Summary
Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (EPD) announced a significant strategic move through two merger agreements with TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (TEPPCO). The primary "MLP Merger Agreement" aims to acquire all outstanding limited partner interests in TEPPCO. Under this agreement, TEPPCO unitholders will receive Enterprise common units, with a specified exchange rate of 1.24 Enterprise units per TEPPCO unit. A portion of these units, designated as "Class B Units," will be subject to a distribution deferral for sixteen quarters, converting into common units thereafter. The "GP Merger Agreement" will result in Enterprise acquiring 100% of the limited liability company interests in TEPPCO GP, the general partner of TEPPCO. This transaction also addresses a class action lawsuit filed by TEPPCO unitholders concerning a prior merger proposal. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been entered into, outlining a proposed settlement. As part of this, TEPPCO's board will recommend unitholder approval of the MLP Merger Agreement, with specific voting requirements to ensure fairness to unaffiliated unitholders. These combined transactions are designed to consolidate operations and potentially enhance value for Enterprise unitholders, pending necessary approvals.
Key Highlights
- 1Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (EPD) is acquiring TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (TEPPCO) through two merger agreements.
- 2TEPPCO unitholders will receive Enterprise common units at an exchange rate of 1.24 EPD units per TEPPCO unit.
- 3A portion of the issued Enterprise units (Class B Units) will have distributions deferred for 16 quarters.
- 4The transaction also involves acquiring TEPPCO's general partner, TEPPCO GP, through a separate merger agreement.
- 5A Support Agreement has been executed with key TEPPCO unitholders, including those affiliated with EPCO and Dan L. Duncan, to vote in favor of the mergers.
- 6A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) addresses the settlement of a class action lawsuit filed by TEPPCO unitholders regarding a previous merger proposal.
- 7Completion of the mergers is subject to several conditions, including TEPPCO unitholder approval, regulatory approvals (including HSR Act), and listing of new Enterprise units on the NYSE.