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Plains ALL American Pipeline LP: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 1 lowered, 7 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Adjusted EBITDA attributable up slightly: Adjusted EBITDA attributable to PAA was $738 million in the fourth quarter, against $729 million a year earlier, and $2.833 billion for 2025, against $2.779 billion. Source
  • 2025 EBITDA compared with range: 2025 Adjusted EBITDA attributable to PAA was $2.833 billion, against the $2.84 to $2.89 billion range forecast in the third-quarter release. Source
  • Adjusted free cash flow turned negative: Adjusted Free Cash Flow was negative $1.219 billion in the fourth quarter and negative $875 million for 2025. Acquisitions used net cash of $1.786 billion in the fourth quarter and $2.651 billion for 2025. Source
  • Canadian NGL sale expected to close: Management entered a definitive agreement in June 2025 to sell the Canadian NGL business to Keyera. Closing is expected toward the end of the first quarter of 2026, subject to customary conditions. Source
  • 2026 EBITDA midpoint $2.75 billion: Full-year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA attributable to PAA is guided to a $2.75 billion midpoint, plus or minus $75 million, assuming one quarter of NGL contribution of $100 million. Source
  • Distribution rate raised to $1.67: The annualized distribution rate rises $0.15 per unit to $1.67, a 10% aggregate increase versus 2025 levels. Source
  • Coverage threshold lowered to 150%: The Distribution Coverage ratio threshold was cut from 160% to 150%, which management ties to more predictable cash flow and room for annual distribution growth of $0.15 per unit. Source
  • Leverage 3.9x, return to target expected: Pro forma leverage was 3.9x at year-end 2025. Management expects a return toward the midpoint of the 3.25x to 3.75x target after the NGL sale closes. Source

“For 2026, the team is focused on closing the pending NGL sale, realizing synergies on the Cactus III acquisition and driving efficiency initiatives throughout the organization.”

Willie Chiang, Chairman, CEO and President

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to PAA Sourcefull-year 2026$2.75 billion midpoint, +/- $75 millionNew
Cost savings from efficiency initiatives Sourcethrough 2027approximately $100 million, with approximately half realized in 2026New
Cactus III synergies Sourcenot stated$50 millionNew
Adjusted Free Cash Flow Sourcefull-year 2026approximately $1.80 billionNew
Growth capital Sourcefull-year 2026+/- $350 millionNew
Maintenance capital, net to Plains Sourcefull-year 2026+/- $165 millionNew
Annualized distribution rate Sourcefrom the February 13, 2026 payment$1.67 per unitRaised
Distribution Coverage ratio threshold Sourcenot stated150%Lowered from 160%
Pro forma leverage Sourceafter the NGL divestiture closesmidpoint of the 3.25 to 3.75x target rangeKept
Permian production profile Source2026relatively flatNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: First guidance for full-year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA attributable to PAA, midpoint $2.75 billion. Source
  • New guidance: First guidance for 2026 Adjusted Free Cash Flow of approximately $1.80 billion. Source
  • New guidance: First guidance for cost savings of approximately $100 million through 2027. Source
  • Guidance raised: Annualized distribution rate increased by $0.15 per unit, payable February 13, 2026. Source
  • New: Distribution Coverage ratio threshold lowered, a change in policy stated by management. Source
  • New: Senior unsecured notes raised in November; proceeds used for commercial paper reduction and the EPIC acquisition. Source

Fourth-quarter and full-year results

  • Adjusted EBITDA attributable up slightly: Adjusted EBITDA attributable to PAA was $738 million in the fourth quarter, against $729 million a year earlier, and $2.833 billion for 2025, against $2.779 billion. Source
  • 2025 EBITDA compared with range: 2025 Adjusted EBITDA attributable to PAA was $2.833 billion, against the $2.84 to $2.89 billion range forecast in the third-quarter release. Source
  • Net income attributable rose: Net income attributable to PAA was $342 million in the fourth quarter, against $36 million, and $1.435 billion for 2025, against $772 million. Source
  • Diluted and adjusted per-unit results: Diluted net income per common unit was $0.41 in the fourth quarter, against a loss of $0.04, and $1.66 for 2025. Adjusted diluted net income per unit was $0.40 and $1.54. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose: Net cash provided by operating activities was $785 million in the fourth quarter and $2.94 billion for 2025, against $2.49 billion in 2024. Source

Crude oil and NGL segments

  • Crude oil EBITDA rose 7%: Crude oil Adjusted EBITDA was $611 million in the fourth quarter, up 7%, and $2,344 million for 2025, up 3%. Management cited bolt-on acquisitions, higher pipeline volumes and tariff escalations. Source
  • Crude gains offset by rate resets: Offsets were certain Permian long-haul pipeline contract rate resets and lower commodity prices. Source
  • NGL EBITDA fell 21%: NGL Adjusted EBITDA was $122 million in the fourth quarter, down 21%, and $469 million for 2025, down 2%. Management cited lower sales volumes and weighted average frac spreads. Source
  • Canadian NGL results shown as discontinued: Canadian NGL results are reported as discontinued operations and held for sale. Income from discontinued operations was $102 million in the fourth quarter, against $74 million. Source

“These self-help actions provide levers for efficient growth in an otherwise volatile near-term oil macro environment.”

Willie Chiang, Chairman, CEO and President

Costs and operating income

  • Field operating costs fell on Line 901: Field operating costs were $281 million in the fourth quarter, against $510 million, and $1.154 billion for 2025, against $1.471 billion. Prior-year figures include Line 901 adjustments. Source
  • G&A rose modestly: General and administrative expenses were $92 million in the fourth quarter, against $81 million, and $342 million for 2025, against $328 million. Source
  • Operating income rose from a loss: Operating income was $355 million in the fourth quarter, against an operating loss of $16 million. For 2025 it was $1.434 billion, against $868 million. Source
  • Interest expense rose: Interest expense, net was $159 million in the fourth quarter, against $112 million, and $554 million for 2025, against $430 million. Source

Cash flow, capital and distributions

  • Adjusted free cash flow turned negative: Adjusted Free Cash Flow was negative $1.219 billion in the fourth quarter and negative $875 million for 2025. Acquisitions used net cash of $1.786 billion in the fourth quarter and $2.651 billion for 2025. Source
  • Cash distributions paid rose: Cash distributions paid were $322 million in the fourth quarter, against $286 million, and $1.295 billion for 2025, against $1.145 billion. Source
  • Distribution coverage ratio declined: Common unit distribution coverage was 1.79x in the fourth quarter and 1.72x for 2025, against 2.01x and 1.97x a year earlier. Source
  • Implied DCF per unit rose: Implied DCF per common unit was $0.68 in the fourth quarter and $2.61 for 2025, against $0.64 and $2.49 a year earlier. Source
  • Investment and maintenance capex rose: Investment and maintenance capital expenditures net to PAA were $169 million in the fourth quarter and $719 million for 2025, against $571 million. Source

“We also remain committed to our multi-year capital allocation framework and returning cash to unitholders as evidenced by the recent $0.15 per unit increase in our annualized distribution rate, bringing the distribution yield to ~8.5%.”

Willie Chiang, Chairman, CEO and President

Canadian NGL sale and acquisitions

  • Canadian NGL sale expected to close: Management entered a definitive agreement in June 2025 to sell the Canadian NGL business to Keyera. Closing is expected toward the end of the first quarter of 2026, subject to customary conditions. Source
  • Retained US NGL and Canadian crude: After the sale, the company keeps substantially all US NGL assets and all Canadian crude oil assets. Source
  • Notes raised to repay CP and fund EPIC: Note proceeds reduced commercial paper and funded the EPIC acquisition, which is now named Cactus III. Source
  • EPIC term loan refinanced at PAA: A $1.1 billion senior unsecured term loan at PAA replaced the $1.1 billion EPIC term loan assumed in the acquisition. Source

2026 guidance and distributions

  • 2026 EBITDA midpoint $2.75 billion: Full-year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA attributable to PAA is guided to a $2.75 billion midpoint, plus or minus $75 million, assuming one quarter of NGL contribution of $100 million. Source
  • Efficiency and synergy savings planned: Efficiency initiatives are expected to save about $100 million through 2027, with about half in 2026, alongside Cactus III synergies. Source
  • Permian production expected flat: Management expects a relatively flat Permian production profile for 2026 and cites self-help initiatives for growth. Source
  • Distribution rate raised to $1.67: The annualized distribution rate rises $0.15 per unit to $1.67, a 10% aggregate increase versus 2025 levels. Source
  • Coverage threshold lowered to 150%: The Distribution Coverage ratio threshold was cut from 160% to 150%, which management ties to more predictable cash flow and room for annual distribution growth of $0.15 per unit. Source

Leverage and balance sheet

  • Leverage 3.9x, return to target expected: Pro forma leverage was 3.9x at year-end 2025. Management expects a return toward the midpoint of the 3.25x to 3.75x target after the NGL sale closes. Source
  • Total debt rose to $11.262 billion: Total debt was $11.262 billion at year-end, against $7.621 billion. Total debt to total book capitalization, including short-term debt, was 53%, against 44%. Source
  • Cash balance was $328 million: Cash and cash equivalents were $328 million at year-end, against $348 million a year earlier. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 February 2026

  • NGL sale closing expected: Closing is expected toward the end of the first quarter of 2026, subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals. Source
  • Joint call on February 6, 2026: PAA and PAGP will hold a joint call at 9:00 a.m. CT on February 6, 2026 to discuss fourth-quarter results. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Crude oil pipeline tariff volumes, Q4 2025 Source10,079 thousand barrels per day (Q4 2024: 9,028)
Permian Basin crude pipeline tariff volumes, Q4 2025 Source7,738 thousand barrels per day (Q4 2024: 6,846)
Crude oil pipeline tariff volumes, full year 2025 Source9,680 thousand barrels per day (2024: 8,934)

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management describes near-term oil market conditions as volatile. Source
  • Demand: Management expects Permian production to be relatively flat in 2026 and cites self-help initiatives for growth. Source
  • Regulatory: Closing of the NGL sale is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals. Source
  • Financial: Year-end pro forma leverage of 3.9x is above the 3.25x to 3.75x target range until the NGL sale closes. Source
  • Demand: Permian long-haul pipeline contract rate resets reduced crude segment results in the fourth quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The third-quarter release forecast 2025 at $2.84 to $2.89 billion; the fourth-quarter release reports $2.833 billion.
  • Not stated: The third-quarter release stated a commitment to the capital allocation framework and to returning cash to unitholders.
  • Not stated: The third-quarter release said the sale would close in the first quarter of 2026; the fourth-quarter release says toward the end of that quarter.
  • Not stated: The third-quarter release expected leverage toward the midpoint of the target range, near 3.5x, after announced acquisitions.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.