Pipeline Equities
PO Box 571977
Houston, Texas 77257
Phone: 713-623-0690
Pipeline Recovery
excavation & removal
Damage Assessment
of easements
Pipeline Appraisal
pipeline property valuation
Pipeline Equities
PO Box 571977
Houston, Texas 77257
Phone: 713-623-0690
excavation & removal
of easements
pipeline property valuation
Placing a value on a pipeline is a specialized process. The combination of methods used to determine the value of a pipeline or gathering system is unlike any other type of appraisal. Furthermore, no two pipelines are precisely the same. The unique methods described here are based on several years of observing the way a pipeline owner looks at a pipeline and the right-of-way in which it rests.
When placing a value on a proposed or existing pipeline system, several factors are considered by the author beyond the “across-the-fence” (ATF) method. The ATF method – used by many to assign a value to a pipeline right-of-way (ROW) – assumes that the ROW is worth whatever the surrounding land is worth. The ROW is tIle real estate where the pipeline lays. It is one of the factors in appraisal of the entire system.
The author saw the need to find or devise appraisal methods that are suited specifically to the pipeline industry when he was asked to put a value on pipeline salvage jobs. Among owners, the need for a fair pipeline appraisal methodology arose when it was discovered that pipelines were being overvalued by local taxing authorities and were being overvalued or undervalued during mergers, acquisitions and estate settlements. A valuation report concerning an active or inactive oil, gas, or product pipeline may be needed for one or more of the following reasons:
The author’s company uses a combination of methods to determine the value of a pipeline. We have found that value is a quantification of the interaction of demand for the property, utility of the property, the scarcity or supply of the property and the ease of transferability of ownership rights to the property.
The method utilizes sales histories of comparable entities. This works well for valuing land and ho using, but each pipeline is so different that a method of comparable sales is not so useful. Because land and housing are plentiful, making commodities of land or houses is much easier than making commodities of pipelines. However, this method is still useful to get an overview of pipeline value by looking at sales histories of comparable pipelines ill varying circumstances and locales. One may make broad comparisons such as urban vs. rural , California vs. Mississippi, gas vs. crude, or regulated vs. non-regulated pipelines.
This is mostly a real estate valuation term; however, on the occasion when a pipeline is being valued for usage change, this method can be useful to establish the value of the existing pipe line and the cost of converting it for another use. Pipelines can be converted from a crude product pipeline to fiber optic conduit or a conduit for electric power lines extending from a wind farm’s electric grid center. For the most part, pipelines are best used for the intent constructed. It is best to combine this highest-and-best valuation with some of the 40 pipeline valuation factors such as size of line, geography, terrain or ROW values. For example, the highest and best use for a 6-inch gas line might be to change it out for a 10-inch crude line using toe same ROW, if the contract permits such replacement. Ultimately, the highest and best use is that which is most likely to bring the highest net return over time.
This method is used if the seller wants to record financial gain or loss from a sale using book value. Ir is not much use to a purchaser since it has no relevance to current worth. The book value might be generated by the accounting of the seller/owner of the property, in whatever means the company accounting might use to determine the book value. It might be based 0 11 a valuation method such as construction cost- new and discounted, for example, but generally this book value designation by the seller has no relevance to the value of the pipeline as far as the purchaser is concerned.
This method is a popular means of establishing value for pipelines if they are generating or will generate a predictable cash flow. This method takes into account forecast income based on throughput volumes and transportation rates of the commodity transported. Expenses based on the historical or projected income stream are discounted. Another variation of this method uses multiples of current cash flow where the average annual cash flow is multiplied by a factor of five to 12. This can be done on annual or monthly basis much like values of oil and gas royalties are determined. Many like to correlate pipeline values to oil and gas mineral interests regarding value. Both can have an indefinite life and both can be reborn as new drilling or new discoveries are made in an area served by the line. These additional income streams can be discounted to find a present day value or in some cases when using future mUltiples of income. For example, the future income after operating expenses of a gas pipeline might be $200,000 per year. A reasonable value might be five times that amount or $1,000,000. A buyer might determine that the net present value in dollars paid today might be 20% less than the $1,000.000 or $800,000 in today’s dollars. Present value is the term used when discounting future income to a present value or the value of a future income to a present rate.
This is the cost of rebuilding the same pipeline in the same size, same manner and in the same (or comparable) easement. This is an important factor in placing value on a pipeline to be considered by a purchaser. This approach also can be discounted. For example, a pipe line that has been operating for 10 years after it was initially installed might have an expected life of 40 years. It could be discounted 2.5% per year of life or a total of 25% off the cost of new construction in today’s market. This discussion is based on straight line depreciation which is common and prevalent in the industry.
In addition to the appraisal methods, several factors must be considered when assigning value to a pipeline. The author’s firm uses as many as 40 factors to make value determinations regarding pipelines. These factors cover the more technical aspects of business, physical, property and commodity value. Some of these might include:
1. Throughput value transportation (income)
2. Supply (other pipeline availability in arealscarcity)
3. Demand (potential buyers and users)
4. Potential for additional uses or more customers for product transported
5. Sales contracts or purchase guarantees (terms and length)
6. Management (front office and field)
1. Date of installation (vintage)
2. Type of installation
3. Appearance of pipe
4. Method of construction
5. Salvage value after termination of usage
6. Type of system (oil, gas product, jet fuel)
7. Size of pipe in pipeline (specifications)
8. Interconnects (with other pipelines or supply sources)
9. Amount of cover on pipeline
10. Pipe protection (coatings)
11. Cathodic protection
12. Type of system (trunk, gathering)
13. Records availability (a lignment sheets, maintenance records)
1. Right-of-way-agreements (basic contracts)
2. Geography/terrain
3. Maintenance records
4. Appearance
5. Surface inventory (including appurtenances)
6. Condition of equipment (scrubbers, compressors)
7. Congestion (urban or rural locale)
1. Market price of commodity transported
2. Product source (well depths, reservoirs)
3. Chemical content of product transported (gas liquids, corrosives)
4. Proximity to markets
5. Diversity of suppliers
6. Diversity of markets
The author’s firm has had several recent opportunities to appraise pipelines for. a variety of purposes.
A vintage crude pipeline in a mature field on the West Coast recently was appraised. The line had been active in the past and later idled. The operator had intentions of rehabilitation and reactivation of the line and needed a fresh appraisal to help determine transport fees or tariffs as a common carrier. It was necessary to estimate the new construction price as well as depreciation and account for rehabilitation costs. We found the appreciation of the right-of-way costs in the heavily congested area more than made up for any deficiency in depreciated new construction costs.
A bank contacted Pipeline Equities to obtain an appraised value for a pipeline to be built that would transport jet fuel to an airport. The bank wanted to know the value of the proposed pipeline before financing the construction cost. In place were the contract (long term), a firm bid for construction (construction cost new), and competent experienced management.
A hedge fund decided to exit the pipeline business and sought Pipeline Equities for an appraisal of hundreds of miles of their active and inactive gathering and transmission pipelines. They needed to determine the value of the pipeline network in order to divide interests among investors. Pipeline Equities was able to use multiple methods including salvage to arrived at an equitable value to which all parties agreed. Many of the gathering lines had no discernible easement by which a ROW only method like the across-the-fence method could be used.
The company has seen many instances where a pipeline or gathering system was built for a new field with flush production and the field now is nearing depletion. Nevertheless, the operators still must pay regular taxes where applicable according to earlier throughput or initial values which were generally not depreciated. Local and state taxing authorities want up-to-date appraisals if they are to lower rates. Many local tax appraisers use only construction cost-new method (the cost of replicating the pipeline today) with no regard for throughput generally via abbreviated Marshal find Swift formulas. Ultimately, the appraiser can only offer an opinion based on data available and market conditions. When it is all completed. the value is based on what the seller will take and what the buyer will give for a property. For a complimentary copy of the Pipeline Recovery Manual, contact the author. P&GJ
The appraisal of pipeline is a niche industry – overshadowed by those who are appraisers of right of way for the purpose of paying damages to landowner or acquiring new right of way. Many in the business are appraising for acquisition puroposes and many times for government entities such as highways. The methods are different. One is the way a land appraiser looks at land the other is the way a pipe liner looks at a pipeline and the right of way it rests in.
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You will see how we deal with landowners regarding notification and recordings. How to draft a contract of sale with models by: Exxon, Texaco, Koch and others and pictures showing actual work in process.
The manual shows Pipeline Equities job references, right of way releases, agreements and the history and background of Pipeline Equities and managing partner David Howell. These references touch on parts of the six million feet of line removed or handled by the company over the past twenty years.
A line pipe table describing various weights, grades, and pressure ratings of ERW and seamless line pipe is included. This section is an indispensable tool for anyone doing operational word with line pipe.
Also included are extensive glossaries of pipe, pipeline, and right of way terms.
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This handbook written by David Howell, managing partner of Pipeline Equities is the basic text of any pipeline valuation. All of the essential factors for establishing the value of a pipeline are discussed along with exclusive proprietary formulas and tables essential to a certified appraisal.
Also included are 32 pages of pipe weight and grades tables that cover virtually any situation which might be encountered regarding line pipe requirements. Additionally you’ll find an extensive glossary of pipe, pipeline and right of way terminology is part of the Handbook.
Subjects include: Replacement, Right of Way, Surface Inventory, Throughput, Salvage/Recovery, and comparable sales histories to name a few of the basic factors of pipeline appraisal.
The author recognized a need for a report or “how to” manual for properly appraising pipelines and pipeline right of ways. Currently the work is being done by accounting firms, engineers, and real estate appraisers.
Howell has forty-five years experience in many sectors of the petroleum industry from drilling contractor and oil and gas operator to pipe and supply distribution throughout the world. He has published Tradex Equipment magazine, the Whole World Oil Directory, and the Texas Oil Register.
For the past twenty years, Howell has been almost exclusively engaged in pipeline sales and acquisition, appraisal, removal for salvage, environmental remediation and general pipeline operations.
Howell currently serves on board of the Pipeline Appraisal Institute and is a member of the International Right of Way Association. Howell is a graduate of Texas A&M University – Kingsville and a native of Alice, Texas. He is currently residing in Houston and is the managing partner of Pipeline Equities.