Williams Cos. (WMB +1.4%) renegotiated contracts with Chesapeake Energy (CHK +5.3%) are supposed to be positive for WMB's EBITDA, but Amey Stone at Barron's says several MLP contracts likely will be rewritten in the coming months resulting in tougher terms for the midstream MLPs that provide the storage and transportation.
Janney analyst Nathan Judge argues that such negotiations are healthy for the recovery of MLPs, saying the deals often will result in positive outcomes for the MLP and may be supportive for a recovery in the group as fears diminish.
The MLP usually has the upper hand in contract renegotiations, Judge believes, as customers that wish to renegotiate must make it economically attractive to the MLP to make changes; also, if the customer expects to grow, it will need to incentivize the MLP to invest, which was clear from the WMB-CHK deal.
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