Sec Form 13D Filing - BX SWT ML Holdco LLC filing for VIPER ENERGY INC (VNOM) - 2023-04-20

Insider filing report for Changes in Beneficial Ownership

  • Schedule 13G & 13D forms are used to report a party's ownership of stock which exceeds 5% of a company's total stock issue.
  • Schedule 13G is a shorter version of Schedule 13D with fewer reporting requirements.
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Schedule 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 8)*

 

 

Viper Energy Partners LP

(Name of Issuer)

Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests

(Title of Class of Securities)

92763M105

(CUSIP Number)

John G. Finley

Blackstone Inc.

345 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10154

Tel: (212) 583-5000

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

April 18, 2023

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

 

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box.  ☐

 

 

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

 

 

*

The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 

 


CUSIP No. 92763M105    13D/A    Page 2 of 17

 

  (1)    

  Names of Reporting Person

 

  BX SWT ML Holdco LLC

  (2)  

  Check the appropriate box if a member of a group (see instructions)

  (a)  ☐        (b)  ☒

 

  (3)  

  SEC use only

 

  (4)  

  Source of funds (see instructions)

 

  OO

  (5)  

  Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  (6)  

  Citizenship or place of organization

 

  Delaware

Number of

shares

 beneficially 

owned by

each

reporting

person

with:

 

     (7)     

  Sole voting power

 

  7,002,347

     (8)   

  Shared voting power

 

  0

     (9)   

  Sole dispositive power

 

  7,002,347

   (10)   

  Shared dispositive power

 

  0

(11)    

  Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person

 

  7,002,347

(12)  

  Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (see instructions)

 

  ☐

(13)  

  Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11)

 

  9.6%

(14)  

  Type of reporting person (see instructions)

 

  OO


CUSIP No. 92763M105    13D/A    Page 3 of 17

 

  (1)    

  Names of Reporting Person

 

  BX Guidon Topco LLC

  (2)  

  Check the appropriate box if a member of a group (see instructions)

  (a)  ☐        (b)  ☒

 

  (3)  

  SEC use only

 

  (4)  

  Source of funds (see instructions)

 

  OO

  (5)  

  Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  (6)  

  Citizenship or place of organization

 

  Delaware

Number of

shares

 beneficially 

owned by

each

reporting

person

with:

 

     (7)     

  Sole voting power

 

  7,002,347

     (8)   

  Shared voting power

 

  0

     (9)   

  Sole dispositive power

 

  7,002,347

   (10)   

  Shared dispositive power

 

  0

(11)    

  Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person

 

  7,002,347

(12)  

  Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (see instructions)

 

  ☐

(13)  

  Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11)

 

  9.6%

(14)  

  Type of reporting person (see instructions)

 

  OO


CUSIP No. 92763M105    13D/A    Page 4 of 17

 

  (1)    

  Names of Reporting Person

 

  Blackstone Management Associates VI L.L.C.

  (2)  

  Check the appropriate box if a member of a group (see instructions)

  (a)  ☐        (b)  ☒

 

  (3)  

  SEC use only

 

  (4)  

  Source of funds (see instructions)

 

  OO

  (5)  

  Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  (6)  

  Citizenship or place of organization

 

  Delaware

Number of

shares

 beneficially 

owned by

each

reporting

person

with:

 

     (7)     

  Sole voting power

 

  0

     (8)   

  Shared voting power

 

  7,002,347

     (9)   

  Sole dispositive power

 

  0

   (10)   

  Shared dispositive power

 

  7,002,347

(11)    

  Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person

 

  7,002,347

(12)  

  Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (see instructions)

 

  ☐

(13)  

  Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11)

 

  9.6%

(14)  

  Type of reporting person (see instructions)

 

  OO


CUSIP No. 92763M105    13D/A    Page 5 of 17

 

  (1)    

  Names of Reporting Person

 

  Blackstone Energy Management Associates II L.L.C.

  (2)  

  Check the appropriate box if a member of a group (see instructions)

  (a)  ☐        (b)  ☒

 

  (3)  

  SEC use only

 

  (4)  

  Source of funds (see instructions)

 

  OO

  (5)  

  Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  (6)  

  Citizenship or place of organization

 

  Delaware

Number of

shares

 beneficially 

owned by

each

reporting

person

with:

 

     (7)     

  Sole voting power

 

  0

     (8)   

  Shared voting power

 

  7,002,347

     (9)   

  Sole dispositive power

 

  0

   (10)   

  Shared dispositive power

 

  7,002,347

(11)    

  Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person

 

  7,002,347

(12)  

  Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (see instructions)

 

  ☐

(13)  

  Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11)

 

  9.6%

(14)  

  Type of reporting person (see instructions)

 

  OO


CUSIP No. 92763M105    13D/A    Page 6 of 17

 

  (1)    

  Names of Reporting Person

 

  BMA VI L.L.C.

  (2)  

  Check the appropriate box if a member of a group (see instructions)

  (a)  ☐        (b)  ☒

 

  (3)  

  SEC use only

 

  (4)  

  Source of funds (see instructions)

 

  OO

  (5)  

  Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  (6)  

  Citizenship or place of organization

 

  Delaware

Number of

shares

 beneficially 

owned by

each

reporting

person

with:

 

     (7)     

  Sole voting power

 

  0

     (8)   

  Shared voting power

 

  7,002,347

     (9)   

  Sole dispositive power

 

  0

   (10)   

  Shared dispositive power

 

  7,002,347

(11)    

  Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person

 

  7,002,347

(12)  

  Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (see instructions)

 

  ☐

(13)  

  Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11)

 

  9.6%

(14)  

  Type of reporting person (see instructions)

 

  OO


CUSIP No. 92763M105    13D/A    Page 7 of 17

 

  (1)    

  Names of Reporting Person

 

  Blackstone EMA II L.L.C.

  (2)  

  Check the appropriate box if a member of a group (see instructions)

  (a)  ☐        (b)  ☒

 

  (3)  

  SEC use only

 

  (4)  

  Source of funds (see instructions)

 

  0;OO

  (5)  

  Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  (6)  

  Citizenship or place of organization

 

  Delaware

Number of

shares

 beneficially 

owned by

each

reporting

person

with:

 

     (7)     

  Sole voting power

 

  0

     (8)   

  Shared voting power

 

  7,002,347

     (9)   

  Sole dispositive power

 

  0

   (10)   

  Shared dispositive power

 

  7,002,347

(11)    

  Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person

 

  7,002,347

(12)  

  Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (see instructions)

 

  ☐

(13)  

  Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11)

 

  9.6%

(14)  

  Type of reporting person (see instructions)

 

  OO


CUSIP No. 92763M105    13D/A    Page 8 of 17

 

  (1)    

  Names of Reporting Person

 

  Blackstone Holdings III L.P.

  (2)  

  Check the appropriate box if a member of a group (see instructions)

  (a)  ☐        (b)  ☒

 

  (3)  

  SEC use only

 

  (4)  

  Source of funds (see instructions)

 

  OO

  (5)  

  Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  (6)  

  Citizenship or place of organization

 

  Quebec, Canada

Number of

shares

 beneficially 

owned by

each

reporting

person

with:

 

     (7)     

  Sole voting power

 

  7,002,347

     (8)   

  Shared voting power

 

  0

     (9)   

  Sole dispositive power

 

  7,002,347

   (10)   

  Shared dispositive power

 

  0

(11)    

  Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person

 

  7,002,347

(12)  

  Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (see instructions)

 

  ☐

(13)  

  Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11)

 

  9.6%

(14)  

  Type of reporting person (see instructions)

 

PN


CUSIP No. 92763M105    13D/A    Page 9 of 17

 

  (1)    

  Names of Reporting Person

 

  Blackstone Holdings III GP L.P.

  (2)  

  Check the appropriate box if a member of a group (see instructions)

  (a)  ☐        (b)  ☒

 

  (3)  

  SEC use only

 

  (4)  

  Source of funds (see instructions)

 

  OO

  (5)  

  Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  (6)  

  Citizenship or place of organization

 

  Delaware

  Shared voting power

 

  0

Number of

shares

 beneficially 

owned by

each

reporting

person

with:

 

     (7)     

  Sole voting power

 

  7,002,347

     (8)   
     (9)   

  Sole dispositive power

 

  7,002,347

   (10)   

  Shared dispositive power

 

  0

(11)    

  Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person

 

  7,002,347

(12)  

  Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (see instructions)

 

  ☐

(13)  

  Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11)

 

  9.6%

(14)  

  Type of reporting person (see instructions)

 

  PN


CUSIP No. 92763M105    13D/A    Page 10 of 17

 

  (1)    

  Names of Reporting Person

 

  Blackstone Holdings III GP Management L.L.C.

  (2)  

  Check the appropriate box if a member of a group (see instructions)

  (a)  ☐        (b)  ☒

 

  (3)  

  SEC use only

 

  (4)  

  Source of funds (see instructions)

 

  OO

  (5)  

  Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  (6)  

  Citizenship or place of organization

 

  Delaware

Number of

shares

 beneficially 

owned by

each

reporting

person

with:

 

     (7)     

  Sole voting power

 

  7,002,347

     (8)   

  Shared voting power

 

  0

     (9)   

  Sole dispositive power

 

  7,002,347

   (10)   

  Shared dispositive power

 

  0

(11)    

  Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person

 

  7,002,347

(12)  

  Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (see instructions)

 

  ☐

(13)  

  Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11)

 

  9.6%

(14)  

  Type of reporting person (see instructions)

 

  OO

 


CUSIP No. 92763M105    13D/A    Page 11 of 17

 

  (1)    

  Names of Reporting Person

 

  Blackstone Inc.

  (2)  

  Check the appropriate box if a member of a group (see instructions)

  (a)  ☐        (b)  ☒

 

  (3)  

  SEC use only

 

  (4)  

  Source of funds (see instructions)

 

  OO

  (5)  

  Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  (6)  

  Citizenship or place of organization

 

  Delaware

Number of

shares

 beneficially 

owned by

each

reporting

person

with:

 

     (7)     

  Sole voting power

 

  7,002,347

     (8)   

  Shared voting power

 

  0

     (9)   

  Sole dispositive power

 

  7,002,347

   (10)   

  Shared dispositive power

 

  0

(11)    

  Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person

 

  7,002,347

(12)  

  Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (see instructions)

 

  ☐

(13)  

  Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11)

 

  9.6%

(14)  

  Type of reporting person (see instructions)

 

  CO


CUSIP No. 92763M105    13D/A    Page 12 of 17

 

  (1)    

  Names of Reporting Person

 

  Blackstone Group Management L.L.C.

  (2)  

  Check the appropriate box if a member of a group (see instructions)

  (a)  ☐        (b)  ☒

 

  (3)  

  SEC use only

 

  (4)  

  Source of funds (see instructions)

 

  OO

  (5)  

  Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  (6)  

  Citizenship or place of organization

 

  Delaware

Number of

shares

 beneficially 

owned by

each

reporting

person

with:

 

     (7)     

  Sole voting power

 

  7,002,347

     (8)   

  Shared voting power

 

  0

     (9)   

  Sole dispositive power

 

  7,002,347

   (10)   

  Shared dispositive power

 

  0

(11)    

  Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person

 

  7,002,347

(12)  

  Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (see instructions)

 

  ☐

(13)  

  Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11)

 

  9.6%

(14)  

  Type of reporting person (see instructions)

 

  OO


CUSIP No. 92763M105    13D/A    Page 13 of 17

 

 

  (1)    

  Names of Reporting Person

 

  Stephen A. Schwarzman

  (2)  

  Check the appropriate box if a member of a group (see instructions)

  (a)  ☐        (b)  ☒

 

  (3)  

  SEC use only

 

  (4)  

  Source of funds (see instructions)

 

  OO

  (5)  

  Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  (6)  

  Citizenship or place of organization

 

  United States

Number of

shares

 beneficially 

owned by

each

reporting

person

with:

 

     (7)     

  Sole voting power

 

  7,002,347

     (8)   

  Shared voting power

 

  0

     (9)   

  Sole dispositive power

 

  7,002,347

   (10)   

  Shared dispositive power

 

  0

(11)    

  Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person

 

  7,002,347

(12)  

  Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (see instructions)

 

  ☐

(13)  

  Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11)

 

  9.6%

(14)  

  Type of reporting person (see instructions)

 

  IN

 


CUSIP No. 92763M105    13D/A    Page 14 of 17

 

This Amendment No. 8 (“Amendment No. 8”) amends the statement on Schedule 13D filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on October 12, 2021, as amended by Amendment No. 1 filed on October 21, 2021, Amendment No. 2 filed on January 11, 2022, Amendment No. 3 filed on March 22, 2022, Amendment No. 4 filed on May 2, 2022, Amendment No. 5 filed on October 21, 2022, Amendment No. 6 filed on November 8, 2022 and Amendment No. 7 filed on April 17, 2023 (as amended, the “Schedule 13D”), with respect to the common units representing limited partnership interests (the “Common Units”) of Viper Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Issuer”) and is being filed pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Act. The principal executive offices of the Issuer are located at 500 West Texas Avenue, Suite 1200, Midland, TX 79701. Except as specifically amended by this Amendment No. 8, the Schedule 13D remains in full force and effect. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment No. 8 shall have the same meanings ascribed to them in the Schedule 13D.

Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer

Items 5(a)-(c) of the Schedule 13D are hereby amended and restated as follows:

(a) and (b) Calculations of the percentage of Common Units beneficially owned is based on 72,677,022 Common Units outstanding as of February 17, 2023, as reported in the Issuer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed by the Issuer with the Sec urities and Exchange Commission on February 23, 2023.

The aggregate number and percentage of the Common Units beneficially owned by each Reporting Person and, for each Reporting Person, the number of Common Units as to which there is sole power to vote or to direct the vote, shared power to vote or to direct the vote, sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition, or shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition are set forth on rows 7 through 11 and row 13 of the cover pages of this Schedule 13D and are incorporated herein by reference.

As of the date hereof, BX SWT ML Holdco LLC directly holds 7,002,347 Common Units.

BX Guidon Topco LLC is the sole member of BX SWT Holdco LLC. The controlling membership interests of BX Guidon Topco LLC are held by Blackstone Management Associates VI L.L.C. and Blackstone Energy Management Associates II L.L.C. BMA VI L.L.C. is the sole member of Blackstone Management Associates VI L.L.C. Blackstone EMA II L.L.C. is the sole member of Blackstone Energy Management Associates II L.L.C. Blackstone Holdings III L.P. is the managing member of each of BMA VI L.L.C. and Blackstone EMA II L.L.C. Blackstone Holdings III GP L.P. is the general partner of Blackstone Holdings III L.P. Blackstone Holdings III GP Management L.L.C. is the general partner of Blackstone Holdings III GP L.P. Blackstone Inc. is the sole member of Blackstone Holdings III GP Management L.L.C. The sole holder of the Series II preferred stock of Blackstone Inc. is Blackstone Group Management L.L.C. Blackstone Group Management L.L.C. is wholly-owned by Blackstone’s senior managing directors and controlled by its founder, Stephen A. Schwarzman.

Neither the filing of this Schedule 13D nor any of its contents shall be deemed to constitute an admission that any Reporting Person is the beneficial owner of the Common Units referred to herein for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Act, or for any other purpose and each of the Reporting Persons expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of such Common Units.

(c) Except as set forth below, none of the Reporting Persons has effected any transaction in Common Units since the filing of Amendment No. 7 on April 17, 2023.

The following Common Units held by BX SWT ML Holdco LLC were sold in multiple open market sale transactions as described below.


CUSIP No. 92763M105    13D/A    Page 15 of 17

 

Seller    Date      Number of
Common
Units
     Price per
Common Unit
 

BX SWT ML Holdco LLC

     04/18/2023        110,400      $  30.4349 (1)(2) 

BX SWT ML Holdco LLC

     04/18/2023        1,700,000      $ 30.00  

(1) Reflects the weighted average sales price. These Common Units were sold in multiple transactions ranging from $30.40 to $30.455, inclusive.

(2) The Reporting Persons hereby undertake to provide, upon request by the Securities and Exchange Commission staff, full information regarding the number of Common Units sold at each separate price.

Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer

The penultimate paragraph of Item 6 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and restated as follows:

As of April 20, 2023, the outstanding balance under the Margin Loan Agreement was approximately $133 million, and, pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, to secure borrowings under the Margin Loan Agreement, BX SWT ML Holdco LLC has pledged 7,002,347 Common Units.


CUSIP No. 92763M105    13D/A    Page 16 of 17

 

SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in the statement is true, complete and correct.

Date: April 20, 2023

 

BX SWT ML Holdco LLC
By:  

/s/ Brijesh Kalaria

Name: Brijesh Kalaria
Title: Vice President
BX Guidon Topco LLC
By:  

/s/ Brijesh Kalaria

Name: Brijesh Kalaria
Title: Vice President
Blackstone Management Associates VI L.L.C.
By: BMA VI L.L.C., its sole member
By:  

/s/ Tabea Hsi

Name: Tabea Hsi
Title: Authorized Signatory

Blackstone Energy Management Associates II L.L.C.

By: Blackstone EMA II L.L.C., its sole member

By:  

/s/ Tabea Hsi

Name: Tabea Hsi
Title: Authorized Signatory
BMA VI L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ Tabea Hsi

Name: Tabea Hsi
Title: Authorized Signatory
Blackstone EMA II L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ Tabea Hsi

Name: Tabea Hsi
Title: Authorized Signatory
Blackstone Holdings III L.P.
By:   Blackstone Holdings III GP L.P., its general partner
By:   Blackstone Holdings III GP Management L.L.C., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Tabea Hsi

Name: Tabea Hsi
Title: Senior Managing Director


CUSIP No. 92763M105    13D/A    Page 17 of 17

 

Blackstone Holdings III GP L.P.
By:   Blackstone Holdings III GP Management L.L.C., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Tabea Hsi

Name: Tabea Hsi
Title: Senior Managing Director
Blackstone Holdings III GP Management L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ Tabea Hsi

Name: Tabea Hsi
Title: Senior Managing Director
Blackstone Inc.
By:  

/s/ Tabea Hsi

Name: Tabea Hsi
Title: Senior Managing Director
Blackstone Group Management L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ Tabea Hsi

Name: Tabea Hsi
Title: Senior Managing Director
Stephen A. Schwarzman

/s/ Stephen A. Schwarzman