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EM

EnLink Midstream, LLC (ENLC)·Q1 2024 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q1 2024 delivered resilient results despite winter weather: total revenues $1.6479B, net income $50.0M, diluted EPS $0.03, adjusted EBITDA $337.7M, and free cash flow after distributions (FCFAD) $74.0M .
  • Louisiana outperformed: segment profit $110.4M; Phase 2 “Henry Hub to the River” project adds ~210 MMcf/d capacity for ~$70M at a mid‑single‑digit EBITDA multiple, in service 4Q25 .
  • Balance sheet and capital returns strengthened: leverage 3.3x, S&P upgrade to BBB‑, $50M buybacks in Q1 (on pace for $200M in 2024), distribution maintained at $0.1325/unit (+6% YoY) .
  • Management reiterated tracking to the midpoint of 2024 adjusted EBITDA guidance ($1.31B–$1.41B); potential FCFAD upside if CCS spend comes in below the $50M placeholder .
  • Near‑term stock catalysts: Louisiana debottleneck project execution, potential storage expansion FID, continued Permian ramp with Tiger II coming online, investment‑grade credit upgrade, steady buybacks .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

  • What Went Well
    • Louisiana momentum: segment profit $110.4M; excluding unrealized derivatives, +26% QoQ and +23% YoY on seasonality and volatility in gas/NGLs .
    • Capital returns and credit: S&P upgraded to BBB‑; ~$50M Q1 buybacks; cumulative ~46M units repurchased (~10% of shares since 2021) .
    • Strategic execution: Phase 2 “Henry Hub to the River” fully contracted; ~210 MMcf/d capacity addition for ~$70M; mid‑single‑digit EBITDA multiple .
  • What Went Wrong
    • Weather and one‑time items weighed on G&P: Permian segment profit $89.0M included ~$9.3M plant relocation OpEx; a ~$5M utility true‑up; Oklahoma/North Texas volumes lower from winter impacts and contract resets .
    • Unrealized derivative losses reduced reported segment profits: Louisiana ($19.5M), Oklahoma ($4.1M), Permian ($2.4M) .
    • CCS commercialization slower than anticipated; Pecan Island paused; management continues discussions with Exxon and others; timing uncertain .

Financial Results

MetricQ1 2023Q1 2024
Total Revenues ($USD Billions)$1.7675B $1.6479B
Operating Income ($USD Millions)$173.7M $111.9M
Net Income (pre NCI) ($USD Millions)$94.2M $50.0M
Net Income attributable to ENLC ($USD Millions)$58.2M $14.5M
Diluted EPS ($USD)$0.12 $0.03
Cash and Earnings MetricsQ3 2023Q4 2023Q1 2024
Adjusted EBITDA, net to ENLC ($USD Millions)$342.0M $351.0M $337.7M
Free Cash Flow After Distributions ($USD Millions)$66.0M $79.0M $74.0M

Segment Breakdown (Segment Profit, $USD Millions)

SegmentQ3 2023Q4 2023Q1 2024
Permian$102.7M $105.9M $89.0M
Louisiana$87.1M $103.6M $110.4M
Oklahoma$104.6M $112.0M $85.7M
North Texas$63.8M $68.6M $59.8M

KPIs (Operating Volumes)

KPIQ1 2023Q1 2024
Permian Gas Gathering (MMBtu/d)1,683,700 1,899,300
Permian Gas Processing (MMBtu/d)1,560,700 1,745,300
Permian Crude Handling (Bbls/d)142,600 164,700
Louisiana Gas Gathering & Transportation (MMBtu/d)2,693,500 2,753,900
Louisiana NGL Fractionation (Bbls/d)183,100 183,700
Oklahoma Gas Gathering (MMBtu/d)1,178,400 1,144,400
Oklahoma Gas Processing (MMBtu/d)1,164,300 1,090,900
Oklahoma Crude Handling (Bbls/d)27,200 20,400
North Texas Gas Gathering & Transportation (MMBtu/d)1,617,100 1,449,900
North Texas Gas Processing (MMBtu/d)744,600 668,800

Balance Sheet & Capital Allocation

MetricQ3 2023Q4 2023Q1 2024
Leverage Ratio (Debt/Adjusted EBITDA)3.4x 3.3x 3.3x
Distribution per Common Unit ($)$0.125 $0.135 $0.1325

Notes:

  • Non‑GAAP adjustments impacting Q1 Adjusted EBITDA included $23.0M loss on litigation settlement (Winter Storm Uri), $26.1M unrealized commodity derivative loss, and $9.3M plant relocation costs .

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Adjusted EBITDA ($USD Billions)FY 2024$1.31–$1.41B Tracking toward midpoint of $1.31–$1.41B Maintained
Capex + Plant Relocation + Investments ($USD Millions)FY 2024$435–$485M Midpoint $465M unchanged; Phase 2 project within budget Maintained
FCFAD ($USD Millions)FY 2024$265–$315M Potentially higher if CCS spend <$50M placeholder Potential Raise
Louisiana Transport Repricing UpliftFY 2024~$20M uplift embedded $20M uplift realized in 2024; limited incremental in 2025 Maintained for 2024
CCS Capex PlaceholderFY 2024~$50M Less likely to spend full $50M; positive for FCFAD Lower Potential Spend
DistributionQ1 2024$0.1325 declared $0.1325 maintained in Q1; +6% YoY Maintained
BuybacksFY 2024$200M authorization ~$50M executed in Q1; on pace for $200M On Pace

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q3’23 and Q4’23)Current Period (Q1’24)Trend
AI/data center power demandGrowing LNG/storage opportunities; bullish long‑term gas demand AI/data centers likely to lift baseload gas demand; forecasts of +7 Bcf/d by 2030 if gas is 40% of mix Strengthening demand narrative
Louisiana growth strategyIdentified 3‑phase plan; ~$20M 2024 recontracting uplift; storage expansion potential (+9 Bcf) Phase 2 “Henry Hub to the River” debottleneck project (~210 MMcf/d) fully contracted; marketing storage expansion; possible near‑term FID Accelerating execution
CCS commercializationExpanded scope with Exxon post‑Denbury; Bridgeport CCS coming online; regulatory progress Industry slower than expected; Pecan Island paused; continued discussions with Exxon and others; Bridgeport operating Slower timing; still strategic
Permian capacityPlant relocations successful; next expansion beyond 2024 likely Tiger II coming online now; enables next leg of growth Near‑term capacity add
Capital allocationConsistent buybacks; leverage ~3.3–3.4x; IG at Fitch; S&P positive outlook S&P upgrade to BBB‑; focus on buybacks over deleveraging; maintain IG target Enhanced credit; steady returns
Hedging/Waha basisHedged 2024 gas exposure proactively Waha basis hedged at better prices; minimal impact; Matterhorn in 2H Limited price risk

Management Commentary

  • “We generated $338 million of adjusted EBITDA driven by the strength of our Louisiana system and offset by temporary volume impacts from the winter weather… drove FCFAD of approximately $74 million.”
  • “We have executed on our first project to help resupply the eastern part of Louisiana… a capital‑efficient, quick‑to‑market debottlenecking project that is fully subscribed by high‑quality customers.”
  • “These AI data centers… run 24/7… we expect natural gas to be a large contributor to meet the increased baseload demand for power generation.”
  • “Segment profit for Q1: Permian $89 million… Louisiana $110.4 million… Oklahoma $85.7 million… North Texas $59.8 million… leverage ratio of 3.3x.”
  • “S&P recognized our strong credit profile and upgraded us to BBB minus… maintained distribution of $0.1325 per unit… remain active with our repurchase program with approximately $50 million spent in the first quarter.”

Q&A Highlights

  • CCS timeline and Pecan Island: industry taking longer; EnLink progressing scope with Exxon and others; Bridgeport facility operating; timing uncertain but conviction intact .
  • Capex/CCS spend: 2024 capex midpoint $465M unchanged; CCS placeholder ~$50M likely underspent, potentially raising 2024 FCFAD .
  • Louisiana storage: marketing ~9 Bcf brownfield expansion; potential FID in coming quarters .
  • Permian outlook: Tiger II enabling next growth leg; ability to time additional relocations as needed; Delaware growth favored .
  • Waha basis risk: hedged at better levels; minimal direct impact; Matterhorn JV in service 2H (equity method) .
  • Capital allocation: prioritize buybacks over deleveraging given IG status; opportunistic preferred reductions only below par .

Estimates Context

  • We attempted to retrieve S&P Global consensus for Q1 2024 (Primary EPS, Revenue, EBITDA, estimate counts), but consensus data was unavailable due to a mapping error for ENLC (spgi_ciq_company_map) and could not be retrieved at this time. As a result, Street comparison is not provided and estimates may need to be updated given Louisiana outperformance and lower‑than‑planned CCS spend pacing [GetEstimates error].
  • Management indicated results were “in line with our expectations,” and tracking to the midpoint of full‑year adjusted EBITDA guidance, suggesting limited deviation versus internal plans .

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Louisiana is the near‑term growth engine; Phase 2 debottleneck adds ~210 MMcf/d by 4Q25 at attractive returns; watch for storage expansion FID and additional quick‑to‑market projects .
  • Weather and one‑time costs muted G&P results; with Tiger II online and winter impacts behind, sequential improvement in Permian and Oklahoma volumes is likely through 2Q–3Q .
  • Capital return remains a core pillar: $200M 2024 buyback program on pace; distribution steady; IG upgrade to BBB‑ enhances financing flexibility .
  • FCFAD could exceed initial guidance if CCS capex undershoots the $50M placeholder; monitor updates on CCS pacing and definitive agreements .
  • Risk management effective: derivative hedges and Waha basis protection limit near‑term commodity price exposure; Matterhorn egress adds basin reliability in 2H .
  • Medium‑term thesis: AI/data center power demand plus LNG expansions underpin baseload gas demand, favoring EnLink’s Louisiana positioning and diversified footprint .
  • Watch for recontracting cadence: ~$20M uplift embedded in 2024; 2025 uplift expected to be marginal, shifting focus to debottleneck and storage economics .