Energy Transfer Affiliate To Contribute Southern Union Gas Services To Regency Energy Partners For $1.5 Billion

Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. ( NYSE:ETP) and Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. ( NYSE:ETE) announced today that their affiliate, Southern Union Company (Southern Union), has agreed to contribute Southern Union Gathering Company, LLC, the owner of Southern Union Gas Services, Ltd. (SUGS), to Regency Energy Partners LP (NYSE: RGP) in exchange for $1.5 billion. The transaction will include a 5,600-mile gathering system in West Texas and New Mexico and approximately 500 million cubic feet per day of processing and treating facilities. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2013, subject to approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary closing conditions.

In exchange for the assets, Southern Union will receive $750 million of newly issued Regency common units, $150 million of new Class F units, and $600 million in cash. ETE, which owns the general partner and incentive distribution rights (IDR) of Regency, has agreed to forego all IDR payments from Regency on the newly issued Regency units for the first eight consecutive quarters following the closing. The Class F units will not receive any cash distributions for eight consecutive quarters following the closing and thereafter will convert to Regency common units, receiving distributions at the prevailing rate. In addition, ETP has agreed to forego the $10 million annual management fee paid by Regency for the same time period post-transaction close.

Following discussions with the credit rating agencies, ETP and ETE have received feedback that the transaction will have no effect on existing credit ratings at any of the entities. Additionally, the cash proceeds from the sale of SUGS will be utilized to repay debt, including borrowings outstanding under Southern Union’s revolving credit facility.

The agreement between Southern Union and Regency is another important step in executing on ETE’s and ETP’s commitment to simplify their structures and optimize their asset portfolios. The announcement of the deal with Regency follows the December announcement by ETE and ETP that Southern Union’s local distribution companies, Missouri Gas Energy and New England Gas Company, would be sold.

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