Jennifer Straumins
Analyst · Howard Weil. Please proceed
Thank you, Noel. Good afternoon to all of you joining us on today’s call. Please turn your attention to Slide 3 of the slide deck for a high level overview of our fourth quarter results. Let me begin by congratulating our employees on an outstanding fourth quarter performance. Excluding special items, we generated record single quarter adjusted EBITDA of $136.1 million, versus $51.4 million in the prior year period. Excluding special items, Calumet reported adjusted net income of $65.5 million, or $0.86 per diluted unit, for the fourth quarter 2014. On a as reported basis results include six special items: first, a charge related to the lower of cost or market inventory adjustment of $72.8 million; second, a $31.8 million loss related to the liquidation of last-in, first-out inventory layers; third, a $16.6 million gain on the early settlement of select 2015 and 2016 crack spread derivatives contracts; fourth, a $23.2 million of unrealized derivative losses; fifth, an $18.2 million gain on sales of RINs related to the Partnership's retroactive exemptions from compliance with the U.S. Renewable Fuels Standard at our Shreveport, San Antonio refineries for 2013. Our fourth quarter results benefited from a combination of factors including excellent reliability of each of our major specialty clients and fuels refineries. And second elevated specialty product margins, which benefited from a sharp drop in crude oil prices during the fourth quarter. And thirdly, the fuel refining economics in several of our key niche refining markets during what was generally a seasonally slower period of the year. Excluding special items, distributable cash flow was $97.9 million for the fourth quarter 2014 versus $8.8 million in the prior year period. Year-over-year growth in gross profit and lower plan maintenance expenditures were key drivers behind the improvement in DCF. Specialty products segment adjusted EBITDA excluding special items increased 75% in the fourth quarter, versus the prior year period of $73.8 million, representing a 54% of total adjusted EBITDA in the period. As the per barrel price for crude oil declined from well over $100 to less than $50, between the end of July and year-end prices on select specialty products are slow to follow through, contributing to an expansion in gross profit margins, that were well above the historical norms. If there was ever any doubt that Calumet is key beneficiary of falling crude oil prices, excuse me, let this quarter be a testament to the fact that we are likely one of the most well positioned companies in the market to benefit from current commodity price environment. During the first quarter we continued to enjoy elevated margins on select specialty products, particularly within the wax, white oils and petrolatum markets. Fuel products segment adjusted EBITDA excluding special items, increased from $9.3 million in the fourth quarter 2013, to $52.6 million in the fourth quarter 2014 representing a 39% of total adjusted EBITDA in the period. As a system our four products of [indiscernible] fuels products, Shreveport, Montana, Superior and San Antonio operated well during the fourth quarter. Shreveport had a second consecutive quarter of solid reliability after completing a plant wide turnaround back in May 2014. Shreveport operated at 38,947 barrels per day in the fourth quarter, versus 30,088 barrels per day in the prior year period. Montana continued to operate at peak capacity of 10,000 barrels per day, during the fourth quarter, which is typical for this facility. Superior continues to enjoy some of the best fuels refining economics in the entire system, given its niche as the sole refiner in Wisconsin and access to cost advantaged feedstock. Down south San Antonio has really started to see improved economics on the fuels that sells locally, while also benefiting from lower crude oil transportation cost [following] [ph] a $0.03 connection to the TexStar System which feeds Eagle Ford crude oil direct to – by pipeline to the refinery. Turning now to Slide 4 in the Slide deck, our distribution coverage ratio excluding special items was 1.9 times in fourth quarter and 1.0 times on a trailing 12 month basis through December 31, 2014. Having [indiscernible] above one times coverage on the trailing 12 month basis, is great news for us, as it removes one of the principle criticisms of Calumet's detractors. Looking ahead, we continue to target coverage in that 1.2 times to 1.5 times range. On an as reported basis our leverage ratio improved significantly on a trailing 12 months basis. We continue to target a long-term debt to trailing 12 months adjusted EBITDA ratio below four times and continue to make solid progress towards that goal during the first quarter. As I mentioned earlier we are very pleased with the much improved reliability of our fuels refineries. In 2014, production of fuel products increased by more than 10% when compared to 2013. Our Superior, Montana and San Antonio refineries, each ran at elevated rates during the second half of 2014, as the targeted investments and plant maintenance conducted in 2013 and early 2014 facilitated improved performance of these facilities. Looking ahead we anticipate maintenance and turnaround spending at these four fuels refineries will decline significantly until the next turnaround cycle which begins in 2018. During the 2016 and 2017 timeframe, we currently expect total capital spending including maintenances [on major] [ph] turnaround and growth spending to be well below historical levels. Turning now to Slide 5. The year-over-year variance in distributable cash flow excluding special items was $89 million in the fourth quarter. A year-over-year improvement in gross profit and a reduction in replacement and environmental capital expenditures and turnaround costs were partially offset by higher cash interest expense. Our distribution coverage ratio will exceeded one times in both the third and fourth quarters of 2014 as reflected in the bottom portion of the slide. Importantly with no major turnarounds at our fuel refineries scheduled in 2015, 2016 or 2017, we would expect distribution coverage to reside closer to our targeted range of 1.2 to 1.5 times during the next three years. Turning now to Slide 6. As you can see from the top chart in the slide, specialty products gross profit per barrel excluding special items, increased by more than 40% during the fourth quarter 2014, given a backdrop of rapidly falling crude oil prices. This increase in specially products gross profit per barrel was partially offset by lower fuel products margins, which were impacted by narrowing crude oil discounts and product crack spreads in the fourth quarter, when compared to the prior year period. During the first quarter, wax, white oils and petrolatums margins remained very strong. We’ve recently enjoyed increased market penetration in [southern] [ph] market with higher lighter fluid and aluminum rolling oil sales, while [indiscernible] margins remain very stable, as we come out of a record year in this business. From a base oil perspective, pricing for naphthenics remains considerably stronger than in paraffinics, given capacity in the market. Further with the short drop in crude oil we have become increasingly bullish on the potential for strong asphalt margins heading into the start of the summer driving season and paving season. Looking at the bottom chart on Slide 6, we see the specialty product segment adjusted EBITDA, excluding special items, increased by more than 70% from the prior year, the primary driver for our strong financial performance in the period. We also want to highlight that oil field services, a new reporting segment for us beginning in the fourth quarter, generated nearly $10 million of adjusted EBITDA during what was a seasonally slower period of the year for this business. With an expected decline in domestic land rig activity on the horizon, particularly in the second half of 2015, we expect this business may come under some pressure during the next 12 months. However, recent market share gains in key shale basins should help offset some of this pressure. Importantly, oil field services is roughly 7% of our overall adjusted EBITDA, excluding special items. So our exposure to this is somewhat – to the somewhat volatile market is very limited. Turning to Slide 7, during the next 12 months, Calumet is scheduled to complete all four of its previously announced organic growth projects, accommodation of which are expected to provide significant incremental EBITDA upon which to further grow our partnership. With forecasted annualized rates of return of 20% to 30%, expected contributions from these projects represent a significant base of incremental EBITDA upon which to grow our partnership, and our quarterly cash distribution, in the years to come. Our Dakota Prairie refinery 50/50 joint venture with MDU Resources is in the process of being commissioned. We expect to turn the refinery over to operations during the month of April and expect to begin selling product during the second quarter of 2015. The estimated total construction costs for the expansion project to the joint venture, is expected to be approximately $425 million to $435 million, versus the prior estimate of approximately $400 million. While the total adjusted – annual adjusted EBITDA contribution to the joint venture from this project is estimated to be between $60 million to $70 million subject to market condition. Both the project cost and EBITDA contribution are to be split equally between the joint venture partners. For modeling purposes, we would expect to deliver cost of crude oil into Dakota Prairie several dollars per barrel discount to Bakken to WTI as priced at Clearbrook, given the refinery's proximity to local production centers. On a trailing 12-month basis, the Bakken Clearbrook discount to WTI has been about $6 a barrel. So we’d do expect to do see several dollars per barrel better than this discount the WTI on a deliver basis. Our Missouri Esters plant expansion is shaping up to be a great success. Our lead contractor, Westcon, has been a great partner to work along side during the construction process. The project which is design to more than double production at our Louisiana, Missouri Esters plant will increase capacity from ₤35 million per year to an estimated ₤75 million pounds per year. It’s expected to reach completion during the second quarter of 2015. Our R&D and sales team already have customers lined up for portions of our incremental esters production. The current estimated construction cost through the plant expansion is approximately $40 million to $45 million. Well, the total estimated annual EBITDA contribution for this project is estimated between $8 million and $12 million subject to market condition. We estimate a rate of return on this project to nearly 25%. Our San Antonio refinery solvents project is making good progress. Recall that with this project, we are taking of the refinery's ultra-low sulphur diesel and jet fuel production, and converting it into up to 3,000 barrels per day of higher margin solvents. It will meet customers’ requirements for low aromatic content. This project which was initially schedule for completion in the second quarter of 2015 has been pushed to the fourth quarter of 2015. The estimated total construction cost of the solvents project is approximately $65 million to $75 million up from prior estimates of approximately $40 million, due primarily to higher labor and material cost. The total estimated annual EBITDA contribution from this project is estimated to be approximately $20 million or rate of return of approximately 30%, still at very attractive return, even in spite of the higher cost estimate. And finally, with regard to the Montana expansion, the largest of the four projects, we remain very pleased with the progress we’ve made in recent months. Weather in the Great Falls area has been great, which has helped us to stay on budget and on schedule. On completion, we estimate this project will increase throughput capacity at the refinery from 10,000 barrels a day to approximately 25,000 barrels a day. Our sales teams continue to work towards replacing incremental asphalt and diesel for production in regional markets. The total estimated cost of the expansion project remains approximately $400 million, while the total estimated annual EBITDA contribution for this project is revised to a range between $70 million and $90 million. For modeling purposes, note that our revised, annualized EBITDA estimate assumes a very conservative Bow River crude oil discount to WTI of $10 per barrel, which essentially means the return on the project could improve, if we see differentials expand in any meaningful way. During the trailing 12 months, the Bow River discount to WTI has averaged $17 per barrel. So our assumptions are intentionally conservative with regard to crude oil spread. During January and February, fuels refining economics were very strong, supported by a strong distillate crack and a much improved gasoline crack, when compared to fourth-quarter levels. Further, WTI has moved from backwardation and into contango, which would benefit us from emerging realization perspective. We continue to capture strong margins on many of our special products, given the drop in crude oil prices and an increased penetration of the wax and solvents markets of new customer additions recent month. Overall, the first quarter shaping up well with no plan maintenance at any of the refineries during the period. With that, I’ll turn the call over to Pat.