UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

 

 

Commission file number: 001-35120

 

CVR PARTNERS, LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(281) 207-3200

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ

 

There were 73,021,992 common units outstanding at November 1, 2011.

 

CVR PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARY

 

INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

For The Quarter Ended September 30, 2011

 

GLOSSARY OF SELECTED TERMS

 

The following are definitions of certain terms used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

ammonia — Ammonia is a direct application fertilizer and is primarily used as a building block for other nitrogen products for industrial applications and finished fertilizer products.

 

catalyst — A substance that alters, accelerates, or instigates chemical changes, but is neither produced, consumed nor altered in the process.

 

CRLLC — Coffeyville Resources, LLC, the subsidiary of CVR Energy, Inc. which was our sole limited partner prior to the Offering and now directly owns our general partner and 50,920,000 common units following the Offering.

 

common units  — Common units representing limited partner interests of CVR Partners, LP.

 

corn belt — The primary corn producing region of the United States, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin.

 

CVR Energy — CVR Energy, Inc., a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “CVI,” together with its subsidiaries, but excluding CVR Partners, LP and its subsidiary. Subsequent to the completion of the Offering, CVR Energy indirectly owns our general partner and 50,920,000 common units.

 

ethanol — A clear, colorless, flammable oxygenated hydrocarbon. Ethanol is typically produced chemically from ethylene, or biologically from fermentation of various sugars from carbohydrates found in agricultural crops and cellulosic residues from crops or wood. It is used in the United States as a gasoline octane enhancer and oxygenate.

 

farm belt — Refers to the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin.

 

general partner — CVR GP, LLC, our general partner which, following the Offering, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CRLLC, and prior to the Offering was our managing general partner and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coffeyville Acquisition III LLC.

 

MMBtu — One million British thermal units or Btu is a measure of energy. One Btu of heat is required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.

 

offering — Initial public offering (“IPO”) of CVR Partners, LP common units that closed on April 13, 2011.

 

on-stream factor — Measurement of the reliability of the gasification, ammonia and UAN units, defined as the total number of hours operated by each unit divided by the total number of hours in the reporting period.

 

prepaid sales — Represents customer payments under contracts to guarantee a price and supply of fertilizer in quantities expected to be delivered in the next twelve months. Revenue is not recorded for such sales until the product is considered delivered. Prepaid sales are also referred to as deferred revenue.

 

turnaround — A periodically required standard procedure to inspect, refurbish, repair and maintain the nitrogen fertilizer plant assets. This process involves the shutdown and inspection of major processing units and occurs every two years for the nitrogen fertilizer plant.

 

UAN — An aqueous solution of urea and ammonium nitrate used as a fertilizer.

 

 

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2011
(unaudited)

 

(1)  Formation of the Partnership, Organization and Nature of Business

 

Organization

 

CVR Partners, LP (referred to as “CVR Partners” or the “Partnership”) is a Delaware limited partnership, formed in June 2007 by CVR Energy, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, but excluding the Partnership and its subsidiary, “CVR Energy”) to own Coffeyville Resources Nitrogen Fertilizers, LLC (“CRNF”), previously a wholly-owned subsidiary of CVR Energy. CRNF is an independent producer and marketer of upgraded nitrogen fertilizer products sold in North America. CRNF operates a dual-train coke gasifier plant that produces high-purity hydrogen, most of which is subsequently converted to ammonia and upgraded to urea ammonium nitrate (“UAN”).

 

CRNF produces and distributes nitrogen fertilizer products, which are used primarily by farmers to improve the yield and quality of their crops. CRNF’s principal products are ammonia and UAN. These products are manufactured at CRNF’s facility in Coffeyville, Kansas. CRNF’s product sales are heavily weighted toward UAN and all of its products are sold on a wholesale basis.

 

In October 2007, CVR Energy, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Coffeyville Resources, LLC (“CRLLC”), transferred CRNF, which operated CRLLC’s nitrogen fertilizer business, to the Partnership. This transfer was not considered a business combination as it was a transfer of assets among entities under common control and, accordingly, balances were transferred at their historical cost. The Partnership became the sole member of CRNF. In consideration for CRLLC transferring its nitrogen fertilizer business to the Partnership, (1) CRLLC directly acquired 30,333 special LP units, representing a 0.1% limited partner interest in the Partnership, (2) a wholly-owned subsidiary of CRLLC acquired 30,303,000 special GP units, representing a 99.9% general partner interest in the Partnership, and (3) CVR GP, LLC, then owned by CRLLC, acquired a managing general partner interest and incentive distribution rights (“IDRs”) of the Partnership. Immediately prior to CVR Energy’s initial public offering, CVR Energy sold the managing general partner interest (together with the IDRs) to Coffeyville Acquisition III LLC (“CALLC III”), an entity owned by funds affiliated with Goldman, Sachs & Co. (the “Goldman Sachs Funds”) and Kelso & Company, L.P. (the “Kelso Funds”) and members of CVR Energy’s management team, for its fair market value on the date of sale. CVR Energy initially indirectly owned all of the interests in the Partnership (other than the managing general partner interest and the IDRs) and initially was entitled to all cash distributed by the Partnership.

 

Initial Public Offering of CVR Partners, LP

 

On April 13, 2011, CVR Partners completed its initial public offering (the “Offering”) of 22,080,000 common units priced at $16.00 per unit (such amount includes common units issued pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option). The common units, which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, began trading on April 8, 2011 under the symbol “UAN.”

 

The net proceeds to CVR Partners from the Offering (including the net proceeds from the exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option) were approximately $324.2 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. The net proceeds from the Offering were used as follows: approximately $18.4 million was used to make a distribution to CRLLC in satisfaction of the Partnership’s obligation to reimburse CRLLC for certain capital expenditures CRLLC made with respect to the nitrogen fertilizer business prior to October 24, 2007; approximately $117.1 million was used to make a special distribution to CRLLC in order to, among other things, fund the offer to purchase CRLLC’s senior secured notes required upon consummation of the Offering; approximately $26.0 million was used to purchase (and subsequently extinguish) the IDRs owned by the general partner; approximately $4.8 million was used to pay financing fees and associated legal and professional fees resulting from the new credit facility; and the balance

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

was used or will be used for general partnership purposes, including approximately $104.0 million to fund the continuation of the UAN expansion at the nitrogen fertilizer plant.

 

Immediately prior to the closing of the Offering, the Partnership distributed approximately $54.0 million of cash on hand to CRLLC. In connection with the Offering, the Partnership’s special LP units were converted into common units, the Partnership’s special GP units were converted into common units, and the Partnership’s special general partner was merged with and into CRLLC, with CRLLC continuing as the surviving entity. Additionally, in conjunction with CVR GP, LLC selling its IDRs to the Partnership, which were then extinguished, CALLC III sold CVR GP, LLC to CRLLC for a nominal amount.

 

Subsequent to the closing of the Offering, common units held by public security holders represent approximately 30% of all outstanding limited partner interests. CRLLC holds common units approximating 70% of all outstanding limited partner interests.

 

The general partner manages and operates the Partnership. Common unitholders have only limited voting rights on matters affecting the Partnership. In addition, common unitholders have no right to elect the general partner’s directors on an annual or continuing basis.

 

The Partnership is operated by CVR Energy’s senior management team pursuant to a services agreement among CVR Energy, CVR GP, LLC and the Partnership. In October 2007, the Partnership’s partners at that time entered into an amended and restated limited partnership agreement setting forth their various rights and responsibilities. The Partnership also entered into a number of agreements with CVR Energy and CVR GP, LLC to regulate certain business relations between the Partnership and the other parties thereto. See Note 16 (“Related Party Transactions”) for further discussion. In connection with the Offering, certain of these agreements, including the amended and restated limited partnership agreement, were amended and/or restated. Additionally, in connection with the Offering, the Partnership and CRNF were released from their obligations as guarantors under CRLLC’s asset-backed revolving credit facility (“ABL credit facility”) and the indentures which govern CRLLC’s senior secured notes, as described further in Note 15 (“Commitments and Contingencies”).

 

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of CVR Partners are comprised of the operations of CRNF’s nitrogen fertilizer business. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, including Article 3 of Regulation S-X, “General Instructions as to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements include certain costs of CVR Energy that it incurred on behalf of the Partnership. These amounts represent certain selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) and direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). These transactions represent related party transactions and are governed by the amended and restated services agreement originally entered into in October 2007. See Note 16 (“Related Party Transactions”) for additional discussion of the services agreement and billing and allocation of certain costs. The amounts charged or allocated to the Partnership are not necessarily indicative of the cost that the Partnership would have incurred had it operated as an independent entity for all periods presented.

 

In the opinion of the Partnership’s management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes reflect all adjustments that are necessary to fairly present the financial position of the Partnership as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and the results of operations of the Partnership for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that reflect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and other discharge of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Results of operations and cash flows are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be realized for the year ended December 31, 2011 or any other interim period.

 

The Partnership has omitted net income per unit for all periods other than the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, because the Partnership operated under a different capital structure prior to the closing of the Offering, and, as a result, the per unit data would not be meaningful to investors. Per unit data for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 is calculated since the closing of the Partnership’s Offering on April 13, 2011.

 

The Partnership has evaluated subsequent events that would require an adjustment to the Partnership’s condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosure in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements through the date of issuance of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS,” (“ASU 2011-04”). ASU 2011-04 changes the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements to ensure consistency between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). ASU 2011-04 also expands the disclosures for fair value measurements that are estimated using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs. This new guidance is to be applied prospectively. ASU 2011-04 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is not permitted. The Partnership believes that the adoption of this standard will not materially expand its consolidated financial statement footnote disclosures.

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (ASC Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” (“ASU 2011-05”) which amends current comprehensive income guidance. This ASU eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of shareholders’ equity. Instead, the Partnership must report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The Partnership believes that the adoption of ASU 2011-05 will not have a material impact on the Partnership’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-08, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment,” (“ASU 2011-08”). ASU 2011-08 permits an entity to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount before applying the two-step goodwill impairment test. This new guidance is to be applied prospectively. ASU 2011-08 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The Partnership believes that the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

In connection with the Offering that closed on April 13, 2011, the Partnership’s special LP units were converted into common units, the Partnership’s special GP units were converted into common units, and the

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Partnership’s special general partner was merged with and into CRLLC, with CRLLC continuing as the surviving entity. In addition, CVR GP, LLC sold its IDRs to the Partnership and the IDRs were extinguished, and CALLC III sold CVR GP, LLC to CRLLC. Following the Offering, the Partnership has two types of partnership interests outstanding:

 

 

At September 30, 2011, the Partnership had a total of 73,002,956 common units issued and outstanding, of which 50,920,000 common units were owned by CRLLC, representing approximately 70% of the total Partnership units outstanding.

 

The board of directors of the general partner has adopted a policy pursuant to which the Partnership will distribute all of the available cash it generates each quarter. Cash distributions will be made to the common unitholders of record on the applicable record date, generally within 45 days after the end of each quarter. See Note 20 (“Subsequent Events”) for additional discussion of the cash distributions. Available cash for each quarter will be determined by the board of directors of the general partner following the end of such quarter. Available cash for each quarter will generally equal the Partnership’s cash flow from operations for the quarter, less cash needed for maintenance capital expenditures, debt service and other contractual obligations, and reserves for future operating or capital needs that the board of directors of our general partner deems necessary or appropriate. The Partnership also retains the cash on hand associated with prepaid sales at each quarter end for future distributions to common unitholders based upon the recognition into income of the prepaid sales.

 

In August 2011, the Partnership paid out a cash distribution to the Partnership’s unitholders for the second quarter of 2011 (calculated for the period beginning April 13, 2011 through June 30, 2011) in the amount of $0.407 per unit or $29.7 million in aggregate.

 

 

The net income per unit figures on the condensed consolidated Statement of Operations are based on the net income of the Partnership after the closing of the Offering on April 13, 2011 through September 30, 2011, since this is the amount of net income that is attributable to the common units.

 

The Partnership’s net income is allocated wholly to the common unitholders as the general partner does not have an economic interest.

 

Basic and diluted net income per common unitholder is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common units outstanding during the period and, when applicable, gives effect to phantom units and unvested common units granted under the CVR Partners, LP Long-Term Incentive Plan (“CVR Partners LTIP”). The common units issued during the period are included on a weighted-average basis for the days in which they were outstanding.

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The following table illustrates the Partnership’s calculation of net income per common unitholder (in thousands, except per unit information):

 

 

 

Cost of product sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) includes cost of pet coke expense and freight and distribution expenses. For each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, there was $26,000 in depreciation expense incurred related to the cost of product sold. There were no amounts in depreciation expense incurred for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

 

Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) includes direct costs of labor, maintenance and services, energy and utility costs, property taxes, and environmental compliance costs as well as chemical and catalyst and other direct operating expenses. Direct operating expenses also include allocated non-cash share-based compensation expense from CVR Energy and CALLC III, as discussed in Note 14 (“Share-Based Compensation”). Direct operating expenses exclude depreciation and amortization of approximately $4.7 million and $4.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, direct operating expenses exclude depreciation and amortization of approximately $13.9 million and approximately $13.9 million, respectively.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) consist primarily of direct and allocated legal, treasury, accounting, marketing, human resources and the cost of maintaining the corporate offices in Texas and Kansas. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include allocated non-cash share-based compensation expense from CVR Energy and CALLC III, as discussed in Note 14 (“Share-Based Compensation”). Selling, general and administrative expenses exclude depreciation and amortization of $2,000 and $2,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Selling, general and administrative expenses exclude depreciation and amortization of $15,000 and $8,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

 

Inventories consist of fertilizer products which are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) cost, or market. Inventories also include raw materials, catalysts, parts and supplies, which are valued at the lower of moving-average cost, which approximates FIFO, or market. The cost of inventories includes inbound freight costs.

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Inventories consisted of the following:

 

 

(8) Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of prepayments, non-trade accounts receivable, affiliates’ receivables and other general current assets. Prepaid expenses and other current assets were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

A summary of costs for property, plant, and equipment is as follows:

 

 

Capitalized interest recognized as a reduction of interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 totaled approximately $0.6 million and $0, respectively. Capitalized interest recognized as a reduction of interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 totaled approximately $0.9 million and $0, respectively.

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

On September 30, 2010, the nitrogen fertilizer plant experienced an interruption in operations due to a rupture of a high-pressure UAN vessel. All operations at the nitrogen fertilizer facility were immediately shut down. No one was injured in the incident. Repairs to the facility as a result of the rupture were substantially complete as of December 31, 2010.

 

Total gross costs recorded as of September 30, 2011 due to the incident were approximately $11.2 million for repairs and maintenance and other associated costs. Approximately $0.1 million of these costs was recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2011. Approximately $0.8 million of these costs was recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The repairs and maintenance costs incurred are included in direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). Of the gross costs incurred, approximately $4.6 million was capitalized.

 

The Partnership maintains property damage insurance under CVR Energy’s insurance policies which have an associated deductible of $2.5 million. The Partnership anticipates that substantially all of the repair costs in excess of the $2.5 million deductible should be covered by insurance. As of September 30, 2011, approximately $7.0 million of insurance proceeds have been received under the property damage insurance related to this incident. Approximately $2.5 million of these proceeds were received during the three months ended September 30, 2011. Approximately $2.7 million of these proceeds were received during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The remaining $4.3 million was received during December 2010. The recording of the insurance proceeds resulted in a reduction of direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization).

 

The insurance policies also provide coverage for interruption to the business, including lost profits, and reimbursement for other expenses and costs the Partnership has incurred relating to the damage and losses suffered for business interruption. This coverage, however, only applies to losses incurred after a business interruption of 45 days. A partial business interruption claim was filed during 2011 resulting in receipt of proceeds totaling $3.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Approximately $0.5 million was received during the three months ended September 30, 2011, while the remaining $2.9 million was received in March and April, 2011. The proceeds associated with the business interruption claim are included on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations under Insurance recovery — business interruption.

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

CVR Partners is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Generally, each common unitholder is required to take into account its respective share of CVR Partners’ income, gains, loss and deductions. The Partnership is not subject to income taxes, except for a franchise tax in the state of Texas. The income tax liability of the common unitholders is not reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements of the Partnership.

 

 

CRLLC sponsors and administers a defined-contribution 401(k) plan (the “Plan”) for the employees of CRNF. Participants in the Plan may elect to contribute up to 50% of their annual salaries and up to 100% of their annual bonus received pursuant to CVR Energy’s income sharing plan. CRNF matches up to 75% of the first 6% of the participant’s contribution. Participants in the Plan are immediately vested in their individual contributions. The Plan has a three year vesting schedule for CRNF’s matching funds and contains a provision to count service with any predecessor organization. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, CRNF’s contributions under the Plan were approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, CRNF’s contributions under the Plan were approximately $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

 

 

Certain employees of CRNF and employees of CVR Energy who perform services for the Partnership under the services agreement with CVR Energy are participants in equity compensation plans of CVR Partners’ affiliates. Accordingly, CVR Partners has recorded compensation expense for these plans in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin, or SAB Topic 1-B “Allocations of Expenses and Related Disclosures in Financial Statements of Subsidiaries, Divisions or Lesser Business Components of Another Entity” and in accordance with guidance regarding the accounting for share-based compensation granted to employees of an equity method investee. All compensation expense related to these plans for full-time employees of CVR Partners has been allocated 100% to CVR Partners. For employees covered by the services agreement with CVR Energy, the Partnership records share-based compensation relative to the percentage of time spent by each employee providing services to the Partnership as compared to the total calculated share-based compensation by CVR Energy. The Partnership is not responsible for payment of CVR Energy’s share-based compensation and all expense amounts are reflected as an increase or decrease to Partners’ Capital.

 

Prior to its initial public offering, CVR Energy was owned by Coffeyville Acquisition LLC (“CALLC”), which was principally owned by the Goldman Sachs Funds, the Kelso Funds and members of CVR Energy’s management team. In connection with CVR Energy’s initial public offering, CALLC was split into two entities: CALLC and Coffeyville Acquisition II LLC (“CALLC II”). In connection with this split, management’s equity interest in CALLC, including both their common units and non-voting override units, were split so that half of management’s equity interest was in CALLC and half was in CALLC II.

 

In February 2011, CALLC and CALLC II sold into the public market 11,759,023 shares and 15,113,254 shares, respectively, of CVR Energy’s common stock, pursuant to a registered public offering. As a result of the offering, CALLC II was no longer a stockholder of CVR Energy. Subsequent to CALLC II’s divestiture of its ownership interest in CVR Energy, no additional share-based compensation expense will be incurred with respect to override units of CALLC II.

 

In May 2011, CALLC sold its remaining shares of CVR Energy, pursuant to a registered public offering. As a result of this offering, CALLC was no longer a stockholder of CVR Energy. Subsequent to CALLC’s divestiture of its ownership interest in CVR Energy, no additional share-based compensation expense will be incurred with respect to override units of CALLC. The final fair value of the CALLC override units was

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

derived based upon the value resulting from the proceeds received associated with CALLC’s divestitures of its remaining shares of CVR Energy and attributable to the unvested units on that date.

 

The final fair value of the CALLC III override units was derived based upon the value resulting from the proceeds received by the managing GP upon the purchase of the IDR’s by the Partnership. These proceeds were subsequently distributed to the owners of CALLC III which includes the override unitholders. This value was utilized to determine the related compensation expense for the unvested units. Subsequent to June 30, 2011, no additional share-based compensation will be incurred with respect to override units of CALLC III due to the complete distribution of the value prior to July 1, 2011. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the estimated fair value of the override units of CALLC III was determined using a probability-weighted expected return method which utilized CALLC III’s cash flow projections, which were considered representative of the nature of interests held by CALLC III in the Partnership.

 

The following table provides key information for the share-based compensation plans related to the override units of CALLC, CALLC II, and CALLC III.

 

 

Due to the divestiture of all ownership in CVR Energy by CALLC and CALLC II and due to the purchase of the IDRs from CVR GP, LLC and the distribution to CALLC III, there is no associated unrecognized compensation expense as of September 30, 2011.

 

Valuation Assumptions

 

As of September 30, 2010, all recipients of these override operating units were fully vested.

 

Significant assumptions used in the valuation of the Override Value Units (a) and (b) were as follows:

 

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

(c) Override Units — Using a binomial and a probability-weighted expected return method that utilized CALLC III’s cash flow projections which includes expected future earnings and the anticipated timing of IDRs, the estimated grant date fair value of the override units was approximately $3,000. As a non-contributing investor, CVR Energy also recognized income equal to the amount that its interest in the investee’s net book value has increased (that is its percentage share of the contributed capital recognized by the investee) as a result of the disproportionate funding of the compensation cost. These units were fully vested at the date of grant.

 

(d) Override Units — Using a probability-weighted expected return method that utilized CALLC III’s cash flow projections which includes expected future earnings and the anticipated timing of IDRs, the estimated grant date fair value of the override units was approximately $3,000. As a non-contributing investor, CVR Energy also recognized income equal to the amount that its interest in the investee’s net book value has increased (that is its percentage share of the contributed capital recognized by the investee) as a result of the disproportionate funding of the compensation cost. Of the 642,219 units issued, 109,720 were immediately vested upon issuance and the remaining units were subject to a forfeiture schedule. Significant assumptions used in the valuation were as follows:

 

 

Phantom Unit Plans

 

CVR Energy, through CRLLC, has two Phantom Unit Appreciation Plans (the “Phantom Unit Plans”) whereby directors, employees and service providers were awarded phantom points at the discretion of the board of directors or the compensation committee. Holders of service phantom points had rights to receive distributions when holders of override operating units receive distributions. Holders of performance phantom points had rights to receive distributions when CALLC and CALLC II holders of override value units received distributions.

 

Compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 related to the Phantom Unit Plans was approximately $0.0 and $0.3 million, respectively. Compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, related to the Phantom Unit Plans was approximately $2.0 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

 

Due to the divestiture of all ownership of CVR Energy by CALLC and CALLC II, there is no unrecognized compensation expense associated with the Phantom Units Plans at September 30, 2011.

 

Long-Term Incentive Plan — CVR Energy

 

CVR Energy has a Long-Term Incentive Plan (“CVR Energy LTIP”) that permits the grant of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted share units, dividend equivalent rights, share awards and performance awards (including performance share units, performance units and performance based restricted stock). As of September 30, 2011, only restricted shares of CVR Energy common stock and stock options had been granted under the CVR Energy LTIP. Individuals who are eligible to receive awards and grants under the CVR Energy LTIP include CVR Energy’s or its subsidiaries’ (including CRNF) employees, officers, consultants and directors.

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Restricted Shares

 

Through the CVR Energy LTIP, shares of restricted common stock have been granted to employees of CVR Energy and CRNF. Restricted shares, when granted, are valued at the closing market price of CVR Energy’s common stock on the date of issuance and amortized to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the common stock. These shares generally vest over a three-year period. Assuming the allocation of costs from CVR Energy remains consistent with the allocation percentages in place at September 30, 2011, there was approximately $1.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted shares to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately two years. Inclusion of the vesting table is not considered meaningful due to changes in allocation percentages that occur from time to time. The unrecognized compensation expense has been determined by the number of restricted shares and respective allocation percentage for individuals whom, as of September 30, 2011, compensation expense has been allocated to the Partnership.

 

Compensation expense recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, related to the restricted shares, was approximately $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Compensation expense recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, related to the restricted shares, was approximately $1.7 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

 

Long-Term Incentive Plan — CVR Partners

 

In connection with the Offering, the board of directors of the general partner adopted the CVR Partners’ LTIP. Individuals who are eligible to receive awards under the CVR Partners’ LTIP include CVR Partners’, its subsidiaries’ and its parent’s employees, officers, consultants and directors. The CVR Partners’ LTIP provides for the grant of options, unit appreciation rights, distribution equivalent rights, restricted units, phantom units and other unit-based awards, each in respect of common units. The maximum number of common units issuable under the CVR Partners’ LTIP is 5,000,000.

 

In connection with the Offering, 23,448 phantom units were granted to certain board members of the Partnership’s general partner. These phantom unit awards granted to the directors of the general partner are considered non-employee equity-based awards since the directors are not elected by unitholders. These phantom unit director awards were required to be marked-to-market each reporting period until they vested on October 12, 2011.

 

In June 2011, 50,659 phantom units were granted to an employee of the general partner. These phantom units are expected to vest over three years on the basis of one-third of the award each year. As these phantom awards were made to an employee of the general partner, they are considered non-employee equity-based awards and are required to be marked-to-market each reporting period until they vest.

 

In June 2011, 2,956 fully vested common units were granted to certain board members of the general partner. The fair value of these awards was calculated using the closing price of the Partnership’s common units on the date of grant. This amount was fully expensed at the time of grant.

 

In August 2011, 12,815 phantom units were granted to an employee of the general partner. These phantom units are expected to vest over three years on the basis of one-third of the award each year. As these phantom awards were made to an employee of the general partner, they are considered non-employee equity-based awards and are required to be marked-to-market each reporting period until they vest.

 

Compensation expense recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, related to the awards under the CVR Partners’ LTIP was approximately $0.5 million and $0.0, respectively. Compensation expense recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, related to the awards under the CVR Partners’ LTIP was approximately $0.8 million and $0.0, respectively. Compensation expense associated with the awards under the CVR Partners’ LTIP has been recorded in selling, general and administrative

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — affiliates as the expense has been incurred for the benefit of directors or employees of the general partner.

 

As of September 30, 2011, there were 4,910,122 common units available for issuance under the CVR Partners’ LTIP. Unrecognized compensation expense associated with the unvested phantom units at September 30, 2011 was approximately $1.3 million.

 

 

Leases and Unconditional Purchase Obligations

 

The minimum required payments for the operating leases and unconditional purchase obligations are as follows:

 

 

 

 

CRNF leases railcars and facilities under long-term operating leases. Lease expense for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, totaled approximately $1.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Lease expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, totaled approximately $2.9 million and $3.2 million, respectively. The lease agreements have various remaining terms. Some agreements are renewable, at CRNF’s option, for additional periods. It is expected, in the ordinary course of business, that leases will be renewed or replaced as they expire. CRNF entered into a lease agreement, in September 2011, for 150 UAN railcars that will be used in conjunction with the UAN expansion. This agreement is effective November 2012.

 

CRNF has an agreement with the City of Coffeyville (the “City”) pursuant to which it must make a series of future payments for the supply, generation and transmission of electricity and City margin based upon agreed upon rates. This agreement expires on July 1, 2019. Effective August 2008 and through July 2010, the City began charging a higher rate for electricity than what had been agreed to in the contract. CRNF filed a lawsuit to have the contract enforced as written and to recover other damages. CRNF paid the higher rates under protest and subject to the lawsuit in order to obtain the electricity. In August 2010, the lawsuit was settled and CRNF received a return of funds totaling approximately $4.8 million. This return of funds was recorded in direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during the third quarter of 2010. In connection with the settlement, the electrical services agreement was amended. As a result of the amendment, the annual committed contractual payments are estimated to be approximately $1.9 million. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the estimated remaining obligation of CRNF totaled approximately $15.3 million and $16.5 million, respectively, through July 1, 2019. These estimates are subject to change based upon CRNF’s actual usage.

 

During 2005, CRNF entered into the Amended and Restated On-Site Product Supply Agreement with Linde, Inc. Pursuant to the agreement, which expires in 2020, CRNF is required to take as available and pay

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

approximately $300,000 per month, which amount is subject to annual inflation adjustments, for the supply of oxygen and nitrogen to the fertilizer operation. Expenses associated with this agreement are included in direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) and for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, totaled approximately $1.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Expenses associated with this agreement for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, totaled approximately $3.0 million and $3.6 million, respectively.

 

CRNF entered into a sales agreement with Cominco Fertilizer Partnership on November 20, 2007 to purchase equipment and materials which comprise a nitric acid plant. CRNF’s obligation related to the execution of the agreement in 2007 for the purchase of the assets was $3.5 million. On May 25, 2009, CRNF and Cominco amended the contract increasing the liability to approximately $4.3 million. In consideration of the increased liability, the timeline for removal of the equipment and payment schedule was extended. The amendment sets forth payment milestones based upon the timing of removal of identified assets. The balance of the assets purchased is now anticipated to be removed by February 28, 2012, with final payment due at that time. As of September 30, 2011, approximately $2.3 million had been paid. Additionally, as of September 30, 2011, approximately $4.0 million was accrued related to the obligation to dismantle the unit. As of September 30, 2011, the Partnership had accrued a total of approximately $5.9 million with respect to the nitric acid plant and the related dismantling obligation and was included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. The related asset amounts are included in construction-in-progress at September 30, 2011.

 

CRNF entered into a lease agreement effective October 25, 2007 with CVR Energy under which certain office and laboratory space is leased. This lease agreement was amended and restated in connection with the Offering and extended through October 2017. The agreement requires CRNF to pay approximately $8,400 on the first day of each calendar month during the term of the agreement. See Note 16 (“Related Party Transactions”) for further discussion.

 

On February 22, 2011, CRLLC entered into a $250.0 million ABL credit facility scheduled to mature in August 2015 that replaced its first priority credit facility which was terminated. At April 13, 2011, CRLLC’s senior secured notes had an aggregate principal balance of $472.5 million. $247.5 million of the senior secured notes mature on April 1, 2015 and the remaining $225.0 million of senior secured notes mature on April 1, 2017. The Partnership and CRNF were each released from their obligation as a guarantor or obligor, as applicable, under CRLLC’s ABL credit facility, 9.0% First Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2015 and 10.875% Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2017, as a result of the closing of the Offering.

 

Litigation

 

From time to time, the Partnership is involved in various lawsuits arising in the normal course of business, including matters such as those described below under “Environmental, Health, and Safety (“EHS”) Matters.” Liabilities related to such litigation are recognized when the related costs are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Management believes the Partnership has accrued for losses for which it may ultimately be responsible. It is possible that management’s estimates of the outcomes will change within the next year due to uncertainties inherent in litigation and settlement negotiations. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of any other litigation matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. There can be no assurance that management’s beliefs or opinions with respect to liability for potential litigation matters are accurate.

 

CRNF received a ten year property tax abatement from Montgomery County, Kansas in connection with the construction of the nitrogen fertilizer plant that expired on December 31, 2007. In connection with the expiration of the abatement, the county reassessed CRNF’s nitrogen fertilizer plant and classified the nitrogen fertilizer plant as almost entirely real property instead of almost entirely personal property. The reassessment has resulted in an increase to annual property tax expense for CRNF by an average of approximately $10.7 million per year for the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009, and approximately

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

$11.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. CRNF does not agree with the county’s classification of the nitrogen fertilizer plant and is currently disputing it before the Kansas Court of Tax Appeals (“COTA”). However, CRNF has fully accrued and paid for the property taxes the county claims are owed for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and has estimated and accrued for property taxes for the first nine months of 2011. These amounts are reflected as a direct operating expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. An evidentiary hearing before COTA occurred during the first quarter of 2011 regarding the property tax claims for the year ended December 31, 2008. CRNF believes that it is possible that COTA may issue a ruling sometime during 2011. However, the timing of a ruling in the case is uncertain, and there can be no assurance that CRNF will receive a ruling in 2011. If CRNF is successful in having the nitrogen fertilizer plant reclassified as personal property, in whole or in part, a portion of the accrued and paid expenses would be refunded to CRNF, which could have a material positive effect on the results of operations. If CRNF is not successful in having the nitrogen fertilizer plant reclassified as personal property, in whole or in part, CRNF expects that it will continue to pay property taxes at elevated rates.

 

Environmental, Health, and Safety (“EHS”) Matters

 

CRNF is subject to various stringent federal, state, and local EHS rules and regulations. Liabilities related to EHS matters are recognized when the related costs are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of these costs are based upon currently available facts, existing technology, site-specific costs, and currently enacted laws and regulations. In reporting EHS liabilities, no offset is made for potential recoveries. All liabilities are monitored and adjusted regularly as new facts emerge or changes in law or technology occur.

 

CRNF owns and operates a facility utilized for the manufacture of nitrogen fertilizers. Therefore, CRNF has exposure to potential EHS liabilities related to past and present EHS conditions at this location.

 

From time to time, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has conducted inspections and issued information requests to CRNF with respect to CRNF’s compliance with the Clean Air Act’s “Risk Management Program” and the release reporting requirements under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. These previous investigations have resulted in the issuance of preliminary findings regarding CRNF’s compliance status. In the fourth quarter of 2010, following CRNF’s reported release of ammonia from its cooling water system and the rupture of its UAN vessel (which released ammonia and other regulated substances) the EPA conducted its most recent inspection and issued an additional request for information to CRNF. The EPA has not made any formal claims against CRNF and CRNF has not accrued for any liability associated with the investigations or releases.

 

Management periodically reviews and, as appropriate, revises its environmental accruals. Based on current information and regulatory requirements, management believes that the accruals established for environmental expenditures are adequate.

 

Environmental expenditures are capitalized when such expenditures are expected to result in future economic benefits. Capital expenditures for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were approximately $12,000 and $0.2 million, respectively. Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, were approximately $0.2 million and approximately $0.4 million, respectively. These expenditures were incurred to improve the environmental compliance and efficiency of the operations. CRNF believes it is in substantial compliance with existing EHS rules and regulations. There can be no assurance that the EHS matters described above or other EHS matters which may develop in the future will not have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, or results of operations.

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

Related Party Agreements

 

In connection with the formation of CVR Partners and the initial public offering of CVR Energy in October 2007, CVR Partners and CRNF entered into several agreements with CVR Energy and its subsidiaries to govern the business relationship among CVR Partners, CVR GP, LLC, CRNF, CVR Energy and its subsidiaries. Certain of the agreements described below were amended and restated on April 13, 2011 in connection with the Offering. Amounts owed to CVR Partners and CRNF from CVR Energy and its subsidiaries with respect to these agreements are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets, and other long-term assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Conversely, amounts owed to CVR Energy and its subsidiaries by CVR Partners and CRNF with respect to these agreements are included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and other long-term liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Feedstock and Shared Services Agreement

 

CRNF entered into a feedstock and shared services agreement with Coffeyville Resources Refining & Marketing (“CRRM”) under which the two parties provide feedstock and other services to one another. These feedstocks and services are utilized in the respective production processes of CRRM’s refinery and CRNF’s nitrogen fertilizer plant.

 

Pursuant to the feedstock agreement, CRNF and CRRM have the right to transfer excess hydrogen to one another. Sales of hydrogen to CRRM have been reflected as net sales for CVR Partners. Receipts of hydrogen from CRRM have been reflected in cost of product sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) for CVR Partners. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, there were net sales of approximately $5.7 million and $0.0 generated from the sale of hydrogen to CRRM. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, there were net sales of approximately $11.8 million and $0.0 generated from the sale of hydrogen to CRRM. CVR Partners recognized approximately $0.3 million and $0.6 million of cost of product sold related to the transfer of excess hydrogen from CRRM’s refinery for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. CVR Partners also recognized approximately $1.0 million and $1.8 million of cost of product sold related to the transfer of excess hydrogen from CRRM’s refinery for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, there were no amounts included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets associated with unpaid balances related to hydrogen sales, respectively. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, there was approximately $0.2 million and $0.0 included in the accounts payable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets related to the purchase of hydrogen from CRRM.

 

The agreement provides that both parties must deliver high-pressure steam to one another under certain circumstances. Net reimbursed or (paid) direct operating expenses recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were approximately $(25,000) and $(25,000), respectively, related to high-pressure steam. Net reimbursed or (paid) direct operating expenses recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were approximately $(0.2) million and $(8,000), respectively, related to high-pressure steam. Reimbursement or paid amounts for each period on a gross basis were nominal.

 

CRNF is also obligated to make available to CRRM any nitrogen produced by the Linde air separation plant that is not required for the operation of the nitrogen fertilizer plant, as determined by CRNF in a commercially reasonable manner. Reimbursed direct operating expenses associated with nitrogen for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, were approximately $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Reimbursed direct operating expenses associated with nitrogen for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, were approximately $1.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The agreement also provides that both CRNF and CRRM must deliver instrument air to one another in some circumstances. CRNF must make instrument air available for purchase by CRRM at a minimum flow rate, to the extent produced by the Linde air separation plant and available to CRNF. There were no amounts paid or reimbursed for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

 

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, receivables of approximately $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, were included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets associated with amounts yet to be received related to components of the feedstock and shared services agreement except amounts related to hydrogen sales and pet coke purchases. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, payables of approximately $0.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively, were included in accounts payable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets associated with unpaid balances related to components of the feedstock and shared services agreement, except amounts related to hydrogen sales and pet coke purchases.

 

The agreement also provides a mechanism pursuant to which CRNF transfers a tail gas stream to CRRM. CRNF receives the benefit of eliminating a waste gas stream and recovers the fuel value of the tail gas system. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, there were net sales of approximately $5,000 and $0.0 generated from the sale of tail gas to CRRM. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, there were net sales of approximately $45,000 and $0, respectively, generated from the sale of tail gas to CRRM.

 

In April 2011, in connection with the tail gas stream, CRRM installed a pipe between the refinery and the nitrogen fertilizer plant to transfer the tail gas. CRNF has agreed to pay CRRM the cost of installing the pipe over the next three years and in the fourth year provide an additional 15% to cover the cost of capital. At September 30, 2011, an asset of approximately $0.2 million was included in other current assets and approximately $1.4 million was included in other non-current assets with an offset liability of approximately $0.5 million in other current liabilities and approximately $0.9 million other non-current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

The agreement has an initial term of 20 years, which will be automatically extended for successive five year renewal periods. Either party may terminate the agreement, effective upon the last day of a term, by giving notice no later than three years prior to a renewal date. The agreement will also be terminable by mutual consent of the parties or if one party breaches the agreement and does not cure within applicable cure periods and the breach materially and adversely affects the ability of the terminating party to operate its facility. Additionally, the agreement may be terminated in some circumstances if substantially all of the operations at the nitrogen fertilizer plant or the refinery are permanently terminated, or if either party is subject to a bankruptcy proceeding or otherwise becomes insolvent.

 

CRNF also provided finished product tank capacity to CRRM under the agreement. Approximately $0.1 million was reimbursed by CRRM for the use of tank capacity for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. This reimbursement was recorded as a reduction to direct operating expenses. No amounts were received in prior periods.

 

Coke Supply Agreement

 

CRNF entered into a coke supply agreement with CRRM pursuant to which CRRM supplies CRNF with pet coke. This agreement provides that CRRM must deliver to the Partnership, during each calendar year, an annual required amount of pet coke equal to the lesser of (i) 100% of the pet coke produced at CRRM’s petroleum refinery or (ii) 500,000 tons of pet coke. CRNF is also obligated to purchase this annual required amount. If during a calendar month CRRM produces more than 41,667 tons of pet coke, then CRNF will have the option to purchase the excess at the purchase price provided for in the agreement. If CRNF declines to exercise this option, CRRM may sell the excess to a third party.

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

CRNF obtains most (over 70% on average during the last five years) of the pet coke it needs from CRRM’s adjacent crude oil refinery pursuant to the pet coke supply agreement and procures the remainder on the open market. The price CRNF pays pursuant to the pet coke supply agreement is based on the lesser of a pet coke price derived from the price received for UAN, or the UAN-based price, and a pet coke price index. The UAN-based price begins with a pet coke price of $25 per ton based on a price per ton for UAN (exclusive of transportation cost), or netback price, of $205 per ton, and adjusts up or down $0.50 per ton for every $1.00 change in the netback price. The UAN-based price has a ceiling of $40 per ton and a floor of $5 per ton.

 

Pursuant to the agreement, CRNF will also pay any taxes associated with the sale, purchase, transportation, delivery, storage or consumption of the pet coke. CRNF will be entitled to offset any amount payable for the pet coke against any amount due from CRRM under the feedstock and shared services agreement between the parties.

 

The agreement has an initial term of 20 years, which will be automatically extended for successive five-year renewal periods. Either party may terminate the agreement by giving notice no later than three years prior to a renewal date. The agreement is also terminable by mutual consent of the parties or if a party breaches the agreement and does not cure within applicable cure periods. Additionally, the agreement may be terminated in some circumstances if substantially all of the operations at the nitrogen fertilizer plant or the refinery are permanently terminated, or if either party is subject to a bankruptcy proceeding or otherwise becomes insolvent.

 

Costs of pet coke associated with the transfer of pet coke from CRRM to CRNF were approximately $3.4 million and $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, costs of pet coke associated with the transfer of pet coke from CRRM to CRNF were approximately $7.0 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Payables of approximately $0.9 million and $0.3 million related to the coke supply agreement were included in accounts payable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

 

Lease Agreement

 

CRNF entered into a lease agreement with CRRM under which CRNF leases certain office and laboratory space. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, expense incurred related to the use of the office and laboratory space totaled approximately $25,000 and $24,000, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, expense incurred related to the use of the office and laboratory space totaled approximately $76,000 and $72,000, respectively. There was approximately $8,000 and $0.0 unpaid with respect to the lease agreement as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. The lease agreement was amended and restated in connection with the Offering. As amended, the agreement expires in October 2017 (but may be terminated at any time during the initial term at CRNF’s option upon 180 days’ prior written notice). CRNF has the option to renew the lease agreement for up to five additional one-year periods by providing CRRM with notice of renewal at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the then existing term.

 

Environmental Agreement

 

CRNF entered into an environmental agreement with CRRM that provides for certain indemnification and access rights in connection with environmental matters affecting the refinery and the nitrogen fertilizer plant. Generally, both CRNF and CRRM have agreed to indemnify and defend each other and each other’s affiliates against liabilities associated with certain hazardous materials and violations of environmental laws that are a result of or caused by the indemnifying party’s actions or business operations. This obligation extends to indemnification for liabilities arising out of off-site disposal of certain hazardous materials. Indemnification

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

obligations of the parties will be reduced by applicable amounts recovered by an indemnified party from third parties or from insurance coverage.

 

The agreement provides for indemnification in the case of contamination or releases of hazardous materials that are present but unknown at the time the agreement is entered into to the extent such contamination or releases are identified in reasonable detail during the period ending five years after the date of the agreement. The agreement further provides for indemnification in the case of contamination or releases which occur subsequent to the date the agreement is entered into.

 

The term of the agreement is for at least 20 years, or for so long as the feedstock and shared services agreement is in force, whichever is longer.

 

Services Agreement

 

CVR Partners obtains certain management and other services from CVR Energy pursuant to a services agreement between the Partnership, CVR GP, LLC and CVR Energy. Under this agreement, the Partnership’s general partner has engaged CVR Energy to conduct its day-to-day business operations. CVR Energy provides CVR Partners with the following services under the agreement, among others:

 

 

As payment for services provided under the agreement, the Partnership, its general partner or CRNF must pay CVR Energy (i) all costs incurred by CVR Energy in connection with the employment of its employees, other than administrative personnel, who provide the Partnership services under the agreement on a full-time basis, but excluding share-based compensation; (ii) a prorated share of costs incurred by CVR Energy in connection with the employment of its employees, including administrative personnel, who provide the Partnership services under the agreement on a part-time basis, but excluding share-based compensation, and such prorated share shall be determined by CVR Energy on a commercially reasonable basis, based on the percentage of total working time that such shared personnel are engaged in performing services for the Partnership; (iii) a prorated share of certain administrative costs, including office costs, services by outside vendors, other sales, general and administrative costs and depreciation and amortization; and (iv) various other administrative costs in accordance with the terms of the agreement, including travel, insurance, legal and audit services, government and public relations and bank charges.

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Either CVR Energy or the Partnership’s general partner may temporarily or permanently exclude any particular service from the scope of the agreement upon 180 days’ notice. Beginning in April 2012, either CVR Energy or the Partnership’s general partner may terminate the agreement upon at least 180 days’ notice, but not more than one year’s notice. Furthermore, the Partnership’s general partner may terminate the agreement immediately if CVR Energy becomes bankrupt or dissolves or commences liquidation or winding-up procedures.

 

In order to facilitate the carrying out of services under the agreement, CVR Partners and CVR Energy have granted one another certain royalty-free, non-exclusive and non-transferable rights to use one another’s intellectual property under certain circumstances.

 

Net amounts incurred under the services agreement for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were approximately $2.5 million and $2.3 million, respectively. Of these charges, approximately $2.1 million and $1.8 million were included in selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). In addition, $0.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively, were included in direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). Net amounts incurred under the services agreement for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were approximately $7.9 million and $7.3 million, respectively. Of these charges, approximately $6.4 million and $5.7 million were included in selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). In addition, approximately $1.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively, were included in direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). For services performed in connection with the services agreement, the Partnership recognized personnel costs of approximately $1.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. For services performed in connection with the services agreement, the Partnership recognized personnel costs of approximately $3.7 million and $2.3 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, payables of approximately $1.1 million and $2.4 million, respectively, were included in accounts payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with respect to amounts billed in accordance with the services agreement.

 

Limited Partnership Agreement

 

In connection with the Offering, CVR GP and CRLLC entered into the second amended and restated agreement of limited partnership of the Partnership, dated April 13, 2011.

 

The Partnership’s general partner manages the Partnership’s operations and activities as specified in the partnership agreement. The general partner of the Partnership is managed by its board of directors. CRLLC has the right to select the directors of the general partner. Actions by the general partner that are made in its individual capacity are made by CRLLC as the sole member of the general partner and not by its board of directors. The members of the board of directors of the general partner are not elected by the unitholders and are not subject to re-election on a regular basis in the future. The officers of the general partner manage the day-to-day affairs of the Partnership’s business.

 

The partnership agreement provides that the Partnership will reimburse its general partner for all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any person to perform services for the Partnership or for its general partner in connection with operating the Partnership). The Partnership reimbursed its general partner for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 approximately $0.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively, pursuant to the partnership agreement for personnel costs related to the compensation of executives at the general partner who manage the Partnership’s business. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the partnership did not make any reimbursement payments to its general partner.

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Due from Affiliate

 

CVR Partners historically supplemented CRLLC’s working capital needs. CVR Partners had the right to receive such amounts from CRLLC upon request.

 

On December 31, 2010, the due from affiliate balance was reduced to $0.0 as a result of the due from affiliate balance of $160.0 million being distributed by the Partnership to CRLLC and the special general partner. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are receivables of zero and approximately $2.3 million, respectively, for accrued interest with respect to amounts due from affiliate. For the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Partnership recognized no interest income associated with the due from affiliate balance compared to approximately $3.0 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2010. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 the Partnership recognized no interest income associated with the due from affiliate balance compared to approximately $9.6 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

 

 

Concurrently with the closing of the Offering, on April 13, 2011, CRNF as borrower and CVR Partners as guarantor, entered into a new credit facility with a group of lenders including Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC, as administrative and collateral agent. The credit facility includes a term loan facility of $125.0 million and a revolving credit facility of $25.0 million with an uncommitted incremental facility of up to $50.0 million. No amounts were outstanding under the revolving credit facility at September 30, 2011. There is no scheduled amortization and the credit facility matures in April 2016. The credit facility will be used to finance on-going working capital, capital expenditures, letters of credit issuances and general needs of the Partnership. The Partnership, upon the closing of the new credit facility, made a special distribution to CRLLC of approximately $87.2 million in order to, among other things, fund the offer to purchase CRLLC’s senior secured notes required upon consummation of the Offering.

 

Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest based on a pricing grid determined by the trailing four quarter leverage ratio. The initial pricing for borrowings under the credit facility is the Eurodollar rate plus a margin of 3.75%, or, for base rate loans, the prime rate plus 2.75%, based on the schedule below. Under its terms, the lenders under the credit facility were granted a perfected, first priority security interest (subject to certain customary exceptions) in substantially all of the assets of CVR Partners and CRNF.

 

 

The credit facility requires CRNF to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio and contains customary covenants for a financing of this type that limit, subject to certain exceptions, the incurrence of additional indebtedness or guarantees, creation of liens on assets, the ability to dispose assets, make restricted payments, investments or acquisitions, enter into sale-leaseback transactions or enter into affiliate transactions. The credit facility provides that the Partnership can make distributions to holders of the Partnership’s common units provided the Partnership is in compliance with our leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio covenants on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such distribution and there is no default or event of default under the facility.

 

As of September 30, 2011, CRNF was in compliance with the covenants of the credit facility.

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

In connection with the credit facility, through September 30, 2011, the Partnership has incurred lender and other third party costs of approximately $4.8 million. The costs associated with the credit facility have been deferred and are being amortized over the term of the credit facility as interest expense using the effective-interest amortization method for the term loan facility and the straight-line method for the revolving credit facility.

 

 

On June 30 and July 1, 2011 CRNF entered into two floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements for the purpose of hedging the interest rate risk associated with a portion of its $125 million floating rate term debt which matures in April 2016. The aggregate notional amount covered under these agreements totals $62.5 million (split evenly between the two agreement dates) and commenced on August 12, 2011 and expires on February 12, 2016. Under the terms of the interest rate swap agreement entered into on June 30, 2011, CRNF receives a floating rate based on three month LIBOR and pay a fixed rate of 1.94%. Under the terms of the interest rate swap agreement entered into on July 1, 2011, CRNF receives a floating rate based on three month LIBOR and pays a fixed rate of 1.975%. Both swap agreements will be settled every 90 days. The effect of these swap agreements is to lock in a fixed rate of interest of approximately 1.96% plus the applicable margin paid to lenders over three month LIBOR as governed by the CRNF credit agreement. At September 30, 2011, the effective rate was approximately 4.86%. The agreements were designated as cash flow hedges at inception and accordingly, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the swap is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”), and will be reclassified into interest expense when the interest rate swap transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss will be recognized immediately in current interest expense. The interest expense re-classed from AOCI into earnings was $142,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011.

 

 

The book values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered to be representative of their respective fair values due to the immediate short — term maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying value of the Partnership’s debt approximates fair value.

 

The fair values of financial instruments are estimated based upon current market conditions and quoted market prices for the same or similar instruments. Management estimates that the carrying value approximates fair value for all of the Partnerships’ assets and liabilities that fall under the scope of ASC 825, Financial Instruments (ASC825).

 

Fair value measurements are derived using inputs (assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability) including assumptions about risk. FASB ASC 820 categorizes inputs used in fair value measurements into three broad levels as follows:

 

CVR Partners, LP and Subsidiary

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

The following table sets forth the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, by input level, as of September 30, 2011. At December 31, 2010, the Partnership did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring level.

 

 

As of September 30, 2011, the only financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis are the Partnership’s money market accounts and derivative instruments. The carrying value of the Partnership’s debt approximates fair value. The Partnership has an interest rate swap that is measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 2 inputs (see Note 18 “Interest Rate Swaps”). The Partnership had no transfers of assets or liabilities between any of the above levels during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

 

The Partnership’s cash and cash equivalent are all Level 1.

 

The fair values of these interest rate swap instruments are based on discounted cash flow models that incorporate the cash flows of the derivatives, as well as the current LIBOR rate and a forward LIBOR curve, along with other observable market inputs.

 

 

Distribution

 

On October 27, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Partnership’s general partner declared a cash distribution for the third quarter of 2011 to the Partnership’s unitholders of $0.572 per unit. The cash distribution will be paid on November 14, 2011, to unitholders of record at the close of business on November 7, 2011.

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes and with the statistical information and financial data appearing in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, as well as the Partnership’s prospectus dated April 7, 2011 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on April 11, 2011. Results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of results to be attained for any other period.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Form 10-Q, including this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains “forward-looking statements” as defined by the SEC. Such statements are those concerning contemplated transactions and strategic plans, expectations and objectives for future operations. These include, without limitation:

 

 

Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements we make in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. These statements are based on assumptions made by us based on our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors that we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. You are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to those set forth under “Risk Factors” in our Prospectus dated April 7, 2011 and filed with the SEC on April 11, 2011. Such factors include, among others:

 

 

 

All forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q speak only as of the date of this document. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this Form 10-Q, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

Company Overview

 

Overview

 

We are a Delaware limited partnership formed by CVR Energy, Inc. to own, operate and grow our nitrogen fertilizer business. Strategically located adjacent to CVR Energy’s refinery in Coffeyville, Kansas, our nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing facility is the only operation in North America that utilizes a petroleum coke, or pet coke, gasification process to produce nitrogen fertilizer. Our facility includes a 1,225 ton-per-day ammonia unit, a 2,025 ton-per-day UAN unit, and a gasifier complex having a capacity of 84 million standard cubic feet per day. Our gasifier is a dual-train facility, with each gasifier able to function independently of the other, thereby providing redundancy and improving our reliability. We upgrade a majority of the ammonia we produce to higher margin UAN fertilizer, an aqueous solution of urea and ammonium nitrate that has historically commanded a premium price over ammonia. In 2010, we produced 392,745 tons of ammonia, of which approximately 60% was upgraded into 578,272 tons of UAN. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we produced 310,354 tons of ammonia, of which approximately 71% was upgraded into 535,800 tons of UAN.

 

The primary raw material feedstock used in our nitrogen fertilizer production process is pet coke, which is produced during the crude oil refining process. In contrast, substantially all of our nitrogen fertilizer competitors use natural gas as their primary raw material feedstock. Historically, pet coke has been significantly less expensive than natural gas on a per ton of fertilizer produced basis, and pet coke prices have been more stable when compared to natural gas prices. By using pet coke as the primary raw material feedstock instead of natural gas, we

believe our nitrogen fertilizer business has historically been the lowest cost producer and marketer of ammonia and UAN fertilizers in North America. We currently purchase most of our pet coke from CVR Energy pursuant to a long-term agreement having an initial term that ends in 2027, subject to renewal. During the past five years, over 70% of the pet coke utilized by our plant was produced and supplied by CVR Energy’s crude oil refinery.

 

Initial Public Offering

 

On April 13, 2011, we completed the Offering, pursuant to which 22,080,000 common units, representing approximately 30% of limited partner interest in the Partnership, were sold to the public at a price of $16.00 per common unit. The net proceeds to CVR Partners from the Offering were approximately $324.2 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. The net proceeds from the Offering were used as follows: approximately $18.4 million was used to make a distribution to CRLLC in satisfaction of the Partnership’s obligation to reimburse CRLLC for certain capital expenditures it made on our behalf; approximately $117.1 million was used to make a special distribution to CRLLC in order to, among other things, fund the offer to purchase CRLLC’s senior secured notes required upon consummation of the Offering; approximately $26.0 million was used to purchase (and subsequently extinguish) the incentive distribution rights, or IDRs, owned by our general partner; approximately $4.8 million was used to pay financing fees and associated legal and professional fees resulting from our new credit facility; and the balance was used for or will be used for general partnership purposes, including approximately $104.0 million to fund our UAN expansion.

 

Major Influences on Results of Operations

 

Our earnings and cash flows from operations are primarily affected by the relationship between nitrogen fertilizer product prices, on-stream factors and direct operating expenses. Unlike our competitors, we do not use natural gas as a feedstock and use a minimal amount of natural gas as an energy source in our operations. As a result, volatile swings in natural gas prices have a minimal impact on our results of operations. Instead, CVR Energy’s adjacent refinery supplies us with most of the pet coke feedstock we need pursuant to a long-term pet coke supply agreement entered into in October 2007. The price at which our products are ultimately sold depends on numerous factors, including the global supply and demand for nitrogen fertilizer products which, in turn, depends on, among other factors, world grain demand and production levels, changes in world population, the cost and availability of fertilizer transportation infrastructure, weather conditions, the availability of imports, and the extent of government intervention in agriculture markets.

 

Nitrogen fertilizer prices are also affected by local factors, including local market conditions and the operating levels of competing facilities. An expansion or upgrade of competitors’ facilities, international political and economic developments and other factors are likely to continue to play an important role in nitrogen fertilizer industry economics. These factors can impact, among other things, the level of inventories in the market, resulting in price volatility and a reduction in product margins. Moreover, the industry typically experiences seasonal fluctuations in demand for nitrogen fertilizer products.

 

In addition, the demand for fertilizers is affected by the aggregate crop planting decisions and fertilizer application rate decisions of individual farmers. Individual farmers make planting decisions based largely on the prospective profitability of a harvest, while the specific varieties and amounts of fertilizer they apply depend on factors like crop prices, their current liquidity, soil conditions, weather patterns and the types of crops planted.

 

Natural gas is the most significant raw material required in our competitors’ production of nitrogen fertilizers. Over the past several years, natural gas prices have experienced high levels of price volatility. This pricing and volatility has a direct impact on our competitors’ cost of producing nitrogen fertilizer.

 

In order to assess our operating performance, we calculate plant gate price to determine our operating margin. Plant gate price refers to the unit price of fertilizer, in dollars per ton, offered on a delivered basis, excluding shipment costs.

 

We and other competitors in the U.S. farm belt share a significant transportation cost advantage when compared to our out-of-region competitors in serving the U.S. farm belt agricultural market. In 2010,

approximately 45% of the corn planted in the United States was grown within a $35/UAN ton freight train rate of the nitrogen fertilizer plant. We are therefore able to cost-effectively sell substantially all of our products in the higher margin agricultural market, whereas a significant portion of our competitors’ revenues is derived from the lower margin industrial market. Our location on Union Pacific’s main line increases our transportation cost advantage by lowering the costs of bringing our products to customers, assuming freight rates and pipeline tariffs for U.S. Gulf Coast importers as recently in effect. Our products leave the plant either in trucks for direct shipment to customers or in railcars for destinations located principally on the Union Pacific Railroad and we do not incur any intermediate transfer, storage, barge freight or pipeline freight charges. We estimate that our plant enjoys a transportation cost advantage of approximately $25 per ton over competitors located in the U.S. Gulf Coast. Selling products to customers within economic rail transportation limits of the nitrogen fertilizer plant and keeping transportation costs low are keys to maintaining profitability.

 

The value of nitrogen fertilizer products is also an important consideration in understanding our results. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we upgraded approximately 71% of our ammonia production into UAN, a product that presently generates a greater value than ammonia. During 2010, we upgraded approximately 60% of our ammonia production into UAN. UAN production is a major contributor to our profitability.

 

The high fixed cost of our direct operating expense structure also directly affects our profitability. Our facility’s pet coke gasification process results in a significantly higher percentage of fixed costs than a natural gas-based fertilizer plant. Major fixed operating expenses include electrical energy, employee labor, maintenance, including contract labor, and outside services. These fixed costs averaged approximately 86% of direct operating expenses over the 24 months ended December 31, 2010.

 

Our largest raw material expense is pet coke, which we purchase from CVR Energy and third parties. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we spent approximately $5.6 million and $3.1 million, respectively, for pet coke, which equaled an average cost per ton of $43 and $26, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we spent approximately $11.6 million and $6.7 million, respectively, for pet coke, which equaled an average cost per ton of $30 and $19, respectively. If pet coke prices rise substantially in the future, we may be unable to increase our prices to recover increased raw material costs, because the price floor for nitrogen fertilizer products is generally correlated with natural gas prices, the primary raw material used by our competitors, and not pet coke prices.

 

Consistent, safe, and reliable operations at our nitrogen fertilizer plant are critical to our financial performance and results of operations. Unplanned downtime of the plant may result in lost margin opportunity, increased maintenance expense and a temporary increase in working capital investment and related inventory position. The financial impact of planned downtime, such as major turnaround maintenance, is mitigated through a diligent planning process that takes into account margin environment, the availability of resources to perform the needed maintenance, feedstock logistics and other factors. The nitrogen fertilizer plant generally undergoes a facility turnaround every two years. The turnaround typically lasts 13-15 days each turnaround year and costs approximately $3 million to $5 million per turnaround. The nitrogen fertilizer plant underwent a turnaround in the fourth quarter of 2010, at a cost of approximately $3.5 million and the next turnaround is currently scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2012. In connection with the most recent biennial turnaround, the nitrogen fertilizer business also wrote-off approximately $1.4 million of fixed assets.

 

Factors Affecting Comparability of Our Financial Results

 

Our historical results of operations for the periods presented may not be comparable with prior periods or to our results of operations in the future for the reasons discussed below.

 

Publicly Traded Partnership Expenses

 

We expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase due to the costs of operating as a publicly traded partnership, including costs associated with SEC reporting requirements, including annual and quarterly reports to unitholders, tax return and Schedule K-1 preparation and distribution, independent auditor

fees, investor relations activities and registrar and transfer agent fees. We estimate that these incremental general and administrative expenses, which also include increased personnel costs, will approximate $5.5 million per year, excluding the costs associated with the initial implementation of our Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 internal controls review and testing. Our historical financial statements do not reflect the impact of these expenses, which will affect the comparability of our post-offering results with our financial statements from periods prior to the completion of the Offering.

 

September 2010 UAN Vessel Rupture

 

On September 30, 2010, our nitrogen fertilizer plant experienced an interruption in operations due to a rupture of a high-pressure UAN vessel. All operations at our nitrogen fertilizer facility were immediately shut down. No one was injured in the incident. Our nitrogen fertilizer facility had previously scheduled a major turnaround to begin on October 5, 2010. To minimize disruption and impact to the production schedule, the turnaround was accelerated. The turnaround was completed on October 29, 2010 with the gasification and ammonia units in operation. The fertilizer facility restarted production of UAN on November 16, 2010 and as of December 31, 2010 repairs to the facility as a result of the rupture were substantially complete. Besides adversely impacting UAN sales in the fourth quarter of 2010, the outage caused us to shift delivery of lower priced tons from the fourth quarter of 2010 to the first and second quarters of 2011.

 

Total gross costs recorded as of September 30, 2011 due to the incident were approximately $11.2 million for repairs and maintenance and other associated costs. As of September 30, 2011, approximately $7.0 million of insurance proceeds have been received related to the property damage insurance claim. Of the costs incurred, approximately $4.6 million were capitalized. We also recognized income of approximately $3.4 million during 2011 from insurance proceeds received related to our business interruption policy. Approximately $0.5 million was received during the third quarter with the remainder received in March and April 2011.

 

Fertilizer Plant Property Taxes

 

Our nitrogen fertilizer plant received a ten year property tax abatement from Montgomery County, Kansas in connection with its construction that expired on December 31, 2007. In connection with the expiration of the abatement, the county reassessed our nitrogen fertilizer plant and classified the nitrogen fertilizer plant as almost entirely real property instead of almost entirely personal property. The reassessment has resulted in an increase in our annual property tax expense for the plant by an average of approximately $10.7 million per year for the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009, and approximately $11.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. We do not agree with the county’s classification of our nitrogen fertilizer plant and are currently disputing it before the Kansas Court of Tax Appeals, or COTA. However, we have fully accrued and paid for the property tax the county claims we owe for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. We have estimated and accrued for nine months of property taxes for 2011. This property tax expense is reflected as a direct operating expense in our financial results. An evidentiary hearing before COTA occurred during the first quarter of 2011 regarding our property tax claims for the year ended December 31, 2008. We believe that it is possible that COTA may issue a ruling sometime during 2011. However, the timing of a ruling in the case is uncertain, and there can be no assurance we will receive a ruling in 2011. If we are successful in having the nitrogen fertilizer plant reclassified as personal property, in whole or in part, a portion of the accrued and paid expenses would be refunded to us, which could have a material positive effect on our results of operations. If we are not successful in having the nitrogen fertilizer plant reclassified as personal property, in whole or in part, we expect that we will continue to pay property taxes at elevated rates.

 

Distributions to Unitholders

 

We intend to make cash distributions of all available cash we generate each quarter, which began with the quarter ended June 30, 2011. Available cash for each quarter will be determined by the board of directors of our general partner following the end of such quarter. Available cash for each quarter will generally equal our cash flow from operations for the quarter, less cash needed for maintenance capital expenditures, debt service and other contractual obligations and reserves for future operating or capital needs that the board of directors of our general partner deems necessary or appropriate. Additionally, the Partnership also retains the cash on

hand associated with prepaid sales at each quarter end for future distributions to common unitholders based upon the recognition into income of the prepaid sales. The board of directors of our general partner may modify our cash distribution policy at any time, and our partnership agreement does not require us to make distributions at all.

 

Credit Facility

 

On April 13, 2011, CRNF, as borrower, and the Partnership, as guarantor, entered into a new credit facility with a group of lenders. The credit facility includes a term loan facility of $125.0 million and a revolving credit facility of $25.0 million with an uncommitted incremental facility of up to $50.0 million. There is no scheduled amortization and the credit facility matures in April 2016.

 

In recent historic periods prior to the Offering, we did not incur interest expense. Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest, at the Partnership’s option, at either the Eurodollar Rate, plus a margin that ranges from 3.50% to 4.25%, or the Base Rate, plus a margin that ranges from 2.50% to 3.25%. The applicable interest rate margin is determined based on the Partnership’s leverage ratio for the trailing four quarters. The average interest rate for the term loan during the three months ended September 30, 2011 was 4.02%. Under its terms, the lenders under the credit facility were granted a perfected, first priority security interest (subject to certain customary exceptions) in substantially all of the assets of the Partnership and CRNF.

 

Interest Rate Swap

 

Our profitability and cash flows are affected by changes in interest rates, specifically LIBOR and prime rates. The primary purpose of our interest rate risk management activities is to hedge our exposure to changes in interest rates.

 

On June 30 and July 1, 2011, CRNF entered into two Interest Rate Swap agreements with J. Aron. We have determined that the Interest Rate Swaps do qualify as a hedge for hedge accounting treatment. The Interest Rate Swap agreements commenced on August 12, 2011; therefore, the impact recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 is $0.1 million in interest expense. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Partnership recorded a decrease in fair market value on the Interest Rate Swap agreements of $2.4 million, which is unrealized, in accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following tables summarize the financial data and key operating statistics for CVR Partners and our operating subsidiary for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. The following data should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. All information in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial

Condition and Results of Operations,” except for the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2010, is unaudited.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tables below provide an overview of our results of operations, relevant market indicators and key operating statistics: