would indemnify WES GP by an amount equal to any amounts payable to WES GP under the TEFR Indemnification Agreement. WES GP and another wholly owned subsidiary of Anadarko also amended and restated the 2013 Indemnification Agreement (as discussed in Note 11) primarily to conform language among all the indemnity agreements with WES GP.


39


WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
SUPPLEMENTAL QUARTERLY INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED)

The following table presents a summary of operating results by quarter for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. Operating results reflect the operations of the WES assets (as defined in Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) from the dates of common control, unless otherwise noted, and have been recast to include results attributable to the TEFR Interests, as applicable. 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.
thousands except per-unit amounts
First
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
225,766

 
$
251,402

 
$
273,502

 
$
279,093

Equity income
$
3,968

 
$
3,456

 
$
4,520

 
$
11,004

Operating income
$
62,758

 
$
68,938

 
$
89,524

 
$
95,925

Net income
$
51,733

 
$
60,949

 
$
81,223

 
$
87,973

Net income attributable to Western Gas Equity Partners, LP
$
32,372

 
$
34,527

 
$
44,444

 
$
48,362

Net income per common unit – basic and diluted (1)
$
0.12

 
$
0.16

 
$
0.20

 
$
0.22

2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
221,063

 
$
216,975

 
$
230,931

 
$
225,507

Equity income
$
3,617

 
$
3,331

 
$
3,758

 
$
5,336

Operating income (2)
$
67,225

 
$
59,276

 
$
61,267

 
$
6,541

Net income (loss) (2)
$
45,632

 
$
39,745

 
$
40,872

 
$
(5,692
)
Net income attributable to Western Gas Equity Partners, LP (2)
$
17,058

 
$
18,666

 
$
19,267

 
$
6,385

Net income per common unit – basic and diluted (1) (2) (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.01

                                                                                                                                                                                   
(1)
Represents net income earned on and subsequent to the acquisition of the WES assets (as defined in 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).
(2) 
During the fourth quarter of 2012, WES was allocated $54.9 million of general and administrative expenses from Anadarko associated with the Incentive Plan (as defined and described in Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and further 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).
(3) 
There was no limited partners’ interest in net income prior to WGP’s IPO on December 12, 2012. See Note 4—Equity and Partners’ Capital 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.


40

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Attachment: XBRL INSTANCE DOCUMENT


wgp-20140827.xsd
Attachment: XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT


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Attachment: XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT


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Attachment: XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT


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Attachment: XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT


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Attachment: XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT