You should read the following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this report. Cautionary Statements Disclosures in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). Statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts are forward-looking and usually identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "could," "would," "will," "may," "forecast," "approximate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "target" and other words of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial matters. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include the matters discussed in the section captioned "Outlook" in Part I, "Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and the expectations of plans, strategies, objectives, and growth and anticipated financial and operational performance ofEquitrans Midstream and its affiliates, including: •guidance and any changes in such guidance regarding the Company's gathering, transmission and storage and water services revenue and volume growth, including the anticipated effects associated with the EQT Global GGA and related documents entered into with EQT; •projected revenue (including from firm reservation fees) and volumes, deferred revenues, expenses and contract liabilities, and the effects on liquidity, projected revenue, deferred revenue and contract liabilities associated with the EQT Global GGA and the MVP project (including changes in the targeted full in-service date for such project); •the ultimate gathering fee relief provided to EQT under the EQT Global GGA and related agreements, including the exercise by EQT of any cash-out option as an alternative to receiving a portion of such relief; •the Company's ability to de-lever; •the weighted average contract life of gathering, transmission and storage contracts; •infrastructure programs (including the timing, cost, capacity and sources of funding with respect to gathering, transmission and storage and water projects); •the cost, capacity, shippers for, timing of regulatory approvals (including permitting timelines with respect to the MVP project water crossings), final design (including expansions or extensions and capital related thereto), ability to contract additional capacity on, mitigate emissions from and targeted in-service dates of current or in-service projects or assets, in each case as applicable; •the ultimate terms, partner relationships and structure of the MVP Joint Venture and ownership interests therein; •the impact of changes in the targeted full in-service date of the MVP project on, among other things, the fair value of the Henry Hub cash bonus provision of the EQT Global GGA; •expansion projects in the Company's operating areas and in areas that would provide access to new markets; •the Company's ability to provide produced water handling services and realize expansion opportunities; •the Company's ability to identify and complete acquisitions and other strategic transactions, including joint ventures, effectively integrate transactions into the Company's operations, and achieve synergies, system optionality and accretion associated with transactions, including through increased scale; •the Company's ability to access commercial opportunities and new customers for its water services business, and the timing and final terms of any definitive water services agreement or agreements between EQT and the Company entered into pursuant to the terms of the Water Services Letter Agreement; •any credit rating impacts associated with the MVP project, customer credit ratings changes, defaults, acquisitions, dispositions and financings and any changes in EQM's credit ratings; 25
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•the impact of the dispute with EQT (or resolution thereof) regarding the Hammerhead gathering agreement and/or ownership of the Hammerhead pipeline on the Company's business and results of operations; •the impact of such dispute (or resolution thereof) on investors' perceptions of the Company's commercial relationship with EQT; •the effect and outcome of future litigation and other proceedings, including regulatory proceedings; •the effects of any consolidation of or effected by upstream gas producers, whether in or outside of theAppalachian Basin ; •the timing and amount of future issuances or repurchases of the Company's securities; •the effects of conversion, if at all, of the Equitrans Midstream Preferred Shares; •the effects of seasonality; •expected cash flows and MVCs, including those associated with the EQT Global GGA and any definitive agreement or agreements between EQT and the Company related to the Water Services Letter Agreement, and the potential impacts thereon of the commission timing and cost of the MVP project; •projected capital contributions and capital and operating expenditures, including the amount and timing of reimbursable capital expenditures, capital budget and sources of funds for capital expenditures; •dividend amounts, timing and rates; •changes in commodity prices and the effect of commodity prices on the Company's business; •future decisions of customers in respect of curtailing natural gas production, timing of turning wells in line, rig and completion activity and related impacts on the Company's business; •liquidity and financing requirements, including sources and availability; •interest rates; •the ability of the Company's subsidiaries (some of which are not wholly owned) to service debt under, and comply with the covenants contained in, their respective credit agreements; •expectations regarding natural gas and water volumes in the Company's areas of operations; •the Company's ability to achieve anticipated benefits associated with the execution of the EQT Global GGA, the Water Services Letter Agreement and related agreements; •the impact on the Company and its subsidiaries of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including, among other things, effects on demand for natural gas and the Company's services, commodity prices and access to capital; •the Company's ability to achieve its environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability goals (including goals set forth in its climate policy); •the effectiveness of the Company's information technology systems and practices to defend against evolving cyber attacks onUnited States critical infrastructure; •the effects of government regulation; and •tax status and position. The forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on management's current expectations and assumptions about future events. While the Company considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory, judicial and other risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are beyond the Company's control. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance and results of the Company's business and forward-looking statements 26
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include, but are not limited to, those set forth under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 , as are updated by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and the Company does not intend to correct or update any forward-looking statement, unless required by securities law, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 27
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Table of Contents Executive Overview Net income attributable toEquitrans Midstream common shareholders was$22.5 million for the three months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to$27.0 million for the three months endedJune 30, 2020 . The decrease resulted primarily from impairment charges associated with long-lived assets on Water, lower equity income from the Company's investment in the MVP Joint Venture and higher net interest expense, partially offset by lower net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, a premium on the redemption of EQM Series A Preferred Units recorded during the second quarter of 2020, lower income tax expense and higher operating revenues. Net income attributable toEquitrans Midstream common shareholders was$80.5 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to$96.7 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2020 . The decrease resulted primarily from lower equity income from the Company's investment in the MVP Joint Venture, lower operating revenues on Gathering (primarily due to impacts of the EQT Global GGA) and Water, higher net interest expense and additional loss on extinguishment of debt charges, partially offset by lower net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, transaction costs recorded during the first half of 2020 and lower income tax expense. See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of deferred revenues under the EQT Global GGA.
COVID-19 Update
While the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing, the outbreak has had, and continues to have, a minimal direct impact on the Company's overall operations. The Company continues to actively manage its response to the COVID-19 pandemic in collaboration with relevant parties and, given that the situation surrounding COVID-19 remains fluid, a number of Company-wide measures undertaken in response to COVID-19 remain in effect to continue to promote the safety and health of field and office-based employees and contractors. Notwithstanding the outbreak's minimal direct impact to date on the Company's overall operations, the Company acknowledges that the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing and therefore the Company cannot predict that the pandemic, or further developments regarding variants of COVID-19, will not have any impact in the future on the Company's business, results of operations or financial position. For further information regarding the potential impact of COVID-19 on the Company, see "The outbreak of COVID-19 (or any future pandemic), and related declines in economic output and demand for natural gas, could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition." under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 . Business Segment Results Operating segments are revenue-producing components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is produced internally and is subject to evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources. Headquarters costs consist primarily of transaction costs and other unallocated corporate expenses. Net interest expense, components of other income and income tax expense are managed on a consolidated basis. The Company has presented each segment's operating income, other income, equity income and various operational measures in the following sections. Management believes that the presentation of this information is useful to management and investors regarding the financial condition, results of operations and trends of its segments. The Company has reconciled each segment's operating income to the Company's consolidated operating income and net income in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements. 28
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Gathering Results of Operations
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, % % 2021 2020 Change 2021 2020 Change (Thousands, except per day amounts) FINANCIAL DATA Firm reservation fee revenues (a)$ 149,360 $ 149,109 0.2$ 297,552 $ 301,188
(1.2)
Volumetric-based fee revenues (b) 90,592 72,422 25.1 192,476 230,390 (16.5) Total operating revenues 239,952 221,531 8.3 490,028 531,578 (7.8) Operating expenses: Operating and maintenance 24,274 22,745 6.7 46,940 41,623 12.8 Selling, general and administrative 25,689 24,521 4.8 50,493 45,756 10.4 Transaction costs - - - - 4,104 (100.0) Depreciation 46,911 41,827 12.2 93,458 82,267 13.6 Amortization of intangible assets 16,205 16,205 - 32,410 30,786
5.3
Impairments of long-lived assets - - - - 55,581 (100.0) Total operating expenses 113,079 105,298 7.4 223,301 260,117 (14.2) Operating income$ 126,873 $ 116,233 9.2$ 266,727 $ 271,461 (1.7) Other income (c)$ 9,434 $ 12,554 (24.9)$ 16,569 $ 16,724 (0.9) OPERATIONAL DATA Gathered volumes (BBtu per day) Firm capacity (d) 5,279 5,079 3.9 5,262 4,268 23.3 Volumetric-based services 3,106 2,607 19.1 3,225 3,723 (13.4) Total gathered volumes 8,385 7,686 9.1 8,487 7,991 6.2 Capital expenditures (e)$ 59,680 $ 101,157 (41.0)$ 107,793 $ 212,611 (49.3) (a)For the three and six months endedJune 30, 2021 , firm reservation fee revenues included approximately$3.7 million and$6.9 million , respectively, of MVC unbilled revenues. For the three and six months endedJune 30, 2020 , firm reservation fee revenues included approximately$4.8 million and$11.1 million , respectively, of MVC unbilled revenues. (b)For the three and six months endedJune 30, 2021 , volumetric-based fee revenues included approximately$0.2 million and$6.4 million , respectively, of unbilled revenues. (c)Other income includes the unrealized gains on derivative instruments associated with the Henry Hub cash bonus payment provision. See "Other Income Statement Items" below for further information. (d)Includes volumes up to the contractual MVC under agreements structured with MVCs. Volumes in excess of the contractual MVC are reported under Volumetric-based services. (e)Includes approximately$4.1 million and$5.8 million of capital expenditures related to the noncontrolling interest in Eureka Midstream for the three and six months endedJune 30, 2021 , respectively, and includes approximately$11.1 million and$23.6 million of capital expenditures related to the noncontrolling interest in Eureka Midstream for the three and six months endedJune 30, 2020 , respectively. Three Months EndedJune 30, 2021 Compared to Three Months EndedJune 30, 2020 Gathering operating revenues increased by$18.4 million for the three months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the three months endedJune 30, 2020 . Volumetric-based fee revenues increased by$18.2 million primarily due to higher gathered volumes. Gathering operating expenses increased by$7.8 million for the three months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the three months endedJune 30, 2020 due to higher operating and maintenance, selling, general and administrative and depreciation expenses. Operating and maintenance expense increased by$1.5 million primarily associated with higher property taxes. Selling, general and administrative expense increased by$1.2 million primarily due to legal fees related to the pending Hammerhead pipeline arbitration. Depreciation expense increased by$5.1 million as a result of additional assets placed in-service. Six Months EndedJune 30, 2021 Compared to Six Months EndedJune 30, 2020 29
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Gathering operating revenues decreased by$41.6 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the six months endedJune 30, 2020 . Firm reservation fee revenues decreased by$3.6 million primarily due to$72.4 million of deferred revenue resulting from the EQT Global GGA, partly offset by$61.9 million of increased MVC revenues resulting from the EQT Global GGA and increased firm capacity by other producers. Volumetric-based fee revenues decreased by$37.9 million primarily due to increased MVC revenues attributable to volumes that previously were subject to volumetric-based fees prior to the EQT Global GGA. See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of deferred revenues under the EQT Global GGA. Gathering operating expenses decreased by$36.8 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the six months endedJune 30, 2020 primarily as a result of the impairments of long-lived assets (which consisted of gathering assets and customer-related intangible assets totaling$55.6 million , as described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements) and transaction costs associated with the EQM Merger and related transactions during the first quarter of 2020, partially offset by increases in operating and maintenance, selling, general and administrative and depreciation expenses in the first half of 2021 compared to the first half of 2020. Operating and maintenance expense increased by$5.3 million primarily as a result of an increase in repairs and maintenance expense. Selling, general and administrative expense increased by$4.7 million primarily due to legal fees related to the pending Hammerhead pipeline arbitration. Depreciation expense increased by$11.2 million as a result of additional assets placed in-service. See "Outlook" and Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the impairments of long-lived assets. See also "Outlook" and Part I, "Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for discussions of certain customer production curtailments during 2020 and Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for discussions of the EQT Global GGA and the transactions related thereto, including the gathering fee relief to EQT thereunder. As was the case for the Gathering operating revenues during the first half of 2021, the Company expects that the revenues resulting from the MVCs under the EQT Global GGA will increase the proportion of the Company's total operating revenues that are firm reservation fee revenues, and correspondingly decrease the portion of the Company's total operating revenues that are volumetric-based fee revenues, in future periods. Firm reservation fee revenues under the Company's Hammerhead gathering agreement with EQT (which is subject to a pending dispute with EQT) are also expected to contribute to an increase in the Company's firm reservation fee revenues. See also "Outlook" for discussions of the Hammerhead pipeline dispute with EQT. 30
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Transmission Results of Operations
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, % % 2021 2020 Change 2021 2020 Change (Thousands, except per day amounts) FINANCIAL DATA Firm reservation fee revenues$ 83,797 $ 83,764 -$ 185,186 $ 183,361
1.0
Volumetric-based fee revenues 9,101 5,161 76.3 19,131 12,179 57.1 Total operating revenues 92,898 88,925 4.5 204,317 195,540 4.5 Operating expenses: Operating and maintenance 8,478 9,630 (12.0) 15,760 19,071 (17.4) Selling, general and administrative 8,632 5,905 46.2 17,481 11,087 57.7 Depreciation 13,826 13,570 1.9 27,626 27,128 1.8 Total operating expenses 30,936 29,105 6.3 60,867 57,286 6.3 Operating income$ 61,962 $ 59,820 3.6$ 143,450 $ 138,254 3.8 Equity income$ 5,921 $ 56,244 (89.5)$ 5,924 $ 110,316 (94.6) OPERATIONAL DATA Transmission pipeline throughput (BBtu per day) Firm capacity reservation 2,906 2,742 6.0 2,921 2,871 1.7 Volumetric-based services 12 7 71.4 11 11 - Total transmission pipeline throughput 2,918 2,749 6.1 2,932 2,882
1.7
Average contracted firm transmission reservation commitments (BBtu per day) 3,780 3,767 0.3 4,102 4,110 (0.2) Capital expenditures (a)$ 7,790 $ 15,464 (49.6)$ 11,295 $ 26,262 (57.0) (a)Transmission capital expenditures do not include aggregate capital contributions made to the MVP Joint Venture for the MVP and MVP Southgate projects of$73.9 million and$84.7 million for the three and six months endedJune 30, 2021 , respectively, and$33.5 million and$78.6 million for the three and six months endedJune 30, 2020 , respectively. Three Months EndedJune 30, 2021 Compared to Three Months EndedJune 30, 2020 Transmission operating revenues increased by$4.0 million for the three months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the three months endedJune 30, 2020 primarily as a result of increased volumetric-based fee revenues due to higher storage activities and increased usage fees. Operating expenses increased by$1.8 million for the three months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the three months endedJune 30, 2020 primarily as a result of higher selling, general and administrative expense resulting from increased professional service fees and personnel costs, partly offset by lower operating and maintenance expense primarily due to lower property taxes. Equity income decreased by$50.3 million for the three months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the three months endedJune 30, 2020 due to the decrease in the MVP Joint Venture's AFUDC on the MVP project for the three months endedJune 30, 2021 . Six Months EndedJune 30, 2021 Compared to Six Months EndedJune 30, 2020 Transmission operating revenues increased by$8.8 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the six months endedJune 30, 2020 . Firm reservation fee revenues increased by$1.8 million primarily due to customers contracting for additional firm transmission capacity. Volumetric-based fee revenues increased by$7.0 million primarily due to higher storage activities and increased usage fees. 31
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Operating expenses increased by$3.6 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the six months endedJune 30, 2020 primarily as a result of higher selling, general and administrative expense resulting from increased professional service fees and personnel costs, partly offset by lower operating and maintenance expense primarily due to operational efficiencies. Equity income decreased by$104.4 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the six months endedJune 30, 2020 due to the decrease in the MVP Joint Venture's AFUDC on the MVP project for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 . InJanuary 2021 , the MVP Joint Venture temporarily suspended AFUDC on the MVP project due to a temporary reduction in growth construction activities. During the second quarter of 2021, the MVP Joint Venture resumed some AFUDC on the MVP project as certain growth construction activities resumed. Depending on the timing of the resumption of the remaining growth construction activities and associated AFUDC, the Company's equity income could be negatively impacted in future periods, and such impact could be substantial. Water Results of Operations Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, % % 2021 2020 Change 2021 2020 Change (Thousands, except MMgal amounts) FINANCIAL DATA Firm reservation fee revenues (a) $ 929$ 11,007 (91.6)$ 2,773 $ 23,783 (88.3) Volumetric-based fee revenues 14,516 19,127 (24.1) 31,173 42,802 (27.2) Total operating revenues 15,445 30,134 (48.7) 33,946 66,585 (49.0) Operating expenses: Operating and maintenance 5,393 9,288 (41.9) 9,528 19,391 (50.9) Selling, general and administrative 1,313 1,044 25.8 3,027 2,524 19.9 Depreciation 8,201 7,499 9.4 16,376 14,615 12.0 Impairments of long-lived assets 56,178 - 100.0 56,178 - 100.0 Total operating expenses 71,085 17,831 298.7 85,109 36,530 133.0 Operating (loss) income$ (55,640) $ 12,303 (552.2)$ (51,163) $ 30,055 (270.2) OPERATIONAL DATA Water services volumes (MMgal) Firm capacity reservation (b) 18 150 (88.0) 54 361 (85.0) Volumetric-based services 296 435 (32.0) 676 817 (17.3) Total water volumes 314 585 (46.3) 730 1,178 (38.0) Capital expenditures $ 4,820$ 2,371 103.3$ 9,627 $ 5,847 64.6 (a) For the three and six months endedJune 30, 2021 , firm reservation fee revenues included approximately$0.5 million and$1.0 million , respectively, of MVC unbilled revenues. For the three and six months endedJune 30, 2020 , firm reservation fee revenues included approximately$4.5 million and$9.5 million , respectively, of MVC unbilled revenues. (b) Includes volumes up to the contractual MVC under agreements structured with MVCs. Volumes in excess of the contractual MVC are reported under Volumetric-based services. Three Months EndedJune 30, 2021 Compared to Three Months EndedJune 30, 2020 Water operating revenues decreased by$14.7 million for the three months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the three months endedJune 30, 2020 . Firm reservation fee revenues decreased by$10.1 million primarily as a result of decreased revenues associated with contractually lower MVCs, including decreased unbilled revenue. Volumetric-based fee revenues decreased$4.6 million primarily due to lower volumes as a result of decreased producer activity. Water operating expenses increased by$53.3 million for the three months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the three months endedJune 30, 2020 primarily as a result of the impairments of long-lived assets totaling$56.2 million (as described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements), partly offset by lower operating and maintenance expense primarily due to overall lower customer activity resulting in lower fresh water and produced water costs. Six Months EndedJune 30, 2021 Compared to Six Months EndedJune 30, 2020 32
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Water operating revenues decreased by$32.6 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the six months endedJune 30, 2020 . Firm reservation fee revenues decreased by$21.0 million primarily as a result of decreased revenues associated with contractually lower MVCs, including decreased unbilled revenue. Volumetric-based fee revenues decreased$11.6 million primarily due to lower volumes as a result of decreased producer activity and decreased realized rates on a per gallon basis. A majority of the fresh water delivery fees the Company charges per gallon of water are tiered and thus are lower on a per gallon basis once certain volumetric thresholds are met. Water operating expenses increased by$48.6 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the six months endedJune 30, 2020 primarily as a result of the impairments of long-lived assets totaling$56.2 million (as described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements), partly offset by lower operating and maintenance expense primarily due to overall lower customer activity resulting in lower fresh water and produced water costs. The Company's water services are directly associated with producers' well completion activities and fresh and produced water needs (which are partially driven by horizontal lateral lengths and the number of completion stages per well). Therefore, the Water operating results traditionally fluctuate from year-to-year in response to producers' well completion activities and water operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for any year, including the year endingDecember 31, 2021 . Other Income Statement Items Other Income Other income decreased by$3.5 million for the three months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the three months endedJune 30, 2020 . The decrease was primarily due to a$3.1 million decrease in unrealized gain on derivative instruments associated with the Henry Hub cash bonus payment provision primarily due to the impact of changes in the targeted in-service date for the MVP project partially offset by an increase in NYMEX Henry Hub natural gas futures prices. Other income was relatively flat for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the six months endedJune 30, 2020 . Loss on Extinguishment of Debt Loss on extinguishment of debt increased$16.2 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the six months endedJune 30, 2020 . The Company incurred a loss on the extinguishment of debt of$41.0 million during the six months endedJune 30, 2021 related to the payment of the Tender Offer premium and write off of unamortized discounts and financing costs related to the prepayment of the EQM Term Loans under, and termination of, the Amended 2019 EQM Term Loan Agreement and purchase of 2023 Notes in the Tender Offers. During the six months endedJune 30, 2020 , the Company incurred a loss on the extinguishment of debt of$24.9 million related to the write off of unamortized discounts and financing costs primarily related to the prepayment and termination of the ETRN Term Loan Credit Agreement. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for additional discussion.
Net Interest Expense
Net interest expense increased$28.8 million for the three months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the three months endedJune 30, 2020 primarily due to higher interest expense of$22.2 million and$22.8 million associated with the 2020 Senior Notes and the 2021 Senior Notes, respectively, and decreased capitalized interest and AFUDC - debt of$5.0 million , partially offset by lower interest expense of$22.3 million primarily associated with the termination of the Amended 2019 EQM Term Loan Agreement, decreased borrowings under the Amended EQM Credit Facility and lower interest on the 2023 Notes as a result of the Tender Offers. Net interest expense increased$57.2 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the six months endedJune 30, 2020 primarily due to higher interest expense of$48.2 million and$43.7 million associated with the 2020 Senior Notes and the 2021 Senior Notes, respectively, and decreased capitalized interest and AFUDC - debt of$13.2 million , partially offset by lower interest expense of$49.3 million primarily associated with the termination of the Amended 2019 EQM Term Loan Agreement and the ETRN Term Loan Credit Agreement, decreased borrowings under the Amended EQM Credit Facility and lower interest on the 2023 Notes as a result of the Tender Offers. As a result of the issuance of the 2021 Senior Notes, and after taking into account the use of those proceeds to pay off other outstanding debt, the Company expects interest expense for the periods after the issuance of the 2021 Senior Notes to be higher than comparable prior year periods.
See also Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of certain of the Company's outstanding debt.
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Income Taxes See Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements for an explanation of the decrease in income taxes for the three and six months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the three and six months endedJune 30, 2020 . The Company files a consolidated income tax return for federal income taxes and uses the asset and liability method to account for income taxes. EQM is a limited partnership forU.S. federal and state income tax purposes. Eureka Midstream is a limited liability company for such purposes. EQM and Eureka Midstream are not subject toU.S. federal or state income taxes. All of Eureka Midstream's income is, and for the period prior to the closing of the EQM Merger all of EQM's income was, included in the Company's pre-tax income; however, the Company does not record income tax expense on the portions of its income attributable to the noncontrolling member of Eureka Midstream and did not record income tax expense on the portions of its income attributable to the noncontrolling limited partners of EQM for the periods prior to the closing of the EQM Merger. This reduces the Company's effective tax rate in periods when the Company has consolidated pre-tax income. The Company's effective tax rate for periods following the EQM Merger has been, and the Company expects its effective tax rate for future periods will be, generally higher than the pre-EQM Merger periods due to the decrease in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests as a result of the EQM Merger and related Restructuring. Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests decreased for the three and six months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to the three and six months endedJune 30, 2020 primarily as a result of the reduction in noncontrolling interest in connection with the EQM Merger and the Restructuring. The Company recorded net income attributable to noncontrolling interest for the third-party ownership interests in EQM (including the EQM Series A Preferred Units) through the closing of the EQM Merger. Upon the closing of the EQM Merger onJune 17, 2020 , the Company's remaining noncontrolling interest consists solely of the third-party ownership interest in Eureka Midstream. Capital Expenditures See "Investing Activities" and "Capital Requirements" under "Capital Resources and Liquidity" for discussion of capital expenditures and capital contributions. Outlook The Company's strategically-located assets overlay core acreage in theAppalachian Basin . The location of the Company's assets allows its producer customers to access major demand markets in theU.S. The Company is one of the largest natural gas gatherers in theU.S. , and its largest customer, EQT, was the largest natural gas producer in theU.S. based on average daily sales volumes as ofJune 30, 2021 . The Company maintains a stable cash flow profile, with approximately 67% of its revenue for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 generated by firm reservation fees. Further, the percentage of the Company's revenues that are generated by firm reservation fees is expected to increase in future years as a result of the 15-year term EQT Global GGA, which includes an MVC of 3.0 Bcf per day that became effective onApril 1, 2020 and gradually steps up to 4.0 Bcf per day for several years following the full in-service date of the MVP project. This contract structure enhances the stability of the Company's cash flows and limits its direct exposure to commodity price risk. The Company's principal strategy is to achieve greater scale and scope and enhance the durability of its financial strength, which the Company expects will drive future growth and investment. The Company is implementing its strategy by leveraging its existing assets, executing on its growth projects (including through potential expansion and extension opportunities), focusing on ESG and sustainability initiatives, and, where appropriate, seeking and executing on strategically-aligned acquisition and joint venture opportunities and other strategic transactions, while strengthening its balance sheet through: •highly predictable cash flows backed by firm reservation fees; •actions to de-lever its balance sheet; •disciplined capital spending; •operating cost control; and •an appropriate dividend policy. 34
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As part of its approach to organic growth, the Company is focused on its projects and assets outlined below, many of which are supported by contracts with firm capacity or MVC commitments. The Company believes that this approach will enable the Company to achieve its strategic goals. The Company expects that the MVP project, together with the Hammerhead pipeline and Equitrans,L.P. Expansion Project (EEP), will primarily drive the Company's organic growth and that its future growth also will be supported by the MVP Southgate project, as discussed in further detail below. •Mountain Valley Pipeline. The MVP is being constructed by a joint venture among the Company and affiliates of each of NextEra Energy, Inc.,Con Edison , AltaGas Ltd. and RGC Resources, Inc. As ofJune 30, 2021 , the Company owned an approximate 46.4% interest in the MVP project and will operate the MVP. The MVP is an estimated 300-mile, 42-inch diameter natural gas interstate pipeline with a targeted capacity of 2.0 Bcf per day that will span from the Company's existing transmission and storage system inWetzel County, West Virginia toPittsylvania County, Virginia , providing access to the growing Southeast demand markets. The MVP Joint Venture has secured a total of 2.0 Bcf per day of firm capacity commitments at 20-year terms. Additional shippers have expressed interest in the MVP project and the MVP Joint Venture is evaluating an expansion opportunity that could add approximately 0.5 Bcf per day of capacity through the installation of incremental compression. The MVP Joint Venture is also evaluating other future pipeline extension projects. InOctober 2017 , theFERC issued the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (the Certificate) for the MVP. In the first quarter of 2018, the MVP Joint Venture received limited notice to proceed with certain construction activities from theFERC and commenced construction. Following a comprehensive review of all outstanding stream and wetland crossings across the approximately 300-mile MVP project route, onFebruary 19, 2021 , the MVP Joint Venture submitted (i) a joint application package to each of theHuntington ,Pittsburgh and Norfolk Districts of theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps ) that requests an Individual Permit from theArmy Corps to effect approximately 300 water crossings utilizing open cut techniques (the Army Corps Individual Permit) and (ii) an application to amend the Certificate that seeksFERC authority to utilize alternative trenchless construction methods to effect approximately 120 water crossings. Related to seeking the Army Corps Individual Permit, onMarch 4, 2021 , the MVP Joint Venture submitted applications to each of theWest Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) and theVirginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ) seeking Section 401 water quality certification approvals or waivers (such approvals or waivers, the State 401 Approvals). Both the WVDEP and VADEQ submitted requests to theArmy Corps for additional time to address the applications, and, in lateJune 2021 , theArmy Corps granted the WVDEP and the VADEQ additional review time throughNovember 29, 2021 andDecember 31, 2021 , respectively. In earlyJune 2021 , theFERC issued a notice of schedule for the MVP Joint Venture's Certificate amendment application and theFERC is preparing to issue an environmental assessment inmid-August 2021 . Given that the expected permitting timelines for both theFERC and theArmy Corps are in-line with the Company's expectations, the Company continues to target a full in-service date for the MVP project in summer 2022 at a total project cost of approximately$6.2 billion (excluding AFUDC). In order to complete the project in accordance with the targeted full in-service date and cost, the MVP Joint Venture must, among other things, timely receive the Army Corps Individual Permit (as well as timely receive the State 401 Approvals and, as necessary, certain other state-level approvals), and timely receive authorization from theFERC to amend the Certificate to utilize alternative trenchless construction methods for certain stream and wetland crossings. The MVP Joint Venture also must (i) maintain and, as applicable, timely receive required authorizations, including authorization to proceed with construction, related to theJefferson National Forest (JNF) from theBureau of Land Management (BLM), theU.S. Forest Service (USFS) and theFERC ; (ii) continue to have available the orders previously issued by theFERC modifying its prior stop work orders and extending the MVP Joint Venture's prescribed time to complete the MVP project; (iii) timely receive authorization from theFERC to complete construction work in the portion of the project route currently remaining subject to theFERC's previous stop work order; and (iv) continue to be authorized to work under the Biological Opinion and Incidental Take Statement issued by theUnited States Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for the MVP project. In each case, any such foregoing or other authorizations must remain in effect notwithstanding any pending or future challenge thereto. For further information regarding litigation and regulatory related delays affecting the completion of the MVP project, see "Item 1. Legal Proceedings" in Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. See also "The regulatory approval process for the construction of new midstream assets is very challenging, and decisions by regulatory and judicial authorities in pending or potential proceedings could impact our or the MVP Joint Venture's ability to obtain or maintain in effect all approvals and authorizations necessary to complete certain projects on the targeted time frame or at all or our ability to achieve the expected investment returns on the projects." included in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on 35
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Form 10-K for the year ended
OnNovember 4, 2019 ,Con Edison exercised an option to cap its investment in the construction of the MVP project at approximately$530 million (excluding AFUDC). The Company and NextEra Energy, Inc. are obligated, and RGC Resources, Inc., another member of the MVP Joint Venture owning an interest in the MVP project, has opted, to fund the shortfall inCon Edison's capital contributions on a pro rata basis. Such funding by the Company and funding by other members has and will correspondingly increase the Company's and such other members' respective interests in the MVP project and decreaseCon Edison's interest in the MVP project. As a result, based on the MVP project's approximate$6.2 billion (excluding AFUDC) targeted cost, the Company's ownership interest in the MVP project is expected to progressively increase from approximately 46.4% to approximately 47.8%. ThroughJune 30, 2021 , based on the MVP project's targeted cost, the Company had funded approximately$2.3 billion of its estimated total capital contributions of approximately$3.1 billion (inclusive of additional contributions required due to theCon Edison cap described above), including approximately$160 million in excess of the Company's ownership interest. For 2021, the Company expects to make total capital contributions of$255 million to$305 million to the MVP Joint Venture for purposes of the MVP project, depending on the timing of construction of the project, of which approximately$82.1 million had been contributed to the MVP Joint Venture as ofJune 30, 2021 . •Wellhead Gathering Expansion Projects and Hammerhead Pipeline. During the six months endedJune 30, 2021 , the Company invested approximately$107.8 million in gathering projects (inclusive of capital expenditures related to the noncontrolling interest in Eureka Midstream). For 2021, the Company expects to invest approximately$250 million to$285 million in gathering projects (inclusive of expected capital expenditures related to the noncontrolling interest in Eureka Midstream). The primary projects include infrastructure expansion of core development areas in the Marcellus and Utica Shales in southwesternPennsylvania , southeasternOhio and northernWest Virginia for EQT, Range Resources Corporation (Range Resources) and other producers. The Hammerhead pipeline is a 1.6 Bcf per day gathering header pipeline that is primarily designed to connect natural gas produced inPennsylvania andWest Virginia to the MVP,Texas Eastern Transmission and Dominion Transmission, is supported by a 20-year term, 1.2 Bcf per day, firm capacity commitment from EQT and cost approximately$540 million . The Company believes the Hammerhead pipeline was placed in-service effectiveAugust 1, 2020 . For more information, see "Hammerhead Pipeline" below. •Transmission Projects. During the six months endedJune 30, 2021 , the Company invested approximately$11.3 million in transmission projects. For 2021, the Company expects to invest approximately$25 million to$40 million in transmission projects. The EEP is designed to provide north-to-south capacity on the mainlineEquitrans, L.P. system, including primarily for deliveries to the MVP. A portion of the EEP commenced operations with interruptible service in the third quarter of 2019. The EEP provides capacity of approximately 600 MMcf per day and offers access to several markets through interconnects withTexas Eastern Transmission , Dominion Transmission andColumbia Gas Transmission . Once the MVP is fully placed in service, firm transportation agreements for 550 MMcf per day of capacity will commence under 20-year terms. •MVP Southgate Project. InApril 2018 , the MVP Joint Venture announced the MVP Southgate project, a proposed 75-mile interstate pipeline that will extend from the MVP atPittsylvania County, Virginia to new delivery points inRockingham andAlamance Counties,North Carolina . The MVP Southgate project is backed by a 300 MMcf per day firm capacity commitment from Dominion Energy North Carolina. As designed, the MVP Southgate project has expansion capabilities that could provide up to 900 MMcf per day of total capacity. The MVP Southgate project is estimated to cost a total of approximately$450 million to$500 million , which is expected to be spent primarily in 2022. The Company expects to fund approximately$225 million of the overall project cost. During the six months endedJune 30, 2021 , the Company made approximately$2.6 million of capital contributions to the MVP Joint Venture for the MVP Southgate project. For 2021, the Company expects to make capital contributions of approximately$5 million to$10 million to the MVP Joint Venture for the MVP Southgate project. The Company will operate the MVP Southgate and, as ofJune 30, 2021 , owned a 47.2% interest in the MVP Southgate project. The MVP Joint Venture submitted the MVP Southgate certificate application to the 36
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FERC inNovember 2018 . The Final Environmental Impact Statement for the MVP Southgate project was issued onFebruary 14, 2020 . InJune 2020 , theFERC issued the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the MVP Southgate; however, theFERC , while authorizing the project, directed theOffice of Energy Projects not to issue a notice to proceed with construction until necessary federal permits are received for the MVP project and the Director of theOffice of Energy Projects lifts the stop work order and authorizes the MVP Joint Venture to continue constructing the MVP project. OnAugust 11, 2020 , theNorth Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) denied the MVP Southgate project's application for a Clean Water Act Section 401 Individual Water Quality Certification and Jordan Lake Riparian Buffer Authorization due to uncertainty surrounding the completion of the MVP project. OnMarch 11, 2021 , theFourth Circuit Court of Appeals , pursuant to an appeal filed by the MVP Joint Venture, vacated the NCDEQ's denial and remanded the matter to the NCDEQ for additional review. OnApril 29, 2021 , the NCDEQ reissued its denial of the MVP Southgate project's application for a Clean Water Act Section 401 Individual Water Quality Certification and Jordan Lake Riparian Buffer Authorization. Based on the targeted full in-service date for the MVP and expectations regarding MVP Southgate permit approval timing, the Company is targeting commencing construction on the MVP Southgate in 2022 and placing the MVP Southgate in-service during the spring of 2023. See the discussion of litigation and regulatory related delays affecting the completion of the MVP Southgate project set forth in "Item 1. Legal Proceedings" in Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. •Water Operations. During the six months endedJune 30, 2021 , the Company invested approximately$9.6 million in its fresh water delivery infrastructure. For 2021, the Company expects to invest approximately$20 million in the operations of its fresh water delivery infrastructure inPennsylvania . See further discussion of capital expenditures in the "Capital Requirements" section below. EQT Global GGA. OnFebruary 27, 2020 , the Company announced the EQT Global GGA, which is a 15-year contract that includes, among other things, a 3.0 Bcf per day MVC (which gradually steps up to 4.0 Bcf per day for several years following the full in-service date of the MVP project) and the dedication of a substantial majority of EQT's core acreage in southwesternPennsylvania andWest Virginia to the Company. Under the EQT Global GGA, EQT will receive certain gathering fee relief over a period of three years following the in-service date of the MVP, subject to any exercise of the EQT Cash Option (as further described in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements). The EQT Global GGA replaced 14 previous gathering agreements between EQT and the Company. Under the EQT Global GGA, the performance obligation is to provide daily MVC capacity and as such the total consideration is allocated proportionally to the daily MVC over the life of the contract. In periods that the gathering MVC revenue billed will exceed the allocated consideration, the excess will be deferred to the contract liability and recognized in revenue when the performance obligation has been satisfied. Assuming a full in-service date in summer 2022 for the MVP, the deferral to the contract liability is expected to increase by approximately$296 million for 2021 and by approximately$67 million during 2022. While the 3.0 Bcf per day MVC capacity became effective onApril 1, 2020 , additional daily MVC capacity and the associated gathering MVC fees payable by EQT to the Company as set forth in the EQT Global GGA are conditioned upon the full in-service date of the MVP. There are ongoing legal and regulatory matters that must be resolved before the MVP project can be completed which could have a material effect on the performance obligation, the allocation of the total consideration over the life of the contract and the gathering MVC fees payable by EQT under the contract. Based on the Henry Hub natural gas forward strip prices as ofJuly 30, 2021 and the terms of the Henry Hub cash bonus payment provision, any further delays in the in-service date for the MVP project, including beyond the most recent targeted full in-service date of summer 2022, would decrease the estimated fair value of the derivative asset attributable to the Henry Hub cash bonus payment provision, and such decrease may be substantial. Such changes in estimated fair value, if any, would be recognized in other income on the Company's statements of consolidated comprehensive income. For a discussion of the Company's commercial relationship with EQT and related considerations, including risk factors, see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 , as updated by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. See also Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the EQT Global GGA and the transactions related thereto. For further discussion on litigation and regulatory challenges affecting the completion of the MVP project, see "Outlook" above and "Item 1. Legal Proceedings" in Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Hammerhead Pipeline. OnSeptember 23, 2020 , EQT and certain affiliates of EQT instituted arbitration proceedings against the Company by filing a Demand for Arbitration with theAmerican Arbitration Association . The arbitration arose out of the Hammerhead gathering agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed to construct the Hammerhead pipeline and gather gas for EQT. EQT sought a declaratory judgment that it may exercise an early termination right and purchase the Hammerhead 37
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pipeline and related facilities under the terms of the Hammerhead gathering agreement. With its Demand for Arbitration, EQT also sought emergency relief, asking that an emergency arbitrator: (i) resolve the parties' dispute on the merits byOctober 1, 2020 ; or (ii) alternatively, toll the contractual deadline for EQT's exercise of its termination right, which was set to expire onOctober 11, 2020 , until after the parties' dispute was resolved. OnOctober 6, 2020 , the emergency arbitrator issued an order denying EQT's request for emergency resolution on the merits but tolling the early termination deadline until the arbitration has been resolved. The Company's answer to the Notice of Arbitration was filed onOctober 8, 2020 , and the parties participated in an arbitration hearing fromJune 28, 2021 toJuly 2, 2021 and are awaiting a decision by the arbitration panel. The Company will vigorously defend against EQT's claims and litigate the Company's rights, including the assertion of appropriate counterclaims. Gulfport Bankruptcy. OnNovember 13, 2020 , Gulfport commenced bankruptcy proceedings. OnNovember 24, 2020 , Gulfport moved to reject its gas gathering agreements with the Company and made certain related court filings, which motions the Company opposed. OnApril 21, 2021 , Gulfport acted to assume the gas gathering agreements with the Company, which assumption was confirmed by the bankruptcy court in a subsequent hearing. OnMay 17, 2021 , Gulfport emerged from the bankruptcy proceedings. As ofJune 30, 2021 , the Company had received substantially all of the outstanding amounts from Gulfport as a result of the assumption of the gas gathering agreements and Gulfport's emergence from bankruptcy. Local Market Natural Gas Prices. The Company's business is dependent on continued natural gas production and the availability and development of reserves in its areas of operation. Prices for natural gas and NGLs, including regional basis differentials, may adversely affect timing of development of additional reserves and production that is accessible by the Company's pipeline and storage assets, which also negatively affects the Company's water services business that is directly associated with producers' well completion activities. While natural gas prices have stabilized and improved from 2020 lows as of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, low or discounted natural gas prices in the Appalachian region have affected, and could in the future affect, Company producer customers' determinations in respect of the amount and location of future rig and completion activity, timing of turning wells in line and whether to temporarily shut in portions of their production or otherwise take actions to slow production growth and/or reduce production during periods of low and discounted local natural gas prices. For additional information regarding impacts of commodity prices on the Company and related risks, including regarding past production curtailments by Company customers, see Part I, "Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as "Decreases in production of natural gas in our areas of operation have adversely affected, and future decreases could further adversely affect, our business and operating results and reduce our cash available to pay cash dividends to our shareholders." included in Item "1A. Risk Factors" of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 . Potential Future Impairments. During the second quarter of 2021, the Company recognized impairments of approximately$56.2 million related to the Ohio Water long-lived assets. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company recognized impairments of long-lived assets of approximately$55.6 million , including$37.9 million related to certain Hornet Midstream-related gathering assets and$17.7 million related to certain Hornet Midstream-related intangible assets. See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information. The accounting estimates related to impairments are susceptible to change, including estimating fair value which requires considerable judgment. For goodwill, management's estimate of a reporting unit's future financial results is sensitive to changes in assumptions, such as changes in stock prices, weighted-average cost of capital, terminal growth rates and industry multiples. Similarly, cash flow estimates utilized for purposes of evaluating long-lived assets and equity method investments (such as in the MVP Joint Venture) require the Company to make projections and assumptions for many years into the future for pricing, demand, competition, operating costs, commencement of operations, resolution of relevant legal and regulatory matters, and other factors. The Company evaluates long-lived assets and equity method investments for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate, in management's judgment, that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable (meaning, in the case of equity method investments, that such investments have suffered other-than-temporary declines in value under ASC 323). The Company believes the estimates and assumptions used in estimating its reporting units', its long-lived assets' and its equity investment's fair values are reasonable and appropriate as ofJune 30, 2021 ; however, assumptions and estimates are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory, judicial and other risks that could materially affect the calculated fair values and the resulting conclusions regarding impairments, which could materially affect the Company's results of operations and financial position. Additionally, actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions may not be realized. The Company also continues to evaluate and monitor the ongoing legal and regulatory matters related to the MVP and MVP Southgate projects that affect project completion, as further described in "Item 1. Legal Proceedings" in Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Adverse or delayed developments with respect to such matters or other adverse developments could require that the Company modify assumptions reflected in the probability-weighted scenarios of discounted future net cash flows (including with respect to the probability of success) utilized to estimate the fair 38
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value of its equity investment in the MVP Joint Venture, which could result in an other-than-temporary decline in value, resulting in an impairment of that investment. See also Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, as well as "Reviews of our goodwill, intangible and other long-lived assets have resulted in significant impairment charges and reviews of our goodwill, intangible and other long-lived assets could result in future significant impairment charges, including with respect to our investment in the MVP Joint Venture." included in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 and the Company's discussion of "Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" included in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 . As of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company cannot predict the likelihood or magnitude of any future impairment. For a discussion of capital expenditures, see "Capital Requirements" below. Capital Resources and Liquidity The Company's liquidity requirements are to finance its operations, its capital expenditures, potential acquisitions and other strategic transactions and capital contributions to joint ventures, including the MVP Joint Venture, to pay cash dividends and to satisfy any indebtedness obligations. The Company's ability to meet these liquidity requirements depends on the Company's cash flow from operations, the continued ability of the Company to borrow under its credit facilities and the Company's ability to raise capital in banking, capital and other markets. Cash flow and capital raising activities may be affected by prevailing economic conditions in the natural gas industry and other financial and business factors (including market forces causing shifts in investor sentiment away from fossil fuels and credit allocations to industries and companies perceived as being more sustainable, having better growth opportunities and/or having stronger ESG metrics and practices), some of which are beyond the Company's control. The Company's available sources of liquidity include cash from operations, cash on hand, borrowings under its subsidiaries' revolving credit facilities, issuances of additional debt and issuances of additional equity securities. As ofJune 30, 2021 , pursuant to the terms of the Amended EQM Credit Facility, EQM would have been able to borrow approximately$1.0 billion under the Amended EQM Credit Facility. The amount the Company is able to borrow under the Amended EQM Credit Facility is bounded by a maximum consolidated leverage ratio. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information regarding the Amended EQM Credit Facility. See "Security Ratings" below for a discussion of EQM's credit ratings as ofJune 30, 2021 . As a result of downgrades of EQM's credit ratings to non-investment grade inFebruary 2020 , EQM was obligated to deliver additional credit support to the MVP Joint Venture in the form of letters of credit, which, in the case of the MVP project (based on the targeted cost for the project), is in the amount of approximately$251.0 million and is, in the case of the MVP Southgate,$14.2 million , in each case as of the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Additionally, pursuant to the EQT Global GGA, if EQM does not maintain minimum credit ratings from two of three credit rating agencies of at least Ba3 with respect to Moody's and BB- with respect to S&P and Fitch, EQM will be obligated to provide additional credit support in an amount equal to approximately$196 million to EQT in support of the potential payment obligation related to the EQT Cash Option (the Cash Option Letter of Credit). See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the EQT Cash Option, which will become exercisable by EQT commencing onJanuary 1, 2022 . See "A further downgrade of EQM's credit ratings, including in connection with the MVP project or customer credit ratings changes, including EQT's, which are determined by independent third parties, could impact our liquidity, access to capital, and costs of doing business." included in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 . Operating Activities Net cash flows provided by operating activities were$612.1 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to$593.0 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2020 . The increase was primarily driven by the timing of working capital receipts and payments. Investing Activities Net cash flows used in investing activities were$212.4 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to$345.3 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2020 . Capital expenditures decreased by approximately$138.8 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 , as compared to the six months endedJune 30, 2020 , primarily due to decreased spending on the Hammerhead pipeline and various wellhead gathering and transmission projects, slightly offset by an increase in capital contributions to the MVP Joint Venture consistent with timing of the resumption of growth construction activities on theMVP Project . See "Capital Requirements" below for a discussion of forecasted 2021 capital expenditures and capital contributions to the MVP Joint Venture. 39
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Table of Contents Financing Activities Net cash flows used in financing activities were$365.1 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 compared to$133.7 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2020 . For the six months endedJune 30, 2021 , the primary uses of financing cash flows were the payment for retirement of the EQM Term Loans and termination of the Amended 2019 EQM Term Loan Agreement, net repayments on borrowings under the revolving credit facilities, the Company's purchase of an aggregate principal amount of$500 million of EQM's 2023 Notes pursuant to the Tender Offers and the payment of dividends to shareholders, while the primary source of financing cash flows was the issuance of the 2021 Senior Notes. For the six months endedJune 30, 2020 , the primary source of financing cash flows was net proceeds from the 2020 Senior Notes issuances, while the primary uses of financing cash flows were the redemption of the EQM Series A Preferred Units, payment for retirement of the ETRN Term loans, the payments of dividends and distributions to shareholders and unitholders (including distributions paid to EQM Series A Preferred unitholders) and net payments of borrowings on the First Amended EQM Credit Facility. Capital Requirements The gathering, transmission and storage and water services businesses are capital intensive, requiring significant investment to develop new facilities and to maintain and upgrade existing operations. For 2021, capital contributions to the MVP Joint Venture are expected to be approximately$255 million to$305 million depending on timing of the construction of the MVP project and approximately$5 million to$10 million related to the MVP Southgate project, and capital expenditures are expected to be$295 million to$345 million (including approximately$15 million to$20 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest in Eureka Midstream). The Company's future capital investments may vary significantly from period to period based on the available investment opportunities, the timing of the construction of the MVP, MVP Southgate and other projects, and maintenance needs. The Company expects to fund future capital expenditures and capital contributions primarily through cash on hand, cash generated from operations and borrowings under its subsidiaries' credit facilities. Credit Facility Borrowings See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of the Amended EQM Credit Facility, the Amended 2019 EQM Term Loan Agreement (prior to its termination), the Former Eureka Credit Facility (prior to its termination) and the 2021 Eureka Credit Facility. 40
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Security Ratings The table below sets forth the credit ratings for EQM's debt instruments atJune 30, 2021 . EQM Senior Notes Rating Service Rating Outlook Moody's Ba3 Negative S&P BB- Stable Fitch BB Negative InJanuary 2021 , each of Moody's, S&P, and Fitch affirmed EQM's credit ratings in connection with the issuance of the 2021 Senior Notes. There were no changes to EQM's credit ratings during the six months endedJune 30, 2021 . EQM's credit ratings are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. The Company cannot ensure that a rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a credit rating agency if, in its judgment, circumstances so warrant, including in connection with the MVP project or the creditworthiness of EQM's customers. As ofJune 30, 2021 , EQT's public debt had credit ratings of BB from S&P (with a stable outlook), Ba2 from Moody's (with a stable outlook) and BB+ from Fitch (with a stable outlook). InJuly 2021 , EQT's credit ratings were upgraded to BB+ from S&P (with a positive outlook) and Ba1 from Moody's (with a stable outlook). If any credit rating agency downgrades or withdraws EQM's ratings, including for reasons relating to the MVP project (such as delays in the targeted full in-service date of the MVP project or increases in such project's costs), EQM's leverage or credit ratings of the Company's customers, the Company's access to the capital markets could become more challenging, borrowing costs will likely increase, the Company may be required to provide additional credit assurances (the amount of which may be substantial), including the Cash Option Letter of Credit, in support of commercial agreements such as joint venture agreements, and the potential pool of investors and funding sources may decrease. In order to be considered investment grade, a company must be rated Baa3 or higher by Moody's, BBB- or higher by S&P, or BBB- or higher by Fitch. All of EQM's credit ratings are considered non-investment grade. Commitments and Contingencies In the ordinary course of business, various legal and regulatory claims and proceedings are pending or threatened against the Company and its subsidiaries. While the amounts claimed may be substantial, the Company is unable to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of such claims and proceedings. The Company accrues legal and other direct costs related to loss contingencies when incurred. The Company establishes reserves whenever it believes it to be appropriate for pending matters. Furthermore, after consultation with counsel and considering available insurance, the Company believes that the ultimate outcome of any matter currently pending against it or any of its consolidated subsidiaries will not materially affect its business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to pay dividends to its shareholders. See "The regulatory approval process for the construction of new midstream assets is very challenging, and decisions by regulatory and judicial authorities in pending or potential proceedings could impact our or the MVP Joint Venture's ability to obtain or maintain in effect all approvals and authorizations necessary to complete certain projects on the targeted time frame or at all or our ability to achieve the expected investment returns on the projects." under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 and "Item 1. Legal Proceedings" in Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for discussion of certain litigation and regulatory proceedings, including related to the MVP and MVP Southgate projects. See Note 16 to the annual consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 for further discussion of the Company's commitments and contingencies. Dividends OnJuly 23, 2021 , the Board declared cash dividends for the second quarter of 2021 of$0.15 per common share and$0.4873 per Equitrans Midstream Preferred Share, in each case, payable onAugust 13, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business onAugust 4, 2021 . Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates The Company's critical accounting policies are described in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 41
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December 31, 2020 . Any new accounting policies or updates to existing accounting policies as a result of new accounting pronouncements have been included in the notes to the Company's consolidated financial statements in Part I, "Item 1. Financial Statements" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The application of the Company's critical accounting policies may require management to make judgments and estimates about the amounts reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Management uses historical experience and all available information to make these estimates and judgments. Different amounts could be reported using different assumptions and estimates. Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Interest Rate Risk. Changes in interest rates affect the amount of interest the Company earns on cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and the interest rates EQM and Eureka pay on borrowings under their respective revolving credit facilities. The Amended EQM Credit Facility and the 2021 Eureka Credit Facility provide for variable interest rates and thus expose the Company, through EQM and Eureka, to fluctuations in market interest rates. In addition, EQM's interest rates under the Amended EQM Credit Facility are impacted by changes in EQM's credit ratings (which may be caused by factors outside of EQM's control). Eureka's interest rates under the 2021 Eureka Credit Facility are impacted by changes in Eureka's Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the 2021 Eureka Credit Facility) which may fluctuate based on Eureka Midstream's liquidity needs. Such changes in interest rates may accordingly impact the Company's results of operations and liquidity. Further, changes in interest rates may affect the dividend payable on Equitrans Midstream Preferred Shares afterMarch 31, 2024 , which could affect the amount of cash the Company has available to make quarterly cash dividends to its shareholders. EQM's senior notes are fixed rate and thus do not expose the Company to fluctuations in market interest rates. Changes in interest rates do affect the fair value of EQM's fixed rate debt. See Notes 8 and 9 to the consolidated financial statements for discussions of borrowings and fair value measurements, respectively. EQM and Eureka may from time to time hedge the interest on portions of borrowings under the revolving credit facilities, as applicable, in order to manage risks associated with floating interest rates (however, there may be no assurance that such hedges will fully mitigate interest rate risk). See also "Changes in the method of determining the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), or the replacement of the LIBOR with an alternative reference rate, may adversely affect interest expense related to outstanding debt." included in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 . Credit Risk. The Company is exposed to credit risk, which is the risk that it may incur a loss if a counterparty fails to perform under a contract. The Company actively manages its exposure to credit risk associated with customers through credit analysis, credit approval and monitoring procedures. For certain transactions, the Company requests letters of credit, cash collateral, prepayments or guarantees as forms of credit support.Equitrans, L.P.'s FERC tariffs require tariff customers that do not meet specified credit standards to provide three months of credit support; however, the Company is exposed to credit risk beyond this three-month period when its tariffs do not require its customers to provide additional credit support. For some of the Company's long-term contracts associated with system expansions, it has entered into negotiated credit agreements that provide for other credit support if certain credit standards are not met. The Company has historically experienced only minimal credit losses in connection with its receivables. The Company is exposed to the credit risk of its customers, including EQT. As ofJune 30, 2021 , EQT had$0.7 billion of letters of credit outstanding under its revolving credit facility (inclusive of an$83.6 million letter of credit issued to the MVP Joint Venture). AtJune 30, 2021 , EQT's public senior debt had non-investment grade credit ratings. See "Security Ratings" under Part I, "Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for further information regarding EQT's credit ratings. See Note 6 for information regarding the Credit Letter Agreement and associated EQT credit rating requirements. In addition, EQT has guaranteed the payment obligations of certain of its subsidiaries, up to a maximum amount of$115 million ,$131 million and$30 million related to gathering, transmission and water services, respectively, across all applicable contracts, for the benefit of the subsidiaries of the Company providing such services. See Note 15 to the annual consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 for further discussion of the Company's exposure to credit risk. Commodity Prices. The Company's business is dependent on continued natural gas production and the availability and development of reserves in its areas of operation. Prices for natural gas and NGLs, including regional basis differentials, may adversely affect timing of development of additional reserves and production that is accessible by the Company's pipeline and storage assets, which also negatively affects the Company's water services business, and may affect the creditworthiness of the Company's customers. Natural gas and NGL prices affect capital spending levels of the Company's customers, which in turn affect production levels and, accordingly, demand for the Company's services and therefore its results of operations. Certain of the Company's 42
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customers, including EQT and Range Resources, announced inFebruary 2021 modest capital spending forecast increases as compared to 2020 actual capital expenditures. Although EQT announced a modest increase in its 2021 capital expenditure forecast compared to EQT's 2020 actual capital expenditures, EQT's 2021 sales volume forecast is approximately flat relative to its pro-forma 2020 sales volume (adjusted for acreage acquired by EQT fromChevron U.S.A Inc. in 2020) and EQT inMay 2021 announced a reduction in its expected 2021 capital expenditures. Such customers may announce lower capital spending in the future based on commodity prices, access to capital, investor expectations regarding free cash flow, a desire to reduce or refinance leverage or other factors. Lower regional natural gas prices could cause producers to determine in the future that drilling activities in areas outside of the Company's current areas of operation are strategically more attractive to them. Additionally, lower natural gas prices, particularly in the Appalachian region, have caused, and may in the future cause, certain producers, including customers of the Company, to determine to reduce or hold generally steady their rig count (and thereby delay or not increase production), delay turning wells in line, temporarily shut in portions of their production or otherwise take actions to slow production growth and/or reduce production, which when effected by the Company's producer customers reduces the demand for, and usage of, the Company's services. For instance, temporary production curtailments effected in 2020 by EQT and certain other Company customers resulted in a decrease in the Company's volumetric-based fee revenues for portions of 2020. An extended period of low natural gas prices and/or instability in natural gas prices in 2021 or future periods, especially in the Appalachian region, could cause EQT or other producers to take similar actions in the future, which could have a significant negative effect on the demand for the Company's services and therefore its results of operations. Many of the Company's customers, including EQT, have entered into long-term firm reservation transmission and gathering contracts or contracts with MVCs on the Company's systems and approximately 67% of the Company's operating revenue for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 was generated by firm reservation fees. As a result, the Company believes that the effect of temporary declines in volumes of gas gathered, transported or stored on its systems may be mitigated because firm reservation fee revenues are paid regardless of volumes supplied to the system by customers (although significant declines in gas production in the Company's areas of operations would adversely affect the Company's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity as approximately 33% of the Company's operating revenues for the six months endedJune 30, 2021 was generated by volumetric-based fee revenues). Price declines and sustained periods of low natural gas and NGL prices could have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of the Company's customers and related ability to pay firm reservation fees under long-term contracts and/or affect, as discussed above, activity levels and, accordingly, volumetric-based fees, which could affect the Company's results of operations, liquidity or financial position. For example, each of S&P, Moody's and Fitch took negative ratings actions on EQT during 2020, citing, among other things, lower natural gas price assumptions and current and future financing needs (although all three ratings agencies later took positive action on EQT citing, among other things, subsequent debt reduction and improvements in natural gas fundamentals). Credit risk and related management is further discussed above under "Credit Risk" in Part I, "Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Unless the Company is successful in attracting and retaining new customers, the Company's ability to maintain or increase the capacity subscribed and volumes transported, gathered or provided on its systems will be dependent on receiving consistent or increasing commitments and production from its existing customers, which may be impacted by commodity prices, including regional commodity prices. While EQT has dedicated a substantial portion of its core acreage to the Company and has entered into long-term firm gathering and transmission contracts and contracts with MVCs on certain of the Company's systems, EQT may determine in the future that drilling or continuing to produce gas from existing wells in the Company's areas of operations is not economical above the amount to fulfill its required MVCs or otherwise strategically determine to curtail volumes on the Company's systems. For example, in 2020, EQT publicly disclosed that it had made the strategic decision to temporarily curtail significant portions of its production, and certain other Company customers also curtailed portions of their production during 2020. Other than with respect to its MVCs and other firm commitments under existing contracts, EQT is under no contractual obligation to continue to develop its acreage dedicated to the Company. See also Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the EQT Global GGA and the Water Services Letter Agreement. The fair value of the Company's derivative instruments is largely determined by estimates of the NYMEX Henry Hub natural gas forward price curve. A hypothetical 10% increase in NYMEX Henry Hub natural gas futures prices would increase the valuation of the Company's derivative instruments by$14.4 million , while a hypothetical 10% decrease in NYMEX Henry Hub natural gas futures prices would decrease the valuation of the Company's derivative instruments by$16.2 million . This fair value change assumes volatility based on prevailing market parameters atJune 30, 2021 . See Notes 5 and 9 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the Henry Hub cash bonus payment provision. For further discussion of commodity prices and related risks, see "Local Market Natural Gas Prices" under "Outlook" in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and "Our exposure to direct commodity price risk may increase in the future." and "Decreases in production of natural gas in our areas of operation have adversely affected, and future decreases could further adversely affect, our business and operating results and reduce our cash available to pay cash dividends to our 43
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shareholders", each under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 . Other Market Risks. The Amended EQM Credit Facility is underwritten by a syndicate of 21 financial institutions, each of which is obligated to fund its pro rata portion of any borrowings by EQM. No one lender of the financial institutions in the syndicate holds more than 10% of the facility. EQM's large syndicate group and relatively low percentage of participation by each lender is expected to limit the Company's exposure to disruption or consolidation in the banking industry. The 2021 Eureka Credit Facility is underwritten by a syndicate of 16 financial institutions, each of which is obligated to fund its pro-rata portion of any borrowings by Eureka. Not one lender of the financial institutions in the syndicate holds more than 10% of the facility. Eureka's large syndicate group and relatively low percentage of participation by each lender is expected to limit Eureka's exposure to disruption or consolidation in the banking industry. 44
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