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Magellan Midstream Announces Record Quarterly Operating Profit and Distributable Cash Flow

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TULSA, Okla., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. (NYSE: MMP) today reported record quarterly operating profit of $103.7 million for fourth quarter 2009, an increase of $7.6 million, or 8%, compared to $96.1 million for fourth quarter 2008.

Net income was $82 million for fourth quarter 2009 compared to $81.1 million for fourth quarter 2008, and net income per limited partner unit was 77 cents in fourth quarter 2009 and 51 cents in the corresponding 2008 period. The simplification of the partnership's capital structure in Sept. 2009 resulted in an increase in the number of limited partner units outstanding and a change to the allocation of net income for the purpose of calculating net income per limited partner unit.

Distributable cash flow (DCF), which represents the amount of cash generated during the period that is available to pay distributions, grew to a quarterly record of $104.9 million for fourth quarter 2009 compared to $91.8 million during fourth quarter 2008.

"Record operating profit and distributable cash flow for the quarter resulted primarily from higher transportation tariffs and product gains on our pipeline system and higher marine storage revenues due to expansion projects and higher rates charged for existing storage," said Don Wellendorf, chief executive officer. "Magellan enters 2010 in a very attractive position with a strong balance sheet, low cost of capital, relatively low risk cash flows from our core businesses and substantial growth opportunities."

An analysis of variances by segment comparing fourth quarter 2009 to fourth quarter 2008 is provided below based on operating margin, a non-generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP) financial measure that reflects operating profit before general and administrative (G&A) expense and depreciation and amortization:

Petroleum products pipeline system. Pipeline operating margin was $113.2 million, an increase of $3.1 million and a quarterly record for this segment. Transportation and terminals revenues increased between periods primarily due to higher average transportation rates and incremental leased storage, partially offset by approximately 1% lower transportation volumes for the quarter. Annual transportation volumes were in line with 2008 performance as increases in gasoline volumes offset declines in diesel and aviation fuel.

Operating expenses declined between periods due to $17.7 million more favorable product overages, which reduce operating expenses, partially offset by higher personnel costs and additional expenses related to the 700-mile Texas pipeline system the partnership acquired late July 2009. Fourth-quarter 2008 product overages had been negatively impacted by a lower-of-cost-or-market adjustment resulting from the rapidly declining commodity price environment at the end of 2008.

Product margin (defined as product sales revenues less product purchases) decreased between periods primarily due to lower financial results from the partnership's petroleum products blending activity offset by profits realized from commodity sales related to its recently-acquired 700-mile Texas pipeline system. Otherwise, gains from the timing of mark-to-market (MTM) adjustments for New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) positions used to economically hedge the partnership's blending activity offset MTM losses on positions used to hedge the linefill on the 700-mile Texas pipeline system. While the partnership is in the process of establishing third-party customers to transport product on this new pipeline system, which was inactive prior to Magellan acquiring it, the partnership intends to purchase and sell petroleum products to be shipped on this pipeline during the transition period.

Petroleum products terminals. Terminals operating margin was $33.5 million, an increase of $9.6 million and a quarterly record for this segment. The current period benefited from higher revenues at the partnership's marine and inland terminals primarily due to expansion projects, including additional marine storage and ethanol blending, higher marine storage rates and improved utilization at the partnership's marine terminals. Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher personnel costs in the 2009 period. Product margin declined due to the sale of fewer product overages in the 2009 quarter.

Ammonia pipeline system. Ammonia operating margin was $4.9 million, an increase of $3.0 million and a quarterly record for this segment. Revenues increased due to higher rates and increased volumes due to the favorable farming conditions in fall 2009. Expenses were lower due to environmental accruals that negatively impacted the 2008 quarter.

Other items. Depreciation and amortization increased due to recent capital spending, and G&A increased due to higher personnel expenses. Net interest expense increased in the current quarter as a result of additional borrowings for expansion capital expenditures, including the 700-mile Texas pipeline system acquired late July 2009.

Annual results

For the year ended Dec. 31, 2009, operating profit was $298.4 million compared to $383 million in the corresponding 2008 timeframe. The 2008 period benefited from unusually high product margin and a $26.5 million one-time gain on assignment of a supply agreement in March 2008. Excluding these items, operating profit from the partnership's core fee-based transportation and terminals activities increased to $244.2 million in 2009 from $219 million in 2008.

For the year, reported net income was $226.5 million in 2009 compared to $330.1 million in 2008. Excluding product margin and the one-time gain, net income increased in the current year to $172.3 million from $166.1 million in 2008.

For the full year, diluted net income per limited partner unit was $2.22 in 2009 compared to $2.21 in 2008.

DCF for the full year was $328.4 million in 2009, or 1.1 times the amount needed to pay distributions related to 2009, and $338.2 million in 2008.

Expansion capital expectations

Management remains focused on expansion opportunities and spent about $480 million during 2009 on growth capital projects, including acquisitions, $84.4 million of which was spent in the fourth quarter. Based on the progress of expansion projects now underway, including several new projects, the partnership plans to spend approximately $210 million during 2010 and $30 million in 2011 to complete these projects.

New projects include the construction of 0.6 million barrels of storage at the partnership's petroleum products pipeline terminal in Tulsa, Oklahoma, expansion of truck loading capabilities at the partnership's East Houston, Texas terminal and enhancements to the partnership's petroleum products blending capabilities.

In addition, the partnership continues to analyze more than $500 million of potential growth projects in earlier stages of development, which have been excluded from these spending estimates.

Guidance for 2010

Management currently expects 2010 DCF of approximately $345 million and is targeting annual distribution growth of 4% during 2010. Net income per limited partner unit is estimated to be $2.66, with first-quarter guidance of 65 cents. Guidance assumes no NYMEX MTM adjustments.

Management continues to believe the large majority of the partnership's operating margin will be generated by fee-based transportation and terminals services, with commodity-related activities contributing approximately 15% or less of the partnership's operating margin.

Earnings call details

An analyst call with management regarding fourth-quarter earnings and 2010 guidance is scheduled today at 1:30 p.m. Eastern. To participate, dial (888) 670-2261 and provide code 7944869. Investors also may listen to the call via the partnership's web site at http://www.magellanlp.com/webcasts.asp.

Audio replays of the conference call will be available from 4:30 p.m. Eastern today through midnight on Feb. 9. To access the replay, dial (888) 203-1112 and provide code 7944869. The replay also will be available at http://www.magellanlp.com.

Non-GAAP financial measures

Management believes that investors benefit from having access to the same financial measures utilized by the partnership. As a result, this news release and supporting schedules include the non-GAAP financial measures of operating margin and DCF, which are important performance measures used by management to evaluate the economic success of the partnership's operations.

Operating margin reflects operating profit before G&A expense and depreciation and amortization. This measure forms the basis of the partnership's internal financial reporting and is used by management in deciding how to allocate capital resources between segments.

Product margin, which is calculated as product sales revenues less product purchases, is used by management to evaluate the profitability of the partnership's commodity-related activities.

DCF is important in determining the amount of cash generated from the partnership's operations that is available for distribution to its unitholders. Management uses this measure as a basis for recommending to the board of directors the amounts of distributions to be paid each period.

Reconciliations of operating margin to operating profit and DCF to net income accompany this news release.

Because the non-GAAP measures presented in this news release include adjustments specific to the partnership, they may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies.

About Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P.

Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. (NYSE: MMP) is a publicly traded partnership formed to own, operate and acquire a diversified portfolio of energy assets. The partnership primarily transports, stores and distributes refined petroleum products. More information is available at http://www.magellanlp.com.

Portions of this document constitute forward-looking statements as defined by federal law. Although management believes any such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that actual outcomes will not be materially different. Among the key risk factors that may have a direct impact on the partnership's results of operations and financial condition are: (1) its ability to identify growth projects or to complete identified projects on time and at expected costs; (2) price fluctuations for natural gas liquids and refined petroleum products; (3) overall demand for natural gas liquids, refined petroleum products, natural gas, oil and ammonia in the United States; (4) changes in the partnership's tariff rates implemented by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the United States Surface Transportation Board and state regulatory agencies; (5) shut-downs or cutbacks at major refineries, petrochemical plants, ammonia production facilities or other businesses that use or supply the partnership's services; (6) changes in the throughput or interruption in service on petroleum products pipelines owned and operated by third parties and connected to the partnership's petroleum products terminals or petroleum products pipeline system; (7) the occurrence of an operational hazard or unforeseen interruption for which the partnership is not adequately insured; (8) the treatment of the partnership as a corporation for federal or state income tax purposes or if the partnership becomes subject to significant forms of other taxation; (9) an increase in the competition the partnership's operations encounter; (10) disruption in the debt and equity markets that negatively impacts the partnership's ability to finance its capital spending and (11) failure of customers to meet or continue contractual obligations to the partnership. Additional information about issues that could lead to material changes in performance is contained in the partnership's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The partnership undertakes no obligation to revise its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after today's date.


    Contact: Paula Farrell
    (918) 574-7650
    paula.farrell@magellanlp.com


                      MAGELLAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                   (In thousands, except per unit amounts)
                                 (Unaudited)

                             Three Months Ended    Twelve Months Ended
                                 December 31,          December 31,
                             -------------------  ---------------------
                               2008       2009       2008       2009
                             --------   --------   --------  ----------
    Transportation and
     terminals revenues      $166,955   $183,718   $638,810   $678,945
    Product sales revenues    134,473    169,346    574,095    334,465
    Affiliate management
     fee revenue                  184        191        733        761
                             --------   --------   --------  ---------
       Total revenues         301,612    353,255  1,213,638  1,014,171
    Costs and expenses:
      Operating                71,026     62,457    264,871    257,635
      Product purchases        94,184    138,769    436,567    280,291
      Depreciation and
       amortization            22,654     26,288     86,501     97,216
      General and
       administrative          18,198     22,663     73,302     84,049
                             --------   --------   --------  ---------
       Total costs and
        expenses              206,062    250,177    861,241    719,191
    Gain on assignment of
     supply agreement               -          -     26,492          -
    Equity earnings               563        605      4,067      3,431
                             --------   --------   --------  ---------
    Operating profit           96,113    103,683    382,956    298,411
    Interest expense           16,038     21,159     56,764     73,357
    Interest income              (532)        (8)    (1,482)      (660)
    Interest capitalized       (1,069)      (758)    (4,803)    (3,510)
    Debt placement fee
     amortization expense         219        337        767      1,112
    Other (income)/expense       (126)       612       (380)       (24)
                             --------   --------   --------  ---------
    Income before provision
     for income taxes          81,583     82,341    332,090    228,136
    Provision for income
     taxes                        518        389      1,987      1,661
                             --------   --------   --------  ---------
    Net income                $81,065    $81,952   $330,103   $226,475
                             ========   ========   ========  =========

    Allocation of net
     income: (1)
       Non-controlling
        owners' interest      $61,562         $-   $244,430    $99,729
       Limited partners'
        interest               20,349     81,952     87,733    126,746
       General partner's
        interest                 (846)         -     (2,060)         -
                             --------   --------   --------  ---------
         Net income           $81,065    $81,952   $330,103   $226,475
                             ========   ========   ========  =========

    Basic and diluted net
     income per limited
     partner unit               $0.51      $0.77      $2.21      $2.22
                             ========   ========   ========  =========

    Weighted average number
     of limited partner
     units outstanding used
     for basic net income
     per unit calculation(1)   39,632    106,782     39,630     57,115
                             ========   ========   ========  =========
    Weighted average 
     number of limited
     partner units 
     outstanding used for
     diluted net income 
     per unit calculation(1)   39,632    106,902     39,630     57,145

    (1)  The simplification of the partnership's capital structure in Sept. 
         2009 resulted in an increase in the number of limited partner units
         outstanding and a change to the allocation of net income, with all 
         income subsequently allocated to limited partners due to the 
         elimination of non-controlling owners' interest.




                       MAGELLAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P.
                             OPERATING STATISTICS

                               Three Months Ended    Twelve Months Ended
                                  December 31,           December 31,
                               -------------------   -------------------
                                 2008      2009       2008        2009
                                ------    -------    -------     -------
    Petroleum products
     pipeline system:
      Transportation revenue
       per barrel shipped       $1.183     $1.223     $1.193      $1.205

      Volume shipped (million
       barrels)                   75.3       74.3      295.9       295.7

    Petroleum products terminals:
      Marine terminal average
       storage utilized
       (million barrels per
       month)                     23.7       27.2       23.3        26.2

      Inland terminal
       throughput (million
       barrels)                   26.5       27.6      108.1       109.8

    Ammonia pipeline system:
      Volume shipped (thousand
      tons)                        198        223        822         643




                        MAGELLAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P.
               OPERATING MARGIN RECONCILIATION TO OPERATING PROFIT
                            (Unaudited, in thousands)

                                  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
                                     December 31,          December 31,
                                 ------------------   --------------------
                                   2008      2009       2008        2009
                                 --------  --------   --------    --------
    Petroleum products
     pipeline system:
       Transportation and
        terminals revenues       $124,809  $128,279   $478,473    $494,165
       Less: Operating
        expenses                   51,727    44,065    197,670     183,929
                                 --------  --------   --------    --------
          Transportation and
           terminals margin        73,082    84,214    280,803     310,236

       Product sales
        revenues                  129,233   165,529    543,694     320,100
       Less: Product
        purchases                  92,927   137,328    429,294     275,880
                                 --------  --------   --------    --------
          Product margin           36,306    28,201    114,400      44,220
       Add:  Affiliate
        management fee
        revenue                       184       191        733         761
           Equity earnings            563       605      4,067       3,431
           Gain on assignment
            of supply agreement         -         -     26,492           -
                                 --------  --------   --------    --------
         Operating margin        $110,135  $113,211   $426,495    $358,648
                                 ========  ========   ========    ========

    Petroleum products
     terminals:
       Transportation and
        terminals revenues        $37,086   $49,316   $141,129    $169,939
       Less: Operating
        expenses                   16,656    17,685     59,130      64,388
                                 --------  --------   --------    --------
          Transportation and
           terminals margin        20,430    31,631     81,999     105,551

       Product sales
        revenues                    5,240     3,817     30,401      14,365
       Less: Product
        purchases                   1,751     1,938      8,279       6,393
                                 --------  --------   --------    --------
          Product margin            3,489     1,879     22,122       7,972
                                 --------  --------   --------    --------
             Operating margin     $23,919   $33,510   $104,121    $113,523
                                 ========  ========   ========    ========

    Ammonia pipeline
     system:
       Transportation and
        terminals revenues         $6,170    $7,368    $22,704     $19,862
       Less: Operating
        expenses                    4,219     2,464     14,044      16,196
                                 --------  --------   --------    --------
          Operating margin         $1,951    $4,904     $8,660      $3,666
                                 ========  ========   ========    ========

    Segment operating
     margin                      $136,005  $151,625   $539,276    $475,837
    Add: Allocated
     corporate
     depreciation costs               960     1,009      3,483       3,839
                                 --------  --------   --------    --------
    Total operating
     margin                       136,965   152,634    542,759     479,676

    Less:  Depreciation
     and amortization              22,654    26,288     86,501      97,216
           General and
            administrative         18,198    22,663     73,302      84,049
                                 --------  --------   --------    --------
    Total operating profit        $96,113  $103,683   $382,956    $298,411
                                 ========  ========   ========    ========

    Note: Amounts may not sum to figures shown on the consolidated statement
    of income due to intersegment eliminations and allocated corporate 
    depreciation costs.




                         MAGELLAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P.
               DISTRIBUTABLE CASH FLOW RECONCILIATION TO NET INCOME
                             (Unaudited, in millions)

                       Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended
                           December 31,        December 31,        2010
                       ------------------  -------------------   --------
                         2008       2009    2008        2009     Estimate
                       --------    ------  ------     --------   --------
    Net income           $81.1      $82.0  $330.1      $226.5      $285
    Add:
     Depreciation and
     amortization(1)      22.9       26.6    87.3        98.3       110
        Equity-
         based
         incentive
         compensation(2)   0.4        2.2     0.9         6.1         3
        Expenses
         (credits)
         indemnified
         by former
         affiliate         2.2       (0.8)   (1.7)        5.2         -
        Asset
         retirements
         and 
         impairments       3.4        2.5     7.2         5.5         5
        NYMEX
         contract
         adjustment(3)    (1.6)      (0.6)  (13.8)       24.4       (10)
    Less:
     Maintenance
      capital
      (net of
      expected
      reimbursements
      and indemnified
      spending)(4)        17.8        7.5    43.2        38.0        45
                          
        Gain on
         assignment
         of supply
         agreement           -          -    26.5           -         -
        Other             (1.2)      (0.5)    2.1        (0.4)        3
                         -----      -----    ----        ----       ---
     Distributable
      cash flow (5)      $91.8     $104.9  $338.2      $328.4      $345
                         =====     ======  ======      ======      ====

    (1)  Depreciation and amortization includes debt placement fee 
         amortization.

    (2)  Because the partnership intends to satisfy vesting of units under its
         equity-based incentive compensation program with the issuance of 
         limited partner units, expenses related to this program generally are
         deemed non-cash and added back for distributable cash flow purposes. 
         Total equity-based incentive compensation expense for the twelve 
         months ended December 31, 2008 and 2009 was $4.8 million and $9.6 
         million, respectively. However, the figures above include an 
         adjustment for minimum statutory tax withholdings paid by the 
         partnership during first quarter 2008 and 2009 of $3.9 million and 
         $3.5 million, respectively, for equity-based incentive compensation 
         units that vested on the previous year end.

    (3)  Represents margins realized in the current quarter on the physical 
         sales of products that were hedged using New York Mercantile Exchange
         (NYMEX) contracts.  Because certain of these NYMEX contracts do not 
         qualify for hedge accounting treatment, $12.2 million of losses and 
         $20.2  million of gains for the three and twelve months ended 
         December 31, 2009, respectively, were recognized in previous 
         accounting periods when the NYMEX contracts were marked to market.  
         The partnership adjusted these accounting profits out of its 
         distributable cash flows in those earlier periods.  Additionally, the
         three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2009 include $11.6 
         million and $4.2 million of mark-to-market losses, respectively, on 
         NYMEX contracts associated with products that will be physically sold
         in future periods.

    (4)  During the three months ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, the 
         partnership paid $(0.6) million and $1.9 million, respectively, and 
         for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, the 
         partnership paid $3.6 million and $5.3 million, respectively, for 
         indemnified maintenance capital projects related to its 
         indemnification settlement or for costs which it expects to be 
         reimbursed by insurance proceeds or third parties.

    (5)  Distributable cash flow does not include fluctuations related to 
         working capital or spending for which the partnership has received,
         or expects to receive, reimbursement through third party 
         indemnifications. Through December 31, 2009, the partnership has 
         either paid or accrued liabilities totaling $92.5 million of the 
         $117.5 million indemnification settlement amount it has received, 
         including $26.4 million for capital projects.

SOURCE Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P.



 
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