Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

DEBT.

v3.8.0.1
DEBT.
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
DEBT.

  8. DEBT.

 

 Long-term borrowings are summarized as follows (in thousands): 

 

    December 31,
2017
    December 31,
2016
 
Kinergy line of credit   $ 49,477     $ 49,862  
Pekin term loan     53,500       64,000  
Pekin revolving loan     32,000       32,000  
ICP term loan     22,500        
ICP revolving loan     18,000        
Pacific Aurora line of credit           1,000  
Parent notes payable     68,948       55,000  
      244,425       201,862  
Less unamortized debt discount     (1,409 )     (1,626 )
Less unamortized debt financing costs     (1,925 )     (1,708 )
Less short-term portion     (20,000 )     (10,500 )
Long-term debt   $ 221,091     $ 188,028  

 

 Kinergy Line of Credit – Kinergy has an operating line of credit for an aggregate amount of up to $100,000,000. The line of credit matures on August 2, 2022. The credit facility is based on Kinergy’s eligible accounts receivable and inventory levels, subject to certain concentration reserves. The credit facility is subject to certain other sublimits, including inventory loan limits. Interest accrues under the line of credit at a rate equal to (i) the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), plus (ii) a specified applicable margin ranging between 1.50% and 2.00%. The applicable margin was 1.75%, for a total rate of 3.44% at December 31, 2017. The credit facility’s monthly unused line fee is an annual rate equal to 0.25% to 0.375% depending on the average daily principal balance during the immediately preceding month. Payments that may be made by Kinergy to the Company as reimbursement for management and other services provided by the Company to Kinergy are limited under the terms of the credit facility to $1,500,000 per fiscal quarter. 

 

The credit facility also includes the accounts receivable of PAP as additional collateral. Payments that may be made by PAP to the Company as reimbursement for management and other services provided by the Company to PAP are limited under the terms of the credit facility to $500,000 per fiscal quarter. 

 

If Kinergy and PAP’s monthly excess borrowing availability falls below certain thresholds, they are collectively required to maintain a fixed-charge coverage ratio (calculated as a twelve-month rolling EBITDA divided by the sum of interest expense, capital expenditures, principal payments of indebtedness, indebtedness from capital leases and taxes paid during such twelve-month rolling period) of at least 2.0 and are prohibited from incurring certain additional indebtedness (other than specific intercompany indebtedness). 

 

Kinergy and PAP’s obligations under the credit facility are secured by a first-priority security interest in all of their assets in favor of the lender. Pacific Ethanol has guaranteed all of Kinergy’s obligations under the line of credit. As of December 31, 2017, Kinergy had an available unused availability under the credit facility of $27,399,000. 

 

Pekin Credit Facilities – On December 15, 2016, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Pacific Ethanol Pekin, Inc. (“Pekin”), entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Pekin Credit Agreement”) with 1st Farm Credit Services, PCA and CoBank, ACB (“CoBank”). On December 15, 2016, under the terms of the Pekin Credit Agreement, Pekin borrowed from 1st Farm Credit Services $64.0 million under a term loan facility that matures on August 20, 2021 (the “Pekin Term Loan”) and $32.0 million under a revolving term loan facility that matures on February 1, 2022 (the “Pekin Revolving Loan” and, together with the Pekin Term Loan, the “Pekin Credit Facility”). The Pekin Credit Facility is secured by a first-priority security interest in all of Pekin’s assets under the terms of a Security Agreement, dated December 15, 2016, by and between Pekin and CoBank (the “Pekin Security Agreement”). Interest accrues under the Pekin Credit Facility at an annual rate equal to the 30-day LIBOR plus 3.75%, payable monthly. Pekin is required to make quarterly principal payments in the amount of $3.5 million on the Pekin Term Loan beginning on May 20, 2017 and a principal payment of $4.5 million at maturity on August 20, 2021. Pekin is required to pay a monthly fee on any unused portion of the Pekin Revolving Loan at a rate of 0.75% per annum. Prepayment of the Pekin Credit Facility is subject to a prepayment penalty. Under the terms of the Pekin Credit Agreement, Pekin is required to maintain not less than $20.0 million in working capital and an annual debt coverage ratio of not less than 1.25 to 1.0. The Pekin Credit Agreement contains a variety of affirmative covenants, negative covenants and events of default. 

 

On August 7, 2017, Pekin amended its term and revolving credit facilities by agreeing to increase the interest rate under the facilities by 25 basis points to an annual rate equal to the 30-day LIBOR plus 4.00%. Pekin and its lender also agreed that Pekin is required to maintain working capital of not less than $17.5 million from August 31, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and working capital of not less than $20.0 million from January 1, 2018 and continuing at all times thereafter. In addition, the required Debt Service Coverage Ratio was reduced to 0.15 to 1.00 for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017. For the month ended January 31, 2018, Pekin was not in compliance with its working capital requirement due to larger than anticipated repair and maintenance related expenses to replace faulty equipment. Pekin has received a waiver from its lender for this noncompliance. Further, the lender decreased Pekin’s working capital covenant requirement to be $13.0 million for the month ended February 28, 2018, excluding the $3.5 million principal payment due in May 2018 from the calculation. As of the filing of this report, management believes Pekin is in compliance with its working capital requirement. 

 

ICP Credit Facilities — On September 15, 2017, ICP, Compeer Financial, PCA (“Compeer”), and CoBank as agent, entered into a Credit Agreement (“ICP Credit Agreement”). Under the ICP Credit Agreement, Compeer agreed to extend to ICP a term loan in the amount of $24,000,000 and a revolving loan in an amount of up to $18,000,000. ICP used the proceeds of the term loan to refinance the Seller Notes. ICP is to make amortizing principal payments in sixteen equal consecutive quarterly installments of $1,500,000 each until September 20, 2021, at which time the entire remaining balance is due and payable. Interest on the unpaid principal amount of the term loan accrues at a rate equal to 3.75% plus the one-month LIBOR index rate. ICP used the proceeds of the revolving term facility to refinance the Seller Notes and for ICP’s working capital needs. The revolving loan matures on September 1, 2022. The revolving loan gives ICP the right, in ICP’s sole discretion, to permanently reduce from time to time the revolving term commitment in increments of $500,000 by giving CoBank ten days prior written notice. The revolving loan requires ICP to pay CoBank a nonrefundable commitment fee equal to 0.75% per annum multiplied by the average daily positive difference between the amounts of (i) the revolving term commitment, minus (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all loans outstanding under the revolving loan. Interest on the unpaid principal amount of the loan accrues, pursuant to ICP’s election of the LIBOR Index Option, at a rate equal to 3.75% plus the one-month LIBOR index rate. 

 

Under the terms of the credit facilities, ICP is required to maintain working capital of not less than $8.0 million. In addition, ICP is required to maintain an annual debt service coverage ratio of not less than 1.50 to 1.00 beginning for the year ending December 31, 2018. 

 

Pacific Aurora Line of Credit – On December 15, 2016, Pacific Aurora entered into a credit agreement (the “Pacific Aurora Credit Agreement”) with CoBank. Under the terms of the Pacific Aurora Credit Agreement, Pacific Aurora may borrow up to $30.0 million under a revolving term loan facility from CoBank that matures on February 1, 2022 (the “Pacific Aurora Credit Facility”). The Pacific Aurora Credit Facility is secured by a first-priority security interest in all of Pacific Aurora’s assets under the terms of a Security Agreement, dated December 15, 2016, by and among Pacific Aurora and CoBank (the “Pacific Aurora Security Agreement”). Borrowing availability under the Pacific Aurora Credit Facility automatically declines by $2.5 million on the first day of each June and December beginning on June 1, 2017 through and including December 1, 2020. Interest accrues under the Pacific Aurora Credit Facility at an annual rate equal to the 30-day LIBOR plus 4.0%, payable monthly. Pacific Aurora is required to pay monthly in arrears a fee on any unused portion of the Pacific Aurora Credit Facility at a rate of 0.75% per annum. Prepayment of the Pacific Aurora Credit Facility is subject to a prepayment penalty. Under the terms of the Pacific Aurora Credit Agreement, Pacific Aurora was required to maintain not less than $22.5 million in working capital through June 30, 2017, not less than $24.0 million in working capital after June 30, 2017, and an annual debt service coverage ratio of not less than 1.50 to 1.00. These covenants were partially amended, as noted below. 

 

On September 1, 2017, Pacific Aurora and its lender agreed that Pacific Aurora is required to maintain working capital of not less than $18.0 million from September 30, 2017 through February 28, 2018 and working capital of not less than $20.0 million from March 1, 2018 and continuing at all times thereafter. In addition, the required Debt Service Coverage Ratio was reduced to 0.00 to 1.00 for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017 and 1.50 to 1.00 for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. 

 

At December 31, 2017, Pacific Aurora was not in compliance with its working capital and Debt Service Coverage Ratio requirements. The Company did not utilize the credit facility in 2017 and has no plans to draw on the facility at this time, having addressed the liquidity and capital needs of Pacific Aurora through other means. Consequently, the Company is in discussions with its lender to either amend the credit facility or terminate it.

 

Pacific Ethanol, Inc. Notes Payable – On December 12, 2016, Pacific Ethanol entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with five accredited investors. On December 15, 2016, under the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement, Pacific Ethanol sold $55.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its senior secured notes to the Investors in a private offering for aggregate gross proceeds of 97% of the principal amount of the Notes sold. On June 26, 2017, the Company entered into a second Note Purchase Agreement with five accredited investors. On June 30, 2017, under the terms of the second Note Purchase Agreement, the Company sold an additional $13.9 million in aggregate principal amount of its senior secured notes to the investors in a private offering for aggregate gross proceeds of 97% of the principal amount of the notes sold (collectively with the notes sold on December 15, 2016, the “Notes”), for a total of $68.9 million in aggregate principal amount of Notes.

  

The Notes mature on December 15, 2019 (the “Maturity Date”). Interest on the Notes accrues at a rate equal to (i) the greater of 1% and the three-month LIBOR, plus 7.0% from the closing through December 14, 2017, (ii) the greater of 1% and LIBOR, plus 9% between December 15, 2017 and December 14, 2018, and (iii) the greater of 1% and LIBOR plus 11% between December 15, 2018 and the Maturity Date. The interest rate increases by an additional 2% per annum above the interest rate otherwise applicable upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default until such event of default has been cured. Interest is payable in cash on the 15th calendar day of each March, June, September and December. Pacific Ethanol is required to pay all outstanding principal and any accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes on the Maturity Date. Pacific Ethanol may, at its option, prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Notes at any time without premium or penalty. The Notes contain a variety of events of default. The payments due under the Notes rank senior to all other indebtedness of Pacific Ethanol, other than permitted senior indebtedness. The Notes contain a variety of obligations on the part of Pacific Ethanol not to engage in certain activities, including that (i) Pacific Ethanol and certain of its subsidiaries will not incur other indebtedness, except for certain permitted indebtedness, (ii) Pacific Ethanol and certain of its subsidiaries will not redeem, repurchase or pay any dividend or distribution on their respective capital stock without the prior consent of the holders of the Notes holding 66-2/3% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, other than certain permitted distributions, (iii) Pacific Ethanol and certain of its subsidiaries will not sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any assets of Pacific Ethanol or any such subsidiary, except for certain permitted dispositions (including the sales of inventory or receivables in the ordinary course of business), and (iv) Pacific Ethanol and certain of its subsidiaries will not issue any capital stock or membership interests for any purpose other than to pay down a portion of all of the amounts owed under the Notes and in connection with Pacific Ethanol’s stock incentive plans. The Notes are secured by a first-priority security interest in the equity interest held by Pacific Ethanol in its wholly-owned subsidiary, PE Op. Co., which indirectly owns the Company’s plants located on the West Coast. 

 

Pacific Ethanol West Plants’ Term Debt – The Pacific Ethanol West Plants’ debt as of December 31, 2015 consisted of a $17,003,000 tranche A-1 term loan which was to mature in June 2016. On February 26, 2016, the Company retired the $17,003,000 outstanding balance by purchasing the lender’s position for cash at par without any prepayment penalty. The purchase increased the amount of the term debt held by Pacific Ethanol from $41,763,000 at December 31, 2015 to $58,766,000 at December 31, 2016 and 2017, which is eliminated upon consolidation, as the Company has no continuing obligations to any third-party lender under the credit agreements associated with this term debt. 

 

Pacific Ethanol Central Plants’ Term Debt – On July 1, 2015, upon effectiveness of the PE Central acquisition, PE Central became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and, on a consolidated basis, the combined company became obligated with respect to the Pacific Ethanol Central Plants’ term loan and revolving credit facilities. In connection with the Company’s allocation of purchase price, the debt was recorded at $142,744,000, net of a discount of $2,875,000. The term loan facility was to mature on September 24, 2017. The term loan facility was secured through a first-priority lien on substantially all of the Pacific Ethanol Central Plants’ assets. 

 

Interest on the term loan facility accrued and could either be paid in cash at a rate of 10.5% per annum or paid in-kind at a rate of 15.0% per annum by adding such interest to the outstanding principal balance. The Company paid interest in cash for the period from July 1, 2015, the effective date of the PE Central acquisition, through December 31, 2015. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company elected to pay in-kind an aggregate of $9,451,000 of interest, which was added to the principal balance. As of December 15, 2016, the principal balance was $155,070,205. On December 15, 2016, the Company paid in full the outstanding principal balance and all accrued and unpaid interest. The Company did not pay any prepayment penalties. The Company fully amortized the remaining unamortized debt discount of $1,152,000 and recorded the amount in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2016. 

 

Maturities of Long-term Debt – The Company’s long-term debt matures as follows (in thousands):  

 

December 31:        
  2018     $ 20,000  
  2019       88,948  
  2020       20,000  
  2021       16,000  
  2022       99,477  
        $ 244,425