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): May 14, 2007
NUSTAR ENERGY L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 1-16417 | 74-2956831 | ||
| State or other jurisdiction Of incorporation | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||
| 2330 N. Loop 1604 West San Antonio, Texas | 78248 | |||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (210) 345-2000
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)) |
| Item 8.01 | Other Events. |
The purpose of this Form 8-K is to correct a clerical error in Exhibit 99.02 to NuStar Energy L.P.’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which was filed on February 28, 2007. KPMG LLP’s “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm,” which provides KPMG’s opinion with respect to KPMG’s audit of the balance sheet dated December 31, 2006 of Riverwalk Logistics, L.P., NuStar’s general partner, is now correctly dated February 28, 2007.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
| (c) | Exhibits. |
| 99.01 | Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Balance Sheet—December 31, 2006 and Notes to Balance Sheet— December 31, 2006 of Riverwalk Logistics, L.P. |
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: May 14, 2007 | By: | /s/Amy L. Perry
| ||||||
| Name: | Amy L. Perry | |||||||
| Title: | Assistant Secretary | |||||||
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Number | Exhibit | |
| 99.01 | Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Balance Sheet—December 31, 2006 and Notes to Balance Sheet— December 31, 2006 of Riverwalk Logistics, L.P. | |
Exhibit 99.01
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors of
Valero GP, LLC and Unitholders of Valero L.P.:
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Riverwalk Logistics, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) as of December 31, 2006. This financial statement is the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the balance sheet is free of material misstatement. An audit includes consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit of a balance sheet also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in that balance sheet, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall balance sheet presentation. We believe that our audit of the balance sheet provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the balance sheet referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Riverwalk Logistics, L.P. as of December 31, 2006, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
San Antonio, Texas
February 28, 2007
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RIVERWALK LOGISTICS, L.P.
BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 2006
(Thousands of Dollars)
| Assets | |||
| Current assets: |
|||
| Cash |
$ | 1 | |
| Other current assets |
1 | ||
| Total current assets |
2 | ||
| Investment in Valero L.P. |
64,474 | ||
| Total assets |
$ | 64,476 | |
| Liabilities and Partners’ Equity | |||
| Current liabilities: |
|||
| Payable to Valero L.P |
$ | 188 | |
| Notes payable to affiliates |
12,759 | ||
| Total current liabilities |
12,947 | ||
| Commitments and contingencies (see note 7) |
|||
| Partners’ equity: |
|||
| Limited partner equity held by Riverwalk Holdings, LLC |
51,342 | ||
| General partner equity held by Valero GP, LLC |
51 | ||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
136 | ||
| Total partners’ equity |
51,529 | ||
| Total liabilities and partners’ equity |
$ | 64,476 | |
See accompanying notes to balance sheet.
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RIVERWALK LOGISTICS, L.P.
NOTES TO BALANCE SHEET
December 31, 2006
1. Organization and Business
Riverwalk Logistics, L.P. (Riverwalk Logistics) is a Delaware limited partnership and the general partner of Valero L.P. The general partner of Riverwalk Logistics is Valero GP, LLC with a 0.1% general partner interest and the limited partner is Riverwalk Holdings, LLC with a 99.9% limited partner interest. Valero GP, LLC and Riverwalk Holdings, LLC are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Valero GP Holdings, LLC (NYSE: VEH).
UDS Logistics, LLC, formerly an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Valero Energy Corporation, owned Valero GP, LLC and Riverwalk Holdings, LLC as of December 31, 2005. On January 15, 2006, UDS Logistics, LLC changed its name to Valero GP Holdings, LLC (Valero GP Holdings). On July 19, 2006, Valero GP Holdings completed its initial public offering of 17.25 million units representing 41% of its limited liability company interests. On December 22, 2006, Valero GP Holdings completed it secondary public offering of 25.25 units representing 59% of its limited liability company interests.
Valero L.P. (NYSE: VLI) is a Delaware limited partnership. As of December 31, 2006, the common units held by the public represent 76.6% of Valero L.P.’s outstanding partnership equity with the balance owned by Riverwalk Holdings, LLC (common units representing 21.4%), Valero GP, LLC (common units representing 0.002%) and Riverwalk Logistics (2% general partner interest and 100% of the incentive distribution rights).
Valero L.P., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns and operates crude oil and refined product pipeline and terminalling assets and crude oil storage tank assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands Antilles, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The pipeline, terminalling and storage tank assets provide for the transportation and storage of crude oil and other feedstocks as well as refined products.
2. Basis of Presentation
Riverwalk Logistics’ investment in Valero L.P. is stated at cost plus the equity in its undistributed earnings of Valero L.P. since April 16, 2001, the date of Valero L.P.’s initial public offering. Also included in the investment in Valero L.P. is Riverwalk Logistics’ share of the allocated goodwill and step-up in basis related to Valero Energy’s acquisition of Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corporation (UDS) on December 31, 2001 (see Note 3: Investment in Valero L.P.).
Riverwalk Logistics is a limited partnership and is not subject to federal income taxes. Accordingly, the taxable income or loss, which may vary substantially from income or loss reported for financial reporting purposes, is generally includable in the federal income tax returns of the individual partners.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the balance sheet and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, management reviews its estimates, including those related to asset impairments, based on currently available information. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates.
3. Significant Accounting Policies
Equity Investments
Riverwalk Logistics accounts for its investment in Valero L.P. using the equity method. Riverwalk Logistics evaluates its investment in Valero L.P. for impairment when there is evidence that it may not be able to recover the carrying amount of its our investment or that the investee is unable to sustain an earnings capacity that justifies the carrying amount. Riverwalk Logistics recognizes a loss in the value of its investment that is other than a temporary decline currently in earnings based on the difference between the estimated current fair value of the investment and
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RIVERWALK LOGISTICS, L.P.
NOTES TO BALANCE SHEET – (Continued)
its carrying amount. Riverwalk Logistics believes that the carrying amount of its investment in Valero L.P. as of December 31, 2006 is recoverable.
Accounting for Sales of Units by Valero L.P.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 51, “Accounting for Sales of Stock by a Subsidiary” (SAB 51), provides guidance on accounting for the effect of issuances of a subsidiary’s stock on the parent’s investment in that subsidiary. SAB 51 allows registrants to elect an accounting policy of recording such increases or decreases in a parent’s investment (SAB 51 credits or charges, respectively) either in income or in equity. In accordance with the election provided in SAB 51, Riverwalk Logistics adopted a policy of recording such SAB 51 credits or charges directly to members’ equity.
4. Accounting Pronouncement
EITF Issue No. 04-5
In June 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ratified its consensus on Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 04-5, “Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights” (EITF No. 04-5), which requires the general partner in a limited partnership to determine whether the limited partnership is controlled by, and therefore should be consolidated by, the general partner. The guidance in EITF No. 04-5 was effective after June 29, 2005 for general partners of all new partnerships formed and for existing limited partnerships for which the partnership agreements are modified. For general partners in all other limited partnerships, the guidance in EITF No. 04-5 was effective no later than January 1, 2006. We adopted EITF No. 04-5 effective January 1, 2006, the adoption of which had no impact on the accounting for our investment in Valero L.P.
5. Investment in Valero L.P.
Summary Financial Information
The following presents summarized balance sheet information related to Valero L.P. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 (in thousands):
| Assets | |||
| Current assets |
$ | 212,998 | |
| Property and equipment, net |
2,345,135 | ||
| Goodwill |
774,441 | ||
| Investment in joint ventures |
74,077 | ||
| Other noncurrent assets, net |
76,215 | ||
| Total assets |
$ | 3,482,866 | |
| Liabilities and Partners’ Equity | |||
| Current liabilities |
$ | 156,735 | |
| Long-term debt, less current portion |
1,353,720 | ||
| Other long-term liabilities |
96,730 | ||
| Common units held by the public, Valero GP Holdings, LLC and Valero GP, LLC |
1,830,047 | ||
| General partner’s equity held by Riverwalk Logistics |
38,815 | ||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
6,819 | ||
| Total liabilities and partners’ equity |
$ | 3,482,866 | |
Reconciliation of Investment in Valero L.P.
The following is a reconciliation of Valero L.P.’s general partner’s equity to Riverwalk Logistics’ investment in Valero L.P. as of December 31, 2006 (in thousands):
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RIVERWALK LOGISTICS, L.P.
NOTES TO BALANCE SHEET – (Continued)
| Valero L.P.’s general partner’s equity |
$ | 38,815 | |
| SAB 51 Gain |
13,514 | ||
| Step-up in basis related to Valero L.P.’s assets and liabilities, including equity |
12,145 | ||
| Riverwalk Logistics’ investment in Valero L.P. |
$ | 64,474 | |
Transactions between Valero L.P. and Riverwalk Logistics typically relate to capital contributions and redemptions, equity in earnings, and receipt of quarterly cash distributions. The cash distributions received by Riverwalk Logistics are further distributed to its partners, Riverwalk Holdings, LLC and Valero GP, LLC.
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RIVERWALK LOGISTICS, L.P.
NOTES TO BALANCE SHEET – (Continued)
Valero L.P.’s Allocations of Net Income
Valero L.P.’s partnership agreement, as amended, sets forth the calculation to be used to determine the amount and priority of cash distributions that the common unitholders, subordinated unitholders and Riverwalk Logistics will receive. Valero L.P.’s partnership agreement also contains provisions for the allocation of net income and loss to the unitholders and Riverwalk Logistics. For purposes of maintaining partner capital accounts, the partnership agreement specifies that items of income and loss shall be allocated among the partners in accordance with their respective percentage interests. Normal allocations according to percentage interests are done after giving effect, if any, to priority income allocations in an amount equal to incentive cash distributions allocated 100% to Riverwalk Logistics.
Valero L.P.’s Cash Distributions
Valero L.P. makes quarterly distributions of 100% of its available cash, generally defined as cash receipts less cash disbursements and cash reserves established by Riverwalk Logistics in its sole discretion. These quarterly distributions are declared and paid within 45 days subsequent to each quarter-end.
Riverwalk Logistics is entitled to incentive distributions if the amount Valero L.P. distributes with respect to any quarter exceeds specified target levels shown below:
| Percentage of Distribution | ||||||
| Quarterly Distribution Amount per Unit |
Valero L.P. Unitholders |
Riverwalk Logistics |
||||
| Up to $0.60 |
98 | % | 2 | % | ||
| Above $0.60 up to $0.66 |
90 | % | 10 | % | ||
| Above $0.66 |
75 | % | 25 | % | ||
Effective April 1, 2006, Valero L.P. satisfied all the conditions included in its partnership agreement for the subordination period to end. Accordingly, all 9,599,322 subordinated units converted into common units on a one-to-one basis on May 8, 2006, the first business day after the record date for the distribution related to the first quarter earnings of 2006. Riverwalk Holdings, LLC had the 9,599,322 subordinated units at the time of conversion.
6. Notes Payable to Affiliates
On December 31, 2006, Riverwalk Logistics, Valero GP, LLC and Riverwalk Holdings, LLC executed two revolving promissory notes. The revolving promissory note with Valero GP, LLC has a maximum limit of $20,000 and had an outstanding balance of $12,759 as of December 31, 2006. The revolving promissory note with Riverwalk Holdings, LLC has a maximum limit of $20.0 million and had an outstanding balance of $12.7 million as of December 31, 2006. Interest on the revolving promissory notes varied based on Valero Energy’s weighted average cost of all borrowed funds, including interest expense, amortization of debt issuance expense, commitment fees, costs of maintaining compensating balances, if any, penalties, if any, and all other out-of-pocket costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the borrowed funds. Interest is payable monthly; however, it may be added to the principal balance in lieu of payment. For the year ended December 31, 2006, the weighted-average interest rate was 7.0%. Principal is due on demand, but if no demand is made, the outstanding principal is due on December 31, 2007.
7. Commitments and Contingencies
Valero L.P.’s operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental and safety laws and regulations. Although Valero L.P. believes its operations are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental and safety laws and regulations, risks of additional costs and liabilities are inherent in pipeline, terminalling and storage operations, and there can be no assurance that significant costs and liabilities will not be
6
RIVERWALK LOGISTICS, L.P.
NOTES TO BALANCE SHEET – (Continued)
incurred. Moreover, it is possible that other developments, such as increasingly stringent environmental and safety laws and regulations and enforcement policies thereunder, and claims for damages to property or persons resulting from the operations, could result in substantial costs and liabilities. Accordingly, Valero L.P. has adopted policies, practices and procedures in the areas of pollution control, pipeline integrity, operator qualifications, public relations, product safety, occupational health and the handling, storage, use and disposal of hazardous materials that are designed to prevent material environmental or other damage, and to limit the financial liability which could result from such events. However, some risk of environmental or other damage is inherent in pipeline, terminalling and storage operations, as it is with other entities engaged in similar businesses.
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