2019

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number 001-39163

no

Hess Midstream LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code, is (713) 496-4200)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by checkmark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes ☒ No ☐

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

The aggregate market value of Class A shares held by non‑affiliates of the registrant amount to $1.7 billion, computed using the outstanding Class A shares and closing market price on June 30, 2023, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

79,867,647 Class A shares representing limited partner interests in the registrant were outstanding as of February 8, 2024.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD‑LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including information incorporated by reference herein, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “predict,” “will,” “target” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which are not historical in nature. Our forward-looking statements may include, without limitation: our future financial and operational results; our business strategy; our industry; our expected revenues; our future profitability; our maintenance or expansion projects; our projected budget and capital expenditures and the impact of such expenditures on our performance; and future economic and market conditions in the oil and gas industry.

Forward-looking statements are based on our current understanding, assessments, estimates and projections of relevant factors and reasonable assumptions about the future. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our current projections or expectations of future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The following important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements:

As and when made, we believe that our forward-looking statements are reasonable. However, given these risks and uncertainties, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements since such statements speak only as of the date when made and there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will occur and actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement we make. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.

Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise indicates, references in this report to “Hess Midstream Operations LP,” the “Partnership,” “us,” “we,” “our” or similar terms, when referring to periods between April 10, 2017 and December 16, 2019, refer to Hess Midstream Operations LP (formerly known as Hess Midstream Partners LP, the predecessor registrant to Hess Midstream LP), including its consolidated subsidiaries. All references to “Hess Midstream LP,” the “Company,” “us,” “our,” “we” or similar terms, when referring to periods subsequent to December 16, 2019, refer to Hess Midstream LP, including its consolidated subsidiaries.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Throughout this report, the following company or industry specific terms and abbreviations are used:

Barrel: One stock tank barrel, or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used in reference to crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.

Bbl(s): Barrel(s).

Bbl/d: Barrels per day.

Btu: One British thermal unit—a measure of the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a one‑pound mass of water one degree Fahrenheit at sea level.

Cf: Cubic foot or feet is a common unit of gas measurement. One standard cubic foot equals the volume of gas in one cubic foot measured at standard temperature (60 degrees Fahrenheit) and standard pressure (14.73 pounds standard per square inch).

CNG: Compressed natural gas.

Crude oil: A mixture of hydrocarbons that exists in liquid phase in underground reservoirs.

Fractionation: Fractionation is accomplished by controlling the temperature and pressure of the stream of mixed NGL in order to take advantage of the different boiling points of separate components. NGL fractionation facilities separate mixed NGL streams into discrete components such as ethane, propane, normal butane, isobutane and natural gasoline.

Liquefied petroleum gas: A mixture of hydrocarbon gases commonly used as a fuel, including propane and butane.

MBbl: One thousand barrels.

MBbl/d: One thousand barrels per day.

Mcf: One thousand cubic feet.

Mdge/d: One thousand diesel gallons equivalent per day.

Mgal/d: One thousand gallons per day.

MMcf/d: One million cubic feet per day.

MVC: Minimum volume commitment.

NGL: Natural gas liquids, which are the hydrocarbon liquids contained within natural gas.

Psi: Pounds per square inch.

Psig: Pounds per square inch gauge.

Throughput: The volume of crude oil, natural gas, NGLs, water and refined petroleum products transported or passing through a pipeline, plant, terminal or other facility during a particular period.

Williston Basin: One of the largest structural-sedimentary basins in North America, spanning across North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with a surface area of approximately 143,000 square miles within the United States and multiple petroleum reservoirs.

Y‑grade: A classification used to describe the extent to which certain hydrocarbons can be stored at a specified pressure, making the hydrocarbon easier to move in a liquid state.

PART I

ITEMS 1 and 2. BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES

Overview

We are a fee-based, growth-oriented, limited partnership that owns, operates, develops and acquires a diverse set of midstream assets and provides fee-based services to Hess Corporation (“Hess”) and third-party customers. We are managed and controlled by Hess Midstream GP LLC (“GP LLC”), the general partner of our general partner.

Our assets are primarily located in the Bakken and Three Forks shale plays in the Williston Basin area of North Dakota, which we collectively refer to as the Bakken and which is one of the most prolific crude oil producing basins in North America. Hess dedicated substantially all of its existing and future owned or controlled production in the Bakken under our long-term, fee-based agreements and intends to use us as the primary midstream vehicle to support the growth of its Bakken production assets and grow its midstream business. We generate substantially all of our revenues by charging fees for gathering, compressing and processing natural gas and fractionating NGLs; gathering, terminaling, loading and transporting crude oil and NGLs; storing and terminaling propane; and gathering and disposing of produced water.

Prior to December 16, 2019, we were indirectly controlled by Hess Infrastructure Partners GP LLC, the general partner of Hess Infrastructure Partners LP (“HIP”). HIP was originally formed in 2015 as a 50/50 joint venture between Hess and Global Infrastructure Partners (“GIP” and, together with Hess, the “Sponsors”). On April 10, 2017, we completed an initial public offering (“IPO”) as a master limited partnership, pursuant to which HIP contributed to the Partnership a 20% controlling economic interest in each of (i) Hess North Dakota Pipelines Operations LP; (ii) Hess TGP Operations LP; and (iii) Hess North Dakota Export Logistics Operations LP (collectively, the “Joint Interest Assets”) and a 100% interest in Hess Mentor Storage Holdings LLC. HIP owned the remaining 80% economic interest in the Joint Interest Assets, a 100% interest in certain other businesses, including Hess’ Bakken water services business (“Hess Water Services”), which it acquired from Hess on March 1, 2019, and a 100% interest in Hess Midstream Partners GP LP (“MLP GP LP”), which held all of the Partnership’s outstanding incentive distribution rights and the general partner interest in the Partnership, and controlled the Partnership.

On December 16, 2019, the Company and the Partnership completed the transactions (the “Restructuring”) contemplated by the Partnership Restructuring Agreement, dated October 3, 2019, by and among the Company, the Partnership and the other parties thereto. Pursuant to the Restructuring, the Partnership acquired HIP, including HIP’s 80% interest in the Joint Interest Assets, 100% interest in Hess Water Services and the outstanding economic general partner interest and incentive distribution rights in the Partnership. The Partnership’s organizational structure converted from a master limited partnership into an “Up-C” structure in which the Partnership’s public unitholders received newly issued Class A Shares in the Company in a one-for-one exchange. Class A Shares commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the former symbol “HESM” on December 17, 2019. As a result of the Restructuring, the Company was delegated control of the Partnership and replaced the Partnership as its publicly traded successor. The Partnership changed its name to “Hess Midstream Operations LP” and became a consolidated subsidiary of the Company. See Organizational Structure.

On October 22, 2023, Hess entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Chevron Merger Agreement”) with Chevron Corporation (“Chevron”) and Yankee Merger Sub Inc., a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron (“Merger Subsidiary”). The Chevron Merger Agreement provides that, among other things and subject to the terms and conditions of the Chevron Merger Agreement, Merger Subsidiary will be merged with and into Hess, with Hess surviving and continuing as the surviving corporation in the merger as a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron (such transaction, the “Chevron Merger”). The Chevron Merger is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. Upon consummation of the proposed transaction, Chevron will acquire Hess’ 37.8% ownership in the Company, including its right to appoint four directors to the Company’s Board. The Company’s contract structure remains in place. See Item 1A. Risk Factors for a discussion of risks related to the Chevron Merger.

At December 31, 2023:

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Note 3, Equity Transactions and Note 8, Partners' Capital and Distributions for further details.

Organizational Structure

The following chart summarizes our corporate structure at December 31, 2023.

LM4 Joint Venture

On January 25, 2018, we entered into a 50/50 joint venture with Targa Resources Corp. (“Targa”) to construct a new 200 MMcf/d gas processing plant called Little Missouri 4 (“LM4”). LM4 was placed in service in the third quarter of 2019. Targa is the operator of the plant.

Operating Segments

We conduct our business through three operating segments: (1) gathering, (2) processing and storage and (3) terminaling and export. See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further details.

Growth Drivers

We intend to expand our business and have multiple potential alternatives to pursue, including capitalizing on organic growth from Hess and third parties in the Bakken and utilizing our existing capacity, as well as pursuing opportunities to add additional Hess and third‑party throughput volumes in the future.

Our Business and Properties

Gathering

Our gathering business consists of the Partnership’s 100% interest in (i) Hess North Dakota Pipelines Operations LP (“Gathering Opco”), which owns our North Dakota natural gas, NGL and crude oil gathering systems, and (ii) Hess Water Services, which owns our produced water gathering and disposal facilities. The following sections describe in more detail these assets and the related services that we provide.

Natural Gas Gathering and Compression

A natural gas gathering and compression system located primarily in McKenzie, Williams and Mountrail Counties, North Dakota connecting Hess and third‑party owned or operated wells to the Tioga Gas Plant, the LM4 plant, and third‑party pipeline facilities. This gathering system consists of approximately 1,410 miles of high and low pressure natural gas and NGL gathering pipelines with a current capacity of up to approximately 660 MMcf/d. The system has an aggregate compression capacity of approximately 480 MMcf/d, including approximately 70 MMcf/d of compression capacity added in 2023 by constructing one new greenfield compressor station and expanding an existing compressor station. Construction was also completed on an additional greenfield compressor station that, once put into operation in early 2024, will further increase compression capacity by approximately 30 MMcf/d. Our natural gas gathering system includes approximately 80 miles of gas gathering pipelines that we acquired from Summit Midstream Partners, LP in 2019. The compressed gas and mixed NGLs are transported to the Tioga Gas Plant and the LM4 plant either as separate or combined streams for processing. Our gathering system capacity can be increased via installation of additional compression equipment.

Crude Oil Gathering

A crude oil gathering system located primarily in McKenzie, Williams and Mountrail Counties, North Dakota, connecting Hess and third‑party owned or operated wells to the Ramberg Terminal Facility, the Tioga Rail Terminal and the Johnson’s Corner Header System. The crude oil gathering system consists of approximately 570 miles of crude oil gathering pipelines with a current capacity of up to approximately 290 MBbl/d. Our crude oil gathering system includes approximately 75 miles of crude oil gathering pipelines that we acquired from Summit Midstream Partners, LP in 2019.

Included within our crude oil gathering system is our Hawkeye Oil Facility, which is a crude oil pumping and truck unloading facility located in McKenzie County, North Dakota. The Hawkeye Oil Facility entered into service in 2017. The facility receives crude oil through pipeline and truck deliveries from Hess and third parties and transports it by pipeline to the Johnson’s Corner Header System. Total receipt capacity of the facility is approximately 75 MBbl/d, which can be filled solely through our crude oil gathering system or through a combination of our crude oil gathering system and truck unloading bays. The facility has six truck unloading bays with an aggregate capacity of approximately 30 MBbl/d. The facility has a redelivery capability of approximately 75 MBbl/d through a pipeline system connected to Hess Midstream's crude oil export terminals. The facility also has two crude oil storage tanks with a combined working storage capacity of approximately 10 MBbls. Our gathering system capacity can be increased through the installation of additional pumping equipment.

Produced Water Gathering and Disposal

A produced water gathering system located primarily in Williams and Mountrail counties, North Dakota that transports produced water from well sites by approximately 300 miles of pipelines in gathering systems or by third-party trucking to water handling facilities for disposal. Our produced water gathering system includes approximately 75 miles of water gathering pipelines that we acquired from Summit Midstream Partners, LP in 2019. As of December 31, 2023, we had 11 water handling and disposal facilities in service, with a combined permitted disposal capacity of 170 MBbl/d. These water handling and disposal facilities are owned and operated by Hess Water Services and primarily service the water pipeline gathering systems. We also transport produced water to 13 water handling and disposal facilities operated by third parties that have a combined permitted disposal capacity of approximately 180 MBbl/d.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our gathering assets, which operate under long‑term, fee‑based commercial agreements with Hess:

Gathering Assets

Processing and Storage

Our processing and storage business consists of (i) the Partnership’s 100% interest in Hess TGP Operations LP (“HTGP Opco”), which owns the Tioga Gas Plant, (ii) the Partnership’s 50% interest in the LM4 gas processing plant operated by Targa, and (iii) the Partnership’s 100% interest in Hess Mentor Storage Holdings LLC (“Mentor Holdings”), which owns the Mentor Storage Terminal. The following sections describe in more detail these assets and the related services that we provide.

Tioga Gas Plant

The Tioga Gas Plant (“TGP”), which is located in Tioga, North Dakota, has a total processing capacity of 400 MMcf/d making it one of the largest natural gas processing and fractionation plants in North Dakota. The plant consists of (i) a state-of-the-art cryogenic processing facility with ethane extraction capabilities that produces low Btu, pipeline‑quality natural gas, (ii) a 60 MBbl/d fractionation facility with NGL fractionation capabilities for ethane, propane, butane and natural gasoline and (iii) 25 MBbl/d of stabilized y-grade liquid recovery capabilities. The plant receives natural gas produced from Hess‑operated and third‑party operated wells in the Bakken through our North Dakota gathering systems as well as third‑party gathering systems.

The TGP was initially constructed in 1954. It subsequently underwent a large‑scale expansion, refurbishment and optimization project that was completed in 2014, during which a new cryogenic processing train with a nameplate processing capacity of 250 MMcf/d was installed. In 2021, the TGP de-bottlenecking project was completed and commissioned, increasing total plant processing to 400 MMcf/d and adding y-grade liquids recovery of up to approximately 25 MBbl/d.

The TGP has a multitude of residue gas and NGL export options. For residue gas, the plant has total export capacity of more than 250 MMcf/d with access to the Chicago, IL market through the Alliance Pipeline from the Tioga lateral; it also has access to the Ventura, IA market through the Northern Border Pipeline from the WBI North Bakken Expansion Pipeline. TGP also provides residue gas for local and regional uses through the WBI system and for gas lift and fuel through the North Dakota Natural Gas Pipeline, which also interconnects with the Northern Border pipeline. For ethane, TGP can recover and ship up to 30 MBbl/d of ethane to Canada on the Vantage Pipeline. Other fractionated products such as propane, butane and natural gasoline can be shipped via truck or rail to local and regional markets. Y-grade liquids are shipped on the Elk Creek Pipeline from the ONEOK NGL lateral to Bushton, KS with access to Mont Belvieu, TX.

The plant also includes four NGL truck loading racks with an aggregate loading capacity of approximately 10 MBbl/d of propane to serve the local propane market, as well as 14 NGL bullet storage tanks and 5 NGL storage tanks with a combined shell capacity of approximately 35 MBbls of propane, 10 MBbls of butane and 35 MBbls of natural gasoline. The total NGL production capability of the plant is approximately 80 MBbl/d, with interconnections into the Vantage Pipeline, the Alliance Pipeline and interconnecting pipelines with our Tioga Rail Terminal. Additionally, the plant includes a CNG terminal that is capable of compressing approximately 5.6 MMcf/d of natural gas to 3,600 psig and loading in excess of 100 light duty CNG‑fueled vehicles and up to 32 CNG cylinder trailers per day for drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations, for a combined capacity of approximately 40 Mdge/d.

LM4

The Partnership owns a 50% interest in a joint venture with Targa, which constructed and placed in service in the third quarter of 2019, a new 200 MMcf/d gas processing plant called Little Missouri 4, or LM4, located at Targa’s existing Little Missouri facility, south of the Missouri River in McKenzie County, North Dakota. We are entitled to 100 MMcf/d of the plant’s processing capacity. The plant receives natural gas produced from Hess-operated and third-party operated wells in the Bakken through our gathering systems as well as third-party gathering systems. The plant also has direct residue gas and NGL pipeline connections at the tailgate of the plant, with export capacity of approximately 135 MMcf/d of natural gas to the Northern Border Interstate Pipeline and 40 MBbl/d of NGLs to ONEOK Elk Creek Pipeline.

Mentor Storage Terminal

Our Mentor Storage Terminal consists of a propane storage cavern and a rail and truck loading and unloading facility located on approximately 40 acres in Mentor, Minnesota. The Mentor Storage Terminal has an aggregate working storage capacity of approximately 330 MBbls, consisting of an underground cavern with a working storage capacity of approximately 325 MBbls and three above‑ground bullet storage tanks with an aggregate working storage capacity of approximately 5 MBbls. The terminal also has a dehydration facility, 11 rail unloading racks and two truck loading racks. The cavern and truck loading racks each have a propane injection and withdrawal capacity of approximately 6 MBbl/d.

The Mentor Storage Terminal, a mined cavern for liquefied petroleum gas, was constructed in 1962. The rock from which the cavern was constructed is classified as zoisite, a rare, marble‑like rock that has essentially no porosity or permeability, which makes it excellent for the purpose of liquid hydrocarbon storage. Constant underground temperature provides uniform operating conditions in the cavern.

Propane is received at the Mentor Storage Terminal by rail, and shipments and deliveries vary by season. Hess utilizes our propane storage services to mitigate the impact on its operations from seasonal variations in the demand for propane. As a result, at Hess’ direction, we generally fill the cavern with propane during the warmer months when demand for propane is low, and gradually withdraw propane from the cavern during colder months when demand is higher.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our processing and storage assets, which operate under long‑term, fee‑based commercial agreements with Hess:

Processing and Storage Assets

Terminaling and Export

Our terminaling and export business consists of the Partnership’s 100% interest in Hess North Dakota Export Logistics Operations LP (“Logistics Opco”), which owns the Ramberg Terminal Facility, the Tioga Rail Terminal, our crude oil rail cars, the Johnson’s Corner Header System and various connections into the Dakota Access Pipeline (“DAPL”). The following sections describe in more detail these assets and the related services that we provide.

Ramberg Terminal Facility

Our Ramberg Terminal Facility is a crude oil pipeline and truck unloading facility located in Williams County, North Dakota that receives crude oil by pipeline and truck from Hess and third parties and exports crude oil by transporting it by pipeline to our Tioga Rail Terminal for loading onto crude oil rail cars or by injecting it directly into DAPL and other third‑party interstate pipeline systems. The facility has a combined pipeline and truck receipt capability of approximately 200 MBbl/d. Up to approximately 130 MBbl/d of crude oil can enter the facility through our crude oil gathering system. Crude oil can also enter the facility through truck unloading bays with a combined truck unloading capacity of approximately 70 MBbl/d.

The facility has a redelivery capability of up to approximately 285 MBbl/d through the following pipelines:

The Ramberg Terminal Facility was constructed in 2006 and expanded in 2016. The facility has a combined shell storage capacity of approximately 40 MBbls, with an additional combined 240 MBbls of storage capacity with third parties.

Tioga Rail Terminal

The Tioga Rail Terminal is a 140 MBbl/d crude oil and 30 MBbl/d NGL rail loading terminal in Tioga, North Dakota that is connected to the Tioga Gas Plant, the Ramberg Terminal Facility and our crude oil gathering system.

The approximate 140 MBbl/d crude oil loading facility includes a dual loop track with 21 crude oil loading arms that commenced service in 2011. The terminal loads crude oil rail cars owned by us and third parties. The terminal also has three crude oil storage tanks with a combined shell storage capacity of approximately 290 MBbls. The terminal receives up to 30 MBbl/d of crude oil directly from a 14‑inch crude oil pipeline connected to, and included as part of, our Ramberg Terminal Facility.

The terminal is capable of loading crude oil unit trains, which are dedicated trains (typically ranging from approximately 100 to 110 cars) chartered for a single delivery destination that usually receive priority scheduling and result in a more cost‑effective method of shipping than standard rail shipment.

The terminal is capable of receiving up to 30 MBbl/d of NGLs through three NGL pipelines connected to the Tioga Gas Plant, including: (i) an eight‑inch propane pipeline with a capacity of approximately 35 MBbl/d; (ii) a six‑inch butane pipeline with a capacity of approximately 15 MBbl/d; and (iii) a six‑inch mixed NGL pipeline with a capacity of approximately 10 MBbl/d. The terminal also includes separate ladder tracks with track space for over 385 NGL rail cars and 16 NGL loading arms. The NGL rail cars are leased by Hess and third parties.

The terminal has a direct rail connection to the BNSF Railway, which in turn connects to the Union Pacific, CSX, Norfolk Southern and other Class 1 railroads. Crude oil loaded onto rail cars at the terminal may be transported to various delivery points in the East Coast, West Coast and Gulf Coast regions of the United States. The terminal receives NGLs for loading onto rail cars for transportation to various delivery points in North America.

Crude Oil Rail Cars

We own a total of 550 crude oil rail cars, which we operate as unit trains consisting of approximately 100 to 110 crude oil rail cars, with which we provide crude oil transportation services to Hess or third parties from the Tioga Rail Terminal to various delivery points in the East Coast, West Coast and Gulf Coast regions of the United States. Our crude oil rail cars were constructed between April 2015 and October 2015 to DOT‑117 safety standards. The effective capacity of the crude oil rail cars depends on round‑trip times to destination. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the average round‑trip duration was approximately 11 days and, based on this, the aggregate working capacity of our crude oil rail cars was approximately 32 MBbl/d. Our crude oil rail cars have a shell capacity of 728 Bbls per car and an effective loading capacity of approximately 92%, or approximately 670 Bbls per car.

Johnson’s Corner Header System

The Johnson’s Corner Header System is a crude oil pipeline header system located in McKenzie County, North Dakota that receives crude oil by pipeline from Hess and third parties and delivers crude oil to DAPL and other third‑party interstate pipeline systems. It has a delivery capacity of approximately 100 MBbl/d of crude oil. The Johnson’s Corner Header System entered into service in 2017.

Other DAPL Connections

In addition to the connections at the Ramberg Terminal Facility and the Johnson’s Corner Header System, we also have other DAPL connections, which are crude oil delivery points within our terminal system located in Williams and Mountrail Counties, North Dakota that receive crude oil by pipeline from our crude oil gathering system for delivery into DAPL.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our terminaling and export assets, which operate under a long‑term, fee‑based commercial agreement with Hess:

Terminaling and Export Assets

Our Commercial Agreements with Hess

We have long-term fee-based commercial agreements with certain subsidiaries of Hess to provide (i) gas gathering, (ii) crude oil gathering, (iii) gas processing and fractionation, (iv) storage services, (v) terminaling and export services, and (vi) water handling services.

For the services performed under these commercial agreements, we receive a fee per barrel of crude oil, barrel of water, Mcf of natural gas, or Mcf equivalent of NGLs, as applicable, delivered during each month, and Hess is obligated to provide us with minimum volumes of crude oil, water, natural gas and NGLs. Minimum volume commitments (“MVCs”) are equal to 80% of Hess’ nominations in each development plan and apply on a three-year rolling basis such that MVCs are set for the three years following the most recent nomination. Without our consent, the MVCs resulting from the nominated volumes for any quarter or year contained in any prior development plan cannot be reduced by any updated development plan unless dedicated production is released by us. The applicable MVCs may, however, be increased as a result of the nominations contained in any such updated development plan. If Hess fails to deliver its applicable MVCs during any quarter, then Hess will pay us a shortfall fee equal to the volume of the deficiency multiplied by the applicable fee.

Except for the water services agreements and except for a certain gathering sub-system as described below, each of our commercial agreements with Hess had an initial 10-year term effective January 1, 2014 (“Initial Term”). For this gathering sub-system, the Initial Term is 15 years effective January 1, 2014, and for the water services agreements the Initial Term is 14 years effective January 1, 2019. Each of our commercial agreements other than our storage services agreement includes an inflation escalator capped at 3% in any calendar year and a fee recalculation mechanism that allows fees to be adjusted annually during the Initial Term for updated estimates of cumulative throughput volumes and our capital and operating expenditures in order to target a return on capital deployed over the Initial Term of the applicable commercial agreement (or, with respect to the crude oil services fee under our terminal and export services agreement, the 20-year period commencing on the effective date of the agreement).

For certain crude oil gathering, terminaling, storage, gas processing and gas gathering commercial agreements with Hess, we exercised our renewal options to extend each of these commercial agreement for one additional 10-year term (“Secondary Term”) effective January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2033. There were no changes to any provisions of the existing commercial agreements as a result of the exercise of the renewal options. For the remaining gathering sub-system, the Secondary Term is 5 years, and for the water services agreements the Secondary Term is 10 years, and we have the sole option to renew these remaining agreements for their Secondary Term that is exercisable at a later date. Upon the expiration of the Secondary Term, if any, the agreements will automatically renew for the subsequent one-year periods unless terminated by either party no later than 180 days prior to the end of the applicable Secondary Term.

During the Secondary Term of each of our commercial agreements other than our storage services agreement and terminal and export services agreement (with respect to crude oil terminaling services), the fee recalculation model under each applicable agreement will be replaced by an inflation-based fee structure. The initial fee for the first year of the Secondary Term will be determined based on the average fees paid by Hess under the applicable agreement during the last three years of the Initial Term (with such fees adjusted for inflation through the first year of the Secondary Term). For each year following the first year of the Secondary Term, the applicable fee will be adjusted annually based on the percentage change in the consumer price index, provided that we may not increase any fee by more than 3% in any calendar year solely by reason of an increase in the consumer price index, and no fee will ever be reduced below the amount of the applicable fee payable by Hess in the prior year as a result of a decrease in the consumer price index. During the Secondary Term, MVCs will continue to be set at 80% of Hess’ nominated volumes in each development plan set three years in advance. Except for the crude oil terminaling and water handling services, Hess will be entitled to receive a credit, calculated in barrels or Mcf, as applicable, with respect to the amount of any shortfall fee paid by Hess and may apply such credit against any volumes delivered to us under the applicable agreement in excess of Hess’s nominated volumes during any of the following four quarters after such credit is earned, after which time any unused credits will expire. The shortfall amounts received under MVCs during the Secondary Term (except for the crude oil terminaling and water handling services) will be recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue as the credits are utilized or expire.

Year 2023 was the final year of the annual rate redetermination process for the majority of our systems. At the end of 2023, the base rate for 2024 was set based on the average of the tariff rates from the years 2021 through 2023, adjusted for inflation, as described above. Rates will then be adjusted each year based on an inflation escalator, as described above. For our terminaling and water gathering systems, the rates will continue to be reset through our annual rate redetermination process through 2033. For all of our systems, MVCs will continue to provide downside protection through 2033.

We believe these commercial agreements provide us with stable and predictable cash flows, an element of downside risk protection and minimal direct exposure to commodity price fluctuations.

The following table sets forth additional information regarding Hess’ MVCs:

For the year ended December 31, 2023, substantially all of our revenues were attributable to our fee‑based commercial agreements with Hess, including revenues from third‑party volumes delivered under these agreements. Our gas gathering and gas processing revenues comprised approximately 75% of total affiliate revenues, excluding passthrough revenues. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we began providing our services directly to third-party customers and we plan to increase our services to third parties in the future.

Regulation of Our Operations

Environmental Regulation

General

Our operations are subject to extensive and frequently‑changing federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances relating to the protection of the environment. Among other things, these laws and regulations govern the emission or discharge of pollutants into or onto the land, air and water, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes and the remediation of contamination. As with the industry generally, compliance with existing and anticipated environmental laws and regulations increases our overall cost of business, including our costs to construct, maintain, operate and upgrade equipment and facilities. While these laws and regulations affect our capital expenditures and net income, we believe they do not currently affect our competitive position. However, these laws and regulations are subject to changes, or to changes in the interpretation of such laws and regulations, by regulatory authorities, and continued and future compliance with such laws and regulations may require us to incur significant expenditures. Additionally, noncompliance with environmental laws, regulations and permits can result in the imposition of significant administrative, civil and criminal penalties, injunctions limiting our operations, investigatory or remedial liabilities or bans or delays in the construction of additional facilities or equipment. Additionally, a release of hydrocarbons or hazardous substances into the environment could, to the extent the event is not insured, subject us to substantial expenses, including costs to clean-up and remediate the release, comply with applicable laws and regulations and to resolve claims by third parties for personal injury or property damage, or by the U.S. federal government or state governments for natural resources damages. These impacts could directly and indirectly affect our business and have an adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations and liquidity. We cannot currently determine the amounts of such potential future impacts.

Air Emissions and Climate Change

We are subject to the Clean Air Act and its regulations and comparable state and local statutes and regulations in connection with air emissions from our operations. Under these laws, permits may be required before construction can commence on a new source of potentially significant air emissions, and operating permits may be required for sources that are already constructed. These permits may require controls on our air emission sources, and we may become subject to more stringent regulations requiring the installation of additional emission control technologies.

Future expenditures may be required to comply with the Clean Air Act and other federal, state and local requirements for our various sites, including our pipeline, processing, transportation, and storage facilities.

These air emissions requirements also affect Hess’ Bakken operations from which we receive substantially all of our revenues. Hess has been required in the past, and may be required in the future, to incur significant capital expenditures to comply with new legislative and regulatory requirements relating to its operations. To the extent these capital expenditures have a material effect on Hess, they could have a material effect on our business and results of operations.

Legislative and regulatory measures to address greenhouse gas emissions (including carbon dioxide, methane and other gases) are in various phases of discussion or implementation, and some regulatory bodies have proposed or passed climate-related laws, rules and/or regulations. These include requirements to report emissions of greenhouse gases to the Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”), or potentially in future public disclosures to the SEC, and state actions to develop and implement statewide or regional carbon reduction or climate-related disclosure programs, each of which require or could require reductions in our greenhouse gas emissions or those of Hess or disclosure of climate-related matters. For example, the SEC issued a proposed rule in March 2022 that would mandate extensive disclosure of climate-related data, risks, and opportunities, including financial impacts, physical and transition risks, related governance and strategy, and greenhouse gas emissions, for certain public companies. Additionally, California recently enacted three climate-related disclosure laws, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, Climate Related Financial Risk Act and Voluntary Carbon Market Disclosures Act, which together will require certain entities doing business in California or taking certain actions in California to report and attain third-party assurance of greenhouse gas emissions information, reporting on climate-related financial risks and reporting regarding the use of voluntary carbon offsets and/or carbon reduction claims. Legislation similar to California’s Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act is also under consideration in other states. Additionally, our customers or other business partners may require additional climate-related information from us if they are also subject to these or additional climate-related disclosure laws or regulations. Requiring reductions in greenhouse gas emissions could result in increased costs to (i) operate and maintain our facilities, (ii) install new emission controls at our facilities and (iii) administer and manage any greenhouse gas emissions programs, including acquiring emission credits or allotments. Additionally, climate-related disclosure requirements will result in increased compliance costs, and possible litigation and reputational risks if such disclosures are incomplete, inaccurate, misleading or do not otherwise meet the expectations of our stakeholders. Moreover, such requirements may not always be uniform across jurisdictions, which may result in increased complexity and cost for compliance. These requirements may also significantly affect Hess’ Bakken operations and may have an indirect effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See “Risk Factors—Regulatory, Legal and Environmental Risks—Developments related to climate change including evolving laws and regulations could adversely affect us and our financial performance.”

Further, the EPA has new and proposed regulations under the Clean Air Act addressing greenhouse gases, to which some of our

facilities may become subject. Rules and regulations have been proposed, amended and challenged, including rules and regulations governing methane emissions from oil and natural gas production and natural gas processing and transmission facilities. In December 2023, the EPA issued a final rule to establish comprehensive standards of performance and emission guidelines for methane and volatile organic compound emissions from existing operations in the oil and gas sector, including the exploration and production, transmission, processing, and storage segments. In addition, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (“IRA”), signed by President Biden in August 2022, provides significant funding and incentives for research and development of low-carbon energy production methods, carbon capture, and other programs directed at addressing climate change. The IRA also includes a methane emissions reduction program that amends the Clean Air Act to include a Methane Emissions and Waste Reduction Incentive Program for petroleum and natural gas systems. This program requires the EPA to impose a “waste emissions charge” on certain natural gas and oil sources that are already required to report under EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. In January 2024, the EPA released its proposed rule to implement the methane waste emissions charge with a proposed effective date in 2025 for reporting year 2024 emissions. Congress periodically considers legislation on greenhouse gas emissions, although the ultimate adoption and form of any federal legislation cannot presently be predicted.

In addition to recent and potential domestic regulation of greenhouse gases, there continues to be international interest in a global framework for greenhouse gas reductions. The United States is one of almost 200 nations that, in December 2015, agreed to the Paris Agreement, an international climate change agreement reached in Paris, France that calls for countries to set their own emissions targets and be transparent about the measures each country will take to achieve its emissions targets through the establishment of nationally-determined emissions reduction goals. Since the United States’ re-entry into the Paris Agreement, President Biden has announced, in April 2021, a goal of reducing the United States’ greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030. In November 2021, the international community gathered again in Glasgow at the 26th Conference of the Parties on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (“COP26”), during which multiple announcements were made, including a call for parties to eliminate certain fossil fuel subsidies and pursue further action on non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases. Relatedly, at COP26, the United States and European Union jointly announced the launch of the “Global Methane Pledge,” which aims to cut global methane pollution at least 30% by 2030 relative to 2020 levels, including “all feasible reductions” in the energy sector. Since its formal launch at COP26, over 150 countries have joined the pledge. Additionally, in December 2023 at the 28th Conference of the Parties on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (“COP28”) in Dubai, representatives from almost 200 countries agreed to take measures to contribute to global efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change, including by considering options to transition away from the use of fossil fuels in energy systems.

While significant uncertainty exists as to regulation of methane or other greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act or other local, regional, or international regulatory regimes, the impact of future regulatory and legislative developments, if adopted or enacted, is likely to result in increased compliance costs, increased utility costs, additional operating restrictions on our business and an increase in the cost of products generally. Although such costs may impact our business directly or indirectly by impacting Hess’ facilities or operations, the extent and magnitude of that impact cannot be reliably or accurately estimated due to the present uncertainty regarding the additional measures and how they will be implemented.

Waste Management and Related Liabilities

Many of the environmental laws and regulations affecting our operations relate to the release of hazardous substances or solid wastes into soils, groundwater and surface water, and include measures to control pollution of the environment. These laws generally regulate the generation, storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of solid and hazardous waste. They also require corrective action, including investigation and remediation, at a facility where such waste may have been released or disposed.

CERCLA. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), which is also known as Superfund, and comparable state laws impose liability, without regard to fault or to the legality of the original conduct, on certain classes of persons that contributed to the release of a “hazardous substance” into the environment. These persons include former and present owners or operators of the site where the release occurred and the transporters and generators of the hazardous substances found at the site. Under CERCLA, these persons may be subject to joint and several liability for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances that have been released into the environment, for damages to natural resources, and for the costs of certain health studies. CERCLA also authorizes the EPA and, in some instances, third parties to act in response to threats to the public health or the environment and to seek to recover from the responsible persons the costs they incur. It is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by hazardous substances or other pollutants released into the environment. In the course of our ordinary operations, we may generate waste and use substances that fall within CERCLA’s definition of a “hazardous substance” and, as a result, may be jointly and severally liable under CERCLA for all or part of the costs required to clean up sites contaminated by those substances. Additionally, it is possible that emerging contaminants, like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances such as PFAS and PFOA compounds, could become subject to CERCLA regulation in addition to existing federal and state chemicals regulation, such as those under the Toxic Substances Control Act or comparable state laws. We cannot provide any assurance that the costs and liabilities associated with the future imposition of such remedial or regulatory compliance obligations upon us would not have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial position.

RCRA. We also generate solid wastes, including hazardous wastes, that are subject to the requirements of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), and comparable state statutes. From time to time, the EPA considers the adoption of stricter disposal standards for non‑hazardous wastes. Hazardous wastes are subject to more rigorous and costly disposal requirements than are non‑hazardous wastes. Any changes in the regulations for treatment, storage or disposal of RCRA‑regulated waste could increase our capital expenditures and operating expenses. We continue to seek methods to minimize the generation of hazardous wastes in our operations.

Hydrocarbon wastes. We currently own and lease, and Hess has in the past owned and leased, properties where hydrocarbons have been handled for many years. Although we have utilized operating and disposal practices that we believe were standard in the industry at the time, hydrocarbons or other waste may have been disposed of or released on or under the properties owned or leased by us or on or under other locations where these wastes have been taken for disposal. In addition, many of these properties have been operated by third parties whose treatment and disposal or release of hydrocarbons or other wastes was not under our control. These properties and wastes disposed thereon may be subject to CERCLA, RCRA and comparable state laws. Assuming liability is established under these laws, we could be required to remove or remediate previously disposed wastes (including wastes disposed of or released by prior owners or operators), to clean up contaminated property (including contaminated groundwater) or to perform additional remedial activities to prevent further contamination.

Water

Our operations have the potential to result in the discharge of pollutants, including crude oil. Regulations under the Clean Water Act (“CWA”), the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA‑90”), and state laws impose regulatory burdens on our operations. Spill prevention control and countermeasure requirements of federal laws and some state laws require containment to mitigate or prevent contamination of jurisdictional waters in the event of an oil overflow, rupture or leak. For example, the CWA requires us to maintain Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (“SPCC”), plans at many of our facilities. We maintain discharge permits for facilities required under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program of the CWA and have implemented processes to oversee our compliance efforts.

In addition, the transportation and storage of crude oil or other hazardous substances over and adjacent to water involves risk and subjects us to the provisions of OPA‑90 and related state requirements. Among other requirements, OPA‑90 and the National Contingency Plan requires the owner or operator of a tank vessel or a facility to maintain an emergency plan to respond to releases of oil or other hazardous substances. Also, in case of any such release, OPA‑90 requires the responsible company to pay resulting removal costs and damages. OPA‑90 also provides for civil penalties and imposes criminal sanctions for violations of its provisions. We operate facilities at which releases of oil or other hazardous substances could occur. We have implemented emergency oil response plans for our components and facilities covered by OPA‑90, and we have established SPCC plans for facilities subject to CWA SPCC requirements.

Construction or maintenance of our pipelines, terminals and storage facilities may impact wetlands, which are also regulated under the CWA by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Regulatory requirements governing wetlands (including associated mitigation projects) may result in the delay of our pipeline projects while we obtain necessary permits and may increase the costs of new projects and maintenance activities. The definition of “waters of the United States” and, relatedly, the scope of CWA jurisdiction, are, and have been for many years, subject to notable rulemaking efforts and judicial challenges.

Employee and Community Safety

We are subject to the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, and comparable state statutes that regulate the protection of the health and safety of workers, as applied to seconded employees from Hess. In addition, the OSHA hazard communication standard, the EPA community right-to-know regulations under Title III of CERCLA and similar state statutes and regulations require that information be maintained about hazardous materials used or produced in operations and that this information be provided as applicable to employees, state and local government authorities and citizens.

Protected Species

The Endangered Species Act restricts and carries civil and criminal liability for activities that may affect threatened and endangered species or their habitats. At the federal level, the law is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Commerce Department’s National Marine Fisheries Service. Similar protections are offered to migratory birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and to bald and golden eagles under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. While some of our facilities are in areas that may be designated as habitat for endangered species, we have not incurred any material costs to comply or restrictions on our operations. However, the discovery of previously unidentified endangered species or designation of previously unidentified endangered or threatened species could cause us to incur additional costs or become subject to operating restrictions or bans in the affected area. There is also increasing interest in nature-related matters beyond protected species, such as general biodiversity, which may similarly require us or our customers to incur costs or take other measures which may adversely impact our and our customers’ business or operations.

Other Regulation

Rail Regulation

We believe all of our rail cars in crude oil service meet the current U.S. Department of Transportation DOT‑117 standard applicable to “high hazard flammable trains”. The adoption of additional federal, state or local laws or regulations, including any voluntary measures by the rail industry regarding rail car design or crude oil and liquid hydrocarbon rail transport activities, or efforts by local communities to restrict or limit rail traffic involving crude oil, could affect our business by increasing compliance costs and decreasing demand for our services, which could adversely affect our financial position and cash flows. Moreover, any disruptions in the operations of railroads, including those due to shortages of rail cars, locomotives or labor, weather‑related problems, flooding, drought, derailments, mechanical difficulties, strikes, lockouts or bottlenecks, or other force majeure events could adversely impact our customers’ ability to move their product and, as a result, could affect our business.

Pipeline Regulation

Section 1(b) of the Natural Gas Act (“NGA”) exempts natural gas gathering facilities from regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). Although FERC has not made any formal determinations with respect to our natural gas gathering facilities upstream of the Tioga Gas Plant, we believe that the natural gas pipelines in our gathering systems meet the traditional tests FERC has used to establish whether a pipeline is not subject to tariff requirements under the NGA. Similarly, we believe that the crude oil and NGL pipelines in our gathering system are not subject to FERC tariff requirements under the Interstate Commerce Act (“ICA”), because they fall outside FERC’s tariff jurisdiction. However, the classification and regulation of our gathering facilities may be subject to change based on future determinations or policy changes by FERC, the courts, or Congress. If it is subsequently determined that an individual facility is not exempt from FERC regulation under the NGA, such determination could decrease revenue, increase operating costs, and, depending upon the facility in question, adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows. In addition, if any of our facilities were found to have violated the NGA or the Natural Gas Policy Act (“NGPA”), FERC has civil penalty authority under the NGA and NGPA to impose penalties for current violations of up to $1,496,035 per violation per day and disgorgement of profits associated with any violation.

State regulation of gathering facilities and intrastate transportation pipelines generally includes various safety, environmental and, in some circumstances, nondiscriminatory take and common purchaser requirements, as well as complaint‑based rate regulation. Other state regulations may not directly apply to our business, but may nonetheless affect the availability of natural gas, crude oil and NGLs for purchase, compression and sale.

Safety and Maintenance

Our terminal operations, including associated pipelines, are subject to strict safety laws and regulations, including regulations under OSHA and comparable state and local regulations. We believe our terminal facilities are operated in a manner consistent with industry safe practices and standards and have fire protection in compliance with local, state and federal regulations. The tanks designed for crude oil storage at our terminals are equipped with appropriate controls that minimize emissions and promote safety. Our terminal facilities have response plans, spill prevention and control plans and other programs to respond to emergencies. Generally, rail operations are subject to federal regulations and the Association of American Railroad rules.

The transportation and storage of crude oil and other hydrocarbon products involve a risk that hazardous liquids may be released into the environment, potentially causing harm to the public or the environment. The United States Department of Transportation (the “DOT”), through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) and state agencies, enforces safety regulations with respect to the design, construction, operation, maintenance, inspection and management of our pipeline and storage facilities. PHMSA requires pipeline operators to implement integrity management programs, including more frequent inspections and other measures to ensure pipeline safety in high‑consequence areas (“HCAs”), defined as those areas that are unusually sensitive to environmental damage, that cross a navigable waterway, or that have a high population density. The regulations require operators, including us, to (i) perform ongoing assessments of pipeline integrity, (ii) identify and characterize applicable threats to pipeline segments that could impact a HCA, (iii) improve data collection, integration and analysis, (iv) repair and remediate pipelines as necessary and (v) implement preventive and mitigating actions. These regulations contain requirements for the development and implementation of pipeline integrity management programs, which include the inspection and testing of pipelines and the correction of anomalies. PHMSA’s regulations also require that pipeline operation and maintenance personnel meet certain qualifications and that pipeline operators develop comprehensive spill response plans, including extensive spill response training for pipeline personnel.

States are largely preempted by federal law from regulating pipeline safety for interstate lines but most states are certified by the DOT to assume responsibility for enforcing federal intrastate pipeline regulations and inspection of intrastate pipelines. States may adopt stricter standards for intrastate pipelines than those imposed by the federal government for interstate lines; however, states vary considerably in their authority and capacity to address pipeline safety. State standards may include requirements for facility design and management in addition to requirements for pipelines. Our internal review of our assets and operations revealed small pipelines or sections of facilities that may be subject to PHMSA regulation. PHMSA may initiate proceedings with respect to any non-compliance at a future date. Nevertheless, we do not expect these developments to have a material effect on our operations or revenues.

We inspect our pipelines to determine their condition and use the inspection information to evaluate appropriate preventative maintenance activities to validate line integrity and safety. Our inspections sometimes include the use of internal line inspection tools that provide information on the physical condition of our pipelines.

State regulations and our commercial agreements with Hess contain product quality specification limits. However, if new or more stringent federal, state or local legal restrictions relating to the quality specification of crude oil or to crude oil transportation are adopted in areas where Hess and our other customers operate, Hess and our other customers could incur potentially significant added costs to comply with such requirements and experience delays or curtailment in the pursuit of production or development activities, which could reduce demand for our midstream services.

In October 2019, PHMSA published three major rules focused on: the safety of gas transmission pipelines (the first of three parts of the Mega Rule), the safety of hazardous liquid pipelines, and enhanced emergency order procedures. In November 2021, PHMSA issued a final rule (the second part of the Mega Rule) that expands certain federal pipeline safety requirements to all onshore gas gathering pipelines, regardless of size or location. The rule established two new types of onshore gas gathering pipelines subject to varying degrees of regulation: all onshore gathering line operators are now subject to PHMSA’s annual reporting and incident reporting requirements as “Type R” onshore gas gathering lines; and certain previously unregulated rural gas gathering lines must now comply with PHMSA damage prevention and, depending on the size of the pipeline, construction and operational requirements as “Type C” onshore gas gathering lines. In August 2022, PHMSA published another final rule (the third and final part of the Mega Rule) expanding the Management of Change process, extending corrosion control requirements for gas transmission pipelines, adding requirements that operators ensure no conditions exist following an extreme weather event that could adversely affect the safe operation of the pipeline, and adopting repair criteria for non-HCAs similar to those applicable to HCAs. The extent and magnitude of costs to comply with these new and future rules cannot currently be reliably or accurately estimated due to the uncertainty regarding the additional measures to be taken and how they will be implemented. We expect that such costs will include initial expenses for compliance, and lower on-going expenses that are not expected to be material to our overall financial results.

Security

The Department of Homeland Security’s (“DHS”), Chemical Facility Anti‑Terrorism Standards are designed to regulate the security of high‑risk chemical facilities. The DHS issued an interim rule in April 2007 regarding risk‑based performance standards to be attained pursuant to this act and, on November 20, 2007, further issued an Appendix A to the interim rules that establishes chemicals of interest and their respective threshold quantities that trigger compliance with these interim rules. Covered facilities determined by DHS to pose a high level of security risk are required to prepare and submit Security Vulnerability Assessments or Site Security Plans as well as comply with other regulatory requirements, including those regarding inspections, audits, recordkeeping and protection of chemical‑terrorism vulnerability information. Certain of our facilities may be subject to these requirements.

Since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, the U.S. government has issued warnings that energy infrastructure assets may be future targets of terrorist organizations. These developments have subjected our operations to increased risks. Increased security measures taken by us as a precaution against possible terrorist attacks may have resulted in increased costs to our business. Where required by federal, state or local laws, we believe we have prepared effective security plans for the storage and distribution facilities we operate. Terrorist attacks aimed at our facilities and any global and domestic economic repercussions from terrorist activities could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution to our shareholders.

Governmental standards for the protection of computer-based systems and technology from cyber threats and attacks, have either been adopted or are being considered in the U.S. Congress and by U.S. Executive Branch departments and agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security. We currently may be subject to existing standards or standards implemented in the future. We and Hess have implemented a cybersecurity risk management program (see Item 1C. Cybersecurity). While we continually seek to improve our cybersecurity risk management program, we cannot guarantee it will be fully implemented, complied with or effective. A significant cyber‑attack could have a material adverse effect on our operations and those of our customers.

Title to Properties and Permits

Certain of the pipelines connecting our facilities are constructed on rights‑of‑way granted by the apparent record owners of the property and in some instances these rights‑of‑way are revocable at the election of the grantor. In several instances, lands over which rights‑of‑way have been obtained could be subject to prior liens that have not been subordinated to the right‑of‑way grants. We have obtained permits from public authorities to cross over or under, or to lay pipelines in or along, watercourses, county roads, municipal streets and state highways and, in some instances, these permits are revocable at the election of the grantor. These permits may also be subject to renewal from time to time and we will generally seek renewal or arrange alternative means of transport through additional investment or commercial agreements. We have also obtained permits from railroad companies to cross over or under lands or rights-of-way, many of which are also revocable at the grantor’s election.

We believe we have satisfactory permits and/or title to all our rights-of-way. We also believe that we have satisfactory title to all of our assets.

Other Items

Competition

As a result of our contractual relationship with Hess under our commercial agreements and our direct connections to Hess’ production operations in the Williston Basin, we believe that we will not face significant competition from other midstream service providers for Hess’ crude oil, natural gas or NGL gathering, processing or terminaling services or for other midstream services relating to Hess’ production operations in the Bakken.

If Hess’ production volumes decrease or if Hess’ customers reduce their purchases of crude oil, natural gas or NGLs from Hess due to the increased availability of less expensive products from other suppliers or for other reasons, Hess may meet only the minimum volume commitments of our commercial agreements (or pay the shortfall fee if it does not meet the minimum volume), which could cause a material decrease in our revenues.

Seasonality

The crude oil, natural gas and NGLs that we handle, process and store are directly affected by the level of supply and demand for crude oil, natural gas and NGLs in the markets served directly or indirectly by our assets. For example, we generally fill the storage cavern at our Mentor Storage Terminal with propane during the warmer months when demand for propane is low, and gradually withdraw propane from the cavern during the colder months when demand is higher. However, we believe that many effects of seasonality on our revenues are substantially mitigated through the use of our fee-based commercial agreements with Hess that include minimum volume commitments.

Insurance

Our assets may experience physical damage as a result of an accident or natural disaster. These hazards have the potential to cause personal injury and loss of life, severe damage to and destruction of property and equipment, pollution or environmental damage, and suspension of operations. We are insured under certain of Hess’ corporate insurance policies and are subject to the shared deductibles and limits under those policies. We also carry insurance policies separate from Hess for business interruption, certain property damage and third-party liabilities, which include sudden and accidental pollution liabilities, at varying levels of deductibles and limits that we believe are reasonable and prudent under the circumstances to cover our operations and assets. As we continue to grow, we will continue to evaluate our policy limits and deductibles as they relate to the overall cost and scope of our insurance program.

Human Capital Resources

We are managed by the board of directors and executive officers of Hess Midstream GP LLC, the general partner of our general partner. Neither we nor our subsidiaries have any employees. Hess Midstream GP LLC, as the general partner of our general partner, has the sole responsibility for providing the employees and other personnel necessary to conduct our operations and has entered into an employee secondment agreement with Hess and certain of its subsidiaries pursuant to which Hess and its subsidiaries make available the services of their employees in exchange for a fee. As a result, all of the employees that conduct our business are employed by affiliates of our general partner including Hess. Hess is responsible for human capital management policies, including any human capital measures and objectives that management focuses on in managing the business. As of December 31, 2023, Hess Midstream GP LLC and its affiliates had approximately 211 full‑time employee equivalents supporting our operations, including employees in the field performing services and support staff from other offices.

Office

The principal office of our Company is located at 1501 McKinney Street, Houston, Texas 77010.

Website Access to Our Reports

We make available free of charge through our website, at www.hessmidstream.com, our annual reports on Form 10‑K, quarterly reports on Form 10‑Q, current reports on Form 8‑K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this report. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Corporate Governance Guidelines, and the Audit Committee charter are available on our website and are also available free of charge upon request to Investor Relations at our principal executive office. We also file with the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) an annual certification that our Chief Executive Officer is unaware of any violation of the NYSE’s corporate governance standards.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our business activities and the value of our securities are subject to significant risks, including the risk factors described below. These risk factors could negatively affect our operations, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations, and as a result, holders and purchasers of our securities could lose part or all of their investments. It is possible that additional risks relating to our securities may be described in a prospectus if we issue securities in the future.

Risk Factors Summary

Risks Related to Our Relationship with Hess

Risks Related to the Hess and Chevron Merger

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

Regulatory, Legal and Environmental Risks

Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us

Risks Related to Our Relationship with Hess

Hess currently accounts for substantially all of our revenues. If Hess changes its business strategy, is unable for any reason, including financial or other limitations, to satisfy its obligations under our commercial agreements, our revenues would decline and our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make distributions to our shareholders could be materially and adversely affected.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, substantially all of our revenues were attributable to our fee‑based commercial agreements with Hess, including revenues from third‑party volumes delivered under these agreements. We expect that we will continue to derive substantially all of our revenues in the near term under multiple commercial agreements with Hess. Any event, whether in our areas of operation or elsewhere, that materially and adversely affects Hess’ financial condition, results of operations or cash flows may adversely affect its ability to deliver its nominated volumes to us and our ability to sustain or increase cash distributions to our shareholders. Accordingly, we are indirectly subject to the operational and business risks of Hess, the most significant of which include the following:

Hess may suspend, reduce or terminate its obligations under our commercial agreements in certain circumstances, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make distributions to our shareholders.

Our commercial agreements with Hess include provisions that permit Hess to suspend or terminate its obligations under the applicable agreement if certain events occur. These events include our failure to perform or comply with a material warranty, covenant or obligation under the applicable commercial agreement following the expiration of a specified cure period. In addition, Hess may suspend or reduce its obligations under our commercial agreements if a force majeure event prevents us from performing required services under the applicable agreement. Hess has the ability to make such decisions notwithstanding the fact that they may significantly and adversely affect us. Any such reduction or suspension or termination of Hess’ obligations would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make distributions to our shareholders.

Because of the natural decline in production from existing wells in our areas of operation, our success depends, in part, on Hess and other producers replacing declining production and also on our ability to secure new sources of natural gas and crude oil. Any decrease in the volumes of natural gas or crude oil that we handle could adversely affect our business and operating results.

The natural gas and crude oil volumes that support our business depend on the level of production from natural gas and crude oil wells connected to our facilities, which may be less than expected and will naturally decline over time. As a result, our cash flows associated with these wells will also decline over time. In order to maintain or increase throughput levels at our facilities, Hess and other producers for which we currently or in the future may handle volumes at our facilities must replace declining production, or we must obtain new sources of natural gas and crude oil. The primary factors affecting our ability to obtain non‑dedicated sources of natural gas and crude oil include (i) the level of successful drilling activity in our areas of operation, (ii) our ability to compete for volumes from successful new wells and (iii) our ability to compete successfully for volumes from sources connected to other pipelines.

We have no control over the level of drilling activity in our areas of operation, the amount of reserves associated with wells connected to our systems or the rate at which production from a well declines. In addition, we have no control over Hess or other producers or their drilling or production decisions, which are affected by, among other things:

Fluctuations in commodity prices can also greatly affect the development of crude oil and natural gas reserves. Drilling and production activity generally decreases as crude oil and natural gas prices decrease. Declines in crude oil and natural gas prices could have a negative impact on exploration, development and production activity, and if sustained, could lead to a material decrease in such activity and reduced utilization of our assets.

Because of these and other factors, even if crude oil and natural gas reserves are known to exist in areas served by our assets, producers may choose not to develop those reserves. If reductions in drilling activity result in our inability to maintain the current levels of throughput on our systems, those reductions could reduce our revenues and cash flow and adversely affect our ability to make cash distributions to our shareholders.

Furthermore, produced water disposal services that we provide to Hess and any other customers assist in their drilling activities. If Hess does not maintain its drilling activities, its demand for our produced water disposal services will be reduced regardless of whether we continue to provide other midstream services for their production, and our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

We may not be able to significantly increase our third‑party revenues due to competition and other factors, which could limit our ability to grow and extend our dependence on Hess.

Part of our growth strategy includes diversifying our customer base by identifying opportunities to offer services to third parties with our existing assets or by constructing or acquiring new assets independently from Hess. Our ability to increase our third‑party revenues is subject to numerous factors beyond our control, including prevailing commodity prices, competition from third parties and the extent to which we lack available capacity when third‑party customers require it. In addition, our natural gas and crude oil gathering systems and processing plants are subject to competition from existing and future third‑party natural gas and crude oil gathering systems and natural gas processing and fractionation plants in the Bakken, while our terminals and crude oil rail cars compete with third‑party terminals, pipelines and crude oil rail cars for available third‑party volumes. To the extent that we have available capacity on our gathering systems, at TGP or LM4 for third-party volumes, we may not be able to compete effectively with third‑party gathering systems or processing plants for additional natural gas production in the area. To the extent that we have available capacity at our terminals or crude oil rail cars for third‑party volumes, competition from other existing or future terminals or crude oil rail cars owned by third parties may limit our ability to utilize this available capacity.

We have historically provided midstream services to third parties on only a limited basis, and we can provide no assurance that we will be able to attract any material third‑party service opportunities. Our efforts to attract new unaffiliated customers may be adversely affected by our relationship with Hess and our desire to provide services pursuant to fee‑based contracts. Our potential customers may prefer to obtain services under other forms of contractual arrangements under which we would be required to assume direct commodity exposure.

The level and terms of our and Hess’ indebtedness and any reduction in Hess’ credit ratings could adversely affect our ability to grow our business and our ability to make cash distributions to our shareholders. Our ability to obtain credit in the future may also be adversely affected by the credit ratings of Hess.

We and Hess must devote a portion of our cash flows from operating activities to service our respective indebtedness, and therefore cash flows may not be available for use in pursuing our and Hess’ growth strategy. Furthermore, a higher level of indebtedness at Hess in the future would increase the risk that it may default on its obligations to us under our commercial agreements. As of December 31, 2023, Hess had total consolidated indebtedness of approximately $8.6 billion, including our indebtedness of $3.2 billion, which is non‑recourse to Hess.

All three major credit rating agencies that rate Hess’ debt have assigned Hess an investment grade credit rating. If these credit ratings are lowered in the future, the interest rate and fees Hess pays on its credit facilities may increase. Credit rating agencies may consider Hess’ debt ratings when assigning ours because of its ownership interest in us, the significant commercial relationships between Hess and us, and our reliance on commercial agreements with Hess for substantially all of our revenues. If one or more credit rating agencies were to downgrade the outstanding indebtedness of Hess, we could experience an increase in our borrowing costs or difficulty accessing the capital markets. Such a development could adversely affect our ability to grow our business and to make cash distributions to our shareholders.

Risks Related to the Hess and Chevron Merger

If the Chevron Merger is completed, Chevron will own and control Hess. Chevron’s ownership of Hess may result in conflicts of interest.

The directors and officers of our general partner have duties to manage our general partner in the best interest of its owner, Hess Infrastructure Partners GP LLC (“HIP GP LLC”), which has the right to nominate individuals to serve on the Company’s board of directors. Upon consummation of the Chevron Merger, Chevron will acquire Hess’ 50% ownership in HIP GP LLC, including its right to appoint four directors to serve on the Company’s board of directors, in addition to Hess’ 37.8% ownership in the Company. At the same time, our general partner will have duties to manage us in a manner that is beneficial to our shareholders. Therefore, following the completion of the Chevron Merger, our general partner’s duties to our shareholders may conflict with the duties of certain of its officers and directors to Chevron in the future. As a result of these conflicts of interest following the Chevron Merger, our general partner may favor its own interest or the interests of Chevron, GIP or its or their respective owners or affiliates over the interest of our shareholders.

Furthermore, for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, substantially all of our revenues were attributable to our fee‑based commercial agreements with Hess, including revenues from third‑party volumes delivered under these agreements. Following the completion of the Chevron Merger, our future prospects will depend upon Chevron’s business strategy for Hess. Additional conflicts may also arise in the future following the Chevron Merger associated with (i) the allocation of capital and the allocation of costs between legacy Chevron and legacy Hess, (ii) the relationship between Chevron and GIP and their respective affiliates, (iii) the amount of time devoted by the officers and directors of Chevron to its business in relation to us and (iv) future business opportunities that are pursued by Chevron, GIP and us.

We will be subject to business uncertainties while the Chevron Merger is pending, which could adversely affect our business.

Uncertainty about the effect of the Chevron Merger on employees and customers may have an adverse effect on us. These uncertainties may impair Hess’ ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel involved in our operations until the Chevron Merger is completed and for a period of time thereafter and could cause customers and others that deal with us to seek to change their existing business relationships with us. We have entered into an employee secondment agreement with Hess and certain of its subsidiaries pursuant to which Hess and its subsidiaries make available the services of their employees in exchange for a fee. Employee retention at Hess may be challenging during the pendency of the Chevron Merger, as employees may experience uncertainty about their roles, which may impact services to us under the employee secondment agreement. In addition, the Chevron Merger Agreement restricts Hess from entering into certain corporate transactions, entering into certain material contracts, making certain changes to its capital budget, incurring certain indebtedness and taking other specified actions without the consent of Chevron, and generally requires Hess to continue its operations in the ordinary course of business during the pendency of the Chevron Merger. These restrictions may impact Hess’ decisions in its capacity as a 50% owner of our general partner, which may prevent us from pursuing attractive business opportunities or adjusting our capital plan prior to the completion of the Chevron Merger.

Hess may be subject to lawsuits relating to the Chevron Merger, which, because we are substantially dependent on Hess as our primary customer and the 50% owner of our general partner, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

Hess, Chevron and/or their respective directors and officers, including certain of Hess’ officers that serve as members of our board of directors, may be subject to lawsuits relating to the Chevron Merger. Such litigation is common in connection with acquisitions of public companies, regardless of any merits related to the underlying acquisition. While Hess will evaluate and defend against any actions vigorously, the costs of the defense of such lawsuits and other effects of such litigation could, because we are substantially dependent on Hess as our primary customer and 50% owner of our general partner, have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Completion of the Chevron Merger is subject to a number of conditions, and if these conditions are not satisfied or waived, the Chevron Merger will not be completed. Failure to complete, or significant delays in completing, the Chevron Merger could negatively affect the trading prices of our Class A Shares and our future business and financial results.

Completion of the Chevron Merger is subject to satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions, including (i) the receipt of the required approval from Hess’ shareholders, (ii) the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, applicable to the Chevron Merger, (iii) the absence of any order or law prohibiting consummation of the Chevron Merger, (iv) the effectiveness of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed by Chevron pursuant to which the shares of Chevron common stock to be issued in connection with the Chevron Merger will be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and (v) the authorization for listing on the New York Stock Exchange of the shares of Chevron common stock to be issued in connection with the Chevron Merger. The obligation of each party to consummate the Chevron Merger is also conditioned upon the other party having performed in all material respects its obligations under the Chevron Merger Agreement and the other party’s representations and warranties in the Chevron Merger Agreement being true and correct (subject to certain materiality qualifiers). Additionally, Hess and Chevron have been engaged in discussions with Exxon Mobil Corporation and China National Offshore Oil Corporation regarding a right of first refusal provision in the joint operating agreement for the Stabroek Block. If these discussions do not result in an acceptable resolution and arbitration (if pursued) does not result in a confirmation that such right of first refusal provision is inapplicable to the Merger, then there would be a failure of a closing condition under the Chevron Merger Agreement, in which case the Chevron Merger would not close. For additional information, please see the section entitled “The Merger-Stabroek JOA” in Chevron’s preliminary registration statement on Form S-4 filed on February 26, 2024. The obligation of Hess to consummate the merger is also subject to the receipt of a tax opinion from legal counsel that the Chevron Merger will qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. There can be no assurance that the conditions to the completion of the Chevron Merger will be satisfied or waived or that the Chevron Merger will be completed.

If the Chevron Merger is not completed, or if there are significant delays in completing the Chevron Merger, the trading prices of our Class A Shares and our future business and financial results could be negatively affected, and we may be subject to several risks, including the following:

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

Our industry is highly competitive and increased competitive pressure could adversely affect our business and operating results.

We compete with other midstream companies in our areas of operation. In addition, some of our competitors have assets in closer proximity to crude oil and natural gas supplies and have available idle capacity in existing assets that would not require new capital investments for use. Some of our competitors are large companies that have greater financial, managerial and other resources than we do. Our competitors may expand or construct gathering systems, processing plants, terminals or storage facilities that would create additional competition for the services we provide to our customers. Our ability to renew or replace existing contracts with our customers at rates sufficient to maintain current revenue and cash flow could be adversely affected by the activities of our competitors and our customers. All of these competitive pressures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our shareholders.

Seasonal weather conditions, which may be impacted by climate change, may adversely affect our customers’ ability to conduct drilling activities in some of the areas where we operate and our ability to operate our assets and to construct additional facilities. Additionally, natural disasters, local and global public health emergencies, political crises, and other catastrophic events or other events outside of our control may affect our facilities or the facilities of third parties on which we depend and could impact our business and our results of operations and financial condition.

Crude oil and natural gas operations in North Dakota are adversely affected by seasonal weather conditions. In the Bakken, drilling and other crude oil and natural gas activities can be adversely affected during the winter months. Severe winter weather conditions limit and may reduce or temporarily halt our customers’ ability to operate during such conditions, leading to the decrease in drilling activity and the potential shut‑in of producing wells which the producers are unable to service. This could result in a decrease in the volumes of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs supplied to our assets. In addition, seasonal weather conditions during the winter months may adversely impact the operations of our assets and our ability to construct additional facilities, by causing temporary delays and shutdowns. The frequency and severity of severe winter weather conditions and other meteorological phenomena, including storms, droughts, extreme temperatures, and changes in temperature/precipitation patterns that impact our and our customers’ business activities may also be impacted by the effects of climate change. Energy needs could increase or decrease as a result of extreme weather conditions depending on the duration and magnitude of any such climate changes. Increased energy use due to weather changes may require us to invest in order to serve increased demand or create operational challenges. A decrease in energy use due to weather changes may affect our financial condition through decreased revenues. To the extent the frequency of extreme weather events increases, this could among other things, cause damage to our facilities, interrupt our services or supply chain, or increase our cost of providing service. If any of these results occur, it could have an adverse effect on our assets and operations and cause us to incur costs in preparing for and responding to them.

Our facilities and the facilities of our suppliers, third-party service providers and customers can also be affected by other natural disasters (such as earthquakes, tornados, tsunamis, power shortages or outages, floods or monsoons), public health crises (such as pandemics and epidemics), political crises (such as terrorism, wars, including the war between Russia and Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas, political instability or other conflict), or other events outside of our control, and our business and our results of operations and financial condition could suffer. Any such disruption could cause delays in the production and distribution of our products and the loss of sales and customers. Moreover, these types of events could negatively impact consumer spending or the economy in the impacted regions or, depending upon the severity, globally. To the extent any of these events were to occur, the resulting impacts could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our shareholders.

Our success depends on our ability to attract and maintain customers in a limited number of geographic areas.

Substantially all of our assets are located in the Bakken, and we intend to focus our future capital expenditures largely on developing our business in that area. As a result, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are significantly dependent upon the demand for our services in that area. Due to our focus on the Bakken, an adverse development in crude oil or natural gas production from that area would have a significantly greater impact on our financial condition and results of operations than if we spread expenditures more evenly over a wider geographic area. For example, a change in the rules and regulations governing operations in or around the Bakken could cause Hess or other producers to reduce or cease drilling or to permanently or temporarily shut‑in their production within the area, which could lead to a decrease in the volumes of natural gas and crude oil that we handle and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our shareholders.

Our operations and Hess’ Bakken production operations are subject to many risks and operational hazards, some of which may result in business interruptions and shutdowns of our or Hess’ operations and damages for which may not be fully covered by insurance. If a significant accident or event occurs that results in a business interruption or shut down for which we are not adequately insured, our operations and financial results could be materially and adversely affected.

Our operations are subject to all of the risks and operational hazards inherent in gathering, compressing, processing, fractionating, terminaling, storing, loading and transporting crude oil, natural gas and NGLs and gathering and disposing of produced water, including:

These risks could result in substantial losses due to personal injury and/or loss of life, severe damage to and destruction of property and equipment and pollution or other environmental damage, as well as business interruptions or shutdowns of our facilities. Any such event or unplanned shutdown could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, Hess’ Bakken production operations, on which our operations are substantially dependent, are subject to similar operational hazards and risks inherent in producing crude oil and natural gas. A serious accident at our facilities or at Hess’ facilities could result in serious injury or death to our employees or contractors or those of Hess or its affiliates and could expose us to significant liability for personal injury claims and reputational risk. We have no control over the operations at Hess’ Bakken operations and their associated facilities.

We do not maintain insurance coverage against all potential losses and could suffer losses for uninsurable or uninsured risks or in amounts in excess of existing insurance coverage. We carry insurance coverage for certain property damage and third-party liabilities, which includes sudden and accidental pollution liabilities. We are also insured under certain of Hess’ liability policies and are subject to Hess’ policy limits under these policies. The occurrence of an event that is not fully covered by insurance or failure by one or more insurers to honor its coverage commitments for an insured event could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our exposure to direct commodity price risk may increase in the future.

We generate substantially all of our revenues under fee‑based commercial agreements with Hess under which we are paid based on the volumes of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs that we handle and the ancillary services we provide, rather than the value of the commodities themselves. As a result, our operations and cash flows generally have minimal direct exposure to commodity price risk. While the initial term of our commercial agreements provides for an annual fee recalculation mechanism to target a return on capital deployed, the Secondary Term of our commercial agreements changes to an inflation-based fee structure, which may provide less downside risk protection. In addition, we may acquire or develop additional assets in the future or enter into transactions that have a greater exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices than our current operations. Our efforts to negotiate contractual arrangements to minimize our direct exposure to commodity price risk in the future may not be successful. Recent growing concerns about global economic growth and inflation could have a significant adverse impact on global financial markets and commodity prices, which could reduce demand for our midstream services and affect the ability of our business partners, suppliers and customers to conduct business. Additionally, commodity prices have been significantly affected by geopolitical conflicts and wars, such as the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Increased exposure to the volatility of crude oil, natural gas and NGL prices in the future could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and cash flow and our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.

We do not own all of the land on which certain of the pipelines connecting our facilities are located, which could result in disruptions to our operations.

We do not own all of the land on which our pipelines are located, and we are, therefore, subject to the possibility of more onerous terms and increased costs to retain necessary land use if we do not have valid leases or rights‑of‑way or if such rights‑of‑way lapse or terminate. We obtain the rights to construct and operate our pipelines on land owned by third parties and governmental agencies, and some of our agreements may grant us those rights for only a specific period of time. Our loss of these rights, through our inability to renew right‑of‑way contracts or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions to our shareholders.

We utilize contract operator services at certain of our assets, and we may face higher costs associated with terminal services in the future.

We utilize contract operator services at certain of our assets. For example, we utilize contract operator services at our Tioga Rail Terminal under a rail and transload services agreement with a third‑party operator that may be terminated by us with 90-day notice. Under the terms of the agreement, third‑party contract personnel supervised by Hess employees control, monitor, record and report on the operation of the Tioga Rail Terminal. Contract personnel also provide inspection, crude oil loading, railroad consulting, inventory management, repair, data reporting, general maintenance and technical support and safety compliance services. Under this agreement, we are liable for any losses resulting from actions of the third‑party operator unless such losses result from the negligence of the third‑party operator. If disputes arise over the operation of the terminal, or if the third‑party operator fails to provide the services contracted under contract operator services agreements, our business, results of operation, and financial condition could be adversely affected. We previously extended the term of this agreement and expanded services to include rail car qualification and maintenance management and we expect to renew the agreement before it expires. Costs of these services under a negotiated renewal of the existing agreement or a similar agreement may increase relative to historical costs. Concerns over global economic conditions, inflation, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and other factors, each of which are beyond our control, contribute to increased economic uncertainty for us and our service providers. Any such increased costs associated with terminal operation services will decrease the amount of cash available for distribution to our shareholders.

Restrictions in our credit facilities could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, ability to make cash distributions to our shareholders and the value of our Class A Shares.

We are dependent upon the earnings and cash flow generated by our operations in order to meet any debt service obligations and to allow us to make cash distributions to our shareholders. In July 2022, we amended and restated our existing credit agreement for our senior secured credit facilities consisting of a $1.0 billion 5-year revolving credit facility and a fully drawn $400.0 million 5-year Term Loan A facility, which contain various operating and financial restrictions and covenants. The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our credit facilities restrict, and any future financing agreements could similarly restrict, our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs or to expand or pursue our business activities, which may, in turn, limit our ability to make cash distributions to our shareholders.

The provisions of our credit facilities could affect our ability to obtain future financing and pursue attractive business opportunities and our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in business conditions. In addition, a failure to comply with the provisions of our credit facilities would result in an event of default which would enable our lenders to declare the outstanding principal of that debt, together with accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable. If the payment of our debt is accelerated, defaults under our other debt instruments, if any, may be triggered, and our assets may be insufficient to repay such debt in full, and the holders of our shares could experience a partial or total loss of their investment. Please read “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Capital Resources and Liquidity” for additional information about our credit facilities.

We have a significant amount of consolidated indebtedness that may adversely affect our business, results of operations and ability to make quarterly distributions.

We have a significant amount of consolidated indebtedness. As of December 31, 2023, we had $2,477.3 million carrying value of outstanding senior notes of the Partnership, $340.0 million carrying value of borrowings outstanding under the Partnership’s senior secured revolving credit facility and $394.1 million carrying value of borrowings outstanding under the Partnership’s senior secured term loan facility.

The degree to which we are leveraged, combined with lease and other financial obligations and contractual commitments, could have important consequences to us, including the following:

Our ability to service our indebtedness will depend upon, among other things, our future financial and operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. If our operating results are not sufficient to service our current or future indebtedness, we will be forced to take actions such as reducing or delaying business activities, acquisitions, investments or capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing debt, or seeking additional equity capital, and such results may adversely affect our ability to make cash distributions.

Restrictions in the terms of our consolidated indebtedness could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to make quarterly cash distributions.

The terms of our consolidated indebtedness limit our ability to conduct our business, including our ability to:

Our consolidated indebtedness also contains covenants requiring us to maintain certain financial ratios. Our ability to meet those financial ratios and tests can be affected by events beyond our control, and there can be no assurance that we will meet any such ratios or tests.

If we are unable to make acquisitions on economically acceptable terms from third parties, our future growth could be limited, and any acquisitions we may make may reduce, rather than increase, our cash flows and ability to make distributions to shareholders.

Part of our strategy to grow our business is dependent on our ability to make acquisitions. The acquisition component of our growth strategy is based, in large part, on our expectation of ongoing divestitures of midstream assets by industry participants.

If we are unable to make acquisitions from third parties, because (i) there is a material decrease in divestitures of midstream assets, (ii) we are unable to identify attractive acquisition candidates or negotiate acceptable purchase contracts, (iii) we are unable to obtain financing or to access the capital markets for future debt or equity offerings on economically acceptable terms, (iv) we are outbid by competitors or (v) for any other reason, our future growth and ability to increase our distributions will be limited. Our partnership agreement requires that we distribute all of our available cash to our shareholders. As a result, we expect to rely primarily upon external financing sources, including borrowings under our revolving credit facility and the issuance of debt and equity securities, to fund future acquisitions. Even if we are successful in obtaining funds for acquisitions through equity or debt financings, the terms thereof could limit our ability to pay distributions to our shareholders. In addition, issuing additional partner interests may result in significant shareholder dilution and increase the aggregate amount of cash required to maintain the then-current distribution rates, which could materially decrease our ability to pay distributions at the then-current distribution rates. If funding is not available to us when needed, or is available only on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to execute our business strategy, complete acquisitions or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and ability to make quarterly cash distributions to our shareholders.

Furthermore, even if we do consummate acquisitions that we believe will be accretive, they may in fact result in a decrease in distributions as a result of incorrect assumptions in our evaluation of such acquisitions or unforeseen consequences or other external events beyond our control. If we consummate any future acquisitions, shareholders will not have the opportunity to evaluate the economic, financial and other relevant information that we will consider in evaluating any such acquisitions.

The completion of capital projects by us may not result in revenue increases and will be subject to regulatory, environmental, political, legal and economic risks, which could adversely affect our operations and financial condition.

As part of our growth strategy, we intend to increase utilization of our existing asset base and increase revenue at our facilities by handling additional volumes of natural gas and crude oil resulting from the completion of various capital projects by us. For example, we recently completed a construction and reconfiguration of facilities and pipelines in McKenzie and Williams Counties that increased our throughput capacity for crude oil and natural gas originating from south of the Missouri River and moving northward to our natural gas processing and crude oil and NGL terminaling assets in Tioga and Ramberg. We also invested in construction of the LM4 gas processing plant south of the Missouri River as part of our joint venture with Targa and we expanded natural gas processing capacity at TGP by 150 MMcf/d for total processing capacity of 400 MMcf/d.

There are inherent risks associated with undertaking these and other capital projects, including numerous regulatory, environmental, political and legal uncertainties, most of which are beyond our control. If we undertake these projects, they may not be completed on schedule or at all or at the budgeted cost, limiting our capacity until completion, or their completion may not result in the anticipated increase in volumes at our facilities, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition and our ability in the future to make distributions to our shareholders.

Terrorist attacks and threats, or escalation of military activity in response to these attacks, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Terrorist attacks and threats, escalation of military activity or acts of war may have significant effects on general economic conditions, fluctuations in consumer confidence and spending and market liquidity, each of which could materially and adversely affect our business. Strategic targets, such as energy‑related assets and transportation assets, may be at greater risk of future terrorist attacks than other targets in the United States. There is no guarantee that our insurance policies will be sufficient to cover our losses resulting from a terrorist attack on our assets that may shut down all or part of our business. It is possible that any of these occurrences, or a combination of them, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Disruption, failure or cybersecurity attacks affecting or targeting information technology systems and infrastructure used by us, Hess or our other business partners may materially impact our business and operations.

We rely on computer systems, hardware, software, technology infrastructure and online sites and networks for both internal and external operations that are critical to our business (collectively, “Digital Systems”). Some of our Digital Systems are managed and owned by Hess, but we and Hess also rely on third parties for a range of Digital Systems and related products and services, including but not limited to cloud computing services. We and Hess use these Digital Systems to communicate, analyze and store proprietary, financial and operating data as well as data about employees, business partners and other third parties (collectively, “Confidential Information”). Our reliance on technology has increased due to our use of remote communications and hybrid work-from-home arrangements, which increase cybersecurity risks due to the challenges associated with managing remote computing assets and security vulnerabilities that are present in many non-corporate and home networks.

Technical system flaws, power loss and cybersecurity risks, including cyber or phishing-attacks, unauthorized access, malicious software, data privacy breaches by employees or others with authorized access, ransomware and other cybersecurity issues, could compromise our Digital Systems or those of our business partners and result in disruptions to our business operations or the access, disclosure or loss of our Confidential Information and communications. In addition, computers control oil and gas production, processing equipment, and distribution systems globally and are necessary to deliver our customers’ products to market. A disruption, failure or a cyber breach of these operating systems, or of the networks and infrastructure on which they rely, could damage critical processing, distribution and/or storage assets, delay or prevent delivery to markets, and make it difficult or impossible to accurately account for our services and settle transactions. As a result, any such disruption, failure or cyber breach and any resulting investigation or remediation costs, reputational harm, litigation or regulatory action could have a material adverse impact on our cash flows and results of operations, reputation and competitiveness.

We and Hess routinely experience attempts by external parties to penetrate and attack our Digital Systems. Although such attempts to date have not resulted in any material breaches, disruptions, financial loss, or loss of business-critical information, our and Hess’ systems and procedures for protecting against such attacks and mitigating such risks may prove to be insufficient in the future. Threat actors are becoming increasingly adept in using techniques and tools, including artificial intelligence, that circumvent security controls, evade detection and remove forensic evidence. Further, there can be no assurance that our or Hess’ cybersecurity risk management program and processes, including policies, controls or procedures, will be fully implemented, complied with or effective in protecting our Digital Systems and Confidential Information. As technologies evolve and these cybersecurity attacks become more sophisticated, we or Hess may incur significant costs to upgrade or enhance our security measures to protect against such attacks. We and Hess may also face difficulties in fully anticipating or implementing adequate preventive measures or mitigating potential harm.

Regulatory, Legal and Environmental Risks

Our assets and operations are subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and health and safety that could require us to make substantial expenditures.

Certain of our assets and operations are subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations, which impose numerous obligations on our and our customers’ operations, including: the acquisition of permits to conduct regulated activities; the incurrence of capital or operating expenditures to limit or prevent releases of materials from our or our customers’ operations; the imposition of specific standards addressing worker protection, and the imposition of substantial liabilities and remedial obligations for pollution or contamination resulting from our and our customers’ operations. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in joint and several or strict liability and the assessment by governmental authorities of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of remedial obligations, and the issuance of injunctions limiting or preventing some or all of our operations. In addition, we may experience a delay in obtaining or be unable to obtain required permits, which may cause us to lose potential and current customers, interrupt operations, and limit growth and revenues. Private parties may also have the right to pursue legal actions to enforce compliance, as well as to seek damages for non-compliance, with environmental and safety laws and regulations or for personal injury or property damage.

The handling of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs involves inherent risks of spills and releases. We have contracted with various spill response service companies in the areas in which we gather, load, transport or store crude oil and NGLs; however, these companies may not be able to adequately contain a discharge in all instances, and we cannot ensure that all of their services would be available at any given time. Should these parties not be able to adequately contain such a discharge, we may face substantial liabilities and remedial obligations depending on the size and scope of any such discharge.

We may incur significant costs and liabilities as a result of pipeline integrity management program testing and any related pipeline repair or preventative or remedial measures.

DOT, through PHMSA, has adopted regulations requiring pipeline operators to develop integrity management systems. PHMSA regularly proposes revisions to existing regulations as well as new pipeline safety regulations. For example, in October 2019, PHMSA published three major rules focused on: the safety of gas transmission pipelines (the first of three parts of the Mega Rule), the safety of hazardous liquid pipelines, and enhanced emergency order procedures. In November 2021, PHMSA issued a final rule (the second part of the Mega Rule) that expands certain federal pipeline safety requirements to all onshore gas gathering pipelines, regardless of size or location. The rule established two new types of onshore gas gathering pipelines subject to varying degrees of regulation: all onshore gathering line operators are now subject to PHMSA’s annual reporting and incident reporting requirements, and certain previously unregulated rural gas gathering lines must now comply with PHMSA damage prevention and, depending on the size of the pipeline, construction and operational requirements. In August 2022, PHMSA published another final rule (the third and final part of the Mega Rule) expanding the Management of Change process, extending corrosion control requirements for gas transmission pipelines, adding requirements that operators ensure no conditions exist following an extreme weather event that could adversely affect the safe operation of the pipeline, and adopting repair criteria for non-HCAs similar to those applicable to HCAs. The extent and magnitude of costs to comply with these new and future rules cannot currently be reliably or accurately estimated due to the uncertainty regarding the additional measures to be taken and how they will be implemented. We expect that such costs will include initial expenses for compliance, and lower on-going expenses that are not expected to be material to our overall financial results.

In addition, the Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020 was signed into law on December 27, 2020. Among other things, the act requires PHMSA to issue regulations addressing idled pipelines, the safety of gas gathering pipelines, minimum performance standards for methane leak detection and repair and gas distribution pipelines’ emergency response plans, responses to over pressurization events, and maintenance of maps and records of critical pressure control infrastructure. In addition, the act includes the adoption of due process improvements related to PHMSA enforcement, requires routine reporting to Congress regarding outstanding pipeline rulemaking, and an independent study regarding the cost-benefit of automated shut-off valves.

The adoption of these and other laws or regulations could require us to install new or modified safety controls, pursue new capital projects, or conduct maintenance programs on an accelerated basis, all of which could require us to incur increased operational costs that could be significant. While we cannot predict the outcome of legislative or regulatory initiatives, such legislative and regulatory changes could have a material effect on our cash flow.

In addition, if we fail to comply with applicable PHMSA regulations, rules, or orders, this could result in the imposition of civil penalties. Pursuant to the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty and Job Creation Act of 2011, or 2011 Pipeline Safety Act, PHMSA finalized rules that increased the maximum administrative civil penalties for violations of the pipeline safety laws and regulations to $200,000 per violation per day, with a maximum of $2,000,000 for a related series of violations. Effective December 28, 2023, those maximum civil penalties were increased by PHMSA to $266,015 per violation per day, with a maximum of $2,660,135 for a series of violations, to account for inflation.

If our assets become subject to FERC regulation, or if federal, state or local regulations or policies change, or if we fail to comply with such regulations, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

Although the FERC has not made any formal determinations with respect to our natural gas gathering facilities upstream of the Tioga Gas Plant and LM4, we believe that the natural gas pipelines in our gathering systems meet the traditional tests FERC has used to establish whether a pipeline is not subject to tariff requirements under the NGA. Similarly, we believe that the crude oil and NGL pipelines in our gathering system are not subject to FERC tariff requirements under the ICA, because they fall outside FERC’s tariff jurisdiction. However, the classification and regulation of our gathering facilities may be subject to change based on future determinations or policy changes by FERC, the courts, or Congress. If it is subsequently determined that an individual facility is not exempt from FERC regulation under the NGA or ICA, such determination could decrease revenue, increase operating costs, and, depending upon the facility in question, adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows. In addition, if any of our facilities were found to have violated the NGA or the Natural Gas Policy Act, or the NGPA, FERC has civil penalty authority under the NGA and NGPA to impose penalties for current violations of up to $1,496,035 per violation per day and disgorgement of profits associated with any violation. In addition, state regulation of gathering facilities and intrastate transportation pipelines generally include various safety, environmental, and in some circumstances, nondiscriminatory take and common purchaser requirements, as well as complaint-based rate regulation.

Evolving laws and regulations on crude oil, including stabilization and transportation, could have an effect on our financial performance.

In December 2014, the North Dakota Industrial Commission, (“NDIC”), issued Order No. 25417, which requires producers in the Bakken, among other fields, effective April 1, 2015, to heat their produced fluids to a specified minimum temperature or demonstrate that crude oil has a vapor pressure no greater than 13.7 psi prior to separation. In January 2019, the NDIC issued revisions to the order giving operators more flexibility for evaluating and demonstrating compliance with the state’s vapor pressure requirements.

Furthermore, rail car derailments in Canada and the United States several years ago led to increased regulatory scrutiny over the safety of transporting Bakken crude oil by rail. The Federal Railroad Administration, (“FRA”) of the DOT and PHMSA issued several Safety Advisories and Emergency Orders directing offerors and rail carriers to take additional precautionary measures to enhance the safe shipment of bulk quantities of crude oil. Currently, all of the rail cars in our fleet are DOT 117 rail cars that meet the requirements of the final DOT rule. In addition, the adoption of additional federal, state or local laws or regulations, including any new voluntary measures by the rail industry regarding rail car design or crude oil and liquid hydrocarbon rail transport activities, or efforts by local communities to restrict or limit rail traffic involving crude oil, could increase compliance costs and decrease demand for our services, which could adversely affect our financial position and cash flows. Moreover, any disruptions in the operations of railroads, including those due to shortages of rail cars, locomotives or labor, weather related problems, or other force majeure events could adversely impact our customers’ ability to move their product and, as a result, could affect our business.

If new or more stringent federal, state or local legal restrictions relating to the quality specification of crude oil or to crude oil transportation are adopted in areas where Hess and our other customers operate, Hess and our other customers could incur potentially significant added costs to comply with such requirements and experience delays or curtailment in the pursuit of production or development activities, which could reduce demand for our midstream services.

Evolving environmental laws and regulations on hydraulic fracturing could have an effect on our financial performance.

We do not conduct hydraulic fracturing operations, but Hess’ and our other customers’ crude oil and natural gas production operations often require hydraulic fracturing as part of the completion process. While hydraulic fracturing is typically regulated by state agencies, federal agencies have also asserted regulatory authority over the process. In addition, Congress may in the future further consider legislation giving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), direct authority to regulate and require federal permitting of hydraulic fracturing under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Many states have already adopted laws and/or regulations that require disclosure of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing and are considering legal requirements that could impose more stringent permitting, disclosure and well construction requirements on crude oil and/or natural gas drilling activities.

If new or more stringent federal, state or local legal and regulatory restrictions relating to the hydraulic fracturing process are adopted in areas where Hess and our other customers operate, Hess and our other customers could incur potentially significant added costs to comply with such requirements and experience delays or curtailment in the pursuit of production or development activities, which could reduce demand for our midstream services.

Developments related to climate change including evolving laws and regulations could adversely affect us and our financial performance.

Governmental and regulatory bodies, investors, consumers, industry and other stakeholders have been increasingly focused on climate change matters. This focus, together with changes in consumer and industrial/commercial behavior, preferences and attitudes with respect to the generation and consumption of energy, the use of crude oil, NGLs and natural gas and the use of products manufactured with, or powered by, crude oil, NGLs and natural gas, may in the long-term result in (i) the enactment of new or more stringent climate change-related regulations, policies and initiatives (at the government, regulator, corporate and/or investor community levels), including alternative energy requirements, new fuel consumption standards, energy conservation measures and limits on energy development, (ii) technological changes with respect to the generation, transmission, storage and consumption of energy (e.g., advances in wind, solar and hydrogen power, smart grid technology and battery technology) and (iii) increased availability of, and increased consumer and industrial/commercial demand for, alternative energy sources and products manufactured with, or powered by, alternative energy sources (e.g., electric vehicles and renewable residential and commercial power supplies). These developments may in the future adversely affect the demand for, and in turn the prices of, crude oil and natural gas. Further, increased focus on climate change may result in negative perceptions of the oil and gas industry. Such negative perceptions and reputational risks may in the future adversely affect our ability to successfully carry out our business strategy, for example, by adversely affecting the availability of and cost to us of obtaining capital.

In addition, recent and potential regulations regarding climate change could adversely affect our operations. Currently, various federal and state legislative and regulatory bodies have, or are considering, measures to address greenhouse gas emissions, and some have recently passed or proposed climate-related rules and regulations. These measures include programs that require the crude oil and natural gas industry to report and/or control greenhouse gas emissions, and for states to develop statewide or regional programs to address greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the SEC issued a proposed rule in March 2022 that would mandate extensive disclosure for certain public companies of climate-related data, risks and opportunities, including financial impacts, physical and transition risks, related governance and strategy, and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, California recently enacted three climate-related disclosure laws, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, Climate Related Financial Risk Act and Voluntary Carbon Market Disclosures Act, which together will require certain entities doing business in California or taking certain actions in California to report and attain third-party assurance of greenhouse gas emissions information, reporting on climate-related financial risks and reporting regarding the use of voluntary carbon offsets and/or carbon reduction claims. Legislation similar to California’s Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act is also under consideration in other states. Our customers or other business partners may require us to provide additional climate-related information from us if they are also subject to these or additional climate-related disclosure laws or regulations. These actions could result in increased (i) costs to operate and maintain our facilities, (ii) capital expenditures to install new emission controls on our facilities and (iii) costs to administer and manage any potential greenhouse gas emissions regulations or carbon trading or tax programs. Such climate-related disclosure requirements will result in increased compliance costs, and possible litigation and reputational risks if such disclosures are incomplete, inaccurate, misleading or do not otherwise meet the expectations of our stakeholders. Moreover, such requirements may not always be uniform across jurisdictions, which may result in increased complexity and cost for compliance. In addition, we may take voluntary steps to mitigate our impact on climate change. As a result, we may experience increases in energy, transportation and raw material costs, capital expenditures or insurance premiums; however, there is no guarantee that such efforts will have the desired effects. These developments also could have an indirect effect on our business if Hess’ Bakken operations are adversely affected due to increased regulation of Hess’ facilities or reduced demand for crude oil, natural gas and NGLs. For example, in December 2023, the EPA issued a final rule to establish comprehensive standards of performance and emission guidelines for methane and volatile organic compound emissions from existing operations in the oil and gas sector, including the exploration and production, transmission, processing, and storage segments. Congress periodically considers legislation on greenhouse gas emissions, although the ultimate adoption and form of any federal legislation cannot presently be predicted.

In an executive order issued on January 20, 2021, the Biden administration asked the heads of all federal agencies to review and take action to address any federal regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies and any similar agency actions promulgated during the prior administration that may be inconsistent with the current administration’s policies. The executive order specifically identified certain of the regulations discussed herein, including the EPA’s methane emission standards for oil and natural gas facilities. The Biden administration issued a separate executive order on January 27, 2021, focused on addressing climate change, which, among other things, directed the Secretary of the Interior to pause new oil and natural gas leases on public lands or in offshore waters pending completion of a comprehensive review and reconsideration of federal oil and gas permitting and leasing practices.

In May 2021, the Biden administration issued an executive order requiring federal agencies, including financial regulators, to develop steps towards the mitigation of climate-related financial risk and its drivers and on October 14, 2021, issued a roadmap which sets out a climate risk accountability framework. Such executive actions, as well as uncertainty regarding the future course of federal regulation, legislation and associated litigation, could indirectly affect our business and our results of operations by reducing demand for our services.

At both the federal and state-level, there are also an increasing number of legislative initiatives and proposals that may lead to reduced demand for oil and gas. These include certain tax advantages and other subsidies to support alternative energy sources or that mandate the use of specific fuels or technologies, in addition to the promotion of research into new technologies to reduce the cost and increase the scalability of alternative energy sources. The Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”), signed by President Biden in August 2022, provides significant funding and incentives for research and development of low-carbon energy production methods, carbon capture, and other programs directed at addressing climate change. The IRA also includes a methane emissions reduction program that amends the Clean Air Act to include a Methane Emissions and Waste Reduction Incentive Program for petroleum and natural gas systems. This program requires the EPA to impose a “waste emissions charge” on certain natural gas and oil sources that are already required to report under EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. In January of 2024, the EPA released its proposed rule to implement the methane emissions fee with a proposed effective date in 2025 for reporting year 2024 emissions. In addition, on January 26, 2024, the Biden Administration announced a temporary pause on the U.S. Department of Energy’s review of pending decisions for authorization to export liquified natural gas (“LNG”) to non-Free Trade Agreement countries while the U.S. Department of Energy reviews and updates the underlying analyses for such decisions using more current data to account for considerations like the environmental and climate change impacts of LNG. The temporary pause is not expected to affect LNG exports that have already been authorized. Such legislation, regulations and initiatives, as well as uncertainty regarding the future success of such regulations and initiatives in reducing demand for oil and gas, could indirectly affect our business and our results of operations by reducing demand for our services.

In addition to recent and potential domestic regulation of greenhouse gases, there continues to be international interest in a global framework for greenhouse gas reductions. For example, the Paris Agreement seeks to combat climate change through the establishment of nationally-determined greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. Since the United States’ re-entry into the Paris Agreement, President Biden has announced, in April 2021, a goal of reducing the United States’ emissions by at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030. Those national commitments by themselves create no binding requirements on individual companies or facilities, but they do provide indications of the current administration’s policy direction and the types of legislative and regulatory requirements—such as the EPA’s methane rules—that may be needed to achieve those commitments. In November 2021, the international community gathered again in Glasgow at COP26, during which multiple announcements were made, including a call for parties to eliminate certain fossil fuel subsidies and pursue further action on non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases. Relatedly, at COP26, the United States and the European Union jointly announced the launch of the Global Methane Pledge, by which signatory countries commit to reducing global methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. Since its formal launch at COP26, over 150 countries have joined the pledge. Additionally, in December 2023 at the 28th Conference of the Parties on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (“COP28”) in Dubai, representatives from almost 200 countries agreed to take measures to contribute to global efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change, including by considering options to transition away from the use of fossil fuels in energy systems. While significant uncertainty exists as to the specifics on any regulation of methane or other greenhouse gas emissions under federal regulations such as the Clean Air Act or other local, regional or international regulatory regimes, their impact, if enacted, is likely to result in increased compliance costs, increased utility costs, additional operating restrictions on our business and an increase in the cost of products generally. However, the extent and magnitude of that impact cannot currently be reliably or accurately estimated.

Climate change and sustainability initiatives may result in significant operational changes and expenditures, reduced demand for our services and adversely affect our business.

We recognize that climate change and sustainability are growing global environmental concerns. We are prioritizing sustainable energy practices to further reduce our carbon footprint while at the same time remaining a successfully operating public company. However, various key stakeholders, including our stockholders, employees, suppliers, customers, local communities and others, may have differing approaches to climate change and sustainability initiatives. If we do not successfully manage expectations across these varied stakeholder interests, it could erode our stakeholder trust and thereby affect our reputation and financial condition. As a result of heightened public awareness and attention to climate change and sustainability, as well as continued regulatory initiatives, demand for crude oil and other hydrocarbons may be reduced, which may have an adverse effect on our customers and our business. The imposition and enforcement of stringent greenhouse gas emissions reduction requirements could severely and adversely impact the oil and gas industry and therefore significantly reduce the value of our business. Shareholder activism in relation to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters, including climate change and sustainability issues, has been increasing in our industry in recent times, and shareholders may attempt to effect changes to our business or governance. In addition, certain financial institutions, institutional investors and other sources of capital have begun to limit or eliminate their investment in oil and gas activities due to concerns about climate change or other ESG factors, which could make it more difficult to finance our business or diversify our shareholder base. Furthermore, increasing attention to climate change and other ESG risks has also resulted in governmental investigations, and public and private litigation, which could increase our costs or otherwise adversely affect our business. For example, beginning in 2017, certain states, municipalities and private associations in California, Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island and South Carolina separately filed lawsuits against oil, gas and coal producers, including Hess, for alleged damages purportedly caused by climate change. Such actions could adversely impact our business by distracting management and other personnel from their primary responsibilities, require us to incur increased costs, and/or result in reputational harm. Moreover, any such litigation targeting our customers could negatively impact their operation and, in turn, decrease demand for our services.

Furthermore, as we continue to focus on developing ESG practices, and as voluntary and regulatory ESG disclosure standards, requirements and policies continue to evolve, we have expanded and expect to further expand our public disclosures in these areas. Such disclosures may reflect aspirational goals, targets, cost estimates and other expectations and assumptions, including over long timelines, which aspirational goals, targets, cost estimates, and other expectations and assumptions are necessarily uncertain and may not be realized. Failure to realize or timely achieve progress on such aspirational goals, targets, cost estimates, and other expectations or assumptions may adversely impact us.

We or Hess may be unable to obtain or renew permits or approvals necessary for our respective operations, which could inhibit our ability to do business and adversely affect our financial performance.

Our facilities and Hess’ and our other customers’ facilities that provide volumes to our facilities operate under federal, state and local permits, licenses and approvals with terms and conditions containing a significant number of prescriptive limits and performance standards that require a significant amount of monitoring, record keeping and reporting in order to demonstrate compliance. A decision by a government agency to deny or delay issuing a new or renewed permit or approval, or to revoke or substantially modify an existing permit or approval, could have an adverse impact on Hess’ ability to produce crude oil and natural gas or on our ability to handle volumes of crude oil, natural gas, NGLs or produced water at our facilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Additionally, noncompliance or incomplete documentation of our compliance status with respect to our existing permits or approvals may result in the imposition of fines, penalties and injunctive relief.

In April 2020, a federal district court vacated Nationwide Permit (“NWP”) 12, the general permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) for pipelines and utility projects. In May 2020, the court narrowed its ruling, vacating and enjoining the use of NWP 12 only as it relates to construction of new oil and gas pipelines. In July 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the lower court order except as it applies to the Keystone XL pipeline. In January 2021, the Corps released the final version of a rule renewing twelve of its NWPs, including NWP 12. The new rule splits NWP 12 into three parts; NWP 12 will continue to be available for oil and gas pipelines, while new NWP 57 will be available for electric utility line and telecommunications activities, and a new NWP 58 will be available for utility line activities for water and other substances. The new rule also eliminates preconstruction notice requirements for NWP 12 for several conditions that used to require such notice, but also now requires new oil and gas pipeline projects that exceed 250 miles in length to give preconstruction notice and obtain approval before proceeding. On March 28, 2022, the Corps published a notice announcing that it is undertaking formal review of NWP 12 and sought public comments through May 27, 2022. If new oil and gas pipeline projects are unable to utilize NWP 12 or identify an alternate means of CWA compliance, such projects could be significantly delayed, which could have an adverse impact on our operations.

In the future we may face increased obligations relating to our produced water facilities and may be required to provide an increased level of financial assurance to guarantee the appropriate closure activities occur for our produced water facilities.

Obtaining a permit to own or operate produced water facilities generally requires us to establish performance bonds, letters of credit or other forms of financial assurance to address clean-up and closure obligations. As we acquire additional produced water facilities or expand our existing produced water facilities, these obligations will increase. Additionally, in the future, regulatory agencies may require us to increase the amount of our closure bonds at existing produced water facilities. Actual costs could exceed our current expectations, as a result of, among other things, federal, state or local government regulatory action, increased costs charged by service providers that assist in closing produced water facilities and additional environmental remediation requirements. The obligation to satisfy increased regulatory requirements associated with our produced water facilities could result in an increase of our operating costs and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

On August, 12, 2022, the Company became aware of a produced water release from an underground pipeline located approximately 8 miles north of Ray, North Dakota. It is estimated that approximately 34,000 barrels of produced water were released, causing impacts to soils, crops, and groundwater. Remediation infrastructure was put in place and remediation and monitoring is ongoing. On or about March 14, 2023, the Company received a Notice of Violation (the “Notice”) from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (“DEQ”) in connection with the produced water release described above. The Notice alerted the Company that it may have violated the State’s water pollution control laws, but neither imposed nor waived any enforcement action. On January 11, 2024, the DEQ proposed an Administrative Consent Agreement (“ACA”) that included an administrative penalty of $445,000 and further line monitoring practices with respect to certain water gathering pipelines. The Company is evaluating the proposed ACA and is engaging in further discussions with DEQ. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies.

Certain plant or animal species could be designated as endangered or threatened, which could limit our ability to expand some of our existing operations or limit our customers’ ability to develop new crude oil and natural gas wells.

The federal Endangered Species Act restricts activities that may affect endangered or threatened species or their habitats. Similar protections are offered to migratory birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Many states have analogous laws designed to protect endangered or threatened species or their habitats. The designation of previously unidentified endangered or threatened species under such laws may affect our and our customers’ operations. There is also increasing interest in nature-related matters beyond protected species, such as general biodiversity, which may similarly require us or our customers to incur costs or take other measures which may adversely impact our and our customers’ business or operations.

Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us

We may not generate sufficient available cash to support the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution to our shareholders.

Under our current cash distribution policy, we intend to make a minimum quarterly distribution to the holders of our Class A Shares of at least $0.30 per share, or $1.20 per share on an annualized basis, to the extent we have sufficient available cash after the establishment of cash reserves and the payment of costs and expenses, including reimbursements of expenses to our general partner. In order to support the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution, we must generate available cash (as defined in our partnership agreement) of approximately $67.9 million per quarter, or approximately $271.6 million per year, based on Hess’ and GIP’s noncontrolling interest in us and the number of Class A Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023. We may not generate sufficient available cash each quarter to support the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution. The amount of cash we can distribute on our Class A Shares principally depends upon the amount of cash we generate from our operations, which will fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on, among other things:

In addition, the actual amount of available cash we generate will also depend on other factors, some of which are beyond our control, including:

Our general partner and its affiliates, including our Sponsors, have conflicts of interest with us and limited fiduciary duties to us and our shareholders, and they may favor their own interests to our detriment and that of our shareholders. Additionally, we have no control over the business decisions and operations of our Sponsors, and none of the Sponsors is under any obligation to adopt a business strategy that favors us.

The Sponsors indirectly own and control our general partner. Although our general partner has a duty to manage the Company in a manner that is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, the Company’s directors and officers also have a duty to manage our general partner in a manner that is in the best interests of its owner, HIP GP LLC, which is owned by the Sponsors. Conflicts of interest may arise between the Sponsors and their respective affiliates, including our general partner, on the one hand, and the Company and the Company’s shareholders, on the other hand. In resolving these conflicts, our general partner may favor its own interests and the interests of its affiliates, including the Sponsors, over the interests of the Company’s shareholders. These conflicts include, among others, the following situations:

Under the terms of our partnership agreement, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, does not apply to our general partner or any of its affiliates, including the Sponsors, HIP GP LLC or the executive officers and directors of the Company. Any such person or entity that becomes aware of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for the Company will not have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to the Company. Any such person or entity will not be liable to the Company or to any limited partner for breach of any fiduciary duty or other duty by reason of the fact that such person or entity pursues or acquires such opportunity for itself, directs such opportunity to another person or entity or does not communicate such opportunity or information to the Company. This may create actual and potential conflicts of interest between the Company and affiliates of our general partner and result in less than favorable treatment of the Company and its shareholders.

Our partnership agreement requires that we distribute all of our available cash, which could limit our ability to grow and make acquisitions.

Our partnership agreement requires that we distribute all of our available cash to our shareholders. As a result, we expect to rely primarily upon external financing sources, including borrowings under our revolving credit facility and the issuance of debt and equity securities, to fund our acquisitions and expansion projects. Therefore, to the extent we are unable to finance our growth externally, our cash distribution policy will significantly impair our ability to grow. In addition, because we will distribute all of our available cash, our growth may not be as fast as that of businesses that reinvest their available cash to expand ongoing operations. To the extent we issue additional shares in connection with any acquisitions or expansion projects, the payment of distributions on those additional shares may increase the risk that we will be unable to maintain or increase our per share distribution level. There are no limitations in our partnership agreement on our ability to issue additional shares, including shares ranking senior to our Class A Shares as to distributions or in liquidation or that have special voting rights and other rights, and our shareholders will have no preemptive or other rights (solely as a result of their status as shareholders) to purchase any such additional shares. The incurrence of additional commercial borrowings or other debt to finance our growth strategy would result in increased interest expense, which, in turn, may reduce the amount of cash that we have available to distribute to our shareholders.

Our partnership agreement designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by the Company’s shareholders, which would limit such shareholders’ ability to choose the judicial forum for disputes with us or our general partner’s directors, officers or other employees.

Our partnership agreement provides that, with certain limited exceptions, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the exclusive forum for, any claims, suits, actions or proceedings (i) arising out of or relating in any way to our partnership agreement (including any claims, suits or actions to interpret, apply or enforce the provisions of our partnership agreement or the duties, obligations or liabilities among partners or of partners to the Company, or the rights or powers of, or restrictions on, the partners or the Company), (ii) brought in a derivative manner on behalf of the Company, (iii) asserting a claim of breach of a duty (including any fiduciary duty) owed by any director, officer, or other employee of the Company or our general partner, or owed by our general partner, to the Company or its partners, (iv) asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “Delaware Act”) or (v) asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. However, the exclusive forum provision would not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. To the extent that any such claims may be based upon federal law claims, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in Class A Shares is deemed to have received notice of and consented to the foregoing provisions. Although we believe this choice of forum provision benefits the Company by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against the Company and our general partner’s directors and officers. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation or similar governing documents has been challenged in legal proceedings and it is possible that in connection with any action a court could find the choice of forum provisions contained in our partnership agreement to be inapplicable or unenforceable in such action. If a court were to find this choice of forum provision inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to make cash distributions to our shareholders.

Our partnership agreement provides that our shareholders irrevocably waive the right to trial by jury in any claim, suit, action or proceeding under either state or federal laws, including any claim under U.S. federal securities laws, which could result in less favorable outcomes to our shareholders in any such action.

Our partnership agreement provides that our shareholders, including those who become our shareholders by purchasing shares in us in secondary transactions, irrevocably waive the right to trial by jury for any claims, suits, actions or proceedings (i) arising out of or relating in any way to our partnership agreement (including any claims, suits or actions to interpret, apply or enforce the provisions of our partnership agreement or the duties, obligations or liabilities among the Company’s partners, or obligations or liabilities of the Company’s partners to the Company, or the rights or powers of, or restrictions on, the Company’s partners or the Company), (ii) brought in a derivative manner on the Company’s behalf, (iii) asserting a claim of breach of a duty owed by any of the Company’s, or our general partner’s, directors, officers, or other employees, or owed by our general partner, to the Company or the Company’s partners, (iv) asserting a claim against the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Act or (v) asserting a claim against the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each case pursuant to either state or federal laws, including U.S. federal securities law. Regardless, such waiver of the right to trial by jury does not impact the ability of a shareholder of the Company to make a claim under either federal or state law.

The waiver of the right to a jury trial is not intended to be deemed a waiver by any shareholder with respect to the Company’s compliance with U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. If the Company or one of the Company shareholders opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the applicable court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. To our knowledge, the enforceability of a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver in connection with claims arising under the U.S. federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by the United States Supreme Court. However, we believe that a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable, including under the laws of the State of Delaware, which govern our partnership agreement.

If a shareholder brings a claim in connection with matters arising under our partnership agreement, including claims under U.S. federal securities laws, such Company shareholder may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits. If a lawsuit is brought by a shareholder under our partnership agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in a different outcome than a trial by jury, including results that could be less favorable to the Company shareholder(s) bringing such lawsuit.

Affiliates of our general partner, including our Sponsors, may compete with us, and neither our general partner nor its affiliates have any obligation to present business opportunities to us.

Neither our partnership agreement nor the partnership agreement of the Partnership prohibits the Sponsors or any other affiliates of our general partner from owning assets or engaging in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with the Company. Under the terms of our partnership agreement, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, does not apply to our general partner or any of its affiliates, including the Sponsors and the Company’s executive officers and directors. Any such entity that becomes aware of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for the Company will not have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to the Company. Consequently, the Sponsors and other affiliates of our general partner, including HIP GP LLC, may acquire, construct or dispose of additional midstream assets in the future without any obligation to offer the Company the opportunity to purchase any of those assets. As a result, competition from the Sponsors and other affiliates of our general partner could materially and adversely impact the Company’s results of operations and available cash.

Our partnership agreement replaces our general partner’s fiduciary duties to holders of the Company’s shares with contractual standards governing its duties.

Delaware law provides that Delaware limited partnerships may, in their partnership agreements, expand, restrict or eliminate the fiduciary duties otherwise owed by the general partner to limited partners and the partnership, provided that partnership agreements may not eliminate the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing. As permitted by Delaware law, our partnership agreement contains provisions that eliminate the fiduciary standards to which our general partner would otherwise be held by state fiduciary duty law and replaces those duties with several different contractual standards. For example, our partnership agreement permits our general partner to make a number of decisions in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our general partner, free of any duties to us and our shareholders other than the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing. This provision entitles our general partner to consider only the interests and factors that it desires and relieves it of any duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting, us, our affiliates or our limited partners. By purchasing a Class A Share, a shareholder is treated as having consented to the provisions in our partnership agreement, including the provisions discussed above.

Holders of our Class A Shares have very limited voting rights and, even if they are dissatisfied, they cannot currently remove our general partner without its consent.

Unlike the holders of common stock in a corporation, our shareholders have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business and, therefore, limited ability to influence management’s decisions regarding our business. For example, unlike holders of stock in a public corporation, our shareholders do not have “say-on-pay” advisory voting rights. Our shareholders did not elect our general partner and will not elect any of the members of our general partner’s board of directors and have no right to elect our general partner or any of the members of our general partner’s board of directors on an annual or other continuing basis. Our board of directors is chosen by HIP GP LLC, which is controlled by our Sponsors. Furthermore, if our shareholders are dissatisfied with the performance of our general partner, they have little ability to remove our general partner. As a result of these limitations, the price at which Class A Shares trade could be diminished because of the absence or reduction of a takeover premium in the trading price.

Our shareholders are not able to remove our general partner without its consent because our general partner and its affiliates own sufficient shares to be able to prevent its removal. In addition, our general partner may only be removed for cause. “Cause” is narrowly defined under our partnership agreement to mean that a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding our general partner liable for actual fraud or willful or wanton misconduct in its capacity as our general partner. Cause does not include most cases of charges of poor management of the business. Even if cause for removal exists, the vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of all of our outstanding shares voting together as a single class is required to remove our general partner. As of December 31, 2023, our general partner and its affiliates collectively owned approximately 70% of the outstanding Class B Shares and the Class A Shares, considered as a single class.

Furthermore, our shareholders’ voting rights are further restricted by our partnership agreement, which provides that any shares held by a person that owns 20% or more of any class of shares then outstanding, other than our general partner, its affiliates, their transferees, and persons who acquired such shares with the prior approval of our board of directors, cannot vote on any matter.

Our partnership agreement also contains provisions limiting the ability of our shareholders to call meetings or to acquire information about our operations, as well as other provisions limiting our shareholders’ ability to influence the manner or direction of management.

Our general partner interest or the control of our general partner may be transferred to a third party without shareholder consent.

Our general partner may transfer its general partner interest to a third party in a merger or in a sale of all or substantially all of its assets without the consent of our shareholders. Furthermore, there is no restriction in our partnership agreement on the ability of HIP GP LLC to transfer all of the partnership interests in our general partner, or all of the membership interests in GP LLC, the general partner of our general partner, to a third party. The new owner of our general partner or the general partner of our general partner would then be in a position to replace our board of directors and officers with its own choices. As a result, we could lose the provision of certain operational support and administrative services by Hess and its affiliates and our license to use certain Hess trademarks.

Our general partner has a limited call right that may require our shareholders to sell their Class A Shares at an undesirable time or price.

If at any time our general partner and its affiliates, including our Sponsors, own more than 80% of the issued and outstanding limited partner interests of any class, our general partner will have the right, but not the obligation, which it may assign to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the limited partner interests of such class held by unaffiliated persons at a price not less than their then-current market price. As a result, our shareholders may be required to sell their Class A Shares at an undesirable time or price and may not receive any return on their investment. Our shareholders may also incur a tax liability upon a sale of their Class A Shares. For purposes of this calculation, the Class B Shares will be considered collectively with the Class A Shares as a single class.

Our partnership agreement restricts the remedies available to shareholders for actions taken by our general partner that might otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duty.

Our partnership agreement contains provisions that restrict the remedies available to shareholders for actions taken by our general partner that might otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duty under state fiduciary duty law. For example, our partnership agreement:

The market price of Class A Shares may fluctuate significantly.

The market price of Class A Shares may fluctuate significantly and holders of Class A Shares could lose some or all of the value of their investment. In addition, the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations in recent times which, if they continue to occur, could have a material adverse effect on the market for, or liquidity of, Class A Shares, regardless of our actual operating performance.

Our Sponsors may sell Class A Shares in the public or private markets, and such sales could have an adverse impact on the trading price of the Class A Shares.

As of December 31, 2023, our Sponsors and their affiliates, including our general partner, collectively held 898,000 Class A Shares, 157,941,441 Class B Shares, and 157,941,441 Class B Units in the Partnership. The Class B Units in the Partnership are exchangeable, together with an equal number of Class B Shares, into Class A Shares on a one-to-one basis. We have agreed to provide our Sponsors with certain registration rights under applicable securities laws with respect to resales of the Class A Shares. The sale of these Class A Shares in the public or private markets could have an adverse impact on the price of the Class A Shares or any trading market that may develop.

We may issue an unlimited number of additional equity interests without shareholder approval, including equity interests with preferences senior to the Class A Shares, which would dilute shareholder interests.

Under our partnership agreement, we may, at any time, issue an unlimited number of general partner interests or limited partner interests of any type without the approval of our shareholders, and our shareholders will have no preemptive or other rights (solely as a result of their status as shareholders) to purchase any such general partner interests or limited partner interests. Further, there are no limitations in our partnership agreement on our ability to issue equity securities that rank equal or senior to the Class A Shares as to distributions or in liquidation or that have special voting rights and other rights.

The issuance by us of additional Class A Shares or other equity securities of equal or senior rank will have the following effects:

The issuance by us of additional general partner interests may have the following effects, among others, if such general partner interests are issued to a person who is not an affiliate of our general partner:

The NYSE does not require a publicly traded limited partnership like us to comply with certain of its corporate governance requirements.

Our Class A Shares are listed on the NYSE. Because we are a publicly traded limited partnership, the NYSE does not require us to have a majority of independent directors on our board of directors or to establish a compensation committee or a nominating and corporate governance committee. Additionally, any future issuances of additional Class A Shares or other securities, including to affiliates, are not subject to the NYSE’s shareholder approval rules that apply to a corporation. Accordingly, our shareholders do not have the same protections afforded to certain shareholders of corporations that are subject to all of the NYSE corporate governance requirements.

We are treated as a corporation for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes.

We are subject to U.S. federal income tax as a corporation at the current corporate tax rate of 21% and to state income tax in various states at various rates. Government action could result in tax increases retroactively or prospectively through tax claims, changes to applicable statutory tax rates, modification of the tax base, or imposition of new tax types. Distributions on our Class A Shares are treated as distributions on corporate stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes and taxed again as corporate dividends (to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits). Because an entity-level tax is imposed on us due to our status as a corporation for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes, available cash will be reduced by any tax liabilities.

On August 16, 2022 the United States enacted the IRA, which includes a 15% book-income alternative minimum tax on corporations with average adjusted financial statement income over $1 billion for any 3-year period ending with 2022 or later and a 1% excise tax on the fair market value of stock that is repurchased by publicly traded U.S. corporations. The alternative minimum tax and the excise tax are effective in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022. From time to time since enactment, the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service have issued interim guidance related to the alternative minimum tax and intend to issue proposed regulations addressing the alternative minimum tax in the future. We continue to evaluate the effect of the new law and any additional guidance on our future cash flows and financial results, including if we become a taxpayer subject to the alternative minimum tax.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY

Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy

Cybersecurity is an integral part of risk management at the Company, and we and Hess share a cybersecurity risk management program intended to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our critical systems and information. We rely primarily on Hess’ cybersecurity risk management program and processes, including policies, controls or procedures, which includes a cybersecurity incident response plan as well as our own property and casualty insurance that may cover damages caused as a result of a cybersecurity event.

We and Hess design and assess the program based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework (“NIST CSF”). This does not imply that we or Hess meet any particular technical standards, specifications, or requirements, only that we use the NIST CSF as a guide to help us identify, assess and manage cybersecurity risks relevant to our businesses.

Our cybersecurity risk management program is integrated into the overall enterprise risk management program overseen by Hess’ Chief Risk Officer, who also serves as our Chief Financial Officer, and shares certain methodologies, reporting channels and governance processes that apply across the enterprise risk management program to other areas affecting our and Hess’ business risks, including financial, compliance, EHS and governance matters, among other topics.

The Company’s and Hess’ cybersecurity risk management program includes:

The Company has not identified risks from known cybersecurity threats during the year ended December 31, 2023, including as a result of any prior cybersecurity incidents, that have materially affected us or are reasonably likely to materially affect us, including our operations, business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition.

Additional information about cybersecurity risks we face is discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors, under the heading “Disruption, failure or cybersecurity attacks affecting or targeting information technology and infrastructure used by us, Hess or our business partners may materially impact our business and operations” which should be read in conjunction with the information above.

Cybersecurity Governance

Our general partner’s board of directors appreciates the rapidly evolving nature of threats presented by cybersecurity incidents and is committed to the prevention, timely detection and mitigation of the effects of any such incidents on the Company. The board considers cybersecurity risk as part of its risk oversight function and has delegated to the audit committee primary responsibility for oversight of the Company’s risk management practices, including oversight of cybersecurity and other information technology risks.

The audit committee oversees the implementation of our cybersecurity risk management program. The committee receives presentations on cybersecurity topics from management at least twice a year, including the nature of threats, defense and detection capabilities; incident response plans; and Hess employee training activities. In addition, management updates the committee, as necessary, regarding any material cybersecurity incidents as well as other incidents with lesser impact potential. The audit committee reports to the full board of directors regarding its activities, including those related to cybersecurity.

We rely on Hess’ management team – including the Chief Risk Officer, the Head of Information Technology and the Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”) – for assessing and managing our material risks from cybersecurity threats. The team is primarily responsible for our overall cybersecurity risk management program and supervises both Hess’ internal cybersecurity personnel and retained external cybersecurity consultants. Hess’ Chief Risk Officer, who also currently serves as our Chief Financial Officer, has nearly 20 years of experience in this role and previously served as a consultant with Ernst & Young LLP’s Risk Management and Regulatory Practice, where he assisted financial services and energy trading clients in establishing their risk management infrastructure. Hess’ Head of Information Technology and Hess’ CISO each have over 20 years of experience in information technology leadership in oil and gas. Furthermore, Hess’ CISO holds a Bachelor of Science in Cyber and Data Security from the University of Arizona and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional.

The management team is informed about and monitors the efforts to prevent, detect, mitigate and remediate cybersecurity risks and incidents through various means, which may include briefings from internal security personnel; threat intelligence and other information obtained from governmental, public or private sources, including external consultants engaged by Hess; and alerts and reports produced by security tools deployed in the information technology environment.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Although we may, from time to time, be involved in litigation and claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business, we are not a party to any litigation or governmental or other proceeding that we believe will have a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations. See Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies for additional details.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related SHAREholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Stock Market Information

Our Class A Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol “HESM”.

Holders

As of December 31, 2023, there were 10 shareholders of record who owned a total of 68,367,647 of our Class A Shares, one of which is Hess Midstream GP LP. The number of holders does not include the holders for whom shares are held in a “nominee” or “street” name. In addition, as of December 31, 2023, Hess Midstream GP LP owned an aggregate of 145,620,222 Class B Shares and Hess owned directly an aggregate of 12,321,219 Class B Shares. Hess and GIP indirectly own the Class A Shares and Class B Shares owned by Hess Midstream GP LP.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

In 2017, the Partnership adopted the Hess Midstream Partners LP 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Pursuant to the Restructuring, the Company assumed the Hess Midstream Partners LP 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan and all obligations with respect to outstanding awards thereunder. The Company amended and restated the Hess Midstream Partners LP 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan to, among other things, change the plan’s name to the Hess Midstream LP 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) and to reflect the Company’s assumption of the plan. The LTIP limits the number of shares that may be delivered pursuant to vested awards to 3,000,000 Class A Shares.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table summarizes information about our equity compensation plan as of December 31, 2023:

Distributions of Available Cash

General

Our partnership agreement requires that, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, we distribute all of our available cash to shareholders of record on the applicable record date. Except for splits and combinations as contemplated by our partnership agreement, no distribution shall be made under any circumstances in respect of any Class B Shares or our general partner interest.

The following table sets forth the cash distributions per share declared on the Class A Shares, for the three most recent years through December 31, 2023:

Definition of Available Cash

Available cash generally means, for any quarter, all cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of that quarter:

The purpose and effect of the last bullet point above is to allow our general partner, if it so decides, to use cash from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter but on or before the date of determination of available cash for that quarter to pay distributions to shareholders. Under our partnership agreement, working capital borrowings are generally borrowings that are made under a credit facility, commercial paper facility or similar financing arrangement, and in all cases are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to partners and with the intent of the borrower to repay such borrowings within twelve months with funds other than from additional working capital borrowings.

Intent to Distribute the Minimum Quarterly Distribution

Under our current cash distribution policy, we intend to make a minimum quarterly distribution to the holders of our Class A Shares of $0.30 per share, or $1.20 per share on an annualized basis, to the extent we have sufficient available cash after the establishment of cash reserves and the payment of costs and expenses, including reimbursements of expenses to our general partner. However, there is no guarantee that we will pay the minimum quarterly distribution on our Class A Shares in any quarter. The amount of distributions paid under our cash distribution policy and the decision to make any distribution will be determined by our general partner, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement.

General Partner Interest

Our general partner owns a non-economic general partner interest in us and, as of December 31, 2023, 898,000 Class A Shares and 145,620,222 Class B Shares. Our general partner, in its capacity as a shareholder, is entitled to share in cash distributions on our Class A Shares, but is not otherwise entitled to receive cash distributions with respect to its general partner interest in us or its Class B Shares. However, our general partner may in the future own other equity interests in us and may be entitled to receive distributions on any such interests.

Adjustment of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution

If we combine our shares or other interests in us (“Company Interests”) into fewer shares or Company Interests (commonly referred to as a “reverse split”) or subdivide our shares or Company Interests into a greater number of shares or Company Interests (commonly referred to as a “split”), we will proportionately adjust the minimum quarterly distribution.

For example, if a two-for-one split of Class A Shares should occur, the minimum quarterly distribution would be reduced to 50% of its initial level. We will not make any adjustment by reason of the issuance of additional shares or Company Interests for cash or property (including additional Class A Shares issued under any compensation or benefit plans).

ITEM 6. [RESERVED]

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10‑K.

Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise indicates, references in this report to “Hess Midstream Operations LP,” the “Partnership,” “us,” “we,” “our” or similar terms, when referring to periods between the IPO date on April 10, 2017 and December 16, 2019, refer to Hess Midstream Operations LP (formerly known as Hess Midstream Partners LP, the predecessor registrant to Hess Midstream LP), including its consolidated subsidiaries. All references to “Hess Midstream LP,” the “Company,” “us,” “our,” “we” or similar terms, when referring to periods subsequent to December 16, 2019, refer to Hess Midstream LP, including its consolidated subsidiaries.

This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed below. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below and those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this report.

Overview

We are a fee-based, growth-oriented, limited partnership formed by Hess Infrastructure Partners GP LLC (“HIP GP LLC”) and our general partner to own, operate, develop and acquire a diverse set of midstream assets and provide fee-based services to Hess and third-party customers. We are managed and controlled by Hess Midstream GP LLC, the general partner of our general partner. Our assets are primarily located in the Bakken and Three Forks shale plays in the Williston Basin area of North Dakota, which we collectively refer to as the Bakken.

Significant Activities

On October 22, 2023, Hess entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Chevron Merger Agreement”) with Chevron Corporation (“Chevron”) and Yankee Merger Sub Inc., a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron (“Merger Subsidiary”). The Chevron Merger Agreement provides that, among other things and subject to the terms and conditions of the Chevron Merger Agreement, Merger Subsidiary will be merged with and into Hess, with Hess surviving and continuing as the surviving corporation in the merger as a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron (such transaction, the “Chevron Merger”). The Chevron Merger is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. Upon consummation of the proposed transaction, Chevron will acquire Hess’ 37.8% ownership in the Company, including its right to appoint four directors to the Company’s Board. The Company’s contract structure remains in place. As part of the annual nomination process set forth in the Company’s long-term commercial agreements, the Company set its MVCs and rates, which were set based on Hess’ current 4-rig program in the Bakken. See Item 1A. Risk Factors for a discussion of risks related to the Chevron Merger.

In 2023, we added 70 MMcf/d of compression capacity by constructing one new greenfield compressor station and expanding an existing compressor station. Construction was also completed on an additional greenfield compressor station that, once put into operation in early 2024, will further increase compression capacity by approximately 30 MMcf/d. Additionally, in 2024, we plan to complete two more greenfield compressor stations, which are expected to provide, in aggregate, an additional 85 MMcf/d of gas compression capacity when brought online in 2025 and are expandable to 140 MMcf/d in the future.

2023 Equity Transactions

During 2023, the Company, the Partnership and the Sponsors completed the following equity transactions:

In 2023, the Sponsors received net proceeds from the offerings of approximately $662.2 million after deducting underwriting discounts. The Company did not receive any proceeds in the offerings.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Note 3, Equity Transactions, Note 7, Debt and Interest Expense, and Note 8, Partners' Capital and Distributions for additional details.

At December 31, 2023:

Business Strategies

Our principal business objective is to grow our business and available cash supported by fee-based contracts and disciplined financial strategy. We expect to achieve this objective through the following business strategies:

Climate Change and Energy Transition

We are committed to building a sustainable enterprise that helps meet the world’s energy needs in a safe, environmentally responsible, socially sensitive and profitable way. As a growth-oriented provider of midstream services to Hess and other third-party crude oil and natural gas producers, we believe sustainable and responsible operations create value for the benefit of all our stakeholders – our shareholders, our business partners, and the local communities and economies where we operate – which in turn benefits society at large.

We are aligned with Hess’ environment, health, safety and social responsibility strategy. We play a critical role in progress toward shared goals and performance improvements, including Hess’ emissions reduction efforts, by providing the infrastructure to move oil, NGLs and natural gas to market and reduce wellhead flaring as well as through efforts to reduce our own greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions, which are included in Hess’ overall emissions footprint. Hess’ significant reductions in flaring in recent years, which have supported its overall GHG reduction efforts, have primarily been related to our focus on natural gas capture through increased availability and reliability at our compressor stations; expansion of gathering and processing infrastructure; and enhanced communication and coordination with third-party gatherers. We continue to execute capital projects to increase natural gas capture rates, which provide economic returns through the sale of the additional natural gas and NGLs captured and to reduce flaring in the Bakken region. Hess’ executive led task force that includes Hess Midstream LP’s executives provides oversight for Hess’ climate change strategy implementation and works to identify and recommend GHG reduction opportunities, evaluating and implementing technologies, as appropriate, and evaluating future capital and infrastructure requirements.

Segments

Our assets and operations are organized into the following three reportable segments: (i) gathering, (ii) processing and storage and (iii) terminaling and export.

Gathering

Our gathering segment includes Hess North Dakota Pipeline Operations LP, or Gathering Opco, and Hess Water Services Holdings LLC, which own the following assets:

Processing and Storage

Our processing and storage segment includes Hess TGP Operations LP, or HTGP Opco, and Hess Mentor Storage Holdings LLC, or Mentor Holdings, which own the following assets, respectively:

Terminaling and Export

Our terminaling and export segment includes Hess North Dakota Export Logistics Operations LP, or Logistics Opco, which owns each of the following assets:

Significant 2023 Financial and Operating Results

Significant financial and operating results for the year ended December 31, 2023 include:

Revenues and other income in 2023 were $1,348.6 million compared with $1,275.2 million in 2022. Current year revenues and other income were up $73.4 million compared with the prior year, of which $86.7 million was primarily attributable to higher tariff rates and $9.1 million was attributable to higher third-party revenues, pass-through revenues and other income, partially offset by $22.4 million primarily attributable to crude oil physical volumes that were below prior-year MVC levels. Total operating costs and expenses in 2023 were $531.7 million, up from $484.0 million in the prior year. The increase was attributable to higher operating and maintenance expenses of $33.4 million, including higher maintenance activity on our gathering and processing infrastructure, rail car inspection and recertification activity and costs charged to us under our omnibus and employee secondment agreements. Additionally, part of the increase was attributable to higher depreciation of $11.2 million and higher general and administrative expenses of $3.1 million. Interest expense, net of interest income, increased $29.7 million, primarily attributable to higher interest rates on our credit facilities and higher borrowings on our revolving credit facility, as well as the $400.0 million 5.50% fixed-rate senior notes issued in April 2022. Income tax expense in 2023 was $37.9 million, up from $26.6 million in 2022, which was primarily driven by increased ownership of the Partnership by Hess Midstream LP following the equity offering and unit repurchase transactions in 2022 and 2023. As a result, consolidated net income decreased $12.9 million while Adjusted EBITDA increased $39.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with the year ended December 31, 2022.
 

Throughput volumes increased 15% for gas processing and 14% for gas gathering in 2023 compared with 2022 primarily due to increased Hess drilling activity, higher gas capture and higher third-party volumes. Throughput volumes increased 12% for crude oil terminaling and 4% for crude oil gathering in 2023 compared with 2022 primarily due to increased Hess drilling activity and higher third-party volumes. Water gathering volumes increased 28%, reflecting higher production and steady organic growth of our water handling business.

For additional discussion of the results of operations at the segment level, see “Results of Operations” below. For additional information regarding Adjusted EBITDA, our non‑GAAP financial measure, see “How We Evaluate Our Operations” and “Reconciliation of Non‑GAAP Financial Measure” below.

How We Generate Revenues

We generate substantially all of our revenues by charging fees for gathering, compressing and processing natural gas and fractionating NGLs; gathering, terminaling, loading and transporting crude oil and NGLs; storing and terminaling propane; and gathering and disposing of produced water. We have entered into long-term, fee-based commercial agreements with Hess effective January 1, 2014, for oil and gas services agreements, and effective January 1, 2019, for water services agreements.

Except for the water services agreements and except for a certain gathering sub-system, as described below, each of our commercial agreements with Hess had an initial 10-year term. We exercised our renewal options to extend each of these commercial agreements for one additional 10-year term effective January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2033. There were no changes to any provisions of the existing commercial agreements as a result of the exercise of the renewal options. For this gathering sub-system, the initial term is 15 years effective January 1, 2014, and the Secondary Term is 5 years. For the water services agreements the initial term is 14 years effective January 1, 2019, and the Secondary Term is 10 years. We have the sole option to renew these remaining agreements for their Secondary Term that is exercisable at a later date. Upon the expiration of the Secondary Term, if any, the agreements will automatically renew for subsequent one-year periods unless terminated by either party no later than 180 days prior to the end of the applicable Secondary Term.

These agreements include dedications covering substantially all of Hess’ existing and future owned or controlled production in the Bakken, minimum volume commitments, inflation escalators and fee recalculation mechanisms, all of which are intended to provide us with cash flow stability and growth, as well as downside risk protection. In particular, Hess’ minimum volume commitments under our commercial agreements provide minimum levels of cash flows and the fee recalculation mechanisms under the agreements allow fees to be adjusted annually to provide us with cash flow stability during the initial term of the agreements. During the Secondary Term of the agreements, the fee recalculation model will be replaced by an inflation-based fee structure. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Note 4, Related Party Transactions for additional description of our commercial agreements.

Our revenues also include revenues from (i) third-party volumes contracted directly with us, (ii) third-party volumes contracted with Hess and delivered to us under the commercial agreements with Hess described above, and (iii) pass-through third-party rail transportation costs, third-party produced water trucking and disposal costs, electricity fees and certain other third-party fees, for which we recognize revenues in an amount equal to the costs. For the year ended December 31, 2023, our gas gathering and gas processing revenues comprised approximately 75% of total affiliate revenues, excluding passthrough revenues. Together with Hess, we are pursuing strategic relationships with third-party producers and other midstream companies with operations in the Bakken in order to maximize our utilization rates.

How We Evaluate Our Operations

Our management uses a variety of financial and operating metrics to analyze our operating results and profitability. These metrics include (i) volumes, (ii) operating and maintenance expenses and (iii) Adjusted EBITDA.

Volumes. The amount of revenues we generate primarily depends on the volumes of crude oil, natural gas, NGLs and produced water that we handle at our gathering, processing, terminaling, storage and disposal facilities. These volumes are affected primarily by the supply of and demand for crude oil, natural gas and NGLs in the markets served directly or indirectly by our assets, including changes in crude oil prices, which may further affect volumes delivered by Hess. Although Hess has committed to minimum volumes under our commercial agreements described above, our results of operations will be impacted by our ability to:

Operating and Maintenance Expenses. Our management seeks to maximize the profitability of our operations by effectively managing operating and maintenance expenses. These expenses are comprised primarily of costs charged to us under our omnibus agreement and employee secondment agreement, third‑party contractor costs, utility costs, insurance premiums, third‑party service provider costs, related property taxes and other non‑income taxes and maintenance expenses, such as expenditures to repair, refurbish and replace storage facilities and to maintain equipment reliability, integrity and safety. These expenses generally remain relatively stable across broad ranges of throughput volumes but can fluctuate from period to period depending on the mix of activities performed during that period and the timing of substantial expenses, such as gas plant turnarounds. We seek to manage our maintenance expenditures by scheduling periodic maintenance on our assets in order to minimize significant variability in these expenditures and minimize their impact on our cash flow.

Adjusted EBITDA. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before net interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization and our proportional share of depreciation of our equity affiliates, as further adjusted to eliminate the impact of certain items that we do not consider indicative of our ongoing operating performance, such as transaction costs, other income and other non‑cash and non‑recurring items, if applicable. We use Adjusted EBITDA to analyze our performance and liquidity.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non‑GAAP supplemental financial measure that management and external users of our consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies, may use to assess:

We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors in assessing our financial condition and results of operations. The GAAP measures most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA are net income (loss) and net cash provided by (used in) operating activities. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP net income (loss), income (loss) from operations, net cash provided by (used in) operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool because it excludes some but not all items that affect net income and net cash provided by operating activities. You should not consider Adjusted EBITDA in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Additionally, because Adjusted EBITDA may be defined differently by other companies in our industry, our definition of these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility.

Results of Operations

The following tables summarize our consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. The results of operations are discussed in further detail following this overview (in millions, unless otherwise noted).