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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): July 26, 2004


VALERO L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
Delaware     1-16417     74-2956831    
(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer  
of incorporation)           Identification No.)    
                 
One Valero Way          
San Antonio, Texas     78249    
(Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip Code)    
           
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (210) 345-2000

______________________________
 
 

Item 7.   Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

  (c)   Exhibits.

  99.1   Press Release dated July 26, 2004.

Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On July 26, 2004, Valero L.P. (the “Partnership”) issued a press release announcing financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. A copy of the press release 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 12 of Form 8-K. Accordingly, the information in this report will not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement filed by the Partnership 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 discloses certain financial measures, EBITDA and distributable cash flow, 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 nor distributable cash flow 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.


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.


VALERO L.P.

By:     Riverwalk Logistics, L.P.
           its general partner

   By:  Valero GP, LLC
           its general partner

Date: July 26, 2004        By:  /s/Bradley C. Barron    
       Name:   Bradley C. Barron
       Title:     Corporate Secretary

EXHIBIT INDEX

Number        Exhibit

99.1         Press Release dated July 26, 2004.


Exhibit 99.1

VALERO L.P. REPORTS
SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS AND ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY,BR. DISTRIBUTION

SAN ANTONIO, July 26, 2004 — Valero L.P. (NYSE: VLI) today announced net income applicable to limited partners of $18.2 million, or $0.79 per unit, for the second quarter of 2004, compared to $17.1 million, or $0.79 per unit, for the second quarter of 2003. For the first six months of 2004, net income applicable to limited partners was $36.7 million, or $1.59 per unit, compared to $28.8 million, or $1.40 per unit, for the same period last year. Distributable cash flow applicable to limited partners for the second quarter was $22.0 million, compared to $20.9 million for the second quarter of 2003.

With respect to the quarterly distribution to unitholders payable for the second quarter of 2004, Valero L.P. also announced that it has declared a distribution of $0.80 per unit payable August 13, 2004 to holders of record as of August 6, 2004.

“We are pleased to be able to report solid financial results for the second quarter of 2004,” said Curt Anastasio, Valero L.P.‘s Chief Executive Officer. “During the quarter, we experienced increased throughputs across our system due to strong refined product demand and high refinery run rates at most of the Valero Energy refineries we serve. We expect this trend to continue in the third quarter given the strong margin environment for refined products throughout the U.S.

“Our newly commissioned Dos Laredos propane terminal in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, started up successfully on June 1 and is operating according to plan. On an annual basis, this project should contribute around $4 million to EBITDA. We are working with Valero Energy, PMI (a subsidiary of the Mexican national oil company) and others to increase the terminal’s volume from the current 5,000 barrels per day average to as much as 8,000 barrels per day to supply this fast-growing market.

“Going forward, we remain focused on integrating our recently acquired and our newly constructed assets. As always, we plan to pursue external and internal growth opportunities while maintaining a strong balance sheet and coverage ratio,” said Anastasio.

A conference call with management is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. CT) today, July 26, 2004, to discuss the financial and operational results for the second quarter of 2004. Anyone interested in listening to the presentation can call 800/901-5217, passcode VALERO, or visit the partnership’s web site at www.valerolp.com.

-More-


Valero L.P. owns and operates crude oil and refined product pipelines, refined product terminals and refinery feedstock storage assets primarily in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma and California. The partnership transports refined products from Valero Energy’s refineries to established and growing markets in the Mid-Continent, Southwest and the Texas-Mexico border region of the United States. In addition, its pipelines, terminals and storage facilities primarily support eight of Valero Energy’s key refineries with crude oil and other feedstocks as well as provide access to domestic and foreign crude oil sources.

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 Valero 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 Valero L.P.‘s 2003 annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For more information, visit Valero L.P.‘s web site at www.valerolp.com.

-30-


Valero L.P
Consolidated Financial Information
June 30, 2004 and 2003
(unaudited, in thousands, except unit data and per unit data)

  Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

  2004 2003 2004 2003
Statement of Income Data (Note 1):                    
 Revenues   $ 55,707   $ 47,542   $ 108,031   $ 79,358  




 Costs and expenses:  
  Operating expenses    20,212    16,335    38,120    27,996  
  Depreciation and amortization    8,249    7,269    16,123    11,552  
  General and administrative expenses    2,646    1,670    4,645    3,514  




           Total costs and expenses    31,107    25,274    58,888    43,062  




 Operating income    24,600    22,268    49,143    36,296  
  Equity income from Skelly-Belvieu  
    Pipeline Company    177    600    730    1,331  
  Interest expense, net    (5,071 )  (4,736 )  (10,197 )  (7,113 )




 Net income    19,706    18,132    39,676    30,514  
  Net income applicable to general partner   
    including incentive distributions (Note 2)    (1,484 )  (1,066 )  (2,973 )  (1,690 )




  Net income applicable to limited partners   $ 18,222   $ 17,066   $ 36,703   $ 28,824  




 Net income per unit applicable to limited                            
     partners (Note 2)     $ 0.79   $ 0.79   $ 1.59   $ 1.40  
                             
 Weighted average number of limited                            
     partnership units outstanding (Note 3)    23,041,394    21,702,990    23,041,394    20,635,667  
                             
 Earnings before interest, taxes and                            
     depreciation and amortization (EBITDA, Note 4)   $ 33,026   $ 30,137   $ 65,996   $ 49,179  
                             
 Distributable cash flow (Note 4)       24,744     24,234     51,006     39,724  
                             
  June 30,
2004
June 30,
2003
March 31,
2004
December 31,
2003
Balance Sheet Data:                            
 Long-term debt, including current portion (a)    $ 392,825   $ 365,231   $ 403,436   $ 354,192  
 Partners' equity (b)    439,452    385,636    439,697    438,163  
 Debt-to-capitalization ratio (a) / ((a)+(b))    47.2 %  48.6 %  47.8 %  44.7 %
                             
                             
See accompanying notes below

Valero L.P.
Consolidated Financial Information - Continued
June 30, 2004 and 2003
(unaudited, in thousands, except barrel information)

  Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

  2004 2003 2004 2003
 
Operating Data:                    
  Crude oil pipelines:  
    Throughput (barrels/day)    391,749    348,390    386,790    340,619  
    Revenues   $ 13,439   $ 13,098   $ 26,231   $ 24,541  
    Operating expenses    4,366    4,038    7,600    7,653  
    Depreciation and amortization    1,134    1,432    2,232    2,856  




           Segment operating income   $ 7,939   $ 7,628   $ 16,399   $ 14,032  




  Refined product pipelines:  
    Throughput (barrels/day)    451,735    396,639    444,471    347,000  
    Revenues   $ 20,914   $ 17,604   $ 41,440   $ 30,620  
    Operating expenses    9,329    7,146    17,867    12,278  
    Depreciation and amortization    3,510    3,340    7,288    5,410  




           Segment operating income   $ 8,075   $ 7,118   $ 16,285   $ 12,932  




  Refined product terminals:  
    Throughput (barrels/day)    253,439    233,881    254,194    205,495  
    Revenues   $ 10,299   $ 8,196   $ 19,109   $ 14,176  
    Operating expenses    4,920    3,722    9,253    6,467  
    Depreciation and amortization    1,741    830    2,873    1,619  




           Segment operating income   $ 3,638   $ 3,644   $ 6,983   $ 6,090  




  Crude oil storage tanks:  
    Throughput (barrels/day)    492,037    475,280    476,570    277,468  
    Revenues   $ 11,055   $ 8,644   $ 21,251   $ 10,021  
    Operating expenses    1,597    1,429    3,400    1,598  
    Depreciation and amortization    1,864    1,667    3,730    1,667  




           Segment operating income   $ 7,594   $ 5,548   $ 14,121   $ 6,756  




  Consolidated Information:  
    Revenues   $ 55,707   $ 47,542   $ 108,031   $ 79,358  
    Operating expenses    20,212    16,335    38,120    27,996  
    Depreciation and amortization    8,249    7,269    16,123    11,552  




           Segment operating income    27,246    23,938    53,788    39,810  
    General and administrative expenses    2,646    1,670    4,645    3,514  




           Consolidated operating income     $ 24,600   $ 22,268   $ 49,143   $ 36,296  




                             
See accompanying notes below

Valero L.P.
Consolidated Financial Information - Continued
June 30, 2004 and 2003
(unaudited)

Notes:

1.  

The statement of income data for the six months ended June 30, 2004 includes $21 million of operating income related to the various acquisitions completed by Valero L.P. during 2003 and 2004. These acquisitions consist of the Paulsboro refined product terminal acquired on September 3, 2003, the Southlake refined product pipeline acquisition effective August 1, 2003, the Shell pipeline interest acquired on May 1, 2003, the crude oil storage tanks and the South Texas pipelines and terminals acquired on March 18, 2003 and on February 20, 2004, the Royal Trading asphalt terminals. The statement of income for the six months ended June 30, 2003 includes $11 million of operating income related to the crude oil storage tanks, the South Texas pipelines and terminals and the Shell pipeline interest.


2.  

Net income is allocated between limited partners and the general partner’s interests based on provisions in the partnership agreement. The apportioned net income applicable to limited partners is divided by the weighted average number of limited partnership units outstanding in computing the net income per unit applicable to limited partners. Net income per unit applicable to the general partner includes incentive distributions, aggregating $1.1 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $2.2 million and $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.


3.  

The increase in outstanding limited partnership units over comparable periods is due to the 2003 public offerings of common units by Valero L.P. in March, April and August, in which 7,567,250 common units were sold. Partially offsetting the increase in new units sold was the redemption in March 2003 of 3,809,750 common units held by UDS Logistics, LLC, an affiliate of Valero Energy Corporation. As of June 30, 2004, Valero L.P. has 23,041,394 common and subordinated units outstanding.


4.  

Valero L.P. utilizes two financial measures, EBITDA and distributable cash flow, 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 nor distributable cash flow are intended to represent cash flows for the period, nor are they presented as an alternative to net income. 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 net income to EBITDA and distributable cash flow (in thousands):


  Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

  2004 2003 2004 2003
 
                Net income     $ 19,706   $ 18,132   $ 39,676   $ 30,514  
                    Plus interest expense, net    5,071    4,736    10,197    7,113  
                    Plus depreciation and amortization    8,249    7,269    16,123    11,552  




                EBITDA    33,026    30,137    65,996    49,179  
                    Less equity income from Skelly-Belvieu                            
                      Pipeline Company    (177 )  (600 )  (730 )  (1,331 )
                    Less interest expense, net    (5,071 )  (4,736 )  (10,197 )  (7,113 )
                    Less reliability capital expenditures    (3,321 )  (1,446 )  (5,038 )  (2,638 )
                    Plus distributions from Skelly-Belvieu                            
                      Pipeline Company    287    879    975    1,627  




                Distributable cash flow   $ 24,744   $ 24,234   $ 51,006   $ 39,724  
                             
                General Partner interest in distributable                            
                    cash flow    (2,711 )  (3,383 )  (5,802 )  (3,967 )




                Limited Partners' interest in distributable                            
                    cash flow     $ 22,033   $ 20,851   $ 45,204   $ 35,757