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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-194465
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Each Class of Securities to be Offered |
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price |
Registration Fee(1) |
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4.850% Senior Notes due 2026 |
$500,000,000 | $50,350 | ||
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated March 10, 2014)
EnLink Midstream Partners, LP
$500,000,000 4.850% Senior Notes due 2026
We are offering $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our 4.850% Senior Notes due 2026, or the notes.
Interest on the notes will accrue from July 14, 2016 and will be payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2017. The notes will mature on July 15, 2026. We may redeem some or all of the notes at our option at any time and from time to time prior to their maturity at the applicable redemption prices set forth in this prospectus supplement, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Please read the section entitled "Description of NotesOptional Redemption."
The notes will be our unsecured senior obligations. If we default, your right to payment under the notes will rank equally with the right to payment of the holders of our other current and future unsecured senior debt, including our existing senior notes and borrowings under our revolving credit facility, and senior in right of payment to all of our current and future subordinated debt. The notes will not initially be guaranteed by our subsidiaries.
Investing in the notes involves risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-10.
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Public Offering Price(1) |
Underwriting Discount |
Proceeds, Before Expenses, to us |
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Per Note |
99.859 | % | 0.650 | % | 99.209 | % | ||||
Total |
$ | 499,295,000 | $ | 3,250,000 | $ | 496,045,000 |
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The underwriters expect to deliver the notes to purchasers on or about July 14, 2016 only in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company for the accounts of its participants.
Joint Book-Running Managers
BofA Merrill Lynch | J.P. Morgan | SunTrust Robinson Humphrey | ||
BBVA |
BMO Capital Markets |
Mizuho Securities |
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MUFG | PNC Capital Markets LLC | US Bancorp |
Co-Manager
Comerica Securities
July 11, 2016
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
AND THE ACCOMPANYING BASE PROSPECTUS
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering of notes. The second part is the accompanying base prospectus, which describes certain terms of the indenture under which the notes will be issued and gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering of notes. Generally, when we refer only to the "prospectus," we are referring to both parts combined. If the information varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.
Any statement made in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that is also incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. Please read "Information Incorporated by Reference" in this prospectus supplement.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us relating to this offering of notes. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with additional, different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We and the underwriters are offering to sell the notes, and seeking offers to buy the notes, only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or any free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the dates shown in these documents or that any information we have incorporated by reference herein is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such dates.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the information included in this prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference herein contain "forward-looking" statements. All statements that are not statements of historical facts, including statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. You can typically identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words, such as "forecast," "may," "believe," "will," "should," "plan," "predict," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "expect" and other similar words. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents we have incorporated by reference.
These forward-looking statements are made based upon management's current plans, expectations, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events impacting us and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Known material risks and uncertainties include the risks set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, as well as the following risks and uncertainties:
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Before you invest, you should be aware that the occurrence of any of the events described under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 could substantially harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events described in the forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a different extent or at a different time than we have described. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
As generally used in the energy industry and in this prospectus supplement, the following terms have the following meanings:
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This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. It does not contain all of the information that you should consider before making an investment decision. You should read this entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference for a more complete understanding of this offering of notes. Please read "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-10 of this prospectus supplement and page 1 of the accompanying base prospectus for information regarding risks you should consider before investing in our notes.
Throughout this prospectus supplement, when we use the terms "we," "us," "our" or the "Partnership," we are referring either to EnLink Midstream Partners, LP in its individual capacity or to EnLink Midstream Partners, LP and its operating subsidiaries collectively, as the context requires. Our business activities are conducted through our subsidiary, EnLink Midstream Operating, LP and its subsidiaries. References in this prospectus supplement to our "general partner" refer to EnLink Midstream GP, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of EnLink Midstream, LLC ("ENLC"). ENLC's managing member is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Devon.
Overview
EnLink Midstream Partners, LP is a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership formed in 2002. Our common units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ENLK." We primarily focus on providing midstream energy services, including gathering, transmission, processing, fractionation and marketing, to producers of natural gas, NGLs, crude oil and condensate. We also provide crude oil, condensate and brine services to producers. Our midstream energy asset network includes approximately 10,000 miles of pipelines, 19 natural gas processing plants, seven fractionators, 3.2 million barrels of NGL cavern storage, 19.1 Bcf of natural gas storage, rail terminals, barge terminals, truck terminals and a fleet of approximately 150 trucks.
We connect the wells of natural gas producers in our market areas to our gathering systems, process natural gas for the removal of NGLs, fractionate NGLs into purity products and market those products for a fee, transport natural gas and ultimately provide natural gas to a variety of markets. We purchase natural gas from natural gas producers and other supply sources and sell that natural gas to utilities, industrial consumers, other marketers and pipelines. We operate processing plants that process gas transported to the plants by major interstate pipelines or from our own gathering systems under a variety of fee-based arrangements. We provide a variety of crude oil and condensate services, which include crude oil and condensate gathering via pipelines, barges, rail and trucks, condensate stabilization and brine disposal. Our gas gathering systems consist of networks of pipelines that collect natural gas from points near producing wells and transport it to larger pipelines for further transmission. Our transmission pipelines primarily receive natural gas from our gathering systems and from third party gathering and transmission systems and deliver natural gas to industrial end-users, utilities and other pipelines. We also have transmission lines that transport NGLs from east Texas and from our south Louisiana processing plants to our fractionators in south Louisiana. Additionally, we own an economic interest in an NGL fractionator located at Mont Belvieu, Texas that receives raw mix NGLs from customers, fractionates such raw mix and redelivers the finished products to the customers for a fee. Devon is one of the largest customers of this fractionator. Our crude oil and condensate gathering and transmission systems consist of trucking facilities, pipelines, rail and barge facilities that, in exchange for a fee, transport oil from a producer site to an end user. Our processing plants remove NGLs and CO2 from a natural gas stream and our fractionators separate the NGLs into separate NGL products, including ethane, propane, iso-butane, normal butane and natural gasoline.
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Our assets are comprised of systems and other assets in which our interest is held through our wholly-owned subsidiaries as well as systems and other assets owned by EnLink Oklahoma Gas Processing, LP (previously known as EnLink TOM Holdings, LP), in which we hold a 84% interest, and are included in five primary segments:
Our Business Strategies
Our primary business objective is to provide cash flow stability in our business while growing prudently and profitably. We intend to accomplish this objective by executing the following strategies:
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existing infrastructure, operating expertise and customer relationships by constructing and expanding systems to meet new or increased demand for our services.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe that we are well-positioned to execute our business strategies and to achieve our business objectives due to the following competitive strengths:
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the energy industry. We believe this team provides us with a strong foundation for evaluating growth opportunities and operating our assets in a safe, reliable and efficient manner.
Recent Developments
Tall Oak Acquisition
On January 7, 2016, we and ENLC acquired an 84% and 16% interest, respectively, in EnLink Oklahoma Gas Processing, LP (previously known as EnLink TOM Holdings, LP) and its consolidated subsidiaries ("TOM") for approximately $1.4 billion. The first installment of $1.02 billion for the acquisition was paid at closing. The final installment of $500.0 million is due no later than the first anniversary of the closing date with the option to defer $250.0 million of the final installment up to 24 months following the closing date. The installment payables are valued net of discount within the total purchase price.
The first installment consisted of approximately $1.02 billion and was funded by (a) approximately $783.9 million in cash paid by us, the majority of which was derived from the proceeds from our issuance of Preferred Units (as defined under "Issuance of Preferred Units" below), and (b) 15,564,009 common units representing limited liability company interests in ENLC issued directly by ENLC and approximately $22.0 million in cash paid by ENLC.
TOM's assets serve gathering and processing needs in the growing STACK and CNOW plays in Oklahoma and are supported by long-term, fixed-fee contracts with acreage dedications that have a remaining weighted-average term of approximately 15 years. TOM's assets are strategically located in the core areas of the STACK and CNOW plays and include:
Organic Growth
Greater Chickadee. In June 2016, we announced that one of our subsidiaries will construct a new crude oil gathering system, called the Greater Chickadee crude oil gathering project ("Greater Chickadee"), in Upton and Midland counties in the Permian Basin. Greater Chickadee will include over 150 miles of high- and low-pressure pipelines that will transport crude oil volumes to several major market outlets and other key hub centers in the Midland, Texas area. The project also includes the construction of multiple central tank batteries and pump, truck injection, and storage stations to maximize shipping and delivery options for EnLink's producer customers. The initial phase of Greater
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Chickadee is expected to be operational in the second half of 2016 with full service expected in early 2017.
Lobo II Natural Gas Gathering and Processing Facility. In the first quarter of 2016, we commenced construction of a new cryogenic gas processing plant and a gas gathering system in the Delaware Basin. The plant will initially provide 60 MMcf/d of processing capacity (with a potential capacity of 120 MMcf/d) and will be tied to approximately 75 miles of new pipeline located in both in Texas and New Mexico that is also under construction. The plant and Texas portion of the pipeline are expected to be completed in the second half of 2016 with the remaining New Mexico pipeline to be completed in the first quarter of 2017. The Lobo II system is supported by a long-term contract with a producer with an investment grade credit rating.
Riptide Processing Plant. In April 2016, we completed construction of the Riptide processing plant in the Permian Basin. The Riptide plant was part of the Coronado Midstream acquisition that was completed in March 2015. The Riptide plant is integrated with EnLink's Midland Basin system, and key customers include Diamondback Energy, Inc., RSP Permian, Inc. and Reliance Energy, Inc.
Marathon Petroleum Joint Venture. We have entered into a series of agreements with a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation ("Marathon Petroleum") to create a 50/50 joint venture named Ascension Pipeline Company, LLC. In the third quarter of 2016, the joint venture will commence construction of a new 30-mile NGL pipeline connecting our existing Riverside fractionation and terminal complex to Marathon Petroleum's Garyville refinery located on the Mississippi River. This bolt-on project to our Cajun-Sibon NGL system is supported by long-term, fee-based contracts with Marathon Petroleum. Under the arrangement, we will serve as the construction manager and operator of the pipeline project, which is expected to be operational in the first half of 2017.
HEP. During 2016, we plan to make contributions to Howard Energy Partners ("HEP"), primarily to fund our equity share of HEP's Nueva Era Pipeline. The Nueva Era Pipeline is a 50-50 joint venture between HEP and a Mexico-based energy and services firm called Grupo Clisa connecting HEP's existing Webb County Hub in South Texas directly to the Mexican National Pipeline System in Monterrey, Mexico. Mexico's Comisión Federal de Electricidad will be the foundation shipper on the approximately 200-mile, 30-inch pipeline and will transport 504 MMcf/d on the system for a 25-year term.
Issuance of Common Units
Equity Distribution Agreement. In November 2014, the Partnership entered into an equity distribution agreement (the "BMO EDA") with BMO Capital Markets Corp. and certain other sales agents to sell up to $350.0 million in aggregate gross sales of the Partnership's common units from time to time through an "at the market" equity offering program. The Partnership may also sell common units to any sales agent as principal for the sales agent's own account at a price agreed upon at the time of sale. The Partnership has no obligation to sell any of the common units under the BMO EDA and may at any time suspend solicitation and offers under the BMO EDA.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, we sold an aggregate of 0.2 million common units under the BMO EDA, generating proceeds of approximately $2.1 million (net of approximately $0.1 million of commissions). We used the net proceeds for general partnership purposes. As of March 31, 2016, approximately $314.8 million remains available to be issued under the agreement.
Issuance of Preferred Units
On January 7, 2016, we issued an aggregate of 50,000,000 Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units representing limited partner interests in our partnership (the "Preferred Units") to Enfield Holdings, L.P. ("Enfield") in a private placement (the "Private Placement") for a cash purchase
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price of $15.00 per Preferred Unit (the "Issue Price"), resulting in net proceeds of approximately $724.5 million after fees and deductions. Proceeds from the Private Placement were used to partially fund our portion of the purchase price payable in connection with the Tall Oak acquisition. Affiliates of the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and affiliates of TPG Global, LLC own interests in the general partner of Enfield.
The Preferred Units are convertible into our common units on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain adjustments, at any time after the record date for the quarter ending June 30, 2017 (a) in full, at our option, if the volume weighted average price of a common unit over the 30-trading day period ending two trading days prior to the conversion date (the "Conversion VWAP") is greater than 150% of the Issue Price or (b) in full or in part, at Enfield's option. In addition, upon certain events involving a change of control of our general partner or the managing member of ENLC, all of the Preferred Units will automatically convert into a number of common units equal to the greater of (i) the number of common units into which the Preferred Units would then convert and (ii) the number of Preferred Units to be converted multiplied by an amount equal to (x) 140% of the Issue Price divided by (y) the Conversion VWAP.
Enfield receives a quarterly distribution, subject to certain adjustments, equal to (x) during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 through the quarter ending June 30, 2017, an annual rate of 8.5% on the Issue Price payable in-kind in the form of additional Preferred Units and (y) thereafter, at an annual rate of 7.5% on the Issue Price payable in cash (the "Cash Distribution Component") plus an in-kind distribution equal to the greater of (A) an annual rate of 1.0% of the Issue Price and (B) an amount equal to (i) the excess, if any, of the distribution that would have been payable had the Preferred Units converted into common units over the Cash Distribution Component, divided by (ii) the Issue Price. Income is allocated to the Preferred Units in an amount equal to the quarterly distribution with respect to the period earned.
Principal Executive Offices and Internet Address
Our principal executive offices are located at 2501 Cedar Springs Rd., Dallas, Texas 75201 and our telephone number is (214) 953-9500. Our website is located at www.enlink.com. We make available our periodic reports and other information filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the "SEC" or the "Commission," free of charge, through our website, as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports and other information are electronically filed with or furnished to the Commission. The information on our website is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus, and you should rely only on information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus when making a decision as to whether or not to invest in our notes.
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The diagram below depicts our organization and approximate ownership immediately prior to this offering.
Simplified Organizational Structure
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We provide the following summary solely for your convenience. This summary is not a complete description of the notes. You should read the full text of, and more specific details contained elsewhere in, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. For a more detailed description of the notes, please read the section entitled "Description of Notes" in this prospectus supplement and the section entitled "Description of the Debt Securities" in the accompanying base prospectus.
Issuer | EnLink Midstream Partners, LP | |
Notes Offered |
We are offering $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.850% Senior Notes due 2026. |
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Maturity |
Unless redeemed prior to maturity as described below, the notes will mature on July 15, 2026. |
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Interest Rate |
Interest on the notes will accrue at the per annum rate of 4.850%. |
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Interest Payment Dates |
Interest on the notes will accrue from, and including, the issue date of the notes and be payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2017. |
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Ranking |
The notes will be our unsecured senior obligations. The notes will rank equally with all of our other current and future unsecured senior debt, including our existing senior notes and borrowings under our revolving credit facility, senior to all of our current and future subordinated debt, and junior to the indebtedness and other obligations, including trade payables, of our subsidiaries. |
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As of March 31, 2016, after giving effect to this offering of the notes and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in "Use of Proceeds," we, excluding our subsidiaries, would have had approximately $3.6 billion of indebtedness outstanding, all of which would have been unsecured senior indebtedness, and our subsidiaries would have had approximately $13.4 million of indebtedness outstanding, consisting of capital leases. Please read "Description of NotesRanking." |
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Optional Redemption |
We may redeem the notes for cash, in whole or in part at any time and from time to time, at our option at the applicable redemption prices set forth under the heading "Description of NotesOptional Redemption." |
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Certain Covenants |
We will issue the notes under a supplement to an indenture with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. The covenants in the indenture supplement will include a limitation on liens and a restriction on sale-leaseback transactions. Each covenant is subject to a number of important exceptions, limitations and qualifications that are described in "Description of NotesCertain Covenants." |
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Use of Proceeds | We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility and for general partnership purposes. See "Use of Proceeds." | |
Affiliates of each of the underwriters are lenders under our revolving credit facility that we expect to reduce using the proceeds of this offering, and, accordingly, such underwriters and affiliates will receive a portion of the proceeds from this offering. See "Underwriting." |
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Further Issuances |
We may create and issue additional notes ranking equally and ratably with any series of notes offered by this prospectus supplement in all respects, except for the issue date, public offering price and in some cases, the first interest payment date, so that such additional notes will form a single series with the applicable series of notes offered by this prospectus supplement and will have substantially identical terms as such series, including with respect to ranking, redemption and otherwise. |
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Risk Factors |
Investing in the notes involves risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-10 of this prospectus supplement and the risk factors set forth on page 1 of the accompanying base prospectus, and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, together with all of the other information included in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus before investing in the notes. |
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Governing Law |
The indenture governing the notes and the notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. |
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An investment in the notes involves risks. You should consider carefully the following risk factors and the risk factors set forth beginning on page 1 of the accompanying base prospectus and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, together with all of the other information included in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus when evaluating an investment in the notes.
Risks Related to the Notes
Our significant indebtedness, and any future indebtedness, as well as the restrictions in our debt agreements may adversely affect our future financial and operating flexibility and our ability to service the notes.
As of March 31, 2016, after giving effect to this offering and the application of the net proceeds as described in "Use of Proceeds," our consolidated indebtedness would have been approximately $3.6 billion, and we would have been able to incur approximately $1.44 billion of additional indebtedness under our revolving credit facility. Our substantial indebtedness and the additional debt we may incur in the future for potential acquisitions or operating activities may adversely affect our liquidity and therefore our ability to make interest payments on the notes.
Among other things, our significant indebtedness may be viewed negatively by credit rating agencies, which could result in increased costs for us to access the capital markets. Any future downgrade of the debt issued by us or our subsidiaries could significantly increase our capital costs or adversely affect our ability to raise capital in the future.
Debt service obligations and restrictive covenants in our revolving credit facility and other indebtedness and the indenture governing the notes may adversely affect our ability to finance future operations, pursue acquisitions and fund other capital needs. In addition, this leverage may make our results of operations more susceptible to adverse economic or operating conditions by limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate and may place us at a competitive disadvantage as compared to our competitors that have less debt.
The indenture governing the notes will permit us to incur additional debt, which would be equal in right of payment to the notes. If we incur any additional indebtedness, including trade payables, that ranks equally with the notes, the holders of that debt would be entitled to share ratably with you in any proceeds distributed in connection with any insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding up of us. This may have the effect of reducing the amount of proceeds paid to you. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify.
The notes will be our senior unsecured obligations and as a result, the notes will be effectively junior to our future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness, and structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries, other than subsidiaries that may guarantee the notes in the future.
The notes will be our senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other existing and future senior indebtedness, and will be structurally subordinated to the claims of all creditors, including trade creditors and tort claimants, of our subsidiaries, other than subsidiaries that may guarantee the notes in the future. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution, reorganization, bankruptcy or similar proceeding of the business of a subsidiary that is not a guarantor, creditors of that subsidiary, including trade creditors, would generally have the right to be paid in full before any distribution is made to us or the holders of the notes. Accordingly, there may not be sufficient funds remaining to pay amounts due on all or any of the notes. As of March 31, 2016, after
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giving effect to this offering and the application of the net proceeds as described in "Use of Proceeds," our subsidiaries would have had approximately $13.4 million of indebtedness outstanding, consisting of capital leases. The indenture governing the notes will not prohibit such subsidiaries from incurring indebtedness in the future.
In addition, because the notes are, and any future guarantees of the notes will be, unsecured, holders of any secured indebtedness of ours or our subsidiaries would have claims with respect to the assets constituting collateral for such indebtedness that are senior to the claims of the holders of the notes. Currently, neither we nor any of our subsidiaries has any secured indebtedness. Although the indenture governing the notes will place some limitations on our ability to create liens securing indebtedness, there will be significant exceptions to these limitations that would allow us to secure significant amounts of indebtedness without equally and ratably securing the notes. If we or our subsidiaries incur secured indebtedness and such indebtedness is accelerated or we become subject to bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization proceedings, our and our subsidiaries' assets would be used to satisfy obligations with respect to the indebtedness secured thereby before any payment could be made on the notes. Consequently, any such secured indebtedness would effectively be senior to the notes and any future guarantees of the notes, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such secured indebtedness. In that event, you may not be able to recover all the principal or interest you are due under the notes.
Any future subsidiary guarantees could be deemed fraudulent conveyances under certain circumstances, and in such event a court may try to subordinate or void the subsidiary guarantees.
Initially, none of our subsidiaries will guarantee the notes, although in the future one or more of our subsidiaries may do so. Under the federal bankruptcy laws and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer laws, a subsidiary guarantee could be voided, or claims in respect of a subsidiary guarantee could be subordinated to all other debts of that subsidiary guarantor if, among other things, the subsidiary guarantor, at the time it incurred the indebtedness evidenced by its subsidiary guarantee received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the incurrence of such subsidiary guarantee; and
In addition, any payment by that subsidiary guarantor pursuant to its subsidiary guarantee could be voided and required to be returned to the subsidiary guarantor, or to a fund for the benefit of the creditors of the subsidiary guarantor. The measures of insolvency for purposes of these fraudulent transfer laws will vary depending upon the law applied in any proceeding to determine whether a fraudulent transfer has occurred. Generally, however, a subsidiary guarantor would be considered insolvent if:
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The indenture governing the notes will include only limited covenants and these limited covenants may not protect your investment.
The indenture governing the notes will not:
The indenture governing the notes will also permit us and our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, that could effectively rank senior to the notes, and to engage in leaseback arrangements, subject to certain limitations. Any of these actions could adversely affect our ability to make principal and interest payments on the notes.
We have a holding company structure in which our subsidiaries conduct our operations and own our operating assets.
We are a holding company, and our subsidiaries conduct all of our operations and own all of our operating assets. We do not have significant assets other than the equity in our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to make required payments on the notes depends on the performance of our subsidiaries and their ability to distribute funds to us. The ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions to us may be restricted by, among other things, credit instruments and applicable state partnership laws and other laws and regulations. If our subsidiaries are prevented from distributing funds to us, we may be unable to pay all the principal and interest on the notes when due.
We do not have the same flexibility as other types of organizations to accumulate cash, which may limit cash available to service the notes or to repay them at maturity.
Unlike a corporation, we are required by our partnership agreement to distribute, on a quarterly basis, 100% of our available cash to our unitholders of record and our general partner. "Available cash" is defined in our partnership agreement, and it generally means, for each fiscal quarter:
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As a result, we do not expect to accumulate significant amounts of cash. Depending on the timing and amount of our cash distributions, these distributions could significantly reduce the cash available to us in subsequent periods to make payments on the notes.
Your ability to transfer the notes at a time or price you desire may be limited by the absence of an active trading market, which may not develop.
Although we have registered the offer and sale of the notes under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, we do not intend to apply for the listing of the notes on any securities exchange or for the quotation of the notes on any automated dealer quotation system. In addition, although the underwriters have informed us that they intend to make a market in the notes of each series, as permitted by applicable laws and regulations, they are not obligated to make markets in the notes, and they may discontinue their market-making activities at any time without notice. Active markets for the notes may not develop or, if developed, may not continue. In the absence of active trading markets, you may not be able to transfer the notes within the time or at the prices you desire.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness, including the notes, our existing notes and our indebtedness under our revolving credit facility, and we may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We cannot assure you that we will maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness.
If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets or operations, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness, including the notes. We cannot assure you that we would be able to take any of these actions, that these actions would be successful and would permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations or that these actions would be permitted under the terms of our existing or future debt agreements, including our credit agreement, the indentures governing our existing notes and the indenture that will govern the notes. For example, our revolving credit facility contains restrictions on our ability to dispose of assets. We may not be able to consummate asset dispositions, and any proceeds may not be adequate to meet any debt service obligations then due. See "Description of Notes."
The credit and risk profile of our general partner and its owner could adversely affect our credit ratings and profile.
The credit and business risk profiles of our general partner and its indirect owner, Devon, may be factors in credit evaluations of us due to the control of our general partner, the significant business we conduct with Devon and the significant influence over our business activities, including our cash distributions, acquisition strategy and business risk profile. Another factor that may be considered is the financial condition of our general partner and Devon, including the degree of their financial leverage.
Our tax treatment will depend on our status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as well as our not being subject to entity-level taxation by individual states. If the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") treats us as a corporation for tax purposes or we become subject to additional entity-level taxation, it would reduce the amount of cash available for payment of principal and interest on the notes.
If we were classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income at the corporate tax rate, which is
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currently a maximum of 35%, and would likely pay state income tax and franchise tax at varying rates. Treatment of us as a corporation would cause a material reduction in our anticipated cash flow, which could materially and adversely affect our ability to make payments on the notes.
Current law may change so as to cause us to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise subject us to entity-level taxation. For example, at the federal level, legislation previously has been proposed that would eliminate partnership tax treatment for certain publicly traded partnerships. Although such proposed legislation would not have applied to us as proposed, it is possible that modified versions of such legislation could be enacted which would apply to us. We are unable to predict whether any of these changes, or other proposals, will ultimately be enacted. Any such changes could materially and adversely affect our ability to make payments on the notes. At the state level, because of widespread state budget deficits and for other reasons, several states are evaluating ways to subject partnerships to entity-level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise and other forms of taxation. For example, as a partnership operating in Texas we are currently required to pay franchise tax at a maximum effective rate of 0.525% of our gross income apportioned to Texas. If any other state were to impose a tax on us, the cash we have available to make payments on the notes could be materially reduced.
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We expect to receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately $495.7 million after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility and for general partnership purposes.
As of July 8, 2016, we had $707.0 million in borrowings and $11.0 million in outstanding letters of credit under our $1.5 billion unsecured revolving credit facility (which includes a $500.0 million letter of credit subfacility) at a weighted average interest rate of 2.18%. Our revolving credit facility matures in March 2020, unless we request, and the requisite lenders agree, to extend it pursuant to its terms. Borrowings under our revolving credit facility were used for capital expenditures, acquisitions and general partnership purposes.
Affiliates of each of the underwriters are lenders under our revolving credit facility that we expect to reduce using the proceeds from this offering and, accordingly, such underwriters and affiliates will receive a portion of the proceeds from this offering. See "Underwriting."
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The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization as of March 31, 2016:
You should read this table in conjunction with our financial statements and notes that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus for additional information about our capital structure.
|
As of March 31, 2016 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Historical | As Adjusted | |||||
|
(Dollars in millions) |
||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 5.7 | $ | 5.7 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Long-term debt including current maturities: |
|||||||
Bank credit facility(1) |
$ | 543.0 | $ | 47.3 | |||
2.700% Senior Notes due 2019 (net of discount of $0.4 million) |
399.6 | 399.6 | |||||
7.125% Senior Notes due 2022 (including a premium of $18.2 million) |
180.7 | 180.7 | |||||
4.400% Senior Notes due 2024 (net of premium of $2.8 million) |
552.8 | 552.8 | |||||
4.150% Senior Notes due 2025 (net of discount of $1.2 million) |
748.8 | 748.8 | |||||
5.600% Senior Notes due 2044 (net of discount of $0.3 million) |
349.7 | 349.7 | |||||
5.050% Senior Notes due 2045 (net of discount of $6.8 million) |
443.2 | 443.2 | |||||
4.850% Senior Notes due 2026 offered hereby (net of discount of $0.7 million) |
| 499.3 | |||||
Installment Payable (net of discount of $66.7 million) |
433.3 | 433.3 | |||||
Debt Issuance Cost |
(22.4 | ) | (26.0 | ) | |||
Other debt |
0.2 | 0.2 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total long-term debt including current maturities |
3,628.9 | 3,628.9 | |||||
Partners' equity: |
|||||||
Common Units |
3,367.5 | 3,367.5 | |||||
Class C Common Units |
137.0 | 137.0 | |||||
Preferred Units |
736.3 | 736.3 | |||||
General Partner Interest |
210.4 | 210.4 | |||||
Non-Controlling Interest |
259.6 | 259.6 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total partners' equity |
4,710.8 | 4,710.8 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total capitalization |
$ | 8,339.7 | $ | 8,339.7 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated:
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|
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
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Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 |
||||||||||||||||||
|
2015 | 2014 | 2013(2) | 2012(2) | 2011(2) | ||||||||||||||
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1) |
(3 | ) | (4 | ) | 6.5x | | | |
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We are currently a party to a base indenture between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, dated March 19, 2014, pursuant to which we may issue multiple series of debt securities from time to time. We will issue the notes under such base indenture, as supplemented by a supplemental indenture setting forth the specific terms of the notes. In this description, when we refer to the "indenture," we mean such base indenture as so amended and supplemented by the applicable supplemental indenture. This description is a summary of the material provisions of the notes and the indenture. This description does not restate those agreements and instruments in their entirety. You should refer to the notes and the indenture, forms of which are available as set forth below under "Available Information," for a complete description of our obligations and your rights.
The following description of the particular terms of the notes supplements the general description of the debt securities included in the accompanying base prospectus under the caption "Description of the Debt Securities." The notes offered hereby will be a series of senior debt securities issued by us as described herein and therein. You should review this "Description of Notes" together with the "Description of the Debt Securities" included in the accompanying base prospectus. To the extent that this "Description of Notes" is inconsistent with the "Description of the Debt Securities" in the accompanying base prospectus, this "Description of Notes" will control and replace the inconsistent "Description of the Debt Securities" in the accompanying base prospectus.
You can find the definitions of various terms used in this description under "Certain Definitions" below. In this description, the terms "EnLink Midstream," "we," "us" and "our" refer only to EnLink Midstream Partners, LP and not to any of its Subsidiaries.
General
The notes:
The notes constitute a separate series of debt securities under the indenture. The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities we may issue under the indenture from time to time in one or more series. We may in the future issue additional debt securities under the indenture in addition to the notes as described below under "Further Issuances."
Interest
Interest on the notes will accrue from and including July 14, 2016 or from and including the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or provided for. We will pay interest on the notes in cash semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning January 15, 2017. We will make interest payments on the notes to the persons in whose names the notes are registered at the close of business on January 1 or July 1, as applicable, before the next interest payment date.
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Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. If any interest payment date falls on a day that is not a business day, the payment will be made on the next business day, and no interest will accrue on the amount of interest due on that interest payment date for the period from and after the interest payment date to the date of payment.
Paying Agent and Registrar
The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar for the notes. We may change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of the notes, and we or any of our Subsidiaries may act as paying agent or registrar; provided, however, that we will be required to maintain at all times an office or agency in The City of New York (which may be an office of the trustee or an affiliate of the trustee or the registrar or a co-registrar for the notes) where the notes may be presented for payment and where notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon us in respect of the notes and the indenture may be served. We may also from time to time designate one or more additional offices or agencies where the notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations.
Further Issuances
We may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of the notes, create and issue additional notes having the same terms as any of the series of notes offered by this prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus, except for the issue date, public offering price and in some cases, the first interest payment date. Additional notes issued in this manner will form a single series with the previously issued and outstanding notes of such series.
Optional Redemption
Prior to April 15, 2026 (three months prior to the maturity date of the notes), the notes will be redeemable, at our option, at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, at a price equal to the greater of:
plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.
At any time on or after April 15, 2026 (three months prior to the maturity date of the notes), the notes will be redeemable in whole or in part, at our option, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date.
For purposes of determining the redemption price, the following definitions are applicable:
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the notes to be redeemed (calculated as if the maturity date of the notes was April 15, 2026 (three months prior to the maturity date of the notes)) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the
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remaining term of such notes (calculated as if the maturity date of the notes was April 15, 2026 (three months prior to the maturity date of the notes)).
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date for notes, (1) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date after excluding the highest and lowest of all of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations or (2) if the Quotation Agent obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.
"Quotation Agent" means the Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by us.
"Primary Treasury Dealer" means a U.S. government securities dealer in the United States.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means each of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and their respective successors.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation" means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Quotation Agent, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Quotation Agent by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding the redemption date.
"Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per year equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date. The Treasury Rate will be calculated on the third business day preceding any redemption date.
Redemption Procedures
If fewer than all of the notes of a series are to be redeemed at any time, such notes will be selected for redemption not more than 60 days prior to the redemption date and such selection will be made by the trustee on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the trustee deems appropriate (or, in the case of notes represented by a note in global form, by such method as The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") may require); provided, that no partial redemption of any note will occur if such redemption would reduce the principal amount of such note to less than $2,000. Notices of redemption with respect to the notes will be sent at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of notes to be redeemed.
If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such note will state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon cancellation of the original note. Notes called for redemption will become due on the date fixed for redemption. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions of the notes called for redemption.
Future Subsidiary Guarantees
The notes initially will not be guaranteed by any of our Subsidiaries. However, if at any time following the issuance of the notes, any Subsidiary of EnLink Midstream becomes a guarantor or co-obligor of our Credit Agreement, then EnLink Midstream will cause such Subsidiary to promptly execute and deliver to the trustee a supplemental indenture in a form satisfactory to the trustee pursuant to which such Subsidiary guarantees EnLink Midstream's obligations with respect to the notes on the terms provided for in the indenture.
The guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor may be released under certain circumstances. If we exercise our legal or covenant defeasance option with respect to the notes as described below under
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"Defeasance and Discharge," then any Subsidiary Guarantor will be released. Further, if no default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture, and to the extent not otherwise prohibited by the indenture, a Subsidiary Guarantor will be unconditionally released and discharged from its guarantee:
If at any time following any release of a Subsidiary Guarantor from its guarantee of the notes pursuant to the third bullet point in the preceding paragraph, the Subsidiary Guarantor again becomes a guarantor or co-obligor of our Credit Agreement, then EnLink Midstream will cause the Subsidiary Guarantor to again guarantee the notes in accordance with the indenture.
Ranking
The notes will be unsecured, unless we are required to secure them pursuant to the limitations on liens covenant described below under "Certain CovenantsLimitations on Liens." The notes will also be the unsubordinated obligations of EnLink Midstream and will rank equally with all other existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness of EnLink Midstream. Each guarantee, if any, of the notes will be an unsecured and unsubordinated obligation of the Subsidiary Guarantor and will rank equally with all other existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness of the Subsidiary Guarantor. The notes and each guarantee, if any, will effectively rank junior to any future indebtedness of EnLink Midstream and any Subsidiary Guarantor that is both secured and unsubordinated to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and the notes will structurally rank junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of EnLink Midstream's existing and future Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors.
As of March 31, 2016, after giving effect to this offering of the notes and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in "Use of Proceeds," EnLink Midstream, excluding its Subsidiaries, would have had approximately $3.6 billion of indebtedness outstanding, all of which would have been unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness, consisting entirely of the notes and our existing senior unsecured notes. Initially, none of EnLink Midstream's Subsidiaries will guarantee the notes. As of March 31, 2016, after giving effect to this offering of the notes and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in "Use of Proceeds," these Subsidiaries would have had approximately $13.4 million of indebtedness outstanding, consisting of capital leases.
Open Market Purchases; No Mandatory Redemption or Sinking Fund
We may at any time and from time to time repurchase notes in the open market or otherwise, in each case without any restriction under the indenture. We are not required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the notes.
Certain Covenants
Except as set forth below, neither EnLink Midstream nor any of its Subsidiaries is restricted by the indenture from incurring any type of indebtedness or other obligation, from paying dividends or making distributions on its partnership or other equity interests or from purchasing or redeeming its partnership or other equity interests. The indenture does not require the maintenance of any financial
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ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity. In addition, the indenture does not contain any provisions that would require EnLink Midstream to repurchase or redeem or otherwise modify the terms of the notes upon a change in control or other events involving EnLink Midstream that could adversely affect the creditworthiness of EnLink Midstream.
Limitations on Liens. EnLink Midstream will not, nor will it permit any of its Principal Subsidiaries to, create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any mortgage, lien, security interest, pledge, charge or other encumbrance ("liens") upon any Principal Property or upon any capital stock of any Principal Subsidiary, whether owned on the date of the supplemental indenture creating the notes or thereafter acquired, to secure any Indebtedness of EnLink Midstream or any other Person (other than the notes), without in any such case making effective provisions whereby all of the outstanding notes are secured equally and ratably with, or prior to, such Indebtedness so long as such Indebtedness is so secured.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, under the indenture, EnLink Midstream may, and may permit any of its Principal Subsidiaries to, create, assume, incur, or suffer to exist without securing the notes (a) any Permitted Lien, (b) any lien upon any Principal Property or capital stock of a Principal Subsidiary to secure Indebtedness of EnLink Midstream or any other Person, provided that the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness then outstanding secured by such lien and all similar liens under this clause (b), together with all Attributable Indebtedness from Sale-Leaseback Transactions (excluding Sale-Leaseback Transactions permitted by clauses (1) through (4), inclusive, of the first paragraph of the restriction on sale-leasebacks covenant described below), does not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets or (c) any lien upon (i) any Principal Property that was not owned by EnLink Midstream or any of its Subsidiaries on the date of the supplemental indenture creating the notes or (ii) the capital stock of any Principal Subsidiary that owns no Principal Property that was owned by EnLink Midstream or any of its Subsidiaries on the date of the supplemental indenture creating the notes, in each case owned by a Subsidiary of EnLink Midstream (an "Excluded Subsidiary") that (A) is not, and is not required to be, a Subsidiary Guarantor and (B) has not granted any liens on any of its property securing Indebtedness with recourse to EnLink Midstream or any Subsidiary of EnLink Midstream other than such Excluded Subsidiary or any other Excluded Subsidiary.
Restriction on Sale-Leasebacks. EnLink Midstream will not, and will not permit any Principal Subsidiary to, engage in the sale or transfer by EnLink Midstream or any of its Principal Subsidiaries of any Principal Property to a Person (other than EnLink Midstream or a Principal Subsidiary) and the taking back by EnLink Midstream or any Principal Subsidiary, as the case may be, of a lease of such Principal Property (a "Sale-Leaseback Transaction"), unless:
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prepayment, repayment, redemption, reduction or retirement of any Indebtedness of EnLink Midstream or any of its Subsidiaries that is not subordinated to the notes or any guarantee, or (b) the expenditure or expenditures for Principal Property used or to be used in the ordinary course of business of EnLink Midstream or its Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, EnLink Midstream may, and may permit any Principal Subsidiary to, effect any Sale-Leaseback Transaction that is not excepted by clauses (1) through (4), inclusive, of the preceding paragraph provided that the Attributable Indebtedness from such Sale-Leaseback Transaction, together with the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Indebtedness (other than the notes) secured by liens other than Permitted Liens upon Principal Properties, does not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets. EnLink Midstream shall not consolidate with or merge into any Person or sell, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person unless:
The successor will be substituted for EnLink Midstream in the indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture. Thereafter, the successor may exercise the rights and powers of EnLink Midstream under the indenture. If EnLink Midstream conveys or transfers all or substantially all of its assets, it will be released from all liabilities and obligations under the indenture and under the notes except that no such release will occur in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of its assets.
Defeasance and Discharge
The indenture provides that we may be:
The defeasance provisions of the indenture described in the accompanying base prospectus will apply to the notes. See "Description of the Debt SecuritiesDefeasance" in the accompanying base prospectus.
The indenture is also subject to discharge with respect to the notes as described in the accompanying base prospectus under "Description of the Debt SecuritiesSatisfaction and Discharge."
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Concerning the Trustee
The indenture contains certain limitations on the right of the trustee, should it become our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize for its own account on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in certain other transactions. However, if it acquires any conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act after a default has occurred and is continuing, it must eliminate the conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee or resign.
If an Event of Default occurs and is not cured or waived, the trustee is required to exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will not be under any obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of notes unless they have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities it may incur.
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association is the trustee under the indenture and the registrar and paying agent with regard to the notes. The trustee and its affiliates maintain commercial banking and other relationships with EnLink Midstream.
Governing Law
The indenture and the notes will be governed by, and will be construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Book-Entry System
We have obtained the information in this section concerning The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and its book-entry systems and procedures from DTC, and we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information. In addition, the description in this section reflects our understanding of the rules and procedures of DTC as they are currently in effect. DTC could change its rules and procedures at any time.
The notes will initially be represented by one or more fully registered global notes. Each such global note will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC or any successor thereto and registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC's nominee). You may hold your interests in the global notes through DTC either as a participant in DTC or indirectly through organizations that are participants in DTC.
So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of the global securities representing the notes, DTC or such nominee will be considered the sole owner and holder of the notes for all purposes of the notes and the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in the notes will not be entitled to have the notes registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the notes in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the notes under the indenture, including for purposes of receiving any reports delivered by us or the trustee pursuant to the indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a note must rely on the procedures of DTC or its nominee and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, in order to exercise any rights of a holder of notes.
The Depository Trust Company. DTC will act as securities depositary for the notes. The notes will be issued as fully registered notes registered in the name of Cede & Co. DTC has advised us as follows: DTC is
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DTC holds securities that its direct participants deposit with DTC. DTC facilitates the settlement among direct participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in direct participants' accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates.
Direct participants of DTC include securities brokers and dealers (including the underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants. Access to the DTC system is also available to securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly.
If you are not a direct participant or an indirect participant and you wish to purchase, sell or otherwise transfer ownership of, or other interests in, notes, you must do so through a direct participant or an indirect participant. DTC agrees with and represents to DTC participants that it will administer its book-entry system in accordance with its rules and by-laws and requirements of law. The SEC has on file a set of the rules applicable to DTC and its direct participants.
Purchases of notes under DTC's system must be made by or through direct participants, who will receive a credit for the notes on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each beneficial owner is in turn to be recorded on the records of direct participants and indirect participants. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct participants or indirect participants through which such beneficial owners entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the notes are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the notes, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the notes is discontinued.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all notes deposited by direct participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC's nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of notes with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the notes. DTC's records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts such notes are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
Book-Entry Format. Under the book-entry format, the trustee will pay interest or principal payments to Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. DTC will forward the payment to the direct participants, who will then forward the payment to the indirect participants or to you as the beneficial owner. You may experience some delay in receiving your payments under this system. Neither we, the
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trustee under the indenture nor any paying agent has any direct responsibility or liability for the payment of principal or interest on the notes to owners of beneficial interests in the notes.
DTC is required to make book-entry transfers on behalf of its direct participants and is required to receive and transmit payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the notes. Any direct participant or indirect participant with which you have an account is similarly required to make book-entry transfers and to receive and transmit payments with respect to the notes on your behalf. We, the underwriters and the trustee under the indenture have no responsibility for any aspect of the actions of DTC or any of its direct or indirect participants. We, the underwriters and the trustee under the indenture have no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records kept by DTC or any of its direct or indirect participants relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests. We also do not supervise these systems in any way.
The trustee will not recognize you as a holder under the indenture, and you can only exercise the rights of a holder indirectly through DTC and its direct participants. DTC has advised us that it will only take action regarding a note if one or more of the direct participants to whom the note is credited directs DTC to take such action and only in respect of the portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to which that participant or participants has or have given that direction. DTC can only act on behalf of its direct participants. Your ability to pledge notes to non-direct participants, and to take other actions, may be limited because you will not possess a physical certificate that represents your notes.
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor such other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the notes unless authorized by a direct participant in accordance with DTC's procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts the notes are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy).
DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of the notes among its participants. However, DTC is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform those procedures, and may discontinue those procedures at any time.
Certain Definitions
"Attributable Indebtedness," when used with respect to any Sale-Leaseback Transaction, means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the rate set forth or implicit in the terms of the lease included in such transaction) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments (other than amounts required to be paid on account of property taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance, assessments, utilities, operating and labor costs and other items that do not constitute payments for property rights) during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale-Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended). In the case of any lease that is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty or other termination payment, such amount shall be the lesser of the amount determined assuming termination upon the first date such lease may be terminated (in which case the amount shall also include the amount of the penalty or termination payment, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated) or the amount determined assuming no such termination.
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"Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means, at any date of determination, the total amount of assets of EnLink Midstream and its consolidated Subsidiaries after deducting therefrom:
all as set forth, or on a pro forma basis would be set forth, on the consolidated balance sheet of EnLink Midstream and its consolidated Subsidiaries for EnLink Midstream's most recently completed fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been filed with the SEC, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
"Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2014, among EnLink Midstream, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents and lenders party thereto, and as further amended, restated, refinanced, replaced or refunded from time to time.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.
"General Partner" means EnLink Midstream GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors as general partner of EnLink Midstream.
"Indebtedness" of any Person at any date means any obligation created or assumed by such Person for the repayment of borrowed money or any guaranty thereof.
"Permitted Liens" means:
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"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
"Principal Property" means, whether owned or leased on the date of the initial issuance of the notes or thereafter acquired:
"Principal Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary owning or leasing, directly or indirectly through ownership in another Subsidiary, any Principal Property.
"Subsidiary" means, as to any Person, (1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or (2) any general or limited partnership or limited liability company, (a) the sole general partner or member of which is the Person or a Subsidiary of the Person or (b) if there is more than one general partner or member, either (i) the only managing general partners or managing members of such partnership or limited liability company are such Person or Subsidiaries of such Person or (ii) such Person owns or controls, directly or
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indirectly, a majority of the outstanding general partner interests, member interests or other voting equities of such partnership or limited liability company, respectively.
"Subsidiary Guarantor" means each Subsidiary of EnLink Midstream that guarantees the notes pursuant to the terms of the indenture but only so long as such Subsidiary is a guarantor with respect to the notes on the terms provided for in the indenture.
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MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the notes, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects. This discussion is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), applicable Treasury regulations promulgated and proposed thereunder (the "Treasury Regulations"), IRS rulings and pronouncements, and judicial decisions, all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change at any time. Any such change may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a holder of the notes. We cannot assure you that the IRS will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described herein, and we have not obtained, nor do we intend to obtain, a ruling from the IRS or an opinion of counsel with respect to the U.S. federal tax consequences of acquiring, holding or disposing of the notes.
This discussion is limited to holders purchasing the notes pursuant to this offering for cash at their original "issue price" (i.e., the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes is sold to the public for cash other than to bond houses, brokers, or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers) and who hold the notes as "capital assets" within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). Moreover, the effects of other U.S. federal tax laws (such as estate and gift tax laws) and any applicable state, local or foreign tax laws are not discussed. In addition, this discussion does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular holder in light of the holder's particular circumstances, or to holders subject to special rules, including, without limitation:
If a partnership or other entity taxed as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds notes, the tax treatment of the partners in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the particular partner in question and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership acquiring the notes or a partner of such a partnership, you are urged to consult your own tax advisor about the tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of the notes.
YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP OR DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES UNDER OTHER U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS (INCLUDING ESTATE AND GIFT
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TAX LAWS) OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.
In certain circumstances (please read "Description of the NotesOptional Redemption"), we may elect to pay amounts on the notes that are in excess of the stated interest or principal on the notes. These potential payments may implicate the provisions of the Treasury Regulations relating to contingent payment debt instruments. We do not intend to treat the possibility of paying such additional amounts as causing the notes to be treated as contingent payment debt instruments. It is possible, however, that the IRS may take a different position, in which case, if such position is sustained, you might be required to accrue ordinary interest income at a higher rate than the stated interest rate and to treat as ordinary income rather than capital gain any gain realized on the taxable disposition of the note. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the notes are not contingent payment debt instruments.
Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders
The following summary will apply to you if you are a U.S. holder of the notes. You are a "U.S. holder" for purposes of this discussion if you are a beneficial owner of a note and, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you are or are treated as:
Taxation of Interest
Stated interest paid or accrued on the notes generally will be taxable to you as ordinary income at the time such interest is received or accrued, in accordance with your regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, if you are on the accrual method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes, stated interest on a note will be taxable to you as ordinary income at the time it accrues. If you are on the cash method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes, stated interest on a note will be taxable to you as ordinary income at the time it is received.
Sale, Exchange or Disposition of Notes
You will generally recognize taxable gain or loss on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note equal to the difference, if any, between:
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Your adjusted tax basis in a note generally will equal the amount that you paid for the note. Any gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of the sale or other taxable disposition you have held the note for more than one year. Otherwise, such gain or loss will be short-term capital gain or loss. Currently, long-term capital gains recognized by individuals, estates and trusts generally are subject to reduced rates of tax. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
You may be subject to information reporting on interest on the notes and on the proceeds received upon the sale or other disposition (including a retirement or redemption) of the notes, and backup withholding also may apply to payments of such amounts. Certain U.S. holders, such as corporations, are generally not subject to information reporting or backup withholding. You will be subject to backup withholding if you are not otherwise exempt and you:
If you are a U.S. holder, you should consult your own tax advisors regarding your qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and the procedures for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and you may use amounts withheld as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or you may obtain a refund if the amounts withheld exceed your actual U.S. federal income tax liability and you timely provide certain information to the IRS.
Unearned Income Medicare Contribution Tax
An additional 3.8% tax is imposed on the "net investment income" of certain U.S. citizens and resident aliens, and on the undistributed "net investment income" of certain estates and trusts. Among other items, "net investment income" generally includes gross income from interest and certain net gain from the disposition of property, such as the notes, less certain deductions. You should consult your tax advisors with respect to this additional tax and its applicability to your particular circumstances.
Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders
You are a "non-U.S. holder" for purposes of this discussion if you are a beneficial owner of notes that is an individual, corporation, estate or trust that is not a U.S. holder.
Taxation of Interest
Subject to the discussions below under "Information Reporting and Backup Withholding" and "FATCA Withholding," interest paid on a note to you that is not effectively connected with your
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conduct of a U.S. trade or business generally will be exempt from U.S. federal income and withholding tax provided that:
If you cannot satisfy the requirements described above you generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at the rate of 30% on payments of interest on the notes that are not effectively connected with the conduct by you of a trade or business in the United States. However, you may be entitled to a reduction in or an exemption from withholding tax on interest if you provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E claiming an exemption from or reduction of the withholding tax under the benefit of an applicable tax treaty.
If interest paid to you is effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, you also maintain a U.S. permanent establishment to which such interest is attributable), then, although exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax, you generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such interest in the same manner as if you were a U.S. holder. In addition, if you are a foreign corporation, such interest may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% or lower applicable treaty rate. To claim the exemption, you generally must furnish to the applicable withholding agent a valid IRS Form W-8ECI, certifying that interest paid on a note is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively connected with the conduct by you of a trade or business within the United States.
The certifications described above must be provided to the applicable withholding agent prior to the payment of interest and generally must be updated periodically. If you do not timely provide the applicable withholding agent with the required certification, but qualify for a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty, you generally may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under these rules by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. You should consult your tax advisors regarding your entitlement to benefits under any applicable income tax treaty.
Sale, Exchange, or Disposition of the Notes
Subject to the discussions below under "Information Reporting and Backup Withholding" and "FATCA Withholding," any gain realized by you on the sale, exchange, retirement, redemption or other disposition of a note generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:
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If you recognize gain described in the first bullet point above, you will be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on the net gain derived from the sale generally in the same manner as if you were a U.S. holder, and if you are a foreign corporation, you may also be required to pay an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate (or a lower rate if so specified by an applicable income tax treaty). If you are a non-U.S. holder described in the second bullet point above, you will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or, if applicable, a lower treaty rate) on the gain derived from the sale or other disposition of the note, which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses, even though you are not considered a resident of the United States.
Any amount allocable to accrued and unpaid interest generally will be taxable as interest and may be subject to the rules discussed above in "Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. HoldersTaxation of Interest."
You should consult your tax advisor regarding potentially applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
You generally will not be subject to backup withholding and certain information reporting with respect to payments of interest on the notes if you have provided the statement described above under "Taxation of Interest" and the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a "United States person," within the meaning of the Code. In addition, you will not be subject to backup withholding or certain information reporting with respect to the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of a note (including a retirement or redemption of a note) within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related brokers, if the payor receives the statement described above and does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person or you otherwise establish an exemption. However, we may be required to report annually to the IRS and to you the amount of, and the tax withheld with respect to, any interest paid to you, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. Copies of these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which you reside.
You generally will be entitled to credit any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or you may obtain a refund if the amounts withheld exceed your actual U.S. federal income tax liability and you timely provide certain information to the IRS.
FATCA Withholding
Under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and administrative guidance issued thereunder (referred to as "FATCA"), a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax is generally currently imposed on interest payments on the notes, and will be imposed on the gross proceeds from a disposition of the notes occurring after December 31, 2018, in each case if paid to a "foreign financial institution" or a "non-financial foreign entity" (each as defined in the Code), unless (i) in the case of a foreign financial institution, such institution enters into an agreement with the Treasury Department to withhold on certain payments and to collect and provide substantial information regarding U.S. account holders, including certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners, (ii) in the case of a non-financial foreign entity, such entity certifies that it does not have any "substantial United States owners" (as defined in the Code) or provides the withholding agent with a certification identifying its direct or indirect substantial United States owners, or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules and provides appropriate
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documentation (such as an IRS Form W-8BEN-E). Under certain circumstances, you might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes from the IRS. Intergovernmental agreements regarding FATCA between the United States and certain other countries may modify the foregoing requirements.
You should consult with your tax advisor regarding these rules as they apply to the notes.
THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION OF MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. IF YOU ARE A PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE PARTICULAR FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, HOLDING, AND DISPOSING OF OUR NOTES.
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J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. are acting as representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the principal amount of notes set forth opposite the underwriter's name.
Underwriter |
Principal Amount of Notes |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC |
$ | 91,835,000 | ||
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith |
91,835,000 | |||
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. |
91,835,000 | |||
BBVA Securities Inc. |
35,715,000 | |||
BMO Capital Markets Corp. |
35,715,000 | |||
Mizuho Securities USA Inc. |
35,715,000 | |||
MUFG Securities Americas Inc. |
35,715,000 | |||
PNC Capital Markets LLC |
35,715,000 | |||
U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. |
35,715,000 | |||
Comerica Securities, Inc. |
10,205,000 | |||
| | | | |
Total |
$ | 500,000,000 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the notes included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the notes if they purchase any of the notes.
Notes sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering prices set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. Any notes sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount from the public offering price of up to 0.40% of the principal amount of the notes. Any such securities dealers may resell any notes purchased from the underwriters to certain other brokers or dealers at a discount from the initial public offering price not to exceed 0.25% of the principal amount of the notes. If all the notes are not sold at the initial offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and the other selling terms.
The following table shows the underwriting discounts that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the notes).
|
Paid by Us | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Per note |
0.65 | % |
We estimate that our total expenses for this offering will be $300,000. The underwriters have agreed to reimburse us for certain of our expenses related to this offering.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or on any automated dealer quotation system. The underwriters have informed us that they may make a market in the notes after completion of the offering, but they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time and without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market of the notes or that an
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active public market for the notes will develop or continue. If an active public market for the notes does not develop or continue, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected.
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell notes in the open market. Purchases and sales in the open market may include short sales, purchases to cover short positions and stabilizing purchases.
Purchases to cover short positions and stabilizing purchases, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the notes. They may also cause the price of the notes to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time without notice.
Other Relationships
The underwriters are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and their respective affiliates have in the past performed commercial banking, investment banking and advisory services for us from time to time for which they have received customary fees and reimbursement of expenses and may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business for which they may receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (which may include bank loans and/or credit default swaps) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates.
In addition, affiliates of each of the underwriters are lenders, and in some cases agents or managers for the lenders, under our revolving credit facility. Accordingly, such underwriters and affiliates will receive the proceeds from this offering as a result of the repayment of borrowings under our revolving credit facility. If any of the underwriters or their affiliates has a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge and certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. A typical hedging strategy would include these underwriters or their affiliates hedging such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments. ZB, N.A. dba Amegy Bank, a lender under our revolving credit facility, has acted as a financial advisor to us in connection with this offering and not as an underwriter, and will receive fees in connection therewith.
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The validity of the notes will be passed upon for us by Baker Botts L.L.P., Dallas, Texas. Certain legal matters in connection with the notes offered hereby will be passed upon for the underwriters by Latham & Watkins LLP, Houston, Texas.
We file annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the Commission under the Exchange Act. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information filed by us at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
We make available free of charge on our internet website at www.enlink.com our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and you should not consider such information as part of this prospectus supplement.
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we have filed with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you without actually including the specific information in this prospectus supplement by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and may replace information in this prospectus supplement and information previously filed with the SEC. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 on any Current Report on Form 8-K), including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement and until the termination of this offering:
You may obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement from the SEC through the SEC's website at the address provided above. You also may request a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus (including exhibits to those documents specifically incorporated by reference in this document), at no cost, by visiting our internet website at www.enlink.com, or by writing or calling us at the following address:
EnLink
Midstream Partners, LP
2501 Cedar Springs Rd.
Dallas, Texas 75201
Attention: Investor Relations
Telephone: (214) 953-9500
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PROSPECTUS
EnLink Midstream Partners, LP
Debt Securities
Common Units
Partnership Securities
The following securities may be offered under this prospectus:
The securities we may offer:
This prospectus describes only the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which we will offer the securities. The specific terms of any securities we offer will be included in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific manner in which we will offer the securities and also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.
Our common units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ENLK."
Investing in our securities involves risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors described under "Risk Factors" beginning on page 1 of this prospectus before you make any investment in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined whether this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is March 10, 2014
You should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized any person to provide you with additional or different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the cover page of this prospectus or that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the documents incorporated by reference. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") using a "shelf" registration process. This prospectus provides you with a general description of us and the securities offered under this prospectus, which we may sell in one or more offerings.
Each time we sell securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement also may add to, update or change information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read carefully this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the additional information described below under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."
As used in this prospectus, "we," "us" and "our" and similar terms mean EnLink Midstream Partners, LP and its subsidiaries, including EnLink Midstream Holdings, LP ("Midstream Holdings"), unless the context indicates otherwise. Midstream Holdings was formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of Devon Energy Corporation ("Devon"), and, under the acquisition method of accounting, it is considered the historical predecessor of our business because Devon obtained control of us through its control of EnLink Midstream, LLC and EnLink Midstream, LLC's indirect acquisition of our general partner on March 7, 2014.
EnLink Midstream Partners, LP (formerly known as Crosstex Energy, L.P.) is a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership formed in 2002. We primarily focus on providing midstream energy services, including gathering, transmission, processing, fractionation and marketing, to producers of natural gas, NGLs, crude oil and condensate. We also provide crude oil, condensate and brine services to producers.
Our general partner, EnLink Midstream GP, LLC, is a Delaware limited liability company and has ultimate responsibility for conducting our business and managing our operations.
Our executive offices are located at 2501 Cedar Springs Rd., Dallas, Texas 75201, and our telephone number is (214) 953-9500.
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before you invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors described in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, all of which are incorporated herein by reference and any other risk factors that may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our units or debt securities could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. When we offer and sell any securities pursuant to a prospectus supplement, we may include additional risk factors relevant to such securities in the prospectus supplement.
Some of the information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference contain forward-looking statements that are based on information currently available to management as well as management's assumptions and beliefs. All
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statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements identified by the words "may," "will," "should," "plan," "predict," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "estimate" and "expect" and similar expressions. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, based on what we believe are reasonable assumptions; however, such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. In addition to the specific uncertainties discussed elsewhere in this prospectus, the risk factors set forth in "Risk Factors" may affect our performance and results of operations. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Unless we specify otherwise in any prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of securities covered by this prospectus for general partnership purposes, which may include, among other things:
The actual application of proceeds from the sale of any particular offering of securities using this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such offering. The precise amount and timing of the application of these proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability and cost of other funds.
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
For the five fiscal years ended December 31, 2013, EnLink Midstream Holdings, LP Predecessor had no fixed charges and no preferred securities for which it was required to pay distributions. Accordingly, we have no ratio of earnings to fixed charges, and no ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred security distributions, to illustrate for this period.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
We will issue debt securities under an indenture among EnLink Midstream Partners, LP, any guarantors party thereto and a trustee that we will name in the related prospectus supplement. If we offer senior debt securities, we will issue them under a senior indenture. If we offer subordinated debt securities, we will issue them under a subordinated indenture. The term "Trustee" as used in this prospectus refers to the trustee under any of the above indentures. References in this prospectus to an "Indenture" are to the particular indenture under which we may issue a series of debt securities, in each case as supplemented by a supplemental indenture that establishes the form and terms of that series of debt securities. Any series of debt securities that we may issue will be governed by the provisions of the related Indenture and those made part of that Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act").
This description is a summary of the material provisions of the debt securities and the Indentures. We urge you to read the forms of Indentures filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part because those Indentures, and not this description, govern your rights as a holder of debt securities. When we offer and sell any particular series of our debt securities under this prospectus, we will file the supplemental indenture establishing the form and terms of that series as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K.
General
The Debt Securities
Any series of debt securities:
The Indenture will not limit the total amount of debt securities that may be issued. Debt securities of any series, however, will be issued only up to the aggregate amount authorized for such series and set forth in the prospectus supplement pertaining to that series.
We will prepare a prospectus supplement and either an indenture supplement or a board resolution of our general partner and accompanying officers' certificate relating to any series of debt securities that we offer, which will include specific terms relating to some or all of the following:
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This description of debt securities will be deemed modified, amended or supplemented by any description of any series of debt securities set forth in a prospectus supplement related to that series.
The prospectus supplement will also describe any material United States federal income tax consequences or other special considerations regarding the applicable series of debt securities, including those relating to:
Interest payments on debt securities in certificated form may be made by check mailed to the registered holders or, if so stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, at the option of a holder, by wire transfer to an account designated by the holder.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the Trustee at which its corporate trust business is principally administered in the United States, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without the payment of any service charge, other than any applicable tax or other governmental charge.
Any funds paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for the payment of amounts due on any debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years will be returned to us, and the holders of the debt securities must look only to us for payment after that time.
The Subsidiary Guarantees
Our payment obligations under any series of debt securities may be jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guaranteed by one or more guarantors. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any guarantee by the guarantors.
The obligations of each guarantor under its guarantee of the debt securities will be limited to the maximum amount that will not result in the obligations of the guarantor under the guarantee constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law, after giving effect to:
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The guarantee of any guarantor may be released under certain circumstances. If no default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture, and to the extent not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture, a guarantor will be unconditionally released and discharged from the guarantee:
If a series of debt securities is guaranteed by the guarantors and is designated as subordinate to our senior indebtedness, then the guarantees by the guarantors will be subordinated to the senior indebtedness of the guarantors to substantially the same extent as the series is subordinated to our senior indebtedness. See "Provisions Relating Only to the Subordinated Debt SecuritiesSubordinated Debt Securities Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness."
Certain Covenants
The covenants set forth in the Indenture include the following:
Payment of Principal, any Premium, Interest or Additional Amounts. We will duly and punctually pay the principal of, and premium and interest on or any additional amounts payable with respect to, any debt securities of any series in accordance with their terms and the terms of the Indenture.
Maintenance of Office or Agency. We will maintain an office or agency in each place of payment for each series of debt securities for notice and demand purposes and for the purposes of presenting or surrendering debt securities for payment, registration of transfer or exchange.
Reports. So long as any debt securities are outstanding, we will:
Additional Covenants. Any additional covenants with respect to any series of debt securities will be set forth in the supplemental indenture or board resolution and officer's certificate and prospectus supplement relating thereto.
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Events of Default, Remedies and Notice
Events of Default
Unless otherwise specified in a supplement to the Indenture, each of the following events will be an "Event of Default" under the Indenture with respect to a series of debt securities:
Exercise of Remedies
If an Event of Default, other than an Event of Default described in the fifth bullet point above, occurs and is continuing with respect to a series of debt securities, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the entire principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default described in the fifth bullet point above occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all outstanding debt securities of all series will become immediately due and payable without any declaration of acceleration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders.
A default under the fourth bullet point above will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series notifies us of the default and such default is not cured within 60 days after receipt of notice.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may rescind any declaration of acceleration by the Trustee or the holders with respect to the debt securities of that series, but only if:
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to a series of debt securities, the Trustee will be under no obligation, except as otherwise provided in the Indenture, to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the debt
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securities of that series, unless such holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any costs, liability or expense. No holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the debt securities of any series, except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium or interest on its own debt securities when due, unless:
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series have the right, subject to certain restrictions, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any right or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to that series of debt securities. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that:
Notice of Event of Default
Within 30 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, we are required to give written notice to the Trustee and indicate the status of the default and what action we are taking or propose to take to cure the default. In addition, we are required to deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a compliance certificate indicating that we have complied with all covenants contained in the Indenture or whether any default or Event of Default has occurred during the previous year.
Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default known to it, the Trustee must mail to each holder of debt securities of the affected series a notice of the default. Except in the case of a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest with respect to any series of debt securities, the Trustee may withhold such notice, but only if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a committee of directors or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding such notice is in the interests of the holders.
Amendments and Waivers
We may supplement or amend the Indenture without the consent of any holder of debt securities to, among other things:
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In addition, we may amend the Indenture if the holders of a majority in principal amount of all debt securities of each series that would be affected then outstanding under the Indenture consent to it. We may not, however, without the consent of each holder of outstanding debt securities of each series that would be affected, amend the Indenture to:
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the holders under the Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment under the Indenture requiring the consent of the holders becomes effective, we are required to mail to all holders a notice briefly describing the amendment. The failure to give, or any defect in, such notice, however, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series, on behalf of all such holders, and subject to certain rights of the Trustee, may waive:
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except that such majority of holders may not waive a default:
Satisfaction and Discharge
The Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all outstanding debt securities of any series issued thereunder, when:
(a) either:
(1) all outstanding debt securities of that series that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or destroyed debt securities that have been replaced or paid and debt securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to us) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(2) all outstanding debt securities of that series that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee and in any case we have irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as trust funds cash, certain U.S. government obligations or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, to pay the entire indebtedness of such debt securities not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the stated maturity or redemption date;
(b) we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by us under the Indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series; and
(c) we have delivered to the Trustee an officers' certificate as to the sufficiency of the trust funds, without reinvestment, to pay the entire indebtedness of such debt securities at maturity.
Notwithstanding such satisfaction and discharge, our obligations to compensate and indemnify the Trustee, to pay additional amounts, if any, in respect of debt securities in certain circumstances and to transfer or exchange debt securities pursuant to the terms thereof and our obligations and the obligations of the Trustee to hold funds in trust and to apply such funds pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, with respect to issuing temporary debt securities, with respect to the registration, transfer and exchange of debt securities, with respect to the replacement of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities and with respect to the maintenance of an office or agency for payment, shall in each case survive such satisfaction and discharge.
Defeasance
At any time, we may terminate, with respect to debt securities of a particular series, all our obligations under such series of debt securities and the Indenture, which we call a "legal defeasance." If we decide to make a legal defeasance, however, we may not terminate our obligations specified in the Indenture, including those:
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At any time we may also effect a "covenant defeasance," which means we have elected to terminate our obligations under the additional covenants established pursuant to the terms of a particular series of debt securities, which covenants are not described in the prospectus but will be described in the prospectus supplement applicable to such series, and any Event of Default resulting from a failure to observe such covenants.
The legal defeasance option may be exercised notwithstanding a prior exercise of the covenant defeasance option. If the legal defeasance option is exercised, payment of the affected series of debt securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect to that series. If the covenant defeasance option is exercised, payment of the affected series of debt securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect to the fourth and sixth (and, with respect to any guarantor, the fifth) bullet points under "Events of Default, Remedies and NoticeEvents of Default" above or an Event of Default that is added specifically for such series and described in a prospectus supplement.
In order to exercise either defeasance option, we must:
No Personal Liability
None of our general partner nor any director, officer, employee, incorporator, manager or unitholder or other owner of equity of our general partner, our partnership or any guarantor, as such, will be liable for:
By accepting a debt security, each holder will be deemed to have waived and released all such liability. This waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the debt securities. This waiver may not be effective, however, to waive liabilities under the Federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.
No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control
Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that protect the holders of the debt securities in the event of a change of control in us or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, whether or not such transaction results in a change of control in us.
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Provisions Relating Only to the Senior Debt Securities
The senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsubordinated debt. The senior debt securities will be effectively subordinated, however, to all of our secured debt to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such debt. We will disclose the amount of our secured debt in the prospectus supplement.
Provisions Relating Only to the Subordinated Debt Securities
Subordinated Debt Securities Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness
The subordinated debt securities will rank junior in right of payment to all of our and our guarantors' Senior Indebtedness. "Senior Indebtedness" will be defined in a supplemental indenture respecting any issuance of a series of subordinated debt securities, and the definition will be set forth in the prospectus supplement.
Payment Blockages
The Indenture respecting any series of subordinated debt securities will provide that no payment of principal, interest and any premium on the subordinated debt securities or any related guarantee may be made in the event:
No Limitation on Amount of Senior Debt
The Indenture respecting any series of subordinated debt securities will not limit the amount of Senior Indebtedness that we may incur, unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement.
Book Entry, Delivery and Form
The debt securities of a particular series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates that will be deposited with the Trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York ("DTC"). This means that we will not issue certificates to each holder except in the limited circumstances described below. Instead, one or more global debt securities will be issued to DTC, who will keep a computerized record of its participants (for example, your broker) whose clients have purchased the debt securities. The participant will then keep a record of its clients who purchased the debt securities. Unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for a certificated debt security, a global debt security may not be transferred, except that DTC, its nominees and their successors may transfer a global debt security as a whole to one another.
Beneficial interests in global debt securities will be shown on, and transfers of global debt securities will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants.
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DTC has provided us the following information: DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the United States Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered under the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that its participants ("Direct Participants") deposit with DTC. DTC also records the settlement among Direct Participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through computerized records for Direct Participants' accounts. This eliminates the need to exchange certificates. Direct Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations.
DTC's book-entry system is also used by other organizations such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that work through a Direct Participant. The rules that apply to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.
DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation ("DTCC"). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries.
We will wire all payments on the global debt securities to DTC's nominee. We and the Trustee will treat DTC's nominee as the owner of the global debt securities for all purposes. Accordingly, we, the Trustee and any paying agent will have no direct responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on the global debt securities to owners of beneficial interests in the global debt securities.
It is DTC's current practice, upon receipt of any payment on the global debt securities, to credit Direct Participants' accounts on the payment date according to their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the global debt securities as shown on DTC's records. In addition, it is DTC's current practice to assign any consenting or voting rights to Direct Participants whose accounts are credited with debt securities on a record date, by using an omnibus proxy. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global debt securities, and voting by participants, will be governed by the customary practices between the participants and owners of beneficial interests, as is the case with debt securities held for the account of customers registered in "street name." However, payments will be the responsibility of the participants and not of DTC, the Trustee or us.
Debt securities represented by a global debt security will be exchangeable for certificated debt securities with the same terms in authorized denominations only if:
Governing Law
Each Indenture and all of the debt securities will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
The Trustee
We will enter into each Indenture with a Trustee that is qualified to act under the Trust Indenture Act and with any other trustee chosen by us and appointed in a supplemental indenture for a particular series of debt securities. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the
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Trustee for each series of debt securities will be Wells Fargo Bank, National Association. We may maintain a banking relationship in the ordinary course of business with our Trustee and one or more of its affiliates.
Resignation or Removal of Trustee
If the Trustee has or acquires a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act after a default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee must either eliminate its conflicting interest within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as Trustee or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and the applicable Indenture. Any resignation will require the appointment of a successor trustee under the applicable Indenture in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Indenture.
The Trustee may resign or be removed by us with respect to one or more series of debt securities and a successor Trustee may be appointed to act with respect to any such series. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series may remove the Trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series.
Limitations on Trustee if it is Our Creditor
Each Indenture will contain certain limitations on the right of the Trustee, in the event that it becomes a creditor of us, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise.
Annual Trustee Report to Holders of Debt Securities
The Trustee is required to submit an annual report to the holders of the debt securities regarding, among other things, the Trustee's eligibility to serve as such, the priority of the Trustee's claims regarding certain advances made by it, and any action taken by the Trustee materially affecting the debt securities.
Certificates and Opinions to be Furnished to Trustee
Each Indenture will provide that, in addition to other certificates or opinions that may be specifically required by other provisions of the Indenture, every application by us for action by the Trustee will be accompanied by a certificate of certain of our officers and an opinion of counsel (who may be our counsel) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent to such action have been complied with by us.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON UNITS
The common units represent limited partner interests in EnLink Midstream Partners, LP that entitle the holders to participate in our cash distributions and to exercise the rights or privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement. For a description of the relative rights and preferences of holders of common units and our general partner in and to partnership distributions, see "Cash Distribution Policy" in this prospectus. For a general discussion of the expected federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of common units, see "Material Income Tax Considerations." References in this "Description of the Common Units" to "we," "us" and "our" mean EnLink Midstream Partners, LP.
Our outstanding common units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ENLK."
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company serves as registrar and transfer agent for our common units.
Transfer of Common Units
Each purchaser of common units offered by this prospectus must execute a transfer application. By executing and delivering a transfer application, the purchaser of common units:
An assignee will become a substituted limited partner of our partnership for the transferred common units upon the consent of our general partner and the recording of the name of the assignee on our books and records. Our general partner may withhold its consent in its sole discretion.
A transferee's broker, agent or nominee may complete, execute and deliver a transfer application. We are entitled to treat the nominee holder of a common unit as the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial holder's rights are limited solely to those that it has against the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.
Common units are securities and are transferable according to the laws governing transfer of securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the transferee the right to request admission as a substituted limited partner in our partnership for the transferred common units. A purchaser or transferee of common units who does not execute and deliver a transfer application obtains only:
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Thus, a purchaser or transferee of common units who does not execute and deliver a transfer application:
The transferor of common units has a duty to provide the transferee with all information that may be necessary to transfer the common units. The transferor does not have a duty to insure the execution of the transfer application by the transferee and has no liability or responsibility if the transferee neglects or chooses not to execute and forward the transfer application to the transfer agent.
Until a common unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the record holder of the unit as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PARTNERSHIP SECURITIES
Issuance of Additional Partnership Securities
We may issue additional partnership securities and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to the partnership securities for any partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as shall be established by our general partner in its sole discretion, all without the approval of the unitholders. In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, any additional partnership interests that we issue may, in the sole discretion of our general partner, have special voting rights to which the common units are not entitled.
The following is a description of the general terms and provisions of our partnership securities. The particular terms of any series of partnership securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and the amendment to our partnership agreement relating to that series of partnership securities, which will be filed as an exhibit to or incorporated by reference in this prospectus at or before the time of issuance of any such series of partnership securities. If so indicated in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any such series may differ from the terms set forth below.
Our general partner is authorized to approve the issuance of one or more series of partnership securities without further authorization of the unitholders and to fix the number of securities, the designations, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of any such series.
The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the number of securities, particular designation, relative rights and preferences and the limitations of any series of partnership securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered. The particular terms of any such series will include the following:
Partnership securities will be fully paid and non-ssessable when issued upon full payment of the purchase price therefor. The prospectus supplement will contain, if applicable, a description of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the purchase and ownership of the series of partnership securities offered by the prospectus supplement. The transfer agent, registrar and distributions disbursement agent for the partnership securities will be designated in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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DESCRIPTION OF OUR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of the material provisions of our partnership agreement. Our partnership agreement is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part. We summarize certain other provisions of the partnership agreement elsewhere in this prospectus, including in "Description of the Common Units," "Cash Distribution Policy" and "Material Income Tax Considerations."
Organization and Duration
We were organized on July 12, 2002 and will have a perpetual existence except as provided below under "Termination and Dissolution."
Purpose
Our purpose under the partnership agreement is limited to serving as a partner of the operating partnership and engaging in any business activities that may be engaged in by the operating partnership or that are approved by our general partner. The partnership agreement of the operating partnership provides that the operating partnership may, directly or indirectly, engage in:
Our general partner is authorized in general to perform all acts deemed necessary to carry out our purposes and to conduct our business.
Power of Attorney
Each limited partner, and each person who acquires a unit from a unitholder and executes and delivers a transfer application, grants to our general partner and, if appointed, a liquidator, a power of attorney to, among other things, execute and file documents required for our qualification, continuance or dissolution. The power of attorney also grants our general partner the authority to amend, and to make consents and waivers under, the partnership agreement.
Capital Contributions
Unitholders are not obligated to make additional capital contributions, except as described below under "Limited Liability."
Limited Liability
Assuming that a limited partner does not participate in the control of our business within the meaning of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, or Delaware Act, and that he otherwise acts in conformity with the provisions of the partnership agreement, his liability under the Delaware Act will be limited, subject to possible exceptions, to the amount of capital he is obligated to contribute to us for his common units plus his share of any undistributed profits and assets. If it were determined, however, that the right, or exercise of the right, by the limited partners as a group:
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constituted "participation in the control" of our business for the purposes of the Delaware Act, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the laws of Delaware to the same extent as the general partner. This liability would extend to persons who transact business with us who reasonably believe that the limited partner is a general partner. Neither the partnership agreement nor the Delaware Act specifically provides for legal recourse against our general partner if a limited partner were to lose limited liability through any fault of our general partner. While this does not mean that a limited partner could not seek legal recourse, we know of no precedent for this type of a claim in Delaware case law.
Under the Delaware Act, a limited partnership may not make a distribution to a partner if, after the distribution, all liabilities of the limited partnership, other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specific property of the partnership, would exceed the fair value of the assets of the limited partnership. For the purpose of determining the fair value of the assets of a limited partnership, the Delaware Act provides that the fair value of property subject to liability for which recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets of the limited partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds the nonrecourse liability. The Delaware Act provides that a limited partner who receives a distribution and knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution was in violation of the Delaware Act shall be liable to the limited partnership for the amount of the distribution for three years. Under the Delaware Act, an assignee who becomes a substituted limited partner of a limited partnership is liable for the obligations of his assignor to make contributions to the partnership, except the assignee is not obligated for liabilities unknown to him at the time he became a limited partner and that could not be ascertained from the partnership agreement.
Maintenance of our limited liability as a limited partner of the operating partnership may require compliance with legal requirements in the jurisdictions in which the operating partnership conducts business, including qualifying our subsidiaries to do business there. Limitations on the liability of limited partners for the obligations of a limited partner have not been clearly established in many jurisdictions. If, by virtue of our limited partner interest in the operating partnership or otherwise, it were determined that we were conducting business in any state without compliance with the applicable limited partnership or limited liability company statute, or that the right or exercise of the right by the limited partners as a group to remove or replace the general partner, to approve some amendments to the partnership agreement, or to take other action under the partnership agreement constituted "participation in the control" of our business for purposes of the statutes of any relevant jurisdiction, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the law of that jurisdiction to the same extent as our general partner under the circumstances. We will operate in a manner that our general partner considers reasonable and necessary or appropriate to preserve the limited liability of the limited partners.
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Voting Rights
The following matters require the unitholder vote specified below. Certain significant decisions require approval by a "unit majority," which means a majority of the outstanding common units.
Matter
|
Vote Requirement | |
---|---|---|
Issuance of additional units |
No approval right. | |
Amendment of the partnership agreement |
Certain amendments may be made by our general partner without the approval of the unitholders. Other amendments generally require the approval of a unit majority. See "Amendment of the Partnership Agreement." |
|
Merger of our partnership or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets |
Unit majority. See "Merger, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets." |
|
Amendment of the operating partnership agreement and other action taken by us as a limited partner of the operating partnership |
Unit majority if such amendment or other action would adversely affect our limited partners (or any particular class of limited partners) in any material respect. See "Action Relating to the Operating Partnership." |
|
Dissolution of our partnership |
Unit majority. See "Termination and Dissolution." |
|
Reconstitution of our partnership upon dissolution |
Unit majority. See "Termination and Dissolution." |
|
Withdrawal of the general partner |
No approval right. See "Withdrawal or Removal of our General Partner." |
|
Removal of the general partner |
Not less than 662/3% of the outstanding units, voting as a single class, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates. See "Withdrawal or Removal of our General Partner." |
|
Transfer of the general partner interest |
No approval right. See "Transfer of General Partner Interests." |
|
Transfer of incentive distribution rights |
No approval right. See "Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights." |
|
Transfer of ownership interests in the general partner |
No approval right. See "Transfer of Ownership Interests in our General Partner." |
Issuance of Additional Securities
Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional partnership securities and rights to buy partnership securities for the consideration and on the terms and conditions established by our general partner in its sole discretion without the approval of the unitholders.
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It is possible that we will fund acquisitions through the issuance of additional common units or other equity securities. Holders of any additional common units we issue will be entitled to share equally with the then-existing holders of common units in our distributions of available cash. In addition, the issuance of additional partnership interests may dilute the value of the interests of the then-existing holders of common units in our net assets.
In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also issue additional partnership securities interests that, in the sole discretion of our general partner, have special voting rights to which the common units are not entitled.
Upon the issuance of additional partnership securities, our general partner may, but will not be required to, make additional capital contributions to maintain its then current general partner interest in us. Moreover, our general partner will have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, to purchase common units or other equity securities whenever, and on the same terms that, we issue those securities to persons other than our general partner and its affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain its then current percentage interest, including its interest represented by common units or other equity securities that existed immediately prior to each issuance. The holders of common units will not have preemptive rights to acquire additional common units or other partnership securities.
Amendment of the Partnership Agreement
General. Amendments to the partnership agreement may be proposed only by or with the consent of our general partner, which consent may be given or withheld in its sole discretion. In order to adopt a proposed amendment, other than the amendments discussed below, our general partner must seek written approval of the holders of the number of units required to approve the amendment or call a meeting of the limited partners to consider and vote upon the proposed amendment. Except as we describe below, an amendment must be approved by a unit majority.
Prohibited Amendments. No amendment may be made that would:
The provision of the partnership agreement preventing the amendments having the effects described in any of the clauses above can be amended upon the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the outstanding units voting together as a single class.
No Unitholder Approval. Our general partner may generally make amendments to the partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner or assignee to reflect:
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In addition, our general partner may make amendments to the partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner or assignee if those amendments, in the discretion of our general partner:
Opinion of Counsel and Unitholder Approval. Our general partner will not be required to obtain an opinion of counsel that an amendment will not result in a loss of limited liability to the limited
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partners or result in our being treated as an entity for federal income tax purposes if one of the amendments described above under "No Unitholder Approval" should occur. No other amendments to the partnership agreement will become effective without the approval of holders of at least 90% of the units unless we obtain an opinion of counsel to the effect that the amendment will not affect the limited liability under applicable law of any of our limited partners or cause us, the operating partnership or its subsidiaries to be taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not previously taxed as such).
In addition to the above restrictions, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any type or class of outstanding units in relation to other classes of units will require the approval of at least a majority of the type or class of units so affected. Any amendment that reduces the voting percentage required to take any action must be approved by the affirmative vote of limited partners constituting not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.
Action Relating to the Operating Partnership
Without the approval of holders of units representing a unit majority, our general partner is prohibited from consenting on our behalf, as the limited partner of the operating partnership, to any amendment to the partnership agreement of the operating partnership or taking any action on our behalf permitted to be taken by a limited partner of the operating partnership, in each case that would adversely affect our limited partners (or any particular class of limited partners as compared to other classes of limited partners) in any material respect.
Merger, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets
The partnership agreement generally prohibits our general partner, without the prior approval of the holders of units representing a unit majority, from causing us to, among other things, sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, including by way of merger, consolidation or other combination, or approving on our behalf the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of our subsidiaries as a whole. Our general partner may, however, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of our assets without that approval. Our general partner may also sell all or substantially all of our assets under a foreclosure or other realization upon those encumbrances without that approval.
If conditions specified in the partnership agreement are satisfied, our general partner may merge us or any of our subsidiaries into, or convey some or all of our assets to, a newly formed entity if the sole purpose of that merger or conveyance is to change our legal form into another limited liability entity. The unitholders are not entitled to dissenters' rights of appraisal under the partnership agreement or applicable Delaware law in the event of a merger or consolidation, a sale of substantially all of our assets or any other transaction or event.
Termination and Dissolution
We will continue as a limited partnership until terminated under the partnership agreement. We will dissolve upon:
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Upon a dissolution under the last clause, the holders of a unit majority may also elect, within specific time limitations, to reconstitute us and continue our business on the same terms and conditions described in the partnership agreement by forming a new limited partnership on terms identical to those in the partnership agreement and having as general partner an entity approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority, subject to our receipt of an opinion of counsel to the effect that:
Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds
Upon our dissolution, unless we are reconstituted and continued as a new limited partnership, the liquidator authorized to wind up our affairs will, acting with all of the powers of our general partner that the liquidator deems necessary or desirable in its judgment, liquidate our assets and apply the proceeds of the liquidation as provided in "Cash Distribution PolicyDistributions of Cash Upon Liquidation." The liquidator may defer liquidation of our assets for a reasonable period of time or distribute assets to partners in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the partners.
Withdrawal or Removal of our General Partner
Our general partner may withdraw as general partner without first obtaining approval of any unitholder by giving 90 days' written notice, and that withdrawal will not constitute a violation of the partnership agreement. In addition, the partnership agreement permits our general partner to sell or otherwise transfer all of its general partner interest in us without the approval of the unitholders. Please read "Transfer of General Partner Interests" below.
Upon the voluntary withdrawal of our general partner, other than as a result of a transfer by our general partner of all or a part of its general partner interest in us, the holders of a unit majority may select a successor to that withdrawing general partner. If a successor is not elected, or is elected but an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters cannot be obtained, we will be dissolved, wound up and liquidated, unless within 90 days after that withdrawal, the holders of a unit majority agree in writing to continue our business and to appoint a successor general partner. Please read "Termination and Dissolution" above.
Our general partner may not be removed unless that removal is approved by the vote of the holders of not less than 662/3% of the outstanding units, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and we receive an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. Any removal of the general partner is also subject to the approval of a successor general partner by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units. The ownership of more than 331/3% of the outstanding units by our general partner and its affiliates would give it the practical ability to prevent its removal.
The partnership agreement also provides that if EnLink Midstream GP, LLC is removed as our general partner under circumstances where cause does not exist and units held by our general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of that removal, our general partner will have the right to
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convert its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests based on the fair market value of those interests at the time.
In the event of removal of the general partner under circumstances where cause exists or withdrawal of a general partner where that withdrawal violates the partnership agreement, a successor general partner will have the option to purchase the general partner interest and incentive distribution rights of the departing general partner for a cash payment equal to the fair market value of those interests. Under all other circumstances where a general partner withdraws or is removed by the limited partners, the departing general partner will have the option to require the successor general partner to purchase the general partner interest of the departing general partner and its incentive distribution rights for fair market value. In each case, this fair market value will be determined by agreement between the departing general partner and the successor general partner. If no agreement is reached, an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the departing general partner and the successor general partner will determine the fair market value. Or, if the departing general partner and the successor general partner cannot agree upon an expert, then an expert chosen by agreement of the experts selected by each of them will determine the fair market value.
If the option described above is not exercised by either the departing general partner or the successor general partner, the departing general partner's general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights will automatically convert into common units equal to the fair market value of those interests as determined by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected in the manner described in the preceding paragraph.
In addition, we will be required to reimburse the departing general partner for all amounts due the departing general partner, including, without limitation, all employee-related liabilities, including severance liabilities, incurred for the termination of any employees employed by the departing general partner or its affiliates for our benefit.
Our general partner and its affiliates may at any time transfer units to one or more persons, without unitholder approval.
Transfer of General Partner Interest
At any time, our general partner may sell or transfer all or part its general partner interest in us without the approval of the unitholders. As a condition of this transfer, the transferee must assume the rights and duties of our general partner, agree to be bound by the provisions of the partnership agreement, furnish an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters.
Transfer of Ownership Interests in our General Partner
At any time, the members of our general partner may sell or transfer all or part of their membership interests in the general partner without the approval of the unitholders.
Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights
Our general partner or its affiliates or a subsequent holder of incentive distribution rights may transfer its incentive distribution rights without the prior approval of the unitholders; provided, however, that the transferee must agree to be bound by the provisions of the partnership agreement.
Change of Management Provisions
The partnership agreement contains specific provisions that are intended to discourage a person or group from attempting to remove EnLink Midstream GP, LLC as our general partner or otherwise change management. If any person or group other than our general partner and its affiliates acquires
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beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of units, that person or group loses voting rights on all of its units. This loss of voting rights does not apply to any person or group that acquires the units from our general partner or its affiliates and any transferees of that person or group approved by our general partner or to any person or group who acquires the units with the prior approval of the board of directors.
Limited Call Right
If at any time our general partner and its affiliates hold more than 80% of the then-issued and outstanding partnership securities of any class, our general partner will have the right, which it may assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the remaining partnership securities of the class held by unaffiliated persons as of a record date to be selected by our general partner, on at least ten but not more than 60 days notice. The purchase price in the event of this purchase is the greater of:
As a result of our general partner's right to purchase outstanding partnership securities, a holder of partnership securities may have his partnership securities purchased at an undesirable time or price. The tax consequences to a unitholder of the exercise of this call right are the same as a sale by that unitholder of his units in the market. Please read "Material Income Tax ConsiderationsDisposition of Common Units."
Meetings; Voting
Except as described below regarding a person or group owning 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, unitholders or assignees who are record holders of units on the record date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, meetings of our limited partners and to act upon matters for which approvals may be solicited. Common units that are owned by an assignee who is a record holder, but who has not yet been admitted as a limited partner, will be voted by our general partner at the written direction of the record holder. Absent direction of this kind, the common units will not be voted, except that, in the case of common units held by our general partner on behalf of non-citizen assignees, our general partner will distribute the votes on those common units in the same ratios as the votes of limited partners on other units are cast.
Any action that is required or permitted to be taken by the unitholders may be taken either at a meeting of the unitholders or without a meeting if consents in writing describing the action so taken are signed by holders of the number of units necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting. Meetings of the unitholders may be called by our general partner or by unitholders owning at least 20% of the outstanding units of the class for which a meeting is proposed. Unitholders may vote either in person or by proxy at meetings. The holders of a majority of the outstanding units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum unless any action by the unitholders requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of the units, in which case the quorum will be the greater percentage.
Each record holder of a unit has a vote according to his percentage interest in us, although additional limited partner interests having special voting rights could be issued. Please read "Issuance of Additional Securities." If at any time any person or group, other than our general partner and its affiliates, or a direct or subsequently approved transferee of our general partner or its affiliates, acquires, in the aggregate, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding,
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that person or group will lose voting rights on all of its units and the units may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of unitholders, calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes. Common units held in nominee or street name account will be voted by the broker or other nominee in accordance with the instruction of the beneficial owner unless the arrangement between the beneficial owner and his nominee provides otherwise.
Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy material required or permitted to be given or made to record holders of common units under the partnership agreement will be delivered to the record holder by us or by the transfer agent.
Status as Limited Partner or Assignee
An assignee of a unit, after executing and delivering a transfer application, but pending its admission as a substituted limited partner, is entitled to an interest equivalent to that of a limited partner for the right to share in allocations and distributions from us, including liquidating distributions. Our general partner will vote and exercise other powers attributable to units owned by an assignee that has not become a substitute limited partner at the written direction of the assignee. Transferees that do not execute and deliver a transfer application will be treated neither as assignees nor as record holders of units, and will not receive cash distributions, federal income tax allocations or reports furnished to holders of units. Please read "Description of the Common UnitsTransfer of Common Units."
Non-citizen Assignees; Redemption
If we are or become subject to federal, state or local laws or regulations that, in the reasonable determination of our general partner, create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property that we have an interest in because of the nationality, citizenship or other related status of any limited partner or assignee, we may redeem the units held by the limited partner or assignee at their current market price. In order to avoid any cancellation or forfeiture, our general partner may require each limited partner or assignee to furnish information about his nationality, citizenship or related status. If a limited partner or assignee fails to furnish information about his nationality, citizenship or other related status within 30 days after a request for the information or our general partner determines after receipt of the information that the limited partner or assignee is not an eligible citizen, the limited partner or assignee may be treated as a non-citizen assignee. In addition to other limitations on the rights of an assignee that is not a substituted limited partner, a non-citizen assignee does not have the right to direct the voting of his units and may not receive distributions in-ind upon our liquidation.
Indemnification
Under the partnership agreement, in most circumstances, we will indemnify the following persons, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against all losses, claims, damages or similar events:
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Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. Unless it otherwise agrees in its sole discretion, our general partner will not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to contribute or loan funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate, indemnification. We may purchase insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by persons for our activities, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person against liabilities under the partnership agreement.
Books and Reports
Our general partner is required to keep appropriate books of our business at our principal offices. The books will be maintained for both tax and financial reporting purposes on an accrual basis. For tax and fiscal reporting purposes, our fiscal year is the calendar year.
We will furnish or make available to record holders of common units, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, an annual report containing audited financial statements and a report on those financial statements by our independent public accountants. Except for our fourth quarter, we will also furnish or make available summary financial information within 90 days after the close of each quarter.
We will furnish each record holder of a unit with information reasonably required for tax reporting purposes within 90 days after the close of each calendar year. This information will be furnished in summary form so that some complex calculations normally required of partners can be avoided. Our ability to furnish this summary information to unitholders will depend on the cooperation of unitholders in supplying us with specific information. Every unitholder will receive information to assist him in determining his federal and state tax liability and filing his federal and state income tax returns, regardless of whether he supplies us with information.
Right to Inspect Our Books and Records
The partnership agreement provides that a limited partner can, for a purpose reasonably related to his interest as a limited partner, upon reasonable demand and at his own expense, have furnished to him:
Our general partner may, and intends to, keep confidential from the limited partners trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which our general partner believes in good faith is not in our best interests or that we are required by law or by agreements with third parties to keep confidential.
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Registration Rights
Under the partnership agreement, we have agreed to register for resale under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws any common units or other partnership securities proposed to be sold by our general partner or any of its affiliates or their assignees if an exemption from the registration requirements is not otherwise available. These registration rights continue for two years following any withdrawal or removal of EnLink Midstream GP, LLC as our general partner. We are obligated to pay all expenses incidental to the registration, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions.
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Distributions of Available Cash
References in this "Cash Distribution Policy" to "we," "us" and "our" mean EnLink Midstream Partners, LP.
General. Within approximately 45 days after the end of each quarter, we will distribute all of our available cash to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.
Definition of Available Cash. Available Cash means, for any quarter ending prior to liquidation:
provided, however, that disbursements made by EnLink Midstream Partners, LP or any of its subsidiaries or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of that quarter but on or before the date of determination of available cash for that quarter shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining available cash, within that quarter if the general partner so determines.
Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus
General. All cash distributed to unitholders will be characterized either as "operating surplus" or "capital surplus." We distribute available cash from operating surplus differently than available cash from capital surplus.
Definition of Operating Surplus. For any period operating surplus generally means:
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Definition of Capital Surplus. Capital surplus will generally be generated only by:
Characterization of Cash Distributions. We will treat all available cash distributed as coming from operating surplus until the sum of all available cash distributed since we began operations equals the operating surplus as of the most recent date of determination of available cash. We will treat any amount distributed in excess of operating surplus, regardless of its source, as capital surplus. While we do not anticipate that we will make any distributions from capital surplus in the near term, we may determine that the sale or disposition of an asset or business owned or acquired by us may be beneficial to our unitholders. If we distribute to you the equity we own in a subsidiary or the proceeds from the sale of one of our businesses, such a distribution would be characterized as a distribution from capital surplus.
Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus
We will make distributions of available cash from operating surplus in the following manner:
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Distributions from Capital Surplus
How Distributions from Capital Surplus will be Made. We will make distributions of available cash from capital surplus in the following manner:
Effect of a Distribution from Capital Surplus. The partnership agreement treats a distribution of capital surplus as the repayment of the initial unit price from the initial public offering, which is a return of capital. The initial public offering price less any distributions of capital surplus per unit is referred to as the "unrecovered initial unit price." Each time a distribution of capital surplus is made, the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels will be reduced in the same proportion as the corresponding reduction in the unrecovered initial unit price.
Adjustment to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels
In addition to adjusting the minimum quarterly distribution and target distribution levels to reflect a distribution of capital surplus, if we combine our units into fewer units or subdivide our units into a greater number of units we will proportionately adjust the minimum quarterly distribution, the target distribution levels and the unrecovered initial unit price.
Distributions of Cash upon Liquidation
If we dissolve in accordance with the partnership agreement, we will sell or otherwise dispose of our assets in a process called a liquidation. We will first apply the proceeds of liquidation to the payment of our creditors. We will distribute any remaining proceeds to the unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their capital account balances, as adjusted to reflect any gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of our assets in liquidation.
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MATERIAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
This section is a summary of the material tax considerations that may be relevant to prospective unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the U.S. and, unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, is the opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P., counsel to our general partner and us, insofar as it relates to legal conclusions with respect to matters of U.S. federal income tax law. This section is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code (the "Treasury Regulations") and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Later changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to "us" or "we" are references to EnLink Midstream Partners, LP
The following discussion does not comment on all federal income tax matters affecting us or the unitholders. Moreover, the discussion focuses on unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the U.S. and has only limited application to corporations, estates, trusts, partnerships and entities treated like partnerships for federal income tax purposes, nonresident aliens, U.S. expatriates and former citizens or long-term residents of the United States or other unitholders subject to specialized tax treatment, such as banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions, tax-exempt institutions, foreign persons (including, without limitation, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies and non-U.S. persons eligible for the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty with the United States), IRAs, real estate investment trusts (REITs), employee benefit plans or mutual funds, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities, U.S. persons whose "functional currency" is not the U.S. dollar, persons holding their units as part of a "straddle," "hedge," "conversion transaction" or other risk reduction transaction, and persons deemed to sell their units under the constructive sale provisions of the Code. In addition, the discussion only comments to a limited extent on state, and does not comment on local or foreign, tax consequences. Accordingly, we encourage each prospective unitholder to consult, and depend on, his own tax advisor in analyzing the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences particular to him of the ownership or disposition of common units.
No ruling has been or will be requested from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") regarding any matter affecting us or prospective unitholders. Instead, we will rely on opinions of Baker Botts L.L.P. Unlike a ruling, an opinion of counsel represents only that counsel's best legal judgment and does not bind the IRS or the courts. Accordingly, the opinions and statements made herein may not be sustained by a court if contested by the IRS. Any contest of this sort with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for our common units and the prices at which common units trade. In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS, principally legal, accounting and related fees, will result in a reduction in cash available for distribution to our unitholders and our general partner and thus will be borne indirectly by our unitholders and our general partner. Furthermore, the tax treatment of us, or of an investment in us, may be significantly modified by future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions. Any modifications may or may not be retroactively applied.
All statements as to matters of law and legal conclusions, but not as to factual matters, contained in this section, unless otherwise noted, are the opinions of Baker Botts L.L.P. and are based on the accuracy of the representations made by us.
For the reasons described below, Baker Botts L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion with respect to the following specific federal income tax issues: (i) the treatment of a unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common units (please read "Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipTreatment of Short Sales"); (ii) whether our monthly convention for allocating taxable income and losses is permitted by existing Treasury Regulations (please read "Disposition of Common UnitsAllocations Between Transferors and Transferees"); and (iii) whether our method for
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depreciating Section 743 adjustments is sustainable in certain cases (please read "Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipSection 754 Election" and "Uniformity of Common Units").
Partnership Status
A partnership is not a taxable entity and incurs no federal income tax liability. Instead, each partner of a partnership is required to take into account his share of items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the partnership in computing his federal income tax liability, regardless of whether cash distributions are made to him by the partnership. Distributions by a partnership to a partner are generally not taxable to the partnership or the partner unless the amount of cash distributed to him is in excess of the partner's adjusted basis in his partnership interest.
Section 7704 of the Code provides that publicly traded partnerships will, as a general rule, be taxed as corporations. However, an exception, referred to as the "Qualifying Income Exception," exists with respect to publicly traded partnerships of which 90% or more of the gross income for every taxable year consists of "qualifying income." Qualifying income includes income and gains derived from the transportation, storage, processing and marketing of crude oil, natural gas and other products thereof. Other types of qualifying income include interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, gains from the sale of real property and gains from the sale or other disposition of capital assets held for the production of income that otherwise constitutes qualifying income.
No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS and the IRS has made no determination as to our status or the status of the operating partnership for federal income tax purposes or whether our operations generate "qualifying income" under Section 7704 of the Code. Instead, we will rely on the opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P. on such matters. It is the opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P. that, based upon the Code, its regulations, published revenue rulings and court decisions and the representations described below that:
In rendering its opinion, Baker Botts L.L.P. has relied on factual representations made by us and our general partner. The representations made by us and our general partner upon which Baker Botts L.L.P. has relied are:
We believe that these representations have been true in the past and expect that these representations will continue to be true in the future.
If we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery (in which case the IRS may also require us to make adjustments with respect to our unitholders or pay other amounts), we will be treated as if we had transferred all of our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed
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corporation, on the first day of the year in which we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, in return for stock in that corporation, and then distributed that stock to the unitholders in liquidation of their interests in us. This deemed contribution and liquidation should be tax-free to unitholders and us so long as we, at that time, do not have liabilities in excess of the tax basis of our assets. Thereafter, we would be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes.
If we were taxed as a corporation for federal income tax purposes in any taxable year, either as a result of a failure to meet the Qualifying Income Exception or otherwise, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction would be reflected only on our tax return rather than being passed through to the unitholders, and our net income would be taxed to us at corporate rates. In addition, any distribution made to a unitholder would be treated as taxable dividend income, to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, or, in the absence of earnings and profits, a nontaxable return of capital, to the extent of the unitholder's tax basis in his common units, or taxable capital gain, after the unitholder's tax basis in his common units is reduced to zero. Accordingly, taxation as a corporation would result in a material reduction in a unitholder's cash flow and after-tax return and thus would likely result in a substantial reduction of the value of the units.
The discussion below is based on Baker Botts L.L.P.'s opinion that we will be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
Tax Treatment of Income Earned Through C Corporation Subsidiary
A material portion of our taxable income is earned through a C corporation subsidiary. Such C corporation subsidiary is subject to federal income tax on it's taxable income at the corporate tax rate, which is currently a maximum of 35%, and will likely pay state (and possibly local) income tax at varying rates, on its taxable income. Any such entity level taxes will reduce the cash available for distribution to our unitholders. Distributions from such C corporation subsidiary will generally be taxed again to unitholders as dividend income to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits of such subsidiary. The maximum federal income tax rate applicable to such dividend income which is allocable to individuals currently is 20%. An individual unitholder's share of dividend and interest income from our C corporation subsidiary would constitute portfolio income that could not be offset by the unitholder's share of our other losses or deductions. The assets held or formerly held through our C corporation subsidiary have minimal tax basis. As a result, if such assets were to be sold by us, our C corporation subsidiary would recognize substantial amounts of taxable income on which it would owe corporate level tax.
Limited Partner Status
Unitholders who have become limited partners of EnLink Midstream Partners, LP will be treated as partners of EnLink Midstream Partners, LP for federal income tax purposes. Also:
will be treated as partners of EnLink Midstream Partners, LP for federal income tax purposes.
As there is no direct or indirect controlling authority addressing the federal income tax treatment of assignees of common units who are entitled to execute and deliver transfer applications and thereby become entitled to direct the exercise of attendant rights, but who fail to execute and deliver transfer applications, Baker Botts L.L.P.'s opinion does not extend to these persons. Furthermore, a purchaser or other transferee of common units who does not execute and deliver a transfer application may not
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receive some federal income tax information or reports furnished to record holders of common units unless the common units are held in a nominee or street name account and the nominee or broker has executed and delivered a transfer application for those common units.
A beneficial owner of common units whose units have been transferred to a short seller to complete a short sale would appear to lose his status as a partner with respect to those units for federal income tax purposes. Please see "Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipTreatment of Short Sales."
Income, gain, deductions or losses would not appear to be reportable by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes, and any cash distributions received by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes would therefore be fully taxable as ordinary income. These holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of holding common units in EnLink Midstream Partners, LP
The references to "unitholders" in the discussion that follows are to persons who are treated as partners in EnLink Midstream Partners, LP for federal income tax purposes.
Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership
Flow-Through of Taxable Income. Subject to the discussion below under "Tax Treatment of Income Earned Through C Corporations" and the discussion below under "Entity-Level Collections," we will not pay any federal income tax. Instead, each unitholder will be required to report on his income tax return his share of our income, gains, losses and deductions without regard to whether we make cash distributions to him. Consequently, we may allocate income to a unitholder even if he has not received a cash distribution. The income we allocate to unitholders will generally be taxable as ordinary income. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his allocable share of our income, gains, losses and deductions for our taxable year ending with or within his taxable year. Our taxable year ends on December 31.
Treatment of Distributions. Distributions by us to a unitholder generally will not be taxable to the unitholder for federal income tax purposes, except to the extent the amount of any such cash distribution exceeds his tax basis in his common units immediately before the distribution. Cash distributions made by us to a unitholder in an amount in excess of a unitholder's tax basis generally will be considered to be gain from the sale or exchange of our common units, taxable in accordance with the rules described under "Disposition of Common Units" below. Any reduction in a unitholder's share of our liabilities for which no partner, including the general partner, bears the economic risk of loss, known as "nonrecourse liabilities," will be treated as a distribution by us of cash to that unitholder. To the extent our distributions cause a unitholder's "at-risk" amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year, the Unitholder will be required the recapture any losses deducted in previous years. Please read "Limitations on Deductibility of Losses."
A decrease in a unitholder's percentage interest in us because of our issuance of additional common units will decrease his share of our nonrecourse liabilities under Section 752 of the Code, and thus will result in a corresponding deemed distribution of cash. This deemed distribution may constitute a non-pro rata distribution. A non-pro rata distribution of money or property may result in ordinary income to a unitholder, regardless of his tax basis in his common units, if the distribution reduces the unitholder's share of our "unrealized receivables," including depreciation recapture, and/or substantially appreciated "inventory items," each as defined in the Code, and collectively, "Section 751 Assets." To that extent, the unitholder will be treated as having been distributed his proportionate share of the Section 751 Assets and then having exchanged those assets with us in return for the non-pro rata portion of the actual distribution made to him. This latter deemed exchange will generally result in the unitholder's realization of ordinary income, which will equal the excess of (i) the non-pro rata portion of that distribution over (ii) the unitholder's tax basis (often zero) for the share of Section 751 Assets deemed relinquished in the exchange.
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Basis of Common Units. A unitholder's initial tax basis for his common units will generally equal the amount he paid for our common units plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be increased by his share of our income and by any increases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities and decreased, but not below zero, by distributions from us, by the unitholder's share of our losses, by any decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities and by his share of our expenditures that are not deductible in computing taxable income and are not required to be capitalized. A unitholder generally will have no share of our debt that is recourse to our general partner, but will have a share, generally based on his share of profits, of our nonrecourse liabilities. Please read "Disposition of Common UnitsRecognition of Gain Loss."
Limitations on Deductibility of Losses. The deduction by a unitholder of his share of our losses will be limited to the tax basis in his units and, in the case of an individual unitholder, estate, trust, or corporate unitholder (if more than 50% of the value of the corporate unitholder's stock is owned directly or indirectly by or for five or fewer individuals or some tax-exempt organizations) to the amount for which the unitholder is considered to be "at risk" with respect to our activities, if that is less than his tax basis. A unitholder subject to these limitations must recapture losses deducted in previous years to the extent that distributions cause his at -risk amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year. Losses disallowed to a unitholder or recaptured as a result of these limitations will carry forward and will be allowable as a deduction to the extent that his at-risk amount is subsequently increased, provided such losses do not exceed such unitholders' tax basis in his common units. Upon the taxable disposition of a unit, any gain recognized by a unitholder can be offset by losses that were previously suspended by the at-risk limitation but may not be offset by losses suspended by the basis limitation. Any loss previously suspended by the at-risk limitation in excess of that gain would no longer be utilizable.
In general, a unitholder will be at risk to the extent of the tax basis of his units, excluding any portion of that basis attributable to his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, reduced by (i) any portion of that basis representing amounts otherwise protected against loss because of a guarantee, stop loss agreement or other similar arrangement and (ii) any amount of money he borrows to acquire or hold his units, if the lender of those borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to another unitholder or can look only to the units for repayment. A unitholder's at -risk amount will increase or decrease as the tax basis of the unitholder's units increases or decreases, other than tax basis increases or decreases attributable to increases or decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities.
In addition to the basis and at-risk limitations on the deductibility of losses, the passive loss limitations generally provide that individuals, estates, trusts and some closely-held corporations and personal service corporations can deduct losses from passive activities, which are generally defined as trade or business activities in which the taxpayer does not materially participate, only to the extent of the taxpayer's income from those passive activities. The passive loss limitations are applied separately with respect to each publicly traded partnership. Consequently, any passive losses we generate will only be available to offset our passive income generated in the future and will not be available to offset income from other passive activities or investments, including our investments or a unitholder's investments in other publicly traded partnerships, or salary or active business income. Passive losses that are not deductible because they exceed a unitholder's share of income we generate may be deducted in full when he disposes of his entire investment in us in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party. The passive loss limitations are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions, including the at-risk rules and the basis limitation.
A unitholder's share of our net income may be offset by any of our suspended passive losses, but it may not be offset by any other current or carryover losses from other passive activities, including those attributable to other publicly traded partnerships.
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Limitations on Interest Deductions. The deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayer's "investment interest expense" is generally limited to the amount of that taxpayer's "net investment income." Investment interest expense includes:
The computation of a unitholder's investment interest expense will take into account interest on any margin account borrowing or other loan incurred to purchase or carry a unit. Net investment income includes gross income from property held for investment and amounts treated as portfolio income under the passive loss rules, less deductible expenses, other than interest, directly connected with the production of investment income, but generally does not include gains attributable to the disposition of property held for investment or (if applicable) qualified dividend income. The IRS has indicated in Notice 88-75, 1988-2 C.B. 386, that the net passive income earned by a publicly traded partnership will be treated as investment income to its unitholders. In addition, the unitholder's share of to income that is treated as portfolio income under the passive loss rules will be treated as investment income.
Entity-Level Collections. If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any federal, state, local or foreign income tax on behalf of any unitholder or our general partner or any former unitholder, we are authorized to pay those taxes from our funds. That payment, if made, will be treated as a distribution of cash to the unitholder on whose behalf the payment was made. If the payment is made on behalf of a person whose identity cannot be determined, we are authorized to treat the payment as a distribution to all current unitholders. We are authorized to amend our partnership agreement in the manner necessary to maintain uniformity of intrinsic tax characteristics of units and to adjust later distributions, so that after giving effect to these distributions, the priority and characterization of distributions otherwise applicable under our partnership agreement is maintained as nearly as is practicable. Payments by us as described above could give rise to an overpayment of tax on behalf of an individual unitholder in which event the unitholder would be required to file a claim in order to obtain a credit or refund.
Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction. In general, if we have a net profit, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated among the general partner and the common unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us. At any time that distributions are made to the common units in excess of distributions to certain other classes of units, or incentive distributions are made to the general partner, gross income will be allocated to the recipients to the extent of those excess distributions. If we have a net loss, that loss will be allocated first to the general partner and the common unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us to the extent of their positive capital accounts and, second, to the general partner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any items of loss or deduction that are attributable to compensatory transfers of stock, stock options or other property by our general partner or EnLink Midstream Partners, LP to any employee or other service provider will generally be specially allocated to the general partner.
Specified items of our income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated to account for (i) any difference between the tax basis and fair market value of our assets at the time of an offering and (ii) any difference between the tax basis and fair market value of any assets contributed to us that exists at the time of such contribution (the difference described in clauses (i) and (ii) are together referred to in this discussion as the "BookTax Disparity"). The effect of these allocations, referred to as Section 704(c) Allocations, to a unitholder purchasing common units from us in an offering will, as
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to those assets in respect of which we use the remedial method, be essentially the same as if the tax bases of our assets were equal to their fair market values at the time of such offering. In the event we issue additional common units or engage in certain other transactions in the future, we will make "reverse Section 704(c) Allocations," similar to the Section 704(c) Allocations described above, to all holders of partnership interests immediately prior to such issuance or other transactions to account for the difference between the "book" basis for purposes of maintaining capital accounts and the fair market value of all property held by us at the time of such issuance or future transaction. In addition, items of recapture income will be allocated to the extent possible to the unitholder who was allocated the deduction giving rise to the treatment of that gain as recapture income in order to minimize the recognition of ordinary income by some unitholders. Finally, although we do not expect that our operations will result in the creation of negative capital accounts, if negative capital accounts nevertheless result, items of our income and gain will be allocated in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate the negative balance as quickly as possible.
An allocation of items of our income, gain, loss or deduction, other than an allocation required under the Section 704(c) principles described above, will generally be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner's share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction only if the allocation has "substantial economic effect." In any other case, a partner's share of an item will be determined on the basis of his interest in us, which will be determined by taking into account all the facts and circumstances, including:
Baker Botts L.L.P. is of the opinion that, with the exception of the issues described in "Section 754 Election," "Disposition of Common UnitsAllocations Between Transferors and Transferees," and "Uniformity of Common Units," allocations under our partnership agreement will be given effect under Section 704 of the Code for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner's share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction.
Treatment of Short Sales. A unitholder whose units are loaned to a "short seller" to cover a short sale of units may be considered as having disposed of those units. If so, he would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition. As a result, during this period:
Because there is no direct or indirect controlling authority on the issue relating to partnership interests, Baker Botts L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion regarding the tax treatment of a unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common units; therefore, unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller are urged to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing and loaning their units. The IRS has previously announced that it is studying issues relating to the tax treatment of short sales of partnership interests. Please also read "Disposition of Common UnitsRecognition of Gain or Loss."
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Alternative Minimum Tax. Each unitholder will be required to take into account his distributive share of any items of our income, gain, loss or deduction for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. We do not expect to generate significant tax preference items or adjustments. For 2014, the minimum tax rate for noncorporate taxpayers is 26% on the first $182,500 ($91,250 for married individuals filing separately) of alternative minimum taxable income in excess of the exemption amount and 28% on any additional alternative minimum taxable income. Prospective unitholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors as to the impact of an investment in units on their liability for the alternative minimum tax.
Tax Rates. The highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income and long-term capital gains of individuals currently is 39.6% and 20%, respectively. These rates are subject to change by new legislation at any time.
Section 1411 of the Code imposes a 3.8% Medicare tax on certain investment income earned by certain individuals, estates and trusts for taxable years. For these purposes, investment income generally includes a unitholder's allocable share of our income and gain realized by a unitholder from a sale of units. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) the unitholder's net income from all investments, and (ii) the amount by which the unitholder's adjusted gross income exceeds (A) $250,000 (if unitholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), (B) $125,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing separately) or (C) $200,000 (in any other case). In the case of an estate or trust, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (1) undistributed net investment income, or (2) the excess adjusted gross income over the dollar amount at which the highest income tax bracket applicable to an estate or trust begins.
Section 754 Election. We have made the election permitted by Section 754 of the Code. That election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS unless there is a constructive termination of the partnership. Please read "Disposition of Common UnitsConstructive Termination." The election will generally permit us to adjust a common unit purchaser's tax basis in our assets, or inside basis, under Section 743(b) of the Code to reflect his purchase price. This election does not apply with respect to a person who purchases common units directly from us, including a purchaser of units in this offering. The Section 743(b) adjustment belongs to the purchaser and not to other unitholders. For purposes of this discussion, the inside basis in our assets with respect to a unitholder will be considered to have two components: (i) his share of our tax basis in our assets, or common basis, and (ii) his Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis.
Where the remedial allocation method is adopted (which we have generally adopted as to all of our properties), the Treasury Regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code require a portion of the Section 743(b) adjustment that is attributable to recovery property under Section 168 of the Internal Revenue Code whose book basis is in excess of its tax basis to be depreciated over the remaining cost recovery period for the Section 704(c) built in gain. Under Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to property subject to depreciation under Section 167 of the Internal Revenue Code, rather than cost recovery deductions under Section 168, is generally required to be depreciated using either the straight-line method or the 150% declining balance method. Under our partnership agreement, the general partner is authorized to take a position to preserve the uniformity of units even if that position is not consistent with these and any other Treasury Regulations. Although Baker Botts L.L.P. is unable to opine as to the validity of this approach because there is no direct or indirect controlling authority on this issue, we intend to depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of property that has a Book-Tax Disparity, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the property's unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, or treat that portion as non-mortizable to the extent attributable to property which is not amortizable. This method is consistent with the methods employed by other publicly traded partnerships but is arguably inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material
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portion of our assets. To the extent this Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may take a depreciation or amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation or amortization, whether attributable to common basis or a Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in our assets. This kind of aggregate approach may result in lower annual depreciation or amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders. Please read "Uniformity of Common Units." A unitholder's tax basis for his common units is reduced by his share of our deductions (whether or not such deductions were claimed on an individual's income tax return) so that any position we take that understates deductions will overstate the common unitholder's basis in his common units, which may cause the unitholder to understate gain or overstate loss on any sale of such units. Please see "Disposition of Common UnitsRecognition of Gain or Loss." The IRS may challenge our position with respect to depreciating or amortizing the Section 743(b) adjustment we take to preserve the uniformity of the units. If such a challenge were sustained, the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions.
A Section 754 election is advantageous if the transferee's tax basis in his units is higher than the units' share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. In that case, as a result of the election, the transferee would have, among other items, a greater amount of depreciation deductions and his share of any gain or loss on a sale of our assets would be less. A basis adjustment is required regardless of whether a Section 754 election is made in the case of a transfer of an interest in us if we have a substantial built-in loss immediately after the transfer, or if we distribute property and have a substantial basis reduction. Generally a built-in loss or a basis reduction is substantial if it exceeds $250,000.
The calculations involved in the Section 754 election are complex and will be made on the basis of assumptions as to the value of our assets and other matters. For example, the allocation of the Section 743(b) adjustment among our assets must be made in accordance with the Code. The IRS could seek to reallocate some or all of any Section 743(b) adjustment allocated by us to our tangible assets to goodwill instead. Goodwill, as an intangible asset, is generally nonamortizable or amortizable over a longer period of time or under a less accelerated method than our tangible assets. We cannot assure you that the determinations we make will not be successfully challenged by the IRS and that the deductions resulting from them will not be reduced or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS require a different basis adjustment to be made, and should, in our opinion, the expense of compliance exceed the benefit of the election, we may seek permission from the IRS to revoke our Section 754 election. If permission is granted, a subsequent purchaser of units may be allocated more income than he would have been allocated had the election not been revoked.
Tax Treatment of Operations
Accounting Method and Taxable Year. We use the year ending December 31 as our taxable year and the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable year ending within or with his taxable year. In addition, a unitholder who has a taxable year ending on a date other than December 31 and who disposes of all of his units following the close of our taxable year but before the close of his taxable year must include his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction in income for his taxable year, with the result that he will be required to include in income for his taxable year his share of more than twelve months of our income, gain, loss and deduction. Please read "Disposition of Common UnitsAllocations Between Transferors and Transferees."
Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization. The tax basis of our assets will be used for purposes of computing depreciation and cost recovery deductions and, ultimately, gain or loss on the disposition of
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these assets. The federal income tax burden associated with the difference between the fair market value of our assets and their tax basis immediately prior to an offering will be borne by our unitholders holding interests in us prior to any such offering. Please read "Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipAllocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction."
To the extent allowable, we may elect to use the depreciation and cost recovery methods, including bonus depreciation to the extent available, that will result in the largest deductions being taken in the early years after assets subject to these allowances are placed in service. Property we subsequently acquire or construct may be depreciated using accelerated methods permitted by the Code.
If we dispose of depreciable property by sale, foreclosure or otherwise, all or a portion of any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation previously deducted and the nature of the property, may be subject to the recapture rules and taxed as ordinary income rather than capital gain. Similarly, a unitholder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with respect to property we own will likely be required to recapture some or all of those deductions as ordinary income upon a sale of his interest in us. Please read "Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipAllocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction" and "Disposition of Common UnitsRecognition of Gain or Loss."
The costs we incur in selling our units (called "syndication expenses") must be capitalized and cannot be deducted currently, ratably or upon our termination. There are uncertainties regarding the classification of costs as organization expenses, which may be amortized by us, and as syndication expenses, which may not be amortized by us. The underwriting discounts and commissions we incur will be treated as syndication expenses.
Valuation and Tax Basis of Our Properties. The federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of units will depend in part on our estimates of the relative fair market values, and the amount of initial tax bases, of our assets. Although we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, we will make many of the relative fair market value estimates ourselves. These estimates of value and determinations of basis are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. If the estimates of fair market value or determinations of basis are later found to be incorrect, the character and amount of items of income, gain, loss or deductions previously reported by unitholders might change, and unitholders might be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties with respect to those adjustments.
Disposition of Common Units
Recognition of Gain or Loss. Gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of units equal to the difference between the amount realized and the unitholder's tax basis for the units sold. A unitholder's amount realized will be measured by the sum of the cash or the fair market value of other property received by him plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. Because the amount realized includes a unitholder's share of our nonrecourse liabilities, the gain recognized on the sale of units could result in a tax liability in excess of any cash received from the sale.
Prior distributions from us that in the aggregate were in excess of cumulative net taxable income for a common unit and, therefore, decreased a unitholder's tax basis in that common unit will, in effect, become taxable income if the common unit is sold at a price greater than the unitholder's tax basis in that common unit, even if the price received is less than his original cost.
Except as noted below, gain or loss recognized by a unitholder, other than a "dealer" in units, on the sale or exchange of a unit will generally be taxable as capital gain or loss. Capital gain recognized by an individual on the sale of units held for more than twelve months will generally be taxed at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20%. However, a portion of this gain or loss, which will likely be substantial, will be separately computed and taxed as ordinary income or loss under Section 751 of the Code to the extent attributable to assets giving rise to depreciation recapture or other "unrealized
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receivables" or to "inventory items" we own. The term "unrealized receivables" includes potential recapture items, including depreciation recapture. Ordinary income attributable to unrealized receivables, inventory items and depreciation recapture may exceed net taxable gain realized upon the sale of a unit and may be recognized even if there is a net taxable loss realized on the sale of a unit. Thus, a unitholder may recognize both ordinary income and a capital loss upon a sale of units. Capital losses may offset capital gains and no more than $3,000 of ordinary income each year, in the case of individuals, and may only be used to offset capital gains in the case of corporations.
The IRS has ruled in Rev. Rul. 84-53, 1984-1 C.B. 159, that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all those interests. Upon a sale or other disposition of less than all of those interests, a portion of that tax basis must be allocated to the interests sold using an "equitable apportionment" method, which generally means that the tax basis allocated to the interest sold equals an amount that bears the same relation to the partner's tax basis in his entire interest in the partnership as the value of the interest sold bears to the value of the partner's entire interest in the partnership. Treasury Regulations under Section 1223 of the Code allow a selling unitholder who can identify common units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the actual holding period of the common units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling discussed above, a common unitholder will be unable to select high or low basis common units to sell as would be the case with corporate stock, but, according to the Treasury Regulations, he may designate specific common units sold for purposes of determining the holding period of units transferred. A unitholder electing to use the actual holding period of common units transferred must consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or exchanges of common units. A unitholder considering the purchase of additional units or a sale of common units purchased in separate transactions is urged to consult his tax advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and application of the Treasury Regulations.
Section 1259 of the Code can affect the taxation of some financial products and securities, including partnership interests, by treating a taxpayer as having sold an "appreciated" partnership interest, one in which gain would be recognized if it were sold, assigned or terminated at its fair market value, if the taxpayer or related persons enter(s) into:
in each case, with respect to the partnership interest or substantially identical property.
Moreover, if a taxpayer has previously entered into a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest, the taxpayer will be treated as having sold that position if the taxpayer or a related person then acquires the partnership interest or substantially identical property. The Secretary of the Treasury is also authorized to issue regulations that treat a taxpayer that enters into transactions or positions that have substantially the same effect as the preceding transactions as having constructively sold the financial position.
Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees. In general, our taxable income and losses will be determined annually, will be prorated on a monthly basis and will be subsequently apportioned among the unitholders in proportion to the number of units owned by each of them as of the opening of the applicable exchange on the first business day of the month, which we refer to as the "Allocation Date." However, gain or loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business will be allocated among the unitholders on the Allocation Date in the month in which that gain or loss is recognized. As a result, a unitholder transferring units may be allocated income, gain, loss and deduction realized after the date of transfer.
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Although simplifying conventions are contemplated by the Code and most publicly traded partnerships use similar simplifying conventions, the use of this method may not be permitted under existing Treasury Regulations as there is no direct or indirect controlling authority on this issue. Recently, however, the Department of the Treasury and the IRS issued proposed Treasury Regulations that provide a safe harbor pursuant to which a publicly traded partnership may use a similar monthly simplifying convention to allocate tax items among transferor and transferee unitholders, although such tax items must be prorated on a daily basis. Nonetheless, the proposed regulations do not specifically authorize the use of the proration method we have adopted. Existing publicly traded partnerships are entitled to rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations; however, they are not binding on the IRS and are subject to change until final Treasury Regulations are issued. Accordingly, Baker Botts L.L.P. is unable to opine on the validity of this method of allocating income and deductions between transferor and transferee unitholders because the issue has not been finally resolved by the IRS or the courts. If this method is not allowed under the Treasury Regulations, or only applies to transfers of less than all of the unitholder's interest, our taxable income or losses might be reallocated among the unitholders. We are authorized to revise our method of allocation between transferor and transferee unitholders, as well as unitholders whose interests vary during a taxable year, to conform to a method permitted under future Treasury Regulations.
A unitholder who disposes of units prior to the record date set for a cash distribution for that quarter will be allocated items of our income, gain, loss and deductions attributable to that quarter but will not be entitled to receive that cash distribution.
Notification Requirements. A unitholder who sells any of his units is generally required to notify us in writing of that sale within 30 days after the sale (or, if earlier, January 15 of the year following the sale). A purchaser of units who purchases units from another unitholder is also generally required to notify us in writing of that purchase within 30 days after the purchase. Upon receiving such notifications, we are required to notify the IRS of that transaction and to furnish specified information to the transferor and transferee. Failure to notify us of a sale may lead to the imposition of penalties. However, these reporting requirements do not apply to a sale by an individual who is a citizen of the U.S. and who effects the sale or exchange through a broker who will satisfy such requirements.
Constructive Termination. We will be considered to have terminated our partnership for federal income tax purposes upon the sale or exchange of our interests that, in the aggregate, constitute 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a twelve-month period. For purposes of measuring whether the 50% threshold is reached, multiple sales of the same interest are counted only once. A constructive termination results in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders. In the case of a unitholder reporting on a taxable year other than a fiscal year ending December 31, the closing of our taxable year may result in more than twelve months of our taxable income or loss being includable in his taxable income for the year of termination. A constructive termination occurring on a date other than December 31 will result in us filing two tax returns (and common unitholders could receive two Schedules K-1 if the relief discussed below is not available) for one fiscal year and the cost of the preparation of these returns will be borne by all common unitholders. We would be required to make new tax elections after a termination, including a new election under Section 754 of the Code, and a termination would result in a deferral of our deductions for depreciation. A termination could also result in penalties if we were unable to determine that the termination had occurred. Moreover, a termination might either accelerate the application of, or subject us to, any tax legislation enacted before the termination. The IRS has recently announced a relief procedure whereby if a publicly traded partnership that has technically terminated requests publicly traded partnership technical termination relief and the IRS grants such relief, among other things, the partnership will only have to provide one Schedule K-1 to unitholders for the year notwithstanding two partnership tax years.
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Uniformity of Common Units
Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of units, we must maintain uniformity of the economic and tax characteristics of the common units to a purchaser of these common units. In the absence of uniformity, we may be unable to completely comply with a number of federal income tax requirements, both statutory and regulatory. Any non-uniformity could have an impact upon the value of our units. The timing of deductions attributable to Section 743(b) adjustments to the common basis of our assets with respect to persons purchasing units from another unitholder may affect the uniformity of our units. Please read "Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipSection 754 Election."
We intend to depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of property that has a Book-Tax Disparity, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the property's unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, or treat that portion as nonamortizable, to the extent attributable to property the common basis of which is not amortizable, consistent with the regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code, even though that position may be inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets. Please see "Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipSection 754 Election." To the extent that the Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may adopt a depreciation and amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, whether attributable to a common basis or Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable methods and lives as if they had purchased a direct interest in our property. If this position is adopted, it may result in lower annual depreciation and amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders and risk the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions not taken in the year that these deductions are otherwise allowable. This position will not be adopted if we determine that the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions will have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. If we choose not to utilize this aggregate method, we may use any other reasonable depreciation and amortization method to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any units that would not have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. The IRS may challenge any method of depreciating the Section 743(b) adjustment described in this paragraph. If this challenge were sustained, the uniformity of units might be affected, and the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions. Please see "Disposition of Common UnitsRecognition of Gain Loss."
Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors
Ownership of units by employee benefit plans, other tax-exempt organizations, non-resident aliens, foreign corporations and other foreign persons raises issues unique to those investors and, as described below to a limited extent, may have substantially adverse tax consequences to them. If you are a tax-exempt entity or a non-U.S. person, you should consult your tax advisor before investing in our common units.
Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from federal income tax, including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to federal income tax on unrelated business taxable income. Virtually all of our income allocated to a unitholder that is a tax-exempt organization will be unrelated business taxable income and will be taxable to it.
Non-resident aliens and foreign corporations, trusts or estates that own units will be considered to be engaged in business in the U.S. because of the ownership of units. As a consequence, they will be required to file federal tax returns to report their share of our income, gain, loss or deduction and pay
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federal income tax at regular rates on their share of our net income or gain. Moreover, under rules applicable to publicly traded partnerships, we will withhold at the highest applicable effective tax rate from cash distributions made quarterly to foreign unitholders. Each foreign unitholder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submit that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8BEN or applicable substitute form in order to obtain credit for these withholding taxes. A change in applicable law may require us to change these procedures.
In addition, because a foreign corporation that owns units will be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business, that corporation may be subject to the U.S. branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, in addition to regular federal income tax, on its share of our income and gain, as adjusted for changes in the foreign corporation's "U.S. net equity," which is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business. That tax may be reduced or eliminated by an income tax treaty between the U.S. and the country in which the foreign corporate unitholder is a "qualified resident." In addition, this type of unitholder is subject to special information reporting requirements under Section 6038C of the Code.
A foreign unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a common unit will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain realized from the sale or disposition of that unit to the extent the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the foreign unitholder. Under Rev. Rul. 91-32, 1991-1 C.B. 107, interpreting the scope of "effectively connected income," a foreign unitholder would be considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. by virtue of the U.S. activities of the partnership, and part or all of that unitholder's gain would be effectively connected with that unitholder's indirect U.S. trade or business. In this regard, substantially all of our assets (excluding the stock we own in our C corporation subsidiaries) are used in the conduct of a U.S. trade or business. Moreover, under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, a foreign common unitholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax upon the sale or disposition of a common unit if (i) he owned (directly or constructively applying certain attribution rules) more than 5% of our common units at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of such disposition and (ii) 50% or more of the fair market value of all of our assets consisted of U.S. real property interests at any time during the shorter of the period during which such unitholder held the common units or the five-year period ending on the date of disposition. Currently, more than 50% of our assets consist of U.S. real property interests and we do not expect that to change in the foreseeable future. Therefore, foreign unitholders may be subject to federal income tax on gain from the sale or disposition of their units.
Administrative Matters
Information Returns and Audit Procedures. We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90 days after the close of each taxable year (generally, the calendar year), specific tax information, including a Schedule K-1, which describes his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our preceding taxable year. In preparing this information, which will not be reviewed by counsel, we will take various accounting and reporting positions, some of which have been mentioned earlier, to determine each unitholder's share of income, gain, loss and deduction. We cannot assure you that those positions will yield a result that conforms to the requirements of the Code, Treasury Regulations or administrative interpretations of the IRS. Neither we nor Baker Botts L.L.P. can assure prospective unitholders that the IRS will not successfully contend in court that those positions are impermissible. Any challenge by the IRS could negatively affect the value of the units.
The IRS may audit our federal income tax information returns. Adjustments resulting from an IRS audit may require each unitholder to adjust a prior year's tax liability, and possibly may result in an audit of his return. Any audit of a unitholder's return could result in adjustments not related to our returns as well as those related to our returns.
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Partnerships generally are treated as separate entities for purposes of federal tax audits, judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement proceedings. The tax treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss and deduction are determined in a partnership proceeding rather than in separate proceedings with the partners. The Code requires that one partner be designated as the "Tax Matters Partner" for these purposes. Our partnership agreement names our general partner as our Tax Matters Partner.
The Tax Matters Partner has made and will make some elections on our behalf and on behalf of unitholders. In addition, the Tax Matters Partner can extend the statute of limitations for assessment of tax deficiencies against unitholders for items in our returns. The Tax Matters Partner may bind a unitholder with less than a 1% profits interest in us to a settlement with the IRS unless that unitholder elects, by filing a statement with the IRS, not to give that authority to the Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner may seek judicial review, by which all the unitholders are bound, of a final partnership administrative adjustment and, if the Tax Matters Partner fails to seek judicial review, judicial review may be sought by any unitholder having at least a 1% interest in profits or by any group of unitholders having in the aggregate at least a 5% interest in profits. However, only one action for judicial review will go forward, and each unitholder with an interest in the outcome may participate.
A unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on his federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the item on our return. Intentional or negligent disregard of this consistency requirement may subject a unitholder to substantial penalties.
Additional Withholding Requirements. Under recently enacted legislation, the relevant withholding agent may be required to withhold 30% of any interest, dividends and other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gains, profits and income from sources within the United States ("FDAP Income") or gross proceeds from the sale of any property of a type which can produce interest or dividends from sources within the United States paid to (i) a foreign financial institution (for which purposes includes foreign broker-dealers, clearing organizations, investment companies, hedge funds and certain other investment entities) unless such foreign financial institution agrees to verify, report and disclose its U.S. accountholders and meets certain other specified requirements or (ii) a non-financial foreign entity that is a beneficial owner of the payment unless such entity certifies that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or provides the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner and such entity meets certain other specified requirements or otherwise qualifies for an exemption from this withholding. Under recently finalized Treasury Regulations, withholding only applies to payments of FDAP Income which are made after June 30, 2014, and to payments of relevant gross proceeds which are made after December 31, 2016. Non-U.S. and U.S. unitholders are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this legislation on their investment in our common units.
Nominee Reporting. Persons who hold an interest in us as a nominee for another person are required to furnish to us:
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Brokers and financial institutions are required to furnish additional information, including whether they are U.S. persons and specific information on units they acquire, hold or transfer for their own account. A penalty of $100 per failure, up to a maximum of $1,500,000 per calendar year, is imposed for failure to report that information to us. The nominee is required to supply the beneficial owner of the units with the information furnished to us.
Accuracy- Related Penalties. An additional tax equal to 20% of the amount of any portion of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to one or more specified causes, including negligence or disregard of rules or regulations, substantial understatements of income tax and substantial valuation misstatements, is imposed. No penalty will be imposed, however, for any portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for that portion and that the taxpayer acted in good faith regarding that portion.
For individuals, a substantial understatement of income tax in any taxable year exists if the amount of the understatement exceeds the greater of 10% of the tax required to be shown on the return for the taxable year or $5,000 ($10,000 for most corporations). The amount of any understatement subject to penalty generally is reduced if any portion is attributable to a position adopted on the return:
If any item of income, gain, loss or deduction included in the distributive shares of unitholders might result in that kind of an "understatement" of income for which no "substantial authority" exists, we must disclose the pertinent facts on our return. In addition, we will make a reasonable effort to furnish sufficient information for unitholders to make adequate disclosure on their returns and to take other actions as may be appropriate to permit unitholders to avoid liability for this penalty. More stringent rules apply to "tax shelters," which we do not believe includes us, or any of our investments, plans or arrangements.
A substantial valuation misstatement exists if (a) the value of any property, or the adjusted basis of any property, claimed on a tax return is 150% or more of the amount determined to be the correct amount of the valuation or adjusted basis, (b) the price for any property or services (or for the use of property) claimed on any such return with respect to any transaction between persons described in Section 482 of the Code is 200% or more (or 50% or less) of the amount determined under Code Section 482 to be the correct amount of such price, or (c) the net Section 482 transfer price adjustment for the taxable year exceeds the lesser of $5 million or 10% of the taxpayer's gross receipts. No penalty is imposed unless the portion of the underpayment attributable to a substantial valuation misstatement exceeds $5,000 ($10,000 for most corporations). If the valuation claimed on a return is 200% or more than the correct valuation or certain other thresholds are met, the penalty imposed increases to 40%. We do not anticipate making any valuation misstatements.
In addition, the 20% accuracy-related penalty also applies to any portion of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to transactions lacking economic substance. To the extent that such transactions are not disclosed, the penalty imposed is increased to 40%. Additionally, there is no reasonable cause defense to the imposition of this penalty to such transactions.
Reportable Transactions. If we were to engage in a "reportable transaction," we (and possibly you and others) would be required to make a detailed disclosure of the transaction to the IRS. A transaction may be a reportable transaction based upon any of several factors, including the fact that it is a type of tax avoidance transaction publicly identified by the IRS as a "listed transaction" or that it
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produces certain kinds of losses for partnerships, individuals, S corporations, and trusts in excess of $2 million in any single year, or $4 million in any combination of six successive tax years. Our participation in a reportable transaction could increase the likelihood that our federal income tax information return (and possibly your tax return) would be audited by the IRS. Please read "Information Returns and Audit Procedures."
Moreover, if we were to participate in a reportable transaction with a significant purpose to avoid or evade tax, or in any listed transaction, you may be subject to the following provisions:
We do not expect to engage in any "reportable transactions."
Recent Legislative Developments
The present federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including us, or an investment in our common units may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial interpretation at any time. For example, from time to time members of the U.S. Congress propose and consider substantive changes to the existing federal income tax laws that affect publicly traded partnerships. One legislative proposal made during 2012 but which was not enacted would have eliminated the qualifying income exception upon which we rely for our treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Please read "Partnership Status." We are unable to predict whether any such changes will ultimately be enacted. However, it is possible that a change in law could affect us and may be applied retroactively. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our units.
State, Local, Foreign and Other Tax Considerations
In addition to federal income taxes, you likely will be subject to other taxes, such as state, local and foreign income taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property or in which you are a resident. Although an analysis of those various taxes is not presented here, each prospective unitholder should consider their potential impact on his investment in us. We currently own property and do business in several states, most of which impose personal income taxes on individuals. Most of these states also impose income tax on corporations and other entities. Moreover, we may also own property or do business in other states in the future that impose income or similar taxes on nonresident individuals. Although you may not be required to file a return and pay taxes in some jurisdictions because your income from that jurisdiction falls below the filing and payment requirement, a unitholder may be required to file income tax returns and to pay income taxes in other jurisdictions in which we do business or own property, now or in the future, and may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. In some jurisdictions, tax losses may not produce a tax benefit in the year incurred and may not be available to offset income in subsequent taxable years. Some jurisdictions may require us, or we may elect, to withhold a percentage of income from amounts to be distributed to a unitholder who is not a resident of the jurisdiction. Withholding, the amount of which may be greater or less than a particular unitholder's income tax liability to the jurisdiction, generally does not relieve a nonresident unitholder from the obligation to file an income tax return. Amounts withheld will be treated as if distributed to unitholders for purposes of determining the amounts distributed by us. Please read "Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipEntityLevel Collections." Based on current
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law and our estimate of our future operations, the general partner anticipates that any amounts required to be withheld will not be material.
It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences, under the laws of pertinent jurisdictions, of his investment in us. Accordingly, each prospective unitholder is urged to consult, and depend upon, his tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters. Further, it is the responsibility of each unitholder to file all state, local and foreign, as well as U.S. federal tax returns, that may be required of him. Baker Botts L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion on the state, local or foreign tax consequences of an investment in us.
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We may sell the securities being offered hereby in and outside the U.S. (1) through underwriters or underwriting syndicates led by one or more managing underwriters, (2) to or through brokers or dealers, (3) to or through agents, (4) directly to one or more purchasers, including our affiliates, (5) pursuant to delayed delivery contracts or forward contracts or (6) through a combination of any of these methods.
The prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering and the method of distribution and will include the following information:
Sale Through Underwriters or Dealers
If we use underwriters in the sale of securities, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter at the time of sale and we will provide the name of any underwriter in the prospectus supplement that the underwriter will use to make resales of securities to the public. The underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account, and the underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to conditions, and any underwritten offering may be on a firm commitment basis. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
If we use dealers in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The dealers participating in any sale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, with respect to any sale of those securities. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.
Sales Through Agents
We may also sell the securities through agents we designate from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will
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describe any commissions payable by us to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.
Direct Sales
We may sell the securities directly. In that event, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may use electronic media, including the Internet, to sell offered securities directly.
Delayed Delivery or Forward Contracts
If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus under delayed delivery or forward contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future at prices determined as described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement would describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.
Remarketing
We may offer and sell any of the securities in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment by their terms or otherwise by one or more remarketing firms acting as principals for their own accounts or as our agents. We will identify any remarketing firm, the terms of any remarketing agreement and the compensation to be paid to the remarketing firm in the prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed underwriters under the Securities Act.
Derivative Transactions
We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third parties may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third parties in these sale transactions will be underwriters and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or in a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.
General Information
In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from securities purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent. We will provide in the applicable prospectus supplement information regarding any underwriting discounts or other compensation that we pay to underwriters or agents in connection with the securities offering, and any discounts, concessions or commissions which underwriters allow to dealers.
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We may have agreements with the agents, dealers and underwriters to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents,dealers or underwriters may be required to make because of those liabilities. Agents, dealers and underwriters, or their affiliates or associates, may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.
Other than the common units, which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, each series of offered securities will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of offered securities on an exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a series of offered securities. However, they will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. We cannot assure you as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, any of our offered securities.
In connection with an offering, certain persons participating in the offering may make a market in the securities or engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities. This may include, among other transactions, over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involves the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than we sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option. As a result, the price of the securities may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If these activities are commenced, these transactions may be discontinued at any time.
Because FINRA views our common units as interests in a direct participation program, any offering of common units pursuant to this registration statement will be made in compliance with FINRA Rule 2310.
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution. The place and time of delivery for the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered are set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
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The validity of the securities offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Baker Botts L.L.P., Dallas, Texas. Baker Botts L.L.P. will also render an opinion on the material federal income tax considerations regarding the securities. If certain legal matters in connection with an offering of the securities made by this prospectus and a related prospectus supplement are passed on by counsel for the underwriters of such offering, that counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement related to that offering.
The consolidated financial statements of EnLink Midstream Holdings, LP (Predecessor) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of EnLink Midstream Partners, LP (formerly known as Crosstex Energy, L.P.) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013 and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed a registration statement with the SEC under the Securities Act that registers the securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits, contains additional relevant information about us. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit some information included in the registration statement from this prospectus.
In addition, we file annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-732-0330 for further information on the operation of the SEC's public reference room. Our SEC filings are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. We also make available free of charge on our website at http://www.enlink.com all materials that we file electronically with the SEC, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, Section 16 reports and amendments to these reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information contained on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we have filed with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you without actually including the specific information in this prospectus by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. These other documents contain important information about us, our financial condition and results of operations. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and may replace information in this prospectus and information previously filed with the SEC.
We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the documents listed below and any subsequent filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
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of 1934 (excluding information deemed to be furnished and not filed with the SEC) until all offerings under this registration statement are completed:
You may obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus from the SEC through the SEC's web site at the address provided above. You also may request a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus (including exhibits to those documents specifically incorporated by reference in those documents), at no cost, by visiting our internet website at www.enlink.com, or by writing or calling us at the following address:
EnLink
Midstream Partners, LP
2501 Cedar Springs Rd.
Dallas, Texas 75201
Attention: Investor Relations
Telephone: (214) 953-9500
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EnLink Midstream Partners, LP
$500,000,000 4.850% Senior Notes due 2026
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Joint Book-Running Managers
BofA Merrill Lynch | J.P. Morgan | SunTrust Robinson Humphrey | ||
BBVA |
BMO Capital Markets |
Mizuho Securities |
||
MUFG | PNC Capital Markets LLC | US Bancorp |
Co-Manager
Comerica Securities
July 11, 2016