When Will Breitburn Energy Partners L.P.s Operating Costs Fall in Tandem With Oil Prices?

Breitburn Energy Partners L.P. made a bold move last year to bolster its oil portfolio as it acquired QR Energy to become the largest U.S. basedoil-weighted upstream master limited partnership. The move appeared to backfire when oil prices promptly plunged; however, that might not be the case as Breitburn can still make a lot of money on oil even at current prices. Furthermore, the company has a significant opportunity to drive its operating costs lower, which would improve its oil-fueled cash flow.

The upside to weak oil prices Breitburn knows falling oil and gas prices are a risk to its business. It highlighted the threat in its annual report:

The downside of depressed oil prices on the business has been on full display this year as the company cut its distribution twice by 50%.

That being said, the company noted in the report that there is actually a downside to high oil prices, and therefore an upside when prices plunge. That upside stems from the fact that service and operating costs drop when oil prices fall.

This cost situation suggests that Breitburn's present costs should come down, which would boost its cash flow.

Starting to turnThe company's more recent first-quarter report did note that Breitburn's operating costs are trending down. The company said lease operating expenses had fallen by 9%, from $21.77per barrel of oil equivalentin the fourth quarter to$19.71 in the first quarter. In addition, the company's general and administrative costs fell from $28.1 million in the fourth quarter to $25.3 million this past quarter.

Some of this decline is due to Breitburn wringing out some synergies from the QR Energy merger. As CEO Hal Washburn said in the company's first-quarter press release, "the integration of QR Energy is going smoothly and our teams are doing a great job continuing to drive down both lease operating expenses and general and administrative costs."

Still, oil prices are down about 50%, so the company has a long way to go on costs. While those costs aren't likely to drop by 50%, CFO Jim Jackson noted at an investor conference last year that the last time oil prices plunged during the financial crisis, "we saw our operating costs drop by almost 20%." So, management should be able to wring out additional expenses from its costs structure beyond merger synergies and the cost reductions it pushed through over the past quarter. Its ability to do that would boost cash flow and take some of the pressure off the company's balance sheet.

Investor takeawayIt has been a rough year for Breitburn Energy Partners as plunging oil prices hit its oil-focused business. However, there is a bright side to falling oil prices: reduced costs. Breitburn's expenses did indeed drop last quarter, but history suggests the company has further moves to make, which would offer upside if it can capitalize on these cost savings.

The article When Will Breitburn Energy Partners L.P.s Operating Costs Fall in Tandem With Oil Prices? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Matt DiLallo has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends BreitBurn Energy Partners. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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