SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
 
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 17, 2003

 
Star Gas Partners, L.P.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
 
Delaware	 	 	 	06-1437793	
(State or Other Jurisdiction
Of Incorporation or Organization)	 	 	 	(IRS Employer
Identification No.)	
 
 	 	33-98490	 	 	
 	 	(Commission File Number)	 	 	
 
2187 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT	 	06902	
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	 	(Zip Code)	
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 203-328-7300

 
Item 5. Other Events.
 
In February 2003, Star Gas Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Star Gas Finance Company, a Delaware corporation, completed a Rule 144A offering of $200 million of debt securities. The purpose of this Form 8-K is to update the previously filed historical financial statements of the Partnership to note the formation of Star Gas Finance Company as well as to provide additional disclosures as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142,  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets , to refile the historical financial statements of Meenan Oil Co., L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Meenan”), previously filed on the Partnership’s Form 8-K dated November 4, 2002, without the inclusion of Meenan’s pro forma financial information and to file the balance sheets of Star Gas LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the sole general partner of the Partnership, as set forth in Item 7 hereof.
 
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
 	(a)	 	Audited annual historical financial statements of the Partnership as of September 30, 2001 and 2002 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2002.	
 
 	(b)	 	Audited annual historical financial statements of Meenan as of June 30, 2001, and 2000, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2001.	
 
 	(c)	 	Audited balance sheets of Star Gas LLC as of September 30, 2001 and 2002.	
 
 	(d)	 	Exhibits:	

Exhibit
Number

	  	Exhibit

	
 	 	 	
23.1	  	Consent of KPMG LLP to the Partnership financial statements and the Star Gas LLC balance sheets.	
 	 	 	
23.2	  	Consent of KPMG LLP to the Meenan financial statements.	
 	 	 	
99.1	  	Audited annual historical financial statements of the Partnership as of September 30, 2001 and 2002 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2002.	
 	 	 	
99.2	  	Audited annual historical financial statements of Meenan as of June 30, 2001 and 2000 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2001.	
 	 	 	
99.3	  	Audited balance sheets of Star Gas LLC as of September 30, 2001 and 2002.	
 
2

 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P.
By: Star Gas, LLC, as General Partner	
 	 	 	
By:	 	/s/    JAMES BOTTIGLIERI

	
 	 	James Bottiglieri	
 	 	Vice President	
 
Date: March 17, 2003
 
3

 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number

	  	Exhibit

	
 	 	 	
23.1	  	Consent of KPMG LLP to the Partnership financial statements and the Star Gas LLC balance sheets.	
 	 	 	
23.2	  	Consent of KPMG LLP to the Meenan financial statements.	
 	 	 	
99.1	  	Audited annual historical financial statements of the Partnership as of September 30, 2001 and 2002 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2002.	
 	 	 	
99.2	  	Audited annual historical financial statements of Meenan as of June 30, 2001 and 2000 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2001.	
 	 	 	
99.3	  	Audited balance sheets of Star Gas LLC as of September 30, 2001 and 2002.	
 
4

Exhibit 23.1
 
Consent of Independent Auditors
 
The Partners of
Star Gas Partners, L.P.:
 
We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statements Nos. 333-57994 and 333-100976 on Form S-3, No. 333-49751 on Form S-4 and Nos. 333-40138, 333-46714 and 333-53716 on Form S-8 of Star Gas Partners, L.P. of our report dated November 26, 2002, except as to note 20, which is as of February 3, 2003, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of Star Gas Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2001 and 2002 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), partners’ capital, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2002 and of our report dated November 26, 2002, relating to the balance sheets of Star Gas Partners LLC as of September 30, 2001 and 2002, which reports appear in this Form 8-K of Star Gas Partners, L.P.
 
Stamford, Connecticut
March 17, 2003

Exhibit 23.2
 
Consent of Independent Auditors
 
The Board of Directors
Star Gas Partners, L.P.:
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements Nos. 333-57994 and 333-100976 on Form S-3, No. 333-49751 on Form S-4 and Nos. 333-40138, 333-46714, and 333-53716 on Form S-8 of Star Gas Partners, L.P. of our report dated August 27, 2001, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Meenan Oil Co., L.P. and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2001 and 2000, and the related consolidated statements of income and partners’ equity (deficit), comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2001, which report appears in this Form 8-K of Star Gas Partners, L.P.
 
Melville, New York
March 17, 2003

 
Exhibit 99.1
 
Star Gas Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries

As of September 30, 2001 and 2002 and for the Three-Year Period ended September 30, 2002	  	Page

	
 	 	 	
Independent auditors’ report	  	1	
 	 	 	
Consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2001 and 2002	  	2	
 	 	 	
Consolidated statements of operations for the years ended September 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002	  	3	
 	 	 	
Consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended September 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002	  	4	
 	 	 	
Consolidated statements of partners’ capital for the years ended September 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002	  	5	
 	 	 	
Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended September 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002	  	6	
 	 	 	
Notes to consolidated financial statements	  	7	

 
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Independent Auditors’ Report
 
The Partners of Star Gas Partners, L.P.:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Star Gas Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2001 and 2002 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), partners’ capital, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2002. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Star Gas Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2001 and 2002 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
Stamford, Connecticut
November 26, 2002, except as to note 20, which is as of February 3, 2003
 
1

 
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 	  	September 30,

	 	
(in thousands)

	  	2001

	 	  	2002

	 	
Assets	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Current assets:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	  	$	17,228	 	  	$	61,481	 	
Receivables, net of allowance of $11,364 and $8,282, respectively	  	 	104,973	 	  	 	83,452	 	
Inventories	  	 	41,130	 	  	 	39,453	 	
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	  	 	21,931	 	  	 	37,815	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Total current assets	  	 	185,262	 	  	 	222,201	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Property and equipment, net	  	 	235,371	 	  	 	241,892	 	
Long-term portion of accounts receivables	  	 	6,752	 	  	 	6,672	 	
Intangibles and other assets, net	  	 	471,434	 	  	 	473,001	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Total assets	  	$	898,819	 	  	$	943,766	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Liabilities and partners’ capital	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Current liabilities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Accounts payable	  	$	35,800	 	  	$	20,360	 	
Working capital facility borrowings	  	 	13,866	 	  	 	26,195	 	
Current maturities of long-term debt	  	 	11,886	 	  	 	72,113	 	
Accrued expenses	  	 	77,678	 	  	 	69,444	 	
Unearned service contract revenue	  	 	24,575	 	  	 	30,549	 	
Customer credit balances	  	 	65,207	 	  	 	70,583	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Total current liabilities	  	 	229,012	 	  	 	289,244	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Long-term debt	  	 	457,086	 	  	 	396,733	 	
Other long-term liabilities	  	 	14,457	 	  	 	25,525	 	
Partners’ capital:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Common unitholders	  	 	209,911	 	  	 	242,696	 	
Subordinated unitholders	  	 	2,772	 	  	 	3,105	 	
General partner	  	 	(2,220	)	  	 	(2,710	)	
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	  	 	(12,199	)	  	 	(10,827	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Total partners’ capital	  	 	198,264	 	  	 	232,264	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Total liabilities and partners’ capital	  	$	898,819	 	  	$	943,766	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
2

 
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
 	  	Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,

	 	
(in thousands, except unit data)

	  	2000

	  	2001

	 	  	2002

	 	
Sales	  	$	744,664	  	$	1,085,973	 	  	$	1,025,058	 	
Costs and expenses:	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Cost of sales	  	 	501,589	  	 	771,317	 	  	 	661,978	 	
Delivery and branch expenses	  	 	156,862	  	 	200,059	 	  	 	235,708	 	
Depreciation and amortization expenses	  	 	34,708	  	 	44,396	 	  	 	59,049	 	
General and administrative expenses	  	 	20,511	  	 	39,086	 	  	 	40,771	 	
TG&E customer acquisition expense	  	 	2,082	  	 	1,868	 	  	 	1,228	 	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Operating income	  	 	28,912	  	 	29,247	 	  	 	26,324	 	
Interest expense, net	  	 	26,784	  	 	33,727	 	  	 	37,502	 	
Amortization of debt issuance costs	  	 	534	  	 	737	 	  	 	1,447	 	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Income (loss) before income taxes, minority interest and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle	  	 	1,594	  	 	(5,217	)	  	 	(12,625	)	
Minority interest in net loss of TG&E	  	 	251	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	 	
Income tax expense (benefit)	  	 	492	  	 	1,498	 	  	 	(1,456	)	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Income (loss) before cumulative change in accounting principle	  	 	1,353	  	 	(6,715	)	  	 	(11,169	)	
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle for adoption of SFAS No. 133, net of income taxes	  	 	—  	  	 	1,466	 	  	 	—  	 	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Net income (loss)	  	$	1,353	  	$	(5,249	)	  	$	(11,169	)	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
General Partner’s interest in net income (loss)	  	$	24	  	$	(75	)	  	$	(116	)	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Limited Partners’ interest in net income (loss)	  	$	1,329	  	$	(5,174	)	  	$	(11,053	)	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per Limited Partner unit	  	$	.07	  	$	(.23	)	  	$	(.38	)	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Basic and diluted weighted average number of Limited Partner units outstanding	  	 	18,288	  	 	22,439	 	  	 	28,790	 	
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
3

 
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
 	  	Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,

	 	
(in thousands)

	  	2000

	  	2001

	 	  	2002

	 	
Net income (loss)	  	$	1,353	  	$	(5,249	)	  	$	(11,169	)	
Other comprehensive income (loss)	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	  	 	—  	  	 	(18,594	)	  	 	12,968	 	
Unrealized loss on pension plan obligations	  	 	—  	  	 	(4,149	)	  	 	(11,596	)	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Comprehensive income (loss)	  	$	1,353	  	$	(27,992	)	  	$	(9,797	)	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
Reconciliation of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(in thousands)

	  	Pension Plan
Obligations

	 	  	Derivative
Instruments

	 	  	Total

	 	
Balance as of September 30, 2000	  	$	—  	 	  	$	—  	 	  	$	—  	 	
Cumulative effect of the adoption of SFAS No. 133	  	 	—  	 	  	 	10,544	 	  	 	10,544	 	
Reclassification to earnings	  	 	—  	 	  	 	(2,473	)	  	 	(2,473	)	
Other comprehensive loss	  	 	(4,149	)	  	 	(16,121	)	  	 	(20,270	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Balance as of September 30, 2001	  	 	(4,149	)	  	 	(8,050	)	  	 	(12,199	)	
Reclassification to earnings	  	 	—  	 	  	 	16,252	 	  	 	16,252	 	
Other comprehensive loss	  	 	(11,596	)	  	 	(3,284	)	  	 	(14,880	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Balance as of September 30, 2002	  	$	(15,745	)	  	$	4,918	 	  	$	(10,827	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
4

 
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, 2001 AND 2002
 
 	  	Number of Units

	  	 	 	    	 	 	    	 	 	  	 	 	    	Accumulated
Other	 	  	Total	 	
(in thousands, except unit data)

	  	Common

	  	Senior
Sub

	  	Junior
Sub.

	  	General
Partner

	  	Common

	 	    	Senior
Subordinated

	 	    	Junior
Subordinated

	 	  	General
Partner

	 	    	Comprehensive
Income (loss)

	 	  	Partners
Capital

	 	
Balance as of September 30, 1999	  	14,378	  	2,477	  	345	  	326	  	$	145,906	 	    	$	5,938	 	    	$	(60	)	  	$	(1,608	)	    	$	—  	 	  	$	150,176	 	
Issuance of units:	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Common	  	1,667	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	22,611	 	    	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	22,611	 	
Senior Subordinated	  	 	  	110	  	 	  	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	649	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	649	 	
Net Income	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	1,122	 	    	 	182	 	    	 	25	 	  	 	24	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	1,353	 	
Distributions:	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
($2.30 per unit)	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	(34,967	)	    	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	(34,967	)	
($0.25 per unit)	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	(644	)	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	(644	)	

	  	

	  	

	  	

	  	

	

	

	    	

	

	

	    	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	    	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Balance as of September 30, 2000	  	16,045	  	2,587	  	345	  	326	  	 	134,672	 	    	 	6,125	 	    	 	(35	)	  	 	(1,584	)	    	 	—  	 	  	 	139,178	 	
Issuance of units:	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Common	  	7,349	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	123,846	 	    	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	123,846	 	
Senior Subordinated	  	 	  	130	  	 	  	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	3,319	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	3,319	 	
Net Loss [Major Employee Shareholders]	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	(4,475	)	    	 	(620	)	    	 	(79	)	  	 	(75	)	    	 	 	 	  	 	(5,249	)	
Other Comprehensive Loss, net	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	(12,199	)	  	 	(12,199	)	
Distributions:	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
($2.300 per unit)	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	(44,132	)	    	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	(44,132	)	
($1.975 per unit)	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	(5,341	)	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	(5,341	)	
($1.725 per unit)	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	    	 	(597	)	  	 	(561	)	    	 	 	 	  	 	(1,158	)	

	  	

	  	

	  	

	  	

	

	

	    	

	

	

	    	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	    	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Balance as of September 30, 2001	  	23,394	  	2,717	  	345	  	326	  	 	209,911	 	    	 	3,483	 	    	 	(711	)	  	 	(2,220	)	    	 	(12,199	)	  	 	198,264	 	
Issuance of units:	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Common	  	5,576	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	100,610	 	    	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	100,610	 	
Senior Subordinated	  	 	  	417	  	 	  	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	6,908	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	6,908	 	
Net Loss	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	(9,815	)	    	 	(1,115	)	    	 	(123	)	  	 	(116	)	    	 	 	 	  	 	(11,169	)	
Other Comprehensive Income, net	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	1,372	 	  	 	1,372	 	
Distributions:	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	(58,010	)	    	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
($2.30 per unit)	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	(58,010	)	
($1.65 per unit)	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	(4,939	)	    	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	  	 	(4,939	)	
($1.15 per unit)	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	  	 	 	 	    	 	 	 	    	 	(398	)	  	 	(374	)	    	 	 	 	  	 	(772	)	

	  	

	  	

	  	

	  	

	

	

	    	

	

	

	    	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	    	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Balance as of September 30, 2002	  	28,970	  	3,134	  	345	  	326	  	$	242,696	 	    	$	4,337	 	    	$	(1,232	)	  	$	(2,710	)	    	$	(10,827	)	  	$	232,264	 	

	  	

	  	

	  	

	  	

	

	

	    	

	

	

	    	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	    	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
5

STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
 	  	Years Ended September 30,

	 	
(in thousands)

	  	2000

	 	  	2001

	 	  	2002

	 	
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Net income (loss)	  	$	1,353	 	  	$	(5,249	)	  	$	(11,169	)	
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	34,708	 	  	 	44,396	 	  	 	59,049	 	
Amortization of debt issuance cost	  	 	534	 	  	 	737	 	  	 	1,447	 	
Minority interest in net loss of TG&E	  	 	(251	)	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	 	
Unit compensation expense	  	 	649	 	  	 	3,315	 	  	 	367	 	
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	  	 	2,669	 	  	 	10,624	 	  	 	10,459	 	
(Gain) loss on sales of fixed assets	  	 	(143	)	  	 	26	 	  	 	336	 	
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle for the adoption of SFAS No. 133	  	 	—  	 	  	 	(1,466	)	  	 	—  	 	
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Decrease (increase) in receivables	  	 	(22,327	)	  	 	(44,905	)	  	 	11,314	 	
Decrease (increase) in inventories	  	 	(6,272	)	  	 	(3,824	)	  	 	2,805	 	
Increase in other assets	  	 	(3,134	)	  	 	(15,066	)	  	 	(16,167	)	
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	  	 	6,589	 	  	 	10,942	 	  	 	(15,591	)	
Increase in other current and long-term liabilities	  	 	5,989	 	  	 	63,614	 	  	 	22,605	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Net cash provided by operating activities	  	 	20,364	 	  	 	63,144	 	  	 	65,455	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Capital expenditures	  	 	(7,560	)	  	 	(17,687	)	  	 	(15,070	)	
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	  	 	1,136	 	  	 	596	 	  	 	1,882	 	
Cash acquired in acquisitions	  	 	876	 	  	 	5	 	  	 	—  	 	
Acquisitions	  	 	(59,624	)	  	 	(239,048	)	  	 	(49,224	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Net cash used in investing activities	  	 	(65,172	)	  	 	(256,134	)	  	 	(62,412	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Working capital facility borrowings	  	 	104,450	 	  	 	114,250	 	  	 	90,123	 	
Working capital facility repayments	  	 	(85,801	)	  	 	(124,784	)	  	 	(77,794	)	
Acquisition facility borrowings	  	 	65,800	 	  	 	70,700	 	  	 	74,250	 	
Acquisition facility repayments	  	 	(36,200	)	  	 	(95,600	)	  	 	(56,950	)	
Repayment of debt	  	 	(9,426	)	  	 	(8,980	)	  	 	(22,931	)	
Proceeds from issuance of debt	  	 	28,726	 	  	 	175,923	 	  	 	—  	 	
Distributions	  	 	(35,611	)	  	 	(50,631	)	  	 	(63,721	)	
Increase in deferred charges	  	 	(442	)	  	 	(5,527	)	  	 	(2,103	)	
Proceeds from issuance of Common Units, net	  	 	22,611	 	  	 	123,846	 	  	 	100,244	 	
Other	  	 	(2,881	)	  	 	111	 	  	 	92	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Net cash provided by financing activities	  	 	51,226	 	  	 	199,308	 	  	 	41,210	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Net increase in cash	  	 	6,418	 	  	 	6,318	 	  	 	44,253	 	
Cash at beginning of period	  	 	4,492	 	  	 	10,910	 	  	 	17,228	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Cash at end of period	  	$	10,910	 	  	$	17,228	 	  	$	61,481	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
6

STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
1. Partnership Organization
 
Star Gas Partners, L.P. (“Star Gas” or the “Partnership”) is a diversified home energy distributor and services provider, specializing in heating oil, propane, natural gas and electricity. Star Gas is a master limited partnership, which at September 30, 2002 had outstanding 29.0 million common units (NYSE: “SGU” representing an 88.4% limited partner interest in Star Gas Partners) and 3.1 million senior subordinated units (NYSE: “SGH” representing a 9.5% limited partner interest in Star Gas) outstanding. Additional Partnership interests include 0.3 million junior subordinated units (representing a 1.1% limited partner interest) and 0.3 million general partner units (representing a 1.0% general partner interest).
 
Operationally the Partnership was organized at September 30, 2002 as follows:
 
 	•	 	Star Gas Propane, L.P., (“Star Gas Propane” or the “propane segment”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Star Gas. Star Gas Propane markets and distributes propane gas and related products approximately 300,000 customers in the Midwest, Northeast, Florida and Georgia;	
 
 	•	 	Petro Holdings, Inc. (“Petro” or the “heating oil segment”), is the nation’s largest retail distributor of home heating oil and serves approximately 510,000 customers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Petro is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Star Gas Propane;	
 
 	•	 	Total Gas and Electric (“TG&E” or the “natural gas and electric reseller segment”) is an energy reseller that markets natural gas and electricity to residential households in deregulated energy markets in New York, New Jersey, Florida and Maryland and serves over 55,000 residential customers. TG&E was formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of Star Gas, but subsequent to September 30, 2002, it became a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Petro;	
 
 	•	 	Star Gas Partners (“Partners” or the “Public Master Limited Partnership”) includes the office of the Chief Executive Officer and in addition has the responsibility for maintaining investor relations and investor reporting for the Partnership.	
 
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation
 
Beginning April 7, 2000, the Consolidated Financial Statements also include the accounts and results of operations of TG&E. As of September 30, 2000 and September 30, 2001, the Partnership owned 72.7% and 80.0% of TG&E. Revenue and expenses were also consolidated with the Partnership with a deduction for the net loss allocable to the minority interest, which amount was limited based upon the equity of the minority interest. All material intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
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In June 2002, the Partnership entered into an agreement that resolved certain disputes between the Partnership and the minority interest shareholders of TG&E relating to the initial purchase of TG&E by the Partnership. This agreement provided for the transfer of the entire minority shareholders’ equity interest in TG&E and the surrender to the Partnership of certain notes payable to the minority shareholders in the amount of $0.6 million. This transaction was accounted for as the acquisition of a minority interest and the result was to reduce recorded goodwill by $0.6 million. The book value of all other assets and liabilities of TG&E approximated their fair values.
 
Reclassification
 
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Sales of propane, heating oil, natural gas, electricity, propane/heating oil and air conditioning equipment are recognized at the time of delivery of the product to the customer or at the time of sale or installation. Revenue from repairs and maintenance service is recognized upon completion of the service. Payments received from customers for heating oil equipment service contracts are deferred and amortized into income over the terms of the respective service contracts, on a straight-line basis, which generally do not exceed one year.
 
Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Limited Partner Unit
 
Net Income (Loss) per Limited Partner Unit is computed by dividing net income (loss), after deducting the General Partner’s interest, by the weighted average number of Common Units, Senior Subordinated Units and Junior Subordinated Units outstanding.
 
Cash Equivalents
 
The Partnership considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents.
 
Inventories
 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and are computed on a first-in, first-out basis.
 
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Property, Plant, and Equipment
 
Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets using the straight-line method.
 
Intangibles and Other Assets
 
Intangibles and other assets include goodwill, covenants not to compete, customer lists and deferred charges.
 
Goodwill is the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets in the acquisition of a company. The Partnership amortizes goodwill using the straight-line method over a twenty-five year period for goodwill acquired prior to July 1, 2001. In accordance with SFAS No. 141, goodwill acquired after June 30, 2001 is not amortized.
 
Covenants not to compete are non-compete agreements established with the owners of an acquired company and are amortized over the respective lives of the covenants, which are generally five years.
 
Customer lists are the names and addresses of the acquired company’s patrons. Based on the historical retention experience of these lists, Star Gas Propane amortizes customer lists on a straight-line method over fifteen years, Petro amortizes customer lists on a straight-line method over seven to ten years and TG&E amortizes customer lists on an accelerated method over six years.
 
Deferred charges represent the costs associated with the issuance of debt instruments and are amortized using the interest method over the lives of the related debt instruments.
 
It is the Partnership’s policy to review intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. The Partnership determines that the carrying values of intangible assets are recoverable over their remaining estimated lives through undiscounted future cash flow analysis. If such a review should indicate that the carrying amount of the intangible assets is not recoverable, it is the Partnership’s policy to reduce the carrying amount of such assets to fair value.
 
Advertising Expenses
 
Advertising costs are expensed as they are incurred.
 
Customer Credit Balances
 
Customer credit balances represent pre-payments received from customers pursuant to a budget payment plan (whereby customers pay their estimated annual usage on a fixed monthly basis) and the payments made have exceeded the charges for deliveries.
 
9

Environmental Costs
 
The Partnership expenses, on a current basis, costs associated with managing hazardous substances and pollution in ongoing operations. The Partnership also accrues for costs associated with the remediation of environmental pollution when it becomes probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
 
Insurance Reserves
 
The Partnership accrues for workers’ compensation, general liability and auto claims not covered under its insurance policies based upon expectations as to what its ultimate liability will be for these claims.
 
TG&E Customer Acquisition Expense
 
TG&E customer acquisition expense represents the purchase of new accounts from a third party direct marketing company for the Partnership’s natural gas and electric reseller segment. Such costs are expensed as incurred upon acquisition of new customers.
 
Employee Unit Incentive Plan
 
When applicable, the Partnership accounts for stock-based compensation arrangements in accordance with APB No. 25. Compensation costs for fixed awards on pro-rata vesting are recognized straight-line over the vesting period. The Partnership adopted an employee unit incentive plan to grant certain employees senior subordinated limited partner units (“incentive units”), as an incentive for increased efforts during employment and as an inducement to remain in the service of the Partnership. Grants of incentive units vest twenty percent immediately, with the remaining amount vesting over four consecutive installments if the Partnership achieves annual targeted distributable cash flow. The Partnership records an expense for the incentive units granted, which require no cash contribution, over the vesting period for those units which are probable of being issued.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Partnership is a master limited partnership. As a result, for Federal income tax purposes, earnings or losses are allocated directly to the individual partners. Except for the Partnership’s corporate subsidiaries, no recognition has been given to Federal income taxes in the accompanying financial statements of the Partnership. While the Partnership’s corporate subsidiaries will generate non-qualifying Master Limited Partnership revenue, dividends from the corporate subsidiaries to the Partnership are generally included in the determination of qualified Master Limited Partnership income. In addition, a portion of the dividends received by the Partnership from the corporate subsidiaries will be taxable to the partners. Net earnings for financial statement purposes will differ significantly from taxable income reportable to partners as a result of differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities and due to the taxable income allocation requirements of the Partnership agreement.
 
For all corporate subsidiaries of the Partnership excluding TG&E, a consolidated Federal income tax return is filed. TG&E files a separate Federal income tax return. Deferred tax assets and
 
10

liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
 
Concentration of Revenue With Price Plan Customers
 
At September 30, 2002, approximately 17% of the volume sold in the Partnership’s heating oil segment is sold to individual customers under an agreement pre-establishing a fixed or maximum sales price of home heating oil over a twelve month period. The fixed or maximum price at which home heating oil is sold to these price plan customers is generally renegotiated prior to the heating season of each year based on current market conditions. The heating oil segment currently enters into derivative instruments (futures, options, collars and swaps) for a substantial majority of the heating oil it sells to these price plan customers in advance and at a fixed cost. Should events occur after a price plan customer’s price is established that increases the cost of home heating oil above the amount anticipated, margins for the price plan customers whose heating oil was not purchased in advance would be lower than expected, while those customers whose heating oil was purchased in advance would be unaffected. Conversely, should events occur during this period that decrease the cost of heating oil below the amount anticipated, margins for the price plan customers whose heating oil was purchased in advance could be lower than expected, while those customers whose heating oil was not purchased in advance would be unaffected or higher than expected.
 
Derivatives and Hedging
 
The Partnership uses derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to market risk related to changes in the current and future market price of home heating oil, propane and natural gas. The Partnership believes it is prudent to minimize the variability and price risk associated with the purchase of home heating oil and propane; accordingly, it is the Partnership’s objective to hedge the cash flow variability associated with forecasted purchases of its inventory held for resale through the use of derivative instruments when appropriate. To a lesser extent, the Partnership also hedges the fair value of inventory on hand or firm commitments to purchase inventory. To meet these objectives, it is the Partnership’s policy to enter into various types of derivative instruments to (i) manage the variability of cash flows resulting from the price risk associated with forecasted purchases of home heating oil, propane and natural gas and (ii) hedge the downside price risk of firm purchase commitments and in some cases physical inventory on hand.
 
In October 2000, the Partnership adopted the provisions of Statement No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (Statement No. 133) as amended by Statement No. 137 and No. 138. Statement No. 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and hedging activities. It requires the recognition of all derivative instruments as assets or liabilities in the Partnership’s balance sheet and measurement of those instruments at fair value and requires that a company formally document, designate and assess the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting. Derivatives that are not designated
 
11

as hedges must be adjusted to fair value through income. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a fair value hedge, along with the loss or gain on the hedged asset or liability or unrecognized firm commitment of the hedged item that is attributable to the hedged risk are recorded in earnings. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a cash-flow hedge are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, until earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the designated hedged item. The ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value is immediately recognized in earnings.
 
Upon adoption of Statement No. 133 on October 1, 2000, the Partnership recognized current assets of $12.0 million, a $1.5 million increase in net income and a $10.5 million increase in accumulated other comprehensive income all of which were recorded as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.
 
All derivative instruments are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair value. On the date the derivative contract is entered into, the Partnership designates the derivative as either a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (fair value hedge), or a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge). The Partnership formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as fair value or cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. The Partnership also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of hedged items. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or that is has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, the Partnership discontinues hedge accounting prospectively. When hedge accounting is discontinued because it is determined that the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective hedge, the Partnership continues to carry the derivative on the balance sheet at its fair value, and recognized changes in the fair value of the derivative through current-period earnings.
 
Accounting Principles Not Yet Adopted
 
In June 2001, the FASB issued Statement No. 141, “Business Combinations” and Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Statement No. 141 requires that the purchase method of accounting be used for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001 as well as for all purchase method business combinations completed after June 30, 2001. Statement No. 141 also specifies criteria that intangible assets acquired in a purchase method business combination must meet to be recognized and reported apart from goodwill. Statement No. 142 will require that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives no longer be amortized, but instead be tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of Statement No. 142. Statement No. 142 will also require that intangible assets with definite useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment in accordance with Statement No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” The Partnership adopted the applicable provisions of Statement No. 141 related to acquisitions completed after June 30, 2001.
 
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The Partnership will apply the transitional provisions (related to classification of intangibles) of Statement No. 141 and the provisions of Statement No. 142 beginning the first fiscal quarter of 2003. The Partnership has evaluated its existing intangible assets and will make any necessary reclassifications in order to conform to the provisions of Statement No. 141. In accordance with Statement No. 142, the Partnership will reassess the useful lives of its intangible assets and will test its goodwill and intangible assets for impairment and recognize any impairment loss as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle in fiscal 2003.
 
As of September 30, 2002, the Partnership had unamortized goodwill in the amount of $264.6 million. The Partnership also has $194.2 million of unamortized identifiable intangible assets, which will be subject to the transition provisions of Statements No. 141 and No. 142. Since July 1, 2001, the Partnership’s adoption date of Statement No. 141, the Partnership acquired $87.8 million of goodwill subject to Statement No. 142. As a result, these assets were not amortized; however, amortization expense would have been increased approximately $3.4 million, if this goodwill had been amortized for the twelve months ended September 30, 2002. In accordance with FASB Statement No. 142, the Partnership is currently evaluating the fair value of its goodwill that arose in connection with its acquisitions, to determine if the value of these assets are impaired. It is likely that during the first fiscal quarter of 2003, the Partnership will record a charge between $3.5 million and $4.0 million to write-off a portion of TG&E’s goodwill pursuant to Statement No. 142. At September 30, 2002, TG&E had approximately $10.0 million of goodwill subject to the provisions of Statement No. 142. The Partnership will record the charge, net of taxes, as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle.
 
The Partnership’s results for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002 on a historic basis did not reflect the impact of the provisions of Statement No. 142. Had the Partnership adopted Statement No. 142 on October 1, 1999, the unaudited pro forma effect on Basic and Diluted net income (loss) and Limited Partners’ interest in net income (loss) would have been as follows:
 
 	  	Limited Partners’
Interest in Net Income (Loss)

	 	  	Basic and Diluted Net Income
(Loss) Per Limited Partner Unit

	 	
 	  	2000

	  	2001

	 	  	2002

	 	  	2000

	  	2001

	 	  	2002

	 	
(in thousands, except per unit data)	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
As reported: Net Income (loss)	  	$	1,353	  	$	(5,249	)	  	$	(11,169	)	  	$	0.07	  	$	(0.23	)	  	$	(0.39	)	
Add: Goodwill amortization	  	 	7,419	  	 	7,887	 	  	 	8,275	 	  	 	0.41	  	 	0.35	 	  	 	0.29	 	
Income tax impact	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	 	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Adjusted: Net Income (loss)	  	$	8,772	  	$	2,638	 	  	$	(2,894	)	  	$	0.48	  	$	0.12	 	  	$	(0.10	)	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
General Partner’s interest in net income (loss)	  	$	156	  	$	38	 	  	$	(30	)	  	$	0.01	  	$	—  	 	  	$	—  	 	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Adjusted: Limited Partners’ interest in net income	  	$	8,616	  	$	2,600	 	  	$	(2,864	)	  	$	0.47	  	$	0.12	 	  	$	(0.10	)	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
In August 2001, the FASB issued Statement No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.” Statement No. 143 requires recording the fair market value of an asset retirement obligation as a liability in the period in which a legal obligation associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets is incurred. Statement No. 143 also requires the recording of a corresponding asset, and to depreciate that amount over the life of the asset. The liability is then
 
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increased at the end of each period to reflect the passage of time and changes in the initial fair value measurement. The Partnership is required to adopt the provisions of Statement No. 143, effective October 1, 2002 and has determined that the provisions of this Statement will have no material impact on its financial condition or results of operations.
 
In October 2001, the FASB issued Statement No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” Statement No. 144 addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. It also extends the reporting requirements to report separately as discontinued operations, components of an entity that have either been disposed of or classified as held for sale. The Partnership is required to adopt the provisions of Statement No. 144 effective October 1, 2002 and has determined that the provisions of this Statement will have no material impact on its financial condition or results of operations.
 
In June 2002, the FASB issued Statement No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.” This Statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities and nullifies Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring).” Statement No. 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred. This Statement also establishes that fair value is the objective for initial measurement of the liability. The provisions of this Statement are effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002. The Partnership does not expect the adoption to have a material impact to the Partnership’s financial position or results of operations.
 
In November 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.” Interpretation No. 45 requires the guarantor to recognize a liability for the non-contingent component of a guarantee; that is, the obligation to stand ready to perform in the event that specified triggering events or conditions occur. The initial measurement of this liability is the fair value of the guarantee at inception. The recognition of the liability is required even if it is not probable that payments will be required under the guarantee or if the guarantee was issued with a premium payment or as part of a transaction with multiple elements. Interpretation No. 45 also requires additional disclosures related to guarantees. The disclosure requirements are effective for interim and annual financial statements for periods ending after December 15, 2002. The recognition and measurement provisions of Interpretation No. 45 are effective for all guarantees entered into or modified after December 31, 2002. The Partnership is in the process of evaluating the effect of this Interpretation on its financial statements and disclosures.
 
3. Quarterly Distribution of Available Cash
 
In general, the Partnership distributes to its partners on a quarterly basis all “Available Cash.” Available Cash generally means, with respect to any fiscal quarter, all cash on hand at the end of such quarter less the amount of cash reserves that are necessary or appropriate in the reasonable discretion of the General Partner to (1) provide for the proper conduct of the Partnership’s business, (2) comply with applicable law or any of its debt instruments or other agreements, or
 
14

 
(3) in certain circumstances provide funds for distributions to the common unitholders and the senior subordinated unitholders during the next four quarters. The General Partner may not establish cash reserves for distributions to the senior subordinated units unless the General Partner has determined that in its judgment the establishment of reserves will not prevent the Partnership from distributing the Minimum Quarterly Distribution (“MQD”) on all common units and any common unit arrearages thereon with respect to the next four quarters. Certain restrictions on distributions on senior subordinated units, junior subordinated units and general partner units could result in cash that would otherwise be Available Cash being reserved for other purposes. Cash distributions will be characterized as distributions from either Operating Surplus or Capital Surplus as defined in the Partnership agreement.
 
The senior subordinated units, the junior subordinated units, and general partner units are each a separate class of interest in Star Gas Partners, and the rights of holders of those interests to participate in distributions differ from the rights of the holders of the common units.
 
The Partnership intends to distribute to the extent there is sufficient Available Cash, at least a MQD of $0.575 per common unit, or $2.30 per common unit on a yearly basis. In general, Available Cash will be distributed per quarter based on the following priorities:
 
 	•	 	First, to the common units until each has received $0.575, plus any arrearages from prior quarters.	
 
 	•	 	Second, to the senior subordinated units until each has received $0.575.	
 
 	•	 	Third, to the junior subordinated units and general partner units until each has received $0.575. Finally, after each has received $0.575, available cash will be distributed proportionately to all units until target levels are met.	
 
If distributions of Available Cash exceed target levels greater than $0.604, the senior subordinated units, junior subordinated units and general partner units will receive incentive distributions.
 
In August 2000, the Partnership commenced quarterly distributions on its senior subordinated units at an initial rate of $0.25 per unit. From February 2001 to July 2002, the Partnership increased the quarterly distributions on its senior subordinated units, junior subordinated units and general partner units to $0.575 per unit. In August 2002, the Partnership announced that it would decrease distributions to its senior subordinated units to $0.25 and would eliminate the distributions to its junior subordinated units and general partner units.
 
The subordination period will end once the Partnership has met the financial tests stipulated in the partnership agreement, but it generally cannot end before December 31, 2005. However, if the general partner is removed under some circumstances, the subordination period will end. When the subordination period ends, all senior subordinated units and junior subordinated units will convert into Class B common units on a one-for-one basis, and each common unit will be redesignated as a Class A common unit. The main difference between the Class A common units and Class B common units is that the Class B common units will continue to have the right to receive incentive distributions and additional units.
 
15

The subordination period will generally extend until the first day of any quarter beginning after December 31, 2005 that each of the following three events occur:
 
 	(1)	 	distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus on the common units, senior subordinated units, junior subordinated units and general partner units equal or exceed the sum of the minimum quarterly distributions on all of the outstanding common units, senior subordinated units, junior subordinated units and general partner units for each of the three non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding that date;	
 
 	(2)	 	the Adjusted Operating Surplus generated during each of the three immediately preceding non-overlapping four-quarter periods equaled or exceeded the sum of the minimum quarterly distributions on all of the outstanding common units, senior subordinated units, junior subordinated units and general partner units during those periods on a fully diluted basis for employee options or other employee incentive compensation. This includes all outstanding units and all common units issuable upon exercise of employee options that have, as of the date of determination, already vested or are scheduled to vest before the end of the quarter immediately following the quarter for which the determination is made. It also includes all units that have as of the date of determination been earned by but not yet issued to our management for incentive compensation; and	
 
 	(3)	 	there are no arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units.	
 
4. Segment Reporting
 
The Partnership has three reportable operating segments: retail distribution of heating oil, retail distribution of propane and reselling of natural gas and electricity. The administrative expenses for the public master limited partnership, Star Gas Partners, have not been allocated to the segments. Management has chosen to organize the enterprise under these three segments in order to leverage the expertise it has in each industry, allow each segment to continue to strengthen its core competencies and provide a clear means for evaluation of operating results.
 
The heating oil segment is primarily engaged in the retail distribution of home heating oil, related equipment services and equipment sales to residential and commercial customers. It operates primarily in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Home heating oil is principally used by the Partnership’s residential and commercial customers to heat their homes and buildings and as a result, weather conditions have a significant impact on the demand for home heating oil.
 
The propane segment is primarily engaged in the retail distribution of propane and related supplies and equipment to residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and motor fuel customers, in the Midwest, Northeast, Florida and Georgia. Propane is used primarily for space heating, water heating and cooking by the Partnership’s residential and commercial customers and as a result, weather conditions also have a significant impact on the demand for propane.
 
The natural gas and electric reseller segment is primarily engaged in offering natural gas and electricity to residential consumers in deregulated energy markets. In deregulated energy
 
16

markets, customers have a choice in selecting energy suppliers to power and/or heat their homes; as a result, a significant portion of this segment’s revenue is directly related to weather conditions. TG&E operates in New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Florida, where competitors range from independent resellers, like TG&E, to large public utilities.
 
The Public Master Limited Partnership includes the office of the Chief Executive Officer and has the responsibility for maintaining investor relations and investor reporting for the Partnership.
 
17

The following are the statements of operations and balance sheets for each segment as of and for the periods indicated. The electric and natural gas reselling segment (TG&E) was added beginning April 7, 2000, the date of acquisition. There were no inter-segment sales.
 
 	  	Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

	 	
 	  	2001

	 	  	2002

	 	
(in thousands)

	  	Heating Oil

	 	  	Propane

	 	  	TG&E

	 	  	Partners & Other

	 	  	Consolidated

	 	  	Heating Oil

	 	  	Propane

	  	TG&E

	 	  	Partners & Other

	 	  	Consolidated

	 	
Statements of Operations	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Sales	  	$	767,959	 	  	$	226,340	 	  	$	91,674	 	  	 	 	 	  	$	1,085,973	 	  	$	790,378	 	  	$	195,517	  	$	39,163	 	  	$	—  	 	  	$	1,025,058	 	
Cost of sales	  	 	563,803	 	  	 	124,164	 	  	 	83,350	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	771,317	 	  	 	546,495	 	  	 	82,865	  	 	32,618	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	661,978	 	
Delivery and branch	  	 	142,968	 	  	 	57,091	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	200,059	 	  	 	174,030	 	  	 	61,678	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	235,708	 	
Deprec. and amort.	  	 	28,586	 	  	 	13,867	 	  	 	1,934	 	  	 	9	 	  	 	44,396	 	  	 	40,437	 	  	 	16,783	  	 	1,822	 	  	 	7	 	  	 	59,049	 	
G & A expense	  	 	10,240	 	  	 	6,992	 	  	 	12,720	 	  	 	9,134	 	  	 	39,086	 	  	 	13,630	 	  	 	8,526	  	 	14,500	 	  	 	4,115	 	  	 	40,771	 	
TG&E customer acquisition expense	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	1,868	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	1,868	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	  	 	1,228	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	1,228	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Operating income (loss)	  	 	22,362	 	  	 	24,226	 	  	 	(8,198	)	  	 	(9,143	)	  	 	29,247	 	  	 	15,786	 	  	 	25,665	  	 	(11,005	)	  	 	(4,122	)	  	 	26,324	 	
Net interest expense (income)	  	 	20,891	 	  	 	11,863	 	  	 	2,934	 	  	 	(1,961	)	  	 	33,727	 	  	 	24,087	 	  	 	13,227	  	 	3,530	 	  	 	(3,342	)	  	 	37,502	 	
Amortization of debt issuance costs	  	 	506	 	  	 	231	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	737	 	  	 	1,197	 	  	 	250	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	1,447	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Income (loss) before income taxes	  	 	965	 	  	 	12,132	 	  	 	(11,132	)	  	 	(7,182	)	  	 	(5,217	)	  	 	(9,498	)	  	 	12,188	  	 	(14,535	)	  	 	(780	)	  	 	(12,625	)	
Income tax expense (benefit)	  	 	1,200	 	  	 	297	 	  	 	1	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	1,498	 	  	 	(1,700	)	  	 	244	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	(1,456	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Income (loss) before cumulative change in accounting principle	  	 	(235	)	  	 	11,835	 	  	 	(11,133	)	  	 	(7,182	)	  	 	(6,715	)	  	 	(7,798	)	  	 	11,944	  	 	(14,535	)	  	 	(780	)	  	 	(11,169	)	
Cumulative change in accounting principle	  	 	2,093	 	  	 	(229	)	  	 	(398	)	  	 	—  	 	  	 	1,466	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Net income (loss)	  	$	1,858	 	  	$	11,606	 	  	$	(11,531	)	  	$	(7,182	)	  	$	(5,249	)	  	$	(7,798	)	  	$	11,944	  	$	(14,535	)	  	$	(780	)	  	$	(11,169	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Capital expenditures	  	$	11,979	 	  	$	5,390	 	  	$	318	 	  	$	—  	 	  	$	17,687	 	  	$	9,105	 	  	$	5,235	  	$	730	 	  	$	—  	 	  	$	15,070	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Total Assets	  	$	591,625	 	  	$	380,826	 	  	$	28,756	 	  	$	(102,388	)	  	$	898,819	 	  	$	619,742	 	  	$	442,318	  	$	17,570	 	  	$	(135,864	)	  	$	943,766	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
18

 
 	  	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2000

	
(in thousands)

	  	Heating Oil

	  	Propane

	  	TG&E

	 	  	Partners & Other

	 	  	Consolidated

	
Statements of operations	  	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	
Sales	  	$	570,877	  	$	150,184	  	$	23,603	 	  	$	—  	 	  	$	744,664	
Cost of sales	  	 	403,260	  	 	76,303	  	 	22,026	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	501,589	
Delivery and branch	  	 	112,820	  	 	44,042	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	156,862	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	22,373	  	 	11,916	  	 	416	 	  	 	3	 	  	 	34,708	
G & A expense	  	 	9,196	  	 	6,129	  	 	2,041	 	  	 	3,145	 	  	 	20,511	
TG&E customer acquisition expense	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	  	 	2,082	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	2,082	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Operating income (loss)	  	 	23,228	  	 	11,794	  	 	(2,962	)	  	 	(3,148	)	  	 	28,912	
Net interest expense (income)	  	 	17,069	  	 	9,509	  	 	635	 	  	 	(429	)	  	 	26,784	
Amortization of debt issuance costs	  	 	343	  	 	191	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	534	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Income (loss) before income taxes & minority interest	  	 	5,816	  	 	2,094	  	 	(3,597	)	  	 	(2,719	)	  	 	1,594	
Minority interest in net loss of TG&E	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	  	 	251	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	251	
Income tax expense	  	 	400	  	 	90	  	 	2	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	492	
Net income (loss)	  	$	5,416	  	$	2,004	  	$	(3,348	)	  	$	(2,719	)	  	$	1,353	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Capital expenditures	  	$	3,478	  	$	3,927	  	$	155	 	  	$	—  	 	  	$	7,560	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Total assets	  	$	374,279	  	$	286,714	  	$	26,360	 	  	$	(68,377	)	  	$	618,976	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

19

 
 	  	Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

	
 	  	2001

	  	2002

	
(in thousands)

	  	Heating Oil

	 	  	Propane

	 	  	TG&E

	  	Partners & Other(1)

	 	  	Consolidated

	  	Heating Oil

	 	  	Propane

	 	  	TG&E

	  	Partners & Other(1)

	 	  	Consolidated

	
Balance Sheets	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	
Assets	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	
Current assets:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	  	$	7,181	 	  	$	3,655	 	  	$	102	  	$	6,290	 	  	$	17,228	  	$	49,474	 	  	$	8,904	 	  	$	474	  	$	2,629	 	  	$	61,481	
Receivables, net	  	 	82,484	 	  	 	12,002	 	  	 	10,487	  	 	—  	 	  	 	104,973	  	 	70,063	 	  	 	10,669	 	  	 	2,720	  	 	—  	 	  	 	83,452	
Inventories	  	 	24,735	 	  	 	13,181	 	  	 	3,214	  	 	—  	 	  	 	41,130	  	 	27,301	 	  	 	10,156	 	  	 	1,996	  	 	—  	 	  	 	39,453	
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	  	 	16,921	 	  	 	3,523	 	  	 	2,349	  	 	(862	)	  	 	21,931	  	 	34,817	 	  	 	2,793	 	  	 	1,009	  	 	(804	)	  	 	37,815	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Total current assets	  	 	131,321	 	  	 	32,361	 	  	 	16,152	  	 	5,428	 	  	 	185,262	  	 	181,655	 	  	 	32,522	 	  	 	6,199	  	 	1,825	 	  	 	222,201	
Property and equipment, net	  	 	72,204	 	  	 	162,680	 	  	 	487	  	 	—  	 	  	 	235,371	  	 	66,854	 	  	 	174,298	 	  	 	740	  	 	—  	 	  	 	241,892	
Long-term portion of accounts receivable	  	 	6,752	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	 	  	 	6,752	  	 	6,672	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	 	  	 	6,672	
Investment in subsidiaries	  	 	—  	 	  	 	108,035	 	  	 	—  	  	 	(108,035	)	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	 	  	 	137,689	 	  	 	—  	  	 	(137,689	)	  	 	—  	
Intangibles and other assets, net	  	 	381,348	 	  	 	77,750	 	  	 	12,117	  	 	219	 	  	 	471,434	  	 	364,561	 	  	 	97,809	 	  	 	10,631	  	 	—  	 	  	 	473,001	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Total assets	  	$	591,625	 	  	$	380,826	 	  	$	28,756	  	$	(102,388	)	  	$	898,819	  	$	619,742	 	  	$	442,318	 	  	$	17,570	  	$	(135,864	)	  	$	943,766	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Liabilities and partners’ capital	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	
Current liabilities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	
Accounts payable	  	$	22,407	 	  	$	5,682	 	  	$	7,711	  	$	—  	 	  	$	35,800	  	$	11,070	 	  	$	5,725	 	  	$	3,565	  	$	—  	 	  	$	20,360	
Working capital facility   borrowings	  	 	—  	 	  	 	8,400	 	  	 	5,466	  	 	—  	 	  	 	13,866	  	 	23,000	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	3,195	  	 	—  	 	  	 	26,195	
Current maturities of long-  term debt	  	 	1,184	 	  	 	8,702	 	  	 	2,000	  	 	—  	 	  	 	11,886	  	 	60,787	 	  	 	10,626	 	  	 	700	  	 	—  	 	  	 	72,113	
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	  	 	63,895	 	  	 	10,267	 	  	 	1,052	  	 	2,464	 	  	 	77,678	  	 	53,754	 	  	 	12,633	 	  	 	1,170	  	 	1,887	 	  	 	69,444	
Due to affiliate	  	 	(185	)	  	 	(1,450	)	  	 	2,069	  	 	(434	)	  	 	—  	  	 	(293	)	  	 	(3,321	)	  	 	2,855	  	 	759	 	  	 	—  	
Unearned service contract   revenue	  	 	24,575	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	 	  	 	24,575	  	 	30,549	 	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	 	  	 	30,549	
Customer credit balances	  	 	45,456	 	  	 	18,053	 	  	 	1,698	  	 	—  	 	  	 	65,207	  	 	49,346	 	  	 	16,487	 	  	 	4,750	  	 	—  	 	  	 	70,583	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Total current liabilities	  	 	157,332	 	  	 	49,654	 	  	 	19,996	  	 	2,030	 	  	 	229,012	  	 	228,213	 	  	 	42,150	 	  	 	16,235	  	 	2,646	 	  	 	82289,244	
Long-term debt	  	 	314,148	 	  	 	142,375	 	  	 	563	  	 	—  	 	  	 	457,086	  	 	230,384	 	  	 	166,349	 	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	 	  	 	396,733	
Other long-term liabilities	  	 	12,110	 	  	 	2,307	 	  	 	40	  	 	—  	 	  	 	14,457	  	 	23,456	 	  	 	2,069	 	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	 	  	 	25,525	
Partners’ capital:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	
Equity capital	  	 	108,035	 	  	 	186,490	 	  	 	8,157	  	 	(104,418	)	  	 	198,264	  	 	137,689	 	  	 	231,750	 	  	 	1,335	  	 	(138,510	)	  	 	232,264	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Total liabilities and partners’ capital	  	$	591,625	 	  	$	380,826	 	  	$	28,756	  	$	(102,388	)	  	$	898,819	  	$	619,742	 	  	$	442,318	 	  	$	17,570	  	$	(135,864	)	  	$	943,766	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	
 
(1)	 	The Partners & Other amounts include the balance sheet of the Public Master Limited Partnership, as well as the necessary consolidation entries to eliminate the investment in Petro Holdings, Star Gas Propane and TG&E.	
 
20

 
5. Inventories
 
The components of inventory were as follows:
 
(in thousands)

	  	September 30, 2001

	  	September 30, 2002

	
Propane gas	  	$	9,546	  	$	6,175	
Propane appliances and equipment	  	 	3,635	  	 	3,981	
Fuel oil	  	 	12,403	  	 	15,555	
Fuel oil parts and equipment	  	 	12,332	  	 	11,746	
Natural gas	  	 	3,214	  	 	1,996	

	

	  	

	

	
 	  	$	41,130	  	$	39,453	

	

	  	

	

	
 
Propane
 
The Partnership obtains its propane supply through a rail transportation system, through an outside trucking network and through inland terminals. In addition to these supply networks, Star Gas Propane’s operations are also supplied through bulk purchases at Mont Belvieu, Texas, which are physically transported to multiple points along the TEPPCO Partners, L.P. pipeline system and a drop point at Star Gas Propane’s Seymour, Indiana underground storage facility. The pipeline is connected to the Mont Belvieu, Texas storage facilities and is one of the largest conduits of supply for the U.S. propane industry. The Seymour facility allows the propane segment to store a volume of propane equal to approximately 13% of its annual purchases. Substantially all of the Partnership’s propane supplies for the retail operations are purchased under annual or longer term supply contracts that generally provide for pricing in accordance with market prices at the time of delivery from over 20 suppliers. Star Gas Propane’s three single largest suppliers in the aggregate account for approximately 40% of Star Gas Propane’s total annual propane purchases. Certain of the contracts provide for minimum and maximum amounts of propane to be purchased and provide for pricing in accordance with posted prices at the time of delivery or include a pricing formula that typically is based on current market prices.
 
Heating Oil
 
The Partnership obtains home heating oil in either barge or truckload quantities, and has contracts with approximately 80 third party owned terminals for the right to temporarily store its heating oil. Purchases are made pursuant to supply contracts or on the spot market. The Partnership has market price based contracts for substantially all its petroleum requirements with 12 different suppliers, the majority of which have significant domestic sources for their product, and many of which have been suppliers for over 10 years. Typically supply contracts have terms of 12 months. All of the supply contracts provide for maximum and in some cases minimum quantities, and in most cases the price is based upon the market price at the time of delivery.
 
Natural Gas and Electricity
 
The Partnership is an independent reseller of natural gas and electricity to residential homeowners in deregulated markets. In the markets in which TG&E operates, natural gas and electricity are available from wholesale natural gas producers and electricity generating companies. Substantially all purchases were from major U.S. wholesalers, who transport the natural gas to the incumbent utility company for TG&E, through purchased or assigned capacity
 
21

using existing pipelines. Additionally, all of TG&E’s electricity requirements are currently purchased at market from a New York Independent System operator, who transports the electricity to the incumbent utility company, through scheduled deliveries using existing electric lines.
 
The incumbent utility company then delivers the natural gas and electricity to TG&E customers using existing pipelines and electric lines. The incumbent utility and TG&E coordinate delivery and billing, and also compete to sell the natural gas and electricity to the ultimate consumer. Generally, customers pay the incumbent utility a service charge to cover customer related costs like meter readings, billing, equipment and maintenance. Customers also pay a separate delivery charge to the incumbent utility for bringing the natural gas or electricity from the customer’s chosen supplier. The energy service company is then paid by the customer for the natural gas or electricity that was supplied. In most markets in which TG&E operates, these charges are itemized on one customer energy bill from the utility company. In other markets, TG&E directly bills the customer for the natural gas or electricity supplied.
 
The Partnership may enter into forward contracts with Mont Belvieu suppliers, heating oil suppliers or refineries which call for a fixed price for the product to be purchased based on current market conditions, with delivery occurring at a later date. In most cases the Partnership has entered into similar agreements to sell this product to customers for a fixed price based on market conditions. In the event that the Partnership enters into these types of contracts without a subsequent sale, it is exposed to some market risk. Currently, the Partnership does not have any forward contracts that if market conditions were to change, would have a material effect on its financial statements.
 
Inventory Derivative Instruments
 
The Partnership periodically hedges a portion of its home heating oil, propane and natural gas purchases and sales through futures, options, collars and swap agreements.
 
To hedge a substantial portion of the purchase price associated with heating oil gallons anticipated to be sold to its price plan customers, the heating oil segment at September 30, 2002 had outstanding 19.1 million gallons of futures contracts to buy heating oil with a notional value of $13.0 million and a fair value of $2.0 million; 73.5 million gallons of option contracts to buy heating oil with a notional value of $54.4 million and a fair value of $6.1 million; and 2.9 million gallons of option contracts to sell heating oil. None of the heating oil segment’s outstanding options to sell heating oil, which allow the Partnership the right to sell heating oil at a fixed price, were in the money at September 30, 2002. The contracts expire at various times with no contract expiring later than June 30, 2003.
 
To hedge a substantial portion of the purchase price associated with propane gallons anticipated to be sold to its fixed price customers, the propane segment at September 30, 2002 had outstanding swap contracts to buy 3.2 million gallons of propane with a notional value of $1.3 million and a fair value totaling $0.2 million; 3.4 million gallons of option contracts to buy propane with a notional value of $1.6 million and a fair value of $0.1 million; and 3.2 million gallons of option contracts to sell propane. None of the propane segment’s outstanding options to sell propane, which allow the Partnership the right to sell propane at a fixed price, were in the
 
22

money at September 30, 2002. The contracts expire at various times with no contracts expiring later than March 2003.
 
To hedge a substantial portion of the purchase price associated with natural gas dekatherms anticipated to be sold to its fixed price customers, TG&E at September 30, 2002 had outstanding option contracts to buy 0.1 million dekatherms of natural gas. None of TG&E’s outstanding options to buy natural gas, which allow TG&E the right to buy natural gas at a fixed price, were in the money at September 30, 2002. The contracts expire at various times with no contract expiring later than December 2002.
 
For the year ended September 30, 2001, the Partnership had recognized the following for derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges: $11.1 million gain in earnings due to instruments which expired during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001, $8.1 million loss in accumulated other comprehensive income due to the effective portion of derivative instruments outstanding at September 30, 2001, $4.2 million loss due to hedge ineffectiveness for derivative instruments outstanding at September 30, 2001 and $1.0 million loss relating to the time value writeoff of outstanding option agreements at September 30, 2001. For derivative instruments accounted for as fair value hedges, the Partnership recognized a $3.3 million loss in earnings due to instruments which expired during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001, and a $0.2 million gain in earnings for the change in the fair value of derivative instruments outstanding at September 30, 2001. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, the Partnership recognized a $0.2 million gain in earnings due to instruments which expired during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001, and a $0.4 million gain for the change in fair value of derivative instruments outstanding at September 30, 2001.
 
For the year ended September 30, 2002, the Partnership has recognized the following for derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges: $29.3 million loss in earnings due to instruments expiring during the current year, $4.9 million gain in accumulated other comprehensive income due to the effective portion of derivative instruments outstanding at September 30, 2002, and less than $0.1 million gain in earnings due to hedge ineffectiveness for derivative instruments outstanding at September 30, 2002. For derivative instruments accounted for as fair value hedges, the Partnership recognized a $2.2 million gain in earnings due to instruments expiring during the current year, and a $0.1 million loss in earnings for the change in the fair value of derivative instruments outstanding at September 30, 2002. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, the Partnership recognized a $0.4 million gain in earnings due to instruments expiring during the year, and a $0.1 million gain for the change in fair value of derivative instruments outstanding at September 30, 2002.
 
The Partnership recorded $8.7 million for the fair value of its derivative instruments, to other current assets, at September 30, 2002. The balance in accumulated other comprehensive income for effective cash flow hedges are expected to be reclassified into earnings, through cost of goods sold, over the next 12 months.
 
23

 
6. Property, Plant and Equipment
 
The components of property, plant and equipment and their estimated useful lives were as follows:
 
 	  	September 30,

	    	 	
(in thousands)

	  	2001

	  	2002

	    	Estimated Useful Lives

	
Land	  	$	17,872	  	$	20,620	    	 	
Buildings and leasehold improvements	  	 	32,662	  	 	32,427	    	4-30 years	
Fleet and other equipment	  	 	56,359	  	 	61,194	    	3-30 years	
Tanks and equipment	  	 	165,275	  	 	178,612	    	8-30 years	
Furniture and fixtures	  	 	30,265	  	 	38,309	    	3-12 years	

	

	  	

	

	    	 	
Total	  	 	302,433	  	 	331,162	    	 	
Less accumulated depreciation	  	 	67,062	  	 	89,270	    	 	

	

	  	

	

	    	 	
Property and equipment, net	  	$	235,371	  	$	241,892	    	 	

	

	  	

	

	    	 	
 
7. Intangibles and Other Assets
 
The components of intangibles and other assets were as follows at the indicated dates:
 
 	  	September 30, 2001

	  	September 30, 2002

	
(in thousands)

	  	Propane

	  	Heating
Oil

	  	TG&E

	  	Partners

	  	Total

	  	Propane

	  	Heating
Oil

	  	TG&E

	  	Partners

	  	Total

	
Goodwill	  	$	35,223	  	$	238,377	  	$	10,036	  	 	—  	  	$	283,636	  	$	42,834	  	$	240,653	  	$	11,132	  	$	—  	  	$	294,619	
Covenants not to compete	  	 	6,966	  	 	4,725	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	  	 	11,691	  	 	7,616	  	 	4,725	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	  	 	12,341	
Customer lists	  	 	59,475	  	 	174,594	  	 	2,670	  	 	—  	  	 	236,739	  	 	78,186	  	 	176,209	  	 	2,890	  	 	—  	  	 	257,285	
Deferred charges	  	 	4,244	  	 	7,990	  	 	170	  	 	231	  	 	12,635	  	 	5,157	  	 	9,238	  	 	170	  	 	—  	  	 	14,565	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Total intangibles and
deferred charges	  	 	105,908	  	 	425,686	  	 	12,876	  	 	231	  	 	544,701	  	 	133,793	  	 	430,825	  	 	14,192	  	 	—  	  	 	578,810	
Less accumulated amortization	  	 	28,320	  	 	44,841	  	 	2,198	  	 	12	  	 	75,371	  	 	36,211	  	 	72,682	  	 	3,561	  	 	—  	  	 	112,454	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Net intangibles and deferred
charges	  	 	77,588	  	 	380,845	  	 	10,678	  	 	219	  	 	469,330	  	 	97,582	  	 	358,143	  	 	10,631	  	 	—  	  	 	466,356	
Other assets	  	 	162	  	 	503	  	 	1,439	  	 	—  	  	 	2,104	  	 	227	  	 	6,418	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	  	 	6,645	
Intangibles and other
assets, net	  	$	77,750	  	$	381,348	  	$	12,117	  	$	219	  	$	471,434	  	$	97,809	  	$	364,561	  	$	10,631	  	$	—  	  	$	473,001	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

24

 
8. Long-term Debt and Bank Facility Borrowings
 
Long-term debt consisted of the following at the indicated dates:
 
 	  	September 30,

	 	
(in thousands)

	  	2001

	 	  	2002

	 	
Propane Segment:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
8.04% First Mortgage Notes(a)	  	$	83,077	 	  	$	74,375	 	
7.17% First Mortgage Notes(a)	  	 	11,000	 	  	 	11,000	 	
8.70% First Mortgage Notes(a)	  	 	27,500	 	  	 	27,500	 	
7.87% First Mortgage Notes(a)	  	 	29,500	 	  	 	29,500	 	
Acquisition Facility Borrowings(b)	  	 	—  	 	  	 	20,400	 	
Parity Debt Facility Borrowings(b)	  	 	—  	 	  	 	14,200	 	
Working Capital Facility Borrowings(b)	  	 	8,400	 	  	 	—  	 	
Heating Oil Segment:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
7.92% Senior Notes(c)	  	 	90,000	 	  	 	90,000	 	
9.0% Senior Notes(d)	  	 	57,170	 	  	 	45,273	 	
8.25% Senior Notes(e)	  	 	103,000	 	  	 	109,068	 	
10.25% Senior and Subordinated Notes(f)	  	 	2,000	 	  	 	—  	 	
8.96% Senior Notes(g)	  	 	40,000	 	  	 	40,000	 	
Acquisition Facility Borrowings(h)	  	 	16,000	 	  	 	—  	 	
Working Capital Facility Borrowings(h)	  	 	—  	 	  	 	23,000	 	
Acquisition Notes Payable(i)	  	 	4,147	 	  	 	3,815	 	
Subordinated Debentures(j)	  	 	3,015	 	  	 	3,015	 	
TG&E Segment:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Working Capital Facility Borrowings(k)	  	 	5,466	 	  	 	3,195	 	
Acquisition Facility Borrowings(k)	  	 	2,000	 	  	 	700	 	
14.5% Junior Convertible Subordinated Notes Payable(l)	  	 	563	 	  	 	—  	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 	  	 	482,838	 	  	 	495,041	 	
Less current maturities	  	 	(11,886	)	  	 	(72,113	)	
Less working capital facility borrowings	  	 	(13,866	)	  	 	(26,195	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Long-term debt	  	$	457,086	 	  	$	396,733	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
(a) In December 1995, Star Gas Propane assumed $85.0 million of first mortgage notes (the “First Mortgage Notes”) with an annual interest rate of 8.04% in connection with the initial Partnership formation. In January 1998, Star Gas Propane issued an additional $11.0 million of First Mortgage Notes with an annual interest rate of 7.17%. In March 2000, Star Gas Propane issued $27.5 million of 8.70% First Mortgage Notes. In March 2001, Star Gas Propane issued $29.5 million of senior notes with an average annual interest rate of 7.87% per year. Obligations under the First Mortgage Note Agreements are secured, on an equal basis with Star Gas Propane’s obligations under the Star Gas Propane Bank Credit Facilities, by a mortgage on substantially all of the real property and liens on substantially all of the operating facilities, equipment and other assets of Star Gas Propane. The First Mortgage Notes requires semiannual payments, without premium on the principal thereof, which began on March 15, 2001 and have a final maturity of March 30, 2015. Interest on the First Mortgage Notes is payable semiannually in March and September. The First Mortgage Note Agreements contain various restrictive and affirmative covenants applicable to Star Gas Propane; the most restrictive of these covenants relate to the incurrence of additional indebtedness and restrictions on dividends, certain investments, guarantees, loans, sales of assets and other transactions.
 
(b) The Star Gas Propane Bank Credit Facilities currently consist of a $25.0 million Acquisition Facility, a $25.0 million Parity Debt Facility that can be used to fund maintenance and growth capital expenditures and an $18.0 million Working Capital Facility. At September 30, 2002, there was $20.4 million of borrowings outstanding under its Acquisition Facility and $14.2 million of borrowings outstanding under its Parity Debt Facility. The agreement governing the Bank Credit Facilities contains covenants and default provisions generally similar to those contained in the First Mortgage Note Agreements. The Bank Credit Facilities bear interest at a rate based upon, at the Partnership’s option, either the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a margin or a Base Rate (each as defined in the Bank Credit Facilities). The Partnership is required to pay a fee for unused commitments which amounted to $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.2 million during fiscal 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively. For fiscal 2001 and 2002, the weighted average interest rate on borrowings under these facilities was 8.0% and 4.2%, respectively. At September 30, 2002, the interest rate on the borrowings outstanding was 4.2%.
 
25

The Working Capital Facility expires on June 30, 2003, but may be extended annually thereafter with the consent of the banks. However, there must be no amount outstanding under the Working Capital Facility for at least 30 consecutive days during each fiscal year. Borrowings under the Acquisition and Parity Debt Facilities will revolve until September 30, 2003, after which time any outstanding loans thereunder will amortize in quarterly principal payments with a final payment due on September 30, 2005.
 
(c) Petro issued $90.0 million of 7.92% senior secured notes in six separate series in a private placement to institutional investors as part of its acquisition by the Partnership. The Senior Secured Notes are guaranteed by Star Gas Partners and are secured equally and ratably with Petro’s existing senior debt and bank credit facilities by Petro’s cash, accounts receivable, notes receivable, inventory and customer list. Each series of Senior Secured Notes will mature between April 1, 2003 and April 1, 2014. Only interest on each series is due semiannually. On the last interest payment date for each series, the outstanding principal amount is due and payable in full.
 
The note agreements for the senior secured notes contain various negative and affirmative covenants. The most restrictive of the covenants include restrictions on payment of dividends or other distributions by Star Gas Partners if certain ratio tests as defined in the note agreement are not achieved.
 
(d) The Petro 9.0% Senior Secured Notes, which pay interest semiannually, were issued under agreements that are substantially identical to the agreements under which the $90.0 million of Senior Secured Notes were issued, including negative and affirmative covenants. The 9.0% Senior Notes are guaranteed by Star Gas Partners. The notes have a final maturity payment of $45.3 million which was paid on October 1, 2002. All such notes are redeemable at the option of the Partnership, in whole or in part upon payment of a premium as defined in the note agreement.
 
(e) The Petro Senior Notes bear an average interest rate of 8.25%. These Senior Notes pay interest semiannually and were issued under agreements that are substantially identical to the agreement under which the 7.92% and 9.0% Senior Notes were issued. These notes are also guaranteed by Star Gas Partners. The largest series has an annual interest rate of 8.05% and a maturity date of August 1, 2006 in the amount of $73.0 million. The remaining series bear an annual interest rate of 8.73% and are due in equal annual sinking fund payments due August 1, 2009 and ending on August 1, 2013.
 
In March 2002, the heating oil segment entered into two interest rate swap agreements designed to hedge $73.0 million in underlying fixed rate senior note obligations, in order to reduce overall interest expense. The swap agreements, which expire August 1, 2006, require the counterparties to pay an amount based on the stated fixed interest rate (annual rate 8.05%) pursuant to the senior notes for an aggregate $2.9 million due every six months on August 1 and February 1. In exchange, the heating oil segment is required to make semi-annual floating interest rate payments on August 1st and February 1st based on an annual interest rate equal to the 6 month LIBOR interest rate plus 2.83% applied to the same notional amount of $73.0 million. The swap agreements have been recognized as fair value hedges. Amounts to be paid or received under the interest rate swap agreements are accrued and recognized over the life of the agreements as an adjustment to interest expense. At September 30, 2002, Petro recognized a $6.1 million increase in the fair market value of its interest rate swaps which is recorded in other assets with the fair value of long term debt increasing by a corresponding amount. On October 17, 2002, Petro signed mutual termination agreements of its interest rate swap transactions. Petro terminated these obligations and liabilities in advance of its scheduled termination date, August 1, 2006, and received $4.8 million. The $4.8 million is reflected as a basis adjustment to the fair values of the related debt and will be amortized using the effective yield over the remaining lives of the swap agreements as a reduction of interest expense.
 
(f) The Petro 10.25% Senior and Subordinated Notes which pay interest quarterly also were issued under agreements that are substantially identical to the agreements under which the $90.0 million and the 9.0% Senior Notes were issued. These notes were also guaranteed by Star Gas Partners. In connection with a one year extension exercised by the noteholders in fiscal 2000, the interest rate increased to 14.1%. Petro made a final maturity payment of $2.0 million on January 15, 2002.
 
(g) The Petro 8.96% Senior Notes which pay interest semiannually, were issued under agreements that are substantially identical to the agreements under which the Partnership’s other Senior Notes were issued. These notes are also guaranteed by Star Gas Partners. These notes were issued in three separate series. The largest series has annual sinking fund payments of $2.9 million due beginning November 1, 2004 and ending November 1, 2010. The other two series are due on November 1, 2004 and November 1, 2005.
 
(h) The Petro Bank Facilities consist of three separate facilities; a $123.0 million working capital facility, a $20.0 million insurance letter of credit facility and a $50.0 million acquisition facility. At September 30, 2002, there was $23.0 million of borrowings under the working capital facility, $17.5 million of the insurance letter of credit facility was used, and there were no borrowings outstanding under the acquisition facility, along with an additional $3.1 million outstanding from the acquisition facility in the form of letters of credit (see footnote i below). The working capital facility and letter of credit facility will expire on June 30, 2004. Amounts outstanding under the acquisition facility on June 30, 2004 will convert to a term loan which will be payable in eight equal quarterly principal payments. Amounts borrowed under the working capital facility are subject to a requirement to maintain a zero balance for 45 consecutive days during the period from April 1 to September 30 of each year. In addition, each facility will bear an interest rate that is based on either the LIBOR or another base rate plus a set percentage. The bank facilities agreement contains covenants and default provisions generally similar to those contained in the note agreement for the senior secured notes with additional covenants. Due to the impact on operations of the record warm weather conditions experienced during the 2001-2002 heating season, Petro did not meet one of these additional facility covenants. The noncompliance was resolved with an amendment to Petro’s bank facility agreements, signed on April 25, 2002. As a result, the heating oil segment is currently in compliance with these covenants. The Partnership is required to pay a commitment fee, which
 
26

amounted to $0.5 million and $1.0 million for the years ended September 30, 2001 and 2002, respectively. For the years ended September 30, 2001 and 2002, the weighted average interest rate for borrowings under these facilities was 8.46% and 4.09%, respectively. As of September 30, 2002, the interest rate on the borrowings outstanding was 3.55%.
 
(i) These Petro notes were issued in connection with the purchase of fuel oil dealers and other notes payable and are due in monthly and quarterly installments. Interest is at various rates ranging from 7% to 15% per annum, maturing at various dates through 2007. Approximately $3.1 million of letters of credit issued under the Petro Bank Acquisition Facility are issued to support these notes.
 
(j) Petro also has outstanding $1.3 million of 10 1/8% Subordinated Debentures due April 1, 2003, $0.7 million of 9 3/8% Subordinated Notes due February 1, 2006 and $1.1 million of 12  1 / 4 % Subordinated Notes due February 1, 2005. In October 1998, the indentures under which the 10  1 / 8 %, 9  3 / 8 % and 12  1 / 4 % subordinated notes were issued were amended to eliminate substantially all of the covenants provided by the indentures.
 
(k) At September 30, 2002, TG&E’s Bank Facilities consisted of a $3.0 million Acquisition Facility and a $15.4 million Working Capital Facility and were secured by substantially all of the assets of TG&E. At September 30, 2002, $0.7 million and $3.2 million was borrowed under the Acquisition Facility and Working Capital Facility, respectively. The Partnership was required to pay a fee for unused commitments, which amounted to less than $0.1 million for fiscal 2001 and 2002. For fiscal 2002, the weighted average interest rate on borrowings under these facilities was 5.1%. At September 30, 2002, the interest rate on the borrowings outstanding was 4.8%. In October 2002, TG&E repaid the Bank Facility borrowings. On October 31, 2002, the Partnership contributed the stock of TG&E to Petro, thus making TG&E a wholly owned subsidiary of Petro. As of October 31, 2002, all of TG&E’s bank facility borrowing agreements were terminated.
 
(l) These TG&E notes were issued to the minority interest equity holders of TG&E and were due on December 31, 2005. The annual interest rates were 14.5% and the notes were convertible, at the option of the holder, into common shares of TG&E at the rate of one share for each $23.333 in principal amount of the convertible notes. In June 2002, the Partnership entered into an agreement that resolved certain disputes between the Partnership and the minority interest shareholders of TG&E relating to the initial purchase of TG&E by the Partnership. This agreement provided for the transfer of the entire minority shareholder’s equity interest in TG&E and the surrender to the Partnership of certain notes payable to the minority shareholders in the amount of $0.6 million. This transaction was accounted for as the acquisition of a minority interest and the result was to reduce recorded goodwill by $0.6 million.
 
As of September 30, 2002, the Partnership was in compliance with all debt covenants. As of September 30, 2002, the maturities including working capital borrowings during fiscal years ending September 30 are set forth in the following table:
 
(in thousands)

	  	 	
2003	  	$	98,308	
2004	  	 	36,194	
2005	  	 	51,993	
2006	  	 	108,797	
2007	  	 	54,051	
Thereafter	  	 	145,698	
 
9. Acquisitions
 
During fiscal 2002, the Partnership acquired four retail heating oil dealers and eight retail propane dealers. The aggregate purchase price was approximately $48.4 million.
 
In August 2001, the Partnership completed the purchase of Meenan Oil Co., Inc., believed to be the third largest home heating oil dealer in the United States for $131.8 million. During fiscal 2001, the Partnership also purchased twelve other heating oil dealers for $52.2 million. In addition to these thirteen unaffiliated oil dealers, acquired during fiscal 2001, the Partnership also acquired nine retail propane dealers for $60.8 million.
 
The following table indicates the allocation of the aggregate purchase price paid and the respective periods of amortization assigned for the 2001 and 2002 acquisitions.
 
27

 
(in thousands)

	  	2001

	  	2002

	  	Useful Lives

	
Land	  	$	7,002	  	$	1,466	  	—  	
Buildings	  	 	8,816	  	 	1,950	  	30 years	
Furniture and equipment	  	 	2,236	  	 	750	  	10 years	
Fleet	  	 	14,995	  	 	2,919	  	3-30 years	
Tanks and equipment	  	 	30,753	  	 	10,583	  	5-30 years	
Customer lists	  	 	84,976	  	 	20,603	  	7-15 years	
Restrictive covenants	  	 	4,742	  	 	650	  	5 years	
Goodwill	  	 	84,401	  	 	8,429	  	0-25 years	
Working capital	  	 	6,911	  	 	1,024	  	—  	

	

	  	

	

	  	 	
Total	  	$	244,832	  	$	48,374	  	 	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	
 
The acquisitions were accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Purchase prices have been allocated to the acquired assets and liabilities based on their respective fair values on the dates of acquisition. The purchase prices in excess of the fair values of net assets acquired were classified as intangibles in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Sales and net income have been included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations from the respective dates of acquisition.
 
The following unaudited pro forma information presents the results of operations of the Partnership, including the acquisitions previously described, as if the acquisitions had taken place on October 1, 2000. This pro forma information is presented for informational purposes, it is not indicative of future operating performance.
 
 	  	Year Ended September 30,

	 	
(in thousands, except per unit data)

	  	2001

	  	2002

	 	
Sales	  	$	1,502,271	  	$	1,045,517	 	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Net income (loss)	  	$	20,859	  	$	(10,331	)	
General Partner’s interest in net income (loss)	  	$	262	  	$	(107	)	
Limited Partners’ interest in net income (loss)	  	$	20,597	  	$	(10,224	)	
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per limited partner unit	  	$	0.63	  	$	(0.32	)	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
10. Employee Benefit Plans
 
Propane Segment
 
The propane segment has a 401(k) plan, which covers certain eligible non-union and union employees. Subject to IRS limitations, the 401(k) plan provides for each employee to contribute from 1.0% to 15.0% of compensation. The propane segment contributes to non-union participants a matching amount up to a maximum of 3.0% of compensation. Aggregate matching contributions made to the 401(k) plan during fiscal 2000, 2001 and 2002 were $0.4 million, $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively. For the fiscal years 2000, 2001 and 2002 the propane segment made contributions on behalf of its union employees to union sponsored defined benefit plans of $0.4 million, $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
 
Heating Oil Segment
 
The heating oil segment has a 401(k) plan, which covers certain eligible non-union and union employees. Subject to IRS limitations, the 401(k) plan provides for each employee to contribute
 
28

 
from 1.0% to 17.0% of compensation. The Partnership makes a 4% core contribution of a participant’s compensation and matches 2/3 of each amount a participant contributes up to a maximum of 2.0% of a participant’s compensation. The Partnership’s aggregate contributions to the heating oil segment’s 401(k) plan during fiscal 2000, 2001 and 2002 were $2.7 million, $3.4 million and $4.6 million, respectively.
 
As a result of the Petro acquisition, the Partnership assumed Petro’s pension liability. Effective December 31, 1996, the heating oil segment consolidated all of its defined contribution pension plans and froze the benefits for non-union personnel covered under defined benefit pension plans. In 1997, the heating oil segment froze the benefits of its New York City union defined benefit pension plan as a result of operation consolidations. Benefits under the frozen defined benefit plans were generally based on years of service and each employee’s compensation. As part of the Meenan acquisition, the Partnership assumed the pension plan obligations and assets for Meenan’s company sponsored plan. This plan was frozen and merged into the Partnership’s defined benefit pension for non-union personnel as of January 1, 2002. The Partnership’s pension expense for all defined benefit plans during fiscal 2000, 2001 and 2002 were $0.3 million, $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
 
The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the heating oil segment’s plan benefit obligations, fair value of assets and a statement of the funded status at the indicated dates:
 
 	  	Year Ended September 30,

	 	
(in thousands)

	  	2001

	 	  	2002

	 	
Reconciliation of benefit obligations	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Benefit obligations at beginning of year	  	$	24,021	 	  	$	57,143	 	
Service cost	  	 	36	 	  	 	—  	 	
Interest cost	  	 	1,720	 	  	 	3,893	 	
Actuarial loss	  	 	694	 	  	 	5,579	 	
Benefit payments	  	 	(2,242	)	  	 	(4,452	)	
Settlements	  	 	—  	 	  	 	(22	)	
Meenan’s benefit obligations assumed	  	 	32,914	 	  	 	(3,977	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Benefit obligation at end of year	  	$	57,143	 	  	$	58,164	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	  	$	21,473	 	  	$	47,373	 	
Actual return on plan assets	  	 	(1,079	)	  	 	(3,025	)	
Employer contributions	  	 	2,090	 	  	 	2,973	 	
Benefit payments	  	 	(2,241	)	  	 	(4,452	)	
Settlements	  	 	—  	 	  	 	(22	)	
Meenan’s assets assumed	  	 	27,130	 	  	 	—  	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	  	$	47,373	 	  	$	42,847	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Funded Status	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Benefit obligation	  	$	57,143	 	  	$	58,164	 	
Fair value of plan assets	  	 	47,373	 	  	 	42,847	 	
Amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income	  	 	(4,149	)	  	 	(15,745	)	
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	  	 	4,025	 	  	 	15,745	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Accrued benefit cost	  	$	(9,894	)	  	$	(15,317	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Components of net periodic benefit cost	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Service cost	  	$	36	 	  	$	—  	 	
Interest cost	  	 	1,720	 	  	 	3,893	 	
Expected return on plan assets	  	 	1,795	 	  	 	4,085	 	
Net amortization	  	 	240	 	  	 	291	 	
Settlement loss	  	 	—  	 	  	 	22	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Net periodic benefit cost	  	$	201	 	  	$	121	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Weighted-average assumptions used in the measurement of the partnership’s
benefit obligation as of the period indicated	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Discount rate	  	 	7.25	%	  	 	6.75	%	
Expected return on plan assets	  	 	8.50	%	  	 	8.50	%	
Rate of compensation increase	  	 	N/A	 	  	 	N/A	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
29

The Partnership recorded an additional minimum pension liability for underfunded plans of $15.7 million and $4.1 million as of September 30, 2002 and September 30, 2001, respectively, representing the excess of unfunded accumulated benefit obligations over plan assets. A corresponding amount is recognized as a reduction of partners’ capital through a charge to accumulated other comprehensive income.
 
In addition, the heating oil segment made contributions to union-administered pension plans of $3.5 million for fiscal 2000, $4.6 million for fiscal 2001 and $5.8 million for fiscal 2002.
 
30

 
11. Income Taxes
 
Income tax expense (benefit) was comprised of the following for the indicated periods:
 
 	  	Year Ended
September 30,

	 	
(in thousands)

	  	2000

	  	2001

	  	2002

	 	
Current:	  	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Federal	  	$	—  	  	$	—  	  	$	(2,200	)	
State	  	 	492	  	 	1,498	  	 	744	 	
Deferred	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	 	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 	  	$	492	  	$	1,498	  	$	(1,456	)	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
The passage of the “Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002,” increased the Alternative Minimum Tax Net Operating Loss Deduction limitation from 90% to 100% for net operating losses generated in 2001 and 2002. The tax law change will result in the recovery of alternative minimum taxes previously paid in the amount of approximately $2.2 million. The sources of the deferred income tax expense (benefit) and the tax effects of each were as follows:
 
 	  	Year Ended
September 30,

	 	
(in thousands)

	  	2001

	 	  	2002

	 	
Depreciation	  	$	77	 	  	$	1,071	 	
Amortization expense	  	 	(2,616	)	  	 	(3,379	)	
Vacation expense	  	 	(98	)	  	 	(47	)	
Restructuring expense	  	 	68	 	  	 	81	 	
Bad debt expense	  	 	(5,233	)	  	 	1,030	 	
Hedge accounting	  	 	782	 	  	 	(772	)	
Supplemental benefit expense	  	 	200	 	  	 	120	 	
Pension contribution	  	 	726	 	  	 	973	 	
Other, net	  	 	—  	 	  	 	6	 	
Recognition of tax benefit of net operating loss to the extent of current and previous recognized temporary differences	  	 	(1,862	)	  	 	(13,570	)	
Change in valuation allowance	  	 	7,956	 	  	 	14,487	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 	  	$	—  	 	  	$	—  	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
31

 
The components of the net deferred taxes and the related valuation allowance for the years ended September 30, 2001 and September 30, 2002 using current rates are as follows:
 
 	  	Year Ended
September 30,

	 	
(in thousands)

	  	2001

	 	  	2002

	 	
Deferred tax assets:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Net operating loss carryforwards	  	$	28,333	 	  	$	41,903	 	
Vacation accrual	  	 	2,027	 	  	 	2,074	 	
Restructuring accrual	  	 	254	 	  	 	173	 	
Bad debt expense	  	 	5,621	 	  	 	4,591	 	
Supplemental benefit expense	  	 	247	 	  	 	127	 	
Amortization	  	 	—  	 	  	 	1,233	 	
Other, net	  	 	309	 	  	 	303	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Total deferred tax assets	  	 	36,791	 	  	 	50,404	 	
Valuation allowance	  	 	(24,333	)	  	 	(38,820	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Net deferred tax assets	  	$	12,458	 	  	$	11,584	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Deferred tax liabilities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Depreciation	  	$	7,054	 	  	$	8,125	 	
Amortization	  	 	2,146	 	  	 	—  	 	
Pension contribution	  	 	2,476	 	  	 	3,449	 	
Hedge accounting	  	 	782	 	  	 	10	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Total deferred tax liabilities	  	$	12,458	 	  	$	11,584	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Net deferred taxes	  	$	—  	 	  	$	—  	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
In order to fully realize the net deferred tax assets the Partnership’s corporate subsidiaries will need to generate future taxable income. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Based upon the level of current taxable income and projections of future taxable income of the Partnership’s corporate subsidiaries over the periods which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Partnership will not realize the full benefit of its deferred tax assets, at September 30, 2002 and 2001.
 
At September 30, 2002, the Partnership had net income tax loss carryforwards for Federal income tax reporting purposes of approximately $104.7 million of which approximately $35.9 million are limited in accordance with Federal income tax law. The losses are available to offset future Federal taxable income through 2022.
 
32

 
12. Lease Commitments
 
The Partnership has entered into certain operating leases for office space, trucks and other equipment.
 
The future minimum rental commitments at September 30, 2002, under operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable term of one year or more are as follows:
 
(in thousands)

	  	Heating Oil
Segment

	  	Propane
Segment

	  	TG&E

	  	Total

	
2003	  	$	6,649	  	$	653	  	$	116	  	$	7,418	
2004	  	 	6,577	  	 	514	  	 	26	  	 	7,117	
2005	  	 	5,289	  	 	440	  	 	—  	  	 	5,729	
2006	  	 	4,484	  	 	411	  	 	—  	  	 	4,895	
2007	  	 	2,728	  	 	379	  	 	—  	  	 	3,107	
Thereafter	  	 	13,566	  	 	3,101	  	 	—  	  	 	16,667	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Total minimum lease payments	  	$	39,293	  	$	5,498	  	$	142	  	$	44,933	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
 
The Partnership’s rent expense was $8.0 million, $9.0 million and $13.0 million in 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively.
 
13. Unit Grants
 
In June 2000, the Partnership granted 565,000 restricted senior subordinated units to management and outside directors. These units were granted under the Partnership’s Employee and Director Incentive Unit Plans. One-fifth of the units immediately vested with the remaining units vesting annually in four equal installments if the Partnership achieves specified performance objectives for each of the respective fiscal years. The Partnership recognized $0.6 million and $2.7 million of unit compensation expense for these units for the years ended September 30, 2000 and 2001, respectively. The Partnership did not record any expense for these units in fiscal 2002 since the specified performance objectives were not achieved in fiscal 2002.
 
In September 2000, the Partnership granted 381,000 unit appreciation rights and 87,000 restricted senior subordinated units to Irik P. Sevin. The unit appreciation rights vest in four equal installments on January 31, 2001, December 1, 2001, December 1, 2002 and December 1, 2003. The exercise price for these unit appreciation rights is $7.8536 Mr. Sevin will be entitled to receive payment in cash for these rights equal to the excess of the fair market value of a senior subordinated unit on the date exercisable over the exercise price. The grant of restricted senior subordinated units will vest in four equal installments on December 1 of 2001 through 2004. Distributions on the restrictive units will accrue to the extent declared. The Partnership recognized $0.5 million of unit compensation expense for the restricted senior subordinated units and $2.4 million of compensation expense for the unit appreciation rights for the year ended September 30, 2001. For the year ended September 30, 2002, the Partnership recognized $0.2 million of unit compensation expense for the restricted subordinated units. The Partnership also recorded a $1.3 million reduction in compensation expense for the reduction in the accrual for compensation earned for unit appreciation rights resulting from the lower unit price for the subordinated units.
 
33

 
In December 2001, the Partnership granted 24,750 restricted common units to Mr. Sevin. The grant of restricted common units will vest in four equal installments on January 1 of 2002 through 2005. Distributions on the restrictive units will accrue to the extent declared. The Partnership recorded $0.2 million of unit compensation expense for these units for the year ended September 30, 2002.
 
14. Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
 
 	  	Year Ended
September 30,

	 	
(in thousands)

	  	2001

	 	  	2002

	 	
Cash paid during the period for:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Income taxes	  	$	1,298	 	  	$	1,869	 	
Interest	  	$	31,145	 	  	$	36,962	 	
Non-cash investing activities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Acquisitions:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Increase in property and equipment, net	  	$	—  	 	  	$	(95	)	
(Increase) decrease in intangibles and other asset	  	$	(12,526	)	  	$	945	 	
Increase (decrease) in assumed pension obligation	  	$	5,784	 	  	$	(3,977	)	
Increase (decrease) in accrued expense	  	$	6,742	 	  	$	(3,615	)	
Increase of subordinated unitholders’ capital	  	$	—  	 	  	$	6,742	 	
Non-cash financing activities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Increase in other asset for interest rate swaps	  	$	—  	 	  	$	(6,068	)	
Increase in long-term debt for interest rate swaps	  	$	—  	 	  	$	6,068	 	
Decrease in long-term debt in connection with TG&E’s minority interest transfer	  	$	—  	 	  	$	(563	)	
Decrease in intangibles in connection with TG&E’s minority interest transfer	  	$	—  	 	  	$	563	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
15. Commitments and Contingencies
 
In the ordinary course of business, the Partnership is threatened with, or is named in, various lawsuits. In the opinion of management, the Partnership is not a party to any litigation, which individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Partnership’s result of operations, financial position or liquidity.
 
16. Disclosures About The Fair Value Of Financial Instruments
 
Cash, Accounts Receivable, Notes Receivable, Inventory Derivative Instruments, Working Capital Facility Borrowings And Accounts Payable
 
The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
 
Long-Term Debt
 
The fair values of each of the Partnership’s long-term financing instruments, including current maturities and interest rate swap agreements, are based on the amount of future cash flows associated with each instrument, discounted using the Partnership’s current borrowing rate for similar instruments of comparable maturity.

34

 
The estimated fair value of the Partnership’s long-term debt is summarized as follows:
 
 	  	 	  	 	  	At September 30,

	
 	  	 	  	 	  	2001

	  	2002

	
(in thousands)

	  	Carrying
Amount

	  	Estimated
Fair Value

	  	Carrying
Amount

	  	Estimated
Fair Value

	
Long-term debt	  	$	468,972	  	$	470,371	  	$	468,846	  	$	475,795	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
 
Limitations
 
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
 
17. Subsequent Events
 
Long-term Debt Payments
 
The heating oil segment had 9.0% senior secured notes with an outstanding principle balance of $45.3 million due on October 1, 2002. On October 1, 2002, the heating oil segment paid its obligation of $45.3 million to the holders of the senior secured notes.
 
Cash Distributions
 
On October 30, 2002, the Partnership announced that it would pay cash distributions of $0.575 per Common Unit and $0.25 per Senior Subordinated unit for the quarter ended September 30, 2002. The distributions, totaling $17.4 million, were paid on November 14, 2002 to holders of record as of November 8, 2002.
 
35

 
18. Earnings Per Limited Partner Units
 
 	  	September 30,

	 	
(in thousands, except per unit data)

	  	2000

	  	2001

	 	  	2002

	 	
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle per	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Limited Partner unit:	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Basic	  	$	.07	  	$	(.30	)	  	$	(.38	)	
Diluted	  	$	.07	  	$	(.30	)	  	$	(.38	)	
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle per Limited Partner unit:	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Basic	  	 	—  	  	$	.07	 	  	$	—  	 	
Diluted	  	 	—  	  	$	.07	 	  	$	—  	 	
Net income (loss) per Limited Partner unit:	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Basic	  	$	.07	  	$	(.23	)	  	$	(.38	)	
Diluted	  	$	.07	  	$	(.23	)	  	$	(.38	)	
Basic earnings per unit:	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Net income (loss)	  	$	1,353	  	$	(5,249	)	  	$	(11,169	)	
Less: General Partner’s interest in net income (loss)	  	 	24	  	 	(75	)	  	 	(116	)	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Limited Partners’ interest in net income (loss)	  	$	1,329	  	$	(5,174	)	  	$	(11,053	)	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Common Units	  	 	15,438	  	 	19,406	 	  	 	25,342	 	
Senior Subordinated Units	  	 	2,505	  	 	2,688	 	  	 	3,103	 	
Junior Subordinated Units	  	 	345	  	 	345	 	  	 	345	 	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Weighted average number of Limited Partner units outstanding	  	 	18,288	  	 	22,439	 	  	 	28,790	 	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Basic earnings (losses) per unit	  	$	.07	  	$	(.23	)	  	$	(.38	)	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Diluted earnings per unit:	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Effect of dilutive securities	  	$	—  	  	$	—  	 	  	$	—  	 	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Limited Partners’ interest in net income (loss)	  	$	1,329	  	$	(5,174	)	  	$	(11,053	)	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Effect of dilutive securities	  	 	—  	  	 	—  	 	  	 	—  	 	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Weighted average number of Limited Partner units outstanding	  	 	18,288	  	 	22,439	 	  	 	28,790	 	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Diluted earnings (losses) per unit	  	$	.07	  	$	(.23	)	  	$	(.38	)	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
Fiscal 2001 and 2002, fully diluted per unit does not include any amount prior to the date of issuance of 24,000 common units granted to Mr. Sevin in December 2001 as well as the 110,000 subordinated units that vested pursuant to the employee incentive plan in December 2001 and the 303,000 senior subordinated units distributed in November 2001 pursuant to the heating oil segment achieving certain financial test because the impact of these issuances were antidilutive.
 
36

 
19. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
 
The seasonal nature of the Partnership’s business results in the sale by the Partnership of approximately 35% of its volume in the first fiscal quarter and 45% of its volume in the second fiscal quarter of each year. The Partnership generally realizes net income in both of these quarters and net losses during the quarters ending June and September.
 
 	  	Three Months Ended

	 	  	 	 	
(in thousands, except per unit data)

	  	December 31, 2001

	  	March 31,
2002

	  	June 31,
2002

	 	  	September 30,
2002

	 	  	Total

	 	
Sales	  	$	286,223	  	$	411,285	  	$	188,725	 	  	$	138,825	 	  	$	1,025,058	 	
Operating income (loss)	  	 	22,106	  	 	68,328	  	 	(20,656	)	  	 	(43,454	)	  	 	26,324	 	
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	  	 	11,650	  	 	58,264	  	 	(29,840	)	  	 	(52,699	)	  	 	(12,625	)	
Net income (loss)	  	 	11,503	  	 	60,216	  	 	(29,938	)	  	 	(52,950	)	  	 	(11,169	)	
Limited Partner interest in net income (loss)	  	 	11,364	  	 	59,535	  	 	(29,607	)	  	 	(52,345	)	  	 	(11,053	)	
Net income (loss) per Limited Partner Unit Basic and Diluted(a)	  	$	0.42	  	$	2.09	  	$	(1.02	)	  	$	(1.70	)	  	$	(0.38	)	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
 	  	Three Months Ended

	 	  	 	 	
(in thousands, except per unit data)

	  	December 31, 2001

	  	March 31,
2002

	  	June 31,
2002

	 	  	September 30,
2002

	 	  	Total

	 	
Sales	  	$	323,504	  	$	470,447	  	$	166,052	 	  	$	125,970	 	  	$	1,085,973	 	
Operating income (loss)	  	 	25,186	  	 	74,191	  	 	(23,629	)	  	 	(46,501	)	  	 	29,247	 	
Income (loss) before taxes and cumulative effect of
  change in accounting principle	  	 	16,924	  	 	65,037	  	 	(31,677	)	  	 	(55,501	)	  	 	(5,217	)	
Net income (loss)	  	 	17,674	  	 	64,114	  	 	(31,791	)	  	 	(55,246	)	  	 	(5,249	)	
Limited Partner interest in net income (loss)	  	 	17,391	  	 	63,150	  	 	(31,342	)	  	 	(54,373	)	  	 	(5,174	)	
Net income (loss) per:	  	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Limited Partner Unit Basic(a)	  	$	0.87	  	$	2.86	  	$	(1.38	)	  	$	(2.18	)	  	$	(0.23	)	
Limited Partner Unit Diluted(a)	  	$	0.86	  	$	2.85	  	$	(1.38	)	  	$	(2.18	)	  	$	(0.23	)	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
(a)	 	The sum of the quarters do not add-up to the total due to the weighting of Limited Partner Units outstanding.	
 
20. Star Gas Finance Company
 
On January 15, 2003, Star Gas Finance Company was incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership. Star Gas Finance Company serves as the co-issuer, jointly and severally with the Partnership, of the Partnership’s $200 million 10-1/4% Senior Notes issued February 3, 2003, which are due in 2013. The Partnership will use the net proceeds of $189.3 million to repay senior secured indebtedness us well as for general partnership purposes including acquisitions. The Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Partnership. The Partnership is dependent on distributions from its subsidiaries to service the Partnership’s debt obligations. The distributions from the Partnership’s subsidiaries are not guaranteed and are subject to certain subsidiary loan restrictions. As of September 30, 2002, there were no such restrictions. Star Gas Finance Company has nominal assets and conducts no business operations.
 
37

Exhibit 99.2
 
MEENAN OIL CO., L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2001 and 2000
 
(With Independent Auditor’s Report Thereon)

 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT
 
The Executive Committee
Meenan Oil Co., L.P. and Subsidiaries:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Meenan Oil Co., L.P. and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2001 and 2000 and the related consolidated statements of income and partners’ equity (deficit), comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2001. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Meenan Oil Co., L.P. and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2001 and 2000 and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2001 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. As discussed in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, on July 1, 2000.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP
 
Melville, NY
August 27, 2001
 
2

 
MEENAN OIL CO., L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
June 30, 2001 and 2000
 
 	  	2001

	 	  	2000

	 	
Assets	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	
Current assets:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	
Cash	  	$	3,239,634	 	  	605,511	 	
Accounts receivable—trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $575,000 in 2001 and $475,000 in 2000	  	 	21,140,971	 	  	17,498,629	 	
Inventories	  	 	7,130,302	 	  	7,713,418	 	
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	  	 	12,452,389	 	  	1,391,522	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Total current assets	  	 	43,963,296	 	  	27,209,080	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Property, plant, and equipment, net	  	 	13,212,344	 	  	13,153,623	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Customer lists and other intangible assets, net	  	 	21,780,153	 	  	22,054,161	 	
Other, net	  	 	1,125,845	 	  	1,290,162	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	
 	  	 	22,905,998	 	  	23,344,323	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Total assets	  	$	80,081,638	 	  	63,707,026	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Liabilities and Partners’ Deficit	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	
Current liabilities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	
Current maturities of long-term debt	  	$	5,102,069	 	  	144,275	 	
Accounts payable	  	 	3,943,419	 	  	4,217,850	 	
Customers’ credit balances and deposits	  	 	4,598,200	 	  	4,283,004	 	
Accrued expenses:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	
Payroll	  	 	2,094,114	 	  	1,707,010	 	
Other	  	 	18,727,024	 	  	6,316,312	 	
Unearned service contract revenues	  	 	5,875,244	 	  	5,932,320	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Total current liabilities	  	 	40,340,070	 	  	22,600,771	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Long-term debt, less current maturities	  	 	31,175,000	 	  	36,245,000	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Other long-term liabilities	  	 	5,995,472	 	  	5,973,606	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Partners’ equity (deficit):	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	
Partners’ equity (deficit)	  	 	3,066,511	 	  	(1,112,351	)	
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	  	 	(495,415	)	  	—  	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	
Total partners’ equity (deficit)	  	 	2,571,096	 	  	(1,112,351	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	
 	  	$	80,081,638	 	  	63,707,026	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 
3

 
MEENAN OIL CO., L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Consolidated Statements of Income and Partners’ Equity (Deficit)
Years ended June 30, 2001, 2000 and 1999
 
 	  	2001

	 	  	2000

	 	  	1999

	 	
Sales	  	$	254,836,010	 	  	211,384,496	 	  	139,060,199	 	
Cost of sales	  	 	192,975,780	 	  	157,215,537	 	  	95,449,602	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Gross profit	  	 	61,860,230	 	  	54,168,959	 	  	43,610,597	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Selling, general, and administrative expense	  	 	42,489,448	 	  	38,294,451	 	  	32,501,990	 	
Amortization of intangible assets	  	 	2,011,318	 	  	2,068,178	 	  	1,787,469	 	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	1,526,412	 	  	1,374,286	 	  	1,337,779	 	
Bad debt expenses	  	 	1,401,262	 	  	496,311	 	  	112,295	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
 	  	 	47,428,440	 	  	42,233,226	 	  	35,739,533	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Operating income	  	 	14,431,790	 	  	11,935,733	 	  	7,871,064	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Other expense (income):	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	
Interest expense	  	 	4,585,880	 	  	3,942,629	 	  	3,070,099	 	
Interest income	  	 	(393,925	)	  	(322,498	)	  	(304,660	)	
Sundry	  	 	(759,794	)	  	(707,204	)	  	(663,114	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
 	  	 	3,432,161	 	  	2,912,927	 	  	2,102,325	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle	  	 	10,999,629	 	  	9,022,806	 	  	5,768,739	 	
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle for adoption of
SFAS No. 133	  	 	57,653	 	  	—  	 	  	—  	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Net income	  	 	11,057,282	 	  	9,022,806	 	  	5,768,739	 	
Partners’ deficit, beginning of year	  	 	(1,112,351	)	  	(6,460,204	)	  	(2,091,563	)	
Distribution to partners	  	 	(6,878,420	)	  	(3,674,953	)	  	(8,677,733	)	
Purchase of limited partnership interests	  	 	—  	 	  	—  	 	  	(8,359,647	)	
Sale of limited partnership interests	  	 	—  	 	  	—  	 	  	6,900,000	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Partners’ equity (deficit), end of year	  	$	3,066,511	 	  	(1,112,351	)	  	(6,460,204	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 
4

 
MEENAN OIL CO., L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Years ended June 30, 2001, 2000 and 1999
 
 	  	2001

	 	  	2000

	  	1999

	
Net income	  	$	11,057,282	 	  	9,022,806	  	5,768,739	
Other comprehensive income:	  	 	 	 	  	 	  	 	
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments	  	 	(495,415	)	  	—  	  	—  	

	

	

	  	

	  	

	
Comprehensive income	  	$	10,561,867	 	  	9,022,806	  	5,768,739	

	

	

	  	

	  	

	
Reconciliation of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	  	 	 	 	  	 	  	 	
Balance, beginning of year	  	$	—  	 	  	—  	  	—  	
Cumulative effect of the adoption of SFAS No.133	  	 	444,028	 	  	—  	  	—  	
Current period reclassification to earnings	  	 	(444,028	)	  	—  	  	—  	
Current period other comprehensive loss	  	 	(495,415	)	  	—  	  	—  	

	

	

	  	

	  	

	
Balance, end of year	  	$	(495,415	)	  	—  	  	—  	

	

	

	  	

	  	

	
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 
5

 
MEENAN OIL CO., L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended June 30, 2001, 2000 and 1999
 
 	  	2001

	 	  	2000

	 	  	1999

	 	
Cash flows from operating activities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	
Net income	  	$	11,057,282	 	  	9,022,806	 	  	5,768,739	 	
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	
Change in provision for doubtful accounts	  	 	100,000	 	  	150,000	 	  	—  	 	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	3,537,730	 	  	3,442,464	 	  	3,125,248	 	
Loss (gain) on sale of equipment and other assets	  	 	52,790	 	  	(16,288	)	  	20,718	 	
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle for the adoption of SFAS No. 133	  	 	(57,653	)	  	—  	 	  	—  	 	
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	
Accounts receivable	  	 	(3,742,342	)	  	(7,982,688	)	  	415,329	 	
Inventories	  	 	583,116	 	  	(662,570	)	  	5,362,543	 	
Prepaid expenses and other	  	 	(11,003,214	)	  	(156,706	)	  	(51,200	)	
Other assets	  	 	164,317	 	  	(53,649	)	  	151,475	 	
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	  	 	12,306,163	 	  	1,391,750	 	  	(746,185	)	
Customer credit balances and deposits	  	 	315,196	 	  	(3,236,536	)	  	877,250	 	
Other liabilities	  	 	(35,210	)	  	1,283,972	 	  	524,901	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Net cash provided by operating activities	  	 	13,278,175	 	  	3,182,555	 	  	15,448,818	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Cash flows from investing activities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	
Proceeds from sale of equipment and other assets	  	 	293,550	 	  	32,998	 	  	60,784	 	
Capital expenditures	  	 	(1,295,217	)	  	(1,328,891	)	  	(799,843	)	
Payments for purchase of heating oil companies	  	 	(2,651,759	)	  	(10,924,186	)	  	(1,000,999	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Net cash used in investing activities	  	 	(3,653,426	)	  	(12,220,079	)	  	(1,740,058	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Cash flows from financing activities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	
Proceeds from long-term debt	  	 	52,662	 	  	11,000,000	 	  	—  	 	
Principal payments on long-term debt	  	 	(164,868	)	  	(226,369	)	  	(2,281,250	)	
Distributions to partners	  	 	(6,878,420	)	  	(3,674,953	)	  	(8,677,733	)	
Purchase of limited partnership interests	  	 	—  	 	  	—  	 	  	(8,359,647	)	
Sale of limited partnership interests	  	 	—  	 	  	—  	 	  	6,900,000	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	  	 	(6,990,626	)	  	7,098,678	 	  	(12,418,630	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Net increase (decrease) in cash	  	 	2,634,123	 	  	(1,938,846	)	  	1,290,130	 	
Cash at beginning of year	  	 	605,511	 	  	2,544,357	 	  	1,254,227	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Cash at end of year	  	$	3,239,634	 	  	605,511	 	  	2,544,357	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 
6

 
MEENAN OIL CO., L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2001 and 2000
 
(1)	 	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Practices	
 
 	(a)	 	Description of Business	
 
Meenan Oil Co., L.P.(the Company) engages primarily in the retail and wholesale distribution of home heating oil. In January 1992, the Company was formed through the contribution by Meenan Oil Co., Inc. (Meenan Inc.) of substantially all of its assets in exchange for a general partnership interest in the Company. The Company is a limited partnership consisting of various limited partners with Meenan Inc. as the sole general partner. During fiscal 1999, the Company repurchased a 21.17% interest in the Company from one of its limited partners for a purchase price of $8,359,647. Concurrently the Company sold an 18.66% interest in the Company to a group of limited partners for $6,900,000. In fiscal 2000, the Company admitted 4 employees as Class B limited partners to the partnership. These partners were not required to make a capital contribution. As of June 30, 2001, Meenan Inc. owned a 75.07% interest in the Company.
 
 	(b)	 	Principles of Consolidation	
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
 	(c)	 	Inventories	
 
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market.
 
 	(d)	 	Property, Plant, and Equipment	
 
Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:
 
Building and improvements	  	20 – 31.5 years	
Automotive equipment	  	5 – 7 years	
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	  	5 – 10 years	
Leasehold improvements	  	Term of leases	
 
 	(e)	 	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	
 
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, (SFAS No. 133) as amended by SFAS No. 137 and No. 138. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and hedging activities. It requires the recognition of all derivative instruments as assets or liabilities in the Company’s balance sheet and measurement of those instruments at fair value and requires that a company formally document, designate, and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting.
 
(Continued)
 
7

 
MEENAN OIL CO., L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2001 and 2000
 
The accounting treatment of changes in fair value is dependent upon whether or not a derivative instrument is designated as a hedge, and if so, the type of hedge. For derivates designated as Cash Flow Hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. For derivatives recognized as Fair Value Hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in the income statement and are offset by related changes in the fair value of the item hedged. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments which are not designated as hedges or which do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognized currently in earnings.
 
The Company purchases and sells futures contracts on the New York Mercantile Exchange as a hedge against oil prices. The purpose of the hedges is to provide a measure of stability in the volatile market of oil (fair value hedges) and to manage its exposure to commodity price risk under certain existing sales commitments (cash flow hedges). Futures contracts open as of June 30, 2001 have expiration dates through June 2002. The Company adopted SFAS No. 133 on
July 1, 2000, and records its derivatives at fair market value. As a result of adopting the Standard, the Company recognized current assets of $501,681, a $57,653 increase in net income and a $444,028 increase in additional other comprehensive income, which were recorded as cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. The fair value of these outstanding contracts is recorded in the Company’s balance sheet. For the year ended June 30, 2001, the Company recorded a net decrease of $495,415 to other comprehensive income for the net change in value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, and recorded a net gain of $444,028 representing the net change in the fair value of all the derivative contracts which are no longer outstanding at June 30, 2001. The estimated net amount of existing losses currently within other comprehensive income are expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, the Company has recorded a derivative asset of approximately $11,039,000, which is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and a derivative liability of approximately $11,590,000, which is included in accrued expenses—other.
 
 	(f)	 	Customer Lists and Other Intangible Assets	
 
The costs of customer lists and covenants not to compete are amortized over a five to fifteen-year period on a straight-line basis. Goodwill is amortized on a straight-line basis over a forty-year period.
 
The Company assesses the recoverability of these intangible assets by determining whether the amortization of the respective balance over its remaining life can be recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows.
 
 	(g)	 	Revenue Recognition	
 
Sales of heating oil and heating oil equipment are recognized at the time of delivery of the product to the customer or installation. Revenue from repairs and maintenance service is recognized upon completion of the service. Payments received from customers for burner service contracts are deferred and amortized into income over the term of the respective contracts.
 
 	(h)	 	Income Taxes	
 
The Company is a limited partnership and the partners are taxed on their proportionate share of the income generated by the partnership.
 
(Continued)
 
8

 
MEENAN OIL CO., L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2001 and 2000

 	(i)	 	Use of Estimates	
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 	(j)	 	Long-Lived Assets	
 
The Company’s accounting policies relating to the recording of long-lived assets including property and equipment and intangibles are discussed above. The Company accounts for long-lived assets in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of. SFAS No. 121 requires, among other things, that long-lived assets held and used by an entity be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair values of the assets. Assets to be disposed of or sold are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
 
 	(k)	 	Pension and Other Postretirement Plans	
 
On July 1, 1999, the Company adopted SFAS No. 132, Employers’ Disclosures About Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits. SFAS No. 132 revises employers’ disclosures about pension and other postretirement benefit plans. SFAS No. 132 does not change the method of accounting for such plans.
 
 	(2)	 	Property and Equipment	
 
Property and equipment consists of the following:
 
 	  	2001

	  	2000

	
Land	  	$	2,586,820	  	2,586,820	
Building and improvements	  	 	10,952,340	  	10,700,376	
Automotive equipment	  	 	13,126,478	  	13,407,877	
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	  	 	5,479,055	  	5,644,129	
Leasehold improvements	  	 	820,317	  	831,684	

	

	  	

	
 	  	 	32,965,010	  	33,170,886	
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	  	 	19,752,666	  	20,017,263	

	

	  	

	
 	  	$	13,212,344	  	13,153,623	

	

	  	

	
 
(Continued)
 
9

 
MEENAN OIL CO., L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2001 and 2000
 
(3)	 	Supplemental Cash Flow Information	
 
The following is supplemental information relating to the statements of cash flows:
 
 	  	2001

	  	2000

	  	1999

	
Cash paid during the year for:	  	 	 	  	 	  	 	
Interest	  	$	4,546,711	  	3,788,780	  	2,993,477	
Noncash financing activities:	  	 	 	  	 	  	 	
Issuance of notes payable for purchase of heating oil companies	  	$	—  	  	—  	  	134,877	
 
(4)	 	Customer Lists and Other Intangible Assets	
 
Customer lists and other intangible assets at June 30, 2001 and 2000 consists of:
 
 	  	2001

	  	2000

	
Customer lists	  	$	33,744,755	  	32,257,635	
Covenants not to compete	  	 	6,995,509	  	6,745,359	
Goodwill	  	 	4,938,692	  	4,938,692	
Other	  	 	105,343	  	105,343	

	

	  	

	
 	  	 	45,784,299	  	44,047,029	
Less accumulated amortization	  	 	24,004,146	  	21,992,868	

	

	  	

	
 	  	$	21,780,153	  	22,054,161	

	

	  	

	
 
(5)	 	Long-Term Debt	
 
Long-term debt, less current maturities, at June 30, 2001 and 2000 consists of:
 
 	  	2001

	  	2000

	
Senior secured notes with interest at 9.34% per annum (a)	  	$	25,000,000	  	25,000,000	
Revolving credit agreement (b)	  	 	11,000,000	  	11,000,000	
Other notes payable with interest at 7.0% to 8.5% per annum,  maturing at various dates to
  August 2004	  	 	277,069	  	389,275	

	

	  	

	
 	  	 	36,277,069	  	36,389,275	
Less current maturities	  	 	5,102,069	  	144,275	

	

	  	

	
 	  	$	31,175,000	  	36,245,000	

	

	  	

	
 
(Continued)
 
10

 
MEENAN OIL CO., L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2001 and 2000
 
 	(a)	 	During 1996, the Company issued senior secured notes due November 1, 2007 in the amount of $25,000,000 with a fixed rate of 9.34%. Interest only is due in semiannual payments through May 1, 2003. Principal is to be paid as follows:	
 
Year ending June 30:

	  	 	
2004	  	$	5,000,000	
2005	  	 	5,000,000	
2006	  	 	5,000,000	
2007	  	 	5,000,000	
2008	  	 	5,000,000	
 
The notes are collateralized by the shares of common stock of Meenan Inc., the general partnership interests owned by Meenan Inc. and the accounts receivable, equipment, general intangible assets, inventory and goods of the Company. In connection with these notes, the Company is required to maintain certain levels of working capital and earnings, is restricted in other investments it may make and transactions it may enter into and must maintain certain financial ratios (see note 13, subsequent event).
 
 	(b)	 	The Company has an amended revolving credit agreement with two banks. The agreement is comprised of two commitments of $11,250,000 and $25,000,000, totaling $36,250,000. The amount outstanding under the first commitment at June 30, 2001 was $11,000,000. The amount available under the first commitment is reduced automatically and permanently each year as defined in the amended agreement. At June 30, 2001, the total available under the first commitment, which expires on July 1, 2003, was $11,250,000, which will be reduced as follows:	
 
Year ending June 30:

	  	 	
2002	  	$	5,000,000	
2003	  	 	5,000,000	
2004	  	 	1,250,000	

	

	
 	  	$	11,250,000	

	

	
 
In addition, the first commitment may be automatically and permanently reduced annually through September 28, 2002. The reduction at September 28, 2001 is based on the amount by which June 30, 2001 gross operating cash generated exceeds amounts specified in the agreement. No such reduction was made on September 28, 2000 (see note 13, subsequent event).
 
The second commitment, which expires on July 1, 2003, totals $25,000,000, of which approximately $8,368,000 was utilized for open letters of credit at June 30, 2001.
 
Under both commitments, the interest rate options consist of:
 
1.65% over the greatest of three defined rates, including prime.
 
2.50% over a defined adjusted Certificate of Deposit (CD) rate.
 
(Continued)
 
11

 
MEENAN OIL CO., L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2001 and 2000
 
1.50% to 3.0% over a defined adjusted LIBOR rate.
 
2.50% over the Agent bank’s Acceptance Draft discount rate, as defined.
 
The weighted average interest rate on this debt at June 30, 2001 was 5.80%
 
In connection with this revolving credit agreement, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee of  1/2 of 1% of the unused portion of the line of credit. In addition, the Company incurred financing costs in connection with this credit agreement and the amendments thereto amounting to approximately $1,440,000, which amount is included, net of amortization, in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Deferred financing costs are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related debt.
 
Borrowings under the revolving credit agreement are collateralized by the shares of common stock of Meenan Inc., all of the general partnership interests owned by Meenan Inc., the stock of all of the subsidiaries of the company and all of the personal property of the Company and its subsidiaries, including accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, fixtures, general intangible assets, and customer lists.

In connection with this revolving credit agreement, the Company is required to maintain certain levels of working capital and tangible net worth, is restricted in the amount of fixed assets it may acquire and other investments it may make and must maintain certain financial ratios.
 
Maturities of all long-term debt are as follows:
 
Year ending June 30:

	  	 	
2002	  	$	5,102,069	
2003	  	 	5,070,000	
2004	  	 	6,070,000	
2005	  	 	5,035,000	
2006	  	 	5,000,000	
2007 and thereafter	  	 	10,000,000	

	

	
 	  	$	36,277,069	

	

	
 
 	(6)	 	Leases	
 
The Company is obligated under several noncancelable leases covering office, storage and other facilities, as well as transportation equipment for remaining periods of one to thirteen years. The Company also leases certain telephone equipment.
 
(Continued)
 
12

 
MEENAN OIL CO., L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2001 and 2000
 
Future minimum lease payments for operating leases with initial or remaining terms in excess of one year are as follows:
 
Year ending June 30:

	  	Operating
leases

	
2002	  	$	668,890	
2003	  	 	586,574	
2004	  	 	555,130	
2005	  	 	485,354	
2006	  	 	271,862	
Later years	  	 	1,146,159	

	

	
Total minimum lease payments	  	$	3,713,969	

	

	
 
Total rent expense for all operating leases for the years ended June 30, 2001, 2000 and 1999 totaled approximately $2,336,000, $2,445,000, and $2,316,000, respectively.
 
(7)	 	Income Taxes	
 
The Company is a limited partnership and as such, Federal and state taxes payable on its income are the responsibility of the individual partners and are not reflected in the financial statements of the Company.
 
(8)	 	Employee Benefit Plans	
 
 	(a)	 	Pension Benefits	
 
The Company has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan which provides benefits to all eligible employees. Certain other employees are covered by union retirement plans to which the Company contributes. Pension expense for these plans aggregated approximately $1,087,000 for 2001, $968,000 for 2000, and $822,000 for 1999.
 
(Continued)
 
13

 
MEENAN OIL CO., L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2001 and 2000
 
The following table set forth the defined benefit plan’s benefit obligations, fair value of plan assets, and funded status at June 30, 2001, 2000 and 1999.
 
 	  	Pension benefits

	 	
 	  	2001

	 	  	2000

	 	  	1999

	 	
Change in projected benefit obligation:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	  	$	29,398,185	 	  	29,341,414	 	  	27,193,823	 	
Service cost	  	 	1,195,079	 	  	1,275,696	 	  	1,262,960	 	
Interest cost	  	 	2,212,009	 	  	2,074,519	 	  	1,931,732	 	
Actuarial (gain) loss	  	 	453,050	 	  	(2,106,796	)	  	39,146	 	
Benefit paid	  	 	(1,414,333	)	  	(1,186,648	)	  	(1,086,247	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	  	$	31,843,990	 	  	29,398,185	 	  	29,341,414	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Change in plan assets:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	  	$	31,772,529	 	  	31,558,390	 	  	29,389,382	 	
Actual return on plan assets	  	 	(1,158,474	)	  	1,400,787	 	  	3,255,255	 	
Benefits paid	  	 	(1,414,333	)	  	(1,186,648	)	  	(1,086,247	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	  	$	29,199,722	 	  	31,772,529	 	  	31,558,390	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Funded status	  	$	(2,644,268	)	  	2,374,344	 	  	2,216,976	 	
Unrecognized transition asset	  	 	(186,449	)	  	(329,873	)	  	(473,297	)	
Unrecognized prior service cost	  	 	(7,319	)	  	(8,411	)	  	(9,503	)	
Unrecognized net actuarial gain	  	 	(2,842,741	)	  	(7,403,004	)	  	(6,788,379	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Accrued in balance sheet (other long-term liabilities)	  	$	(5,680,777	)	  	(5,366,944	)	  	(5,054,203	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
 
(Continued)
 
14

 
MEENAN OIL CO., L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2001 and 2000
 
 	  	Pension benefits

	 	
 	  	2001

	 	  	2000

	 	  	1999

	 	
Weighted average assumptions as of June 30:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	
Discount rate	  	 	7.50	%	  	7.75	%	  	7.25	%	
Rate of compensation increase	  	 	4.00	%	  	4.00	%	  	4.00	%	
Expected return on plan assets	  	 	8.50	%	  	8.50	%	  	8.50	%	
Components of net periodic benefit cost:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	
Service cost	  	$	1,195,079	 	  	1,275,696	 	  	1,262,960	 	
Interest cost	  	 	2,212,009	 	  	2,074,519	 	  	1,931,732	 	
Expected return on plan assets	  	 	(2,635,547	)	  	(2,627,828	)	  	(2,448,085	)	
Amortization of unrecognized	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	  	 	 	
transition (asset) obligation	  	 	(143,424	)	  	(143,424	)	  	(143,424	)	
Amortization of prior service cost	  	 	(1,092	)	  	(1,092	)	  	(1,092	)	
Recognized net actuarial gain	  	 	(313,192	)	  	(265,130	)	  	(228,570	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
Net periodic benefit cost	  	$	313,833	 	  	312,741	 	  	373,521	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	  	

	

	
 
 	(b)	 	Executive Committee Bonus Plan	
 
The Company’s Executive Committee has adopted a bonus plan, which provides for cash bonuses to eligible employees based upon the operating performance of the Company. Expense under the plan totaled approximately $740,000 for 2001, $654,000 for 2000, and $436,000 for 1999. The plan for any fiscal year may be modified or terminated at any time prior to the end of such year by the Company’s Executive Committee.
 
(9)	 	Acquisitions	
 
During 2001, the Company acquired the assets of five retail fuel oil businesses. The total purchase price for these acquisitions totaled approximately $2,374,000, of which $519,000 represented the fair value of property and equipment. The balance of $1,855,000 was allocated to customer lists and other intangibles. During 2000, the Company acquired the assets of six retail fuel oil businesses, an environmental consulting business and a retail security alarm business. The total purchase price for these acquisitions totaled approximately $10,924,000, of which $3,015,000 represented the fair value of property and equipment.
 
(Continued)
 
15

 
MEENAN OIL CO., L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2001 and 2000
 
The balance of $7,909,000 was allocated to customer lists and other intangibles. In addition, certain of the acquisitions contain contingent payout provisions based on the attainment of sales volume, for which the Company has accrued approximately $582,000 as of June 30, 2001. These acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, and their operating results which are not material to the Company, are included in the consolidated statements of income from their respective dates of acquisition.
 
(10)	 	Distributions	
 
In fiscal 2001, 2000 and 1999 the Executive Committee of the Company approved distributions to the partners of $6,878,420, $3,674,953, and $8,677,733, respectively.
 
(11)	 	Business and Credit Concentration	
 
All of the Company’s customers are located in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. No single customer accounted for more than 5% of the Company’s sales in 2001, 2000, or 1999.
 
(12)	 	Commitments and Contingencies	
 
 	(a)	 	The Company is a defendant in certain legal actions the outcome of which, in the opinion of management based in part on the opinion of counsel, is not expected to have a materially adverse impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.	
 
 	(b)	 	The Company has elected to either self-insure or maintain high deductibles on its workers’ compensation, auto and general liability insurance coverages. A liability of approximately $4,900,000 and $4,700,000 is included in accrued expenses—other for unpaid claims and an estimate for claims incurred but not reported as of June 30, 2001 and 2000. The Company has coverage to prevent catastrophic losses resulting from claims.	
 
(13)	 	Subsequent Event	
 
On July 31, 2001, the Company entered into an equity purchase agreement with Petro, Inc. for the sale of stock of Meenan Oil Co., Inc. and subsidiaries and the limited partnership interests of Meenan Oil Co., L.P. and the stock of its subsidiary.
 
On August 13, 2001, in connection with the closing of the equity purchase agreement, amounts outstanding under the senior secured notes and the revolving credit agreement were repaid from the proceeds of the equity purchase, and included a prepayment fee of $4.0 million with respect to the senior secured notes. Under the terms of the agreement, a portion of the proceeds was held in escrow.
 
(Continued)
 
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Exhibit 99.3
 
STAR GAS LLC
Balance Sheets
As of September 30, 2001 and 2002
 
 	  	September 30,

	 	
(in thousands)

	  	2001

	 	  	2002

	 	
Assets	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Investment in Partnership	  	$	208	 	  	$	(220	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Total Assets	  	$	208	 	  	$	(220	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit):	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Membership interests	  	$	—  	 	  	$	—  	 	
Additional paid-in capital	  	 	1,581	 	  	 	1,581	 	
Retained deficit	  	 	(1,199	)	  	 	(1,689	)	
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Pension plan obligations	  	 	(59	)	  	 	(162	)	
Derivative instruments	  	 	(115	)	  	 	50	 	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 	  	 	(174	)	  	 	(112	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Shareholders’ equity (deficit)	  	 	208	 	  	 	(220	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)	  	$	208	 	  	$	(220	)	

	

	

	  	

	

	

	
 
See accompanying note to balance sheets.

 
Star Gas LLC
Note To Balance Sheets
 
Star Gas LLC is the General Partner of Star Gas Partners, L.P., (“the Partnership”) and Star Gas Propane, L.P. The LLC owns a 0.99% interest in Star Gas Partners, L.P., and a 0.1% interest in Star Gas Propane, L.P. which is 99.9% owned by the Partnership.
 
The Partnership is a diversified home energy distributor and services provider, specializing in the distribution of home heating oil, propane gas, natural gas and electricity. Star Gas Propane, L.P. (“Star Gas Propane”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership, markets and distributes propane gas and related products to approximately 300,000 customers in the Midwest, Northeast, Florida and Georgia. Petro Holdings, Inc. (“Petro”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Star Gas Propane, is the nation’s largest distributor of home heating oil and serves approximately 510,000 customers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Total Gas and Electric (“TG&E”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership, is an energy reseller that markets natural gas and electricity to residential households in deregulated energy markets in New York, New Jersey, Florida and Maryland and serves over 55,000 residential customers. The Partnership includes the office of the Chief Executive Officer and in addition has the responsibility for maintaining investor relations and investor reporting for the Partnership.
 
The General Partner conducts, directs and manages all activities of the Partnership and is reimbursed on a monthly basis for all direct and indirect expenses it incurs on their behalf including the cost of employee wages. The Partnership agreement places significant restrictions on the General Partner’s authority to make Partnership affecting decisions such as possessing or assigning specific partnership property, admitting a new partner, committing an act that would not allow the ongoing ordinary business of the Partnership, or transferring of interest as General Partner. Additionally, the Partnership agreement allows for the removal of the General Partner by a 2/3 vote of the common unitholders of the Partnership.
 
Star Gas LLC was established as the General Partner effective March 26, 1999, when the three shareholders of Star Gas LLC contributed their outstanding shares of Petro common stock for all of the membership interests in Star Gas LLC. Star Gas LLC contributed those shares to the Partnership in exchange for 325,729 general partner units, valued at approximately $1,581,000. The retained deficit of Star Gas LLC reflects its share of the results of operations of the Partnership from March 26, 1999 through September 30, 2002. Star Gas LLC’s balance sheet as of September 30, 2001, was restated to provide for its share of the Partnership’s Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.

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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT
 
The Management and Owners of
Star Gas LLC:
 
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Star Gas LLC (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2001 and 2002. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the balance sheets are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the balance sheets. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall balance sheet presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the balance sheets referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Star Gas LLC as of September 30, 2001 and 2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
/s/    KPMG LLP
 
Stamford, Connecticut
November 26, 2002
 
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