CALGARY, Alberta, May 08, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Inter Pipeline Ltd. (“Inter Pipeline”) (TSX:IPL) announced strong financial and operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2017.

First Quarter Highlights

• Funds from operations (FFO) totalled $247 million, a 33 percent increase over first quarter 2016
• FFO for the Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) processing business segment set a new record of $82 million, an increase of $58 million over the same period last year
• Net income for the quarter was a record $140 million
• Declared cash dividends of $150 million, or $0.405 per share
• Attractive quarterly payout ratio* of 61 percent
• Record total pipeline throughput volumes, averaged 1,461,300 barrels per day (b/d)

Subsequent Event          

• Issued $500 million of senior medium-term notes at an attractive interest rate of 2.734%

* Please refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of the MD&A.

Financial Performance

Inter Pipeline generated positive financial results in the first quarter 2017, with funds from operations of $246.9 million, or $0.67 per share. The $60.9 million gain in funds from operations over the first quarter 2016 was largely driven by the strong performance of the NGL processing business which includes the acquired offgas processing business in September 2016.

For the first quarter 2017, Inter Pipeline’s four business segments generated funds from operations as follows:

Corporate costs increased $4.5 million to $62.8 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to the first quarter 2016. This is largely due to higher employee and financing costs which were partially offset by lower current taxes.

Cash Dividends

In the first quarter of 2017, dividend payments to shareholders increased $18.4 million to $149.7 million or $0.405 per share compared to the same period in 2016. Inter Pipeline’s current monthly dividend rate is $0.135 per share or $1.62 per share on an annualized basis.

Inter Pipeline’s payout ratio for the quarter was an attractive 60.6 percent, compared to 74.6 percent in the first quarter of 2016.

Oil Sands Transportation

The oil sands transportation segment demonstrated strong results in the first quarter of 2017. Funds from operations were $148.2 million, up six percent or $8.8 million, compared to first quarter 2016. 

Throughput volumes increased more than 13 percent over the first quarter of 2016, to a record 1,251,400 b/d. Volumes on the Cold Lake pipeline system which is now wholly owned by Inter Pipeline, increased by 60,700 b/d compared to the same period in 2016 on higher volumes from the Foster Creek, Wolf Lake and Kirby oil sands projects. Volumes on the Corridor pipeline also grew during the quarter, increasing by 46,100 b/d on higher production from the Muskeg River mine. Diluent deliveries on the Polaris pipeline system also increased by 40,400 b/d during the quarter as a result of higher deliveries to the Foster Creek oil sands project.

NGL Processing

The NGL processing business generated $81.9 million in funds from operations in the first quarter of 2017, up 247 percent or $58 million compared to the first quarter of 2016. The year-over-year improvement was primarily the result of strong performance by the recently acquired offgas processing business which contributed $40.1 million to FFO. 

Improved frac-spread pricing on propane-plus volumes sold at the Cochrane straddle plant also contributed to the strong quarterly results. The average propane-plus realized frac-spread was $0.60 USD per US gallon, almost double the $0.31 USD per US gallon realized in the first quarter of 2016. Olefinic and parafinic realized frac-spreads, from offgas processing operations were $1.25 USD per US gallon and $0.26 USD per US gallon, respectively.

Natural gas flows to the straddle plants at Cochrane and Empress were strong during the quarter.  In total, 3.2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas was processed and 104,000 b/d of ethane and propane-plus was extracted. Average sales volumes from the Redwater olefinic fractionator were 31,600 b/d for the quarter. In the second quarter of 2017, production volumes from this business segment will be lower than the first quarter, as planned maintenance programs will result in a shutdown at both the Cochrane straddle plant and the Redwater olefinic fractionator for an approximate three-week period.

Inter Pipeline continues to place a high priority on advancing the development of an estimated $3.1 billion integrated propane dehydrogenation and polypropylene complex within our NGL processing business. These facilities would convert low-cost, locally sourced propane into higher value polypropylene, a valuable recyclable plastic. In the first quarter of 2017, approximately $26 million of growth capital was invested to advance detailed engineering and procure long-lead items. Inter Pipeline is continuing to seek appropriate long-term contracts with strong “take or pay” features to underpin this investment, and is targeting a final investment decision around mid-2017.

Conventional Oil Pipelines

Funds from operations for Inter Pipeline’s conventional oil pipelines business segment rose to a new quarterly record of $53.4 million, up seven percent or $3.4 million, compared to the same period in 2016. While transportation revenue decreased slightly as higher volumes were moved on lower revenue pipeline segments, this was offset by strong midstream marketing results.

Average throughput volumes on Inter Pipeline’s three conventional gathering systems totalled 209,900 b/d for the quarter, representing a 1,400 b/d increase from the same period a year ago. Volumes on the Mid-Saskatchewan pipeline system increased 5,300 b/d or six percent to a new record of 92,900 b/d on strong regional production from the Viking light oil play. This increase was offset by lower throughput volumes on Central Alberta.

Bulk Liquid Storage

Inter Pipeline’s bulk liquid storage segment generated funds from operations of $26.2 million in the first quarter of 2017, a decrease from $31.3 million in the first quarter of 2016. The decline was primarily the result of unfavourable foreign exchange rates.

Inter Terminals continued to operate near full capacity during the first quarter of 2017. Average utilization rates in the quarter increased from 98 percent in 2016 to 99 percent in 2017, as strong demand for storage continued across this business.

Approximately $6.5 million of growth capital was invested in the first quarter related to the construction of 175,000 barrels of new chemical storage capacity at Seal Sands terminal in the U.K. Total estimated project cost is $25 million and is expected to be completed mid this year.

Financing Activity

Inter Pipeline continues to maintain a strong balance sheet with significant liquidity available on its committed revolving credit facility. As at March 31, 2017, Inter Pipeline had $675 million of capacity on its $1.5 billion revolving credit facility. At March 31, 2017, Inter Pipeline’s consolidated net debt to total capitalization ratio* was 56.2 percent, compared to 57.2 percent at December 31, 2016. 

Inter Pipeline also maintains strong investment grade credit ratings. Standard & Poor’s and DBRS Limited have assigned Inter Pipeline credit ratings of BBB+ and BBB (high), respectively.

On April 18, 2017, Inter Pipeline issued $500 million of 7-year senior unsecured medium-term notes in the Canadian public debt market, at an attractive rate of 2.734%. Net proceeds from the offering were used to repay debt outstanding under its revolving credit facility and for other general corporate purposes.

Conference Call & Webcast               

Inter Pipeline will hold its first quarter 2017 financial and operating results conference call and webcast on May 9 at 9:00 a.m. MT (11:00 a.m. ET) for interested shareholders, analysts and media representatives.

To participate in the conference call, please dial 1-844-413-0863 or 216-562-0455. The conference ID is 93362888. A replay of the conference call will be available until May 19, 2017 by calling 1-800-585-8367. The code for the replay is 93362888.

Annual General Meeting       

Inter Pipeline will hold its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on Monday, May 8, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. MT (4:00 p.m. ET) at the Metropolitan Conference Centre, 333, 4th Avenue S.W. in Calgary, Alberta. The meeting will be webcast live with a link accessible on Inter Pipeline’s website under “Investor Information” then “2017 Annual General Meeting.”

MD&A, Financial Statements & Notes

The Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) and consolidated financial statements provide a detailed explanation of Inter Pipeline’s operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the three month period ended March 31, 2016. These documents are available at www.interpipeline.com and at www.sedar.com.

Inter Pipeline Ltd.

Inter Pipeline is a major petroleum transportation, bulk liquid storage and natural gas liquids extraction business based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Inter Pipeline owns and operates energy infrastructure assets in western Canada and northern Europe. Additional information about Inter Pipeline can be found at www.interpipeline.com.

Inter Pipeline is a member of the S&P/TSX 60 Index and its shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol IPL.

Disclaimer

Certain information contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to: (i) statements regarding timing, costs and completion of Inter Pipeline’s current and future projects, including the integrated propane dehydrogenation and polypropylene complex, and (ii) Inter Pipeline’s belief that it is well positioned to maintain its balance sheet, credit ratings and current level of dividends to its shareholders. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as such statements are not guarantees of future performance. Inter Pipeline in no manner represents that actual results, levels of activity and achievements will be the same in whole or in part as those set out in the forward-looking statements herein.  Such information, although considered reasonable by Inter Pipeline at the time of preparation, may later prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the statements made.  For this purpose, any statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements often contain terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expects” and similar expressions. Such assumptions, risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, risks and assumptions associated with operations, such as Inter Pipeline’s ability to successfully implement its strategic initiatives and achieve expected benefits, including the further development of its pipeline systems and other facilities; assumptions concerning operational reliability; Inter Pipeline’s ability to maintain its investment grade credit ratings; the availability and price of labour, equipment and construction materials; the status, credit risk and continued existence of customers having contracts with Inter Pipeline and its affiliates; availability of energy commodities; volatility of and assumptions regarding prices of energy commodities; competitive factors, pricing pressures and supply and demand in the oil and gas transportation, natural gas liquids extraction and storage industries; assumptions based upon Inter Pipeline’s current guidance; fluctuations in currency and interest rates; inflation; the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; risks and uncertainties associated with Inter Pipeline’s ability to maintain its current level of cash dividends to its shareholders; risks inherent in Inter Pipeline’s Canadian and foreign operations; risks of war, hostilities, civil insurrection, instability and political and economic conditions in or affecting countries in which Inter Pipeline and its affiliates operate; severe weather conditions; terrorist threats; risks associated with technology; Inter Pipeline’s ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet its current and future obligations; Inter Pipeline’s ability to access external sources of debt and equity capital; general economic and business conditions; the potential delays of and costs of overruns on construction projects, including, but not limited to Inter Pipeline’s current projects and future expansions of Inter Pipeline’s pipeline systems; risks associated with the failure to finalize formal agreements with counterparties in circumstances where letters of intent or similar agreements have been executed and announced by Inter Pipeline; Inter Pipeline’s ability to make capital investments and the amounts of capital investments; changes in laws and regulations, including environmental, regulatory and taxation laws, and the interpretation of such changes to Inter Pipeline’s business; the risks associated with existing and potential or threatened future lawsuits and regulatory actions against Inter Pipeline and its affiliates; increases in maintenance, operating or financing costs; availability of adequate levels of insurance; difficulty in obtaining necessary regulatory approvals or land access rights and maintenance of support of such approvals and rights; the realization of the anticipated benefits of acquisitions; and such other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in Inter Pipeline’s reports and filings with the Canadian securities authorities. The impact of any one assumption, risk, uncertainty or other factor on a particular forward-looking statement cannot be determined with certainty, as these are interdependent and Inter Pipeline’s future course of action depends on management’s assessment of all information available at the relevant time. You can find a discussion of those risks and uncertainties in Inter Pipeline’s securities filings at www.sedar.com.  Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of assumptions, risks, uncertainties and factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this document, and, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and regulations, Inter Pipeline assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements made herein or otherwise, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.  The forward-looking statements contained in this document and all subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Inter Pipeline or persons acting on Inter Pipeline’s behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Certain financial measures referred to in this news release are not measures recognized by GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures do not have standardized meanings prescribed by GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities.  Investors are cautioned that these non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as alternatives to other measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Investor Relations:
Jeremy Roberge
Vice President, Capital Markets
Email: [email protected]  
Tel:  403-290-6015 or 1-866-716-7473  

Media Relations:
Breanne Oliver
Manager, Corporate Communications
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 587-475-1118 or 1-866-716-7473