FTAI Infrastructure Q4 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

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March 1, 2024

There are 4 speakers on the call.

Operator

Good day, and welcome to the Q4 2023 FTI Infrastructure Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen only mode. Later, we will conduct a question and answer session and instructions will be given at that time. As a reminder, this call is being recorded. I would now like to turn the call over to Alan Andrini, Investor Relations.

Operator

You may begin.

Speaker 1

Thank you, Michelle. I would like to welcome you all to the Epti Infrastructure 4th quarter and full year 2023 earnings call. Joining me here today are Ken Nicholson, the CEO of Epi Infrastructure and Scott Christopher, the company's CFO. We have posted an investor presentation and our press release on our website, which we encourage you to download if you have not already done so. Also, please note that this call is open to the public in listen only mode and is being webcast.

Speaker 1

In addition, we will be discussing some non GAAP financial measures during the call today, including adjusted EBITDA. The reconciliations of those measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures can be found in the earnings supplement. Before I turn the call over to Ken, I would like to point out certain statements made today will be forward looking statements, including regarding future earnings. These statements by their nature are uncertain and may differ materially from actual results. We encourage you to review the disclaimers in our press release and investor presentation regarding non GAAP financial measures and forward looking statements and to review the risk factors contained in our quarterly report filed with the SEC.

Speaker 1

Now I would like to turn the call over to Ken.

Speaker 2

Thank you, Alan, and good morning, everyone. This morning, we'll be discussing our financial results for the Q4 and full year of 2023. And in doing so, I'll be referring to the earnings supplement, which we recently posted to our website. Before getting into the financials, I'm pleased to report that our Board has authorized a $0.03 per share quarterly dividend to be paid on April 5 to the holders of record on March 27th. Now onto the results.

Speaker 2

4th quarter adjusted EBITDA prior to corporate expenses came in at $42,400,000 up 32% quarter over quarter and representing a new record for the company. For the year, adjusted EBITDA was $140,900,000 also a record and up 60% from 2022. Our strong performance for the quarter was driven by record results at our 2 largest companies, TranStar and Jefferson and the realization of several of the initiatives that we set out to accomplish throughout the 2023 year. But we're equally excited about the prospects for our 2 other businesses, Rapunno and Long Ridge, which continue to make significant progress on new opportunities that can contribute materially to EBITDA in the year ahead. With the strong results at TranStar and Jefferson as well as the momentum at Repauno and Long Ridge, we are now forecasting to exceed our previous target of $200,000,000 of run rate EBITDA during 2024.

Speaker 2

In terms of the highlights of each segment, TransStar reported $23,600,000 of adjusted EBITDA, its highest quarterly results since we acquired the business in 2021. Operationally, TransStar had an excellent quarter with growth in both carload volumes and pricing, while operating costs remained steady. EBITDA margins exceeded 50% in Q4, a first time accomplishment for the company. Recently implemented pricing increases in several new business activities, including our new railcar repair facility have already begun to contribute in 2024, so we expect momentum to continue at TranStar in the year to come. At Jefferson, EBITDA was $14,300,000 for the quarter, also a new record.

Speaker 2

Volumes continue to grow at Jefferson and we're advancing more new business opportunities than ever. We'll talk in more detail shortly, but today we are in advanced negotiations with a number of new and current customers for incremental business representing a total of $75,000,000 of annual EBITDA once commenced. At Repauno, the adjusted EBITDA loss continued to narrow and we made significant progress on our Phase 2 expansion project that will transform our business and long term EBITDA generation. And finally at Long Ridge, results reflect the previously scheduled maintenance outage during the quarter as well as reduced 3rd party gas sales given the lower price environment for natural gas. Had it not been for the outage, our results would have been in line with our Q3.

Speaker 2

I'm as optimistic as ever about our business at Long Ridge and I believe the macro outlook for modern efficient power plants is as strong as it's been since we first commissioned the plants a couple of years ago. Briefly on the balance sheet. In the aggregate, we had $1,340,000,000 of debt at December 31, dollars 560,000,000 of debt was at the corporate level, while the rest of our debt was at our business unit. TranStar is completely debt free while approximately $750,000,000 of debt was at our Jefferson segment and $50,000,000 was at Repauno. At both of these entities, debt is non recourse to the parent, carries low coupons and long duration and is not callable in the event of a sale of the business.

Speaker 2

With continued growth in our earnings and favorable capital markets, we're expecting to be in a position to refinance our corporate balance sheet during the 2024 year, which will allow us to reduce fixed charges and increase distributable cash flow. I'll talk through the detailed results at each of our segments and then plan to turn it over to questions. Starting with TransStar on Slide 7 of the supplement. TransStar posted revenue of $44,000,000 and adjusted EBITDA of 23,600,000 dollars in Q4, up from revenue of $41,900,000 and adjusted EBITDA of $17,400,000 in Q3. Both carload volumes and average rate per carload grew in the quarter while operating expenses were steady.

Speaker 2

Fuel expenses were more than offset by fuel surcharge revenue during the quarter as we recovered some of our higher fuel costs incurred in Q3 with fuel surcharge revenue received in Q4. Are making great progress on multiple initiatives at TransStar to drive incremental revenue and diversify our customer base. The table on the right side of Slide 7 of the supplement shows the incremental EBITDA we expect from this year for each initiative. In total, we these programs to represent approximately $4,000,000 to $6,000,000 of quarterly EBITDA $20,000,000 on an annualized basis. Now on to Jefferson.

Speaker 2

Jefferson generated $19,300,000 of revenue and $14,300,000 of adjusted EBITDA in Q4 compared to $16,600,000 of revenue and $7,800,000 of EBITDA in Q3. Volumes handled at the terminal grew significantly to an average of 185,000 barrels per day, driven primarily by increased refined products, while crude oil volumes remained steady. Operating expenses were also lower for the quarter as our recent cost savings initiatives started to kick in. In the aggregate, we're expecting $8,000,000 of annual cost savings to be fully implemented by the middle of this year. Also during the quarter, we executed a new lease at our Jefferson South terminal.

Speaker 2

On our income statement, we recorded a gain in connection with this new lease. To elaborate a bit on this, we do not expect this type of event to be a one time item. We have a low basis in land at Jefferson South, given the attractive purchase price we negotiated in purchasing the site. When we execute new leases substantially above the book value of the land at Jefferson South, we record a financial gain. At current market lease rates, we expect to continue to record gains like this as we lease up the remaining acreage at the site.

Speaker 2

We have approximately 200 acres available for lease. So while these gains may not repeat every quarter, we certainly expect to record similar or larger gains in the future. But more importantly, the new business environment at Jefferson remains robust and we're advancing more opportunities for both conventional energy products as well as clean hydrogen based fuels. Last year, we secured a new 15 year contract for the transloading and export of ammonia commencing in 2025. We currently have 3 additional projects in advanced negotiations with together with last year's ammonia contract represent approximately $75,000,000 of annual EBITDA once operational and have the potential to be transformational for Jefferson.

Speaker 2

If we're successful in converting these opportunities to business wins, we will far exceed our prior targets of $80,000,000 of annual EBITDA. Now under EPANO, We continue to narrow our operating loss and our Phase 1 multiyear contract to transload natural gas liquids is continuing smoothly. As a reminder, that contract with an investment grade counterparty has minimum volume commitments and does not expose Repauno to commodity prices. Our negotiations continue in connection with the much larger Phase 2 transloading system, although we are now in discussions with additional producer customers, which should lead to higher committed volumes. Phase 2 can ultimately quadruple the capacity of natural gas liquids handled at the terminal.

Speaker 2

So while negotiations have been slower than hoped, the scale of the ultimate commercial opportunity is larger. I'm confident we'll sign up our first customer for Phase 2 in the next 30 to 60 days and start construction immediately thereafter. In the aggregate, we expect Phase 2 to cost approximately $200,000,000 to build, funded entirely with tax exempt debt and to generate approximately $40,000,000 of annual EBITDA once complete. Closing out with Long Ridge. Long Ridge generated $5,100,000 in EBITDA in Q4 versus $8,000,000 in Q3.

Speaker 2

Power plant operations were impacted by 20 day planned maintenance outage, while gas production continued to be managed down during the quarter and the currently lower gas price environment. At gas prices of under $1.50 per MMBtu, our profit on third party sales is less meaningful, so we limit production and opt to keep excess gas in the ground. This month, we expect to close a new financing for our recently acquired gas resources in West Virginia. The new facility is long term with an extremely attractive rate, so that positions us well to start gas production when prices recover. More importantly, we have been actively advancing a handful of significant opportunities with on-site power customers at Long Ridge, which could have a significant positive impact on EBITDA.

Speaker 2

Late last year, we entered into a letter of intent with the data center operator for the lease of a portion of our property and utilization of a substantial portion of our power capacity. The LOI is the first step to what we expect to be a binding long term agreement and includes non refundable deposits, a portion of which will hit the P and L in this Q1. On a macro level, data center demand in the PJM region alone is expected to grow from 3 gigawatts of power needs currently to nearly 17 gigawatts over the next 6 years. New renewable resources will not be sufficient to meet this demand and owners of modern efficient gas plants like Long Ridge have potential to benefit greatly in the coming years. With that in mind, we've also been advancing negotiations with an existing tenant that will require up to 200 megawatts of our power capacity.

Speaker 2

We expect to be in a position to execute this LOI in the month of March. To wrap up, we're pleased with our direction as we enter the year ahead and excited about the things to come. Now let me turn the call back over to Alan.

Speaker 1

Thank you, Ken. Michelle, you may now open the call to Q and A.

Operator

Thank you. Our first question comes from Giuliano Bologna with Compass Point. Your line is open. Giuliano, if your telephone is muted, please unmute.

Speaker 3

Congratulations on a great quarter. The first thing I'd like to ask is, can you talk a little bit about the railcar repair facility and why you're excited about the prospects with the new railcar or the expanded railcar facility?

Speaker 2

Absolutely. Yes. Good morning, Giuliano. Thank you. Yes, just opened.

Speaker 2

And we're thrilled to have it opened and complete about a $20,000,000 project to build. Actually that facility was entirely funded by the state. So we're thrilled to have the state's participation in that project. It is the biggest and most modern repair facility really in the entire Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio region and that's a huge region for industrial activity, We connect with all the Class 1 railroads and so we have access to 100 of 1000 of railcars in the region. We already signed a new piece of business with a major oil company for the repair of tank cars.

Speaker 2

I think we'll have the facility at full capacity at some point this year at full capacity. The thing generates at least $10,000,000 of annual revenue. And generally these types of facilities typically have EBITDA margins above 30% to 40%. So you get a sense for just the EBITDA impact from this one facility. I think most importantly, it's the first of many to come.

Speaker 2

Now that we've got this one behind us across TranStar's portfolio, We're setting out to open many more and so these things are highly, highly accretive. I can't say in every case we'll get full participation from the states or regions in funding, but nonetheless, they're relatively low cost of building to be highly accretive. So we're setting out on a big plan to build many more of these and really get into the business.

Speaker 3

That's helpful. And then next, can you give us your thoughts on the sale of U. S. Steel and the impact it could have on trends there?

Speaker 2

Yes. The punch line is, I think it's in the event that transaction closes and we think our view is it will, I think it's only good for us. Nippon Steel is the 4th largest steel manufacturer in the world. It's an investment grade counterparty. As part of our contract today with U.

Speaker 2

S. Steel, our contract must be assumed by the new buyer. And so, look, the U. S. Steel is certainly a very strong credit.

Speaker 2

Nippon Steel is even a better credit. So we like that dynamic. I would also say Nippon is their core business is operating blast furnaces. I mean, obviously, the part of the U. S.

Speaker 2

Steel business that they find most attractive are the blast furnaces in Pittsburgh and Gary. And I think they want to do a lot with those two facilities. So, I'm excited about it. I don't think the transaction is going to close anytime necessarily soon. I mean, what we're hearing is it will be later this year.

Speaker 2

Again, I think it's only good things to come out of that transaction.

Speaker 3

That's helpful. And then on the Jefferson side, could you expand on the $75,000,000 plus of new initiatives that you outlined?

Speaker 2

Yes, definitely. The $75,000,000 includes 4 pieces of business, new pieces of business. 2 of them are at Jefferson South and 2 are at our main terminal. At Jefferson South, one has already been executed. That's the ammonia contract I described.

Speaker 2

And the second is also with a separate counterparty and even larger hydrogen based fuels contract, very, very long term and very significant in scale. I really see Jefferson South becoming a clean fuels, a hydrogen based fuels hub. Just with the first contract alone, Jefferson South will become the largest exporting facility for carbon free ammonia in the United States. And this second contract that we are in advanced stages in negotiating we'll obviously take it to another level. The 2 other projects are at the main terminal, both involve crude oil.

Speaker 2

One involves waxy crudes and that contract is advancing well. We're at the documentation stage and that's with a new customer. And then the final contract, which is also for crude oil at the main terminal is with an existing customer. It's basically an expansion of existing crude oil business we do with 1 of our customers. And I think that one is also advancing well.

Speaker 2

Look, I think all 4 of these contracts and opportunities, one is already executed. I think the remaining three, We should be in a position to execute in the next 3 to 6 months. I mean, as you know, at Jefferson, when you sign up new very long term deals, these things take some time to negotiate and ultimately ink. But once you have them signed up, they live very long. So I think it's probably the next 3 to 6 months when we have all these things in place.

Speaker 2

And as I said in my comments, if we're successful in closing all these out, it will be absolutely transformational for Jefferson and the value proposition there.

Speaker 3

Very helpful. And then on the Repauno side, are you finally close on Phase 2 Repauno? And can you expand a little bit more about the potential size and increase at Repauno?

Speaker 2

Yes. Admittedly, we were hoping to have that contract executed. We are very, very close. And I do think it is simply a matter of time. It is when, it is not if.

Speaker 2

But as I described and I think you obviously picked up on, as we have been negotiating, others, particularly the producer side, have been showing interest. And so I think we have the potential to expand the revenue base, no new no additional cost. The original the contract was just one counterparty would not have used the full capacity of the system. And so now having more counterparties involved allows us to operate the cryogenic keg at a capacity closer to full capacity. So where we had previously been in EBITDA estimates that were slightly less than the $40,000,000 run rate, I think we're now much closer to that $40,000,000 run rate.

Speaker 3

That sounds good. And then I'd be curious where you are with the cabin permits, Erinnovano? And what do you think that does to the value of Repauno?

Speaker 2

I think it's significant to the value. We are process is continuing. As you may appreciate, obtaining permits for this kind of unique work is a process, but we're deeply engaged with the State of New Jersey in the permitting process. We currently anticipate receiving the permits in the second half of this year. Caberns are a different animal in a much in a very good way from above ground storage.

Speaker 2

They cost a third to a half of the cost to build above ground. They live effectively forever and the maintenance of a cavern is significantly lower than the maintenance of an above ground tank. They also mean that you maintain the above ground land for use for other things like additional rail and what have you. So it's incredibly efficient. Repauno is a unique asset and that we sit on top of this incredible granite formation.

Speaker 2

Obviously, we operate 1 cavern today and that thing has been operating flawlessly, handling butane and propane. And so we're very, very excited about the new caverns. I think just the act of obtaining permits is a significant driver in value creation and that value only grows as you start construction and actually build out the caverns. Look, the Repauno is today one of the bigger gateways in the Northeast here for the export of natural gas liquids with the caverns. We will be a very, very close second to our neighbors at Energy Transfer just down the river.

Speaker 2

And so I think it's huge for the value creation at Repauno even before we have the things up and running.

Speaker 3

That's very helpful. And then where do you want to see nat gas prices before you start increasing production?

Speaker 2

Yes. Then prices have been low at Long Ridge for particularly in the Utica and Marcellus formations for quite some time. And so the past few quarters, we have not seen a lot of excess gas production. I can't say I have a great view as to whether gas prices are going to stay where they are or go up. I think the general consensus is they'll creep up from here over the next few quarters.

Speaker 2

So hopefully, we'll be in a position to produce some additional gas and sell into the market. Generally, we like to see gas prices at $2 an MMBtu before we make significant commitments to gas production. So fingers crossed we get to that level and we can start producing more gas. Obviously, West Virginia is going to be in a good position to start gas production here as soon as we close out the financing, which I expect to do this month. We don't quite need the $2.11 West Virginia.

Speaker 2

The cost of production is a little bit lower, maybe closer to $1.75 So we're ready to go there. And prices today are hovering around $1.50 in the PJM region where we are. So we're close, we're close, but I think we'd like to see gas prices climb a little bit more before we commit to large scale production.

Speaker 3

Sounds good. And then one final one. As your infrastructure assets mature and as more permits are received, I'm curious with all the emphasis from TD firms on the infrastructure assets, are you seeing any reverse inquiry on any of your assets?

Speaker 2

Yes. As you noted, I think there's looking market conditions are generally favorable. There's a lot of money in the private equity system and investor base and a lot of dedicated infrastructure funds that are out there. There have been not a lot of available targets. And so there's a lot of hunting for rail assets, terminal assets and long lived infrastructure assets.

Speaker 2

And so yes, we I would say the reverse inquiry has been a little bit more active than it had been. I think it's a function of what's going on in the market, but it is probably more a function of our assets really maturing. And getting to the point where we're getting to a level of scale where independent financing of the assets is more readily achievable and what have you. So obviously, we're responsive to that reverse inquiry as would be appropriate. But yes, I think the M and A market is a little bit more robust.

Speaker 2

We're seeing fewer opportunities to buy things in certain sectors, but it also means there's a lot of demand from folks and not a lot of supply, which with our assets, that's not a bad position to

Operator

be in.

Speaker 3

That is very helpful. I appreciate it. And that was it for me and I'll jump back in the queue. Thank you.

Operator

Thanks. Thank you. There are no further questions at this time. I'd like to turn the call back over to Alan Andrini for any closing remarks.

Speaker 1

Thanks, Michelle, and thank you all for participating in today's conference call. We look forward to updating you after Q1.

Operator

Thank you for your participation. This does conclude the program and you may now disconnect. Everyone have a great day.

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