Form 20-F
 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
o   REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) or (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
     
o   SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of event requiring this shell company report                     
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file number 1- 32479
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Republic of The Marshall Islands
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda
(Address of principal executive offices)
Roy Spires
4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda
Telephone: (441) 298-2530
Fax: (441) 292-3931
(Contact information for company contact person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
     
Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Units   New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
33,338,320 Common Units
11,050,929 Subordinated Units
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes o       No þ
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes o       No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ       No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes o       No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
         
Large Accelerated Filer o   Accelerated Filer þ   Non-Accelerated Filer o
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
         
U.S. GAAP þ   International Financial Reporting Standards
as issued by the International
Accounting Standards Board o
  Other o
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 o       Item 18 o
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o       No þ
 
 

 

 


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
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2


 

PART I
This Annual Report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in this report.
Unless otherwise indicated, references in this prospectus to “Teekay LNG Partners,” “we,” “us” and “our” and similar terms refer to Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and/or one or more of its subsidiaries, except that those terms, when used in this Annual Report in connection with the common units described herein, shall mean specifically Teekay LNG Partners L.P. References in this Annual Report to “Teekay Corporation” refer to Teekay Corporation and/or any one or more of its subsidiaries.
In addition to historical information, this Annual Report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events and our operations, objectives, expectations, performance, financial condition and intentions. When used in this Annual Report, the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this Annual Report include, in particular, statements regarding:
   
our ability to make cash distributions on our units or any increases in quarterly distributions;
   
our future financial condition and results of operations and our future revenues and expenses;
   
growth prospects of the liquefied natural gas (or LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (or LPG) shipping and oil tanker markets;
   
LNG, LPG and tanker market fundamentals, including the balance of supply and demand in the LNG, LPG and tanker markets;
   
the expected lifespan of a new LNG carrier, LPG carrier and Suezmax tanker;
   
estimated capital expenditures and the availability of capital resources to fund capital expenditures;
   
our ability to maintain long-term relationships with major LNG and LPG importers and exporters and major crude oil companies;
   
our ability to leverage to our advantage Teekay Corporation’s relationships and reputation in the shipping industry;
   
our continued ability to enter into long-term, fixed-rate time charters with our LNG and LPG customers;
   
the recent economic downturn and financial crisis in the global market, including disruptions in the global credit and stock markets and potential negative effects on our customers’ ability to charter our vessels and pay for our services;
   
obtaining LNG and LPG projects that we or Teekay Corporation bid on or that Teekay Corporation has been awarded, including Teekay Corporation’s offer of the Kenai LNG vessels to the Partnership;
   
the expected timing of Teekay Corporation’s offer of the Angola LNG project vessels to the Partnership;
   
our ability to maximize the use of our vessels, including the re-deployment or disposition of vessels no longer under long-term charter;
   
expected purchases and deliveries of newbuilding vessels and commencement of service of newbuildings under long-term contracts;
   
the expected timing, amount and method of financing for the purchase of five of our existing Suezmax tankers;
   
our expected financial flexibility to pursue acquisitions and other expansion opportunities;
   
the expected cost of, and our ability to comply with, governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards applicable to our business;
   
the expected impact of heightened environmental and quality concerns of insurance underwriters, regulators and charterers;
   
anticipated taxation of our partnership and its subsidiaries; and
   
our business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to those factors discussed in Item 3: Key Information — Risk Factors, and other factors detailed from time to time in other reports we file with or furnish to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (or the SEC).

 

3


 

Forward-looking statements in this Annual Report are necessarily estimates reflecting the judgment of senior management and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements should be considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in this Annual Report under the heading “Risk Factors”.
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors
Not applicable.
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Not applicable.
Item 3. Key Information
Selected Financial Data
The following tables present, in each case for the periods and as of the dates indicated, summary:
   
historical financial and operating data of Teekay Shipping Spain S.L. and its subsidiaries (or Teekay Spain), which was named Naviera F. Tapias S.A. prior to its acquisition by Teekay Corporation through its subsidiary Teekay Luxembourg S.a.r.l. (or Luxco), on April 30, 2004; and
   
historical financial and operating data of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and its subsidiaries since its initial public offering on May 10, 2005, in connection with which it acquired Luxco from Teekay Corporation.
The summary historical financial and operating data has been prepared on the following basis:
   
the historical financial and operating data of Teekay Spain excludes financial information related to three businesses previously held in separate subsidiaries and unrelated to the marine transportation of LNG and crude oil, which were disposed of prior to Teekay Corporation’s acquisition of Teekay Spain;
   
the historical financial and operating data of Teekay Spain for the four months ended April 30, 2004 are derived from the consolidated financial statements of Teekay Spain;
   
the historical financial and operating data of Luxco as at December 31, 2004 and for the eight months ended December 31, 2004 and the period from January 1, 2005 to May 9, 2005 (or the 2005 Pre-IPO Period) reflect the acquisition of Teekay Spain by Teekay Corporation through Luxco and are derived from the consolidated financial statements of Luxco; and
   
the historical financial and operating data of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. as at December 31, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, and for the periods from May 10, 2005 to December 31, 2005, and for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 reflect its initial public offering and related acquisition of Luxco and are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Partnership.
Our historical operating results include the historical results of Luxco for the eight months ended December 31, 2004 and the 2005 Pre-IPO Period. During these periods, Luxco had no revenues, expenses or income, or assets or liabilities, other than:
   
advances (including accrued interest) of $465.7 million as of December 31, 2004, from Teekay Corporation that Luxco used to purchase Teekay Spain and to prepay certain debt of Teekay Spain;
   
net interest expense related to the advances of $9.8 million and $7.3 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2004 and for the 2005 Pre-IPO Period, respectively;
   
an unrealized foreign exchange loss of $44.7 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2004 related to the advances, which are Euro-denominated, and a $23.8 million unrealized foreign exchange gain related to the advances for the 2005 Pre-IPO Period;
   
other expenses of $1.1 million and $0.1 million for those respective periods;
   
cash and cash equivalents of $2.2 million as of December 31, 2004; and
   
its ownership interest in Teekay Spain and certain purchase rights and obligations for Suezmax tankers operated by Teekay Spain under capital lease arrangements, which it acquired from Teekay Spain on December 30, 2004.

 

4


 

Luxco’s results relate solely to the financing of the acquisition of Teekay Spain and repayment of Teekay Spain debt by Teekay Corporation and do not relate to the historical results of Teekay Spain. In addition, because the capital stock of Luxco and the advances from Teekay Corporation were contributed to us in connection with our initial public offering, these advances and their related effects were eliminated on consolidation in the periods subsequent to May 9, 2005. Consequently, certain of our historical financial and operating data for the 2005 Pre-IPO Period may not be comparable to subsequent periods.
The following table should be read together with, and is qualified in their entirety by reference to, (a) “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” included herein, and (b) the historical consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm therein (which are included herein), with respect to the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
In November 2005, we acquired three Suezmax tankers and related long-term fixed rate time charter contracts from Teekay Corporation. In December 2004, Teekay Spain sold the Granada Spirit to a subsidiary of Teekay Corporation and in May 2005, Teekay Corporation contributed the Granada Spirit to the Partnership. In addition, refer to Item 5 — Operating and Financial Review and Prospects: Results of Operations — Items You Should Consider When Evaluating Our Results of Operations for the discussion on the LPG carrier and the two LNG carriers we acquired from Teekay Corporation in January 2007 and April 2008, respectively. These transactions were deemed to be business acquisitions between entities under common control. Accordingly, we have accounted for these transactions in a manner similar to the pooling of interest method whereby our financial statements prior to the date these vessels were acquired by us are retroactively adjusted to include the results of these acquired vessels. The periods retroactively adjusted include all periods that we and the acquired vessels were both under the common control of Teekay Corporation and had begun operations. As a result, our statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004 reflect the results of operations of these seven vessels, referred to herein as the Dropdown Predecessor, as if we had acquired them when each respective vessel began operations under the ownership of Teekay Corporation, which were September 26, 2003, November 10, 2003, and January 4, 2004 (the three Suezmax tankers); April 1, 2003 (Dania Spirit); December 13 and 14, 2007 (the two LNG carriers); and as if we had not sold the vessel to Teekay Corporation on December 6, 2004 (Granada Spirit).
The information presented in the following tables and related footnotes have been adjusted to reflect the inclusion of the Dropdown Predecessor in our financial results for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004 as the Company accounts for the acquisition of the seven vessels as business combinations between entities under common control.

 

5


 

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (or GAAP).
                                                         
    January 1     May 1     January 1     May 10     Year     Year     Year  
    to     to     to     to     Ended     Ended     Ended  
    April 30,     December 31,     May 9,     December 31,     December 31,     December 31,     December 31,  
    2004     2004     2005     2005     2006     2007     2008  
    (in thousands, except per unit and fleet data)  
Income Statement Data:
                                                       
Voyage revenues
  $ 51,849     $ 105,762     $ 67,575     $ 107,343     $ 186,880     $ 269,974     $ 303,781  
 
                                         
 
 
Operating expenses:
                                                       
Voyage expenses (1)
    1,994       3,888       1,934       639       2,036       1,197       3,253  
Vessel operating expenses (2)
    12,783       25,703       14,609       22,646       40,977       56,863       77,113  
Depreciation and amortization
    11,008       31,223       18,134       32,570       53,076       66,017       76,880  
General and administrative
    3,112       6,494       4,481       8,732       14,152       15,186       20,201  
 
                                         
Total operating expenses
    28,897       67,308       39,158       64,587       110,241       139,263       177,447  
 
                                         
Income from vessel operations
    22,952       38,454       28,417       42,756       76,639       130,711       126,334  
Interest expense (4)
    (19,002 )     (98,871 )     (48,568 )     (51,663 )     (35,298 )     (167,870 )     (404,245 )
Interest income (4)
    8,692       13,519       9,098       14,098       13,041       88,737       240,922  
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss) (3)
    18,010       (78,831 )     52,295       29,523       (39,590 )     (41,241 )     18,244  
Other (loss) income
    (10,934 )     3,926       (17,159 )     3,045       (429 )     (1,414 )     1,181  
Goodwill impairment
                                        (3,648 )
 
                                         
Income (loss) income before non-controlling interest
    19,718       (121,803 )     24,083       37,759       14,363       8,923       (21,212 )
Non-controlling interest
                            (3,234 )     16,739       40,698  
 
                                         
Net income (loss)
    19,718       (121,803 )     24,083       37,759       11,129       25,662       19,486  
 
                                         
Dropdown Predecessor’s interest in net income (loss)
  $ 3,554     $ 6,270     $ 3,383     $ 1,588     $ (123 )   $ 520     $ 894  
General Partner’s interest in net income
                      6,229       1,542       9,752       11,989  
Limited partners’ interest:
                                                       
Net income (loss)
    16,164       (128,073 )     20,700       29,942       9,710       15,390       6,603  
Net income (loss) per:
                                                       
Common unit (basic and diluted) (5)
    0.69       (5.46 )     0.88       1.19       0.42       0.58       0.00  
Subordinated unit (basic and diluted) (5)
    0.69       (5.46 )     0.88       0.71       0.07       0.27       0.00  
Total unit (basic and diluted) (5)
    0.69       (5.46 )     0.88       0.97       0.27       0.45       0.00  
Cash distributions declared per unit
                      0.65       1.80       2.05       2.22  
Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
                                                       
Cash and marketable securities
  $ 11,289     $ 156,410           $ 35,955     $ 29,288     $ 91,891     $ 117,641  
Restricted cash (6)
    385,564       435,112             298,323       670,758       679,229       642,949  
Vessels and equipment (7)
    785,498       1,247,766             1,522,887       1,715,662       2,065,572       2,207,878  
Total assets (6)
    1,206,217       2,089,636             2,085,634       2,928,422       3,818,616       3,436,957  
Total debt and capital lease obligations (6)
    1,213,587       2,034,353             1,266,281       1,961,021       2,582,991       2,199,952  
Total stockholder’s/partners’ equity (deficit)
    (100,872 )     (103,262 )           736,599       703,190       709,292       805,851  
Common units outstanding (5)
    8,734,572       8,734,572       8,734,572       20,238,072       20,240,547       22,540,547       33,338,320  
Subordinated units outstanding (5)
    14,734,572       14,734,572       14,734,572       14,734,572       14,734,572       14,734,572       11,050,929  
Cash Flow Data:
                                                       
Net cash provided by (used in):
                                                       
Operating activities
  $ 20,785     $ 23,628     $ 15,980     $ 59,726     $ 89,383     $ 115,450     $ 149,570  
Financing activities
    (31,823 )     406,289       (163,646 )     36,530       (266,048 )     630,395       403,262  
Investing activities
    901       (284,698 )     18,758       (87,803 )     169,998       (683,242 )     (527,082 )
Other Financial Data:
                                                       
Net voyage revenues (8)
  $ 49,855     $ 101,874     $ 65,641     $ 106,704     $ 184,844     $ 268,777    $ 300,528  
EBITDA (9)
    40,391       (5,845 )     84,026       104,846       86,837       171,967       259,894  
Capital expenditures:
                                                       
Expenditures for vessels and equipment (11)
    5,522       83,703       44,270       158,045       1,037       160,757       172,093  
Expenditures for drydocking
          4,085       371       3,494       3,693       3,724       11,966  
Liquefied Gas Fleet Data:
                                                       
Calendar-ship-days (10)
    363       905       645       1,180       1,887       2,897       3,701  
Average age of our fleet (in years at end of period)
    2.1       1.8       1.9       2.8       3       4.3       5.1  
Vessels at end of period (12)
    3       5       5       5       6       10       11  
Suezmax Fleet Data:
                                                       
Calendar-ship-days (10)
    1,054       1,924       1,032       1,833       2,920       2,920       2,928  
Average age of our fleet (in years at end of period)
    6.0       3.9       4.3       3.0       4.0       4.5       5.5  
Vessels at end of period (12)
    9       8       8       8       8       8       8  
     
(1)  
Voyage expenses are all expenses unique to a particular voyage, including any bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls, agency fees and commissions.
 
(2)  
Vessel operating expenses include crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils and communication expenses.
 
(3)  
Substantially all of these foreign currency exchange gains and losses were unrealized and not settled in cash. Under U.S. accounting guidelines, all foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities, such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts payable, long-term debt and capital lease obligations, are revalued and reported based on the prevailing exchange rate at the end of the period. Our primary source for the foreign currency gains and losses is our Euro-denominated term loans, which totaled 311.6 million Euros ($411.3 million) at December 31, 2006, 304.3 million Euros ($444.0 million) at December 31, 2007 and 296.4 million Euros ($414.1 million) at December 31, 2008.

 

6


 

     
(4)  
We entered into interest rate swaps to mitigate our interest rate risk from our floating-rate debt, leases and restricted cash. Changes in the fair value of our derivatives are recognized immediately into income and are presented as interest expense or interest income. Please see Item 18 - Financial Statements: Note 13 Derivative Instruments.
 
(5)  
Net income (loss) per unit is determined by dividing net income (loss), after deducting the amount of net income (loss) attributable to the Dropdown Predecessor and the amount of net income (loss) allocated to our general partner’s interest for periods subsequent to our initial public issuance date of common units on May 10, 2005, by the weighted-average number of units outstanding during the period. For periods prior to May 10, 2005, such units are deemed equal to the common and subordinated units received by Teekay Corporation in exchange for net assets it contributed to us in connection with the initial public offering.
 
(6)  
We operate certain of our LNG carriers under tax lease arrangements. Under these arrangements, we borrow under term loans and deposit the proceeds into restricted cash accounts. Concurrently, we enter into capital leases for the vessels, and the vessels are recorded as assets on our balance sheet. The restricted cash deposits, plus the interest earned on the deposits, will equal the remaining amounts we owe under the capital lease arrangements, including our obligations to purchase the vessels at the end of the lease term where applicable. Therefore, the payments under our capital leases are fully funded through our restricted cash deposits, and our continuing obligation is the repayment of the term loans. However, under GAAP we record both the obligations under the capital leases and the term loans as liabilities, and both the restricted cash deposits and our vessels under capital leases as assets. This accounting treatment has the effect of increasing our assets and liabilities by the amount of restricted cash deposits relating to the corresponding capital lease obligations.
 
(7)  
Vessels and equipment consist of (a) our vessels, at cost less accumulated depreciation, (b) vessels under capital leases, at cost less accumulated depreciation, and (c) advances on our newbuildings.
 
(8)  
Consistent with general practice in the shipping industry, we use net voyage revenues (defined as voyage revenues less voyage expenses) as a measure of equating revenues generated from voyage charters to revenues generated from time charters, which assists us in making operating decisions about the deployment of our vessels and their performance. Under time charters the charterer pays the voyage expenses, whereas under voyage charter contracts the ship owner pays these expenses. Some voyage expenses are fixed, and the remainder can be estimated. If we, as the ship owner, pay the voyage expenses, we typically pass the approximate amount of these expenses on to our customers by charging higher rates under the contract or billing the expenses to them. As a result, although voyage revenues from different types of contracts may vary, the net revenues after subtracting voyage expenses, which we call “net voyage revenues,” are comparable across the different types of contracts. We principally use net voyage revenues, a non-GAAP financial measure, because it provides more meaningful information to us than voyage revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Net voyage revenues are also widely used by investors and analysts in the shipping industry for comparing financial performance between companies and to industry averages. The following table reconciles net voyage revenues with voyage revenues.
                                                         
    January 1 to     May 1 to     January 1 to     May 10 to     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    April 30,     December 31,     May 9,     December 31,     December 31,     December 31,     December 31,  
    2004     2004     2005     2005     2006     2007     2008  
Voyage revenues
  $ 51,849     $ 105,762     $ 67,575     $ 107,343     $ 186,880     $ 269,974     $ 303,781  
Voyage expenses
    (1,994 )     (3,888 )     (1,934 )     (639 )     (2,036 )     (1,197 )     (3,253 )
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Net voyage revenues
  $ 49,855     $ 101,874     $ 65,641     $ 106,704     $ 184,844     $ 268,777     $ 300,528  
 
                                         
     
(9)  
EBITDA is used as a supplemental financial measure by management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, as discussed below:
   
Financial and operating performance. EBITDA assists our management and investors by increasing the comparability of our fundamental performance from period to period and against the fundamental performance of other companies in our industry that provide EBITDA information. This increased comparability is achieved by excluding the potentially disparate effects between periods or companies of interest expense, taxes, depreciation or amortization, which items are affected by various and possibly changing financing methods, capital structure and historical cost basis and which items may significantly affect net income between periods. We believe that including EBITDA as a financial and operating measure benefits investors in (a) selecting between investing in us and other investment alternatives and (b) monitoring our ongoing financial and operational strength and health in assessing whether to continue to hold our common units.
   
Liquidity. EBITDA allows us to assess the ability of assets to generate cash sufficient to service debt, pay distributions and undertake capital expenditures. By eliminating the cash flow effect resulting from our existing capitalization and other items such as drydocking expenditures, working capital changes and foreign currency exchange gains and losses, EBITDA provides a consistent measure of our ability to generate cash over the long term. Management uses this information as a significant factor in determining (a) our proper capitalization (including assessing how much debt to incur and whether changes to the capitalization should be made) and (b) whether to undertake material capital expenditures and how to finance them, all in light of our cash distribution policy. Use of EBITDA as a liquidity measure also permits investors to assess the fundamental ability of our business to generate cash sufficient to meet cash needs, including distributions on our common units.

 

7


 

EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income, operating income, cash flow from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income and operating income, and these measures may vary among other companies. Therefore, EBITDA as presented below may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
                                                         
    January 1     May 1     January 1     May 10                    
    to     to     to     to     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    April 30,     December 31,     May 9,     December 31,     December 31,     December 31,     December 31,  
    2004     2004     2005     2005     2006     2007     2008  
 
                                                       
Reconciliation of “EBITDA” to “Net income (loss)”:
                                                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 19,718     $ (121,803 )   $ 24,083     $ 37,759     $ 11,129     $ 25,662     $ 19,486  
Depreciation and amortization
    11,008       31,223       18,134       32,570       53,076       66,017       76,880  
Interest expense, net
    10,310       85,352       39,470       37,565       22,257       79,133       163,323  
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
    (645 )     (617 )     2,339       (3,048 )     375       1,155       205  
 
                                         
EBITDA (i)
  $ 40,391     $ (5,845 )   $ 84,026     $ 104,846     $ 86,837     $ 171,967     $ 259,894  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Reconciliation of “EBITDA” to “Net operating cash flow”:
                                                       
Net operating cash flow
  $ 20,785     $ 23,628     $ 15,980     $ 59,726     $ 89,383     $ 115,450     $ 149,570  
Non-controlling interest
                            (3,234 )     16,739       40,698  
Expenditures for drydocking
          4,085       371       3,494       3,693       3,724       11,966  
Interest expense, net
    10,310       85,352       39,470       37,565       22,257       79,133       163,323  
(Loss) gain on sale of assets
    (11,837 )     3,428       (15,282 )     186                    
Change in working capital
    (911 )     (9,861 )     2,209       (4,763 )     (1,208 )     (12,313 )     (31,962 )
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps
    3,985       (43,678 )     (8,447 )     (14,000 )     24,180       (3,195 )     (82,543 )
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss) and other, net
    18,059       (68,799 )     49,725       22,638       (48,234 )     (27,571 )     8,842  
 
                                         
EBITDA
  $ 40,391     $ (5,845 )   $ 84,026     $ 104,846     $ 86,837     $ 171,967     $ 259,894  
 
                                         
     
(i)  
EBITDA is net of non-controlling interest of $40.7 million, $16.7 million and $(3.2) million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Non-controlling interest is nil for the periods January 1 to April 30, 2004, May 1 to December 31, 2004, January 1 to May 9, 2005, and May 10 to December 31, 2005.
 
   
EBITDA also includes the following:
                                                         
    January 1     May 1     January 1     May 10                    
    to     to     to     to     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    April 30,     December 31,     May 9,     December 31,     December 31,     December 31,     December 31,  
    2004     2004     2005     2005     2006     2007     2008  
 
                                                       
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss)
  $ 18,010     $ (78,831 )   $ 52,295     $ 29,523     $ (39,590 )   $ (41,241 )   $ 18,244  
Change in fair value of the Toledo Spirit derivative included in revenue
                      (6,484 )     (872 )     14,136       (2,003 )
 
                                         
 
  $ 18,010     $ (78,831 )   $ 52,295     $ 23,039     $ (40,462 )   $ (27,105 )   $ 16,241  
 
                                         
     
(10)  
Calendar-ship-days are equal to the aggregate number of calendar days in a period that our vessels were in our possession during that period (including five vessels deemed to be in our possession for accounting purposes as a result of the impact of the Dropdown Predecessor prior to our actual acquisition of such vessels).
 
(11)  
Expenditures for vessels and equipment excludes non-cash investing activities. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 15 — Supplemental Cash Flow Information.
 
(12)  
Does not include four newbuilding LNG carriers which are accounted for under the equity method following their delivery between May and July of 2008.

 

8


 

RISK FACTORS
We may not have sufficient cash from operations to enable us to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on our common units following the establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses.
We may not have sufficient cash available each quarter to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on our common units. The amount of cash we can distribute on our common units principally depends upon the amount of cash we generate from our operations, which may fluctuate based on, among other things:
   
the rates we obtain from our charters;
   
the level of our operating costs, such as the cost of crews and insurance;
   
the continued availability of LNG and LPG production, liquefaction and regasification facilities;
   
the number of unscheduled off-hire days for our fleet and the timing of, and number of days required for, scheduled drydocking of our vessels;
   
delays in the delivery of newbuildings and the beginning of payments under charters relating to those vessels;
   
prevailing global and regional economic and political conditions;
   
currency exchange rate fluctuations; and
   
the effect of governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards on the conduct of our business.
The actual amount of cash we will have available for distribution also will depend on factors such as:
   
the level of capital expenditures we make, including for maintaining vessels, building new vessels, acquiring existing vessels and complying with regulations;
   
our debt service requirements and restrictions on distributions contained in our debt instruments;
   
fluctuations in our working capital needs;
   
our ability to make working capital borrowings, including to pay distributions to unitholders; and
   
the amount of any cash reserves, including reserves for future capital expenditures and other matters, established by Teekay GP L.L.C., our general partner (or the General Partner) in its discretion.
The amount of cash we generate from our operations may differ materially from our profit or loss for the period, which will be affected by non-cash items. As a result of this and the other factors mentioned above, we may make cash distributions during periods when we record losses and may not make cash distributions during periods when we record net income.
We make substantial capital expenditures to maintain the operating capacity of our fleet, which reduce our cash available for distribution. In addition, each quarter our General Partner is required to deduct estimated maintenance capital expenditures from operating surplus, which may result in less cash available to unitholders than if actual maintenance capital expenditures were deducted.
We must make substantial capital expenditures to maintain, over the long term, the operating capacity of our fleet. These maintenance capital expenditures include capital expenditures associated with drydocking a vessel, modifying an existing vessel or acquiring a new vessel to the extent these expenditures are incurred to maintain the operating capacity of our fleet. These expenditures could increase as a result of changes in:
   
the cost of labor and materials;
   
customer requirements;
   
increases in the size of our fleet;
   
governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards relating to safety, security or the environment; and
   
competitive standards.
Our significant maintenance capital expenditures reduce the amount of cash we have available for distribution to our unitholders.

 

9


 

In addition, our actual maintenance capital expenditures vary significantly from quarter to quarter based on, among other things, the number of vessels drydocked during that quarter. Our partnership agreement requires our General Partner to deduct estimated, rather than actual, maintenance capital expenditures from operating surplus (as defined in our partnership agreement) each quarter in an effort to reduce fluctuations in operating surplus. The amount of estimated maintenance capital expenditures deducted from operating surplus is subject to review and change by the conflicts committee of our General Partner’s board of directors at least once a year. In years when estimated maintenance capital expenditures are higher than actual maintenance capital expenditures — as we expect will be the case in the years we are not required to make expenditures for mandatory drydockings — the amount of cash available for distribution to unitholders will be lower than if actual maintenance capital expenditures were deducted from operating surplus. If our General Partner underestimates the appropriate level of estimated maintenance capital expenditures, we may have less cash available for distribution in future periods when actual capital expenditures begin to exceed our previous estimates.
We will be required to make substantial capital expenditures to expand the size of our fleet. We generally will be required to make significant installment payments for acquisitions of newbuilding vessels prior to their delivery and generation of revenue. Depending on whether we finance our expenditures through cash from operations or by issuing debt or equity securities, our ability to make required payments on our debt securities and cash distributions on our common units may be diminished or our financial leverage could increase or our unitholders could be diluted.
We make substantial capital expenditures to increase the size of our fleet, particularly the number of LNG and LPG carriers we own. As at December 31, 2008, we have agreed to purchase from Teekay Corporation its interests in a number of LNG and LPG delivered and newbuilding carriers and from I.M. Skaugen ASA (or Skaugen) three LPG carriers. Teekay Corporation is obligated to offer to us its interests in additional vessels. Please read Item 5 — Operating and Financial Review and Prospects, for additional information about some of these pending and proposed acquisitions. In addition, we are obligated to purchase five of our existing Suezmax tankers upon the termination of the related capital leases, which will occur at various times from late-2009 to 2011.
We and Teekay Corporation regularly evaluate and pursue opportunities to provide the marine transportation requirements for new or expanding LNG and LPG projects. The award process relating to LNG transportation opportunities typically involves various stages and takes several months to complete. Neither we nor Teekay Corporation may be awarded charters relating to any of the projects we or it pursues. If any LNG and LPG project charters are awarded to Teekay Corporation, it must offer them to us pursuant to the terms of an omnibus agreement entered into in connection with our initial public offering. If we elect pursuant to the omnibus agreement to obtain Teekay Corporation’s interests in any projects Teekay Corporation may be awarded, or if we bid on and are awarded contracts relating to any LNG and LPG project, we will need to incur significant capital expenditures to buy Teekay Corporation’s interest in these LNG and LPG projects or to build the LNG and LPG carriers.
To fund the remaining portion of existing or future capital expenditures, we will be required to use cash from operations or incur borrowings or raise capital through the sale of debt or additional equity securities. Use of cash from operations will reduce cash available for distributions to unitholders. Our ability to obtain bank financing or to access the capital markets for future offerings may be limited by our financial condition at the time of any such financing or offering as well as by adverse market conditions resulting from, among other things, general economic conditions and contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Our failure to obtain the funds for necessary future capital expenditures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and on our ability to make cash distributions. Even if we are successful in obtaining necessary funds, the terms of such financings could limit our ability to pay cash distributions to unitholders. In addition, incurring additional debt may significantly increase our interest expense and financial leverage, and issuing additional equity securities may result in significant unitholder dilution and would increase the aggregate amount of cash required to meet our minimum quarterly distribution to unitholders, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to make cash distributions.
A shipowner typically is required to expend substantial sums as progress payments during construction of a newbuilding, but does not derive any income from the vessel until after its delivery. If we were unable to obtain financing required to complete payments on any future newbuilding orders, we could effectively forfeit all or a portion of the progress payments previously made.
Our ability to grow may be adversely affected by our cash distribution policy.
Our cash distribution policy, which is consistent with our partnership agreement, requires us to distribute all of our available cash (as defined in our partnership agreement) each quarter. Accordingly, our growth may not be as fast as businesses that reinvest their available cash to expand ongoing operations.
Our substantial debt levels may limit our flexibility in obtaining additional financing and in pursuing other business opportunities.
As at December 31, 2008, our consolidated debt, capital lease obligations and advances from affiliates totaled $2.2 billion and we had the capacity to borrow an additional $374.2 million under our credit facilities. These facilities may be used by us for general partnership purposes. If we are awarded contracts for new LNG or LPG projects, our consolidated debt and capital lease obligations will increase, perhaps significantly. We will continue to have the ability to incur additional debt, subject to limitations in our credit facilities. Our level of debt could have important consequences to us, including the following:
   
our ability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other purposes may be impaired or such financing may not be available on favorable terms;
   
we will need a substantial portion of our cash flow to make principal and interest payments on our debt, reducing the funds that would otherwise be available for operations, future business opportunities and distributions to unitholders;
   
our debt level may make us more vulnerable than our competitors with less debt to competitive pressures or a downturn in our industry or the economy generally; and
   
our debt level may limit our flexibility in responding to changing business and economic conditions.

 

10


 

Our ability to service our debt depends upon, among other things, our future financial and operating performance, which is affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. If our operating results are not sufficient to service our current or future indebtedness, we will be forced to take actions such as reducing distributions, reducing or delaying our business activities, acquisitions, investments or capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing our debt, or seeking additional equity capital or bankruptcy protection. We may not be able to effect any of these remedies on satisfactory terms, or at all.
Financing agreements containing operating and financial restrictions may restrict our business and financing activities.
The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our financing arrangements and any future financing agreements for us could adversely affect our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage, expand or pursue our business activities. For example, the arrangements may restrict our ability to:
   
incur or guarantee indebtedness;
   
change ownership or structure, including mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions;
   
make dividends or distributions when in default of the relevant loans;
   
make certain negative pledges and grant certain liens;
   
sell, transfer, assign or convey assets;
   
make certain investments; and
   
enter into a new line of business.
In addition, some of our financing arrangements require us to maintain a minimum level of tangible net worth and a minimum level of aggregate liquidity, a maximum level of leverage and require one of our subsidiaries to maintain restricted cash deposits. Our ability to comply with covenants and restrictions contained in debt instruments may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, compliance with these covenants may be impaired. If restrictions, covenants, ratios or tests in the financing agreements are breached, a significant portion of the obligations may become immediately due and payable, and the lenders’ commitment to make further loans may terminate. We might not have or be able to obtain sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments. In addition, our obligations under our existing credit facilities are secured by certain of our vessels, and if we are unable to repay debt under the credit facilities, the lenders could seek to foreclose on those assets.
Restrictions in our debt agreements may prevent us from paying distributions.
The payment of principal and interest on our debt and capital lease obligations reduces cash available for distribution to us and on our units. In addition, our financing agreements prohibit the payment of distributions upon the occurrence of the following events, among others:
   
failure to pay any principal, interest, fees, expenses or other amounts when due;
   
failure to notify the lenders of any material oil spill or discharge of hazardous material, or of any action or claim related thereto;
   
breach or lapse of any insurance with respect to vessels securing the facility;
   
breach of certain financial covenants;
   
failure to observe any other agreement, security instrument, obligation or covenant beyond specified cure periods in certain cases;
   
default under other indebtedness;
   
bankruptcy or insolvency events;
   
failure of any representation or warranty to be materially correct;
   
a change of control, as defined in the applicable agreement; and
   
a material adverse effect, as defined in the applicable agreement.

 

11


 

We derive a substantial majority of our revenues from a limited number of customers, and the loss of any customer, time charter or vessel could result in a significant loss of revenues and cash flow.
We have derived, and believe that we will continue to derive, a significant portion of our revenues and cash flow from a limited number of customers. Please see Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 4 Segment Reporting.
We could lose a customer or the benefits of a time charter if:
   
the customer fails to make charter payments because of its financial inability, disagreements with us or otherwise;
   
the customer exercises certain rights to terminate the charter, purchase or cause the sale of the vessel or, under some of our charters, convert the time charter to a bareboat charter (some of which rights are exercisable at any time);
   
the customer terminates the charter because we fail to deliver the vessel within a fixed period of time, the vessel is lost or damaged beyond repair, there are serious deficiencies in the vessel or prolonged periods of off-hire, or we default under the charter; or
   
under some of our time charters, the customer terminates the charter because of the termination of the charterer’s LNG/LPG sales agreement supplying the LNG/LPG designated for our services, or a prolonged force majeure event affecting the customer, including damage to or destruction of relevant LNG/LPG production or regasification facilities, war or political unrest preventing us from performing services for that customer.
If we lose a key LNG or LPG time charter, we may be unable to re-deploy the related vessel on terms as favorable to us due to the long-term nature of most LNG and LPG time charters and the lack of an established LNG spot market. If we are unable to re-deploy an LNG carrier, we will not receive any revenues from that vessel, but we may be required to pay expenses necessary to maintain the vessel in proper operating condition. In addition, if a customer exercises its right to purchase a vessel, we would not receive any further revenue from the vessel and may be unable to obtain a substitute vessel and charter. This may cause us to receive decreased revenue and cash flows from having fewer vessels operating in our fleet. Any compensation under our charters for a purchase of the vessels may not adequately compensate us for the loss of the vessel and related time charter.
If we lose a key Suezmax tanker customer, we may be unable to obtain other long-term Suezmax charters and may become subject to the volatile spot market, which is highly competitive and subject to significant price fluctuations. If a customer exercises its right under some charters to purchase or force a sale of the vessel, we may be unable to acquire an adequate replacement vessel or may be forced to construct a new vessel. Any replacement newbuilding would not generate revenues during its construction and we may be unable to charter any replacement vessel on terms as favorable to us as those of the terminated charter.
The loss of any of our customers, time charters or vessels, or a decline in payments under our charters, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.
We depend on Teekay Corporation to assist us in operating our business, competing in our markets, and providing interim financing for certain vessel acquisitions.
Pursuant to certain services agreements between us and certain of our operating subsidiaries, on the one hand, and certain subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation, on the other hand, the Teekay Corporation subsidiaries provide to us administrative services and to our operating subsidiaries significant operational services (including vessel maintenance, crewing for some of our vessels, purchasing, shipyard supervision, insurance and financial services) and other technical, advisory and administrative services. Our operational success and ability to execute our growth strategy depend significantly upon Teekay Corporation’s satisfactory performance of these services. Our business will be harmed if Teekay Corporation fails to perform these services satisfactorily or if Teekay Corporation stops providing these services to us.
Our ability to compete for the transportation requirements of LNG and LPG projects and to enter into new time charters and expand our customer relationships depends largely on our ability to leverage our relationship with Teekay Corporation and its reputation and relationships in the shipping industry. If Teekay Corporation suffers material damage to its reputation or relationships it may harm our ability to:
   
renew existing charters upon their expiration;
   
obtain new charters;
   
successfully interact with shipyards during periods of shipyard construction constraints;
   
obtain financing on commercially acceptable terms; or
   
maintain satisfactory relationships with our employees and suppliers.
If our ability to do any of the things described above is impaired, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.
Teekay Corporation is also incurring all costs for the construction and delivery of certain newbuildings, which we refer to as “warehousing.” Upon their delivery, we will purchase all of the interest of Teekay Corporation in the vessels at a price that will reimburse Teekay Corporation for these costs and compensate it for its average weighted cost of capital on the construction payments. We may enter into similar arrangements with Teekay Corporation or third parties in the future. If Teekay Corporation or any such third party fails to make construction payments for these newbuildings or other vessels warehoused for us, we could lose access to the vessels as a result of the default or we may need to finance these vessels before they begin operating and generating voyage revenues, which could harm our business and reduce our ability to make cash distributions.

 

12


 

Our growth depends on continued growth in demand for LNG and LPG shipping.
Our growth strategy focuses on continued expansion in the LNG and LPG shipping sectors. Accordingly, our growth depends on continued growth in world and regional demand for LNG and LPG shipping, which could be negatively affected by a number of factors, such as:
   
increases in the cost of natural gas derived from LNG relative to the cost of natural gas generally;
   
increase in the cost of LPG relative to the cost of naphtha and other competing petrochemicals;
   
increases in the production of natural gas in areas linked by pipelines to consuming areas, the extension of existing, or the development of new, pipeline systems in markets we may serve, or the conversion of existing non-natural gas pipelines to natural gas pipelines in those markets;
   
decreases in the consumption of natural gas due to increases in its price relative to other energy sources or other factors making consumption of natural gas less attractive;
   
availability of new, alternative energy sources, including compressed natural gas; and
   
negative global or regional economic or political conditions, particularly in LNG and LPG consuming regions, which could reduce energy consumption or its growth.
Reduced demand for LNG and LPG shipping would have a material adverse effect on our future growth and could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Growth of the LNG market, and as a consequence, the LPG market, may be limited by infrastructure constraints and community environmental group resistance to new LNG infrastructure over concerns about the environment, safety and terrorism.
A complete LNG/LPG project includes production, liquefaction, regasification, storage and distribution facilities and LNG/LPG carriers. Existing LNG/LPG projects and infrastructure are limited, and new or expanded LNG/LPG projects are highly complex and capital-intensive, with new projects often costing several billion dollars. Many factors could negatively affect continued development of LNG/LPG infrastructure or disrupt the supply of LNG/LPG, including:
   
increases in interest rates or other events that may affect the availability of sufficient financing for LNG/LPG projects on commercially reasonable terms;
   
decreases in the price of LNG/LPG, which might decrease the expected returns relating to investments in LNG/LPG projects;
   
the inability of project owners or operators to obtain governmental approvals to construct or operate LNG/LPG facilities;
   
local community resistance to proposed or existing LNG/LPG facilities based on safety, environmental or security concerns;
   
any significant explosion, spill or similar incident involving an LNG/LPG facility or LNG carrier; and
   
labor or political unrest affecting existing or proposed areas of LNG/LPG production.
If the LNG/LPG supply chain is disrupted or does not continue to grow, or if a significant LNG/LPG explosion, spill or similar incident occurs, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.
Our growth depends on our ability to expand relationships with existing customers and obtain new customers, for which we will face substantial competition.
One of our principal objectives is to enter into additional long-term, fixed-rate LNG and LPG time charters. The process of obtaining new long-term time charters is highly competitive and generally involves an intensive screening process and competitive bids, and often extends for several months. LNG/LPG shipping contracts are awarded based upon a variety of factors relating to the vessel operator, including:
   
shipping industry relationships and reputation for customer service and safety;
   
LNG/LPG shipping experience and quality of ship operations (including cost effectiveness);
   
quality and experience of seafaring crew;
   
the ability to finance LNG/LPG carriers at competitive rates and financial stability generally;
   
relationships with shipyards and the ability to get suitable berths;
   
construction management experience, including the ability to obtain on-time delivery of new vessels according to customer specifications;
   
willingness to accept operational risks pursuant to the charter, such as allowing termination of the charter for force majeure events; and
   
competitiveness of the bid in terms of overall price.

 

13


 

We compete for providing marine transportation services for potential LNG/LPG projects with a number of experienced companies, including state-sponsored entities and major energy companies affiliated with the LNG/LPG project requiring LNG/LPG shipping services. Many of these competitors have significantly greater financial resources than we do or Teekay Corporation does. We anticipate that an increasing number of marine transportation companies — including many with strong reputations and extensive resources and experience — will enter the LNG/LPG transportation sector. This increased competition may cause greater price competition for time charters. As a result of these factors, we may be unable to expand our relationships with existing customers or to obtain new customers on a profitable basis, if at all, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.
Delays in deliveries of newbuildings could harm our operating results and lead to the termination of related time charters.
We have agreed to purchase various newbuilding vessels. The delivery of these vessels, or any other newbuildings we may order or otherwise acquire, could be delayed, which would delay our receipt of revenues under the time charters for the vessels. In addition, under some of our charters if our delivery of a vessel to our customer is delayed, we may be required to pay liquidated damages in amounts equal to or, under some charters, almost double, the hire rate during the delay. For prolonged delays, the customer may terminate the time charter and, in addition to the resulting loss of revenues, we may be responsible for additional, substantial liquidated damages.
Our receipt of newbuildings could be delayed because of:
   
quality or engineering problems;
   
changes in governmental regulations or maritime self-regulatory organization standards;
   
work stoppages or other labor disturbances at the shipyard;
   
bankruptcy or other financial crisis of the shipbuilder;
   
a backlog of orders at the shipyard;
   
political or economic disturbances in South Korea or other locations, where our vessels are being or may be built;
   
weather interference or catastrophic event, such as a major earthquake or fire;
   
our requests for changes to the original vessel specifications;
   
shortages of or delays in the receipt of necessary construction materials, such as steel;
   
our inability to finance the purchase of the vessels; or
   
our inability to obtain requisite permits or approvals.
If delivery of a vessel is materially delayed, it could adversely affect our results or operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.
We may have more difficulty entering into long-term, fixed-rate LNG time charters if an active short-term or spot shipping market develops.
LNG shipping historically has been transacted with long-term, fixed-rate time charters, usually with terms ranging from 20 to 25 years. One of our principal strategies is to enter into additional long-term, fixed-rate LNG time charters. In recent years the number of spot and short term LNG charters (defined as charters under 4 years) has been increasing. In 2008 they accounted for approximately 18% of global LNG trade.
If an active spot or short-term market continues to develop, we may have increased difficulty entering into long-term, fixed-rate time charters for our LNG vessels and, as a result, our cash flow may decrease and be less stable. In addition, an active short-term or spot LNG market may require us to enter into charters based on changing market prices, as opposed to contracts based on a fixed rate, which could result in a decrease in our cash flow in periods when the market price for shipping LNG is depressed or insufficient funds are available to cover our financing costs for related vessels.
Over time vessel values may fluctuate substantially and, if these values are lower at a time when we are attempting to dispose of a vessel, we may incur a loss.
Vessel values for LNG and LPG carriers and Suezmax oil tankers can fluctuate substantially over time due to a number of different factors, including:
   
prevailing economic conditions in natural gas, oil and energy markets;
   
a substantial or extended decline in demand for natural gas, LNG, LPG or oil;
   
increases in the supply of vessel capacity; and
   
the cost of retrofitting or modifying existing vessels, as a result of technological advances in vessel design or equipment, changes in applicable environmental or other regulation or standards, or otherwise.
Vessel values may decline substantially from existing levels. If a charter terminates, we may be unable to re-deploy the vessel at attractive rates and, rather than continue to incur costs to maintain and finance it, may seek to dispose of it. Our inability to dispose of the vessel at a reasonable value could result in a loss on its sale and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

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We may be unable to make or realize expected benefits from acquisitions, and implementing our growth strategy through acquisitions may harm our business, financial condition and operating results.
Our growth strategy includes selectively acquiring existing LNG carriers or LNG shipping businesses. Historically, there have been very few purchases of existing vessels and businesses in the LNG shipping industry. Factors that may contribute to a limited number of acquisition opportunities in the LNG/LPG industries in the near term include the relatively small number of independent LNG/LPG fleet owners and the limited number of LNG/LPG carriers not subject to existing long-term charter contracts. In addition, competition from other companies could reduce our acquisition opportunities or cause us to pay higher prices.
Any acquisition of a vessel or business may not be profitable to us at or after the time we acquire it and may not generate cash flow sufficient to justify our investment. In addition, our acquisition growth strategy exposes us to risks that may harm our business, financial condition and operating results, including risks that we may:
   
fail to realize anticipated benefits, such as new customer relationships, cost-savings or cash flow enhancements;
   
be unable to hire, train or retain qualified shore and seafaring personnel to manage and operate our growing business and fleet;
   
decrease our liquidity by using a significant portion of our available cash or borrowing capacity to finance acquisitions;
   
significantly increase our interest expense or financial leverage if we incur additional debt to finance acquisitions;
   
incur or assume unanticipated liabilities, losses or costs associated with the business or vessels acquired; or
   
incur other significant charges, such as impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets, asset devaluation or restructuring charges.
Unlike newbuildings, existing vessels typically do not carry warranties as to their condition. While we generally inspect existing vessels prior to purchase, such an inspection would normally not provide us with as much knowledge of a vessel’s condition as we would possess if it had been built for us and operated by us during its life. Repairs and maintenance costs for existing vessels are difficult to predict and may be substantially higher than for vessels we have operated since they were built. These costs could decrease our cash flow and reduce our liquidity.
Terrorist attacks, piracy, increased hostilities or war could lead to further economic instability, increased costs and disruption of our business.
Terrorist attacks, and the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and other current and future conflicts, may adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition, ability to raise capital and future growth. Continuing hostilities in the Middle East may lead to additional armed conflicts or to further acts of terrorism and civil disturbance in the United States, Spain or elsewhere, which may contribute further to economic instability and disruption of LNG/LPG and oil production and distribution, which could result in reduced demand for our services.
In addition, LNG, LPG and oil facilities, shipyards, vessels, pipelines and oil and gas fields could be targets of future terrorist attacks and our vessels could be targets of pirates or hijackers. Any such attacks could lead to, among other things, bodily injury or loss of life, vessel or other property damage, increased vessel operational costs, including insurance costs, and the inability to transport LNG, LPG, natural gas and oil to or from certain locations. Terrorist attacks, war, piracy, hijacking or other events beyond our control that adversely affect the distribution, production or transportation of LNG, LPG or oil to be shipped by us could entitle our customers to terminate our charter contracts, which would harm our cash flow and our business.
Terrorist attacks, or the perception that LNG/LPG facilities and carriers are potential terrorist targets, could materially and adversely affect expansion of LNG/LPG infrastructure and the continued supply of LNG/LPG to the United States and other countries. Concern that LNG/LPG facilities may be targeted for attack by terrorists has contributed to significant community and environmental resistance to the construction of a number of LNG/LPG facilities, primarily in North America. If a terrorist incident involving an LNG/LPG facility or LNG/LPG carrier did occur, in addition to the possible effects identified in the previous paragraph, the incident may adversely affect construction of additional LNG facilities in the United States and other countries or lead to the temporary or permanent closing of various LNG/LPG facilities currently in operation.
Our substantial operations outside the United States expose us to political, governmental and economic instability, which could harm our operations.
Because our operations are primarily conducted outside of the United States, they may be affected by economic, political and governmental conditions in the countries where we are engaged in business or where our vessels are registered. Any disruption caused by these factors could harm our business. In particular, we derive a substantial portion of our revenues from shipping LNG and oil from politically unstable regions. Past political conflicts in these regions, particularly in the Arabian Gulf, have included attacks on ships, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt shipping in the area.
Future hostilities or other political instability in the Arabian Gulf or other regions where we operate or may operate could have a material adverse effect on the growth of our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions. In addition, tariffs, trade embargoes and other economic sanctions by Spain, the United States or other countries against countries in the Middle East, Southeast Asia or elsewhere as a result of terrorist attacks, hostilities or otherwise may limit trading activities with those countries, which could also harm our business and ability to make cash distributions.

 

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Marine transportation is inherently risky, and an incident involving significant loss of or environmental contamination by any of our vessels could harm our reputation and business.
Our vessels and their cargoes are at risk of being damaged or lost because of events such as:
   
marine disasters;
   
bad weather;
   
mechanical failures;
   
grounding, fire, explosions and collisions;
   
piracy;
   
human error; and
   
war and terrorism.
An accident involving any of our vessels could result in any of the following:
   
death or injury to persons, loss of property or environmental damage;
   
delays in the delivery of cargo;
   
loss of revenues from or termination of charter contracts;
   
governmental fines, penalties or restrictions on conducting business;
   
higher insurance rates; and
   
damage to our reputation and customer relationships generally.
Any of these results could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Our insurance may be insufficient to cover losses that may occur to our property or result from our operations.
The operation of LNG and LPG carriers and oil tankers is inherently risky. Although we carry hull and machinery (marine and war risks) and protection and indemnity insurance, all risks may not be adequately insured against, and any particular claim may not be paid. In addition, we do not carry insurance on our oil tankers covering the loss of revenues resulting from vessel off-hire time based on its cost compared to our off-hire experience. Any claims covered by insurance would be subject to deductibles, and since it is possible that a large number of claims may be brought, the aggregate amount of these deductibles could be material. Certain of our insurance coverage is maintained through mutual protection and indemnity associations, and as a member of such associations we may be required to make additional payments over and above budgeted premiums if member claims exceed association reserves.
We may be unable to procure adequate insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates in the future. For example, more stringent environmental regulations have led in the past to increased costs for, and in the future may result in the lack of availability of, insurance against risks of environmental damage or pollution. A catastrophic oil spill or marine disaster could result in losses that exceed our insurance coverage, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results. Any uninsured or underinsured loss could harm our business and financial condition. In addition, our insurance may be voidable by the insurers as a result of certain of our actions, such as our ships failing to maintain certification with applicable maritime self-regulatory organizations.
Changes in the insurance markets attributable to terrorist attacks may also make certain types of insurance more difficult for us to obtain. In addition, the insurance that may be available may be significantly more expensive than our existing coverage.
The marine energy transportation industry is subject to substantial environmental and other regulations, which may significantly limit our operations or increase our expenses.
Our operations are affected by extensive and changing international, national and local environmental protection laws, regulations, treaties and conventions in force in international waters, the jurisdictional waters of the countries in which our vessels operate, as well as the countries of our vessels’ registration, including those governing oil spills, discharges to air and water, and the handling and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes. Many of these requirements are designed to reduce the risk of oil spills and other pollution. In addition, we believe that the heightened environmental, quality and security concerns of insurance underwriters, regulators and charterers will lead to additional regulatory requirements, including enhanced risk assessment and security requirements and greater inspection and safety requirements on vessels. We expect to incur substantial expenses in complying with these laws and regulations, including expenses for vessel modifications and changes in operating procedures.

 

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These requirements can affect the resale value or useful lives of our vessels, require a reduction in cargo capacity, ship modifications or operational changes or restrictions, lead to decreased availability of insurance coverage for environmental matters or result in the denial of access to certain jurisdictional waters or ports, or detention in, certain ports. Under local, national and foreign laws, as well as international treaties and conventions, we could incur material liabilities, including cleanup obligations, in the event that there is a release of petroleum or other hazardous substances from our vessels or otherwise in connection with our operations. We could also become subject to personal injury or property damage claims relating to the release of or exposure to hazardous materials associated with our operations. In addition, failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may result in administrative and civil penalties, criminal sanctions or the suspension or termination of our operations, including, in certain instances, seizure or detention of our vessels.
The United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (or OPA 90), for instance, allows for potentially unlimited liability for owners, operators and bareboat charterers for oil pollution and related damages in U.S. waters, which include the U.S. territorial sea and the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone around the United States, without regard to fault of such owners, operators and bareboat charterers. OPA 90 expressly permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to hazardous materials and oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries. Coastal states in the United States have enacted pollution prevention liability and response laws, many providing for unlimited liability. Similarly, the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969, as amended, which has been adopted by many countries outside of the United States, imposes liability for oil pollution in international waters. In addition, in complying with OPA 90, regulations of the International Maritime Organization (or IMO), European Union directives and other existing laws and regulations and those that may be adopted, ship-owners may incur significant additional costs in meeting new maintenance and inspection requirements, in developing contingency arrangements for potential spills and in obtaining insurance coverage.
OPA 90 does not preclude claimants from seeking damages for the discharge of oil and hazardous substances under other applicable law, including maritime tort law. Such claims could include attempts to characterize seaborne transportation of LNG or LPG as an ultra-hazardous activity, which attempts, if successful, would lead to our being strictly liable for damages resulting from that activity.
Various jurisdictions and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (or EPA) have recently adopted regulations affecting the management of ballast water to prevent the introduction of non-indigenous species considered to be invasive. to the EPA’s new ballast water treatment obligations will increase the cost of operating our vessels in United States waters.
Exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations will result in fluctuations in our cash flows and operating results.
We are paid in Euros under some of our charters, and a majority of our vessel operating expenses and general and administrative expenses currently are denominated in Euros, which is primarily a function of the nationality of our crew and administrative staff. We also make payments under two Euro-denominated term loans. If the amount of our Euro-denominated obligations exceeds our Euro-denominated revenues, we must convert other currencies, primarily the U.S. Dollar, into Euros. An increase in the strength of the Euro relative to the U.S. Dollar would require us to convert more U.S. Dollars to Euros to satisfy those obligations, which would cause us to have less cash available for distribution. In addition, if we do not have sufficient U.S. Dollars, we may be required to convert Euros into U.S. Dollars for distributions to unitholders. An increase in the strength of the U.S. Dollar relative to the Euro could cause us to have less cash available for distribution in this circumstance. We have not entered into currency swaps or forward contracts or similar derivatives to mitigate this risk.
Because we report our operating results in U.S. Dollars, changes in the value of the U.S. Dollar relative to the Euro also result in fluctuations in our reported revenues and earnings. In addition, under U.S. accounting guidelines, all foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts payable, long-term debt and capital lease obligations, are revalued and reported based on the prevailing exchange rate at the end of the period. This revaluation historically has caused us to report significant non-monetary foreign currency exchange gains or losses each period. The primary source for these gains and losses is our Euro-denominated term loans.
Many of our seafaring employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements and the failure to renew those agreements or any future labor agreements may disrupt our operations and adversely affect our cash flows.
A significant portion of our seafarers, and the seafarers employed by Teekay Corporation and its other affiliates that crew some of our vessels, are employed under collective bargaining agreements, which expired at varying times through 2008. The collective bargaining agreement for our Filipino LNG tanker crew members (covering four Spanish LNG tankers) has been renewed. The collective bargaining agreement for our Spanish Suezmax tanker crew members (covering five Spanish Suezmax tankers) and the collective bargaining agreement for our Spanish LNG tanker officers (covering four Spanish LNG tankers) expired at the end of 2008 and were renewed until a new one is renegotiated during 2009. We may be subject to similar labor agreements in the future. Crew compensation levels under new or renegotiated collective bargaining agreements may exceed existing compensation levels, which would adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows. We may be subject to labor disruptions in the future if our relationships deteriorate with our seafarers or the unions that represent them. Our collective bargaining agreements may not prevent labor disruptions, particularly when the agreements are being renegotiated. Any labor disruptions could harm our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.
Teekay Corporation may be unable to attract and retain qualified, skilled employees or crew necessary to operate our business, or may have to pay substantially increased costs for its employees and crew.
Our success depends in large part on Teekay Corporation’s ability to attract and retain highly skilled and qualified personnel. In crewing our vessels, we require technically skilled employees with specialized training who can perform physically demanding work. The oil shipping industry is experiencing a global manpower shortage due to significant growth in the world fleet. This shortage resulted in crew wage increases during 2007 and 2008. We expect the trend of increasing crew compensation to continue during 2009. If we are not able to increase our rates to compensate for any crew cost increases, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. Any inability we experience in the future to hire, train and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees could impair our ability to manage, maintain and grow our business.

 

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Due to our lack of diversification, adverse developments in our LNG, LPG or oil marine transportation businesses could reduce our ability to make distributions to our unitholders.
We rely exclusively on the cash flow generated from our LNG and LPG carriers and Suezmax oil tankers that operate in the LNG, LPG and oil marine transportation business. Due to our lack of diversification, an adverse development in the LNG, LPG or oil shipping industry would have a significantly greater impact on our financial condition and results of operations than if we maintained more diverse assets or lines of business.
Teekay Corporation and its affiliates may engage in competition with us.
Teekay Corporation and its affiliates, including Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. (or Teekay Offshore), may engage in competition with us. Pursuant to an omnibus agreement between Teekay Corporation, Teekay Offshore, us and other related parties, Teekay Corporation, Teekay Offshore and their respective controlled affiliates (other than us and our subsidiaries) generally have agreed not to own, operate or charter LNG carriers without the consent of our General Partner. The omnibus agreement, however, allows Teekay Corporation, Teekay Offshore or any of such controlled affiliates to:
   
acquire LNG carriers and related time charters as part of a business if a majority of the value of the total assets or business acquired is not attributable to the LNG carriers and time charters, as determined in good faith by the board of directors of Teekay Corporation or the board of directors of Teekay Offshore’s general partner; however, if at any time Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore completes such an acquisition, it must offer to sell the LNG carriers and related time charters to us for their fair market value plus any additional tax or other similar costs to Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore that would be required to transfer the LNG carriers and time charters to us separately from the acquired business; or
   
own, operate and charter LNG carriers that relate to a bid or award for a proposed LNG project that Teekay Corporation or any of its subsidiaries has submitted or hereafter submits or receives; however, at least 180 days prior to the scheduled delivery date of any such LNG carrier, Teekay Corporation must offer to sell the LNG carrier and related time charter to us, with the vessel valued at its “fully-built-up cost,” which represents the aggregate expenditures incurred (or to be incurred prior to delivery to us) by Teekay Corporation to acquire or construct and bring such LNG carrier to the condition and location necessary for our intended use, plus a reasonable allocation of overhead costs related to the development of such a project and other projects that would have been subject to the offer rights set forth in the omnibus agreement but were not completed.
If we decline the offer to purchase the LNG carriers and time charters described above, Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore may own and operate the LNG carriers, but may not expand that portion of its business.
In addition, pursuant to the omnibus agreement, Teekay Corporation, Teekay Offshore or any of their respective controlled affiliates (other than us and our subsidiaries) may:
   
acquire, operate or charter LNG carriers if our General Partner has previously advised Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore that the board of directors of our General Partner has elected, with the approval of the conflicts committee of its board of directors, not to cause us or our subsidiaries to acquire or operate the carriers;
   
acquire up to a 9.9% equity ownership, voting or profit participation interest in any publicly traded company that owns or operate LNG carriers; and
   
provide ship management services relating to LNG carriers.
If there is a change of control of Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore, the non-competition provisions of the omnibus agreement may terminate, which termination could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.
Our General Partner and its other affiliates have conflicts of interest and limited fiduciary duties, which may permit them to favor their own interests to those of unitholders.
Teekay Corporation, which owns and controls our General Partner, indirectly owns the 2% General Partner interest and as at May 1, 2009 owned a 52.1% limited partner interest in us. Conflicts of interest may arise between Teekay Corporation and its affiliates, including our General Partner, on the one hand, and us and our unitholders, on the other hand. As a result of these conflicts, our General Partner may favor its own interests and the interests of its affiliates over the interests of our unitholders. These conflicts include, among others, the following situations:
   
neither our partnership agreement nor any other agreement requires our General Partner or Teekay Corporation to pursue a business strategy that favors us or utilizes our assets, and Teekay Corporation’s officers and directors have a fiduciary duty to make decisions in the best interests of the stockholders of Teekay Corporation, which may be contrary to our interests;
   
the executive officers and three of the directors of our General Partner also currently serve as executive officers or directors of Teekay Corporation;
   
our General Partner is allowed to take into account the interests of parties other than us, such as Teekay Corporation, in resolving conflicts of interest, which has the effect of limiting its fiduciary duty to our unitholders;
   
our General Partner has limited its liability and reduced its fiduciary duties under the laws of the Marshall Islands, while also restricting the remedies available to our unitholders, and as a result of purchasing common units, unitholders are treated as having agreed to the modified standard of fiduciary duties and to certain actions that may be taken by our General Partner, all as set forth in our partnership agreement;

 

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our General Partner determines the amount and timing of our asset purchases and sales, capital expenditures, borrowings, issuances of additional partnership securities and reserves, each of which can affect the amount of cash that is available for distribution to our unitholders;
   
in some instances our General Partner may cause us to borrow funds in order to permit the payment of cash distributions, even if the purpose or effect of the borrowing is to make a distribution on our subordinated units or to make incentive distributions (in each case to affiliates to Teekay Corporation) or to accelerate the expiration of the subordination period applicable to our subordinated units;
   
our General Partner determines which costs incurred by it and its affiliates are reimbursable by us;
   
our partnership agreement does not restrict our General Partner from causing us to pay it or its affiliates for any services rendered to us on terms that are fair and reasonable or entering into additional contractual arrangements with any of these entities on our behalf;
   
our General Partner controls the enforcement of obligations owed to us by it and its affiliates; and
   
our General Partner decides whether to retain separate counsel, accountants or others to perform services for us.
Certain of our lease arrangements contain provisions whereby we have provided a tax indemnification to third parties.
We and a joint venture partner are the lessee under 30-year capital lease arrangements with a third party for three LNG carriers. Under the terms of these capital lease arrangements, the lessor claims tax depreciation on the capital expenditures it incurred to acquire these vessels. As is typical in these leasing arrangements, tax and change of law risks are assumed by the lessee. The rentals payable under the lease arrangements are predicated on the basis of certain tax and financial assumptions at the commencement of the leases. If an assumption proves to be incorrect or there is a change in the applicable tax legislation, the lessor is entitled to increase the rentals so as to maintain its agreed after-tax margin. However, the terms of the lease arrangements enable us and our joint venture partner to terminate the lease arrangement on a voluntary basis at any time. In the event of an early termination of the lease arrangements, the joint venture may be obliged to pay termination sums to the lessor sufficient to repay its investment in the vessels and to compensate it for the tax effect of the terminations, including recapture of tax depreciation, if any.
In addition, the subsidiaries of another joint venture formed to service the Tangguh LNG project in Indonesia have entered into lease arrangements with a third party for two LNG carriers, and we intend to purchase Teekay Corporation’s interest in this joint venture in 2009. The terms of the lease arrangements provide similar tax and change of law risk assumption by this joint venture as we have with the three LNG carriers above.
The continuation of recent economic conditions, including disruptions in the global credit markets, could adversely affect our results of operations.
The recent economic downturn and financial crisis in the global markets have produced illiquidity in the capital markets, market volatility, heightened exposure to interest rate and credit risks and reduced access to capital markets. If this economic downturn continues, we may face restricted access to the capital markets or secured debt lenders, such as our revolving credit facilities. The decreased access to such resources could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The recent economic downturn may affect our customers’ ability to charter our vessels and pay for our services and may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The recent economic downturn in the global financial markets may lead to a decline in our customers’ operations or ability to pay for our services, which could result in decreased demand for our vessels and services. Our customer’s inability to pay could also result in their default on our current contracts and charters. The decline in the amount of services requested by our customers or their default on our contracts with them could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We cannot determine whether the difficult conditions in the economy and the financial markets will improve or worsen in the near future.
Some of our subsidiaries are classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which could result in additional tax.
Our subsidiaries Arctic Spirit LLC and Polar Spirit LLC, which own the two LNG carriers, are classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As such, if these subsidiaries (and any other subsidiary classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) fail to qualify for an exemption from U.S. federal income tax on the U.S. source portion of our income attributable to transportation that begins or ends (but not both) in the United States, the subsidiaries may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such income. The imposition of this tax would result in decreased cash available for distribution to common unitholders. Please see Item 4 - Information on the Partnership: D. Taxation of the Partnership: United States Taxation: Taxation of Operating Income. In addition, these subsidiaries could be treated as passive foreign investment companies (or PFICs) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. U.S. shareholders of a PFIC are subject to an adverse U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive from the PFIC, and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their interests in the PFIC. For a discussion of the consequences of possible PFIC classification on our unitholders, please read Item 10 — Additional Information: Taxation to Unitholders — United States Tax Consequences: Consequences of Possible PFIC Classification.
The Internal Revenue Service (or IRS) may challenge the manner in which we value our assets in determining the amount of income, gain, loss and deduction allocable to the unitholders, which could adversely affect the value of the common units.
A unitholder’s taxable income or loss with respect to a common unit each year will depend upon a number of factors, including the nature and fair market value of our assets at the time the holder acquired the common unit, whether we issue additional units or whether we engage in certain other transactions, and the manner in which our items of income, gain, loss and deduction are allocated among our partners. For this purpose, we determine the value of our assets and the relative amounts of our items of income, gain, loss and deduction allocable to our unitholders and our general partner as holder of the incentive distribution rights by reference to the value of our interests, including the incentive distribution rights. The IRS may challenge any valuation determinations that we make, particularly as to the incentive distribution rights, for which there is no public market. Moreover, the IRS could challenge certain other aspects of the manner in which we determine the relative allocations made to our unitholders and to the general partner as holder of our incentive distribution rights. A successful IRS challenge to our valuation or allocation methods could increase the amount of net taxable income and gain realized by a unitholder with respect to a common unit. Any such IRS challenge, whether or not successful, could adversely affect the value of our common units.

 

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If we do not receive a favorable ruling from the IRS related to the type of structure we propose to use for certain of our LPG operations, we may recognize additional non-qualifying income from our LPG operations. Because we also plan to use the same structure for certain of our LNG operations, we may also receive less cash flow than expected from these LNG operations, or none at all, if we do not receive the ruling.
We anticipate that the LPG carriers acquired from Skaugen will be held by a foreign subsidiary classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is wholly owned by a U.S. partnership. We have requested a ruling from the IRS that would cause this foreign subsidiary not to be classified as PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we do not receive a favorable ruling from the IRS, we anticipate that we would operate the LPG carriers in a pass-through structure rather than a corporation, and thereby avoid PFIC status for those vessels. Doing so would increase the amount of our non-qualifying income for purposes of determining our status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but we do not anticipate that the amount of this non-qualifying income would be sufficient to jeopardize such status. Please see Item 4 — Information on the Partnership: D. Taxation of the Partnership United States Taxation: Classification as a Partnership.
If we receive a favorable ruling with respect to the LPG carrier structure, we anticipate that we will use the same structure to acquire and hold the carriers servicing the Tangguh LNG project. If we do not receive a favorable ruling, we believe placing the two LNG carriers servicing the Tangguh project in a pass-through structure could jeopardize our status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes due to the nature of their charter agreements and the amount of income they generate. Please see 4 D. Taxation of the Partnership: United States Taxation: Classification as a Partnership. In order to preserve our status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in the event we do not receive a favorable ruling, we would (1) seek to restructure the project, which may provide us less benefit than we originally anticipated or (2) require certain tax elections to be made by unitholders to avoid adverse tax consequences of this subsidiary being treated as a PFIC. For a discussion of the consequences of possible PFIC classification on our unitholders, please see Item 4 — Information on the Partnership: D. Taxation of the Partnership — United States Taxation: Consequences of Possible PFIC Classification. If any of these alternatives are not satisfactory to us, we may not acquire Teekay Corporation’s interest in the two LNG carriers and related charters. In that case, we would not receive the cash flow we currently expect to receive from this project.
If the IRS does not grant Teekay Holdings Limited’s request for an extension of time to make an election to be classified as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may not be able to continue to rely on the ruling we received from the IRS that our income derived from certain time charters is qualifying income under Section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code and, as a result, there is greater uncertainty as to whether we will be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
On May 11, 2007, Teekay Corporation transferred its greater than 50% interest in our capital and profits to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Teekay Holdings Limited. Teekay Holdings Limited did not timely elect to be classified as a disregarded subsidiary of Teekay Corporation for U.S. tax purposes in connection with this transaction. If the IRS does not grant Teekay Holdings Limited’s request for an extension of time to make an election to be classified as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will be considered, as of May 11, 2007, to have been terminated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and then to have been reconstituted as a new partnership. Please see Item 4 — Information on the Partnership: D. Taxation of the Partnership: United States Taxation: May 2007 Constructive Termination if IRS Does Not Grant Requested Ruling. If we are considered to have been terminated, it is uncertain whether we could continue to rely on the ruling we received from the IRS that our income derived from certain time charters is qualifying income under Section 7704(d) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
If we were treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we could be treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes and unitholders could be subject to an adverse U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive from the PFIC, and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their interests in the PFIC. For a discussion of the consequences of possible PFIC classification on our unitholders, please see Item 10 — Additional Information: Taxation to Unitholders — United States Tax Consequences: Consequences of Possible PFIC Classification.
Item 4. Information on the Partnership
A. Overview, History and Development
Overview and History
Teekay LNG Partners L.P. is an international provider of marine transportation services for liquefied natural gas (or LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (or LPG) and crude oil. We were formed in 2004 by Teekay Corporation, the world’s largest owner and operator of medium sized crude oil tankers, to expand its operations in the LNG shipping sector. Our primary growth strategy focuses on expanding our fleet of LNG and LPG carriers under long-term, fixed-rate time charters. We intend to continue our practice of acquiring LNG and LPG carriers as needed for approved projects only after the long-term charters for the projects have been awarded to us, rather than ordering vessels on a speculative basis. In executing our growth strategy, we may engage in vessel or business acquisitions or enter into joint ventures and partnerships with companies that may provide increased access to emerging opportunities from global expansion of the LNG and LPG sectors. We seek to leverage the expertise, relationships and reputation of Teekay Corporation and its affiliates to pursue these opportunities in the LNG and LPG sectors and may consider other opportunities to which our competitive strengths are well suited. We view our Suezmax tanker fleet primarily as a source of stable cash flow as we continue to expand our LNG and LPG operations.
As of May 1, 2009, our fleet, excluding newbuildings, consisted of 15 LNG carriers, eight Suezmax-class crude oil tankers and two LPG carriers, all of which are double-hulled. Our fleet is young, with an average age of approximately four years for our LNG carriers, approximately seven years for our Suezmax tankers, and approximately five years for our LPG carriers, compared to world averages of 10, 9 and 17 years, respectively, as of May 1, 2009.

 

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Our vessels operate under long-term, fixed-rate time charters with major energy and utility companies. The average remaining term for these charters is approximately 20 years for our LNG carriers, approximately 9 years for our Suezmax tankers, and approximately 11 years for our LPG carriers, subject, in certain circumstances, to termination or vessel purchase rights.
Our fleet of existing LNG carriers currently has approximately 2.4 million cubic meters of total capacity. The aggregate capacity of our Suezmax tanker fleet is approximately 1.2 million deadweight tonnes (dwt). Upon delivery of the four remaining LPG newbuilding carriers, the total capacity of our fleet of LPG carriers will increase to approximately 60,000 cubic meters.
Our original fleet was established by Naviera F. Tapias S.A. (or Tapias), a private Spanish company founded in 1991 to ship crude oil. Tapias began shipping LNG with the acquisition of its first LNG carrier in 2002. Teekay Corporation acquired Tapias in April 2004 and changed its name to Teekay Shipping Spain S.L. (or Teekay Spain). As part of the acquisition, Teekay Spain retained its senior management, including its chief executive officer, and other personnel who continue to manage the day-to-day operations of Teekay Spain with input on strategic decisions from our General Partner. Teekay Spain also obtains strategic consulting, advisory, ship management, technical and administrative services from affiliates of Teekay Corporation.
We were formed in connection with our initial public offering. Upon the closing of that offering on May 10, 2005, we acquired Teekay Spain and other assets, and began operating as a publicly-traded limited partnership.
We are incorporated under the laws of the Republic of The Marshall Islands as Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and maintain our principal executive headquarters at 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda. Our telephone number at such address is (441) 298-2530.
B. Operations
Our Charters
We generate revenues by charging customers for the transportation of their LNG, LPG and crude oil using our vessels. Historically, we generally have provided these services under the following basic types of contractual relationships:
   
Time charters, where vessels are chartered to customers for a fixed period of time at rates that are generally fixed but may contain a variable component based on inflation, interest rates or current market rates; and
   
Voyage charters, which are charters for shorter intervals, usually a single round trip, that are priced on a current, or “spot,” market rate.
In the last several years, we derived 100% of our revenues from time charters. During these periods, all our vessels were employed on long-term time charters. We do not anticipate earning revenues from voyage charters in the foreseeable future.
“Hire” rate refers to the basic payment from the customer for the use of a vessel. Hire is payable monthly, in advance, in U.S. Dollars or Euros, as specified in the charter. The hire rate generally includes two components — a capital cost component and an operating expense component. The capital component typically approximates the amount we are required to pay under vessel financing obligations and, for all but three of our existing Suezmax tankers, adjusts for changes in the floating interest rates relating to the underlying vessel financing. The operating component, which adjusts annually for inflation, is intended to compensate us for vessel operating expenses and provide us a profit.
The time charters for three of our Suezmax tankers include a fixed monthly rate for their initial 12-year term, which increases for any extensions. These time charters do not include separately identified capital or operating components or adjust for inflation.
For most of our charters, we earn a profit from a margin built into the operating component. Under other charters, this margin is built into the capital component.
In addition, we may receive additional revenues beyond the fixed hire rate when current market rates exceed specified amounts under our time charter for one Suezmax tanker, the Teide Spirit.
Hire payments may be reduced or, under some charters, we must pay liquidated damages, if the vessel does not perform to certain of its specifications, such as if the average vessel speed falls below a guaranteed speed or the amount of fuel consumed to power the vessel under normal circumstances exceeds a guaranteed amount. Historically, we have had few instances of hire rate reductions and none that have had a material impact on our operating results.
When a vessel is “off-hire” — or not available for service — generally the customer is not required to pay the hire rate and we are responsible for all costs. Prolonged off-hire may lead to vessel substitution or termination of the time charter. A vessel will be deemed to be off-hire if it is in drydock. We must periodically drydock each of our vessels for inspection, repairs and maintenance and any modifications to comply with industry certification or governmental requirements. In addition, a vessel generally will be deemed off-hire if there is a loss of time due to, among other things: operational deficiencies; equipment breakdowns; delays due to accidents, crewing strikes, certain vessel detentions or similar problems; or our failure to maintain the vessel in compliance with its specifications and contractual standards or to provide the required crew.
Liquefied Gas Segment
LNG Carriers
The LNG carriers in our liquefied gas segment compete in the LNG market. LNG carriers are usually chartered to carry LNG pursuant to time charter contracts, where a vessel is hired for a fixed period of time, usually between 20 and 25 years, and the charter rate is payable to the owner on a monthly basis. LNG shipping historically has been transacted with long-term, fixed-rate time charter contracts. LNG projects require significant capital expenditures and typically involve an integrated chain of dedicated facilities and cooperative activities. Accordingly, the overall success of an LNG project depends heavily on long-range planning and coordination of project activities, including marine transportation. Most shipping requirements for new LNG projects continue to be provided on a long-term basis, though the level of spot voyages (typically consisting of a single voyage) and short-term time-charters of less than 12 months duration have grown in the past few years.

 

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In the LNG market, we compete principally with other private and state-controlled energy and utilities companies that generally operate captive fleets, and independent ship owners and operators. Many major energy companies compete directly with independent owners by transporting LNG for third parties in addition to their own LNG. Given the complex, long-term nature of LNG projects, major energy companies historically have transported LNG through their captive fleets. However, independent fleet operators have been obtaining an increasing percentage of charters for new or expanded LNG projects as some major energy companies have continued to divest non-core businesses.
LNG carriers transport LNG internationally between liquefaction facilities and import terminals. After natural gas is transported by pipeline from production fields to a liquefaction facility, it is supercooled to a temperature of approximately negative 260 degrees Fahrenheit. This process reduces its volume to approximately 1/600th of its volume in a gaseous state. The reduced volume facilitates economical storage and transportation by ship over long distances, enabling countries with limited natural gas reserves or limited access to long-distance transmission pipelines to import natural gas. LNG carriers include a sophisticated containment system that holds and insulates the LNG so it maintains its liquid form. LNG is transported overseas in specially built tanks on double-hulled ships to a receiving terminal, where it is offloaded and stored in heavily insulated tanks. In regasification facilities at the receiving terminal, the LNG is returned to its gaseous state (or regasified) and then shipped by pipeline for distribution to natural gas customers.
Most new vessels, including all of our vessels, are being built with a membrane containment system. These systems are built inside the carrier and consist of insulation between thin primary and secondary barriers that are designed to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction without overstressing the membrane. New LNG carriers are generally expected to have a lifespan of approximately 35 to 40 years. Unlike the oil tanker industry, there currently are no regulations that require the phase-out from trading of LNG carriers after they reach a certain age. As at May 1, 2009 our LNG carriers had an average age of approximately four years, compared to the world LNG carrier fleet average age of approximately 10 years. In addition, as at that date, there were approximately 300 vessels in the world LNG fleet and approximately 86 additional LNG carriers under construction or on order for delivery through 2011.
The following table provides additional information about our LNG vessels as of May 1, 2009.
                                       
                                    Remaining  
Vessel   Capacity     Delivery     Our Ownership     Charterer     Charter Term (1)  
    (cubic meters)                                
Operating LNG carriers:
                                     
Hispania Spirit
    140,500       2002       100 %   Repsol YPF   15 years (3)
Catalunya Spirit
    138,000       2003       100 %   Gas Natural SDG   16 years (3)
Galicia Spirit
    140,500       2004       100 %   Uniòn Fenosa Gas   22 years (4)
Madrid Spirit
    138,000       2004       Capital lease (2)   Repsol YPF   17 years (3)
Al Marrouna
    140,500       2006       Capital lease (2)   RasGas II   18 years (5)
Al Areesh
    140,500       2007       Capital lease (2)   RasGas II   18 years (5)
Al Daayen
    140,500       2007       Capital lease (2)   RasGas II   18 years (5)
Tangguh Hiri
    155,000       2008       Teekay owned (6)   Tangguh   20 years  
Al Huwaila
    217,300       2008       40 %   RasGas 3   24 years (3)
Al Kharsaah
    217,300       2008       40 %   RasGas 3   24 years (3)
Al Shamal
    217,300       2008       40 %   RasGas 3   24 years (3)
Al Khuwair
    217,300       2008       40 %   RasGas 3   24 years (3)
Arctic Spirit
    89,880       1993       100 %   Teekay Corporation   9 years (5)
Polar Spirit
    89,880       1993       100 %   Teekay Corporation   9 years (5)
Newbuildings:
                                     
Tangguh Sago
    155,000       2009     Teekay-owned (6)   Tangguh   20 years  
 
                                   
Total Capacity:
    2,337,460                                
 
                                   
     
(1)  
Each of our time charters are subject to certain termination and purchase provisions.
 
(2)  
We lease the vessel under a tax lease arrangement. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 5 — Leases and Restricted Cash.
 
(3)  
The charterer has two options to extend the term for an additional five years each.
 
(4)  
The charterer has one option to extend the term for an additional five years.
 
(5)  
The charterer has three options to extend the term for an additional five years each.
 
(6)  
As of May 1, 2009, these vessels are owned by subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation. We are seeking to purchase Teekay Corporation’s 70% interest in these vessels. We have been required to consolidate these vessels in our consolidated financial statements as these entities are variable interest entities and we are its primary beneficiary. Please read Item 5 — Results of Operations: Items You Should Consider When Evaluating Our Results.
Repsol YPF, Gas Natural SDG and Unión Fenosa Gas, S.A. accounted for 27%, 13% and 13% of our revenues in 2006, 19%, 11% and 9% of our revenues in 2007, and 18%, 9% and 8% of our revenues in 2008, respectively. We also derived 23% of our revenues in 2007 and 2008 from RasGas II. No other LNG customer accounted for 10% or more of our revenues during any of these periods. The loss of any significant customer or a substantial decline in the amount of services requested by a significant customer could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Each LNG carrier that is owned by us (or that we have agreed to purchase from Teekay Corporation), is encumbered by a mortgage relating to the vessel’s financing. Each of the Madrid Spirit, Al Marrouna, Al Areesh and Al Daayen is considered to be a capital lease. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 5 — Leases and Restricted Cash.
LPG Carriers
LPG shipping involves the transportation of three main categories of cargo: liquid petroleum gases including propane, butane and ethane; petrochemical gases including ethylene, propylene and butadiene; and ammonia.
As of May 1, 2009, the worldwide LPG tanker fleet consisted of approximately 1,125 vessels with an average age of approximately 16 years and approximately 190 additional LPG vessels were on order for delivery through 2011. LPG carriers range in size from approximately 500 to approximately 70,000 cubic meters. Approximately 55% of the worldwide fleet is less than 5,000 cubic meters. New LPG carriers are generally expected to have a lifespan of approximately 30 to 35 years.
LPG carriers are mainly chartered to carry LPG on time charters of three to five years, on contracts of affreightment or spot voyage charters. The two largest consumers of LPG are residential users and the petrochemical industry. Residential users, particularly in developing regions where electricity and gas pipelines are not developed, do not have fuel switching alternatives and generally are not LPG price sensitive. The petrochemical industry, however, has the ability to switch between LPG and other feedstock fuels depending on price and availability of alternatives.
The following table provides additional information about our LPG carriers as of May 1, 2009:
                                     
                                Remaining  
Vessel   Capacity     Delivery     Ownership     Charterer   Charter Term  
    (cubic meters)                              
Operating LPG carriers:
                                   
Dania Spirit
    7,392       2000       100 %   Statoil ASA   7 years
Skaugen Norgas PAN (1)
    9,650       2009       100 %   I.M. Skaguen ASA   15 years
Newbuildings:
                                   
Hull No. WZL 0502 (1)
    9,650       2009       100 %   I.M. Skaguen ASA   15 years
Hull No. WZL 0503 (1)
    9,206       2010       100 %   I.M. Skaguen ASA   15 years
Dingheng Jiangsu 1 (2)
    12,000       2010       100 %   I.M. Skaguen ASA   15 years
Dingheng Jiangsu 2 (2)
    12,000       2010       100 %   I.M. Skaguen ASA   15 years
 
                                 
Total Capacity:
    59,898                              
 
                                 
     
(1)  
In December 2006, we agreed to acquire three LPG carriers from Skaugen upon their delivery for approximately $33 million per vessel. The first vessel was delivered in April 2009 and the other two vessels are currently under construction and are scheduled to deliver between late 2009 and mid-2010.
 
(2)  
On July 28, 2008 Teekay Corporation purchased two technically advanced 12,000-cubic meter newbuilding Multigas ships from Skaugen subsidiaries and we will acquire the vessels from Teekay Corporation upon their delivery for approximately $47.0 million per vessel. Both vessels are expected to be delivered in the second half of 2010.
Suezmax Tanker Segment
Oil has been the world’s primary energy source for decades. Seaborne crude oil transportation is a mature industry. The two main types of oil tanker operators are major oil companies (including state-owned companies) that generally operate captive fleets, and independent operators that charter out their vessels for voyage or time-charter use. Most conventional oil tankers controlled by independent fleet operators are hired for one or a few voyages at a time at fluctuating market rates based on the existing tanker supply and demand. These charter rates are extremely sensitive to this balance of supply and demand, and small changes in tanker utilization have historically led to relatively large short-term rate changes. Long-term, fixed-rate charters for crude oil transportation, such as those applicable to our Suezmax tanker fleet, are less typical in the industry. As used in this discussion, “conventional” oil tankers exclude those vessels that can carry dry bulk and ore, tankers that currently are used for storage purposes and shuttle tankers that are designed to transport oil from offshore production platforms to onshore storage and refinery facilities.
Oil tanker demand is primarily a function of several factors, primarily the locations of oil production, refining and consumption and world oil demand and supply, while oil tanker supply is primarily a function of new vessel deliveries, vessel scrapping and the conversion or loss of tonnage.
The majority of crude oil tankers range in size from approximately 80,000 to approximately 320,000 dwt. Suezmax tankers, which typically range from 120,000 to 200,000 dwt, are the mid-size of the various primary oil tanker types, typically sized from 120,000 to 200,000 dwt. As of May 1, 2009, the world tanker fleet included 325 conventional Suezmax tankers, representing approximately 12% of worldwide oil tanker capacity, excluding tankers under 10,000 dwt.
As of May 1 , 2009 our Suezmax tankers had an average age of approximately six years, compared to the average age of nine years for the world Suezmax conventional tanker fleet. New Suezmax tankers generally are expected to have a lifespan of approximately 25 to 30 years, based on estimated hull fatigue life. However, United States and international regulations require the phase-out of double-hulled vessels by 25 years. All of our Suezmax tankers are double-hulled.

 

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The following table provides additional information about our Suezmax oil tankers as of May 1, 2009.
                                     
                                Remaining  
Tanker   Capacity     Delivery     Our Ownership     Charterer   Charter Term  
    (dwt)                              
Operating Suezmax tankers:
                                   
Tenerife Spirit
    159,500       2000       Capital lease (1), (2)   CEPSA   12 years (3)
Algeciras Spirit
    159,500       2000       Capital lease (1), (2)   CEPSA   12 years (3)
Huelva Spirit
    159,500       2001       Capital lease (1)   CEPSA   13 years (3)
Teide Spirit
    159,500       2004       Capital lease (1)   CEPSA   16 years (3)
Toledo Spirit
    159,500       2005       Capital lease (1)   CEPSA   17 years (3)
European Spirit
    151,800       2003       100 %   ConocoPhillips   7 years (4)
African Spirit
    151,700       2003       100 %   ConocoPhillips   7 years (4)
Asian Spirit
    151,700       2004       100 %   ConocoPhillips   7 years (4)
 
                                 
Total Capacity:
    1,252,700                              
 
                                 
     
(1)  
We are the lessee under a capital lease arrangement and are required to purchase the vessel after the end of their respective lease terms for a fixed price. Please read Item 18 - Financial Statements: Note 5 — Leases and Restricted Cash.
 
(2)  
The purchase of these vessels is expected to occur in late-2009.
 
(3)  
CEPSA has the right to terminate the time charter 13 years after the original delivery date, in which case we are generally expected to sell the vessel, subject to our right of first refusal to purchase the vessel.
 
(4)  
The term of the time charter is 12 years from the original delivery date, which may be extended at the customer’s option for up to an additional six years. In addition, the customer has the right to terminate the time charter upon notice and payment of a cancellation fee. Either party also may require the sale of the vessel to a third party at any time, subject to the other party’s right of first refusal to purchase the vessel.
CEPSA accounted for 29%, 20% and 19% of our 2006, 2007 and 2008 revenues, respectively. We also derived 15%, 11% and 9% of our revenues in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively, from ConocoPhillips. The loss of any significant customer or a substantial decline in the amount of services requested by a significant customer could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Business Strategies
Our primary business objective is to increase distributable cash flow per unit by executing the following strategies:
   
Acquire new LNG and LPG carriers built to project specifications after long-term, fixed-rate time charters have been awarded for the LNG and LPG projects. Our LNG and LPG carriers are built or will be built to customer specifications included in the related long-term, fixed-rate time charters for the vessels. We intend to continue our practice of acquiring LNG and LPG carriers as needed for approved projects only after the long-term, fixed-rate time charters for the projects have been awarded, rather than ordering vessels on a speculative basis. We believe this approach is preferable to speculative newbuilding because it:
   
eliminates the risk of incremental or duplicative expenditures to alter our LNG and LPG carriers to meet customer specifications;
   
facilitates the financing of new LNG and LPG carriers based on their anticipated future revenues; and
   
ensures that new vessels will be employed upon acquisition, which should generate more stable cash flow.
   
Expand our LNG and LPG operations globally. We seek to capitalize on opportunities emerging from the global expansion of the LNG and LPG sector by selectively targeting:
   
long-term, fixed-rate time charters wherever there is significant growth in LNG and LPG trade;
   
joint ventures and partnerships with companies that may provide increased access to opportunities in attractive LNG and LPG importing and exporting geographic regions; and
   
strategic vessel and business acquisitions.
   
Provide superior customer service by maintaining high reliability, safety, environmental and quality standards. LNG and LPG project operators seek LNG and LPG transportation partners that have a reputation for high reliability, safety, environmental and quality standards. We seek to leverage our own and Teekay Corporation’s operational expertise to create a sustainable competitive advantage with consistent delivery of superior customer service.
   
Manage our Suezmax tanker fleet to provide stable cash flows. The remaining terms for our existing long-term Suezmax tanker charters are 7 to 17 years. We believe the fixed-rate time charters for our oil tanker fleet provide us stable cash flows during their terms and a source of funding for expanding our LNG and LPG operations. Depending on prevailing market conditions during and at the end of each existing charter, we may seek to extend the charter, enter into a new charter, operate the vessel on the spot market or sell the vessel, in an effort to maximize returns on our Suezmax fleet while managing residual risk.

 

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Safety, Management of Ship Operations and Administration
Safety and environmental compliance are our top operational priorities. We operate our vessels in a manner intended to protect the safety and health of our employees, the general public and the environment. We seek to manage the risks inherent in our business and are committed to eliminating incidents that threaten the safety and integrity of our vessels, such as groundings, fires, collisions and petroleum spills. In 2007 we introduced a behavior-based safety program called “Safety in Action” to further enhance the safety culture in our fleet. We are also committed to reducing our emissions and waste generation. In 2008, we introduced the Quality Assurance and Training Officers (or QATO) Program to conduct rigorous internal audits of our processes and provide our seafarers with onboard training.
Teekay Corporation, through its subsidiaries, assists us in managing our ship operations. Teekay Corporation has achieved certification under the standards reflected in International Standards Organization’s (or ISO) 9001 for Quality Assurance, ISO 14001 for Environment Management Systems, Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Services 18001 for Occupational Health and Safety, and the IMO’s International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and Pollution Prevention on a fully integrated basis. As part of Teekay Corporation’s compliance with the International Safety Management (or ISM) Code, all of our vessels’ safety management certificates are maintained through ongoing internal audits performed by our certified internal auditors and intermediate external audits performed by the classification society Det Norske Veritas. Subject to satisfactory completion of these internal and external audits, certification is valid for five years.
We have established key performance indicators to facilitate regular monitoring of our operational performance. We set targets on an annual basis to drive continuous improvement, and we review performance indicators monthly to determine if remedial action is necessary to reach our targets.
In addition to our operational experience, Teekay Corporation’s in-house global shore staff performs, through its subsidiaries, the full range of technical, commercial and business development services for our LNG and LPG operations. This staff also provides administrative support to our operations in finance, accounting and human resources. We believe this arrangement affords a safe, efficient and cost-effective operation.
Critical ship management functions that Teekay Corporation provides to us through its Teekay Marine Services division located in various offices around the world include:
   
vessel maintenance;
   
crewing;
   
purchasing;
   
shipyard supervision;
   
insurance; and
   
financial management services.
These functions are supported by onboard and onshore systems for maintenance, inventory, purchasing and budget management.
In addition, Teekay Corporation’s day-to-day focus on cost control is applied to our operations. In 2003, Teekay Corporation and two other shipping companies established a purchasing alliance, Teekay Bergesen Worldwide, which leverages the purchasing power of the combined fleets, mainly in such commodity areas as lube oils, paints and other chemicals. Through our arrangements with Teekay Corporation, we benefit from this purchasing alliance.
We believe that the generally uniform design of some of our existing and newbuilding vessels and the adoption of common equipment standards provides operational efficiencies, including with respect to crew training and vessel management, equipment operation and repair, and spare parts ordering.
Risk of Loss, Insurance and Risk Management
The operation of any ocean-going vessel carries an inherent risk of catastrophic marine disasters, death or injury of persons and property losses caused by adverse weather conditions, mechanical failures, human error, war, terrorism, piracy and other circumstances or events. In addition, the transportation of LNG, LPG and crude oil is subject to the risk of spills and to business interruptions due to political circumstances in foreign countries, hostilities, labor strikes and boycotts. The occurrence of any of these events may result in loss of revenues or increased costs.
We carry hull and machinery (marine and war risks) and protection and indemnity insurance coverage to protect against most of the accident-related risks involved in the conduct of our business. Hull and machinery insurance covers loss of or damage to a vessel due to marine perils such as collisions, grounding and weather. Protection and indemnity insurance indemnifies us against liabilities incurred while operating vessels, including injury to our crew or third parties, cargo loss and pollution. The current available amount of our coverage for pollution is $1 billion per vessel per incident. We also carry insurance policies covering war risks (including piracy and terrorism) and, for our LNG carriers, loss of revenues resulting from vessel off-hire time due to a marine casualty. We believe that our current insurance coverage is adequate to protect against most of the accident-related risks involved in the conduct of our business and that we maintain appropriate levels of environmental damage and pollution insurance coverage. However, we cannot assure that all covered risks are adequately insured against, that any particular claim will be paid or that we will be able to procure adequate insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates in the future. More stringent environmental regulations have resulted in increased costs for, and may result in the lack of availability of, insurance against risks of environmental damage or pollution.

 

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We use in our operations Teekay Corporation’s thorough risk management program that includes, among other things, computer-aided risk analysis tools, maintenance and assessment programs, a seafarers competence training program, seafarers workshops and membership in emergency response organizations. We believe we benefit from Teekay Corporation’s commitment to safety and environmental protection as certain of its subsidiaries assist us in managing our vessel operations.
Classification, Audits and Inspections
The hull and machinery of all our vessels is “classed” by one of the major classification societies: Det Norske Veritas or Lloyd’s Register of Shipping. The classification society certifies that the vessel has been built and maintained in accordance with its rules. Each vessel is inspected by a classification society surveyor annually, with either the second or third annual inspection being a more detailed survey (or an Intermediate Survey) and the fifth annual inspection being the most comprehensive survey (or a Special Survey). The inspection cycle resumes after each Special Survey. Vessels also may be required to be drydocked at each Intermediate and Special Survey for inspection of the underwater parts of the vessel in addition to a more detailed inspection of the hull and machinery. Many of our vessels have qualified with their respective classification societies for drydocking every five years in connection with the Special Survey and are no longer subject to drydocking at Intermediate Surveys. To qualify, we were required to enhance the resiliency of the underwater coatings of each vessel and mark the hull to accommodate underwater inspections by divers.
The vessel’s flag state, or the vessel’s classification society if nominated by the flag state, also inspects our vessels to ensure they comply with applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and the international conventions of which that country is a signatory. Port state authorities, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, also inspect our vessels when they visit their ports.
In addition to the classification inspections, many of our customers regularly inspect our vessels as a condition to chartering, and regular inspections are standard practice under long-term charters.
We believe that our relatively new, well-maintained and high-quality vessels provide us with a competitive advantage in the current environment of increasing regulation and customer emphasis on quality of service.
Our vessels are also regularly inspected by our seafaring staff, who perform much of the necessary routine maintenance. Shore-based operational and technical specialists also inspect our vessels at least twice a year. Upon completion of each inspection, action plans are developed to address any items requiring improvement. All plans are monitored until they are completed. The objectives of these inspections are to:
   
ensure adherence to our operating standards;
   
maintain the structural integrity of the vessel;
   
maintain machinery and equipment to give full reliability in service;
   
optimize performance in terms of speed and fuel consumption; and
   
ensure the vessel’s appearance will support our brand and meet customer expectations.
To achieve our structural integrity objective, we use a comprehensive “Structural Integrity Management System” developed by Teekay Corporation. This system is designed to closely monitor the condition of our vessels and to ensure that structural strength and integrity are maintained throughout a vessel’s life.
Teekay Corporation, which assists us in managing our ship operations through its subsidiaries, has obtained approval for its safety management system as being in compliance with the ISM Code. Our safety management system has also been certified as being compliant with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OSHAS 18001 standards. To maintain compliance, the system is audited regularly by either the vessels’ flag state or, when nominated by the flag state, a classification society. Certification is valid for five years subject to satisfactorily completing internal and external audits.
Properties
Other than our vessels, we do not have any material property.
Organizational Structure
Our sole general partner is Teekay GP L.L.C., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Teekay Corporation. Teekay Corporation also controls its public subsidiaries Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. (NYSE: TOO) and Teekay Tankers Ltd. (NYSE: TNK).
The following is a list of our significant subsidiaries as at May 1, 2009:
             
Name of Significant Subsidiary   Ownership     State or Jurisdiction of Incorporation
 
           
Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C.
    100 %   Marshall Islands
Naviera Teekay Gas, SL
    100 %   Spain
Naviera Teekay Gas II, SL
    100 %   Spain
Naviera Teekay Gas III, SL
    100 %   Spain
Naviera Teekay Gas IV, SL
    100 %   Spain
Single Ship Limited Liability Companies
    100 %   Marshall Islands
Teekay Luxembourg Sarl
    100 %   Luxembourg
Teekay Nakilat Holdings Corporation
    100 %   Marshall Islands
Teekay Nakilat Corporation
    70 %   Marshall Islands
Teekay Nakilat (II) Limited
    70 %   United Kingdom
Teekay Shipping Spain SL
    100 %   Spain
Teekay Spain SL
    100 %   Spain
Teekay II Iberia SL
    100 %   Spain
Teekay Nakilat (III) Holdings Corporation
    100 %   Marshall Islands
Teekay Nakilat (III) Corporation
    40 %   Marshall Islands

 

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C. Regulations
General
Our business and the operation of our vessels are significantly affected by international conventions and national, state and local laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which our vessels operate, as well as in the country or countries of their registration. Because these conventions, laws and regulations change frequently, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of compliance or their impact on the resale price or useful life of our vessels. Additional conventions, laws, and regulations may be adopted that could limit our ability to do business or increase the cost of our doing business and that may materially adversely affect our operations. We are required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain permits, licenses and certificates with respect to our operations. Subject to the discussion below and to the fact that the kinds of permits, licenses and certificates required for the operations of the vessels we own will depend on a number of factors, we believe that we will be able to continue to obtain all permits, licenses and certificates material to the conduct of our operations.
We believe that the heightened environmental and quality concerns of insurance underwriters, regulators and charterers will generally lead to greater inspection and safety requirements on all vessels in the LNG and LPG carrier and oil tanker markets and will accelerate the scrapping of older vessels throughout these markets.
Regulation — International Maritime Organization (or IMO)
The IMO is the United Nations’ agency for maritime safety. IMO regulations relating to pollution prevention for oil tankers have been adopted by many of the jurisdictions in which our tanker fleet operates, but not by the United States. Under IMO regulations, an oil tanker must be of double-hull construction, be of a mid-deck design with double-side construction or be of another approved design ensuring the same level of protection against oil pollution in the event that such tanker:
   
is the subject of a contract for a major conversion or original construction on or after July 6, 1993;
 
   
commences a major conversion or has its keel laid on or after January 6, 1994; or
 
   
completes a conversion or is a newbuilding delivered on or after July 6, 1996.
In December 2003, the IMO revised its regulations relating to the prevention of pollution from oil tankers. These regulations, which became effective April 5, 2005, accelerated the existing mandatory phase-out of single-hull tankers and impose a more rigorous inspection regime for older tankers. All of our oil tankers are double-hulled and were delivered after July 6, 1996, so our tankers will not be affected directly by these IMO regulations.
IMO regulations include the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (or SOLAS), including amendments to SOLAS implementing the International Security Code for Ports and Ships (or ISPS), the ISM Code, the International Convention on Prevention of Pollution from Ships (the MARPOL Convention), the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969, the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966, and, specifically with respect to LNG and LPG carriers, the International Code for Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (the IGC Code). SOLAS provides rules for the construction of and equipment required for commercial vessels and includes regulations for safe operation. Flag states which have ratified the convention and the treaty generally employ the classification societies, which have incorporated SOLAS requirements into their class rules, to undertake surveys to confirm compliance.
SOLAS and other IMO regulations concerning safety, including those relating to treaties on training of shipboard personnel, lifesaving appliances, radio equipment and the global maritime distress and safety system, are applicable to our operations. Non-compliance with IMO regulations, including SOLAS, the ISM Code, ISPS and the IGC Code, may subject us to increased liability or penalties, may lead to decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels and may result in the denial of access to or detention in some ports. For example, the U.S. Coast Guard and European Union authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code will be prohibited from trading in U.S. and European Union ports.
The ISM Code requires vessel operators to obtain a safety management certification for each vessel they manage, evidencing the shipowner’s compliance with requirements of the ISM Code relating to the development and maintenance of an extensive “Safety Management System.” Such a system includes, among other things, the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for safe operation and describing procedures for dealing with emergencies. Each of the existing vessels in our fleet currently is ISM Code-certified, and we expect to obtain safety management certificates for each newbuilding vessel upon delivery.
LNG and LPG carriers are also subject to regulation under the IGC Code. Each LNG and LPG carrier must obtain a certificate of compliance evidencing that it meets the requirements of the IGC Code, including requirements relating to its design and construction. Each of our LNG and LPG carriers currently is in substantial compliance with the IGC Code, and each of the shipbuilding contracts for our LNG newbuildings, and the LPG newbuildings we have agreed to acquire from Skaugen, requires compliance prior to delivery.

 

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Environmental Regulations — The United States Regulations
The United States has enacted an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the environment from oil spills, including discharges of oil cargoes, bunker fuels or lubricants, primarily through the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (or OPA 90) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (or CERCLA). OPA 90 affects all owners, bareboat charterers, and operators whose vessels trade to the United States or its territories or possessions or whose vessels operate in United States waters, which include the U.S. territorial sea and 200-mile exclusive economic zone around the United States.
Under OPA 90, vessel owners, operators and bareboat charters are “responsible parties” and are jointly, severally and strictly liable (unless the spill results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war and the responsible party reports the incident and reasonably cooperates with the appropriate authorities) for all containment and cleanup costs and other damages arising from discharges or threatened discharges of oil from their vessels. These other damages are defined broadly to include:
   
natural resources damages and the related assessment costs;
   
real and personal property damages;
   
net loss of taxes, royalties, rents, fees and other lost revenues;
   
lost profits or impairment of earning capacity due to property or natural resources damage;
   
net cost of public services necessitated by a spill response, such as protection from fire, safety or health hazards; and
   
loss of subsistence use of natural resources.
OPA 90 limits the liability of responsible parties. Effective as of October 9, 2006, the limit for double-hulled tank vessels was increased to the greater of $1,900 per gross ton or $16 million per double-hulled tanker per incident, subject to possible adjustment for inflation. These limits of liability would not apply if the incident were proximately caused by violation of applicable U.S. federal safety, construction or operating regulations, including IMO conventions to which the United States is a signatory, or by the responsible party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, or if the responsible party fails or refuses to report the incident or to cooperate and assist in connection with the oil removal activities. In addition, CERCLA, which applies to the discharge of hazardous substances (other than oil) whether on land or at sea, contains a similar liability regime and provides for cleanup, removal and natural resource damages. Liability under CERCLA is limited to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $5 million, unless the incident is caused by gross negligence, willful misconduct, or a violation of certain regulations, in which case liability is unlimited. We currently maintain for each of our vessel’s pollution liability coverage in the maximum coverage amount of $1 billion per incident. A catastrophic spill could exceed the coverage available, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Under OPA 90, with limited exceptions, all newly built or converted tankers delivered after January 1, 1994 and operating in United States waters must be built with double-hulls. All of our existing tankers are, and all of our newbuildings will be, double-hulled.
The United States Coast Guard (or Coast Guard) has implemented regulations requiring evidence of financial responsibility in an amount equal to the applicable OPA limitation on liability of 1,900 per gross ton for double-hulled tankers plus the CERCLA liability limit of $300 per gross ton. Under the regulations, such evidence of financial responsibility may be demonstrated by insurance, surety bond, self-insurance, guaranty or an alternate method subject to agency approval. Under OPA 90, an owner or operator of a fleet of vessels is required only to demonstrate evidence of financial responsibility in an amount sufficient to cover the vessel in the fleet having the greatest maximum limited liability under OPA 90 and CERCLA.
The Coast Guard’s regulations concerning certificates of financial responsibility (or COFR) provide, in accordance with OPA 90, that claimants may bring suit directly against an insurer or guarantor that furnishes COFR. In addition, in the event that such insurer or guarantor is sued directly, it is prohibited from asserting any contractual defense that it may have had against the responsible party and is limited to asserting those defenses available to the responsible party and the defense that the incident was caused by the willful misconduct of the responsible party. Certain organizations, which had typically provided COFR under pre-OPA 90 laws, including the major protection and indemnity organizations, have declined to furnish evidence of insurance for vessel owners and operators if they are subject to direct actions or required to waive insurance policy defenses.
The Coast Guard’s financial responsibility regulations may also be satisfied by evidence of surety bond, guaranty or by self-insurance. Under the self-insurance provisions, the shipowner or operator must have a net worth and working capital, measured in assets located in the United States against liabilities located anywhere in the world, that exceeds the applicable amount of financial responsibility. We have complied with the Coast Guard regulations by obtaining financial guaranties from a third party. If other vessels in our fleet trade into the United States in the future, we expect to obtain additional guaranties from third-party insurers or to provide guaranties through self-insurance.
OPA 90 and CERCLA permit individual states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to oil or hazardous substance pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries, and some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited strict liability for spills. We intend to comply with all applicable state regulations in the ports where our vessels call.
Owners or operators of tank vessels operating in United States waters are required to file vessel response plans with the Coast Guard, and their tank vessels are required to operate in compliance with their Coast Guard approved plans. Such response plans must, among other things:
   
address a “worst case” scenario and identify and ensure, through contract or other approved means, the availability of necessary private response resources to respond to a “worst case discharge”;
   
describe crew training and drills; and
   
identify a qualified individual with full authority to implement removal actions.

 

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We have filed vessel response plans with the Coast Guard for the tankers we own and have received approval of such plans for all vessels in our fleet to operate in United States waters. In addition, we conduct regular oil spill response drills in accordance with the guidelines set out in OPA 90. The Coast Guard has announced it intends to propose similar regulations requiring certain vessels to prepare response plans for the release of hazardous substances. OPA 90 allows U.S. state legislatures to pre-empt associated regulation if the state’s regulations are equal or more stringent. Several coastal states such as California, Washington and Alaska require state-specific COFR and vessel response plans.
CERCLA contains a similar liability regime to OPA 90, but applies to the discharge of “hazardous substances” rather than “oil.” Petroleum products and LNG and LPG should not be considered hazardous substances under CERCLA, but additives to oil or lubricants used on LNG or LPG carriers might fall within its scope. CERCLA imposes strict joint and several liability upon the owner, operator or bareboat charterer of a vessel for cleanup costs and damages arising from a discharge of hazardous substances.
OPA 90 and CERCLA do not preclude claimants from seeking damages resulting from the discharge of oil and hazardous substances under other applicable law, including maritime tort law. Such claims could include attempts to characterize the transportation of LNG or LPG aboard a vessel as an ultra-hazardous activity under a doctrine that would impose strict liability for damages resulting from that activity. The application of this doctrine varies by jurisdiction. There can be no assurance that a court in a particular jurisdiction will not determine that the carriage of oil or LNG or LPG aboard a vessel is an ultra-hazardous activity, which would expose us to strict liability for damages we cause to injured parties even when we have not acted negligently.
Environmental Regulation — Other Environmental Initiatives
Although the United States is not a party, many countries have ratified and follow the liability scheme adopted by the IMO and set out in the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969, as amended (or CLC), and the Convention for the Establishment of an International Fund for Oil Pollution of 1971, as amended. Under these conventions, which are applicable to vessels that carry persistent oil (not LNG or LPG) as cargo, a vessel’s registered owner is strictly liable for pollution damage caused in the territorial waters of a contracting state by discharge of persistent oil, subject to certain complete defenses. Many of the countries that have ratified the CLC have increased the liability limits through a 1992 Protocol to the CLC. The liability limits in the countries that have ratified this Protocol are currently approximately $6.9 million plus approximately $977 per gross registered tonne above 5,000 gross tonnes with an approximate maximum of $139 million per vessel and the exact amount tied to a unit of account which varies according to a basket of currencies. The right to limit liability is forfeited under the CLC when the spill is caused by the owner’s actual fault or privity and, under the 1992 Protocol, when the spill is caused by the owner’s intentional or reckless conduct. Vessels trading to contracting states must provide evidence of insurance covering the limited liability of the owner. In jurisdictions where the CLC has not been adopted, various legislative schemes or common law governs, and liability is imposed either on the basis of fault or in a manner similar to the CLC.
In September 1997, the IMO adopted Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (or Annex VI) to address air pollution from ships. Annex VI, which became effective in May 2005, sets limits on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from ship exhausts and prohibit deliberate emissions of ozone depleting substances, such as halons, chlorofluorocarbons, emissions of volatile compounds from cargo tanks and prohibition of shipboard incineration of specific substances. Annex VI also includes a global cap on the sulfur content of fuel oil and allows for special areas to be established with more stringent controls on sulfur emissions. We plan to operate our vessels in compliance with Annex VI. Additional or new conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted that could adversely affect our ability to manage our ships.
In addition, the IMO, various countries and states, such as Australia, the United States and the State of California, and various regulators, such as port authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (or EPA), have either adopted legislation or regulations, or are separately considering the adoption of legislation or regulations, aimed at regulating the discharge of ballast water and the discharge of bunkers as potential pollutants (OPA 90 applies to discharges of bunkers or cargoes).
The United States Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous substances in U.S. navigable waters and imposes strict liability in the form of penalties for unauthorized discharges. The Clean Water Act also imposes substantial liability for the costs of removal, remediation and damages and complements the remedies available under OPA 90 and CERCLA discussed above. Pursuant to regulations promulgated by the EPA in the early 1970s, the discharge of sewage and effluent from properly functioning marine engines was exempted from the permit requirements of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System. This exemption allowed vessels in U.S. ports to discharge certain substances, including ballast water, without obtaining a permit to do so. However, on March 30, 2005, a U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted summary judgment to certain environmental groups and U.S. states that had challenged the EPA regulations, arguing that the EPA exceeded its authority in promulgating them. On September 18, 2006, the U.S. District Court in that action issued an order invalidating the exemption in EPA’s regulations for all discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel as of September 30, 2008, and directing the EPA to develop a system for regulating all discharges from vessels by that date.
The EPA appealed this decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals which on July 23, 2008, upheld the District Court’s decision. In response, the EPA adopted a new Clean Water Act permit titled the “Vessel General Permit.” Effective February 6, 2009, container vessels (including all vessels of the type operated by us) operating as a means of transportation that discharge ballast water or certain other incidental discharges into U.S. waters must obtain coverage under the Vessel General Permit and comply with a range of best management practices, reporting, inspections and other requirements. The Vessel General Permit also incorporates U.S. Coast Guard requirements for ballast water management and exchange and includes specific technology-based requirements for vessels, including oil and petroleum tankers. Under certain circumstances, the EPA may also require a discharger of ballast water or other incidental discharges to obtain an individual permit in lieu of coverage under the Vessel General Permit. These new requirements will increase the cost of operating our vessels in U.S. waters.
Since the EPA’s adoption of the Vessel General Permit, several U.S. states have added specific requirements to the permit through the Clean Water Act section 401 certification process (which varies from state to state) and, in some cases, require vessels to install ballast water treatment technology to meet biological performance standards.
Since January 2009, several environmental groups and industry associations filed challenges in U.S. federal court to the EPA’s issuance of the Vessel General Permit. These cases are still in early procedural stages of litigation.

 

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Vessel Security Regulation
The ISPS was adopted by the IMO in December 2002 in the wake of heightened concern over worldwide terrorism and became effective on July 1, 2004. The objective of ISPS is to enhance maritime security by detecting security threats to ships and ports and by requiring the development of security plans and other measures designed to prevent such threats. The United States implemented ISPS with the adoption of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (or MTSA), which requires vessels entering U.S. waters to obtain certification of plans to respond to emergency incidents there, including identification of persons authorized to implement the plans. Each of the existing vessels in our fleet currently complies with the requirements of ISPS and MTSA.
D. Taxation of the Partnership
Marshall Islands Taxation
Because we and our subsidiaries do not, and we do not expect that we and our subsidiaries will, conduct business or operations in the Republic of The Marshall Islands, neither we nor our subsidiaries will be subject to income, capital gains, profits or other taxation under current Marshall Islands law. As a result, distributions by our subsidiaries to us will not be subject to Marshall Islands taxation.
United States Taxation
This section is based upon provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the IRC) as in effect as of the date of this Annual Report, existing final, temporary and proposed regulations there under and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “we”, “our” or “us” are references to Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and its direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries that have properly elected to be disregarded as entities separate from Teekay LNG Partners L.P. for U.S. federal tax purposes.
Classification as a Partnership
For purposes of U.S. federal income taxation, a partnership is not a taxable entity, and although it may be subject to withholding taxes on behalf of its partners under certain circumstances, a partnership itself incurs no U.S. federal income tax liability. Instead, each partner of a partnership is required to take into account his share of items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the partnership in computing his U.S. federal income tax liability, regardless of whether cash distributions are made to him by the partnership. Distributions by a partnership to a partner generally are not taxable unless the amount of cash distributed exceeds the partner’s adjusted tax basis in his partnership interest.
Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code (or IRC) provides that publicly traded partnerships, as a general rule, will be treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, an exception, referred to as the “Qualifying Income Exception,” exists with respect to publicly traded partnerships whose “qualifying income” represents 90% or more of their gross income for every taxable year. Qualifying income includes income and gains derived from the transportation and storage of crude oil, natural gas and products thereof, including LNG. Other types of qualifying income include interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, gains from the sale of real property and gains from the sale or other disposition of capital assets held for the production of qualifying income, including stock. We have received a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (or IRS) that we requested in connection with our initial public offering that the income we derive from transporting LNG and crude oil pursuant to time charters existing at the time of our initial public offering is qualifying income within the meaning of Section 7704. A ruling from the IRS, while generally binding on the IRS, may under certain circumstances be revoked or modified by the IRS retroactively.
We have not received an IRS ruling or an opinion of counsel that (1) any income we derive from transporting LPG, petrochemical gases and ammonia pursuant to charters that we have entered into or will enter into in the future, (2) income we derive from transporting crude oil, natural gas and products thereof, including liquefied natural gas, pursuant to bareboat charters, or (3) income or gain we recognize from foreign currency transactions, is qualifying income. Accordingly, we are currently treating income from those sources as nonqualifying income. Under some circumstances, such as a significant change in foreign currency rates, the percentage of income or gain from foreign currency transactions in relation to our total gross income could be substantial. We do not expect income or gains from these sources and other income or gains that are not qualifying income to constitute 10% or more of our gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, it is possible that the operation of certain of our vessels pursuant to bareboat charters could, in the future, cause our non-qualifying income to constitute 10% or more of our future gross income if such vessels were held in a pass-through structure. In order to preserve our status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, we have requested a ruling from the IRS that would effectively allow us to conduct our bareboat charter operations, as well as our LPG operations, in a subsidiary corporation. If we do not receive a favorable ruling from the IRS we will take such measures, as necessary, including restructuring our bareboat operations or having unitholders make certain tax elections to avoid adverse tax impacts, to preserve our status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
May 2007 Constructive Termination if IRS Does Not Grant the Requested Ruling
We will be considered to have been terminated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then to have been reconstituted as a new partnership, each time there is a sale or exchange of more than 50% of the total interests in our capital and profits within a twelve-month period. Please read Item 10 — Additional Information: Taxation to Unitholders — Disposition of Common Units — Constructive Termination.
On May 11, 2007, Teekay Corporation transferred its greater than 50% interest in our capital and profits to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Teekay Holdings Limited. As a result of this transfer and because Teekay Holdings Limited did not timely elect to be classified as a disregarded subsidiary of Teekay Corporation for U.S. tax purposes, we will be considered to have terminated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes on May 11, 2007, then to have been reconstituted as a new partnership, unless the IRS grants Teekay Holdings Limited’s request for an extension of time to make the classification election.
If we were considered to have terminated as a partnership on May 11, 2007, our depreciation and amortization deductions for 2007 and many subsequent years would be lower than if we were not considered to have terminated.
If we were considered to have terminated as a partnership on May 11, 2007, we would incur administrative expenses in connection with the filing of amended tax returns for 2007 and 2008 and amended unitholder information reports for 2007 and 2008, and the IRS might assert penalties and interest against us for failure to take the termination into account in our original tax returns and information reports, though Teekay Corporation has agreed to indemnify us for these and any other costs or losses to us arising from a May 11, 2007 termination.

 

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THE REMAINING DISCUSSION OF U.S. TAXATION IN ITEM 4 (PART D) APPLIES ONLY IF WE BECOME CLASSIFIED AS A CORPORATION.
Potential Classification as a Corporation
If we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception described previously with respect to our classification as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery, we will be treated as a non-U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Our change in status would be deemed to have been effected by our transfer of all of our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed non-U.S. corporation, in return for stock in that corporation, and then our distribution of that stock to our unitholders and other owners in liquidation of their interests in us.
If we were treated as a corporation in any taxable year, either as a result of a failure to meet the Qualifying Income Exception or otherwise, our items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit would not pass through to unitholders. Instead, we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax based on the rules applicable to foreign corporations, not partnerships, and such items would be treated as our own.
Our subsidiaries Arctic Spirit LLC and Polar Spirit LLC are classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes and are subject to U.S. federal income tax based on the rules applicable to foreign corporations.
We anticipate that, upon delivery of the LPG carriers from Skaugen and the LNG carriers relating to the Tangguh LNG project (assuming we receive a favorable ruling from the IRS as discussed above), we intend to hold these vessels in a subsidiary that will be classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes so that the income we derive from the vessels will remain “qualifying income.” However, if we do not receive a favorable ruling from the IRS discussed above, we may (1) restructure the project, which may provide us less benefit than we originally anticipated or (2) require certain tax elections to be made by unitholders to avoid adverse tax consequences of this subsidiary being treated as a passive foreign investment company (or PFIC).
Taxation of Operating Income
We expect that substantially all of our gross income and the gross income of our corporate subsidiaries will be attributable to the transportation of LNG, LPG, crude oil and related products. For this purpose, gross income attributable to transportation (or Transportation Income) includes income derived from, or in connection with, the use (or hiring or leasing for use) of a vessel to transport cargo, or the performance of services directly related to the use of any vessel to transport cargo, and thus includes both time charter or bareboat charter income.
Transportation Income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States will be considered to be 50% derived from sources within the United States (or U.S. Source International Transportation Income). Transportation Income attributable to transportation that both begins and ends in the United States will be considered to be 100% derived from sources within the United States (or U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income). Transportation Income attributable to transportation exclusively between non-U.S. destinations will be considered to be 100% derived from sources outside the United States. Transportation Income derived from sources outside the United States generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.
Based on our current operations and the operations of our subsidiaries, we expect substantially all of our Transportation Income to be from sources outside the United States and not subject to U.S. federal income tax. However, if we or any of our subsidiaries does earn U.S. Source International Transportation Income or U.S. Source Domestic Transportation, our income or our subsidiaries income may be subject to U.S. federal income taxation under one of two alternative tax regimes (the 4% gross basis tax or the net basis tax, as described below), unless the exemption from U.S. taxation under Section 883 of the Code (or the Section 883 Exemption) applies.
The Section 883 Exemption
In general, the Section 883 Exemption provides that if a non-U.S. corporation satisfies the requirements of Section 883 of the IRC and the regulations thereunder (or the Final Section 883 Regulations), it will not be subject to the 4% gross basis tax or the net basis and branch taxes described below on its U.S. Source International Transportation Income. The Section 883 Exemption only applies to U.S. Source International Transportation Income. As discussed below, we believe that under our current ownership structure, the Section 883 Exemption will apply to our subsidiaries Arctic Spirit LLC and Polar Spirit LLC (and any other subsidiaries classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and would apply to us if we were classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
A non-U.S. corporation will qualify for the Section 883 Exemption if it is organized in a jurisdiction outside the U.S. that grants an equivalent exemption from tax to corporations organized in the U.S. (or an Equivalent Exemption), it meets one of three ownership tests (or the Ownership Test) described in the Final Section 883 Regulations, and it meets certain substantiation, reporting and other requirements.
We and our subsidiaries, Arctic Spirit LLC and Polar Spirit LLC, are organized under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. We anticipate that any other subsidiaries we form in the future that would be classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes would also be organized under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The U.S. Treasury Department has recognized the Republic of the Marshall Islands as a jurisdiction that grants an Equivalent Exemption. Consequently, the U.S. Source International Shipping Income of Arctic Spirit LLC and Polar Spirit LLC and, in the event we were treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our U.S. Source International Shipping Income (including for this purpose, any such income earned by our subsidiaries that have properly elected to be treated as partnerships or disregarded as entities separate from us for U.S. federal income tax purposes), would be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation provided the Ownership Test is met. We believe that Arctic Spirit LLC and Polar Spirit LLC would satisfy the Ownership Test. We also believe that we would satisfy the Ownership Test. However, the determination of whether we or our subsidiaries will satisfy the Ownership Test at any given time depends upon a multitude of factors, including the relative value of our common units, subordinated units, general partner interest and incentive distribution rights, Teekay Corporation’s ownership of us and rights to allocations and distributions from us, whether Teekay Corporation’s stock is publicly traded, the concentration of ownership of Teekay Corporation’s own stock and the satisfaction of various substantiation and documentation requirements. There can be no assurance that we would satisfy these requirements at any given time and, thus, that the U.S. Source International Shipping Income of us or of Arctic Spirit LLC or Polar Spirit LLC would be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation by reason of Section 883 in any of our taxable years.

 

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The Net Basis Tax and Branch Profits Tax
Neither we, nor any of our subsidiaries, currently expect to have a fixed place of business in the U.S. Nonetheless, if this were to change or we or any of our subsidiaries were otherwise treated as having such a fixed place of business involved in earning U.S. Source International Transportation Income, to the extent we or any of our subsidiaries were classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such U.S. Source International Transportation Income may be treated as effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. (or Effectively Connected Income) if substantially all of our (or such subsidiaries) U.S. source International Transportation Income were attributable to regularly scheduled transportation or bareboat charters attributable to a fixed place of business within the United States. We do not believe that we or our subsidiaries derive U.S. Source Transportation Income that is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation or bareboat charters attributable to a fixed place of business within the United States. However, there is no assurance that the manner of our operations or the nature of our income would not change in the future.
U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income generally is treated as Effectively Connected Income.
Any income that we or our subsidiaries earn that is treated as Effectively Connected Income would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax (the highest statutory rate is currently 35%). In addition, if we or our subsidiaries earn income that is treated as Effectively Connected Income, a 30% branch profits tax imposed under Section 884 of the IRC generally would apply such income, and a branch interest tax could be imposed on certain interest paid or deemed paid by us.
On the sale of a vessel that has produced Effectively Connected Income, the net basis corporate income tax and the 30% branch profits tax could apply with respect to gain not in excess of certain prior deductions for depreciation that reduced Effectively Connected Income. Otherwise, we do not expect U.S. federal income tax to apply with respect to gain realized on the sale of a vessel because we expect that any sale of a vessel will be structured so that it is considered to occur outside of the U.S. and so that it is not attributable to an office or other fixed place of business in the U.S.
The 4% Gross Basis Tax
If the Section 883 Exemption does not apply and the net basis tax does not apply, our subsidiaries Arctic Spirit LLC and Polar Spirit LLC (and any other subsidiary classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) would be subject to a 4% U.S. federal income tax on the U.S. source portion of their gross U.S. Source International Transportation Income, without benefit of deductions. In addition, if we were classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the Section 883 Exemption does not apply and the net basis tax does not apply, we would be subject to this 4% gross basis tax.
Luxembourg Taxation
The following discussion is based upon the current tax laws of Luxembourg and regulations, the Luxembourg tax administrative practice and judicial decisions thereunder, all subject to possible change on a retroactive basis. The following discussion is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the Luxembourg income tax considerations applicable to us.
Our operating subsidiary, Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C. (a legal resident of Bermuda), through its direct Luxembourg subsidiary, Teekay Luxembourg S.a.r.l. (or Luxco), and other intermediary subsidiaries, indirectly holds all of our operating assets. Luxco is capitalized with equity and loans from Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C. Luxco, in turn, has re-lent a substantial portion of the loan proceeds received from Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C. to Teekay Spain S.L. (or Spainco) and other indirect subsidiaries resident in Spain. Luxco used the remaining proceeds from the loans from and equity purchases by Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C. to purchase shares in Spainco.
Luxco is considered a Luxembourg resident company for Luxembourg tax purposes subject to taxation in Luxembourg on its income regardless of where the income is derived. The generally applicable Luxembourg income tax rate is approximately 30%.
Taxation of Interest Income. Luxco’s loans to Spainco and the other indirect subsidiaries generate interest income. However, because this interest income is offset substantially by interest expense on the loans made by Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C. to Luxco, we believe that any taxation of that income will be immaterial.
Taxation of Interest Payments. Currently, Luxembourg does not levy a withholding tax on interest paid to corporate entities (i.e. entities which are legal persons) non-resident of Luxembourg, such as Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C., unless the interest represents a right to participate in profits of the interest-paying entity, or the interest payment relates to the portion of debt used to acquire share capital and the debt exceeds a Luxembourg “thin capitalization” threshold or the interest rate is not regarded as arm’s length. Based on guidance received by Luxco from the Luxembourg taxing authority, we believe interest paid by Luxco on the types of loans made to it by Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C. do not represent a right to participate in its profits and are consistent with Luxembourg transfer pricing rules. In addition, we have capitalized Luxco in a manner we believe meets the “thin capitalization” threshold. Accordingly, we believe that interest payments made by Luxco to Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C. are not subject to Luxembourg withholding tax.
Taxation of Spainco Dividends and Capital Gains. Pursuant to Luxembourg law, dividends received by Luxco from Spainco and capital gains realized on any disposal of Spainco shares generally will be exempt from Luxembourg taxation if certain requirements are met. We believe that Luxco will meet these requirements and that any dividend received on or any capital gain resulting from the disposition of the shares of Spainco will be exempt from taxation in Luxembourg. Notwithstanding this exemption, Luxembourg law does not permit the deduction of interest expense on loans specifically used to purchase shares eligible for the dividend exemption, to the extent of any dividends received the same year and derived from the shares financed by the loans. Similarly, capital gains are tax exempt only for the portion exceeding the interest expense generated by the loan financing the purchase of shares and previously deducted. We currently do not intend to dispose of the shares of Spainco. However, we believe that any taxation on any gain resulting from any disposition of the shares of Spainco would not be material.

 

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Taxation of Luxco Dividends. Luxembourg levies a 15% withholding tax on dividends paid by a Luxembourg company to a non-resident of the European Union (absent a tax treaty), which would apply to dividends paid by Luxco to Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C. However, we do not expect to cause Luxco to pay dividends, but to distribute all of its available cash through the payment of interest and principal on its loans owing to Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C., for at least the next eight years. We may also recapitalize another Luxembourg company in the future to continue this arrangement, as is permitted under current Luxembourg tax rules.
Spanish Taxation
The following discussion is based upon the tax laws of Spain and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder, and is subject to possible change on a retroactive basis. The following discussion is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the Spanish income tax considerations applicable to us.
Spainco owns, directly and indirectly, a number of other Spanish subsidiaries, including those operating five of our Suezmax tankers and four of our Spanish LNG carriers.
Taxation of Spanish Subsidiaries Engaged in Shipping Activities. Spain imposes income taxes on income generated by our operating Spanish subsidiaries’ shipping-related activities at a rate of 30%. Two alternative Spanish tax regimes provide incentives for Spanish companies engaged in shipping activities; the Canary Islands Special Ship Registry (or CISSR) and the Spanish Tonnage Tax Regime (or TTR). As at December 31, 2008, the vessels operated by our operating Spanish subsidiaries were subject to the TTR, with the exception of two LNG carriers.
The TTR applies to Spanish companies that own or operate vessels. In the first moment, there was no requirement for the vessel to maintain the Spanish or Canary Island flag or to follow the crewing requirements that correspond to these flags. However, the TTR regime was modified and now it is required that a certain percentage (measured in terms of net tonnage) of the vessels owned or operated under the TTR regime are flagged in a European Union member state. Once granted, the TTR regime applies to the shipping company for an initial period of 10 years, which may be extended for successive 10-year periods upon application by the company.
Under this regime, the applicable income tax is based on the weight (measured as net tonnage) of the vessel and the number of days during the taxable period that the vessel is at the company’s disposal, excluding time required for repairs. The tax base currently ranges from 0.20 to 0.90 Euros per day per 100 tonnes, against which the generally applicable tax rate of 30% will apply. If the shipping company also engages in activities other than those subject to the TTR regime, income from those other activities will be subject to tax at the generally applicable rate of 30%.
If a vessel is acquired and disposed of by a company while it is subject to the TTR regime, any gain on the disposition of the vessel generally is not subject to Spanish taxation. If the company acquired the vessel prior to becoming subject to the TTR regime or if the company acquires a used vessel after becoming subject to the TTR regime, the difference between the fair market value of the vessel at the time it enters into the TTR and the tax value of the vessel at that time is added to the taxable income in Spain when the vessel is disposed of and generally remains subject to Spanish taxation at the rate of 30%.
We believe that the TTR regime provides several advantages over the CISSR, including increased flexibility on registering and crewing vessels, a lower overall tax payable and a possible reduction in the Spanish tax on any gain from the disposition of the vessels.
To qualify under the CISSR, the Spanish company’s vessels must be registered in the Canary Islands Special Ship Registry. Under this registry, the Master and First Officer for the vessel must be Spanish nationals and at least 50% of the crew must be European Union nationals. Two of the vessels of our operating Spanish subsidiaries currently are registered in the Canary Islands Special Ship Registry and meet these ship personnel requirements. As a result, we believe that these subsidiaries qualify for the tax benefits associated with the CISSR, representing a credit equal to 90% against the tax otherwise payable on income from the commercial operation of the vessels. This credit effectively reduces the Spanish tax rate on this income to 3%. This deduction does not apply to gains from vessel dispositions.
Taxation on Distributions by Spanish Entities. Income distributed to non-residents of Spain by our Spanish subsidiaries as dividends may be subject to a 18% Spanish withholding tax, unless the dividends are paid to an entity resident in a European Union member state, subject to certain requirements, or to an entity resident in a “tax treaty” jurisdiction. In addition, interest paid by Spanish entities on debt owed to non-residents of Spain is generally subject to a 18% withholding tax.
Spainco has obtained shareholder approval for itself and its subsidiaries to file a consolidated tax return for the 2005 through 2007 tax years, and it intends to do so for its 2008 Spanish tax filing due in July of 2009. As a result, no withholding taxes should apply to any interest or dividend payments made between Spainco and its Spanish subsidiaries.
As described above, Spainco is capitalized with debt and equity from Luxco, which owns 100% of Spainco. We expect that Spainco will not pay dividends but will distribute all of its available cash through the payment of interest and principal on its loans owing to Luxco for at least the next ten years. Once these loans are fully repaid, Spainco will distribute all of its available cash to Luxco through dividends.
Pursuant to Spanish law, interest paid by Spainco to Luxco is not subject to Spanish withholding tax if our Spanish subsidiaries respect the debt-to-equity provisions applicable to direct and indirect debt borrowed from non-European Union resident related parties and if Luxco is a resident of Luxembourg, Luxco does not have a permanent establishment in Spain, and Luxco is not a company qualifying as a tax-exempt 1929 holding company under Luxembourg legislation. We believe Luxco meets the Spanish law requirements. Consequently, we believe that interest paid by Spainco to Luxco should not be subject to withholding tax in Spain.
Pursuant to the European Union Parent-Subsidiary Directive, dividends paid by Spainco to Luxco are not subject to Spanish withholding taxes if Luxco meets an ownership requirement and a Luxembourg presence requirement. We do not anticipate Spainco paying dividends to Luxco in the foreseeable future.

 

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Qatar Taxation
The following discussion is based upon our knowledge of the tax laws of Qatar and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder. The following discussion is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the Qatar income tax considerations applicable to us.
The Qatar Public Revenue and Tax Department’s (or QPRTD) has confirmed that foreign entities are subject to tax in Qatar on income earned from international shipping within Qatari waters. Qatar income tax is usually determined separately for each entity, although on occasion the QPRTD may insist upon a consolidated basis being adopted for multiple foreign entities owned by a common parent. In our case, the three LNG carriers we began operating in Qatar beginning in late 2006 (or the RasGas II LNG Carriers) are operated by separate shipowning subsidiaries owned by Teekay Nakilat Corporation (or Teekay Nakilat), of which we own a 70% interest. An additional four LNG carriers, which were delivered between May 2008 and July 2008, are owned by the Ras Gas 3 Joint Venture in which we acquired a 40% interest in May 2008.
Based on the QPRTD’s confirmation, we believe that Teekay Nakilat’s income earned from activity in Qatar is taxable. Because the time charter revenue we earn from the Qatari voyages is earned on a daily or time use basis, we believe it is more likely than not that this revenue will be taxable in Qatar only in relation to the time the vessels operate in Qatari waters. Expenses specifically and demonstrably related to the revenue taxable in Qatar should be deductible in calculating income subject to Qatari tax.
Based on our anticipated operation of the three RasGas II LNG Carriers, we believe that the allocation and deduction of operating expenses, tax depreciation and interest expense to the revenue taxable in Qatar should result in no taxation in Qatar for the first ten years of operation, ending in 2016. Furthermore, because the time charters for the RasGas II LNG Carries provide for a gross up payment for any Qatari tax Teekay Nakilat must pay with respect to the operation of the LNG carriers in Qatari waters, we believe any Qatari taxes will not affect our financial results. However, during January 2006, Teekay Corporation entered into finance leases with a U.K. lessor for the three RasGas II LNG Carriers and will have to separately reimburse the lessor for any Qatari taxes. We expect any Qatar tax that the lessor may incur will be insignificant in amount.
Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
General
Teekay LNG Partners L.P. is an international provider of marine transportation services for LNG, LPG and crude oil. We were formed in 2004 by Teekay Corporation, the world’s largest owner and operator of medium sized crude oil tankers, to expand its operations in the LNG shipping sector. Our primary growth strategy focuses on expanding our fleet of LNG and LPG carriers under long-term, fixed-rate time charters. We intend to continue our practice of acquiring LNG and LPG carriers as needed for approved projects only after the long-term charters for the projects have been awarded to us, rather than ordering vessels on a speculative basis. In executing our growth strategy, we may engage in vessel or business acquisitions or enter into joint ventures and partnerships with companies that may provide increased access to emerging opportunities from global expansion of the LNG and LPG sectors. We seek to leverage the expertise, relationships and reputation of Teekay Corporation and its affiliates to pursue these opportunities in the LNG and LPG sectors and may consider other opportunities to which our competitive strengths are well suited. We view our Suezmax tanker fleet primarily as a source of stable cash flow as we seek to expand our LNG and LPG operations.
Our primary goal is to increase our quarterly distributions to unitholders. During 2008 we increased distributions from $0.53 per unit for the fourth quarter of 2007 to $0.55 per unit effective for the second quarter of 2008 and to $0.57 per unit for the third quarter of 2008.
SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN 2008
Equity Offerings
On April 23, 2008, we completed a follow-on public offering of 5.0 million common units at a price of $28.75 per unit, for gross proceeds of approximately $143.8 million. On May 8, 2008, the underwriters partially exercised their over-allotment option and purchased an additional 375,000 common units for an additional $10.8 million in gross proceeds to us. Concurrently with the public offering, Teekay Corporation acquired 1.7 million of our common units at the same public offering price for a total cost of $50.0 million. As a result of these equity transactions, we raised gross proceeds of $208.7 million (including our general partner’s proportionate 2% capital contribution), and Teekay Corporation’s ownership of us was reduced from 63.7% to 57.7% (including its indirect 2% general partner interest). We used the net proceeds from the equity offerings of approximately $202.5 million to reduce amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facilities which were used to fund the acquisitions of the Kenai LNG Carriers and our interests in the RasGas 3 LNG Carriers described below.
Purchase of Kenai LNG Carriers
In December 2007, Teekay Corporation acquired two 1993-built LNG carriers (the Kenai LNG Carriers) from a joint venture between Marathon Oil Corporation and ConocoPhillips for a total cost of $230 million and chartered back the vessels to the seller until April 2009 (with options exercisable by the charterer to extend up to an additional seven years). The specialized ice-strengthened vessels were purpose-built to carry LNG from Alaska’s Kenai LNG plant to Japan.
Teekay Corporation offered these vessels to us in accordance with existing agreements. On April 1, 2008, we acquired these two vessels from Teekay Corporation for a total cost of $230 million and immediately chartered the vessels back to Teekay Corporation for a period of ten years (plus options exercisable by Teekay Corporation to extend up to an additional fifteen years). The charter rate is fixed, and does not provide Teekay Corporation with a profit over the net charter rate Teekay Corporation receives from the Marathon Oil Corporation/ConocoPhillips joint venture unless the joint venture exercises its option to extend the term in which case Teekay Corporation will recognize a profit. The charter rate also adjusts to account for changes in vessel operating expenses and drydocking costs.

 

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Teekay Corporation and the Marathon Oil Corporation/ConocoPhillips joint venture have agreed that when the joint venture ceases to charter the Kenai LNG Carriers, Teekay Corporation will have the right to cause the conversion of the carriers to floating units. If converted, Teekay Corporation would initially pay conversion costs and continue to pay the time charter rate, adjusted to reflect the lack of vessel operating expense. Upon delivery of a converted carrier, we would reimburse Teekay Corporation for the conversion cost, but would receive an increase in the charter rate to account for the capital expenditure to convert the vessel. In addition, because Teekay Corporation is providing at least ten years of stable cash flow to us, we have agreed that it will not be required to offer to us under other existing agreements any re-charter opportunity for the carriers and we will share in the profits of any future charter or floating unit project in excess of a specified rate of return for the project. We have granted Teekay Corporation a right of refusal on any sale of the Kenai LNG Carriers to a third party.
One of the Kenai LNG Carriers, the Arctic Spirit, came off charter from Teekay Corporation to the Marathon Oil Corporation/ConocoPhillips joint venture on March 31, 2009, and our subsidiary Arctic Spirit LLC and Teekay Corporation have entered into a joint development and option agreement with Merrill Lynch Commodities, Inc. (MLCI), which gives MLCI the option to purchase the vessel for conversion to an LNG floating production, storage and offload unit (FLNG). The agreement provides for a purchase price of $105 million if Teekay Corporation exercises its option to participate in the project, or $110 million if Teekay Corporation chooses not to participate. Under the option agreement, the Arctic Spirit is reserved for MLCI until December 31, 2009 and MLCI may extend the option quarterly through 2010. Because we charter the Arctic Spirit to Teekay Corporation, Teekay Corporation will continue to pay us the charter rate while the Arctic Spirit is subject to the option. If MLCI exercises the option and purchases the vessel from us, we expect MLCI to convert the vessel to an FLNG (although it is not required to do so) and charter it under a long-term charter contract to a third party. We and Teekay Corporation have the right to participate up to 50% in the conversion and charter project on terms that will be determined as the project progresses. If the option is not exercised, we will continue to charter the Arctic Spirit to Teekay Corporation on the current terms, and Teekay Corporation’s floating unit conversion rights described above will continue. In June 2009, Teekay Corporation has entered into a short-term time charter contract for the Arctic Spirit with Malaysia LNG Tiga Sdn Bhd.
Teekay Corporation will to continue to charter the other Kenai LNG Carriers, the Polar Spirit, to the joint venture until April 2010 and the joint venture has options to renew the charter for up to six more years. The agreement with MLCI also provides that if the conversion of the Arctic Spirit to an FLNG proceeds, we and Teekay Corporation will negotiate, along with an equity investment, a similar option for a designee of MLCI to purchase the Polar Spirit for $125 million when it comes off charter.
Purchase of RasGas 3 LNG Carriers
On May 6, 2008, Teekay Corporation sold to us, pursuant to an existing agreement, its 100% interest in Teekay Nakilat (III) Holdings Corporation (or Teekay Nakilat (III)), which owns a 40% interest in Teekay Nakilat (III) Corporation (or the RasGas 3 Joint Venture), for a price of $110.2 million. RasGas 3 Joint Venture owns four LNG carriers (the RasGas 3 LNG Carriers) which delivered between May and July 2008 and service the expansion of an LNG project in Qatar under long-term, fixed-rate time charters. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 12(f) — Related Party Transactions, for additional information about this transaction and the time-charter contracts under which these vessels operate.
Agreement to Purchase Skaugen Multigas Carriers
On July 28, 2008, Teekay Corporation signed contracts for the purchase of two technically advanced 12,000-cubic meter newbuilding Multigas vessels (or the Skaugen Multigas Carriers) capable of carrying LNG, LPG or ethylene from subsidiaries of Skaugen. We, in turn, agreed to acquire the vessels from Teekay upon delivery for a total cost of approximately $94.0 million. Both vessels are scheduled to be delivered in the second half of 2010. Upon delivery, each vessel will commence service under 15-year fixed-rate charters to Skaugen.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS
Commencement of the Skaugen LPG Project
In December 2006, we agreed to acquire upon delivery three LPG carriers from Skaugen, each of which has a purchase price of approximately $33 million. The first vessel delivered in April 2009 and the remaining two vessels are expected to be delivered by late 2009 and mid-2010. Upon delivery, the vessels will be chartered at fixed rates for 15 years to Skaugen.
Tangguh LNG Project
In November 2006, we agreed to acquire from Teekay Corporation its 70% interest in a joint venture owning two 155,000 cubic meter LNG carriers and the related 20-year, fixed-rate time charters to service the Tangguh LNG project in Indonesia. The remaining 30% interest in the joint venture relating to this project (or the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture) is held by BLT LNG Tangguh Corporation, a subsidiary of PT Berlian Laju Tanker Tbk. The customer will be The Tangguh Production Sharing Contractors, a consortium led by BP Berau Ltd., a subsidiary of BP plc.
The first of the two LNG carriers was delivered to the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture in November 2008 and the related charter commenced in January 2009. The second carrier was delivered in late March 2009 and the related charter commenced in May 2009. We are seeking to purchase Teekay Corporation’s interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture in 2009; however, we are also seeking to structure the project in a tax efficient manner and have requested a ruling from the IRS related to the type of structure we would use for this project. We do not intend to complete the purchase until we obtain a favorable ruling, which we anticipate receiving in the coming months. If we do not receive a favorable ruling, we would (i) seek to restructure the project, which may provide us less benefit than we originally anticipated or (ii) require certain tax elections to be made by unitholders in order to avoid adverse tax consequences. If any of these alternatives are not satisfactory to us, we may not acquire Teekay Corporation’s interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture. If the possibility of our not acquiring the interests in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture becomes more than remote, we may no longer account for the entity as a variable interest entity, and we may need to reconsider our current accounting of the entity.

 

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Angola LNG Project
In December 2007, a consortium in which Teekay Corporation has a 33% ownership interest agreed to charter four newbuilding 160,400-cubic meter LNG carriers for a period of 20 years to the Angola LNG Project. The Angola LNG Project is being developed by subsidiaries of Chevron Corporation, Sociedade Nacional de Combustiveis de Angola EP, BP Plc, Total S.A., and Eni SpA. The vessels will be chartered at fixed rates, with inflation adjustments, commencing in 2011. Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and NYK Bulkship (Europe) have 34% and 33% ownership interests in the consortium, respectively. Teekay Corporation is required to offer to us its 33% ownership interest in these vessels and related charter contracts not later than 180 days before delivery of the vessels. Deliveries of the vessels are scheduled between August 2011 and January 2012.
Important Financial and Operational Terms and Concepts
We use a variety of financial and operational terms and concepts when analyzing our performance. These include the following:
Voyage Revenues. Voyage revenues currently include revenues only from time charters. Voyage revenues are affected by hire rates and the number of calendar-ship-days a vessel operates. Voyage revenues are also affected by the mix of business between time and voyage charters. Hire rates for voyage charters are more volatile, as they are typically tied to prevailing market rates at the time of a voyage.
Voyage Expenses. Voyage expenses are all expenses unique to a particular voyage, including any bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls, agency fees and commissions. Voyage expenses are typically paid by the customer under time charters and by us under voyage charters.
Net Voyage Revenues. Net voyage revenues represent voyage revenues less voyage expenses. Because the amount of voyage expenses we incur for a particular charter depends upon the type of the charter, we use net voyage revenues to improve the comparability between periods of reported revenues that are generated by the different types of charters. We principally use net voyage revenues, a non-GAAP financial measure, because it provides more meaningful information to us about the deployment of our vessels and their performance than voyage revenues, the most directly comparable financial measure under GAAP.
Vessel Operating Expenses. We are responsible for vessel operating expenses, which include crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils and communication expenses. The two largest components of vessel operating expenses are crews and repairs and maintenance.
Income from Vessel Operations. To assist us in evaluating our operations by segment, we sometimes analyze the income we receive from each segment after deducting operating expenses, but prior to the deduction of interest expense, taxes, foreign currency and interest rate swap gains or losses and other income and losses. For more information, please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 4 — Segment Reporting.
Drydocking. We must periodically drydock each of our vessels for inspection, repairs and maintenance and any modifications required to comply with industry certification or governmental requirements. Generally, we drydock each of our vessels every five years. In addition, a shipping society classification intermediate survey is performed on our LNG and LPG carriers between the second and third year of a five-year drydocking period. We capitalize a substantial portion of the costs incurred during drydocking and for the survey and amortize those costs on a straight-line basis from the completion of a drydocking or intermediate survey to the estimated completion of the next drydocking or intermediate survey. We expense as incurred costs for routine repairs and maintenance performed during drydocking or intermediate survey that do not improve operating efficiency or extend the useful lives of the assets. The number of drydockings undertaken in a given period and the nature of the work performed determine the level of drydocking expenditures.
Depreciation and Amortization. Our depreciation and amortization expense typically consists of the following three components:
   
charges related to the depreciation of the historical cost of our fleet (less an estimated residual value) over the estimated useful lives of our vessels;
   
charges related to the amortization of drydocking expenditures over the estimated number of years to the next scheduled drydocking; and
   
charges related to the amortization of the fair value of the time charters acquired in the 2004 Teekay Spain acquisition (over the remaining terms of the charters).
Revenue Days. Revenue days are the total number of calendar days our vessels were in our possession during a period less the total number of off-hire days during the period associated with major repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys. Consequently, revenue days represents the total number of days available for the vessel to earn revenue. Idle days, which are days when the vessel is available to earn revenue, yet is not employed, are included in revenue days. We use revenue days to explain changes in our net voyage revenues between periods.
Calendar-Ship-Days. Calendar-ship-days are equal to the total number of calendar days that our vessels were in our possession during a period. As a result, we use calendar-ship-days primarily in explaining changes in vessel operating expenses and depreciation and amortization.
Utilization. Utilization is an indicator of the use of our fleet during a given period, and is determined by dividing our revenue days by our calendar-ship-days for the period.
Restricted Cash Deposits. Under capital lease arrangements for four of our LNG carriers, we (a) borrowed under term loans and deposited the proceeds into restricted cash accounts and (b) entered into capital leases, also referred to as “bareboat charters,” for the vessels. The restricted cash deposits, together with interest earned on the deposits, will equal the remaining amounts we owe under the lease arrangements, including our obligation to purchase the vessels at the end of the lease terms, where applicable. During vessel construction, we borrowed under the term loans and made restricted cash deposits equal to construction installment payments. For more information, please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 5 — Leases and Restricted Cash.

 

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Foreign Currency Fluctuations. Our functional currency is U.S. dollars. Our results of operations are affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates. The volatility in our financial results due to currency exchange rate fluctuations are attributed primarily to the following factors:
   
Unrealized end-of-period revaluations. Under U.S. accounting guidelines, all foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities, such as cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, long-term debt and capital lease obligations, are revalued and reported based on the prevailing exchange rate at the end of the period. A substantial majority of our foreign currency gains and losses are attributable to this revaluation in respect of our Euro-denominated term loans. Substantially all of these gains and losses are unrealized.
   
Foreign currency revenues and expenses. A portion of our voyage revenues are denominated in Euros. A substantial majority of our vessel operating expenses and general and administrative expenses are denominated in Euros, which is primarily a function of the nationality of our crew and administrative staff. We also have Euro-denominated interest expense and interest income related to our Euro-denominated loans and Euro-denominated restricted cash deposits, respectively. As a result, fluctuations in the Euro relative to the U.S. Dollar have caused, and are likely to continue to cause, fluctuations in our reported voyage revenues, vessel operating expenses, general and administrative expenses, interest expense and interest income.
Our Euro-denominated revenues currently generally approximate our Euro-denominated expenses and Euro-denominated loan and interest payments. For this reason, we have not entered into any forward contracts or similar arrangements to protect against the risk of foreign currency-denominated revenues, expenses or monetary assets or liabilities. If our foreign currency-denominated revenues and expenses become sufficiently disproportionate in the future, we may engage in hedging activities. For more information, please read Item 11 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Items You Should Consider When Evaluating Our Results of Operations
Some factors that have affected our historical financial performance or will affect our future performance are listed below:
   
Our financial results reflect the results of the interests in vessels acquired from Teekay Corporation for all periods the vessels were under common control. In January 2007, we acquired a 2000-built LPG carrier, the Dania Spirit, from Teekay Corporation and the related long-term, fixed-rate time charter. In April 2008, we acquired interests in the two Kenai LNG Carriers, the Arctic Spirit and the Polar Spirit, from Teekay Corporation and related long-term, fixed-rate time-charter contracts.
 
     
These transactions were deemed to be business acquisitions between entities under common control. Accordingly, we have accounted for these transactions in a manner similar to the pooling of interest method whereby our financial statements prior to the date these vessels were acquired by us are retroactively adjusted to include the results of these acquired vessels. The periods retroactively adjusted include all periods that we and the acquired vessels were both under the common control of Teekay Corporation and had begun operations. As a result, our financial statements reflect these vessels and their results of operations referred to herein as the Dropdown Predecessor, as if we had acquired them when each respective vessel began operations under the ownership of Teekay Corporation, which were April 1, 2003 (Dania Spirit), and December 13 and 14, 2007 (the two Kenai LNG Carriers).
   
Our financial results reflect the consolidation of Teekay Nakilat and reflect the sale and leaseback of the three RasGas II LNG Carriers. During January 2006, the three subsidiaries of Teekay Nakilat, each of which had contracted to have built one of the RasGas II LNG Carriers, sold their shipbuilding contracts to SeaSpirit Leasing Limited and entered into the 30-year capital lease arrangements to commence upon the respective deliveries of the vessels.
 
     
As a result of this transaction, Teekay Nakilat received $313.0 million from the sale of the shipbuilding contracts, which approximated the accumulated construction costs incurred as of the sale date. The proceeds from the sale were used to fund restricted cash deposits relating to the capital leases. During 2006, Teekay Nakilat placed an additional $169.1 million in restricted cash deposits, which was funded with $154.8 million of term loans and $14.3 million of loans from its joint venture partners. During 2006, Teekay Nakilat earned $5.4 million of interest income on its restricted cash deposits and incurred $24.7 million of interest expense on its long-term debt and loans from its joint venture partners. During 2007, Teekay Nakilat placed an additional $107.9 million in restricted cash deposits, which was funded with $106.5 million of term loans and $1.4 million of loans from its joint venture partners. During 2007, Teekay Nakilat earned $26.6 million of interest income on its restricted cash deposits and incurred $65.0 million of interest expense on its long-term debt and loans from its joint venture partners. During 2008, Teekay Nakilat placed an additional $18.8 million in restricted cash deposits, which was funded with interest earned on the deposits. During 2008, Teekay Nakilat earned $24.0 million of interest income on its restricted cash deposits and incurred $56.4 million of interest expense on its long-term debt and loans from its joint venture partners.
   
Our financial results reflect the consolidation of Teekay Tangguh, Teekay Nakilat (III), and the Skaugen Multigas Carriers prior to our purchase of interests in those entities. On November 1, 2006, we entered into an agreement with Teekay Corporation to purchase (a) its 100% interest in Teekay Tangguh Holdings Corporation (or Teekay Tangguh), which owns a 70% interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture, and (b) its 100% interest in Teekay Nakilat (III), which owns a 40% interest in the RasGas 3 Joint Venture. The Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture owns two LNG newbuildings (or the Tangguh LNG Carriers) and related 20-year time charters. RasGas 3 Joint Venture owns the four RasGas 3 LNG Carriers and the related 25-year time charters. We have been required to consolidate Teekay Tangguh in our consolidated financial statements since November 1, 2006, as this entity is a variable interest entity and we are its primary beneficiary; we likewise consolidated in our financial statements Teekay Nakilat (III) as a variable interest entity of which we were the primary beneficiary from November 1, 2006 until we purchased it on May 6, 2008. After this purchase, Teekay Nakilat (III) was no longer a variable interest entity and we now equity account for Teekay Nakilat (III)’s investment in the RasGas 3 Joint Venture in our consolidated financial statements. Our purchase of Teekay Corporation’s interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture has been delayed because, as described above, we are seeking to structure the project in a tax efficient manner. If we are unable to determine a satisfactory structure, we may not acquire this interest. If the possibility of our not acquiring this interest becomes more than remote, we may no longer account for Teekay Tangguh as a variable interest entity, and we may need to reconsider our current accounting of the entity. On July 28, 2008, Teekay Corporation signed contracts for the purchase of two Skaugen Multigas Carriers from subsidiaries of Skaugen. We have agreed to acquire the companies that own the Skaugen Multigas Carriers from Teekay Corporation upon delivery of the vessels. We have consolidated these ship-owning companies in our financial statements as variable interest entities as we are the primary beneficiary. Please read Item 18 - Financial Statements: Notes 12(e), 12(f), and 12(l) — Related Party Transactions and Note 14(a) — Commitments and Contingencies.

 

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Subsidiaries of the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture entered into a U.K. tax lease in December 2007. Upon delivery of the vessels, subsidiaries of the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture will lease the vessels to Everest Leasing Company Limited (or Everest) for a period of 20 years under a tax lease arrangement. Simultaneously, Everest will lease the vessels back to other subsidiaries of the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture for a period of 20 years.
We are seeking to purchase Teekay Corporation’s interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture in 2009; however, we are also seeking to structure the project in a tax efficient manner and have requested a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service related to the type of structure we would use for this project. We do not intend to complete the purchase until we obtain a favorable ruling, which we anticipate receiving in the coming months. If we do not receive a favorable ruling, we would (i) seek to restructure the project, which may provide us less benefit than we originally anticipated or (ii) require certain tax elections to be made by unitholders in order to avoid adverse tax consequences. If any of these alternatives are not satisfactory to us, we may not acquire Teekay Corporation’s interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture. If the possibility of our not acquiring the interests in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture becomes more than remote, we may no longer account for the entity as a variable interest entity, and we may need to reconsider our current accounting of the entity.
   
The size of our fleet will change. Our historical results of operations reflect changes in the size and composition of our fleet due to certain vessel deliveries. Please read “ — Liquefied Gas Segment” below for further details about certain prior and future vessel deliveries.
   
One of our Suezmax tankers earns revenues based partly on spot market rates. The time charter for one Suezmax tanker, the Teide Spirit, contains a component providing for additional revenues to us beyond the fixed hire rate when spot market rates exceed certain threshold amounts. Accordingly, even though declining spot market rates will not result in our receiving less than the fixed hire rate, our results may continue to be influenced, in part, by the variable component of the Teide Spirit charter. During 2008, 2007 and 2006, we earned $6.6 million, $1.9 million and $3.8 million, respectively, in additional revenue from this variable component.
   
Our vessel operating costs are facing industry-wide cost pressures. The oil shipping industry is experiencing a global manpower shortage due to significant growth in the world fleet. This shortage resulted in crew wage increases during 2007 and 2008. We expect the trend of increasing crew compensation to continue during 2009.
   
The amount and timing of drydockings of our vessels can significantly affect our revenues between periods. During 2006 to 2008, our vessels were offhire at various points of time due to scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. The financial impact from these periods of offhire, if material, is explained in further detail below in “— Results of Operations”. No vessels are scheduled for drydocking in 2009.
Year Ended December 31, 2008 versus Year Ended December 31, 2007
Liquefied Gas Segment
Our fleet includes fourteen LNG carriers (including the four delivered RasGas 3 LNG Carriers which we acquired in 2008 and are accounted for under the equity method) and one LPG carrier. All of our LNG and LPG carriers operate under long-term, fixed-rate time charters. We expect our liquefied gas segment to increase due to the following:
   
As discussed above, subject to determining a tax efficient structure, we have agreed to acquire from Teekay Corporation its 70% interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture, which owns the two newbuilding Tangguh LNG Carriers and the related 20-year, fixed-rate time charters to service the Tangguh LNG project in Indonesia. Please read item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 12(e) — Related Party Transactions and Note 14(a) — Commitments and Contingencies.
   
We have agreed to acquire upon delivery the three Skaugen LPG Carriers from Skaugen for approximately $33 million per vessel. The first vessel was delivered in April 2009 and the other two vessels currently under construction are scheduled to be delivered by late 2009 and mid-2010. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 14(b) — Commitments and Contingencies.
   
As discussed above, we agreed to acquire upon delivery the Skaugen Multigas Carriers from Teekay Corporation for a total cost of approximately $94 million. Both vessels are expected to be delivered in the second half of 2010. Please read item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 12(l) — Related Party Transactions.
   
As discussed above, Teekay Corporation is required to offer to us its 33% ownership interest in the consortium relating to the Angola LNG Project not later than 180 days before delivery of the related four newbuilding LNG carriers. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 18 — Other Information.

 

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The following table compares our liquefied gas segment’s operating results for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, and compares its net voyage revenues (which is a non-GAAP financial measure) for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 to voyage revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. The following table also provides a summary of the changes in calendar-ship-days and revenue days for our liquefied gas segment:
                         
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except revenue days,
  Year Ended December 31,          
calendar-ship-days and percentages)   2008     2007     % Change  
 
                       
Voyage revenues
    222,318       172,822       28.6  
Voyage expenses
    1,397       109       1,181.7  
 
                 
Net voyage revenues
    220,921       172,713       27.9  
Vessel operating expenses
    49,400       32,696       51.1  
Depreciation and amortization
    57,880       45,986       25.9  
General and administrative (1)
    11,247       7,445       51.1  
 
                 
Income from vessel operations
    102,394       86,586       18.3  
 
                 
 
                       
Operating Data:
                       
Revenue Days (A)
    3,631       2,825       28.5  
Calendar-Ship-Days (B)
    3,701       2,897       27.8  
Utilization (A)/(B)
    98 %     98 %        
     
(1)  
Includes direct general and administrative expenses and indirect general and administrative expenses (allocated to each segment based on estimated use of resources).
We operated ten LNG carriers (not including the four RasGas 3 LNG Carriers delivered in 2008, which are accounted for under the equity method following their deliveries between May and July of 2008) and seven LNG carriers during 2008 and 2007, respectively. We took delivery of two LNG carriers (the RasGas II LNG Carriers) in January and February 2007, respectively (collectively, the 2007 RasGas II Deliveries), as well as one LPG carrier, the Dania Spirit, in January 2007. On April 1, 2008, we purchased from Teekay Corporation two Kenai LNG Carriers, the Arctic Spirit and the Polar Spirit; however, as they are included among the vessels constituting the Dropdown Predecessor, they have been included in our results as if they were acquired on December 13 and 14, 2007, respectively, when they began operations under the ownership of Teekay Corporation. On November 21, 2008, we took delivery of one LNG carrier, the Tangguh Hiri. As a result, our total calendar-ship-days increased by 27.8% to 3,701 days in 2008 from 2,897 days in 2007.
During 2008 one of our LNG carriers, the Catalunya Spirit, incurred approximately 5.5 days of offhire due to the loss of propulsion and 28.8 days for a scheduled drydock. The cost of the repairs was $0.7 million and we recovered $0.5 million under a protection and indemnity insurance policy. The vessel was repaired and resumed normal operations.
On March 29, 2007, the Madrid Spirit sustained damage to its engine boilers when a condenser tube failed resulting in seawater contamination of the boilers. The cost of the repairs incurred in 2007 was $10.9 million and was recoverable by the hull and machinery insurance policy on the vessel, net of a $0.5 million deductible. There is $0.9 million of insured work outstanding to be completed at next drydock. The Madrid Spirit was off-hire for a total of 84.9 days during the year ended December 31, 2007, of which all but 14 days were covered by loss-of-hire insurance provided by Teekay Corporation to recover lost time-charter revenue. Coverage under the loss-of-hire insurance policy commences after a 14-day deductible, net of the vessel’s strike and delay insurance which covers 7 days of loss-of-hire. In July 2007, Teekay Corporation reimbursed us $5.5 million in loss-of-hire losses. The Madrid Spirit resumed normal operations in early July 2007.
Net Voyage Revenues. Net voyage revenues increased during 2008 compared to 2007, primarily as a result of:
   
an increase of $37.3 million due to full year operations in 2008 of the two Kenai LNG Carriers acquired by Teekay Corporation in 2007;
   
an increase of $6.0 million due to full year operations in 2008 of the RasGas II LNG Carriers delivered in 2007;
   
an increase of $4.7 million due to the effect on our Euro-denominated revenues from the strengthening of the Euro against the U.S. Dollar compared to the same period last year;
   
a relative increase of $2.0 million due to the Hispania Spirit being off-hire for 30.8 days for a scheduled drydock during July 2007; and
   
a net increase of $1.1 million due to the Madrid Spirit being off-hire during 2007, as discussed above;
partially offset by:
   
a decrease of $3.1 million due to the Catalunya Spirit being off-hire for 34.3 days during 2008, as discussed above;
   
a decrease of $0.3 million due to the Dania Spirit being off-hire for 15.5 days during 2008 for a scheduled drydock; and
   
a decrease of $0.4 million due to the delivery of the Tangguh Hiri in November 2008;

 

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Vessel Operating Expenses. Vessel operating expenses increased during 2008 compared to 2007, primarily as a result of:
   
an increase of $11.5 million due to full year operations of the two Kenai LNG Carriers acquired by Teekay Corporation in 2007;
   
an increase of $2.3 million due to the effect on our Euro-denominated vessel operating expenses from the strengthening of the Euro against the U.S. Dollar during such periods compared to the same periods last year (a majority of our vessel operating expenses are denominated in Euros, which is primarily a function of the nationality of our crew; our Euro-denominated revenues currently generally approximate our Euro-denominated expenses and Euro-denominated loan and interest payments);
   
an increase of $1.4 million relating to higher crew manning, insurance and repairs and maintenance costs;
   
an increase of $1.3 million relating to service costs associated with the Dania Spirit being off-hire for 15.5 days during 2008 for a scheduled drydock; and
   
an increase of $1.1 million from the delivery of Tangguh Hiri in November 2008;
partially offset by
   
a relative decrease of $0.8 million relating to the cost of the repairs completed on the Madrid Spirit during the second quarter of 2007 net of estimated insurance recoveries.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased during 2008 compared to 2007, primarily as a result of:
   
an increase of $9.4 million due to full year operations in 2008 of the two Kenai LNG Carriers acquired by Teekay Corporation in 2007;
   
an increase of $1.7 million due to full year operations in 2008 of the RasGas II LNG Carriers delivered in 2007;
   
an increase of $0.6 million from the delivery of the Tangguh Hiri; and
   
an increase of $0.4 million relating to amortization of drydock expenditures incurred during 2008.
Suezmax Tanker Segment
During 2008 and 2007, we operated eight Suezmax-class double-hulled conventional crude oil tankers. All of our Suezmax tankers operate under long-term, fixed-rate time charters.
The following table compares our Suezmax tanker segment’s operating results for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, and compares its net voyage revenues (which is a non-GAAP financial measure) for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 to voyage revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. The following table also provides a summary of the changes in calendar-ship-days and revenue days for our Suezmax tanker segment:
                         
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except revenue days,   Year Ended December 31,  
calendar-ship-days and percentages)   2008     2007     % Change  
 
                       
Voyage revenues
    81,463       97,152       (16.1 )
Voyage expenses
    1,856       1,088       70.6  
 
                 
Net voyage revenues
    79,607       96,064       (17.1 )
Vessel operating expenses
    27,713       24,167       14.7  
Depreciation and amortization
    19,000       20,031       (5.1 )
General and administrative (1)
    8,954       7,741       15.7  
 
                 
Income from vessel operations
    23,940       44,125       (45.7 )
 
                 
 
                       
Operating Data:
                       
Revenue Days (A)
    2,866       2,920       (1.8 )
Calendar-Ship-Days (B)
    2,928       2,920       0.3  
Utilization (A)/(B)
    98 %     100 %        
     
(1)  
Includes direct general and administrative expenses and indirect general and administrative expenses (allocated to each segment based on estimated use of corporate resources).
Net Voyage Revenues. Net voyage revenues decreased during 2008 compared to 2007, primarily as a result of:
   
a decrease of $16.1 million relating to the change in fair value of a derivative relating to the agreement between us and Teekay Corporation for the Toledo Spirit time charter contract (we have not designated this derivative as a hedge and as such the change in fair value is reflected in voyage revenues in our consolidated statements of income) (please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 13 — Derivative Instruments);
   
a decrease of $2.6 million due to interest-rate adjustments to the daily charter rates under the time charter contracts for five Suezmax tankers (however, under the terms of these capital leases, we had corresponding decreases in our lease payments, which are reflected as decreases to interest expense; therefore, these and future interest rate adjustments do not and will not affect our cash flow or net income);
   
a decrease of $0.8 million relating to higher bunker fuel expense incurred during vessel drydocking;
   
a decrease of $0.6 million due to the European Spirit being off-hire for 24.1 days during 2008 for a scheduled drydock;
   
a decrease of $0.5 million due to the Asian Spirit being off-hire for 19.4 days during 2008 for a scheduled drydock; and
   
a decrease of $0.5 million due to the African Spirit being off-hire for 18.9 days during 2008 for a scheduled drydock;
partially offset by
   
an increase of $4.6 million relating to higher revenues earned by the Teide Spirit due to market rates exceeding specified amounts under our time charter (the time charter for the Teide Spirit contains a component providing for additional revenues to us beyond the fixed hire rate when spot market rates exceed threshold amounts).

 

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Vessel Operating Expenses. Vessel operating expenses increased during 2008 compared to 2007, primarily as a result of:
   
an increase of $2.7 million relating to higher crew manning, insurance, and repairs and maintenance costs; and
   
an increase of $1.0 million due to the effect on our Euro-denominated vessel operating expenses from the strengthening of the Euro against the U.S. Dollar during such period compared to the same periods last year (a majority of our vessel operating expenses are denominated in Euros, which is primarily a function of the nationality of our crew; our Euro-denominated revenues currently generally approximate our Euro-denominated expenses and Euro-denominated loan and interest payments).
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization decreased during 2008 compared to 2007, primarily as a result of:
   
a decrease of $1.5 million due to an increase in salvage value estimates on our Suezmax tanker fleet;
partially offset by
   
an increase of $0.5 million due to the amortization of the costs associated with the scheduled drydockings during 2008 relating to the European Spirit, the Asian Spirit and the African Spirit.
Other Operating Results
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased 33% to $20.2 million for 2008, from $15.2 for 2007. This increase was primarily the result of:
   
an increase of $1.8 million associated with corporate services provided to us by Teekay Corporation subsidiaries;
   
an increase of $1.4 million relating to audit, legal and tax research costs, related primarily to the restatement of our financial results for the years 2003 through 2007 and first quarter of 2008;
   
an increase of $0.6 million relating to annual cost of living increases in salaries and benefits and long-term incentive plan accruals; and
   
an increase of $0.2 million associated with additional ship management services provided to us by Teekay Corporation subsidiaries relating to the deliveries of the RasGas II LNG Carriers, the first Tangguh LNG Carrier and the purchase of the Kenai LNG Carriers; and
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased 140.7% to $404.2 million for 2008, from $167.9 million for 2007. Interest expense primarily reflects interest incurred on our capital lease obligations and long-term debt as well as the fair value changes related to our interest rate swap agreements. These changes were primarily the result of:
   
an increase of $227.9 million relating to the change in fair value of our interest rate swaps (please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 13 — Derivative Instruments);
   
an increase of $9.3 million relating to debt of Teekay Nakilat (III) used by the RasGas 3 Joint Venture to fund shipyard construction installment payments (as indicated below, a portion of this increase in interest expense is offset by a corresponding increase in interest income from advances to the joint venture);
   
an increase of $3.0 million relating to debt incurred to finance the acquisition of the Kenai LNG Carriers;
   
an increase of $2.2 million due to the effect on our Euro-denominated debt from the strengthening of the Euro against the U.S. Dollar during such period compared to the same period last year; and
   
an increase of $1.0 million due to amortization of loan costs;
partially offset by
   
a decrease of $3.6 million from declining interest rates on our five Suezmax tanker capital lease obligations (however, as described above, under the terms of the time charter contracts for these vessels, we received corresponding decreases in charter payments, which are reflected as a decrease to voyage revenues);
   
a decrease of $2.1 million from the scheduled loan payments on the Catalunya Spirit, and scheduled capital lease repayments on the Madrid Spirit (the Madrid Spirit is financed pursuant to a Spanish tax lease arrangement, under which we borrowed under a term loan and deposited the proceeds into a restricted cash account and entered into a capital lease for the vessel; as a result, this decrease in interest expense from the capital lease is offset by a corresponding decrease in the interest income from restricted cash);
   
a relative decrease of $0.6 million relating to the write-off of capitalized loan costs resulting from refinancing the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture debt in December 2007; and
   
a decrease of $0.5 million relating to the decrease in debt of Teekay Nakilat used to finance restricted cash deposits and repay advances from Teekay Corporation.

 

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We have not designated our interest rate swaps as hedges and as such change in fair value of the swaps are reflected in interest expense in our consolidated statements of income.
Interest Income. Interest income increased 171.5% to $240.9 million for 2008, from $88.7 million for 2007. Interest income primarily reflects interest earned on restricted cash deposits that approximate the present value of the remaining amounts we owe under lease arrangements on four of our LNG carriers, as well as the fair value changes related to our interest rate swap agreements. These changes were primarily the result of:
   
an increase of $148.5 million relating to the change in fair value of our non-designated RasGas II defeasance deposit interest rate swaps (please read Item 18 - Financial Statements: Note 13 — Derivative Instruments);
   
an increase of $5.4 million relating to interest-bearing advances made by us to the RasGas 3 Joint Venture for shipyard construction installment payments;
   
an increase of $0.6 million due to the effect on our Euro-denominated deposits from the strengthening of the Euro against the U.S. Dollar during such period compared to the same period last year; and
   
an increase of $0.4 million relating to the interest earned on the refund of a re-investment tax credit received in the second quarter of 2008;
partially offset by
   
a decrease of $2.3 million relating to a decrease in restricted cash used to fund capital lease payments for the RasGas II LNG Carriers; and
   
a decrease of $1.1 million, primarily from scheduled capital lease repayments on one of our LNG carriers which was funded from restricted cash deposits.
Foreign Currency Exchange (Losses) Gains. Foreign currency exchange gains were $18.2 million for 2008, compared to foreign currency exchange losses of $41.2 million for 2007. These foreign currency exchange gains and losses, substantially all of which were unrealized, are due substantially to the relevant period-end revaluation of Euro-denominated term loans for financial reporting purposes. Losses reflect a weaker U.S. Dollar against the Euro on the date of revaluation. Gains reflect a stronger U.S. Dollar against the Euro on the date of revaluation.
Goodwill Impairment. Due to the decline in market conditions, we conducted an interim impairment review of our reporting units during the third quarter of 2008. The fair value of the reporting units was estimated using the expected present value of future cash flows. The fair value of the reporting units was then compared to its carrying values at September 30, 2008 and it was determined that the fair value attributable our Suezmax tanker segment was less than its carrying value. As a result of our review, a goodwill impairment loss of $3.6 million was recognized in the Suezmax tanker reporting unit during 2008.
Year Ended December 31, 2007 versus Year Ended December 31, 2006
Liquefied Gas Segment
We operated nine LNG carriers and one LPG carrier during 2007. On April 1, 2008, we purchased from Teekay Corporation the two Kenai LNG Carriers the Arctic Spirit and the Polar Spirit. They are included as a Dropdown Predecessor in our results as if they were acquired on December 13 and 14, 2007, respectively, when they began operations under the ownership of Teekay Corporation.
We operated five LNG carriers during 2006. We took delivery of the following three RasGas II LNG Carriers: the Al Marrouna in October 2006; the Al Areesh in January 2007; and the Al Daayen in February 2007. As a result, our total calendar-ship-days increased by 54% to 2,897 days in 2007 from 1,887 days in 2006. We also acquired one LPG carrier, the Dania Spirit, in January 2007 from Teekay Corporation; however, as a result of the impact of the Dropdown Predecessor, this vessel has been included for accounting purposes in our results as if it was acquired on April 1, 2003, when it was acquired by Teekay Corporation.

 

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The following table compares our liquefied gas segment’s operating results for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, and compares its net voyage revenues (which is a non-GAAP financial measure) for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 to voyage revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. The following table also provides a summary of the changes in calendar-ship-days and revenue days for our liquefied gas segment:
                         
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except revenue days,
  Year Ended December 31,          
calendar-ship-days and percentages)   2007     2006     % Change  
 
                       
Voyage revenues
    172,822       104,506       65.4  
Voyage expenses
    109       975       (88.8 )
 
                 
Net voyage revenues
    172,713       103,531       66.8  
Vessel operating expenses
    32,696       20,140       62.3  
Depreciation and amortization
    45,986       33,220       38.4  
General and administrative (1)
    7,445       6,914       7.7  
 
                 
Income from vessel operations
    86,586       43,257       100.2  
 
                 
 
                       
Operating Data:
                       
Revenue Days (A)
    2,825       1,831       54.3  
Calendar-Ship-Days (B)
    2,897       1,887       53.5  
Utilization (A)/(B)
    98 %     97 %        
     
(1)  
Includes direct general and administrative expenses and indirect general and administrative expenses (allocated to each segment based on estimated use of resources).
Net Voyage Revenues. Net voyage revenues increased during 2007 compared to 2006, primarily as a result of:
   
an increase of $59.8 million from the delivery of the RasGas II LNG Carriers;
   
an increase of $7.4 million due to the effect on our Euro-denominated revenues from the strengthening of the Euro against the U.S. Dollar during such period compared to the same period last year;
   
an increase of $2.4 million due to the Catalunya Spirit being off-hire for 35.5 days during 2006 as described above; and
   
an increase of $2.0 million from the purchase of the two Kenai LNG Carriers;
partially offset by
   
a decrease of $2.0 million relating to 30.8 days of off-hire for a scheduled drydocking for one of our LNG carriers, the Hispania Spirit, during July 2007; and
   
a net decrease of $0.5 million due to the Madrid Spirit being off-hire, as discussed above.
Vessel Operating Expenses. Vessel operating expenses increased during 2007 compared to 2006, primarily as a result of:
   
an increase of $9.9 million from the delivery of the RasGas II LNG Carriers;
   
an increase of $1.4 million due to the effect on our Euro-denominated vessel operating expenses from the strengthening of the Euro against the U.S. Dollar during such period compared to the same periods last year (a majority of our vessel operating expenses are denominated in Euros, which is primarily a function of the nationality of our crew; our Euro-denominated revenues currently generally approximate our Euro-denominated expenses and Euro-denominated loan and interest payments);
   
an increase of $0.9 million relating to higher salaries for crew and officers primarily due to general wage escalations, and higher insurance and repairs and maintenance costs;
   
an increase of $0.8 million relating to the cost of the repairs completed on the Madrid Spirit during the second quarter of 2007 net of estimated insurance recoveries; and
   
an increase of $0.4 million from the purchase of the two Kenai LNG Carriers;
partially offset by
   
a relative decrease of $1.0 million from the cost of repairs completed on the Catalunya Spirit during the second quarter of 2006 net of estimated insurance recoveries.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased during 2007 compared to 2006, primarily as a result of:
   
an increase of $11.6 million from the delivery of the RasGas II LNG Carriers;
   
an increase of $0.8 million relating to amortization of drydock expenditures incurred during 2007; and
   
an increase of $0.5 million from the purchase of the two Kenai LNG Carriers.

 

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Suezmax Tanker Segment
We operated eight Suezmax-class double-hulled conventional crude oil tankers in 2007 and 2006.
The following table compares our Suezmax tanker segment’s operating results for the year ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, and compares its net voyage revenues (which is a non-GAAP financial measure) for the year ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 to voyage revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. The following table also provides a summary of the changes in calendar-ship-days and revenue days for our Suezmax tanker segment:
                         
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except revenue days,
  Year Ended December 31,          
calendar-ship-days and percentages)   2007     2006     % Change  
 
                       
Voyage revenues
    97,152       82,374       17.9  
Voyage expenses
    1,088       1,061       2.5  
 
                 
Net voyage revenues
    96,064       81,313       18.1  
Vessel operating expenses
    24,167       20,837       16.0  
Depreciation and amortization
    20,031       19,856       0.9  
General and administrative (1)
    7,741       7,238       6.9  
 
                 
Income from vessel operations
    44,125       33,382       32.2  
 
                 
 
                       
Operating Data:
                       
Revenue Days (A)
    2,920       2,904       0.6  
Calendar-Ship-Days (B)
    2,920       2,920        
Utilization (A)/(B)
    100 %     99 %        
     
(1)  
Includes direct general and administrative expenses and indirect general and administrative expenses (allocated to each segment based on estimated use of corporate resources).
Net Voyage Revenues. Net voyage revenues increased during 2007 compared to 2006, primarily as a result of:
   
an increase of $15.0 million relating to the change in fair value of a derivative relating to the agreement between us and Teekay Corporation for the Toledo Spirit time charter contract (because we have not designated this derivative as a hedge the changes in fair value are reflected in voyage revenues in our consolidated statements of income);
   
an increase of $1.4 million due to adjustments to the daily charter rate based on inflation and increases from rising interest rates in accordance with the time charter contracts for five Suezmax tankers (however, under the terms of our capital leases for our tankers subject to these charter rate fluctuations, we had a corresponding increase in our lease payments, which is reflected as an increase to interest expense; therefore, these interest rate adjustments, which will continue, did not affect our cash flow or net income); and
   
a relative increase of $0.3 million from 16 days of off-hire for one of our Suezmax tankers during February 2006 relating to a scheduled drydocking;
partially offset by
   
a decrease of $1.9 million from lower revenues earned by the Teide Spirit (the time charter for the Teide Spirit contains a component providing for additional revenues to us beyond the fixed hire rate when spot market rates exceed threshold amounts).
Vessel Operating Expenses. Vessel operating expenses increased during 2007 compared to 2006, primarily as a result of:
   
an increase of $1.7 million relating to higher salaries for crew and officers primarily due to general wage escalations and higher insurance and repairs and maintenance costs; and
   
an increase of $1.6 million due to the effect on our Euro-denominated vessel operating expenses from the strengthening of the Euro against the U.S. Dollar during such period compared to the same periods last year (a majority of our vessel operating expenses are denominated in Euros, which is primarily a function of the nationality of our crew; our Euro-denominated revenues currently generally approximate our Euro-denominated expenses and Euro-denominated loan and interest payments.).
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense for 2007 remained substantially unchanged from 2006.

 

44


 

Other Operating Results
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased 7.0% to $15.2 million for 2007, from $14.2 million for 2006. This increase was primarily the result of additional ship management services provided by Teekay Corporation subsidiaries relating to the delivery of the RasGas II LNG Carriers.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased 375.6% to $167.9 million for 2007, from $35.3 million for 2006. This increase was primarily the result of:
   
an increase of $75.5 million relating to the change in fair value of our interest rate swaps;
   
an increase of $33.3 million relating to the increase in capital lease obligations in connection with the delivery of the RasGas II LNG Carriers and a related increase in debt of Teekay Nakilat used to finance restricted cash deposits and repay advances from Teekay Corporation;
   
an increase of $26.8 million relating to additional debt of Teekay Nakilat (III) used by the RasGas 3 Joint Venture to fund shipyard construction installment payments (this increase in interest expense from debt is offset by a corresponding increase in interest income from advances to joint venture);
   
an increase of $1.5 million relating to debt incurred to finance the acquisition of Teekay Nakilat and the Dania Spirit;
   
an increase of $1.3 million from the write-off of capitalized loan costs resulting from refinancing the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture debt in December 2007;
   
an increase of $0.6 million from rising interest rates on our five Suezmax tanker capital lease obligations (however, as described above, under the terms of the time charter contracts for these vessels, we received corresponding increases in charter payments, which are reflected as an increase to voyage revenues); and
   
an increase of $0.5 million relating to debt incurred to finance the acquisition of the Kenai LNG Carriers;
partially offset by
   
a decrease of $6.2 million from the purchase in December 2006 of the Catalunya Spirit, which was on a capital lease prior to such purchase, and from scheduled capital lease repayments on the Madrid Spirit (these LNG vessels were financed pursuant to Spanish tax lease arrangements, under which we borrowed under term loans and deposited the proceeds into restricted cash accounts and entered into capital lease for the vessels; as a result, this decrease in interest expense from the capital lease is offset by a corresponding decrease in the interest income from restricted cash).
We have not designated our interest rate swaps as hedges and, as such, changes in fair value of the swaps are reflected in interest expense in our consolidated statements of income.
Interest Income. Interest income increased 582.3% to $88.7 million for 2007, from $13.0 million for 2006. Interest income primarily reflects change in fair value of our non-designated RasGas II defeasance deposit interest rate swaps and interest earned on restricted cash deposits that approximate the present value of the remaining amounts we owe under lease arrangements on four of our LNG carriers. These increases were primarily the result of:
   
an increase of $48.2 million relating to the change in fair value of our non-designated RasGas II defeasance deposit interest rate swaps;
   
an increase of $26.8 million relating to interest-bearing loans made by us to the RasGas 3 Joint Venture for shipyard construction installment payments;
   
an increase of $6.9 million relating to additional restricted cash deposits for the RasGas II LNG Carriers, which were funded by debt;
   
an increase of $1.1 million due to an increase in average cash balances during 2007 compared to 2006; and
   
an increase of $0.8 million due to the effect on our Euro-denominated deposits from the strengthening of the Euro against the U.S. Dollar during 2007 compared to 2006;
partially offset by
   
a decrease of $7.3 million resulting from the purchase in December 2006 of the Catalunya Spirit, which was on a capital lease prior to such purchase, and from scheduled capital lease repayments on the Madrid Spirit which were funded with restricted cash deposits.
We have not designated our interest rate swaps as hedges and, as such, changes in fair value of the swaps are reflected in interest income in our consolidated statements of income.
Foreign Currency Exchange Losses. Foreign currency exchange loss was $41.2 million for 2007 and $39.6 million for 2006. These foreign currency exchange losses, substantially all of which were unrealized, are due substantially to the relevant period-end revaluation of Euro-denominated term loans for financial reporting purposes. The losses reflect a weaker U.S. Dollar against the Euro on the date of revaluation.
Other Income. Other loss increased from $0.4 million in 2006 to $1.4 million in 2007, primarily as a result of an increase of $0.8 in income tax expenses.

 

45


 

Restructuring Costs
During 2009 we expect to incur restructuring costs of approximately $3 million in connection with the transfer of certain ship management functions from our office in Spain to a subsidiary of Teekay Corporation. The actual charges are recorded in the period in which we commit to a formalized restructuring plan or execute the specific actions contemplated by the program and all criteria for restructuring charge recognition under the applicable accounting guidance have been met.
Liquidity and Cash Needs
As at December 31, 2008, our cash and cash equivalents was $117.6 million (of which $22.9 million is only available to the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture), compared to $91.9 million at December 31, 2007. Our total liquidity which consists of cash, cash equivalents and undrawn long-term borrowings, was $491.8 million as at December 31, 2008, compared to $522.9 million as at December 31, 2007. The decrease in liquidity was primarily the result of the purchase of the two Kenai LNG Carriers and the purchase of Teekay Nakilat (III). These were partially offset by our equity offerings in April 2008, which generated net proceeds of $202.5 million and our establishing a new $172.5 million revolving facility in June 2008.
Our primary short-term liquidity needs are to pay quarterly distributions on our outstanding units and to fund general working capital requirements and drydocking expenditures, while our long-term liquidity needs primarily relate to expansion and maintenance capital expenditures and debt repayment. Expansion capital expenditures primarily represent the purchase or construction of vessels to the extent the expenditures increase the operating capacity or revenue generated by our fleet, while maintenance capital expenditures primarily consist of drydocking expenditures and expenditures to replace vessels in order to maintain the operating capacity or revenue generated by our fleet. We anticipate that our primary sources of funds for our short-term liquidity needs will be cash flows from operations, while our long-term sources of funds will be from cash from operations, long-term bank borrowings and other debt or equity financings, or a combination thereof.
On April 1, 2008, we acquired the two Kenai LNG Carriers from Teekay Corporation for a total cost of $230.0 million. This acquisition was financed with the proceeds from our equity offerings in April 2008 as well as borrowings under one of our revolving credit facilities. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 3 — Public Offerings. On May 6, 2008, with the delivery of the first of the four RasGas 3 LNG Carriers, Teekay Corporation sold to us its 100% interest in Teekay Nakilat (III), which owns a 40% interest in RasGas 3 Joint Venture for a purchase price of $110.2 million. This purchase was financed using one of our revolving credit facilities. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 12(f) — Related Party Transactions.
We will need to use certain of our available liquidity or we may need to raise additional capital to finance existing capital commitments. We are required to purchase five of our Suezmax tankers, currently on capital lease arrangements, at various times from late-2009 to 2011. We anticipate that we will purchase these tankers by assuming the outstanding financing obligations that relate to them. However, we may be required to obtain separate debt or equity financing to complete the purchases if the lenders do not consent to our assuming the financing obligations. In addition, we are committed to acquiring the two remaining Skaugen LPG Carriers, the two Skaugen Multigas Carriers and, subject to determining a satisfactory tax structure for such acquisition, Teekay Corporation’s 70% interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture. These additional purchase commitments, which are scheduled to occur in 2009 and 2010 total approximately $228.2 million. We intend to finance these purchases with one of our existing revolving credit facilities, incremental debt, surplus cash balances, proceeds from the issuance of additional common units, or combinations thereof. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 14 — Commitments and Contingencies. On March 30, 2009, we completed a follow-on public offering and raised gross equity proceeds of $71.8 million.
Cash Flows. The following table summarizes our cash flow for the periods presented:
                 
    Years Ended December 31,  
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   2008     2007  
 
               
Net cash flow from operating activities
    149,570       115,450  
Net cash flow from financing activities
    403,262       630,395  
Net cash flow from investing activities
    (527,082 )     (683,242 )
Operating Cash Flows. Net cash flow from operating activities increased to $149.6 million for 2008, from $115.5 million for 2007, primarily reflecting the increase in operating cash flows from the purchase of the two Kenai LNG Carriers in April 2008, and the timing of our cash receipts and payments, offset by an increase of $8.2 million in expenditures for drydocking. Net cash flow from operating activities depends upon the timing and amount of drydocking expenditures, repairs and maintenance activity, vessel additions and dispositions, foreign currency rates, changes in interest rates, fluctuations in working capital balances and spot market hire rates (to the extent we have vessels operating in the spot tanker market or our hire rates are partially affected by spot market rates). The number of vessel drydockings tends to be uneven between years.
Financing Cash Flows. Our investments in vessels and equipment have been financed primarily with term loans and capital lease arrangements. Proceeds from long-term debt were $937.0 million and $1,021.6 million, respectively, for 2008 and 2007. From time to time we refinance our loans and revolving credit facilities. During 2008, we used these funds primarily to fund LNG newbuilding construction payments in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture and to fund the acquisition of the Kenai LNG Carriers.
During 2008, the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture received net proceeds of $128.5 million from long-term debt borrowings which were used to fund LNG newbuilding construction payments. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 14(a) — Commitments and Contingencies.

 

46


 

On April 23, 2008, we completed a follow-on public offering of 5.0 million common units at a price of $28.75 per unit for gross proceeds of approximately $143.8 million. On May 8, 2008, the underwriters partially exercised their over-allotment option and purchased an additional 375,000 common units for an additional $10.8 million in gross proceeds to us. Concurrently with the public offering, Teekay Corporation acquired 1.7 million of our common units at the same public offering price for a total cost of $50.0 million. We used the net proceeds from the equity offerings of approximately $202.5 million (including our General Partner’s proportionate 2% capital contribution) to reduce amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facilities which were used to fund the acquisitions of the Kenai LNG Carriers and our interests in the RasGas 3 LNG Carriers described above. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 3 — Public Offerings.
During 2007, we acquired a 2000-built LPG carrier, the Dania Spirit, from Teekay Corporation and the related long-term, fixed-rate time charter for a purchase price of $18.5 million. The purchase was financed with one of our revolving credit facilities. Since this purchase represented a transaction between entities under common control, it has been accounted for at historical cost. Also, as this vessel is included as a Dropdown Predecessor, it has been included for accounting purposes in our results as if it was acquired on April 1, 2003, when it was acquired by Teekay Corporation. The amount of the distribution paid to Teekay Corporation relating to the purchase of the Dania Spirit is reflected as a financing cash flow. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 12(h) — Related Party Transactions.
During April 2008, we purchased the two Kenai LNG Carriers from Teekay Corporation for a total cost of $230.0 million, and immediately chartered the vessels back to Teekay Corporation for a period of 10 years (plus options exercisable by Teekay to extend up to an additional 15 years). Since these purchases represent transactions between entities under common control, they have been accounted for at historical cost. Also, as these vessels were included as a Dropdown Predecessor, they have been included for accounting purposes in our results as if they were acquired in December 2007, when they were acquired by Teekay Corporation. The amount of the distribution paid to Teekay Corporation relating to the purchase of the two Kenai LNG Carriers is reflected as a financing cash flow.
Cash distributions paid during 2008 increased to $97.4 million from $74.1 million for 2007. This increase was the result of:
   
a change in our quarterly distribution from $0.53 per unit for the third quarter of 2007 to $0.55 effective for the second quarter of 2008 and to $0.57 per unit effective for the third quarter of 2008; and
   
an increase in the number of units eligible to receive the cash distribution as a result of the public offering and private placement of common units during the second quarter of 2008.
Subsequent to December 31, 2008, cash distributions totaling $26.8 million were declared with respect to the fourth quarter of 2008, which was paid on February 13, 2009.
On March 30, 2009, we completed a follow-on public offering and raised gross equity proceeds of $71.8 million
Investing Cash Flows. During 2008, we incurred $172.1 million in expenditures for vessels and equipment. These expenditures represent construction payments for the two Skaugen Multigas newbuildings and the two Tangguh LNG Carriers. The Tangguh LNG Carriers delivered in November 2008 and March 2009.
In April 2008, we received $5.4 million relating to a Spanish re-investment tax credit. In June 2008, the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture returned $28.0 million of its contributed capital back to Teekay Corporation and BLT LNG Tangguh Corporation.
Upon the delivery of the first RasGas 3 LNG Carrier in May 2008, we acquired Teekay Nakilat (III), which owns a 40% interest in the four RasGas 3 LNG Carriers, from Teekay Corporation for a purchase price (net of assumed debt) of $110.2 million, which we paid during 2008. Since this ownership interest was purchased from Teekay Corporation, the transaction was between entities under common control and has been accounted for at historical cost. Therefore, the amount reflected as cash used in investing activities for this purchase represents the historical cost to Teekay Corporation. The excess of the purchase price over the contributed basis of Teekay Nakilat (III) has been reflected as a financing cash flow. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 12(f) — Related Party Transactions.
During 2006, we acquired a 70% interest in Teekay Nakilat for approximately $102.0 million, of which we paid $26.9 million in 2006. During 2007, we borrowed under our revolving credit facilities and paid an additional $53.7 million and $21.4 million, respectively, towards the purchase price. Since this ownership interest was purchased from Teekay Corporation, the transaction was between entities under common control and has been accounted for at historical cost. Therefore, the amount reflected as cash used in investing activities for this purchase represents the historical cost to Teekay Corporation. The excess of the purchase price over the contributed basis of Teekay Nakilat has been reflected as a financing cash flow. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 12(g) — Related Party Transactions.
Credit Facilities
As at December 31, 2008, we had three long-term revolving credit facilities available which provided for borrowings of up to $589.2 million, of which $374.2 million was undrawn. The amount available under the credit facilities reduces by $31.0 million (2009), $31.6 million (2010), $32.2 million (2011), $32.9 million (2012), $33.7 million (2013) and $427.8 million (thereafter). Interest payments are based on LIBOR plus a margin. All revolving credit facilities may be used by us to fund general partnership purposes and to fund cash distributions. We are required to reduce all borrowings used to fund cash distributions to zero for a period of at least 15 consecutive days during any 12-month period. The revolving credit facilities are collateralized by first-preferred mortgages granted on seven of our vessels, together with other related security, and include a guarantee from us or our subsidiaries of all outstanding amounts.

 

47


 

We have a U.S. Dollar-denominated term loan outstanding which, as at December 31, 2008, totaled $421.5 million, of which $253.3 million of the term loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 5.39% and has quarterly payments. The remaining $168.2 million bears interest based on LIBOR plus a margin and will require bullet repayments of approximately $56.0 million for each of three vessels due at maturity in 2018 and 2019. The term loan is collateralized by first-priority mortgages on the vessels together with certain other related security and guarantees from us.
On December 31, 2008 Teekay Nakilat (III) and QGTC 3 novated the RasGas 3 term loan along with the related interest payable and deferred debt issuance costs to the RasGas 3 Joint Venture. Also on December 31, 2008, Teekay Nakilat (III) and QGTC 3 novated their interest rate swap agreements to the RasGas 3 Joint Venture for no consideration. As a result, the RasGas 3 Joint Venture assumed all the rights, liabilities and obligations of Teekay Nakilat (III) and QGTC 3 under the terms of the RasGas 3 term loan and the interest rate swap agreements.

The Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture has a loan facility, which, as at December 31, 2008, provided for borrowings of up to $371.0 million, of which $56.4 million was undrawn. Interest payments on the loan originally are based on LIBOR plus margins. At December 31, 2008, the margins ranged between 0.30% and 0.80%. Following delivery of the Tangguh LNG Carriers in November 2008 and March 2009, interest payments on one tranche under the loan facility are based on LIBOR plus 0.30%, while interest payments on the second tranche are based on LIBOR plus 0.625%. Commencing three months after delivery of each vessel, one tranche (total value of $324.5 million) reduces in quarterly payments while the other tranche (total value of up to $190.0 million) correspondingly is drawn up with a final $95.0 million bullet payment per vessel due twelve years and three months from each vessel delivery date. This loan facility is collateralized by first-priority mortgages on the vessels to which the loan relates, together with certain other security and is guaranteed by Teekay Corporation. If we acquire Teekay Corporation’s ownership interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture, the rights and obligations of Teekay Corporation under the guarantee may, upon the fulfillment of certain conditions, be transferred to us.
We have a U.S. Dollar-denominated demand loan outstanding owing to Teekay Nakilat’s joint venture partner, which, as at December 31, 2008, totaled $16.2 million, including accrued interest. Interest payments on this loan, which are based on a fixed interest rate of 4.84%, commenced in February 2008. The loan is repayable on demand no earlier than February 27, 2027.
We have two Euro-denominated term loans outstanding which, as at December 31, 2008 totaled 296.4 million Euros ($414.1 million). These loans were used to make restricted cash deposits that fully fund payments under capital leases. Interest payments are based on EURIBOR plus margins. The term loans have varying maturities through 2023 and monthly payments that reduce over time. These loans are collateralized by first-priority mortgages on the vessels to which the loans relate, together with certain other related security and guarantees from one of our subsidiaries.
The weighted-average effective interest rates for our long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2008 and 2007 were 3.6% and 5.5%, respectively. These rates do not reflect the effect of related interest rate swaps that we have used to hedge certain of our floating-rate debt. At December 31, 2008, the margins on our long-term debt ranged from 0.3% to 0.8%.
Our term loans and revolving credit facilities contain covenants and other restrictions typical of debt financing secured by vessels, including, but not limited to, one or more of the following that restrict the ship-owning subsidiaries from:
   
incurring or guaranteeing indebtedness;
   
changing ownership or structure, including mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions;
   
making dividends or distributions if we are in default;
   
making capital expenditures in excess of specified levels;
   
making certain negative pledges and granting certain liens;
   
selling, transferring, assigning or conveying assets;
   
making certain loans and investments; and
   
entering into a new line of business.
Certain loan agreements require that minimum levels of tangible net worth and aggregate liquidity be maintained; provide for a maximum level of leverage and require one of our subsidiaries to maintain restricted cash deposits. Our ship-owning subsidiaries may not, among other things, pay dividends or distributions if we are in default under our loan agreements and revolving credit facilities. Our capital leases do not contain financial or restrictive covenants other than those relating to operation and maintenance of the vessels. As at December 31, 2008, we were in compliance with all covenants in our credit facilities and capital leases.

 

48


 

Contractual Obligations and Contingencies
The following table summarizes our long-term contractual obligations as at December 31, 2008:
                                         
                    2010     2012        
                    and     and     Beyond  
    Total     2009     2011     2013     2013  
            (in millions of U.S. Dollars)          
U.S. Dollar-Denominated Obligations:
                                       
Long-term debt (1)
    968.5       65.0       112.8       114.8       675.9  
Commitments under capital leases (2)
    226.8       134.4       92.4              
Commitments under capital leases (3)
    1,073.1       24.0       48.0       48.0       953.1  
Commitments under operating leases (4)
    501.3       18.5       50.1       50.2       382.5  
Purchase obligations (5)
    261.2       134.2       127.0              
 
                             
Total U.S. Dollar-denominated obligations
    3,030.9       376.1       430.3       213.0       2,011.5  
 
                             
 
                                       
Euro-Denominated Obligations: (6)
                                       
Long-term debt (7)
    414.1       11.8       234.5       14.7       153.1  
Commitments under capital leases (3) (8)
    164.0       35.8       128.2              
 
                             
Total Euro-denominated obligations
    578.1       47.6       362.7       14.7       153.1  
 
                             
 
                                       
Totals
    3,609.0       423.7       793.0       227.7       2,164.6  
 
                             
     
(1)  
Excludes expected interest payments of $16.3 million (2009), $60.8 million (2010 and 2011), $51.83 million (2012 and 2013) and $85.0 million (beyond 2013). Expected interest payments are based on the existing interest rates (fixed-rate loans) and LIBOR at December 31, 2008, plus margins that ranged up to 0.8% (variable-rate loans). The expected interest payments do not reflect the effect of related interest rate swaps that we have used as an economic hedge of certain of our floating-rate debt.
 
(2)  
Includes, in addition to lease payments, amounts we are required to pay to purchase certain leased vessels at the end of the lease terms. We are obligated to purchase five of our existing Suezmax tankers upon the termination of the related capital leases, which will occur at various times from late-2009 to 2011. The purchase price will be based on the unamortized portion of the vessel construction financing costs for the vessels, which we expect to range from $35.6 million to $39.2 million per vessel. We expect to satisfy the purchase price by assuming the existing vessel financing, although we may be required to obtain separate debt or equity financing to complete the purchases if the lenders do not consent to our assuming the financing obligations. We are also obligated to purchase one of our existing LNG carriers upon the termination of the related capital leases on December 31, 2011. The purchase obligation has been fully funded with restricted cash deposits. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 5 — Leases and Restricted Cash.
 
(3)  
Existing restricted cash deposits of $487.4 million, together with the interest earned on the deposits, will be sufficient to repay the remaining amounts we currently owe under the lease arrangements.
 
(4)  
We have corresponding leases whereby we are the lessor and expect to receive approximately $490 million for these leases from 2009 to 2029.
 
(5)  
We have agreed to acquire Teekay Corporation’s 70% interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture, subject to determining a satisfactory tax structure for the transaction. The Tangguh LNG Carriers would provide transportation services to The Tangguh Production Sharing Contractors, a consortium led by a subsidiary of BP plc, to service the Tangguh LNG project in Indonesia at fixed rates, with inflation adjustments, for a period of 20 years. An Indonesian joint venture partner owns the remaining 30% interest in the joint venture. The estimated purchase price is $68.2 million.
 
   
We acquired from Teekay Corporation its 40% interest in the four RasGas 3 LNG Carriers upon the delivery of the first vessel on May 6, 2008. We paid the estimated purchase price (net of assumed debt) of $110.2 million during 2008. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 12(f) — Related Party Transactions.
 
   
In December 2006, we entered into an agreement to acquire the three Skaugen LPG Carriers from Skaugen, for approximately $33 million per vessel upon their deliveries. The first vessel was delivered in April 2009 and the other two vessels are scheduled for delivery by late-2009 and mid-2010. In July 2008, Teekay Corporation signed contracts for the purchase of two newbuilding Multigas carriers from Skaugen and we have agreed to purchase these vessels from Teekay Corporation for a total cost of approximately $94.0 million upon their delivery. Both vessels are scheduled to be delivered in the second half of 2010. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 14 — Commitments and Contingencies.
 
(6)  
Euro-denominated obligations are presented in U.S. Dollars and have been converted using the prevailing exchange rate as of December 31, 2008.
 
(7)  
Excludes expected interest payments of $6.8 million (2009), $23.0 million (2010 and 2011), $11.3 million (2012 and 2013) and $36.1 million (beyond 2013). Expected interest payments are based on EURIBOR at December 31, 2008, plus margins that ranged up to 0.66%, as well as the prevailing U.S. Dollar/Euro exchange rate as of December 31, 2008. The expected interest payments do not reflect the effect of related interest rate swaps that we have used as an economic hedge of certain of our floating-rate debt.
 
(8)  
Existing restricted cash deposits of $146.2 million, together with the interest earned on the deposits, will be expected to equal the remaining amounts we owe under the lease arrangement, including our obligation to purchase the vessel at the end of the lease term.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP, which require us to make estimates in the application of our accounting policies based on our best assumptions, judgments and opinions. On a regular basis, management reviews the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates, and such differences could be material. Accounting estimates and assumptions discussed in this section are those that we consider to be the most critical to an understanding of our financial statements, because they inherently involve significant judgments and uncertainties. For a further description of our material accounting policies, please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
Vessel Lives and Impairment
Description. The carrying value of each of our vessels represents its original cost at the time of delivery or purchase less depreciation or impairment charges. We depreciate our vessels on a straight-line basis over a vessel’s estimated useful life, less an estimated residual value. The carrying values of our vessels may not represent their fair market value at any point in time since the market prices of second-hand vessels tend to fluctuate with changes in charter rates and the cost of newbuildings. Both charter rates and newbuilding costs tend to be cyclical in nature. We review vessels and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We measure the recoverability of an asset by comparing its carrying amount to future undiscounted cash flows that the asset is expected to generate over its remaining useful life.
Judgments and Uncertainties. Depreciation is calculated using an estimated useful life of 25 years for Suezmax tankers, 30 years for LPG Carriers and 35 years for LNG carriers, from the date the vessel was originally delivered from the shipyard. In the shipping industry, the use of a 25-year vessel life for Suezmax tankers has become the prevailing standard. In addition, the use of a 30 to 35 year vessel life for LPG carriers and a 35 to 40 year vessel life for LNG carriers is typical. However, the actual life of a vessel may be different, with a shorter life resulting in an increase in the depreciation and potentially resulting in an impairment loss. The estimates and assumptions regarding expected cash flows require considerable judgment and are based upon existing contracts, historical experience, financial forecasts and industry trends and conditions. We are not aware of any indicators of impairments nor any regulatory changes or environmental liabilities that we anticipate will have a material impact on our current or future operations.
Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions. If we consider a vessel or equipment to be impaired, we recognize impairment in an amount equal to the excess of the carrying value of the asset over its fair market value. The new lower cost basis will result in a lower annual depreciation than before the vessel impairment. A one-year reduction in the estimated useful lives of our Suezmax tankers, our LPG carrier and our LNG carriers would result in an increase in our current annual depreciation by approximately $2.6 million, assuming this decrease did not also result in an impairment loss.
Drydocking
Description. We capitalize a portion of the costs we incur during drydocking and for an intermediate survey and amortize those costs on a straight-line basis from the completion of a drydocking or intermediate survey to the estimated completion of the next drydocking. We expense costs related to routine repairs and maintenance incurred during drydocking that do not improve operating efficiency or extend the useful lives of the assets.
Judgments and Uncertainties. Amortization of capitalized drydock expenditures requires us to estimate the period of the next drydocking. While we typically drydock each LNG and LPG carrier and Suezmax tanker every five years and have a shipping society classification intermediate survey performed on our LNG and LPG carriers between the second and third year of the five-year drydocking period, we may drydock the vessels at an earlier date.
Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions. If we change our estimate of the next drydock date for a vessel, we will adjust our annual amortization of drydocking expenditures. Amortization expense of capitalized drydock expenditures for 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $3.6 million, $2.7 million and $1.7 million. As at December 31, 2008 and 2007, our capitalized drydock expenditures were $15.7 million and $6.9 million, respectively.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Description. We allocate the cost of acquired companies to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired, with the remaining amount being classified as goodwill. Certain intangible assets, such as time charter contracts, are being amortized over time. Our future operating performance will be affected by the amortization of intangible assets and potential impairment charges related to goodwill. Accordingly, the allocation of purchase price to intangible assets and goodwill may significantly affect our future operating results. Goodwill and indefinite lived assets are not amortized, but reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. The process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill and intangible assets is highly subjective and requires significant judgment at many points during the analysis. A fair value approach is used to identify potential goodwill impairment and, when necessary, measure the amount of impairment. We use a discounted cash flow model to determine the fair value of reporting units, unless there is a readily determinable fair market value.
Judgments and Uncertainties. The allocation of the purchase price of acquired companies to intangible assets and goodwill requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions, including estimates of future cash flows expected to be generated by the acquired assets and the appropriate discount rate to value these cash flows. In addition, the process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill and intangible assets is highly subjective and requires significant judgment at many points during the analysis. The fair value of our reporting units was estimated based on discounted expected future cash flows using a weighted-average cost of capital rate. The estimates and assumptions regarding expected cash flows and the discount rate require considerable judgment and are based upon existing contracts, historical experience, financial forecasts and industry trends and conditions.

 

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Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions. Due to the decline in market conditions, we conducted an interim impairment review of our reporting units during the third quarter of 2008. The fair value of the reporting units was estimated using the expected present value of future cash flows. The fair value of the reporting units was then compared to its carrying values at September 30, 2008 and it was determined that the fair value attributable our Suezmax tanker segment was less than its carrying value. As a result of our review, a goodwill impairment loss of $3.6 million was recognized in the Suezmax tanker reporting unit during the third quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2008, we completed our annual impairment testing of goodwill using the methodology described herein, and determined there was no further impairment. Amortization expense of intangible assets for each of the years 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $9.1 million. If actual results are not consistent with our estimates used to value our intangible assets, we may be exposed to an impairment charge and a decrease in the annual amortization expense of our intangible assets.
Valuation of Derivative Financial Instruments
Description. Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, we deferred the adoption of SFAS No. 157 for our nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those items recognized or disclosed at fair value on an annual or more frequently recurring basis, until January 1, 2009.
Judgments and Uncertainties. The fair value of our interest rate swap agreements is the estimated amount that we would receive or pay to terminate the agreements at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates and the current credit worthiness of both us and the swap counterparties. The estimated amount is the present value of future cash flows. Given the current volatility in the credit markets, it is reasonably possible that the amount recorded as derivative assets and liabilities could vary by a material amount in the near term. The fair value of our derivative instrument relating to the agreement between us and Teekay Corporation for the Toledo Spirit time charter contract is the estimated amount that we would receive or pay to terminate the agreement at the reporting date. This amount is estimated using the present value of our projection of future spot market tanker rates, which has been derived from current spot market rates and long-term historical average rates.
Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions. If our estimates of fair value are inaccurate, this could result in a material adjustment to the carrying amount of derivative asset or liability and consequently the change in fair value for the applicable period that would have been recognized in earnings or comprehensive income.
Taxes
Description. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. If we determined that we were able to realize a net deferred tax asset in the future, in excess of the net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would typically increase our net income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, if we determined that we were not able to realize all or a part of our deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would typically decrease our net income in the period such determination was made. In 2008 we recorded a valuation allowance of $1.6 million (2007 — nil).
Judgments and Uncertainties. The estimate of our tax contingencies reserve contains uncertainty because management must use judgment to estimate the exposures associated with our various filing positions.
Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions. As of December 31, 2007, we had unrecognized tax benefits of 3.4 million Euros (approximately $5.4 million) relating to a re-investment tax credit related to a 2005 annual tax filing. During the third quarter of 2008, we received the refund on the re-investment tax credit and met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold during the period. As a result, we have reflected this refund as a credit to equity as the original vessel sale transaction was a related party transaction reflected in equity.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (or SFAS) 115-2 and SFAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments. This statement changes existing accounting requirements for other-than-temporary impairment. SFAS 115-2 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. We are currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 115-2 on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
In April 2009, the FASB issued SFAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability has Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions that are Not Orderly. SFAS 157-4 amends SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements to provide additional guidance on estimating fair value when the volume and level of transaction activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased in relation to normal market activity for the asset or liability. SFAS 157-4 also provides additional guidance on circumstances that may indicate that a transaction is not orderly. SFAS 157-4 supersedes SFAS 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset is Not Active. The guidance in SFAS 157-4 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. Early adoption is permitted, but only for periods ending after March 15, 2009. We are currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 157-4 on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
In April 2009, the FASB issued SFAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments. SFAS 107-1 extends the disclosure requirements of SFAS 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments to interim financial statements of publicly traded companies as defined in APB Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting. SFAS 107-1 is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. We are currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 107-1 on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
In April 2009, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R)-1, Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination that Arise from Contingencies. This statement amends SFAS 141, Business Combinations, to require that assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies be recognized at fair value, in accordance with SFAS 157, if the fair value can be determined during the measurement period. SFAS 141(R)-1 is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We are currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 141(R)-1 on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
In March 2008, the FASB ratified a consensus opinion reached by the Emerging Issues Task Force (or EITF) on EITF Issue No. 07-4, Application of the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings per Share to Master Limited Partnerships (or EITF Issue No. 07-4). The guidance in EITF Issue No. 07-4 requires incentive distribution rights in a master limited partnership to be treated as participating securities for the purposes of computing earnings per share and provides guidance on how earnings should be allocated to the various partnership interests. The consensus in EITF Issue No. 07-4 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We are currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of EITF Issue No. 07-4 on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161: Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 (or SFAS 161). The statement requires qualitative disclosures about an entity’s objectives and strategies for using derivatives and quantitative disclosures about how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application allowed. SFAS 161 allows but does not require, comparative disclosures for earlier periods at initial adoption.

 

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In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R): Business Combinations (or SFAS 141(R)), which replaces SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations. This statement establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. SFAS 141(R) also establishes disclosure requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS 141(R) is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We are currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 141(R) on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160: Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an Amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 (or SFAS 160). This statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent, the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest, changes in a parent’s ownership interest, and the valuation of retained noncontrolling equity investments when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. SFAS 160 also establishes disclosure requirements that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We are currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 160 on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
Management of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
Teekay GP L.L.C., our General Partner, manages our operations and activities. Unitholders are not entitled to elect the directors of our General Partner or directly or indirectly participate in our management or operation.
Our General Partner owes a fiduciary duty to our unitholders. Our General Partner is liable, as general partner, for all of our debts (to the extent not paid from our assets), except for indebtedness or other obligations that are expressly nonrecourse to it. Whenever possible, our General Partner intends to cause us to incur indebtedness or other obligations that are nonrecourse to it.
The directors of our General Partner oversee our operations. The day-to-day affairs of our business are managed by the officers of our General Partner and key employees of certain of our operating subsidiaries. Employees of certain subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation provide assistance to us and our operating subsidiaries pursuant to services agreements. Please read Item 7 — Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions.
The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our General Partner, Peter Evensen, allocates his time between managing our business and affairs and the business and affairs of Teekay Corporation and its subsidiaries Teekay Offshore (NYSE: TOO) and Teekay Tankers Ltd. (NYSE: TNK) (or Teekay Tankers). Mr. Evensen is the Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Teekay Corporation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Teekay Offshore’s General Partner and the Executive Vice President of Teekay Tankers. The amount of time Mr. Evensen allocates between our business and the businesses of Teekay Corporation, Teekay Offshore and Teekay Tankers varies from time to time depending on various circumstances and needs of the businesses, such as the relative levels of strategic activities of the businesses. We believe Mr. Evensen devotes sufficient time to our business and affairs as is necessary for their proper conduct.
Officers of Teekay LNG Projects Ltd., a subsidiary of Teekay Corporation, allocate their time between providing strategic consulting and advisory services to certain of our operating subsidiaries and pursuing LNG and LPG project opportunities for Teekay Corporation, which projects, if awarded to Teekay Corporation, are offered to us pursuant to the non-competition provisions of the omnibus agreement. This agreement has previously been filed with the SEC. Please see Item 19 - Exhibits.
Officers of our General Partner and those individuals providing services to us or our subsidiaries may face a conflict regarding the allocation of their time between our business and the other business interests of Teekay Corporation or its affiliates. Our General Partner seeks to cause its officers to devote as much time to the management of our business and affairs as is necessary for the proper conduct of our business and affairs.
Directors, Executive Officers and Key Employees
The following table provides information about the directors and executive officers of our General Partner and key employees of our operating subsidiary Teekay Spain as of December 31, 2008. Directors are elected for one-year terms. The business address of each of our directors and executive officers listed below is 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda. The business address of each of our key employees of Teekay Spain is Musgo Street 5—28023, Madrid, Spain.
         
Name   Age   Position
 
       
C. Sean Day
  59   Chairman
Bjorn Moller
  51   Vice Chairman and Director
Peter Evensen
  50   Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director
Robert E. Boyd
  70   Director (1) (2)
Ida Jane Hinkley
  58   Director (1)
Ihab J.M. Massoud
  40   Director (2)
George Watson
  61   Director (1) (2)
Andres Luna
  52   Managing Director, Teekay Spain
Pedro Solana
  52   Director, Finance and Accounting, Teekay Spain
     
(1)  
Member of Audit Committee and Conflicts Committee.
 
(2)  
Member of Corporate Governance Committee.

 

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Certain biographical information about each of these individuals is set forth below:
C. Sean Day has served as Chairman of Teekay GP L.L.C. since it was formed in November 2004. Mr. Day has served as Chairman of Teekay Corporation’s Board of Directors since 1999. From 1989 to 1999, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Navios Corporation, a large bulk shipping company based in Stamford, Connecticut. Prior to Navios, Mr. Day held a number of senior management positions in the shipping and finance industries. Mr. Day has served as the Chairman of Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. (the general partner of Teekay Offshore), and of Teekay Tankers since they were formed in August 2006 and October 2007, respectively. Mr. Day also serves as the Chairman of Compass Diversified Trust and as a director of Kirby Corporation.
Bjorn Moller has served as the Vice Chairman and a Director of Teekay GP L.L.C. since it was formed in November 2004. Mr. Moller is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Teekay Corporation and has held those positions since April 1998. Mr. Moller has over [25] years’ experience in the shipping industry and has served in senior management positions with Teekay Corporation for more than [15] years. He has headed its overall operations since January 1997, following his promotion to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Prior to this, Mr. Moller headed Teekay Corporation’s global chartering operations and business development activities. Mr. Moller has also served as the Vice Chairman of Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. and as the Chief Executive Officer and as a director of Teekay Tankers since they were formed in August 2006 and October 2007, respectively. Mr. Moller has served as Chairman of the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation since 2006 and on the Board of American Petroleum Institute since 2000.
Peter Evensen has served as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Teekay GP L.L.C. since it was formed in November 2004 and as a Director of Teekay GP L.L.C. since January 2005. Mr. Evensen is also the Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Teekay Corporation. He joined Teekay Corporation in May 2003 as Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Teekay Corporation from February 2004 until he was appointed to his current role in November 2006. Mr. Evensen has served as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and as a Director of Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. and as the Executive Vice President and as a Director of Teekay Tankers since they were formed in August 2006 and October 2007, respectively. Mr. Evensen has over 20 years’ experience in banking and shipping finance. Prior to joining Teekay Corporation, Mr. Evensen was Managing Director and Head of Global Shipping at J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and worked in other senior positions for its predecessor firms. His international industry experience includes positions in New York, London and Oslo.
Robert E. Boyd has served as a Director of Teekay GP L.L.C. since January 2005. From May 1999 until his retirement in March 2004, Mr. Boyd was employed as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Teknion Corporation, a company engaged in the design, manufacture and marketing of office systems and office furniture products. From 1991 to 1999, Mr. Boyd was employed by The Oshawa Group Limited, a company engaged in the wholesale and retail distribution of food products and real estate activities, where his positions included Executive Vice President-Financial and Chief Financial Officer.
Ida Jane Hinkley has served as a Director of Teekay GP L.L.C. since January 2005. From 1998 to 2001 she served as Managing Director of Navion Shipping AS, a shipping company at that time was affiliated with the Norwegian state-owned oil company Statoil ASA (and subsequently acquired by Teekay Corporation in 2003). From 1980 to 1997, Ms. Hinkley was employed by the Gotaas-Larsen Shipping Corporation, an international provider of marine transportation services for crude oil and gas (including LNG), serving as its Chief Financial Officer from 1988 to 1992 and its Managing Director from 1993 to 1997. She currently also serves as a non executive director on the Board of Revus Energy ASA, a Norwegian oil company quoted on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
Ihab J.M. Massoud has served as a Director of Teekay GP L.L.C. since January 2005. Since 1998, he has been President of Compass Group Management LLC, a private investment firm based in Westport, Connecticut. Mr. Massoud is the Chief Executive Officer and a board member of Compass Diversified Holdings, a NASDAQ listed company. From 1995 to 1998, Mr. Massoud was employed by Petroleum Heat and Power, Inc. Previously, Mr. Massoud was with Colony Capital, Inc. and McKinsey and Company.
George Watson has served as a Director of Teekay GP L.L.C. since January 2005. Mr. Watson served as Chief Executive Officer of CriticalControl Solutions Inc. (formerly WNS Emergent), a provider of information control applications for the energy sector, from July 2002 until he was appointed to his current role of Executive Chairman in November 2007. From February 2000 to July 2002, he served as Executive Chairman at VerticalBuilder.com Inc. Mr. Watson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of TransCanada Pipelines Ltd. from 1993 to 1999 and as its Chief Financial Officer from 1990 to 1993.
Andres Luna has served as the Managing Director of Teekay Spain since April 2004. Mr. Luna joined Alta Shipping, S.A., a former affiliate company of Naviera F. Tapias S.A., in September 1992 and served as its General Manager until he was appointed Commercial General Manager of Naviera F. Tapias S.A. in December 1999. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of Naviera F. Tapias S.A. from July 2000 until its acquisition by Teekay Corporation in April 2004, when it was renamed Teekay Spain. Mr. Luna’s responsibilities with Teekay Spain have included business development, newbuilding contracting, project management, development of its LNG business and the renewal of its tanker fleet. He has been in the shipping business since his graduation as a naval architect from Madrid University in 1981.
Pedro Solana has served as the Director, Finance and Accounting of Teekay Spain since August 2004. Mr. Solana joined Naviera F. Tapias S.A. in 1991 and served as Deputy Financial Manager until its acquisition by Teekay Corporation. Mr. Solana’s responsibilities with Teekay Spain have included oversight of its accounting department and arranging for financing of its LNG carriers and crude oil tankers. He has been in the shipping business since 1980.
Reimbursement of Expenses of Our General Partner
Our General Partner does not receive any management fee or other compensation for managing us. Our General Partner and its other affiliates are reimbursed for expenses incurred on our behalf. These expenses include all expenses necessary or appropriate for the conduct of our business and allocable to us, as determined by our General Partner. During 2008, these expenses were comprised of a portion of compensation earned by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our General Partner, directors’ fees and travel expenses, as discussed below. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 12(b) — Related Party Transactions.

 

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Annual Executive Compensation
Because the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our General Partner, Peter Evensen, is an employee of Teekay Corporation, his compensation (other than any awards under the long-term incentive plan described below) is set and paid by Teekay Corporation, and we reimburse Teekay Corporation for time he spends on partnership matters. Please read Item 7 — Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions.
The corporate governance committee of the board of directors of our General Partner establishes the compensation for certain key employees of our operating subsidiary Teekay Spain. Officers and employees of our General Partner or its affiliates may participate in employee benefit plans and arrangements sponsored by Teekay Corporation, including plans that may be established in the future.
The aggregate amount of (a) reimbursement we made to Teekay Corporation for time our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer spent on our partnership matters and (b) compensation earned by the two key employees of Teekay Spain listed above (collectively, the Officers) for 2008 was $4.3 million. This amount includes base salary ($1.1 million), annual bonus ($0.7 million) and pension and other benefits ($2.5 million). These amounts were paid primarily in Canadian Dollars or in Euros, but are reported here in U.S. Dollars using an exchange rate of 0.82 Canadian Dollars for each U.S. Dollar and 0.72 Euro for each U.S. Dollar, the exchange rates on December 31, 2008. Teekay Corporation’s annual bonus plan, in which each of the officers participates, considers both company performance, through comparison to established targets and financial performance of peer companies, and individual performance.
Compensation of Directors
Officers of our General Partner or Teekay Corporation who also serve as directors of our General Partner do not receive additional compensation for their service as directors. During 2008, each non-management director received compensation for attending meetings of the Board of Directors, as well as committee meetings. Non-management directors received a director fee of $40,000 for the year and common units with a value of approximately $30,000 for the year. The Chairman received an annual fee of $65,000, members of the audit and conflicts committees each received a committee fee of $5,000 for the year, and the chairs of the audit committee and conflicts committee received an additional fee of $5,000 for serving in that role. In addition, each director is reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses in connection with attending meetings of the board of directors or committees. Each director is fully indemnified by us for actions associated with being a director to the extent permitted under Marshall Islands law.
During 2008, the five non-employee directors received, in the aggregate, $280,000 in director and committee fees and reimbursement of $104,000 of their out-of-pocket expenses from us relating to their board service. During 2008, the board of directors of our General Partner authorized the award by us of 1,049 common units to each of the four non-employee directors with a value for each award of approximately $30,000. The Chairman was awarded 2,274 common units with a value of approximately $65,000. These common units were purchased by the Partnership in the open market in April 2008.
2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Our General Partner adopted the Teekay LNG Partners L.P. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan for employees and directors of and consultants to our General Partner and employees and directors of and consultants to its affiliates, who perform services for us. The plan provides for the award of restricted units, phantom units, unit options, unit appreciation rights and other unit or cash-based awards. Other than the previously mentioned 6,470 common units awarded to our General Partner’s directors, we did not make any awards in 2008 under the 2005 long-term incentive plan.
Board Practices
Teekay GP L.L.C., our General Partner, manages our operations and activities. Unitholders are not entitled to elect the directors of our General Partner or directly or indirectly participate in our management or operation.
Our General Partner’s board of directors (or the Board) currently consists of seven members. Directors are appointed to serve until their successors are appointed or until they resign or are removed.
There are no service contracts between us and any of our directors providing for benefits upon termination of their employment or service.
The Board has the following three committees: Audit Committee, Conflicts Committee, and Corporate Governance Committee. The membership of these committees and the function of each of the committees are described below. Each of the committees is currently comprised of independent members and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board. The committee charters for the Audit Committee, the Conflicts Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee are available under “Other Information — Partnership Governance” in the Investor Centre of our web site at www.teekaylng.com. During 2008, the Board held six meetings. Each director attended all Board meetings and all applicable committee meetings.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee of our General Partner is composed of three or more directors, each of whom must meet the independence standards of the NYSE and the SEC. This committee is currently comprised of directors Robert E. Boyd (Chair), Ida Jane Hinkley and George Watson. All members of the committee are financially literate and the Board has determined that Mr. Boyd qualifies as an audit committee financial expert.
The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for general oversight of:
   
the integrity of our financial statements;
 
   
our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;
 
   
the independent auditors’ qualifications and independence; and
 
   
the performance of our internal audit function and independent auditors.

 

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Conflicts Committee. The Conflicts Committee of our General Partner is composed of the same directors constituting the Audit Committee, being George Watson (Chair), Robert E. Boyd and Ida Jane Hinkley. The members of the Conflicts Committee may not be officers or employees of our General Partner or directors, officers or employees of its affiliates, and must meet the heightened NYSE and SEC director independence standards applicable to audit committee membership and certain other requirements.
The Conflicts Committee:
   
reviews specific matters that the Board believes may involve conflicts of interest; and
 
   
determines if the resolution of the conflict of interest is fair and reasonable to us.
Any matters approved by the Conflicts Committee will be conclusively deemed to be fair and reasonable to us, approved by all of our partners, and not a breach by our General Partner of any duties it may owe us or our unitholders. The Board is not obligated to seek approval of the Conflicts Committee on any matter, and may determine the resolution of any conflict of interest itself.
Corporate Governance Committee. The Corporate Governance Committee of our General Partner is composed of at least two directors, a majority of whom must meet the director independence standards established by the NYSE. This committee is currently comprised of directors Ihab J.M. Massoud (Chair), Robert E. Boyd and George Watson.
The Corporate Governance Committee:
   
oversees the operation and effectiveness of the Board and its corporate governance;
 
   
develops and recommends to the Board corporate governance principles and policies applicable to us and our General Partner and monitors compliance with these principles and policies and recommends to the Board appropriate changes; and
 
   
oversees director compensation and the long-term incentive plan described above.
Crewing and Staff
As of May 1, 2009, approximately 1,016 seagoing staff served on our vessels and approximately 21 staff served on shore in technical, commercial and administrative roles in various countries. Certain subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation employ the crews, who serve on the vessels pursuant to agreements with the subsidiaries, and Teekay Corporation subsidiaries also provide on-shore advisory, operational and administrative support to our operating subsidiaries pursuant to service agreements. Please read Item 7 — Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions.
We regard attracting and retaining motivated seagoing personnel as a top priority. Like Teekay Corporation, we offer our seafarers competitive employment packages and comprehensive benefits and opportunities for personal and career development, which relates to a philosophy of promoting internally.
Teekay Corporation has entered into a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Philippine Seafarers’ Union, an affiliate of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (or ITF), and a Special Agreement with ITF London, which cover substantially all of the officers and seamen that operate our Bahamian-flagged vessels. Our Spanish officers and seamen for our Spanish-flagged vessels are covered by two different collective bargaining agreements (one for Suezmax tankers and one for LNG tankers) with Spain’s Union General de Trabajadores and Comisiones Obreras, and the Filipino crewmembers employed on our Spanish-flagged LNG tankers are covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Philippine Seafarer’s Union. We believe our relationships with these labor unions are good.
Our commitment to training is fundamental to the development of the highest caliber of seafarers for our marine operations. Teekay Corporation has agreed to allow our personnel to participate in its training programs. Teekay Corporation’s cadet training approach is designed to balance academic learning with hands-on training at sea. Teekay Corporation has relationships with training institutions in Canada, Croatia, India, Latvia, Norway, Philippines, Turkey and the United Kingdom. After receiving formal instruction at one of these institutions, our cadets’ training continues on board on one of our vessels. Teekay Corporation also has a career development plan that we follow, which was designed to ensure a continuous flow of qualified officers who are trained on its vessels and familiarized with its operational standards, systems and policies. We believe that high-quality crewing and training policies will play an increasingly important role in distinguishing larger independent shipping companies that have in-house or affiliate capabilities from smaller companies that must rely on outside ship managers and crewing agents on the basis of customer service and safety.

 

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Unit Ownership
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership, as of May 1, 2009, of our units by all directors and officers of our General Partner and key employees of Teekay Spain as a group. The information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under SEC rules a person or entity beneficially owns any units that the person has the right to acquire as of June 30, 2009 (60 days after May 1, 2009) through the exercise of any unit option or other right. Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting and investment power (or shares such powers with his or her spouse) with respect to the units set forth in the following table. Information for all persons listed below is based on information delivered to us.
                                         
                                    Percentage of  
                                    Total Common  
            Percentage of             Percentage of     and  
    Common Units     Common     Subordinated     Subordinated     Subordinated  
Identity of Person or Group   Owned     Units Owned     Units Owned     Units Owned     Units Owned(3)  
All executive officers, key employees and directors as a group (9 persons) (1) (2)
    235,304       0.63 %                 0.49 %
     
(1)  
Excludes units owned by Teekay Corporation, which controls us and on the board of which serve the following directors of our General Partner, C. Sean Day and Bjorn Moller. In addition, Mr. Moller is Teekay Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, and Peter Evensen, our General Partner’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director, is Teekay Corporation’s Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. Please read Item 7 — Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions for more detail.
 
(2)  
Each director, executive officer and key employee beneficially owns less than one percent of the outstanding common and subordinated units.
 
(3)  
Excludes the 2% general partner interest held by our General Partner, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teekay Corporation.
Item 7. Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions
Major Unitholders
The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership, as of May 1, 2009, of our common and subordinated units by each person we know to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding common or subordinated units. The number of units beneficially owned by each person is determined under SEC rules and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under SEC rules a person beneficially owns any units as to which the person has or shares voting or investment power. In addition, a person beneficially owns any units that the person or entity has the right to acquire as of June 30, 2009 (60 days after May 1, 2009) through the exercise of any unit option or other right. Unless otherwise indicated, each unitholder listed below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the units set forth in the following table.
                                         
                                    Percentage of  
                                    Total Common  
            Percentage of             Percentage of     and  
    Common Units     Common     Subordinated     Subordinated     Subordinated  
Identity of Person or Group   Owned     Units Owned     Units Owned     Units Owned     Units Owned  
Teekay Corporation (1)
    14,157,345       37.9 %     11,050,929       100.0 %     52.1 %
Neuberger Berman, Inc. and Neuberger Berman, L.L.C., as a group (2)
    6,203,202       16.6 %                 12.8 %
     
(1)  
Excludes the 2% general partner interest held by our General Partner, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teekay Corporation.
 
(2)  
Neuberger Berman, L.L.C. and Neuberger Berman Management Inc. serve as sub-advisor and investment manager, respectively, of Neuberger Berman Inc’s mutual funds. This information is based on the Schedule 13G/A filed by this group with the SEC on February 12, 2009.
Our majority unitholder has the same voting rights as our other unitholders. We are controlled by Teekay Corporation. We are not aware of any arrangements, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of us.
Related Party Transactions
  a)  
We have entered into an amended and restated omnibus agreement with Teekay Corporation, our General Partner, our operating company, Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C., Teekay Offshore and related parties. The following discussion describes certain provisions of the omnibus agreement.
 
     
Noncompetition. Under the omnibus agreement, Teekay Corporation and Teekay Offshore have agreed, and have caused their controlled affiliates (other than us) to agree, not to own, operate or charter LNG carriers. This restriction does not prevent Teekay Corporation, Teekay Offshore or any of their controlled affiliates (other than us) from, among other things:
   
acquiring LNG carriers and related time charters as part of a business and operating or chartering those vessels if a majority of the value of the total assets or business acquired is not attributable to the LNG carriers and related time charters, as determined in good faith by the board of directors of Teekay Corporation or the conflict committee of the board of directors of Teekay Offshore’s General Partner; however, if at any time Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore completes such an acquisition, it must offer to sell the LNG carriers and related time charters to us for their fair market value plus any additional tax or other similar costs to Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore that would be required to transfer the LNG carriers and time charters to us separately from the acquired business;
 
   
owning, operating or chartering LNG carriers that relate to a bid or award for a proposed LNG project that Teekay Corporation or any of its subsidiaries has submitted or hereafter submits or receives; however, at least 180 days prior to the scheduled delivery date of any such LNG carrier, Teekay Corporation must offer to sell the LNG carrier and related time charter to us, with the vessel valued at its “fully-built-up cost,’’ which represents the aggregate expenditures incurred (or to be incurred prior to delivery to us) by Teekay Corporation to acquire or construct and bring such LNG carrier to the condition and location necessary for our intended use, plus a reasonable allocation of overhead costs related to the development of such project and other projects that would have been subject to the offer rights set forth in the omnibus agreement but were not completed; or
 
   
acquiring, operating or chartering LNG carriers if our General Partner has previously advised Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore that the board of directors of our General Partner has elected, with the approval of its conflicts committee, not to cause us or our subsidiaries to acquire or operate the carriers.

 

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In addition, under the omnibus agreement we have agreed not to own, operate or charter crude oil tankers or the following “offshore vessels” — dynamically positioned shuttle tankers, floating storage and off-take units or floating production, storage and off-loading units, in each case that are subject to contracts with a remaining duration of at least three years, excluding extension options. This restriction does not apply to any of the Suezmax tankers in our current fleet, and the ownership, operation or chartering of any oil tankers that replace any of those oil tankers in connection with certain events. In addition, the restriction does not prevent us from, among other things:
   
acquiring oil tankers or offshore vessels and any related time charters or contracts of affreightment as part of a business and operating or chartering those vessels, if a majority of the value of the total assets or business acquired is not attributable to the oil tankers and offshore vessels and any related charters or contracts of affreightment, as determined by the conflicts committee of our General Partner’s board of directors; however, if at any time we complete such an acquisition, we are required to promptly offer to sell to Teekay Corporation the oil tankers and time charters or to Teekay Offshore the offshore vessels and time charters or contracts of affreightment for fair market value plus any additional tax or other similar costs to us that would be required to transfer the vessels and contracts to Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore separately from the acquired business; or
 
   
acquiring, operating or chartering oil tankers or offshore vessels if Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore, respectively, has previously advised our General Partner that it has elected not to acquire or operate those vessels.
     
Rights of First Offer on Suezmax Tankers, LNG Carriers, and Offshore Vessels. Under the omnibus agreement, we have granted to Teekay Corporation and Teekay Offshore a 30-day right of first offer on any proposed (a) sale, transfer or other disposition of any of our Suezmax tankers, in the case of Teekay Corporation, or certain offshore vessels in the case of Teekay Offshore, or (b) re-chartering of any of our Suezmax tankers or offshore vessels pursuant to a time charter or contract of affreightment with a term of at least three years if the existing charter expires or is terminated early. Likewise, each of Teekay Corporation and Teekay Offshore has granted a similar right of first offer to us for any LNG carriers it might own. These rights of first offer do not apply to certain transactions.
  b)  
We and certain of our subsidiaries have entered into services agreements with subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation pursuant to which the Teekay Corporation subsidiaries have agreed to provide (a) certain non-strategic administrative services to us, (b) crew training, (c) advisory, technical and administrative services that supplement existing capabilities of the employees of our operating subsidiaries and (d) strategic consulting and advisory services to our operating subsidiaries relating to our business, unless the provision of those services would materially interfere with Teekay Corporation’s operations. These services are to be provided in a commercially reasonably manner and upon the reasonable request of our General Partner or our operating subsidiaries, as applicable. The Teekay Corporation subsidiaries that are parties to the services agreements may provide these services directly or may subcontract for certain of these services with other entities, including other Teekay Corporation subsidiaries. We pay a reasonable, arm’s-length fee for the services that include reimbursement of the reasonable cost of any direct and indirect expenses the Teekay Corporation subsidiaries incur in providing these services. During 2008, 2007 and 2006, we incurred $9.4 million, $7.4 million and $4.8 million of costs under these agreements. In addition, as a component of the services agreement, the Teekay Corporation subsidiaries provide us with all usual and customary crew management services in respect of our vessels. During 2008, 2007 and 2006, we incurred $20.1 million, $10.8 million and nil, respectively, for crewing and manning costs.
 
     
During 2008, 2007 and 2006, $0.2 million, $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of general and administrative expenses attributable to the operations of the Dania Spirit and the Kenai LNG Carriers were incurred by Teekay Corporation and has been allocated to us as part of the results of the Dropdown Predecessor.
 
     
During December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, $3.1 million, $0.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of interest expense attributable to the operations of the Dania Spirit and the Kenai LNG Carriers was incurred by Teekay Corporation and has been allocated to us as part of the results of the Dropdown Predecessor.
 
  c)  
We reimburse our General Partner for all expenses necessary or appropriate for the conduct of our business. During 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Partnership incurred $0.8 million, $0.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of these costs.
 
  d)  
We have entered into an agreement with Teekay Corporation pursuant to which Teekay Corporation provides us with off-hire insurance for our LNG carriers. During 2008, 2007 and 2006, we incurred $1.5 million, $1.5 million and $0.9 million of these costs.
 
  e)  
On November 1, 2006, we agreed to purchase Teekay Corporation’s 70% interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture, which owns the two newbuilding Tangguh LNG Carriers and the related 20-year, fixed-rate time charters to service the Tangguh LNG project in Indonesia. For more information, please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 12(e) — Related Party Transactions.
 
  f)  
On May 6, 2008, we purchased Teekay Corporation’s 100% interest in Teekay Nakilat (III), which in turn owns 40% of the RasGas 3 Joint Venture, for a purchase price (net of assumed debt) of $110.2 million. For more information, please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 12(f) — Related Party Transactions.
 
  g)  
On October 31, 2006, we purchased Teekay Corporation’s 100% interest in Teekay Nakilat Holdings Corporation, which owns 70% of Teekay Nakilat for a purchase price of $102.0 million. For more information, please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 12(g) — Related Party Transactions.
 
  h)  
In January 2007, we acquired a 2000-built LPG carrier, the Dania Spirit, from Teekay Corporation and the related long-term, fixed-rate time charter for a purchase price of approximately $18.5 million. The purchase was financed with one of our existing revolving credit facilities. This vessel is chartered to the Norwegian state-owned oil company, Statoil ASA and has a remaining contract term of seven years.

 

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  i)  
In March 2007, one of our LNG carriers, the Madrid Spirit, sustained damage to its engine boilers. The vessel was off-hire for approximately 86 days during 2007. Since Teekay Corporation provides us with off-hire insurance for our LNG carriers, our exposure was limited to fourteen days of off-hire, of which seven days were recoverable from a third-party insurer. In July 2007, Teekay Corporation paid approximately $6.0 million to us for loss-of-hire relating to the vessel.
 
  j)  
In April 2008, we acquired the two Kenai LNG Carriers from Teekay Corporation for $230.0 million. We chartered the vessels back to Teekay Corporation at a fixed rate for a period of ten years (plus options exercisable by Teekay Corporation to extend up to an additional fifteen years). During 2008 we recognized revenues of $29.6 million from these charters.
 
  k)  
As at December 31, 2008, non-interest bearing advances to affiliates totaled $9.6 million (December 31, 2007 — nil) and non-interest bearing advances from affiliates totaled $73.1 million (December 31, 2007 — $268.5 million). These advances are unsecured and have no fixed repayment terms.
 
  l)  
On July 28, 2008, Teekay Corporation signed contracts for the purchase of two technically advanced 12,000-cubic meter newbuilding Multigas vessels from subsidiaries of Skaugen and we agreed to acquire the vessels from Teekay Corporation upon delivery. The vessels are scheduled to deliver in the second half of 2010 for a total cost of approximately $94.0 million. Each vessel will operate under 15-year fixed-rate charters to Skaugen.
 
  m)  
Our Suezmax tanker, the Toledo Spirit, which delivered in July 2005, operates pursuant to a time-charter contract that increases or decreases the fixed rate established in the charter, depending on the spot charter rates that we would have earned had we traded the vessel in the spot tanker market. We entered into an agreement with Teekay Corporation such that Teekay Corporation pays us any amounts payable to the charter party as a result of spot rates being below the fixed rate, and we pay Teekay Corporation any amounts payable to us as a result of spot rates being in excess of the fixed rate. During 2008, 2007 and 2006 we incurred $8.6 million, $1.9 million and $4.6 million, respectively, of amounts owing to Teekay Corporation as a result of this agreement.
 
  n)  
C. Sean Day is the Chairman of our General Partner, Teekay GP L.L.C. He also is the Chairman of Teekay Corporation, Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. (the General Partner of Teekay Offshore Partners L.P., a publicly held partnership controlled by Teekay Corporation) and Teekay Tankers Ltd. (a publicly held corporation controlled by Teekay Corporation).
 
     
Bjorn Moller is the Vice Chairman of Teekay GP L.L.C. and Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. He also is the President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of Teekay Corporation as well as the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Teekay Tankers Ltd.
 
     
Peter Evensen is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and a director of Teekay GP L.L.C. and Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. He also is the Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Teekay Corporation as well as the Executive Vice President and a director of Teekay Tankers Ltd.
 
     
Because Mr. Evensen is an employee of Teekay Corporation or another of its subsidiaries, his compensation (other than any awards under our long-term incentive plan) is set and paid by Teekay Corporation or such other applicable subsidiary. Pursuant to our partnership agreement, we have agreed to reimburse Teekay Corporation or its applicable subsidiary for time spent by Mr. Evensen on our management matters as our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
 
  o)  
In December 2007, a consortium in which Teekay Corporation has a 33% ownership interest was awarded a contract to charter four newbuilding 160,400-cubic meter LNG carriers for a period of 20 years to the Angola LNG Project, which is being developed by subsidiaries of Chevron Corporation, Sociedade Nacional de Combustiveis de Angola EP, BP Plc, Total S.A., and Eni SpA. The vessels will be chartered at fixed rates, with inflation adjustments, commencing in 2011. The remaining members of the consortium are Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and NYK Bulkship (Europe) which hold 34% and 33% ownership interests in the consortium, respectively. In accordance with the omnibus agreement, Teekay Corporation is required to offer to us its 33% ownership interest in these vessels and related charter contracts not later than 180 days before delivery of the vessels.
Item 8. Financial Information
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes
Please see Item 18 — Financial Statements below for additional information required to be disclosed under this Item.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time we have been, and expect to continue to be, subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of our business, principally personal injury and property casualty claims. These claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. We are not aware of any legal proceedings or claims that we believe will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on us.
Cash Distribution Policy
Rationale for Our Cash Distribution Policy
Our partnership agreement requires us to distribute all of our available cash (as defined in our partnership agreement) within approximately 45 days after the end of each quarter. This cash distribution policy reflects a basic judgment that our unitholders are better served by our distributing our cash available after expenses and reserves rather than our retaining it. Because we believe we will generally finance any capital investments from external financing sources, we believe that our investors are best served by our distributing all of our available cash.

 

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Limitations on Cash Distributions and Our Ability to Change Our Cash Distribution Policy
There is no guarantee that unitholders will receive quarterly distributions from us. Our distribution policy is subject to certain restrictions and may be changed at any time, including:
   
Our distribution policy is subject to restrictions on distributions under our credit agreements. Specifically, our credit agreements contain material financial tests and covenants that we must satisfy. Should we be unable to satisfy these restrictions under our credit agreements, we would be prohibited from making cash distributions to unitholders notwithstanding our stated cash distribution policy.
 
   
The board of directors of our General Partner has the authority to establish reserves for the prudent conduct of our business and for future cash distributions to our unitholders, and the establishment of those reserves could result in a reduction in cash distributions to unitholders from levels we anticipate pursuant to our stated distribution policy.
 
   
Even if our cash distribution policy is not modified or revoked, the amount of distributions we pay under our cash distribution policy and the decision to make any distribution is determined by our General Partner, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement.
 
   
Under Section 51 of the Marshall Islands Limited Partnership Act, we may not make a distribution to unitholders if the distribution would cause our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets.
 
   
We may lack sufficient cash to pay distributions to our unitholders due to increases in our general and administrative expenses, principal and interest payments on our outstanding debt, tax expenses, the issuance of additional units (which would require the payment of distributions on those units), working capital requirements and anticipated cash needs.
 
   
While our partnership agreement requires us to distribute all of our available cash, our partnership agreement, including provisions requiring us to make cash distributions, may be amended. Although during the subordination period (defined in our partnership agreement), with certain exceptions, our partnership agreement may not be amended without the approval of the public common unitholders, our partnership agreement can be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding common units, voting as a class (including common units held by affiliates of our General Partner) after the subordination period has ended.
Minimum Quarterly Distribution
Common unitholders are entitled under our partnership agreement to receive a minimum quarterly distribution of $0.4125 per unit, or $1.65 per year, prior to any distribution on our subordinated units to the extent we have sufficient cash from our operations after establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to our General Partner. Our General Partner has the authority to determine the amount of our available cash for any quarter. This determination must be made in good faith. There is no guarantee that we will pay the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units in any quarter, and we will be prohibited from making any distributions to unitholders if it would cause an event of default, or an event of default is existing, under our credit agreements.
For the first quarter of 2006, cash distributions declared were $0.4125 per unit. Our cash distributions were increased to $0.4625 per unit effective for the second quarter of 2006, to $0.53 per unit effective for the second quarter of 2007, to $0.55 per unit effective for the second quarter of 2008 and to $0.57 per unit effective for the third quarter of 2008.
Subordination Period
During the subordination period, applicable to the subordinated units held by Teekay Corporation, the common units will have the right to receive distributions of available cash from operating surplus in an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution, plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before any distributions of available cash from operating surplus may be made on the subordinated units. The purpose of the subordinated units is to increase the likelihood that during the subordination period there will be available cash to be distributed on the common units. On May 19, 2008, 25% of the subordinated units (3.7 million units) were converted into common units on a one-for-one basis as provided for under the terms of our partnership agreement and began participating pro rata with the other common units in distributions of available cash commencing with the August 2008 distribution. If we meet the applicable financial tests in our partnership agreement for any quarter ending on or after March 31, 2009, an additional 3.7 million subordinated units will convert into an equal number of common units. We expect that we will meet these tests for the quarter ending March 31, 2009 and that these subordinated units will therefore convert on the second business day following the distribution of available cash to unitholders with respect to the first quarter of 2009.
Incentive Distribution Rights
Incentive distribution rights represent the right to receive an increasing percentage of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus (as defined in our partnership agreement) after the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels have been achieved. Our General Partner currently holds the incentive distribution rights, but may transfer these rights separately from its general partner interest, subject to restrictions in our partnership agreement.

 

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The following table illustrates the percentage allocations of the additional available cash from operating surplus among the unitholders and our General Partner up to the various target distribution levels. The amounts set forth under “Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions’’ are the percentage interests of the unitholders and our General Partner in any available cash from operating surplus we distribute up to and including the corresponding amount in the column “Total Quarterly Distribution Target Amount,’’ until available cash from operating surplus we distribute reaches the next target distribution level, if any. The percentage interests shown for the unitholders and our General Partner for the minimum quarterly distribution are also applicable to quarterly distribution amounts that are less than the minimum quarterly distribution. The percentage interests shown for our General Partner include its 2% general partner interest and assume the General Partner has not transferred the incentive distribution rights.
                     
        Marginal Percentage Interest  
    Total Quarterly Distribution   in Distributions  
    Target Amount   Unitholders     General Partner  
Minimum Quarterly Distribution
  $0.4125     98 %     2 %
First Target Distribution
  up to $0.4625     98       2  
Second Target Distribution
  above $0.4625 up to $0.5375     85       15  
Third Target Distribution
  above $0.5375 up to $0.6500     75       25  
Thereafter
  above $0.6500     50       50  
Significant Changes
Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 19 — Subsequent Events
Item 9. The Offer and Listing
Our common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (or NYSE) under the symbol “TGP”. The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices for our common units on the NYSE for each of the periods indicated.
                                 
    Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,  
    2008     2007     2006     2005 (1)  
 
 
Years Ended
                               
High
  $ 31.69     $ 39.94     $ 34.23     $ 37.40  
Low
    9.96       28.76       28.65       24.30  
                                                                 
    Dec. 31,     Sept. 30,     June 30,     Mar. 31,     Dec. 31,     Sept. 30,     June 30,     Mar. 31,  
    2008     2008     2008     2008     2007     2007     2007     2007  
 
 
Quarters Ended
                                                               
High
  $ 18.26     $ 26.52     $ 30.48     $ 31.69     $ 34.47     $ 36.93     $ 39.94     $ 38.08  
Low
    9.96       14.89       26.33       27.22       28.76       33.20       34.92       32.70  
                                                 
    May 31,     Apr. 30,     Mar. 31,     Feb. 28,     Jan. 31,     Dec. 31,  
    2009     2009     2009     2009     2009     2008  
 
 
Months Ended
                                               
High
  $ 19.20     $ 17.60     $ 19.93     $ 19.37     $ 18.87     $ 15.02  
Low
    17.05       15.74       16.54       15.76       15.95       9.98  
     
(1)  
Period beginning May 5, 2005.
Item 10. Additional Information
Memorandum and Articles of Association
The information required to be disclosed under Item 10B is incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed with the SEC on September 29, 2006.
Material Contracts
The following is a summary of each material contract, other than material contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, to which we or any of our subsidiaries is a party, for the two years immediately preceding the date of this Annual Report, each of which is included in the list of exhibits in Item 19:
  (a)  
Agreement, dated December 7, 2005, for a U.S. $137,500,000 Revolving Credit Facility between Asian Spirit L.L.C., African Spirit L.L.C., and European Spirit L.L.C., Den Norske Bank ASA and various other banks. This facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.50%. The amount available under the facility reduces by $4.4 million semi-annually, with a bullet reduction of $57.7 million on maturity in April 2015. The credit facility may be used for general partnership purposes and to fund cash distributions. Our obligations under the facility are secured by a first-priority mortgage on three of our Suezmax tankers and a pledge of certain shares of the subsidiaries operating the Suezmax tankers.
 
  (b)  
Amended and Restated Omnibus agreement with Teekay Corporation, Teekay Offshore, our General Partner and related parties Please read Item 7 — Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions for a summary of certain contract terms.
 
  (c)  
We and certain of our operating subsidiaries have entered into services agreements with certain subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation pursuant to which the Teekay Corporation subsidiaries provide us and our operating subsidiaries with administrative, advisory, technical and strategic consulting services for a reasonable fee that includes reimbursement of the reasonable cost of any direct and indirect expenses they incur in providing these services. Please read Item 7 — Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions for a summary of certain contract terms.
 
  (d)  
Pursuant to the Nakilat Share Purchase Agreement, we agreed to acquire from Teekay Corporation its 100% ownership interest in Teekay Nakilat Holdings Corporation. Please read Item 7 — Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions for a summary of certain contract terms.

 

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  (e)  
Syndicated Loan Agreement between Naviera Teekay Gas III, S.L. (formerly Naviera F. Tapias Gas III, S.A.) and Caixa de Aforros de Vigo Ourense e Pontevedra, as Agent, dated as of October 2, 2000, as amended. This facility was used to make restricted cash deposits that fully fund payments under a capital lease for one of our LNG carriers, the Catalunya Spirit. Interest payments are based on EURIBOR plus a margin. The term loan matures in 2023 with monthly payments that reduce over time.
 
  (f)  
Teekay LNG Partners L.P. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Please read Item 6 — Directors, Senior Management and Employees for a summary of certain plan terms.
 
  (g)  
Agreement, dated August 23, 2006, for a U.S $330,000,000 Secured Revolving Loan Facility between Teekay LNG Partners L.P., ING Bank N.V. and other banks. This facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.55%. The amount available under the facility reduces semi-annually by amounts ranging from $4.3 million to $8.4 million, with a bullet reduction of $188.7 million on maturity in August 2018. The revolver is collateralized by first-priority mortgages granted on two of our LNG carriers. The credit facility may be used for general partnership purposes and to fund cash distributions.
 
  (h)  
Agreement dated June 30, 2008, for a U.S. $172,500,000 Secured Revolving Loan Facility between Arctic Spirit L.L.C., Polar Spirit L.L.C and DnB Nor Bank A.S.A. and other banks. This facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.80%. The amount available under the facility reduces by $6.1 million semi-annually, with a balloon reduction of $56.6 million on maturity in June 2018. The revolver is collateralized by first-priority mortgages granted on two of our LNG carriers. The credit facility may be used for general partnership purposes and to fund cash distributions.
Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Unitholders
We are not aware of any governmental laws, decrees or regulations, including foreign exchange controls, in the Republic of The Marshall Islands that restrict the export or import of capital, or that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of our securities.
We are not aware of any limitations on the right of non-resident or foreign owners to hold or vote our securities imposed by the laws of the Republic of The Marshall Islands or our partnership agreement.
Taxation to Unitholders
Marshall Islands Tax Consequences. Because we and our subsidiaries do not, and we do not expect that we and our subsidiaries will, conduct business or operations in the Republic of The Marshall Islands, and because all documentation related to our initial public offering and follow-on offerings were executed outside of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, under current Marshall Islands law, no taxes or withholdings are imposed by the Republic of The Marshall Islands on distributions, including upon a return of capital, made to unitholders, so long as such persons do not reside in, maintain offices in, nor engage in business in the Republic of The Marshall Islands. Furthermore, no stamp, capital gains or other taxes are imposed by the Republic of The Marshall Islands on the purchase, ownership or disposition by such persons of our common units.
United States Tax Consequences. The following discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to common unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States is based upon provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the Internal Revenue Code) as in effect on the date of this prospectus, existing final, temporary and proposed regulations thereunder (or Treasury Regulations) and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. This discussion does not comment on all U.S. federal income tax matters affecting the unitholders and does not address the tax consequences under U.S. state and local and other tax laws. Moreover, the discussion focuses on unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States and hold their units as capital assets and has only limited application to corporations, estates, trusts, non-U.S. persons or other unitholders subject to specialized tax treatment, such as tax-exempt entities (including IRAs), regulated investment companies (mutual funds), real estate investment trusts (or REITs) and holders who directly or indirectly own a ten percent (10%) or greater interest in us. Accordingly, unitholders should consult their own tax advisors in analyzing the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences particular to him of the ownership or disposition of common units.
Classification as a Partnership. As discussed in Item 4 — Information on the Partnership: D. Taxation of the Partnership, we believe we will be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Consequences of Unit Ownership
Flow-through of Taxable Income. Each unitholder is required to include in computing his taxable income his allocable share of our items of income, gains, loss, deductions and credit for our taxable year ending with or within his taxable year, without regard to whether we make corresponding cash distributions to him. Our taxable year ends on December 31. Consequently, we may allocate income to a unitholder as of December 31 of a given year, and the unitholder will be required to report this income on his tax return for his tax year that ends on or includes such date, even if he has not received a cash distribution from us as of that date.
Treatment of Distributions. Distributions by us to a unitholder generally will not be taxable to the unitholder for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of his tax basis in his common units immediately before the distribution. Our cash distributions in excess of a unitholder’s tax basis generally will be considered to be gain from the sale or exchange of the common units. Any reduction in a unitholder’s share of our liabilities for which no partner, including the general partner, bears the economic risk of loss, known as “nonrecourse liabilities,” will be treated as a distribution of cash to that unitholder. A decrease in a unitholder’s percentage interest in us because of our issuance of additional common units will decrease his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, and thus will result in a corresponding deemed distribution of cash. To the extent our distributions cause a unitholder’s “at risk” amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year, he must recapture any losses deducted in previous years.

 

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A non-pro rata distribution of money or property may result in ordinary income to a unitholder, regardless of his tax basis in his common units, if the distribution reduces the unitholder’s share of our “unrealized receivables,” including depreciation recapture, and/or substantially appreciated “inventory items,” both as defined in the Internal Revenue Code (or, collectively, Section 751 Assets). To that extent, he will be treated as having been distributed his proportionate share of the Section 751 Assets and having exchanged those assets with us in return for the non-pro rata portion of the actual distribution made to him. This latter deemed exchange will generally result in the unitholder’s realization of ordinary income, which will equal the excess of (1) the non-pro rata portion of that distribution over (2) the unitholder’s tax basis for the share of Section 751 Assets deemed relinquished in the exchange.
Basis of Common Units. A unitholder’s initial U.S. federal income tax basis for his common units will be the amount he paid for the common units plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be increased by his share of our income and by any increases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be decreased, but not below zero, by distributions from us, by the unitholder’s share of our losses, by any decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities and by his share of our expenditures that are not deductible in computing taxable income and are not required to be capitalized. A unitholder will have no share of our debt that is recourse to the general partner, but will have a share, generally based on his share of profits, of our nonrecourse liabilities.
Limitations on Deductibility of Losses. The deduction by a unitholder of his share of our losses will be limited to the tax basis in his units and, in the case of an individual unitholder or a corporate unitholder, if more than 50% of the value of the corporate unitholder’s stock is owned directly or indirectly by five or fewer individuals or some tax-exempt organizations, to the amount for which the unitholder is considered to be “at risk” with respect to our activities, if that is less than his tax basis. A unitholder must recapture losses deducted in previous years to the extent that distributions cause his at risk amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year. Losses disallowed to a unitholder or recaptured as a result of these limitations will carry forward and will be allowable to the extent that his tax basis or at risk amount, whichever is the limiting factor, is subsequently increased. Upon the taxable disposition of a unit, any gain recognized by a unitholder can be offset by losses that were previously suspended by the at risk limitation but may not be offset by losses suspended by the basis limitation. Any excess suspended loss above that gain is no longer utilizable. In general, a unitholder will be at risk to the extent of the tax basis of his units, excluding any portion of that basis attributable to his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, reduced by any amount of money he borrows to acquire or hold his units, if the lender of those borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to the unitholder or can look only to the units for repayment.
The passive loss limitations generally provide that individuals, estates, trusts and some closely-held corporations and personal service corporations can deduct losses from a passive activity only to the extent of the taxpayer’s income from the same passive activity. Passive activities generally are corporate or partnership activities in which the taxpayer does not materially participate. The passive loss limitations are applied separately with respect to each publicly traded partnership. Consequently, any passive losses we generate only will be available to offset our passive income generated in the future and will not be available to offset income from other passive activities or investments, including our investments or investments in other publicly traded partnerships, or salary or active business income. Passive losses that are not deductible because they exceed a unitholder’s share of income we generate may be deducted in full when he disposes of his entire investment in us in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party. The passive activity loss rules are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions, including the at risk rules and the basis limitation.
Dual consolidated loss restrictions also may apply to limit the deductibility by a corporate unitholder of losses we incur. Corporate unitholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the applicability and effect to them of dual consolidated loss restrictions.
Limitations on Interest Deductions. The deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayer’s “investment interest expense” generally is limited to the amount of that taxpayer’s “net investment income.” Investment interest expense includes:
 
interest on indebtedness properly allocable to property held for investment;
 
 
our interest expense attributed to portfolio income; and
 
 
the portion of interest expense incurred to purchase or carry an interest in a passive activity to the extent attributable to portfolio income.
The computation of a unitholder’s investment interest expense will take into account interest on any margin account borrowing or other loan incurred to purchase or carry a unit. Net investment income includes gross income from property held for investment and amounts treated as portfolio income under the passive loss rules, less deductible expenses, other than interest, directly connected with the production of investment income, but generally does not include gains attributable to the disposition of property held for investment. The IRS has indicated that net passive income earned by a publicly traded partnership will be treated as investment income to its unitholders. In addition, the unitholder’s share of our portfolio income will be treated as investment income.
Entity-Level Collections. If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any U.S. federal, state or local or foreign income or withholding taxes on behalf of any present or former unitholder or the general partner, we are authorized to pay those taxes from our funds. That payment, if made, will be treated as a distribution of cash to the partner on whose behalf the payment was made. If the payment is made on behalf of a person whose identity cannot be determined, we are authorized to treat the payment as a distribution to all current unitholders. We are authorized to amend the partnership agreement in the manner necessary to maintain uniformity of intrinsic tax characteristics of units and to adjust later distributions, so that after giving effect to these distributions, the priority and characterization of distributions otherwise applicable under the partnership agreement are maintained as nearly as is practicable. Payments by us as described above could give rise to an overpayment of tax on behalf of an individual partner, in which event the partner would be required to file a claim in order to obtain a credit or refund of tax paid.
Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss, Deduction and Credit. In general, if we have a net profit, our items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit will be allocated among the general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us. At any time that distributions are made to the common units in excess of distributions to the subordinated units, or incentive distributions are made to the general partner, gross income will be allocated to the recipients to the extent of these distributions. If we have a net loss for the entire year, that loss generally will be allocated first to the general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us to the extent of their positive capital accounts and, second, to the general partner.

 

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Specified items of our income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated to account for any difference between the tax basis and fair market value of any property held by the partnership immediately prior to an offering of common units, referred to in this discussion as “Adjusted Property.” The effect of these allocations to a unitholder purchasing common units in an offering essentially will be the same as if the tax basis of our assets were equal to their fair market value at the time of the offering. In addition, items of recapture income will be allocated to the extent possible to the partner who was allocated the deduction giving rise to the treatment of that gain as recapture income in order to minimize the recognition of ordinary income by some unitholders. Finally, although we do not expect that our operations will result in the creation of negative capital accounts, if negative capital accounts nevertheless result, items of our income and gain will be allocated in an amount and manner to eliminate the negative balance as quickly as possible.
An allocation of items of our income, gain, loss, deduction or credit, other than an allocation required by the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the difference between a partner’s “book” capital account, which is credited with the fair market value of Adjusted Property, and “tax” capital account, which is credited with the tax basis of Adjusted Property, referred to in this discussion as the “Book-Tax Disparity,” generally will be given effect for U.S. federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit only if the allocation has substantial economic effect. In any other case, a partner’s share of an item will be determined on the basis of his interest in us, which will be determined by taking into account all the facts and circumstances, including:
   
This relative contributions to us;
 
   
The interests of all the partners in profits and losses;
 
   
The interest of all the partners in cash flow; and
 
   
The rights of all the partners to distributions of capital upon liquidation.
A unitholder’s taxable income or loss with respect to a common unit each year will depend upon a number of factors, including the nature and fair market value of our assets at the time the holder acquired the common unit, we issue additional units or we engage in certain other transactions, and the manner in which our items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit are allocated among our partners. For this purpose, we determine the value of our assets and the relative amounts of our items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit allocable to our unitholders and our general partner as holder of the incentive distribution rights by reference to the value of our interests, including the incentive distribution rights. The IRS may challenge any valuation determinations that we make, particularly as to the incentive distribution rights, for which there is no public market. Moreover, the IRS could challenge certain other aspects of the manner in which we determine the relative allocations made to our unitholders and to the general partner as holder of our incentive distribution rights. A successful IRS challenge to our valuation or allocation methods could increase the amount of net taxable income and gain realized by a unitholder with respect to a common unit.
Section 754 Election. We have made an election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code to adjust a common unit purchaser’s U.S. federal income tax basis in our assets (or inside basis) to reflect the purchaser’s purchase price (or a Section 743(b) adjustment). The Section 743(b) adjustment belongs to the purchaser and not to other unitholders and does not apply to unitholders who acquire their common units directly from us. For purposes of this discussion, a unitholder’s inside basis in our assets will be considered to have two components: (1) his share of our tax basis in our assets (or common basis) and (2) his Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis.
In general, a purchaser’s common basis is depreciated or amortized according to the existing method utilized by us. A positive Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis generally is depreciated or amortized in the same manner as property of the same type that has been newly placed in service by us. A negative Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis generally is recovered over the remaining useful life of the partnership’s recovery property.
A Section 743(b) adjustment is advantageous if the purchaser’s tax basis in his units is higher than the units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. In that case, as a result of the adjustment, the purchaser would have, among other items, a greater amount of depreciation and amortization deductions and his share of any gain or loss on a sale of our assets would be less. Conversely, a Section 743(b) adjustment is disadvantageous if the purchaser’s tax basis in his units is lower than those units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the purchase. Thus, the fair market value of the units may be affected either favorably or unfavorably by the Section 743(b) adjustment. A basis adjustment is required regardless of whether a Section 754 election is made in the case of a transfer on an interest in us if we have a substantial built-in loss immediately after the transfer, or if we distribute property and have a substantial basis reduction. Generally, a built-in loss or a basis reduction is substantial if it exceeds $250,000.
The calculations involved in the Section 743(b) adjustment are complex and will be made on the basis of assumptions as to the value of our assets and in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code and applicable Treasury Regulations. We cannot assure you that the determinations we make will not be successfully challenged by the IRS and that the deductions resulting from them will not be reduced or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS require a different basis adjustment to be made, and should, in our judgment, the expense of compliance exceed the benefit of the election, we may seek consent from the IRS to revoke our Section 754 election. If such consent is given, a subsequent purchaser of units may be allocated more income than he would have been allocated had the election not been revoked.
Tax Treatment of Operations
Accounting Method and Taxable Year. We use the year ending December 31 as our taxable year and the accrual method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his share of our income, gain, loss, deduction and credit for our taxable year ending within or with his taxable year. In addition, a unitholder who disposes of all of his units must include his share of our income, gain, loss, deduction and credit through the date of disposition in income for his taxable year that includes the date of disposition, with the result that a unitholder who has a taxable year ending on a date other than December 31 and who disposes of all of his units following the close of our taxable year but before the close of his taxable year must include his share of more than one year of our income, gain, loss, deduction and credit in income for the year of the disposition.
Asset Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization. The tax basis of our assets will be used for purposes of computing depreciation and cost recovery deductions and, ultimately, gain or loss on the disposition of these assets. The U.S. federal income tax burden associated with any difference between the fair market value of our assets and their tax basis immediately prior to this offering will be borne by the general partner and the existing limited partners.

 

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To the extent allowable, we may elect to use the depreciation and cost recovery methods that will result in the largest deductions being taken in the early years after assets are placed in service. Property we subsequently acquire or construct may be depreciated using any method permitted by the Internal Revenue Code.
If we dispose of depreciable property by sale, foreclosure or otherwise, all or a portion of any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation previously deducted and the nature of the property, may be subject to the recapture rules and taxed as ordinary income rather than capital gain. Similarly, a unitholder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with respect to property we own likely will be required to recapture some or all of those deductions as ordinary income upon a sale of his interest in us.
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of units will depend in part on our estimates of the relative fair market values, and the tax bases, of our assets at the time the holder acquired the common unit, we issue additional units or we engage in certain other transactions. Although we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, we will make many of the relative fair market value estimates ourselves. These estimates and determinations of basis are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. If the estimates of fair market value or basis are later found to be incorrect, the character and amount of items of income, gain, loss, deductions or credits previously reported by unitholders might change, and unitholders might be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties with respect to those adjustments.
Disposition of Common Units
Recognition of Gain or Loss. In general, gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of units equal to the difference between the amount realized and the unitholder’s tax basis in the units sold. A unitholder’s amount realized will be measured by the sum of the cash, the fair market value of other property received by him and his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. Because the amount realized includes a unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities, the gain recognized on the sale of units could result in a tax liability in excess of any cash or property received from the sale.
Prior distributions from us in excess of cumulative net taxable income for a common unit that decreased a unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit will, in effect, become taxable income if the common unit is sold at a price greater than the unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit, even if the price received is less than his original cost. Except as noted below, gain or loss recognized by a unitholder on the sale or exchange of a unit generally will be taxable as capital gain or loss. Capital gain recognized by an individual on the sale of units held more than one year generally will be taxed at a maximum rate of 15% under current law.
A portion of a unitholder’s amount realized may be allocable to “unrealized receivables” or to “inventory items” we own. The term “unrealized receivables” includes potential recapture items, including depreciation and amortization recapture. A unitholder will recognize ordinary income or loss to the extent of the difference between the portion of the unitholder’s amount realized allocable to unrealized receivables or inventory items and the unitholder’s share of our basis in such receivables or inventory items. Ordinary income attributable to unrealized receivables, inventory items and depreciation or amortization recapture may exceed net taxable gain realized upon the sale of a unit and may be recognized even if a net taxable loss is realized on the sale of a unit. Thus, a unitholder may recognize both ordinary income and a capital loss upon a sale of units. Net capital losses generally may only be used to offset capital gains. An exception permits individuals to offset up to $3,000 of net capital losses against ordinary income in any given year.
The IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all those interests. Upon a sale or other disposition of less than all of those interests, a portion of that tax basis must be allocated to the interests sold using an “equitable apportionment” method. Treasury Regulations under Section 1223 of the Internal Revenue Code allow a selling unitholder who can identify common units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the actual holding period of the common units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling, a common unitholder will be unable to select high or low basis common units to sell as would be the case with corporate stock, but, according to the regulations, may designate specific common units sold for purposes of determining the holding period of units transferred. A unitholder electing to use the actual holding period of common units transferred must consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or exchanges of common units. A unitholder considering the purchase of additional units or a sale of common units purchased in separate transactions is urged to consult his tax advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and application of the regulations.
Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees. In general, our taxable income or loss will be determined annually, will be prorated on a monthly basis and will be subsequently apportioned among the unitholders in proportion to the number of units owned by each of them as of the opening of the applicable exchange on the first business day of the month. However, gain or loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business will be allocated among the unitholders on the first business day of the month in which that gain or loss is recognized. As a result of the foregoing, a unitholder transferring units may be allocated income, gain, loss, deduction and credit realized after the date of transfer. A unitholder who owns units at any time during a calendar quarter and who disposes of them prior to the record date set for a cash distribution for that quarter will be allocated items of our income, gain, loss and deductions attributable to months within that quarter in which the units were held but will not be entitled to receive that cash distribution.
Transfer Notification Requirements. A unitholder who sells any of his units, other than through a broker, generally is required to notify us in writing of that sale within 30 days after the sale (or, if earlier, January 15 of the year following the sale). A unitholder who acquires units generally is required to notify us in writing of that acquisition within 30 days after the purchase, unless a broker or nominee will satisfy such requirement. We are required to notify the IRS of any such transfers of units and to furnish specified information to the transferor and transferee. Failure to notify us of a transfer of units may lead to the imposition of substantial penalties.
Constructive Termination. We will be considered to have been terminated for U.S. federal income tax purposes if there is a sale or exchange of 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a 12-month period. A constructive termination results in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders. In the case of a unitholder reporting on a taxable year other than a fiscal year ending December 31, the closing of our taxable year may result in more than 12 months of our taxable income or loss being includable in his taxable income for the year of termination. We would be required to make new tax elections after a termination, including a new election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code, and a termination would result in a deferral of our deductions for depreciation. A termination could also result in penalties if we were unable to determine that the termination had occurred. Moreover, a termination might either accelerate the application of, or subject us to, tax legislation applicable to a newly formed partnership.

 

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Foreign Tax Credit Considerations
Subject to detailed limitations set forth in the Internal Revenue Code, a unitholder may elect to claim a credit against his liability for U.S. federal income tax for his share of foreign income taxes (and certain foreign taxes imposed in lieu of a tax based upon income) paid by us. Income allocated to unitholders likely will constitute foreign source income falling in the general foreign tax credit category for purposes of the U.S. foreign tax credit limitation. The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex and unitholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine whether or to what extent they would be entitled to such credit. Unitholders who do not elect to claim foreign tax credits may instead claim a deduction for their shares of foreign taxes paid by us.
Functional Currency
We are required to determine the functional currency of any of our operations that constitute a separate qualified business unit (or QBU) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and report the affairs of any QBU in this functional currency to our unitholders. Any transactions conducted by us other than in the U.S. dollar or by a QBU other than in its functional currency may give rise to foreign currency exchange gain or loss. Further, if a QBU is required to maintain a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, a unitholder may be required to recognize foreign currency translation gain or loss upon a distribution of money or property from a QBU or upon the sale of common units, and items or income, gain, loss or deduction allocated to the unitholder in such functional currency must be translated into the unitholder’s functional currency.
For purposes of the foreign currency rules, a QBU includes a separate trade or business owned by a partnership in the event separate books and records are maintained for that separate trade or business. The functional currency of a QBU is determined based upon the economic environment in which the QBU operates. Thus, a QBU whose revenues and expenses are determined in a currency other than the U.S. dollar will have a non-U.S. dollar functional currency. We believe our principal operations constitute a QBU whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar, but certain of our operations constitute separate QBUs whose functional currencies are other than the U.S. dollar.
Under proposed regulations (or the Section 987 Proposed Regulations), the amount of foreign currency translation gain or loss recognized upon a distribution of money or property from a QBU or upon the sale of common units will reflect the appreciation or depreciation in the functional currency value of certain assets and liabilities of the QBU between the time the unitholder purchased his common units and the time we receive distributions from such QBU or the unitholder sells his common units. Foreign currency translation gain or loss will be treated as ordinary income or loss. A unitholder must adjust the U.S. federal income tax basis in his common units to reflect such income or loss prior to determining any other U.S. federal income tax consequences of such distribution or sale. A unitholder who owns less than a five percent interest in our capital or profits generally may elect not to have these rules apply by attaching a statement to his tax return for the first taxable year the unitholder intends the election to be effective. Further, for purposes of computing his taxable income and U.S. federal income tax basis in his common units, a unitholder will be required to translate into his own functional currency items of income, gain, loss or deduction of such QBU and his share of such QBU’s liabilities. We intend to provide such information based on generally applicable U.S. exchange rates as is necessary for unitholders to comply with the requirements of the Section 987 Proposed Regulations as part of the U.S. federal income tax information we will furnish unitholders each year. However, a unitholder may be entitled to make an election to apply an alternative exchange rate with respect to the foreign currency translation of certain items. Unitholders who desire to make such an election should consult their own tax advisors.
Based upon our current projections of the capital invested in and profits of the non-U.S. dollar QBUs, we believe that unitholders will be required to recognize only a nominal amount of foreign currency translation gain or loss each year and upon their sale of units. Nonetheless, the rules for determining the amount of translation gain or loss are not entirely clear at present as the Section 987 Proposed Regulations currently are not effective. Please consult your own tax advisor for specific advice regarding the application of the rules for recognizing foreign currency translation gain or loss under your own circumstances. In addition to a unitholder’s recognition of foreign currency translation gain or loss, the U.S. dollar QBU will engage in certain transactions denominated in the Euro, which will give rise to a certain amount of foreign currency exchange gain or loss each year. This foreign currency exchange gain or loss will be treated as ordinary income or loss.
Information Returns and Audit Procedures
We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90 days after the close of each calendar year, specific U.S. federal income tax information, including a document in the form of IRS Form 1065, Schedule K-1, which sets forth his share of our items of income, gain, loss, deductions and credits as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our preceding taxable year. In preparing this information, which will not be reviewed by counsel, we will take various accounting and reporting positions, some of which have been mentioned earlier, to determine his share of such items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit. We cannot assure you that those positions will yield a result that conforms to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations or administrative interpretations of the IRS. We can not assure prospective unitholders that the IRS will not successfully contend that those positions are impermissible. Any challenge by the IRS could negatively affect the value of the units.
We will be obligated to file U.S. federal income tax information returns with the IRS for any year in which we earn any U.S. source income or U.S. effectively connected income. In the event we were obligated to file a U.S. federal income tax information return but failed to do so, unitholders would not be entitled to claim any deductions, losses or credits for U.S. federal income tax purposes relating to us. Consequently, we may file U.S. federal income tax information returns for any given year. The IRS may audit any such information returns that we file. Adjustments resulting from an IRS audit of our return may require each unitholder to adjust a prior year’s tax liability, and may result in an audit of his return. Any audit of a unitholder’s return could result in adjustments not related to our returns as well as those related to our returns. Any IRS audit relating to our items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit for years in which we are not required to file and do not file a U.S. federal income tax information return would be conducted at the partner-level, and each unitholder may be subject to separate audit proceedings relating to such items.
For years in which we file or are required to file U.S. federal income tax information returns, we will be treated as a separate entity for purposes of any U.S. federal income tax audits, as well as for purposes of judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement proceedings. For such years, the tax treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit will be determined in a partnership proceeding rather than in separate proceedings with the partners. The Internal Revenue Code requires that one partner be designated as the “Tax Matters Partner” for these purposes. The partnership agreement names Teekay GP L.L.C. as our Tax Matters Partner.

 

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The Tax Matters Partner will make some U.S. federal tax elections on our behalf and on behalf of unitholders. In addition, the Tax Matters Partner can extend the statute of limitations for assessment of tax deficiencies against unitholders for items reported in the information returns we file. The Tax Matters Partner may bind a unitholder with less than a 1% profits interest in us to a settlement with the IRS with respect to these items unless that unitholder elects, by filing a statement with the IRS, not to give that authority to the Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner may seek judicial review, by which all the unitholders are bound, of a final partnership administrative adjustment and, if the Tax Matters Partner fails to seek judicial review, judicial review may be sought by any unitholder having at least a 1% interest in profits or by any group of unitholders having in the aggregate at least a 5% interest in profits. However, only one action for judicial review will go forward, and each unitholder with an interest in the outcome may participate.
A unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on his U.S. federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the item on an information return that we file. Intentional or negligent disregard of this consistency requirement may subject a unitholder to substantial penalties
Possible Classification as a Corporation
If we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception described previously with respect to our classification as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery, we will be treated as a non-U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If previously treated as a partnership, our change in status would be deemed to have been effected by our transfer of all of our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed non-U.S. corporation, in return for stock in that corporation, and then our distribution of that stock to our unitholders and other owners in liquidation of their interests in us. Unitholders that are U.S. persons would be required to file IRS Form 926 to report these deemed transfers and any other transfers they made to us while we were treated as a corporation and may be required to recognize income or gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of certain prior deductions or losses and other items. Substantial penalties may apply for failure to satisfy these reporting requirements, unless the person otherwise required to report shows such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect.
If we were treated as a corporation in any taxable year, either as a result of a failure to meet the Qualifying Income Exception or otherwise, our items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit would not pass through to unitholders. Instead, we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax based on the rules applicable to foreign corporations, not partnerships, and such items would be treated as our own. Any distribution made to a unitholder would be treated as taxable dividend income to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the unitholder’s tax basis in his common units, and taxable capital gain thereafter.
Consequences of Possible PFIC Classification
A non-U.S. entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be a PFIC in any taxable year in which, after taking into account the income and assets of the corporation and certain subsidiaries pursuant to a “look through” rule, either (1) at least 75% of its gross income is “passive” income (or the income test) or (2) at least 50% of the average value of its assets is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income (or the assets test). For purposes of these tests, “passive income” includes dividends, interest, and gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties that are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute “passive income.” We do not believe that our existing operations would cause us to be deemed a PFIC if we were treated as a corporation with respect to any taxable year, as we treat the gross income we derive from our time charters services income, rather than rental income.
There is, however, no direct legal authority under the PFIC rules addressing our method of operation and, therefore, no assurance can be given that the IRS would accept this position or that we would not constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year in which we were treated as a corporation if there were to be changes in our assets, income or operations. Moreover, a recent decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Tidewater Inc. v. United States, No. 08-30268 (5th Cir. Apr. 13, 2009) held that income derived from certain time chartering activities should be treated as rental income rather than services income. However, the issues in this case arose under the foreign sales corporation rules of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (or the Code) and did not concern the PFIC rules. In addition, the court’s ruling was contrary to the position of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (or IRS) that the time charter income should be treated as services income. As a result, it is uncertain whether the principles of the Tidewater decision would be applicable to our operations. However, if the principles of the Tidewater decision were applicable to our operations, we likely would be treated as a PFIC if we were treated as a corporation.
Our subsidiaries Arctic Spirit LLC and Polar Spirit LLC will be classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Subject to the discussion of Tidewater above, we believe that neither Arctic Spirit LLC nor Polar Spirit LLC should be a PFIC based on our relationship to Teekay Corporation, and the composition of the assets and the nature of the activities and other operations of those subsidiaries, and Teekay Corporation with respect to the vessels under time charters with those subsidiaries, including the joint development and option agreement entered into by Teekay Corporation and Arctic Spirit LLC. However, legal uncertainties are involved in this determination, and there is no assurance that the IRS or a court would agree with our opinion. In addition, there is no assurance that our relationship to Teekay Corporation, the composition of the assets and the nature of the activities and other operations of Arctic Spirit LLC or Polar Spirit LLC, or Teekay Corporation with respect to the vessels under time charters with those subsidiaries, will remain the same in the future.

 

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As indicated above, we anticipate that the LPG carriers acquired from I.M. Skaugen ASA will be held by a foreign subsidiary classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is wholly owned by a U.S. partnership. We have requested a ruling from the IRS that would cause this foreign subsidiary not to be classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we do not receive a favorable ruling from the IRS, we anticipate that we would operate the LPG carriers in a pass-through structure rather than a corporation, and thereby avoid PFIC status for those vessels.
If we receive a favorable ruling with respect to the LPG carrier structure, we anticipate that we will use the same structure to acquire and hold the carriers servicing the Tangguh LNG project. If we do not receive a favorable ruling, we believe placing Tangguh LNG carriers in a pass-through structure could jeopardize our status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes due to the nature of their charter agreements and the amount of income they generate. In order to preserve this status, we are exploring potential alternatives, which could include restructuring the Tangguh LNG project to allow us to realize at least a portion of the income derived from these vessels. In the alternative, unitholders may have to make a qualified electing fund election, as discussed below, in order to avoid a potential adverse tax result.
If we were classified as a PFIC, for any year during which a unitholder owns units, we generally will be subject to special rules (regardless of whether we continue thereafter to be a PFIC) with respect to (1) any “excess distribution” (generally, any distribution received by a unitholder in a taxable year that is greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by the unitholder in the three preceding taxable years or, if shorter, the unitholder’s holding period for the units) and (2) any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of units. Under these rules:
   
The excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over the unitholder’s holding period;
 
   
The amount allocated to the current taxable year and any year prior to the first year in which we were a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income in the current year;
 
   
The amount allocated to each of the other taxable years in the unitholder’s holding period will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the highest rate in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year; and
 
   
an interest charge for the deemed deferral benefit will be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each of these other taxable years.
If any of our subsidiaries were to be classified as a PFIC, similar rules would apply to the extent of distributions received by us from these entities or to the extent gain realized by unitholder is attributable to these entities.
Certain elections, such as a qualified electing fund (or QEF) election or mark-to-market election, may be available to a unitholder if we or any of our subsidiaries were classified as a PFIC. If we determine that we or any of such subsidiaries is or will be a PFIC, we will provide unitholders with information concerning the potential availability of such elections.
A unitholder making a timely qualified electing fund election (or an Electing Holder) with respect to us (or any of our subsidiaries), must report for U.S. federal income tax purposes the pro rata share of our (or such subsidiary’s) ordinary earnings and net capital gain, if any, for our (or such subsidiary’s) taxable years that end with or within the taxable year, regardless of whether or not the Electing Holder received distributions from us (or whether we received distributions from such subsidiary) in that year. The Electing Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common units (or our basis in such subsidiary) will be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed earnings and profits. Distributions of earnings and profits that were previously taxed will result in a corresponding reduction in the Electing Holder’s adjusted tax basis in common units (or our basis in such subsidiary) and will not be taxed again once distributed. An Electing Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units. A unitholder makes a qualified electing fund election with respect to any year that we are (or such subsidiary is) a PFIC by filing IRS Form 8621 with the unitholder’s U.S. federal income tax return. If contrary to our expectations, we determine that we are (or any such subsidiary is) treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, we will provide each unitholder with the information necessary to make the qualified electing fund election described above.
Under current law, dividends received by individual citizens or residents of the U.S. from domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations generally are treated as net capital gains and subject to U.S. federal income tax at reduced rates (generally 15%). However, if we are classified as a PFIC for the taxable year in which a dividend is paid, we would not be considered a qualified foreign corporation and the dividends received from us would not be eligible for the reduced rate of U.S. federal income tax.
Consequences of Possible Controlled Foreign Corporation Classification.
If more than 50% of either the total combined voting power of our outstanding units entitled to vote or the total value of all of our outstanding units were owned, actually or constructively, by citizens or residents of the United States, U.S. partnerships or corporations, or U.S. estates or trusts (as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), each of which owned, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the total combined voting power of our outstanding units entitled to vote (each a “10% U.S. shareholder”), we could be treated as a controlled foreign corporation (or CFC) at any such time as we are properly classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we were a CFC, the tax consequences of holding and disposing of units would be different than described above. However, we believe we are not a CFC.

 

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Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences. The following discussion is a summary of the material Canadian federal income tax consequences under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (or the Canada Tax Act), that we believe are relevant to holders of common units who are, at all relevant times, for the purposes of the Canada Tax Act and the Canada-United States Tax Convention 1980 (or the Canada-U.S. Treaty) resident in the United States and entitled to all of the benefits of the Canada - U.S. Treaty, and who deal at arm’s length with us and Teekay Corporation (or U.S. Resident Holders).
Under the Canada Tax Act, no taxes on income (including taxable capital gains) are payable by U.S. Resident Holders in respect of the acquisition, holding, disposition or redemption of the common units, provided that we do not carry on business in Canada and such U.S. Resident Holders do not, for the purposes of the Canada-U.S. Treaty, otherwise have a permanent establishment or fixed base in Canada to which such common units pertain and, in addition, do not use or hold and are not deemed or considered to use or hold such common units in the course of carrying on a business in Canada and, in the case of any U.S. Resident Holders that carry on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere, such U.S. Resident Holders establish that the common units are not effectively connected with their insurance business carried on in Canada.
In this connection, we believe that our activities and affairs can be conducted in a manner that we will not be carrying on business in Canada and that U.S. Resident Holders should not be considered to be carrying on business in Canada for purposes of the Canada Tax Act solely by reason of the acquisition, holding, disposition or redemption of common units. We intend that this is the case, notwithstanding that certain services will be provided to us, indirectly through arrangements with a subsidiary of Teekay Corporation that is resident and based in Bermuda, by Canadian service providers. However, we cannot assure this result.
Documents on Display
Documents concerning us that are referred to herein may be inspected at our principal executive headquarters at 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda. Those documents electronically filed via the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (or EDGAR) system may also be obtained from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, free of charge, or from the SEC’s Public Reference Section at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Further information on the operation of the SEC public reference rooms may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

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Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes primarily through our borrowings that require us to make interest payments based on LIBOR or EURIBOR. Significant increases in interest rates could adversely affect our operating margins, results of operations and our ability to service our debt. We use interest rate swaps to reduce our exposure to market risk from changes in interest rates. The principal objective of these contracts is to minimize the risks and costs associated with our floating-rate debt.
In order to minimize counterparty risk, we only enter into derivative transactions with counterparties that are rated A or better by Standard & Poor’s or Aa3 by Moody’s at the time of the transactions. In addition, to the extent practical, interest rate swaps are entered into with different counterparties to reduce concentration risk.
The table below provides information about our financial instruments at December 31, 2008, that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. For long-term debt and capital lease obligations, the table presents principal payments and related weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates. For interest rate swaps, the table presents notional amounts and weighted-average interest rates by expected contractual maturity dates.
                                                                         
    Expected Maturity Date                          
    Balance                                                     Fair Value        
    of                                     There-             Asset/          
    2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     after     Total     (Liability)     Rate(1)  
    (in millions of U.S. dollars, except percentages)  
 
                                                                       
Long-Term Debt:
                                                                       
Variable Rate ($U.S.) (2)
    38.3       30.5       32.5       32.5       32.5       531.6       697.9       (902.2 )     2.8 %
Variable Rate (Euro) (3) (4)
    11.8       12.6       221.9       7.1       7.6       153.1       414.1       (55.1 )     3.4 %
 
                                                                       
Fixed-Rate Debt ($U.S.)
    26.7       24.9       24.9       24.9       24.9       144.3       270.6       (261.9 )     5.4 %
Average Interest Rate
    5.4 %     5.4 %     5.4 %     5.4 %     5.4 %     6.0 %     5.4 %                
 
                                                                       
Capital Lease Obligations (5) (6)
                                                                       
Fixed-Rate ($U.S.) (7)
    120.4       3.9       80.1                         204.4       (204.4 )     7.4 %
Average Interest Rate (8)
    8.8 %     5.4 %     5.5 %                       7.4 %                
 
                                                                       
Interest Rate Swaps:
                                                                       
Contract Amount ($U.S.) (6) (9)
    11.3       17.9       18.4       18.9       19.4       490.2       576.1       (72.7 )     5.6 %
Average Fixed Pay Rate (2)
    5.7 %     5.5 %     5.5 %     5.6 %     5.6 %     5.6 %     5.6 %                
Contract Amount (Euro) (4) (10)
    11.8       12.7       221.9       7.1       7.6       153.0       414.1       (3.4 )     3.8 %
Average Fixed Pay Rate (3)
    3.8 %     3.8 %     3.8 %     3.8 %     3.7 %     3.8 %     3.8 %                
     
(1)  
Rate refers to the weighted-average effective interest rate for our long-term debt and capital lease obligations, including the margin we pay on our floating-rate debt and the average fixed pay rate for our interest rate swap agreements. The average interest rate for our capital lease obligations is the weighted-average interest rate implicit in our lease obligations at the inception of the leases. The average fixed pay rate for our interest rate swaps excludes the margin we pay on our floating-rate debt, which as of December 31, 2008 ranged from 0.3% to 0.8%. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 9 — Long-Term Debt.
 
(2)  
Interest payments on U.S. Dollar-denominated debt and interest rate swaps are based on LIBOR.
 
(3)  
Interest payments on Euro-denominated debt and interest rate swaps are based on EURIBOR.
 
(4)  
Euro-denominated amounts have been converted to U.S. Dollars using the prevailing exchange rate as of December 31, 2008.
 
(5)  
Excludes capital lease obligations (present value of minimum lease payments) of 102.7 million Euros ($143.5 million) on one of our existing LNG carriers with a weighted-average fixed interest rate of 5.8%. Under the terms of this fixed-rate lease obligation, we are required to have on deposit, subject to a weighted-average fixed interest rate of 5.0%, an amount of cash that, together with the interest earned thereon, will fully fund the amount owing under the capital lease obligation, including a vessel purchase obligation. As at December 31, 2008, this amount was 104.7 million Euros ($146.2 million). Consequently, we are not subject to interest rate risk from these obligations or deposits.
 
(6)  
Under the terms of the capital leases for the RasGas II LNG Carriers (see Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 5 — Leases and Restricted Cash), we are required to have on deposit, subject to a variable rate of interest, an amount of cash that, together with interest earned on the deposit, will equal the remaining amounts owing under the variable-rate leases. The deposits, which as at December 31, 2008 totaled $487.4 million, and the lease obligations, which as at December 31, 2008 totaled $469.4 million, have been swapped for fixed-rate deposits and fixed-rate obligations. Consequently, Teekay Nakilat is not subject to interest rate risk from these obligations and deposits and, therefore, the lease obligations, cash deposits and related interest rate swaps have been excluded from the table above. As at December 31, 2008, the contract amount, fair value and fixed interest rates of these interest rate swaps related to Teekay Nakilat’s capital lease obligations and restricted cash deposits were $478.8 million and $477.1 million, ($110.5) million and $167.4 million, and 4.9% and 4.8% respectively.
 
(7)  
The amount of capital lease obligations represents the present value of minimum lease payments together with our purchase obligation, as applicable.

 

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(8)  
The average interest rate is the weighted-average interest rate implicit in the capital lease obligations at the inception of the leases.
 
(9)  
The average variable receive rate for our U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swaps is set quarterly at 3-month LIBOR.
 
(10)  
The average variable receive rate for our Euro-denominated interest rate swaps is set monthly at 1-month EURIBOR.
Spot Market Rate Risk
One of our Suezmax tankers, the Toledo Spirit, operates pursuant to a time-charter contract that increases or decreases the otherwise fixed rate established in the charter depending on the spot charter rates that we would have earned had we traded the vessel in the spot tanker market. The remaining term of the time-charter contract is 17 years, although the charterer has the right to terminate the time charter in July 2018. We have entered into an agreement with Teekay Corporation under which Teekay Corporation pays us any amounts payable to the charterer as a result of spot rates being below the fixed rate, and we pay Teekay Corporation any amounts payable to us from the charterer as a result of spot rates being in excess of the fixed rate. At December 31, 2008, the fair value of this derivative liability was $18.0 million and the change from reporting period to period has been reported in voyage revenues.
Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
None.
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Unitholders and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
Item 15. Controls and Procedures
We conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our general partner. Based on the evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2008 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the principal executive and principal financial officers of our general partner, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
During 2008, management implemented a change in our internal control over financial reporting which resulted in a more rigorous process to determine the appropriate accounting treatment for complex accounting issues such as hedge accounting and non-routine, complex financial structures and arrangements, including the engagement of appropriately qualified external expertise.
Aside from the item discussed above, during 2008 there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our general partner does not expect that our disclosure controls or internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. Although our disclosure controls and procedures were designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, a control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based partly on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management of our general partner is responsible for establishing and maintaining for us adequate internal controls over financial reporting.
Our internal controls were designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation and presentation of the consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our internal controls over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that, 1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; 2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of our general partnership; and 3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
We conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based upon the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation.

 

70


 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements even when determined to be effective and can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate. However, based on the evaluation, management believes that we maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008.
Our independent auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, a registered public accounting firm has audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements and our internal control over financial reporting. Their attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting can be found on F-2 of this Annual Report.
Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert
The board of directors of our General Partner has determined that director, Robert E. Boyd, qualifies as an audit committee financial expert and is independent under applicable NYSE and SEC standards.
Item 16B. Code of Ethics
We have adopted Standards of Business Conduct that include a Code of Ethics for all our employees and the employees and directors of our General Partner. This document is available under “Other Information — Partnership Governance” in the Investor Centre of our web site (www.teekaylng.com). We intend to disclose, under “Other Information — Partnership Governance” in the Investor Centre of our web site, any waivers to or amendments of our Code of Ethics for the benefit of any directors and executive officers of our General Partner.
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Our principal accountant for 2008 and 2007 was Ernst & Young LLP, Chartered Accountants. The following table shows the fees we paid or accrued for audit services provided by Ernst & Young LLP for 2008 and 2007.
                 
Fees   2008     2007  
 
               
Audit Fees (1)
  $ 1,375,881     $ 649,943  
Audit-Related Fees (2)
  $ 68,500     $ 36,300  
 
           
Total
  $ 1,444,381     $ 686,243  
 
           
     
(1)  
Audit fees represent fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements and review of our quarterly consolidated financial statements and audit services provided in connection with other statutory or regulatory filings.
 
(2)  
Audit-related fees consisted primarily of accounting consultations and professional services in connection with the review of our regulatory filings for our shelf filings in 2007 and 2008.
The Audit Committee of our General Partner’s board of directors has the authority to pre-approve permissible audit-related and non-audit services not prohibited by law to be performed by our independent auditors and associated fees. Engagements for proposed services either may be separately pre-approved by the Audit Committee or entered into pursuant to detailed pre-approval policies and procedures established by the Audit Committee, as long as the Audit Committee is informed on a timely basis of any engagement entered into on that basis. The Audit Committee separately pre-approved all engagements and fees paid to our principal accountant in 2008.
Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Not applicable.
Item 16E. Purchases of Units by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Not applicable.

 

71


 

PART III
Item 17. Financial Statements
Not applicable.
Item 18. Financial Statements
The following financial statements, together with the related reports of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon, are filed as part of this Annual Report:
         
    Page  
 
       
    F-1, F-2  
 
       
Consolidated Financial Statements
       
 
       
    F-3  
 
       
    F-4  
 
       
    F-5  
 
       
    F-6  
 
       
    F-7  
All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are not required, are inapplicable or have been disclosed in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and therefore have been omitted.

 

72


 

Item 19. Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report:
     
1.1
  Certificate of Limited Partnership of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (1)
 
   
1.2
  First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Teekay LNG Partners L.P., as amended (2)
 
   
1.3
  Certificate of Formation of Teekay GP L.L.C. (1)
 
   
1.4
  Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Teekay GP L.L.C. (3)
 
   
4.2
  Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement (4)
 
   
4.3
  Teekay LNG Partners L.P. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (3)
 
   
4.4
  Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement (5)
 
   
4.5
  Administrative Services Agreement with Teekay Shipping Limited (3)
 
   
4.6
  Advisory, Technical and Administrative Services Agreement (3)
 
   
4.7
  LNG Strategic Consulting and Advisory Services Agreement (3)
 
   
4.10
  Agreement to Purchase Nakilat Interest (3)
 
   
4.11
  Syndicated Loan Agreement between Naviera Teekay Gas III, S.L. (formerly Naviera F. Tapias Gas III, S.A.) and Caixa de Aforros de Vigo Ourense e Pontevedra, as Agent, dated as of October 2, 2000, as amended (3)
 
   
4.15
  Agreement, dated December 7, 2005, for a U.S. $137,500,000 Secured Reducing Revolving Loan Facility Agreement between Asian Spirit L.L.C., African Spirit L.L.C., European Spirit L.L.C., DNB Nor Bank ASA and other banks (6)
 
   
4.16
  Agreement, dated August 23, 2006, for a U.S. $330,000,000 Secured Revolving Loan Facility between Teekay LNG Partners L.P., ING Bank N.V. and other banks (7)
 
   
4.17
  Purchase Agreement, dated November 2005, for the acquisition of Asian Spirit L.L.C., African Spirit L.L.C. and European Spirit L.L.C. (8)
 
   
4.18
  Agreement, dated June 30, 2008, for a U.S. $172,500,000 Secured Revolving Loan Facility between Arctic Spirit L.L.C., Polar Spirit L.L.C and DnB Nor Bank A.S.A. (9)
 
   
8.1
  List of Subsidiaries of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
 
   
12.1
  Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e) Certification of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.’s Chief Executive Officer
 
   
12.2
  Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e) Certification of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.’s Chief Financial Officer
 
   
13.1
  Teekay LNG Partners L.P. Certification of Peter Evensen, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
15.1
  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, as independent registered public accounting firm, for Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and Teekay GP L.L.C.
 
   
15.2
  Consolidated Balance Sheet of Teekay GP L.L.C. (restated)
 
     
(1)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-120727), filed with the SEC on November 24, 2004, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Annual Report.
 
(2)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on August 17, 2006, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.
 
(3)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-120727), filed with the SEC on April 11, 2005, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Registration Statement.
 
(4)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-120727), filed with the SEC on April 21, 2005, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Registration Statement.
 
(5)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on April 19, 2007 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.
 
(6)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on April 14, 2006 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.
 
(7)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Report on Form 6-K (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on December 21, 2006 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.
 
(8)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-129413), filed with the SEC on November 3, 2005, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Registration Statement.
 
(9)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Report on Form 6-K (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on March 20, 2009 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.

 

73


 

SIGNATURE
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
         
  TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
 
 
  By:   Teekay GP L.L.C., its General Partner    
       
Dated: June 29, 2009  By:   /s/ Peter Evensen    
    Peter Evensen   
    Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 

 

74


 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Unitholders of
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and subsidiaries (or the Partnership) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in partners’ equity/stockholder deficit, and cash flows for each of the years in the period ended December 31, 2008. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, on January 1, 2007, the Partnership adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Teekay LNG Partner L.P.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated June 24, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
     
Vancouver, Canada   /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
June 24, 2009   Chartered Accountants

 

F - 1


 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Unitholders of
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
We have audited Teekay LNG Partners L.P.’s (or the Partnership’s) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Teekay LNG Partners L.P.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting in the accompanying Form 20-F. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Partnership are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Partnership; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Partnership’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Teekay LNG Partners L.P. has maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the 2008 consolidated financial statements of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and our report dated June 24, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
     
Vancouver, Canada   /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
June 24, 2009   Chartered Accountants

 

F - 2


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES (Note 1)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data)
                         
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    December 31,     December 31,     December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
    $     $     $  
 
                       
VOYAGE REVENUES (notes 12 and 13)
    303,781       269,974       186,880  
 
                 
 
                       
OPERATING EXPENSES (note 12)
                       
Voyage expenses
    3,253       1,197       2,036  
Vessel operating expenses
    77,113       56,863       40,977  
Depreciation and amortization
    76,880       66,017       53,076  
General and administrative
    20,201       15,186       14,152  
 
                 
Total operating expenses
    177,447       139,263       110,241  
 
                 
 
                       
Income from vessel operations
    126,334       130,711       76,639  
 
                 
OTHER ITEMS
                       
Interest expense (notes 5, 9, and 13)
    (404,245 )     (167,870 )     (35,298 )
Interest income (note 13)
    240,922       88,737       13,041  
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss) (note 9)
    18,244       (41,241 )     (39,590 )
Other income (loss) — net (note 11)
    1,181       (1,414 )     (429 )
Goodwill impairment (note 6)
    (3,648 )            
 
                 
Total other items
    (147,546 )     (121,788 )     (62,276 )
 
                 
(Loss) income before non-controlling interest
    (21,212 )     8,923       14,363  
Non-controlling interest
    40,698       16,739       (3,234 )
 
                 
Net income
    19,486       25,662       11,129  
 
                 
Dropdown Predecessor’s interest in net income (loss) (note 1)
    894       520       (123 )
General Partner’s interest in net income
    11,989       9,752       1,542  
Limited partners’ interest: (note 16)
                       
Net income
    6,603       15,390       9,710  
Net income per:
                       
Common unit (basic and diluted)
    0.00       0.58       0.42  
Subordinated unit (basic and diluted)
    0.00       0.27       0.07  
Total unit (basic and diluted)
    0.00       0.45       0.27  
 
 
Weighted-average number of units outstanding:
                       
Common units (basic and diluted)
    29,698,031       21,670,958       20,238,567  
Subordinated units (basic and diluted)
    12,459,973       14,734,572       14,734,572  
Total units (basic and diluted)
    42,158,004       36,405,530       34,973,139  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

F - 3


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES (Note 1)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
                 
    As at     As at  
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    $     $  
ASSETS
               
Current
               
Cash and cash equivalents
    117,641       91,891  
Restricted cash — current (note 5)
    28,384       26,662  
Accounts receivable, including non-trade of $3,905 (2007 — $8,954)
    5,793       10,668  
Prepaid expenses
    5,329       5,519  
Other current assets
    7,266       1,294  
Current portion of derivative assets (notes 2 and 13)
    13,078       4,628  
Advances to joint venture (note 12f)
          7,512  
Advances to affiliates (note 12k)
    9,583        
 
           
 
               
Total current assets
    187,074       148,174  
 
           
 
               
Restricted cash — long-term (note 5)
    614,565       652,567  
 
               
Vessels and equipment (note 9)
               
At cost, less accumulated depreciation of $121,233 (2007 — $89,605)
    1,078,526       890,741  
Vessels under capital leases, at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $106,975 (2007 — $74,441) (note 5)
    928,795       934,058  
Advances on newbuilding contracts (note 14)
    200,557       240,773  
 
           
Total vessels and equipment
    2,207,878       2,065,572  
 
           
Investment in and advances to joint venture (note 12f)
    64,382       685,730  
Advances to joint venture partner (note 7)
          9,631  
Other assets
    27,266       37,762  
Derivative assets (notes 2 and 13)
    154,248       28,966  
Intangible assets — net (note 6)
    141,805       150,935  
Goodwill (note 6)
    35,631       39,279  
 
           
 
               
Total assets
    3,432,849       3,818,616  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
               
Current
               
Accounts payable
    10,838       8,693  
Accrued liabilities (note 8)
    24,071       22,390  
Unearned revenue
    9,705       5,462  
Current portion of long-term debt (note 9)
    76,801       71,509  
Current obligations under capital lease (note 5)
    147,616       150,791  
Current portion of derivative liabilities (notes 2 and 13)
    35,182       7,681  
Advances from joint venture partners (note 7)
    1,236       615  
Advances from affiliates (note 12k)
    73,064       268,477  
 
           
 
               
Total current liabilities
    378,513       535,618  
 
           
Long-term debt (note 9)
    1,305,810       1,654,202  
Long-term obligations under capital lease (note 5)
    669,725       706,489  
Other long-term liabilities (note 5)
    44,668        
Derivative liabilities (notes 2 and 13)
    225,420       71,637  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities
    2,624,136       2,967,946  
 
           
Commitments and contingencies (notes 5, 12 and 14)
               
 
               
Non-controlling interest
    2,862       141,378  
 
               
Partners’ equity
               
Dropdown Predecessor equity (note 1)
          1,118  
Partners’ equity
    805,851       708,174  
 
           
 
               
Total partners’ equity
    805,851       709,292  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities and partners’ equity
    3,432,849       3,818,616  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

F - 4


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES (Note 1)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
                         
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    December 31,     December 31,     December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
    $     $     $  
Cash and cash equivalents provided by (used for)                        
 
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                       
Net income
    19,486       25,662       11,129  
Non-cash items:
                       
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments (note 13)
    84,546       (10,941 )     (23,308 )
Depreciation and amortization
    76,874       66,017       53,076  
Goodwill impairment (note 6)
    3,648              
Deferred income tax expense
    205       1,155       169  
Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss
    (17,746 )     41,450       41,968  
Equity based compensation
    369       375       427  
Non-controlling interest
    (40,698 )     (16,739 )     3,234  
Accrued interest and other — net
    2,890       (118 )     5,173  
Change in non-cash working capital items related to operating activities (note 15)
    31,962       12,313       1,208  
Expenditures for drydocking
    (11,966 )     (3,724 )     (3,693 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net operating cash flow
    149,570       115,450       89,383  
 
                 
 
                       
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Excess of purchase price over the contributed basis of Teekay Nakilat (III) Holdings Corporation (note 12f)
    (28,192 )            
(Excess) deficit of purchase price over the contributed basis of Teekay Nakilat Holdings Corporation (note 12g)
          (13,844 )     3,295  
Distribution to Teekay Corporation for the purchase of Kenai LNG Carriers (note 12j)
    (230,000 )            
Distribution to Teekay Corporation for the purchase of Dania Spirit LLC (note 12h)
          (18,548 )      
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
    936,988       1,021,615       325,683  
Debt issuance costs
    (2,233 )     (5,345 )     (7,130 )
Scheduled repayments of long-term debt
    (73,613 )     (30,870 )     (8,655 )
Scheduled repayments of capital lease obligations
    (33,176 )     (30,999 )     (152,348 )
Prepayments of long-term debt
    (321,000 )     (291,098 )     (46,000 )
Proceeds from issuance of common units
    202,519       85,975       (142 )
Advances from affiliates
    17,147       (2,788 )     32,507  
Repayment of advances from affiliate
                (15,801 )
Advances from joint venture partner
    621       44,185       6,689  
Repayment of joint venture partner advances
          (65,815 )     (3,000 )
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash
    28,340       11,445       (338,446 )
Cash distributions paid
    (97,420 )     (74,116 )     (64,237 )
Equity distribution from Teekay Corporation (note 15)
    3,281       598       1,537  
 
                 
 
                       
Net financing cash flow
    403,262       630,395       (266,048 )
 
                 
 
                       
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
Advances to joint venture
    (278,723 )     (461,258 )     (111,779 )
Repayments from joint venture
    28,310              
Return of capital from Teekay BLT Corporation to joint venture partners (note 12e)
    (28,000 )            
Receipt of Spanish re-investment tax credit (note 17)
    5,431              
Purchase of Teekay Nakilat (III) Holdings Corporation (note 12f)
    (82,007 )            
Purchase of Teekay Nakilat Holdings Corporation (note 12g)
          (61,227 )     (30,158 )
Expenditures for vessels and equipment
    (172,093 )     (160,757 )     (1,037 )
Proceeds from sale of vessels and equipment
                312,972  
 
                 
 
                       
Net investing cash flow
    (527,082 )     (683,242 )     169,998  
 
                 
 
                       
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    25,750       62,603       (6,667 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year
    91,891       29,288       35,955  
 
                 
 
                       
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year
    117,641       91,891       29,288  
 
                 
Supplemental cash flow information (note 15)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

F - 5


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES (Note 1)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS’ EQUITY/STOCKHOLDER DEFICIT
(in thousands of U.S. dollars and units)
                                                         
    Stockholder              
    Deficit              
    (Predecessor              
    and     PARTNERS’ EQUITY        
    Dropdown     Limited Partners     General        
    Predecessor)     Common     Subordinated     Partner     Total  
    $     Units     $     Units     $     $     $  
Balance as at December 31, 2005
    3,743       20,238       432,462       14,735       283,095       17,299       736,599  
 
                                         
Net change in parent’s equity in Dropdown Predecessor (notes 1 and 15)
    16,120                                     16,120  
Net (loss) income
    (123 )           8,461             1,249       1,542       11,129  
Cash distributions
                (36,430 )           (26,522 )     (1,285 )     (64,237 )
Offering costs from follow-on public offering of limited partnership interests
                (143 )                       (143 )
Equity based compensation (notes 1 and 3)
          2       308             114       5       427  
Purchase of Teekay Nakilat Holdings Corporation from Teekay Corporation (note 12g)
                1,190             2,008       97       3,295  
 
                                         
Balance as at December 31, 2006
    19,740       20,240       405,848       14,735       259,944       17,658       703,190  
 
                                         
Net change in parent’s equity in Dropdown Predecessor (notes 1 and 15)
    598                                     598  
Net income
    520             11,393             3,997       9,752       25,662  
Cash distributions
                (42,616 )           (29,248 )     (2,252 )     (74,116 )
Proceeds from follow-on public offering of units, net of offering costs of $3.5 million (note 3)
          2,300       84,185                   1,790       85,975  
Price adjustment of Teekay Nakilat Holdings Corporation (note 12g)
                (5,000 )           (8,435 )     (409 )     (13,844 )
Equity based compensation (notes 1 and 3)
                218             149       8       375  
Purchase of Dania Spirit LLC from Teekay Corporation (note 12h)
    (19,740 )           431             726       35       (18,548 )
 
                                         
Balance as at December 31, 2007
    1,118       22,540       454,459       14,735       227,133       26,582       709,292  
 
                                         
Net change in parent’s equity in Dropdown Predecessor (notes 1 and 15)
    224,366                                     224,366  
Net income
    894             9,509             (2,906 )     11,989       19,486  
Cash distributions
                (65,002 )           (27,996 )     (4,422 )     (97,420 )
Proceeds from follow-on public offering of units, net of offering costs of $6.2 million (note 3)
          7,114       198,345                   4,174       202,519  
Re-investment tax credit received (note 17)
                3,218             2,104       109       5,431  
Equity based compensation (notes 1 and 3)
                255             107       7       369  
Conversion of 25% subordinated units to common (note 16)
          3,684       46,040       (3,684 )     (46,040 )            
Purchase of Teekay Nakilat (III) Holdings Corporation (note 12f)
                (11,307 )           (15,908 )     (977 )     (28,192 )
Purchase of Kenai LNG Carriers from Teekay Corporation (note 12j)
    (226,378 )           (1,305 )           (2,203 )     (114 )     (230,000 )
 
                                         
Balance as at December 31, 2008
          33,338       634,212       11,051       134,291       37,348       805,851  
 
                                         
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

F - 6


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
1.  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of presentation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (or GAAP). These financial statements include the accounts of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (or the Partnership), which is a limited partnership organized under the laws of the Republic of The Marshall Islands and its wholly owned or controlled subsidiaries, the Dropdown Predecessor, (as defined below) and Teekay Nakilat Corporation (or Teekay Nakilat), a variable interest entity up to October 31, 2006. Included since November 1, 2006 is Teekay Nakilat (III) Holdings Corporation (or Teekay Nakilat (III)), a variable interest entity up to May 6, 2008. Also included since November 1, 2006 is Teekay Tangguh Holdings Corporation (or Teekay Tangguh) and since July 28, 2008 DHJS Hull No. 2007-001 and -002 LLC (or the Skaugen Multigas Carriers), which both are variable interest entities for which the Partnership is the primary beneficiary (see Note 14). Significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
On May 6, 2008, the Partnership acquired Teekay Corporation’s 100% ownership interest in Teekay Nakilat (III) in exchange for a non-interest bearing and unsecured promissory note. Teekay Nakilat (III) owns 40% of Teekay Nakilat (III) Corporation (the RasGas 3 Joint Venture), which in turn has a 100% interest relating to four LNG carriers (the RasGas 3 LNG Carriers) (see Note 12f). On the date the first vessel was delivered to the RasGas 3 Joint Venture from the shipyard, the Partnership acquired the shares of Teekay Nakilat (III) and, therefore, Teekay Nakilat (III) was no longer a variable interest entity and its results form part of the consolidated financial statements (see Note 14a).
On July 28, 2008, Teekay Corporation signed contracts for the purchase of two newbuilding multigas ships from subsidiaries of I.M. Skaugen ASA (or Skaugen). The Partnership agreed to acquire these vessels upon their delivery; pending acquisition by the Partnership, these subsidiaries are considered variable interest entities. As a result, the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements reflect the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of these two newbuilding multigas ships from July 28, 2008 (see Note 14a).
As required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (or SFAS) No. 141, the Partnership accounts for the acquisition of interests in vessels from Teekay Corporation as a transfer of a business between entities under common control. The method of accounting prescribed by SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, for such transfers is similar to the pooling of interests method of accounting. Under this method, the carrying amount of net assets recognized in the balance sheets of each combining entity are carried forward to the balance sheet of the combined entity, and no other assets or liabilities are recognized as a result of the combination. The excess of the proceeds paid, if any, by the Partnership over Teekay Corporation’s historical cost is accounted for as an equity distribution to Teekay Corporation. In addition, transfers of net assets between entities under common control are accounted for as if the transfer occurred from the date that the Partnership and the acquired vessels were both under the common control of Teekay Corporation and had begun operations. As a result, the Partnership’s financial statements prior to the date the interests in these vessels were actually acquired by the Partnership are retroactively adjusted to include the results of these vessels during the periods they were under common control of Teekay Corporation.
On January 2007, the Partnership acquired a 2000-built LPG carrier, the Dania Spirit, from Teekay Corporation and the related long-term, fixed-rate time charter. On April 1, 2008, the Partnership acquired interests in two liquefied natural gas (or LNG) vessels (the Kenai LNG Carriers) from Teekay Corporation and immediately chartered the vessels back to Teekay Corporation. These transactions were deemed to be business acquisitions between entities under common control. As a result, the Partnership’s balance sheets as at December 2007 and 2006, and the statements of income, cash flows and changes in partners’ equity/stockholder deficit for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 reflect these three vessels, referred to herein as the Dropdown Predecessor, as if the Partnership had acquired them when each respective vessel began operations under the ownership of Teekay Corporation. These vessels began operations under the ownership of Teekay Corporation on April 1, 2003 (Dania Spirit), and December 13 and 14, 2007 (the Kenai LNG Carriers). The effect of adjusting the Partnership’s financial statements to account for these common control exchanges increased (decreased) the Partnership’s net income by $0.9 million, $0.5 million and $(0.1) million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
The Partnership’s consolidated financial statements include the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Dropdown Predecessor. In the preparation of these consolidated financial statements, general and administrative expenses and interest expense were not identifiable as relating solely to the vessels. General and administrative expenses (consisting primarily of salaries and other employee related costs, office rent, legal and professional fees, and travel and entertainment) were allocated based on the Dropdown Predecessor’s proportionate share of Teekay Corporation’s total ship-operating (calendar) days for the period presented. In addition, if the Dropdown Predecessor was capitalized in part with non-interest bearing loans from Teekay Corporation and its subsidiaries, these intercompany loans were generally used to finance the acquisition of the vessels. Interest expense includes the allocation of interest to the Dropdown Predecessor from Teekay Corporation and its subsidiaries based upon the weighted-average outstanding balance of these intercompany loans and the weighted-average interest rate outstanding on Teekay Corporation’s loan facilities that were used to finance these intercompany loans. Management believes these allocations reasonably present the general and administrative expenses and interest expense of the Dropdown Predecessor.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

F - 7


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
Reporting currency
The consolidated financial statements are stated in U.S. Dollars. The functional currency of the Partnership is U.S. Dollars because the Partnership operates in international shipping markets, the Partnership’s primary economic environment, which typically utilize the U.S. Dollar as the functional currency. Transactions involving other currencies during the year are converted into U.S. Dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the time of the transactions. At the balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar are translated to reflect the year-end exchange rates. Resulting gains or losses are reflected separately in the accompanying consolidated statement of income.
Operating revenues and expenses
The Partnership recognizes revenues from time charters daily over the term of the charter as the applicable vessel operates under the charter. The Partnership does not recognize revenues during days that the vessel is off-hire.
Voyage expenses are all expenses unique to a particular voyage, including bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls, agency fees and commissions. Vessel operating expenses include crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils and communication expenses. Voyage expenses and vessel operating expenses are recognized when incurred.
Cash and cash equivalents
The Partnership classifies all highly-liquid investments with a maturity date of three months or less when purchased as cash and cash equivalents. Included in cash and cash equivalents as at December 31, 2008 is $22.9 million (2007 — $54.7 million) relating to the variable interest entities (see Note 14).
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Partnership’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in existing accounts receivable. The Partnership determines the allowance based on historical write-off experience and customer economic data. The Partnership reviews the allowance for doubtful accounts regularly and past due balances are reviewed for collectability. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when the Partnership believes that the receivable will not be recovered.
Vessels and equipment
All pre-delivery costs incurred during the construction of newbuildings, including interest and supervision and technical costs, are capitalized. The acquisition cost (net of any government grants received) and all costs incurred to restore used vessels purchased by the Partnership to the standards required to properly service the Partnership’s customers are capitalized.
Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over a vessel’s estimated useful life, less an estimated residual value. Depreciation is calculated using an estimated useful life of 25 years for Suezmax tankers, 30 years for LPG carriers and 35 years for LNG carriers, from the date the vessel is delivered from the shipyard, or a shorter period if regulations prevent the Partnership from operating the vessels for 25 years, 30 years, or 35 years, respectively. Depreciation of vessels and equipment (including depreciation attributable to the Dropdown Predecessor) for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 aggregated $64.2 million, $54.2 million and $42.2 million, respectively. Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation on all owned vessels and amortization of vessels accounted for as capital leases.
Vessel capital modifications include the addition of new equipment or can encompass various modifications to the vessel which are aimed at improving or increasing the operational efficiency and functionality of the asset. This type of expenditure is amortized over the estimated useful life of the modification. Expenditures covering recurring routine repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, $7.4 million of critical spares inventory was reclassified from other assets to vessels and equipment and is being depreciated over the remaining life of the assets (34 years) on a straight-line basis.
Interest costs capitalized to vessels and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 aggregated $11.4 million, $5.7 million, and $0.8 million, respectively.
Gains on vessels sold and leased back under capital leases are deferred and amortized over the remaining estimated useful life of the vessel. Losses on vessels sold and leased back under capital leases are recognized immediately when the fair value of the vessel at the time of sale-leaseback is less than its book value. In such case, the Partnership would recognize a loss in the amount by which book value exceeds fair value.

 

F - 8


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data)
Generally, the Partnership drydocks each LNG and LPG carrier and Suezmax tanker every five years. In addition, a shipping society classification intermediate survey is performed on the Partnership’s LNG and LPG carriers between the second and third year of the five-year drydocking period. The Partnership capitalizes a portion of the costs incurred during drydocking and for the survey and amortizes those costs on a straight-line basis from the completion of a drydocking or intermediate survey to the estimated completion date of the next drydocking. The Partnership includes in capitalized drydocking those costs incurred as part of the drydocking to meet regulatory requirements, or expenditures that either add economic life to the vessel, increase the vessel’s earning capacity or improve the vessel’s operating efficiency. The Partnership expenses costs related to routine repairs and maintenance performed during drydocking that do not improve operating efficiency or extend the useful lives of the assets. When significant drydocking expenditures occur prior to the expiration of the original amortization period, the remaining unamortized balance of the original drydocking cost and any unamortized intermediate survey costs are expensed in the month of the subsequent drydocking. Amortization of drydocking expenditures (including amortization attributable to the Dropdown Predecessor) for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 aggregated $3.6 million, $2.7 million and $1.8 million, respectively.
Drydocking activity for the three years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 is summarized as follows:
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
 
                       
Balance at January 1,
    6,854       5,828       3,325  
Cost incurred for drydocking
    11,966       3,724       3,693  
Drydock amortization
    (3,563 )     (2,698 )     (1,190 )
 
                 
Balance at December 31,
    15,257       6,854       5,828  
 
                 
Vessels and equipment that are “held and used” are assessed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If the asset’s net carrying value exceeds the net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated over its remaining useful life, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value. Estimated fair value is determined based on discounted cash flows or appraised values.
Investment in joint venture
Teekay Nakilat (III) has a 40% interest in a joint venture which owns four LNG carriers (see Notes 12f and 14a). The joint venture is considered a variable interest entity; however, the Partnership is not the primary beneficiary and as a result, the joint venture is accounted for using the equity method, whereby the investment is carried at the Partnership’s original cost plus its proportionate share of undistributed earnings. The Partnership’s maximum exposure to loss is the amount it has invested in the joint venture.
Debt issuance costs
Debt issuance costs, including fees, commissions and legal expenses, are presented as other assets and are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant loan. Amortization of debt issuance costs is included in interest expense.
Goodwill and intangible assets
Goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are not amortized, but reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. A fair value approach is used to identify potential goodwill impairment and, when necessary, measure the amount of impairment. The Partnership uses a discounted cash flow model to determine the fair value of reporting units, unless there is a readily determinable fair market value. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives.
The Partnership’s intangible assets consist of acquired time-charter contracts and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the time charters.
Derivative instruments
All derivative instruments are initially recorded at cost as either assets or liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet and subsequently remeasured to fair value, regardless of the purpose or intent for holding the derivative. The method of recognizing the resulting gain or loss is dependent on whether the derivative contract is designed to hedge a specific risk and also qualifies for hedge accounting. The Partnership currently does not apply hedge accounting to its derivative instruments.
However, when a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the Partnership formally documents the relationship between the derivative and the hedged item. This documentation includes the strategy and risk management objective for undertaking the hedge and the method that will be used to assess the effectiveness of the hedge. Any hedge ineffectiveness is recognized immediately in earnings, as are any gains and losses on the derivative that are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The Partnership does not apply hedge accounting if it is determined that the hedge was not effective or will no longer be effective, the derivative was sold or exercised, or the hedged item was sold or repaid.

 

F - 9


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
For derivative financial instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, changes in the fair value of the effective portion of the derivative financial instruments are initially recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in partners’ equity. In the periods when the hedged items affect earnings, the associated fair value changes on the hedging derivatives are transferred from partners’ equity to the corresponding earnings line item. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative financial instruments is immediately recognized in earnings. If a cash flow hedge is terminated and the originally hedged items is still considered possible of occurring, the gains and losses initially recognized in partners’ equity remain there until the hedged item impacts earnings at which point they are transferred to the corresponding earnings line item (i.e. interest expense). If the hedged items are no longer possible of occurring, amounts recognized in partners’ equity are immediately transferred to earnings.
For derivative financial instruments that are not designated or that do not qualify as hedges under SFAS No. 133, the changes in the fair value of the derivative financial instruments are recognized in earnings. Gains and losses from the Partnership’s non-designated interest rate swaps related to long-term debt or capital lease obligations are recorded in interest expense. Gains and losses from the Partnership’s interest rate swaps related to restricted cash deposits are recorded in interest income. Gains and losses related to the Partnership’s agreement with Teekay Corporation for the Suezmax tanker the Toledo Spirit are recorded in voyage revenues (see Note 10m).
Income taxes
All but two of Teekay Spain’s Spanish-flagged vessels are subject to the Spanish Tonnage Tax Regime (or TTR). Under this regime, the applicable tax is based on the weight (measured as net tonnage) of the vessel and the number of days during the taxable period that the vessel is at the Partnership’s disposal, excluding time required for repairs. The income Teekay Spain receives with respect to the remaining two Spanish-flagged vessels is taxed in Spain at a rate of 30%. However, these two vessels are registered in the Canary Islands Special Ship Registry. Consequently, Teekay Spain is allowed a credit, equal to 90% of the tax payable on income from the commercial operation of these vessels, against the tax otherwise payable. This effectively results in an income tax rate of approximately 3% on income from the operation of these two Spanish-flagged vessels.
Included in other assets are deferred income taxes of $3.5 million and $3.6 million as at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Partnership accounts for these taxes using the liability method pursuant to SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. The Partnership may also pay a minimal amount of tax in Luxembourg and the United Kingdom.
In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (or FIN 48). This interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 requires companies to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. If a tax position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, it is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements based on guidance in the interpretation.
The Partnership adopted FIN 48 as of January 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have material impact on the Partnership’s financial position and results of operations. As of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Partnership did not have any material accrued interest and penalties relating to income taxes.
As of December 31, 2007, the Partnership had unrecognized tax benefits of 3.4 million Euros (approximately $5.4 million) relating to a re-investment tax credit related to a 2005 annual tax filing. During the third quarter of 2008, the Partnership received the refund on the re-investment tax credit and met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold during the period. As a result, the Partnership has reflected this refund as a credit to equity as the original vessel sale transaction was a related party transaction reflected in equity.
The Partnership recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. The tax years 2004 through 2008 currently remain open to examination by the major tax jurisdiction to which the Partnership is subject.
Guarantee liability
The fair value of the Partnership’s guarantee liabilities are determined and recorded as liabilities at the time the guarantees are given. The initial liability is subsequently reduced as the Partnership is released from exposure under the guarantees. The Partnership amortizes the guarantee liabilities over the relevant time period as part of other income on its statements of income. When it becomes probable that the Partnership will have to perform on a guarantee, the Partnership will accrue a separate liability if it is reasonably estimable, based on the facts and circumstances at that time.
Comprehensive income
The Partnership follows SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income, which establishes standards for reporting and displaying comprehensive income (loss) and its components in the consolidated financial statements. During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 the Partnership’s comprehensive income and net income were the same.

 

F - 10


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
Accounting for stock-based compensation
Stock options granted to Partnership employees under Teekay Corporation’s stock option plan have a 10-year term and vest equally over three years from the grant date. All outstanding options expire between May 28, 2006 and March 7, 2017, ten years after the date of each respective grant. As of December 31, 2008, there was $0.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options granted to employees of the Partnership. Recognition of this compensation is expected to be $0.3 million (2009) and $0.2 million (2010).
The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the year ended December 31, 2008 was $9.31 per option. The fair value of each option granted was estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The resulting compensation expense is being amortized over three years using the straight-line method. The following weighted-average assumptions were used in computing the fair value of the options granted: expected volatility of 29.9% in 2008 and 28.4% in 2007; expected life of five years; dividend yield of 2.5% in 2008 and 2.0% in 2007; and risk-free interest rate of 2.4% in 2008 and 4.5% in 2007.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (or SFAS) 115-2 and SFAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments. This statement changes existing accounting requirements for other-than-temporary impairment. SFAS 115-2 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Partnership is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 115-2 on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
In April 2009, the FASB issued SFAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability has Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions that are Not Orderly. SFAS 157-4 amends SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements to provide additional guidance on estimating fair value when the volume and level of transaction activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased in relation to normal market activity for the asset or liability. SFAS 157-4 also provides additional guidance on circumstances that may indicate that a transaction is not orderly. SFAS 157-4 supersedes SFAS 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset is Not Active. The guidance in SFAS 157-4 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. Early adoption is permitted, but only for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Partnership is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 157-4 on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
In April 2009, the FASB issued SFAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments. SFAS 107-1 extends the disclosure requirements of SFAS 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments to interim financial statements of publicly traded companies as defined in APB Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting. SFAS 107-1 is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Partnership is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 107-1 on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
In April 2009, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R)-1, Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination that Arise from Contingencies. This statement amends SFAS 141, Business Combinations, to require that assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies be recognized at fair value, in accordance with SFAS 157, if the fair value can be determined during the measurement period. SFAS 141(R)-1 is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Partnership is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 141(R)-1 on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
In March 2008, the FASB ratified a consensus opinion reached by the Emerging Issues Task Force (or EITF) on EITF Issue No. 07-4, Application of the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings per Share to Master Limited Partnerships (or EITF Issue No. 07-4). The guidance in EITF Issue No. 07-4 requires incentive distribution rights in a master limited partnership to be treated as participating securities for the purposes of computing earnings per share and provides guidance on how earnings should be allocated to the various partnership interests. The consensus in EITF Issue No. 07-4 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Partnership is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of EITF Issue No. 07-4 on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161: Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 (or SFAS 161). The statement requires qualitative disclosures about an entity’s objectives and strategies for using derivatives and quantitative disclosures about how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application allowed. SFAS 161 allows but does not require, comparative disclosures for earlier periods at initial adoption.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R): Business Combinations (or SFAS 141(R)), which replaces SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations. This statement establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. SFAS 141(R) also establishes disclosure requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS 141(R) is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Partnership is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 141(R) on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160: Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an Amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 (or SFAS 160). This statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent, the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest, changes in a parent’s ownership interest, and the valuation of retained noncontrolling equity investments when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. SFAS 160 also establishes disclosure requirements that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Partnership is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 160 on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
2.  
Fair Value Measurements
Effective January 1, 2008, the Partnership adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, the Partnership deferred the adoption of SFAS No. 157 for its nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those items recognized or disclosed at fair value on an annual or more frequently recurring basis, until January 1, 2009. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have a material impact on the Partnership’s fair value measurements.
SFAS No. 157 clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value and expands disclosure about the use of fair value measurements. The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value as follows:
Level 1. Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;
Level 2. Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
Level 3. Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

F - 11


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
The following table presents the Partnership’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy.
                                 
    Fair Value at                    
    December 31,                    
    2008 Asset /                    
    (Liability)     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
    $     $     $     $  
 
                               
Interest rate swap agreements — assets (1)
    167,390             167,390        
Interest rate swap agreements — liabilities (1)
    (243,448 )           (243,448 )      
Other derivatives (2)
    (17,955 )                 (17,955 )
     
(1)  
The fair value of the Partnership’s interest rate swap agreements is the estimated amount that the Partnership would receive or pay to terminate the agreements at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates and the current credit worthiness of both the Partnership and the swap counterparties. The estimated amount is the present value of future cash flows. Given the current volatility in the credit markets, it is reasonably possible that the amount recorded as derivative assets and liabilities could vary by a material amount in the near term.
 
(2)  
The Partnership’s other derivative agreement is between Teekay Corporation and the Partnership and relates to hire payments under the time-charter contract for the Toledo Spirit (see Note 12m). The fair value of this derivative agreement is the estimated amount that the Partnership would receive or pay to terminate the agreement at the reporting date, based on the present value of Partnership’s projection of future spot market rates, which has been derived from current spot market rates and long-term historical average rates.
Changes in fair value during the year ended December 31, 2008 for assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) are as follows:
         
    Asset/(Liability)  
    $  
 
       
Fair value at December 31, 2007
    (15,952 )
Total unrealized losses reflected as a reduction of voyage revenues
    (2,003 )
 
     
Fair value at December 31, 2008
    (17,955 )
 
     
3.  
Public Offerings
During May 2007, the Partnership issued in a follow-on public offering an additional 2.3 million of its common units at $38.13 per unit for proceeds of $84.2 million, net of $3.5 million of commissions and other expenses associated with the offering. In connection with this offering, Teekay GP L.L.C., the Partnership’s general partner (the General Partner) contributed $1.8 million to the Partnership to maintain its 2% general partner interest.
On April 23, 2008, the Partnership completed a follow-on public offering of 5.0 million common units at a price of $28.75 per unit, for gross proceeds of approximately $143.8 million. On May 8, 2008, the underwriters partially exercised their over-allotment option and purchased an additional 375,000 common units for an additional $10.8 million in gross proceeds to the Partnership. Concurrently with the public offering, Teekay Corporation acquired 1.7 million common units of the Partnership at the same public offering price for a total cost of $50.0 million. As a result of these equity transactions, the Partnership raised gross equity proceeds of $208.7 million (including the General Partner’s 2% proportionate capital contribution), and Teekay Corporation’s ownership in the Partnership was reduced from 63.7% to 57.7% (including its indirect 2% general partner interest). The Partnership used the total net proceeds from the equity offerings of approximately $202.5 million to reduce amounts outstanding under the Partnership’s revolving credit facilities that were used to fund the acquisitions of interests in LNG carriers.

 

F - 12


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
The proceeds received by the Partnership from the public offerings and the use of those proceeds are summarized as follows:
                         
    Follow-On     Follow-On        
    Offering     Offering        
    (May 2007)     (April 2008)     Total  
    $     $     $  
Proceeds received:
                       
Sale of 2,300,000 common units at $38.13 per unit
    87,699             87,699  
Sale of 7,114,130 common units at $28.75 per unit
          204,531       204,531  
General Partner contribution
    1,790       4,174       5,964  
 
                 
 
    89,489       208,705       298,194  
 
                 
 
                       
Use of proceeds from sale of common units:
                       
Underwriting and structuring fees
    3,514       5,761       9,275  
Professional fees and other offering expenses to third parties
          425       425  
Working capital
    85,975       202,519       288,494  
 
                 
 
    89,489       208,705       298,194  
 
                 
During 2008, the board of directors of our General Partner authorized the award by the Partnership of 1,049 common units to each of the four non-employee directors with a value of approximately $30,000 for each award. The Chairman was awarded 2,274 common units with a value of approximately $65,000. These common units were purchased by the Partnership in the open market in April 2008. During 2007 and 2006, the Partnership awarded 6,470 and 2,475 common units, respectively, as compensation to each of the five non-employee directors. The awards were fully vested in March 2008.
4.  
Segment Reporting
The Partnership has two reportable segments: its liquefied gas segment and its Suezmax tanker segment. The Partnership’s liquefied gas segment consists of LNG carriers and an LPG carrier subject to long-term, fixed-rate time charters to international energy companies. As at December 31, 2008, the Partnership’s liquefied gas segment consisted of fourteen LNG carriers (including the four RasGas 3 LNG Carriers that had then been delivered and which are accounted for under the equity method) and one LPG carrier, with the Partnership’s range of ownership in these vessels being between 40% and 100%. The Partnership’s Suezmax tanker segment consists of eight 100% owned Suezmax-class crude oil tankers operating on long-term, fixed-rate time-charter contracts to international energy companies. Segment results are evaluated based on income from vessel operations. The accounting policies applied to the reportable segments are the same as those used in the preparation of the Partnership’s audited consolidated financial statements.
The following table presents voyage revenues and percentage of consolidated voyage revenues for customers that accounted for more than 10% of the Partnership’s consolidated voyage revenues during any of the periods presented. Each of the customers is an international energy company.
                         
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
(U.S. dollars in millions)   December 31, 2008     December 31, 2007     December 31, 2006  
Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Ltd.(2)
  $68.4 or 23%   $62.1 or 23%   $2.6 or 1.4%
Compania Espanola de Petroleos, S.A.(1)
  $56.6 or 19%   $54.5 or 20%   $54.5 or 29%
Repsol YPF, S.A.(2)
  $55.2 or 18%   $50.0 or 19%   $49.6 or 27%
Union Fenosa Gas, S.A.(2)
  $25.0 or 8%   $24.2 or 9%   $23.3 or 13%
Gas Natural SDG, S.A.(2)
  $28.8 or 9%   $29.2 or 11%   $24.1 or 13%
ConocoPhillips (1)
  $27.2 or 9%   $28.8 or 11%   $28.8 or 15%
     
(1)  
Suezmax tanker segment.
 
(2)  
Liquefied gas segment.

 

F - 13


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
The following tables include results for these segments for the years presented in these financial statements.
                         
    Year Ended December 31, 2008  
            Suezmax        
    Liquefied Gas     Tanker        
    Segment     Segment     Total  
    $     $     $  
 
                       
Voyage revenues (1)
    222,318       81,463       303,781  
Voyage expenses
    1,397       1,856       3,253  
Vessel operating expenses
    49,400       27,713       77,113  
Depreciation and amortization
    57,880       19,000       76,880  
General and administrative (2)
    11,247       8,954       20,201  
 
                 
Income from vessel operations
    102,394       23,940       126,334  
 
                 
 
                       
Equity income
    136             136  
Investment in and advances to joint venture
    64,382             64,382  
Total assets at December 31, 2008
    2,900,689       396,131       3,296,820  
Expenditures for vessels and equipment (3)
    169,769       2,324       172,093  
                         
    Year Ended December 31, 2007  
            Suezmax        
    Liquefied Gas     Tanker        
    Segment     Segment     Total  
    $     $     $  
 
                       
Voyage revenues (1)
    172,822       97,152       269,974  
Voyage expenses
    109       1,088       1,197  
Vessel operating expenses
    32,696       24,167       56,863  
Depreciation and amortization
    45,986       20,031       66,017  
General and administrative (2)
    7,445       7,741       15,186  
 
                 
Income from vessel operations
    86,586       44,125       130,711  
 
                 
 
                       
Equity loss
    (130 )           (130 )
Investment in and advances to joint venture
    693,242             693,242  
Total assets at December 31, 2007
    3,298,495       410,749       3,709,244  
Expenditures for vessels and equipment (3)
    160,259       498       160,757  
                         
    Year Ended December 31, 2006  
            Suezmax        
    Liquefied Gas     Tanker        
    Segment     Segment     Total  
    $     $     $  
 
                       
Voyage revenues (1)
    104,506       82,374       186,880  
Voyage expenses
    975       1,061       2,036  
Vessel operating expenses
    20,140       20,837       40,977  
Depreciation and amortization
    33,220       19,856       53,076  
General and administrative (2)
    6,914       7,238       14,152  
 
                 
Income from vessel operations
    43,257       33,382       76,639  
 
                 
 
                       
Equity loss
    (38 )           (38 )
Investment in and advances to joint venture
    232,114             232,114  
Total assets at December 31, 2006
    2,452,495       430,358       2,882,853  
Expenditures for vessels and equipment (3)
    1,030       7       1,037  
     
(1)  
Voyage revenues in the Suezmax tanker segment includes unrealized mark-to-market gains (losses) of the derivative liability relating to the agreement between the Partnership and Teekay Corporation for the Toledo Spirit time charter contract (see Notes 12m and 13).
 
(2)  
Includes direct general and administrative expenses and indirect general and administrative expenses (allocated to each segment based on estimated use of corporate resources).
 
(3)  
Excludes non-cash investing activities (see Note 15).

 

F - 14


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
A reconciliation of total segment assets to total assets presented in the consolidated balance sheets is as follows:
                 
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    $     $  
 
               
Total assets of the liquefied gas segment
    2,900,689       3,298,495  
Total assets of the Suezmax tanker segment
    396,131       410,749  
Cash and cash equivalents
    117,641       91,891  
Accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets
    18,388       17,481  
 
           
Consolidated total assets
    3,432,849       3,818,616  
 
           
5.  
Leases and Restricted Cash
Capital Lease Obligations
RasGas II LNG Carriers. As at December 31, 2008, the Partnership owned a 70% interest in Teekay Nakilat, which is the lessee under 30-year capital lease arrangements relating to three LNG carriers (or the RasGas II LNG Carriers) that operate under time-charter contracts with Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Co. Limited (II), a joint venture between Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil RasGas Inc., a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corporation. All amounts below relating to the RasGas II LNG Carriers capital leases include the Partnership’s joint venture partner’s 30% share.
Under the terms of the RasGas II capital lease arrangements, the lessor claims tax depreciation on the capital expenditures it incurred to acquire these vessels. As is typical in these leasing arrangements, tax and change of law risks are assumed by the lessee. Lease payments under the rentals payable under the lease arrangements are based on certain tax and financial assumptions at the commencement of the leases. If an assumption proves to be incorrect, the lessor is entitled to increase the lease payments to maintain its agreed after-tax margin. During 2008 the Partnership agreed under the terms of its tax lease indemnification guarantee to increase its capital lease payments for its three LNG carriers to compensate the lessor for losses suffered as a result of changes in tax rates. The estimated increase in lease payments is approximately $8.1 million over the term of the lease and the Partnership’s carrying amount of the remaining tax indemnification guarantee is $9.5 million. Both amounts are included as part of other long-term liabilities in the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets. The tax indemnification would be for a total 36 years, which is the duration of the lease contract with the third party plus the years it would take for the lease payments to be statute barred. There is no maximum potential amount of future payments however, Teekay Nakilat may terminate the lease arrangements on a voluntary basis at any time. If the lease arrangements terminate, Teekay Nakilat will be required to pay termination sums to the lessor sufficient to repay the lessor’s investment in the vessels and to compensate it for the tax effect of the terminations, including recapture of any tax depreciation.
At their inception, the weighted-average interest rate implicit in these leases was 5.2%. These capital leases are variable-rate capital leases. As at December 31, 2008, the commitments under these capital leases approximated $1,073.1 million, including imputed interest of $603.7 million, repayable as follows:
     
Year   Commitment
2009
  $24.0 million
2010
  $24.0 million
2011
  $24.0 million
2012
  $24.0 million
2013
  $24.0 million
Thereafter
  $953.1 million
Spanish-Flagged LNG Carrier. As at December 31, 2008, the Partnership was a party to a capital lease on one LNG carrier (the Madrid Spirit) which is structured as a “Spanish tax lease”. The Partnership was a party to a similar Spanish tax lease for another LNG carrier (the Catalunya Spirit) until it purchased the vessel pursuant to the capital lease in December 2006. Under the terms of the Spanish tax lease for the Madrid Spirit, which includes the Partnership’s contractual right to full operation of the vessel pursuant to a bareboat charter, the Partnership will purchase the vessel at the end of the lease term in 2011. The purchase obligation has been fully funded with restricted cash deposits described below. At its inception, the interest rate implicit in the Spanish tax lease was 5.8%. As at December 31, 2008, the commitments under this capital lease, including the purchase obligation, approximated 117.4 million Euros ($164.0 million), including imputed interest of 14.7 million Euros ($20.5 million), repayable as follows:
     
Year   Commitment
2009
  25.6 million Euros ($35.8 million)
2010
  26.9 million Euros ($37.6 million)
2011
  64.8 million Euros ($90.6 million)

 

F - 15


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
Suezmax Tankers. As at December 31, 2008, the Partnership was a party to capital leases on five Suezmax tankers. Under the terms of the lease arrangements, which include the Partnership’s contractual right to full operation of the vessels pursuant to bareboat charters, the Partnership is required to purchase these vessels after the end of their respective lease terms for a fixed price. At the inception of these leases, the weighted-average interest rate implicit in these leases was 7.4%. These capital leases are variable-rate capital leases; however, any change in our lease payments resulting from changes in interest rates is offset by a corresponding change in the charter hire payments received by the Partnership. As at December 31, 2008, the remaining commitments under these capital leases, including the purchase obligations, approximated $226.8 million, including imputed interest of $22.4 million, repayable as follows:
       
Year   Commitment
2009
  $ 134.4 million
2010
  $ 8.4 million
2011
  $ 84.0 million
The Partnership’s capital leases do not contain financial or restrictive covenants other than those relating to operation and maintenance of the vessels.
Operating Lease Obligations
Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture. Teekay Tangguh owns a 70% interest in Teekay BLT Corporation (or the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture) and is considered a variable interest entity for the Partnership (see Notes 9 and 12e).
As at December 31, 2008, the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture was a party to an operating lease whereby it is the lessor and is leasing its LNG carriers upon delivery to a third party company (or Head Lease).The Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture is then leasing back the LNG carriers from the same third party company upon delivery to the charterers (or Sublease). Under the terms of these leases, the third party company claims tax depreciation on the capital expenditures it incurred to lease the vessels. As is typical in these leasing arrangements, tax and change of law risks are assumed by the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture. Lease payments under the Sublease are based on certain tax and financial assumptions at the commencement of the leases. If an assumption proves to be incorrect, the third party company is entitled to increase the lease payments under the Sublease to maintain its agreed after-tax margin. The Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture carrying amount of this tax indemnification is $11.2 million and is included as part of other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of the Partnership. The tax indemnification would be for a total of 26 years, which is the duration of the lease contract with the third party plus the years it would take for the lease payments to be statute barred. There is no maximum potential amount of future payments however, the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture may terminate the lease arrangements on a voluntary basis at any time. If the lease arrangements terminate, the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture will be required to pay termination sums to the third party company sufficient to repay the third party company’s investment in the vessels and to compensate it for the tax effect of the terminations, including recapture of any tax depreciation. Both the Head Lease and the Sublease have 20 year terms and are classified as operating leases.
As at December 31, 2008, the total future minimum rental payments to be received and paid under the lease contract are as follows:
                 
Year   Rental Receipts     Rental Payments  
2009
  $ 41,343     $ 18,492  
2010
  $ 28,892     $ 25,077  
2011
  $ 28,875     $ 25,077  
2012
  $ 28,859     $ 25,077  
2013
  $ 28,843     $ 25,077  
Thereafter
  $ 332,563     $ 382,531  
Restricted Cash
Under the terms of the capital leases for the RasGas II and Spanish-flagged LNG Carriers described above, the Partnership is required to have on deposit with financial institutions an amount of cash that, together with interest earned on the deposits, will equal the remaining amounts owing under the leases, including the obligations to purchase the Spanish-flagged LNG carrier at the end of the lease period. These cash deposits are restricted to being used for capital lease payments and have been fully funded primarily with term loans (see Note 9). The interest rates earned on the deposits approximate the interest rates implicit in the leases.
As at December 31, 2008 and 2007, the amount of restricted cash on deposit for the three RasGas II LNG Carriers was $487.4 million and $492.2 million, respectively. As at December 31, 2008 and 2007, the weighted-average interest rates earned on the deposits were 4.8% and 5.3%, respectively.
As at December 31, 2008 and 2007, the amount of restricted cash on deposit for the Spanish-Flagged LNG carrier was 104.7 million Euros ($146.2 million) and 122.8 million Euros ($179.2 million), respectively. As at December 31, 2008 and 2007, the weighted-average interest rates earned on these deposits were 5.0%.
The Partnership also maintains restricted cash deposits relating to certain term loans, which cash totaled $9.3 million and $7.8 million as at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

F - 16


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
Operating Leases
As at December 31, 2008 and 2007, all of the Partnership’s vessels that were earning time charter revenues were accounted for as operating leases. As at December 31, 2008, minimum scheduled future revenues in the next five years to be received by the Partnership under these time charters then in place were approximately $254.7 million (2009), $254.7 million (2010), $254.7 million (2011), $254.7 million (2012) and $218.9 million (2013). The minimum scheduled future revenues should not be construed to reflect total charter hire revenues for any of the years.
6.  
Intangible Assets and Goodwill
As at December 31, 2008 and 2007, intangible assets consisted of time-charter contracts with a weighted-average amortization period of 19.2 years.
The carrying amount of intangible assets as at December 31, 2008 and 2007 for the Partnership’s reportable segments is as follows:
                 
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    $     $  
 
               
Gross carrying amount
    182,552       182,552  
Accumulated amortization
    (40,747 )     (31,617 )
 
           
Net carrying amount
    141,805       150,935  
 
           
Amortization expense of intangible assets is $9.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. Amortization of intangible assets for the five fiscal years subsequent to December 31, 2008 is expected to be $9.1 million per year.

The carrying amount of goodwill as at December 31, 2008 and 2007 for the Partnership’s reportable segments are as follows:
                 
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    $     $  
 
               
Liquefied Gas Segment
    35,631       35,631  
Suezmax Tanker Segment
          3,648  
 
           
Total
    35,631       39,279  
 
           
Due to the decline in market conditions, the Partnership conducted an interim impairment review of its reporting units during the third quarter of 2008. The fair value of the reporting units was estimated using the expected present value of future cash flows. The fair value of the reporting units were compared to their carrying values at September 30, 2008 and it was determined that the fair value attributable to the Partnership’s Suezmax tanker segment was less than its carrying value. As a result, a goodwill impairment loss of $3.6 million was recognized in the Suezmax tanker reporting unit during the third quarter of 2008.
7.  
Advances to and from Joint Venture Partners
                 
    December 31,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 
    $     $  
 
Advances to QGTC Nakilat (1643-6) Holdings Corporation (note 12f)
          9,631  
 
           
 
               
Advances from BLT LNG Tangguh Corporation (note 12e)
    1,179       615  
Advances from Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd. (Nakilat)
    57        
 
           
Total advances from affiliates and joint venture partners
    1,236       615  
 
           
Advances to and from joint venture partners are non-interest bearing and unsecured. The Partnership did not incur interest income or interest expense from the advances during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.
8.  
Accrued Liabilities
                 
    December 31,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 
    $     $  
 
               
Voyage and vessel expenses
    9,933       5,988  
Interest
    11,977       14,205  
Payroll and benefits (1)
    2,161       2,197  
 
           
Total
    24,071       22,390  
 
           
     
(1)  
As at December 31, 2008 and 2007, $1.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively, of accrued liabilities relates to crewing and manning costs payable to the subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation (see Note 12a).

 

F - 17


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
9.  
Long-Term Debt
                 
    December 31,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 
    $     $  
 
               
U.S. Dollar-denominated Revolving Credit Facilities due through 2018
    215,000       10,000  
U.S. Dollar-denominated Term Loans due through 2019
    421,517       446,435  
U.S. Dollar-denominated Term Loans due through 2020(1)
          600,990  
U.S. Dollar-denominated Term Loans due through 2021(1)
    139,607       207,148  
U.S. Dollar-denominated Term Loans due through 2021
    174,999        
U.S. Dollar-denominated Unsecured Loan(1)
    499       1,144  
U.S. Dollar-denominated Unsecured Loan
    645        
U.S. Dollar-denominated Unsecured Demand Loan
    16,200       16,002  
Euro-denominated Term Loans due through 2023
    414,144       443,992  
 
           
Total
    1,382,611       1,725,711  
Less current portion
    50,805       36,844  
Less current portion (newbuilding vessel financing)(1)
    25,996       34,665  
 
           
Total
    1,305,810       1,654,202  
 
           
     
(1)  
As at December 31, 2008, long-term debt related to newbuilding vessels to be delivered was $140.1 million (2007 — $809.3 million) (see Note 14a).
As at December 31, 2008, the Partnership had three long-term revolving credit facilities (or the Revolvers) available, which, as at such date, provided for borrowings of up to $589.2 million, of which $374.2 million was undrawn. Interest payments are based on LIBOR plus margins. The amount available under the revolving credit facilities reduces by $31.0 million (2009), $31.6 million (2010), $32.2 million (2011), $32.9 million (2012), $33.7 million (2013) and $427.8 million (thereafter). All the revolving credit facilities may be used by the Partnership to fund general partnership purposes and to fund cash distributions. The Partnership is required to reduce all borrowings used to fund cash distributions to zero for a period of at least 15 consecutive days during any 12-month period. The revolving credit facilities are collateralized by first-priority mortgages granted on seven of the Partnership’s vessels, together with other related security, and include a guarantee from the Partnership or its subsidiaries of all outstanding amounts.
The Partnership has a U.S. Dollar-denominated term loan outstanding, which, as at December 31, 2008, totaled $421.5 million, of which $253.3 million bears interest at a fixed rate of 5.39% and requires quarterly payments. The remaining $168.2 million bears interest based on LIBOR plus a margin and will require bullet repayments of approximately $56.0 million per vessel due at maturity in 2018 and 2019. The term loan is collateralized by first-priority mortgages on three vessels, together with certain other related security and certain guarantees from the Partnership.
Teekay Nakilat (III) owns a 40% interest in the RasGas 3 Joint Venture. The RasGas 3 Joint Venture owns four LNG newbuilding carriers, which delivered during 2008, and the related 25-year fixed-rate, time-charter contracts. On November 1, 2006, the Partnership agreed to purchase Teekay Corporation’s 100% interest in Teekay Nakilat (III), which caused the Partnership to become the primary beneficiary of this variable interest entity (see Notes 12f and 14a). Teekay Nakilat (III) has a U.S. Dollar-denominated term loan outstanding, which, as at December 31, 2008 and 2007, totaled nil and $601.0 million and represents 100% of the RasGas 3 term loan which was used to fund advances on similar terms and conditions to the joint venture. Interest payments on the term loan are based on LIBOR plus a margin. On December 31, 2008 Teekay Nakilat (III) and its joint venture partner, QGTC Nakilat (1643-6) Holdings Corporation (or QGTC 3), novated the RasGas 3 term loan along with the related interest payable and deferred debt issuance costs to the RasGas 3 Joint Venture. Also on December 31, 2008, Teekay Nakilat (III) and QGTC 3 novated their interest rate swap agreements to the RasGas 3 Joint Venture for no consideration. As a result, the RasGas 3 Joint Venture assumed all the rights, liabilities and obligations of Teekay Nakilat (III) and QGTC 3 under the terms of the RasGas 3 term loan and the interest rate swap agreements. Teekay Nakilat (III) has guaranteed 40% of the RasGas 3 Joint Venture’s obligations that exceeds 20% of the notional amounts of each of the related interest rate swap agreements.
Teekay Tangguh owns a 70% interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture. The Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture owns two LNG newbuilding carriers (or the Tangguh LNG Carriers), which delivered in November 2008 and March 2009, and the related 20-year fixed-rate, time-charter contracts. On November 1, 2006, the Partnership agreed to purchase Teekay Corporation’s 100% interest in Teekay Tangguh, which caused the Partnership to become the primary beneficiary of this variable interest entity (see Note 12e and 14a). As at December 31, 2008, the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture had a loan facility, which, as at such date, provided for borrowings of up to $371.0 million, of which $56.4 million was undrawn. Interest payments on the loan are based on LIBOR plus margins. At December 31, 2008, the margins ranged between 0.30% and 0.80%. Following delivery of the vessels, interest payments on one tranche under the loan facility are based on LIBOR plus 0.30%, while interest payments on the second tranche are based on LIBOR plus 0.625%. Commencing three months after delivery of each vessel, one tranche (total value of $324.5 million) reduces in quarterly payments while the other tranche (total value of up to $190.0 million) correspondingly is drawn up with a final $95.0 million bullet payment per vessel due twelve years and three months from each vessel delivery date. This loan facility is collateralized by first-priority mortgages on the vessels to which the loan relates, together with certain other security and is guaranteed by Teekay Corporation. If the Partnership acquires Teekay Corporation’s ownership interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture, the rights and obligations of Teekay Corporation under the guarantee may, upon the fulfillment of certain conditions, be transferred to the Partnership (see Note 14c).

 

F - 18


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
The Partnership has a U.S. Dollar-denominated demand loan outstanding owing to Teekay Nakilat’s joint venture partner, which, as at December 31, 2008, totaled $16.2 million, including accrued interest. Interest payments on this loan, which are based on a fixed interest rate of 4.84%, commenced in February 2008. The loan is repayable on demand no earlier than February 27, 2027.
The Partnership has two Euro-denominated term loans outstanding, which, as at December 31, 2008 totaled 296.4 million Euros ($414.1 million). These loans were used to make restricted cash deposits that fully fund payments under capital leases for the LNG carriers the Madrid Spirit and the Catalunya Spirit (see Note 5). Interest payments are based on EURIBOR plus a margin. The term loans have varying maturities through 2023 and monthly payments that reduce over time. The term loans are collateralized by first-priority mortgages on the vessels to which the loans relate, together with certain other related security and guarantees from one of the Partnership’s subsidiaries.
The weighted-average effective interest rate for the Partnership’s long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was 3.6% and 5.5%, respectively. These rates do not reflect the effect of related interest rate swaps that the Partnership has used to economically hedge certain of its floating-rate debt (see Note 13). At December 31, 2008, the margins on the Partnership’s long-term debt ranged from 0.3% to 0.8%.
All Euro-denominated term loans are revalued at the end of each period using the then-prevailing Euro/U.S. Dollar exchange rate. Due primarily to this revaluation, the Partnership recognized foreign exchange gains (losses) of $18.2 million and $(41.2) million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.
The aggregate annual long-term debt principal repayments required for periods subsequent to December 31, 2008 are $76.8 million (2009), $68.0 million (2010), $279.3 million (2011), $64.5 million (2012), $65.0 million (2013) and $829.0 million (thereafter).
Certain loan agreements require that minimum levels of tangible net worth and aggregate liquidity be maintained, provide for a maximum level of leverage, and require one of the Partnership’s subsidiaries to maintain restricted cash deposits. The Partnership’s ship-owning subsidiaries may not, among other things, pay dividends or distributions if the Partnership is in default under its term loans or revolving credit facilities.
10.  
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Advances to joint venture — The fair value of the Partnership’s advances to joint venture approximate their carrying amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Long-term debt — The fair values of the Partnership’s fixed-rate and variable-rate long-term debt are either based on quoted market prices or estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on rates currently available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.
Advances to and from affiliates and joint venture partners — The fair value of the Partnership’s advances to and from affiliates and joint venture partners approximate their carrying amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Interest rate swap agreements — The fair value of the Partnership’s interest rate swaps, used for economic hedging purposes, is the estimated amount that the Partnership would receive or pay to terminate the agreements at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates and the current credit worthiness of both the Partnership and the swap counterparties.
Other derivative — The Partnership’s other derivative agreement is between Teekay Corporation and the Partnership and relates to hire payments under the time-charter contract for the Toledo Spirit (see Note 12m). The fair value of this derivative agreement is the estimated amount that the Partnership would receive or pay to terminate the agreement at the reporting date, based on the present value of the Partnership’s projection of future spot market tanker rates, which have been derived from current spot market tanker rates and long-term historical average rates.
The estimated fair value of the Partnership’s financial instruments is as follows:
                                 
    December 31, 2008     December 31, 2007  
    Carrying     Fair     Carrying     Fair  
    Amount     Value     Amount     Value  
    Asset     Asset     Asset     Asset  
    (Liability)     (Liability)     (Liability)     (Liability)  
    $     $     $     $  
 
                               
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
    760,590       760,590       771,120       771,120  
Advances to and from joint venture
    (3,799 )     (3,799 )     622,909       622,909  
Long-term debt (note 9)
    (1,382,611 )     (1,219,241 )     (1,725,711 )     (2,508,966 )
Advances to and from affiliates
    (63,481 )     (63,481 )     (268,478 )     (268,478 )
Advances to and from joint venture partners (note 7)
    (1,236 )     (1,236 )     (615 )     (615 )
Derivative instruments (note 13)
                               
Interest rate swap agreements — assets
    167,390       167,390       33,594       33,594  
Interest rate swap agreements — liabilities
    (243,448 )     (243,448 )     (63,301 )     (63,301 )
Other derivative
    (17,955 )     (17,955 )     (15,952 )     (15,952 )
The Partnership transacts all of its derivative instruments through financial institutions that are investment-grade rated at the time of the transaction and requires no collateral from these institutions.

 

F - 19


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
11.  
Other Income (Loss) — Net
                         
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    December 31,     December 31,     December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
    $     $     $  
Income tax expense
    (205 )     (1,155 )     (375 )
Equity income (loss)
    136       (130 )     (38 )
Miscellaneous
    1,250       (129 )     (16 )
 
                 
Other income (loss) — net
    1,181       (1,414 )     (429 )
 
                 
12.  
Related Party Transactions
a) The Partnership and certain of its operating subsidiaries have entered into services agreements with certain subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation pursuant to which the Teekay Corporation subsidiaries provide the Partnership with administrative, crew training, advisory, technical and strategic consulting services. During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Partnership incurred $9.4 million, $7.4 million and $4.8 million, respectively of these costs for these services. In addition, as a component of the services agreement, the Teekay Corporation subsidiaries provide us with all usual and customary crew management services in respect of our vessels. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 we incurred $20.1 million, $10.8 million and nil, respectively for crewing and manning costs, of which $3.7 million is payable to the subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation as at December 31, 2008 and is included as part of accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets.
During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, $0.2 million, $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of general and administrative expenses attributable to the operations of the Dania Spirit and the Kenai LNG Carriers was incurred by Teekay Corporation and has been allocated to the Partnership as part of the results of the Dropdown Predecessor.
During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, $3.1 million, $0.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of interest expense attributable to the operations of the Dania Spirit and the Kenai LNG Carriers was incurred by Teekay Corporation and has been allocated to the Partnership as part of the results of the Dropdown Predecessor.
b) The Partnership reimburses the General Partner for all expenses incurred by the General Partner or its affiliates that are necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the Partnership’s business. During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Partnership incurred $0.8 million, $0.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of these costs.
c) The Partnership is a party to an agreement with Teekay Corporation pursuant to which Teekay Corporation provides the Partnership with off-hire insurance for its LNG carriers. During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Partnership incurred $1.5 million, $1.5 million and $0.9 million of these costs.
d) In connection with the Partnership’s initial public offering in May 2005, the Partnership entered into an omnibus agreement with Teekay Corporation, the General Partner and other related parties governing, among other things, when the Partnership and Teekay Corporation may compete with each other and certain rights of first offer on LNG carriers and Suezmax tankers. In December 2006, the omnibus agreement was amended in connection with the initial public offering of Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. (or Teekay Offshore). As amended, the agreement governs, among other things, when the Partnership, Teekay Corporation and Teekay Offshore may compete with each other and certain rights of first offer on LNG carriers, oil tankers, shuttle tankers, floating storage and offtake units and floating production, storage and offloading units.
e) On November 1, 2006, the Partnership agreed to acquire from Teekay Corporation its 70% interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture, which owns the two newbuilding Tangguh LNG Carriers and the related 20-year, fixed-rate time charters to service the Tangguh LNG project in Indonesia. The purchase originally was to be completed on or before the deliveries of both newbuildings to the charterers, which occurred in December 2008 and May 2009, respectively. However, the purchase has been delayed in order to determine a satisfactory tax structure for the transaction and, if the Partnership is unable to determine a satisfactory structure, it may not acquire the interest in the joint venture (see Note14c). If the transaction proceeds, the estimated purchase price (net of assumed debt) for Teekay Corporation’s 70% interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture would be approximately $68.2 million. The customer under the charters for the Tangguh LNG Carriers will be The Tangguh Production Sharing Contractors, a consortium led by BP Berau Ltd., a subsidiary of BP plc. Teekay Corporation contracted to construct the two double-hull Tangguh LNG Carriers of 155,000 cubic meters each at a total estimated delivered cost of approximately $376.9 million, excluding capitalized interest, of which the Partnership is responsible for 70%. As at December 31, 2008, payments made towards these commitments by the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture totaled $340.8 million, excluding $21.6 million of capitalized interest and other miscellaneous construction costs, and long-term financing arrangements existed for all of the remaining $36.1 million unpaid estimated cost of the LNG carriers. This remaining payment of $36.1 million was made in 2009. If it acquires Teekay Corporation’s interest in this project, the Partnership will have operational responsibility for the vessels. The remaining 30% interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture is held by BLT LNG Tangguh Corporation, a subsidiary of PT Berlian Laju Tanker Tbk.
During 2008, the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture repaid $28.0 million of its contributed capital to its joint venture partners, Teekay Corporation and BLT LNG Tangguh Corporation.

 

F - 20


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
f) On November 1, 2006, the Partnership agreed to acquire from Teekay Corporation its 100% interest in Teekay Nakilat (III) which in turn owns 40% of the RasGas 3 Joint Venture. RasGas 3 Joint Venture owns the four RasGas 3 LNG carriers and related 25-year, fixed-rate time charters (with options to extend up to an additional 10 years) to service the expansion of an LNG project in Qatar. The customer is Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Co. Limited (3), a joint venture company between Qatar Petroleum and a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corporation. The delivered cost of the four double-hulled RasGas 3 LNG Carriers of 217,000 cubic meters each was approximately $1.0 billion, excluding capitalized interest, of which the Partnership was responsible for 40% upon its acquisition of Teekay Corporation’s interest in the joint venture. The four vessels delivered between May and July 2008.
On May 6, 2008, the Partnership acquired Teekay Corporation’s 100% ownership interest in Teekay Nakilat (III) for a purchase price (net of assumed debt) of $110.2 million. This transaction was concluded between two entities under common control and, thus, the assets acquired were recorded at historical book value. The excess of the purchase price over the book value of the assets was accounted for as an equity distribution to Teekay Corporation. The remaining 60% interest in the RasGas 3 Joint Venture is held by QGTC 3. The Partnership has operational responsibility for the vessels in this project, although QGTC 3 may assume operational responsibility beginning 10 years following delivery of the vessels.
Teekay Nakilat (III) and QGTC were joint and several borrowers with respect to the RasGas 3 term loan and interest rate swap obligations. As a result, the Partnership has reflected on its December 31, 2007 balance sheet 100% of the RasGas 3 term loan and interest rate swap obligations rather than only 40% of such amounts. The loan and the joint venture partner’s share of the swap obligations are reflected on the Partnership’s December 31, 2007 balance sheet as advances to joint venture and advances to joint venture partner, respectively.
On December 31, 2008 Teekay Nakilat (III) and QGTC 3 novated the RasGas 3 term loan along with the related accrued interest of $871.3 million and deferred debt issuance costs of $4.1 million to the RasGas 3 Joint Venture. As a result of this transaction the Partnership’s long-term debt and accrued liabilities have decreased by $871.3 million and other assets decrease by $4.1 million. This transaction is offset by a decrease in the Partnership’s advances to the RasGas 3 Joint Venture. Also on December 31, 2008, Teekay Nakilat (III) and QGTC 3 novated their interest rate swap agreements to the RasGas 3 Joint Venture for no consideration. As a result, the RasGas 3 Joint Venture assumed all the rights, liabilities and obligations of Teekay Nakilat (III) and QGTC 3 under the terms of the RasGas 3 term loan and the interest rate swap agreements.
g) On October 31, 2006, the Partnership acquired Teekay Corporation’s 100% ownership interest in Teekay Nakilat Holdings Corporation (or Teekay Nakilat Holdings). Teekay Nakilat Holdings owns 70% of Teekay Nakilat, which in turn has a 100% interest as the lessee under capital leases relating to the three RasGas II LNG Carriers that delivered in late 2006 and early 2007. The final purchase price for the 70% interest in Teekay Nakilat was $102.0 million. The Partnership paid $26.9 million of this amount during 2006 and $75.1 million during 2007. This transaction was concluded between two entities under common control and, thus, the assets acquired were recorded at historical book value. The excess of the purchase price over the book value of the assets was accounted for as an equity distribution to Teekay Corporation. The purchase occurred upon the delivery of the first LNG carrier in October 2006.
h) In January 2007, the Partnership acquired a 2000-built LPG carrier, the Dania Spirit, from Teekay Corporation and the related long-term, fixed-rate time charter for a purchase price of $18.5 million. This transaction was concluded between two entities under common control and, thus, the vessel acquired was recorded at its historical book value. The excess of the book value over the purchase price of the vessel was accounted for as an equity contribution by Teekay Corporation. The purchase was financed with one of the Partnership’s revolving credit facilities. This vessel is chartered to the Norwegian state-owned oil company, Statoil ASA, and has a remaining contract term of seven years.
i) In March 2007, one of our LNG carriers, the Madrid Spirit, sustained damage to its engine boilers. The vessel was off-hire for approximately 86 days during 2007. Since Teekay Corporation provides the Partnership with off-hire insurance for its LNG carriers, the Partnership’s exposure was limited to fourteen days of off-hire, of which seven days were recoverable from a third-party insurer. In July 2007, Teekay Corporation paid approximately $6.0 million to the Partnership for loss-of-hire relating to the vessel.
j) In April 2008, the Partnership acquired the two 1993-built Kenai LNG Carriers from Teekay Corporation for $230.0 million. The Partnership financed the acquisition with borrowings under one of its revolving credit facilities. The Partnership chartered the vessels back to Teekay Corporation at a fixed rate for a period of ten years (plus options exercisable by Teekay Corporation to extend up to an additional fifteen years). During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Partnership recognized revenues of $29.6 million from these charters.
k) As at December 31, 2008, non-interest bearing advances to affiliates totaled $9.6 million (December 31, 2007 — nil) and non-interest bearing advances from affiliates totaled $73.1 million (December 31, 2007 — $268.5 million). These advances are unsecured and have no fixed repayment terms.
l) On July 28, 2008, Teekay Corporation signed contracts for the purchase of two technically advanced 12,000-cubic meter newbuilding Multigas ships (or the Skaugen Multigas Carriers) capable of carrying LNG, LPG or ethylene from subsidiaries of Skaugen. The Partnership agreed to acquire these vessels from Teekay Corporation upon delivery. The vessels are expected to deliver in the second half of 2010 for a total cost of approximately $94 million. Each vessel will commence service under 15-year fixed-rate charters to Skaugen.

 

F - 21


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
m) The Partnership’s Suezmax tanker, the Toledo Spirit, which was delivered in July 2005, operates pursuant to a time-charter contract that increases or decreases the otherwise fixed hire rate established in the charter depending on the spot charter rates that the Partnership would have earned had it traded the vessel in the spot tanker market. The remaining term of the time-charter contract is 17 years, although the charterer has the right to terminate the time charter in July 2018. The Partnership has entered into an agreement with Teekay Corporation under which Teekay Corporation pays the Partnership any amounts payable to the charterer as a result of spot rates being below the fixed rate, and the Partnership pays Teekay Corporation any amounts payable to the Partnership as a result of spot rates being in excess of the fixed rate. During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Partnership incurred $8.6 million, $1.9 million and $4.6 million respectively, of amounts owing to Teekay Corporation as a result of this agreement (see Note 13).
13.  
Derivative Instruments
The Partnership uses derivative instruments in accordance with its overall risk management policy. The Partnership has not designated these derivative instruments as hedges for accounting purposes.
At December 31, 2008, the fair value of the derivative liability relating to the agreement between the Partnership and Teekay Corporation for the Toledo Spirit time charter contract was $18.0 million. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) relating to this agreement have been reflected in voyage revenues. Unrealized mark-to-market gains (losses) included in voyage revenues related to this agreement were $(2.0) million, $14.1 million, and $(0.9) million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
The Partnership enters into interest rate swaps which either exchange a receipt of floating interest for a payment of fixed interest or a payment of floating interest for a receipt of fixed interest to reduce the Partnership’s exposure to interest rate variability on its outstanding floating-rate debt and floating-rate restricted cash deposits. The Partnership has not, for accounting purposes, designated its interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of its USD LIBOR denominated borrowings or restricted cash deposits. The net gain or loss on the Partnership’s interest rate swaps has been reported in interest expense (economic hedges of USD LIBOR denominated borrowings) and interest income (USD LIBOR denominated restricted cash deposits) in the consolidated statements of income. Unrealized gains (losses) related to interest rate swaps included in interest expense were $(253.4) million, $(25.5) million and $50.0 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. Unrealized gains (losses) related to interest rate swaps included in interest income were $170.8 million, $22.3 million and $(25.8) million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2008 , 2007 and 2006. As at December 31, 2008, the Partnership was committed to the following interest rate swap agreements:
                                         
                    Fair Value /              
                    Carrying     Weighted-        
                    Amount of     Average     Fixed  
    Interest     Principal     Asset     Remaining     Interest  
    Rate     Amount     (Liability)     Term     Rate  
    Index     $     $     (years)     (%)(1)  
LIBOR-Based Debt:
                                       
U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swaps(2)
  LIBOR     478,825       (110,492 )     28.1       4.9  
U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swaps
  LIBOR     226,122       (61,366 )     10.2       6.2  
U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swaps(3)
  LIBOR     350,000       (68,236 )     16.6       5.2  
LIBOR-Based Restricted Cash Deposit:
                                       
U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swaps(2)
  LIBOR     477,135       167,390       28.1       4.8  
EURIBOR-Based Debt:
                                       
Euro-denominated interest rate swaps(4)
  EURIBOR     414,144       (3,354 )     15.5       3.8  
     
(1)  
Excludes the margins the Partnership pays on its floating-rate debt, which, at December 31, 2008, ranged from 0.3% to 0.8% (see Note 9).
 
(2)  
Principal amount reduces quarterly commencing upon delivery of each LNG newbuilding financed with the indebtedness.
 
(3)  
Interest rate swaps held in Teekay Tangguh, a variable interest entity of which the Partnership is the primary beneficiary (see Note 12e).
 
(4)  
Principal amount reduces monthly to 70.1 million Euros ($97.9 million) by the maturity dates of the swap agreements.
The Partnership is exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the counterparties to the interest rate swap agreement. In order to minimize counterparty risk, the Partnership only enters into derivative transactions with counterparties that are rated A or better by Standard & Poor’s or Aa3 by Moody’s at the time of the transactions. In addition, to the extent practical, interest rate swaps are entered into with different counterparties to reduce concentration risk.
14.  
Commitments and Contingencies
a) In December 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51 (or FIN 46(R)). In general, a variable interest entity (or VIE) is a corporation, partnership, limited-liability company, trust or any other legal structure used to conduct activities or hold assets that either (1) has an insufficient amount of equity to carry out its principal activities without additional subordinated financial support, (2) has a group of equity owners that are unable to make significant decisions about its activities, or (3) has a group of equity owners that do not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns generated by its operations. If a party with an ownership, contractual or other financial interest in the VIE is obligated to absorb a majority of the risk of loss from the VIE’s activities, is entitled to receive a majority of the VIE’s residual returns (if no party absorbs a majority of the VIE’s losses), or both, then FIN 46(R) requires that this party consolidate the VIE.

 

F - 22


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
The Partnership consolidated Teekay Tangguh and Teekay Nakilat (III) in its consolidated financial statements effective November 1, 2006, as both entities became VIEs and the Partnership became their primary beneficiary on that date upon the Partnership’s agreement to acquire all of Teekay Corporation’s interests in these entities (see Notes 12e and 12f). The Partnership has also consolidated the Skaugen Multigas Carriers that it has agreed to acquire from Teekay Corporation as the Skaugen Multigas Carriers became VIEs and the Partnership became a primary beneficiary when Teekay Corporation purchased the newbuildings on July 28, 2008 (see Note 12l). Upon the Partnership’s acquisition of Teekay Nakilat (III) on May 6, 2008, Teekay Nakilat (III) no longer constituted a VIE. The assets and liabilities of Teekay Tangguh and the Skaugen Multigas Carriers are reflected in the Partnership’s financial statements at historical cost as the Partnership and the VIE are under common control.
The following table summarizes the combined balance sheets of Teekay Tangguh and the Skaugen Multigas Carriers as at December 31, 2008 and the combined balance sheets of Teekay Tangguh and Teekay Naikilat (III) as at December 31, 2007:
                 
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    $     $  
ASSETS
               
Cash and cash equivalents
    22,939       54,711  
Other current assets
    6,140        
Vessels and equipment
               
At cost, less accumulated depreciation of $620 (2007 — nil)
    208,841        
Advances on newbuilding contracts
    200,557       240,773  
 
           
Total vessels and equipment
    409,398       240,773  
 
           
Investment in and advances to joint venture
          693,242  
Advances to joint venture partner
          9,631  
Other assets
    7,449       9,465  
 
           
Total assets
    445,926       1,007,822  
 
           
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY
               
Accounts payable
    60       173  
Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities (1)
    26,495       34,665  
Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities
    24,135       4,799  
Advances from affiliates and joint venture partners
    50,391       23,961  
Long-term debt (1)
    113,611       774,617  
Long-term debt
    162,693        
Other long-term liabilities
    85,551       28,211  
 
           
Total liabilities
    462,936       866,426  
Non-controlling interest
          20,364  
Total shareholder’s (deficit) equity
    (17,010 )     121,032  
 
           
Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity
    445,926       1,007,822  
 
           
     
(1)  
As at December 31, 2008, long-term debt related to newbuilding vessels to be delivered was $140.1 million (2007 — $809.3 million).
The Partnership’s maximum exposure to loss at December 31, 2008, as a result of its commitment to purchase Teekay Corporation’s interests in Teekay Tangguh and Skaugen Multigas Carriers, is limited to the purchase price of its interest in both entities, which is expected to be approximately $162.2 million.
b) In December 2006, the Partnership announced that it has agreed to acquire three LPG carriers from Skaugen, which engages in the marine transportation of petrochemical gases and LPG and the lightering of crude oil, for approximately $33 million per vessel. The first vessel delivered in April 2009 and the remaining two vessels are expected to deliver between late 2009 and mid-2010. The Partnership will acquire the vessels upon their deliveries and will finance their acquisition through existing or incremental debt, surplus cash balances, proceeds from the issuance of additional common units or combinations thereof. Upon delivery, the vessels will be chartered to Skaugen at fixed rates for a period of 15 years.
c) The Partnership intends to purchase Teekay Corporation’s interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture in 2009. However, the Partnership is seeking to structure the project in a tax efficient manner and has requested a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service related to the type of structure that it intends to use for this project. The Partnership does not intend to complete the purchase until a favorable ruling is obtained, which is anticipated to be received in the coming months. If the Partnership does not receive a favorable ruling, the Partnership will (i) seek to restructure the project, which may provide the Partnership less benefit than was originally anticipated or (ii) require certain tax elections to be made by unitholders in order to avoid adverse tax consequences. If any of these alternatives are not satisfactory to the Partnership, the Partnership may not acquire Teekay Corporation’s interest in the carriers. If the possibility of the Partnership not acquiring the interests in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture becomes more than remote, the Partnership may no longer account for the entity as a variable interest entity (as described above in Note 14a), and the Partnership would need to reconsider its consolidation of the entity.

 

F - 23


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
15.  
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
a) The changes in non-cash working capital items related to operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:
                         
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    December 31,     December 31,     December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
    $     $     $  
 
                       
Accounts receivable
    4,875       (2,502 )     (5,284 )
Prepaid expenses
    (210 )     1,447       (7,572 )
Other current assets
    4,532       (490 )     (194 )
Accounts payable
    2,790       3,624       (401 )
Accrued liabilities
    2,111       9,135       5,706  
Unearned revenue
    19,643       (1,246 )     545  
Advances to and from affiliates
    (1,779 )     2,345       8,408  
 
                 
Total
    31,962       12,313       1,208  
 
                 
b) Cash interest paid on long-term debt, advances from affiliates and capital lease obligations, net of amounts capitalized, during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 totaled $154.7 million, $132.6 million and $81.2 million, respectively.
c) On October 31, 2006, the first of the Partnership’s three RasGas II Carriers delivered and commenced operations under a capital lease. The present value of the minimum lease payments for this vessel was $157.6 million. During 2006, the Partnership recorded the costs of the two remaining RasGas II Carriers under construction and the related lease obligation amounting to $295.2 million. Upon delivery of the two RasGas II Carriers in 2007, the remaining vessel costs and related lease obligations amounting to $15.3 million were recorded. These transactions were treated as non-cash transactions in the Partnership’s consolidated statement of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.
d) Net change in parent’s equity in the Dropdrown Predecessor includes the equity of the Dropdown Predecessor when initially pooled for accounting purposes and any subsequent non-cash equity transactions of the Dropdown Predecessor.
e) On December 31, 2008 Teekay Nakilat (III) and QGTC 3 novated their interest rate swap obligations to the RasGas 3 Joint Venture for no consideration. This transaction was treated as a non-cash transaction in the Partnership’s consolidated statement of cash flows.
f) On December 31, 2008 Teekay Nakilat (III) and QGTC 3 novated their external long-term debt and accrued interest of $871.3 million and related deferred debt issuance costs of $4.1 million to the RasGas 3 Joint Venture. As a result of this transaction, the Partnership’s long-term debt and accrued interest have decreased by $871.3 million and other assets decreased by $4.1 million offset by a decrease in the Partnership’s advances to the RasGas 3 Joint Venture. These transactions were treated as non-cash transactions in the Partnership’s consolidated statement of cash flows.
g) Teekay Nakilat and the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture entered into lease contracts, respectively, whereby it guarantees to make payments to a third party company for any losses suffered by the third party company relating to tax law changes. The initial liabilities recorded of $29.8 million were treated as non-cash transactions in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
16.  
Partners’ Capital and Net Income Per Unit
At December 31, 2008, of the Partnership’s total number of units outstanding, 42% were held by the public and the remaining units were held by a subsidiary of Teekay Corporation.
During May 2007 and April 2008, the Partnership completed follow-on public offerings of 2.3 million and 5.0 million common units, respectively (see Note 3).
Limited Partners’ Rights
Significant rights of the Partnership’s limited partners include the following:
   
Right to receive distribution of available cash within approximately 45 days after the end of each quarter.
   
No limited partner shall have any management power over the Partnership’s business and affairs; the General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage Partnership’s activities.
   
The General Partner may be removed if such removal is approved by unitholders holding at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding units voting as a single class, including units held by our General Partner and its affiliates.

 

F - 24


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
Subordinated Units
All of the Partnership’s subordinated units are held by a subsidiary of Teekay Corporation. Under the Partnership’s agreement, during the subordination period applicable to the Partnership’s subordinated units, the common units have the right to receive distributions of available cash from operating surplus in an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.4125 per quarter, plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before any distributions of available cash from operating surplus may be made on the subordinated units. Distribution arrearages do not accrue on the subordinated units. The purpose of the subordinated units is to increase the likelihood that during the subordination period there will be available cash to be distributed on the common units.
On May 19, 2008, 25% of the subordinated units (3.7 million units) were converted into common units on a one-for-one basis as provided for under the terms of the partnership agreement and began participating pro rata with the other common units in distributions of available cash commencing with the August 2008 distribution. The price of the Partnership’s units at the time of conversion was $29.07. If the Partnership meets the applicable financial tests in its partnership agreement for any quarter ending on or after March 31, 2009, an additional 3.7 million subordinated units will convert into an equal number of common units.
For the purposes of the net income per unit calculation as defined below, during the first and fourth quarter of 2008, the Partnership incurred a net loss and, consequently, the assumed distributions of net loss resulted in equal distributions of net loss between the subordinated unit holders and common unit holders. During the other two quarters of 2008, net income exceeded the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.4125 per unit and, consequently, the assumed distribution of net income did not result in an unequal distribution of net income between the subordinated unit holders and common unit holders for the purposes of the net income per unit calculation as defined below.
Incentive Distribution Rights
The General Partner is entitled to incentive distributions if the amount the Partnership distributes to unitholders with respect to any quarter exceeds specified target levels shown below:
                 
Quarterly Distribution Target Amount (per unit)   Unitholders     General Partner  
Minimum quarterly distribution of $0.4125
    98 %     2 %
Up to $0.4625
    98 %     2 %
Above $0.4625 up to $0.5375
    85 %     15 %
Above $0.5375 up to $0.65
    75 %     25 %
Above $0.65
    50 %     50 %
During the first and fourth quarter of 2008, net income did not exceed $0.4625 per unit and, consequently, the assumed distributions of net loss did not result in the use of the increasing percentages to calculate the General Partner’s interest in net loss for the purposes of the net loss per unit calculation. During the other two quarters of 2008, the Partnership’s net income exceeded $0.4625 per unit and, consequently, the assumed distribution of net income resulted in the use of the increasing percentages to calculate the General Partner’s interest in net income for the purposes of the net income per unit calculation.
In the event of a liquidation, all property and cash in excess of that required to discharge all liabilities will be distributed to the unitholders and our General Partner in proportion to their capital account balances, as adjusted to reflect any gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of the Partnership’s assets in liquidation in accordance with the partnership agreement.
Net Income (Loss) Per Unit
Net income per unit is determined by dividing net income (loss), after deducting the amount of net income (loss) attributable to the Dropdown Predecessor and the amount of net income (loss) allocated to the General Partner’s interest, by the weighted-average number of units outstanding during the period.
As required by Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 03-6, Participating Securities and Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings Per Share, the General Partner’s, common unitholders’ and subordinated unitholder’s interests in net income are calculated as if all net income was distributed according to the terms of the Partnership’s partnership agreement, regardless of whether those earnings would or could be distributed. The partnership agreement does not provide for the distribution of net income; rather, it provides for the distribution of available cash, which is a contractually defined term that generally means all cash on hand at the end of each quarter after establishment of cash reserves. Unlike available cash, net income is affected by non-cash items, such as depreciation and amortization, unrealized gains or losses on non-designated derivative instruments, and foreign currency translation gains (losses).
Pursuant to the partnership agreement, income allocations are made on a quarterly basis; therefore earnings per limited partner unit for each year is calculated as the sum of the quarterly earnings per limited partner unit for each of the four quarters in the year.
17.  
Income Taxes
As of December 31, 2007, the Partnership had unrecognized tax benefits of 3.4 million Euros (approximately $5.4 million) relating to a re-investment tax credit related to a 2005 annual tax filing. During the third quarter of 2008, the Partnership received the refund on the re-investment tax credit and met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold during the period. As a result, the Partnership has reflected this refund as a credit to equity as the original vessel sale transaction was a related party transaction reflected in equity.

 

F - 25


 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Cont’d)
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)
18.  
Other Information
In December 2007, a consortium in which Teekay Corporation has a 33% ownership interest agreed to charter four newbuilding 160,400-cubic meter LNG carriers for a period of 20 years to the Angola LNG Project, which is being developed by subsidiaries of Chevron Corporation, Sociedade Nacional de Combustiveis de Angola EP, BP Plc, Total S.A. and Eni SpA. The vessels will be chartered at fixed rates, with inflation adjustments, commencing in 2011 upon deliveries of the vessels. Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and NYK Bulkship (Europe) have 34% and 33% ownership interests in the consortium, respectively. In accordance with an existing agreement, Teekay Corporation is required to offer to the Partnership its 33% ownership interest in these vessels and related charter contracts not later than 180 days before delivery of the vessels.
19.  
Subsequent Events
a) On March 30, 2009, the Partnership completed a follow-on public offering of 4.0 million common units at a price of $17.60 per unit, for gross proceeds of approximately $70.4 million. As a result of the offering, the Partnership has raised gross equity proceeds of $71.8 million (including the General Partner’s proportionate capital contribution), and Teekay Corporation’s ownership of the Partnership has been reduced from 57.7% to 53.0% (including its 2% percent general partner interest). The Partnership used the total net proceeds from the offerings of approximately $68.5 million to prepay amounts outstanding on two of its revolving credit facilities.
b) Teekay Corporation currently charters the Kenai LNG Carriers from the Partnership and then charters them out to a joint venture between Marathon Oil Corporation and ConocoPhillips. If this joint venture ceases to charter the Kenai LNG Carriers, Teekay Corporation will have the right to cause the conversion of the carriers to floating units. If converted, Teekay Corporation would initially pay conversion costs and continue to pay the time charter rate, adjusted to reflect the lack of vessel operating expense. Upon delivery of a converted carrier, the Partnership would reimburse Teekay Corporation for the conversion cost, but would receive an increase in the charter rate to account for the capital expenditure to convert the vessel. In addition, because Teekay Corporation is providing at least ten years of stable cash flow to the Partnership, the Partnership has agreed that it will not be required to offer to the Partnership under other existing agreements any re-charter opportunity for the carriers and the Partnership will share in the profits of any future charter or floating unit project in excess of a specified rate of return for the project. The Partnership has granted Teekay Corporation a right of refusal on any sale of the Kenai LNG Carriers to a third party.
On March 12, 2009 Teekay Corporation entered into a joint development and option agreement with Merrill Lynch Commodities, Inc. (MLCI), giving MLCI the option to purchase one of the Kenai LNG Carriers, the Arctic Spirit, for conversion to an LNG floating production, storage and offload unit (FLNG). Because the Partnership charters the Arctic Spirit to Teekay Corporation, Teekay Corporation will continue to pay the Partnership the charter rate while the Arctic Spirit is subject to the option. If MLCI exercises the option and purchases the vessel from the Partnership, the Partnership and Teekay Corporation have the right to participate up to 50% in the conversion and charter project on terms that will be determined as the project progresses. If the option is not exercised, the Partnership will continue to charter the Arctic Spirit to Teekay Corporation on the current terms, and Teekay Corporation’s floating unit conversion rights described above will continue. The agreement with MLCI also provides that if the conversion of the Arctic Spirit to an FLNG proceeds, the Partnership and Teekay Corporation will negotiate, along with an equity investment, a similar option for a designee of MLCI to purchase the second Kenai LNG Carrier, the Polar Spirit, for a specified amount when it comes off charter.
c) During 2009 the Partnership expects to incur restructuring costs of approximately $3 million in connection with the transfer of certain ship management functions from the Partnership’s office in Spain to a subsidiary of Teekay Corporation.

 

F - 26


 

EXHIBIT INDEX
         
  1.1    
Certificate of Limited Partnership of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (1)
  1.2    
First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Teekay LNG Partners L.P., as amended (2)
  1.3    
Certificate of Formation of Teekay GP L.L.C. (1)
  1.4    
Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Teekay GP L.L.C. (3)
  4.2    
Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement (4)
  4.3    
Teekay LNG Partners L.P. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (3)
  4.4    
Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement (5)
  4.5    
Administrative Services Agreement with Teekay Shipping Limited (3)
  4.6    
Advisory, Technical and Administrative Services Agreement (3)
  4.7    
LNG Strategic Consulting and Advisory Services Agreement (3)
  4.10    
Agreement to Purchase Nakilat Interest (3)
  4.11    
Syndicated Loan Agreement between Naviera Teekay Gas III, S.L. (formerly Naviera F. Tapias Gas III, S.A.) and Caixa de Aforros de Vigo Ourense e Pontevedra, as Agent, dated as of October 2, 2000, as amended (3)
  4.15    
Agreement, dated December 7, 2005, for a U.S. $137,500,000 Secured Reducing Revolving Loan Facility Agreement between Asian Spirit L.L.C., African Spirit L.L.C., European Spirit L.L.C., DNB Nor Bank ASA and other banks (6)
  4.16    
Agreement, dated August 23, 2006, for a U.S. $330,000,000 Secured Revolving Loan Facility between Teekay LNG Partners L.P., ING Bank N.V. and other banks (7)
  4.17    
Purchase Agreement, dated November 2005, for the acquisition of Asian Spirit L.L.C., African Spirit L.L.C. and European Spirit L.L.C. (8)
  4.18    
Agreement, dated June 30, 2008, for a U.S. $172,500,000 Secured Revolving Loan Facility between Arctic Spirit L.L.C., Polar Spirit L.L.C and DnB Nor Bank A.S.A. (9)
  8.1    
List of Subsidiaries of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
  12.1    
Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e) Certification of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.’s Chief Executive Officer
  12.2    
Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e) Certification of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.’s Chief Financial Officer
  13.1    
Teekay LNG Partners L.P. Certification of Peter Evensen, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  15.1    
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, as independent registered public accounting firm, for Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and Teekay GP L.L.C.
  15.2    
Consolidated Balance Sheet of Teekay GP L.L.C. (restated)
 
     
(1)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-120727), filed with the SEC on November 24, 2004, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Annual Report.
 
(2)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on August 17, 2006, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.
 
(3)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-120727), filed with the SEC on April 11, 2005, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Registration Statement.
 
(4)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-120727), filed with the SEC on April 21, 2005, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Registration Statement.
 
(5)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on April 19, 2007 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.
 
(6)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on April 14, 2006 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.
 
(7)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Report on Form 6-K (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on December 21, 2006 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.
 
(8)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-129413), filed with the SEC on November 3, 2005, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Registration Statement.
 
(9)  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Report on Form 6-K (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on March 20, 2009 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.