Targa Resources Partners LP (NGLS)

[eastunder]

Targa Resources Corp. and Targa Resources Partners LP Provide Financial Outlook and Announce Formation of Eagle Ford Shale Joint Venture

http://www.streetinsider.com/Press+Releases/Targa+Resources+Corp.+and+Targa+Resources+Partners+LP+Provide+Financial+Outlook+and+Announce+Formation+of+Eagle+Ford+Shale+Joint+Venture/10944451.html


Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE:TRGP) (“TRC” or the “Company”) and Targa Resources Partners LP (NYSE:NGLS) (“Targa Resources Partners”, “TRP” or the “Partnership”) (together “Targa”) announced a preliminary financial outlook for 2016, based on commodity prices and activity levels outlined below.

TRC is providing the following preliminary outlook for 2016

Dividend growth of 15% over FY2015
Dividend coverage of approximately 1x
Effective cash tax rate of 0% to 5%

At the Partnership, the preliminary 2016 outlook includes:

Commodity price assumptions consistent with current research expectations of $55.00 per barrel for crude oil, $0.50 per gallon for the Partnership's typical weighted average NGLs and $3.25 per MMBtu for natural gas

Annualized distributions of $3.30 per common unit, flat to current annualized distributions per common unit

Distribution coverage of approximately 0.90x to 0.95x

Compliance Debt/EBITDA ratio in the mid-4x range

Growth capex of approximately $600 million based on projects announced currently (including the new Sanchez Energy Corporation (“Sanchez Energy”) joint venture discussed below)

Flat to low single digit growth in Field Gathering & Processing inlet volumes compared to average 2015 inlet volumes

Over 5 million barrels per month of LPG export volumes predominantly under contract

A sensitivity scenario based on recent 2016 commodity strip prices of $47.00 per barrel for crude oil, $0.45 per gallon for the Partnership's typical weighted average NGLs and $2.85 per MMBtu for natural gas, results in approximately 0.05x lower distribution coverage.

Additional sensitivities for the outlook above include the following price only EBITDA sensitivities: a $0.05 per gallon change in the weighted average price for TRP’s NGLs would change estimated 2016 Adjusted EBITDA by approximately $20 million; a $0.25 per MMBtu change in natural gas price would change estimated 2016 Adjusted EBITDA by approximately $10 million; and a $5.00 per barrel change in crude oil price would change estimated 2016 Adjusted EBITDA by approximately $5 million.

TRP also announced that for the third quarter of 2015, TRP estimates distribution coverage of approximately 1.0x to 1.1x.
“The strength of our asset position and the resiliency of our diversified business mix are demonstrated in the results that we have realized to date in 2015 and in the 2016 outlook that we are providing today,” said Joe Bob Perkins, Chief Executive Officer of the Partnership and of the Company.

Eagle Ford Shale Natural Gas Processing Joint Venture

Targa Resources Partners also announced that it has entered into joint venture agreements with Sanchez Energy Corporation (NYSE:SN) to construct a new 200 million cubic feet per day (“MMcf/d”) cryogenic natural gas processing plant in La Salle County, Texas (“La Salle County Plant”) and approximately 45 miles of associated pipelines. TRP expects to invest approximately $125 million of growth capex related to the joint ventures, and assuming full contribution from Sanchez Energy, will have a 50% ownership interest in the plant and the approximately 45 miles of high pressure gathering pipelines that will connect SN’s Catarina gathering system to the plant. Targa will hold all the transportation capacity on the pipeline, and the gathering joint venture will receive fees for transportation.

The La Salle County Plant will accommodate the growing production from Sanchez Energy’s premier Eagle Ford Shale acreage position in Dimmit, La Salle and Webb Counties, Texas and from other third party producers. The plant and high pressure gathering lines are supported by long-term, firm, fee-based contracts and acreage dedications with Sanchez Energy. TRP will manage construction and operations of the plant and high pressure gathering lines, and the plant is expected to begin operations in early 2017. Prior to the plant being placed in-service, TRP will benefit from Sanchez Energy natural gas volumes that will be processed at TRP’s Silver Oak facilities in Bee County, Texas.

“Improving Targa’s presence and performance in the Eagle Ford has been a focus since we completed our acquisition and entered the area earlier this year. The joint venture with Sanchez Energy aligns producer and midstream interests, providing Targa with a strategic plant on the west side of our system supported by a significant acreage dedication and a long-term, fee-based contract with a very successful producer,” said Mr. Perkins.