sv3
As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21, 2006
Registration Statement No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
PLAINS ALL AMERICAN PIPELINE, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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76-0582150 |
(State or other jurisdiction
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
of incorporation or organization) |
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333 Clay Street, Suite 1600
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 646-4100
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrants principal executive offices)
Tim Moore
333 Clay Street, Suite 1600
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 646-4100
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
D. Alan Beck, Jr.
David P. Oelman
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
1001 Fannin, Suite 2300
Houston, Texas 77002
Telephone: (713) 758-2222
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after
this registration statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o
If any of the securities being registered on this form are being offered on a delayed or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities
offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: þ
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities
Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a
post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to
General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of
securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed maximum |
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Proposed maximum |
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Title of each class of |
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Amount to be |
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offering price |
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aggregate offering |
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Amount of |
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securities to be registered |
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registered(1) |
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per unit(2) |
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price(2) |
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registration fee |
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Common Units representing
limited partner interests |
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3,117,725 |
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$48.39 |
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$150,866,712.75 |
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$16,142.74 |
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(1) |
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Pursuant to Rule 416(a), the number of common units being registered shall be adjusted to
include any additional common units that may become issuable as a result of any unit
distribution, split, combination or similar transaction. |
(2) |
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Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c)
of the Securities Act on the basis of the average of the high and low sales prices of the
common units reported on the New York Stock Exchange on November 16, 2006. |
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be
necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in
accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement
shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to
said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling
unitholders may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these
securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer
or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT
TO COMPLETION, DATED November 21, 2006
Prospectus
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.
3,117,725 Common Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests
Up to 3,117,725 common units may be offered and sold from time to time by the selling
unitholders named in this prospectus or in any supplement to this prospectus. The selling
unitholders may sell the common units at various times and in various types of transactions,
including sales in the open market, sales in negotiated transactions and sales by a combination of
these methods. The common units covered by this prospectus may be sold at market prices prevailing
at the time or at negotiated prices. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common
units by the selling unitholders.
Our common units trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PAA.
Limited partnerships are inherently different from corporations. You should carefully consider
the risk factors described under Risk Factors beginning on page 1 of this prospectus before you
make any investment in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined whether this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus
supplement and the documents we have incorporated by reference. Neither we nor the selling
unitholders have authorized any other person to give you different information. These securities
are not being offered in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the
information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement
is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents. We will disclose
any material changes in our affairs in an amendment to this prospectus, a prospectus supplement or
a future filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, incorporated by reference in
this prospectus.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the
SEC using a shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration process, the selling
unitholders may, from time to time, sell up to 3,117,725 common units.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of us and the common units that may be
offered by the selling unitholders. In connection with any offer or sale of common units by the
selling unitholders under this prospectus, the selling unitholders are required to provide this
prospectus and, in certain cases, a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information
about the selling unitholders, the terms of the applicable offering and the securities being
offered. The prospectus supplement also may add to, update or change information in this
prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any
prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should
read carefully this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the additional information described
below under the heading Where You Can Find More Information.
As used in this prospectus, we, our and us refer to Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.
and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated or the context requires otherwise.
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WHO WE ARE
We are a Delaware limited partnership formed in September 1998. Our operations are conducted
directly and indirectly through our primary operating subsidiaries, Plains Marketing, L.P., Plains
Pipeline, L.P. and Plains Marketing Canada, L.P. Giving effect to the
Pacific Merger (defined below), we also operate through Pacific
Energy Group LLC and PEG Canada GP LLC. We are engaged in interstate and intrastate crude
oil transportation and crude oil gathering, marketing, terminalling and storage, as well as the
marketing and storage of liquefied petroleum gas and other natural gas related petroleum products.
We own an extensive network of pipeline transportation, terminalling, storage and gathering assets
in key oil producing basins, transportation corridors and at major market hubs in the United States
and Canada. In the third quarter of 2006, we completed an acquisition that represented our initial
entry in to the refined petroleum product transportation business. A
substantial portion of the assets we acquired in the Pacific Merger
will also contribute to that aspect of our business. In addition, through our 50% equity
ownership in PAA/Vulcan Gas Storage, LLC (PAA/Vulcan), we are engaged in the development and
operation of natural gas storage facilities.
On
November 15, 2006, we completed our acquisition of Pacific Energy Partners, L.P. pursuant to an Agreement and
Plan of Merger dated June 11, 2006 (the Pacific
Merger).
Our executive offices are located at 333 Clay Street, Suite 1600, Houston, Texas 77002 and our
telephone number is (713) 646-4100.
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in our 2005 annual report on Form
10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended June 30, 2006 and September 30,
2006, as amended, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, any
prospectus supplement and the documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus in
evaluating an investment in our common units. If any of the described risks actually were to
occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely
affected.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The common units to be offered and sold pursuant to this prospectus will be offered and sold
by the selling unitholders. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common units by
the selling unitholders.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON UNITS
Generally, our common units represent limited partner interests that entitle the holders to
participate in our cash distributions and to exercise the rights and privileges available to
limited partners under our partnership agreement. For a description of the relative rights and
preferences of holders of common units and our general partner in and to cash distributions, see
Cash Distribution Policy.
Our outstanding common units are listed on the NYSE under the symbol PAA. Any additional
common units we issue will also be listed on the NYSE.
The transfer agent and registrar for our common units is American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company.
Meetings/Voting
Unlike the holders of common stock in a corporation, our common unitholders have only
limited voting rights on matters affecting our business. Our common unitholders have no right
to elect our general partner or its directors on an annual or other continuing basis. Our general
partner may not be removed except by the vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding
common units, including units owned by the general partner and its affiliates. Each holder of
common units is entitled to one vote for each common unit on any matters submitted to a vote of the
unitholders.
Status as Limited Partner or Assignee
Except as described below under Limited Liability, the common units will be fully paid,
and unitholders will not be required to make additional capital contributions to us.
Each purchaser of common units offered by this prospectus must execute a transfer application
whereby the purchaser requests admission as a substituted limited partner and makes representations
and agrees to provisions stated in the transfer application. If this action is not taken, a
purchaser will not be registered as a record holder of common units on the books of our transfer
agent or issued a common unit certificate. Purchasers may hold common units in nominee accounts.
An assignee, pending its admission as a substituted limited partner, is entitled to an
interest in us equivalent to that of a limited partner with respect to the right to share in
allocations and distributions, including liquidating distributions. Our general partner will vote
and exercise other powers attributable to common units owned by an assignee who has not become a
substituted limited partner at the written direction of the assignee. A nominee or broker who has
executed a transfer application with respect to common units held in street name or nominee
accounts will receive distributions and reports pertaining to its common units.
Limited Liability
Assuming that a limited partner does not participate in the control of our business within the
meaning of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the Delaware Act) and that he
otherwise acts in conformity with the provisions of our partnership agreement, his liability under
the Delaware Act will be limited, subject to some possible exceptions, generally to the amount of
capital he is obligated to contribute to us in respect of his units plus his share of any
undistributed profits and assets.
Under the Delaware Act, a limited partnership may not make a distribution to a partner to the
extent that at the time of the distribution, after giving effect to the distribution, all
liabilities of the partnership, other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership
interests and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specific property of
the partnership, exceed the fair value of the assets of the limited partnership. For the purposes
of determining the fair value of the assets of a limited partnership, the Delaware Act provides
that the fair value of the property, subject to liability of which recourse of creditors is
limited, shall be included in the assets of the limited partnership only to the extent that the
fair value of that property exceeds the nonrecourse liability. The Delaware Act provides that a
limited partner who receives a distribution and knew at the time of the distribution that the
distribution was in violation of the Delaware Act is liable to the limited partnership for the
amount of the distribution for three years from the date of the distribution.
2
Reports and Records
As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 120 days after the close of each fiscal
year, our general partner will furnish or make available to each unitholder of record (as of a
record date selected by our general partner) an annual report containing our audited financial
statements for the past fiscal year. These financial statements will be prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, no later than 45 days after the close of
each quarter (except the fourth quarter), our general partner will furnish or make available to
each unitholder of record (as of a record date selected by our general partner) a report containing
our unaudited financial statements and any other information required by law.
Our general partner will use all reasonable efforts to furnish each unitholder of record
information reasonably required for tax reporting purposes within 90 days after the close of each
fiscal year. Our general partners ability to furnish this summary tax information will depend on
the cooperation of unitholders in supplying information to our general partner. Each unitholder
will receive information to assist him in determining his U.S. federal and state and Canadian
federal and provincial tax liability and filing his U.S. federal and state and Canadian federal and
provincial income tax returns.
A limited partner can, for a purpose reasonably related to the limited partners interest as a
limited partner, upon reasonable demand and at his own expense, have furnished to him:
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a current list of the name and last known address of each partner; |
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a copy of our tax returns; |
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information as to the amount of cash and a description and statement of the agreed value
of any other property or services, contributed or to be contributed by each partner and the
date on which each became a partner; |
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copies of our partnership agreement, our certificate of limited partnership, amendments
to either of them and powers of attorney which have been executed under our partnership
agreement; |
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information regarding the status of our business and financial condition; and |
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any other information regarding our affairs as is just and reasonable. |
Our general partner may, and intends to, keep confidential from the limited partners trade
secrets and other information the disclosure of which our general partner believes in good faith is
not in our best interest or which we are required by law or by agreements with third parties to
keep confidential.
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CASH DISTRIBUTION POLICY
Distributions of Available Cash
General. We will distribute to our unitholders, on a quarterly basis, all of our available
cash in the manner described below.
Definition of Available Cash. Available cash generally means, for any quarter ending prior to
liquidation, all cash on hand at the end of that quarter less the
amount of cash reserves that is
necessary or appropriate in the reasonable discretion of the general partner to:
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provide for the proper conduct of our business; |
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comply with applicable law or any partnership debt instrument or other agreement; or |
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provide funds for distributions to unitholders and the general partner in respect of any
one or more of the next four quarters. |
Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus
General. Cash distributions to our unitholders will be characterized as either operating
surplus or capital surplus. We distribute available cash from operating surplus differently than
available cash from capital surplus. See Quarterly Distributions of Available Cash.
Definition of Operating Surplus. Operating surplus refers generally to:
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our cash balances on the closing date of our initial public offering; plus |
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$25 million; plus |
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all of our cash receipts from operations, excluding cash that is capital surplus; less |
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all of our operating expenses, debt service payments, but not including payments
required with the sale of assets or any refinancing with the proceeds of new indebtedness
or an equity offering, maintenance capital expenditures and reserves established for future
operations. |
Definition of Capital Surplus. Capital surplus will generally be generated only by:
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borrowings other than working capital borrowings; |
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sales of debt and equity securities; and |
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sales or other dispositions of assets for cash, other than inventory, accounts
receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business. |
We will treat all available cash distributed as coming from operating surplus until the sum of
all available cash distributed since we began equals the operating surplus as of the end of the
quarter prior to the distribution. Any available cash in excess of operating surplus, regardless of
its source, will be treated as capital surplus.
If we distribute available cash from capital surplus for each common unit in an aggregate
amount per common unit equal to the initial public offering price of the common units, there will
not be a distinction between operating surplus and capital surplus, and all distributions of
available cash will be treated as operating surplus. We do not anticipate that we will make
distributions from capital surplus.
4
Effect of Issuance of Additional Units
We can issue additional common units or other equity securities for consideration and under
terms and conditions approved by our general partner in its sole discretion and without the
approval of our unitholders. We may fund acquisitions through the issuance of additional common
units or other equity securities.
Holders of any additional common units that we issue will be entitled to share equally with
our then-existing unitholders in distributions of available cash. In addition, the issuance of
additional interests may dilute the value of the interests of the then-existing unitholders. If we
issue additional partnership interests, our general partner will be required to make an additional
capital contribution to us.
Quarterly Distributions of Available Cash
We will make quarterly distributions to our partners prior to our liquidation in an amount
equal to 100% of our available cash for that quarter. We expect to make distributions of all
available cash within approximately 45 days after the end of each quarter to holders of record on
the applicable record date. The minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels
are also subject to certain other adjustments as described below under Distributions from
Capital Surplus and Adjustment to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution
Levels.
Distributions From Operating Surplus
We will make distributions of available cash from operating surplus in the following manner:
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First, 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner, until we
distribute for each unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that
quarter; and |
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Thereafter, in the manner described in Incentive
Distribution Rights below. |
Incentive Distribution Rights
For any quarter that we distribute available cash from operating surplus to the common
unitholders in an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution on all units, we will
distribute any additional available cash from operating surplus in that quarter among the
unitholders and the general partner in the following manner:
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First, 85% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15% to the general partner, until each
unitholder receives a total of $0.495 for that quarter for each outstanding unit (the
first target distribution); |
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Second, 75% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25% to the general partner, until each
unitholder receives a total of $0.675 for that quarter for each outstanding unit (the
second target distribution); and |
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Thereafter, 50% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 50% to the general partner. |
The incentive distribution rights represent the right to receive an increasing percentage of
quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after the minimum quarterly
distribution and the target distribution levels have been achieved.
Any distributions to the general partner (other than in its capacity
as a holder of
units) that are in excess of its aggregate 2% general partner interest represent the incentive
distribution rights. The right to receive incentive distribution rights is not part of its general
partner interest and may be transferred separately from that interest, subject to certain
restrictions.
Upon
closing of the Pacific Merger, our general partner has agreed to reduce the amounts due it as
incentive distributions commencing with the earlier to occur of (i) the payment date of the first
quarterly distribution declared and paid after the closing date that equals or exceeds $0.80 per
unit or (ii) the payment date of the second quarterly distribution declared and paid after the
closing date. Such adjustment shall be as follows: (i) $5 million per quarter for the first four
quarters, (ii) $3.75 million per quarter for the next eight quarters, (iii) $2.5 million per
quarter for the next four quarters, and (iv) $1.25 million per quarter for the final four quarters.
The total reduction in incentive distributions will be $65 million.
5
Distributions from Capital Surplus
How Distributions from Capital Surplus Will Be Made. We will make distributions of available
cash from capital surplus in the following manner:
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First, 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner, until we
distribute, for each common unit issued in our initial public offering, available cash from
capital surplus in an aggregate amount per common unit equal to the initial public offering
price; and |
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Thereafter, we will make all distributions of available cash from capital surplus as if
they were from operating surplus. |
Effect of a Distribution from Capital Surplus. Our partnership agreement treats a
distribution of available cash from capital surplus as the repayment of the initial public offering
price per unit. To show that repayment, the minimum quarterly distribution and the target
distribution levels will be reduced by multiplying each amount by a fraction, the numerator of
which is the unrecovered capital of the common units immediately after giving effect to that
repayment and the denominator of which is the unrecovered capital of the common units immediately
prior to that repayment.
When
Payback Occurs. When payback of the reduced initial
unit price has occurred (that is,
when the unrecovered capital of the common units is zero) then:
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the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels will be reduced to
zero for subsequent quarters; |
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all distributions of available cash will be treated as operating surplus; and |
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the general partner will be entitled to receive 50% of distributions of available cash
in its capacities as general partner and as holder of the incentive distribution rights. |
Distributions of available cash from capital surplus will not reduce the minimum quarterly
distribution or target distribution levels for the quarter in which they are distributed.
Adjustment to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels
How We Adjust the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels. In addition
to adjusting the minimum quarterly distribution and target distribution levels to reflect a
distribution of capital surplus, if we combine our units into fewer units or subdivide our units
into a greater number of units (but not if we issue additional common units for cash or property),
we will proportionately adjust:
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the minimum quarterly distribution; |
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the target distribution levels; |
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the unrecovered capital; and |
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other amounts calculated on a per unit basis. |
For example, in the event of a two-for-one split of the common units (assuming no prior
adjustments), the minimum quarterly distribution, each of the target distribution levels and the
unrecovered capital of the common units would each be reduced to 50% of its initial level.
If We Became Subject to Taxation. If legislation is enacted or if existing law is modified or
interpreted by the relevant governmental authority so that we become taxable as a corporation or
otherwise subject to taxation as an entity for federal, state or local income tax purposes, we will
adjust the minimum quarterly distribution and each of the target distribution levels, respectively,
to equal the product obtained by multiplying the amount thereof by:
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one minus the sum of (x) the maximum effective federal income tax rate to which we as an
entity were subject plus (y) any increase in state and local income taxes to which we are
subject for the taxable year of the event, after adjusting for any allowable deductions for
federal income tax purposes for the payment of state and local income taxes. |
For example, assuming we were not previously subject to state and local income tax, if we
became taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes and became subject to a maximum
marginal federal, and effective state and local, income tax rate of 38%, then the minimum quarterly
distribution and the target distribution levels would each be reduced to 62% of the amount
immediately prior to that adjustment.
Distribution of Cash Upon Liquidation
General. If we dissolve and liquidate, we will sell our assets or otherwise dispose of our
assets and we will adjust the partners capital account balances to show any resulting gain or
loss. We will first apply the proceeds of liquidation to the payment of our creditors in the order
of priority provided in our partnership agreement and by law and, thereafter, distribute to the
unitholders and the general partner in accordance with their adjusted capital account balances.
Manner of Adjustment. If we liquidate, we would allocate any loss to the general partner and
each unitholder as follows:
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First, 98% to the holders of common units who have positive balances in their capital
accounts in proportion to those positive balances and 2% to the general partner, until the
capital accounts of the common unitholders have been reduced to zero; and |
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Thereafter, 100% to the general partner. |
Interim Adjustments to Capital Accounts. If we issued additional security interests or made
distributions of property, interim adjustments to capital accounts would also be made. These
adjustments would be based on the fair market value of the interests or the property distributed
and any gain or loss would be allocated to the unitholders and the general partner in the same way
that a gain or loss is allocated upon liquidation. If positive interim adjustments are made to the
capital accounts, any subsequent negative adjustments to the capital accounts resulting from our
issuance of additional interests, distributions of property, or upon our liquidation, would be
allocated in a way that results, to the extent possible, in the capital account balances of the general
partner equaling the amount which would have been the general partners capital account balances if
no prior positive adjustments to the capital accounts had been made.
7
DESCRIPTION OF OUR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of the material provisions of our partnership agreement. The
following provisions of our partnership agreement are summarized elsewhere in this prospectus:
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distributions of our available cash are described under Cash Distribution Policy; |
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allocations of taxable income and other tax matters are
described under Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences; and |
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rights of holders of common units are described under
Description of the Common Units. |
Purpose
Our purpose under our partnership agreement is to serve as a partner of our operating
partnerships and to engage in any business activities that may be engaged in by our operating
partnerships or that are approved by our general partner. The partnership agreements of our
operating partnerships provide that they may engage in any activity that was engaged in by our
predecessors at the time of our initial public offering or reasonably related thereto and any other
activity approved by our general partner.
Power of Attorney
Each limited partner, and each person who acquires a unit from a unitholder and executes and
delivers a transfer application, grants to our general partner and (if appointed) a liquidator, a
power of attorney to, among other things, execute and file documents required for our
qualification, continuance or dissolution. The power of attorney also grants the authority for the
amendment of, and to make consents and waivers under, our partnership agreement.
Reimbursements of Our General Partner
Our general partner does not receive any compensation for its services as our general partner.
It is, however, entitled to be reimbursed for all of its costs incurred in managing and operating
our business. Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner will determine the
expenses that are allocable to us in any reasonable manner determined by our general partner in its
sole discretion.
Issuance of Additional Securities
Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional limited
partner interests and other equity securities that are equal in rank with, or junior to, our common
units on terms and conditions established by our general partner in its sole discretion without the
approval of any limited partners.
It is likely that we will fund acquisitions through the issuance of additional common units or
other equity securities. Holders of any additional common units we
issue will be entitled to share in our cash distributions
equally with the then-existing holders of common units. In addition, the
issuance of additional partnership interests may dilute the value of the interests of the
then-existing holders of common units in our net assets.
In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also
issue additional partnership interests that, in the sole discretion of our general partner, may
have special voting rights to which common units are not entitled.
Our general partner has the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part
to any of its affiliates, to purchase common units or other equity securities whenever, and on the
same terms that, we issue those securities to persons other than our general partner and its
affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain its percentage interests in us that existed
immediately prior to the issuance. The holders of common units will not have preemptive rights to
acquire additional common units or other partnership interests in us.
8
Amendments to Our Partnership Agreement
Amendments to our partnership agreement may be proposed only by our general partner. Any
amendment that materially and adversely affects the rights or preferences of any type or class of
limited partner interests in relation to other types or classes of limited partner interests or our
general partner interest will require the approval of at least a majority of the type or class of
limited partner interests or general partner interests so affected. However, in some circumstances,
more particularly described in our partnership agreement, our general partner may make amendments
to our partnership agreement without the approval of our limited partners or assignees.
Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner
Our general partner has agreed not to withdraw voluntarily as our general partner prior to
December 31, 2008 without obtaining the approval of the holders of a majority of our outstanding
common units, excluding those held by our general partner and its affiliates, and furnishing an
opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. On or after December 31, 2008, our
general partner may withdraw as general partner without first obtaining approval of any unitholder
by giving 90 days written notice, and that withdrawal will not constitute a violation of our
partnership agreement. In addition, our general partner may withdraw without unitholder approval
upon 90 days notice to our limited partners if at least 50% of our outstanding common units are
held or controlled by one person and its affiliates other than our general partner and its
affiliates.
Upon the voluntary withdrawal of our general partner, the holders of a majority of our
outstanding common units, excluding the common units held by the withdrawing general partner and
its affiliates, may elect a successor to the withdrawing general partner. If a successor is not
elected, or is elected but an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters cannot
be obtained, we will be dissolved, wound up and liquidated, unless within 90 days after that
withdrawal, the holders of a majority of our outstanding units, excluding the common units held by
the withdrawing general partner and its affiliates, agree to continue our business and to appoint a
successor general partner.
Our general partner may not be removed unless that removal is approved by the vote of the
holders of not less than two-thirds of our outstanding units, including units held by our general
partner and its affiliates, and we receive an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and
tax matters. Any removal of this kind is also subject to the approval of a successor general
partner by the vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding common units, including those
held by our general partner and its affiliates.
While our partnership agreement limits the ability of our general partner to withdraw, it
allows the general partner interest and incentive distribution rights to be transferred to an
affiliate or to a third party in conjunction with a merger or sale of all or substantially all of
the assets of our general partner.
In addition, our partnership agreement expressly permits the sale, in whole or in part, of the
ownership of our general partner. Our general partner may also transfer, in whole or in part, the
common units it owns.
Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds
Upon our dissolution, unless we are reconstituted and continued as a new limited partnership,
the person authorized to wind up our affairs (the liquidator) will, acting with all the powers of
our general partner that the liquidator deems necessary or desirable in its good faith judgment,
liquidate our assets. The proceeds of the liquidation will be applied as follows:
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first, towards the payment of all of our creditors and the creation of a reserve for
contingent liabilities; and |
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then, to all partners in accordance with the positive balance in the respective capital
accounts. |
Under some circumstances and subject to some limitations, the liquidator may defer liquidation
or distribution of our assets for a reasonable period of time. If the liquidator determines that a
sale would be impractical or would cause a loss to our partners, our general partner may distribute
assets in kind to our partners.
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Change of Management Provisions
Our partnership agreement contains the following specific provisions that are intended to
discourage a person or group from attempting to remove our general partner or otherwise change
management:
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generally, if a person acquires 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding other
than from our general partner or its affiliates, the units owned by such person cannot be
voted on any matter; and |
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provisions limiting the ability of unitholders to call meetings or to acquire
information about our operations, as well as other provisions limiting the unitholders
ability to influence the manner or direction of management. |
Limited Call Right
If at any time our general partner and its affiliates own 80% or more of the issued and
outstanding limited partner interests of any class, our general partner will have the right to
purchase all, but not less than all, of the outstanding limited partner interests of that class
that are held by non-affiliated persons. The record date for determining ownership of the limited
partner interests would be selected by our general partner on at least 10 but not more than 60
days notice. The purchase price in the event of a purchase under these provisions would be the
greater of (1) the current market price (as defined in our agreement) of the limited partner
interests of the class as of the date three days prior to the date that notice is mailed to the
limited partners as provided in our partnership agreement and (2) the highest cash price paid by
our general partner or any of its affiliates for any limited partner interest of the class
purchased within the 90 days preceding the date our general partner mails notice of its election to
purchase the units.
Indemnification
Under our partnership agreement, in most circumstances, we will indemnify our general partner,
its affiliates and their officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and
against all losses, claims or damages any of them may suffer by reason of their status as general
partner, officer or director, as long as the person seeking indemnity acted in good faith and in a
manner reasonably believed to be in, or (in the case of an indemnitee other than the general
partner) not opposed to, our best interest. Any indemnification under these provisions will only be
out of our assets. Our general partner will not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to
contribute or loan funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate any indemnification. We are
authorized to purchase insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by
persons for our activities, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person
against liabilities under our partnership agreement.
Registration Rights
Under our partnership agreement, we have agreed to register for resale under the Securities
Act and applicable state securities laws any common units, or other partnership securities proposed
to be sold by our general partner or any of its affiliates or their assignees if an exemption from
the registration requirements is not otherwise available. We are obligated to pay all expenses
incidental to the registration, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions.
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
This section is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be
relevant to prospective unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States
and, unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, is the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.,
counsel to our general partner and us, insofar as it relates to legal conclusions with respect to
matters of United States federal income tax law. This section is based upon current provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code, existing and proposed regulations and current administrative rulings and
court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Later changes in these authorities may cause
the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below.
The following discussion does not comment on all federal income tax matters affecting us or
our unitholders. Moreover, the discussion focuses on unitholders who are individual citizens or
residents of the United States and has only limited application to corporations, estates, trusts,
nonresident aliens or other unitholders subject to specialized tax treatment, such as tax-exempt
institutions, foreign persons, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), real estate investment trusts
(REITs) or mutual funds. Accordingly, we urge each prospective unitholder to consult, and depend
on, his own tax advisor in analyzing the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences
particular to him of the ownership or disposition of common units.
All statements as to matters of law and legal conclusions, but not as to factual matters,
contained in this section, unless otherwise noted, are the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. and
are based on the accuracy of the representations made by us.
No ruling has been or will be requested from the IRS regarding any matter affecting us or
prospective unitholders. Instead, we will rely on opinions of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. Unlike a
ruling, an opinion of counsel represents only that counsels best legal judgment and does not bind
the IRS or the courts. Accordingly, the opinions and statements made
herein may not be sustained by a
court if contested by the IRS. Any contest of this sort with the IRS may materially and adversely
impact the market for the common units and the prices at which common units trade. In addition, the
costs of any contest with the IRS, principally legal, accounting and related fees, will result in a
reduction in cash available for distribution to our unitholders and our general partner and thus
will be borne directly or indirectly by our unitholders and our general partner. Furthermore, the
tax treatment of us, or an investment in us, may be significantly modified by future legislative or
administrative changes or court decisions. Any modifications may or may not be retroactively
applied.
For the reasons described below, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion with
respect to the following specific federal income tax issues:
(1) the treatment of a unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a
short sale of common units (please read Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipTreatment of Short
Sales);
(2) whether our monthly convention for allocating taxable income and losses is permitted by
existing Treasury Regulations (please read Disposition of Common UnitsAllocations Between
Transferors and Transferees); and
(3) whether our method for depreciating Section 743 adjustments is sustainable in certain
cases (please read Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipSection 754 Election).
Partnership Status
A partnership is not a taxable entity and incurs no federal income tax liability. Instead,
each partner of a partnership is required to take into account his share of items of income, gain,
loss and deduction of the partnership in computing his federal income tax liability, regardless of
whether cash distributions are made to him by the partnership. Distributions by a partnership to a
partner are generally not taxable unless the amount of cash distributed is in excess of the
partners adjusted basis in his partnership interest.
No
ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS (and the IRS has made
no determination) as to
our status or the status of the operating partnerships as partnerships for federal income tax
purposes, nor as to whether our operations generate qualifying income under Section 7704 of the Code.
Instead, we will rely on the opinion of Vinson &
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Elkins L.L.P. on such matters. Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is of the opinion that, based upon the
Internal Revenue Code, regulations thereunder, published revenue rulings and court decisions and the
representations described below, we and the operating partnerships will be classified as a
partnership for federal income tax purposes.
In rendering its opinion, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has relied on factual representations made by
us and the general partner. The representations made by us and our general partner upon which
counsel has relied are:
(a) neither we nor the operating entities will elect to be treated as a corporation;
(b) for each taxable year, more than 90% of our gross income will be income from sources that
our counsel has opined or will opine is qualifying income within the meaning of Section 7704(d)
of the Internal Revenue Code.
Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that publicly-traded partnerships will, as
a general rule, be taxed as corporations. However, an exception, referred to as the Qualifying
Income Exception, exists with respect to publicly-traded partnerships of which 90% or more of the
gross income for every taxable year consists of qualifying income. Qualifying income includes
income and gains derived from the transportation and marketing of crude oil, natural gas and
products thereof. 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 income that otherwise constitutes
qualifying income. We estimate that less than 4% of our current gross income is not qualifying
income; however, this estimate could change from time to time. Based upon and subject to this
estimate, the factual representations made by us and our general partner and a review of the
applicable legal authorities, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is of the opinion that at least 90% of our
current gross income constitutes qualifying income.
If we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, 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 if we had transferred all of our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed
corporation, on the first day of the year in which we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception,
in return for stock in that corporation, and then distributed that stock to the unitholders in
liquidation of their interests in us. This contribution and liquidation should be tax-free to
unitholders and us so long as we, at that time, do not have liabilities in excess of the tax basis
of our assets. Thereafter, we would be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes.
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 and deduction
would be reflected only on our tax return rather than being passed through to our unitholders, and
our net income would be taxed to us at corporate rates. In addition, any distribution made to a
unitholder would be treated as either taxable dividend income, to the extent of our current or
accumulated earnings and profits, or, in the absence of earnings and profits, a nontaxable return
of capital, to the extent of the unitholders tax basis in his common units, or taxable capital
gain, after the unitholders tax basis in his common units is reduced to zero. Accordingly,
taxation as a corporation would result in a material reduction in a unitholders cash flow and
after-tax return and thus would likely result in a substantial reduction of the value of the units.
The discussion below is based on the Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. opinion that we will be classified
as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
Limited Partner Status
Unitholders who have become limited partners of Plains All American Pipeline will be treated
as partners of Plains All American Pipeline for federal income tax purposes. Also:
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assignees who have executed and delivered transfer applications, and are awaiting
admission as limited partners and |
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unitholders whose common units are held in street name or by a nominee and who have the
right to direct the nominee in the exercise of all substantive rights attendant to the
ownership of their common units |
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will be treated as partners of Plains All American Pipeline for federal income tax purposes. As
there is no direct or indirect controlling authority addressing assignees of common units who are
entitled to execute and deliver transfer applications and thereby become entitled to direct the
exercise of attendant rights, but who fail to execute and deliver transfer applications, Vinson &
Elkins L.L.P.s opinion does not extend to these persons. Furthermore, a purchaser or other
transferee of common units who does not execute and deliver a transfer application may not receive
some federal income tax information or reports furnished to record holders of common units unless
the common units are held in a nominee or street name account and the nominee or broker has
executed and delivered a transfer application for those common units.
A beneficial owner of common units whose units have been transferred to a short seller to
complete a short sale would appear to lose his status as a partner with respect to those units for
federal income tax purposes. Please read Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipTreatment of Short
Sales.
Income, gain, deductions or losses would not appear to be reportable by a unitholder who is
not a partner for federal income tax purposes, and any cash distributions received by a unitholder
who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes would therefore appear to be fully taxable as
ordinary income. These holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to their
status as partners in Plains All American Pipeline for federal income tax purposes.
Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership
Flow-Through of Taxable Income. We will not pay any federal income tax. Instead, each
unitholder will be required to report on his income tax return his share of our income, gains,
losses and deductions without regard to whether we make cash distributions to him. Consequently, we
may allocate income to a unitholder even if he has not received a cash distribution. Each
unitholder will be required to include in income his allocable share of our income, gains, losses
and deductions for our taxable year ending with or within his taxable year. Our taxable year ends
on December 31.
Treatment of Distributions. Distributions by us to a unitholder generally will not be taxable
to the unitholder for federal income tax purposes except to the extent the amount of any such cash
distribution exceeds his tax basis in his common units immediately before the distribution. Our
cash distributions in excess of a unitholders tax basis generally will be considered to be gain
from the sale or exchange of the common units, taxable in accordance with the rules described under
"Disposition of Common Units below. Any reduction in a unitholders 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. To the
extent our distributions cause a unitholders at risk amount to be less than zero at the end of
any taxable year, he must recapture any losses deducted in previous years. Please read
"Limitations on Deductibility of Losses.
A decrease in a unitholders 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. 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 unitholders share of our unrealized receivables, including depreciation
recapture, and/or substantially appreciated inventory items, both as defined in Section 751 of
the Internal Revenue Code, and 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 unitholders realization of
ordinary income. That income will equal the excess of (1) the non-pro rata portion of that
distribution over (2) the unitholders tax basis for the share of Section 751 Assets deemed
relinquished in the exchange.
Basis of Common Units. A unitholders initial 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
unitholders 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 unitholderwill have no share of our debt that is recourse to our
general partner, but will
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have a share, generally based on his share of profits, of our nonrecourse liabilities. Please
read Disposition of Common UnitsRecognition of Gain or Loss.
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 unitholders 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 loss above
that gain previously suspended by the at risk or basis limitations 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. A unitholders at risk amount will increase or decrease as the tax basis of the
unitholders units increases or decreases, other than tax basis increases or decreases attributable
to increases or decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities.
The passive loss limitations generally provide that individuals, estates, trusts and some
closely-held corporations and personal service corporations can deduct losses from passive
activities, which are generally activities in which the taxpayer does not materially participate,
only to the extent of the taxpayers income from those passive activities. The passive loss
limitations are applied separately with respect to each publicly-traded partnership. Consequently,
any passive losses we generate will only 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 unitholders 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.
A unitholders share of our net income may be offset by any of our suspended passive losses,
but it may not be offset by any other current or carryover losses from other passive activities,
including those attributable to other publicly-traded partnerships.
Limitations on Interest Deductions. The deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayers
investment interest expense is generally limited to the amount of that taxpayers net investment
income. Investment interest expense includes:
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interest on indebtedness properly allocable to property held for investment; |
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our interest expense attributed to portfolio income; and |
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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 unitholders 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 unitholders share of our portfolio income will be treated as
investment income.
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Entity-Level Collections. If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any
federal, state, local, or foreign income tax on behalf of any unitholder or our general partner or
any former unitholder, we are authorized to pay those taxes from our funds. That payment, if made,
will be treated as a distribution of cash to the unitholder 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 our
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 our
partnership agreement is 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 unitholder in which event the
unitholder would be required to file a claim in order to obtain a credit or refund.
Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction. In general, if we have a net profit, our
items of income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated among our general partner and the
unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us. At any time that 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 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 our general
partner.
Specified items of our income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated to account for the
difference between the tax basis and fair market value of property contributed to us by our general
partner and its affiliates, referred to in this discussion as Contributed Property, and to
account for the difference between the fair market value of our assets and their carrying value on
our books at the time of an offering. The effect of these allocations to a unitholder purchasing
common units in the offering will be essentially 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 unitholder 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 or deduction, other than an allocation
required by the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the difference between a partners book
capital account, credited with the fair market value of Contributed Property, and tax capital
account, credited with the tax basis of Contributed Property referred to in this discussion as the
Book-Tax Disparity, will generally be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining
a partners share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction only if the allocation has
substantial economic effect. In any other case, a partners share of an item will be determined on
the basis of the partners interest in us, which will be determined by taking into account all the
facts and circumstances, including the partners relative contributions to us, the interests of all
the partners in profits and losses, the interest of all the partners in cash flow and other
nonliquidating distributions and rights of the partners to distributions of capital upon
liquidation.
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is of the opinion that, with the exception of the issues described in
"Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipSection 754 Election and Disposition of Common
UnitsAllocations Between Transferors and Transferees, respectively, allocations under our
partnership agreement will be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a
partners share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction.
Treatment of Short Sales. A unitholder whose units are loaned to a short seller to cover a
short sale of units may be considered as having disposed of those units. If so, he would no longer
be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan
and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition. As a result, during this period:
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any of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those units would not be
reportable by the unitholder; |
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any cash distributions received by the unitholder as to those units would be fully taxable; and |
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all of these distributions would appear to be ordinary income. |
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Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion regarding the treatment of a unitholder
where common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common units; therefore,
unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from
a loan to a short seller are urged to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to
prohibit their brokers from loaning their units. The IRS has announced that it is actively studying
issues relating to the tax treatment of short sales of partnership interests. Please read
Disposition of Common UnitsRecognition of Gain or Loss.
Alternative Minimum Tax. Although it is not expected that we will generate significant tax
preference items or adjustments, each unitholder will be required to take into account his
distributive share of any items of our income, gain, loss or deduction for purposes of the
alternative minimum tax. The current minimum tax rate for noncorporate taxpayers is 26% on the
first $175,000 of alternative minimum taxable income in excess of the exemption amount and 28% on
any additional alternative minimum taxable income. Prospective unitholders are urged to consult
with their tax advisors as to the impact of an investment in units on their liability for the
alternative minimum tax.
Tax Rates. In general the highest effective United States federal income tax rate for
individuals currently is 35% and the maximum United States federal income tax rate for net capital
gains of an individual currently is 15% if the asset disposed of was held for more than twelve
months at the time of disposition.
Section 754 Election. We have made the election permitted by Section 754 of the Internal
Revenue Code. That election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS. The election will
generally permit us to adjust a common unit purchasers tax basis in our assets (inside basis)
under Section 743(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to reflect his purchase price. This election does
not apply to a person who purchases common units directly from us. The Section 743(b) adjustment
belongs to the purchaser and not to other unitholders. For purposes of this discussion, a partners
inside basis in our assets will be considered to have two components: (1) his share of our tax
basis in our assets (common basis) and (2) his Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis.
Where the remedial allocation method is adopted (which we have adopted), the Treasury
Regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code require a portion of the Section 743(b)
adjustment that is attributable to recovery property to be depreciated over the remaining cost
recovery period for the Section 704(c) built-in gain. Under Treasury Regulation Section
1.167(c)-l(a)(6), a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to property subject to depreciation
under Section 167 of the Internal Revenue Code rather than cost recovery deductions under Section
168 is generally required to be depreciated using either the straight-line method or the 150%
declining balance method. Under our partnership agreement, our general partner is authorized to
take a position to preserve the uniformity of units even if that position is not consistent with
these Treasury Regulations. Please read Tax Treatment of Operations and Uniformity of
Units.
Although Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is unable to opine as to the validity of this approach because
there is no direct or indirect controlling authority on this issue, we intend to depreciate the
portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of
Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of
depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life
applied to the common basis of the property, or treat that portion as non-amortizable to the extent
attributable to property the common basis of which is not amortizable. This method is consistent
with the methods employed by other publicly traded partnerships and is consistent with the
regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code but is arguably inconsistent with
Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material
portion of our assets. To the extent this Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation
in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the
Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably
be taken, we may take a depreciation or amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring
units in the same month would receive depreciation or amortization, whether attributable to common
basis or a Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased
a direct interest in our assets. This kind of aggregate approach may result in lower annual
depreciation or amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders.
Please read Uniformity of Units.
A Section 754 election is advantageous if the transferees 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 election, the transferee would have, among other items, a greater
amount of depreciation and depletion deductions and his share of any gain or loss on a sale of our
assets would be less. Conversely, a Section 754 election is disadvantageous if the
16
transferees tax basis in his units is lower than those units share of the aggregate tax
basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. Thus, the fair market value of the units may
be affected either favorably or unfavorably by the election. A basis adjustment is required
regardless of whether a Section 754 election is made in the case of a transfer of 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 754 election are complex and will be made on the
basis of assumptions as to the value of our assets and other matters. The determinations we make
may be successfully challenged by the IRS and the deductions resulting from them may be reduced or
disallowed altogether. For example, the allocation of the Section 743(b) adjustment among our
assets must be made in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS could seek to reallocate
some or all of any Section 743(b) adjustment allocated by us to our tangible assets to goodwill
instead. Goodwill, as an intangible asset, is generally amortizable over a longer period of time or
under a less accelerated method than our tangible assets. Should the IRS require a different basis
adjustment to be made, and should, in our opinion, the expense of compliance exceed the benefit of
the election, we may seek permission from the IRS to revoke our Section 754 election. If permission
is granted, 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 federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be
required to include in income his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable
year ending within or with his taxable year. In addition, 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 our income,
gain, loss and deduction in income for his taxable year, with the result that he will be required
to include in income for his taxable year his share of more than one year of our income, gain, loss
and deduction. Please read Disposition of Common UnitsAllocations Between Transferors and
Transferees.
Initial 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 federal income tax burden associated with the difference
between the fair market value of our assets and their tax basis immediately prior to this offering
will be borne by partners holding interests in us prior to this offering. Please read Tax
Consequences of Unit OwnershipAllocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction.
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. We are not entitled to any amortization deductions with respect to any goodwill conveyed
to us on formation. Property we subsequently acquire or construct may be depreciated using
accelerated methods 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 will likely be required to recapture some or all of those deductions as
ordinary income upon a sale of his interest in us. Please read Tax Consequences of Unit
OwnershipAllocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction and Disposition of Common
UnitsRecognition of Gain or Loss.
The costs incurred in selling our units (called syndication expenses) must be capitalized
and cannot be deducted currently, ratably or upon our termination. There are uncertainties
regarding the classification of costs as organization expenses, which may be amortized by us, and
as syndication expenses, which may not be amortized by us. The underwriting discounts and
commissions we incur will be treated as syndication expenses.
Valuation and Tax Basis of Our Properties. The 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 initial tax bases, of our assets. 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
17
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 or deductions previously reported by unitholders might change, and unitholders
might be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and may incur interest and
penalties with respect to those adjustments.
Disposition of Common Units
Recognition of Gain or Loss. Gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of units equal to the
difference between the amount realized and the unitholders tax basis for the units sold. A
unitholders amount realized will be measured by the sum of the cash or the fair market value of
other property received by him plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. Because the amount
realized includes a unitholders share of our nonrecourse liabilities, the gain recognized on the
sale of units could result in a tax liability in excess of any cash received from the sale.
Prior distributions from us in excess of cumulative net taxable income for a common unit that
decreased a unitholders tax basis in that common unit will, in effect, become taxable income if
the common unit is sold at a price greater than the unitholders 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, other than a dealer in
units, on the sale or exchange of a unit held for more than one year will generally be taxable as
capital gain or loss. Capital gain recognized by an individual on the sale of units held more than
twelve months will generally be taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. A portion of this gain or loss,
which will likely be substantial, however, will be separately computed and taxed as ordinary income
or loss under Section 751 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent attributable to assets giving
rise to depreciation recapture or other unrealized receivables or to inventory items we own.
The term unrealized receivables includes potential recapture items, including depreciation
recapture. Ordinary income attributable to unrealized receivables, inventory items and depreciation
recapture may exceed net taxable gain realized upon the sale of a unit and may be recognized even
if there is a net taxable loss 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 may offset capital
gains and no more than $3,000 of ordinary income in the case of individuals, and may only be used
to offset capital gains in the case of corporations.
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, which
generally means that the tax basis allocated to the interest sold equals an amount that bears the
same relation to the partners tax basis in his entire interest in the partnership as the value of
the interest sold bears to the value of the partners entire interest in the partnership. 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.
Specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code affect the taxation of some financial
products and securities, including partnership interests, by treating a taxpayer as having sold an
appreciated partnership interest, one in which gain would be recognized if it were sold, assigned
or terminated at its fair market value, if the taxpayer or related persons enter(s) into:
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a short sale; |
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an offsetting notional principal contract; or |
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a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest or substantially identical property. |
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Moreover, if a taxpayer has previously entered into a short sale, an offsetting notional
principal contract or a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest, the
taxpayer will be treated as having sold that position if the taxpayer or a related person then
acquires the partnership interest or substantially identical property. The Secretary of the
Treasury is also authorized to issue regulations that treat a taxpayer that enters into
transactions or positions that have substantially the same effect as the preceding transactions as
having constructively sold the financial position.
Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees. In general, our taxable income and losses
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 NYSE on the first business day of the month (the Allocation Date). 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 Allocation Date in the month in
which that gain or loss is recognized. As a result, a unitholder transferring units may be
allocated income, gain, loss and deduction realized after the date of transfer.
The use of this method may not be permitted under existing Treasury Regulations. Accordingly,
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is unable to opine on the validity of this method of allocating income and
deductions between transferee and transferor unitholders. If this method is not allowed under the
Treasury Regulations, or only applies to transfers of less than all of the unitholders interest,
our taxable income or losses might be reallocated among the transferee and transferor unitholders
as well as unitholders whose interests vary during a taxable year. We are authorized to revise our
method of allocation between unitholders to conform to a method permitted under future Treasury
Regulations.
A unitholder who owns units at any time during a 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 that quarter but will not be entitled to receive that
cash distribution.
Notification Requirements. A unitholder who sells any of his units is generally 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 purchaser of units who purchases units from another unitholder is also
generally required to notify us in writing of that purchase within 30 days after the purchase.
Upon receiving such notifications, we are required to notify the IRS of that transaction and to
furnish specified information to the transferor and transferee. Failure to notify us of a purchase
may, in some cases, lead to the imposition of penalties. However, these reporting requirements do
not apply to a sale by an individual who is a citizen of the United States and who effects the sale
or exchange through a broker who will satisfy such requirements.
Constructive Termination. We will be considered to have been terminated for tax purposes if
there is a sale or exchange of 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within
a twelve-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 twelve 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, any tax legislation enacted before the termination.
Uniformity of Units
Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of units, we must maintain uniformity of
the economic and tax characteristics of the units to a purchaser of these units. In the absence of
uniformity, we may be unable to completely comply with a number of federal income tax requirements,
both statutory and regulatory. A lack of uniformity can result from a literal application of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6). Any non-uniformity could have a negative impact on
the value of the units. Please read Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipSection 754 Election.
19
We intend to depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized
appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax
Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or
amortization method and useful life applied to the common basis of that property, or treat that
portion as nonamortizable, to the extent attributable to property the common basis of which is not
amortizable, consistent with the regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code even
though that position may arguably be inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets.
Please read Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipSection 754 Election. To the extent that the
Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized
Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative
history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may adopt a depreciation
and amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would
receive depreciation and amortization deductions, whether attributable to a common basis or Section
743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest
in our property. If this position is adopted, it may result in lower annual depreciation and
amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders and risk the loss of
depreciation and amortization deductions not taken in the year that these deductions are otherwise
allowable. This position will not be adopted if we determine that the loss of depreciation and
amortization deductions will have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. If we choose not to
utilize this aggregate method, we may use any other reasonable depreciation and amortization method
to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any units that would not have a
material adverse effect on the unitholders. The IRS may challenge any method of depreciating the
Section 743(b) adjustment described in this paragraph. If this challenge were sustained, the
uniformity of units might be affected, and the gain from the sale of units might be increased
without the benefit of additional deductions. Please read Disposition of Common
UnitsRecognition of Gain or Loss.
Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors
Ownership of units by employee benefit plans, other tax-exempt organizations, non-resident
aliens, foreign corporations, other foreign persons and regulated investment companies raises
issues unique to those investors and, as described below, may have substantially adverse tax
consequences to them. Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from federal
income tax, including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to
federal income tax on unrelated business taxable income. Virtually all of our income allocated to a
unitholder that is a tax-exempt organization will be unrelated business taxable income and will be
taxable to them.
Non-resident aliens and foreign corporations, trusts or estates that own units will be
considered to be engaged in business in the United States because of the ownership of units. As a
consequence, they will be required to file federal tax returns to report their share of our net
income, gain, loss or deduction and pay federal income tax at regular rates on their share of our
income or gain. Moreover, under rules applicable to publicly traded partnerships, we will withhold
at the highest applicable effective tax rate from cash distributions made quarterly to foreign
unitholders. Each foreign unitholder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and
submit that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8 BEN or applicable substitute form in order
to obtain credit for these withholding taxes. A change in applicable law may require us to change
these procedures.
In addition, because a foreign corporation that owns units will be treated as engaged in a
United States trade or business, that corporation may be subject to the United States branch
profits tax at a rate of 30%, in addition to regular federal income tax, on its share of our income
and gain, as adjusted for changes in the foreign corporations U.S. net equity, which is
effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business. That tax may be
reduced or eliminated by an income tax treaty between the United States and the country in which
the foreign corporate unitholder is a qualified resident. In addition, this type of unitholder is
subject to special information reporting requirements under Section 6038C of the Internal Revenue
Code.
Under a ruling of the IRS, a foreign unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a unit will
be subject to federal income tax on gain realized on the sale or disposition of that unit to the
extent that this gain is effectively connected with a United States trade or business of the
foreign unitholder. Apart from the ruling, a foreign unitholder will not be taxed or subject to
withholding upon the sale or disposition of a unit if he has owned less than
20
5% in value of the units during the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition and
if the units are regularly traded on an established securities market at the time of the sale or
disposition.
Administrative Matters
Information Returns and Audit Procedures. We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90
days after the close of each calendar year, specific tax information, including a Schedule K-1,
which describes his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction 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 each
unitholders share of income, gain, loss and deduction. 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. Neither we nor Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. can
assure prospective unitholders that the IRS will not successfully contend in court that those
positions are impermissible. Any challenge by the IRS could negatively affect the value of the
units.
The IRS may audit our federal income tax information returns. Adjustments resulting from an
IRS audit may require each unitholder to adjust a prior years tax liability, and possibly may
result in an audit of that unitholders own return. Any audit of a unitholders return could result
in adjustments not related to our returns as well as those related to our returns.
Partnerships generally are treated as separate entities for purposes of federal tax audits,
judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement proceedings. The tax
treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss and deduction are 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. Our
partnership agreement appoints the general partner as our Tax Matters Partner.
The Tax Matters Partner has made and will make some 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 in our returns. The Tax Matters
Partner may bind a unitholder with less than a 1% profits interest in us to a settlement with the
IRS 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. If we elect to be treated as a
large partnership, a unitholder will not have the right to participate in settlement conferences
with the IRS or to seek a refund.
A unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on his
federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the item on our return.
Intentional or negligent disregard of this consistency requirement may subject a unitholder to
substantial penalties. If we elect to be treated as a large partnership, the unitholders
would be required to treat all partnership items in a manner consistent with our return.
Nominee Reporting. Persons who hold an interest in us as a nominee for another person are
required to furnish to us:
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the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the nominee; |
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whether the beneficial owner is a person that is not a United States person, |
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a foreign government, an international organization or any wholly owned agency or
instrumentality of either of the foregoing, or |
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a tax-exempt entity; |
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the amount and description of units held, acquired or transferred for the beneficial owner; and |
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specific information including the dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of
acquisitions and transfers, and acquisition cost for purchases, as well as the amount of
net proceeds from sales. |
Brokers and financial institutions are required to furnish additional information, including
whether they are United States persons and specific information on units they acquire, hold or
transfer for their own account. A penalty of $50 per failure, up to a maximum of $100,000 per
calendar year, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code for failure to report that information to
us. The nominee is required to supply the beneficial owner of the units with the information
furnished to us.
Accuracy-Related Penalties. An additional tax equal to 20% of the amount of any portion of an
underpayment of tax that is attributable to one or more specified causes, including negligence or
disregard of rules or regulations, substantial understatements of income tax and substantial
valuation misstatements, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. No penalty will be imposed,
however, for any portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for
that portion and that the taxpayer acted in good faith regarding that portion.
For individuals, a substantial understatement of income tax in any taxable year exists if the
amount of the understatement exceeds the greater of 10% of the tax required to be shown on the
return for the taxable year or $5,000. The amount of any understatement subject to penalty
generally is reduced if any portion is attributable to a position adopted on the return:
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for which there is, or was, substantial authority, or |
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as to which there is a reasonable basis and the pertinent facts of that position are disclosed on the return. |
If any item of income, gain, loss or deduction included in the distributive shares of
unitholders might result in that kind of an understatement of income for which no substantial
authority exists, we must disclose the pertinent facts on our return. In addition, we will make a
reasonable effort to furnish sufficient information for unitholders to make adequate disclosure on
their returns and take other actions as may be appropriate to permit unitholders to avoid liability
for this penalty. More stringent rules apply to tax shelters, which we do not believe includes
us.
A substantial valuation misstatement exists if the value of any property, or the adjusted
basis of any property, claimed on a tax return is 200% or more of the amount determined to be the
correct amount of the valuation or adjusted basis. No penalty is imposed unless the portion of the
underpayment attributable to a substantial valuation misstatement exceeds $5,000 (10,000 for most
corporations). If the valuation claimed on a return is 400% or more than the correct valuation, the
penalty imposed increases to 40%.
Reportable Transactions. If we were to engage in a reportable transaction, we (and possibly
you and others) would be required to make a detailed disclosure of the transaction to the IRS. A
transaction may be a reportable transaction based upon any of several factors, including the fact
that it is a type of tax avoidance transaction publicly identified by the IRS as a listed
transaction or that it produces certain kinds of losses in excess of $2 million. Our participation
in a reportable transaction could increase the likelihood that our federal income tax information
return (and possibly your tax return) would be audited by the IRS. Please read Information
Returns and Audit Procedures above.
Moreover, if we were to participate in a reportable transaction with a significant purpose to
avoid or evade tax, or in any listed transaction, you may be subject to the following provisions of
the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004:
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accuracy-related penalties with a broader scope, significantly narrower exceptions, and
potentially greater amounts than described above at Accuracy-related Penalties, |
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for those persons otherwise entitled to deduct interest on federal tax deficiencies,
nondeductibility of interest on any resulting tax liability and |
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in the case of a listed transaction, an extended statute of limitations. |
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We do not expect to engage in any reportable transactions.
State, Local, Foreign and Other Tax Considerations
In addition to federal income taxes, you likely will be subject to other taxes, such as state
and local and Canadian federal and provincial taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and estate,
inheritance or intangible taxes that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do
business or own property or in which you are a resident. Although an analysis of those various
taxes is not presented herein, each prospective unitholder should consider their potential impact
on his investment in us. We currently own property or conduct business in Canada and in most states
of the United States. A unitholder may be required to file Canadian federal income tax returns and
to pay Canadian federal and provincial income taxes and to file state income tax returns and to pay
taxes in various states and may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with such
requirements. In some jurisdictions, tax losses may not produce a tax benefit in the year incurred
(if, for example, we have no income from sources within that state) and also may not be available
to offset income in subsequent taxable years. Some of the jurisdictions may require us, or we may
elect, to withhold a percentage of income from amounts to be distributed to a unitholder who is not
a resident of the jurisdiction. Withholding, the amount of which may be greater or less than a
particular unitholders income tax liability to the jurisdiction, generally does not relieve the
non-resident unitholder from the obligation to file an income tax return. Amounts withheld may be
treated as if distributed to unitholders for purposes of determining the amount distributed by us.
Please read Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership. We may also own additional property or do
business in other states in the future.
It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences,
under the laws of pertinent states and localities, including the Canadian provinces and Canada, of
his investment in us. Accordingly, each prospective unitholder should consult, and must depend
upon, his own tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters. Further, it is the
responsibility of each unitholder to file all Canadian, Canadian province, state and local, as well
as federal tax returns that may be required of him. Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has not rendered an
opinion on the Canadian federal, Canadian provincial, state or local tax consequences of an
investment in us.
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SELLING UNITHOLDERS
This prospectus covers the offering for resale of up to 3,117,725 common units by the selling
unitholders identified below. No such sales may occur unless this prospectus has been declared
effective by the SEC, and remains effective at the time such selling unitholder offers or sells
such common units. We are required to update this prospectus to reflect material developments in
our business, financial position and results of operations.
The following table sets forth information relating to the selling unitholders beneficial
ownership of our common units.
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Common Units Owned |
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Common Units |
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After Offering |
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Owned Prior to |
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Common Units |
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Number |
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Name of Selling Unitholder |
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Offering |
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Being Offered |
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of Units |
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Percent |
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Vulcan Capital Private Equity I LLC (1) |
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14,386,074 |
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697,674 |
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13,688,400 |
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13.3 |
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Kayne Anderson MLP Investment Company (2) |
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8,908,821 |
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1,821,420 |
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6,488,770 |
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6.3 |
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Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return Fund, Inc. (2) |
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8,908,821 |
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598,631 |
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6,488,770 |
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6.3 |
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Less than 1%. |
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(1) |
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Mr. Paul Allen controls Vulcan Capital Private Equity I LLC, which is the record holder of
1,995,954 common units. In addition, Mr. Allen owns approximately 80.1% of the outstanding
shares of common stock of Vulcan Energy Corporation. Vulcan Energy Corporation is the sole
stockholder of Vulcan Energy GP Holdings LLC, which owns 54.3% of the equity of our general
partner. Mr. Allen disclaims any deemed beneficial ownership, beyond his pecuniary interest,
in any of our partner interests held by Vulcan Capital Private Equity I LLC, Vulcan Energy
Corporation or Vulcan Energy GP Holdings LLC. |
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(2) |
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Various accounts (including those of the selling unitholders and KAFU Holdings, L.P., which
owns a portion of our general partner) under the management and control of Kayne Anderson
Capital Advisors, L.P., the general partner of which is Kayne
Anderson Investment Management,
Inc., own common units. Robert Sinnott, the President of Kayne Anderson Investment
Management, Inc., has been designated as one of our directors by KAFU Holdings, L.P. Mr.
Sinnott disclaims any deemed beneficial ownership of any units held by Kayne Anderson
Investment Management, Inc. or its affiliates, other than through his 4.5% limited partner
interest in KAFU Holdings, L.P. |
Any prospectus supplement reflecting a sale of common units hereunder will set forth, with respect
to the selling unitholders:
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the name of the selling unitholders; |
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the nature of the position, office or other material relationship which the selling
unitholders will have had within the prior three years with us or any of our affiliates; |
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the number of common units owned by the selling unitholders prior to the offering; |
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the amount or number of common units to be offered for the selling unitholders account; and |
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the amount and (if one percent or more) the percentage of common units to be owned by
the selling unitholders after the completion of the offering. |
All expenses incurred with the registration of the common units owned by the selling
unitholders will be borne by us.
24
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are registering the common units on behalf of the selling unitholders. As used in this
prospectus, selling unitholders includes donees and pledgees selling common units received from a
named selling unitholder after the date of this prospectus.
Under this prospectus, the selling unitholders intend to offer our securities to the public:
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through one or more broker-dealers; |
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through underwriters; and |
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directly to investors. |
The selling unitholders may price the common units offered from time to time:
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at market prices prevailing at the time of any sale under this registration statement; |
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at prices related to market prices; or |
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at negotiated prices. |
We will pay the costs and expenses of the registration and offering of the common units
offered hereby. We will not pay any underwriting fees, discounts and selling commissions allocable
to each selling unitholders sale of its respective or common units, which will be paid by the
selling unitholders. Broker-dealers may act as agent or may purchase securities as principal and
thereafter resell the securities from time to time:
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in or through one or more transactions (which may involve crosses and block
transactions) or distributions; |
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on the New York Stock Exchange; |
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in the over-the-counter market; or |
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in private transactions. |
Broker-dealers or underwriters may receive compensation in the form of underwriting discounts
or commissions and may receive commissions from purchasers of the securities for whom they may act
as agents. If any broker-dealer purchases the securities as principal, it may effect resales of the
securities from time to time to or through other broker-dealers, and other broker-dealers may
receive compensation in the form of concessions or commissions from the purchasers of securities
for whom they may act as agents.
To the extent required, the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, if
any, as well as other important information, will be set forth in prospectus supplements. In that
event, the discounts and commissions the selling unitholders will allow or pay to the underwriters,
if any, and the discounts and commissions the underwriters may allow or pay to dealers or agents,
if any, will be set forth in, or may be calculated from, the prospectus supplements. Any
underwriters, brokers, dealers and agents who participate in any sale of the securities may also
engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course
of their businesses.
In addition, the selling unitholders have advised us that they may sell the common units in
compliance with Rule 144, if available, or pursuant to other available exemptions from the
registration requirements under the Securities Act, rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to
describe a specific plan of distribution.
We have agreed to indemnify the selling unitholder and each underwriter, selling agent or
other securities professional, if any, against certain liabilities to which they may become subject
in connection with the sale of the
25
common units owned by the selling unitholder and registered under this prospectus, including
liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933.
In connection with offerings under this shelf registration and in compliance with applicable
law, underwriters, brokers or dealers may engage in transactions which stabilize or maintain the
market price of the securities at levels above those which might otherwise prevail in the open
market. Specifically, underwriters, brokers or dealers may over-allot in connection with offerings,
creating a short position in the securities for their own accounts. For the purpose of covering a
syndicate short position or stabilizing the price of the securities, the underwriters, brokers or
dealers may place bids for the securities or effect purchases of the securities in the open market.
Finally, the underwriters may impose a penalty whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate
members or other brokers or dealers for distribution the securities in offerings may be reclaimed
by the syndicate if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to
cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. These activities may stabilize,
maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities, which may be higher than the price
that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any
time.
26
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the common units offered in this prospectus and certain tax matters relating
to those common units will be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Houston, Texas. The
selling unitholders counsel and the underwriters own counsel will advise them about other issues
relating to any offering in which they participate.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting (which is included in Managements Report on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. for the year ended December 31, 2005 have been so incorporated in
reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting
firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The balance sheet of Plains AAP, L.P. incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Plains
All American Pipeline, L.P.s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 21, 2006 has been so
incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered
public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are incorporating by reference into this prospectus information we file with the SEC.
This procedure means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to
documents filed with the SEC. The information we incorporate by reference is part of this
prospectus and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede
this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings
made by Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (excluding any information furnished and not filed with the
SEC) until the offering under this registration statement is completed:
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Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005; |
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Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006; |
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Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, as amended; |
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Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006; |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 16, 2006 (announcement of
Andrews acquisition); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed (other than Item 7.01, which was furnished) with the
Commission on March 21, 2006 (entry into direct placement unit purchase agreement); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 21, 2006 (audited balance
sheet of Plains AAP, L.P. as of December 31, 2005); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 9, 2006 (announcement of
private placement offering of $250 million notes); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed (other than Item 7.01, which was furnished) with the
Commission on May 12, 2006 (entry into note purchase agreement, registration rights
agreement and supplemental indentures); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 15, 2006 (amendment to
PAA/Vulcan limited liability company agreement); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 12, 2006 (entry into
Pacific merger agreement and purchase agreement with LB Pacific); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 30, 2006 (unaudited balance
sheet of Plains AAP, L.P. as of March 31, 2006); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 14, 2006 (pro forma
financial statements); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 20, 2006 (amendment to
Pacific merger agreement); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed (other than Item 7.01, which was furnished) with the
Commission on July 25, 2006 (entry into direct placement unit purchase agreement); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 4, 2006 (entry into
amended and restated credit agreement and bridge loan agreement); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 23, 2006 (LTIP grants to
audit committee members); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 24, 2006 (pro forma
financial statements); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 25, 2006 (execution of
eighth supplemental indenture); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 28, 2006 (unaudited
balance sheet of Plains AAP, L.P. as of June 30, 2006); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 23, 2006 (announcement
of private placement offering of $1.0 billion of senior notes); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 27, 2006 (entry into
note purchase agreement); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 30, 2006 (entry into
registration rights agreements and ninth and tenth supplemental indentures); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 13, 2006 (announcement
of unitholder approval of Pacific merger); and |
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Current report on Form 8-K filed (other than Item 7.01, which was furnished) with the
Commission on November 21, 2006 (completion of
Pacific Merger, entry into supplemental
indentures, amendment to partnership agreement and pro forma and historical financial
statements. |
You may request a copy of these filings at no cost by making written or telephone requests for
copies to:
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.
333 Clay Street, Suite 1600
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Tim Moore
Telephone: (713) 646-4100
Additionally, you may read and copy any materials that we have filed with the SEC at the SECs
Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain
information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The
SEC maintains an internet site
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that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding us.
The SECs website address is www.sec.gov.
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this
prospectus. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with any information. You should not
assume that the information provided in this prospectus or incorporated by reference is accurate
as of any date other than the date on the front cover or the date of the incorporated material, as
applicable.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
All statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus
supplement, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including but
not limited to statements identified by the words anticipate, believe, estimate, expect,
plan, intend and forecast, and similar expressions and statements regarding our business
strategy, plans and objectives of our management for future operations. However, the absence of
these words does not mean that the statements are not forward looking. These statements reflect our
current views with respect to future events, based on what we believe are reasonable assumptions.
Certain factors could cause actual results to differ materially from results anticipated in the
forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to:
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our failure to successfully integrate the respective business operations upon completion
of the merger with Pacific Energy or our failure to successfully integrate any future
acquisitions; |
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the failure to realize the anticipated cost savings, synergies and other benefits of the
merger with Pacific Energy; |
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the success of our risk management activities; |
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environmental liabilities or events that are not covered by an indemnity, insurance or existing reserves; |
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maintenance of our credit rating and ability to receive open credit from our suppliers
and trade counterparties; |
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abrupt or severe declines or interruptions in outer continental shelf production located
offshore California and transported on our pipeline system; |
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declines in volumes shipped on the Basin Pipeline, Capline Pipeline and our other
pipelines by us and third party shippers; |
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the availability of adequate third party production volumes for transportation and
marketing in the areas in which we operate; |
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demand for natural gas or various grades of crude oil and resulting changes in pricing
conditions or transmission throughput requirements; |
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fluctuations in refinery capacity in areas supplied by our main lines; |
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the availability of, and our ability to consummate, acquisition or combination opportunities; |
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our access to capital to fund additional acquisitions and our ability to obtain debt or
equity financing on satisfactory terms; |
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successful integration and future performance of acquired assets or businesses and the
risks associated with operating in lines of business that are distinct and separate from
our historical operations; |
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unanticipated changes in crude oil market structure and volatility (or lack thereof); |
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the impact of current and future laws, rulings and governmental regulations; |
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the effects of competition; |
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continued creditworthiness of, and performance by, our counterparties; |
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interruptions in service and fluctuations in tariffs or volumes on third party pipelines; |
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increased costs or lack of availability of insurance; |
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fluctuations in the debt and equity markets, including the price of our units at the
time of vesting under our Long-Term Incentive Plans; |
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the currency exchange rate of the Canadian dollar; |
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shortages or cost increases of power supplies, materials or labor; |
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weather interference with business operations or project construction; |
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general economic, market or business conditions; |
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risks related to the development and operation of natural gas storage facilities; and |
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other factors and uncertainties inherent in the marketing, transportation, terminalling,
gathering and storage of crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas. |
Other factors described herein or incorporated by reference, or factors that are unknown or
unpredictable, could also have a material adverse effect on future results. Please read Risk
Factors beginning on page 1 of this prospectus, in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our annual report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended June 30, 2006 and September 30, 2006, as amended.
Except as required by securities laws applicable to the documents incorporated by reference, we do
not intend to update these forward-looking statements and information.
30
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
Set forth below are the expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) expected
to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered
hereby. With the exception of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, registration fee, the
amounts set forth below are estimates:
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Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee |
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16,143 |
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Legal Fees and Expenses |
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85,000 |
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Accounting Fees and Expenses |
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40,000 |
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Printing Expenses |
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30,000 |
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Miscellaneous |
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20,000 |
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Total |
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191,143 |
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Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 17-108 of the Delaware Revised Limited Partnership Act empowers a Delaware limited
partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other person from and against all claims
and demands whatsoever. The partnership agreement of Plains All American Pipeline provides that
Plains All American Pipeline will indemnify the general partner, any departing partner, any person
who is or was an affiliate of the general partner or any departing partner, and any person who is
or was a member, partner, officer, director, employee, agent or trustee of the general partner or
any departing partner or any affiliate of the general partner or any departing partner, or any
person who is or was serving at the request of the general partner or any departing partner or any
affiliate of the general partner or any departing partner as an officer, director, employee,
member, partner, agent, fiduciary or trustee of another person (each, an Indemnitee), to the
fullest extent permitted by law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(joint and several), expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses), judgments,
fines, penalties, interest, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands,
actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which
any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason
of its status as any of the foregoing; provided that in each case the Indemnitee acted in good
faith and in a manner that such Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of Plains All American Pipeline and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his, her or its conduct was unlawful. Any indemnification under these
provisions will be only out of the assets of Plains All American Pipeline, and the general partner
shall not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to contribute or loan funds or assets to
Plains All American Pipeline to enable it to effectuate, such indemnification. Plains All American
Pipeline is authorized to purchase (or to reimburse the general partner or its affiliates for the
cost of) insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by such persons in
connection with Plains All American Pipelines activities, regardless of whether Plains All
American Pipeline would have the power to indemnify such person against such liabilities under the
provisions described above.
Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides that, subject to such
standards and restrictions, if any, as are set forth in its limited liability company agreement, a
Delaware limited liability company may, and has the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any
member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever. The
limited liability company agreement of Plains All American GP LLC provides for the indemnification
of (i) its members, (ii) members of its Board of Directors, and (iii) its officers (each, a
Company Affiliate), from and against any and all losses, claims, demands, costs, damages,
liabilities, expenses of any nature (including reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements),
judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions,
suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which such person may be
involved, or threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of his, her or its
status as a Company Affiliate, regardless of whether a Company Affiliate continues to be a Company
Affiliate at the time any such liability or expense is paid or incurred, if such Company Affiliate
acted in good faith and in a manner he, she or it reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to,
the interests of the Plains All American GP LLC and with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no
reason to believe his, her or its conduct was unlawful. Expenses incurred by a Company Affiliate in
defending any such claim, demand, action, suit or
II-1
proceeding will, from time to time, be advanced by the Plains All American GP LLC prior to the
final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding upon receipt by the Plains All
American GP LLC of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Company Affiliate to repay such amounts if
it is ultimately determined that the Company Affiliate is not entitled to be indemnified. Plains
All American GP LLC is authorized to purchase and maintain insurance, on behalf of the members of
its Board of Directors, its officers and such other persons as the Board of Directors may
determine, against any liability that may be asserted against or expense that may be incurred by
such person in connection with the activities of Plains All American GP LLC.
Item 16. Exhibits.
(a) Exhibits. The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Registration Statement:
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1.1+
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Form of Underwriting Agreement |
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4.1
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Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Plains All American
Pipeline, L.P., dated as of June 27, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
Form 8-K filed August 27, 2001), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Third Amended
and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.,
dated as of April 15, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Plains
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004) |
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4.2
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Amendment No. 2 dated November 15, 2006 to Third Amended and Restated Agreement of
Limited Partnership of Plains All American Pipeline L.P. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to Plains Current Report on Form 8-K
filed November 21, 2006. |
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4.3
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Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Plains All American
GP LLC, dated September 12, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Plains
Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 16, 2005) |
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4.4
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Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Plains AAP, L.P., dated
September 12, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Plains Current Report
on Form 8-K filed September 16, 2005) |
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4.5
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Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 26, 2006, among Plains All American
Pipeline, L.P., Vulcan Capital Private Equity I LLC, Kayne Anderson MLP Investment
Company and Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return Fund, Inc. (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.13 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended September 30,
2006) |
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5.1*
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Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. as to the legality of the securities being registered |
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8.1*
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Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. relating to tax matters |
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23.1*
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Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
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23.2*
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Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1) |
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24.1*
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Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page) |
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* |
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Filed herewith. |
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To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K or in a post effective amendment to
this registration statement. |
II-2
Item 17. Undertakings.
I. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this registration statement:
(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933;
(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered
would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of
the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with
the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price
represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in
the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement;
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained
in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration
statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of
the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any
purchaser:
(i) if the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424 (b)(3) shall be
deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was
deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or
(b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an
offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing
the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed
to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date
such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first
contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided
in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date
an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the
registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to
which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; provided, however, that no
statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the
registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by
reference into the registration statement or
II-3
prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with
a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any
statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of
the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such
effective date.
II. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the
information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in
reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant
to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the securities Act of 1933, each
post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
III. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrants annual report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plans annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
IV. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
provisions described in Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the
opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on November 21,
2006.
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PLAINS ALL AMERICAN PIPELINE, L.P.
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By: |
Plains AAP, L.P., its general partner
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By: |
Plains All American GP LLC,
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its general partner |
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By: |
/s/ Greg L. Armstrong
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Name: |
Greg L. Armstrong |
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Title: |
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Phil Kramer and Tim
Moore, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power or substitution and resubstitution for him in any and
all capacities, to sign any or all amendments or post-effective amendments to this registration
statement, or any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with
exhibits hereto and other documents in connection therewith or in connection with the registration
of the securities under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary in connection with such matters and
hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and agents or his substitutes may
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated below.
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SIGNATURE |
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TITLE |
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DATE |
/s/ Greg L. Armstrong
Greg L. Armstrong |
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Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
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November 21, 2006 |
/s/ Phil Kramer
Phil Kramer |
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Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
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November 21, 2006 |
/s/ Tina L. Val
Tina L. Val |
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Vice President Accounting and
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
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November 21, 2006 |
/s/ David N. Capobianco
David N. Capobianco |
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Director
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November 21, 2006 |
/s/ Everardo Goyanes
Everardo Goyanes |
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Director
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November 21, 2006 |
II-5
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SIGNATURE |
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TITLE |
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DATE |
/s/ Gary R. Petersen
Gary R. Petersen |
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Director
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November 21, 2006 |
/s/ Robert V. Sinnott
Robert V. Sinnott |
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Director
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November 21, 2006 |
/s/ Arthur L. Smith
Arthur L. Smith |
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Director
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November 21, 2006 |
/s/ J. Taft Symonds
J. Taft Symonds |
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Director
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November 21, 2006 |
II-6
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
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1.1+
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Form of Underwriting Agreement |
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4.1
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Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Plains All American
Pipeline, L.P., dated as of June 27, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
Form 8-K filed August 27, 2001), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Third Amended
and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.,
dated as of April 15, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Plains
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004) |
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4.2
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Amendment No. 2 dated November 15, 2006 to Third Amended and Restated Agreement of
Limited Partnership of Plains All American Pipeline L.P. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to Plains Current Report on Form 8-K
filed November 21, 2006. |
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4.3
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Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Plains All American
GP LLC, dated September 12, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Plains
Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 16, 2005) |
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4.4
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Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Plains AAP, L.P., dated
September 12, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Plains Current Report
on Form 8-K filed September 16, 2005) |
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4.5
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Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 26, 2006, among Plains All American
Pipeline, L.P., Vulcan Capital Private Equity I LLC, Kayne Anderson MLP Investment
Company and Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return Fund, Inc. (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.13 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended September 30,
2006) |
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5.1*
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Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. as to the legality of the securities being registered |
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8.1*
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Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. relating to tax matters |
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23.1*
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Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
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23.2*
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Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1) |
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24.1*
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Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page) |
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* |
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Filed herewith. |
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+ |
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To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K or in a post effective amendment to
this registration statement. |