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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

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FORM 8-K

 

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CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 25, 2008

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

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Delaware		1-16417		74-2956831
State or other jurisdiction Of incorporation		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

2330 North Loop 1604 West
San Antonio, Texas		78248
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (210) 918-2000

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

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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))

 

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Item 2.02

Results Of Operations And Financial Condition.

On January 25, 2008, NuStar Energy L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, issued a press release announcing financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2007. A copy of the press release announcing the financial results is furnished with this report as Exhibit 99.1, and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information in this report is being furnished, not filed, pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K. Accordingly, the information in this report, including the press release, will not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement filed by NuStar Energy L.P. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The press release announcing the earnings discloses certain financial measures, EBITDA, distributable cash flow, and distributable cash flow per unit, that are non-GAAP financial measures as defined under SEC rules. The press release furnishes a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their nearest GAAP financial measures. Management uses these financial measures because they are widely accepted financial indicators used by investors to compare partnership performance. In addition, management believes that these measures provide investors an enhanced perspective of the operating performance of the partnership’s assets and the cash that the business is generating. Neither EBITDA, distributable cash flow, nor distributable cash flow per unit are intended to represent cash flows for the period, nor are they presented as an alternative to net income or cash flow from operations. They should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for a measure of performance prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(c)

Exhibits.

 

99.1		Press Release dated January 25, 2008.

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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.

 

		NUSTAR ENERGY L.P.
		By:		Riverwalk Logistics, L.P. its general partner
				By:		NuStar GP, LLC its general partner
Date: January 25, 2008						By:		/s/ Amy L. Perry
						Name:		Amy L. Perry
						Title:		Assistant Secretary

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Number		Exhibit
99.1		Press Release dated January 25, 2008.

Exhibit 99.1

NuStar Energy L.P. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Earnings

SAN ANTONIO, January 25, 2008 – NuStar Energy L.P. (NYSE:NS) today announced net income applicable to limited partners of $22.6 million, or $0.47 per unit, for the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to $33.0 million, or $0.70 per unit, earned in the fourth quarter of 2006. For the year ended December 31, 2007, net income applicable to limited partners was $129.2 million, or $2.74 per unit, compared to $132.6 million, or $2.83 per unit in 2006.

Distributable cash flow available to limited partners from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2007 was $34.9 million, or $0.72 per unit, compared to $45.3 million, or $0.97 per unit, for the fourth quarter of 2006. For the year ended December 31, 2007, distributable cash flow available to limited partners from continuing operations was $198.6 million, or $4.22 per unit, compared to $195.7 million, or $4.18 per unit. As of December 31, 2007, the partnership’s debt-to-capitalization ratio was 42.0 percent compared to 41.9 percent as of December 31, 2006.

With respect to the quarterly distribution to unitholders for the fourth quarter of 2007, NuStar also announced that its board of directors has declared a distribution of $0.985 per unit, or $3.94 per unit on an annual basis, which will be paid on February 14, 2008, to holders of record as of February 7, 2008. This quarterly distribution represents an increase of $0.07 per unit, or 7.7 percent, over the $0.915 distribution for the fourth quarter of 2006.

“2007 was a very active and challenging year for the partnership, while at the same time very rewarding and productive,” said Curt Anastasio, Chief Executive Officer and President of NuStar Energy L.P. and NuStar GP Holdings, LLC. “Our separation from Valero Energy at the beginning of the year, including our name change to NuStar, the move to our new headquarters and the separation of services, was a defining moment in the company’s history. We brought on board a lot of very talented employees and started up a new marketing, supply and trading group, both of which have positioned us well for further growth.

“Financially, we had a good year, despite higher costs associated with our separation from Valero Energy and the impact of a fire at Valero Energy’s McKee refinery in the Texas Panhandle. We achieved our stated goal for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and increased the annual distribution by around 7 percent to $3.835 per unit in 2007 from $3.60 per unit in 2006, while maintaining a healthy coverage ratio applicable to the limited partners of 1.10 times.

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“We are in a great position to achieve greater success in 2008 and beyond. We started construction in 2007 on the majority of projects in our $400 million construction program, the largest capital expenditure program in the history of the company. While many of these projects came online this past year, several more are expected to be in-service in 2008, providing a major benefit to the partnership’s 2008 results. In addition, nearly all of the projects that we have completed, or that will be completed this year, have been and are still expected to be on-time and on-budget. We’ve made NuStar into a global leader in independents liquids storage, as we currently are the second largest independents liquids terminal operator in the world with over 81 million barrels of storage capacity.

“One of the more important accomplishments for 2007 was the announcement to acquire CITGO Asphalt Refining Company. We’re looking forward to completing the acquisition and the significant contribution we expect from these assets. We also look forward to sharing with you more information on the numerous projects we’ve recently identified that will increase the capacity and operational efficiency of these refineries and provide more operating flexibility to reduce the seasonality of the asphalt business.

“We believe 2008 will be a good year for NuStar, as we will benefit significantly from the construction projects that have already come on-stream in late 2007 and the ones that will be coming on-stream this year. The CITGO Asphalt Refining Company acquisition is also expected to be a major contributor to earnings. Although asphalt fundamentals weakened seasonally in the fourth quarter, we continue to see inventories tightening and the forward curve improving significantly from 2007 levels. While we foresee some coker projects coming online this year, the majority of the coker projects are expected to be in service in 2009 and 2010, which should further tighten asphalt supplies, resulting in higher margins. For these and many other reasons, we strongly believe that the best is yet to come for NuStar,” said Anastasio.

A conference call with management is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. ET (10:00 a.m. CT) today, January 25, 2008, to discuss the financial and operational results for the fourth quarter of 2007. Investors interested in listening to the presentation may call 800/622-7620, passcode 30195295.International callers may access the presentation by dialing 706/645-0327, passcode 30195295. The company intends to have a playback available following the presentation, which may be accessed by calling 800/642-1687, passcode 30195295. A live broadcast of the conference call will also be available on the company’s Web site at www.nustarenergy.com.

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NuStar Energy L.P. is a publicly traded, limited partnership based in San Antonio, with 9,113 miles of pipeline, 84 terminal facilities and four crude oil storage tank facilities. The second largest independent liquids terminal operator in the world, NuStar has operations in the United States, the Netherlands Antilles, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The partnership’s combined system has over 81 million barrels of storage capacity, and includes crude oil and refined product pipelines, refined product terminals, a petroleum and specialty liquids storage and terminaling business, as well as crude oil storage facilities. For more information, visit NuStar Energy L.P.’s Web site at www.nustarenergy.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding future events and the future financial performance of NuStar Energy L.P. All forward-looking statements are based on the partnership’s beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the partnership. These statements reflect the partnership’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions are discussed in NuStar Energy L.P.’s 2006 annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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NuStar Energy L.P.

Consolidated Financial Information

December 31, 2007 and 2006

(unaudited, thousands of dollars, except unit data and per unit data)

 

		Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2007				2006				2007				2006
Statement of Income Data:
Revenues:
Services revenues		$	184,653			$	165,462			$	696,623			$	636,154
Product sales			317,343				125,528				820,246				501,107
Total revenues			501,996				290,990				1,516,869				1,137,261
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product sales			309,816				116,016				784,827				466,276
Operating expenses			98,598				79,877				357,235				312,604
General and administrative expenses			19,308				14,893				67,915				45,216
Depreciation and amortization expense			29,557				26,244				114,293				100,266
Total costs and expenses			457,279				237,030				1,324,270				924,362
Operating income			44,717				53,960				192,599				212,899
Equity earnings from joint ventures			1,863				1,368				6,833				5,882
Interest expense, net			(18,829	)			(17,360	)			(76,516	)			(66,266	)
Other income, net			2,916				3,252				38,830				3,252
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense			30,667				41,220				161,746				155,767
Income tax expense			2,402				3,864				11,448				5,861
Income from continuing operations			28,265				37,356				150,298				149,906
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax			—				1				—				(376	)
Net income			28,265				37,357				150,298				149,530
Net income applicable to general partner (Note 1)			(5,649	)			(4,360	)			(21,063	)			(16,910	)
Net income applicable to limited partners		$	22,616			$	32,997			$	129,235			$	132,620
Income per unit applicable to limited partners (Note 1):
Continuing operations		$	0.47			$	0.70			$	2.74			$	2.84
Discontinued operations			—				—				—				(0.01	)
Net income		$	0.47			$	0.70			$	2.74			$	2.83
Weighted average number of basic units outstanding			48,194,532				46,809,749				47,158,790				46,809,749
EBITDA from continuing operations (Note 2)		$	79,053			$	84,824			$	352,555			$	322,299
Distributable cash flow from continuing operations (Note 2)		$	41,158			$	50,213			$	221,096			$	214,203
		December 31, 2007				December 31, 2006
Balance Sheet Data:
Debt, including current portion (a)		$	1,446,289			$	1,354,367
Partners' equity (b)			1,994,832				1,875,681
Debt-to-capitalization ratio (a) / ((a)+(b))			42.0	%			41.9	%

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NuStar Energy L.P.

Consolidated Financial Information - Continued

December 31, 2007 and 2006

(unaudited, thousands of dollars, except barrel information)

 

		Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2007				2006				2007				2006
Operating Data:
Refined product terminals: (Note 3)
Throughput (barrels/day)			278,253				275,522				251,309				272,054
Throughput revenues		$	13,743			$	12,837			$	51,135			$	50,267
Storage lease revenues			83,284				69,138				314,255				266,234
Total revenues			97,027				81,975				365,390				316,501
Operating expenses			63,242				48,575				221,890				191,698
Depreciation and amortization expense			14,069				12,289				54,635				45,485
Segment operating income		$	19,716			$	21,111			$	88,865			$	79,318
Refined product pipelines: (Note 3)
Throughput (barrels/day)			728,613				712,252				678,573				711,476
Throughput revenues		$	66,977			$	59,542			$	243,828			$	222,356
Operating expenses			27,240				24,078				105,010				94,329
Depreciation and amortization expense			11,118				10,788				45,006				42,084
Segment operating income		$	28,619			$	24,676			$	93,812			$	85,943
Crude oil pipelines:
Throughput (barrels/day)			402,736				408,424				377,640				421,666
Throughput revenues		$	14,891			$	14,665			$	52,968			$	58,654
Operating expenses			3,493				4,279				15,332				16,825
Depreciation and amortization expense			1,237				1,252				4,940				5,061
Segment operating income		$	10,161			$	9,134			$	32,696			$	36,768
Crude oil storage tanks:
Throughput (barrels/day)			515,280				499,483				549,023				502,689
Throughput revenues		$	10,858			$	11,447			$	45,237			$	46,915
Operating expenses			3,414				3,063				11,785				10,108
Depreciation and amortization expense			1,926				1,915				7,682				7,636
Segment operating income		$	5,518			$	6,469			$	25,770			$	29,171
Marketing: (Note 3)
Product sales		$	317,343			$	125,528			$	820,246			$	501,107
Cost of product sales			313,701				117,415				791,975				471,576
Operating expenses			2,291				650				6,737				2,616
Depreciation and amortization expense			355				—				423				—
Segment operating income		$	996			$	7,463			$	21,111			$	26,915
Consolidation and intersegment eliminations:
Revenues		$	(5,100	)		$	(2,167	)		$	(10,800	)		$	(8,272	)
Cost of product sales			(3,885	)			(1,399	)			(7,148	)			(5,300	)
Operating expenses			(1,082	)			(768	)			(3,519	)			(2,972	)
Depreciation and amortization expense			852				—				1,607				—
Total		$	(985	)		$	—			$	(1,740	)		$	—
Consolidated Information:
Revenues		$	501,996			$	290,990			$	1,516,869			$	1,137,261
Cost of product sales			309,816				116,016				784,827				466,276
Operating expenses			98,598				79,877				357,235				312,604
Depreciation and amortization expense			29,557				26,244				114,293				100,266
Segment operating income			64,025				68,853				260,514				258,115
General and administrative expenses			19,308				14,893				67,915				45,216
Consolidated operating income		$	44,717			$	53,960			$	192,599			$	212,899

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NuStar Energy L.P.

Consolidated Financial Information - Continued

December 31, 2007 and 2006

(unaudited, thousands of dollars, except unit data and per unit data)

 

Notes:

 

1.

Income is allocated between limited partners and the general partner's interests based on provisions in the partnership agreement. The income applicable to limited partners is divided by the weighted average number of limited partnership units outstanding in computing the income per unit applicable to limited partners.

During the year ended December 31, 2006 our general partner reimbursed us for certain charges we incurred related to services historically provided under our Services Agreement with Valero Energy Corporation. United States generally accepted accounting principles require us to record the charges as expenses and record the reimbursement as partner's capital contribution.

The following table details the calculation of net income applicable to the general partner:

 

 

2.

NuStar Energy L.P. utilizes two financial measures, EBITDA from continuing operations and distributable cash flow from continuing operations, which are not defined in United States generally accepted accounting principles. Management uses these financial measures because they are widely accepted financial indicators used by investors to compare partnership performance. In addition, management believes that these measures provide investors an enhanced perspective of the operating performance of the partnership's assets and the cash that the business is generating. Neither EBITDA from continuing operations nor distributable cash flow from continuing operations are intended to represent cash flows for the period, nor are they presented as an alternative to income from continuing operations. They should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for a measure of performance prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

The following is a reconciliation of income from continuing operations to EBITDA from continuing operations and distributable cash flow from continuing operations:

 

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NuStar Energy L.P.

Consolidated Financial Information - Continued

December 31, 2007 and 2006

(unaudited, thousands of dollars, except unit data and per unit data)

Notes (continued):

 

3.

Prior to the fourth quarter of 2007, product sales and the related costs were included in the Refined product terminal, the Refined product pipeline and the Other segments. Due to the growth of our product supply and marketing operations, we have consolidated all product sales and related costs into the Marketing segment. Previous periods have been restated to conform to this presentation. The Marketing segment consists of our marketing and trading operations, including sales of bunker fuel to marine vessels.

The Marketing segment operations consist of purchasing heavy fuel oil, asphalt and refined products for resale to third parties. We manage our exposure to price risk associated with these inventories by entering into economic and fair value hedges. Additionally, we engage in a limited trading program. Revenues include the sales of our inventories to third parties as well as the mark-to-market results of our trading program. Cost of sales includes the cost of our inventories as well as the mark-to-market results of our economic and fair value hedges.