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Section 1: 8-K (8-K)

Document


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 6, 2019

Westlake Chemical Partners LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
001-36567
 
32-0436529
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

2801 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600
Houston, Texas
 
77056
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (713) 585-2900

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:

¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common units representing limited partnership interests
WLKP
The New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
 
Emerging growth company ◻
 




If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻


 






Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On August 6, 2019, Westlake Chemical Partners LP (the "Partnership") issued a press release announcing its 2019 second quarter results. A copy of the press release is furnished with this Current Report as Exhibit 99.1.
The information furnished pursuant to this Current Report, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and will not be incorporated by reference into any filing by Westlake Chemical Partners LP under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, unless specifically identified as being incorporated therein.
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
The Partnership is holding a conference call on August 6, 2019 to discuss its 2019 second quarter results. Information about the call can be found in the press release furnished with this Current Report as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
The following exhibit is furnished herewith:
99.1    Press release issued on August 6, 2019.





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.

 
 
 
 
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
 
 
 
 
By: Westlake Chemical Partners GP LLC
Date:
August 6, 2019
 
By:
/S/ ALBERT CHAO
 
 
 
 
Albert Chao
President and Chief Executive Officer







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Section 2: EX-99.1 (EXHIBIT 99.1)

Exhibit


EXHIBIT 99.1
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP

Contact—(713) 585-2900
Investors—Steve Bender
Media—L. Benjamin Ederington


 

Westlake Chemical Partners LP Announces Second Quarter 2019 Results
•Quarterly net income attributable to the Partnership of $13.7 million; MLP distributable cash flow of $16.4 million
•Increased quarterly cash distribution by 2.9% sequentially, or 12% compared to the second quarter 2018 distribution, to $0.4579 per unit, the 18th consecutive quarterly increase in distributions
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Westlake Chemical Partners LP (NYSE: WLKP) (the "Partnership") today reported net income attributable to the Partnership of $13.7 million, or $0.39 per limited partner unit, for the three months ended June 30, 2019, an increase of $0.9 million compared to second quarter 2018 net income attributable to the Partnership of $12.8 million. The increase in net income attributable to the Partnership was primarily due to the Partnership's increased ownership interest in Westlake Chemical OpCo LP ("OpCo"), partially offset by lower margins on third party sales and one-time costs associated with the acquisition of an incremental interest in OpCo. Cash flows from operating activities in the second quarter of 2019 were $100.2 million, a decrease of $14.2 million compared to second quarter 2018 cash flows from operating activities of $114.4 million. This decrease was primarily attributable to lower margins on third party sales and an increase in working capital. For the three months ended June 30, 2019, MLP distributable cash flow of $16.4 million increased by $0.4 million from second quarter 2018 MLP distributable cash flow of $16.0 million. This increase was primarily due to the increased ownership interest in OpCo, partially offset by the timing of maintenance capital expenditures and one-time costs associated with the acquisition of incremental interest in OpCo.
Second quarter 2019 net income attributable to the Partnership of $13.7 million decreased by $1.3 million from first quarter 2019 net income attributable to the Partnership of $15.0 million, primarily due to one-time costs associated with the acquisition of incremental interest in OpCo and higher interest expense, partially offset by higher production at OpCo. Second quarter 2019 cash flows from operating activities of $100.2 million decreased by $13.3 million compared to first quarter 2019 cash flows from operating activities of $113.5 million, primarily due to an increase in working capital, partially offset by higher production volumes at OpCo. Second quarter 2019 MLP distributable cash flow of $16.4 million decreased by $1.2 million compared to first quarter 2019 MLP distributable cash flow of $17.6 million, primarily due to one-time costs associated with the acquisition of incremental interest in OpCo and higher interest expense, partially offset by higher production at OpCo.
Net income attributable to the Partnership of $28.7 million, or $0.85 per limited partner unit, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 increased by $3.6 million compared to the first six months of 2018 net income attributable to the Partnership of $25.1 million. The increase in net income attributable to the Partnership as compared to the prior-year period was due to the Partnership's increased ownership interest in OpCo and increased production at OpCo, partially offset by lower margins on third party sales, the timing of maintenance capital expenditures and expenses associated with the acquisition of incremental interest in OpCo. Cash flows from operating activities in the first six months of 2019 were $213.7 million, a decrease of $6.9 million compared to the first six months of 2018 cash flows from operating activities of $220.6 million. This decrease was due to lower margins on third party sales, partially offset by a decrease in working capital. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, MLP distributable cash flow of $34.0 million increased by $3.5 million compared to the first six months of 2018 MLP distributable cash flow of $30.5 million. The increase in MLP distributable cash flow as compared to the prior-year period was due to the Partnership's increased ownership in OpCo and higher production, partially offset by the timing of maintenance capital expenditures and one-time costs associated with the acquisition of an incremental interest in OpCo.

i


On March 27, 2019, the Board of Directors of Westlake Chemical Partners GP LLC announced that it had agreed to acquire an additional 4.5% limited partner interest in OpCo on a fully diluted basis for approximately $201.4 million. The Partnership financed the acquisition with borrowings under its revolving credit facility and the proceeds of a private placement of 2,940,818 common units. The acquisition increased the Partnership's limited partner interest in OpCo to approximately 22.8% and represented the third purchase of additional interests in OpCo by the Partnership since the Partnership's initial public offering. The acquisition was effective January 1, 2019 and was immediately accretive to the Partnership's distributable cash flow.
On July 31, 2019, the Board of Directors of Westlake Chemical Partners GP LLC announced a quarterly distribution with respect to the second quarter of 2019 of $0.4579 per unit to be payable on August 26, 2019 to unitholders of record as of August 12, 2019. The second quarter 2019 distribution increased by 12% compared to the second quarter 2018 distribution and by 2.9% compared to the first quarter 2018 distribution. MLP distributable cash flow provided trailing twelve-month coverage of 1.07x the declared distributions for the second quarter of 2019.
OpCo's Ethylene Sales Agreement with Westlake is designed to provide for stable and predictable cash flows. The agreement provides that 95% of OpCo's ethylene production is sold to Westlake for a cash margin of $0.10 per pound, net of operating costs, maintenance capital expenditures and reserves for future turnaround expenditures.
"Anchored by strong production volumes and with the acquisition of incremental interest in OpCo at the beginning of the year, we expect solid performance in the second half of the year," said Albert Chao, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This quarter we increased our distribution for the eighteenth consecutive quarter, delivering sustained value to our unitholders. We are continuing to evaluate all opportunities available to us, including growth through acquisition and margin expansion, as a means to further grow our cash flows and maintain a path of long-term distribution growth to our unitholders."
The statements in this release and the related teleconference relating to matters that are not historical facts, such as those with respect to performance in the second half of 2019 and the potential for future growth of cash flows and distributions, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially, based on factors including, but not limited to, operating difficulties; the volume of ethylene that we are able to sell; the price at which we are able to sell ethylene; changes in the price and availability of feedstocks; changes in prevailing economic conditions; actions of Westlake Chemical Corporation; actions of third parties; inclement or hazardous weather conditions, including flooding, and the physical impacts of climate change; environmental hazards; changes in laws and regulations (or the interpretation thereof); inability to acquire or maintain necessary permits; inability to obtain necessary production equipment or replacement parts; technical difficulties or failures; labor disputes; difficulty collecting receivables; inability of our customers to take delivery; fires, explosions or other industrial accidents; our ability to borrow funds and access capital markets; and other risk factors. For more detailed information about the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, please refer to the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, which was filed with the SEC in March 2019.
This release is intended to be a qualified notice under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b). Brokers and nominees should treat one hundred percent (100.0%) of the Partnership's distributions to non-U.S. investors as being attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, the Partnership's distributions to non-U.S. investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate.


ii


Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The body of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States is commonly referred to as "GAAP." For this purpose, a non-GAAP financial measure is generally defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") as a numerical measure of a registrant's historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that (1) excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statement of income, balance sheet or statement of cash flows (or equivalent statements) of the registrant; or (2) includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the most directly comparable measure so calculated and presented. The non-GAAP financial measures described in this Form 10-Q are not substitutes for the GAAP measures of earnings and cash flows. We use each of MLP distributable cash flow and EBITDA to analyze our performance. We define distributable cash flow as net income plus depreciation, amortization and disposition of property, plant and equipment, less contributions for turnaround reserves, maintenance capital expenditures and mark-to-market adjustment on derivative contracts. We define MLP distributable cash flow as distributable cash flow less distributable cash flow attributable to Westlake's noncontrolling interest in OpCo and distributions attributable to the incentive distribution rights holder. MLP distributable cash flow does not reflect changes in working capital balances. We define EBITDA as net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. MLP distributable cash flow and EBITDA are non-GAAP supplemental financial measures that management and external users of our consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies, may use to assess our operating performance as compared to other publicly traded partnerships, our ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures, and the viability of acquisitions and other capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various investment opportunities. We believe that the presentation of MLP distributable cash flow and EBITDA provides useful information to investors in assessing our financial condition and results of operations. The GAAP measures most directly comparable to MLP distributable cash flow are net income and net cash provided by operating activities. MLP distributable cash flow should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP net income or net cash provided by operating activities. MLP distributable cash flow has important limitations as an analytical tool because it excludes some but not all items that affect net income and net cash provided by operating activities. The GAAP measures most directly comparable to EBITDA are net income, income from operations and net cash provided by operating activities, but EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to such GAAP measures. EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool because it excludes (1) interest expense, which is a necessary element of our costs and ability to generate revenues because we have borrowed money to finance our operations, (2) depreciation, which is a necessary element of our costs and ability to generate revenues because we use capital assets and (3) income taxes, which is a necessary element of our operations in the jurisdictions we operate in. MLP distributable cash flow and EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.
Westlake Chemical Partners LP
Westlake Chemical Partners is a limited partnership formed by Westlake Chemical Corporation to operate, acquire and develop ethylene production facilities and other qualified assets. Headquartered in Houston, the Partnership owns an 22.8% interest in Westlake Chemical OpCo LP. Westlake Chemical OpCo LP's assets consist of three ethylene production facilities in Calvert City, Kentucky, and Lake Charles, Louisiana and an ethylene pipeline. For more information about Westlake Chemical Partners LP, please visit http://www.wlkpartners.com.
Westlake Chemical Partners LP Conference Call Information:
A conference call to discuss Westlake Chemical Partners' second quarter 2019 results will be held Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time (11:00 AM Central Time). To access the conference call, dial (855) 765-5686 or (234) 386-2848 for international callers, approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and reference passcode 219 92 32.
A replay of the conference call will be available beginning two hours after its conclusion until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 13, 2019. To hear a replay, dial (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406 for international callers. The replay passcode is 219 92 32.
The conference call will also be available via webcast at: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/puc8ymnz and the earnings release can be obtained via the Partnership web page at: http://investors.wlkpartners.com/CorporateProfile.


iii



WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP ("WESTLAKE PARTNERS")
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands of dollars, except per unit data)
Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales—Westlake Chemical Corporation ("Westlake")
 
$
230,047

 
$
253,673

 
$
487,087

 
$
488,704

Net co-product, ethylene and other sales—third parties
 
40,015

 
48,302

 
82,061

 
97,543

Total net sales
 
270,062

 
301,975

 
569,148

 
586,247

Cost of sales
 
178,104

 
204,857

 
386,536

 
396,624

Gross profit
 
91,958

 
97,118

 
182,612

 
189,623

Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
7,639

 
7,375

 
14,612

 
14,508

Income from operations
 
84,319

 
89,743

 
168,000

 
175,115

Other income (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense—Westlake
 
(5,125
)
 
(5,547
)
 
(11,025
)
 
(10,413
)
Other income, net
 
1,153

 
583

 
1,968

 
1,074

Income before income taxes
 
80,347

 
84,779

 
158,943

 
165,776

Income tax provision
 
237

 
303

 
437

 
586

Net income
 
80,110

 
84,476

 
158,506

 
165,190

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in Westlake Chemical OpCo LP ("OpCo")
 
66,377

 
71,719

 
129,818

 
140,138

Net income attributable to Westlake Partners
 
$
13,733

 
$
12,757

 
$
28,688

 
$
25,052

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per limited partners unit attributable to Westlake Partners (basic and diluted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common units
 
$
0.39

 
$
0.40

 
$
0.85

 
$
0.75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions declared per unit
 
$
0.4579

 
$
0.4088

 
$
0.9031

 
$
0.8063

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MLP distributable cash flow
 
$
16,422

 
$
15,966

 
$
33,977

 
$
30,476

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions declared
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Limited partner units—publicly and privately held
 
$
9,646

 
$
7,406

 
$
19,025

 
$
14,607

Limited partner units—Westlake
 
6,467

 
5,773

 
12,754

 
11,386

Incentive distribution rights
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
733

Total distributions declared
 
$
16,113

 
$
13,179

 
$
31,779

 
$
26,726

EBITDA
 
$
112,329

 
$
117,912

 
$
223,669

 
$
231,473


iv



WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 
 
June 30,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands of dollars)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
17,473

 
$
19,744

Receivable under the Investment Management Agreement—Westlake Chemical Corporation ("Westlake")
 
141,327

 
148,956

Accounts receivable, net—Westlake
 
38,995

 
57,280

Accounts receivable, net—third parties
 
20,435

 
16,404

Inventories
 
4,029

 
4,388

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
95

 
370

Total current assets
 
222,354

 
247,142

Property, plant and equipment, net
 
1,129,083

 
1,148,265

Other assets, net
 
59,467

 
66,718

Total assets
 
$
1,410,904

 
$
1,462,125

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities (accounts payable and accrued liabilities)
 
$
36,313

 
$
48,772

Long-term debt payable to Westlake
 
399,674

 
477,608

Other liabilities
 
2,803

 
1,664

Total liabilities
 
438,790

 
528,044

Common unitholders—publicly and privately held
 
471,944

 
409,608

Common unitholder—Westlake
 
48,419

 
48,774

General partner—Westlake
 
(242,572
)
 
(242,572
)
Total Westlake Partners partners' capital
 
277,791

 
215,810

Noncontrolling interest in OpCo
 
694,323

 
718,271

Total equity
 
972,114

 
934,081

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
1,410,904

 
$
1,462,125


v



WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands of dollars)
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
158,506

 
$
165,190

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
53,701

 
55,284

Other balance sheet changes
 
1,465

 
97

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
213,672

 
220,571

Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment
 
(25,582
)
 
(16,620
)
Maturities of investments with Westlake under the Investment Management Agreement
 
344,445

 
178,000

Investments with Westlake under the Investment Management Agreement
 
(336,445
)
 
(185,000
)
Other
 
46

 
251

Net cash used for investing activities
 
(17,536
)
 
(23,369
)
Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
 
 
Net proceeds from private placement of common units
 
62,916

 
—

Proceeds from debt payable to Westlake
 
123,511

 
3,648

Repayment of debt payable to Westlake
 
(201,445
)
 
—

Quarterly distributions to noncontrolling interest retained in OpCo by Westlake
 
(153,766
)
 
(172,758
)
Quarterly distributions to unitholders
 
(29,623
)
 
(26,617
)
Net cash used for financing activities
 
(198,407
)
 
(195,727
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
(2,271
)
 
1,475

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
19,744

 
27,008

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
17,473

 
$
28,483



vi



WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
RECONCILIATION OF MLP DISTRIBUTABLE CASH FLOW TO NET INCOME
AND NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2019
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands of dollars)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
113,499

 
$
100,173

 
$
114,349

 
$
213,672

 
$
220,571

Changes in operating assets and liabilities and other
 
(35,103
)
 
(20,063
)
 
(29,873
)
 
(55,166
)
 
(55,381
)
Net Income
 
78,396

 
80,110

 
84,476

 
158,506

 
165,190

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation, amortization and disposition of property, plant and equipment
 
27,302

 
26,903

 
27,586

 
54,205

 
55,851

Mark-to-market adjustment loss (gain) on derivative contracts
 
(715
)
 
516

 
—

 
(199
)
 
—

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contribution to turnaround reserves
 
(3,848
)
 
(3,889
)
 
(4,204
)
 
(7,737
)
 
(8,352
)
Maintenance capital expenditures
 
(11,320
)
 
(11,725
)
 
(5,825
)
 
(23,045
)
 
(13,804
)
Incentive distribution rights
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(733
)
Distributable cash flow attributable to noncontrolling interest in OpCo
 
(72,260
)
 
(75,493
)
 
(86,067
)
 
(147,753
)
 
(167,676
)
MLP distributable cash flow
 
$
17,555

 
$
16,422

 
$
15,966

 
$
33,977

 
$
30,476



vii


WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
RECONCILIATION OF EBITDA TO NET INCOME, INCOME FROM OPERATIONS AND NET CASH
PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2019
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands of dollars)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
113,499

 
$
100,173

 
$
114,349

 
$
213,672

 
$
220,571

Changes in operating assets and liabilities and other
 
(35,103
)
 
(20,063
)
 
(29,873
)
 
(55,166
)
 
(55,381
)
Net Income
 
78,396

 
80,110

 
84,476

 
158,506

 
165,190

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income, net
 
815

 
1,153

 
583

 
1,968

 
1,074

Interest expense
 
(5,900
)
 
(5,125
)
 
(5,547
)
 
(11,025
)
 
(10,413
)
Income tax provision
 
(200
)
 
(237
)
 
(303
)
 
(437
)
 
(586
)
Income from operations
 
83,681

 
84,319

 
89,743

 
168,000

 
175,115

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
26,844

 
26,857

 
27,586

 
53,701

 
55,284

Other income, net
 
815

 
1,153

 
583

 
1,968

 
1,074

EBITDA
 
$
111,340

 
$
112,329

 
$
117,912

 
$
223,669

 
$
231,473



viii
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