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Plains GP Holdings LP: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Adjusted EBITDA attributable to PAA rose 6%: Adjusted EBITDA attributable to PAA was $711 million, against $669 million a year earlier. The nine-month figure was $2,179 million, up 4% from $2,095 million. Source
  • GAAP net income fell; quarterly per-unit loss: Net income attributable to PAA was $363 million, down 18%. Diluted net loss per common unit was $(0.06), against $0.55 a year earlier. Source
  • Cactus III and Permian volumes lifted EBITDA: Management attributed the Adjusted EBITDA increase to Cactus III contributions, pipeline volume growth from higher Permian Basin production, and market and optimization initiatives. Source
  • Permian long-haul rates reset in 2025: Certain Permian long-haul contract rates reset to market in 2025, which partly offset the quarter's Adjusted EBITDA increase. Source
  • Adjusted free cash flow rose 51%: Adjusted Free Cash Flow was $458 million, against $303 million, up 51%. The nine-month figure was $4,728 million, against $344 million. Source
  • Pro forma leverage about 3.6x: Pro forma leverage at quarter-end was about 3.6x, including all announced transactions. Total debt-to-total book capitalization, including short-term debt, was 51%, against 53% at year-end 2025. Source
  • Common distribution up 10%: The distribution declared per common unit was $0.4175 for the quarter, against $0.3800, up 10%. The nine-month figure was $1.2525, against $1.1400. Source

“Our company delivered solid operational performance year-to-date with continued execution across the organization on our key initiatives for the year.”

Willie Chiang, Chairman, CEO and President

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to PAA Sourcefull-year 2026$2.880 billion +/- $50 million
Crude oil growth Source2026 versus 2025~$370 million, or ~16%
Permian gathering volumes Sourcecommencing fourth quarter 2027~225mbbl/d gross on ~270,000 dedicated acresNew
Distributable cash flow accretion Sourceannually~$60 million ($0.09/unit)New
Organization-wide efficiencies Source2026$50 million

What changed from last quarter

  • New: The Silver Creek acquisition of a Powder River Basin gathering system closed October 1, 2026, for about $585 million in cash. Source
  • New: The Permian JV gathering system is being expanded by about 270,000 dedicated acres in the Midland Basin, under 10-year agreements with a large integrated producer. Source
  • New: Junior subordinated notes of $1.5 billion were issued. The highlights cite $2.3 billion of preferred redemptions; the footnotes give about $1.687 billion and $800 million. Source
  • Ended: The Canadian NGL Business was sold to Keyera Corp. The sale closed May 12, 2026, and that business is reported as discontinued operations. Source
  • New: Crude oil and NGL segments were combined into one consolidated segment in the third quarter of 2026, and earlier periods were recast. Source
  • Ended: All 58.4 million Series A preferred units were repurchased on September 14, 2026, for about $1.687 billion. Source
  • Ended: All 0.8 million Series B preferred units were repurchased on October 9, 2026, for about $800 million. Source

Quarter results and earnings

  • Adjusted EBITDA attributable to PAA rose 6%: Adjusted EBITDA attributable to PAA was $711 million, against $669 million a year earlier. The nine-month figure was $2,179 million, up 4% from $2,095 million. Source
  • GAAP net income fell; quarterly per-unit loss: Net income attributable to PAA was $363 million, down 18%. Diluted net loss per common unit was $(0.06), against $0.55 a year earlier. Source
  • Implied DCF per unit rose 10%: Implied DCF per common unit was $0.67, against $0.61, up 10%. The nine-month figure was $1.99, against $1.93. Source
  • Discontinued operations added to net income: Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, was $40 million in the quarter, against $76 million. The nine-month figure was $1,588 million, against $281 million, including asset-sale gains. Source
  • Operating cash flow was lower: Net cash provided by operating activities was $669 million, against $817 million, down 18%. The nine-month figure was $2,042 million, against $2,150 million. Source

Drivers of earnings growth

  • Cactus III and Permian volumes lifted EBITDA: Management attributed the Adjusted EBITDA increase to Cactus III contributions, pipeline volume growth from higher Permian Basin production, and market and optimization initiatives. Source
  • Permian long-haul rates reset in 2025: Certain Permian long-haul contract rates reset to market in 2025, which partly offset the quarter's Adjusted EBITDA increase. Source
  • Canadian NGL contribution dropped out: The 2025 period included contributions from the Canadian NGL Business, which was sold in May 2026, and this partly offset the increase. Source

“and we see multiple tailwinds for our business as we build momentum into 2027”

Willie Chiang, Chairman, CEO and President

Pipeline volumes by region

  • Permian Basin volumes rose most: Permian Basin crude tariff volumes rose more than any other region from the prior-year quarter, reflecting increased production in the region. Source
  • Western and Canada rose; Gulf Coast fell: Western and Canada volumes were higher than a year earlier, while Gulf Coast and South Texas volumes were lower. Source
  • Nine-month volumes higher in total: Nine-month total crude tariff volumes rose from the prior-year period, with Permian Basin volumes accounting for most of the increase. Source

Costs, revenue and margins

  • Revenue and purchases both increased: Revenues were $15,173 million, against $11,578 million. Purchases and related costs were $14,030 million, against $10,585 million. Source
  • Field operating costs rose: Field operating costs were $306 million, against $288 million in the quarter. Nine-month field operating costs were $934 million, against $873 million. Source
  • Nine-month G&A included Canada exit costs: Nine-month general and administrative expenses included about $33 million of accelerated costs tied to exiting the Canadian NGL Business, mainly in the second quarter. Source
  • Depreciation rose; interest eased: Depreciation and amortization was $235 million, against $230 million in the quarter. Net interest expense was $131 million, against $135 million. Source

Cash flow and free cash flow

  • Adjusted free cash flow rose 51%: Adjusted Free Cash Flow was $458 million, against $303 million, up 51%. The nine-month figure was $4,728 million, against $344 million. Source
  • After distributions, cash flow turned positive: Adjusted Free Cash Flow after Distributions was $81 million, against $(18) million a year earlier. The nine-month figure was $3,658 million, against $(629) million. Source
  • Canadian NGL sale added cash: The nine-month cash flow included a net inflow of about $3.527 billion for proceeds from the Canadian NGL sale, net of cash divested. Source
  • Free cash flow excluding working capital rose: Adjusted Free Cash Flow excluding changes in assets and liabilities was $569 million, against $226 million, up 152%. Changes in assets and liabilities added $111 million in the quarter. Source

Capital spending and debt

  • Capital spending fell: Investment and maintenance capital expenditures, net to PAA, were $124 million, against $171 million. The nine-month figure was $363 million, against $550 million. Source
  • Investment and maintenance split: Investment capital was $96 million, against $119 million. Maintenance capital was $28 million, against $52 million in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Pro forma leverage about 3.6x: Pro forma leverage at quarter-end was about 3.6x, including all announced transactions. Total debt-to-total book capitalization, including short-term debt, was 51%, against 53% at year-end 2025. Source
  • Cash balance rose to $879 million: Cash and cash equivalents were $879 million at September 30, 2026, against $328 million at December 31, 2025. Total debt was $9,920 million, against $11,262 million. Source

Shareholder distributions

  • Common distribution up 10%: The distribution declared per common unit was $0.4175 for the quarter, against $0.3800, up 10%. The nine-month figure was $1.2525, against $1.1400. Source
  • Coverage 1.61x; yield about 7%: Common unit distribution coverage was 1.61x, the same as a year earlier. The company cited a current distribution yield of about 7%. Source
  • Preferred distributions paid rose: Preferred unit cash distributions paid were $82 million, against $54 million in the quarter. The nine-month figure was $186 million, against $171 million. Source

Strategy and portfolio moves

  • Disciplined growth with more capital returned: Management described its focus as disciplined growth, financial flexibility, and increased return of capital to unitholders. Source
  • Segments combined to focus on crude: The reorganization was described as following completed NGL divestitures, improved connectivity of core assets, and a focus on the consolidated crude oil business. Source
  • Silver Creek adds Powder River scale: Management said Silver Creek gives immediate scale in the Powder River Basin and better integration with existing downstream assets. Source

PAGP results and reporting basis

  • PAGP net income attributable fell: Net income attributable to PAGP was $68 million for the quarter, against $83 million. The nine-month figure was $476 million, against $198 million. Source
  • PAGP diluted per-share result: Diluted net loss per Class A share was $(0.16), against $0.41. Nine-month diluted net income per Class A share was $1.90, against $0.99. Source
  • Non-GAAP results on consolidated basis: Certain non-GAAP measures combine continuing and discontinued operations for periods before the Canadian NGL sale closed, to tie to historical results. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 November 2026

  • Permian volumes start in Q4 2027: Management expects estimated gross volumes from the expanded Permian gathering system to start in the fourth quarter of 2027. Source
  • Efficiency target for 2026: Management expects to deliver $50 million of organization-wide efficiencies in 2026. Source
  • Powder River production growth expected: Management expects significant production growth in the Powder River Basin over the coming years. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Total crude oil pipeline tariff volumes (thousand barrels per day) Source10,507 vs 9,883 in Q3; 10,382 vs 9,545 for nine months
Permian Basin crude tariff volumes (thousand barrels per day) Source8,071 vs 7,490 in Q3
Western region crude tariff volumes (thousand barrels per day) Source353 vs 283 in Q3

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management described the oil macro environment as volatile. Source
  • Operational: Operating costs were higher, driven by environmental remediation expenses and property tax expense. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management said it is on track to deliver the full-year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA guidance. Source
  • On track: Management said it is on track to deliver $50 million of efficiencies across the organization in 2026. Source
  • Met: Management said it captured $50 million of synergies on the Cactus III acquisition. Source
  • Met: Management listed closing the NGL sale in May 2026 among its three key initiatives for the year. Source

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.