CEO.CA Chairman's Briefing

HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwired - Feb 16, 2017) - Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE: EEP) ("Enbridge Partners" or "the Partnership") reports fourth quarter net income and cash provided by operating activities of $80.3 million and $454.6 million, respectively.

Enbridge Partners reports fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow ("DCF") of $468.8 million and $220.9 million, respectively.⁽¹⁾

2016 HIGHLIGHTS

• Full-year Lakehead pipeline system deliveries on average increased 11 percent when compared to 2015.
• Reports full-year net loss and cash provided by operating activities of $162.4 million and $1,415.7 million, respectively
• Reports full-year adjusted EBITDA and DCF of $1,881.1 million and $942.8 million, respectively.⁽¹⁾
• Recently closed acquisition of an effective 27.6 percent interest in the Bakken Pipeline System; anticipated joint funding arrangement with sponsor expected to enhance the Partnership's financing flexibility. 

As the Partnership and its sponsor, Enbridge Inc. ("Enbridge"), have previously announced, a strategic review of EEP is ongoing with the objectives of improving EEP's financial position and future outlook. The review is expected to continue into the second quarter of 2017.

⁽¹⁾ See Non-GAAP Reconciliations section below for additional informational about these measures.

The Partnership's key financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, were as follows:

Adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016, as reported above, eliminate the effect of: (a) non-cash, mark-to-market net gains and losses; (b) asset impairment; and other adjustments. Refer to the Non-GAAP Reconciliations section below for additional details.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased $73.4 million over the same period from the prior year predominately due to an asset impairment of $62.5 million on the Berthold rail facility during the fourth quarter of 2015. There was no similar impairment during the current period. Adjusted net income of $103.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $6.8 million higher than the same period from the prior year. Higher earnings in the liquids segment were predominately due to an increase in Lakehead system deliveries attributable to projects placed into service during 2016. Higher liquids segment earnings were partially offset by lower earnings in the natural gas segment due to lower natural gas and NGL system volumes.

During the fourth quarter, the Partnership attributed approximately $22.5 million of earnings to its outstanding Series 1 Preferred units. This amount is deducted from net income to arrive at the amount of net income attributable to the general and limited partners. Preferred distributions are accrued at an annual rate of 7.5 percent.

COMPARISON OF QUARTERLY RESULTS
Following are explanations for significant changes in the Partnership's financial results, comparing the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 with the same period of 2015. The comparison refers to operating income and adjusted operating income. Adjusted operating income excludes the effect of certain non-cash and other items that we believe are not indicative of our core operating results (see Non-GAAP Reconciliations section below).

Liquids - Fourth quarter operating results for the Liquids segment increased $112.6 million to $311.7 million over the comparable period in 2015. Fourth quarter 2015 operating results included an asset impairment of $62.5 million of the Berthold rail facility and costs associated with the Line 2 hydrotest. No similar impairment or hydrotest expenses occurred in the current period. Current period segment operating results also benefitted from higher revenues attributable to higher Lakehead system deliveries as a result of new projects placed into service, and a decrease in operating and administrative expenses. Higher revenues were partially offset by increased depreciation expense over the same period from prior year due to new assets placed into service.

Fourth quarter adjusted operating income for the Liquids segment increased $29.2 million to $311.9 million over the comparable period in 2015. Revenues from our liquids pipeline systems increased due to higher Lakehead system deliveries as a result of new projects placed into service and a decrease in operating and administrative expenses. Higher revenues were partially offset by increased depreciation expense over the same period from prior year due to new assets placed into service. 

Natural Gas - Fourth quarter operating results for the Natural Gas segment decreased $31.3 million over the comparable period in 2015, primarily attributable to increased non-cash unrealized mark-to-market losses in the current period compared to the same period of 2015. The decrease in segment operating results was also attributable to lower natural gas and NGL system volumes, and was partially offset by reductions in operating and administrative expenses from enacted cost reduction measures.

Fourth quarter adjusted operating results for the Natural Gas segment decreased $8.7 million over the comparable period in 2015. The decrease in segment adjusted operating results was predominantly attributable to lower natural gas and NGL system volumes. Lower system volumes were primarily attributable to the continued low commodity price environment, which has resulted in reductions in drilling activity from producers in the areas in which we operate. The decrease in adjusted segment operating results was partially offset by reductions in operating and administrative expenses from enacted cost reduction measures.

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS
Adjusted net income for the Partnership and adjusted operating income for the principal business segments are provided to illustrate trends in income excluding non-cash unrealized derivative fair value losses and gains and other items that we believe are not indicative of our core operating results. The derivative non-cash losses and gains result from marking to market certain financial derivatives used by the Partnership for hedging purposes that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment in accordance with the authoritative accounting guidance as prescribed under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Non-GAAP measures no longer include make-up rights and option premium amortization adjustments. These changes were made on a prospective basis beginning with the second quarter of 2016 and are not material for historical periods presented.

ADJUSTED EBITDA AND DISTRIBUTABLE CASH FLOW
Adjusted EBITDA (adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is used as a supplemental financial measurement to manage the performance of the entity. Distributable cash flow is used as a supplemental financial measurement to assess liquidity and the ability to generate cash sufficient to pay interest costs and make cash distributions to unitholders. The following reconciliations of net income (loss) to adjusted EBITDA and net cash provided by (used in) operating activities to distributable cash flow are provided because adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are not financial measures recognized under generally accepted accounting principles.

About Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.
Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. owns and operates a diversified portfolio of crude oil and, through its interests in Midcoast Energy Partners, L.P. ("Midcoast Partners") (NYSE: MEP), natural gas transportation systems in the United States. Its principal crude oil system is the largest pipeline transporter of growing oil production from western Canada and the North Dakota Bakken formation. The system's deliveries to refining centers and connected carriers in the United States account for approximately 23 percent of total U.S. oil imports. Midcoast Partners' natural gas gathering, treating, processing and transmission assets, which are principally located onshore in the active U.S. Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast areas, deliver approximately 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily.

About Enbridge Energy Management, L.L.C.
Enbridge Management manages the business and affairs of the Partnership, and its sole asset is an approximate 17 percent limited partner interest in Enbridge Partners. Enbridge Energy Company, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Enbridge Inc. of Calgary, Alberta, Canada (NYSE: ENB) (TSX: ENB) is the general partner of Enbridge Partners and holds an approximate 42 percent interest in Enbridge Partners together with all of the outstanding preferred units and Class B, D and E units in Enbridge Partners. Enbridge Management is the delegate of the general partner of Enbridge Partners.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking statements, which are statements that frequently use words such as "anticipate," "believe," "consider," "continue," "could," "estimate," "evaluate," "expect," "explore," "forecast," "intend," "may," "opportunity," "plan," "position," "projection," "should," "strategy," "target," "will" and similar words. Although we believe that such forward-looking statements are reasonable based on currently available information, such statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are not guarantees of performance. Future actions, conditions or events and future results of operations may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this release speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement. Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include: (1) changes in the demand for the supply of, forecast data for, and price trends related to crude oil, liquid petroleum, natural gas and NGLs, including the rate of development of the Alberta Oil Sands; (2) our ability to successfully complete and finance expansion projects; (3) the effects of competition, in particular, by other pipeline systems; (4) shut-downs or cutbacks at our facilities or refineries, petrochemical plants, utilities or other businesses for which we transport products or to whom we sell products; (5) hazards and operating risks that may not be covered fully by insurance, including those related to Line 6B and any additional fines and penalties and injunctive relief assessed in connection with the crude oil release on that line; (6) costs in connection with complying with the settlement consent decree related to Line 6B and Line 6A, which is still subject to court approval, or the failure to receive court approval of, or material modifications to, such decree; (7) changes in or challenges to our tariff rates; (8) changes in laws or regulations to which we are subject, including compliance with environmental and operational safety regulations that may increase costs of system integrity testing and maintenance; and (9) permitting at federal, state and local level or renewals of rights of way.

Forward-looking statements regarding sponsor support transactions or sales of assets (to Enbridge or otherwise) are further qualified by the fact that Enbridge is under no obligation to provide additional sponsor support and neither Enbridge nor any third party is under any obligation to offer to buy or sell us assets, and we are under no obligation to buy or sell any such assets. As a result, we do not know when or if any such transactions will occur. Any statements regarding sponsor expectations or intentions are based on information communicated to us by Enbridge, but there can be no assurance that these expectations or intentions will not change in the future.

"Enbridge" refers collectively to Enbridge Inc. and its subsidiaries other than the Partnership and our subsidiaries.

Except to the extent required by law, we assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Reference should also be made to the Partnership's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including its most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K for additional factors that may affect results. These filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov) and at the Partnership's website.

Tax Notification
This release serves as qualified notice to nominees as provided for under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b)(4) and (d). Please note that 100 percent of Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.'s distributions to foreign investors are attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, all of Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.'s distributions to foreign investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest effective tax rate for individuals or corporations, as applicable. Nominees, and not Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P., are treated as withholding agents responsible for withholding distributions received by them on behalf of foreign investors.