Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration No. 333-145709

Registration No. 333-145709-01

 

In accordance with Rule 457(r), a registration fee of $24,650 was payable in connection with the $800,000,000 aggregate principal amount of senior notes offered by means of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus included in the registration statement filed on August 27, 2007. The registrant had already paid the amount of $162,867 with respect to $1,383,750,000 aggregate initial offering price of securities that were previously registered pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration Nos. 333-123150 and 333-123150-01) filed by Enterprise Products Partners L.P. and Enterprise Products Operating L.P. on March 4, 2005 and were not sold thereunder. Pursuant to Rule 457(p), such unutilized registration fee was applied to the registration fee payable in connection with this offering. This paragraph shall be deemed to update the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the registration statement filed on August 27, 2007.

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus Dated August 27, 2007)

 

 

Enterprise Products Operating LLC

 

$800,000,000 6.300% Senior Notes due 2017

 

Unconditionally Guaranteed by

Enterprise Products Partners L.P.

 

 

The senior notes due 2017 will bear interest at the rate of 6.300% per year and will mature on September 15, 2017. We will pay interest on the notes on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning March 15, 2008. We may redeem some or all of the notes at any time at the applicable redemption price described beginning on page S-23 of this prospectus supplement, which includes a make-whole premium.

 

The notes are unsecured and rank equally with all other senior indebtedness of Enterprise Products Operating LLC (successor to Enterprise Products Operating L.P.). The notes will be guaranteed by our parent, Enterprise Products Partners L.P.

 

Investing in the notes involves certain risks.  See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-13 of this prospectus supplement and on page 2 of the accompanying prospectus.

 

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Currently, there is no public market for the notes.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the notes in book-entry form only, through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, against payment on or about September 4, 2007.

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

 

Co-Managers

 

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is August 27, 2007.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Prospectus Supplement

 

 

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering of notes and certain terms of the notes and the guarantee. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which describes certain terms of the indenture under which the notes will be issued and which gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering of notes.

 

If the information varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. We are not making an offer to sell these notes or the guarantee in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since these dates.

 

This prospectus supplement and some of the documents we have incorporated herein by reference contain various forward-looking statements and information that are based on our beliefs and those of the general partner of Enterprise Parent, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to us. These forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this prospectus supplement or the documents we have incorporated herein by reference, words such as “anticipate,” “project,” “expect,” “plan,” “goal,” “forecast,” “intend,” “could,” “believe,” “may,” and similar expressions and statements regarding our plans and objectives for future operations, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although we and the general partner of Enterprise Parent believe that such expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, neither we nor the general partner of Enterprise Parent can give assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct.

 

Such statements are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected or expected. Among the key risk factors that may have a direct bearing on our results of operations and financial condition are:

 

 

You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. When considering forward-looking statements, please review the risk factors described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement, in the accompanying prospectus and in Enterprise Parent’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which was filed with the Commission on February 28, 2007, and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, which was filed with the Commission on August 8, 2007.

 

SUMMARY

	•	In August 2007, we completed the expansion of our petrochemical assets in Mont Belvieu and southeast Texas. This expansion project included (i) the construction of a fourth propylene fractionator at our Mont Belvieu complex, which will increase our propylene/propane fractionation capacity by approximately 15 MBPD, and (ii) the expansion of two refinery grade propylene gathering pipelines, which will add 50 MBPD of gathering capacity into Mont Belvieu.
	•	In August 2007, we completed construction of our Hobbs NGL fractionator, which is designed to handle up to approximately 75 MBPD of mixed NGLs. The new fractionator is located at the interconnection of our Mid-America Pipeline System and our Seminole Pipeline near Hobbs, New Mexico.
	•	In July 2007, our Independence Hub platform and Independence Trail pipeline received first production from deepwater production wells connected to the Independence Hub platform. As a result, these assets began earning fee-based revenues for natural gas conditioning and transportation services. These amounts are in addition to the demand fee revenues that Independence Hub began earning in March 2007.
	•	In July 2007, we completed the first portion of the Phase V Expansion of the Jonah Gathering System, which will increase the system gathering capacity to 2.0 Bcf/d.
	•	In June 2007, we announced the completion of our project to expand the capabilities of our import/export terminal at the Houston Ship Channel to handle incremental volumes of natural gas liquids and liquefied petroleum gases.

(1)		EPCO, Inc. and its private company affiliates own the sole 0.01% GP interest. The remaining LP interests in Enterprise GP Holdings L.P. are publicly owned.
(2)		Does not include our general partner’s interest in distributions above the minimum quarterly distribution. With respect to the quarter ended June 30, 2007, our general partner received 13.1% of the total cash we distributed to our partners.

Issuer		Enterprise Products Operating LLC
Guarantee		The notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Parent Guarantor on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis. Initially, the notes will not be guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries. In the future, however, if any of our subsidiaries become guarantors or co-obligors of our funded debt, then these subsidiaries will jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally, guarantee our payment obligations under the notes. Please read “Description of the Notes — Parent Guarantee.”
Securities Offered		$800,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.300% senior notes due 2017.
Interest		The notes will bear interest at 6.300% per annum. All interest on the notes will accrue from the settlement date.
Interest Payment Dates		Interest on the notes will be paid in cash semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning March 15, 2008.
Maturity		September 15, 2017.
Use of Proceeds		We will receive aggregate net proceeds of approximately $793.9 million from the sale of the notes to the underwriters after deducting the underwriters’ discount and other offering expenses payable by us. We expect to use the net proceeds of this offering to temporarily reduce borrowings outstanding under our multi-year revolving credit facility, which will later be used to repay all $500.0 million aggregate principal amount outstanding under our Senior Notes E, 4.000% fixed-rate, due October 2007, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and for general partnership purposes. Affiliates of certain of the underwriters are lenders under our multi-year revolving credit facility and, accordingly, will receive a substantial portion of the proceeds of this offering. Please read “Underwriting.”
Ranking		The notes will be our unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank equally with all of our other existing and future, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. Please read “Description of the Notes — Ranking.”
Optional Redemption		We may redeem the notes before their maturity in whole, at any time, or in part, from time to time, prior to maturity, at a redemption price that includes accrued and unpaid interest and a make-whole premium. For a more complete description of the redemption provisions of the notes, please read “Description of the Notes — Optional Redemption.”
Certain Covenants		We will issue the notes under an Indenture (as defined below) with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee. The Indenture covenants include a limitation on liens and a restriction on sale-leasebacks. Each covenant is subject to a number of important exceptions, limitations and qualifications that are described under “Description of Debt Securities — Certain Covenants” in the accompanying prospectus.

Risk Factors		Investing in the notes involves certain risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-13 of this prospectus supplement and on page 2 of the accompanying prospectus and the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before deciding to invest in the notes.
Book-Entry Form/Denominations		The notes will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof in book-entry form and will be represented by a permanent global certificate deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. Beneficial interests in any of the notes will be shown on, and transfers will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee and any such interest may not be exchanged for certificated securities, except in limited circumstances.
Trading		We will not list the notes for trading on any securities exchange.
Trustee		Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.
Governing Law		The notes and the Indenture will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Settlement		The closing of the offering will be settled on a T+5 basis.

		Consolidated Historical
														For Six Months
		For Year Ended December 31,												Ended June 30,
		2004				2005				2006				2006				2007
		(Dollars in millions, except per unit amounts)
Income statement data:
Revenues		$	8,321.2			$	12,257.0			$	13,991.0			$	6,767.9			$	7,535.7
Costs and expenses:
Operating costs and expenses			7,904.3				11,546.2				13,089.1				6,370.4				7,085.2
General and administrative			46.7				62.3				63.4				30.0				48.0
Total costs and expenses			7,951.0				11,608.5				13,152.5				6,400.4				7,133.2
Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates			52.8				14.5				21.6				12.0				—
Operating income			423.0				663.0				860.1				379.5				402.5
Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(155.7	)			(230.6	)			(238.0	)			(114.4	)			(134.6	)
Other, net			2.1				5.4				8.0				5.4				4.6
Total other expense			(153.6	)			(225.2	)			(230.0	)			(109.0	)			(130.0	)
Income before provision for income taxes, minority interest and changes in accounting principles			269.4				437.8				630.1				270.5				272.5
Provision for income taxes			(3.8	)			(8.3	)			(21.3	)			(9.2	)			(6.9	)
Income before minority interest and changes in accounting principles			265.6				429.5				608.8				261.3				265.6
Minority interest			(8.1	)			(5.8	)			(9.1	)			(2.7	)			(11.4	)
Income before changes in accounting principles			257.5				423.7				599.7				258.6				254.2
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles			10.8				(4.2	)			1.5				1.5				—
Net income		$	268.3			$	419.5			$	601.2			$	260.1			$	254.2
Basic and diluted earnings per unit (net of general partner interest):
Net income per unit		$	0.87			$	0.91			$	1.22			$	0.54			$	0.46

		Consolidated Historical
														For Six Months
		For Year Ended December 31,												Ended June 30,
		2004				2005				2006				2006				2007
		(Dollars in millions, except per unit amounts)
Distributions for limited partners:
Per common unit		$	1.5400			$	1.6975			$	1.8250			$	0.4450			$	0.4750
Balance sheet data:
Total assets		$	11,315.5			$	12,591.0			$	13,989.7			$	12,318.5			$	15,370.3
Total debt			4,281.2				4,833.8				5,295.6				4,396.3				6,259.7
Total partners’ equity			5,328.8				4,679.3				6,480.2				6,060.3				6,345.0
Other financial data:
Cash provided by operating activities		$	391.5			$	631.7			$	1,175.1			$	571.3			$	552.1
Cash used in investing activities			941.4				1,130.4				1,689.3				689.8				1,387.2
Cash provided by financing activities			544.0				516.2				495.0				100.9				876.3
Distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates			68.0				56.1				43.0				20.3				35.0
Gross operating margin			655.2				1,136.3				1,362.5				623.2				697.9
EBITDA			623.2				1,079.0				1,307.9				600.2				640.6
Selected Volumetric Operating Data by Segment:
NGL Pipelines & Services, net:
NGL transportation volumes (MBPD)			1,411				1,478				1,577				1,515				1,652
NGL fractionation volumes (MBPD)			307				292				312				282				361
Equity NGL production (MBPD)			76				68				63				59				68
Fee-based natural gas processing (MMcf/d)			1,692				1,767				2,218				2,138				2,403
Onshore Natural Gas Pipelines & Services, net:
Natural gas transportation volumes (BBtus/d)			5,638				5,916				6,012				5,979				6,206
Offshore Pipelines & Services, net:
Natural gas transportation volumes (BBtus/d)			2,081				1,780				1,520				1,500				1,338
Crude oil transportation volumes (MBPD)			138				127				153				137				164
Platform gas processing (Mcf/d)			306				252				159				158				175
Platform oil processing (MBPD)			14				7				15				12				22
Petrochemical Services, net:
Butane isomerization volumes (MBPD)			76				81				81				84				92
Propylene fractionation volumes (MBPD)			57				55				56				54				58
Octane additive production volumes (MBPD)			10				6				9				7				8
Petrochemical transportation volumes (MBPD)			71				64				97				90				102

	•	the financial performance of Enterprise Parent’s assets without regard to financing methods, capital structures or their historical cost basis;
	•	the ability of Enterprise Parent’s assets to generate cash sufficient to pay interest costs and support its indebtedness;
	•	Enterprise Parent’s operating performance and return on capital as compared to those of other companies in the midstream energy sector, without regard to financing and capital structure; and
	•	the viability of projects and the overall rates of return on alternative investment opportunities.

		Consolidated Historical
														For Six Months
		For Year Ended December 31,												Ended June 30,
		2004				2005				2006				2006				2007
						(Dollars in millions)
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP “Gross Operating Margin” to GAAP “Operating Income”:
Operating Income		$	423.0			$	663.0			$	860.1			$	379.5			$	402.5
Adjustments to reconcile Operating Income to Gross Operating Margin:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion in operating costs and expenses			193.7				413.4				440.3				212.8				240.6
Operating lease expense paid by EPCO in operating costs and expenses			7.7				2.1				2.1				1.1				1.1
Loss (gain) on sale of assets in operating costs and expenses			(15.9	)			(4.5	)			(3.4	)			(0.2	)			5.7
General and administrative costs			46.7				62.3				63.4				30.0				48.0
Total Gross Operating Margin		$	655.2			$	1,136.3			$	1,362.5			$	623.2			$	697.9
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP “EBITDA” to GAAP “Net Income” and GAAP “Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities”:
Net income		$	268.3			$	419.5			$	601.2			$	260.1			$	254.2
Adjustments to derive EBITDA:
Interest expense			155.7				230.6				238.0				114.4				134.6
Provision for income taxes			3.8				8.3				21.3				9.2				6.9
Depreciation, amortization and accretion in costs and expenses			195.4				420.6				447.4				216.5				244.9
EBITDA			623.2				1,079.0				1,307.9				600.2				640.6
Interest expense			(155.7	)			(230.6	)			(238.0	)			(114.4	)			(134.6	)
Amortization in interest expense			3.5				0.1				0.8				0.5				0.2
Provision for income taxes			(3.8	)			(8.3	)			(21.3	)			(9.2	)			(6.9	)
Provision for impairment charge			4.1				—				0.1				—				—
Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates			(52.8	)			(14.5	)			(21.6	)			(12.0	)			—
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates			68.0				56.1				43.0				20.3				35.0
Loss (gain) on sale of assets			(15.9	)			(4.5	)			(3.4	)			(0.2	)			5.7
Operating lease expense paid by EPCO			7.7				2.1				2.1				1.1				1.1
Minority interest			8.1				5.8				9.1				2.7				11.4
Deferred income tax expense			9.6				8.6				14.5				9.2				4.1
Changes in fair market value of financial instruments			—				0.1				—				(0.1	)			(0.3	)
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles			(10.8	)			4.2				(1.5	)			(1.5	)			—
Net effect of changes in operating accounts			(93.7	)			(266.4	)			83.4				74.7				(4.2	)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities		$	391.5			$	631.7			$	1,175.1			$	571.3			$	552.1

 

An investment in the notes involves certain risks. You should carefully consider the supplemental risks described below in addition to the risks described under “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus and in Enterprise Parent’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, which are incorporated by reference herein, as well as the other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. If any of these risks were to materialize, our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In that case, the value of the notes could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment.

 

Our future debt level may limit our flexibility to obtain additional financing and pursue other business opportunities.

 

As of June 30, 2007, Enterprise Parent had approximately $4.82 billion of consolidated total senior long-term debt outstanding and $1.25 billion junior subordinated debt. In addition, as of June 30, 2007, Duncan Energy Partners had approximately $190.0 million outstanding under its credit facility. The amount of our future debt could have significant effects on our operations, including, among other things:

 

 

Our public debt indentures currently do not limit the amount of future indebtedness that we can create, incur, assume or guarantee. Although our multi-year revolving credit facility restricts our ability to incur additional debt above certain levels, any debt we may incur in compliance with these restrictions may still be substantial.

 

Our multi-year revolving credit facility and each of our indentures for our public debt contain conventional financial covenants and other restrictions. For example, we are prohibited from making distributions to our partners if such distributions would cause an event of default or otherwise violate a covenant under our multi-year revolving credit facility. A breach of any of these restrictions by us could permit our lenders or noteholders, as applicable, to declare all amounts outstanding under these debt agreements to be immediately due and payable and, in the case of our multi-year revolving credit facility, to terminate all commitments to extend further credit.

 

Our ability to access capital markets to raise capital on favorable terms will be affected by our debt level, the amount of our debt maturing in the next several years and current maturities, and by prevailing market conditions. Moreover, if the rating agencies were to downgrade our credit ratings, then we could experience an increase in our borrowing costs, difficulty assessing capital markets or a reduction in the market price of our common units. Such a development could adversely affect our ability to obtain financing for working capital, capital expenditures or acquisitions or to refinance existing indebtedness. If we are unable to access the capital markets on favorable terms in the future, we might be forced to seek extensions for some of our short-term

securities or to refinance some of our debt obligations through bank credit, as opposed to long-term public debt securities or equity securities. The price and terms upon which we might receive such extensions or additional bank credit, if at all, could be more onerous than those contained in existing debt agreements. Any such arrangements could, in turn, increase the risk that our leverage may adversely affect our future financial and operating flexibility and thereby impact our ability to pay cash distributions at expected rates.

 

Substantially all of the common units in Enterprise Parent that are owned by EPCO, Inc., or EPCO, and its affiliates are pledged as security under EPCO’s credit facility. Additionally, all of the member interests in the general partner of Enterprise Parent and all of the common units in Enterprise Parent that are owned by Enterprise GP Holdings L.P., or Enterprise GP Holdings, are pledged under its credit facility. Upon an event of default under either of these credit facilities, a change in ownership or control of Enterprise Parent or us could ultimately result.

 

An affiliate of EPCO has pledged substantially all of its common units in Enterprise Parent as security under its credit facility. EPCO’s credit facility contains customary and other events of default relating to defaults of EPCO and certain of its subsidiaries, including certain defaults by us and other affiliates of EPCO. An event of default, followed by a foreclosure on EPCO’s pledged collateral, could ultimately result in a change in ownership of us. In addition, the 100% membership interest in our general partner and the common units of Enterprise Parent that are owned by Enterprise GP Holdings are pledged under Enterprise GP Holdings’ credit facility. Enterprise GP Holdings’ credit facility contains customary and other events of default. Upon an event of default, the lenders under Enterprise GP Holdings’ credit facility could foreclose on Enterprise GP Holdings’ assets, which could ultimately result in a change in control of our general partner and a change in the ownership of Enterprise Parent common units held by Enterprise GP Holdings.

 

The credit and risk profile of the general partner of Enterprise Parent and its owners could adversely affect our credit ratings and profile.

 

The credit and business risk profiles of the general partner or owners of a general partner may be factors in credit evaluations of a limited partnership. This is because the general partner can exercise significant influence over the business activities of the partnership, including its cash distribution and acquisition strategy and business risk profile. Another factor that may be considered is the financial condition of the general partner and its owners, including the degree of their financial leverage and their dependence on cash flow from the partnership to service their indebtedness.

 

Entities controlling the owner of the general partner of Enterprise Parent have significant indebtedness outstanding and are dependent principally on the cash distributions from their equity interests in us, Enterprise Parent, Enterprise GP Holdings and TEPPCO Partners, L.P., or TEPPCO, to service such indebtedness. Any distributions by us, Enterprise GP Holdings and TEPPCO to such entities will be made only after satisfying our then current obligations to creditors. Although we have taken certain steps in our organizational structure, financial reporting and contractual relationships to reflect the separateness of us and our general partner from the entities that control our general partner, our credit ratings and business risk profile could be adversely affected if the ratings and risk profiles of Dan L. Duncan or the entities that control the general partner of Enterprise Parent were viewed as substantially lower or more risky than ours.

 

The notes are pari passu to a substantial portion of our other unsecured senior indebtedness.

 

Our payment obligations under the notes are unsecured and pari passu in right of payment to a substantial portion of our current and future indebtedness, including our indebtedness for borrowed money, indebtedness evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, obligations arising from or with respect to guarantees and direct credit substitutes, obligations associated with hedges and derivative products, capitalized lease obligations and other senior indebtedness.

 

The Indenture does not limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness and other obligations, including indebtedness and other obligations that rank senior to or pari passu with the notes. At June 30, 2007, the direct indebtedness of Enterprise that is pari passu with the notes totaled approximately $4.82 billion. As discussed

below, the notes will also be effectively subordinated to all of our subsidiaries’ and unconsolidated affiliates’ existing and future indebtedness and other obligations. At June 30, 2007, indebtedness of our subsidiaries and unconsolidated affiliates totaled approximately $332 million.

 

Enterprise Parent’s guarantee of the notes is pari passu to all of its other senior indebtedness.

 

Enterprise Parent’s guarantee of the notes ranks pari passu in right of payment to all of its current and future senior indebtedness, including Enterprise Parent’s indebtedness for borrowed money, indebtedness evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, obligations arising from or with respect to guarantees and direct credit substitutes, obligations associated with hedges and derivative products, capitalized lease obligations and other senior indebtedness.

 

We may require cash from our subsidiaries to make payments on the notes.

 

We conduct the majority of our operations through our subsidiaries and unconsolidated affiliates, some of which are not wholly-owned, and we rely to a significant extent on dividends, distributions, proceeds from inter-company transactions, interest payments and loans from those entities to meet our obligations for payment of principal and interest on our outstanding debt obligations and corporate expenses, including interest payments on the notes, which may be subject to contractual restrictions. Accordingly, the notes are structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries and unconsolidated affiliates. Holders of notes should look only to our assets and the assets of Enterprise Parent, and not any of our subsidiaries or unconsolidated affiliates, for payments on the notes. If we are unable to obtain cash from such entities to fund required payments in respect of the notes, we may be unable to make payments of principal of or interest on the notes.

 

We may elect to cause the redemption of the notes when prevailing interest rates are relatively low.

 

As discussed in “Description of the Notes — Optional Redemption,” we may redeem the notes at any time, in whole or in part, at a price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest (at the rate in effect on the date of the calculation of the redemption price) on the notes to be redeemed (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable Treasury Yield plus 25 basis points; plus, in either case, accrued interest to the Redemption Date.

 

The Trustee has only limited rights of acceleration.

 

The Trustee may accelerate payment of the principal and accrued and unpaid interest on the notes only upon the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default. An Event of Default is generally limited to payment defaults, and specific events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization relating to us or Enterprise Parent. There is no right to acceleration upon breaches by us of other covenants under the Indenture.

 

A market may not develop for the notes.

 

The notes constitute a new issue of securities with no established trading market and will not be listed on any exchange. An active market for the notes may not develop or be sustained. As a result, we cannot assure you that you will be able to sell your notes or at what price. Although the underwriters have indicated that they intend to make a market in the notes, as permitted by applicable laws and regulations, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue that market-making at any time without notice.

 

There are restrictions on your ability to resell the notes.

 

The notes may not be purchased by or transferred to certain types of benefit plans. See “Certain ERISA Considerations.”

If we were to become subject to entity level taxation for federal or state tax purposes, then our cash available for payment on the notes would be substantially reduced.

 

Current law may change so as to cause us to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes or otherwise subject us to entity-level federal income taxation. If we were treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, we would pay United States federal income tax on our taxable income at the corporate tax rate, which is currently a maximum of 35%, and we likely would pay state taxes as well. Because a tax would be imposed upon us as a corporation, the cash available for payment on the notes would be substantially reduced. Therefore, treatment of us as a corporation would result in a material reduction in our anticipated cash flows and could cause a reduction in the value of the notes.

 

In addition, several states are evaluating ways to subject partnerships to entity-level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise and other forms of taxation. For example, we became subject in 2007 to a new entity-level tax on the portion of our income generated in Texas. Specifically, the Texas margin tax will be imposed at a maximum effective rate of 0.7% of our gross income apportioned to Texas. Imposition of such tax on us by Texas, or any other state, will reduce the cash available for payment on the notes.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We will receive aggregate net proceeds of approximately $793.9 million from the sale of the notes to the underwriters after deducting the underwriters’ discount and other offering expenses payable by us. We expect to use the net proceeds of this offering to temporarily reduce borrowings outstanding under our multi-year revolving credit facility, which will later be used to repay all $500.0 million aggregate principal amount outstanding under our Senior Notes E, 4.000% fixed-rate, due October 2007, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and for general partnership purposes.

 

In general, our indebtedness under the multi-year revolving credit facility was incurred for working capital purposes, capital expenditures and business combinations. Amounts repaid under our multi-year revolving credit facility may be reborrowed from time to time for acquisitions, capital expenditures and other general partnership purposes. As of August 24, 2007, we had $750 million of borrowings outstanding under our multi-year revolving credit facility that bear interest at a variable rate, which on a weighted-average basis is currently approximately 5.98% per annum. Commitments of $48 million under our multi-year revolving credit facility mature in October 2010 and $1.2 billion of such commitments mature in October 2011. Affiliates of certain of the underwriters are lenders under our multi-year revolving credit facility and, accordingly, will receive a substantial portion of the proceeds of this offering. Please read “Underwriting.”

 

The following table sets forth Enterprise Parent’s capitalization as of June 30, 2007:

 

 

The historical data in the table below is derived from and should be read in conjunction with Enterprise Parent’s consolidated historical financial statements, including the accompanying notes, incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. You should read Enterprise Parent’s financial statements and notes that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement for additional information regarding Enterprise Parent’s capital structure. The historical data below do not reflect events after June 30, 2007.

 

 

 

 

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

Enterprise Parent’s ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated is as follows:

 

 

For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “earnings” is the aggregate of the following items:

 

 

The term “fixed charges” means the sum of the following:

 

 

The pro forma application of proceeds from the sale of notes in this offering to temporarily reduce borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility will not result in a change of ten percent or greater in the ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

 

We have summarized below certain material terms and provisions of the notes. This summary is not a complete description of all of the terms and provisions of the notes. You should read carefully the section entitled “Description of Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus for a description of other material terms of the notes, the Guarantee and the Base Indenture. For more information, we refer you to the notes, the Base Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture, all of which are available from us. We urge you to read the Base Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture because they, and not this description, define your rights as an owner of the notes.

 

The notes are a new series of debt securities that will be issued under an Indenture dated as of October 4, 2004 (which we refer to as the “Base Indenture”), as supplemented by the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture to be dated the date of delivery of the notes (which we refer to as the “Supplemental Indenture,” and, together with the Base Indenture, as the “Indenture”), among Enterprise Products Operating LLC (successor to Enterprise Products Operating L.P.), as issuer, Enterprise Products Partners L.P., as parent guarantor, any subsidiary guarantors party thereto (which we refer to as the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (which we refer to as the “Trustee”). References in this section to the “Guarantee” refer to the Parent Guarantor’s Guarantee of payments on the notes.

 

In addition to this new series of notes, as of June 30, 2007, there were outstanding under the above-referenced Indenture $700 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.034% fixed/floating rate junior subordinated notes due 2068, $550 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.375% fixed/floating rate junior subordinated notes due 2066, $500 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.000% senior notes E due 2007, $500 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.625% senior notes F due 2009, $650 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.600% senior notes G due 2014, $350 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.650% senior notes H due 2034, $250 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.00% senior notes I due 2015, $250 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.75% senior notes J due 2035 and $500 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.950% senior notes K due 2010.

 

General

 

The Notes. The notes:

 

 

Interest. Interest on the notes will:

 

 

 

Payment and Transfer.

 

Initially, the notes will be issued only in global form. Beneficial interests in notes in global form will be shown on, and transfers of interests in notes in global form will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants. Notes in definitive form, if any, may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange at the office or agency maintained by us for such purpose (which initially will be the corporate trust office of the Trustee located at 45 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, New York 10002).

 

Payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on notes in global form registered in the name of DTC’s nominee will be made in immediately available funds to DTC’s nominee, as the registered holder of such global notes. If any of the notes is no longer represented by a global note, payment of interest on the notes in definitive form may, at our option, be made at the corporate trust office of the Trustee indicated above or by check mailed directly to holders at their respective registered addresses or by wire transfer to an account designated by a holder.

 

No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of notes, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. We are not required to register the transfer of or exchange any note selected for redemption or for a period of 15 days before mailing a notice of redemption of notes of the same series.

 

The registered holder of a note will be treated as the owner of it for all purposes, and all references in this Description of the Notes to “holders” mean holders of record, unless otherwise indicated.

 

Investors may hold interests in the notes outside the United States through Euroclear or Clearstream if they are participants in those systems, or indirectly through organizations which are participants in those systems. Euroclear and Clearstream will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Euroclear’s and Clearstream’s names on the books of their respective depositaries which in turn will hold such positions in customers’ securities accounts in the names of the nominees of the depositaries on the books of DTC. All securities in Euroclear or Clearstream are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts.

 

Transfers of notes by persons holding through Euroclear or Clearstream participants will be effected through DTC, in accordance with DTC’s rules, on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its depositaries; however, such transactions will require delivery of exercise instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the participant in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the exercise meets its requirements, deliver instructions to its depositaries to take action to effect exercise of the notes on its behalf by delivering notes through DTC and receiving payment in accordance with its normal procedures for next-day funds settlement. Payments with respect to the notes held through Euroclear or Clearstream will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear participants in accordance with the relevant system’s rules and procedures, to the extent received by its depositaries.

 

Replacement of Notes.

 

We will replace any mutilated, destroyed, stolen or lost notes at the expense of the holder upon surrender of the mutilated notes to the Trustee or evidence of destruction, loss or theft of a note satisfactory to us and the Trustee. In the case of a destroyed, lost or stolen note, we may require an indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee and to us before a replacement note will be issued.

Further Issuances

 

We may from time to time, without notice or the consent of the holders of the notes, create and issue further notes of the same series ranking equally and ratably with the original notes in all respects (or in all respects except for the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such further notes), so that such further notes form a single series with the original notes and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the original notes.

 

Optional Redemption

 

Each series of notes will be redeemable, at our option, at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, at a price equal to the greater of:

 

 

The actual redemption price, calculated as provided below, will be calculated and certified to the Trustee and us by the Independent Investment Banker.

 

Notes called for redemption become due on the Redemption Date. Notices of optional redemption will be mailed at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each holder of the notes to be redeemed at its registered address. The notice of optional redemption for the notes will state, among other things, the amount of notes to be redeemed, the Redemption Date, the method of calculating the redemption price and each place that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of notes to be redeemed. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on any notes that have been called for redemption at the Redemption Date. If less than all of the notes are redeemed at any time, the Trustee will select the notes to be redeemed on a pro rata basis or by any other method the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Redemption Date with respect to any notes called for optional redemption.

 

For purposes of determining the optional redemption price, the following definitions are applicable:

 

“Treasury Yield” means, with respect to any Redemption Date applicable to the notes, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity (computed as of the third business day immediately preceding such Redemption Date) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the applicable Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.

 

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining terms of the notes to be redeemed; provided, however, that if no maturity is within three months before or after the maturity date for such notes, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to such United States Treasury security will be determined and the treasury rate will be interpolated or extrapolated from those yields on a straight line basis rounding to the nearest month.

 

“Independent Investment Banker” means either Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC or Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., and their respective successors, or, if no such firm is willing and able to select the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Trustee and reasonably acceptable to the Issuer.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (a) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for the Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (b) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means (a) Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., and their respective successors, and (b) one other primary U.S. government securities dealer in New York City selected by the Independent Investment Banker (each, a “Primary Treasury Dealer”); provided, however, that if either of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Issuer will substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date for the notes, an average, as determined by an Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue for the notes (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to an Independent Investment Banker by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such Redemption Date.

 

Ranking

 

The notes will be unsecured, unless we are required to secure them pursuant to the limitations on liens covenant described in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of Debt Securities — Certain Covenants — Limitations on Liens.” The notes will also be the unsubordinated obligations of the Issuer and will rank equally with all other existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness of the Issuer. Each guarantee of the notes will be an unsecured and unsubordinated obligation of the Guarantor and will rank equally with all other existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness of the Guarantor. The notes and each guarantee will effectively rank junior to any future indebtedness of the Issuer and the Guarantor that is both secured and unsubordinated to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness, and the notes will effectively rank junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of the Issuer’s subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

On a pro forma as adjusted basis at June 30, 2007, the Issuer had approximately $6.56 billion of consolidated indebtedness, including $5.10 billion in senior notes outstanding under the Indenture and a similar indenture, and including $1.25 billion of junior subordinated notes, and the Parent Guarantor had no indebtedness (excluding guarantees totaling $5.15 billion), in each case excluding intercompany loans. Please read “Enterprise Parent Capitalization.”

 

Parent Guarantee

 

The Parent Guarantor will fully and unconditionally guarantee to each holder and the Trustee, on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis, the full and prompt payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes, when and as the same become due and payable, whether at stated maturity, upon redemption, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise.

 

Potential Guarantee of Notes by Subsidiaries

 

Initially, the notes will not be guaranteed by any of our Subsidiaries. In the future, however, if our Subsidiaries become guarantors or co-obligors of our Funded Debt (as defined below), then these Subsidiaries will jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally, guarantee our payment obligations under the notes. We refer to any such Subsidiaries as “Subsidiary Guarantors” and sometimes to such guarantees as “Subsidiary Guarantees.” Each Subsidiary Guarantor will execute a supplement to the Indenture to effect its guarantee.

 

The obligations of each Guarantor under its guarantee of the notes will be limited to the maximum amount that will not result in the obligations of the Guarantor under the guarantee constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law, after giving effect to:

 

 

 

“Funded Debt” means all Indebtedness maturing one year or more from the date of the creation thereof, all Indebtedness directly or indirectly renewable or extendible, at the option of the debtor, by its terms or by the terms of any instrument or agreement relating thereto, to a date one year or more from the date of the creation thereof, and all Indebtedness under a revolving credit or similar agreement obligating the lender or lenders to extend credit over a period of one year or more.

 

Addition and Release of Subsidiary Guarantors

 

The guarantee of any Guarantor may be released under certain circumstances. If we exercise our legal or covenant defeasance option with respect to notes of any series as described in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of Debt Securities — Defeasance and Discharge,” then any Guarantee will be released with respect to that series. Further, if no Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture, a Subsidiary Guarantor will be unconditionally released and discharged from its guarantee:

 

 

If at any time following any release of a Subsidiary Guarantor from its initial guarantee of the notes pursuant to the third bullet point in the preceding paragraph, the Subsidiary Guarantor again guarantees or co-issues any of our Funded Debt (other than our obligations under the Indenture), then the Parent Guarantor will cause the Subsidiary Guarantor to again guarantee the notes in accordance with the Indenture.

 

No Sinking Fund

 

We are not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the notes.

 

The following discussion summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax considerations of purchasing, owning and disposing of the notes. This discussion applies only to the initial holders of the notes who acquire the notes for a price equal to the issue price of the notes and who hold the notes as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The issue price of the notes is the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes is sold other than to bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers.

 

In this discussion, we do not purport to address all tax considerations that may be important to a particular holder in light of the holder’s circumstances, or to certain categories of investors that may be subject to special rules, such as:

 

 

This discussion is included for general information only and does not address all of the aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to you in light of your particular investment or other circumstances. In addition, this discussion does not address any state or local income, foreign income or other tax consequences. This discussion is based on U.S. federal income tax law, including the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and judicial authority, all as in effect as of the date of this prospectus supplement. Subsequent developments in U.S. federal income tax law, including changes in law or differing interpretations, which may be applied retroactively could have a material effect on the U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of notes as described below. Before you purchase notes, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding the particular U.S. federal, state and local income, foreign income and other tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of notes that may be applicable to you.

 

U.S. Holders

 

The following summary applies to you only if you are a U.S. holder (as defined below).

 

Definition of a U.S. Holder

 

A “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of a note or notes who or which is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

 

 

Payments of Interest

 

Interest on your notes will be taxed as ordinary interest income. In addition:

 

 

Sale or Other Disposition of Notes

 

When you sell or otherwise dispose of your notes in a taxable transaction, you generally will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between:

 

 

Your tax basis in your notes generally will equal the amount you paid for the notes. Your gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of the sale or other taxable disposition you have held the notes for more than one year. Subject to limited exceptions, your capital losses cannot be used to offset your ordinary income. If you are a non-corporate U.S. holder, your long-term capital gain generally will be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% for taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010. For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2011, the long-term capital gain rate is currently scheduled to increase to 20%.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

Information reporting requirements apply to interest and principal payments and to the proceeds of sales before maturity. These amounts generally must be reported to the Internal Revenue Service and to you. In general, “backup withholding” may apply:

 

 

if you are a non-corporate U.S. holder and fail to provide a correct taxpayer identification number, certified under penalties of perjury, or otherwise fail to comply with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.

 

The applicable backup withholding rate will be the fourth lowest income tax rate applicable to unmarried individuals for the relevant taxable year. Presently, the backup withholding rate is 28%. The backup withholding tax is not an additional tax and may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability if the required information is provided to the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Non-U.S. Holders

 

The following summary applies to you if you are not a U.S. holder (as defined above) or a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes). An individual may, subject

to exceptions, be deemed to be a resident alien, as opposed to a non-resident alien, by, among other ways, being present in the U.S.:

 

 

Resident aliens are subject to U.S. federal income tax as if they were U.S. citizens.

 

U.S. Federal Withholding Tax

 

Under current U.S. federal income tax laws, and subject to the discussion below, U.S. federal withholding tax will not apply to payments by us or our paying agent (in its capacity as such) of interest on your notes under the “portfolio interest” exception of the Internal Revenue Code, provided that interest on the notes is not effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States and:

 

 

If you cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments of interest made to you will be subject to the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, unless you provide us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN (or successor form) claiming an exemption from (or a reduction of) withholding under the benefit of a U.S. income tax treaty, or you provide us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI claiming that the payments of interest are effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States.

 

U.S. Federal Income Tax

 

Except for the possible application of U.S. federal withholding tax (as described immediately above) and backup withholding tax (see “Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” below), you generally will not have to pay U.S. federal income tax on payments of interest on your notes, or on any gain or income realized from the sale, redemption, retirement at maturity or other disposition of your notes (subject to, in the case of proceeds representing accrued interest, the conditions described in “U.S. Federal Withholding Tax” immediately above) unless:

 

 

If you are engaged in a trade or business in the United States and interest, gain or any other income attributable to your notes is effectively connected with the conduct of your trade or business, and, if a U.S. income tax treaty applies, you maintain a U.S. “permanent establishment” to which the interest, gain or other income is generally attributable, you generally will be subject to U.S. income tax on a net income basis on such interest, gain or income. In this instance, however, the interest on your notes will be exempt from the

30% U.S. withholding tax discussed immediately above under “U.S. Federal Withholding Tax” if you provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI or appropriate substitute form to us or our paying agent on or before any payment date to claim the exemption.

 

In addition, if you are a foreign corporation, you may be subject to a U.S. branch profits tax equal to 30% of your effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items, unless a lower rate applies to you under a U.S. income tax treaty with your country of residence. For this purpose, you must include interest and gain on your notes in the earnings and profits subject to the U.S. branch profits tax if these amounts are effectively connected with the conduct of your U.S. trade or business.

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

Payments of interest on a note, and amounts withheld from such payments, if any, generally will be required to be reported to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and to you. Backup withholding will not apply to payments made by us or our paying agent (in its capacity as such) to you if you have provided the required certification that you are a non-U.S. holder as described in “U.S. Federal Withholding Tax” above, and if neither we nor our paying agent has actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a U.S. holder (as described in “— U.S. Holders — Definition of a U.S. Holder” above).

 

The gross proceeds from the disposition of your notes may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding tax. If you sell your notes outside the United States through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker and the sales proceeds are paid to you outside the United States, then the U.S. backup withholding and information reporting requirements generally will not apply to that payment. However, U.S. information reporting, but not backup withholding, will apply to a payment of sales proceeds, even if that payment is made outside the United States, if you sell your notes though a non-U.S. office of a broker that:

 

 

unless the broker has documentary evidence in its files that you are not a United States person and certain other conditions are met or you otherwise establish an exemption. If you receive payments of the proceeds of a sale of your notes to or through a U.S. office of a broker, the payment is subject to both U.S. backup withholding and information reporting unless you provide an IRS Form W-8BEN certifying that you are not a United States person or you otherwise establish an exemption.

 

You should consult your own tax advisor regarding application of backup withholding in your particular circumstances and the availability of and procedure for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding under current Treasury regulations. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to you will be allowed as a refund or credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

 

A fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan subject to Section 406 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), a plan or other arrangement subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or a plan or other arrangement subject to any other law or other restrictions materially similar to Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (“Similar Law”) (each, a “Plan”), should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA or Similar Law in the context of such a Plan’s particular circumstances before authorizing an investment in the notes. Among other factors, the fiduciary should consider whether such an investment is in accordance with the documents governing the Plan and whether the investment is appropriate for the Plan in view of its overall investment policy and the prudence and diversification requirements of ERISA or Similar Law.

 

The notes may not be sold to any Plan unless either (i) the purchase and holding of the notes would not be a transaction prohibited under Section 406 of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code or Similar Law, or (ii) an exemption under ERISA, the Code or Similar Law or one of the following Prohibited Transaction Class Exemptions (“PTCE”) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (or a materially similar exemption or exception under Similar Law) applies to the purchase, holding and disposition of the notes:

 

 

Any purchaser of the notes or any interest therein and any subsequent transferee will be deemed to have represented and warranted to us on each day from and including the date of its purchase of such notes through and including the date of its disposition of such notes that either:

 

(a) Plan assets under ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder, or under any Similar Law, are not being used to acquire the notes; or

 

(b) Plan assets as so defined are being used to acquire such notes but the purchase, holding and disposition of such notes either (1) are not and will not be a “prohibited transaction” within the meaning of ERISA, the Code or Similar Law or (2) are and will be exempt from the prohibited transaction rules under a provision of ERISA, the Code or Similar Law or by one or more of the following prohibited transaction exemptions: PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14, or a materially similar exemption or exception under Similar Law.

 

The discussion set forth above is general in nature and is not intended to be complete. Accordingly, it is important that any person considering the purchase of notes with Plan assets consult with its counsel regarding the consequences under ERISA, the Code or Similar Law of the acquisition and ownership of the notes. Purchasers of the notes have exclusive responsibility for ensuring that their purchase and holding of the notes do not violate the fiduciary or prohibited transaction rules of ERISA, the Code or Similar Law. The sale of the notes to a Plan is in no respect a representation by us or the underwriters that such an investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by Plans generally or any particular Plan, or that such an investment is appropriate for Plans generally or any particular Plan.

 

UNDERWRITING

 

We are offering the notes described in this prospectus supplement through the underwriters named below. Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. are acting as joint book-running managers and representatives of the underwriters.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, which we will file as an exhibit to a Form 8-K following the pricing of this offering, each underwriter named below has agreed to purchase from us the principal amount of notes set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.

 

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the notes depend on the satisfaction of the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, and that if any of the notes are purchased by the underwriters, all of the notes must be purchased. The conditions contained in the underwriting agreement include the condition that all the representations and warranties made by us and our affiliates to the underwriters are true, that there has been no material adverse change in the condition of us or in the financial markets and that we deliver to the underwriters customary closing documents.

 

Commissions and Expenses

 

The following table shows the underwriting fees to be paid to the underwriters by us in connection with this offering. This underwriting fee is the difference between the offering price to the public and the amount the underwriters pay to us to purchase the notes (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the notes).

 

 

The notes sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. Any notes sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at the public offering price less a concession not in excess of 0.400% of the principal amount of the notes. The underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of 0.250% of the principal amount of the notes to certain other dealers. After the notes are released for sale, the underwriters may change the offering price and the other selling terms.

 

The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We have been advised by the underwriters that they presently intend to make a market in the notes but they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the notes.

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell the notes in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of notes than they are required to purchase in this offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids for or purchases of notes made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of this offering.

 

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased notes sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

 

Purchases to cover a short position and stabilizing transactions may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the notes, and together with the imposition of the penalty bid, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the notes. As a result, the price of the notes may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time. These transactions may be effected in over-the-counter market or otherwise.

 

We estimate that our total out-of-pocket expenses of this offering, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $500,000.

 

Indemnification

 

We and certain of our affiliates have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to contribute to payments that may be required to be made in respect of these liabilities.

 

Affiliations and NASD Conduct Rules

 

Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have performed investment banking, commercial banking and advisory services for us from time to time for which they have received customary fees and expenses. The underwriters and their affiliates may, from time to time in the future, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

 

Certain affiliates of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Mizuho Securities USA Inc., Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., DnB NOR Markets, Inc. and Société Générale are lenders under our multi-year revolving credit facility. These affiliates will receive their respective share of any repayment by us of amounts outstanding under the multi-year revolving credit facility from the proceeds of this offering.

 

Settlement

 

The closing of this offering will be settled on a T+5 basis.

 

Andrews Kurth LLP, Houston, Texas, will pass on the validity of the notes, the Guarantee and certain federal income tax matters related to the notes for Enterprise Parent and us. Certain legal matters with respect to the notes and the Guarantee will be passed upon for the underwriters by Baker Botts L.L.P., Houston, Texas.

 

Enterprise Parent files annual, quarterly and current reports, and other information with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) (Commission File No. 1-14323). You may read and copy any document Enterprise Parent files at the Commission’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Commission at 1-800-732-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Enterprise Parent’s filings are also available to the public at the Commission’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, documents filed by Enterprise Parent can be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10002. We maintain an Internet Website at www.eprod.com. On the Investor Relations page of that site, we provide access to Enterprise Parent’s and our Commission filings free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the Commission. The information on our Internet Website is not incorporated in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus by reference and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

 

The Commission allows Enterprise Parent to incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus the information Enterprise Parent files with it, which means that Enterprise Parent can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement, and later information that Enterprise Parent files with the Commission will automatically update and supersede this information. Enterprise Parent incorporates by reference the documents listed below and any future filings it makes with the Commission under section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until this offering is completed (other than information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of any Form 8-K, which is not deemed filed under the Exchange Act):

 

 

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus supplement has been delivered, a copy of any and all of the filings by us and Enterprise Parent with the Commission. You may request a copy of these filings by writing or telephoning us at:

 

Enterprise Products Partners L.P.
1100 Louisiana, 10th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Investor Relations
Telephone: (713) 381-6500

PROSPECTUS

 

Enterprise Products Partners L.P.

Enterprise Products Operating LLC

 

 

 

 

COMMON UNITS

 

DEBT SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

We may offer an unlimited number and amount of the following securities under this prospectus:

 

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read carefully this prospectus and any prospectus supplement before you invest. You should also read the documents we have referred you to in the “Where You Can Find More Information” section of this prospectus for information about us, including our financial statements.

 

Our common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “EPD.”

 

 

 

 

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities, when issued, will be unsecured and will rank equally with our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities, when issued, will be subordinated in right of payment to our senior debt.

 

Investing in our common units and debt securities involves risks. Limited partnerships are inherently different from corporations. You should review carefully “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 for a discussion of important risks you should consider before investing on our securities.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities by the registrants unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

 

The date of this prospectus is August 27, 2007.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should not assume that the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of each document.

 

Unless the context requires otherwise or unless otherwise noted, “our,” “we,” “us” and “Enterprise” as used in this prospectus refer to Enterprise Products Partners L.P. and Enterprise Products Operating LLC and its subsidiaries and unconsolidated affiliates.

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may offer from time to time an unlimited number and amount of our securities. Each time we offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that will describe, among other things, the specific amounts, types and prices of the securities being offered and the terms of the offering. Any prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Any statement that we make in or incorporate by reference in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made by us in a prospectus supplement. Therefore, you should read this prospectus (including any documents incorporated by reference) and any attached prospectus supplement before you invest in our securities.

 

We are a North American midstream energy company that provides a wide range of services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids, or NGLs, crude oil and certain petrochemicals, and are an industry leader in the development of pipeline and other midstream infrastructure in the continental United States and Gulf of Mexico. Our midstream asset network links producers of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil from some of the largest supply basins in the United States, Canada and the Gulf of Mexico with domestic consumers and international markets. We operate an integrated midstream asset network within the United States that includes natural gas gathering, processing, transportation and storage; NGL fractionation (or separation), transportation, storage and import and export terminaling; crude oil transportation; and offshore production platform services. NGL products (ethane, propane, normal butane, isobutane and natural gasoline) are used as raw materials by the petrochemical industry, as feedstocks by refiners in the production of motor gasoline and as fuel by industrial and residential users.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2006, Enterprise had consolidated revenues of $14.0 billion, operating income of $860.1 million and net income of $601.2 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, Enterprise had consolidated revenues of $7.5 billion, operating income of $402.5 million and net income of $254.2 million.

 

Our Business Segments

 

We have four reportable business segments: (i) NGL Pipelines & Services; (ii) Onshore Natural Gas Pipelines & Services; (iii) Offshore Pipelines & Services; and (iv) Petrochemical Services. Our business segments are generally organized and managed along our asset base according to the type of services rendered (or technology employed) and products produced and/or sold.

 

NGL Pipelines & Services.  Our NGL Pipelines & Services business segment includes our (i) natural gas processing business and related NGL marketing activities, (ii) NGL pipelines aggregating approximately 13,700 miles and related storage facilities including our Mid-America Pipeline System and (iii) NGL fractionation facilities located in Texas and Louisiana. This segment also includes our import and export terminal operations.

 

Onshore Natural Gas Pipelines & Services.  Our Onshore Natural Gas Pipelines & Services business segment includes approximately 18,889 miles of onshore natural gas pipeline systems that provide for the gathering and transmission of natural gas in Alabama, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming. In addition, we own two salt dome natural gas storage facilities located in Mississippi and lease natural gas storage facilities located in Texas and Louisiana.

 

Offshore Pipelines & Services.  Our Offshore Pipelines & Services business segment includes (i) approximately 1,586 miles of offshore natural gas pipelines strategically located to serve production areas including some of the most active drilling and development regions in the Gulf of Mexico, (ii) approximately 863 miles of offshore Gulf of Mexico crude oil pipeline systems and (iii) six multi-purpose offshore hub platforms located in the Gulf of Mexico with crude oil or natural gas processing capabilities.

 

Petrochemical Services.  Our Petrochemical Services business segment includes four propylene fractionation facilities, an isomerization complex and an octane additive production facility. This segment also includes approximately 679 miles of petrochemical pipeline systems.

 

We provide the foregoing services directly and through our subsidiaries and unconsolidated affiliates.

 

Our principal offices, including those of Enterprise, are located at 1100 Louisiana Street, 10th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, and our and Enterprise’s telephone number is (713) 381-6500.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Limited partner interests are inherently different from the capital stock of a corporation, although many of the business risks to which we are subject are similar to those that would be faced by a corporation engaged in a similar business. Before you invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors included in our most-recent annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q that are incorporated herein by reference and those that may be included in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference in evaluating an investment in our securities.

 

If any of the risks discussed in the foregoing documents were actually to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flow could be materially adversely affected. In that case, our ability to make distributions to our unitholders or pay interest on, or the principal of, any debt securities, may be reduced, the trading price of our securities could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We will use the net proceeds from any sale of securities described in this prospectus for future business acquisitions and other general corporate purposes, such as working capital, investments in subsidiaries, the retirement of existing debt and/or the repurchase of common units or other securities. The prospectus supplement will describe the actual use of the net proceeds from the sale of securities. The exact amounts to be used and when the net proceeds will be applied to corporate purposes will depend on a number of factors, including our funding requirements and the availability of alternative funding sources.

 

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

Enterprise’s ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated is as follows:

 

 

For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “earnings” is the aggregate of the following items:

 

 

The term “fixed charges” means the sum of the following:

 

 

In this Description of Debt Securities references to the “Issuer” mean only Enterprise Products Operating LLC (successor to Enterprise Products Operating L.P.) and not its subsidiaries. References to the “Guarantor” mean only Enterprise Products Partners L.P. and not its subsidiaries. References to “we” and “us” mean the Issuer and the Guarantor collectively.

 

The debt securities will be issued under an Indenture dated as of October 4, 2004 as amended by supplemental indenture (the “Indenture”), among the Issuer, the Guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The terms of the debt securities will include those expressly set forth in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). Capitalized terms used in this Description of Debt Securities have the meanings specified in the Indenture.

 

This Description of Debt Securities is intended to be a useful overview of the material provisions of the debt securities and the Indenture. Since this Description of Debt Securities is only a summary, you should refer to the Indenture for a complete description of our obligations and your rights.

 

The Indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder. Debt securities may be issued under the Indenture from time to time in separate series, each up to the aggregate amount authorized for such series. The debt securities will be general obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantor and may be subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer and the Guarantor. See “— Subordination.”

 

A prospectus supplement and a supplemental indenture (or a resolution of our Board of Directors and accompanying officers’ certificate) relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

The prospectus supplement will also describe any material United States federal income tax consequences or other special considerations applicable to the applicable series of debt securities, including those applicable to:

 

 

At our option, we may make interest payments, by check mailed to the registered holders thereof or, if so stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, at the option of a holder by wire transfer to an account designated by the holder. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, no payment on a Bearer Security will be made by mail to an address in the United States or by wire transfer to an account in the United States.

 

Registered Securities may be transferred or exchanged, and they may be presented for payment, at the office of the Trustee or the Trustee’s agent in New York City indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without the payment of any service charge, other than any applicable tax or governmental charge. Bearer Securities will be transferable only by delivery. Provisions with respect to the exchange of Bearer Securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Any funds we pay to a paying agent for the payment of amounts due on any debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years will be returned to us, and the holders of the debt securities must thereafter look only to us for payment thereof.

 

The Guarantor will unconditionally guarantee to each holder and the Trustee the full and prompt payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities, when and as the same become due and payable, whether at maturity, upon redemption or repurchase, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise.

 

Except as set forth below or as may be provided in a prospectus supplement and supplemental indenture, neither the Issuer nor the Guarantor is restricted by the Indenture from incurring any type of indebtedness or other obligation, from paying dividends or making distributions on its partnership interests or capital stock or purchasing or redeeming its partnership interests or capital stock. The Indenture does not require the maintenance of any financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity. In addition, the Indenture does not contain any provisions that would require the Issuer to repurchase or redeem or otherwise modify the terms of any of the debt securities upon a change in control or other events involving the Issuer which may adversely affect the creditworthiness of the debt securities.

 

Limitations on Liens.  The Indenture provides that the Guarantor will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any mortgage, lien, security interest, pledge, charge or other encumbrance (“liens”) other than Permitted Liens (as defined below) upon any Principal Property (as defined below) or upon any shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary owning or leasing, either directly or through ownership in another Subsidiary, any Principal Property (a “Restricted Subsidiary”), whether owned or leased on the date of the Indenture or thereafter acquired, to secure any indebtedness for borrowed money

(“debt”) of the Guarantor or the Issuer or any other person (other than the debt securities), without in any such case making effective provision whereby all of the debt securities outstanding shall be secured equally and ratably with, or prior to, such debt so long as such debt shall be so secured.

 

In the Indenture, the term “Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, at any date of determination, the total amount of assets of the Guarantor and its consolidated subsidiaries after deducting therefrom:

 

(1) all current liabilities (excluding (A) any current liabilities that by their terms are extendable or renewable at the option of the obligor thereon to a time more than 12 months after the time as of which the amount thereof is being computed, and (B) current maturities of long-term debt); and

 

(2) the value (net of any applicable reserves) of all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents and other like intangible assets, all as set forth, or on a pro forma basis would be set forth, on the consolidated balance sheet of the Guarantor and its consolidated subsidiaries for the Guarantor’s most recently completed fiscal quarter, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

“Permitted Liens” means:

 

(1) liens upon rights-of-way for pipeline purposes;

 

(2) any statutory or governmental lien or lien arising by operation of law, or any mechanics’, repairmen’s, materialmen’s, suppliers’, carriers’, landlords’, warehousemen’s or similar lien incurred in the ordinary course of business which is not yet due or which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and any undetermined lien which is incidental to construction, development, improvement or repair; or any right reserved to, or vested in, any municipality or public authority by the terms of any right, power, franchise, grant, license, permit or by any provision of law, to purchase or recapture or to designate a purchaser of, any property;

 

(3) liens for taxes and assessments which are (a) for the then current year, (b) not at the time delinquent, or (c) delinquent but the validity or amount of which is being contested at the time by the Guarantor or any Subsidiary in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

(4) liens of, or to secure performance of, leases, other than capital leases; or any lien securing industrial development, pollution control or similar revenue bonds;

 

(5) any lien upon property or assets acquired or sold by the Guarantor or any Subsidiary resulting from the exercise of any rights arising out of defaults on receivables;

 

(6) any lien in favor of the Guarantor or any Subsidiary; or any lien upon any property or assets of the Guarantor or any Subsidiary in existence on the date of the execution and delivery of the Indenture;

 

(7) any lien in favor of the United States of America or any state thereof, or any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States of America or any state thereof, to secure partial, progress, advance, or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute, or any debt incurred by the Guarantor or any Subsidiary for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price of, or the cost of constructing, developing, repairing or improving, the property or assets subject to such lien;

 

(8) any lien incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with workmen’s compensation, unemployment insurance, temporary disability, social security, retiree health or similar laws or regulations or to secure obligations imposed by statute or governmental regulations;

 

(9) liens in favor of any person to secure obligations under provisions of any letters of credit, bank guarantees, bonds or surety obligations required or requested by any governmental authority in connection with any contract or statute; or any lien upon or deposits of any assets to secure performance of bids, trade contracts, leases or statutory obligations;

 

(10) any lien upon any property or assets created at the time of acquisition of such property or assets by the Guarantor or any Subsidiary or within one year after such time to secure all or a portion of the purchase price for such property or assets or debt incurred to finance such purchase price, whether such debt was incurred prior to, at the time of or within one year after the date of such acquisition; or

any lien upon any property or assets to secure all or part of the cost of construction, development, repair or improvements thereon or to secure debt incurred prior to, at the time of, or within one year after completion of such construction, development, repair or improvements or the commencement of full operations thereof (whichever is later), to provide funds for any such purpose;

 

(11) any lien upon any property or assets existing thereon at the time of the acquisition thereof by the Guarantor or any Subsidiary and any lien upon any property or assets of a person existing thereon at the time such person becomes a Subsidiary by acquisition, merger or otherwise; provided that, in each case, such lien only encumbers the property or assets so acquired or owned by such person at the time such person becomes a Subsidiary;

 

(12) liens imposed by law or order as a result of any proceeding before any court or regulatory body that is being contested in good faith, and liens which secure a judgment or other court-ordered award or settlement as to which the Guarantor or the applicable Subsidiary has not exhausted its appellate rights;

 

(13) any extension, renewal, refinancing, refunding or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals, refinancing, refunding or replacements) of liens, in whole or in part, referred to in clauses (1) through (12) above; provided, however, that any such extension, renewal, refinancing, refunding or replacement lien shall be limited to the property or assets covered by the lien extended, renewed, refinanced, refunded or replaced and that the obligations secured by any such extension, renewal, refinancing, refunding or replacement lien shall be in an amount not greater than the amount of the obligations secured by the lien extended, renewed, refinanced, refunded or replaced and any expenses of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries (including any premium) incurred in connection with such extension, renewal, refinancing, refunding or replacement; or

 

(14) any lien resulting from the deposit of moneys or evidence of indebtedness in trust for the purpose of defeasing debt of the Guarantor or any Subsidiary.

 

“Principal Property” means, whether owned or leased on the date of the Indenture or thereafter acquired:

 

(1) any pipeline assets of the Guarantor or any Subsidiary, including any related facilities employed in the transportation, distribution, storage or marketing of refined petroleum products, natural gas liquids, and petrochemicals, that are located in the United States of America or any territory or political subdivision thereof; and

 

(2) any processing or manufacturing plant or terminal owned or leased by the Guarantor or any Subsidiary that is located in the United States or any territory or political subdivision thereof,

 

except, in the case of either of the foregoing clauses (1) or (2):

 

(a) any such assets consisting of inventories, furniture, office fixtures and equipment (including data processing equipment), vehicles and equipment used on, or useful with, vehicles; and

 

(b) any such assets, plant or terminal which, in the opinion of the board of directors of the general partner of the Issuer, is not material in relation to the activities of the Issuer or of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

“Subsidiary” means:

 

(1) the Issuer; or

 

(2) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the equity interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof or any partnership of which more than 50% of the partners’ equity interests (considering all partners’ equity interests as a single class) is, in each case, at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Guarantor, the Issuer or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of the Guarantor or the Issuer or combination thereof.

 

Notwithstanding the preceding, under the Indenture, the Guarantor may, and may permit any Subsidiary to, create, assume, incur, or suffer to exist any lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon any Principal Property

or capital stock of a Restricted Subsidiary to secure debt of the Guarantor, the Issuer or any other person (other than the debt securities), without securing the debt securities, provided that the aggregate principal amount of all debt then outstanding secured by such lien and all similar liens, together with all Attributable Indebtedness from Sale-Leaseback Transactions (excluding Sale-Leaseback Transactions permitted by clauses (1) through (4), inclusive, of the first paragraph of the restriction on sale-leasebacks covenant described below) does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

Restriction on Sale-Leasebacks.  The Indenture provides that the Guarantor will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, engage in the sale or transfer by the Guarantor or any Subsidiary of any Principal Property to a person (other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary) and the taking back by the Guarantor or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, of a lease of such Principal Property (a “Sale-Leaseback Transaction”), unless:

 

(1) such Sale-Leaseback Transaction occurs within one year from the date of completion of the acquisition of the Principal Property subject thereto or the date of the completion of construction, development or substantial repair or improvement, or commencement of full operations on such Principal Property, whichever is later;

 

(2) the Sale-Leaseback Transaction involves a lease for a period, including renewals, of not more than three years;

 

(3) the Guarantor or such Subsidiary would be entitled to incur debt secured by a lien on the Principal Property subject thereto in a principal amount equal to or exceeding the Attributable Indebtedness from such Sale-Leaseback Transaction without equally and ratably securing the debt securities; or

 

(4) the Guarantor or such Subsidiary, within a one-year period after such Sale-Leaseback Transaction, applies or causes to be applied an amount not less than the Attributable Indebtedness from such Sale-Leaseback Transaction to (a) the prepayment, repayment, redemption, reduction or retirement of any debt of the Guarantor or any Subsidiary that is not subordinated to the debt securities, or (b) the expenditure or expenditures for Principal Property used or to be used in the ordinary course of business of the Guarantor or its Subsidiaries.

 

“Attributable Indebtedness,” when used with respect to any Sale-Leaseback Transaction, means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the rate set forth or implicit in the terms of the lease included in such transaction) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments (other than amounts required to be paid on account of property taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance, assessments, utilities, operating and labor costs and other items that do not constitute payments for property rights) during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale-Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended). In the case of any lease that is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty or other termination payment, such amount shall be the lesser of the amount determined assuming termination upon the first date such lease may be terminated (in which case the amount shall also include the amount of the penalty or termination payment, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated) or the amount determined assuming no such termination.

 

Notwithstanding the preceding, under the Indenture the Guarantor may, and may permit any Subsidiary to, effect any Sale-Leaseback Transaction that is not excepted by clauses (1) through (4), inclusive, of the first paragraph under “— Restrictions on Sale-Leasebacks,” provided that the Attributable Indebtedness from such Sale-Leaseback Transaction, together with the aggregate principal amount of all other such Attributable Indebtedness deemed to be outstanding in respect of all Sale-Leaseback Transactions and all outstanding debt (other than the debt securities) secured by liens (other than Permitted Liens) upon Principal Properties or upon capital stock of any Restricted Subsidiary, do not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets.  The Indenture provides that each of the Guarantor and the Issuer may, without the consent of the holders of any of the debt securities, consolidate with or sell, lease,

convey all or substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into, any partnership, limited liability company or corporation if:

 

(1) the entity surviving any such consolidation or merger or to which such assets shall have been transferred (the “successor”) is either the Guarantor or the Issuer, as applicable, or the successor is a domestic partnership, limited liability company or corporation and expressly assumes all the Guarantor’s or the Issuer’s, as the case may be, obligations and liabilities under the Indenture and the debt securities (in the case of the Issuer) and the Guarantee (in the case of the Guarantor);

 

(2) immediately after giving effect to the transaction no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and

 

(3) the Issuer and the Guarantor have delivered to the Trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer complies with the Indenture.

 

The successor will be substituted for the Guarantor or the Issuer, as the case may be, in the Indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the Indenture. Thereafter, the successor may exercise the rights and powers of the Guarantor or the Issuer, as the case may be, under the Indenture, in its name or in its own name. If the Guarantor or the Issuer sells or transfers all or substantially all of its assets, it will be released from all liabilities and obligations under the Indenture and under the debt securities (in the case of the Issuer) and the Guarantee (in the case of the Guarantor) except that no such release will occur in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of its assets.

 

Each of the following will be an Event of Default under the Indenture with respect to a series of debt securities:

 

(1) default in any payment of interest on any debt securities of that series when due, continued for 30 days;

 

(2) default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on any debt securities of that series when due at its stated maturity, upon optional redemption, upon declaration or otherwise;

 

(3) failure by the Guarantor or the Issuer to comply for 60 days after notice with its other agreements contained in the Indenture;

 

(4) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Issuer or the Guarantor (the “bankruptcy provisions”); or

 

(5) the Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or the Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under the Indenture or the Guarantee.

 

However, a default under clause (3) of this paragraph will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series notify the Issuer and the Guarantor of the default such default is not cured within the time specified in clause (3) of this paragraph after receipt of such notice.

 

An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities will not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities that may be issued under the Indenture. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clause (4) above) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Issuer, or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series by notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, may, and the Trustee at the request of such holders shall, declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal, premium and accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default described in clause (4) above occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. However, the effect of such provision may be limited by applicable law. The holders of a majority in principal

amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the debt securities of that series and its consequences if rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and all existing Events of Default with respect to that series, other than the nonpayment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of that series that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee, if an Event of Default with respect to a series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities of that series, unless such holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest when due, no holder of debt securities of any series may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the debt securities of that series unless:

 

(1) such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series is continuing;

 

(2) holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

(3) such holders have offered the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense;

 

(4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

 

(5) the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have not given the Trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

 

Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to that series of debt securities. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder of debt securities of that series or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

 

The Indenture provides that if a Default (that is, an event that is, or after notice or the passage of time would be, an Event of Default) with respect to the debt securities of a particular series occurs and is continuing and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each holder of debt securities of that series notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities of that series, the Trustee may withhold notice, but only if and so long as the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders of debt securities of that series. In addition, the Issuer is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an officers’ certificate as to compliance with all covenants in the Indenture and indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default or Event of Default that occurred during the previous year. The Issuer also is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, an officers’ certificate specifying any Default or Event of Default, its status and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.

 

Amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Issuer, the Guarantor and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of all debt securities of each series affected thereby then outstanding under the Indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange

offer for the debt securities). However, without the consent of each holder of outstanding debt securities affected thereby, no amendment may, among other things:

 

(1) reduce the percentage in principal amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment;

 

(2) reduce the stated rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any debt securities;

 

(3) reduce the principal of or extend the stated maturity of any debt securities;

 

(4) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any debt securities or change the time at which any debt securities may be redeemed;

 

(5) make any debt securities payable in money other than that stated in the debt securities;

 

(6) impair the right of any holder to receive payment of, premium, if any, principal of and interest on such holder’s debt securities on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s debt securities;

 

(7) make any change in the amendment provisions which require each holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions;

 

(8) release any security that may have been granted in respect of the debt securities; or

 

(9) release the Guarantor or modify the Guarantee in any manner adverse to the holders.

 

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected thereby, may waive compliance by the Issuer and the Guarantor with certain restrictive covenants on behalf of all holders of debt securities of such series, including those described under “— Certain Covenants — Limitations on Liens” and “— Certain Covenants — Restriction on Sale-Leasebacks.” The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected thereby, on behalf of all such holders, may waive any past Default or Event of Default with respect to that series (including any such waiver obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the debt securities), except a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal, premium or interest or in respect of a provision that under the Indenture that cannot be amended without the consent of all holders of the series of debt securities that is affected.

 

Without the consent of any holder, the Issuer, the Guarantor and the Trustee may amend the Indenture to:

 

(1) cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

(2) provide for the assumption by a successor of the obligations of the Guarantor or the Issuer under the Indenture;

 

(3) provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities (provided that the uncertificated debt securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated debt securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code);

 

(4) add or release guarantees by any Subsidiary with respect to the debt securities, in either case as provided in the Indenture;

 

(5) secure the debt securities or a guarantee;

 

(6) add to the covenants of the Guarantor or the Issuer for the benefit of the holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Guarantor or the Issuer;

 

(7) make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder;

 

(8) comply with any requirement of the Commission in connection with the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; and

 

(9) issue any other series of debt securities under the Indenture.

The consent of the holders is not necessary under the Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment requiring consent of the holders becomes effective, the Issuer is required to mail to the holders of an affected series a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all such holders, or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

 

The Issuer at any time may terminate all its obligations under the Indenture as they relate to a series of debt securities (“legal defeasance”), except for certain obligations, including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities of that series, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities of that series and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of such debt securities.

 

The Issuer at any time may terminate its obligations under covenants described under “— Certain Covenants” (other than “Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets”) and the bankruptcy provisions with respect to the Guarantor, and the Guarantee provision, described under “— Events of Default” above with respect to a series of debt securities (“covenant defeasance”).

 

The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the Issuer exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the defeased series of debt securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect thereto. If the Issuer exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the affected series of debt securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in clause (3), (4), (with respect only to the Guarantor) or (5) under “— Events of Default” above. If the Issuer exercises either its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, each guarantee will terminate with respect to the debt securities of the defeased series and any security that may have been granted with respect to such debt securities will be released.

 

In order to exercise either defeasance option, the Issuer must irrevocably deposit in trust (the “defeasance trust”) with the Trustee money, U.S. Government Obligations (as defined in the Indenture) or a combination thereof for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the relevant series of debt securities to redemption or maturity, as the case may be, and must comply with certain other conditions, including delivery to the Trustee of an opinion of counsel (subject to customary exceptions and exclusions) to the effect that holders of that series of debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred. In the case of legal defeasance only, such opinion of counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or other change in applicable federal income tax law.

 

In the event of any legal defeasance, holders of the debt securities of the relevant series would be entitled to look only to the trust fund for payment of principal of and any premium and interest on their debt securities until maturity.

 

Although the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations on deposit with the Trustee would be intended to be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of a defeased series at the time of their stated maturity, if the Issuer exercises its covenant defeasance option for the debt securities of any series and the debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. The Issuer would remain liable for such payments, however.

 

In addition, the Issuer may discharge all its obligations under the Indenture with respect to debt securities of any series, other than its obligation to register the transfer of and exchange notes of that series, provided that it either:

 

 

Debt securities of a series may be subordinated to our “Senior Indebtedness,” which we define generally to include all notes or other evidences of indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer, including guarantees, that are not expressly subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other indebtedness of the Issuer. Subordinated debt securities and the Guarantor’s guarantee thereof will be subordinate in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Indenture and the prospectus supplement relating to such series, to the prior payment of all indebtedness of the Issuer and Guarantor that is designated as “Senior Indebtedness” with respect to the series.

 

The holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer will receive payment in full of the Senior Indebtedness before holders of subordinated debt securities will receive any payment of principal, premium or interest with respect to the subordinated debt securities:

 

 

Until the Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, any distribution to which holders of subordinated debt securities would otherwise be entitled will be made to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, except that such holders may receive units representing limited partner interests and any debt securities that are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness to at least the same extent as the subordinated debt securities.

 

If the Issuer does not pay any principal, premium or interest with respect to Senior Indebtedness within any applicable grace period (including at maturity), or any other default on Senior Indebtedness occurs and the maturity of the Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms, the Issuer may not:

 

 

unless, in either case,

 

 

Generally, “Designated Senior Indebtedness” will include:

 

 

During the continuance of any default, other than a default described in the immediately preceding paragraph, that may cause the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness to be accelerated immediately without further notice, other than any notice required to effect such acceleration, or the expiration of any applicable

grace periods, the Issuer may not pay the subordinated debt securities for a period called the “Payment Blockage Period.” A Payment Blockage Period will commence on the receipt by us and the Trustee of written notice of the default, called a “Blockage Notice,” from the representative of any Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period.

 

The Payment Blockage Period may be terminated before its expiration:

 

 

Unless the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall have accelerated the maturity of the Senior Indebtedness, we may resume payments on the subordinated debt securities after the expiration of the Payment Blockage Period.

 

Generally, not more than one Blockage Notice may be given in any period of 360 consecutive days unless the first Blockage Notice within the 360-day period is given by holders of Designated Senior Indebtedness, other than Bank Indebtedness, in which case the representative of the Bank Indebtedness may give another Blockage Notice within the period. The total number of days during which any one or more Payment Blockage Periods are in effect, however, may not exceed an aggregate of 179 days during any period of 360 consecutive days.

 

After all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full and until the subordinated debt securities are paid in full, holders of the subordinated debt securities shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to Senior Indebtedness.

 

By reason of the subordination, in the event of insolvency, our creditors who are holders of Senior Indebtedness, as well as certain of our general creditors, may recover more, ratably, than the holders of the subordinated debt securities.

 

We will issue the debt securities in the form of one or more global securities in fully registered form initially in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC, or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The global securities will be deposited with the Trustee as custodian for DTC and may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC or by DTC or any nominee to a successor of DTC or a nominee of such successor.

 

DTC has advised us as follows:

 

 

Purchases of debt securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the debt securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of debt securities is in turn to be recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners of the debt securities will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which the beneficial owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the debt securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of direct and indirect participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the debt securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the debt securities is discontinued.

 

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all debt securities deposited by direct participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of debt securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the debt securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts such debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The direct and indirect participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

 

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by, direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

 

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the global securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an omnibus proxy to the issuer as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited on the record date (identified in the listing attached to the omnibus proxy).

 

All payments on the global securities will be made to Cede & Co., as holder of record, or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us or the Trustee on payment dates in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such participant and not of DTC, us or the Trustee, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) shall be the responsibility of us or the Trustee. Disbursement of such payments to direct participants shall be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the beneficial owners shall be the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

 

DTC may discontinue providing its service as securities depositary with respect to the debt securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us or the Trustee. In addition, we may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depositary). Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depositary is not obtained, note certificates in fully registered form are required to be printed and delivered to beneficial owners of the global securities representing such debt securities.

Neither we nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or obligation to direct or indirect participants, or the persons for whom they act as nominees, with respect to the accuracy of the records of DTC, its nominee or any participant with respect to any ownership interest in the debt securities, or payments to, or the providing of notice to participants or beneficial owners.

 

So long as the debt securities are in DTC’s book-entry system, secondary market trading activity in the debt securities will settle in immediately available funds. All payments on the debt securities issued as global securities will be made by us in immediately available funds.

 

The debt securities of a series may be issued as Registered Securities (which will be registered as to principal and interest in the register maintained by the registrar for the debt securities) or Bearer Securities (which will be transferable only by delivery). If the debt securities are issuable as Bearer Securities, certain special limitations and conditions will apply.

 

In compliance with United States federal income tax laws and regulations, we and any underwriter, agent or dealer participating in an offering of Bearer Securities will agree that, in connection with the original issuance of the Bearer Securities and during the period ending 40 days after the issue date, they will not offer, sell or deliver any such Bearer Securities, directly or indirectly, to a United States Person (as defined below) or to any person within the United States, except to the extent permitted under United States Treasury regulations.

 

Bearer Securities will bear a legend to the following effect: “Any United States person who holds this obligation will be subject to limitations under the United States federal income tax laws, including the limitations provided in Sections 165(j) and 1287(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.” The sections referred to in the legend provide that, with certain exceptions, a United States taxpayer who holds Bearer Securities will not be allowed to deduct any loss with respect to, and will not be eligible for capital gain treatment with respect to any gain realized on the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of, the Bearer Securities.

 

For this purpose, “United States” includes the United States of America and its possessions, and “United States person” means a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, or an estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source.

 

Pending the availability of a definitive global security or individual Bearer Securities, as the case may be, debt securities that are issuable as Bearer Securities may initially be represented by a single temporary global security, without interest coupons, to be deposited with a common depositary for the Euroclear System as operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking S.A. (“Clearstream”, formerly Cedelbank), for credit to the accounts designated by or on behalf of the purchasers thereof. Following the availability of a definitive global security in bearer form, without coupons attached, or individual Bearer Securities and subject to any further limitations described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the temporary global security will be exchangeable for interests in the definitive global security or for the individual Bearer Securities, respectively, only upon receipt of a “Certificate of Non-U.S. Beneficial Ownership,” which is a certificate to the effect that a beneficial interest in a temporary global security is owned by a person that is not a United States Person or is owned by or through a financial institution in compliance with applicable United States Treasury regulations. No Bearer Security will be delivered in or to the United States. If so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, interest on a temporary global security will be paid to each of Euroclear and Clearstream with respect to that portion of the temporary global security held for its account, but only upon receipt as of the relevant interest payment date of a Certificate of Non-U.S. Beneficial Ownership.

 

The Issuer’s general partner, the Guarantor’s general partner and their respective directors, officers, employees and members, as such, shall have no liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantor

under the debt securities, the Indenture or the guarantee or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder by accepting a note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the debt securities. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws, and it is the view of the Commission that such a waiver is against public policy.

 

The Indenture contains certain limitations on the right of the Trustee, should it become our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize for its own account on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee is permitted to engage in certain other transactions. However, if it acquires any conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, it must eliminate the conflict or resign as Trustee.

 

The holders of a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities (or if more than one series of debt securities under the Indenture is affected thereby, all series so affected, voting as a single class) will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy or power available to the Trustee for the debt securities or all such series so affected.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is not cured under the Indenture and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by the Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will not be under any obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any of the holders of debt securities unless they shall have offered to such Trustee reasonable security and indemnity.

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association is the Trustee under the Indenture and has been appointed by the Issuer as Registrar and Paying Agent with regard to the debt securities. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association is a lender under the Issuer’s credit facilities.

 

The Indenture, the debt securities and the guarantee are governed by, and will be construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

Generally, our common units represent limited partner interests that entitle the holders to participate in our cash distributions and to exercise the rights and privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement. For a description of the relative rights and preferences of holders of common units and our general partner in and to cash distributions, please read “Cash Distribution Policy” elsewhere in this prospectus:

 

Our outstanding common units are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “EPD.” Any additional common units we issue will also be listed on the NYSE.

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common units is Mellon Investor Services LLC.

 

Each holder of common units is entitled to one vote for each common unit on all matters submitted to a vote of the unitholders.

 

Except as described below under “— Limited Liability,” the common units will be fully paid, and unitholders will not be required to make additional capital contributions to us.

Each purchaser of our common units must execute a transfer application whereby the purchaser requests admission as a substituted limited partner and makes representations and agrees to provisions stated in the transfer application. If this action is not taken, a purchaser will not be registered as a record holder of common units on the books of our transfer agent or issued a common unit certificate. Purchasers may hold common units in nominee accounts.

 

An assignee, pending its admission as a substituted limited partner, is entitled to an interest in us equivalent to that of a limited partner with respect to the right to share in allocations and distributions, including liquidating distributions. Our general partner will vote and exercise other powers attributable to common units owned by an assignee who has not become a substituted limited partner at the written direction of the assignee. Transferees who do not execute and deliver transfer applications will be treated neither as assignees nor as record holders of common units and will not receive distributions, federal income tax allocations or reports furnished to record holders of common units. The only right the transferees will have is the right to admission as a substituted limited partner in respect of the transferred common units upon execution of a transfer application in respect of the common units. A nominee or broker who has executed a transfer application with respect to common units held in street name or nominee accounts will receive distributions and reports pertaining to its common units.

 

Assuming that a limited partner does not participate in the control of our business within the meaning of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “Delaware Act”) and that he otherwise acts in conformity with the provisions of our partnership agreement, his liability under the Delaware Act will be limited, subject to some possible exceptions, generally to the amount of capital he is obligated to contribute to us in respect of his units plus his share of any undistributed profits and assets.

 

Under the Delaware Act, a limited partnership may not make a distribution to a partner to the extent that at the time of the distribution, after giving effect to the distribution, all liabilities of the partnership, other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specific property of the partnership, exceed the fair value of the assets of the limited partnership.

 

For the purposes of determining the fair value of the assets of a limited partnership, the Delaware Act provides that the fair value of the property subject to liability of which recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets of the limited partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds the nonrecourse liability. The Delaware Act provides that a limited partner who receives a distribution and knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution was in violation of the Delaware Act is liable to the limited partnership for the amount of the distribution for three years from the date of the distribution.

 

As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, our general partner will mail or furnish to each unitholder of record (as of a record date selected by our general partner) an annual report containing our audited financial statements for the past fiscal year. These financial statements will be prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, no later than 90 days after the close of each quarter (except the fourth quarter), our general partner will mail or furnish to each unitholder of record (as of a record date selected by our general partner) a report containing our unaudited financial statements and any other information required by law.

 

Our general partner will use all reasonable efforts to furnish each unitholder of record information reasonably required for tax reporting purposes within 90 days after the close of each fiscal year. Our general partner’s ability to furnish this summary tax information will depend on the cooperation of unitholders in supplying information to our general partner. Each unitholder will receive information to assist him in determining his U.S. federal and state and Canadian federal and provincial tax liability and filing his U.S. federal and state and Canadian federal and provincial income tax returns.

A limited partner can, for a purpose reasonably related to the limited partner’s interest as a limited partner, upon reasonable demand and at his own expense, have furnished to him:

 

 

Our general partner may, and intends to, keep confidential from the limited partners trade secrets and other information the disclosure of which our general partner believes in good faith is not in our best interest or which we are required by law or by agreements with third parties to keep confidential.

 

General.  Within approximately 45 days after the end of each quarter, we will distribute all of our available cash to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.

 

Definition of Available Cash.  Available cash is defined in our partnership agreement and generally means, with respect to any calendar quarter, all cash on hand at the end of such quarter:

 

 

 

 

General.  Cash distributions are characterized as distributions from either operating surplus or capital surplus. We distribute available cash from operating surplus differently than available cash from capital surplus.

 

Definition of Operating Surplus.  Operating surplus is defined in the partnership agreement and generally means:

 

 

Definition of Capital Surplus.  Capital surplus is generally generated only by borrowings (other than borrowings for working capital purposes), sales of debt and equity securities and sales or other dispositions of assets for cash (other than inventory, accounts receivable and other assets disposed of in the ordinary course of business).

 

Characterization of Cash Distributions.  To avoid the difficulty of trying to determine whether available cash we distribute is from operating surplus or from capital surplus, all available cash we distribute from any source will be treated as distributed from operating surplus until the sum of all available cash distributed since July 31, 1998 equals the operating surplus as of the end of the quarter prior to such distribution. Any available cash in excess of such amount (irrespective of its source) will be deemed to be from capital surplus and distributed accordingly.

 

If available cash from capital surplus is distributed in respect of each common unit in an aggregate amount per common unit equal to the $11.00 initial public offering price of the common units, the distinction between operating surplus and capital surplus will cease, and all distributions of available cash will be treated as if they were from operating surplus. We do not anticipate that there will be significant distributions from capital surplus.

 

Commencing with the quarter ending on September 30, 2003, we will make distributions of available cash from operating surplus with respect to any quarter in the following manner:

 

 

Incentive distributions represent the right to receive an increasing percentage of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels have been achieved. For any quarter for which available cash from operating surplus is distributed to the common unitholders in an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.225 per unit on all units, then any additional available cash from operating surplus in respect of such quarter will be distributed among the common unitholders and the general partner in the following manner:

 

 

How Distributions from Capital Surplus Will Be Made.  We will make distributions of available cash from capital surplus in the following manner:

 

 

Effect of a Distribution from Capital Surplus.  Our partnership agreement treats a distribution of capital surplus on a common unit as the repayment of the common unit price from its initial public offering, which is a return of capital. The initial public offering price less any distributions of capital surplus per common unit is referred to as the unrecovered initial common unit price. Each time a distribution of capital surplus is made on a common unit, the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels for all units will be reduced in the same proportion as the corresponding reduction in the unrecovered initial common unit price. Because distributions of capital surplus will reduce the minimum quarterly distribution, after any of these distributions are made, it may be easier for our general partner to receive incentive distributions. However, any distribution by us of capital surplus before the unrecovered initial common unit price is reduced to zero cannot be applied to the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution.

 

Once we distribute capital surplus on a common unit in any amount equal to the unrecovered initial common unit price, it will reduce the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels to zero and it will make all future distributions of available cash from operating surplus, with 25% being paid to the holders of units, as applicable, and 75% to our general partner.

 

In addition to reductions of the minimum quarterly distribution and target distribution levels made upon a distribution of available cash from capital surplus, if we combine our units into fewer units or subdivide our units into a greater number of units, we will proportionately adjust:

 

 

For example, in the event of a two-for-one split of the common units (assuming no prior adjustments), the minimum quarterly distribution, each of the target distribution levels and the unrecovered capital of the common units would each be reduced to 50% of its initial level.

 

In addition, if legislation is enacted or if existing law is modified or interpreted in a manner that causes us to become taxable as a corporation or otherwise subject to taxation as an entity for federal, state or local income tax purposes, then we will reduce the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels by multiplying the same by one minus the sum of the highest effective federal corporate income tax rate that could apply and any increase in the effective overall state and local income tax rates. For example, if we became subject to a maximum effective federal, state and local income tax rate of 35%, then the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels would each be reduced to 65% of their previous levels.

 

If we dissolve in accordance with the partnership agreement, we will sell or otherwise dispose of our assets in a process called a liquidation. We will first apply the proceeds of liquidation to the payment of our creditors in the order of priority provided in the partnership agreement and by law and, thereafter, we will distribute any remaining proceeds to the common unitholders and our general partner in accordance with their respective capital account balances as so adjusted.

 

Manner of Adjustments for Gain.  The manner of the adjustment is set forth in the partnership agreement. Upon our liquidation, we will allocate any net gain (or unrealized gain attributable to assets distributed in kind to the partners) as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manner of Adjustments for Losses.  Upon our liquidation, any loss will generally be allocated to the general partner and the unitholders as follows:

 

 

Adjustments to Capital Accounts.  In addition, interim adjustments to capital accounts will be made at the time we issue additional partnership interests or make distributions of property. Such adjustments will be based on the fair market value of the partnership interests or the property distributed and any gain or loss resulting therefrom will be allocated to the common unitholders and the general partner in the same manner as gain or loss is allocated upon liquidation. In the event that positive interim adjustments are made to the capital accounts, any subsequent negative adjustments to the capital accounts resulting from the issuance of additional partnership interests in us, distributions of property by us, or upon our liquidation, will be allocated in a

manner which results, to the extent possible, in the capital account balances of the general partner equaling the amount that would have been the general partner’s capital account balances if no prior positive adjustments to the capital accounts had been made.

 

The following is a summary of the material provisions of our partnership agreement. Our amended and restated partnership agreement has been filed with the Commission. The following provisions of our partnership agreement are summarized elsewhere in this prospectus:

 

 

Our purpose under our partnership agreement is to serve as a partner of our operating partnership and to engage in any business activities that may be engaged in by our operating partnership or that are approved by our general partner. The partnership agreement of our operating partnership provides that it may engage in any activity that was engaged in by our predecessors at the time of our initial public offering or reasonably related thereto and any other activity approved by our general partner.

 

Each limited partner, and each person who acquires a unit from a unitholder and executes and delivers a transfer application, grants to our general partner and, if appointed, a liquidator, a power of attorney to, among other things, execute and file documents required for our qualification, continuance or dissolution. The power of attorney also grants the authority for the amendment of, and to make consents and waivers under, our partnership agreement.

 

Unitholders will not have voting rights except with respect to the following matters, for which our partnership agreement requires the approval of the holders of a majority of the units, unless otherwise indicated:

 

 

Under the partnership agreement, our general partner generally will be permitted to effect, without the approval of unitholders, amendments to the partnership agreement that do not adversely affect unitholders.

 

Our general partner does not receive any compensation for its services as our general partner. It is, however, entitled to be reimbursed for all of its costs incurred in managing and operating our business. Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner will determine the expenses that are allocable to us in any reasonable manner determined by our general partner in its sole discretion.

 

Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional limited partner interests and other equity securities that are equal in rank with or junior to our common units on terms and conditions established by our general partner in its sole discretion without the approval of any limited partners.

 

It is possible that we will fund acquisitions through the issuance of additional common units or other equity securities. Holders of any additional common units we issue will be entitled to share equally with the then-existing holders of common units in our cash distributions. In addition, the issuance of additional partnership interests may dilute the value of the interests of the then-existing holders of common units in our net assets.

 

In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also issue additional partnership interests that, in the sole discretion of our general partner, may have special voting rights to which common units are not entitled.

 

Our general partner has the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, to purchase common units or other equity securities whenever, and on the same terms that, we issue those securities to persons other than our general partner and its affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain their percentage interests in us that existed immediately prior to the issuance. The holders of common units will not have preemptive rights to acquire additional common units or other partnership interests in us.

 

Amendments to our partnership agreement may be proposed only by our general partner. Any amendment that materially and adversely affects the rights or preferences of any type or class of limited partner interests in relation to other types or classes of limited partner interests or our general partner interest will require the approval of at least a majority of the type or class of limited partner interests or general partner interests so affected. However, in some circumstances, more particularly described in our partnership agreement, our general partner may make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of our limited partners or assignees to reflect:

 

 

Our general partner has agreed not to withdraw voluntarily as our general partner prior to December 31, 2008 without obtaining the approval of the holders of a majority of our outstanding common units by giving 90 days written notice, excluding those held by our general partner and its affiliates, and furnishing an opinion of counsel stating that such withdrawal (following the selection of the successor general partner) would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any of our limited partners or of a member of our operating partnership or cause us or our operating partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not previously treated as such).

 

On or after December 31, 2008, our general partner may withdraw as general partner without first obtaining approval of any unitholder by giving 90 days’ written notice, and that withdrawal will not constitute a violation of our partnership agreement. In addition, our general partner may withdraw without unitholder approval upon 90 days’ notice to our limited partners if at least 50% of our outstanding common units are held or controlled by one person and its affiliates other than our general partner and its affiliates.

 

Upon the voluntary withdrawal of our general partner, the holders of a majority of our outstanding common units, excluding the common units held by the withdrawing general partner and its affiliates, may elect a successor to the withdrawing general partner. If a successor is not elected, or is elected but an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters cannot be obtained, we will be dissolved, wound up and liquidated, unless within 90 days after that withdrawal, the holders of a majority of our outstanding units, excluding the common units held by the withdrawing general partner and its affiliates, agree to continue our business and to appoint a successor general partner.

 

Our general partner may not be removed unless that removal is approved by the vote of the holders of not less than 60% of our outstanding units, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and we receive an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. In addition, if our general partner is removed as our general partner under circumstances where cause does not exist and units held by our general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal, our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest into common units or to receive cash in exchange for such interests. Cause is narrowly defined to mean that a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding the general partner liable for actual fraud, gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct in its capacity as our general partner. Any removal of this kind is also subject to the approval of a successor general partner by the vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding common units, including those held by our general partner and its affiliates.

While our partnership agreement limits the ability of our general partner to withdraw, it allows the general partner interest to be transferred to an affiliate or to a third party in conjunction with a merger or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of our general partner. In addition, our partnership agreement expressly permits the sale, in whole or in part, of the ownership of our general partner. Our general partner may also transfer, in whole or in part, the common units it owns.

 

Upon our dissolution, unless we are reconstituted and continued as a new limited partnership, the person authorized to wind up our affairs (the liquidator) will, acting with all the powers of our general partner that the liquidator deems necessary or desirable in its good faith judgment, liquidate our assets. The proceeds of the liquidation will be applied as follows:

 

 

Under some circumstances and subject to some limitations, the liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of our assets for a reasonable period of time. If the liquidator determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause a loss to our partners, our general partner may distribute assets in kind to our partners.

 

At any time, the owners of our general partner may sell or transfer all or part of their ownership interests in the general partner without the approval of the unitholders.

 

Our partnership agreement contains the following specific provisions that are intended to discourage a person or group from attempting to remove our general partner or otherwise change management: