Pembina Pipeline Corporation Reports Record Annual Results in 2017

Transformational year with strategic acquisition of Veresen and $4.8 billion of projects placed into service

All financial figures are in Canadian dollars unless noted otherwise.

CALGARY, Feb. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Pembina Pipeline Corporation ("Pembina" or the "Company") (TSX: PPL; NYSE: PBA) announced today its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and full year 2017.

Operational and Financial Overview

 

Proportionately Consolidated Operating Margin and Volumes

 

Financial Highlights

• Generated fourth quarter and full-year earnings in 2017 of $445 million and $891 million, a 240 percent and 91 percent increase, respectively, over the same periods of the prior year;
• On October 2, 2017, Pembina closed the previously announced acquisition of Veresen Inc. ("Veresen") which contributed $214 million in operating margin in the fourth quarter;
• Generated record fourth quarter and full-year operating margin of $749 million and $1,930 million, a 96 percent and 42 percent increase over the same periods in 2016. Record operating margin was driven by a combination of the Veresen Acquisition, higher volumes and revenue in Conventional Pipelines and Gas Services, as well as higher commodity margins in Midstream. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2017, Pembina has amended its definition of operating margin to include its proportionate interest in operating margin from jointly controlled investments which are accounted for using equity accounting;
• Achieved record fourth quarter and full-year Adjusted EBITDA of $674 million and $1,705 million, representing a 97 percent and 43 percent increase over similar periods in 2016. Adjusted EBITDA includes Pembina's proportionate interest in Adjusted EBITDA from jointly controlled investments;
• Cash flow from operating activities was $523 million and $1,513 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $286 million and $1,077 million for the same periods in 2016, an increase of 83 percent and 40 percent, respectively. Adjusted cash flow from operating activities increased by 71 percent and 42 percent to $499 million and $1,396 million in the fourth quarter and full-year of 2017 compared to the respective periods in 2016;
• On a per share (basic) basis during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, cash flow from operating activities increased 42 percent and 28 percent, respectively, compared to the same periods of the prior year;
• Recognized a $70 million deferred tax recovery in the fourth quarter of 2017, largely due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("US Tax Reform") in the United States. Based on our initial review and interpretation of the legislation, Pembina expects the impacts of a lower U.S. tax rate will be in excess of any incremental taxes payable;
• Midstream's operating margin for the full-year of 2017 was $631 million, an increase of approximately 22 percent compared to the same period last year, which was primarily due to improved commodity margins; and
• Announced a 6.25 percent common share dividend increase on April 3, 2017 and an additional 5.88 percent increase on October 2, 2017.

Operational Highlights

• $4.8 billion of new capital projects were placed into service in 2017. This included Pembina having placed $3.7 billion of capital projects into service combined with an additional $1.1 billion of projects (net to Pembina) assumed through the Veresen Acquisition;
• Pembina completed the Veresen Acquisition which collectively drove a significant increase in total revenue volumes;
• Achieved record total revenue volumes on a quarterly and full-year basis of 2,917 mboe/d and 2,300 mboe/d, respectively;
• Realized record Conventional Pipelines' revenue volumes during the fourth quarter of 862 thousands of barrels per day ("mbpd"), representing an 11 percent increase compared to 780 mbpd in the third quarter of 2017 and a 35 percent increase compared to 639 mbpd in the fourth quarter of 2016. Pembina placed its northeast British Columbia pipeline and its Altares lateral pipeline into service at the end of October 2017;
• Gas Services generated solid quarterly revenue volumes of 1,141 MMcf/d in the fourth quarter of 2017, an increase of 165 MMcf/d or 17 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2016 and an increase of 117 MMcf/d or 11 percent compared to the third quarter of 2017 when revenue volumes were 976 MMcf/d and 1,024 MMcf/d, respectively. Pembina placed its Duvernay complex into service in November 2017, ahead of schedule and under budget; and
• Revenue volumes generated in the Veresen segment totaled 643 mboe/d (net) for the period from October 2, 2017 to December 31, 2017. Alliance revenue volumes totaled 1,724 MMcf/d gross (862 MMcf/d net) during the period, driven by strong base firm volumes and the Chicago and AECO gas price basis supporting strong interruptible service volumes. Revenue volumes at Veresen Midstream during the period were 1,276 MMcf/d gross (591 MMcf/d net), benefitting from a full quarter of service at the Sunrise and Tower facilities, as well as one month contribution from the first train at the Saturn facility.

Executive Overview

2017 was a transformative year for Pembina. Most notably, the Company completed the largest acquisition in our history, establishing us as a leading North American energy infrastructure company. The acquisition of Veresen supports the continued execution of Pembina's long-term strategy by increasing our positioning to long-life economic hydrocarbon reserves, further integrating and enhancing our service offering including adding an entire natural gas value chain, extending our reach into the U.S., while also increasing our portfolio of secured and unsecured growth projects. In short, Pembina is larger and more diversified.

Throughout the year, $4.8 billion of new projects were placed into service. These assets include our Phase III expansion, third fractionator at Redwater, Canadian Diluent Hub, four major gas processing facilities (including Veresen Midstream), additional pipeline expansions as well as several other value-added capital projects.

Thanks to the new in-service assets and the acquisition of Veresen, we set financial and operational records in both the fourth quarter and full-year 2017. This included achieving new revenue volume highs in our Conventional Pipelines and Gas Services businesses, which contributed to setting records for all of our key financial metrics including Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA per share, adjusted cash flow and adjusted cash flow per share.

In 2017, we also secured approximately $1.2 billion in new growth projects which will further strengthen our competitive position and support market access solutions for our customers.

"When I look back over the year, I am incredibly proud of all that we have accomplished through the disciplined execution of a consistent strategy, combined with the hard work and determination of our employees who make our success possible," said Mick Dilger, Pembina's President and Chief Executive Officer.

Safety continues to be an important priority that transcends everything we do. Over the past four years, Pembina employees worked over 11.5 million hours. Employees had worked 14 consecutive quarters without any lost time incidents; however, in the third quarter of 2017, Pembina experienced one employee lost time incident. Moving forward, our staff remain committed to the mantra that no project or job is important enough to compromise or jeopardize safety. "While we still have a commendable industry leading safety performance, we will work towards continuous improvement and remain diligently focused and committed to the 'zero by choice' safety culture that is integral to the Pembina way," said Mr. Dilger.

Looking ahead, Pembina's business prospects are positive with supportive market fundamentals. Hydrocarbon liquids prices have improved, enhancing development economics and supporting increased drilling by our producing customers. At the same time, favourable frac spreads continue to drive strong results in our marketing business. The Chicago and AECO gas price differentials are driving strong volumes on the Alliance pipeline into the premium Chicago market. With these strong fundamentals, we remain on track to achieve our 2018 Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $2.55 to $2.75 billion.

"Complementing our strong business performance is our solid financial position," added Scott Burrows, Pembina's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "We continue to maintain a conservative balance sheet, a low payout ratio and a disciplined financing strategy."

Pembina announced two dividend increases totaling 12 percent in 2017 and consistent with our 'guard rails' the dividend is supported entirely by our fee-based business. Going forward, we anticipate being able to fund a growing dividend and $1 to $2 billion of capital projects per year without accessing the equity market.

Finally, with all the success that 2017 brought and the positive momentum we have seen so far in 2018, we are well positioned for what should be another exciting and active year ahead. Our ongoing efforts will continue to focus around building out our value-chain to provide our customers with premium market access for energy products derived from western Canadian hydrocarbons.

"Since embarking on our transformational journey a few years ago, I am profoundly humbled by what Pembina has accomplished in becoming a leading North American energy infrastructure company. I want to thank our customers, shareholders, communities and employees for their support during such an extraordinary time for Pembina and I look forward to a prosperous future together," concluded Mr. Dilger.

New Developments and Growth Projects Update

• Pembina's Board of Directors has approved the construction of fractionation and terminalling facilities at the Company's Empress, Alberta extraction plant. The new facilities will add approximately 30,000 barrels per day of propane-plus fractionation capacity to the Company's Empress East NGL system. The total expected capital cost for this project is approximately $120 million and is anticipated to be placed into service in late 2020, subject to environmental and regulatory approval. These facilities will provide the Company with increased NGL volumes and market optionality, as well as enhanced propane supply access which could further support the Company's Prince Rupert export terminal and proposed propane dehydrogenation and polypropylene facility;
• On November 6, 2017, Pembina announced that it had executed further agreements under its previously announced 20-year infrastructure development and service agreement to construct various Duvernay infrastructure. The total capital cost for this project is approximately $290 million with an expected in-service date of mid-to-late 2019, subject to environmental and regulatory approvals;
• Pembina announced Board of Director approval to develop the Prince Rupert liquefied petroleum gas export terminal located on Watson Island, British Columbia. The expected capital cost is $250 million with an anticipated in-service date of mid-2020, subject to regulatory and environmental approvals;
• Pembina's Board of Directors' approved Pembina's investment in Veresen Midstream's development of the North Central Liquids Hub, which supports existing operations in the Montney formation. The estimated capital cost for this project is $320 million ($150 million net) and is currently tracking under budget and ahead of schedule;
• On January 23, 2018, Veresen Midstream placed its second 200 MMcf/d (gross) Saturn gas processing plant into service ahead of schedule and under budget. In November 2017, Veresen Midstream had also placed its first 200 MMcf/d (gross) Saturn gas processing plant into service;
• Pembina is continuing to progress its Phase IV and Phase V expansions of its Peace pipeline infrastructure. Regulatory and environmental approvals have now been received for Phase IV and clearing work is now complete with construction underway for Phase V;
• In February 2018, Pembina placed a fifth third-party condensate connection into service at the Company's Canadian Diluent Hub, where condensate volume deliveries continue to ramp up;
• As of December 31, 2017, Pembina placed into service its infrastructure which supports the North West Redwater Partnership's refinery for a total capital cost of approximately $180 million;
• Pembina completed work at its Edmonton North Terminal and its Edmonton Delivery System which improves service offerings and accommodates increased volumes from Pembina's Peace Pipeline;
• Pembina continues to progress construction of its one million barrel ethane storage facility in Burstall, Saskatchewan and expects to place it into service in late 2018;
• Canada Kuwait Petrochemical Corporation, Pembina's joint venture entity with its partner, Petrochemical Industries Company K.S.C., continues to progress front end engineering design ("FEED") for the proposed propane dehydrogenation and polypropylene facility. It is expected that FEED activities will be completed by late 2018, followed by a final investment decision;
• Pembina continues to progress its proposed Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas export terminal and related natural gas pipeline project (combined, "Jordan Cove"). Pembina has committed a 2018 capital budget of $135 million to progress Jordan Cove to a final investment decision, pending the receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals and other requirements;
• Pembina has entered into hedge contracts to de-risk operating margin derived from the spread between the value of natural gas liquids and natural gas. Currently, Pembina has hedged approximately 65 percent of the Company's frac spread throughput for 2018 (excluding its interest in Aux Sable); and
• Pembina's Board of Directors approved a $1 billion non-revolving term loan ("Term Loan") with certain existing lenders. The Term Loan will be used to partially repay existing amounts drawn under Pembina's $2.5 billion revolving credit facility, thereby providing additional liquidity, flexibility and interest cost savings. The Term Loan will have an initial term of three years and is pre-payable at the Company's option. The other terms and conditions of the Term Loan, including financial covenants, are substantially similar to Pembina's $2.5 billion revolving credit facility.

Dividends

• Declared and paid dividends of $0.18 per qualifying common share for the applicable record dates in October, November and December; and
• Declared and paid quarterly dividends per qualifying preferred shares of: Series 1: $0.265625; Series 3: $0.29375; Series 5: $0.3125; Series 7: $0.28125; Series 9: $0.296875; Series 11: $0.359375; and Series 13: $0.359375 to shareholders of record on December 1, 2017. Declared and paid quarterly dividends per qualifying preferred shares of: Series 15: $0.279000; Series 17: $0.312500; and Series 19: $0.312500 to shareholders of record on December 29, 2017.

Annual and Fourth Quarter 2017 Conference Call & Webcast

Pembina will host a conference call on Friday, February 23, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. MT (10:00 a.m. ET) for interested investors, analysts, brokers and media representatives to discuss details related to the full year and fourth quarter 2017 results. The conference call dial-in numbers for Canada and the U.S. are 647-427-7450 or 888-231-8191. A recording of the conference call will be available for replay until March 2, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. ET. To access the replay, please dial either 416-849-0833 or 855-859-2056 and enter the password 4183359.

A live webcast of the conference call can be accessed on Pembina's website at pembina.com under Investor Centre, Presentation & Events, or by entering: http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=1586733&s=1&k=3CE57B902D3F2F30B65C86B7191430C0 in your web browser. Shortly after the call, an audio archive will be posted on the website for a minimum of 90 days.

2018 Investor Day

Pembina will host an Investor Day on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Ontario. For parties interested in attending the event, please email [email protected] to request an invitation.

 

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION FOR INVESTMENTS IN EQUITY ACCOUNTED
INVESTEES

Three and twelve months ending December 31, 2017

In accordance with IFRS, Pembina's jointly controlled investments are accounted for using equity accounting. Under equity accounting, the assets and liabilities of the investment are netted into a single line item on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, Investments in Equity Accounted Investees. Net earnings from Investments in Equity Accounted Investees are recognized in a single line item in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings, Share of Profit of Investments in Equity Accounted Investees ("Share of Profit"). Cash contributions and distributions from Investments in Equity Accounted Investees represent Pembina's proportionate share paid and received in the period to and from the Investments in Equity Accounted Investees.

To assist the readers' understanding and evaluation of the performance of these investments, Pembina is supplementing the IFRS disclosure with non-GAAP disclosure of Pembina's proportionately consolidated interest in the Investments in Equity Accounted Investees. Pembina's proportionate interest in equity accounted investees has been included in operating margin, Adjusted EBITDA and other reconciling line items to IFRS in this Unaudited Supplementary Information for Investments in Equity Accounted Investees. A reconciliation of operating margin and Adjusted EBITDA to Share of Profit can be found under the heading "Proportionately Consolidated Results by Investments in Equity Accounted Investees". For comparison purposes, volumes have also been disclosed on a proportionately consolidated basis.

Additional information can be found in Note 10 of the Company's Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Investments in Equity Accounted Investees include:

• 50 percent interest in the Alliance Pipeline ("Alliance") with capacity of 1,600 MMcf/d gross (800 MMcf/d net);
• 50 percent convertible preferred interest in the Ruby Pipeline ("Ruby") with capacity of 1,500 MMcf/d gross (750 MMcf/d net) which entitles Pembina to a US$91 million distribution per year;
• 46.3 percent interest (as of December 31, 2017) in Veresen Midstream ("Veresen Midstream"), which owns assets in western Canada serving the Montney geological play in northwestern Alberta and northeastern B.C. including gas processing plants with capacity of 1,516 MMcf/d gross (702 MMcf/d net), as well as gas gathering pipelines and compression;
• An ownership interest in Aux Sable (approximately 42.7 percent in Aux Sable U.S. and 50 percent in Aux Sable Canada) (combined, "Aux Sable"), which includes a 131 mbpd gross (56 mbpd net) NGL fractionation facility and gas processing capacity of 2.1 bcf/d gross (0.897 bcf/d net) near Chicago, Illinois and other natural gas and NGL processing facilities, logistics and distribution assets in the U.S. and Canada, as well as transportation contracts on Alliance; and
• Other, includes: 50 percent interest in Canadian Kuwait Petrochemical Corporation ("CKPC"), 50 percent interest in Fort Saskatchewan Ethylene Storage Limited Partnership and Fort Saskatchewan Ethylene Corporation ("Fort Corp") and 75 percent jointly controlled interest in Grand Valley 1 Limited Partnership ("Grand Valley").

Share of Profit and Proportionately Consolidated Operating Margin and Adjusted EBITDA

 

Distributions by Investments in Equity Accounted Investees to Pembina

 

Loans and Borrowings Amortization Schedule of Investments in Equity Accounted Investees

 

Proportionately Consolidated Results by Investments in Equity Accounted Investees

Alliance