EM
Equitrans Midstream Corp (ETRN)·Q1 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 delivered steady fundamentals amid major corporate and project milestones: Net income $111.9M, diluted EPS $0.21, adjusted EBITDA $271.8M; operating cash flow $177.5M, with free cash flow negative due to heavy MVP funding .
- Company withdrew full-year financial guidance following the announced all‑stock merger with EQT (0.3504 EQT shares per ETRN share); only capex/outlay ranges were updated, notably a higher MVP spend .
- MVP construction and commissioning targeted “on or about May 31, 2024,” with FERC in‑service authorization requested April 22; total MVP cost target raised to ~$7.85B on cost inflation and productivity factors .
- Near‑term headwind: EQT curtailments (~1 Bcf/d) weighed on gathered volumes late Q1 and expected through May; dividend held at $0.15/share; EQM raised $600M notes to refinance revolver borrowings .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
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What Went Well
- MVP execution neared the finish line: “less than one mile of pipeline to install,” compressor stations commissioned, in‑service request filed; management reiterated late‑May mechanical completion/commissioning target .
- Resilient profitability despite curtailment impact: adjusted EBITDA of $271.8M; adjusted EPS $0.23; 67% of total operating revenue from firm reservation fees supporting cash flows .
- OVCX ramp: began firm interim service on April 1; full in‑service expected May 1, with ~330 MMcf/d long‑term commitments, supporting mid‑continent and Gulf Coast interconnectivity .
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What Went Wrong
- MVP all‑in cost increased to ~$7.85B (ex‑AFUDC) driven by slower workforce draw‑down, challenging terrain/boring issues, pipeline cleaning, weather, and updated restoration assumptions .
- YoY operating revenue declined $12.1M due to lapping a $28.8M one‑time 2023 contract buyout; OpEx rose $22.0M on higher SG&A, M&O, depreciation, and transaction costs tied to the EQT deal .
- EQT curtailments (~1 Bcf/d announced in March) negatively affected Q1 volumes and revenue, and were expected to continue through May with risk of further curtailments if market conditions warrant .
Financial Results
Notes: Margins are calculated from cited figures. S&P Global consensus was unavailable via our estimates tool at this time; therefore, no beat/miss assessment is provided.
Segment performance (YoY within Q1):
- Gathering: Revenues $224.6M vs $210.8M; Operating income $105.1M vs $104.3M; gathered volumes flat at 7,380 BBtu/d .
- Transmission: Revenues $116.9M vs $138.9M; Operating income $77.1M vs $98.9M; throughput 3,419 vs 3,348 BBtu/d .
- Water: Revenues $22.7M vs $26.7M; Operating income $5.0M vs $12.4M; total volumes 409 vs 459 MMgal .
Additional KPIs and cash/capex:
- 67% of total operating revenue from firm reservation fees in Q1 .
- Q1 total capex and MVP contributions $500M; FY24 capex outlook raised (see guidance table) .
- Dividend: $0.15/share payable May 15 to holders of record May 7 .
- Debt/liquidity (3/31/24): $6.9B consolidated debt; $520M borrowings and $105.8M LCs under EQM revolver; $330M Eureka revolver; $51.3M cash .
Guidance Changes
Related project cost trajectory:
- MVP total project cost target raised from ~$7.57–$7.63B (Q4) to ~$7.85B (Q1), excluding AFUDC .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Note: No ETRN Q1 2024 earnings call transcript was available in our document catalog; commentary reflects press releases and filings. We searched for “earnings‑call‑transcript” for ETRN in April–May 2024 and found none. [ListDocuments returned 0]
Management Commentary
- “We are nearing completion of MVP’s forward construction activities… we expect to complete construction and final commissioning activities on or about May 31, 2024… MVP’s total project cost estimated at approximately $7.85 billion.” — Diana M. Charletta, President & CEO .
- “MVP JV filed… in‑service authorization request [with FERC]… remaining forward construction includes tying in a completed bore, installing pipe on a steep slope, and tying final segments after testing/commissioning.” .
- On Q1 drivers: Equity income ($73.0M) was primarily AFUDC from resumed MVP construction; one‑time transaction expenses ($5.7M) and an unrealized derivative loss ($4.7M) impacted results; 67% revenue from firm fees .
Q&A Highlights
- No Q1 2024 ETRN earnings call transcript was available in our document repository or via company events during the April–May 2024 window. Accordingly, no Q&A themes can be provided. We confirmed the 8‑K/press release and investor presentation as primary sources for the quarter .
Estimates Context
- Wall Street consensus (S&P Global) for ETRN Q1 2024 EPS/Revenue was unavailable via our S&P Global interface at time of analysis; we could not determine beat/miss vs. consensus. Therefore, all comparisons are vs. prior periods rather than analyst estimates.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- MVP is the near‑term catalyst: late‑May mechanical completion/commissioning targeted with FERC in‑service requested; cost increased to ~$7.85B but schedule visibility improved .
- Core earnings resilient: adjusted EBITDA of ~$272M with two‑thirds of revenues from firm reservation fees anchoring cash flows despite curtailments .
- Sequential stability, mixed YoY: Operating revenue down YoY due to lapping 2023 contract buyouts; OpEx higher on transaction and operating costs; adjusted EBITDA down YoY but roughly flat sequentially .
- Capital intensity elevated into MVP commissioning: Q1 capex/MVP contributions of $500M; full‑year capex raised to $1.02–$1.09B, largely on MVP .
- Dividend maintained at $0.15/share; balance sheet actions include $600M notes for revolver paydown, supporting liquidity during MVP completion .
- EQT merger is the medium‑term thesis driver: all‑stock 0.3504 exchange; closing conditions include MVP in‑service; withdrawal of FY guidance reflects pending transaction .
- Watch for: MVP in‑service and tariff commencement timing; curtailment duration/extent; capex normalization post‑MVP; regulatory and shareholder approvals for the EQT transaction .
Source Documents
- Q1 2024 8‑K & earnings press release (EX‑99.1): financials, segment performance, MVP update, guidance withdrawal .
- Q4 2023 8‑K & press release: prior quarter comps, FY24 guidance (now withdrawn), MVP cost/timing, covenant amendments .
- Q3 2023 8‑K & press release: prior‑year comps, MVP timing/cost, OVCX update .
- EQT merger 8‑K: terms and closing conditions (incl. MVP in‑service) .
Citations:
- All bracketed references [doc_id:chunk] correspond to the SEC filings and company documents retrieved above.