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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.    )
Filed by the Registrant   ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant   ☐
Check the appropriate box:

Preliminary Proxy Statement

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12
PLAINS GP HOLDINGS, L.P.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
   
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

No fee required.

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1)
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2)
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3)
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4)
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5)
Total fee paid:

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1)
Amount Previously Paid:
(2)
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3)
Filing Party:
(4)
Date Filed:

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[MISSING IMAGE: lg_plainsgphold-pn.jpg][MISSING IMAGE: lg_plainsgphold-pn.jpg]
Plains GP Holdings, L.P.
333 Clay Street, Suite 1600
Houston, Texas 77002
April 15, 2020​12, 2021
Dear Fellow Plains Investors,
As we invite you to participateattend our 2021 annual meeting, we thank you for your investment in our Plains All American and are pleased to provide you with a brief update on the Partnership.
2020 Annual Meeting, we acknowledgewas a very challenging year in many respects. Following a multi-year period of increased competition and margin compression in the unprecedented challenges our world, industry and company are currently navigating.
Between the effects ofmidstream sector, the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent increase incaused an unprecedented shock to global oil supplies,demand, commodity prices and domestic production activity levels, which reset the market environmentbase for our industry has changed significantly. Global demand for crude oil has been severely disrupted, crude oil prices have weakened and North American producer activity levelsproduction and exacerbated the oversupply of infrastructure capacity in the midstream sector.
Despite these and other challenges, I am proud of the way our employees and our company responded. With a strong asset base, integrated business model and exceptional employees, we are expectedwell positioned to decrease meaningfully.deliver on our key objectives of generating sustainable earnings, increasing financial flexibility by maximizing free cash flow, reducing leverage and increasing returns to equity holders over time, all while operating a safe, reliable and responsible business. Below are a few highlights of the steps we have taken to put the company into a position of strength for the future:
As a result, we recently announced several definitive actions in response to the current dynamic and uncertain market conditions to further strengthen our balance sheet and enhance our liquidity and long-term financial flexibility. These actions include:

ReducingIn 2020, we delivered financial results within 1% of our 2020/2021 capital program“pre-COVID” guidance, achieved our best year in key safety and environmental metrics, improved our 2020 cash position by $750 million, or 33% (reduced by $1.35approximately $1 billion or 47% including elimination of assumed JV project financing).and positioned our business to generate significant free cash flow after distributions in 2021.

Decreasing PAA common unit / PAGP Class A share distributions payableWe took definitive steps in May2020 to reinforce our financial position and flexibility by 50% (reductionaccelerating our company-wide shift from “growth” to “efficiency” mode through convergence of approximately $525our U.S. and Canadian businesses, streamlining functional areas, reducing our cost structure, executing $450 million on annualized basis).of asset sales at attractive valuations, optimizing our asset portfolio, and working to rationalize underutilized capacity.

Completing an additional $165We activated and commenced purchases under a $500 million asset sale ($440 million closed or under definitive agreement yearequity repurchase program, balancing this effort with our commitment to date).preserving our Investment Grade credit ratings and reducing leverage.

ContinuingWe continued to pursue capitalincrease our alignment with investors and cost reductions throughout the organizationexternal stakeholders by advancing our sustainability program, improving our disclosures and supply chain, as well as additional asset sales.continuing to enhance our executive compensation program and overall governance framework.
Acknowledging that we continue to navigate uncertain times, we have a positive outlook for the future given that hydrocarbons are essential to the security and advancement of human quality of life and will continue to play a major long-term role in the world economy. We believe thesea transition to lower carbon intensity will occur over an extended period of time and that all sources of energy, including hydrocarbons, will be required to meet global energy demand and provide a bridge to the future.
As an operator of essential infrastructure assets that are prudentstrategically positioned, highly integrated and proactive steps that further position usleveraged to ensure we have ample financial flexibility as we navigate a more challenging environment. We remain a well-capitalized company, and these actions help to ensure we remain in a healthy financial position while remaining focused on operating safely and responsibly. Thisglobal demand recovery, Plains is a difficult time, but we remain confident in our abilitywell positioned to manage through the challenges ahead.current environment and play a critical role in the industry for years to come.
We appreciate your continued support and investment and we look forward to your participation at our 20202021 Annual Meeting in May.
Sincerely,
[MISSING IMAGE: sg_williechiang-bw.jpg][MISSING IMAGE: sg_williechiang-bw.jpg]
Willie Chiang
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
PAA GP Holdings LLC
 

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[MISSING IMAGE: lg_plainsgphold-pn.jpg][MISSING IMAGE: lg_plainsgphold-pn.jpg]
Plains GP Holdings, L.P.
333 Clay Street, Suite 1600
Houston, Texas 77002
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held On May 20, 202019, 2021
To the holders of Class A, Class B and Class C shares of Plains GP Holdings, L.P.:
The 20202021 Annual Meeting (the “Annual Meeting”) of the Class A, Class B and Class C shareholders (collectively, our “Shareholders”) of Plains GP Holdings, L.P. will be held on May 20, 2020,19, 2021, at 2:303:00 p.m. Central Time,Time. Due to the continuing public health impact of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and to prioritize the health and well-being of our Shareholders, the PAGP Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual-only meeting format via live audio webcast. Shareholders may attend and participate in the Texas Conference Room, located on the 19th Floor of Three Allen Center, 333 Clay Street, Houston, Texas 77002.virtual PAGP Annual Meeting by visiting https://web.lumiagm.com/239148853 (Password: pagp2021). At the Annual Meeting, our Shareholders will consider and vote on the following matters:
1.
The election of twofour Class IIII directors to serve on the board of directors (the “Board”) of PAA GP Holdings LLC until the 20232024 annual meeting;
2.
The ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our and Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020;2021;
3.
The approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of our named executive officer compensation;
4.
The issuance of instructions by our Class A and Class B shareholders to Plains AAP, L.P. regarding its vote on the approval of the Plains All American 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan at the PAA Annual Meeting; and
4.5.
Any proposal to transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The Board unanimously recommends that our Shareholders vote “FOR” proposals 1, 2 and 3.3 and that our Class A and Class B shareholders instruct Plains AAP, L.P. to vote “FOR” proposal 4 at the PAA Annual Meeting. Additional information regarding these proposals is included in the attached proxy statement. Votes received on proposal 4 will be “passed through” as instructions to Plains AAP, L.P., which will vote the common units of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (“PAA”) that it owns at PAA's annual meeting pursuant to such instructions. See “Information about the PAGP and PAA Annual Meetings” below for more information.
We have set the close of business on March 23, 202026, 2021 as the record date for determining which of our Shareholders are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any postponements or adjournments thereof. A list of Shareholders entitled to vote is on file at our principal offices, 333 Clay Street, Suite 1600, Houston, Texas 77002, and will be available for inspection by any Shareholder of record during the meeting.
We are actively monitoring developments related tomeeting by using the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are sensitive to the public health and travel concerns of our Shareholders and the protocols that federal, state and local governments have imposedVoter Control Number listed on such Shareholder’s proxy card or may impose. In the event it is not possible or advisable to hold our Annual Meeting in person, we will announce alternative arrangements for the meeting as promptly as practicable, which may include holding the meeting solely by means of remote communication. If we take this step, details on how to participate will be posted on our company website and filed with the SEC.voting instruction forms.
 

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Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please cast your vote by following the Internet or telephone voting instructions on the proxy card. You may also vote by completing, signing and dating the accompanying proxy card and returning it promptly in the postage-prepaid envelope provided. See “Questions and Answers About the Annual Meeting — How do I vote?” in the attached proxy statement for more details. Returning the proxy card or voting on the Internet or by telephone does not deprive you of your right to attend the Annual Meeting and to vote your shares in person for the matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors of
PAA GP Holdings LLC, general partner of
Plains GP Holdings, L.P.
[MISSING IMAGE: sg_richardmcgee-bw.jpg][MISSING IMAGE: sg_richardmcgee-bw.jpg]
Richard McGee
Executive Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
Houston, Texas
April 15, 202012, 2021
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF
PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 20, 2020
19, 2021
The Notice of Annual Meeting, the proxy statement for the Annual Meeting and our 20192020 Annual
Report are available at http://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/21140/.
 

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PLAINS GP HOLDINGS, L.P.
PROXY STATEMENT
For
20202021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
To Be Held On May 20, 202019, 2021
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLAINS GP HOLDINGS, L.P.’S
ANNUAL MEETING
The board of directors (the “Board”) of PAA GP Holdings LLC our general partner (“PAGP GP” or our “general partner”), is soliciting proxies to be voted on behalf of our Class A, Class B and Class C shareholders (collectively, our “Shareholders”) at the 20202021 annual meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”). This proxy statement is being furnished to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of the Board for use at the Annual Meeting and includes information about the matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held on May 20, 2020,19, 2021, at 2:303:00 p.m. Central Time in a virtual-only meeting format via live audio webcast. Shareholders may access the Texas Conference Room, located on the 19th Floor of Three Allen Center, 333 Clay Street, Houston, Texas 77002.Annual Meeting online at https://web.lumiagm.com/239148853 (Password: pagp2021). References to “PAGP,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “ours” and similar terms refer to Plains GP Holdings, L.P.
Proxy materials, including the Notice of Annual Meeting, this proxy statement, proxy card and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20192020 (our “2019“2020 Annual Report”), are being mailed to Shareholders beginning on or about April 15, 2020.12, 2021.
We will furnish additional copies of our 20192020 Annual Report without charge upon the written request of any record or beneficial owner of our Class A, Class B or Class C shares whose proxy we are soliciting in connection with the Annual Meeting. Please address requests for additional copies of the 20192020 Annual Report to the Investor Relations Department, Plains All American, 333 Clay Street, Suite 1600, Houston, Texas 77002, or email your request to plainsir@paalp.com.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PAGP AND PAA ANNUAL MEETINGS
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (“PAA”) will hold an annual meeting of its unitholders (the “PAA Annual Meeting”) immediately prior to the PAGP Annual Meeting. At the PAA Annual Meeting, PAA unitholders (including Plains AAP, L.P.) will be asked to approve the Plains All American 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "PAA 2021 Plan") as described in proposal 4 below. PAA unitholders (excluding Plains AAP, L.P.) will also vote on a pass-through basis on proposals 1, 2 and 3 described below.
At the PAGP Annual Meeting, our Class A, Class B and Class C shareholders will be asked to approve proposals 1, 2 and 3 below. Each shareholder of record will be entitled to one vote for each Class A, Class B and Class C share owned for proposals 1, 2 and 3. Class A and Class B shareholders will also vote on a pass-through basis on proposal 4 described below by instructing Plains AAP, L.P. (“AAP”) how to vote the PAA common units that it owns on proposal 4 at the PAA Annual Meeting. AAP will vote (or refrain from voting) its PAA common units on proposal 4 at the PAA Annual Meeting consistent with instructions received from the Class A and Class B shareholders on the same proposal at the PAGP Annual Meeting.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
The following questions and answers are intended to address briefly some commonly asked questions regarding the Annual Meeting. These questions and answers may not address all questions that may be important to you as a Shareholder. Please refer to the additional information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement and the documents referred to in this proxy statement.
Q:
What is the purpose of these proxy materials?
A:
The Board is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting because you were a Shareholder at the close of business on March 23, 2020,26, 2021, the record date for the Annual Meeting (the “Record Date”), and are therefore entitled to receive notice regarding the Annual Meeting, and to attend and vote at the Annual Meeting. This proxy statement summarizes the information that you need to know in order to

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cast your vote at the Annual Meeting. As a Shareholder, your vote is very important and the Board strongly encourages you to exercise your right to vote. You do not need to attend the Annual Meeting in person to vote your shares, and we encourage you to vote even if you are unable to virtually attend the Annual Meeting. If you are unable to virtually attend the Annual Meeting, in person, you may vote by Internet, by telephone or by signing and returning the attached proxy card in the envelope provided. See “How do I vote?” below.
Q:
What is the recommendation of the Board?
A:
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote:vote in the following manner:

FOR the election of each of Alexandra PrunerGreg L. Armstrong, John T. Raymond, Bobby S. Shackouls and Lawrence ZiembaChristopher M. Temple as a Class IIII director of the Board to serve until the 20232024 annual meeting;

FOR the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our and Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020; and2021;

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FOR the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of our named executive officer compensation.compensation; and
Q:
To instruct AAP to vote FOR the approval of the Plains All American 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan at the PAA Annual Meeting.
Q:
When and where is the Annual Meeting?
A:
The Annual Meeting will be held on May 20, 2020,19, 2021, at 2:303:00 p.m. Central Time via live audio webcast. In order to attend and participate in the Texas Conference Room, locatedAnnual Meeting, please visit https://web.lumiagm.com/239148853, enter the control number found on your proxy card and enter the 19th Floorpassword (pagp 2021). Only Shareholders of Three Allen Center, 333 Clay Street, Houston, Texas 77002.record as of March 26, 2021 are entitled to vote and ask questions at the Annual Meeting. If you are not a Shareholder of record but hold shares in “street name” through a brokerage firm, bank, dealer or other similar organization, trustee, or nominee (generally referred to in this proxy statement as a “broker”), you may attend the Annual Meeting as a guest. Please note that if you hold shares in “street name” through a broker and desire to vote your shares online during the Annual Meeting or ask questions during the Annual Meeting, you must request and obtain a valid “legal proxy” from your broker and register to attend the Annual Meeting as a Shareholder with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC.
We are actively monitoring developments related toInformation on who can vote or ask questions online during the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are sensitive to the public health and travel concerns of our Shareholders and the protocols that federal, state and local governments have imposed or may impose. In the event it is not possible or advisable to hold our Annual Meeting in person, we will announce alternative arrangementsis discussed immediately below.
Q:
Who can vote and ask questions at the Annual Meeting?
A:
You are entitled to vote and ask questions at the Annual Meeting if you were a Shareholder of record as the close of business on March 26, 2021, the record date for the meeting as promptly as practicable, whichAnnual Meeting.
Shareholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name.   You are a Shareholder of record if your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, at the close of business on March 26, 2021. As a Shareholder of record, you may include holdingvote online and ask questions during the meeting solely by means of remote communication. IfAnnual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to virtually attend the Annual Meeting, we take this step, detailsurge you to submit a proxy to ensure your vote is counted. See page 3 for detailed instructions on how to participatevote your shares.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker. If your shares were held in an account at a broker at the close of business on March 26, 2021, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and the broker holding your account is considered to be the Shareholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to virtually attend the Annual Meeting as a guest. Because you are not the Shareholder of record, you may not vote your shares or ask questions at the Annual Meeting unless you request and obtain a valid legal proxy from the organization that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares at the Annual Meeting. Follow the

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instructions from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request a legal proxy form.
After obtaining a valid legal proxy from your broker, bank or other agent, to then register to attend the Annual Meeting as a Shareholder, you must submit proof of your legal proxy reflecting the number of your shares along with your name and email address to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. Requests for registration should be directed to proxy@astfinancial.com or to facsimile number 718-765-8730. Written requests can be mailed to:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC
Attn: Proxy Tabulation Department
6201 15th Avenue | Brooklyn, NY 11219
Requests for registration must be labeled as “Legal Proxy” and be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 12, 2021.
You will be posted on our company websitereceive a confirmation of your registration by email after we receive your registration materials. Once registered, you may attend the Annual Meeting, submit questions and filed withvote your shares by visiting https://web.lumiagm.com/239148853 (Password: pagp2021) during the SEC.meeting. Follow the instructions provided to vote. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time leaving ample time to complete the check-in process.
Q:
What if I have technical difficulties accessing or participating in the Annual Meeting?
A:
If you encounter difficulties accessing or participating in the Annual Meeting, please visit https://go.lumiglobal.com/faq for help and support.
Q:
Who is soliciting my proxy?
A:
The Board is sending or otherwise providing you access to this proxy statement in connection with its solicitation of proxies for use at the Annual Meeting.
Q:
Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?
A:
All holders of our Class A, Class B and Class C shares at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to receive notice of the Annual Meeting and to vote the Class A, Class B and Class C shares that they held on the Record Date at the Annual Meeting.
Each Shareholder is entitled to one vote for each Class A, Class B and Class C share owned for proposals 1, 2 and 3, and each Class A and Class B shareholder is entitled to one vote for each Class A and Class B share owned for proposal 4. The votes cast on all mattersproposal 4 will be passed through as instructions to be consideredAAP regarding how it should vote the PAA common units it owns on proposal 4 at the PAA Annual Meeting. On March 23, 2020, 184,172,42126, 2021, 194,097,504 Class A shares, 63,167,00450,811,332 Class B shares and 550,707,207547,590,593 Class C shares were issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (“PAA”)PAA owns all of the issued and outstanding Class C shares and will vote such shares on a “pass-through” basis on proposals 1, 2 and 3 at the Annual Meeting on behalf of and according to the direction of its eligible unitholders as determined at its annual meeting, which will be held prior to the PAA Annual Meeting.
Q:
How do I vote?
A:
If you are a Shareholder of record at the close of business on the Record Date, you may vote your shares by proxy in advance of the Annual Meeting by any of the following methods:

Internet.Voting online before the meeting.   You may visit the Internet address listed on your proxy card. Internet voting procedures have been established to verify your identity and to confirm your voting instructions. Please have your proxy card available when you visit the Internet address.

Voting online during the meeting.   You may attend the Annual Meeting by visiting https://web.lumiagm.com/239148853 (Password: pagp2021), where Shareholders will be able to listen to the meeting live, submit questions and vote online during the meeting. To vote your shares online during the Annual Meeting, please read the “Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker”

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answer under the question “Who can vote and ask questions at the Annual Meeting?” for instructions on how to register to attend the Annual Meeting as a Shareholder. A beneficial owner must be registered to attend the Annual Meeting as a Shareholder and must have a Voter Control Number issued by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC in order to vote online during the meeting.

Telephone.   You may call the toll-free telephone number listed on your proxy card. Telephone voting procedures have been established to verify your identity, to allow you to provide proxy voting instructions and to confirm that your instructions were accurately recorded. Please have your proxy card available when you call.

Mail.   You may mail your completed, signed and dated proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope.
Internet and telephone voting will be available to Shareholders of record 24 hours a day until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 19, 2020,18, 2021, the night before the Annual Meeting. If you use the Internet or the toll-free telephone number to provide your proxy voting instructions, you do not need to mail in your proxy card. If you mail in your proxy card, it must be received by PAGP before the voting polls close at the Annual Meeting.
You may also attend the Annual Meeting and vote your shares in person. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote your proxy in advance of the Annual Meeting (by Internet, telephone or mail, as described above) as soon as possible so that your shares will be represented at the Annual Meeting if for any reason you are unable to attend in person.virtually.

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If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, you must either direct your broker or other nominee as to how to vote your shares, or obtain a “legal” proxy from your broker or other nominee to vote at the Annual Meeting. Please refer to the voter instruction forms provided by your broker or other nominee for specific instructions on methods of voting.
Each Shareholder that attends the Annual Meeting in person may be asked to present valid picture identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. Please also note that if you hold your shares in “street name” (that is, through a broker, bank or other nominee), you must bring a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting your share ownership as of the Record Date and sign in at the registration desk at the meeting. Additionally, if you attend the Annual Meeting in a representative capacity for a Shareholder, you must provide evidence of your authorityregister to attend the Annual Meeting andpursuant to the instructions above in order to vote on behalf of such Shareholder.during the Annual Meeting.
Q:
What do I do if I want to change my vote after I have already voted by proxy?
A:
If you are a Shareholder of record at the close of business on the Record Date, you may change your vote at any time before the voting polls close at the Annual Meeting by:

submitting a proxy with new voting instructions using the Internet or telephone voting system (please note, however, that the deadline for voting through the Internet or by telephone is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 19, 2020)18, 2021);

delivering a later-dated, executed proxy card to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219;

delivering a written notice of revocation of your proxy to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219; or

attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.online during the Annual Meeting pursuant to the instructions above. Please note that virtual attendance at the Annual Meeting will not by itself (i.e., without also voting) revoke a previously granted proxy.
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and you have instructed your broker or other nominee to vote your shares, you must follow the procedure your broker or other nominee provides to change those instructions. You may also vote in person atonline during the Annual Meeting if you obtain a “legal” proxy from your broker or other nominee.nominee and register to attend the Annual Meeting pursuant to the instructions above.
Q:
What is a broker non-vote?
A:
A broker non-vote occurs when shares held by a broker, bank or other nominee on behalf of a beneficial owner are not voted with respect to a particular matter because the broker lacks discretionary authority to vote the shares and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. Brokers, banks and other nominees only have discretionary authority to vote on routine proposals; they are prohibited from voting on non-routine proposals without instructions from the beneficial owner. The ratification of the independent auditor (Proposal 2) is the only routine matter on which brokers, banks and other nominees may vote in their discretion on behalf of beneficial owners who have not

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provided voting instructions. The election of directors (Proposal 1) and, the advisory vote to approve our named executive officer compensation (Proposal 3) and the instruction to AAP regarding approval of the Plains All American 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Proposal 4) are non-routine matters. If a broker returns a proxy with a voting choice selected for a routine proposal but with no voting choice selected for a non-routine proposal, the result is a broker non-vote. Broker non-votes are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum at the meeting, but are not considered votes cast and will have no impact on non-routine matters. Accordingly, we do not expect there to be any broker non-votes for Proposal 2 and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes either “FOR” or “AGAINST” Proposals 1, 3 and 3.4.
Q:
What constitutes a quorum?
A:
The holders of a majority of the outstanding Class A, Class B and Class C shares entitled to vote and represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting.
Your shares will be counted as present at the Annual Meeting if:

you are virtually present and vote in person at the meeting; or

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you, or your broker if you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, have submitted a properly executed proxy.
Executed proxies received but marked as abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
Q:
What vote is required to approve the proposals discussed in this proxy statement?
A:
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the proposals to be voted upon by the Class A, Class B and Class C shareholders at the Annual Meeting:
ProposalVoting Options
Vote Required for Approval of Proposal at the
Annual Meeting
1.   To elect twofour Class IIII directors to serve on the Board until the 20232024 annual meeting.You may vote “FOR”, or you may “WITHHOLD” authority to vote for, all, some or none of the nominees for director.Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast, in person or by proxy, by the holders of our Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast and will have no effect on the election of directors.
2.   To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as PAA’sPAGP’s and PAGP’sPAA’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020.2021.You may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the proposal, or you may “ABSTAIN” from voting.This proposal must receive a majority of the votes cast, in person or by proxy, by the holders of theour Class A, Class B and Class C shares present and entitled to vote, voting as a single class. Abstentions will be counted as votes present and entitled to vote and will have the same effect as votes “AGAINST” this proposal. We do not expect there to be any broker non-votes for this proposal.

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ProposalVoting Options
Vote Required for Approval of Proposal at the
Annual Meeting
3.   To approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, our named executive officer compensation.You may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the proposal, or you may “ABSTAIN” from voting.This proposal must receive a majority of the votes cast, in person or by proxy, by the holders of theour Class A, Class B and Class C shares present and entitled to vote, voting as a single class. Abstentions will be counted as votes present and entitled to vote and will have the same effect as votes “AGAINST” this proposal. Broker non-votes are not considered votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the additional proposal with respect to which Class A and Class B Shareholders will instruct AAP how to vote its PAA common units at the PAA Annual Meeting. AAP will vote (or refrain from voting) on this matter at the PAA Annual Meeting consistent with instructions received from the PAGP Class A and Class B shareholders on the same proposal at the Annual Meeting.
ProposalVoting Options
Vote Required for Approval of Proposal at the
PAA Annual Meeting
4.   To instruct AAP regarding its vote on the approval of the Plains All American 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan at the PAA Annual Meeting.You may instruct AAP to vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the proposal, or to “ABSTAIN” from voting.This proposal must receive a majority of the votes cast, in person or by proxy, by the holders of PAA’s common units and Series A preferred units present and entitled to vote, voting as a single class at the PAA Annual Meeting. Abstentions will be counted as votes present and entitled to vote and will have the same effect as votes “AGAINST” this proposal. Broker non-votes are not considered votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.
Q:
Who covers the expense of the proxy solicitation?
A:
The expense of preparing, printing and mailing this proxy statement and the proxies solicited hereby will be borne by us. In addition to the use of the mail, proxies may be solicited by PAGP GP’s directors and officers, as well as by employees of Plains All American GP LLC (“GP LLC”), without additional remuneration, by mail, phone, fax or in person. We will also request brokerage firms, banks, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries to forward proxy materials to the beneficial owners of our shares as of the Record Date and will provide reimbursement for the cost of forwarding the proxy materials in accordance with customary practice. Your cooperation in promptly voting your shares electronically, via the Internet or by telephone, or by signing and returning the enclosed proxy card will help to avoid additional expenses. We have hired Georgeson LLC to solicit proxies for a fee of $9,000$10,000 plus reasonable expenses for additional services.
Q:
What if I do not mark a voting choice for some of the matters listed on my proxy card?
A:
If you return a signed proxy card without indicating your voting choice, your shares will be voted in accordance with the Board’s recommendation for each proposal with respect to which a voting choice is not indicated.

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Q:
Who will tabulate and certify the vote?
A:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC will tabulate and certify the vote, and will have a representative present at the Annual Meeting to act as the independent inspector of elections for the Annual Meeting.
 
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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF CLASS IIII DIRECTORS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR”
THE ELECTION OF EACH OF ALEXANDRA PRUNERGREG L. ARMSTRONG, JOHN T. RAYMOND, BOBBY S. SHACKOULS AND LAWRENCE ZIEMBA
CHRISTOPHER M. TEMPLE AS A CLASS IIII DIRECTOR OF OUR GENERAL PARTNER’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Board and Governance Structure
Summary of Recent Changes.   Investors have voiced a preference for certain governance practices, and over the course of the last fourseveral years, our board and governance structure has evolved and changed in ways that we believe are meaningfully beneficial to investors. Highlights of some of the key changes are as follows:
2016

In November 2016, we replacedReplaced our dual board structure for PAA and PAGP with a unified governance structure that resulted in the Board being solely responsible for the governance of PAA, Plains AAP L.P. (“AAP”) and PAGP;

Also in November 2016, we amendedAmended our governing documents to enfranchise all shareholders of PAGP and all public common unitholders and Series A preferred unitholders of PAA by providing for shareholder elections of directors commencing in 2018 (directors divided into three classes with independent directors in each class subject to elections on(on a staggered three year rolling basis);
2017

We recently amendedAdded Asian American director to the Board (subsequently became Chairman of the Board in January 2020);
2018

Held first annual meeting for the election of directors;

Added new independent female director to the Board;
2019

Amended our governing documents to require that a majority of our Board satisfy the NYSEapplicable stock exchange independence requirements, despite the fact that as a limited partnership we are exempt from such requirement;

Since December 2018, the number of independent directors on our board, and correspondingly the number of directors subject to elections, has increased from six to eight, and the number of designated directors has decreased from three to one,1 bringing the total number of independent directors currently subject to election to eightrequirements (seven out of 12, or approximately 67%211 (64%) of our current Board members have been assessed by the Board and determined to be independent);

We recently amendedAmended our governing documents to create a strong lead independent director role in connection with the retirement of our former Chairman and the re-combination of the roles of Chairman and CEO; and

During 2019,With the assistance of our governance committee, led the Board throughexecuted a comprehensive board assessment, refreshment and succession planning process that included a skills and needs assessment, the development of a formal board succession plan and director performance evaluations; as a part of this effort, we have added two
2020

Added new independent directors who bring diversity of experience and genderdirector to our Board.the Board;
1
UnderAppointed independent chairman to compensation committee;

Adopted Equity Ownership Guidelines and Clawback Policy;
2021

Established a new committee, the Health, Safety, Environmental and Sustainability (“HSES”) Committee, to assist the Board in its oversight of various HSES matters and facilitate the efforts of management to further strengthen our focus on sustainability and ESG matters;

Mandated that the members of all Board committees be independent; and

Amended our governing documents as of January 1, 2019 three parties (affiliates of Kayne Anderson Investment Management, Inc. (“Kayne Anderson”), Occidental Petroleum Corporation (“Occidental”) and EMG Investment, LLC (“EMG”)) held a previously negotiated legacy contractual right to designate a director to serve onincrease the Board for so long as such party and its affiliates maintained a 10% “qualifying ownership interest” in AAP (as defined in our governing documents). During 2019, Occidental sold all of its interest in AAP and EMG’s interest dropped below the 10% threshold, which resulted in both entities losing the right to designate a director and the removal of their previously appointed directors from the Board. EMG’s previously appointed director, John Raymond, was subsequently re-appointed to the Board and determined to be independent under applicable NYSE rules. Kayne Anderson continues to hold the right to designate a director and their designated director is Robert Sinnott, whose independence has not been assessed by the Board.
2
One of our independent Board members, Everardo Goyanes, passed away unexpectedly on March 30, 2020, reducing the total number of directors from 13subject to 12. The Board has not yet taken any action onpublic election by adding the resulting vacancy. Mr. Goyanes,three directors who served as chairmanare current or former members of management (resulting in 10 of our 11 current director positions being subject to public election, with the audit committee until December 31, 2019, also served as a Class I Director and had been nominated by the Board to stand for re-election at the 2020 Annual Meeting.only exception being our remaining designated director).
 
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General Overview and Board Makeup.   Our Board has responsibility for managing the business and affairs of PAGP, PAA and AAP. Subject to limited exceptions, theThe Board may consist of up to 13currently has 11 members, including the CEO, who currently serves as Chairman of the Board. As contemplated by our governing documents, because the roles of CEO and Chairman of the Board are held by the same person, the Board has designated one of our independent directors (Bobby Shackouls) to serve as Lead Director. Our governing documents also require that at least a majority of directors must meet the independence requirements of the national securities exchange on which the securities of PAA and PAGP are listed (currently the NYSE)Nasdaq).
The Board is divided into three staggered classes, (excluding those directors who are also officers or employees of GP LLC), as set forth below. At each annual meeting, only the eligible directors of a class whose term is expiring (i.e., directors of such class who are not “designated” directors) will be up for election and, upon election, the elected directors in that class will serve for a term of three years, subject to a director’s earlier resignation, death or removal. If a director is elected to the Board to fill a vacancy, that director will have the same remaining term as his or her predecessor.
Independent
Audit
Committee
Compensation
Committee
Governance
Committee
Chairman
HSES
of the
BoardCommittee
Chairman
of the
Board
Lead
Director
Class I Directors
(Term expires 2020)
2023)
Alexandra Pruner*Willie Chiang, Chairman of the Board and CEO
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Lawrence M. Ziemba*Alexandra D. Pruner
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J. Taft Symonds
(Not standing for re-election)Lawrence M. Ziemba
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Class II Directors
(Term expires 2022)
Victor Burk
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Kevin S. McCarthy1
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Harry N. Pefanis, President
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Gary R. Petersen
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Robert V. Sinnott(1)
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Class III Directors
(Term expires 2021)
John T. Raymond
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Bobby S. Shackouls
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Christopher M. Temple
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Other Directors
(Not part of a Class)
Greg L. Armstrong, Senior Advisor to the CEO
(former (former Chairman of the Board and CEO)
��
Willie Chiang, Chairman of the
Board and CEO
*
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Harry N. Pefanis, President and
Chief Commercial Officer
John T. Raymond*
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Bobby S. Shackouls*
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Christopher M. Temple*
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*
Nominated by the Board for re-election at the 20202021 Annual Meeting.
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Determined by the Board to be independent under applicable NYSE and/orNasdaq and SEC rules.
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Designated Director or Company Employee — independence has not been assessed by the Board.
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Committee Member
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Committee Chairman
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Chairman of the Board
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Lead Director
(1)1
Mr. SinnottMcCarthy serves as Kayne Anderson’s designated director.
 
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As described in the summary highlights above, since 2016, the Board has taken numerous meaningful steps to provide PAGP shareholders and PAA unitholders the right to vote for members of the Board. At a special meeting of PAGP shareholders called by the Board and held in November 2016 in connection with our simplification transaction (the “Simplification Transaction”), our shareholders overwhelmingly approved the following changes to our governing documents, among others:

the implementation of a unified governance structure for PAA and PAGP that resulted in the Board being responsible for the governance of PAGP, AAP and PAA; and

the division of the Board into three classes and the commencement of shareholder elections of directors by class starting in 2018, with the participation and enfranchisement of all shareholders of PAGP and all public common unitholders and Series A preferred unitholders of PAA.
These features distinguish PAGP and PAA from many of their midstream master limited partnership peers. It is important to note that while not all directors arebut one of the current director positions is subject to public election each year,on a staggered three-year basis, with the lone exception being attributable to a previously negotiated contractual right to designate a director designation rights held by Kayne Anderson. Pursuant to our governing documents, Kayne Anderson Occidental and EMG as of the beginning of 2019 represented fundamental legacy governance rights that such investors wereis legally and contractually entitled to exercisedesignate a director for so long as they maintained theirKayne Anderson and its affiliates maintain a 10% qualifying“qualifying ownership interestinterest” in AAP. During 2019, the ownership interests of Occidental and EMG dropped below the 10% qualifying threshold and the director positions previously occupied by such investors’ designees are now subject to shareholder election. The Board currently includes only oneAAP (as defined in our governing documents). Kayne Anderson’s designated director (Robert Sinnott). It should also be noted that while Messrs. Chiang (Chairman and CEO), Armstrong (former Chairman and CEO) and Pefanis (President and Chief Commercial Officer) are not subject to shareholder election, they are accountable to and serve at the discretion of the Board, approximately 67% of which is independent and currently subject to shareholder elections.Kevin McCarthy. Together with the alignment of interests among investors that was created through the elimination of PAA’s incentive distribution rights in connection with the Simplification Transaction, the Board has put in place an overall governance structure that vastly improvedimproves the governance rights of our investors and which we believe is regarded by many as a structure that, together with other factors, produces a degree of alignment with our investors that places us at the top of our master limited partnership peers for the midstream sector regarding governance structure and rights. The Board believes that the continued implementation of the modified governance structure as approved by PAGP’s shareholders, together with honoring and abiding by the contractual rights of our largest investors,designation right held by Kayne Anderson, is in line with the will and expectations of investors in PAA and PAGP.
Director and Nominee Experience and Qualifications
With respect to any director nominations made by the Board in connection with annual director elections or in the event of a vacancy with respect to directors other than a designated director, in each case to the extent requested by the Chairman of the Board, the governance committee assists in identifying and screening potential candidates. The governance committee makes its recommendations based on an assessment of the skills, experience and characteristics of the candidate in the context of the needs of the Board. AlthoughIt is the policy and practice of the governance committee does not have a formal policy with regard toand the consideration of diversity in identifying and assessing director nominees, it has considered and will continueBoard to consider diversity in a number of areas (including diversity of gender, race ethnicity, experience and expertise)ethnicity) in connection with the process of identifying and assessing potential Board candidates.
During 2019, with the assistance of the governance committee, led the Board throughinitiated a board assessment, refreshment and succession planning process. This process includedincludes (i) an annual assessment of the skills, background and experience of our directors, which wasis used to identify potential enhancement areas relative to the ideal mix of skills, background and experience for our board, (ii) the development and maintenance of a board succession plan that identifies near and longer-term actions including the development ofand includes succession plans for each board committee, and (iii) anthe annual evaluation by each director of the performance of every other director in a variety of categories that directly impact overall board performance and effectiveness. Board succession planning efforts and director evaluations are updated on a regular basis. The governance committee also oversees the Board’s annual self-assessment process.

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In evaluating director nominees and in reviewing the qualifications and experience of the directors continuing in office, the governance committee and Board considersconsider a variety of factors, including independence, financial literacy, personal and professional accomplishments, diversity and experience in light of the

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needs of the company. For incumbent directors, factors also include past performance on the Board. The Board has determined that it is beneficial to have individuals on the Board with the following skills, experiences, and characteristics:characteristics (See the Director Skills Matrix below for an overview of the skills, experiences and characteristics of our current Board members):

Public Company Experience (Officer/Director)

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/Government Relations

Operations/Engineering/Construction

Industry Experience (Upstream/
(Upstream/Midstream/Downstream)

Private Equity

Diversity (gender, race or ethnicity)(Gender/Race/Ethnicity)

International

Cybersecurity/IT
Director Skills Matrix
ArmstrongBurkChiangMcCarthyPefanisPetersenPrunerRaymondShackoulsTempleZiemba
Public Company Experience
Finance/Accounting
Business Development/ Strategy/Commercial
Legal/Governance/ Government Relations
Operations/Engineering/
Construction
Industry Experience
Private Equity
Diversity
International
Cybersecurity/IT

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Class IIII Directors Standing for Election at thisthe 2021 Annual Meeting
The Board proposes that Ms. Prunerhas nominated Messrs. Armstrong, Raymond, Shackouls and Mr. Ziemba,Temple, current non-designated Class IIII directors, be elected to serve untilfor election at the 20232021 annual meeting. Ms. Pruner and Mr. Ziemba haveEach nominee has consented to serve if elected.elected and, if elected, will serve until the 2024 annual meeting. If eitherany of themthe nominees becomes unavailable to serve as a director prior to the Annual Meeting, the Board may designate a substitute nominee, or the Board may decide to reduce the size of the Board. In the case of a substitute nominee, the persons named as proxies will vote for the substitute nominee designated by the Board.
ALEXANDRA PRUNERGREG L. ARMSTRONG
Not Independent
PAGP/PAA Director
since 20181998
CommitteesFormer Chairman:
Auditand CEO
Alexandra Pruner,Greg L. Armstrong, age 58,62, has served as a director of PAGP GP since December 2018. Ms. Pruner has served as a Senior Advisor of Perella Weinberg Partners (“PWP”), a global independent advisory firm providing strategic and financial advice and asset-management services, and its energy division, Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co., since December 2018. She previously served as Partner and Chief Financial Officer of PWP from December 2016 through November 2018. She served as CFO and a member of the Management Committee at Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. from the firm’s founding in 2007 until its combination with PWP in 2016. Ms. Pruner served as a director and member of the Audit Committee of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation from December 2018 until August 2019. She2013. He has also served as a directorSenior Advisor to the CEO since January 1, 2020. Mr. Armstrong served as Chairman of NRG Energy, Inc. since Octoberthe Board of PAGP GP from July 2013 through December 31, 2019 and as a director of Encino Acquisition Partners, LLC since November 2019. She is the founder and a board member of Women’s Global Leadership Conference in Energy & Technology, is an Emeritus Director of the Amegy Bank Development Board, and is Chair of Brown University’s President’s Advisory Council on the Economics Department. She also serves on the Board of the Houston Zoo, among other volunteer efforts. Ms. Pruner holds a BA in Economics from Brown University. The Board has determined that Ms. Pruner is “independent” under applicable NYSE rules and qualifies as an “Audit Committee Financial Expert.” Ms. Pruner’s extensive experience in the energy industry from a variety of perspectives, along with her strong finance and investment banking background, make her uniquely qualified to serve on the Board.
Board Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/​Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/​Government Relations

Industry Experience

Diversity

International

Cybersecurity/IT

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LAWRENCE ZIEMBA
Independent
PAGP/PAA Director since 2020
Lawrence M. Ziemba, age 64, has served as a directorChief Executive Officer of PAGP GP since January 2020. Mr. Ziemba served as Executive Vice President, Refining, and a member of the executive committee of Phillips 66 from May 2012July 2013 until his retirement from such position in December 2017. From 2001 to May 2012, he served in various downstream positions with ConocoPhillips, including most recently as President, Global Refining, and a member of the executive committee. He also held various positions of increasing responsibility with Tosco/Unocal from 1977 to 2001. He has held a number of industry leadership positions, including with API and AFPM. He currently serves on the board of directors of PBF Logistics GP LLC. He also serves on the board of trustees of Duchesne Academy in Houston, where he chairs the finance committee. Mr. Ziemba received a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois — Champaign and an MBA from the University of Chicago. The Board has determined that Mr. Ziemba is “independent” under applicable NYSE rules. We believe that his operations, technical and project management expertise, coupled with his business sense and understanding of strategic positioning in the energy space, adds a diverse operating and downstream perspective to the Board.
Board Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/​Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/​Government Relations

Operations/Engineering/​Construction

Industry Experience

International
Other Directors Not Standing for Election at this Annual Meeting
Class II Directors (terms expire in 2022):
VICTOR BURK
Independent
PAGP/PAA Director since 2010
Committees:
Audit (chair)
Victor Burk, age 70, has served as a director of PAGP GP since January 2014. He has been a Managing Director for Alvarez and Marsal, a privately owned professional services firm, since April 2009. From 2005 to 2009, Mr. Burk was the global energy practice leader for Spencer Stuart, a privately owned executive recruiting firm. Prior to joining Spencer Stuart, Mr. Burk served as managing partner of Deloitte & Touche’s global oil and natural gas group from 2002 to 2005. He began his professional career in 1972 with Arthur Andersen and served as managing partner of Arthur Andersen’s global oil and natural gas group from 1989 until 2002. Mr. Burk served on the board of directors and audit committee of EV Management, LLC, the ultimate general partner of EV Energy Partners, L.P., a publicly traded limited partnership engaged in the acquisition, development and production of oil and natural gas, from September 2006 until JuneOctober 2018. Mr. Burk served as a director and as chairman of the audit committee of PNGS GP LLC, the general partner of PAA Natural Gas Storage, L.P., from April 2010 through December 2013. Mr. Burk also serves as a board member of the Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He received a BBA in Accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University, graduating with highest honors. The Board has determined that Mr. Burk is “independent” under applicable NYSE rules and qualifies as an “Audit Committee Financial Expert.” We believe that Mr. Burk’s background, spanning over 30 years of extensive public accounting and consulting experience in the energy industry, coupled with his demonstrated leadership abilities, bring valuable experience and insight to the Board.
Board Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/​Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/​Government Relations

Industry Experience

International

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GARY R. PETERSEN
Independent
PAGP/PAA Director since 2001
Committees:
Compensation
Governance
Gary R. Petersen, age 73, has served as a director of PAGP GP since November 2016. He served as a director of PAA’s general partner from June 2001 until November 2016. Mr. Petersen is a Managing Partner of EnCap Investments L.P., an investment management firm which he co-founded in 1988. He also served as a directorChief Executive Officer of EV Energy Partners, L.P.GP LLC from September 2006PAA’s formation in 1998 until Junehis retirement from that position in October 2018. He had previously served as Senior Vice President and Manager of the Corporate Finance Division of the Energy Banking Group for RepublicBank Corporation. Prior to his position at RepublicBank, he was Executive Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors of Nicklos Oil & Gas Company from 1979 to 1984. He served from 1970 to 1971 in the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant in the Finance Corps and as an Army Officer in the Army Security Agency. He is a member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the Houston Producers Forum and the Petroleum Club of Houston. Mr. Petersen holds BBA and MBA degrees in finance from Texas Tech University. The Board has determined that Mr. Petersen is “independent” under applicable NYSE rules. Mr. Petersen has been involved in the energy sector for a period of more than 35 years, garnering extensive knowledge of the energy sectors’ various cycles, as well as the current market and industry knowledge that comes with management of approximately $18 billion of energy-related investments. In tandem with the leadership qualities evidenced by his executive background, we believe that Mr. Petersen brings numerous valuable attributes to the Board.
Board Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/​Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/​Government Relations

Industry Experience

Private Equity

International

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ROBERT V. SINNOTT
Designated Director — 
Independence Not Assessed
PAGP/PAA Director since 1998
Committees:
Compensation (chair)
Robert V. Sinnott, age 70, has served as a director of PAGP GP since October 2013. He served as a director of PAA’s general partner or former general partner from September 1998PAA’s formation until November 2016. Mr. Sinnott is Co-Chairman2016 when the Board of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. (an investment management firm). He also served as a Managing Director from 1992PAGP GP assumed responsibility for PAA in addition to 1996, Senior Managing Director from 1996 until 2010PAGP and AAP. In addition, he was President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officerdirector of Plains Resources Inc. from 2010 until 2016. He1992 to May 2001 and served as Presidentin various roles of Kayne Anderson Investment Management, Inc.,increasing responsibility from 1981 to 1992. Mr. Armstrong is Chair of the general partnerFederal Reserve Bank of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P., until July 2019. Mr. Sinnott served asDallas, and is a director of Kayne Anderson Energy Development Company from 2006 through June 2013. He was Vice Presidentthe Memorial Hermann Health System and Senior Securities OfficerNOV, Inc. Mr. Armstrong is also a member of the Investment Banking Division of Citibank from 1986 to 1992, and previously held positions with United Energy Resources, a pipeline company, and Bank of America in its oil and gas finance department. Mr. Sinnott serves as vice-chairmanadvisory board of the boardMaguire Energy Institute at the Cox School of directorsBusiness at Southern Methodist University, a member of Kayne Anderson Acquisition Corp., a blank check company that intends to acquire and operate a business in the energy industry. He also serves as a director of California Resources Corporation. Mr. Sinnott received a BA fromadjunct faculty for the University of VirginiaOklahoma’s Executive MBA in Energy program and an MBA from Harvard.is the Immediate Past Chairman of the National Petroleum Council. Mr. Sinnott’s extensive investment management background includesArmstrong’s experience with PAA since its formation, including as former Chairman and CEO, and his current role of overseeing approximately $15 billion of energy-related investments. Coupled with his directlong-time involvement in the energy sector, spanning more than 30 years,industry, provide the breadth of his current marketBoard with invaluable insight and industry knowledge is enhanced by the depth of his knowledge of the various cycles in the energy sector. We believe that as a result of his background and knowledge, as well as the attributes of leadership demonstrated by his executive experience, Mr. Sinnott brings substantial experience and skill to the Board.perspective.
Board Qualifications:Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/Government Relations

Operations/Engineering/ Construction

Industry Experience

Private EquityInternational

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Class III Directors (terms expire in 2021):
JOHN T. RAYMOND
Independent
PAGP/PAA Director
since 2010
Committees:
Compensation (chair)
John T. Raymond, age 49,50, has served as a director of PAGP GP since October 2013. He served as a director of PAA’s general partner from December 2010 until November 2016. Mr. Raymond is the founder and majority owner of The Energy & Minerals Group (“EMG”), which is the management company for a series of specialized private equity funds. EMG was founded in 2006 and focuses on investing across various facets of the global natural resource industry including the upstream and midstream segments of the energy complex. As of November 15, 2019,September 30, 2020, EMG had approximately $13$10 billion of regulatory assets under management and approximately $12 billion in commitments have been allocated across the energy sector since inception. From 1998 until founding EMG, Mr. Raymond held various executive leadership positions with several energy companies, including Plains Resources Inc. (the publicly traded predecessor company to Vulcan Energy), Plains Exploration and Production Company, Kinder Morgan, Inc. and Ocean
Board Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/ Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/ Government Relations

Operations/Engineering/ Construction

Industry Experience

Private Equity

International

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Energy, Inc. From 1992 to 1998, he was a Vice President with Howard Weil Labouisse Friedrichs, Inc. Mr. Raymond has been a direct or indirect owner of PAA’s general partner since 2001 and served on the board of PAA’s general partner from 2001 to 2005. He serves on numerous other private company boards and currently serves on the board of NGL Energy Holdings LLC, the general partner of NGL Energy Partners, L.P. Mr. Raymond received a BSM degree from the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University with dual concentrations in finance and accounting and currently sits on the board of the Business School Council. He also serves as a director on the board of the American Heart Association, as a member of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors and is a member of YPO. The Board has determined that Mr. Raymond is “independent” under applicable NYSENasdaq and SEC rules. We believe that Mr. Raymond’s experience with investment in and management of a variety of upstream and midstream assets and operations provides a valuable resource to the Board.
Board Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/​Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/​Government Relations

Operations/Engineering/​Construction

Industry Experience

Private Equity

International

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BOBBY S. SHACKOULS
Lead Director
Independent
PAGP/PAA Director
since 2010
Committees:
Governance (chair)
Bobby S. Shackouls, age 69,70, has served as a director of PAGP GP since January 2014 and as Lead Director since January 2020. Mr. Shackouls served as Chairman of Burlington Resources Inc. from 1997 until its acquisition by ConocoPhillips in 2006, and continued to serve on the ConocoPhillips Board of Directors until his retirement in May 2011. Prior thereto, Mr. Shackouls served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Meridian Oil, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Burlington Resources, from 1994-1995, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Burlington Resources from 1995 until 2006. Mr. Shackouls currently servesserved as a director and member of the audit and corporate governance committees of The Kroger Co., from 1999 until January 2021, as a director chairman of the compensation committee and member of the nominating and governance committee of Oasis Petroleum from 2012 until November 2020, and as a director and member of the audit committee of Quintana Energy Services.Services from January 2019 until July 2020. He served as a director and member of the audit committee of PNGS GP LLC, the general partner of PAA Natural Gas Storage, L.P., from April 2010 through December 2013. The Board has determined that Mr. Shackouls is “independent” under applicable NYSENasdaq and SEC rules. We believe that Mr. Shackouls’ extensive experience within the energy industry offers valuable perspective and, in tandem with his long history of leadership as the CEO of a public company, make him highly qualified to serve as a member of the Board.
Board Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/Government Relations

Operations/Engineering/Construction

Industry Experience

International

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CHRISTOPHER M. TEMPLE
Independent
PAGP/PAA Director
since 2009
Committees:
Compensation
HSES
Christopher M. Temple, age 52,53, has served as a director of PAGP GP since November 2016. He served as a director of PAA’s general partner from May 2009 until November 2016. He is President of DelTex Capital LLC (a private investment firm) and serves as an Operating Executive/Consultant to Tailwind Capital. He served as Chairman of Brawler Industries, LLC, a Midland, Texas based distributor of engineered plastics used in the exploration and production of oil and gas, from September 2012 to July 2016. As part of his role as an Operating Executive with Tailwind Capital, Mr. Temple serves on the board of HMT Tank, LLC a provider of above-ground storage tank products and services, as well ason the board of Loenbro, Inc., an industrial services and construction contractor. He also serves on the board and is chairman of the audit committee of Owl Rock Capital Corporation, Owl Rock Capital Corporation II, Owl Rock Capital Corporation III, Owl
Board Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/ Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/ Government Relations

Industry Experience

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Rock Core Income Corporation and Owl Rock Technology Finance Corporation, each of which are Business Development Companies providing debt and equity financing to middle-market companies across a variety of industries.Corporation. Mr. Temple served as the President of Vulcan Capital, the private investment group of Vulcan Inc., from May 2009 until December 2009 and as Vice President of Vulcan Capital from September 2008 to May 2009. Mr. Temple served on the boardas Chairman of directors and audit committeeBrawler Industries, LLC from September 2012 to July 2016, as a director of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings from April 2011 through May 2017. Mr. Temple previously served on the board of directors2017, and audit committeeas a director of Charter Communications, Inc. from November 2009 through January 2011. Prior to joining Vulcan in September 2008, Mr. Temple served as a managing director at Tailwind Capital LLC from May to August 2008. Prior to joining Tailwind, Mr. Temple was a managing director at Friend Skoler & Co., Inc. from May 2005 to May 2008. From April 1996 to December 2004, Mr. Temple was a managing director at Thayer Capital Partners. Additionally, Mr. Temple was a licensed CPA serving clients in the energy sector with KPMG in Houston, Texas from 1989 to 1993. Mr. Temple holds a BBA, magna cum laude, from the University of Texas and an MBA from Harvard. The Board has determined that Mr. Temple is “independent” under applicable NYSENasdaq and SEC rules. Mr. Temple has a broad investment management background across a variety of business sectors, as well as experience in the energy sector. We believe that this background, along with the leadership attributes indicated by his executive experience, provide an important source of insight and perspective to the Board.
Board Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/​Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/ Government Relations

Operations/Engineering/​Construction

Industry Experience

Private Equity

Cybersecurity/IT

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Other Directors (not part of a Class)Not Standing for Election at the 2021 Annual Meeting
Class I Directors (terms expire in 2023):
GREG L. ARMSTRONG
Not Independent
PAGP/PAA Director since 1998
Former Chairman and CEO
Greg L. Armstrong, age 61, has served as a director of PAGP GP since 2013. He has also served as Senior Advisor to the CEO since January 1, 2020. Mr. Armstrong served as Chairman of the Board of PAGP GP from July 2013 until January 2020 and as Chief Executive Officer of PAGP GP from July 2013 until his retirement in October 2018. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of GP LLC from PAA’s formation in 1998 until his retirement from that position in October 2018. He served as a director of PAA’s general partner or former general partner from PAA’s formation until November 2016 when the Board of PAGP GP assumed responsibility for PAA in addition to PAGP and AAP. In addition, he was President, Chief Executive Officer and director of Plains Resources Inc. from 1992 to May 2001 and served in various roles of increasing responsibility from 1981 to 1992. Mr. Armstrong is a director and Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, and a director of National Oilwell Varco, Inc. Mr. Armstrong is also a member of the advisory board of the Maguire Energy Institute at the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, a member of the adjunct faculty for the University of Oklahoma’s Executive MBA in Energy program and is the Immediate Past Chairman of the National Petroleum Council.
Board Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/​Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/​Government Relations

Operations/Engineering/​Construction

Industry Experience

International
WILLIE CHIANG
Not Independent
PAGP/PAA Director
since 2017
Chairman and CEO
Willie Chiang, age 59,60, has served as a director of PAGP GP since February 2017, as Chief Executive Officer of PAGP GP and GP LLC since October 2018 and as Chairman of the Board since January 2020. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of PAGP GP and GP LLC from January 2018 until October 2018. He also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (U.S.) of PAGP GP and GP LLC from August 2015 through December 2017. Prior to joining Plains, Mr. Chiang served as Executive Vice President — Operations for Occidental Petroleum Corporation from 2012 until 2015. From 1996 until 2012, he served in various positions at ConocoPhillips, including most recently as Senior Vice President — Refining, Marketing, Transportation and Commercial. He serves as chair of the Society for the Performing Arts and as chair of the finance committee for the United Way of Greater Houston. He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and completed the Advanced Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chiang’s role as CEO and his broad experience in the energy industry, together with his leadership capabilities and strategic focus, make him highly qualified to serve on the Board.
Board Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/Government Relations

Operations/Engineering/Construction

Industry Experience

InternationalDiversity

DiversityInternational
 
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ALEXANDRA D. PRUNER
Independent
PAGP/PAA Director
since 2018
Committees:
Audit
Governance
Alexandra Pruner, age 59, has served as a director of PAGP GP since December 2018. Ms. Pruner has served as a Senior Advisor of Perella Weinberg Partners (“PWP”), a global independent advisory firm providing strategic and financial advice and asset-management services, and its energy division, Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co., since December 2018. She previously served as Partner and Chief Financial Officer of PWP from December 2016 through November 2018. She served as CFO and a member of the Management Committee at Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. from the firm’s founding in 2007 until its combination with PWP in 2016. Ms. Pruner served as a director and member of the audit committee of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation from December 2018 until August 2019. She has also served as a director of NRG Energy, Inc. since October 2019 and as a director of Encino Acquisition Partners, LLC since November 2019. She is the founder and a board member of Women’s Global Leadership Conference in Energy & Technology, is an Emeritus Director of the Amegy Bank Development Board, and is Chair of Brown University’s President’s Advisory Council on the Economics Department. She also serves on the Board of the Houston Zoo, among other volunteer efforts. Ms. Pruner holds a BA in Economics from Brown University. The Board has determined that Ms. Pruner is “independent” under applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules and qualifies as an “Audit Committee Financial Expert.” Ms. Pruner’s extensive experience in the energy industry from a variety of perspectives, along with her strong finance and investment banking background, make her uniquely qualified to serve on the Board.
Board Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/ Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/ Government Relations

Industry Experience

Diversity

International

Cybersecurity/IT
LAWRENCE M. ZIEMBA
Independent
PAGP/PAA Director
since 2020
Committees:
Audit
HSES (chair)
Lawrence M. Ziemba, age 65, has served as a director of PAGP GP since January 2020. Mr. Ziemba served as Executive Vice President, Refining, and a member of the executive committee of Phillips 66 from May 2012 until his retirement in December 2017. From 2001 to May 2012, he served in various downstream positions with ConocoPhillips, including most recently as President, Global Refining, and a member of the executive committee. He also held various positions of increasing responsibility with Tosco/Unocal from 1977 to 2001. He has held a number of industry leadership positions, including with API and AFPM. He currently serves on the board of directors of PBF Logistics GP LLC. He also serves on the board of trustees of Duchesne Academy in Houston, where he chairs the finance committee. Mr. Ziemba received a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois — Champaign and an MBA from the University of Chicago. The Board has determined that Mr. Ziemba is “independent” under applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules. We believe that his operations, technical and project management expertise, coupled with his business sense and understanding of strategic positioning in the energy space, adds a diverse operating and downstream perspective to the Board.
Board Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/ Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/ Government Relations

Operations/Engineering/ Construction

Industry Experience

International

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Class II Directors (terms expire in 2022):
VICTOR BURK
Independent
PAGP/PAA Director
since 2010
Committees:
Audit (chair)
Victor Burk, age 71, has served as a director of PAGP GP since January 2014. He has been a Managing Director for Alvarez and Marsal, a privately owned professional services firm, since April 2009. From 2005 to 2009, Mr. Burk was the global energy practice leader for Spencer Stuart, a privately owned executive recruiting firm. Prior to joining Spencer Stuart, Mr. Burk served as managing partner of Deloitte & Touche’s global oil and natural gas group from 2002 to 2005. He began his professional career in 1972 with Arthur Andersen and served as managing partner of Arthur Andersen’s global oil and natural gas group from 1989 until 2002. Mr. Burk served on the board of directors and audit committee of EV Energy Partners, L.P. from September 2006 until June 2018. Mr. Burk served as a director and as chairman of the audit committee of PNGS GP LLC, the general partner of PAA Natural Gas Storage, L.P., from April 2010 through December 2013. Mr. Burk also serves as a board member of the Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He received a BBA in Accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University, graduating with highest honors. The Board has determined that Mr. Burk is “independent” under applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules and qualifies as an “Audit Committee Financial Expert.” We believe that Mr. Burk’s background, spanning over 30 years of extensive public accounting and consulting experience in the energy industry, coupled with his demonstrated leadership abilities, bring valuable experience and insight to the Board.
Board Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/ Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/ Government Relations

Industry Experience

International
KEVIN S.
MCCARTHY
Designated Director — 
Independence Not
Assessed
PAGP/PAA Director
since 2020
Committees:
none
Kevin S. McCarthy, age 61, has served as a director of PAGP GP since October 2020. He currently serves as Vice Chairman at Kayne Anderson, where he co-founded the firm’s energy infrastructure securities activities, and served as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Kayne Anderson’s closed-end funds from 2004 through July 2019. Prior to joining Kayne Anderson in 2004, Mr. McCarthy was global head of energy investment banking at UBS Securities LLC and held similar positions at PaineWebber Incorporated and Dean Witter Reynolds. Mr. McCarthy serves as a director of Altus Midstream Company and Whiting Petroleum Corporation, and previously served as a director of Range Resources Corporation, ONEOK, Inc., Emerge Energy Services LP and K-Sea Transportation Partners L.P. He also sits on the board of directors of the Gladney Fund. Mr. McCarthy earned a BA in economics and geology from Amherst College and an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. McCarthy’s extensive investment management background and involvement in the energy sector, along with the breadth and depth of his market and industry knowledge, brings substantial experience, insight and skill to the Board.
Board Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/ Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/ Government Relations

Industry Experience

Private Equity

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HARRY N. PEFANIS
Not Independent
PAGP/PAA Director
since 2017
President and Chief Commercial Officer
Harry N. Pefanis, age 62,63, has served as a director of PAGP GP since February 2017 and as President of PAGP GP and GP LLC since March 2021. He previously served as President and Chief Commercial Officer of PAGP GP and GP LLC sincefrom January 2018.2018 until March 2021. He served as President and Chief Operating Officer of GP LLC from PAA’s formation in 1998 through December 2017, and as President and Chief Operating Officer of PAGP GP from July 2013 through December 2017. He was also a director of PAA’s former general partner. In addition, he was Executive Vice President — Midstream of Plains Resources from May 1998 to May 2001. He previously served Plains Resources as: Senior Vice President from February 1996 until May 1998; Vice President — Products Marketing from 1988 to February 1996; Manager of Products Marketing from 1987 to 1988; and Special Assistant for Corporate Planning from 1983 to 1987. Mr. Pefanis was also President of several former midstream subsidiaries of Plains Resources prior to PAA’s formation. Mr. Pefanis is a director of Settoon Towing. He also serves as lead independent director of Oasis Midstream Partners, L.P. He is also a director of the Memorial Hermann Foundation. Mr. Pefanis’s involvement with PAA since its formation and his considerable operational, commercial, accounting and financial experience brings important and valuable skills to the Board.
Board Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/Government Relations

Operations/Engineering/Construction

Industry Experience

International
GARY R. PETERSEN
Independent
PAGP/PAA Director
since 2001
Committees:
Compensation
Governance
Gary R. Petersen, age 74, has served as a director of PAGP GP since November 2016. He served as a director of PAA’s general partner from June 2001 until November 2016. Mr. Petersen is a Managing Partner of EnCap Investments L.P., an investment management firm which he co-founded in 1988. He also served as a director of EV Energy Partners, L.P. from September 2006 until June 2018. He had previously served as Senior Vice President and Manager of the Corporate Finance Division of the Energy Banking Group for RepublicBank Corporation. Prior to his position at RepublicBank, he was Executive Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors of Nicklos Oil & Gas Company from 1979 to 1984. He served from 1970 to 1971 in the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant in the Finance Corps and as an Army Officer in the Army Security Agency. He is a member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the Houston Producers Forum and the Petroleum Club of Houston. Mr. Petersen is a director of the Memorial Hermann Health System and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. He also sits on the board of trustees of The Council on Recovery. Mr. Petersen holds BBA and MBA degrees in finance from Texas Tech University. The Board has determined that Mr. Petersen is “independent” under applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules. Mr. Petersen has been involved in the energy sector for a period of more than 35 years, garnering extensive knowledge of the energy sectors’ various cycles, as well as the current market and industry knowledge that comes with management of approximately $18 billion of energy-related investments. In tandem with the leadership qualities evidenced by his executive background, we believe that Mr. Petersen brings numerous valuable attributes to the Board.
Board Qualifications:

Public Company Experience

Finance/Accounting

Business Development/ Strategy/Commercial

Legal/Governance/ Government Relations

Industry Experience

Private Equity

International
 
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS
Our Management and Governance
We own a 100% managing member interest in GP LLC, which owns a non-economic general partner interest in AAP. As of March 23, 2020,26, 2021, we also owned, directly and through GP LLC, a 74.5%79.3% limited partner interest in AAP, which directly owns approximately 248.4245.6 million of PAA’s outstanding common units (representing approximately 31% of PAA’s outstanding common units and Series A preferred units combined). AAP is the sole member of PAA GP LLC, which directly holds the non-economic general partner interest in PAA. PAGP GP holds a non-economic general partner interest in us and manages our operations and activities. We own a 77%an 81% membership interest in PAGP GP and the balance of the membership interests in PAGP GP are owned by various individuals and entities. The Board has responsibility for managing the business and affairs of PAGP, PAA and AAP.
We and our general partner have no employees. All of our officers and other personnel necessary for our business to function (to the extent not out-sourced) are employed by GP LLC. All of the officers of our general partner are also officers of GP LLC. Our general partner’s executive officers spend the substantial majority of their time managing the business of PAA, which benefits us as PAA’s performance will determine our success. We estimate that these officers spend less than 10% of their time on our business, as distinct from PAA’s business. The actual time devoted by these officers to managing our business as well as PAA’s will fluctuate as a result of the relative activity level between the two entities.
Our Class A shareholders are limited partners and do not directly or indirectly participate in our management or operation. Unlike holders of common stock in a corporation, our shareholders have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business or governance, subject in all cases to any specific shareholder rights contained in our partnership agreement. In connection with the Simplification Transactions completed in November 2016, we expanded the voting rights of our shareholders to include the election of directors and, in 2018, we began holding annual meetings for this purpose. For a description of the steps we have taken to strengthen our governance structure and expand the voting rights of our shareholders, as well as a description of our Board structure and information regarding the election of Directors, see “Proposal 1  —  Election of Class IIII Directors  —  Board and Governance Structure” above.
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
Effective with the retirement of Mr. Armstrong as Chairman of the Board at the end of 2019, after carefully considering the issue over the course of several meetings, our Board determined that it was in the best interests of PAGP and PAA to re-combine the offices of CEO and Chairman of the Board, and Mr. Chiang assumed the role of Chairman of the Board while continuing to serve as CEO. The Board also approved an amendment to our governing documents that established a strong Lead Director role, requires that one of our independent directors serve as the Lead Director for so long as the CEO and Chairman roles are held by the same person, and clearly delineates the respective responsibilities of the Chairman and the Lead Director. The Board has no set policy with respect to the separation of the offices of Chairman and CEO; rather the Board believes it is in the best interests of PAA and PAGP for the Board to review ongoing conditions and circumstances and to make an appropriate determination to separate, or maintain as combined, the CEO and Chairman roles at the time a new CEO succeeds the current CEO, or upon a significant change in circumstances. In connection with the re-combination of the Chairman and CEO roles effective January 1, 2020, the Board appointed Mr. Shackouls to serve as Lead Director.
TheWith respect to the management of enterprise-level risk (ELR), including cybersecurity risks, may be defined aswhich is the process of identifying, managing and monitoring events that present opportunities and risks with respect to the operation of our business and the creation of value for our shareholders. Theshareholders, the Board has delegated primary responsibility to management the primary responsibility for ELR management, while the Board hasand retained responsibility for oversight of management in that regard.responsibility. Management provides a formal ELR assessment to the Board at least once every year.
We believe that our Board leadership structure supports the Board’s risk oversight function by facilitating open and regular communication between management and the directors, which allows informed oversight of management’s processes for identifying and managing significant risks and their impact on

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PAA’s business. For example, in connection with its ongoing management and assessment of the risks facing

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PAA as a result of the impacts to its business resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and OPEC related matters, management has assembled a cross-disciplinary crisis management team, which includes all of our executive officers, that ishas continuously monitoringmonitored developments throughout the rapidly evolving situation.pandemic. Executive management has been in regular communication with the Board, has had several meetings with the Board and has provided numerous updates and related information to the Board regarding the assessment and management of the significant risks to PAA and its business.business as a result of the pandemic. In addition, the CEO/Chairman has beenis in regular contact with the Lead Director to make sure the Board is receiving the information it needs and has the opportunity to provide feedback and input to management, in each case as required for the Board to discharge its oversight role with respect to the risks facing PAA and its business in the current environment.
Non-Management Executive Sessions and Shareholder Communications
Non-management directors meet in executive session in connection with each regular Board meeting. During 2019, the Chairman of the Board acted as presiding director at each such regularly scheduled executive session. Beginning in 2020, theseThese sessions have been and will continue to beare presided over by the Lead Director. As circumstances warrant, non-management directors may also meet in executive sessions of special meetings of the Board.
Interested parties can communicate directly with non-management directors by mail in care of the General Counsel and Secretary or in care of the Vice President of Internal Audit at Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., 333 Clay Street, Suite 1600, Houston, Texas 77002. Such communications should specify the intended recipient or recipients. Commercial solicitations or communications will not be forwarded.
Independence Determinations and Audit Committee
Because we are a limited partnership, the listing standards of the NYSENasdaq do not require that we or our general partner have a majority of independent directors on the Board, or that we establish or maintain a nominating or compensation committee of the Board. Nonetheless, we recently modifiedhave amended the PAGP GP LLC Agreement to require that our Board have a majority of independent directors and, as described further below, we have a compensation committee as well as a governance committee that effectively performs the functions of a nominating committee. Wewho are required to have an audit committee consisting of at least three members, and each member of the audit committee is required to be “independent” as defined in applicable NYSENasdaq and SEC rules.
To be considered independent under NYSENasdaq listing standards, our Board must determine that a director has no material relationship with us other thanthat would interfere with the exercise of independent judgement in carrying out his or her responsibilities as a director. The standards specify the criteria by which the independence of directors will be determined, including guidelines for directors and their immediate family members with respect to employment or affiliation with us or with our independent public accountants. Although the Board has not assessed the independence of our designated director (Mr. Sinnott)McCarthy), the Board has assessed the independence of the eightseven directors thatwho are not current or former members of management (Messrs. Burk, Petersen, Raymond, Shackouls, Symonds, Temple, Ziemba and Ms. Pruner) and has concluded that all of such directors are independent under applicable NYSE and/orNasdaq and SEC standards.
Audit Committee
Our audit committee reviews our external financial reporting, engages our independent auditors, and reviews the adequacy of our internal accounting controls. The charter of our audit committee is available on our website. See “— Meetings and Other Information” for information on how to access or obtain copies of this charter. The Board has determined that each member of our audit committee (Messrs. Burk (chair), SymondsZiemba and Ms. Pruner) is (i) “independent” under applicable NYSENasdaq and SEC rules, and (ii) financially literate,literate. The Board has also determined that each of Mr. Burk and (iii)Ms. Pruner qualifies as an “Audit Committee Financial Expert,”Expert” as that term is defined in Item 407 of Regulation S-K.
Compensation Committee; Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Although not required by NYSENasdaq listing standards, we have a compensation committee that reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding the compensation for theour executive officers and administers our long-term equity compensationincentive plans for officers and key employees. The compensation committee has delegated

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limited authority to the CEO to administer our long-term incentive plans with respect to employees and non-Section 16 officers below the Senior Vice President level. The charter of our compensation committee is available on our website. See “— Meetings and Other Information” for information on how to access or obtain copies of this charter. The compensation committee currently consists of Messrs. SinnottRaymond (chair), Petersen and Raymond.Temple. Under applicable stock exchange rules, none of the members of our compensation committee are required to be “independent.“independent;Althoughhowever, the Board has not assessedcharter of our compensation

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committee requires that all members of the independence of Mr. Sinnott given his status as a designated director,committee be independent and the Board has determined that Messrs. Petersen and Raymondall of the current members of such committee are independent under applicable stock exchange rules.and SEC standards. The compensation committee has the sole authority to retain any compensation consultants to be used to assist the committee. During 2019 and 2020, the compensation committee engaged Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC to conduct an independent review and benchmark study of our executive compensation program and practices. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below for more information.
During 2019,2020, none of the members of the compensation committee was an officer or employee of ours or any of our subsidiaries, or served as an officer of any company with respect to which any of our executive officers served on such company’s board of directors. In addition, none of the members of the compensation committee are former employees of ours or any of our subsidiaries. Mr. Petersen is associated with EnCap, Mr. Raymond is associated with EMG and Mr. Sinnott is associated with Kayne Anderson and its affiliates.EMG. We have relationships with certain of these entities.entities affiliated with EMG. See “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.”
Governance and Other CommitteesCommittee
Although not required by NYSENasdaq listing standards, we also have a governance committee that periodically reviews our governance guidelines and other governancestructure, policies and documents,principles, oversees the Board’s annual assessmentself-assessment and committee evaluation process, and assists with succession planning and related activities, including identifying and assessing director nominees among other governance related matters. See "Proposal 1 — Election of Class III Directors — Board and Governance Structure" for additional information regarding activities of our governance committee. The charter of our governance committee is available on our website. See “— Meetings and Other Information” for information on how to access or obtain copies of this charter. The governance committee currently consists of Messrs. Shackouls (chair), Petersen and Symonds.Ms. Pruner. Under applicable stock exchange rules, none of the members of our governance committee are required to be “independent;” however, the charter of our governance committee requires that all members of the committee be independent and the Board has determined that all of the current members of our governancesuch committee are independent under applicable stock exchange rules.and SEC standards.
HSES Committee
In February 2021, the Board established the Health, Safety, Environmental and Sustainability (“HSES”) Committee. The HSES committee will assist the Board in its evaluation and oversight of our (i) management of HSES matters, including compliance with applicable laws and regulations; (ii) management of systems and plans to protect the health and safety of employees, contractors, customers, the environment, the communities where we operate, our assets, and our reputation; and (iii) plans to adjust to HSES trends and related risks to more effectively achieve our long-term business and sustainability objectives. Through the discharge of its oversight responsibilities, the HSES committee will facilitate the efforts of management to further strengthen our focus on sustainability and ESG matters. The charter of our HSES committee is available on our website. See “— Meetings and Other Information” for information on how to access or obtain copies of this charter. The HSES committee currently consists of Messrs. Ziemba (chair) and Temple, both of whom are independent under applicable stock exchange and SEC standards.
Meetings and Other Information
During 2020, our Board had nine meetings, our audit committee had ten meetings, our compensation committee had two meetings and our governance committee had two meetings. In addition, members of our compensation committee and governance committee held numerous conference calls and discussions throughout the year on various compensation and governance related matters. All directors have access to members of management, and a substantial amount of information transfer and informal communication occurs between meetings. In 2020, all of our directors attended all meetings of the Board and applicable committees of the Board on which the director served (100% attendance rate), other than one former director who attended all except one meeting (87.5% attendance rate). Board members are encouraged, but not required to attend our annual meetings; eight Board members attended our annual meeting in 2020.
All of our standing committees have charters. Our committee charters and governance guidelines, as well as our Code of Business Conduct (which describes our Core Values) and our Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers (which applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal

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accounting officer), are available under the Structure and Governance tab in the Investor Relations section of our Internet website at http://www.plainsallamerican.com. We intend to disclose any amendment to or waiver of the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers and any waiver of our Code of Business Conduct on behalf of an executive officer or director either on our Internet website or in an 8-K filing. We regularly post important information on our website, including information regarding our sustainability efforts.
Conflicts Committee/Fiduciary Duties
Our partnership agreement provides for the establishment of a conflicts committee as circumstances warrant to review conflicts of interest between us and our limited partners, on the one hand, and our general partner, its owners and their respective affiliates, on the other hand. Such committee would consist of a minimum of two independent, non-employee members of the Board. Our partnership agreement provides that any matters approved by the conflicts committee will be conclusively deemed to be fair and reasonable to us, approved by all of our partners, and not a breach by our general partner of any duties owed to us or our shareholders. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons.”
Our general partner is liable for all of our debts (to the extent not paid from our assets), except for indebtedness or other obligations that are made specifically non-recourse to it. Our general partner has the sole discretion to incur indebtedness or other obligations on our behalf on a non-recourse basis to the general partner. Although our general partner has not exercised such discretion in the past, it may do so in the future.
Meetings and Other Information
BoardAudit
Committee
Compensation
Committee
Governance
Committee
Number of Formal Meetings71021
In addition to these formal meetings, members of our compensation committee and governance committee held numerous conference calls and discussions throughout the year on various compensation and governance related matters. All directors have access to members of management, and a substantial

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amount of information transfer and informal communication occurs between meetings. None of our directors attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and applicable committees of the Board on which the director served. We do not have a policy regarding Board member attendance at annual meetings; five Board members attended the 2019 annual meeting.
All of our standing committees have charters. Our committee charters and governance guidelines, as well as our Code of Business Conduct (which describes our Core Values) and our Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers (which applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer), are available under the Structure and Governance tab in the Investor Relations section of our Internet website at http://www.plainsallamerican.com. We intend to disclose any amendment to or waiver of the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers and any waiver of our Code of Business Conduct on behalf of an executive officer or director either on our Internet website or in an 8-K filing.

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DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires directors, executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC and the NYSENasdaq initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of such equity securities. Such persons are also required to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file. Such reports are accessible on or through our Internet website at http://www.plainsallamerican.com.
Based solely upon a review of the copies of Forms 3, 4 and 5 furnished to us, or written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were required, we believe that our executive officers and directors complied with all filing requirements with respect to transactions in our equity securities during 2019.2020.
 
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our executive officers (for purposes of Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K) as of the date of this proxy statement. Executive officers are appointed by the Board. There is no family relationship between any executive officer and director.
Name
Age (as
(as of
3/23/20)26/21)
Position
Willie Chiang*5960Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Harry N. Pefanis*6263President Chief Commercial Officer and Director
Al Swanson5657Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Richard K. McGee5960Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Chris R. Chandler4849Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Jeremy L. Goebel4243Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer
Chris Herbold4748Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
*
Biographical information for Messrs. Chiang and Pefanis is located under Proposal 1 — Election of Class IIII Directors.
Al Swanson has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of GP LLC since February 2011. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from November 2008 through February 2011, as Senior Vice President — Finance from August 2008 until November 2008 and as Senior Vice President — Finance and Treasurer from August 2007 until August 2008. He served as Vice President — Finance and Treasurer from August 2005 to August 2007, as Vice President and Treasurer from February 2004 to August 2005 and as Treasurer from May 2001 to February 2004. In addition, he held finance related positions at Plains Resources including Treasurer from February 2001 to May 2001 and Director of Treasury from November 2000 to February 2001. Prior to joining Plains Resources, he served as Treasurer of Santa Fe Snyder Corporation from 1999 to October 2000 and in various capacities at Snyder Oil Corporation including Director of Corporate Finance from 1998, Controller — SOCO Offshore, Inc. from 1997, and Accounting Manager from 1992. Mr. Swanson began his career with Apache Corporation in 1986 serving in internal audit and accounting. Mr. Swanson also serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of PAGP GP.
Richard K. McGee has served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of GP LLC since February 2013. He served as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary from March 2012 until February 2013 and served as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel from August 2011 through March 2012. He also served as Vice President — Legal and Business Development of PAA’s natural gas storage business from September 2009 through March 2012. From January 1999 to July 2009, he was employed by Duke Energy, serving as President of Duke Energy International from October 2001 through July 2009 and serving as general counsel of Duke Energy Services from January 1999 through September 2001. He previously spent 12 years at Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., where he was a partner with a focus on acquisitions, divestitures and development work for various clients in the energy industry. Mr. McGee also serves as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of PAGP GP.
Chris R. Chandler has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of GP LLC since March 2019. He served as Senior Vice President — Strategic Planning and Acquisitions since joining Plains in May 2018 until March 2019. Mr. Chandler has more than 2025 years of energy industry experience. Prior to joining Plains, he served in a number of leadership roles at Phillips 66, most recently as General Manager — Corporate Strategy, and previously as General Manager — Midstream Commercial and Business Development, as well as numerous leadership roles in refining. Mr. Chandler also serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of PAGP GP.
Jeremy L. Goebel has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer since March 1, 2021. He previously served as Executive Vice President — Commercial of GP LLC sincefrom March 2019. He served2019 until March 2021, as Senior Group Vice President — Commercial from May 2018 to March 2019, as Senior Vice President — Acquisitions and Strategic Planning from April 2017 until May 2018, as Vice

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President — Acquisitions and Strategic Planning from July 2015 until April 2017, as Assistant Vice President — Lease

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Supply from July 2014 until July 2015, and as Managing Director — Acquisitions and Strategic Planning from January 2013 until July 2014. Prior to joining Plains in 2013, he was employed by Simmons & Company International. Mr. Goebel has over 20 years of energy and investment banking experience. Mr. Goebel also serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of PAGP GP.
Chris Herbold has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of GP LLC since August 2018. He served as Vice President — Accounting and Chief Accounting Officer from August 2010 until August 2018. He served as Controller of PAA from 2008 until August 2010. He previously served as Director of Operational Accounting from 2006 to 2008, Director of Financial Reporting and Accounting from 2003 to 2006 and Manager of SEC and Financial Reporting from 2002 to 2003. Prior to joining PAA in April 2002, Mr. Herbold spent seven years working for the accounting firm Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Herbold also serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of PAGP GP.
 
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Committee Report
The compensation committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding the compensation for theour executive officers and directors. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the compensation committee reviewed and discussed the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis (sometimes referred to as “CD&A”) with management and, based on such review and discussion, has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.
Robert V. Sinnott, John T. Raymond, Chairman
Gary R. Petersen
John T. RaymondChristopher M. Temple
Compensation Discussion and AnalysisAnalysis*
For 2019,2020, our Named Executive Officers (sometimes referred to as “NEOs”) include our CEO, our President, and Chief Commercial Officer, our CFO, and the three most highly compensated executive officers (other than our CEO and CFO). Our Named Executive Officers for 20192020 include the following individuals:

Willie Chiang

Harry Pefanis

Al Swanson

Richard McGee

Chris Chandler

Jeremy Goebel
AsMr. Pefanis is a result of his requestco-founder and substantial equity owner and for the last several years has requested to not participate in the 2019 long-term incentive program,program. As a result, Mr. Pefanis is not one of the three most highly compensated executive officers, but he is included as a Named Executive Officer given the significance of his role (President and Chief Commercial Officer)Officer during 2020).
2019Executive Compensation HighlightsGeneral Philosophy and Approach
AtOur executive compensation philosophy emphasizes pay for performance, at both an individual and entity level, and places a significant portion of each Named Executive Officer’s compensation at risk. We believe this approach aligns the interests of our 2019 Annual Meeting, approximately 72%executive officers with the interests of our equity holders and at the same time allows us to attract, motivate and retain key executives while maintaining a lower level of base overhead in the event operating and financial performance fails to meet expectations. The table below highlights some of the votes castkey features of our executive compensation program:
*
Our Named Executive Officers are employed by GP LLC and spend the substantial majority of their time managing the business of PAA, which benefits us as PAA’s performance will determine our shareholders approved, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation paid tosuccess. We do not have operations that are separate from PAA and we do not separately compensate our Named Executive Officers for any services provided to us. As a result, this CD&A describes the year 2018compensation of our Named Executive Officers as described in our 2019 Proxy Statement. it relates to their services performed on behalf of PAA.

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What We DoWhat We Don’t Do

We emphasize pay for performance

We pay lower base salaries vs. median of peers to emphasize variable, at-risk compensation

A significant portion (over 80% at target) of our executive compensation is at risk

Our annual bonus program is 100% performance based with payout based on a formulaic framework

Our short-term and long-term incentive compensation programs utilize quantitative and objective performance metrics

We deliver balanced long-term equity incentives (50% performance based and 50% time based)

The performance-based portion of our long-term incentive awards require performance over a multi-year period

The change in control protections in our long-term incentive plan grants include a “double trigger” requirement

The structure and terms of our incentive compensation mitigate against excessive risk taking

Our compensation committee engages an independent compensation consultant

We engage with our investors and other stakeholders to get their input on our executive compensation program

Our compensation committee is composed entirely of independent directors even though not required by Nasdaq listing standards

We have adopted Equity Ownership Guidelines applicable to our executive officers and directors

We have adopted a Clawback Policy that allows us to recoup certain compensation in the event of (i) fraud or misconduct that contributes to a material financial restatement or (ii) detrimental conduct that results in significant financial, reputational or other harm to the company
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No guaranteed bonuses
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We do not make regular annual increases to base pay
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No excise tax gross ups
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Directors and officers are prohibited from hedging or pledging company securities
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Our equity plan prohibits backdating or repricing of options
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We did not grant any large, out of cycle equity awards in 2020
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No significant perquisites for our executive officers
Shareholder Engagement
Our compensation committee and the Board value the opinions of our shareholders and carefully consider the results of “say on pay” votes and direct feedback received from investors, among a variety of other factors, when making future compensation decisions for our Named Executive Officers. Our investor relations team regularly meets with investors and other stakeholders to seek input and feedback on a wide range of

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topics, including executive compensation. In response to the disappointing and negative trend of our recent say on pay results (72% approval in 2019 and 58% approval in 2020), we engaged in an expanded investor outreach and engagement process during 2020 to actively solicit feedback regarding our executive compensation programs and other matters of importance to our investors, including our evolving governance practices and sustainability efforts. In connection with this process, members of our executive and investor relations teams held individual meetings with 17 of our largest investors, representing approximately 40% of our outstanding voting equity. The meetings led to a number of follow-up calls and discussions and were generally well received. The constructive feedback and input we received during these meetings and during prior years was shared and discussed with our compensation committee and Board. As we strive for continuous improvement, receiving and incorporating this investor feedback into our decision making process is critical. The table below summarizes the key feedback we have received from our investors over the past several years and the changes we made to our executive compensation program during 2020 in response to such feedback and related considerations:
What We HeardWhat We Did
Concern that DCF/CUE metric in equity incentives did not require performance throughout three year grant period and allowed too long of a period (4 years) to achieve targetWe changed the DCF/CUE performance metric in our long-term equity incentive awards granted in 2020 to require performance over a full 12-quarter period vs. any trailing 4-quarter period; and we shortened the performance period to three years, eliminating the extra one-year “tail” period.
Concern that DCF/CUE performance metric in long-term incentive awards could incentivize management to inappropriately increase leverage to meet targetsWe included a leverage modifier to mitigate concern. Payout on cumulative three-year DCF/CUE metric is subject to increase or decrease based on comparison of leverage ratio at end of three year measurement period to the target leverage ratio established at time of grant.
Investor desire for use of a relative, returns-based performance metric in our equity incentive programWe added a relative total shareholder return metric with an absolute TSR modifier to our long-term equity incentive awards granted in 2020.
Investors would like to see more use of ESG metrics in our performance-based incentive programsWe continue to use safety and environmental metrics in our annual bonus program and we agreed to consider further direct alignment between our sustainability strategy and executive compensation.
Concern regarding significant, out of cycle equity awards granted to CEO in 2018 (in connection with his promotion to the CEO role) and certain NEOs in 2019 (long-term retention and incentive for two individuals regarded as key to future leadership succession)The Board and compensation committee have at times used performance-based long term incentive and retention awards under special circumstances to secure and incentivize leadership talent and facilitate long-term succession efforts. We do not routinely grant out of cycle equity awards and we did not grant any special out of cycle equity awards in 2020.
Adoption of equity ownership guidelines would be seen as a beneficial mitigantIn November 2020, the Board adopted Equity Ownership Guidelines.
Adoption of clawback policy would be seen as a beneficial mitigantIn November 2020, the Board adopted a Clawback Policy.
Supportive of inclusion of S&P and Alerian indices in TSR comparator group, but viewed AMNA as more appropriate index vs. AMZXS&P and Alerian indices included in TSR comparator group for 2020 long-term incentive awards and we will substitute AMNA for AMZX going forward.

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2020 Executive Compensation Highlights
The discussion set forth below in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes our current approach to executive compensation and includes a description of a variety ofelaborates upon the various actions taken and adjustments made with respect to our executive compensation program, with the objectivehighlights of achieving our overall executive compensation goals described below.
Highlights of our 2019 executive compensation oversight and actions takenwhich include the following:

Continued to employ a compensation philosophy that establishes salary levels for our executivespay salaries that are generally lower than market comparable salaries and that emphasizesthe median of our peers;

Continued to emphasize pay for performance with a significant portion of executive compensation at riskrisk;

Utilized an objective and transparent structure to determine 2020 short-term incentives, which paid out at 95% of target for the determination of incentive payouts; this CD&A enhances disclosure of those payouts in response to external feedbackour CEO;

Adjusted 2019 bonuses downward for certain ofAdded a relative total shareholder return metric with an absolute TSR modifier to our NEOs relative to established formulaic outcomes in light of our relative unit price performance during 20192020 long-term equity incentive awards;

OurEnhanced the DCF/CUE performance metric in our 2020 long-term equity incentive awards to require performance over a full three-year period and added a leverage modifier to further align our long term equity incentives with our key financial performance and leverage reduction goals;

Adopted Equity Ownership Guidelines for our executive officers and directors;

Adopted a Clawback Policy that allows us to recoup compensation committee engaged afrom our executive officers under certain circumstances; and

Engaged an independent compensation consultant to conduct an independenta review and benchmark study of our executive compensation program and practices, including an analysis

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of potential additional metrics for our long-term equity incentive awards that will enhance alignment of our NEOs with our unitholders

Our compensation committee and Board approved adding relative total shareholder return as an additional performance metric for the long-term equity incentive awards to be granted pursuant to our executive compensation program beginning in 2020compensation.
Our Commitment to Pay for Performance
Since our inception, we have employed aOur executive compensation philosophy that emphasizesis focused on a long-term pay for performance bothculture designed to attract and retain key management talent in a competitive industry and market. Our program combines relatively low base pay with higher variable, at-risk compensation opportunities based on an individualobjective and entity level, and places a significant portion of each Named Executive Officer’s compensation at risk.transparent performance requirements. As demonstrated in the graphic below, in 2019,2020, at target, almost 90%approximately 88% of our CEO’s compensation and approximately 83% of our other NEOs’ compensation consisted of at-risk compensation. At-risk compensation is typically tied to the achievement of one or more performance metrics that measure value creation over both the near and longer term, as well as service period requirements. The primary near-term metric isshort-term financial metrics are annual earnings and cash flow levels as represented by Adjusted EBITDA32, and the primary long-term measure of our performance is our ability to sustain and increase our distributable cash flow (“DCF”) per common unit equivalent (“CUE”). The primary long-term performance measures included in our equity incentive grants are DCF per CUE over a 3 year period (with a leverage modifier) and relative total shareholder return. We believe our short- and long-term performance metrics are consistent with our overall financial strategy. For 2020, we are adding relative totalstrategy of reducing our leverage and generating attractive shareholder return as an additionalreturns.
2
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (including our proportionate share of depreciation of and amortization of unconsolidated entities), gains and losses on asset sales and asset impairments, goodwill impairment losses and gains on and impairments of investments in unconsolidated entities, adjusted for certain selected items impacting comparability.

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*
The “Other NEOs” graphic excludes Mr. Pefanis. At target, the percentage of at-risk compensation for Mr. Pefanis is 88%; however, at his request, for reasons described above, Mr. Pefanis does not participate in the long-term performance metric.incentive program, which reduces the percentage of his at-risk compensation to 71%.
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We believe our pay-for-performance approach aligns the interests of our executive officers with the interests of our equity holders, and at the same time enables us to maintain a lower level of base overhead in the event operating and financial performance is belowfails to meet expectations. We also believe that our pay-for-performance approach helps us achieve the overall objectives of our executive compensation program, which are toto:

attract and retain individuals with the background and skills necessary to successfully execute our business model in a demanding environment,environment;
3
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (including our proportionate share of depreciation of and amortization of, and gains and losses on significant asset sales by, unconsolidated entities), gains and losses on asset sales and asset impairments, and gains on investments in unconsolidated entities, adjusted for certain selected items impacting comparability.

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motivate those individuals to reach near-term and long-term goals in a way that aligns their interests with the interests of our unitholders,unitholders; and

reward success in reaching such goals.
In order to demonstrate how the design of our executive pay program is aligned with the interests of our unitholders, the table and chart below compares the potentially realizable market value of long term incentive plan awards granted to Mr. Chiang since he joined the companybecame CEO in 20152018 to the realized and/or realizable market value of such awards as of year-end 2019 and as of a recent date (March 27, 2020).2020. The values utilized in the table and chart below are based on closing market prices of PAA’s common units to demonstrate how PAA’s unit price performance over time impacts the actual value realized and future realizable value of equity awards held by our NEOs. These values are different than the grant date fair values set forth in the summary compensation table, which are accounting-based values mandated by SEC requirements and which are calculated on the date of grant and not adjusted over time to reflect fluctuations in market price.
Since the date of Mr. Chiang’s first long term incentive plan award as CEO in August 2015,2018, consistent with the performance of the Alerian MLP Index during such period, PAA’s common unit price has declined by approximately 42%69% through December 31, 20192020 (from $31.66$26.85 per unit to $18.39 per unit), and by approximately 82% through March 27, 2020 (from $31.66 per unit to $5.53$8.24 per unit). Notably, the pricing and market values in the table below as of March 27, 2020 more fully reflect the impact of financial market disruptions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and OPEC related matters. The table and

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chart below demonstrate that the realized and/or realizable market value of Mr. Chiang’s long termlong-term incentive plan awards over the same time periodsperiod (i.e., from August 20152018 through year-end 2019 and through March 27, 2020) has declined by approximately 26%57%. The unadjusted analysis in the table does not discount the value of Mr. Chiang’s August 16, 2018 phantom unit award, which requires achievement of aggressive performance targets based on pre-pandemic projections, none of which are currently deemed probable of occurring pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718. The performance targets that must be achieved in order for Mr. Chiang’s August 2018 phantom unit award to vest include DCF per common unit of $3.00 as to 25% of the award and 61%, respectively4$3.50 as to the remaining 75% of the award. The figures in the row titled “Adjusted Total” attribute no realizable value as of December 31, 2020 to Mr. Chiang’s August 16, 2018 grant based on the current improbability of achieving such performance targets. On such adjusted basis, the realizable value of Mr. Chiang’s long-term incentive plan awards from August 2018 through December 31, 2020 declined by approximately 78%. Mr. Chiang’s experience with respect to his long-term equity awards is similar to the experience of our other NEOs during the same time period and demonstrates that there is a significant correlation and alignment between our NEOs’ long-term equity incentive compensation and the interests of our unitholders.
Realizable and Realized Market Value of CEO LTIPs*
Grant
Date
Initial Units
Granted
Realizable
Grant Date
Market Value
of Initial Units(1)
Total
Unvested
Units
Total Realized
Value of
Vested Units
and Realizable
Value of O/S
Units as of
12/31/19(2)
12/31/19
Realized and
Realizable
Value as % of
Realizable
Grant Date
Market Value
Total Realized
Value of
Vested Units
and Realizable
Value of O/S
Units as of
3/27/20(3)
3/27/20
Realized and
Realizable
Value as % of
Realizable
Grant Date
Market Value
Grant Date
Initial Units
Granted
Grant Date
Market Value of
Initial Units(1)
Total
Unvested
Units
Total
Realizable
Value of
O/S Units
as of 12/31/20(2)
12/31/20
Realizable
Value as
% of Grant
Date Market
Value
Change in
Value from
Grant Date
to 12/31/20
8/24/15120,000$3,799,20036,000$2,587,44068.1%$2,124,48055.9%
8/16/18 (in connection
with his promotion to
the CEO role)
500,000$13,425,000500,000$4,120,00030.7%
-69.3%
8/25/16165,000$4,707,45055,000$3,523,85074.9%$2,816,55059.8%8/15/19 (annual grant)125,740$2,683,292125,740$1,036,09838.6%
-61.4%
7/5/1765,000$1,714,700$1,555,45090.7%$1,555,45090.7%8/13/20 (annual grant)375,940$2,996,242375,940$3,097,746103.4%+3.4%
3/22/1850,000$1,088,50025,000$1,054,75096.9%$733,25067.4%Unadjusted Total1,001,680$19,104,5341,001,680$8,253,84443.2%
-56.8%
8/16/18500,000$13,425,000500,000$9,195,00068.5%$2,765,00020.6%
Adjusted Total
$4,133,84421.6%
-78.4%
8/15/19125,740$2,683,292125,740$2,312,35986.2%$695,34225.9%
Total1,025,740$27,418,142741,740$20,228,84973.8%$10,690,07239.0%
*
Values in table exclude value of distributions received or payments made with respect to DERs, as well as any value associated with AAP Management Units granted to Mr. Chiang in connection with his hiring in 2015.DERs.
4
This analyses does not discount the value of Mr. Chiang’s August 16, 2018 phantom unit award for 500,000 units based on the probability of achieving the performance metrics of DCF per PAA common unit of at least $3.00 on a trailing four quarter basis as to 25% of such award and DCF per PAA common unit of at least $3.50 on a trailing four quarter basis as to 75% of such award, neither of which metrics are currently deemed probable of occurring pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718. If the 500,000 units covered by Mr. Chiang’s August 16, 2018 grant were attributed no value based on the current improbability of achieving such performance metrics, the realized and/or realizable value of Mr. Chiang’s long-term incentive plan awards from August 2015 through March 27, 2020 would have declined by approximately 71%.

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(1)
Realizable Grant Date Market Value of Initial Units calculated by multiplying closing price of PAA common units on applicable grant date by number of units granted with no discount for performance thresholds or service.
(2)
Equals market value of units that have already vested based on closing price on applicable vesting date plus realizable market value of outstanding unvested units based on 12/31/19the closing market price ($8.24) of  $18.39 per PAA common unit.units on December 31, 2020.

(3)29
Equals market value of units that have already vested based on closing price on applicable vesting date plus realizable market value of outstanding unvested units based on 3/27/20 closing price of  $5.53 per PAA common unit.

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Compensation Elements and Objectives
We use three primary elements of compensation to achieve our executive compensation program objectives — salary, annual cash bonusesincentive awards and long-term equity incentive awards:

Base Salary — Base salary is a foundational element of the compensation program for our NEOs, and the other major elementsawards. Our mix of compensation are set based on a relationshipelements is designed to base salary. We deliberately establish salary levels for our NEOs that are generally lower than market comparable salaries with the goal of providing a higher portion of our NEOs’ compensation as performance based, at-risk compensation.

Bonuses and Equity Incentives — Cash bonuses and equity incentives represent the performance driven elements and reflect our significant weighting towards performance based, at-risk compensation. Cash bonuses provide motivation and reward for achieving the annual goals established at the beginning of each year. Salaries and cash bonuses, as well as currently payable distributions associated with contingent equity grants, serve as near-term retention tools. Contingent equity grants in the form of phantom unit awards and associated distribution equivalent rights (“DERs”) under our long-term incentive plans provide motivation and reward over both thereinforce near-term and long-term forbusiness and strategic objectives, recognize and reward performance, motivate long-term value creation and align the interests of our executives with those of our equity holders. The following table sets forth the key elements of our 2020 executive compensation program:
What We PayWhy We Pay ItKey Features
Base SalaryAttract and retain high-performing executives by providing a secure and appropriate level of base pay

Foundational element of our compensation program; short-term and long-term incentive compensation components are based on a percentage of base salary

Salaries are deliberately set at level lower than median of benchmark peers; structure emphasizes variable, at-risk performance-based compensation over fixed compensation

No regular annual adjustments and no changes to base salaries for NEOs in 2020
Annual Cash Incentive AwardsMotivate and reward near-term performance and retention

100% performance based

Encourages achievement of objective and transparent annual business, ESG and individual goals established at beginning of year

Payout based on formulaic framework
 
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achieving performance thresholds necessary for such awards to become earned and vested. Longer-term retention is also facilitated by minimum service periods associated with phantom unit awards and the long-term vesting profile of the AAP Management Units (defined and described below).

Other Compensation and Benefits — We do not maintain a defined benefit or pension plan for our employees, including the Named Executive Officers, as we believe such plans primarily reward longevity and not performance. We provide a basic benefits package generally to all employees, including the Named Executive Officers, which includes a 401(k) plan and health, disability and life insurance.
What We PayWhy We Pay ItKey Features
Long-Term Equity Incentive AwardsMotivate and reward long-term performance and retention and create additional alignment with investors

Long-term equity incentives are 50% performance based and 50% time (retention) based

Vesting thresholds require performance over multi-year period and are tied to achievement of long-term business goals and financial metrics

In 2020, added relative TSR as additional metric with absolute TSR modifier

In 2020, strengthened DCF/CUE metric to require performance throughout three year period and added leverage modifier in line with leverage reduction objectives of company

Distribution Equivalent Rights (“DERs”) associated with long-term equity awards provide additional potential motivation and reward
Employee BenefitsAttract and retain talent

Customary health and welfare benefits for all U.S. employees, including 401(k) Plan

No defined benefit or pension plans

No significant perquisites
By stressing the performance-based compensation elements as described above, we strive to create a performance-driven environment in which our executive officers are:

incentivized to perform over both the short term and the long termterm;

rewarded for their servicesservices; and

encouraged to remain with us even after meeting long-term performance thresholds in order to meet the minimum service periods and realize the opportunity to earn future rewardsrewards.
We believe our compensation philosophy as implemented by application of the three primary compensation elements (i) aligns the interests of the Named Executive Officers with our unitholders, (ii) positions us to achieve our business goals, and (iii) effectively encourages the exercise of sound judgment and risk-taking that is conducive to creating and sustaining long-term value.
20192020 Independent ReviewBenchmark Study of Executive Compensation Program and Practices
Although we did not formally benchmark salary, bonus or equity incentive levels for 2019, during 2019During 2020, our compensation committee engaged Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (“Meridian”) to, among other things, conduct an independent benchmark study of our executive officer compensation program and practices and to assess and recommend potential enhancements for 2020 and beyond to our short-term and long-term executive incentive compensation programs.compensation. In connection with its engagement of Meridian, the compensation committee evaluated and confirmed Meridian’s independence relative to existing PAA or PAGP relationships or potential conflicts, in line with NYSENasdaq requirements.
The companies in our executive compensation benchmarking peer group have a range of revenues, assets, market capitalization and enterprise value. Business consolidation and unique operating models create some challenges in identifying comparative companies. Accordingly, we take a broad view of comparability to include organizations that are similar to ours and that we believe we compete with for attracting and retaining executive talent. Our compensation benchmarking peer group for 2020 included 1112 companies that are primarily engaged in the midstream business in the United States, as set forth in the table below. We referred toMeridian utilized publicly available information to analyze compensation practices of the companies in the peer group, including how pay is divided among long-term incentives, annual incentives, base pay and other forms of compensation. WeMeridian also compared the total compensation and components

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thereof for our executive officers to the total compensation and components thereof for the peer group.
Meridian’s benchmark study was completed in July and presented to the compensation committee in August 2020.

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2020 Executive Compensation Benchmarking Peer Group — Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.
Company
Total Assets (MM)1
Energy Transfer LP$98,880
Kinder Morgan, Inc.$74,157
Enterprise Products Partners L.P.$61,733
The Williams Companies, Inc.$46,040
MPLX LP$40,430
ONEOK, Inc.$21,812
Targa Resources Corp.$18,815
Enable Midstream Partners, LP$12,266
EnLink Midstream, LLC$9,336
Buckeye Partners, L.P.2$8,510
Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P.$8,438
1
Total asset value per public disclosures as of the most recent fiscal year.
2
Buckeye Partners, L.P. was acquired by IFM Investors Pty Ltd on November 1, 2019. Its total asset value is derived from its Q3 2019 disclosure released prior to being acquired. Source: S&P Capital IQ.
For reference:
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.
$28,677
Company
Enterprise Value
(MM)(1)
Energy Transfer LP$82,588
Enterprise Products Partners L.P.$69,572
Kinder Morgan, Inc.$68,734
The Williams Companies, Inc.$48,613
MPLX LP$42,563
ONEOK, Inc.$27,098
For reference:
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. and Plains GP Holdings, L.P., consolidated
$21,843
Targa Resources Corp.$15,643
Equitrans Midstream Corporation$15,169
Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P.$14,200
Western Midstream Partners, LP$12,669
EnLink Midstream, LLC$ 7,796
Enable Midstream Partners, LP$ 6,894
(1)
As of July 22, 2020, which was shortly before the 2020 benchmark study was presented to the compensation committee.
The compensation committee also considered similar information from a broader sample of companies in other oil and gas sectors,the energy sector, including upstream, refining and regulated utilities, although the peer group listed above served as the primary source of external comparative information.
Although the study prepared by Meridian was completed after our 2019 compensation targets were established for our NEOs, theThe results of Meridian’s study validate our view that our base salary levels are generally lower than market comparable salariesthe median of our peer group and our aggregate cash compensation levels (salary and bonus) and our total compensation levels (cash plus equity) are generally competitive with the midstream industry benchmarks provided by our peer group for top executive roles but(but are moderate relative to the larger and broader spectrum of energy industry competitors that compete for similar talent.talent).
For a portion (25%) of our long-term incentive awards granted in 2020, we added relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) as a performance metric for the three-year performance period ending June 30, 2023. The entities and indices in our TSR Comparator Group include the following:

S&P 500 Index (SPX)

Alerian MLP Total Return Index (AMZX)

Enterprise Products Partners LP (EPD)

Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI)

The Williams Companies Inc. (WMB)

MPLX LP (MPLX)

Energy Transfer LP (ET)

ONEOK Inc. (OKE)

Magellan Midstream Partners LP (MMP)

Phillips 66 Partners LP (PSXP)

Targa Resources Corp. (TRGP)

DCP Midstream LP (DCP)

TC Pipelines LP (TCP)

Holly Energy Partners LP (HEP)

NuStar Energy LP (NS)

EnLink Midstream LLC (ENLC)
Compensation Committee Process
Set forth below is additional information regarding our compensation practices as they relate to the elements of our compensation program:
Base Salary.   We do not make systematicregular annual adjustments to the base salaries of the Named Executive Officers, but we do make salary adjustments in connection with promotions or taking on increased responsibilities.

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Annual Bonuses.Cash Incentive Awards.   Since 2018, we have utilized a more formulaic approach for determining annual cash incentive awards, which we also refer to as annual bonuses. Annual bonusescash incentive awards for the Named Executive Officers are determined within a formulaic framework that includes an annual bonus target for each Named Executive Officer, expressed as a percentage of base salary, and the determination of an actual payout as a percentage of such target bonus amount based on company performance relative to specific goals, and individual contributions with respect thereto.contributions. Annual company goals typically include financial, safety, environmental and other specified goals, and each goal, as well as the individual performance component, is assigned a weighting or percentage share of the total bonuspayout opportunity. Annual goals and objectives, as well as weightings and potential payout ranges (expressed as a percentage of target) are established at the beginning of each year and are discussed and reviewed with the Board in conjunction with the review and approval of our annual plan. Payout percentages relative to achievement of specified goals may range from 0 – 200% of an individual’s target bonus opportunity. The final amounts that are paid may be adjusted by the compensation committee and the Board based on factors it deems relevant. Such adjustments may be positive or negative depending on the circumstance;circumstances. For example, in each of 2019 and 2020, based on recommendations made by our CEO, the compensation committee and Board exercised negative discretion to reduce the overall payout relative to what the bonus formula generated (see “— 2020 Performance Overview and Specific Application of Compensation Elements in 2020” for
more information regarding 2020).

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example, with respect to 2019, the annual bonuses for certain NEOs were adjusted downward due to the relative equity price performance of the publicly traded units and shares of PAA and PAGP, respectively, during 2019.
20192020 Annual Bonus Formula
[MISSING IMAGE: tm202089d1-fc_basepn.jpg][MISSING IMAGE: tm212451d1-fc_basepn.jpg]
At the end of each year, the CEO performs an assessment of ourassesses the Company’s performance relative to goals. Key quantitative measures withingoals and objectives established at the annual bonus framework include Adjusted EBITDA, as well as DCF per PAA common unit and various safety and environmental metrics.beginning of the year. The CEO’s written analysis of our performance examines accomplishments and shortfalls relative to established goals and objectives and also assesses overall performance against opportunities and challenges, taking into account controllable and non-controllable factors encountered during the year. The CEO’s reportCEO also includes an assessment ofassesses the individual performance and contributions of each NEO (other than himself). towards the satisfaction of the various goals and objectives established at the beginning of the year. The CEO submits his report and the supporting detail to the compensation committee and Board for review and comment. Based on the conclusions set forth in the annual performance review and the framework described above,assessment, the CEO submits the results of the formulaic bonus calculations along with any recommendations for adjustments to the compensation committee for all Named Executive Officers other than himself. TheIn connection with his assessment of Company and individual performance, the CEO also considers various factors, including:

whether or not we achieved the goals established for the year and any notable shortfalls relative to expectations;

the level of difficulty associated with achieving such objectives based on the opportunities and challenges encountered during the year;

current year operating and financial performance relative to both public guidance and prior year’s performance;

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significant transactions or accomplishments for the period not included in the goals for the year;

our relative prospects at the end of the year with respect to future growth and performance; and

our equity price performance and returns during the year and our positioning at the end of the year with respect to our targeted leverage metrics and credit profile.
The CEO takes these factors into consideration, as well as the relative contributions of each of the Named Executive Officers to the year’s performance, in developing his recommendations for bonus amounts. The compensation committee also references in its deliberations a “tally sheet” that sets forth comprehensive historical compensation information (including cash, equity and other benefits and perquisites, if any) for each NEO.
In their review, the compensation committee may adjust the CEO’s recommendations upward or downward in theirits discretion. The compensation committee’s recommendations are then submitted to the Board for itsfinal review and approval.

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As noted above, the CEO’s bonusCEO does not make a recommendation leaves blank the amount for the CEO’swith respect to his own bonus. The compensation committee typically assesses the CEO’s contributionperformance and contributions toward meeting the goals and objectives established at the beginning of the year, and recommends to the Board the CEO total bonus payout it believes to be commensurate with such contribution.performance and contributions.
Long-Term Incentive Awards.   We use performance-basedperformance- and time-based phantom unit grants issued under our Long-Term Incentive Plans to incentivize and retain our executive officers and encourage and reward timely achievement of targeted metrics designed to align the long-term interests of the Named Executive Officers with those of our unitholders.
20192020 Annual LTIP Award Formula
[MISSING IMAGE: tm202089d1-fc_ltippn.jpg][MISSING IMAGE: tm212451d1-fc_ltippn.jpg]
Named Executive Officers are eligible to receive an annual grant of phantom units based on a formula tied to salary and PAA’s unit price. The size of the annual grant for a specified individual is based on a designated target percentage of their base salary that takes into account their expected contribution in respect of longer term performance objectives. We may also grant “off cycle” awards from time to time to retain talent and incentivize performance during challenging market conditions.
TheseAnnual equity grants typically require minimum service periods of three years in order to encourage long-term retention. A phantom unit grant provides the holder with the right to receive, upon the satisfaction of vesting criteria specified in the grant, a PAA common unit (or cash equivalent). We do not use options as a form of incentive compensation. Terms of phantom unit grants may vary, but generally phantom units vest upon the later of achievement of designated performance thresholds tied to certain DCF per PAA common unit levels, and continued employment for periods ranging from two to five years. As noted above, a portion of the phantom unit grants to be awarded in 2020 will include relative TSR as a performance metric.full three year period. Phantom unit grants also typically provide for the Named Executive Officers to receivetypically include DERs, and for awards granted in 2020, DERs on the applicableperformance-based portion of such awards will be payable only if and to the extent the underlying phantom units prior to vesting invest at the underlying PAA common units.end of the three-year performance period. DERS on the time-based portion of such awards accrue for the first year following the grant date, with such accrued amount being paid out on the first anniversary of the grant date, and then are paid on a quarterly basis thereafter.
An additional equity incentive tool that has been used in the past involved the issuance to executives of Class B units of AAP (“AAP Management Units”). While no AAP Management Unit awards were granted in 2019, certain2020, three of our Named Executive Officers (Messrs. Chiang, Goebel and McGee) held such awards during 2019.2020. See “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — AAP Management Units” below for more information regarding the AAP Management Units.
 
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20192020 Performance Overview and Specific Application of Compensation Elements in 20192020
At the beginning of 2019,2020, we established key qualitative goals and quantitative financial, safety and environmental objectives. We also set important commercial, operational and organizational goals.
2019 Performance Objectives and Results2020 Performance Objectives and Results (all figures rounded)
Quantitative GoalsQuantitative Goals
Metrics2019 Goals2019 ResultsMetrics2020 Goals2020 Results
Adjusted EBITDA5$2.8 billion$3.24 billionAdjusted EBITDA3$2.6 billion$2.56 billion
DCF per common unit$2.64$2.99DCF per common unit and CUE$2.29$2.29
Safety and Environmental20% year over year improvement in certain safety and environmental metrics

30% reduction in recordable injury rate

25% reduction in federally reportable releases
Safety and Environmental20% year over year improvement in certain safety and environmental metrics

27% reduction in recordable injury rate

26% reduction in federally reportable releases
Qualitative GoalsQualitative Goals

Financial: complete our 2017 deleveraging plan, develop and execute a comprehensive capital allocation strategy, achieve a total debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 4.3x or lower by year end and maintain distribution coverage of at least 130%

Investment: advance key projects that will support future growth and returns and utilize existing capacity of existing assets

Operations and Management: advance and complete key programs and initiatives designed to improve the efficiency and scalability of our business processes and information systems, and advance key initiatives related to talent development/management and succession planning

Financial: improve our financial strength and positioning, complete asset sales of $600 million, achieve a total debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 4.47x or lower by year end, and maintain distribution coverage of at least 130%

Investment: advance key projects that will support future growth and returns and utilize existing capacity of existing assets

Operations and Management: advance and complete key programs and initiatives designed to reduce costs and improve the efficiency and scalability of our business processes and information systems, and advance key initiatives related to talent development/management and succession planning
With respect to the Adjusted EBITDA results included in the table above, our results were only 2% below our goal of $2.6 billion, with underperformance in our fee-based segments being offset by overperformance in our Supply and Logistics segment.
In addition to the results set forth in the table above, we also reported Implied DCF53 of approximately $2.38 billion, which exceeded our beginning of the year plan by approximately 8%, and Adjusted Net Income Attributable to PAA5 of approximately $2.06 billion, which exceeded our beginning of the year plan by approximately 14%.$1.88 billion. We also generated more than $1.1approximately $1.03 billion of cash flowImplied DCF in excess of distributions and ended the year with a distribution coverage ratio of 2.17x.2.57x.
During 2019, we also completed the deleveraging program that was initiated in 2017 andWe exited the year with a long term debt to Adjusted EBITDA multiple of 2.8x3.7x and approximately $2.5$2.2 billion of committed liquidity.
With respect to our stated goals regarding safety and environmental metrics, we exceeded our 20% reduction targets for federally reportable releases and safety-related total recordable injury rate, achieving a 30% reduction in recordable injuries and a 25%26% reduction in federally reportable releases.releases and a 27% reduction in recordable injuries. We have achieved more than a 50% reduction in each of these metrics since 2017. Notwithstanding the reduction in federally reportable releases, total released volumes increased in 2020 as compared to 2019.
In developing his annual bonus compensation recommendations, our CEO primarily considered the quantitative factors and context described above. However,above, including the fact that our fee-based results were lower than planned and that we experienced higher released volumes in 2020 relative to 2019. In his annual performance review provided to the Board, heour CEO also noted that while equity returns for the fact that despite strong financialenergy industry and operating performance,midstream sector as a whole were negative, primarily as a result of reduced demand due to the impact of COVID-19, PAA common units and PAGP Class A shares traded down in the second half of 2019, generally underperforming ourunderperformed its peer group, and relevant indices, resulting in full-year price performancea total shareholder return of -50%, compared to an average of -10.5%/-8.3%-26% and total returns of -4.8%/-2.3%, respectively.for PAA’s benchmarking peer group. Other factors noted by our CEO as being relevant to his assessment of our 2020 performance included the following qualitative factors and positive achievements:

Executed a $1.34 billion expansion capital program generally on time (or ahead of time) and on budget, including development and expansion of key assets in the Permian Basin and in other areas;

Advanced several key strategic initiatives with long-term industry partners;
following:
53
Adjusted EBITDA and Implied DCF and Adjusted Net Income Attributable to PAA are non-GAAP financial measures. Information regarding these non-GAAP financial measures, including a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, is included under the caption “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 8783 of PAA’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20192020 as filed with the SEC.
 
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ImprovedReduced capital expenditures by $750 million, or 33%, relative to our contracted fee-based earnings mixinitial plan;

Although we reduced our common unit distribution by adding significant additional dedicated acreage50%, we also initiated a unit repurchase program and term-contracted lease volumes inrepurchased approximately 6.6 million common units for approximately $53 million during the Permian basin;fourth quarter;

Reduced operating costs and administrative expenses by approximately $250 million;

Completed approximately $450 million of asset sales; and

Completed approximately $205 millionOur positive positioning at the end of asset sales,2020 for 2021 and advanced otherbeyond in terms of our potential strategic asset salesto generate free cash flow, our commercial positioning, our organizational streamlining and acquisitions, including a transaction with Felix Midstream that closed in early 2020.cost reduction steps, and our safety and environmental performance.
We also continued to plan for the future within our organizational structure and made a number of changes to improve effectiveness and efficiency, including the completion of key transitions within our executive team, advancement of plans to improve internal systems and processes, and continuation of improvements in the areas of safety, integrity, environmental compliance and environmental compliance.sustainability.
Compensation Elements
For 2019,2020, the elements of compensation were applied as described below.
Base Salary.   In March 2019, the base salaries for each of Messrs. Chandler and Goebel were increased from $375,000 to $400,000 in connection with their promotions to the executive vice president level.   No other salary adjustments for Named Executive Officers were recommended or made during 2019,2020, and base salaries for our NEOs were not increased for 2020.2021.
Annual Cash Bonuses.Incentive Awards.   For 2019,2020, annual bonus targets for the Named Executive Officers, expressed as a percentage of base salary, were as follows:
Named Executive Officer
Annual Bonus Target
(as a Percentage of Base Salary)
Willie Chiang250%
Harry N. Pefanis250%
Al Swanson200%
Richard McGee200%
Chris Chandler200%
Jeremy Goebel200%
The goals (and weightings) for 20192020 cash incentive awards established at the beginning of the year were company performance (67% overall weighting allocated among Adjusted EBITDA (40%), DCF per common unit and CUE (40%) and safety/environmental (20%)) and individual performance (33% weighting). The minimum and maximum payout levels of 0% and 200%, respectively, for Adjusted EBITDA and DCF per common unit and CUE were set at 92.5% and 110%, respectively, of the applicable target with linear interpolation between those points, while the minimum and maximum payout levels of 0% and 200%, respectively, for safety and environmental metrics were set at 0%10% improvement (i.e., same as 2018 levels) and 40%30% improvement, respectively, with linear interpolation between those points.

33


The table below reflects the weighting, payout range and actual results for each company Individual performance metric and the individual performance metric (individual performance metric payoutpayouts were determined by the compensation committee based on its assessment of individual contributions towards our 20192020 goals and objectives).objectives.
The tables below reflect the weighting, payout range and actual results for each company performance metric. Individual performance scores and payout calculations are set forth below under “— Individual Performance.”

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Company Performance Payout Thresholds & Ranges: (interpolate between points)
(67% weighting)ThresholdTargetMax
EBITDA/DCF (% Target)​92.50%100%110%
Safety/Env Reduction vs. ’18 (% Target)​0%-20%-40%
Payout​0%100%200%
(67% weighting)ThresholdTargetMax
2020 Formulaic Payout
Calculation
EBITDA/DCF (% Target)92.50%100%110%
Safety/Env Reduction vs. ‘19 (% Target)-10%-20%-30%
Payout0%100%200%
Company Performance MetricsWeightThresholdTargetMaxResultPayout %Wgtd %
Adjusted EBITDA40%$2,405$2,600$2,860$2,522(1)60%24%
DCF/Common Unit and CUE40%$2.12$2.29*$2.52$2.29*104%**42%
Safety (TRIR)10%0.470.420.360.38169%17%
Environmental (DOT releases)10%21181617100%(1)10%
Company Performance Subtotal93%
2019 Formulaic Payout
*
Calculation
Company Performance MetricsWeightThresholdTargetMaxResultPayout %Wgtd %
Adjusted EBITDA27%$2,590$2,800$3,080$3,237200%54%
DCF/Common Unit27%$2.44$2.64$2.90$2.99200%54%
Safety (TRIR)7%0.710.590.470.52158%11%
Environmental (DOT releases)7%31251923133%9%
Subtotal128%
Individual Performance33%Ind. Payout Determined by Comp Committee​140%47%
(33% weighting)Total
100%
Total175%
Rounded.
**
Final payout percentage as approved by the compensation committee based on unrounded target and result amounts.
(1)
For 2019,2020, PAA reported Adjusted EBITDA of $2.56 billion; however, for purposes of calculating annual bonus payouts, Adjusted EBITDA was reduced to $2.52 billion due to the unadjustedunderperformance of our fee-based Transportation segment. In addition, the payout related to Environmental performance was capped at 100% due to the fact that release volumes increased during 2020 despite achieving the targeted year-over-year reduction in the number of releases. These adjustments resulted in a Company payout of 93%.
Individual Performance
As noted above, individual performance accounts for 33% of the annual bonus opportunity for our Named Executive Officers. Each officer’s individual contributions toward satisfaction of company goals and objectives is evaluated and payouts may range from 0-200% of target. During 2020, the executive leadership team successfully led the organization through a very challenging and unprecedented year and worked closely to achieve the vast majority of the goals set at the beginning of the year. Despite achieving strong operating and financial performance in a very challenging environment that would normally warrant individual scoring somewhere near the midpoint of 100% to 200%, in recognition that PAA’s unit price underperformed relative to its peers for the year, management requested that individual scoring for the NEOs be reduced to fall within a range of 100% to 115%. The compensation committee incorporated this request into its recommendation to the Board, which was approved.

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NameIndividual Performance HighlightsScore
Willie Chiang

Overall leadership and tone setting

Financial and EHS performance

Financial and strategic positioning for 2021+

Ongoing Board initiatives (assessment and refreshment)
100%
Harry Pefanis

Significant role in joint ventures and divestitures

Mentor/develop key individuals

Oversee/guide S&L execution/performance

Develop/maintain/enhance major commercial relationships and contracts
100%
Al Swanson

Drive shift to free cash flow

Enhance financial position/flexibility

Balance sheet optimization

Equity repurchase plan

Manage rating agencies/maintain ratings
105%
Richard McGee

Legal support for multiple significant complex business development transactions

Manage/mitigate Line 901 exposure

Facilitate investor engagement effort and governance/compensation initiatives
105%
Chris Chandler

Excellent operational reliability in 2020

EHS performance

Leadership role in convergence effort, capex/cost reductions and business review process

Facilitated achieving (positioning to achieve) key project milestones
115%
Jeremy Goebel

Led multiple major, complex and strategic projects/business development transactions, including $450 million in asset sales

Enhanced supply position

Develop/maintain/enhance major commercial relationships and contracts

Key role in capex optimization, business review process and driving efficiencies in commercial group
115%
After applying individual performance scores ranging from 100% to 115%, the total formulaic bonus payout calculation for our NEOs was 175%; however,ranged from 95% to 100%, as indicatedset forth in the table below, which sets forth the calculation of the actual 2019 bonus paid to each of our NEOs, the overall payout percentage for Messrs. Chiang, Pefanis, Swanson and McGee was adjusted downward by 25 percentage points from 175% to 150% (14% overall reduction of formulaic result). Such negative adjustment was recommended by management and approved by the compensation committee and the Board duebelow.
Named Executive Officer
2020 Target
Bonus
Amount
Company ResultsIndividual Results
Percent of
Target
Bonus
Earned
2020 Actual
Bonus
Amount(1)
Company
Score
Weight���
Individual
Score
Weight
Willie Chiang$1,500,00093%x67%+100%x33%=95%$1,425,000
Harry Pefanis$1,000,00093%x67%+100%x33%=95%$950,000
Al Swanson$800,00093%x67%+105%x33%=97%$775,000
Richard McGee$800,00093%x67%+105%x33%=97%$775,000
Chris Chandler$800,00093%x67%+115%x33%=100%$800,000
Jeremy Goebel$800,00093%x67%+115%x33%=100%$800,000
(1)
Final amounts were rounded down to the price performancenearest multiple of PAA’s common units and PAGP’s Class A shares during 2019 relative to its peer group and relevant indices.$25,000.
Named Executive Officer2019 Target Bonus
Amount
Formulaic Bonus
Payout %
Negative
Adjustment
Final
Payout %
2019 Actual Bonus
Amount
Willie Chiang$1,500,000175%
-25%
150%$2,250,000
Harry Pefanis$1,000,000175%
-25%
150%$1,500,000
Al Swanson$800,000175%
-25%
150%$1,200,000
Richard McGee$800,000175%
-25%
150%$1,200,000
Chris Chandler$800,000175%n/a175%$1,400,000
Jeremy Goebel$800,000175%n/a175%$1,400,000
 
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Long-Term Incentive Awards.   The annual LTIP targets for the Named Executive Officers, expressed as a percentage of base salary, and the value of the 20192020 annual LTIP awards to the Named Executive Officers are set forth in the table below:
Named Executive OfficerAnnual LTIP
Award Target
Value
(as a percentage
of base salary)
2019 Annual
LTIP Award
Value
2019 Annual
Phantom Units
Granted(1)
Time-Vested
Phantom Units
(50%)
Performance-
Vested Phantom
Units (50%)
Named Executive Officer
Annual LTIP
Award
Target Value
(as a percentage
of base salary)
2020 Annual
LTIP Award
Value
2020 Annual
Phantom Units
Granted(1)
Time-Vested
Phantom
Units (50%)
Performance-
Vested Phantom
Units (50%)
Willie Chiang500%$3,000,000125,74062,87062,870Willie Chiang500%$3,000,000375,940187,970187,970
Harry N. Pefanis500%n/a(2)n/a(2)n/a(2)n/a(2)Harry Pefanis500%n/a(2)��n/a(2)n/a(2)n/a(2)
Al Swanson300%$1,200,00050,30025,15025,150Al Swanson300%$1,200,000150,38075,19075,190
Richard McGee300%$1,200,00050,30025,15025,150Richard McGee300%$1,200,000150,38075,19075,190
Chris Chandler300%$1,200,00050,30025,15025,150Chris Chandler300%$1,200,000150,38075,19075,190
Jeremy Goebel300%$1,200,00050,30025,15025,150Jeremy Goebel300%$1,200,000150,38075,19075,190
(1)
Based on a volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) per unit for the 10-trading day period immediately preceding the date of grant of $23.86.$7.98.
(2)
Annual LTIP grants were not awarded to Mr. Pefanis as he requested to not participate in the 20192020 long-term incentive program.
The 20192020 time-vested phantom units will vest on the August 2022 distribution date. The performance-vested phantom units will vest on the later of the August 2022 distribution date and the first distribution date following PAA’s achievement of DCF per common unit of at least $2.65 on a trailing four quarter basis. The applicable trailing four quarter period for determining whether the requisite DCF per common unit has been achieved for vesting of phantom units may not begin until after December 31, 2020. The combined 2019 annual grants include associated DERs that will vest (i) 50% on the August 2020 distribution date and (ii) 50% on the first distribution date following January 1, 2021 on which PAA achieves DCF per common unit of at least $2.50 on a trailing four quarter basis. See the “Grants of Plan Based Awards Table” below for additional information regarding the 2019 annual grants.
In November 2019, the Board also awarded a special one-time retention LTIP grant to each of Messrs. Chandler and Goebel in the amount of 500,000 phantom units. These awards were designed to provide both a long-term retention incentive and a long-term performance incentive for Messrs. Chandler and Goebel in recognition of their importance to the future success of PAA and PAGP. Accordingly, these phantom units will vest (become payable 1-for-1 in PAA common units) as follows:

50%on the August 2023 distribution date. The performance-vested phantom units will potentially vest on the August 20262023 distribution date at a scaled payout range of between 0% to 200% based on:
(i)
with respect to 50% of the performance-vested phantom units (25% of the total award), PAA’s TSR over the three-year period ending June 30, 2023 compared to the TSR of the TSR Comparator Group identified on page 32 above (payout may be reduced if absolute TSR is negative4); and
(ii)
25% will vest onwith respect to the laterother 50% of the August 2026 distribution date andperformance-vested phantom units (25% of the first distribution date following PAA’s achievement oftotal award), PAA achieving cumulative DCF per common unit and common unit equivalent of at least $2.80$6.00 over the three-year period ending June 30, 2023 (payout may be decreased or increased (but not above 200%) based on a trailing four quarter basis, andPAA’s leverage ratio as of June 30, 2023 compared to the target leverage ratio set forth in PAA’s multi-year plan as of August 2020).

25%DERs associated with the time-vested phantom units will vest on the later of the August 2026 distribution date andaccrue for the first distribution date following PAA’s achievement of DCF per common unityear and common unit equivalent of at least $3.15 onsuch accrued amount will be paid in cash in a trailing four quarter basis.
The phantom units include tandem DERs that will vest (begin paying common unit equivalent distributions) as follows:

20% each will vestlump sum on the August 2020, August 2021 distribution date; beginning in November 2021, DERs on such time-vested phantom units will be paid quarterly until the associated phantom units vest. DERs associated with the performance-vested phantom units will accrue during the three-year vesting period and August 2022 distribution dates (60% total),

20% will vestbe paid in cash in a lump sum on the firstAugust 2023 distribution date following PAA’s achievement of DCF per common unit and common unit equivalent of at least $2.70 on a trailing four quarter basis, and

20% will vest onwith respect to the first distribution date following PAA’s achievement of DCF per common unit and common unit equivalent of at least $2.90 on a trailing four quarter basis.
The applicable trailing four quarter period for determining whether the requisite DCF per common unit and common unit equivalent has been achieved for vestingnumber of phantom units, and DERs may not begin until

35


on or after January 1, 2020. Any phantom unitsif any, that have not vested by the August 2028 distribution date and any associated DERs (regardless of vesting) will expirevest on such date. See the “Grants of Plan Based Awards Table” below for additional information regarding thesethe 2020 annual grants.
Other Compensation Related Matters
Equity Ownership; Hedging Policies.Equity Ownership Guidelines.   The   Our Named Executive Officers and directors collectively own substantial equity in PAA as well as interests in the general partner. Although we encourage the Named Executive Officers to acquire and retain ownership in PAA, we do not have a policy requiring maintenance of a specified equity ownership level.PAGP. As of March 23, 2020,26, 2021, the Named Executive Officers beneficially owned, in the aggregate, directly approximately 10.3 million units of equity interests in PAA and/or indirectly approximately 10 million PAA common or common equivalent unitsPAGP with an approximate market value of $47.5$97 million, which was significantly greater thanand all executive officers and directors beneficially owned, in the combined aggregate, salariesequity interests with an approximate market value of $878 million.
4
If PAA’s relative TSR results in a payout of over 100%, but actual TSR is negative, the payout on this portion of the award will be reduced by 25 gross percentage points.

39


In November 2020, the Board adopted Equity Ownership Guidelines to further align the interests of our executive officers and bonusesdirectors with the interests of these individuals for 2019.our unitholders by requiring each to achieve and maintain a minimum equity ownership level. The primary features of the ownership guidelines are described in the following table:
Design FeatureDescription
ParticipationExecutive officers and directors (other than designated directors)
Ownership BasisMultiple of salary for executive officers (CEO (6x), President (5x), EVPs (3x), SVP (1x)), and multiple of cash retainer for directors (5x)
Grace Period to Achieve Compliance5 years
Additional Holding RequirementsExecutive officers and directors are required to hold 100% of units/shares acquired upon vesting of phantom units until ownership guidelines are met (“hold until met” requirement)
Anti-Hedging and Pledging Policies.   We have policies and procedures in place that prohibit our directors and officers, including our Named Executive Officers, from using puts, calls, options or other derivative securities to hedge the economic risk of their equity ownership in us. Otherus, and from engaging in other types of hedging transactions, including prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds, are strongly discouraged. Directorsfunds. Our policies also prohibit pledging company securities or holding such securities in a margin account.
Clawback Policy.   In November 2020, the Board also adopted a Clawback Policy to further align the interests of our executive officers with the interests of our unitholders, incentivize appropriate behaviors and discourage excessive risk taking. The Clawback Policy covers all executive officers including our Named Executive Officers, who wish to pursue these types of transactions are required to comply with our pre-clearance requirements.and includes the following clawback triggers and related recoveries:
Recovery
Fraud or intentional/unlawful conduct that contributes to a material financial restatement that results in over-payment of Prior Awards.   Except as provided by applicable laws and regulations, we do not have a policy with respect to adjustment orperformance-based compensation (Company may seek recovery of awardsany excess compensation awarded or payments if relevant company performance measures upon which previous awards were based are restatedpaid); and

Detrimental conduct that results in significant financial, reputational or otherwise adjusted in a manner that would have reduced the size of such award or payment if previously known.
Section 162(m).   With respectother harm to the deduction limitations under Section 162(m)Company (Company may seek recovery or forfeiture of any performance-based compensation or unvested time-based equity awards granted or paid during the 3-year period prior to discovery of the Internal Revenue Code, we are a limited partnership and do not fall within the definition of a “corporation” under Section 162(m)misconduct).
Change in Control Triggers.   The employment agreement for Mr. Pefanis, the AAP Management Unit grant agreements to which Messrs. Chiang, McGee and Goebel are a party, and the   Our long-term incentive plan grant agreementsgrants provide for all of our NEOs, include severance payment provisions or accelerated vesting provisions triggered upon a change of control as(as defined in the respective agreements. In the case of the long-term incentive plan grants, the provisionsuch agreements), but such vesting becomes operative only if the change in control is accompanied by a change in status (such as the termination of employment by GP LLC). We believe this “double trigger” arrangement is appropriate because it provides assurance to the executive, but does not offer a windfall to the executive when there has been no real change in employment status. PursuantsPursuant to the legacy AAP Management Unit grant agreements held by Messrs. Chiang (375,521 units) and Goebel (37,552 units), upon the occurrence of a change in control, any earned AAP ManagmentManagement Units become vested units. TheIn addition, the provisions in Mr. Pefanis’ legacy employment agreement become operative onlyprovide for a severance payment if he terminates employment within three months of thefollowing a change in control. Mr. Pefanis agreed to a conditional waiver of these provisions with respect to all prior qualifying transactions. See “— Employment Contracts” and “— Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.” The provision of severance or equity acceleration for certain terminations and change of control transactions helps to create a retention tool by assuring the executive that the benefit of the employment arrangement will be at least partially realized despite the occurrence of an event that could materially alter the employment arrangement.
Section 162(m).   With respect to the deduction limitations under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, we are a limited partnership and do not fall within the definition of a “corporation” under Section 162(m).

40


Relation of Compensation Policies and Practices to Risk Management
Our compensation policies and practices are designed to provide rewards for short-term and long-term performance, both on an individual basis and at the entity level. In general, optimal financial and operational performance, particularly in a competitive business, requires some degree of risk-taking. Accordingly, the use of compensation as an incentive for performance can foster the potential for management and others to take unnecessary or excessive risks to reach thetargeted performance thresholds. For us, such risks would primarily attach to certain commercial activities conducted in our Supply and Logistics segment as well as to the execution of investment capital expansion projects and acquisitions and the realization of associated returns.

36


From a risk management perspective, our policy is to conduct our commercial activities within pre-definedpre- defined risk parameters that are closely monitored and are structured in a manner intended to control and minimize the potential for unwarranted risk-taking. We also routinely monitor and measure the execution and performance of investment capital projects and acquisitions relative to expectations.
Our compensation arrangements contain a number of design elements that serve to minimize the incentive for unwarranted risk-taking to achieve short-term, unsustainable results, including splitting the awards into a number of tranches and delaying the vesting date for various tranches, in addition to subjecting such awards to forfeiture for terminations related to violations of our risk management policies and practices or of our Code of Business Conduct. In addition, the vesting criteria for long-term incentive awards are typically based on the passage of time and performance thresholds associated with achieving specified levelslong-term financial goals. Also, the fact that we utilize a variety of DCF per common unit onmetrics in connection with our incentive arrangements (both short and long term), including a trailing four-quarter basis.leverage modifier in the case of our long term incentive plan grants, provides a structural mitigant against excessive risk taking to achieve performance targets.
In combination with our risk-management practices and the processes employed by the compensation committee and the Board, we believe there is an adequate level of oversight with respect to the degree of risk being taken by management to achieve short and long term performance goals and we believe that risks arising from our compensation policies and practices for employees are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us.
 
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Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth certain compensation information for the Chief Executive Officer, the President, and Chief Commercial Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, and the three most highly compensated executive officers in 20192020 other than our CEO and CFO (collectively, our “Named Executive Officers”). As a result of his request to not participate in the 20192020 long-term incentive program, Mr. Pefanis is not one of the three most highly compensated executive officers, but he is included as a Named Executive Officer given the significance of his role. (Mr. Pefanis served as President and Chief Commercial Officer during 2020. In March 2021, Mr. Goebel was appointed to serve as Chief Commercial Officer in addition to his role as Executive Vice President.)
Name and Principal PositionYear
Salary
($)(1)
Bonus
($)(2)
Stock
Awards
($)(3)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
Total
($)
Name and Principal PositionYear
Salary
($)(1)
Stock
Awards
($)(2)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
All Other
Compensation
($)(3)
Total
($)
Willie Chiang2019600,0001,273,1182,250,00017,7604,140,878Willie Chiang2020600,0002,247,1811,425,00018,0604,290,241
Chairman and Chief Executive2018450,0006,425,5232,000,00017,4608,892,983Chairman and Chief Executive2019600,0001,273,1182,250,00017,7604,140,878
Officer2017325,0001,250,0001,714,70017,1603,306,860Officer2018450,0006,425,5232,000,00017,4608,892,983
Harry N. Pefanis2019400,0001,500,00017,7601,917,760Harry Pefanis2020400,000950,00018,0601,368,060
President and Chief Commercial2018400,0001,500,00017,4601,917,460President2019400,0001,500,00017,7601,917,760
Officer2017350,00017,160367,1602018400,0001,500,00017,4601,917,460
Al Swanson2019400,000509,2881,200,00017,7602,127,048Al Swanson2020400,000898,896775,00018,0602,091,956
Executive Vice President and Chief2018400,0001,546,6311,300,00017,4603,264,091Executive Vice President and2019400,000509,2881,200,00017,7602,127,048
Financial Officer2017325,000800,000923,30017,1602,065,460Chief Financial Officer2018400,0001,546,6311,300,00017,4603,264,091
Richard McGee2019400,000509,2881,200,00017,7602,127,048Richard McGee2020400,000898,896775,00018,0602,091,956
Executive Vice President, General2018400,0001,129,0231,300,00017,4602,846,483Executive Vice President, General2019400,000509,2881,200,00017,7602,127,048
Counsel and Secretary2017325,000800,000923,30017,1602,065,460Counsel and Secretary2018400,0001,129,0231,300,00017,4602,846,483
Chris Chandler2019396,0004,410,7881,400,00017,7606,224,548Chris Chandler2020400,000898,896800,00018,0602,116,956
Executive Vice President andExecutive Vice President and2019396,0004,410,7881,400,00017,7606,224,548
Chief Operating OfficerChief Operating Officer
Jeremy Goebel2019396,0004,410,7881,400,00017,7606,224,548Jeremy Goebel2020400,000898,896800,00018,0602,116,956
Executive Vice President – Executive Vice President and2019396,0004,410,7881,400,00017,7606,224,548
CommercialChief Commercial Officer
(1)
In October 2018, Mr. Chiang’s salary was increased from $400,000 to $600,000 in connection with his appointment to the CEO role. Salary amounts in the table for Mr. Chiang reflect a blended rate for 2018. In March 2019, the salaries for each of Messrs. Chandler and Goebel were increased from $375,000 to $400,000 in connection with their promotions to the executive vice president level. Salary amounts in the table for Messrs. Chandler and Goebel reflect a blended rate for 2019.
(2)
With respect to 2017, Mr. Pefanis indicated that he would neither request nor accept a cash bonus.
(3)
Grant date fair values are presented for (i) phantom unit grants awarded to Messrs. Chiang, Swanson, McGee, Chandler and Goebel in 2019 and 2020, (ii) phantom unit grants awarded to Messrs. Chiang, Swanson and McGee in 2016 (as amended in 2018), 2017 and 2018, (iii) a portion of an AAP Management Unit grant originally awarded to Mr. McGee in 2013 and amended in 2016 and in 2018, and (iv) the AAP Management Units and phantom units originally granted to Mr. Chiang in 2015 and amended in 2016 and in 2018. Dollar amounts in the table represent the aggregate fair value of phantom units and AAP Management Units awarded based on the probable outcome of underlying performance conditions

42


pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 20192020 Annual Report for further discussion regarding the calculation of grant date fair values.
For phantom unit grants awarded in 2017 and March 2018, vesting was deemed probable of

38


occurring on the grant date. Therefore, the maximum fair value of phantom unit grants awarded in 2017 and March 2018 is the same as the value reported in the table.
For Mr. Chiang’s August 2018 phantom unit award, one-third of the DERs were deemed probable of vesting on the grant date. The maximum fair value of phantom unit grants awarded to Mr. Chiang in August 2018, assuming that the highest level of performance conditions will be met, was $12,774,454. The maximum fair value of Mr. Chiang’s 2015 AAP Management Units as modified in 2018 (as discussed below) was $7,351,205 compared to a maximum fair value of $13,398,132 as calculated as of the original grant date.
For phantom unit grants awarded in August 2019, 50% were deemed probable of vesting on the grant date. The maximum fair value of phantom unit grants awarded in August 2019, assuming that the highest level of performance conditions will be met, was $2,403,520 for Mr. Chiang and $961,485 for each of Messrs. Swanson, McGee, Chandler and Goebel.
For phantom unit grants awarded in November 2019, 50% were deemed probable of vesting on the grant date. The maximum fair value of phantom unit grants awarded in November 2019, assuming that the highest level of performance conditions will be met, was $6,865,000 for each of Messrs. Chandler and Goebel.
For phantom unit grants awarded in August 2020, 75% were deemed probable of vesting on the grant date. The maximum fair value of phantom unit grants awarded in August 2020, assuming that the highest level of performance conditions will be met, was $4,494,363 for Mr. Chiang and $1,797,793 for each of Messrs. Swanson, McGee, Chandler and Goebel.
The amount presented for Mr. Chiang for 2018 includes aggregate net incremental fair value of $4,133,687 resulting from the modification in March 2018 of (i) AAP Management Units originally granted in August 2015 and subsequently modified in August 2016, (ii) phantom units originally granted in August 2015 and subsequently modified in August 2016 and (iii) phantom units originally granted in August 2016. The incremental fair value represents the net increase in fair value of the modified awards relative to the fair value on the original grant dates.
The amount presented for Mr. Swanson for 2018 includes incremental fair value of $893,531 resulting from the modification in March 2018 of phantom units originally granted in August 2016. The incremental fair value represents the increase in fair value of the modified awards relative to the fair value on the original grant date.
The amount presented for Mr. McGee for 2018 includes aggregate net incremental fair value of $584,773 resulting from the modification in March 2018 of (i) AAP Management Units originally granted in 2013 and subsequently modified in August 2016 and (ii) phantom units originally granted in August 2016. The incremental fair value represents the net increase in fair value of the modified awards relative to the fair value on the original grant dates.
As referenced previously, Mr. Pefanis is a co-founder and substantial equity owner and for the last several years, despite being eligible for equity awards, has requested to not participate in the long-term incentive program.
(4)(3)
GP LLC matches 100% of employees’ contributions to its 401(k) plan in cash, subject to certain limitations in the plan. All Other Compensation for 20192020 includes $16,800$17,100 in matching contributions for each of Messrs. Chiang, Pefanis, Swanson, McGee, Chandler and Goebel.the Named Executive Officers. The remaining amount represents premium payments on behalf of such Named Executive Officer for group term life insurance.
 
3943

 
Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
The following table sets forth summary information regarding all grants of plan-based awards made to our Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019:2020:
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
All Other
Stock Awards:
Number Of
Shares Of
Stock or Units
(#)
Grant Date
Fair Value
Of Stock and
Option Awards
($)(3)
NameGrant Date
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
All Other
Stock Awards:
Number Of
Shares Of
Stock or Units
(#)
Grant Date
Fair Value
Of Stock and
Option Awards
($)(2)
NameGrant
Date
Threshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
Willie Chiang2/21/191,500,0003,000,000Willie Chiang2/20/201,500,0003,000,000
8/15/19125,740(1)1,273,1188/13/20375,940(1)2,247,181
Harry N. Pefanis2/21/191,000,0002,000,000Harry Pefanis2/20/201,000,0002,000,000
Al Swanson2/21/19800,0001,600,000Al Swanson2/20/20800,0001,600,000
8/15/1950,300(1)509,2888/13/20150,380(1)898,896
Richard McGee2/21/19800,0001,600,000Richard McGee2/20/20800,0001,600,000
8/15/1950,300(1)509,2888/13/20150,380(1)898,896
Chris Chandler2/21/19800,0001,600,000Chris Chandler2/20/20800,0001,600,000
8/15/1950,300(1)509,2888/13/20150,380(1)898,896
11/21/19500,000(2)3,901,500
Jeremy Goebel2/20/20800,0001,600,000
Jeremy Goebel2/21/19800,0001,600,0008/13/20150,380(1)898,896
8/15/1950,300(1)509,288
11/21/19500,000(2)3,901,500
(1)
These50% of these phantom units will vest 50% on the August 20222023 distribution date and 50% will potentially vest on the laterAugust 2023 distribution date at a scaled payout range of between 0% and 200% based on: (i) with respect to 25% of the August 2022 distribution dateaward, PAA’s TSR over the three-year period ending June 30, 2023 compared to the TSR of the TSR Comparator Group (payout may be reduced if absolute TSR is negative); and (ii) with respect to the first distribution date following PAA’s achievementother 25% of the award, PAA achieving cumulative DCF per common unit equivalent of at least $2.65$6.00 over the three-year period ending June 30, 2023 (payout may be decreased or increased (but not above 200%) based on PAA’s leverage ratio as of June 30, 2023 compared to PAA’s target leverage ratio for such date as set forth in PAA’s multi-year plan as of August 2020). DERs associated with the time-vested portion will accrue for the first year and such accrued amount will be paid in cash in a trailing four quarter basis. The applicable trailing four quarterlump sum on the August 2021 distribution date; beginning in November 2021, DERs on such time-vested portion will be paid quarterly until the associated phantom units vest. DERs associated with the performance-vested portion will accrue during the three-year vesting period for determining whetherand be paid in cash in a lump sum on the requisite DCF per common unit has been achieved for vestingAugust 2023 distribution date with respect to the number of phantom units, may not begin until after December 31, 2020. The associated DERs willif any, that vest (i) 50% on the August 2020 distribution date and (ii) 50% on the first distribution date following January 1, 2021 on which PAA achieves DCF per common unit of at least $2.50 on a trailing four quarter basis.such date.
(2)
These phantom units will vest (i) 50% on the August 2026 distribution date, (ii) 25% on the later of the August 2026 distribution date and the first distribution date following PAA’s achievement of DCF per common unit and common unit equivalent of at least $2.80 on a trailing four quarter basis, and (iii) 25% on the later of the August 2026 distribution date and the first distribution date following PAA’s achievement of DCF per common unit and common unit equivalent of at least $3.15 on a trailing four quarter basis. These phantom units also provide that if Mr. Chandler’s or Mr. Goebel’s employment is terminated other than for cause, a portion of the unvested phantom units will be deemed nonforfeitable and will vest on the next following distribution date, with the size of the portion starting at 20% for a termination prior to November 20, 2021, and increasing by 20% per year thereafter such that 100% of the unvested phantom units would be deemed nonforfeitable following a termination other than for cause on or after November 20, 2024. The associated DERs will vest (i) 20% each on the August 2020, August 2021 and August 2022 distribution dates (60% total), (ii) 20% on the first distribution date following PAA’s achievement of DCF per common unit and common unit equivalent of at least $2.70 on a trailing four quarter basis, and (iii) 20% on the first distribution date following PAA’s achievement of DCF per common unit and common unit equivalent of at least $2.90 on a trailing four quarter basis. The applicable trailing four quarter period for determining whether the requisite

40


DCF per common unit and common unit equivalent has been achieved for vesting of phantom units and DERs may not begin until on or after January 1, 2020. Any phantom units that have not vested by the August 2028 distribution date and any associated DERs (regardless of vesting) will be forfeited. These phantom units also include other terms and provisions that are customarily included in LTIP awards issued by PAA to its senior executive officers, including a “double trigger” change of control provision that generally provides for 100% vesting of all unvested phantom units in the event of a change of control of PAA that results in a termination of Mr. Chandler’s or Mr. Goebel’s employment, a material diminution in their authority, duty or responsibilities or a material reduction of their base salary.
(3)
Represents the aggregate grant date fair values of phantom units granted in 20192020 based on the probable outcome of underlying performance conditions pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718. For phantom unit grants awarded in August 2019, 50%2020, 75% were deemed probable of vesting on the grant date. The maximum fair value of phantom unit grants awarded in August 2019,2020, assuming that the highest level of performance conditions will be met, was $2,403,520$4,494,363 for Mr. Chiang and $961,485$1,797,793 for each of Messrs. Swanson, McGee, Chandler and Goebel. For phantom unit grants awarded in November 2019, 50% were deemed probable of vesting on the grant date. The maximum fair value of phantom unit grants awarded in November 2019, assuming that the highest level of performance conditions will be met, was $6,865,000 for each of Messrs. Chandler and Goebel.
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
A narrative description of all material factors necessary to an understanding of the information included in the above Summary Compensation Table is included in “— Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and in the footnotes to such table.

44


Employment Contracts
Mr. Chiang’s previous employment agreement was amended and restated in connection with his promotion to CEO in October 2018. Pursuant to the amended and restated agreement, which may be terminated by the Company or Mr. Chiang at any time, Mr. Chiang receives an annual salary of $600,000 plus other customary benefits generally available to all employees of the Company. Mr. Chiang’s annual cash bonus target is 250% of his annual base salary, subject to adjustment by the compensation committee and full Board. He is also eligible to receive phantom unit awards under our long-term incentive plan with an annual target value equal to 500% of his annual base salary. Pursuant to an ancillary Confidential Information and Non-Solicitation Agreement, Mr. Chiang has agreed to maintain the confidentiality of certain confidential information and not to solicit customers, assets or employees of the Company, in each case for a period of two years following termination of his employment.
Mr. Pefanis is currently employed as President (he served as President and Chief Commercial Officer.Officer from January 2018 until March 2021). The initial three-year term of Mr. Pefanis’ current employment agreement commenced on June 30, 2001, and is automatically extended for one year on June 30 of each year (such that the term is reset to three years) unless Mr. Pefanis receives notice from the Chairman of the Board that the Board has elected not to extend the agreement. Mr. Pefanis has agreed, during the term of the agreement and for one year thereafter, not to disclose (subject to typical exceptions) any confidential information obtained by him while employed under the agreement. ThePefanis’ agreement provided for an initial base salary of $235,000 per year, subject to annual review. In 2005, Mr. Pefanis’ annual salary was increased to $300,000, and in 2017, his annual salary was increased to $400,000.
See “— Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for a discussion of how we use elements of compensation to achieve compensation objectives. See “— Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-In-Control” for a discussion of the provisions in Messrs. Pefanis’ and Chiang’s employment agreementsagreement related to termination, change of control and related payment obligations.
 
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth certain information regarding outstanding equity awards at December 31, 20192020 with respect to our Named Executive Officers:
Unit AwardsUnit Awards
NameNumber of
Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have
Not Vested (#)
Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested ($)(1)
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested (#)
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested ($)(1)
Name
Number of
Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have
Not Vested (#)
Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested ($)(1)
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested (#)
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested ($)(1)
Willie Chiang375,521(2)6,698,617Willie Chiang375,521(2)2,986,982
36,000(3)662,04027,500(3)226,600
55,000(4)1,011,45025,000(4)206,000
25,000(5)459,750500,000(5)4,120,000
500,000(6)9,195,00062,870(6)518,04962,870(7)518,049
62,870(7)1,156,17962,870(8)1,156,179187,970(13)1,548,873187,970(14)1,548,873
Harry N. PefanisHarry Pefanis
Al Swanson46,000(4)845,940Al Swanson23,000(3)189,520
15,000(5)275,85015,000(4)123,600
25,150(7)462,50925,150(8)462,50925,150(6)207,23625,150(7)207,236
75,190(13)619,56675,190(14)619,566
Richard McGee440,449(10)7,586,803
46,000(4)845,940Richard McGee244,694(10)1,946,356
12,500(5)229,87523,000(3)189,520
25,150(7)462,50925,150(8)462,50912,500(4)103,000
25,150(6)207,23625,150(7)207,236
Chris Chandler37,500(11)689,62575,190(13)619,56675,190(14)619,566
135,000(11)2,482,650
25,150(7)462,50925,150(8)462,509Chris Chandler37,500(9)309,000
375,000(9)6,896,250125,000(9)2,298,75090,000(9)741,600
25,150(6)207,23625,150(7)207,236
Jeremy Goebel37,552(12)669,883250,000(8)2,060,000250,000(8)2,060,000
6,000(13)110,34075,190(13)619,56675,190(14)619,566
18,334(4)337,162
120,000(14)2,206,800Jeremy Goebel37,552(11)298,708
10,000(5)183,9009,167(3)75,536
25,150(7)462,50925,150(8)462,50990,000(12)741,600
375,000(9)6,896,250125,000(9)2,298,75010,000(4)82,400
25,150(6)207,23625,150(7)207,236
250,000(8)2,060,000250,000(8)2,060,000
75,190(13)619,56675,190(14)619,566

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(1)
Market value of phantom units reported in these columns is calculated by multiplying the closing market price ($18.39)8.24) of PAA’s common units at December 31, 20192020 (the last trading day of the fiscal year) by the number of units. No discount is applied for remaining performance threshold or service period requirements. Market value of AAP Management Units is calculated by (i) assuming that such AAP Management Units are converted into AAP units based on the conversion factor of approximately 0.941 AAP units and PAGP Class B shares for each AAP Management Unit, (ii) assuming

42


the exchange of the resulting AAP units and PAGP Class B shares for PAGP Class A shares on a one-for-one basis, and (iii) multiplying such resulting number of PAGP Class A shares by the closing market price ($18.95)8.45) of PAGP’s Class A shares at December 31, 20192020 (the last trading day of the fiscal year).
(2)
Represents the pre-conversion number of AAP Management Units originally granted to Mr. Chiang in 2015. All of these AAP Management Units have been earned, but have not yet vested; accordingly, they remain subject to a call right in the event Mr. Chiang’s employment is terminated under certain circumstances prior to December 31, 2022.
(3)
Represents the unvested portion of phantom units granted to Mr. Chiang in 2015 under our Long-Term Incentive Plan. The performance thresholds required for vesting of these phantom units have been achieved and they will vest on the August 2020 distribution date. Upon vesting, the phantom units are payable on a one-for-one basis in PAA common units. The phantom units have associated DERs that are currently vested and payable in cash on each distribution payment date.
(4)
Represents the unvested portion of phantom units granted in 2016 under our Long-Term Incentive Plan. These phantom units will vest as follows: (i) one-half will vest on the August 2020 distribution date, and (ii) one-half will vest on the August 2021 distribution date. Upon vesting, the phantom units are payable on a one-for-one basis in PAA common units. These phantom units have associated DERs that are currently vested and payable in cash on each distribution date.
(5)(4)
Represents the unvested portion of phantom units granted in March 2018 under our Long-Term Incentive Plan. These phantom units will vest on the May 2021 distribution date. Upon vesting, the phantom units are payable on a one-for-one basis in PAA common units. The phantom units have associated DERs that are currently vested and payable in cash on each distribution payment date.
(6)(5)
Represents phantom units granted to Mr. Chiang in August 2018 under our Long-Term Incentive Plan. These phantom units, which were granted in connection with Mr. Chiang’s promotion to CEO, will vest as follows: (i) 25% will vest upon the later of October 1, 2023 and the first distribution date on which PAA will have generated DCF per common unit of at least $3.00 on a trailing four quarter basis, and (ii) 75% will vest upon the later of October 1, 2023 and the first distribution date on which PAA will have generated DCF per common unit of at least $3.50 on a trailing four quarter basis, in both cases with the initial performance-related measurement period beginning no sooner thanon or after January 1, 2021. Upon vesting, the phantom units are payable on a one-for-one basis in PAA common units. Any phantom units or DERs that have not vested by October 1, 2025 will expire at that time. The phantom units have associated DERs that will vest as follows: (i) one-third vested on the May 2019 distribution date as a result of PAA generating DCF per common unit of at least $2.50 on a trailing four quarter basis, (ii) one-third will vest on the first distribution date on which PAA generates DCF per common unit of at least $2.60 on a trailing four quarter basis, and (iii) one-third will vest on the first distribution date on which PAA generates DCF per common unit of at least $2.80 on a trailing four quarter basis; provided that in the case of the performance thresholds described in clauses (ii) and (iii) immediately preceding, the applicable trailing four quarter period must begin on or after January 1, 2020. These phantom units will also vest upon termination of Mr. Chiang’s employment under certain circumstances.
(7)(6)
Represents 50% of phantom units granted in August 2019 that will vest on the August 2022 distribution date. The associated DERs will vestvested on the August 2020 distribution date.
(8)(7)
Represents 50% of phantom units granted in August 2019 that will vest on the later of the August 2022 distribution date and the first distribution date following PAA’s achievement of DCF per common unit of at least $2.65 on a trailing four quarter basis. The applicable trailing four quarter period for determining whether the requisite DCF per common unit has been achieved for vesting of phantom units may not begin until after December 31, 2020. The associated DERs will vest on the first distribution date following January 1, 2021 on which PAA achieves DCF per common unit of at least $2.50 on a trailing four quarter basis.

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(9)(8)
Represents the applicable portion of phantom units granted in November 2019. These phantom units will vest (i) 50% on the August 2026 distribution date, (ii) 25% on the later of the August 2026 distribution date and the first distribution date following PAA’s achievement of DCF per common unit and common unit equivalent of at least $2.80 on a trailing four quarter basis, and (iii) 25% on the later of

47


the August 2026 distribution date and the first distribution date following PAA’s achievement of DCF per common unit and common unit equivalent of at least $3.15 on a trailing four quarter basis. The associated DERs will vest (i) 20% each on the August 2020, August 2021 and August 2022 distribution dates (60% total), (ii) 20% on the first distribution date following PAA’s achievement of DCF per common unit and common unit equivalent of at least $2.70 on a trailing four quarter basis, and (iii) 20% on the first distribution date following PAA’s achievement of DCF per common unit and common unit equivalent of at least $2.90 on a trailing four quarter basis. The applicable trailing four quarter period for determining whether the requisite DCF per common unit and common unit equivalent has been achieved for vesting of phantom units and DERs may not begin until on or after January 1, 2020. Any phantom units that have not vested by the August 2028 distribution date will be forfeited.
(10)
Represents the pre-conversion number of AAP Management Units originally granted to Mr. McGee in 2011 and 2013. All of these AAP Management Units have been earned and on January 1, 2020, 195,755 of the earned AAP Management Units vested. The remaining 244,694 AAP Management Units have not yet vested; accordingly, they remain subject to a call right in the event Mr. McGee’s employment is terminated prior to December 31, 2020.
(11)(9)
Represents phantom units granted to Mr. Chandler in May 2018, consisting of one tranche for 75,000 phantom units and a second tranche for 135,000 phantom units. One halfOne-half of the 75,000 unit tranche vested during 2019; the other half will vest on the May 2021 distribution date. TheOne-third of the 135,000 unit tranche vested in May 2020; the other two-thirds will vest in thirdsone-third each on each of the May 2020, May 2021 and May 2022 distribution dates. The phantom units have associated DERs that are currently vested and payable in cash on each distribution payment date.
(12)(10)
Represents the pre-conversion number of AAP management units granted to Mr. McGee in 2013. All of these AAP Management Units vested on January 1, 2021.
(11)
Represents the pre-conversion number of AAP management units granted to Mr. Goebel in July 2015. All of these AAP Management Units have been earned, but have not yet vested; accordingly, they remain subject to a call right in the event Mr. Goebel’s employment is terminated prior to December 31, 2022.
(13)(12)
Represents the unvested portion of phantom units granted to Mr. Goebel in July 2015. The performance thresholds required for vestingDecember 2017. One‑third of these phantom units have been achievedvested on January 1, 2021, and theythe balance will vest in 30,000 unit increments on the August 2020 distribution date.January 1, 2022 and January 1, 2023. The phantom units have associated DERs that are currently vested and payable in cash on each distribution payment date.
(14)(13)
Represents the unvested portion50% of phantom units granted to Mr. Goebel in December 2017. TheseAugust 2020 that will vest on the August 2023 distribution date. The associated DERs will accrue for the first year and such accrued amount will be paid in cash in a lump sum on the August 2021 distribution date; beginning in November 2021, DERs will be paid quarterly until the phantom units will vest in 30,000 unit increments on January 1, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Thevest.
(14)
Represents 50% of phantom units have associatedgranted in August 2020 that will potentially vest on the August 2023 distribution date at a scaled payout range of between 0% and 200% based on: (i) with respect to 25% of the August 2020 award, PAA’s TSR over the three-year period ending June 30, 2023 compared to the TSR of the TSR Comparator Group (payout may be reduced if absolute TSR is negative); and (ii) with respect to the other 25% of the August 2020 award, PAA achieving cumulative DCF per common unit equivalent of $6.00 over the three-year period ending June 30, 2023 (payout may be decreased or increased (but not above 200%) based on PAA’s leverage ratio as of June 30, 2023 compared to the target leverage ratio set forth in PAA’s multi-year plan as of August 2020). DERs that are currently vestedwill accrue during the three-year vesting period and payablebe paid in cash in a lump sum on eachthe August 2023 distribution paymentdate with respect to the number of phantom units, if any, that vest on such date.
 
4448

 
Option Exercises and Units Vested
We have never issued options under our long-term incentive plan; all of the grants awarded under our long-term incentive plan have been phantom unit grants. The following table sets forth certain information regarding the vesting of phantom units during the fiscal year ended December 31, 20192020 with respect to our Named Executive Officers.
Unit Awards
Name
Number of Units
Acquired on
Vesting (#)(1)
Value Realized
on Vesting ($)
Willie Chiang73,00063,5001,737,400506,095(2)
120,0002,871,600(3)
91,0001,979,250(4)(2)
Harry N. Pefanis
Al Swanson15,00023,000357,000183,310(2)
81,0001,938,330(3)
46,0001,000,500(4)(2)
Richard McGee12,50023,000297,500183,310(2)
81,0001,938,330(3)
46,0001,000,500(4)(2)
Chris Chandler37,50045,000892,500366,750(2)(3)
Jeremy Goebel10,00015,167238,000120,881(2)
18,333438,709(3)
24,333529,243(4)(2)
30,000601,200551,700(5)(4)
(1)
Represents the gross number of phantom units that vested during the year ended December 31, 2019.2020. The actual number of units delivered was net of income tax withholding.
(2)
Consistent with the terms of the applicable Long-Term Incentive Plan, the value realized upon vesting is computed by multiplying the closing market price ($23.80)7.97) of PAA’s common units on FebruaryAugust 13, 20192020 (the date preceding the vesting date) by the number of units that vested.
(3)
Consistent with the terms of the applicable Long-Term Incentive Plan, the value realized upon vesting is computed by multiplying the closing market price ($23.93)8.15) of PAA’s common units on May 14, 20192020 (the date preceding the vesting date) by the number of units that vested.
(4)
Consistent with the terms of the applicable Long-Term Incentive Plan, the value realized upon vesting is computed by multiplying the closing market price ($21.75)18.39) of PAA’s common units on August 13,December 31, 2019 (the date preceding the vesting date) by the number of units that vested.
(5)
Consistent with the terms of the applicable Long-Term Incentive Plan, the value realized upon vesting is computed by multiplying the closing market price ($20.04) of PAA’s common units on December 31, 2018 (the date preceding the vesting date) by the number of units that vested.
Pension Benefits
GP LLC sponsors a 401(k) plan that is available to all U.S. employees. We do not maintain any pension or defined benefit programs in which any of our employees, including the Named Executive Officers, participate.

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Nonqualified Deferred Compensation and Other Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans
We do not maintain any nonqualified deferred compensation plans or programs in which any of our employees, including our Named Executive Officers, participate.

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Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control
The following table sets forth potential amounts payable to the Named Executive Officers upon termination of employment under various circumstances, and as if terminated on December 31, 2019.2020.
By Reason
of Death
($)
By Reason
of
Disability
($)
By Company
without
Cause
($)
By Executive
with Good
Reason
($)
In Connection
with a
Change In
Control
($)
By
Reason of
Death
($)
By
Reason of
Disability
($)
By
Company
without
Cause
($)
By
Executive
with Good
Reason
($)
In Connection
with a
Change In
Control
($)
Willie Chiang(9)Willie Chiang(9)
Equity Compensation
2,133,240(1)
2,133,240(1)
8,123,599(2)
13,640,599(3)
Equity Compensation5,588,698(1)5,588,698(1)3,940,698(2)8,686,443(3)
AAP Management Units
5,023,962(10)
5,023,962(10)
5,023,962(4)
5,023,962(4)
5,023,962(5)
AAP Management Units2,240,237(10)2,240,237(10)2,240,237(4)2,240,237(4)2,240,237(5)
Total7,157,2027,157,20213,147,5615,023,96218,664,561Total7,828,9357,828,9356,180,9352,240,23710,926,680
Harry N. Pefanis(9)Harry Pefanis(9)
Salary and Bonus3,800,000(6)3,800,000(6)3,800,000(6)3,800,000(6)5,700,000(7)Salary and Bonus3,800,000(6)3,800,000(6)3,800,000(6)3,800,000(6)5,700,000(7)
Health Benefits64,113(8)64,113(8)64,113(8)64,113(8)Health Benefits41,224(8)41,224(8)41,224(8)41,224(8)
Total3,800,0003,864,1133,864,1133,864,1135,764,113Total3,800,0003,841,2243,841,2243,841,2245,741,224
Al Swanson(9)Al Swanson(9)
Equity Compensation
1,121,790(1)
1,121,790(1)
2,046,807(2)
2,046,807(3)
Equity Compensation727,592(1)727,592(1)727,592(2)1,966,723(3)
Total1,121,7901,121,7902,046,8072,046,807Total727,592727,592727,5921,966,723
Richard McGee(9)Richard McGee(9)
Equity Compensation
1,075,815(1)
1,075,815(1)
2,000,832(2)
2,000,832(3)
Equity Compensation706,992(1)706,992(1)706,992(2)1,946,123(3)
AAP Management Units
(11)
(11)
1,964,201(4)
1,964,201(4)
1,964,201(5)
AAP Management Units(11)(11)486,589(4)486,589(4)486,589(5)
Total1,075,8151,075,8153,965,0331,964,2013,965,033Total706,992706,9921,193,581486,5892,432,712
Chris Chandler(9)Chris Chandler(9)
Equity Compensation
3,172,275(1)
3,127,275(1)
5,936,292(2)
13,292,292(3)
Equity Compensation1,465,072(1)1,465,072(1)2,289,072(2)6,824,203(3)
Total3,172,2753,127,2755,936,29213,292,292Total1,465,0721,465,0722,289,0726,824,203
Jeremy Goebel(9)Jeremy Goebel(9)
Equity Compensation
2,838,202(1)
2,838,202(1)
5,602,219(2)
12,958,219(3)
Equity Compensation1,314,008(1)1,314,008(1)2,138,008(2)6,673,139(3)
AAP Management Units
(11)
(11)
167,471(4)
167,471(4)
167,471(5)
AAP Management Units(11)(11)74,677(4)74,677(4)74,677(5)
Total2,838,2022,838,2025,769,690167,47113,125,690Total1,314,0081,314,0082,212,68574,6776,747,816
(1)
The letter evidencing the 2015 phantom unit grant awarded to Mr. Chiang provides that in the event of his death or disability, all of his then outstanding phantom units and associated DERs will be deemed nonforfeitable, and (i) any unvested phantom units that had satisfied all of the vesting criteria as of the date of his termination but for the passage of time would vest on the next following distribution date and (ii) the remaining unvested outstanding phantom units will vest on the distribution date on which the vesting criteria is met.
The letters evidencing the 2016 phantom unit grants awarded to Messrs. Chiang, Swanson, McGee and Goebel, and the letter evidencing the August 2018 phantom unit grant to Mr. Chiang provide that in the event of their death or disability after the second anniversary of the date of the applicable grant, all of their then outstanding phantom units awarded under such grants will be deemed nonforfeitable and will vest on the next following distribution date (and any associated DERs shall not be forfeited but shall vest, be payable and expire according to the terms of the applicable phantom unit grant letter).
The letters evidencing the March 2018 phantom unit grants awarded to Messrs. Chiang, Swanson, McGee and Goebel, the August 2019 and August 2020 phantom unit grants awarded to Messrs. Chiang, Swanson, McGee, Chandler and Goebel and the May 2018 grant of 75,000 phantom units awarded to Mr. Chandler

46


provide that in the event of their death or disability after the first anniversary of the date of the applicable grant, all of their then outstanding phantom units awarded under such grants will be deemed nonforfeitable and will vest on the next following distribution date (and any associated DERs shall not be forfeited but shall vest, be payable and expire according to the terms of the applicable phantom unit grant letter).
The letters evidencing the July 2015 and December 2017 phantom unit grantsgrant awarded to Mr. Goebel, and the May 2018 grant of 135,000 phantom units awarded to Mr. Chandler provide that in the event of their death or disability, all of their then outstanding phantom units awarded under such grants will be deemed

50


nonforfeitable and will vest on the next following distribution date (and any associated DERs shall not be forfeited but shall vest, be payable and expire according to the terms of the applicable phantom unit grant letter).
The letters evidencing the November 2019 phantom unit grants awarded to Messrs. Chandler and Goebel provide that in the event of their death or disability after the second anniversary of the date of grant, all of their then outstanding phantom units awarded under such grants and associated DERs will be deemed nonforfeitable, and (i) 50% will vest on the next distribution date and (ii) any remaining unvested phantom units that had satisfied all of the vesting criteria as of the date of his termination but for the passage of time would also vest on the next following distribution date.
For these purposes, “disability” means a physical or mental infirmity that impairs the ability substantially to perform duties for a period of eighteen (18) months or that the general partner otherwise determines constitutes a disability.
Assuming death or disability occurred on December 31, 2019,2020, (A) all of the phantom units and associated DERs held by Messrs. Chiang, Swanson, McGee and Goebel pursuant to their 2016 and March 2018 grant letters, all of the phantom units and associated DERs held by Mr.Messrs. Chiang, Swanson, McGee, Chandler and Goebel pursuant to his 2015their August 2019 grant letter,letters, all of the phantom units and associated DERs held by Mr. Chandler pursuant to his May 2018 grant letters, all of the phantom units and associated DERs held by Mr. Chiang pursuant to his August 2018 grant letter, and all of the phantom units and associated DERs held by Mr. Goebel pursuant to his 2015 grant letter and 2017 grant letter would have become nonforfeitable as of such date and would have vested on the February 20202021 distribution date, and (B) all of the phantom units and associated DERs held by Mr. Chiang pursuant to his August 2018 grant letter,  all of the phantom units and associated DERs held by Messrs. Chiang, Swanson, McGee, Chandler and Goebel pursuant to their August 20192020 grant letters and all of the phantom units and associated DERs held by Messrs. Chandler and Goebel pursuant to their November 2019 grant letters would have been forfeited. The dollar value given is based on the market value of PAA’s common units on December 31, 20192020 ($18.398.24 per unit).
(2)
Other than as described below, pursuant to the grant letters for the currently outstanding phantom unit grants awarded to the NEOs, if GP LLC terminated their employment other than for cause (as defined in footnote 3 below), all of their unvested phantom units awarded under such grants and associated DERs shall be deemed nonforfeitable on the date of such termination and shall vest on the next following distribution date.
The phantom units granted to Messrs. Chandler and Goebel in November 2019 also provide that if Mr. Chandler’s or Mr. Goebel’stheir employment is terminated other than for cause (as defined in footnote 3 below), a portion of the unvested phantom units will be deemed nonforfeitable and will vest on the next following distribution date, with the size of the portion starting at 20% for a termination prior to November 20, 2021, and increasing by 20% per year thereafter such that 100% of the unvested phantom units would be deemed nonforfeitable following a termination other than for cause on or after November 20, 2024.
The phantom units granted to Messrs. Chiang, Swanson, McGee, Chandler and Goebel in August 2020 provide that if their employment is terminated other than for cause prior to August 2021, all of their unvested phantom units will be forfeited as of the date of such termination. If such termination occurs after August 2021, a pro rata portion of the unvested phantom units (based on the portion of the three-year vesting period that has elapsed since the grant date) will be deemed nonforfeitable and will vest on the next following distribution date.
Mr. Chiang’s August 2018 phantom unit grant provides that if his employment is terminated other than for cause (as defined in footnote 3 below) a portion of the unvested phantom units will be deemed nonforfeitable and will vest on the next following distribution date, with the size of the portion starting at 20% for a termination prior to October 1, 2019, and increasing by 20% per year thereafter such thatto 40% for a termination other than for cause between October 1, 2019 and October 1, 2020, 60% for a termination other than for cause between October 1, 2020 and October 1, 2021 and 100% of the unvested phantom units would be deemed nonforfeitable followingfor a termination other than for cause on or after October 1, 2021. Mr. Chiang’s amended and restated employment agreement also provides that his 2015 phantom unit grant will vest in full if he is terminated by GP LLC other than for cause prior to December 31, 2019 (see “— Employment Contracts” for additional information regarding Mr. Chiang’s employment agreement). Assuming our Named Executive Officers

47


were terminated without cause on December 31, 2019,2020, (i) all of the phantom units covered by the 2016 and March 2018 phantom unit grants held by Messrs. Chiang, Swanson, McGee and Goebel, all of the phantom units covered by the August 2019 phantom unit grants held by Messrs. Chiang, Swanson, McGee, Chandler and Goebel, all of the phantom units covered by the 2015 phantom unit grants held by Messrs. Chiang and Goebel, all of the phantom units covered by the December 2017 phantom unit grant held by Mr. Goebel, all of the phantom units covered by the May 2018 phantom unit grants held by Mr. Chandler, 20% of the

51


phantom units covered by the November 2019 phantom unit grants held by Messrs. Chandler and Goebel and 40%60% of the phantom units covered by the August 2018 phantom unit grant held by Mr. Chiang would have vested on the February 20202021 distribution date, and (ii) all remaining phantom units held by our Named Executive Officers would have become automatically forfeited as of such date of termination. The dollar value given is based on the market value of PAA’s common units on December 31, 20192020 ($18.398.24 per unit).
(3)
The letters evidencing phantom unit grants awarded to the Named Executive Officers provide that in the event of a change in status (as defined below), all of the then outstanding phantom units awarded under such grants and associated DERs will be deemed nonforfeitable, and such phantom units will vest in full (i.e., the phantom units will become payable in the form of one common unit per phantom unit) upon the next following distribution date. Assuming that a change in status occurred on December 31, 2019,2020, all outstanding phantom units awarded under such grants and the associated DERs would have become nonforfeitable as of December 31, 2019,2020, and such phantom units would vest on the February 20202021 distribution date. The dollar value given is based on the market value of PAA’s common units on December 31, 20192020 ($18.398.24 per unit).
The phrase “change in status” means, with respect to a Named Executive Officer, the occurrence, during the period beginning two and a half months prior to and ending one year following a change of control (as defined below), of any of the following: (A) the termination of employment by GP LLC other than a termination for cause (as defined below), (B) the termination of employment by the Named Executive Officer due to the occurrence, without the Named Executive Officer’s written consent, of (i) any material diminution in the Named Executive Officer’s authority, duties or responsibilities, (ii) any material reduction in the Named Executive Officer’s base salary or (iii) any other action or inaction that would constitute a material breach of the agreement by GP LLC, or, in the case of phantom unit grants awarded after 2016, (C) the termination of employment as a result of retirement on terms and timing that are approved by the CEO (or the Board in the case of the CEO).
The phrase “change of control” is defined in phantom unit grants awarded in 2015, 2016, 2017 and March 2018 to mean, and is deemed to have occurred upon the occurrence of, one or more of the following events: (i) the Persons who owned member interests in PAGP GP immediately following the closing of PAGP’s initial public offering, including PAGP, and the respective Affiliates of such Persons (such owners and Affiliates being referred to as the “Owner Affiliates”), cease to own directly or indirectly at least 50% of the membership interests of such entity; (ii) (x) a “person” or “group” other than the Owner Affiliates becomes the “beneficial owner” directly or indirectly of 25% or more of the member interest in the general partner of PAGP, and (y) the member interest beneficially owned by such “person” or “group” exceeds the aggregate member interest in the general partner of PAGP beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the Owner Affiliates; or (iii) a direct or indirect transfer, sale, exchange or other disposition in a single transaction or series of transaction (whether by merger or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the assets of PAGP or PAA to one or more Persons who are not Affiliates of PAGP (“third party or parties”), other than a transaction in which the Owner Affiliates continues to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the issued and outstanding voting securities of such third party or parties immediately following such transaction.
The phrase “change of control” is defined in the phantom unit grants awarded in 2019, 2020 and to Mr. Chiang in August 2018 to mean, and is deemed to have occurred upon the occurrence of, one or more of the following events: (i) any Person (other than PAGP and any affiliate of PAGP that is controlled by PAGP) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly (in one transaction or a series of related transactions and whether by merger or otherwise), of 50% or more of the membership interest in PAGP GP; (ii) any Person (other than PAGP GP, PAGP or any affiliate of PAGP that is controlled by PAGP) acquires (in one transaction or a series of related transactions and whether by merger or otherwise) direct or indirect control of the general partner interest of PAGP; (iii) PAGP ceases to retain direct or indirect control (in one transaction or a series of related transactions and whether by merger or otherwise)

48


of the general partner of PAA; or (iv) the consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation with, or any direct or indirect sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of PAA to, one or more Persons (other than PAGP or any affiliates of PAGP that are controlled by PAGP). As used in this definition, “Person” shall include any “partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group” constituting a “person” within the meaning of such terms pursuant to Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act.
“Cause” is defined in Mr. Chiang’s 2015 phantom unit grant agreement as (i) substantial failure to perform the duties and responsibilities of his position at an acceptable level as reasonably determined in good faith by the CEO and President of GP LLC (or if Mr. Chiang is the CEO, by vote of the Board) and after written notice specifying such failure in detail and after a reasonable period under the circumstances (determined by the CEO, or alternatively the Board, in good faith) such failure has continued without full correction by the executive, (ii) the executive’s conviction of or guilty plea to the committing of an act or acts constituting a felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or (iii) violation of GP LLC’s Code of Business Conduct (unless waived in accordance with the terms thereof), in each case with the specific failure or violation described in writing.
“Cause” is defined in Mr. Goebel’s 2015 phantom unit grant agreement as (i) failure to perform the duties and responsibilities of his position at an acceptable level as reasonably determined in good faith by the CEO of GP LLC or (ii) violation of GP LLC’s Code of Business Conduct (unless waived in accordance with the terms thereof), in each case with the specific failure or violation described in writing.

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“Cause” is defined in the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 20192020 phantom unit grant agreements as (i) failure to perform the duties and responsibilities of a position at an acceptable level as reasonably determined in good faith by the CEO of GP LLC (or by the Board in the case of the CEO), (ii) the conviction of or guilty plea to the committing of an act or acts constituting a felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof (or Canada or any province thereof) or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or (iii) violation of GP LLC’s Code of Business Conduct (unless waived in accordance with the terms thereof), in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) with the specific failure or violation described in writing.
(4)
Pursuant to the AAP Management Unit grant agreements of Messrs. Chiang, McGee and Goebel, AAP retained a call right to purchase any earned AAP Management Units at a discount to fair market value equal to 25%, 50%, or 75% of fair market value depending on the date of exercise of the call right (which value is referred to in the AAP Management Unit grant agreements as the “Call Value” as defined below) of such AAP Management Units, which call right is exercisable upon the termination of such Named Executive Officer’s employment with GP LLC and its affiliates prior to a stated date (January 1, 2020 for Mr. McGee’s 2011 grant, January 1, 2021 for Mr. McGee’s 2013 grant, and January 1, 2023 for Mr. Chiang’s and Mr. Goebel’s grants; such dates being referred to as the “Applicable Stated Date”); provided, however, that such call right is not applicable (i) in the case of the termination of such Named Executive Officer’s employment without cause (defined below), (ii) in the event of a resignation by such Named Executive Officer with good reason (defined below), and (iii) in Mr. Chiang’s case, termination of employment due to his death or disability. Additionally, Mr. Chiang’s amended and restated employment agreement provides that his AAP Management Units will vest in full if he is terminated by GP LLC other than for cause (as defined below) prior to December 31, 2019 (see “—Employment Contracts” for additional information regarding Mr. Chiang’s amended and restated employment agreement). If Messrs. Chiang, McGee or Goebel are terminated without cause or terminate their employment for good reason, or if such Named Executive Officer remains employed past their Applicable Stated Date, or, in the case of Mr. Chiang, if his employment is terminated due to his death or disability, any earned AAP Management Units are no longer subject to the call right and are deemed to have “vested.” As of December 31, 2019,2020, all of the AAP Management Units held by Messrs. Chiang, McGee and Goebel had been earned. Assuming a termination of employment without cause or for good reason on December 31, 2019,2020, all of the AAP Management Units held by Messrs. Chiang, McGee and Goebel would become vested and would no longer be subject to the call right. Because the call right provides for a discounted purchase price relative to fair market value as described above, the applicable Named Executive Officer would “benefit” from a termination other than for cause or for good reason by virtue of the fact that such officer’s AAP Management Units could no longer be purchased by AAP at such discount. The value reflected in the table represents the implied value of

49


such “benefit”, calculated as of December 31, 20192020 by (i) assuming that the AAP Management Units are converted into AAP units based on the conversion factor of approximately 0.941 AAP units and PAGP Class B shares for each AAP Management Unit, (ii) assuming the exchange of the resulting AAP units and PAGP Class B shares for PAGP Class A shares on a one-for-one basis, and (iii) multiplying such resulting number of PAGP Class A shares by an amount equal to the applicable percentage, taking the applicable discount into account, of the closing market price ($18.95)8.45) of PAGP’s Class A shares at December 31, 20192020 (the last trading day of the fiscal year).
“Cause” is defined in Mr. McGee’s and Mr. Goebel’s AAP Management Unit grant agreement as (i) a reasonable determination made in good faith by the CEO that the executive has substantially failed to perform the duties and responsibilities of his position at an acceptable level and after written notice specifying such failure in reasonable detail, (ii) the executive’s conviction of or guilty plea to the committing of an act or acts constituting a felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or (iii) executive’s violation of PAA’s Code of Business Conduct (unless waived), provided that executive is provided written notice of such violation. For Mr. Chiang, “Cause” is defined as (i) substantial failure to perform the duties and responsibilities of his position at an acceptable level as reasonably determined in good faith by the CEO and President of GP LLC (or if Mr. Chiang is the CEO, by vote of the Board) and after written notice specifying such failure in detail and after a reasonable period under the circumstances (determined by the CEO, or alternatively the Board, in good faith) such failure has continued without full correction by the executive, (ii) the executive’s conviction of or guilty plea to the committing of an act or acts constituting a felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or (iii) violation of GP LLC’s Code of Business Conduct (unless waived in accordance with the terms thereof), in each case with the specific failure or violation described in writing.

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“Good Reason” is defined in the AAP Management Unit grant agreements as (i) any material breach by AAP of executive’s AAP Management Unit grant agreement, (ii) the failure of any successor of AAP to assume executive’s AAP Management Unit grant agreement, or (iii) any material overall reduction the executive’s authority, responsibilities or duties.
“Call Value” is defined in the AAP Management Unit grant agreements as the product of the applicable conversion factor and the closing sales price of the PAGP Class A shares on the applicable date.
(5)
Pursuant to the AAP Management Unit grant agreements, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, any earned AAP Management Units become vested units. Mr. Chiang’s amended and restated employment agreement also provides that his AAP Management Units will vest in full if GP LLC terminates his employment other than for cause prior to December 31, 2019 (see “— Employment Contracts” for additional information regarding Mr. Chiang’s employment agreement). As of December 31, 2019,2020, all of the AAP Management Units held by Messrs. Chiang, McGee and Goebel had been earned. Accordingly, assuming that a Change in Control occurred on December 31, 2019,2020, all of the AAP Management Units held by Messrs. Chiang, McGee and Goebel would become vested and would no longer be subject to the call right. The value reflected in the table above for Messrs. Chiang, McGee and Goebel represents the implied value of such “benefit”, calculated as of December 31, 20192020 by (i) assuming that such executive’s vested AAP Management Units are converted into AAP units based on the conversion factor of approximately 0.941 AAP units and PAGP Class B shares for each AAP Management Unit, (ii) assuming the exchange of the resulting AAP units and PAGP Class B shares for PAGP Class A shares on a one-for-one basis, and (iii) multiplying such resulting number of PAGP Class A shares by an amount equal to the applicable percentage, taking the applicable discount into account, of the closing market price ($18.95)8.45) of PAGP’s Class A shares at December 31, 20192020 (the last trading day of the fiscal year).
“Change in Control” means the determination by the Board that one of the following events has occurred: (i) the Persons who own member interests in PAGP GP immediately following the closing of PAGP’s initial public offering, including PAGP, and the respective Affiliates of such Persons (such owners and Affiliates being referred to as the “Owner Affiliates”), cease to own directly or indirectly at least 50% of the membership interests of such entity; (ii) (x) a “person” or “group” other than the Owner Affiliates becomes the “beneficial owner” directly or indirectly of 25% or more of the member interest in the general partner of PAGP, and (y) the member interest beneficially owned by such “person” or “group” exceeds the aggregate member interest in the general partner of PAGP beneficially owned,

50


directly or indirectly, by the Owner Affiliates; or (iii) a direct or indirect transfer, sale, exchange or other disposition in a single transaction or series of transaction (whether by merger or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the assets of PAGP or PAA to one or more Persons who are not Affiliates of PAGP (“third party or parties”), other than a transaction in which the Owner Affiliates continue to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the issued and outstanding voting securities of such third party or parties immediately following such transaction.
(6)
Mr. Pefanis’ employment agreement provides that if (i) his employment is terminated as a result of his death, (ii) he terminates his employment (a) because of a disability (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) or (b) for good reason (as defined below), or (iii) GP LLC terminates his employment without cause (as defined below), he is entitled to a lump-sum amount equal to the product of (1) the sum of his (a) highest annual base salary paid prior to his date of termination and (b) highest annual bonus paid or payable for any of the three years prior to the date of termination, and (2) the lesser of (i) two or (ii) the number of days remaining in the term of his employment agreement divided by 360. The amount provided in the table assumes a termination date of December 31, 20192020 with two years remaining on the term of his agreement, and also assumes a highest annual base salary of $400,000 and highest annual bonus of $1,500,000.
Mr. Pefanis’ employment agreement defines “cause” as (i) willfully engaging in gross misconduct, or (ii) conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude. Notwithstanding, no act, or failure to act, on his part is “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, not in good faith and without reasonable belief that such act or omission was in the best interest of GP LLC or otherwise likely to result in no material injury to GP LLC. However, Mr. Pefanis will not be deemed to have been terminated for cause unless and until there is delivered to him a copy of a resolution of the Board at a meeting held for that purpose (after reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard), finding that Mr. Pefanis was guilty of the conduct described above, and specifying the basis for that finding. If Mr. Pefanis were terminated for cause, GP LLC would be obligated to pay base salary through the date of termination, with no other payment obligations triggered by the termination under the employment agreement or other employment arrangement.

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Mr. Pefanis’ employment agreement defines “good reason” as the occurrence of any of the following circumstances: (i) removal by GP LLC from, or failure to re-elect him to, the position to which Mr. Pefanis was appointed pursuant to his employment agreement, except in connection with his termination for cause (as defined above); (ii) (a) a reduction in his rate of base salary (other than in connection with across-the-board salary reductions for all executive officers of GP LLC) unless such reduction reduces his base salary to less than 85% of his current base salary, (b) a material reduction in his fringe benefits, or (c) any other material failure by GP LLC to comply with its obligations under the employment agreement to pay his annual salary and bonus, reimburse his business expenses, provide for his participation in certain employee benefit plans and arrangements, furnish him with suitable office space and support staff, or allow him no less than 15 business days of paid vacation annually; or (iii)(ii) the failure of GP LLC to obtain the express assumption of the employment agreement by a successor entity (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of GP LLC.
(7)
Pursuant to his employment agreement, if Mr. Pefanis terminates his employment with GP LLC within three months of a change in control (as defined below), he is entitled to a lump-sum payment in an amount equal to the product of (i) three and (ii) the sum of (a) his highest annual base salary previously paid to him and (b) his highest annual bonus paid or payable for any of the three years prior to the date of such termination. The amount provided in the table assumes a change in control and termination date of December 31, 2019,2020, and also assumes a highest annual base salary of $400,000 and highest annual bonus of $1,500,000.
In conjunction with events occurring in 2005, 2010 and 2013, Mr. Pefanis executed various agreements waiving his right to terminate his employment and receive separation benefits under his employment agreement. In connection with such waivers, the definition of “Change in Control” in Mr. Pefanis’ employment agreement was modified to mean, and will be deemed to occur upon, one or more of the following events: (i) any person (other than PAGP or its wholly owned subsidiaries), including any partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group deemed a “person” for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”),

51


becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the membership interest in GP LLC or 50% or more of the outstanding limited partnership interest of PAGP; (ii) any person (other than PAGP or its wholly owned subsidiaries), including any partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group deemed a “person” for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the membership interest in PAGP GP; (iii) PAGP ceases to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the membership interest in GP LLC; (iv) the “Owner Affiliates”, as defined in such agreements, cease to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the membership interest in PAGP GP; or (v) there has been a direct or indirect transfer, sale, exchange or other disposition in a single transaction or series of transactions (whether by merger or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the assets of PAGP or PAA to one or more persons who are not affiliates of PAGP (“third party” or “parties”), other than a transaction in which the Owner Affiliates continue to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the issued and outstanding voting securities of such third party or parties immediately following such transaction.
(8)
Pursuant to his employment agreement, if Mr. Pefanis is terminated other than (i) for cause (as defined in footnote 6 above), (ii) by reason of death or (iii) by resignation (unless such resignation is due to a disability or for good reason (each as defined in footnote 6 above)), then he is entitled to continue to participate, for a period which is the lesser of two years from the date of termination or the remaining term of the employment agreement, in such health and accident plans or arrangements as are made available by GP LLC to its executive officers generally. The amounts provided in the table assume a termination date of December 31, 20192020 with two years remaining on the term of his agreement.
(9)
If Messrs. Chiang, Pefanis, Swanson, McGee, Chandler or Goebel were terminated for cause, GP LLC would be obligated to pay base salary through the date of termination, with no other payment obligation triggered by the termination under any employment arrangement.
(10)
Mr. Chiang’s AAP Management Unit grant agreement provides that in the event of his death or disability, AAP will not have a call right and all of his earned AAP Management Units will vest. As of December 31, 2019,2020, all of Mr. Chiang’s AAP Management Units had been earned. The dollar value given

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assumes Mr. Chiang’s death or disability on December 31, 20192020 and represents the implied value of such “benefit,” calculated as of December 31, 20192020 by (i) assuming that Mr. Chiang’s vested AAP Management Units are converted into AAP units based on the conversion factor of approximately 0.941 AAP units and PAGP Class B shares for each AAP Management Unit, (ii) assuming the exchange of the resulting AAP units and PAGP Class B shares for PAGP Class A shares on a one-for-one basis, and (iii) multiplying such resulting number of PAGP Class A shares by the closing market price ($18.95)8.45) of PAGP’s Class A shares at December 31, 20192020 (the last trading day of the fiscal year).
(11)
Under the AAP Management Unit grant agreements for Messrs. McGee and Goebel, their death or disability would trigger AAP’s call right, which is assumed to be exercised.
Confidentiality, Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Arrangements
Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Chiang has agreed to maintain the confidentiality of certain information and not to solicit customers, assets and employees for two years following termination of his employment. Mr. Pefanis has agreed to maintain the confidentiality of PAA information for a period of one year following the termination of his employment. Messrs. McGee and Chandler have each agreed to maintain the confidentiality of certain information and not to solicit customers for a period of two years after termination of their employment.
Pay Ratio Disclosure
As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship of the annual total compensation of our employees and the annual total compensation of Willie Chiang, our CEO during 2019:2020:

The annual total compensation for Mr. Chiang for 20192020 was approximately $4,141,000.$4,290,000.

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The annual total compensation for the median employee for 20192020 was approximately $109,000.

The ratio of Mr. Chiang’s pay to the pay of our median employee for 20192020 was approximately 3839 to 1.
PAA’s median employee was identified as of December 31, 20192020 using the following methodology:

A list was prepared of all individuals, excluding the CEO, who were employed by PAA on December 31, 2019.2020. We included all U.S. and Canadian employees.

Basic wage data for each U.S. employee was extracted from Form W-2 information provided to the Internal Revenue Service for calendar year 2019.2020. Basic wage data for each Canadian employee was extracted from Form T4 information provided to the Canada Revenue Agency for calendar year 20192020 and converted to U.S. dollars. This information was then sorted and the median employee was identified.
The median employee’s annual total compensation for 20192020 was determined using the same methodology we used for determining the annual total compensation for the Named Executive Officers as set forth in the 20192020 Summary Compensation Table.

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Compensation of Directors
The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation paid to each person who served as a director of PAGP GP in 20192020 (other than Messrs. Chiang and Pefanis who were not compensated as directors and whose compensation is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table above):
NameFees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)
Stock
Awards
($)(1)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total
($)
Greg Armstrong(2)
250,00017,760267,760
Victor Burk90,000114,318204,318
Oscar K. Brown(3)
56,25056,250
Everardo Goyanes105,000114,318219,318
Gary R. Petersen75,000114,318189,318
Alexandra Pruner90,000114,318204,318
John T. Raymond75,00091,323166,323
Bobby S. Shackouls85,000114,318199,318
Robert V. Sinnott85,00091,323176,323
J. Taft Symonds90,000114,318204,318
Christopher M. Temple75,000114,318189,318
Name
Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash
($)
Stock
Awards ($)(1)
All Other
Compensation ($)
Total ($)
Greg L. Armstrong(2)250,00015,960265,960
Victor Burk105,000124,766229,766
Everardo Goyanes(3)45,00045,000
Kevin S. McCarthy(3)18,75079,45398,203
Gary R. Petersen75,000124,766199,766
Alexandra D. Pruner90,000124,766214,766
John T. Raymond81,126124,766205,892
Bobby S. Shackouls120,000124,766244,766
Robert V. Sinnott(3)61,25061,250
J. Taft Symonds(3)45,00045,000
Christopher M. Temple75,000124,766199,766
Lawrence M. Ziemba82,748578,358661,106
(1)
The dollar value of LTIPs granted during 20192020 is based on the grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 20192020 Annual Report for additional discussion regarding the calculation of grant date fair values. In August 2019,connection with their respective appointments to the directorsBoard during 2020, Mr. Ziemba received an LTIP awardsaward for 23,490 PAGP phantom Class A shares as follows:and Mr. McCarthy received an LTIP award for 10,622 PAGP phantom Class A shares. In August 2020, each of Messrs. Burk, — 5,220; Goyanes — 5,220; Petersen, — 5,220;Raymond, Shackouls, Temple, Ziemba and Ms. Pruner — 5,220; Raymond — 4,170; Shackouls — 5,220; Sinnott — 4,170; Symonds — 5,220 and Temple — 5,220. Upon vesting of directorreceived an annual LTIP award for 15,290 PAGP phantom Class A shares. See “— Long-Term Equity Awards” below for further information regarding LTIP awards in August 2019, a cash paymentgranted to our non-employee directors. The aggregate number of $65,750 was made to Occidentaloutstanding LTIP awards held by our non-employee directors as directed by Mr. Brown. Such cash payment was based on the unit value of Mr. Sinnott’s award on the previous year’s vesting date. As of December 31, 2019, the number of outstanding PAA LTIPs held by our directors was2020 were as follows: Burk — 10,000; Petersen — 7,500; Shackouls — 7,500; Sinnott — 5,000 and Symonds — 10,000. As of December 31, 2019, the number of outstanding PAGP LTIPs held by our directors was as follows: Burk — 10,099; Goyanes — 20,099; Petersen — 10,099; Pruner — 22,668; Raymond — 13,073; Shackouls — 10,099; Sinnott — 8,073; Symonds — 10,099 and Temple — 17,559.
Number of LTIP Awards Held as of December 31, 2020
Director Name:
PAA Phantom
Units
Vesting
Date
PAGP Phantom
Class A Shares
Vesting
Date
Burk5,000Aug 20214,879Aug 2022
5,220Aug 2023
15,290Aug 2024
Total5,00025,389
McCarthy10,622Aug 2024
Total10,622
Petersen3,750Aug 20214,879Aug 2022
5,220Aug 2023
15,290Aug 2024
Total3,75025,389
Pruner5,816Aug 2021
5,816Aug 2022
5,220Aug 2023
15,290Aug 2024
Total32,142
 
5357

 
Number of LTIP Awards Held as of December 31, 2020
Director Name:
PAA Phantom
Units
Vesting
Date
PAGP Phantom
Class A Shares
Vesting
Date
Raymond2,500Aug 2021
3,903Aug 2022
4,170Aug 2023
15,290Aug 2024
Total25,863
Shackouls3,750Aug 20214,879Aug 2022
5,220Aug 2023
15,290Aug 2024
Total3,75025,389
Temple3,750Aug 2021
4,879Aug 2022
5,220Aug 2023
15,290Aug 2024
Total29,139
Ziemba6,480Aug 2021
6,480Aug 2022
6,480Aug 2023
15,290Aug 2024
Total34,730
(2)
Mr. Armstrong served as non-executive Chairman ofSenior Advisor to the BoardCEO during 20192020 and was compensated for his services as an employee. For 2019, he received a salary of $250,000 and other compensation of $17,760$15,960 (comprising 401(k) plan matching contributions and premium payments for group term life insurance). Beginning for his services as an employee. Pursuant to his employment agreement, which was amended and restated effective January 1, 2020, Mr. Armstrong will continue to serve as a director and will also serve as Senior Advisor to the CEO for up to a two-year term. Pursuant to his employment agreement, which was amendedterm and restated effective January 1, 2020, Mr. Armstrong will continue to receive an annual salary of $250,000 for these services. Should Mr. Armstrong be elected at the 2021 annual meeting and effective concurrently therewith, the term of his employment agreement will be extended through the date of the 2024 annual meeting. Mr. Armstrong does not hold any LTIP Awards.
(3)
Mr. BrownGoyanes served as Occidental’s designateda director and member of the audit committee until his death in March 2020, Mr. Sinnott served as a director until his retirement in September 2019. His2020 and as chairman of the compensation was assigned to Occidental.committee through May 2020, and Mr. Symonds served as a director and member of the audit committee until his retirement in May 2020. Mr. McCarthy has served as a director since October 2020.
Each director who is not an employee of GP LLC is reimbursed for any travel, lodgingCash Retainer and other out-of-pocket expenses related to meeting attendance or otherwise related to service on the Board (including, without limitation, reimbursement for continuing education expenses). Expense Reimbursement
Each non-employee director is currently paid an annual retainer fee of $75,000; however, the annual retainer fee for the director designated by Occidental was paid to Occidental.$75,000. Messrs. Armstrong, Chiang and Pefanis are otherwise compensated for their services as employees and therefore receive no separate compensation for services as directors. In addition to the annual retainer, each committee chairman (other than the audit committee chairman) receives $10,000 annually. The chairman of the audit committee receives $30,000 annually, and the other members of the audit committee receive $15,000 annually, in each case, in addition to the annual retainer. Beginning on January 1, 2020, theThe Lead Director (Mr. Shackouls) began receivingreceives $35,000 annually in addition to the annual retainer. Mr. Shackouls served as Lead Director during 2020. Each director who is not an employee of GP LLC is reimbursed for reasonable travel, lodging and other out-of-pocket expenses related to meeting attendance or otherwise related to service on the Board (including, without limitation, reimbursement for continuing education expenses).
Long-Term Equity Awards
Our non-employee directors receive LTIP awards as part of their compensation. Prior to August 2018, the directors received LTIP awards denominated in either PAA phantom units or PAGP phantom Class A shares based on a one-time election made by each director. Such LTIP awards vested 25% on the August distribution date of each year, with an automatic re-grant of an additional 25% immediately upon each such vesting, together with associated DERs. In August 2018, the automatic re-grant feature of the existing

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director LTIP awards was eliminated and directors began to receive annual grants of LTIP awards for PAGP phantom Class A shares having a market value on the date of grant equal to approximately $125,000 for independent directors and approximately $100,000 for designated directors. The annual LTIP awards will vest (become payable in PAGP Class A shares on a one-for-one basis) in August four years after the date of grant, and include associated DERs.
In connection with his appointment to the Board in January 2020, Mr. Ziemba received an initial LTIP award for 23,490 PAGP phantom Class A shares that will vest (become payable in PAGP Class A shares on a one-for-one basis) in 25% increments in August of each year for the next four years commencing in August 2020 and continuing through August 2023. ThisMr. Ziemba’s initial grant was sized so that the number of phantom Class A shares vesting each August willwould have a market value on the date of such initial grant equal to approximately $125,000 (or pro rata portion thereof for the period from January 2020 through August 2020), based on a VWAP per unitvolume weighted average price for the 10-trading day period immediately preceding the date of grant.grant (the “VWAP” Price). As each tranche of phantom Class A shares vests, they will be replaced with a newan annual grant of phantom Class A shares having a market value on the date of grant equal to approximately $125,000 (based on the then applicable VWAP)VWAP Price) and that will vest four years after the date of grant. The phantom Class A shares awarded to Mr. Ziemba include associated DERs.
In connection with his appointment to the Board in October 2020, Mr. McCarthy received an initial LTIP award for 10,622 PAGP phantom Class A shares that will vest (become payable in PAGP Class A shares on a one-for-one basis) in August 2024. Mr. McCarthy’s initial grant was sized so that the number of phantom Class A shares vesting in August 2024 would have a market value on the date of such initial grant equal to approximately $100,000 (or pro rata portion thereof for the period from October 2020 through August 2021), based on the applicable VWAP Price. The phantom Class A shares awarded to Mr. McCarthy include associated DERs. Beginning in August 2021, Mr. McCarthy will receive an annual grant of LTIP awards for PAGP phantom Class A shares having a market value on the date of grant equal to approximately $100,000 (based on the then applicable VWAP Price) and that will vest four years after the date of grant. The phantom Class A shares awarded to Mr. McCarthy include associated DERs.
All director LTIP awards vest in full upon the next following distribution date after the death or disability (as determined in good faith by the Board) of the director. The awards also vest in full if a director (i) retires (no longer with full-time employment and no longer serving as an officer or director of any public company) or (ii) is removed from the Board or is not reelected to the Board, unless such removal or failure to reelect is for “Cause,” as defined in the PAGP GP LLC Agreement.

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Reimbursement of Expenses of PAA’s General Partner and its Affiliates
PAA does not pay its general partner a management fee, but it does reimburse its general partner for all direct and indirect costs of services provided to PAA, incurred on PAA’s behalf, including the costs of employee, officer and director compensation and benefits allocable to PAA, as well as all other expenses necessary or appropriate to the conduct of PAA’s business, allocable to PAA. PAA records these costs on the accrual basis in the period in which PAA’s general partner incurs them. PAA’s partnership agreement provides that its general partner will determine the expenses that are allocable to PAA in any reasonable manner determined by its general partner in its sole discretion.
 
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Plains GP Holdings, L.P.
Our Class A, Class B and Class C shares outstanding represent 100% of our voting securities. The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our Class A, Class B and Class C shares as of March 23, 202026, 2021 (unless otherwise noted) by each person who is known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of our Class A shares, each person who is known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of our Class B shares, each person who is known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of our Class C shares, the Named Executive Officers, our directors, and all directors and executive officers as a group. Holders of our Class A, Class B and Class C shares are entitled to vote on all matters presented at the Annual Meeting.
Name of Beneficial Owner and Address
(in the case of Owners of more than 5%)
Class A
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)
Percentage
of Class A
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
Class B
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)(2)
Percentage
of Class B
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(2)
Class C
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(3)
Percentage
of Class C
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
Percentage
of Class A,
B and C
Shares
Combined
Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C.(4)
5100 W 115th Place
Leawood, KS 66211
12,708,1766.9%38,736,2707.0%6.4%
Chickasaw Capital Management, LLC(5)
6075 Poplar Avenue, Suite 720
Memphis, TN 38119
9,966,2165.4%1.2%
Kayne Anderson Capital
Advisors, L.P./Richard A. Kayne(6)
1800 Avenue of the Stars, 3rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
5,856,0503.2%19,926,5583.6%3.2%
EMG Investment, LLC
2229 San Felipe, Suite 1300
Houston, TX 77019
6,220,9559.7% *
KAFU Holdings (QP), L.P. et al
1800 Avenue of the Stars, 3rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
18,338,13328.5%2.3%
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.
333 Clay Street, Suite 1600
Houston, TX 77002
550,707,207100%69.0%
Willie Chiang241,704 *353,489(7) *223,302 * *
Harry N. Pefanis233,653 *3,768,9885.9%650,194 * *
Al Swanson1,351,839 *234,357 * *
Richard McGee2,500 *429,346(8) *240,473 * *
Chris Chandler28,340 * *
Jeremy Goebel1,314 *35,350(9) *108,051 * *
Greg L. Armstrong1,865,8121.0%4,492,2687.0%1,508,418 * *
Victor Burk10,138(10) *27,043 * *
Everardo Goyanes57,305(10) *88,400 * *
Gary R. Petersen3,755(10) *25,417,8204.6%3.2%
Alexandra Pruner3,936(10) * *
John T. Raymond248,031(10) *17,679,691(11)27.5%21,975,8754.0%5.0%
Bobby S. Shackouls9,012(10) *27,533 * *
Robert V. Sinnott1,423,008(10) *16,026,307(12)24.9%389,391 *2.2%
J. Taft Symonds9,256(10) *119,050 * *
Christopher M. Temple11,250(10) *31,250 * *
Lawrence M. Ziemba10,000(10) *2,346 * *
All directors and executive officers as a
group (18 persons)
5,482,513(10)(14)3.0%42,931,843(13)(14)66.8%51,121,2329.3%12.5%
Name of Beneficial Owner and Address (in the case
of Owners of more than 5%)
Class A
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)
Percentage
of Class A
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
Class B
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)(2)
Percentage
of Class B
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(2)
Class C
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(3)
Percentage
of Class C
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
Percentage
of
Class A,
B and C
Shares
Combined
Massachusetts Financial Services Company(4)16,228,8378.4%2.0%
111 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02199
Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C.(5)13,973,2707.2%28,898,6755.3%5.4%
5100 W 115th Place
Leawood, KS 66211
Chickasaw Capital Management, LLC(6)10,327,4105.3%1.3%
6075 Poplar Avenue, Suite 720
Memphis, TN 38119
Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P./
Richard A. Kayne(7)
4,253,8582.2%13,465,6422.5%2.2%
1800 Avenue of the Stars, 3rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
KAFU Holdings (QP), L.P. et al18,151,55235.7%2.3%
1800 Avenue of the Stars, 3rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.(3)547,590,593100%69.1%
333 Clay Street, Suite 1600
Houston, TX 77002
Willie Chiang241,704* (8)261,814**
Harry N. Pefanis1,108,653*2,268,9884.5%460,194**
Al Swanson1,351,839*248,306**
Richard McGee2,500*429,346*254,422**
Chris Chandler55,632**
Jeremy Goebel1,314*(9)139,087**
Greg L. Armstrong1,865,812*4,492,2688.8%1,508,418**
Victor Burk7,134(10)*32,043**
Kevin S. McCarthy99,069(10)*15,839,726(11)31.2%2.0%
Gary R. Petersen3,755(10)*25,421,5704.6%3.2%
Alexandra D. Pruner9,752(10)**
John T. Raymond250,531(10)*11,458,736(12)22.5%21,975,8754.0%4.3%
Bobby S. Shackouls9,012(10)*31,283**
Christopher M. Temple15,000(10)**
Lawrence M. Ziemba14,050(10)*2,346**
All directors and executive officers as a group (16 persons)4,980,125(10)(13)2.6%34,635,468(13)68.2%50,449,8349.2%11.4%
*
Less than 1%.
(1)
Class A shares beneficially owned do not include any Class A shares issuable in connection with the exchange of any Class B shares, whether such Class B shares are currently outstanding or issuable

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following the conversion of any AAP Management Units. Although holders of our Class B shares have

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the right, at any time and from time to time, to immediately exchange (the “Exchange Right”) their Class B shares, together with a like number of AAP units and general partner units, for our Class A shares on a one-for-one basis, the fact that such Exchange Right may be settled in cash at AAP’s option results in such Class A shares not being deemed to be beneficially owned by the holders of our Class B shares.
(2)
As long as our Class A shares are publicly traded, a holderHolders of vested AAP Management Units will be entitled to convert such AAP Management Units into Class B shares and a like number of AAP units based on a conversion ratio of approximately 0.941 AAP units (and Class B shares) for each AAP Management Unit. Accordingly, figuresFigures presented for Class B shares beneficially owned and percentage of Class B shares beneficially owned are presented on a fully diluted basis anddo not include Class B shares to be issued upon the conversion of all outstanding AAP Management Units based on such 0.941 conversion ratio.Units.
(3)
AllEach Class C share represents a non-economic limited partner interest in PAGP. The number of our issued and outstanding Class C shares are owned by PAA. ThroughPAA is equal to the number of outstanding PAA common units and PAA Series A preferred units that are entitled to vote, pro rata with the holders of PAGP Class A and Class B shares, for the election of eligible PAGP GP directors. Thus, the Class C shares function as a “pass-through” voting right,mechanism through which PAA votes at the direction of and as proxy for holders of PAA’sPAA common units (other than AAP) and holders of PAA’sPAA Series A preferred units have the effective right to vote, together with the holders of our Class A shares and Class B shares, on the election of directors and other matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders. Therefore, holdersdirectors. Holders of our Class A shares and Class B shares who also directly or indirectly beneficially own PAA common units and/or Series A preferred units will, in addition to voting their Class A and Class B shares, be able to direct PAA how to vote their pro rata share of the Class C shares owned by PAA. Numbers in the column for holders other than PAA represent PAA common units and/or PAA Series A preferred units directly or indirectly beneficially owned by such holders.
(4)
Reflects ownership as of December 31, 20192020 as reported in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2020.11, 2021.
(5)
Reflects ownership as of December 31, 20192020 as reported in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 7, 2020.12, 2021.
(6)
Reflects ownership as of December 31, 2020 as reported in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 5, 2021.
(7)
Richard A. Kayne is Chief Executive Officer and Director of Kayne Anderson Investment Management, Inc., which is the general partner of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. (“KACALP”). Various accounts under the management or control of KACALP own 5,165,3773,528,256 Class A shares. Mr. Kayne may be deemed to beneficially own such shares. In addition, Mr. Kayne directly owns or has sole voting and dispositive power over 690,673725,602 Class A shares. Mr. Kayne disclaims beneficial ownership of any of our Class A shares other than Class A shares held by him or attributable to him by virtue of his interests in the accounts that own our Class A shares.
(7)(8)
Represents the number of Class B shares beneficiallyDoes not include 375,521 unvested AAP Management Units owned by Mr. Chiang, through his beneficial ownership ofwhich are convertible, upon vesting, into 353,489 AAP units and Class B shares based on a conversion ratio of 0.941 AAP units and Class B shares for each AAP Management Unit.
(8)
Represents the number of Class B shares beneficially owned by Mr. McGee through his (i) direct ownership of 199,008 AAP units and Class B shares and (ii) beneficial ownership of 230,338 AAP units and Class B shares, based on a conversion ratio of 0.941 AAP units and Class B shares for eachChiang’s AAP Management Unit.Units are scheduled to vest in December 2022 subject to satisfaction of vesting conditions.
(9)
Represents the number of Class B shares beneficiallyDoes not include 37,552 unvested AAP Management Units owned by Mr. Goebel, through his beneficial ownership ofwhich are convertible, upon vesting, into 35,350 AAP units and Class B shares, based on a conversion ratio of 0.941 AAP units and Class B shares for each AAP Management Unit. Mr. Goebel’s AAP Management Units are scheduled to vest in December 2022 subject to satisfaction of vesting conditions.
(10)
Does not include unvested phantom Class A shares granted under our Long-Term Incentive Plan, none of which will vest within 60 days from the date hereof.Plan. See “Director Compensation.”
(11)
Mr. Raymond is (i)McCarthy has shared voting and dispositive power over the sole member of the general partner of the manager of EMG Investment, LLC,Class B shares owned by KAFU Holdings (QP), L.P. (“KAFU QP”), which entity owns 6,220,95515,839,726 Class B shares, and (ii)shares. Mr. McCarthy disclaims any deemed beneficial ownership of the interests owned by KAFU QP beyond his pecuniary interest therein.
(12)
Mr. Raymond is the sole member of Lynx Holdings I, LLC, which entity owns 3,183,216 Class B shares. As such, Mr. Raymond has sole voting and dispositive power over the Class B shares owned by each of EMG Investment, LLC and Lynx Holdings I, LLC. Mr. Raymond disclaims any deemed beneficial ownership of the interests owned by EMG Investment, LLC beyond his pecuniary interest therein.

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(12)
Mr. Sinnott has shared voting and dispositive power over the Class B shares owned by KAFU Holdings (QP), L.P. (“KAFU QP”), which entity owns 16,026,307 Class B shares. Mr. Sinnott disclaims any deemed beneficial ownership of the interests owned by KAFU QP beyond his pecuniary interest therein.
(13)
Certain members of this group directly own 16,836,120 AAP units and Class B shares and beneficially own 665,245 AAP units and Class B shares based on a conversion ratio of 0.941 AAP units and Class B shares for each AAP Management Unit.
(14)
As of March 23, 2020,26, 2021, no Class A shares or Class B shares were pledged by directors or Named Executive Officers.
 
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Beneficial Ownership of Plains AAP, L.P.
The following table sets forth the percentage ownership of the Class A limited partners of AAP, including our Directorsdirectors and Named Executive Officers, and the resulting economic interest of such limited partners and the holders of the AAP Management Units as a group, in each case as of March 23, 2020:26, 2021:
Name of Owner and Address
(in the case of Owners of more than 5%)
Percentage
Ownership of
Plains AAP, L.P.
Class A LP
Interest
Economic
Interest in
Plains AAP, L.P.(1)
Plains GP Holdings, L.P. and Plains All American GP LLC
333 Clay Street, Suite 1600
Houston, TX 77002
74.5%74.1%
KAFU Holdings (QP), L.P. and Affiliates
1800 Avenue of the Stars, 3rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
7.4%7.4%
EMG Investment, LLC2.5%2.5%
John T. Raymond and Affiliate4.6%4.6%
Windy, L.L.C.1.8%1.8%
Greg L. Armstrong1.8%1.8%
Harry N. Pefanis1.5%1.5%
Richard McGee**
Various Individual Investors5.9%5.9%
AAP Management Unitholders(2)
0.4%
Name of Owner and Address (in the case of Owners of more than 5%)
Percentage
Ownership of
Plains AAP, L.P.
Class A LP
Interest
Economic
Interest in
Plains AAP, L.P.(1)
Plains GP Holdings, L.P. and Plains All American GP LLC79.3%79.0%
333 Clay Street, Suite 1600
Houston, TX 77002
KAFU Holdings (QP), L.P. and Affiliates7.4%7.4%
1800 Avenue of the Stars, 3rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Lynx Holdings I, LLC1.3%1.3%
John T. Raymond3.4%3.4%
Greg L. Armstrong1.8%1.8%
Harry N. Pefanis0.9%0.9%
Richard McGee0.2%0.2%
Various Individual Investors5.7%5.7%
AAP Management Unitholders(2)0.3%
*
Less than 1%.
(1)
AAP owns approximately 248.4246 million PAA common units and a 100% member interest in PAA GP LLC, which owns PAA’s non-economic general partner interest.
(2)
Represents a profits interest in AAP in the form of AAP Management Units owned by certain members of management.
 
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EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION TABLE
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our equity compensation plan as of December 31, 2019.2020. For a description of this plan, see “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Plains GP Holdings, L.P. Long Term Incentive Plan.”
Plan Category
Number of Shares Units
to
be Issued upon

Exercise/Vesting
of Outstanding
OutstandingOptions,
Options, Warrants and
and Rights
(a)
Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants and
Rights
(b)
Number of SharesUnits
Remaining
Available for
for Future Issuance
under Equity
Compensation
Plans
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders:unitholders:
Long Term Incentive Plan121,908208,663(1)N/A3,572,1833,431,041(1)
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholdersN/Aunitholders:N/AN/AN/A
(1)
The Plains GP Holdings, L.P. Long Term Incentive Plan (the “PAGP Plan”) was adopted by our general partner in connection with our initial public offering in October 2013. The PAGP Plan contemplates the issuance or delivery of up to 3,755,208 Class A shares to satisfy awards under the PAGP Plan. In accordance with Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K, column (c) excludes the securities disclosed in column (a). However, any phantom Class A shares represented in column (a) that are not satisfied by the issuance of Class A shares become “available for future issuance.”
 
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Our General Partner
Our general partner manages our operations and activities. We and our general partner have no employees. All of our officers and other personnel necessary for our business to function (to the extent not outsourced) are employed by GP LLC. Pursuant to the Omnibus Agreement described below under “Omnibus“— Omnibus Agreement,” all of our direct or indirect expenses, other than income taxes, if any, will be paid by PAA. These direct or indirect expenses include, but are not limited to (i) compensation for the non-employee directors of PAGP GP, (ii) director and officer liability insurance, (iii) listing exchange fees, (iv) investor relations expenses, and (v) fees related to legal, tax, financial advisory and accounting services.
Our general partner owns a non-economic general partner interest in us, which does not entitle it to receive cash distributions. We own a portion of the membership interest in our general partner.
Plains GP Holdings, L.P. Long Term Incentive Plan
In connection with our initial public offering, our general partner adopted the Plains GP Holdings, L.P. Long Term Incentive Plan (the “PAGP Plan”) on our behalf for (i) the employees of our general partner and its affiliates who perform services for us and (ii) the non-employee directors of our general partner. Awards that may be granted under the PAGP Plan include restricted shares, phantom shares, options and share appreciation rights. The PAGP Plan limits the number of shares that may be delivered pursuant to awards to 3,755,208 Class A shares (subject to any adjustment due to recapitalization, reorganization or a similar event permitted under the PAGP Plan). Shares (other than restricted shares) that are forfeited or withheld to satisfy exercise price or tax withholding obligations are available for delivery pursuant to other awards. As of December 31, 2019,2020, grants of 121,908208,663 unvested phantom Class A shares were outstanding under the PAGP Plan.
The PAGP Plan is administered by the Board. The Board has the right to terminate or amend the PAGP Plan or any part of the PAGP Plan from time to time, including increasing the number of shares that may be granted, subject to shareholder approval as may be required by the exchange upon which the Class A shares are listed at that time, if any. No change may be made in any outstanding grant that would materially reduce the benefits of the participant without the consent of the participant. The PAGP Plan will expire upon the earlier of the termination of the PAGP Plan by the Board or the date that no shares remain available under the PAGP Plan for awards. Upon termination of the PAGP Plan, awards then outstanding will continue pursuant to the terms of their grants.
Class A shares to be delivered in settlement of awards under the PAGP Plan may be newly issued Class A shares, Class A shares acquired in the open market, Class A shares acquired from any other person, or any combination of the foregoing.
Awards
Restricted Shares.   A restricted share is a Class A share that vests over a period of time and that during such time is subject to forfeiture. The Board will determine the period over which restricted shares granted to participants will vest. The Board, in its discretion, may base its determination upon the achievement of performance metrics. Distributions made on restricted shares may be subjected to the same vesting provisions as the restricted share. If a grantee’s employment or membership on the Board terminates for any reason, the grantee’s restricted shares will be automatically forfeited unless, and to the extent, the Board or the terms of the award agreement provide otherwise.
We intend the restricted shares under the PAGP Plan to serve as a means of incentive compensation for performance and not primarily as an opportunity to participate in the equity appreciation of our Class A shares. Therefore, participants will not pay any consideration for the Class A shares they receive, and we will receive no remuneration for the shares.
Phantom Shares.   A phantom share entitles the grantee to receive a Class A share upon the vesting of the phantom share or, in the discretion of the Board, cash equivalent to the value of a Class A share. The Board will determine the period over which phantom shares granted to participants will vest. The Board, in
 
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its discretion, may base its determination upon the achievement of performance metrics. If a grantee’s employment or membership on the Board terminates for any reason, the grantee’s phantom shares will be automatically forfeited unless, and to the extent, the Board or the terms of the award agreement provide otherwise.
The Board, in its discretion, may grant distribution equivalent rights, which we refer to as DERs, with respect to a phantom share. DERs entitle the grantee to receive an amount in cash equal to the cash distributions made on a Class A share during the period the related award is outstanding. The Board will establish whether the DERs are paid currently, when the tandem phantom share vests or on some other basis.
We intend the issuance of any Class A shares upon vesting of the phantom shares under the PAGP Plan to serve as a means of incentive compensation for performance and not primarily as an opportunity to participate in the equity appreciation of our Class A shares. Therefore, plan participants will not pay any consideration for the Class A shares they receive, and we will receive no remuneration for the shares.
Options.   An option provides a participant with the option to acquire Class A shares at a specified price. The exercise price of each option granted under the PAGP Plan will be stated in the option agreement and may vary between participants; provided, however, that the exercise price for an option must not be less than 100% of the fair market value per Class A share as of the date of grant of the option. Options may be exercised in the manner and at such times as the Board determines for each option. The Board will determine the methods and form of payment for the exercise price of an option and the methods and forms in which Class A shares will be delivered to a participant. The Board, in its discretion, may grant DERs with respect to an option.
Share Appreciation Rights.   A share appreciation right is an award that, upon exercise, entitles the holder to receive the excess, if any, of the fair market value of a Class A share on the exercise date over the grant price of the share appreciation right. The excess may be paid in cash and/or in Class A shares, as determined by the Board in its discretion. The Board will have the authority to determine to whom share appreciation rights will be granted, the number of Class A shares to be covered by each grant, and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the share appreciation right. The grant price per share appreciation right will be determined by the Board at the time the share appreciation right is granted, but each share appreciation right must have an exercise price that is not less than the fair market value of the Class A shares on the date of grant. The Board will determine the time or times at which a share appreciation right may be exercised in whole or in part. Unless otherwise waived by the Board, or set forth in an award agreement, outstanding share appreciation rights awarded to a participant will be automatically forfeited upon a termination of the individual’s employment or membership on the Board terminates for any reason. The Board, in its discretion, may grant DERs with respect to a share appreciation right.
Other PAGP Plan Provisions
Tax Withholding.   Unless other arrangements are made, our general partner and its affiliates will be authorized to withhold from any award, from any payment due under any award, or from any compensation or other amount owing to a participant the amount (in cash, shares, shares that would otherwise be issued pursuant to such award, or other property) of any applicable taxes payable with respect to the grant of an award, its settlement, its exercise, the lapse of restrictions applicable to an award or in connection with any payment relating to an award or the transfer of an award and to take such other actions as may be necessary to satisfy the withholding obligations with respect to an award.
Anti-Dilution Adjustments.   Upon the occurrence of any “equity restructuring” event that could result in an additional compensation expense under FASB ASC Topic 718 if adjustments to awards with respect to such event were discretionary, the Board will equitably adjust the number and type of shares covered by each outstanding award and the terms and conditions of such award to equitably reflect the restructuring event, and the Board will adjust the number and type of shares with respect to which future awards may be granted. With respect to a similar event that would not result in a FASB ASC Topic 718 accounting charge if adjustment to awards were discretionary, the Board shall have complete discretion to adjust awards in the manner it deems appropriate.
Change of Control.   If specifically provided in an award agreement, upon a change of control (as defined in the award agreement), the award may automatically vest and be payable or become exercisable in full, as the case may be.
 
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Transferability of Awards.   Options and share appreciation rights are only exercisable by the participant during the participant’s lifetime, or by the person to whom the participant’s rights pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution. No award or right granted under the PAGP Plan may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered and any such purported transfer shall be void and unenforceable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may, in its discretion, allow a participant to transfer an option or a share appreciation right without consideration to an immediate family member or a related family trust, limited partnership, or similar entity on the terms and conditions established by the Board from time to time.
AAP Management Units
In August 2007, the owners of AAP authorized the creation and issuance of AAP Management Units and authorized the compensation committee to issue grants of AAP Management Units to create additional long-term incentives for our management designed to attract talent and encourage retention over an extended period of time. Each AAP Management Unit represents a “profits interest” in AAP, which entitles the holder to participate in future profits and losses from operations, current distributions from operations, and an interest in future appreciation or depreciation in AAP’s asset values. As of March 23, 2020, 1,165,20426, 2021, 687,203 AAP Management Units were issued and outstanding. The compensation committee does not plan to issue any additional AAP Management Units.
The outstanding AAP Management Units are subject to restrictions on transfer and generally become “earned” (entitled​(entitled to receive distributions) in percentage increments upon achievement of certain performance thresholds that are aligned with the interests of PAA’s common unitholders, such as distributable cash flow per common unit. As of March 23, 2020,26, 2021, all of the then outstanding AAP Management Units had been earned.
To encourage retention following achievement of the applicable performance benchmarks, AAP retained a call right to purchase any earned AAP Management Units at a discount to fair market value that is generally exercisable upon the termination of a holder’s employment with GP LLC and its affiliates (other than termination under certain circumstances such as a termination without cause or by the employee for good reason) prior to certain stated dates. The size of the discount to fair market value reflected in the potential call right purchase price decreases over time pursuant to a formula set forth in each AAP Management Unit grant agreement. If a holder of an AAP Management Unit remains employed past such designated date (or prior to such date such holder is terminated without cause or quits for good reason), any earned units are no longer subject to the call right and are deemed to have “vested.” The vesting dates for currently outstanding AAP Management Unit grants range fromwill vest on January 1, 2021 to2022 or January 1, 2023, depending on the date of grant. All earned AAP Management Units will also vest if AAP does not timely exercise its call right or in the event of a change of control.
As long as our Class A shares are publicly traded, each vested AAP Management Unit may be converted into AAP units and a like number of PAGP Class B shares based on a conversion ratio of approximately 0.941 AAP units and PAGP Class B shares for each AAP Management Unit. Following any such conversion, the resulting AAP units and PAGP Class B shares are exchangeable for PAGP Class A shares or redeemable for PAA common units, in each case on a one-for-one basis as provided in the AAP limited partnership agreement.
In connection with the closing of the Simplification Transactions, AAP received one PAA common unit for each outstanding earned AAP Management Unit (on a post-conversion basis), and PAA withheld approximately 800,000 units from the Simplification consideration for future distribution or issuance when and if any outstanding but unearned AAP Management Units become earned. As of March 23, 2020, all of such withheld units have been issued to AAP in connection with additional AAP Management Units becoming earned.
Omnibus Agreement
In connection with the Simplification Transactions completed in November 2016, we entered into an omnibus agreement (the “Omnibus Agreement”) with PAA, PAGP GP, AAP, PAA GP LLC and GP LLC (collectively with us, the “Plains Entities”), which provides, among other things, that all direct or indirect expenses of any of the Plains Entities will be paid by PAA, other than income taxes, if any, of PAGP GP,

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PAGP, GP LLC, AAP and PAA GP LLC. Such direct or indirect expenses include, but are not limited to (i) compensation for the directors of PAGP GP, (ii) director and officer liability insurance, (iii) listing exchange fees, (iv) investor relations expenses, and (v) fees related to legal, tax, financial advisory and accounting services. PAA paid $4$5 million of such expenses in 2019.2020.
Other

As described in Proposal 1 — Election of Directors in this Proxy Statement, prior to September 2019, Occidental had the right to designate a director to serve on our Board. In September 2019, as a result of its sale of its ownership interests in AAP, Occidental lost its designation right and Mr. Brown, Occidental’s designee to the Board, automatically ceased to be a member of the Board. Through September 2019, PAA had net sales of approximately $910 million from companies affiliated with Occidental. These transactions were conducted at posted tariff rates or prices that PAA believes approximate market. These transactions included inventory exchanges under crude oil buy/sell agreements, one of which includes a multi-year minimum volume commitment. These amounts do not include revenues from unconsolidated equity investments.
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Also as described in Proposal 1 — Election of Directors in this Proxy Statement, prior to May 2019, EMG had the right to designate a director to serve on our Board. In May 2019, as a result of a series of transactions pursuant to which EMG’s ownership interest in Plains AAP, L.P. was reduced to below the 10% requisite qualifying interest level, EMG lost its designation right and Mr. Raymond, EMG’s designee to the Board, automatically ceased to be a member of the Board. Mr. Raymond was subsequently elected to continue to serve on the Board.

Other
During 2019,2020, PAA recognized sales and transportation and storage revenues of approximately $31$29 million from companies affiliated with EMG. During 2019,2020, PAA also purchased approximately $176$16 million of oilpetroleum products from companies affiliated with EMG. These transactions were conducted at posted tariff rates or prices that PAA believes approximate market.
During 2019,2020, PAA recognized sales revenues of approximately $1 million from companies owned and controlled by funds managed by KACALP. During 2020, PAA also purchased approximately $20$68 million of oil from companies owned and controlled by funds managed by KACALP. These transactions were conducted at prices that PAA pays the same amount per barrel to these companies that it pays to other producers in the same area.believes approximate market.
An employee in PAA’s marketing department, who has been with the company for over 10 years, is the daughter of Willie Chiang, our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Chiang’s daughter’s total compensation for 20192020 was approximately $164,200.$162,000.
Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
Pursuant to our Governance Guidelines, a director is expected to bring to the attention of the CEO or the Board any conflict or potential conflict of interest that may arise between the director or any affiliate of the director, on the one hand, and PAGP GP, PAA, PAGP or their respective affiliates, on the other. The resolution of any such conflict or potential conflict should, at the discretion of the Board in light of the circumstances, be determined by a majority of the disinterested directors.
If a conflict or potential conflict of interest arises between PAGP and its limited partners, on the one hand, and PAGP GP and its owners and affiliates, on the other, the resolution of any such conflict or potential conflict should be addressed by the Board in accordance with the applicable provisions of the PAGP Partnership Agreement. If a conflict or potential conflict of interest arises between PAA and its limited partners, on the one hand, and the general partner of PAA and its owners and affiliates, on the other, the resolution of any such conflict or potential conflict should be addressed by the Board in accordance with the applicable provisions of the PAA Partnership Agreement. At the discretion of the Board in light of the circumstances, the resolution may be determined by the Board or by a “conflicts committee” meeting the definitional requirements for such a committee under the applicable partnership agreement.
Pursuant to our Code of Business Conduct, any executive officer must avoid conflicts of interest unless approved by the Board.
In the case of any sale of equity by the Partnership in which an owner or affiliate of an owner of our general partner participates, our practice would be to obtain Board approval for the transaction. The Board typically delegates authority to set the specific terms to a pricing committee, consisting of the CEO and one independent director. Actions by the pricing committee require unanimous approval of such committee.
 
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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The audit committee of our Board oversees the Partnership’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the systems of internal controls.
In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the audit committee reviewed and discussed with management the audited financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.2020.
The Partnership’s independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the audited financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The audit committee reviewed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP the firm’s judgment as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Partnership’s accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the audit committee under generally accepted auditing standards.
The audit committee discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP the matters required to be discussed under applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”). The audit committee received written disclosures and the letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP its independence from management and the Partnership.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the audit committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20192020 for filing with the SEC.
Victor Burk, Chairman
Everardo Goyanes
Alexandra D. Pruner
J. Taft SymondsLawrence M. Ziemba
 
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PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Audit and Non-Audit Fees
The following table details the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by our independent auditor for services provided to us and to our subsidiaries (in millions):
Year Ended
December 31,
20192018
Audit fees(1)
$5.4$5.3
Audit-related fees0.1
Tax fees(2)
1.71.9
Total$7.1$7.3
Year Ended December 31,
20202019
Audit fees(1)$4.9$5.4
Audit-related fees
Tax fees(2)1.81.7
Total$6.7$7.1
(1)
Audit fees include those related to (a) our annual audit (including internal control evaluation and reporting); (b) the audit of certain joint ventures of which we arePAA is the operator, and (c) work performed on ourin connection with the registration of publicly held debt and equity.
(2)
Tax fees are primarily related to tax processing as well as the preparation of Forms K-1 for PAA unitholders and international tax planning work associated with the structure of our Canadian investment.
Pre-Approval Policy
Our audit committee reviews our external financial reporting, engages our independent auditors and reviews the adequacy of our internal accounting controls. Our audit committee performs similar functions on PAA’s behalf. All services provided by our independent auditor to us or to PAA are subject to pre-approval by our audit committee. The audit committee has instituted policies that describe certain pre-approved non-audit services. We believe that the descriptions of services are designed to be sufficiently detailed as to particular services provided, such that (i) management is not required to exercise judgment as to whether a proposed service fits within the description and (ii) the audit committee knows what services it is being asked to pre-approve. The audit committee is informed of each engagement of the independent auditor to provide services under the respective policy. All services provided by our independent auditor during the years ended December 31, 20192020 and 20182019 were approved in advance by our audit committee.
 
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PROPOSAL 2 — RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR”
THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
AS PAGP’SOUR AND PAA’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2020.2021.
The second proposal item to be voted on at the Annual Meeting is ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our and PAA’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020.2021.
The audit committee of the Board has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to continue to act as our and PAA’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020.2021. The Board has directed that such appointment be submitted to our Shareholders for ratification at the Annual Meeting.
Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our and PAA’s independent registered public accounting firm is not required. The Board, however, is submitting the appointment to our Shareholders for ratification as a good corporate governance practice. Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire. They will also be available to respond to appropriate questions.
 
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PROPOSAL 3 — ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE
OFFICER COMPENSATION
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE, ON A NON-BINDING
ADVISORY BASIS, “FOR” THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE COMPENSATION OF THE
NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, provides our Shareholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the approval of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers.
The Board recognizes that executive compensation is an important matter for our Shareholders. As described in detail in the “Executive Compensation” section and elsewhere in this proxy statement, the compensation committee is tasked with the implementation of our executive compensation philosophy, and the core of that philosophy has been, and continues to be, to pay our executive officers based on our performance. In particular, the compensation committee strives to attract, retain and motivate exceptional executives, to reward past performance measured against established goals and provide incentives for future performance, and to align executives’ long-term interests with the interests of our Shareholders. To do so, the compensation committee uses a combination of shortshort- and long-term incentive compensation to reward near-term performance and to encourage executives’ commitment to our long-range, strategic business goals. It is the intention of the compensation committee that our executive officers be compensated competitively and consistently with our strategy, sound corporate governance principles and Shareholder interests and concerns.
As described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) section of this proxy statement, we believe our compensation program is effective, appropriate and strongly aligned with the long-term interests of our Shareholders and that the total compensation provided to the Named Executive Officers (including potential payouts upon a termination or change of control) is reasonable and not excessive. As you consider this Proposal 3, we urge you to read the CD&A section of this proxy statement for additional details on executive compensation, including the more detailed information about our compensation philosophy and objectives, and to review the tabular disclosures regarding Named Executive Officer compensation together with the accompanying narrative disclosures in the “Executive Compensation” section of this proxy statement.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2012, as well as Section 14A of the Exchange Act, and the rules promulgated thereunder, enables our Shareholders the opportunity to express their views, on an advisory basis, on the compensation of the Named Executive Officers. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of the Named Executive Officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement.
As an advisory vote, this Proposal 3 is not binding on the Board or the compensation committee, will not overrule any decisions made by the Board or the compensation committee or require the Board or the compensation committee to take any action. Although the vote is non-binding, the Board and the compensation committee value the opinions of our Shareholders and will carefully consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for executive officers. In particular, to the extent there is any significant vote against the Named Executive Officers’ compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, we will consider our Shareholders’ concerns, and the compensation committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.
For the reasons set forth above, the following resolution will be submitted for Shareholder approval at the Annual Meeting:
RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K in PAGP’s proxy statement for its 20202021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and accompanying narrative discussion, is hereby approved.”
 
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PROPOSAL 4 — ISSUANCE OF INSTRUCTIONS TO PLAINS AAP, L.P. REGARDING ITS VOTE ON THE APPROVAL OF THE PLAINS ALL AMERICAN 2021 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
AT THE PAA ANNUAL MEETING
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE TO INSTRUCT PLAINS AAP, L.P. TO VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE PLAINS ALL AMERICAN 2021 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN AT THE PAA ANNUAL MEETING.
Explanatory Note
The capital structure of PAA and PAGP is designed such that the number of PAA common units owned by AAP is equal to the number of outstanding Class A and Class B shares of PAGP and unvested Class B units of AAP. AAP is entitled to vote its PAA common units at the PAA Annual Meeting on the proposal to approve the Plains All American 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Given our and PAA’s unified governance structure, and in order to provide the Class A and Class B shareholders of PAGP an opportunity to vote on the PAA 2021 plan (as defined below), such shareholders are being asked to vote on a pass-through basis by instructing AAP how to vote its PAA common units on the approval of the PAA 2021 plan at the PAA Annual Meeting. AAP will vote (or refrain from voting) its PAA common units on proposal 4 at the PAA Annual Meeting consistent with instructions received from the PAGP Class A and Class B shareholders on the same proposal at the Annual Meeting. The equity plan described in this proposal 4 is not an equity plan of PAGP.
Background and Description
Since PAA became a public company in 1998, it has used performance-indexed and time-based phantom unit grants issued under its long-term incentive plans to (i) attract and retain capable, talented individuals to serve as employees, officers and directors, (ii) encourage and reward timely achievement of important financial objectives, (iii) measure and reward its relative total unit returns as compared with others in its industry, and (iv) align the long-term interests of employees, officers and directors with those of PAA’s unitholders (“Unitholders”) and our Shareholders.
PAA currently has two long-term equity incentive plans: (i) the 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”), and (ii) the PNG Successor Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “PNG Successor Plan”). These plans are referred to as the Existing PAA Plans. The Existing PAA Plans originally authorized a total of approximately 19 million common units for issuance in connection with the grant of equity-based awards. Although the Existing PAA Plans allow for the grant of various types of awards, the only type of awards that have been granted to date are phantom unit awards and PAA’s current intent is to continue issuing only phantom unit awards. As of March 31, 2021, PAA had 722,055,847 common units outstanding and the closing price of PAA’s common units as reported by Nasdaq was $9.10. As of March 31, 2021, approximately 1.8 million common units were available for issuance pursuant to future awards under the Existing PAA Plans as indicated below:
PAA Plan
Common
Units
Authorized
for Issuance
Common Units
Previously Delivered
Upon Vesting of Awards
(1998 –  March 2021)
Awards
Outstanding
Common
Units
Available
for Future
Grants
2013 Plan17,849,6188,892,7957,165,4271,791,396
PNG Successor Plan1,335,000632,502693,5308,968
TOTAL19,184,6189,525,2977,858,9571,800,364
The last time Unitholders were asked to approve a new plan or an increase in units available under Existing PAA Plans was November 2013. In order to ensure that PAA has a sufficient amount of common units reserved for the future issuance of equity-based awards under PAA’s long-term incentive plans, the Board has adopted and is recommending for approval by PAA Unitholders the Plains All American 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “PAA 2021 Plan”), which amends, restates and renames the 2013 Plan and authorizes an incremental 20,000,000 common units that may be utilized for equity-based awards

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under the PAA 2021 Plan. In addition, any common units that are currently available (or in the future become available) for equity-based grants under the 2013 Plan will also be available for issuance under the PAA 2021 Plan. As noted above, as a common unitholder of PAA, AAP is entitled to vote on approval of the PAA 2021 Plan at the PAA Annual Meeting. Class A and Class B shareholders of PAGP are being asked to vote to instruct AAP how to vote its PAA common units on this proposal at the PAA Annual Meeting. The basis for the Board’s recommendation that the PAA 2021 Plan be approved is as follows:

PAA’s long-term incentive plans have allowed it to attract and retain the services of individuals who are essential to its growth and profitability, and align the interests of employees with those of our Shareholders;

As a result of grants made under the Existing PAA Plans in the normal course of PAA’s business over the last seven years, the total number of units available for incentive grants under the Existing PAA Plans has been reduced to approximately 1.8 million units;

In order to provide PAA with sufficient unit availability under its long-term incentive plans to continue to retain and attract talent, the number of units available for issuance pursuant to future awards needs to be increased;

The approval of the PAA 2021 Plan will implement the necessary replenishment of common unit availability in a reasonable and prudent manner:

taking into account all outstanding awards under the Existing PAA Plans and all potential grants under the PAA 2021 Plan, PAA’s overhang (the fully diluted impact of the PAA 2021 Plan if this Proposal is approved by PAA’s Unitholders) will be approximately 4.1%;

excluding the additional common units requested under this Proposal, PAA’s overhang (calculated as the sum of all units subject to outstanding phantom unit awards and units available for grant divided by total units outstanding) as of March 31, 2021 was approximately 1.3%;

the number of units granted pursuant to awards under the Existing PAA Plans during 2018, 2019 and 2020 represented approximately 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.5% of PAA’s weighted average basic common units outstanding for each period, respectively, and less than 0.4% on average for the three-year period ended December 31, 2020 (see table below for burn rate calculations); and

based on PAA’s current burn rate, PAA expects the PAA 2021 Plan to have a duration of approximately 7-8 years (actual plan duration will depend on a variety of factors including future unit price, participation levels and award values).
PAA Burn Rate Table
Number of Common
Units Subject to
Awards Granted
During Year
Weighted Average
Common Units
Outstanding at
Year End
PAA
Burn Rate
20181,331,200725,685,1790.18
20193,209,940727,380,0580.44
20203,454,860727,700,9390.47
Three-Year Average0.36
PAA believes that its historic burn rates are reasonable and comparable to PAA’s peers.
If approved by the requisite vote of the Unitholders at the PAA Annual Meeting, the PAA 2021 Plan will become effective on May 19, 2021. If the PAA 2021 Plan is not approved, the 2013 Plan will remain in effect in its current form. This Proposal will have no impact on the PNG Successor Plan and will not affect awards already granted under the Existing PAA Plans or the rights of existing award holders.
A summary description of the material features of the PAA 2021 Plan as proposed is set forth below. The following summary does not purport to be a complete description of all the provisions of the PAA

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2021 Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the PAA 2021 Plan, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A to this proxy statement and incorporated in its entirety in this proxy statement by reference.
Description of the PAA 2021 Plan
Key Terms of the PAA 2021 Plan
Eligible ParticipantsEmployees, Officers and Directors of PAA’s General Partner and its affiliates
Incremental Additional Units Authorized20,000,000
Total Units Available for Future Issuance21,791,396(1)
Potential Overhang4.1%(2)
Award TypesOptions, Unit Appreciation Rights, Restricted Units, Phantom Units, Cash Awards
ProhibitedRepricing of Options or Unit Appreciation Rights or material amendments (for example, an amendment that increases the number of common units authorized for issuance under the PAA 2021 Plan) without Unitholder approval
(1)
This amount represents the sum of (i) the units available for grant under the 2013 Plan as of March 31, 2021, and (ii) an incremental 20,000,000 units. The total units actually available for future issuance as of the effective date of the PAA 2021 Plan could be lower if units are delivered under the 2013 Plan prior to such effective date in satisfaction of outstanding awards. As of March 31, 2021, there were 7,165,427 units subject to outstanding awards under the 2013 Plan that must or may be settled in units; these units could return to the unit pool if such awards are not ultimately settled in units.
(2)
This percentage was calculated as of March 31, 2021 based on (i) the sum of (x) the units available for grant under the Existing PAA Plans as of such date, (y) the units subject to outstanding awards under the Existing PAA Plans as of such date that must or may be settled in units, and (z) an incremental 20,000,000 units, divided by (ii) the total units outstanding as of such date. The actual overhang as of the effective date of the PAA 2021 Plan could vary from this percentage depending on changes in the components of the calculation prior to such effective date.
Purpose of the PAA 2021 Plan
The purpose of the PAA 2021 Plan is to align the interests of employees, officers and directors with those of PAA’s Unitholders and our Shareholders by providing employees, officers and directors with incentive compensation awards that reward achievement of specified performance targets and other business objectives. In furtherance of such purpose, the PAA 2021 Plan provides for the issuance of a variety of equity-based and other grants, including grants of (i) options (which may include tandem distribution equivalent rights), (ii) unit appreciation rights (which may include tandem distribution equivalent rights), (iii) restricted units (which may include tandem unit distribution rights), (iv) phantom units (which may include tandem distribution equivalent rights), and (v) Cash Awards (collectively referred to as “Awards”).
The PAA 2021 Plan is not subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). The PAA 2021 Plan will be effective as of the date the PAA 2021 Plan is approved by PAA’s Unitholders, and will terminate on the earliest of (i) the date terminated by the Board or the plan administrator, (ii) the date all available common units under the PAA 2021 Plan have been paid or issued, or (iii) the tenth anniversary of the effective date, or May 19, 2031. Awards granted prior to the PAA 2021 Plan’s termination date will continue to be effective in accordance with their respective terms and conditions even after the PAA 2021 Plan’s termination.
Key Changes to the PAA 2021 Plan
The PAA 2021 Plan will be similar to the 2013 Plan, with several key differences:

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the number of PAA common units available for issuance or delivery will be increased by 20,000,000;

certain unit recycling practices in connection with the exercise of options and unit appreciation rights will no longer be permitted; and

the PAA 2021 Plan will include a one-year minimum vesting requirement, subject to certain exceptions, on Awards that could potentially be settled in common units.
Several additional administrative changes have also been made, although these changes are not considered material.
Administration of the PAA 2021 Plan
Like the 2013 Plan, the PAA 2021 Plan will be administered by the compensation committee of the Board, which will administer the PAA 2021 Plan pursuant to its terms and applicable laws, unless the Board appoints a different committee of the Board to administer the PAA 2021 Plan. We refer to the compensation committee or another committee chosen by the Board to administer the PAA 2021 Plan, as applicable, as the plan administrator. The plan administrator has broad discretion to administer the PAA 2021 Plan, interpret its provisions, and adopt policies for implementing the PAA 2021 Plan. This discretion includes the power to:

designate participants;

determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a participant;

determine the number of common units or amount of cash to be covered by Awards;

determine the terms and conditions of any Award, including whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be vested, settled (including settlement in cash), exercised, canceled, or forfeited;

establish, modify, adjust, amend, suspend, or waive any term of condition of an Award that has been granted;

impose a holding period with respect to an Award or the units received in connection with the vesting or settlement of an Award;

interpret and administer the PAA 2021 Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to an Award made under the PAA 2021 Plan;

correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the PAA 2021 Plan, in any Award, or in any Award Agreement;

appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the PAA 2021 Plan; and

make any other determination and take any other action that the plan administrator deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the PAA 2021 Plan.
The plan administrator may delegate any or all of its powers and duties under the PAA 2021 Plan, including the power to grant Awards, to the Chief Executive Officer of our General Partner. However, pursuant to any such delegation, the Chief Executive Officer of our General Partner would not be permitted to grant Awards to, or take any action with respect to any Award previously granted to, a person who is an officer subject to Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or a member of the Board.
Units Subject to the PAA 2021 Plan
If the PAA 2021 Plan is approved at the PAA Annual Meeting, then the number of common units that will, as of the date of such approval, be available for issuance with respect to Awards under the PAA 2021 Plan is the sum of (i) the number of units available for grant under the 2013 Plan as of such date, and (ii) an

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incremental 20,000,000 units. The table below sets forth the total number of common units that will potentially be available for issuance under the PAA 2021 Plan if this Proposal is approved.
Number of Common Units(1)
Units Available for Grant Under the 2013 Plan1,791,396
Incremental Units Requested Under This Proposal20,000,000
Total21,791,396
(1)
The amount shown with respect to the “Units Available for Grant Under the 2013 Plan” represents the number of units available for grant under the 2013 Plan as of March 31, 2021. The actual number of units available for future grant under the PAA 2021 Plan may change by the effective date of the PAA 2021 Plan as a result of changes in the number of units available for grant under the 2013 Plan prior to such date.
Pursuant to the terms of the PAA 2021 Plan, if any Award is forfeited, canceled, exercised or otherwise terminated without the actual delivery of common units pursuant to such Award, or if any common units under an Award are held back to cover tax withholding, then, in either such case, any common units that are so forfeited, canceled, exercised or otherwise terminated without the actual delivery of common units or held back to cover tax withholding (excluding restricted unit Awards) shall be available to satisfy future Awards under the PAA 2021 Plan. Units tendered or withheld in payment of any exercise or purchase price of an Award, units that were subject to an option or unit appreciation right but were not issued or delivered as a result of the net settlement of such Award, and units repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of an option’s exercise price, will not, in each case, be available for future Awards under the PAA 2021 Plan.
The common units delivered pursuant to the PAA 2021 Plan shall consist, in whole or part, of (i) common units acquired in the open market, (ii) common units acquired from PAA, any of its affiliates or any other person or (iii) any combination of the foregoing. The fair market value of a common unit on a given date will be the closing sales price of a common unit on the trading date immediately preceding such given date or as defined in an Award agreement (other than with respect to establishing the exercise price of an option or a unit appreciation right).
Persons Who May Participate in the PAA 2021 Plan
The employees of PAA’s General Partner and its affiliates, and the non-employee members of the Board, are eligible to receive Awards (the “Eligible Persons”). As of March 26, 2021 there were 28 officers, including seven executive officers, approximately 4,400 other eligible employees and eight eligible directors. Eligible Persons designated by the plan administrator to receive Awards under the PAA 2021 Plan are referred to as “Participants.” A Participant under the PAA 2021 Plan will be eligible, at the discretion of the plan administrator, to receive an Award pursuant to the terms of the PAA 2021 Plan and subject to any limitations imposed by appropriate action of the plan administrator or within the individual Award agreement.
Awards under the PAA 2021 Plan
Options.   Options may be granted under the PAA 2021 Plan to purchase a specific number of common units at a set exercise price. The exercise price of each option granted under the PAA 2021 Plan will be determined by the plan administrator at the time the option is granted, provided that no option may have an exercise price that is less than the fair market value of the common units on the date of grant.
The plan administrator will determine the manner in which, and time or times at which, an option will vest and become exercisable, in whole or in part. The plan administrator will also determine the methods and form of payment for the exercise of an option (including, without limitation, payment in cash, check acceptable to us, a “cashless-broker” exercise through procedures approved by us, or any combination thereof) and the methods and forms in which common units will be delivered to a Participant. Unless otherwise determined by the plan administrator or set forth in an applicable Award agreement, an option award that is still outstanding will be forfeited by the Participant upon termination of the Participant’s employment with PAA’s General Partner or its affiliates or membership on the Board, as applicable.

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Unit Appreciation Rights.   A unit appreciation right is an Award that, upon exercise, entitles the holder to receive the excess, if any, of the fair market value of a common unit on the exercise date over the grant price of the unit appreciation right. The excess may be paid in cash and/or in common units as determined by the plan administrator in its discretion. The plan administrator will have the authority to determine to whom unit appreciation rights will be granted, the number of common units to be covered by each grant, and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the unit appreciation right. The grant price per unit appreciation right will be determined by the plan administrator at the time the unit appreciation right is granted, but each unit appreciation right must have an exercise price that is not less than the fair market value of the common units on the date of grant.
The plan administrator will determine the time or times at which a unit appreciation right may be exercised in whole or in part. Unless otherwise determined by the plan administrator or set forth in an applicable Award agreement, all outstanding unit appreciation rights awarded to a Participant will be automatically forfeited by the Participant upon termination of the Participant’s employment with PAA’s General Partner or its affiliates or membership on the Board, as applicable.
Restricted Unit Awards.   A restricted unit is a common unit granted under the PAA 2021 Plan that is subject to a risk of forfeiture, restrictions on transferability, and any other restrictions that may be imposed by the plan administrator in its discretion. The plan administrator will have the authority to determine to whom restricted units will be granted, the number of restricted units to be granted to each Participant, the duration of any restrictions, the conditions under which the restricted units may become vested or forfeited, and any other terms and conditions as the plan administrator may establish with respect to the Awards. Upon or as soon as reasonably possible following the vesting of each restricted unit, subject to any applicable federal income tax withholding, a Participant will be entitled to have the restrictions removed from his or her Award so that the Participant then holds an unrestricted common unit. Unless otherwise determined by the plan administrator or set forth in an applicable Award agreement, a restricted unit that is still subject to forfeiture restrictions will be forfeited by a Participant upon termination of the Participant’s employment with PAA’s General Partner or its affiliates or membership on the Board, as applicable.
To the extent provided by the plan administrator in its discretion, a grant of restricted units may provide that a distribution made by us with respect to the restricted units (a “Unit Distribution Right” or “UDR”) will be subject to the same forfeiture and other restrictions as the restricted unit. If restricted, UDRs will be held, without interest, until the restricted unit vests or is forfeited, with the UDR being paid or forfeited at the same time, as the case may be. Absent a restriction on UDRs in the applicable Award agreement, UDRs will be paid to the holder of the restricted unit without restriction at the same time as cash distributions are paid by PAA to its Unitholders.
Phantom Unit Awards.   A phantom unit is a right to receive a common unit or an amount of cash equal to the fair market value of a common unit if certain conditions set forth in the Award agreement are met. The plan administrator will have the authority to determine the Eligible Persons to whom phantom units will be granted, the number of phantom units to be granted to each Participant, and any other terms and conditions as the plan administrator may establish. Upon vesting of each phantom unit, subject to any applicable federal income tax withholding, the Participant will be entitled to settlement of the phantom unit and shall receive either a common unit or cash equal to the fair market value of a common unit, as determined by the plan administrator in its discretion and provided in the applicable Award agreement. Unless otherwise provided by the plan administrator or set forth in an applicable Award agreement, unvested phantom units will be forfeited upon termination of a Participant’s employment with PAA’s General Partner or its affiliates or membership on the Board, as applicable.
Distribution Equivalent Rights.   To the extent provided by the plan administrator in its discretion, an Award granted under the PAA 2021 Plan (other than a restricted unit Award) may include a contingent right, granted in tandem or otherwise in connection with a specific option, unit appreciation right or phantom unit, to receive cash equal to the amount of any cash distributions made by PAA with respect to a common unit during the period such option, unit appreciation right or phantom unit is outstanding (a “Distribution Equivalent Right” or “DER”). A DER grant may provide that the DER will be paid directly to the Participant, be credited to a bookkeeping account (with or without interest in the discretion of the plan administrator),

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be subject to the same vesting restrictions as the respective Award, or be subject to other provisions or restrictions as determined by the plan administrator in its discretion and provided in the applicable Award agreement.
Cash Awards.   The plan administrator has the authority to determine the Eligible Persons to whom cash Awards may be granted, the amount of cash to be covered by each cash Award, and all terms and conditions applicable to cash Awards, including for purposes of any annual or short-term incentive or other bonus program. Cash Awards may be granted on a free-standing basis or as an element of, as a supplement to, or in lieu of any other Award granted under the PAA 2021 Plan.
Other Provisions
Tax Withholding.   PAA’s General Partner or one of its affiliates will be authorized to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant, the amount (in cash, common units, other securities or other property) of any applicable taxes payable with respect to the grant of an Award, its exercise, the lapse of restrictions applicable to an Award or in connection with any payment relating to an Award or the transfer of an Award and to take such other actions as may be necessary to satisfy any tax withholding obligations with respect to an Award.
Change of Control.   Except to the extent specifically provided in an Award agreement, vesting of an Award shall not occur solely upon a change of control.
Minimum Vesting Requirement.   The PAA 2021 Plan provides that Awards that must or may be settled in units shall vest no earlier than the first anniversary of the date the Award is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Awards that result in the issuance of an aggregate of up to 5% of the units available for issuance under the PAA 2021 Plan may be granted to one or more Participants without regard to this minimum vesting requirement.
Equity Ownership Guidelines.   The plan administrator retains the discretion under the PAA 2021 Plan to impose a holding period with respect to an Award or the units received in connection with an Award. Pursuant to the Equity Ownership Guidelines adopted by our Board in November 2020, executive officers and directors will be required to hold 100% of any units acquired upon vesting of Awards until the applicable ownership requirements are met.
Clawback Policy.   The PAA 2021 Plan provides that all Awards granted thereunder are subject to any written clawback policies that PAA may adopt, including any policy adopted to conform to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and the rules promulgated thereunder. Pursuant to the Clawback Policy adopted by our Board in November 2020, PAA may seek from its executive officers (i) recovery of any excess compensation awarded or paid in the event of fraud or intentional or unlawful conduct that contributes to a material financial restatement that results in over-payment of performance-based compensation, and (ii) recovery or forfeiture of any performance-based compensation or unvested time-based equity awards granted or paid during the three-year period prior to discovery of detrimental conduct that results in significant financial, reputational or other harm to the Company.
Transferability of Awards.   Options and unit appreciation rights are only exercisable by the Participant during the Participant’s lifetime, or by the person to whom the Participant’s rights pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution. No Award or right granted under the PAA 2021 Plan may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered and any such purported transfer shall be void and unenforceable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the plan administrator may, in its discretion, allow a Participant to transfer an option or a unit appreciation right without consideration to an immediate family member or a related family trust, limited partnership, or similar entity on the terms and conditions established by the plan administrator from time to time, provided that no Award may be transferred to a third-party financial institution for value.
Anti-Dilution Adjustments.   Upon the occurrence of any “equity restructuring” event that could result in an additional compensation expense under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“FASB ASC Topic 718”) if adjustments to Awards with respect to such event were discretionary, the plan administrator will equitably adjust the number and type of common units covered by

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each outstanding Award and the terms and conditions of such Award to equitably reflect the restructuring event, and the plan administrator will adjust the number and type of common units with respect to which future Awards may be granted under the PAA 2021 Plan. Upon the occurrence of a similar event that would not result in a FASB ASC Topic 718 accounting charge if adjustments to Awards were discretionary, the plan administrator shall have complete discretion to adjust Awards in the manner it deems appropriate. In the event the plan administrator makes any such adjustments, a corresponding and proportionate adjustment shall be made with respect to the maximum number of common units available under the PAA 2021 Plan and the kind of units or other securities available for grant under the PAA 2021 Plan.
Amendment.   The Board or plan administrator may terminate or amend the PAA 2021 Plan or any part of the PAA 2021 Plan at any time in any manner, including increasing the number of common units that may be granted, subject to the requirements of the securities exchange upon which the common units are listed at that time and of applicable tax and securities laws. The plan administrator may also waive any conditions or rights under, amend the terms of or alter any outstanding Award as long as no such change would materially reduce the rights or benefits of a Participant without the consent of the Participant or cause the PAA 2021 Plan or such Award to fail to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following discussion is for general information only and is intended to summarize briefly the United States federal tax consequences to Participants arising from participation in the PAA 2021 Plan. This description is based on current law, which is subject to change (possibly retroactively). The tax treatment of Participants in the PAA 2021 Plan may vary depending on the particular situation and may, therefore, be subject to special rules not discussed below. No attempt has been made to discuss any potential foreign, state, or local tax consequences. In addition, options or unit appreciation rights, phantom units and certain other Awards that provide for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code that may be granted pursuant to the PAA 2021 Plan could be subject to additional taxes unless they are designed to comply with certain restrictions set forth in Section 409A of the Code and the guidance promulgated thereunder.
Options; Unit Appreciation Rights
Participants will generally not realize taxable income upon the grant of an option or a unit appreciation right. Upon the exercise or, if later, the settlement of an option or a unit appreciation right, a Participant will recognize ordinary compensation income (subject to withholding) in an amount equal to the excess of (i) the amount of cash or the fair market value of the common units received, over (ii) the exercise price (if any) paid therefor. A Participant will generally have a tax basis in any common units received pursuant to the exercise of a unit appreciation right, or pursuant to the cash exercise of an option, that equals the fair market value of the common units on the date of exercise. Subject to the discussion under “— Tax Code Limitations on Deductibility” below, PAA or one of its affiliates will be entitled to a deduction for federal income tax purposes that corresponds as to timing and amount with the compensation income recognized by a Participant under the foregoing rules.
When a Participant sells the common units acquired as a result of the exercise of an option or unit appreciation right, any appreciation (or depreciation) in the value of the common units after the exercise date is treated as long- or short-term capital gain (or loss) for federal income tax purposes, depending on the holding period. The common units must be held for more than 12 months in order to qualify for long-term capital gain treatment.
Phantom Unit Awards; Restricted Unit Awards; Cash Awards
A Participant will generally not have taxable income at the time of the grant of a phantom unit Award, but rather, will generally recognize ordinary compensation income at the time such Participant receives common units or a cash payment in satisfaction of the phantom unit Award in an amount equal to the fair market value of the common units received or the cash payment, whichever is applicable. In addition, the Participant will be subject to ordinary income tax upon the payment of a DER. In general, a Participant will recognize ordinary compensation income as a result of the receipt of common units pursuant to a

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restricted unit Award in an amount equal to the fair market value of the common units when the common units are received over the amount, if any, paid for such units, provided, that if the common units are not transferable or are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture when received, the Participant will recognize ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to such excess based on the fair market value of common units (i) when the common units first become transferable or are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, in cases where a Participant does not make a valid election under Section 83(b) of the Code, or (ii) when the common units are received, in cases where a Participant makes a valid election under Section 83(b) of the Code. A Participant will recognize ordinary compensation income upon receipt of cash pursuant to a cash award or, if earlier, at the time the cash is otherwise made available for the participant to draw upon.
A Participant who is an employee will be subject to withholding for federal, and generally for state and local, income taxes at the time such Participant recognizes income under the rules described above with respect to common units or cash received. Directors must make their own arrangements for satisfying any tax obligations they may incur in connection with the receipt of an Award under the PAA 2021 Plan. Distributions that are received by a Participant prior to the time that the common units are taxed to the Participant under the rules described in the preceding paragraph are taxed as additional compensation, not as distributions on common units. The tax basis in the common units received by a Participant will equal the amount recognized by such Participant as compensation income under the rules described in the preceding paragraph plus the amount, if any, paid for the common units, and the Participant’s capital gains holding period in those common units will commence on the later of the date the common units are received or the restrictions lapse (provided that, if a valid election under Section 83(b) of the Code is made with respect to restricted units, then the holding period in such units will begin on the date of receipt of the units).
Subject to the discussion immediately below, PAA or one of its affiliates will be entitled to a deduction for federal income tax purposes that corresponds as to timing and amount with the compensation income recognized by a Participant under the foregoing rules.
Tax Code Limitations on Deductibility
In order for the amounts described above to be deductible by PAA or one of its affiliates, the amounts must constitute reasonable compensation for services rendered or to be rendered and must be ordinary and necessary business expenses.
New Plan Benefits
The future Awards, if any, that will be made to Eligible Persons under the PAA 2021 Plan are subject to the discretion of the Board and the plan administrator, and thus we cannot currently determine the benefits or number of units subject to awards that may be granted to Participants in the future under the PAA 2021 Plan. Therefore, the New Plan Benefits Table is not provided.
Board Recommendation
The Board believes that approval of the PAA 2021 Plan is in the best interests of PAGP and its Class A and Class B Shareholders. For the reasons stated above, such Shareholders are being asked to instruct AAP to vote FOR approval of this Proposal at the PAA Annual Meeting.
OTHER MATTERS FOR THE PAGP ANNUAL MEETING
We know of no matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting other than the proposals included in the accompanying notice and described in this proxy statement. If any other matter requiring a vote of Shareholders arises, including a question of adjourning the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies in the proxy card will have the discretion to vote thereon according to their best judgment of what they consider to be in the best interests of PAGP. The proxy card confers discretionary authority to take action with respect to any additional matters that may come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

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SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 20212022 ANNUAL MEETING
PAGP GP Director Nominations
Pursuant to Section 13.4(c)(ii) of our partnership agreement, any eligible Shareholder who owns 10% or more of our outstanding Class A, Class B and Class C shares, taken together as a single class, is entitled to nominate one person for election as an Eligible Director. Eligible Shareholders who wish to submit a director nomination for our 20212022 annual meeting must deliver written notice thereof to our principal executive offices in care of the Corporate Secretary by mail to 333 Clay Street, Suite 1600, Houston, Texas 77002 no later than the close of business on February 19, 2021,18, 2022, nor earlier than the close of business on January 20, 2021.19, 2022. In the event that the date of the 20212022 annual meeting is changed by more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the one-year anniversary of the 20202021 annual meeting, Shareholder notice of a director nomination must be received no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the 20212022 annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the date that is the later of the (i) 90th day prior to the 20212022 annual meeting or (ii) if the first public announcement of the 20212022 annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to such meeting, the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 20212022 annual meeting is first made.
The written notice must comply with the procedures set forth in Section 13.4(c)(ii) of our partnership agreement, including the informational requirements included in Section 13.4(c)(ii)(A)(3). We will not entertain any nomination at the annual meeting that does not meet the requirements set forth in our partnership agreement. Our partnership agreement is filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 21, 2016.
Shareholder Proposals
Any Shareholder who, in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, wishes to submit a proposal for inclusion in our proxy statement for the 20212022 annual meeting must submit their proposal in writing, along with proof of eligibility, to our principal executive offices in care of the Corporate Secretary by mail to 333 Clay Street, Suite 1600, Houston, Texas 77002. Proposal submissions must be received no later than the close of business (5:00 p.m. Central Time) on December 16, 2020,13, 2021, to be considered timely. SEC rules set forth standards as to what proposals are required to be included in a proxy statement for a meeting. In no event are Shareholders allowed to vote on matters that would cause the Shareholders to be deemed to take part in the management and control of our business and affairs so as to jeopardize such Shareholder’s limited liability under the Delaware limited partnership act or the law of any other state in which we are qualified to do business.

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HOUSEHOLDING MATTERS
In some cases, Shareholders who share a single address will receive only one annual report and one proxy statement at that address unless we have received instructions to the contrary from any Shareholder at that address. This practice, known as “householding,” is designed to reduce our printing and postage costs. However, if a Shareholder of record residing at such an address wishes to receive a separate copy of our annual report or proxy statement or future annual reports or proxy statements (as applicable), he or she may contact our Corporate Secretary at (713) 646-4100, or write to Plains GP Holdings, L.P., 333 Clay Street, Suite 1600, Houston, Texas 77002, attention: Corporate Secretary. We will deliver separate copies of our annual report or proxy statement promptly upon written or oral request. If you are a Shareholder of record receiving multiple copies of our annual report or proxy statement, you can request householding by contacting us in the same manner. If you own your Shares through a bank, broker or other Shareholder of record, you can request additional copies of the annual report or proxy statement or request householding by contacting the Shareholder of record (i.e., your bank or broker).
 
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EXHIBIT A
PLAINS ALL AMERICAN
2021 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN



Section 1.   Purpose of the Plan; Prior Plan.
(a) Purpose of the Plan.   The Plains All American 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Plan”) has been adopted by PAA GP Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the general partner of Plains GP Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, the sole member of Plains All American GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), the general partner of Plains AAP, L.P., the sole member of PAA GP LLC, which is the general partner of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), and is intended to align the interests of the employees and directors of the Company and its Affiliates with those of the Partnership’s unitholders by providing such employees and directors incentive compensation awards that reward achievement of targeted performance levels and other business objectives. The Plan is also intended to enhance the ability of the Company, the Partnership and their Affiliates to attract the services of individuals who are essential for the growth and profitability of the Partnership and to encourage such individuals to devote their best efforts to advancing the business of the Partnership and its Affiliates.
(b) Prior Plan.   The Plan as set forth herein constitutes an amendment, restatement and renaming, effective as of the Effective Date, of the Plains All American 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Prior Plan”). As of the Effective Date, the Plan shall supersede and replace in its entirety the Prior Plan.
Section 2.   Definitions.   As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
(b) “ASC Topic 718” means the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation, as amended, or any successor accounting standard.
(c) “Award” means an Option, Restricted Unit, Phantom Unit, Unit Appreciation Right or Cash Award granted under the Plan or under the Prior Plan prior to the Effective Date, and may include any tandem DERs granted with respect to a Phantom Unit, Option or Unit Appreciation Right.
(d)  “Award Agreement” means the written agreement by which an Award shall be evidenced, and which may describe any terms, conditions, criteria, restrictions or other elements of such Award as determined by the Committee in its discretion.
(e) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(f) “Cash Award” means an Award denominated in cash granted under the Plan.
(g) “Change of Control” unless otherwise provided in an applicable Award Agreement, means, and shall be deemed to have occurred upon the occurrence of, one or more of the following events: (i) any Person (other than PAGP and any Affiliate of PAGP that is controlled by PAGP) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly (in one transaction or a series of related transactions and whether by merger or otherwise), of 50% or more of the membership interest in PAGP GP; (ii) any Person (other than PAGP GP, PAGP or any affiliate of PAGP that is controlled by PAGP) acquires (in one transaction or a series of related transactions and whether by merger or otherwise) direct or indirect control of the general partner interest of PAGP; (iii) PAGP ceases to retain direct or indirect control (in one transaction or a series of related transactions and whether by merger or otherwise) of the general partner of the Partnership; or (iv) the consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation with, or any direct or indirect sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership to, one or more Persons (other than PAGP or any affiliates of PAGP that are controlled by PAGP). As used in this definition, “Person” shall include any “partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group” constituting a “person” within the meaning of such terms pursuant to Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act.

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(h) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(i) “Committee” means a committee of, and appointed by, the Board to administer the Plan; provided, however, that in the absence of the Board’s appointment of a committee to administer the Plan, the Compensation Committee of the Board shall serve as the Committee.
(j) “DER” means a contingent right, granted in tandem with a specific Option, Unit Appreciation Right or Phantom Unit, to receive an amount in cash equal to the cash distributions made by the Partnership with respect to a Unit during the period such Award is outstanding.
(k) “Director” means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.
(l) “Effective Date” means the date upon which the Plan is approved by the unitholders of the Partnership.
(m)  “Employee” means any employee of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
(n) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(o) “Fair Market Value” as of a given date means the closing sales price of a Unit on the nearest trading date immediately preceding such given date or as defined in an Award Agreement (other than with respect to establishing the exercise price of an Option or Unit Appreciation Right). In the event Units are not publicly traded at the time a determination of fair market value is required to be made hereunder, the determination of fair market value shall be made in good faith by the Committee.
(p) “Option” means an option to purchase Units granted under the Plan.
(q) “PAGP” means Plains GP Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and the sole member of the Company.
(r) “PAGP GP” means PAA GP Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of PAGP.
(s) “Participant” means any Employee or Director granted an Award under the Plan.
(t) “Person” means an individual or a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
(u) “Phantom Unit” means a phantom (notional) Unit granted under the Plan that upon vesting entitles the Participant to receive a Unit or an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a Unit, as determined by the Committee in its discretion and as provided in the applicable Award Agreement.
(v) “Restricted Period” means the period established by the Committee with respect to an Award during which the Award or Unit may remain subject to restrictions established by the Committee, including without limitation a period during which such Award or Unit is subject to forfeiture or restrictions on transfer, or is not yet exercisable by or payable to the Participant, as the case may be. As the context requires, the word “vest” and its derivatives refers to the lapse of some or all, as the case may be, of the restrictions imposed during such Restricted Period.
(w)  “Restricted Unit” means a Unit delivered under the Plan that is subject to a Restricted Period.
(x) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule or regulation thereto as in effect from time to time.
(y) “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor thereto.
(z) “UDR” means a distribution made by the Partnership with respect to a Restricted Unit.
(aa) “Unit” means a Common Unit of the Partnership.
(bb) “Unit Appreciation Right” means an Award that, upon exercise, entitles the holder to receive the excess of the Fair Market Value of Unit on the exercise date over the exercise price established for

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such Unit Appreciation Right. Such excess may be paid in cash and/or in Units as determined by the Committee in its discretion and as provided in the applicable Award Agreement.
Section 3.   Administration.
(a) Authority of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee except to the extent the Board elects to administer the Plan, in which case references herein to the “Committee” shall be deemed to include references to the Board. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the acts of a majority of the members of the Committee who are present at any meeting thereof at which a quorum is present, or acts unanimously approved by the members of the Committee in writing, shall be the acts of the Committee. Subject to the following and applicable law, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may delegate any or all of its powers and duties under the Plan, including the power to grant Awards under the Plan, to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, subject to such limitations on such delegated powers and duties as the Committee may impose, if any. Upon any such delegation all references in the Plan to the “Committee”, other than in Section 7, shall be deemed to include the Chief Executive Officer; provided, however, that such delegation shall not limit the Chief Executive Officer’s right to receive Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Chief Executive Officer may not grant Awards to, or take any action with respect to any Award previously granted to, a person who is an officer subject to Rule 16b-3 or a member of the Board. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, Rule 16b-3 and other applicable law, and in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have full power and authority, in its sole and absolute discretion, to:
(i)   designate eligible Persons as Participants;
(ii)   determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant;
(iii)   determine the number of Units or amount of cash to be covered by Awards;
(iv)   determine the terms and conditions of any Award, including whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be vested, settled (including settlement in cash), exercised, cancelled or forfeited (including conditions based on continued employment or service requirements or the achievement of one or more performance goals, as well as the treatment of Awards upon a termination of employment or other service relationship);
(v)   establish, modify, adjust, amend, suspend, or waive any term or condition of an Award that has been granted, which may include the acceleration of vesting, waiver of forfeiture restrictions, modification of the form of settlement of the Award (for example, from cash to Units or vice versa), early termination of a performance period, or modification of any other condition or limitation regarding an Award;
(vi)   impose a holding period with respect to an Award or the Units received in connection with an Award;
(vii)   interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to an Award made under the Plan;
(viii)   correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, in any Award, or in any Award Agreement;
(ix)   appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and
(x)   make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.
Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, the Partnership, any of their Affiliates, any Participant, and any beneficiary of any Award.

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(b) Authority of a Subcommittee of the Committee. At any time that a member of the Committee is not (i) a “nonemployee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 and (ii) “independent” under the listing standards or rules of the securities exchange upon which the Units are traded, but only to the extent such independence is required in order to take the action at issue pursuant to such standards or rules (a “Qualified Member”), any action of the Committee relating to an Award granted or to be granted to a Participant who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Partnership where such action is not taken by the full Board may be taken either (i) by a subcommittee, designated by the Committee, composed solely of two or more Qualified Members, or (ii) by the Committee but with each such member who is not a Qualified Member abstaining or recusing himself or herself from such action; provided, however, that upon such abstention or recusal the Committee remains composed solely of two or more Qualified Members. Such action, authorized by such a subcommittee or by the Committee upon the abstention or recusal of such non-Qualified Member(s), shall be the action of the Committee for all purposes of the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, the full Board may take any action relating to an Award granted or to be granted to an Eligible Person who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company.
(c) Exemptions from Section 16(b) Liability. It is the intent of the Company and the Partnership that the grant of any Awards (and the issuance and withholding of any Units in connection with the vesting and settlement of any Award) to, or other transaction by, a Participant who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be exempt from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 16b-3 or another applicable exemption (except for transactions acknowledged by the Participant in writing to be non-exempt). Accordingly, if any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement does not comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 or such other exemption as then applicable to any such transaction, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 so that such Participant shall avoid liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
Section 4.   Units.
(a) Limits on Units Deliverable. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c), the number of Units that may be actually delivered with respect to Awards under the Plan is the sum of (i) 20,000,000, (ii) the number of Units available for grant under the Prior Plan as of the Effective Date, and (iii) the number of Units subject to outstanding Awards under the Prior Plan as of the Effective Date that must or may be settled in Units. Units subject to an Award under the Plan that expires or is cancelled, forfeited, exchanged, settled in cash or otherwise terminated without the actual delivery of Units (Awards of Restricted Units shall not be considered “actually delivered” for this purpose), as well as any Units under an Award (other than an Option or Unit Appreciation Right) that are held back to cover tax withholding, will again be available for Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the number of Units tendered or withheld in payment of any exercise or purchase price of an Award, (ii) Units that were subject to an Option or a Unit Appreciation Right but were not issued or delivered as a result of the net settlement or net exercise of such Option or Unit Appreciation Right and (iii) Units repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of an Option’s exercise price, will not, in each case, be available for Awards. There shall not be any limitation on the number of Awards that may be paid or settled solely in cash, and such Awards need not be counted against any Unit limit under this Section 4.
(b) Sources of Units Deliverable under Awards.   Any Units delivered pursuant to an Award shall consist, in whole or in part, of (i) Units acquired in the open market, (ii) Units acquired from the Partnership, any Affiliate of the Partnership or any other Person or (iii) any combination of the foregoing.
(c) Adjustments.
(i)   Certain Restructurings.   In the event of any change in the capital structure or business of the Company or the Partnership or other corporate transaction or event that would be considered an “equity restructuring” within the meaning of ASC Topic 718 and, in each case, that would result in an additional compensation expense to the Company or the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of ASC Topic 718, if adjustments to Awards with respect to such event were discretionary, the Committee shall equitably adjust the number and type of Units covered by each outstanding

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Award and the terms and conditions, including the exercise price and performance criteria (if any), of such Award to equitably reflect such restructuring event and shall adjust the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted after such event. Upon the occurrence of any other similar event that would not result in an accounting charge under ASC Topic 718 if the adjustment to Awards with respect to such event were subject to discretionary action, the Committee shall have complete discretion to adjust Awards in such manner as it deems appropriate with respect to such other event. In the event the Committee makes any adjustment pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 4(c)(i), the Committee shall make a corresponding and proportionate adjustment with respect to the maximum number of Units that may be delivered with respect to Awards under the Plan as provided in Section 4(a) and the kind of Units or other securities available for grant under the Plan.
(ii)   Other Adjustments.   Subject to, and without limiting the scope of, the provisions of Section 4(c)(i), in the event that the Committee determines that any distribution (whether in the form of cash, Units, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, split, reverse split, reorganization, merger, Change of Control, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Units or other securities of the Partnership, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Units or other securities of the Partnership, or other similar transaction or event affects the Units such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (A) the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted, (B) the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and (C) the grant or exercise price with respect to any Award or, if deemed appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award; provided, that the number of Units subject to any Award shall always be a whole number. Further, upon the occurrence of any event described in the preceding sentence, the Committee, acting in its sole discretion without the consent or approval of any holder, may effect one or more of the following alternatives, which may vary among individual holders and which may vary among Awards: (I) remove any applicable forfeiture restrictions on any Award; (II) accelerate the time of exercisability or the time at which the Restricted Period shall lapse to a specific date specified by the Committee; (III) require the mandatory surrender to the Company or the Partnership by selected holders of some or all of the outstanding Awards held by such holders (irrespective of whether such Awards are then subject to a Restricted Period or other restrictions pursuant to the Plan) as of a date specified by the Committee, in which event the Committee shall thereupon cancel such Awards and cause the Company, the Partnership or an Affiliate thereof to pay to each holder an amount of cash or other consideration per Unit (other than a DER, UDR or Cash Award, which the Committee may separately require to be surrendered in exchange for cash or other consideration determined by the Committee in its discretion) equal to the per Unit value as determined by the Committee as of the date determined by the Committee to be the date of cancellation and surrender of such Awards less the exercise price, if any, applicable to such Awards; provided, however, that to the extent the exercise price of an Option or a Unit Appreciation Right exceeds such per Unit value as determined by the Committee, no consideration will be paid with respect to that Award; (IV) cancel Awards that remain subject to a Restricted Period as of a date specified by the Committee without payment of any consideration to the Participant for such Awards; or (V) make such adjustments to Awards then outstanding as the Committee deems appropriate to reflect such event (including, but not limited to, the substitution of new awards for Awards); provided, however, that the Committee may determine in its sole discretion that no adjustment is necessary to Awards then outstanding.
Section 5.   Eligibility; Award Limitations.
(a) General.   Any Employee or Director shall be eligible to be designated a Participant and receive an Award under the Plan.
(b) Minimum Vesting Requirements.   Subject to Section 4(c) of the Plan, any Award of Restricted Units or other Award that will be potentially settled in Units (or portion thereof) granted under the Plan shall vest no earlier than the first anniversary of the date such Award is granted; provided, however,

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that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Awards that result in the issuance of an aggregate of up to 5% of the Units available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 4 may be granted to any one or more Participants without respect to and/or administered without regard for this minimum vesting provision. No Award Agreement shall be permitted to reduce or eliminate the requirements of this Section 5(b). Nothing in this Section 5(b) shall preclude the Committee from taking action, in its sole discretion, to accelerate the vesting of any Award for any reason.
Section 6.   Awards.
(a) Options.   The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees and Directors to whom Options shall be granted, the number of Units to be covered by each Option, whether DERs are granted with respect to such Option, the purchase price therefor and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the Option, including the following terms and conditions and such additional terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine, that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.
(i)   Exercise Price.   The purchase price per Unit purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time the Option is granted but may not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Unit as of the date of grant.
(ii)   Time and Method of Exercise.   The Committee shall determine the Restricted Period, i.e., the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part, and the method or methods by which payment of the exercise price with respect thereto may be made or deemed to have been made, which may include, without limitation, cash, check acceptable to the Company, a “cashless-broker” exercise through procedures approved by the Company, other securities or other property, a note (in a form acceptable to the Company), or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the relevant exercise price.
(iii)   Forfeitures.   Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the Option Award Agreement, upon termination of a Participant’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates or membership on the Board, whichever is applicable, for any reason during the applicable Restricted Period, all outstanding Options awarded to the Participant shall be automatically forfeited on such termination.
(iv)   Option DERs.   To the extent provided by the Committee, in its discretion, an Option may include a tandem DER grant, which may provide that such DERs shall be paid directly to the Participant, be credited to a bookkeeping account (with or without interest in the discretion of the Committee), be subject to the same vesting restrictions as the tandem Options Award, or be subject to such other provisions or restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion.
(b) Restricted Units and Phantom Units.   The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees and Directors to whom Restricted Units or Phantom Units shall be granted, the number of Restricted Units or Phantom Units to be granted to each such Participant, the Restricted Period, the conditions under which the Restricted Units or Phantom Units may become vested or forfeited, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee may establish with respect to such Awards, including whether DERs are granted with respect to the Phantom Units.
(i)   DERs.   To the extent provided by the Committee, in its discretion, a Phantom Unit Award may include a tandem DER grant, which may provide that such DERs shall be paid directly to the Participant, be credited to a bookkeeping account (with or without interest in the discretion of the Committee), be subject to the same vesting restrictions as the tandem Phantom Unit Award, or be subject to such other provisions or restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion.
(ii)   UDRs.   To the extent provided by the Committee, in its discretion, a Restricted Units Award Agreement may provide that distributions made by the Partnership with respect to the Restricted Units shall be subject to the same forfeiture and other restrictions as the Restricted Unit and, if restricted, such distributions shall be held, without interest, until the Restricted Unit vests or is forfeited with the UDR being paid or forfeited at the same time, as the case may be. Absent such a restriction on the UDRs in the Award Agreement, UDRs shall be paid to the holder of the Restricted Unit without restriction.

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(iii)   Forfeitures.   Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the Restricted Units or Phantom Units Award Agreement, upon termination of a Participant’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates or membership on the Board, whichever is applicable, for any reason during the applicable Restricted Period, all outstanding Restricted Units and Phantom Units awarded to the Participant shall be automatically forfeited on such termination.
(iv)   Lapse of Restrictions.
(A) Phantom Units.   Upon or as soon as reasonably practical following the vesting of each Phantom Unit, subject to the provisions of Section 8(b), the Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company one Unit or cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a Unit, as determined by the Committee in its discretion and as provided in the applicable Award Agreement.
(B) Restricted Units.   Upon or as soon as reasonably practical following the vesting of each Restricted Unit, subject to the provisions of Section 8(b), the Participant shall be entitled to have the relevant restrictions removed from his or her Unit certificate.
(c) Unit Appreciation Rights.   The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees and Directors to whom Unit Appreciation Rights shall be granted, the number of Units to be covered by each Award Agreement, whether DERs are granted with respect to such Unit Appreciation Rights, the exercise price therefor and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the Unit Appreciation Rights, including the following terms and conditions and such additional terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine, that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.
(i)   Exercise Price.   The exercise price per Unit Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee at the time the Unit Appreciation Rights are granted but may not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Unit as of the date of grant.
(ii)   Time of Exercise.   The Committee shall determine the Restricted Period, i.e., the time or times at which a Unit Appreciation Right may be exercised in whole or in part.
(iii)   Forfeitures.   Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the Unit Appreciation Rights Award Agreement, upon termination of a Participant’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates or membership on the Board, whichever is applicable, for any reason during the applicable Restricted Period, all outstanding Unit Appreciation Rights awarded to the Participant shall be automatically forfeited on such termination.
(iv)   Unit Appreciation Rights DERs.   To the extent provided by the Committee, in its discretion, a Unit Appreciation Right may include a tandem DER grant, which may provide that such DERs shall be paid directly to the Participant, be credited to a bookkeeping account (with or without interest in the discretion of the Committee), be subject to the same vesting restrictions as the tandem Unit Appreciation Rights Award, or be subject to such other provisions or restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion.
(d) Cash Awards.   The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees and Directors to whom Cash Awards shall be granted, the amount of cash to be covered by each Cash Award, and all terms and conditions applicable to Cash Awards, including for purposes of any annual or short-term incentive or other bonus program. Cash Awards may be granted on a free-standing basis or as an element of, a supplement to, or in lieu of any other Award under the Plan to Employees and Directors.
(e) General.
(i)   Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6 and be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine, including service- or performance-based vesting conditions. Without limiting the scope of Section 6(e)(i), with respect to any performance-based conditions, (i) the Committee may use one or more business criteria or other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance goals applicable to an Award, (ii) any such

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performance goals may relate to the performance of the Participant, the Partnership, the Company and/or any of their respective Affiliates or Subsidiaries, business, financial or geographical units or operating areas of the Company, (iii) the performance period or periods over which performance goals will be measured shall be established by the Committee, and (iv) any such performance goals and performance periods may differ among Awards granted to any one Participant or to different Participants.
(ii)   Awards May Be Granted Separately or Together.   Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution for any other Award granted under the Plan or any award granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company. Awards (including, without limitation, DERs) granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or awards granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.
(iii)   Limits on Transfer of Awards.
(A) Except as provided in (C) below, each Option and Unit Appreciation Right shall be exercisable only by the Participant during the Participant’s lifetime, or by the person to whom the Participant’s rights shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
(B) Except as provided in (C) below, no Award and no right under any such Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates.
(C) To the extent specifically provided by the Committee with respect to an Option or Unit Appreciation Right Award Agreement, an Option or Unit Appreciation Right may be transferred by a Participant without consideration to immediate family members or related family trusts, limited partnerships or similar entities or on such terms and conditions as the Committee may from time to time establish; provided, however, that no Award may be transferred to a third-party financial institution for value.
(iv)   Term of Awards.   The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee.
(v)   Unit Restrictions.   All Units or other securities of the Partnership (whether or not in certificated form) delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the SEC, any stock exchange upon which such Units or other securities are then listed, and any applicable federal or state laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any certificates, if applicable, to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
(vi)   Consideration for Grants.   Awards may be granted for such consideration, including services, as the Committee determines.
(vii)   Delivery of Units or other Securities and Payment by Participant of Consideration. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, delivery of Units pursuant to the exercise or vesting of an Award may be deferred for any period during which, in the good faith determination of the Committee, the Company is not reasonably able to obtain Units to deliver pursuant to such Award without violating the rules or regulations of any applicable law or securities exchange. No Units or other securities shall be delivered pursuant to any Award until payment in full of any amount required to be paid pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement (including, without limitation, any exercise price or tax withholding) is received by the Company. Such payment may be made by such method or methods and in such form or forms as the Committee shall determine, including without limitation cash, other Awards, withholding of Units, cashless broker exercises with simultaneous sale, or any combination thereof; provided that the combined value, as determined by the Committee, of all cash and cash equivalents and the

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Fair Market Value of any such Units or other property so tendered to the Company, as of the date of such tender, is at least equal to the full amount required to be paid to the Company pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement.
(viii)   Change of Control.   Except to the extent otherwise specifically provided in an Award Agreement, vesting of any Award shall not occur solely upon the occurrence of a Change of Control.
(ix)   Substitute Awards.   Awards may be granted under the Plan in substitution for similar awards held by individuals who become employees as a result of a merger, consolidation or acquisition by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company of another entity or the assets of another entity. To the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder, such substitute Awards may have exercise prices less than the Fair Market Value of a Unit on the date of such substitution.
(x)   Prohibition on Repricing of Certain Awards.   Subject to the provisions of Section 4(c) and Section 7(c), the terms of outstanding Award Agreements may not be amended without the approval of the Partnership’s unitholders so as to (A) reduce the Unit exercise price of any outstanding Options or Unit Appreciation Rights or grant a new Option, Unit Appreciation Right or other Award in substitution for, or upon the cancellation of, any previously granted Option or Unit Appreciation Right that has the effect of reducing the Exercise Price or grant price thereof, (B) cancel any outstanding Options or Unit Appreciation Rights in substitution or exchange for cash, other consideration or other Awards when the Option or Unit Appreciation Right exercise price per Unit exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Unit or (C) take any other action that would be considered a “repricing” of an Option or Unit Appreciation Right under the applicable listing standards of the national securities exchange on which the Units are listed (if any) or under generally accepted accounting principles. Subject to Section 4(c), Section 7(c) and Section 8(l), the Committee shall have the authority, without the approval of the Partnership’s unitholders, to amend any outstanding Award to increase the per Unit exercise price of any outstanding Options or Unit Appreciation Rights or to cancel and replace any outstanding Options or Unit Appreciation Rights with the grant of Options or Unit Appreciation Rights having a per Unit exercise price that is equal to or greater than the per Unit exercise price of the original Options or Unit Appreciation Rights.
Section 7.   Amendment and Termination.   Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law:
(a) Amendments to the Plan. Except as required by applicable law or the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Units are traded and subject to Section 7(b) below, the Board or the Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan in any manner, including increasing the number of Units available for Awards under the Plan, without the consent of any partner, Participant, other holder or beneficiary of an Award, or other Person.
(b) Amendments to Awards.   Subject to Section 7(a), the Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter any Award theretofore granted (including without limitation requiring or allowing for an election to settle an Award in cash), provided no change, other than pursuant to Section 4(c) or Section 7(c), in any Award shall (i) materially reduce the benefit to a Participant without the consent of such Participant or (ii) cause the Plan or such Award to fail to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
(c) Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events.   The Committee is hereby authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4(c)) affecting the Partnership or the financial statements of the Partnership, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or such Award; provided, however, that no such adjustment may be made that would cause the Plan or such Award to fail to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

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Section 8.   General Provisions.
(a) No Rights to Award.   No Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.
(b) Tax Withholding.   The Company or any Affiliate of the Company is authorized to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant the amount (in cash, Units, other securities, Units that would otherwise be issued pursuant to such Award or other property) of any applicable taxes due or potentially payable in respect of the grant of an Award, its exercise, the lapse of restrictions thereon, any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan or any other transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy its withholding obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations. The Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion, the form of payment acceptable for such tax withholding obligations, including the delivery of cash or cash equivalents, Units (including through delivery of previously owned Units, net settlement, a broker-assisted sale, or other cashless withholding or reduction of the amount of Units otherwise issuable or delivered pursuant to the Award), other property, or any other legal consideration the Committee deems appropriate. Any determination made by the Committee to allow a Participant who is subject to Rule 16b-3 to pay taxes with Units through net settlement or previously owned Units shall be approved by either a committee made up of solely two or more Qualified Members or the full Board. If such tax withholding amounts are satisfied through net settlement or previously owned Units, the maximum number of Units that may be so withheld or surrendered shall be the number of Units that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or surrender equal to the aggregate amount of such tax liabilities determined based on the greatest withholding rates for federal, state, foreign and/or local tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that may be utilized without creating adverse accounting treatment for the Company with respect to such Award, as determined by the Committee.
(c) No Right to Employment or Services.   The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any of its Affiliates, or to remain on the Board, as applicable. Further, the Company or an Affiliate of the Company may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, any Award Agreement or other agreement.
(d) Governing Law.   The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its conflict of laws principles.
(e) Severability.   If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
(f) Other Laws.   The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Units or other consideration under an Award if, in its sole discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such Units or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation, the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Units are then traded, or entitle the Partnership or an Affiliate of the Partnership to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any payment tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary.
(g) No Trust or Fund Created.   Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any participating Affiliate of the Company and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any participating Affiliate of the

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Company pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any general unsecured creditor of the Company or any participating Affiliate of the Company.
(h) No Fractional Units.   No fractional Units shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Units or whether such fractional Units or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.
(i) Headings; Construction.   The Table of Contents and the Section, subsection and exhibit, annex, appendix and other attachment titles and headings in the Plan are as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof. All references to Sections and subsections refer to Sections and subsections of the Plan, and all references to exhibits, annexes, appendices and other attachments are to exhibits, annexes, appendices and other attachments attached to the Plan, each of which is made a part of the Plan for all purposes. Whenever the context requires, the gender of all words used in the Plan includes the masculine, feminine and neuter. The singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular whenever appropriate. All references to “including” shall be construed as meaning “including without limitation.” All references to dollars refer to United States dollars. The words “hereof,” “hereto,” “hereby,” “herein,” “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in the Plan, shall refer to the Plan as a whole and not to any particular section or article in which such words appear. Unless the context requires otherwise, the word “or” shall not be exclusive. Unless the context requires otherwise, all references to laws, regulations, contracts, agreements and instruments refer to such laws, regulations, contracts, agreements and instruments as they may be amended from time to time, and references to particular provisions of laws or regulations include a reference to the corresponding provisions of any succeeding law or regulation. Except as expressly set forth herein, when any provision of the Plan authorizes a Person to make a determination (or to use its discretion), such authorization includes the authority of such Person to make such determination (or exercise such discretion) in its respective sole and absolute judgment.
(j) Facility Payment.   Any amounts payable hereunder to any person under legal disability or who, in the judgment of the Committee, is unable to properly manage his financial affairs, may be paid to the legal representative of such person, or may be applied for the benefit of such person in any manner which the Committee may select, and the Company shall be relieved of any further liability for payment of such amounts.
(k) Participation by Affiliates.   In making Awards to Employees employed by an Affiliate of the Company, the Committee shall be acting on behalf of the Affiliate of the Company, and to the extent the Partnership has an obligation to reimburse the Company for compensation paid to Employees for services rendered for the benefit of the Partnership, such reimbursement payments may be made by the Partnership directly to the Affiliate of the Company, and, if made to the Company, shall be received by the Company as agent for the Affiliate of the Company.
(l) Compliance with Section 409A.
(i)   In General.   Nothing in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall operate or be construed to cause the Plan or an Award to fail to comply with Section 409A of the Code. The applicable provisions of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder are hereby incorporated by reference into and shall control over any Plan or Award Agreement provision in conflict therewith or that would cause a failure of compliance thereunder, to the extent necessary to resolve such conflict or obviate such failure. Subject to any other restrictions or limitations contained herein, in the event that a “specified employee” ​(as defined under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder) becomes entitled to a payment under an Award that constitutes a “deferral of compensation” ​(as defined under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder) on account of a “separation from service” ​(as defined under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder), to the extent required by the Code, such payment shall not occur until the date that is six months plus one day from the date of such separation from service. Any amount that is otherwise payable within the six-month period described herein will be aggregated and paid in a lump sum without interest.

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(ii)   Application to Specific Awards.   It is the intent that each Award shall either (A) qualify as a “short term deferral” as such phrase is used in Section 1.409A-1 of the U.S. Treasury Regulations or (B) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. In that regard, notwithstanding anything in any Award to the contrary (but subject to an express provision in an Award Agreement authorized by the Committee in its discretion to override the provisions of this Section 8(l)(ii)): (I) in no event shall payment of or under an Award be made later than 212 months following the year in which such payment ceases to be subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture for purposes of Section 409A; and (II) for any Award in which all or a portion becomes “nonforfeitable” upon the occurrence of an event, the relevant provisions of such Award shall be deemed to include a proviso that (x) to the extent all requirements for vesting but for the passage of time have been met as of the occurrence of such event, payment shall be made as of the next following Distribution Date and (y) to the extent additional vesting would require the achievement of additional performance thresholds (e.g., distribution or earnings levels), vesting shall occur and payment made (if based on a distribution) on the Distribution Date on which the threshold is achieved or (if based on earnings or other performance metric) the next Distribution Date following the date on which the threshold is achieved. For this purpose, as used herein and in any Award, the term “Distribution Date” shall mean the day in February, May, August or November in any year (as such month and year are specified in the Award or as context dictates; e.g., the “next following Distribution Date” after the occurrence of an event) that is 45 days after the end of a calendar quarter (or, if not a business day, the closest previous business day).
(m) Clawback.   The Plan and all Awards granted hereunder are subject to any written clawback policies that the Company, with the approval of the Board or an authorized committee thereof, may adopt either prior to or following the Effective Date, including any policy adopted to conform to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and rules promulgated thereunder by the SEC and that the Company determines should apply to Awards. Any such policy may subject a Participant’s Awards and amounts paid or realized with respect to Awards to reduction, cancelation, forfeiture or recoupment if certain specified events or wrongful conduct occur, including an accounting restatement due to the Company’s material noncompliance with financial reporting regulations or other events or wrongful conduct specified in any such clawback policy.
Section 9.   Term of the Plan.
The Plan shall be effective on the Effective Date and shall continue until the earliest of (i) the date terminated by the Board or the Committee; (ii) the date that all available Units under the Plan have been paid or issued to Participants; or (iii) the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. No Awards may be granted under the Plan on and after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date or the earlier termination of the Plan. However, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award granted prior to such termination, and the authority of the Board or the Committee under the Plan or an Award Agreement to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or rights under such Award, shall extend beyond such termination date. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, except with respect to Awards made under the Prior Plan, no Awards may become vested, and no Units may be issued under the Plan, prior to the Effective Date. Further, if the Plan is not approved by the unitholders of the Partnership on or before May 19, 2021, then the Plan shall be void ab initio, and the Prior Plan shall continue in effect as if this amendment, restatement and renaming of the Prior Plan had not occurred, and any Awards previously granted under the Prior Plan shall continue in effect under the terms of the grant; provided, further, that thereafter Awards may continue to be granted pursuant to the terms of the Prior Plan (as the same may thereafter be amended).

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ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OFPLAINS GP HOLDINGS, L.P.May 19, 2021GO GREENe-Consent makes it easy to go paperless. With e-Consent, you can quickly access your proxy material, statements and other eligible documents online, while reducing costs, clutter and paper waste. Enroll today via www.astfinancial.com to enjoy online access.NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL:The Notice of Annual Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card are available at http://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/21140/Please sign, date and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible.Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.20433300000000000000 9051921THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ALL NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1, AND "FOR" PROPOSALS 2, 3 AND 4.PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x 1.The election of four Class III directors to serve on the Board until the 2024 annual meeting. 2.Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2021. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN FOR ALL NOMINEESWITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEESFOR ALL EXCEPT(See instructions below) NOMINEES:O Greg L. Armstrong O John T. Raymond O Bobby S. ShackoulsO Christopher M. Temple 3.The approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of our named executive officer compensation.4.The approval of the Plains All American 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan.In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. This proxy when properly executed will be voted as directed herein by the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is given, this proxy will be voted FOR ALL NOMINEES in Proposal 1, and FOR Proposals 2, 3 and 4. INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT”and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here:To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method. Signature of Shareholder Date: Signature of Shareholder Date: Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. 0

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PLAINS GP HOLDINGS, L.P.Annual Meeting of Shareholders To be Held on May 19, 2021This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of DirectorsThe undersigned hereby appoints Al Swanson, Richard McGee and Ann Gullion, and each of them, with full power of substitution and power to act alone, as proxies to vote all of the Class A, Class B or Class C shares which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present and acting at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Plains GP Holdings, L.P., to be held on May 19, 2021 at 3:00 p.m., Central Time, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof, as follows:(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)1.114475

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ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OFPLAINS GP HOLDINGS, L.P.May 19, 2021INTERNET - Access “www.voteproxy.com” and follow the on-screen instructions or scan the QR code with your smartphone. Have your proxy card available when you access the web page.TELEPHONE - Call toll-free 1-800-PROXIES (1-800-776-9437) inthe United States or 1-718-921-8500 from foreign countries from any touch-tone telephone and follow the instructions. Have your proxy card available when you call.Vote online/phone until 11:59 PM EST the day before the meeting.MAIL - Sign, date and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible.VIRTUALLY AT THE MEETING - The company will be hosting the meeting in a virtual-only format this year. To attend the virtual meeting, please visit https://web.lumiagm.com/239148853 (password pagp2021) and be sure to have your control number available.GO GREEN - e-Consent makes it easy to go paperless. With e-Consent, you can quickly access your proxy material, statements and other eligible documents online, while reducing costs, clutter and paper waste. Enroll today via www.astfinancial.com to enjoy online access.Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided IF you are not voting via telephone or the Internet.20433300000000000000 9051921THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ALL NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1, AND "FOR" PROPOSALS 2, 3 AND 4.PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x 1.The election of four Class III directors to serve on the Board until the 2024 annual meeting.NOMINEES: 2.Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2021. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN FOR ALL NOMINEESWITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEESFOR ALL EXCEPT(See instructions below) O Greg L. Armstrong O John T. Raymond O Bobby S. ShackoulsO Christopher M. Temple 3.The approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of our named executive officer compensation.4.The approval of the Plains All American 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan.In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. This proxy when properly executed will be voted as directed herein by the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is given, this proxy will be voted FOR ALL NOMINEES in Proposal 1, and FOR Proposals 2, 3 and 4. INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT”and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here:To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method. Signature of Shareholder Date: Signature of Shareholder Date: Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.