Table of Contents



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period endedDecember 31, 20172023
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the transition period from____ to_____
Commission File Number 1-3880
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New Jersey13-1086010
New Jersey13-1086010
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
6363 Main Street
Williamsville,New York14221
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)


(716) 857-7000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each ClassTrading Symbol
Name of Each Exchange
on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per shareNFGNew York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  YES  þ     NO  ¨Yes      No 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  YES  þ   NO  ¨Yes    No 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.      (Check one):    
Large Accelerated FilerþAccelerated Filer¨
Non-Accelerated Filer
¨(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller Reporting Company¨
Emerging Growth Company¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  YES  ¨  NO  þ


Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: Common stock, par value $1.00 per share, outstanding at January 31, 2018: 85,801,7782024: 92,127,623 shares.



Table of ContentsContent


GLOSSARY OF TERMS
 
Frequently used abbreviations, acronyms, or terms used in this report:
 
National Fuel Gas Companies
CompanyThe Registrant, the Registrant and its subsidiaries or the Registrant’s subsidiaries as appropriate in the context of the disclosure
Distribution CorporationNational Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation
EmpireEmpire Pipeline, Inc.
Midstream CorporationCompanyNational Fuel Gas Midstream CorporationCompany, LLC
National FuelNational Fuel Gas Company
NFRRegistrantNational Fuel Resources, Inc.
RegistrantNational Fuel Gas Company
SenecaSeneca Resources CorporationCompany, LLC
Supply CorporationNational Fuel Gas Supply Corporation
Regulatory Agencies
Regulatory AgenciesCFTC
CFTCCommodity Futures Trading Commission
EPAUnited States Environmental Protection Agency
FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board
FERCFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
NYDECIRSInternal Revenue Service
NYDECNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation
NYPSCState of New York Public Service Commission
PaDEPPennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
PaPUCPennsylvania Public Utility Commission
SECPHMSAPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
SECSecurities and Exchange Commission
Other
Other
20172023 Form 10-KThe Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 20172023
Bbl2017 Tax Reform ActBarrel (of oil)Tax legislation referred to as the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act," enacted December 22, 2017.
BcfBillion cubic feet (of natural gas)
Bcfe (or Mcfe) –  represents Bcf (or Mcf) EquivalentThe total heat value (Btu) of natural gas and oil expressed as a volume of natural gas. The Company uses a conversion formula of 1 barrel of oil = 6 Mcf of natural gas.
BtuBritish thermal unit; the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit
Capital expenditureRepresents additions to property, plant, and equipment, or the amount of money a company spends to buy capital assets or upgrade its existing capital assets.
Cashout revenuesA cash resolution of a gas imbalance whereby a customer (e.g. a marketer) pays for gas the customer receives in excess of amounts delivered into pipeline/storage or distribution systems by the customer’s shipper.
CLCPALegislation referred to as the "Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act," enacted by the State of New York on July 18, 2019.
Degree dayA measure of the coldness of the weather experienced, based on the extent to which the daily average temperature falls below a reference temperature, usually 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
DerivativeA financial instrument or other contract, the terms of which include an underlying variable (a price, interest rate, index rate, exchange rate, or other variable) and a notional amount (number of units, barrels, cubic feet, etc.).  The terms also permit for the instrument or contract to be settled net and no initial net investment is required to enter into the financial instrument or contract.  Examples include futures contracts, forward contracts, options, no cost collars and swaps.
2

Development costsCosts incurred to obtain access to proved oil and gas reserves and to provide facilities for extracting, treating, gathering and storing the oil and gas
Dodd-Frank ActDodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

2



DthDecatherm; one Dth of natural gas has a heating value of 1,000,000 British thermal units, approximately equal to the heating value of 1 Mcf of natural gas.
EAPEnergy Affordability Program; a program that provides bill discounts to gas customers who receive benefits under qualifying public assistance programs.
ESGEnvironmental, social and governance
Exchange ActSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
Expenditures for long-lived assetsIncludes capital expenditures, stock acquisitions and/or investments in partnerships.
Exploration costsCosts incurred in identifying areas that may warrant examination, as well as costs incurred in examining specific areas, including drilling exploratory wells.
Exploratory wellA well drilled in unproven or semi-proven territory for the purpose of ascertaining the presence underground of a commercial hydrocarbon deposit.
FERC 7(c) applicationAn application to the FERC under Section 7(c) of the federal Natural Gas Act for authority to construct, operate (and provide services through) facilities to transport or store natural gas in interstate commerce.
Firm transportation and/or storageThe transportation and/or storage service that a supplier of such service is obligated by contract to provide and for which the customer is obligated to pay whether or not the service is utilized.
GAAPAccounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
GoodwillAn intangible asset representing the difference between the fair value of a company and the price at which a company is purchased.
HedgingA method of minimizing the impact of price, interest rate, and/or foreign currency exchange rate changes, often times through the use of derivative financial instruments.
HubLocation where pipelines intersect enabling the trading, transportation, storage, exchange, lending and borrowing of natural gas.
ICEIntercontinental Exchange. An exchange which maintains a futures market for crude oil and natural gas.
Impact FeeAn annual fee imposed on unconventional wells spud in Pennsylvania. The fee is administered by the PaPUC and fees are distributed to counties and municipalities where the well is located.
Interruptible transportation and/or storageThe transportation and/or storage service that, in accordance with contractual arrangements, can be interrupted by the supplier of such service, and for which the customer does not pay unless utilized.
LDCLocal distribution company
LIBORLIFOLondon Interbank Offered RateLast-in, first-out
LIFOLast-in, first-out
Marcellus ShaleA Middle Devonian-age geological shale formation that is present nearly a mile or more below the surface in the Appalachian region of the United States, including much of Pennsylvania and southern New York.
MbblMcfThousand barrels (of oil)
McfThousand cubic feet (of natural gas)
MD&AManagement’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
MDthThousand decatherms (of natural gas)
Methane
The primary component of natural gas. It is a compound made up of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4).
MMBtuMillion British thermal units (heating value of one decatherm of natural gas)
MMcfMillion cubic feet (of natural gas)
NEPANatural GasNational Environmental Policy ActA naturally occurring mixture of 1969, as amendedgaseous hydrocarbons consisting primarily of methane and found in underground rock formations.
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Table of Content
NGAThe Natural Gas Act of 1938, as amended; the federal law regulating interstate natural gas pipeline and storage companies, among other things, codified beginning at 15 U.S.C. Section 717.
NOAANational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NYMEXNew York Mercantile Exchange.  An exchange which maintains a futures market for crude oil and natural gas.
OPEBOther Post-Employment Benefit
Open SeasonA bidding procedure used by pipelines to allocate firm transportation or storage capacity among prospective shippers, in which all bids submitted during a defined time period are evaluated as if they had been submitted simultaneously.

3



Precedent AgreementAn agreement between a pipeline company and a potential customer to sign a service agreement after specified events (called “conditions precedent”) happen, usually within a specified time.
Proved developed reservesReserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods.
Proved undeveloped (PUD) reservesReserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required to make these reserves productive.
ReservesThe unproduced but recoverable oil and/or gas in place in a formation which has been proven by production.
Revenue decoupling mechanismA rate mechanism which adjusts customer rates to render a utility financially indifferent to throughput decreases resulting from conservation.
S&PStandard & Poor’s Rating Service
SARStock appreciation right
Service agreementThe binding agreement by which the pipeline company agrees to provide service and the shipper agrees to pay for the service.
SOFRSecured Overnight Financing Rate
Stock acquisitionsInvestments in corporations
Utica ShaleA Middle Ordovician-age geological formation lying several thousand feet below the Marcellus Shale in the Appalachian region of the United States, including much of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and southern New York.
VEBAVoluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association
WNCWeather normalization clause; a clauseclause/adjustment in utility rates which adjusts customer rates to allow a utility to recover its normal operating costs calculated at normal temperatures.  If temperatures during the measured period are warmer than normal, customer rates are adjusted upward in order to recover projected operating costs.  If temperatures during the measured period are colder than normal, customer rates are adjusted downward so that only the projected operating costs will be recovered.







4

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INDEXPage
INDEXPage
Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities 
Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures 
 
The Company has nothing to report under this item.
 
All references to a certain year in this report are to the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30 of that year, unless otherwise noted.



5

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Part I.  Financial Information
 
Item 1. Financial Statements
National Fuel Gas Company
Consolidated Statements of Income and Earnings
Reinvested in the Business
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Common Share Amounts)2017 2016
(Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Per Common Share Amounts)
(Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Per Common Share Amounts)
(Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Per Common Share Amounts)
INCOME
INCOME
INCOME   
Operating Revenues:   
Utility and Energy Marketing Revenues$225,725
 $207,780
Operating Revenues:
Operating Revenues:
Utility Revenues
Utility Revenues
Utility Revenues
Exploration and Production and Other Revenues
Exploration and Production and Other Revenues
Exploration and Production and Other Revenues140,450
 161,694
Pipeline and Storage and Gathering Revenues53,480
 53,026
Pipeline and Storage and Gathering Revenues
Pipeline and Storage and Gathering Revenues
525,361
525,361
525,361
419,655
 422,500
Operating Expenses:
Operating Expenses:
   
Operating Expenses:   
Purchased Gas94,034
 70,243
Purchased Gas
Purchased Gas
Operation and Maintenance:   
Utility and Energy Marketing51,369
 50,422
Operation and Maintenance:
Operation and Maintenance:
Utility
Utility
Utility
Exploration and Production and Other
Exploration and Production and Other
Exploration and Production and Other35,542
 30,461
Pipeline and Storage and Gathering20,037
 22,660
Pipeline and Storage and Gathering
Pipeline and Storage and Gathering
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes20,848
 20,379
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization55,830
 56,196
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Operating Income
Operating Income
277,660
 250,361
Operating Income141,995
 172,139
Other Income (Expense):   
Interest Income2,249
 1,600
Other Income1,722
 1,614
Other Income (Expense):
Other Income (Expense):
Other Income (Deductions)
Other Income (Deductions)
Other Income (Deductions)
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt(28,087) (29,103)
Other Interest Expense(502) (910)
Other Interest Expense
Other Interest Expense
Income Before Income Taxes117,377
 145,340
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)(81,277) 56,432
Income Before Income Taxes
Income Before Income Taxes
Income Tax Expense
Income Tax Expense
Income Tax Expense
Net Income Available for Common Stock
Net Income Available for Common Stock
   
Net Income Available for Common Stock198,654
 88,908
   
EARNINGS REINVESTED IN THE BUSINESS   
EARNINGS REINVESTED IN THE BUSINESS
EARNINGS REINVESTED IN THE BUSINESS
Balance at Beginning of Period
Balance at Beginning of Period
Balance at Beginning of Period851,669
 676,361
1,050,323
 765,269
   
Dividends on Common Stock(35,590) (34,544)
Cumulative Effect of Adoption of Authoritative Guidance for Stock-Based Compensation
 31,916
Dividends on Common Stock
Dividends on Common Stock
Balance at December 31
Balance at December 31
Balance at December 31$1,014,733
 $762,641
   
Earnings Per Common Share:   
Earnings Per Common Share:
Earnings Per Common Share:
Basic:
Basic:
Basic:   
Net Income Available for Common Stock$2.32
 $1.04
Net Income Available for Common Stock
Net Income Available for Common Stock
Diluted:
Diluted:
Diluted:   
Net Income Available for Common Stock$2.30
 $1.04
Net Income Available for Common Stock
Net Income Available for Common Stock
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:   
Used in Basic Calculation85,630,296
 85,189,851
Used in Basic Calculation
Used in Basic Calculation
Used in Diluted Calculation
Used in Diluted Calculation
Used in Diluted Calculation86,325,537
 85,797,989
Dividends Per Common Share:   
Dividends Per Common Share:
Dividends Per Common Share:
Dividends Declared$0.415
 $0.405
Dividends Declared
Dividends Declared
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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National Fuel Gas Company
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
(Thousands of Dollars) 2017 2016
(Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
(Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
(Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
Net Income Available for Common Stock
Net Income Available for Common Stock
Net Income Available for Common Stock$198,654
 $88,908
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax:

 

Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Available for Sale Arising During the Period(44) (883)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax:
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax:
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments Arising During the Period(5,499) (52,501)
Reclassification Adjustment for Realized (Gains) Losses on Securities Available for Sale in Net Income(430) (741)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments Arising During the Period
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments Arising During the Period
Reclassification Adjustment for Realized (Gains) Losses on Derivative Financial Instruments in Net Income(12,548) (30,717)
Other Comprehensive Loss, Before Tax(18,521) (84,842)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Related to Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Available for Sale Arising During the Period(65) (344)
Reclassification Adjustment for Realized (Gains) Losses on Derivative Financial Instruments in Net Income
Reclassification Adjustment for Realized (Gains) Losses on Derivative Financial Instruments in Net Income
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Related to Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments Arising During the Period(2,305) (22,052)
Reclassification Adjustment for Income Tax Benefit (Expense) on Realized Losses (Gains) from Securities Available for Sale in Net Income(158) (273)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Related to Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments Arising During the Period
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Related to Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments Arising During the Period
Reclassification Adjustment for Income Tax Benefit (Expense) on Realized Losses (Gains) from Derivative Financial Instruments in Net Income(5,197) (12,954)
Reclassification Adjustment for Income Tax Benefit (Expense) on Realized Losses (Gains) from Derivative Financial Instruments in Net Income
Reclassification Adjustment for Income Tax Benefit (Expense) on Realized Losses (Gains) from Derivative Financial Instruments in Net Income
Income Taxes – Net(7,725) (35,623)
Other Comprehensive Loss(10,796) (49,219)
Income Taxes – Net
Income Taxes – Net
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive Income$187,858
 $39,689
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive Income
 



















































See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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National Fuel Gas Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
 
December 31,
2023
September 30,
2023
(Thousands of U.S. Dollars)  
ASSETS  
Property, Plant and Equipment$13,857,060 $13,635,303 
Less - Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization6,435,129 6,335,441 
 7,421,931 7,299,862 
Current Assets  
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments41,685 55,447 
Receivables – Net of Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts of $37,116 and $36,295, Respectively189,669 160,601 
Unbilled Revenue48,265 16,622 
Gas Stored Underground26,891 32,509 
Materials and Supplies - at average cost47,692 48,989 
Other Current Assets99,400 100,260 
           453,602 414,428 
Other Assets  
Recoverable Future Taxes73,283 69,045 
Unamortized Debt Expense6,829 7,240 
Other Regulatory Assets72,088 72,138 
Deferred Charges80,347 82,416 
Other Investments76,633 73,976 
Goodwill5,476 5,476 
Prepaid Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Costs208,015 200,301 
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments184,739 50,487 
Other4,549 4,891 
                   711,959 565,970 
Total Assets$8,587,492 $8,280,260 
 December 31,
2017
 September 30, 2017
(Thousands of Dollars)   
ASSETS   
Property, Plant and Equipment$10,023,252
 $9,945,560
Less - Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization5,294,211
 5,271,486
 4,729,041
 4,674,074
Current Assets 
  
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments166,289
 555,530
Hedging Collateral Deposits4,465
 1,741
Receivables – Net of Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts of $24,511 and $22,526, Respectively161,029
 112,383
Unbilled Revenue74,790
 22,883
Gas Stored Underground24,139
 35,689
Materials and Supplies - at average cost35,139
 33,926
Unrecovered Purchased Gas Costs7,787
 4,623
Other Current Assets47,914
 51,505
           521,552
 818,280
    
Other Assets 
  
Recoverable Future Taxes116,792
 181,363
Unamortized Debt Expense8,148
 1,159
Other Regulatory Assets174,577
 174,433
Deferred Charges34,063
 30,047
Other Investments123,368
 125,265
Goodwill5,476
 5,476
Prepaid Post-Retirement Benefit Costs57,054
 56,370
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments21,107
 36,111
Other                  754
 742
                   541,339
 610,966
    
Total Assets$5,791,932
 $6,103,320


























See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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National Fuel Gas Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
December 31,
2023
September 30,
2023
December 31,
2017
 September 30, 2017
(Thousands of Dollars)   
(Thousands of U.S. Dollars)(Thousands of U.S. Dollars)  
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES   CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES  
Capitalization:   Capitalization:  
Comprehensive Shareholders’ Equity   Comprehensive Shareholders’ Equity  
Common Stock, $1 Par Value   Common Stock, $1 Par Value  
Authorized - 200,000,000 Shares; Issued And Outstanding – 85,760,846 Shares
and 85,543,125 Shares, Respectively
$85,761
 $85,543
Authorized - 200,000,000 Shares; Issued And Outstanding – 92,115,581 Shares
and 91,819,405 Shares, Respectively
Paid in Capital800,348
 796,646
Earnings Reinvested in the Business1,014,733
 851,669
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss(40,919) (30,123)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Total Comprehensive Shareholders’ Equity
1,859,923
 1,703,735
Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Portion and Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs2,084,465
 2,083,681
Total Capitalization
3,944,388
 3,787,416
   
Current and Accrued Liabilities 
  
Current and Accrued Liabilities
Current and Accrued Liabilities  
Notes Payable to Banks and Commercial Paper
 
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
 300,000
Accounts Payable
Accounts Payable
Accounts Payable132,409
 126,443
Amounts Payable to Customers251
 
Dividends Payable35,590
 35,500
Interest Payable on Long-Term Debt27,962
 35,031
Customer Advances18,398
 15,701
Customer Security Deposits22,503
 20,372
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities121,596
 111,889
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments6,579
 1,103
365,288
 646,039
   
Deferred Credits 
  
Other Liabilities
Other Liabilities
Other Liabilities  
Deferred Income Taxes453,285
 891,287
Taxes Refundable to Customers366,768
 95,739
Cost of Removal Regulatory Liability
Cost of Removal Regulatory Liability
Cost of Removal Regulatory Liability205,554
 204,630
Other Regulatory Liabilities118,551
 113,716
Pension and Other Post-Retirement Liabilities125,055
 149,079
Other Post-Retirement Liabilities
Asset Retirement Obligations106,516
 106,395
Other Deferred Credits106,527
 109,019
Other Liabilities
1,482,256
 1,669,865
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7)
   
Total Capitalization and Liabilities$5,791,932
 $6,103,320
Total Capitalization and Liabilities
Total Capitalization and Liabilities
 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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National Fuel Gas Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
                                                        Three Months Ended
 December 31,
(Thousands of U.S. Dollars)20232022
OPERATING ACTIVITIES  
Net Income Available for Common Stock$133,020 $169,689 
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization115,790 96,600 
Deferred Income Taxes38,362 53,457 
Stock-Based Compensation4,660 5,575 
Other8,041 4,078 
Change in:  
Receivables and Unbilled Revenue(58,459)(29,522)
Gas Stored Underground and Materials and Supplies6,915 5,622 
Unrecovered Purchased Gas Costs— 20,603 
Other Current Assets892 (1,748)
Accounts Payable(3,355)6,091 
Amounts Payable to Customers1,013 (265)
Customer Advances2,083 5,206 
Customer Security Deposits2,079 4,546 
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities28,612 4,523 
Other Assets(6,306)(20,238)
Other Liabilities(2,403)3,122 
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities270,944 327,339 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES  
Capital Expenditures(246,938)(233,473)
Sale of Fixed Income Mutual Fund Shares in Grantor Trust— 10,000 
Other(920)14,637 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities(247,858)(208,836)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES  
Proceeds from Issuance of Short-Term Note Payable to Bank— 250,000 
Net Change in Other Short-Term Notes Payable to Banks and Commercial Paper12,500 (60,000)
Reduction of Long-Term Debt— (150,000)
Dividends Paid on Common Stock(45,451)(43,452)
Net Repurchases of Common Stock(3,897)(6,694)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities(36,848)(10,146)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash(13,762)108,357 
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at October 155,447 137,718 
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at December 31$41,685 $246,075 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
Non-Cash Investing Activities:  
Non-Cash Capital Expenditures$97,922 $110,314 
                                                        Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)                                  2017 2016
OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
  
Net Income Available for Common Stock$198,654
 $88,908
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: 
  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization55,830
 56,196
Deferred Income Taxes(94,676) 44,852
Stock-Based Compensation3,905
 2,482
Other3,678
 3,607
Change in: 
  
Hedging Collateral Deposits(2,724) 1,484
Receivables and Unbilled Revenue(83,357) (67,395)
Gas Stored Underground and Materials and Supplies10,337
 10,597
Unrecovered Purchased Gas Costs(3,164) (1,257)
Other Current Assets3,591
 9,576
Accounts Payable13,173
 18,805
Amounts Payable to Customers251
 (16,306)
Customer Advances2,697
 (983)
Customer Security Deposits2,131
 673
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities11,532
 5,919
Other Assets(5,275) (8,389)
Other Liabilities(21,775) (4,122)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities94,808
 144,647
    
INVESTING ACTIVITIES 
  
Capital Expenditures(142,613) (106,053)
Net Proceeds from Sale of Oil and Gas Producing Properties
 5,759
Other                                             2,612
 (4,297)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities(140,001) (104,591)
    
FINANCING ACTIVITIES 
  
Reduction of Long-Term Debt(307,047) 
Dividends Paid on Common Stock(35,500) (34,473)
Net Proceeds from Issuance (Repurchase) of Common Stock(1,501) 938
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities(344,048) (33,535)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Temporary Cash Investments 
(389,241) 6,521
    
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments at October 1555,530
 129,972
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments at December 31$166,289
 $136,493
    
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information   
Non-Cash Investing Activities: 
  
Non-Cash Capital Expenditures$56,116
 $48,965
Receivable from Sale of Oil and Gas Producing Properties$17,310
 $20,795
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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National Fuel Gas Company
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Principles of Consolidation.The Company consolidates all entities in which it has a controlling financial interest. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated. The Company uses proportionate consolidation when accounting for drilling arrangements related to oil and gas producing properties accounted for under the full cost method of accounting.
 
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.


Earnings for Interim Periods.  The Company, in its opinion, has included all adjustments (which consist of only normally recurring adjustments, unless otherwise disclosed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) that are necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations for the reported periods. The consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, included herein, should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes for the years ended September 30, 2017, 20162023, 2022 and 20152021 that are included in the Company's 20172023 Form 10-K.  The consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 20182024 will be audited by the Company's independent registered public accounting firm after the end of the fiscal year.
 
The earnings for the three months ended December 31, 20172023 should not be taken as a prediction of earnings for the entire fiscal year ending September 30, 2018.2024.  Most of the business of the Utility and Energy Marketing segmentssegment is seasonal in nature and is influenced by weather conditions.  Due to the seasonal nature of the heating business in the Utility and Energy Marketing segments,segment, earnings during the winter months normally represent a substantial part of the earnings that those segments arethis business is expected to achieve for the entire fiscal year.  The Company’s business segments are discussed more fully in Note 78 – Business Segment Information.
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.  For purposes  The components, as reported on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, of the Consolidated Statementstotal cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash presented on the Statement of Cash Flows theare as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended
 December 31, 2023
Three Months Ended
 December 31, 2022
 Balance at
December 31, 2023
Balance at October 1, 2023Balance at
December 31, 2022
Balance at October 1, 2022
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments$41,685 $55,447 $244,475 $46,048 
Hedging Collateral Deposits— — 1,600 91,670 
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash$41,685 $55,447 $246,075 $137,718 

    The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity date of generally three months or less to be cash equivalents.
The Company’s restricted cash is composed entirely of amounts reported as Hedging Collateral Deposits.  This on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Hedging Collateral Deposits is an account title for cash held in margin accounts funded by the Company to serve as collateral for hedging positions.derivative financial instruments in an unrealized loss position. In accordance with its accounting policy, the Company does not offset hedging collateral deposits paid or received against related derivative financial instruments liability or asset balances.

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts. The allowance for uncollectible accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the existing accounts receivable. The allowance, the majority of which is in the Utility segment, is determined based on historical experience, the age of customer accounts, other specific information about customer accounts, and the economic and regulatory environment. Account balances have historically been written off against the allowance approximately twelve months after the account is final billed or when it is anticipated that the receivable will not be recovered. During 2022 and 2021, final billings were suppressed in the Utility segment as a result of state shut-off moratoriums arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Those moratoriums were lifted in 2022 which allowed for the resumption of final billings during 2022, thereby resulting in higher amounts being written off in 2023 and 2024.

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    Activity in the allowance for uncollectible accounts for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (in thousands):

Balance at Beginning of PeriodAdditions Charged to Costs and ExpensesDiscounts on Purchased ReceivablesNet Accounts Receivable Written-OffBalance at End of Period
Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts$36,295 $4,157 $119 $(3,455)$37,116 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2022
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts$40,228 $5,035 $228 $(1,566)$43,925 

Gas Stored Underground.  In the Utility segment, gas stored underground is carried at lower of cost or net realizable value, on a LIFO method.  Gas stored underground normally declines during the first and second quarters of the year and is replenished during the third and fourth quarters.  In the Utility segment, the current cost of replacing gas withdrawn from storage is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income and a reserve for gas replacement is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the caption “Other Accruals and Current Liabilities.”  Such reserve, which amounted to $1.7$1.2 million at December 31, 2017,2023, is reduced to zero by September 30 of each year as the inventory is replenished.

Property, Plant and Equipment. In the Company’s Exploration and Production segment, oil and gas property acquisition, exploration and development costs are capitalized under the full cost method of accounting. Under this methodology, all costs associated with property acquisition, exploration and development activities are capitalized, including internal costs directly identified with acquisition, exploration and development activities. The internal costs that are capitalized do not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead, or similar activities. The Company does not recognize any gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of oil and gas properties unless the gain or loss would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil and gas attributable to a cost center. The Company's capitalized costs relating to oil and gas producing activities, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization, were $2.5 billion and $2.4 billion at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively.
 
Capitalized costs include costs related to unproved properties, which are excluded from amortization until proved reserves are found or it is determined that the unproved properties are impaired.  Such costs amounted to $77.1$159.1 million and $80.9$161.1 million at December 31, 20172023 and September 30, 2017,2023, respectively.  All costs related to unproved properties are reviewed quarterly to determine if impairment has occurred. The amount of any impairment is transferred to the pool of capitalized costs being amortized.
 
Capitalized costs are subject to the SEC full cost ceiling test. The ceiling test, which is performed each quarter, determines a limit, or ceiling, on the amount of property acquisition, exploration and development costs that can be capitalized. The ceiling under this test represents (a) the present value of estimated future net cash flows, excluding future cash outflows associated with

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settling asset retirement obligations that have been accrued on the balance sheet, using a discount factor of 10%, which is computed by applying prices of oil and gas (as adjusted for hedging) to estimated future production of proved oil and gas reserves as of the date of the latest balance sheet, less estimated future expenditures, plus (b) the cost of unevaluatedunproved properties not being depleted, less (c) income tax effects related to the differences between the book and tax basis of the properties. The natural gas and oil prices used to calculate the full cost ceiling are based on an unweighted arithmetic average of the first day of the month oil and gas prices for each month within the twelve-month period prior to the end of the reporting period. If capitalized costs, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization and related deferred income taxes, exceed the ceiling at the end of any quarter, a permanent non-cash impairment is required to be charged to earnings in that quarter. At December 31, 2017,2023, the ceiling exceeded the book value of the oil and gas properties by approximately $334.6$84.4 million.  In adjustingThe estimated future net cash flows were increased by $307.0 million for hedging under the ceiling test at December 31, 2017, estimated future net cash flows2023.
    The principal assets of the Utility, Pipeline and Storage and Gathering segments, consisting primarily of gas distribution pipelines, transmission pipelines, storage facilities, gathering lines and compressor stations, are recorded at historical cost. There were increased by $18.0 million.

On December 1, 2015, Senecano indications of any impairments to property, plant and IOG - CRV Marcellus, LLC (IOG), an affiliate of IOG Capital, LP, and funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group, LLC, executed a joint development agreement that allows IOG to participateequipment in the development of certain oilUtility, Pipeline and gas interests owned by Seneca in Elk, McKeanStorage and Cameron Counties, Pennsylvania. On June 13, 2016, Seneca and IOG executed an extension of the joint development agreement. Under the terms of the extended agreement, Seneca and IOG will jointly participate in a program to develop up to 75 Marcellus wells, with Seneca serving as program operator. IOG will hold an 80% working interest in all of the joint development wells. In total, IOG is expected to fund approximately $305 million for its 80% working interest in the 75 joint development wells. Of this amount, IOG has funded $267.1 million as of December 31, 2017, which includes $163.9 million of cash ($137.3 million in fiscal 2016 and $26.6 million in fiscal 2017) shown as Net Proceeds from Sale of Oil and Gas Producing Properties on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2017. Such proceeds from sale represent funding received from IOG for costs previously incurred by Seneca to develop a portion of the 75 joint development wells. A receivable of $17.3 million has been recordedGathering segments at December 31, 2017 in recognition2023.

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Table of additional IOG funding that is due to Seneca for costs incurred by Seneca to develop a portion of the 75 joint development wells. This receivable has been shown as a Non-Cash Investing Activity on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the quarter ended December 31, 2017. As the fee-owner of the property’s mineral rights, Seneca currently retains a 7.5% royalty interest and the remaining 20% working interest (26% net revenue interest) in 56 of the joint development wells. In the remaining 19 wells, Seneca retains a 20% working and net revenue interest. Seneca’s working interest under the agreement will increase to 85% after IOG achieves a 15% internal rate of return.Content
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.Income (Loss). The components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive LossIncome (Loss) and changes for the three months ended December 31, 20172023 and 2016,2022, net of related tax effect, are as follows (amounts in parentheses indicate debits) (in thousands): 
 Gains and Losses on Derivative Financial InstrumentsFunded Status of the Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit PlansTotal
Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
Balance at October 1, 2023$4,623 $(59,683)$(55,060)
Other Comprehensive Gains and Losses Before Reclassifications136,681 — 136,681 
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Income(14,240)— (14,240)
Balance at December 31, 2023$127,064 $(59,683)$67,381 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2022
Balance at October 1, 2022$(572,163)$(53,570)$(625,733)
Other Comprehensive Gains and Losses Before Reclassifications216,216 — 216,216 
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Income115,771 — 115,771 
Balance at December 31, 2022$(240,176)$(53,570)$(293,746)
 Gains and Losses on Derivative Financial InstrumentsGains and Losses on Securities Available for SaleFunded Status of the Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit PlansTotal
Three Months Ended December 31, 2017    
Balance at October 1, 2017$20,801
$7,562
$(58,486)$(30,123)
Other Comprehensive Gains and Losses Before Reclassifications(3,194)21

(3,173)
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Loss(7,351)(272)
(7,623)
Balance at December 31, 2017$10,256
$7,311
$(58,486)$(40,919)
Three Months Ended December 31, 2016    
Balance at October 1, 2016$64,782
$6,054
$(76,476)$(5,640)
Other Comprehensive Gains and Losses Before Reclassifications(30,449)(539)
(30,988)
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Loss(17,763)(468)
(18,231)
Balance at December 31, 2016$16,570
$5,047
$(76,476)$(54,859)
     



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Reclassifications Outof Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. Income (Loss). The details about the reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive lossincome (loss) for the three months ended December 31, 20172023 and 20162022 are as follows (amounts in parentheses indicate debits to the income statement) (in thousands):
Details About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) ComponentsAmount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
Three Months Ended
December 31,
20232022
Gains (Losses) on Derivative Financial Instrument Cash Flow Hedges: 
     Commodity Contracts$19,755 ($159,162)Operating Revenues
     Foreign Currency Contracts(47)(180)Operating Revenues
 19,708 (159,342)Total Before Income Tax
 (5,468)43,571 Income Tax Expense
 $14,240 ($115,771)Net of Tax

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Details About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss ComponentsAmount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive LossAffected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
 Three Months Ended December 31, 
 20172016 
Gains (Losses) on Derivative Financial Instrument Cash Flow Hedges:   
     Commodity Contracts
$12,842

$31,320
Operating Revenues
     Commodity Contracts196
(460)Purchased Gas
     Foreign Currency Contracts(490)(143)Operation and Maintenance Expense
Gains (Losses) on Securities Available for Sale430
741
Other Income
 12,978
31,458
Total Before Income Tax
 (5,355)(13,227)Income Tax Expense
 
$7,623

$18,231
Net of Tax

Other Current Assets.  The components of the Company’s Other Current Assets are as follows (in thousands):
                            At December 31, 2023At September 30, 2023
Prepayments$17,993 $18,966 
Prepaid Property and Other Taxes14,778 14,186 
Federal Income Taxes Receivable10,799 14,602 
State Income Taxes Receivable18,208 16,133 
Regulatory Assets37,622 36,373 
 $99,400 $100,260 
                            At December 31, 2017 At September 30, 2017
    
Prepayments$7,259
 $10,927
Prepaid Property and Other Taxes14,972
 13,974
State Income Taxes Receivable9,164
 9,689
Fair Values of Firm Commitments3,218
 1,031
Regulatory Assets13,301
 15,884
 $47,914
 $51,505
 
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities.  The components of the Company’s Other Accruals and Current Liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
At December 31, 2023At September 30, 2023
Accrued Capital Expenditures
Accrued Capital Expenditures
Accrued Capital Expenditures
Regulatory Liabilities
Reserve for Gas Replacement
Liability for Royalty and Working Interests
At December 31, 2017 At September 30, 2017
   
Accrued Capital Expenditures$28,488
 $37,382
Regulatory Liabilities38,920
 34,059
Reserve for Gas Replacement1,739
 
Federal Income Taxes Payable8,688
 1,775
2017 Tax Reform Act Refund6,000
 
Non-Qualified Benefit Plan Liability
Non-Qualified Benefit Plan Liability
Non-Qualified Benefit Plan Liability
Other37,761
 38,673
$121,596
 $111,889
 
Earnings Per Common Share.  Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income or loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.  For purposes of determining earnings per common share, the potentially dilutive securities the Company hashad outstanding are stock options, SARs,were restricted stock units and performance shares. For the quarter ended December 31, 2017,2023, the diluted weighted average shares outstanding shown on the Consolidated Statements of Income reflects the potential dilution as a result of these securities as determined using the Treasury Stock Method. Stock options, SARs, restrictedRestricted stock units and performance shares that are antidilutive are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share. There were 157,603 securities and 317,686no securities excluded as being antidilutive for the quartersquarter ended December 31, 2017 and2023. For the quarter ended December 31, 2016, respectively.2022, 1,987 securities were excluded as being antidilutive.


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Stock-Based Compensation. The Company granted 208,588361,729 performance shares during the quarter ended December 31, 2017.2023. The weighted average fair value of such performance shares was $50.95$44.23 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2017.2023. Performance shares are an award constituting units denominated in common stock of the Company, the number of which may be adjusted over a performance cycle based upon the extent to which performance goals have been satisfied.  Earned performance shares may be distributed in the form of shares of common stock of the Company, an equivalent value in cash or a combination of cash and shares of common stock of the Company, as determined by the Company. The performance shares do not entitle the participant to receive dividends during the vesting period.
 
Half of the    The performance shares granted during the quarter ended December 31, 20172023 include awards that must meet a performance goal related to either relative return on capital over thea three-year or five-year performance cycle of October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2020.("ROC performance shares"), methane intensity and greenhouse gas emissions reductions over a three-year performance cycle ("ESG performance shares") or relative shareholder return over a three-year or five-year performance cycle ("TSR performance shares"). The performance goal related to the ROC performance shares over the respective performance cyclecycles is the Company’s total return on capital relative to the total return on capital of other companies in a group selected by the Compensation Committee (“Report Group”).  Total return on capital for a given company means the average of the Report Group companies’ returns on capital for each twelve monthtwelve-month period corresponding to each of the Company’s fiscal years during the performance cycle, based on data reported for the Report Group companies in the Bloomberg database.  The number of these ROC performance shares that will vest and be paid will depend upon the Company’s performance relative to the Report Group and not upon the absolute level of return achieved by the Company.  The fair value of the ROC performance shares is calculated by multiplying the expected number of shares that will be issued by the average market price of Company common
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stock on the date of grant reduced by the present value of forgone dividends over the vesting term of the award.  The fair value is recorded as compensation expense over the vesting term of the award.

    The performance goal related to the ESG performance shares over the three-year performance cycle consists of two parts: reductions in the rates of intensity of methane emissions for each of the Company's operating segments, and reduction of the consolidated Company's total greenhouse gas emissions. The Company's Compensation Committee set specific target levels for methane intensity rates and total greenhouse gas emissions, and the performance goal is intended to incentivize and reward performance to the extent management achieves methane intensity and greenhouse gas reduction targets making progress towards the Company's 2030 goals. The number of these ESG performance shares that will vest and be paid out will depend upon the number of methane intensity segment targets achieved and whether the Company meets the total greenhouse gas emissions target. The fair value of these ESG performance shares is calculated by multiplying the expected number of shares that will be issued by the average market price of Company common stock on the date of grant reduced by the present value of forgone dividends over the vesting term of the award.  The fair value is recorded as compensation expense over the vesting term of the award.

    The other half of the performance shares granted during the quarter ended December 31, 2017 must meet a performance goal related to relative total shareholder returnthe TSR performance shares over the respective performance cycle of October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2020.  The performance goal over the performance cyclecycles is the Company’s three-year (or five-year) total shareholder return relative to the three-year (or five-year) total shareholder return of the other companies in the Report Group.  Three-year (or five-year) total shareholder return for a given company will be based on the data reported for that company (with the starting and ending stock prices over the performance cycle calculated as the average closing stock price for the prior calendar month and with dividends reinvested in that company’s securities at each ex-dividend date) in the Bloomberg database.  The number of these total shareholder returnTSR performance shares ("TSR performance shares") that will vest and be paid will depend upon the Company’s performance relative to the Report Group and not upon the absolute level of return achieved by the Company.  The fair value price at the date of grant for the TSR performance shares is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation technique, which includes a reduction in value for the present value of forgone dividends over the vesting term of the award.  This price is multiplied by the number of TSR performance shares awarded, the result of which is recorded as compensation expense over the vesting term of the award.
 
The Company granted 89,672 non-performance based219,578 restricted stock units during the quarter ended December 31, 2017.2023.  The weighted average fair value of such non-performance based restricted stock units was $51.23$42.44 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2017.2023.  Restricted stock units represent the right to receive shares of common stock of the Company (or the equivalent value in cash or a combination of cash and shares of common stock of the Company, as determined by the Company) at the end of a specified time period. These non-performance based restricted stock units do not entitle the participant to receive dividends during the vesting period. The accounting for non-performance based restricted stock units is the same as the accounting for restricted share awards, except that the fair value at the date of grant of the restricted stock units (represented by the market value of Company common stock on the date of the award) must be reduced by the present value of forgone dividends over the vesting term of the award. The fair value of restricted stock units on the date of award is recorded as compensation expense over the vesting period.



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Note 2 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers
 
New Authoritative Accounting    The following tables provide a disaggregation of the Company's revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and Financial Reporting Guidance. In May 2014,2022, presented by type of service from each reportable segment.
Quarter Ended December 31, 2023 (Thousands)   
Revenues By Type of ServiceExploration and ProductionPipeline and StorageGatheringUtilityAll OtherCorporate and Intersegment EliminationsTotal Consolidated
Production of Natural Gas$232,661 $— $— $— $— $— $232,661 
Production of Crude Oil687 — — — — — 687 
Natural Gas Processing267 — — — — — 267 
Natural Gas Gathering Service— — 62,588 — — (57,992)4,596 
Natural Gas Transportation Service— 71,618 — 29,285 — (20,362)80,541 
Natural Gas Storage Service— 21,292 — — — (9,059)12,233 
Natural Gas Residential Sales— — — 146,546 — — 146,546 
Natural Gas Commercial Sales— — — 20,281 — — 20,281 
Natural Gas Industrial Sales— — — 906 — (2)904 
Other649 1,503 — (567)— (251)1,334 
Total Revenues from Contracts with Customers234,264 94,413 62,588 196,451 — (87,666)500,050 
Alternative Revenue Programs— — — 5,556 — — 5,556 
Derivative Financial Instruments19,755 — — — — — 19,755 
Total Revenues$254,019 $94,413 $62,588 $202,007 $— $(87,666)$525,361 
Quarter Ended December 31, 2022 (Thousands)   
Revenues By Type of ServiceExploration and ProductionPipeline and StorageGatheringUtilityAll OtherCorporate and Intersegment EliminationsTotal Consolidated
Production of Natural Gas$432,359 $— $— $— $— $— $432,359 
Production of Crude Oil628 — — — — — 628 
Natural Gas Processing374 — — — — — 374 
Natural Gas Gathering Service— — 56,413 — — (53,767)2,646 
Natural Gas Transportation Service— 76,201 — 28,378 — (20,817)83,762 
Natural Gas Storage Service— 21,286 — — — (8,996)12,290 
Natural Gas Residential Sales— — — 244,306 — — 244,306 
Natural Gas Commercial Sales— — — 34,495 — — 34,495 
Natural Gas Industrial Sales— — — 1,638 — — 1,638 
Other2,774 168 — (259)— (283)2,400 
Total Revenues from Contracts with Customers436,135 97,655 56,413 308,558 — (83,863)814,898 
Alternative Revenue Programs— — — 3,123 — — 3,123 
Derivative Financial Instruments(159,162)— — — — — (159,162)
Total Revenues$276,973 $97,655 $56,413 $311,681 $— $(83,863)$658,859 
    The Company records revenue related to its derivative financial instruments in the FASB issuedExploration and Production segment. The Company also records revenue related to alternative revenue programs in its Utility segment. Revenue related to derivative financial instruments and alternative revenue programs are excluded from the scope of the authoritative guidance regarding revenue recognition. The authoritative guidance provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers to improve comparability. The revenue standard contains principles that an entity will apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized. The original effective date of this authoritative guidance was as of the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2018. However, the FASB has delayed the effective date of the new revenue standard by one year, and the guidance will now be effective as of the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2019. Working towards this implementation date, the Company is currently evaluating the guidance and the various issues identified by industry based revenue recognition task forces. The Company does not believe that its revenue recognition policies will change materially, although the Company is still assessing the impact. The Company will need to enhance its financial statement disclosures to comply with the new authoritative guidance.
In February 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance requiring organizations that lease assets to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by all leases, regardless of whethersince they are considered to be capital leases or operating leases. The FASB’s previous authoritative guidance required organizations that lease assets to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilitiesaccounted for the rights and obligations created by capital leases while excluding operating leases from balance sheet recognition. The new authoritative guidance will be effective as of the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not anticipate early adoption and is currently evaluating the provisions of the revisedunder other existing accounting guidance.

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In March 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance simplifying several aspects of the accounting for stock-based compensation.    The Company adopted this guidance effective as of October 1, 2016, recognizing a cumulative effect adjustment that increased retained earnings by $31.9 million. The cumulative effect represents the tax benefit of previously unrecognized tax deductions in excess of stock compensation recorded for financial reporting purposes. On a prospective basis, the tax effect of all future differences between stock compensation recorded for financial reporting purposes and actual tax deductions for stock compensation will be recognized upon vesting or settlement as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. From a statement of cash flows perspective, the tax benefits relating to differences between stock compensation recorded for financial reporting purposes and actual tax deductions for stock compensation are now included in cash provided by operating activities instead of cash provided by financing activities. The changes to the statement of cash flows were applied prospectively at the time of adoption.
In March 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance related to the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. The new guidance requires segregation of the service cost component from the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost for financial reporting purposes. The service cost component is to be presented on the income statement in the same line items as other compensation costs included within Operating Expenses and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost are to be presented on the income statement below the subtotal labeled Operating Income (Loss). Under this guidance, the service cost component shall be the only component eligible to be capitalized as part of the cost of inventory or property, plant and equipment. The new guidance will be effective as of the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not anticipate early adoption and is currently evaluating the interaction of this authoritative guidance with the various regulatory provisions concerning pension and postretirement benefit costs in the Company’s Utility and Pipeline and Storage segments.segment expects to recognize the following revenue amounts in future periods related to “fixed” charges associated with remaining performance obligations for transportation and storage contracts: $159.1 million for the remainder of fiscal 2024; $191.6 million for fiscal 2025; $149.2 million for fiscal 2026; $123.3 million for fiscal 2027; $107.5 million for fiscal 2028; and $581.0 million thereafter.

Note 23 – Fair Value Measurements
 
The FASB authoritative guidance regarding fair value measurements establishes a fair-value hierarchy and prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques that measure fair value. Those inputs are prioritized into three levels. Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for assets or liabilities that the Company can access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly at the measurement date. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability at the measurement date. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
 

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The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Company's financial assets and liabilities (as applicable) that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 20172023 and September 30, 2017.2023.  Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The fair value presentation for over
Recurring Fair Value MeasuresAt fair value as of December 31, 2023
(Thousands of Dollars)   Level 1Level 2Level 3
Netting
Adjustments(1)
Total(1)
Assets:     
Cash Equivalents – Money Market Mutual Funds$32,781 $— $— $— $32,781 
Derivative Financial Instruments:     
Over the Counter Swaps – Gas— 140,548 — (16,722)123,826 
Over the Counter No Cost Collars – Gas— 57,917 — — 57,917 
Contingent Consideration for Asset Sale— 3,078 — — 3,078 
Foreign Currency Contracts— 505 — (587)(82)
Other Investments:     
Balanced Equity Mutual Fund17,484 — — — 17,484 
Fixed Income Mutual Fund16,510 — — — 16,510 
Total$66,775 $202,048 $— $(17,309)$251,514 
Liabilities:     
Derivative Financial Instruments:     
Over the Counter Swaps – Gas$— $16,722 $— $(16,722)$— 
Foreign Currency Contracts— 587 — (587)— 
Total$— $17,309 $— $(17,309)$— 
Total Net Assets/(Liabilities)$66,775 $184,739 $— $— $251,514 

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Recurring Fair Value MeasuresAt fair value as of September 30, 2023
(Thousands of Dollars)   Level 1Level 2Level 3
Netting
Adjustments(1)
Total(1)
Assets:
Cash Equivalents – Money Market Mutual Funds$39,332 $— $— $— $39,332 
Derivative Financial Instruments:
Over the Counter Swaps – Gas— 65,800 — (37,508)28,292 
Over the Counter No Cost Collars – Gas— 30,966 — (14,745)16,221 
Contingent Consideration for Asset Sale— 7,277 — — 7,277 
Foreign Currency Contracts— 150 — (1,453)(1,303)
Other Investments:
Balanced Equity Mutual Fund15,837 — — — 15,837 
Fixed Income Mutual Fund15,897 — — — 15,897 
Total$71,066 $104,193 $— $(53,706)$121,553 
Liabilities:
Derivative Financial Instruments:
Over the Counter Swaps – Gas$— $68,311 $— $(37,508)$30,803 
Over the Counter No Cost Collars – Gas— 14,950 — (14,745)205 
Foreign Currency Contracts— 1,454 — (1,453)
Total$— $84,715 $— $(53,706)$31,009 
Total Net Assets/(Liabilities)$71,066 $19,478 $— $— $90,544 

(1)Netting Adjustments represent the counter swaps combines gasimpact of legally-enforceable master netting arrangements that allow the Company to net gain and oil swaps because a significant number of the counterparties enter into both gas and oil swap agreementsloss positions held with the Company.  
Recurring Fair Value MeasuresAt fair value as of December 31, 2017
(Thousands of Dollars)   Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Netting Adjustments(1)
 
Total(1)
Assets: 
  
  
  
  
Cash Equivalents – Money Market Mutual Funds$132,231
 $
 $
 $
 $132,231
Derivative Financial Instruments: 
  
  
  
  
Commodity Futures Contracts – Gas1,374
 
 
 (1,374) 
Over the Counter Swaps – Gas and Oil
 30,853
 
 (10,312) 20,541
Foreign Currency Contracts
 1,232
 
 (666) 566
Other Investments: 
  
  
  
  
Balanced Equity Mutual Fund36,979
 
 
 
 36,979
Fixed Income Mutual Fund44,232
 
 
 
 44,232
Common Stock – Financial Services Industry3,239
 
 
 
 3,239
Hedging Collateral Deposits4,465
 
 
 
 4,465
Total                                           $222,520
 $32,085
 $
 $(12,352) $242,253
          
Liabilities: 
  
  
  
  
Derivative Financial Instruments: 
  
  
  
  
Commodity Futures Contracts – Gas$2,190
 $
 $
 $(1,374) $816
Over the Counter Swaps – Gas and Oil
 16,312
 
 (10,312) 6,000
Foreign Currency Contracts
 429
 
 (666) (237)
Total$2,190
 $16,741
 $
 $(12,352) $6,579
Total Net Assets/(Liabilities)$220,330
 $15,344
 $
 $
 $235,674
same counterparties. The net asset or net liability for each counterparty is recorded as an asset or liability on the Company’s balance sheet.
 
Recurring Fair Value MeasuresAt fair value as of September 30, 2017
(Thousands of Dollars)   Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Netting Adjustments(1)
 
Total(1)
Assets: 
  
  
  
  
Cash Equivalents – Money Market Mutual Funds$527,978
 $
 $
 $
 $527,978
Derivative Financial Instruments: 
  
  
  
  
Commodity Futures Contracts – Gas1,483
 
 
 (963) 520
Over the Counter Swaps – Gas and Oil
 38,977
 
 (4,206) 34,771
Foreign Currency Contracts
 1,227
 
 (407) 820
Other Investments: 
  
  
  
  
Balanced Equity Mutual Fund37,033
 
 
 
 37,033
Fixed Income Mutual Fund45,727
 
 
 
 45,727
Common Stock – Financial Services Industry3,150
 
 
 
 3,150
Hedging Collateral Deposits1,741
 
 
 
 1,741
Total                                           $617,112
 $40,204
 $
 $(5,576) $651,740
          
Liabilities: 
  
  
  
  
Derivative Financial Instruments: 
  
  
  
  
Commodity Futures Contracts – Gas$963
 $
 $
 $(963) $
Over the Counter Swaps – Gas and Oil
 5,309
 
 (4,206) 1,103
     Foreign Currency Contracts
 407
 
 (407) 
Total$963
 $5,716
 $
 $(5,576) $1,103
Total Net Assets/(Liabilities)$616,149
 $34,488
 $
 $
 $650,637

(1)
Netting Adjustments represent the impact of legally-enforceable master netting arrangements that allow the Company to net gain and loss positions held with the same counterparties. The net asset or net liability for each counterparty is recorded as an asset or liability on the Company’s balance sheet.

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Derivative Financial Instruments
 
At December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, the derivative financial instruments reported in Level 1 consist of natural gas NYMEX and ICE futures contracts used in the Company’s Energy Marketing segment. Hedging collateral deposits were $4.5 million at December 31, 2017 and $1.7 million at September 30, 2017, which were associated with these futures contracts and have been reported in Level 1 as well.    The derivative financial instruments reported in Level 2 at December 31, 20172023 and September 30, 2017 consist of2023 include natural gas price swap agreements, natural gas no cost collars, and foreign currency contracts, all of which are used in the Company’s Exploration and Production and Energy Marketing segments, crude oil price swap agreements used in the Company’s Exploration and Production segment and foreign currency contracts used in the Company's Exploration and Production segment. The derivative financial instruments reported in Level 2 at December 31, 2017 also include basis hedge swap agreements used in the Company's Energy Marketing segment. The fair value of the Level 2 price swap agreements and no cost collars is based on an internal discounted cash flow model that uses observable inputs (i.e. LIBORSOFR based discount rates for the price swap agreements and basis differential information, if applicable, at active natural gas and crude oil trading markets). The fair value of the Level 2 foreign currency contracts is determined using the market approach based on observable market transactions of forward Canadian currency rates. 

The accounting rulesauthoritative guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures require consideration of the impact of nonperformance risk (including credit risk) from a market participant perspective in the measurement of the fair value of assets and liabilities.  At December 31, 2017,2023, the Company determined that nonperformance risk associated with the price swap agreements, no cost collars and foreign currency contracts would have no material impact on its financial position or results of operation.  To assess nonperformance risk, the Company considered information such as any applicable collateral posted, master netting arrangements, and applied a market-based method by using the counterparty's (assuming the derivative is in a gain position) or the Company’s (assuming the derivative is in a loss position) credit default swaps rates.
 
    Derivative financial instruments reported in Level 2 at December 31, 2023 also includes the contingent consideration associated with the sale of the Exploration and Production segment's California assets on June 30, 2022. The terms of the purchase and sale agreement specified that the Company could receive up to three annual contingent payments between calendar year 2023 and calendar year 2025, not to exceed $10 million per year, with the amount of each annual payment calculated at $1.0 million for each $1 per barrel that the ICE Brent Average for each calendar year exceeds $95 per barrel up to $105 per barrel. The calendar 2023 contingency period expired with the ICE Brent Average falling below $95 per barrel. The fair value of the contingent consideration was calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation model that uses observable inputs, including the ICE Brent closing price as of the valuation date, initial and max trigger price, volatility, risk-free rate, time of maturity and counterparty risk.
For the quarters ended December 31, 20172023 and December 31, 2016,2022, there were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value and classified as Level 3. For the quarters ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, no transfers in or out

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Table of Level 1 or Level 2 occurred.Content

Note 34 – Financial Instruments
 
Long-Term Debt. The fair market value of the Company’s debt, as presented in the table below, was determined using a discounted cash flow model, which incorporates the Company’s credit ratings and current market conditions in determining the yield, and subsequently, the fair market value of the debt.  Based on these criteria, the fair market value of long-term debt, including current portion, was as follows (in thousands): 
 December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017
 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value
Long-Term Debt$2,084,465
 $2,214,839
 $2,383,681
 $2,523,639
 December 31, 2023September 30, 2023
 Carrying
Amount
Fair ValueCarrying
Amount
Fair Value
Long-Term Debt$2,385,523 $2,286,446 $2,384,485 $2,210,478 
 
The fair value amounts are not intended to reflect principal amounts that the Company will ultimately be required to pay. Carrying amounts for other financial instruments recorded on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets approximate fair value. The fair value of long-term debt was calculated using observable inputs (U.S. Treasuries/LIBORTreasuries for the risk freerisk-free component and company specific credit spread information – generally obtained from recent trade activity in the debt).  As such, the Company considers the debt to be Level 2.
 
Any temporary cash investments, notes payable to banks and commercial paper are stated at cost. Temporary cash investments are considered Level 1, while notes payable to banks and commercial paper are considered to be Level 2.  Given the short-term nature of the notes payable to banks and commercial paper, the Company believes cost is a reasonable approximation of fair value.

Other Investments. The components of the Company's Other Investments are as follows (in thousands):
At December 31, 2023At September 30, 2023
Life Insurance Contracts$42,639 $42,242 
Equity Mutual Fund17,484 15,837 
Fixed Income Mutual Fund16,510 15,897 
$76,633 $73,976 
Investments in life insurance contracts are stated at their cash surrender values or net present value as discussed below.value. Investments in an equity mutual fund and a fixed income mutual fund and the stock of an insurance company (marketable equity securities), as discussed below, are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices.
Other investments include cash surrender values of insurance contracts (net present valueprices with changes in the case of split-dollar collateral assignment arrangements) and marketable equity and fixed income securities. The values of the insurance contracts amounted to $38.9 million at December 31, 2017 and $39.4 million at September 30, 2017. The fair value of the equity mutual fund was $37.0 million at both December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017. The gross unrealized gain on this equity mutual fund was $9.5 million at December 31, 2017 and $9.9 million at September 30, 2017. A sale of sharesrecognized in the equity mutual fund during

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the quarter ended December 31, 2017 resulted in $1.5 million of cash proceeds and a realized gain of $0.4 million. The fair value of the fixed income mutual fund was $44.2 million at December 31, 2017 and $45.7 million at September 30, 2017. The gross unrealized loss on this fixed income mutual fund was $0.2 million at December 31, 2017 and was less than $0.1 million at September 30, 2017. A sale of shares in the fixed income mutual fund during the quarter ended December 31, 2017 resulted in $1.5 million of cash proceeds and a realized loss of less than $0.1 million. The fair value of the stock of an insurance company was $3.2 million at both December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017. The gross unrealized gain on this stock was $2.3 million at December 31, 2017 and $2.2 million at September 30, 2017.net income. The insurance contracts and marketable equity and fixed income securitiesmutual fund are primarily informal funding mechanisms for various benefit obligations the Company has to certain employees. The fixed income mutual fund is primarily an informal funding mechanism for certain regulatory obligations that the Company has to Utility segment customers in its Pennsylvania jurisdiction and for various benefit obligations the Company has to certain employees.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments. The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage commodity price risk in the Exploration and Production segment as well as the Energy Marketing segment. The Company enters into futures contractsover-the-counter no cost collar and over-the-counter swap agreements for natural gas and crude oil to manage the price risk associated with forecasted sales of gas and oil.natural gas. In addition, the Company also enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to manage the risk of currency fluctuations associated with transportation costs denominated in Canadian currency in the Exploration and Production segment. These instruments are accounted for as cash flow hedges. The Company also enters into futures contracts and swaps, which are accounted for as cash flow hedges, to manage the price risk associated with forecasted gas purchases. The Company enters into futures contracts and swaps to mitigate risk associated with fixed price sales commitments, fixed price purchase commitments, and the decline in value of natural gas held in storage. These instruments are accounted for as fair value hedges. The duration of the Company’s combined cash flow and fair value commodity hedges does not typically exceed 5 years while the foreign currency forward contracts do not exceed 87 years.

    On June 30, 2022, the Company completed the sale of Seneca’s California assets. The Exploration and Production segment holds the majorityterms of the Company’spurchase and sale agreement specified that the Company could receive up to three annual contingent payments between calendar year 2023 and calendar year 2025, not to exceed $10 million per year, with the amount of each annual payment calculated as $1.0 million for each $1 per barrel that the ICE Brent Average for each calendar year exceeds $95 per barrel up to $105 per barrel. The calendar 2023 contingency period expired with the ICE Brent Average falling below $95 per barrel. The Company has determined that this contingent consideration meets the definition of a derivative financial instruments.under the authoritative accounting guidance. Changes in the fair value of this contingent consideration are marked-to-market each reporting period, with changes in fair value recognized in Other Income (Deductions) on the Consolidated Statement of Income. The fair value of this contingent consideration was estimated to be $3.1 million and $7.3 million at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively. A $4.2 million

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mark-to-market adjustment to reduce the fair value of the contingent consideration was recorded during the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

The Company has presented its net derivative assets and liabilities as “Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments” on its Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 20172023 and September 30, 2017.  Substantially all of the derivative financial instruments reported on those line items relate to commodity contracts and a small portion relates to foreign currency forward contracts.2023.
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
For derivative financial instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.  Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings. 


As of December 31, 2017,2023, the Company had the following380.2 Bcf of natural gas commodity derivative contracts (swaps and futures contracts) outstanding:no cost collars) outstanding.
CommodityUnits
Natural Gas99.1
 Bcf (short positions)
Natural Gas1.6
 Bcf (long positions)
Crude Oil3,645,000
 Bbls (short positions)

As of December 31, 2017,2023, the Company was hedging a total of $94.7$53.7 million of forecasted transportation costs denominated in Canadian dollars with foreign currency forward contracts (long positions).contracts.

As of December 31, 2017,2023, the Company had $17.5$127.1 million ($10.3 million after tax) of net hedging gains after taxes included in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balance. ItOf this amount, it is expected that $5.0$92.3 million ($3.0 millionof unrealized gains after tax) of such unrealized gainstaxes will be reclassified into the Consolidated Statement of Income within the next 12 months as the underlying hedged transactiontransactions are recorded in earnings.

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The Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Statement of Financial Performance for the
Three Months Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 (Thousands of Dollars)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging RelationshipsAmount of Derivative Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Effective Portion) for the Three Months Ended December 31,Location of Derivative Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheet into the Consolidated Statement of Income (Effective Portion)Amount of Derivative Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheet into the Consolidated Statement of Income (Effective Portion) for the Three Months Ended December 31,Location of Derivative Gain or (Loss) Recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)Derivative Gain or (Loss) Recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing) for the Three Months Ended December 31,
 20172016 20172016 20172016
Commodity Contracts$(5,948)$(50,444)Operating Revenue$12,842
$31,320
Operating Revenue$(433)$(100)
Commodity Contracts956
(1,536)Purchased Gas196
(460)Not Applicable

Foreign Currency Contracts(507)(521)Operation and Maintenance Expense(490)(143)Not Applicable

Total$(5,499)$(52,501) $12,548
$30,717
 $(433)$(100)
The Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Statement of Financial Performance for the
Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (Thousands of Dollars)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging RelationshipsAmount of Derivative Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on
the Consolidated Statement of
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
for the
 Three Months Ended
 December 31,
Location of Derivative Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheet into the Consolidated Statement of IncomeAmount of Derivative Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheet into the Consolidated Statement of Income for the
 Three Months Ended
 December 31,
 20232022 20232022
Commodity Contracts$187,989 $297,120 Operating Revenue$19,755 $(159,162)
Foreign Currency Contracts1,178 473 Operating Revenue(47)(180)
Total$189,167 $297,593  $19,708 $(159,342)
Fair Value Hedges
The Company utilizes fair value hedges to mitigate risk associated with fixed price sales commitments, fixed price purchase commitments, and the decline in the value of certain natural gas held in storage. With respect to fixed price sales commitments, the Company enters into long positions to mitigate the risk of price increases for natural gas supplies that could occur after the Company enters into fixed price sales agreements with its customers. With respect to fixed price purchase commitments, the Company enters into short positions to mitigate the risk of price decreases that could occur after the Company locks into fixed price purchase deals with its suppliers. With respect to storage hedges, the Company enters into short positions to mitigate the risk of price decreases that could result in a lower of cost or net realizable value writedown of the value of natural gas in storage that is recorded in the Company’s financial statements. As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s Energy Marketing segment had fair value hedges covering approximately 21.2 Bcf (20.6 Bcf of fixed price sales commitments and 0.6 Bcf of commitments related to the withdrawal of storage gas). For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk completely offset each other in current earnings, as shown below.

Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging RelationshipsLocation of Gain or (Loss) on Derivative and Hedged Item Recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income
Amount of Gain or (Loss) on Derivative Recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the
Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
(In Thousands)
Amount of Gain or (Loss) on the Hedged Item Recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the
Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
(In Thousands)
Commodity ContractsOperating Revenues$(1,753)$1,753
Commodity ContractsPurchased Gas$137
$(137)
  $(1,616)$1,616
Credit Risk
 
The Company may be exposed to credit risk on any of the derivative financial instruments that are in a gain position. Credit risk relates to the risk of loss that the Company would incur as a result of nonperformance by counterparties pursuant to the terms of their contractual obligations. To mitigate such credit risk, management performs a credit check, and then on a quarterly

19



basis monitors counterparty credit exposure. The majority of the Company’s counterparties are financial institutions and energy traders. The Company has over-the-counter swap positions, no cost collars and applicable foreign currency forward contracts with sixteennineteen counterparties of which tenall nineteen are in a net gain position. On average, the Company had $2.1$9.6 million of credit exposure per counterparty in a gain position at December 31, 2017.2023. The maximum credit exposure per counterparty in a gain position at December 31, 20172023 was $8.1$35.6 million. As of December 31, 2017,2023, no collateral was received from the counterparties by the Company. The Company's gain position on such derivative financial instruments had not exceeded the established thresholds at which the counterparties would be required to post collateral, nor had the counterparties' credit ratings declined to levels at which the counterparties were required to post collateral.

As of December 31, 2017, thirteen2023, sixteen of the sixteennineteen counterparties to the Company’s outstanding derivative instrumentfinancial contracts (specifically the over-the-counter swaps, over-the-counter no cost collars and applicable foreign currency forward contracts) had a common credit-risk related contingency feature. In the event the Company’s credit rating increases or falls below a certain threshold (applicable debt ratings), the available credit that could be extended to the Company when it is in a
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derivative financial liability position would either increase or decrease. A decline in the Company’s credit rating, in and of itself, would not cause the Company to be required to post or increase the level of its hedging collateral deposits (in the form of cash deposits, letters of credit or treasury debt instruments). If the Company’s outstanding derivative financial instrument contracts with a credit-risk contingency feature were in a liability position (or if the liability were larger) and/or the Company’s credit rating declined, then additional hedging collateral deposits mayor an increase to such deposits could be required.  At December 31, 2017,2023, the fair market value of the derivative financial instrument assets with a credit-risk related contingency feature was $19.2 million according to the Company’s internal model (discussed in Note 2 — Fair Value Measurements).  At December 31, 2017, the fair market value of theCompany did not have any derivative financial instrument liabilities with a credit-risk related contingency feature was $4.2 million according to the Company'sCompany’s internal model (discussed in Note 2 -3 – Fair Value Measurements). For its over-the-counter swap agreements, and foreign currency forward contracts, no hedging collateral deposits were required to be posted by the Company at December 31, 2017.    
For its exchange traded futures contracts,2023.  Depending on the movement of commodity prices in the future, it is possible that the Company's derivative asset positions could swing into liability positions, at which point the Company wascould be required to post $4.5 million in hedging collateral deposits as of December 31, 2017. As these are exchange traded futures contracts, there are no specific credit-risk related contingency features. The Company posts or receives hedging collateral based on open positions and margin requirements it has with its counterparties.deposits.
 
The Company’s requirement to post hedging collateral deposits and the Company's right to receive hedging collateral deposits is based on the fair value determined by the Company’s counterparties, which may differ from the Company’s assessment of fair value. Hedging collateral deposits may also include closed derivative positions in which the broker has not cleared the cash from the account to offset the derivative liability. The Company records liabilities related to closed derivative positions in Other Accruals and Current Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. These liabilities are relieved when the broker clears the cash from the hedging collateral deposit account. This is discussed in Note 1 under Hedging Collateral Deposits.

Note 4 -5 – Income Taxes


The effective tax raterates for the quarters ended December 31, 20172023 and December 31, 2016 was negative 69.2%2022 were 24.5% and 38.8%25.3%, respectively. The difference is a result of the impact of the one-time remeasurement of the deferredreduction in effective income tax liabilityrates was primarily driven by a methodology change for repairs and a lower statutory ratemaintenance tax deductions.

Note 6 –Capitalization

Summary of 24.5% as a result of the 2017 Tax Reform Act (as discussed below).Changes in Common Stock Equity
On December 22, 2017, the tax legislation referred to as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (the 2017 Tax Reform Act) was enacted. The 2017 Tax Reform Act significantly changes the taxation of business entities and
 Common StockPaid In
Capital
Earnings
Reinvested
in the
Business
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
SharesAmount
 (Thousands, except per share amounts)
Balance at October 1, 202391,819 $91,819 $1,040,761 $1,885,856 $(55,060)
Net Income Available for Common Stock133,020 
Dividends Declared on Common Stock ($0.495 Per Share)(45,597)
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax122,441 
Share-Based Payment Expense (1)
4,135 
Common Stock Issued (Repurchased) Under Stock and Benefit Plans297 297 (3,670)
Balance at December 31, 202392,116 $92,116 $1,041,226 $1,973,279 $67,381 
Balance at October 1, 202291,478 $91,478 $1,027,066 $1,587,085 $(625,733)
Net Income Available for Common Stock169,689 
Dividends Declared on Common Stock ($0.475 Per Share)(43,598)
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax331,987 
Share-Based Payment Expense (1)
5,118 
Common Stock Issued (Repurchased) Under Stock and Benefit Plans309 309 (6,545)
Balance at December 31, 202291,787 $91,787 $1,025,639 $1,713,176 $(293,746)

(1)Paid in Capital includes specific provisions related to rate regulated companies. The more significant changes that impact the Company are the reduction in the corporate federal income tax rate from 35% to a blended 24.5% for fiscal 2018 and 21% for fiscal 2019 and beyond. As a fiscal year taxpayer, the Company is required to use a blended tax rate for fiscal 2018. In addition, beginning in fiscal 2019, the corporate alternative minimum tax will be eliminated and there will be enhanced limitations on the deductibility of certain executive compensation. For the rate regulated subsidiaries, the 2017 Tax Reform Act also allows for the continued deductibility of interest expense, the elimination of full expensing for tax purposes of certain property acquired after September 27, 2017 and the continuation of certain rate normalization requirements for accelerated depreciation benefits. The non-rate regulated subsidiaries are allowed full expensing of certain property acquired after September 27, 2017 and have potential limitations on the deductibility of interest expense beginning in fiscal 2019.
The above changes had a material impact on the financial statements in the quarter ended December 31, 2017. Under GAAP, the tax effects of a change in tax law must be recognized in the period in which the law is enacted, or the quarter ending December 31, 2017 for the 2017 Tax Reform Act. GAAP also requires deferred income tax assets and liabilities to be measured at the enacted tax rate expected to apply when temporary differences are to be realized or settled. The Company’s deferred income taxes were remeasured based upon the new tax rates. For the non-rate regulated activities, the change in deferred income taxes was $111.0 million and was recorded as a reduction to income tax expense. For the rate regulated activities, the reduction in

20



deferred income taxes of $336.7 million was recorded as a decrease to Recoverable Future Taxes of $65.7 million and an increase to Taxes Refundable to Customers of $271.0 million. The 2017 Tax Reform Act includes provisions that stipulate how these excess deferred taxes are to be passed back to customers for certain accelerated tax depreciation benefits. Potential refunds of other deferred income taxes will be determined by the federal and state regulatory agencies. The Company is awaiting regulatory guidance in the jurisdictions in which it operates.
The 2017 Tax Reform Act also repealed the corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT) and provides that the Company’s existing AMT credit carryovers are refundable beginning in fiscal 2019. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had $92.0 million of AMT credit carryovers that are expected to be utilized or refunded between fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2022.
The SEC issued guidance in Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (SAB 118) which provides for up to a one year period (the measurement period) in which to complete the required analysis and income tax accounting for the 2017 Tax Reform Act. SAB 118 describes three scenarioscompensation costs associated with a company’s status of accounting for income tax reform: (1) a companyperformance shares and/or restricted stock awards. The expense is complete with itsaccounting for certain effectsincluded within Net Income Available For Common Stock, net of tax reform, (2) a company is able to determine areasonable estimate for certain effects of tax reform and records that estimate as aprovisional amount, or (3) a company is not able to determine a reasonable estimate andtherefore continues to apply the provisions of the taxlaws that were in effect immediately prior to the 2017 Tax Reform Act being enacted.benefits.


The Company has determined a reasonable estimate for the measurement of the changes in deferred income taxes (noted above), which have been reflected as provisional amounts in the December 31, 2017 financial statements. The final determination of the impact of the income tax effects of these items will require additional analysis and further interpretation of the 2017 Tax Reform Act from yet to be issued U.S. Treasury regulations, state income tax guidance, federal and state regulatory guidance and technical corrections.

Note 5 -Capitalization
Common Stock.  During the three months ended December 31, 2017,2023, the Company issued 63,082 original issue shares of common stock as a result of SARs exercises, 68,534111,832 original issue shares of common stock for restricted stock units that vested and 79,079251,255 original issue shares of common stock for performance shares that vested.  In addition, the Company issued 25,453 original issue shares of common stock for the Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan and 25,879 original issue shares of common stock for the Company’s 401(k) plans.  The Company also issued 6,9129,128 original issue shares of common stock to the non-employee directors of the Company who receive compensation under the Company’s 2009 Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Plan, as partial considerationincluding the reinvestment of dividends for certain non-employee directors who elected to defer their shares pursuant to the directors’ servicesdividend reinvestment feature of the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors and Officers (the "DCP") during the three months ended December 31, 2017.2023.  In addition, the Company issued 1,055 original issue shares of common stock to officers of
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the Company who elected to defer their shares pursuant to the dividend reinvestment feature of the Company's DCP Plan during the three months ended December 31, 2023. Holders of stock options, SARs, restricted sharestock-based compensation awards or restricted stock units will often tender shares of common stock to the Company for payment of option exercise prices and/or applicable withholding taxes.  During the three months ended December 31, 2017, 51,2182023, 77,094 shares of common stock were tendered to the Company for such purposes.  The Company considers all shares tendered as cancelled shares restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares, in accordance with New Jersey law.

Short-Term Borrowings. On February 28, 2022, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (as amended from time to time, the "Credit Agreement") with a syndicate of twelve banks. The Credit Agreement replaced the previous Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and a previous 364-Day Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement provides a $1.0 billion unsecured committed revolving credit facility with a maturity date of February 26, 2027. On February 7, 2024, the Company and certain lenders under the Credit Agreement consented to an extension of the maturity date of the Credit Agreement from February 26, 2027 to February 25, 2028. As a result, the Company has aggregate commitments available under the Credit Agreement of $1.0 billion before February 26, 2027, and $940 million in aggregate commitments available on and after February 26, 2027 to February 25, 2028.
 
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt. None of the Company's long-term debt atas of December 31, 2017 will mature2023 and September 30, 2023 had a maturity date within the following twelve-month period. Current Portion of Long-Term Debt at September 30, 2017 consisted of $300.0 million of 6.50% notes scheduled to mature in April 2018. The Company redeemed these notes on October 18, 2017 for $307.0 million, plus accrued interest. The call premium was recorded to Unamortized Debt Expense on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in October 2017.


Note 6 -7 – Commitments and Contingencies
 
Environmental Matters. The Company is subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment.  The Company has established procedures for the ongoing evaluation of its operations to identify potential environmental exposures and to comply with regulatory requirements.  It is the Company’s policy to accrue estimated environmental clean-up costs (investigation and remediation) when such amounts can reasonably be estimated and it is probable that the Company will be required to incur such costs. 
    
At December 31, 2017,2023, the Company has estimated its remaining clean-up costs related to former manufactured gas plant sites will be approximately $3.0$3.2 million.  This estimatedThe Company's liability for such clean-up costs has been recorded in Other Deferred CreditsLiabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017.2023. The Company expects to recoverhas recovered its environmental clean-up costs through rate recovery over a period of approximately 4 years. The Companyand is currently not aware of any material additional exposure to environmental liabilities.  However, changes in environmental laws and regulations, new information or other factors could have an adverse financial impact on the Company.


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Northern Access 2016 Project. On February 3, 2017, Supply Corporation and Empire received FERC approval of the Northern Access 2016 project described herein. On April 7, 2017,Shortly thereafter, the NYDEC issued a Notice of Denial of the federal Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification and other state stream and wetland permits for the New York portion of the project (the Water Quality Certification for the Pennsylvania portion of the project was received onin January 27,of 2017). On April 21, 2017, Supply Corporation and Empire filed a Petition for Review in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit of the NYDEC's Notice of Denial with respect to National Fuel's application for the Water Quality Certification, and on May 11, 2017, the Company commenced legal action in New York State Supreme Court challenging the NYDEC's actions with regard to various state permits. The Company also has pending withSubsequently, FERC a proceeding asserting, among other things,issued an Order finding that the NYDEC exceeded the reasonable and statutory time framesframe to take action under the Clean Water Act and, therefore, waived its opportunity to approve or deny the Water Quality Certification. FERC denied rehearing requests associated with its Order and FERC's decisions were appealed. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order upholding the FERC waiver orders. In lightaddition, in the Company's state court litigation challenging the NYDEC's actions with regard to various state permits, the New York State Supreme Court issued a decision finding these permits to be preempted. The Company remains committed to the project and, on June 29, 2022, received an extension of these pending legal actions,time from FERC, until December 31, 2024, to construct the project which is the subject of an ongoing appeal at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has not yet determined a target in-service date. As a result of the decision of the NYDEC, Supply Corporation and Empire evaluated the capitalized project costs for impairment as of December 31, 2017 and determined that an impairment charge was not required. The evaluation considered probability weighted scenarios of undiscounted future net cash flows, including a scenario assuming successful resolution with the NYDEC and construction of the pipeline, as well as a scenario wherespent approximately $56.0 million on the project, does not proceed. Further developments or indicatorsall of an unfavorable resolution could result in the impairment of a significant portion of the project costs, which totaled $75.5 million at December 31, 2017. The project costs are included within Property, Plant and Equipment and Deferred Chargesis recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.balance sheet.
 
Other.  The Company is involved in other litigation and regulatory matters arising in the normal course of business.  These other matters may include, for example, negligence claims and tax, regulatory or other governmental audits, inspections, investigations and other proceedings.  These matters may involve state and federal taxes, safety, compliance with regulations, rate base, cost of service and purchased gas cost issues, among other things.  While these other matters arising in the normal course of business could have a material effect on earnings and cash flows in the period in which they are resolved, an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, if any, cannot be made at this time.
��
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Table of Content
Note 78 – Business Segment Information
 
The Company reports financial results for fivefour segments: Exploration and Production, Pipeline and Storage, Gathering Utility and Energy Marketing.Utility.  The division of the Company’s operations into reportable segments is based upon a combination of factors including differences in products and services, regulatory environment and geographic factors.
 
The data presented in the tables below reflect financial information for the segments and reconciliationsreconcile to consolidated amounts.  As stated in the 20172023 Form 10-K, the Company evaluates segment performance based on income before discontinued operations extraordinary items and cumulative effects of changes in accounting (when applicable).  When these items arethis is not applicable, the Company evaluates performance based on net income.  There have not been any changes in the basis of segmentation nor in the basis of measuring segment profit or loss from those used in the Company’s 20172023 Form 10-K.  A listing of segment assets at December 31, 20172023 and September 30, 20172023 is shown in the tables below.  
Quarter Ended December 31, 2017 (Thousands)      
 Exploration and ProductionPipeline and StorageGatheringUtilityEnergy MarketingTotal Reportable SegmentsAll OtherCorporate and Intersegment EliminationsTotal Consolidated
Revenue from External Customers$139,141$53,310$170$187,089$38,636$418,346$1,096$213$419,655
Intersegment Revenues$—$21,985$23,665$2,182$126$47,958$—$(47,958)$—
Segment Profit: Net Income (Loss)$106,698$38,462$45,400$20,993$1,046$212,599$(719)$(13,226)$198,654

 

 




Quarter Ended December 31, 2023 (Thousands)    
 Exploration and ProductionPipeline and StorageGatheringUtilityTotal Reportable SegmentsAll OtherCorporate and Intersegment EliminationsTotal Consolidated
Revenue from External Customers$254,019$64,826$4,596$201,920$525,361$—$—$525,361
Intersegment Revenues$—$29,587$57,992$87$87,666$—$(87,666)$—
Segment Profit: Net Income (Loss)$52,483$24,055$28,825$26,551$131,914$(121)$1,227$133,020
(Thousands)Exploration and ProductionPipeline and StorageGatheringUtilityTotal Reportable SegmentsAll OtherCorporate and Intersegment EliminationsTotal Consolidated
Segment Assets:      
At December 31, 2023$3,057,345$2,439,479$936,547$2,301,116$8,734,487$4,758$(151,753)$8,587,492
At September 30, 2023$2,814,218$2,427,214$912,923$2,247,743$8,402,098$4,795$(126,633)$8,280,260
Quarter Ended December 31, 2022 (Thousands)    
 Exploration and ProductionPipeline and StorageGatheringUtilityTotal Reportable SegmentsAll OtherCorporate and Intersegment EliminationsTotal Consolidated
Revenue from External Customers$276,973$67,621$2,646$311,619$658,859$—$—$658,859
Intersegment Revenues$—$30,034$53,767$62$83,863$—$(83,863)$—
Segment Profit: Net Income (Loss)$91,192$29,476$24,738$23,817$169,223$(280)$746$169,689

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(Thousands)Exploration and ProductionPipeline and StorageGatheringUtilityEnergy MarketingTotal Reportable SegmentsAll OtherCorporate and Intersegment EliminationsTotal Consolidated
Segment Assets:         
At December 31, 2017$1,420,790$1,793,848$589,793$1,988,758$72,466$5,865,655$77,214$(150,937)$5,791,932
At September 30, 2017$1,407,152$1,929,788$580,051$2,013,123$60,937$5,991,051$76,861$35,408$6,103,320


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Table of ContentsContent


Quarter Ended December 31, 2016 (Thousands)      
 Exploration and ProductionPipeline and StorageGatheringUtilityEnergy MarketingTotal Reportable SegmentsAll OtherCorporate and Intersegment EliminationsTotal Consolidated
Revenue from External Customers$160,932$53,000$26$170,971$36,809$421,738$554$208$422,500
Intersegment Revenues$—$22,155$27,840$1,826$19$51,840$—$(51,840)$—
Segment Profit: Net Income (Loss)$35,080$19,368$10,981$21,175$1,782$88,386$(179)$701$88,908

Note 89 – Retirement Plan and Other Post-Retirement Benefits
 
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (in thousands):
 
 Retirement Plan Other Post-Retirement Benefits
Three Months Ended December 31,20172016 20172016





 



Service Cost$2,480
$2,992
 $458
$612
Interest Cost8,252
9,596
 3,700
4,752
Expected Return on Plan Assets(15,429)(14,929) (7,871)(7,865)
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)235
264
 (107)(107)
Amortization of Losses9,301
10,672
 2,639
4,604
Net Amortization and Deferral for Regulatory Purposes (Including Volumetric Adjustments) (1)
1,721
535
 3,608
1,312





 



Net Periodic Benefit Cost$6,560
$9,130
 $2,427
$3,308
 Retirement PlanOther Post-Retirement Benefits
Three Months Ended December 31,2023202220232022
Service Cost$1,049 $1,297 $109 $147 
Interest Cost10,890 10,629 3,890 3,912 
Expected Return on Plan Assets(17,086)(16,648)(6,660)(6,403)
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)91 109 (107)(107)
Amortization of (Gains) Losses(335)(1,920)(567)(2,189)
Net Amortization and Deferral for Regulatory Purposes (Including Volumetric Adjustments) (1)
4,057 5,378 2,238 3,820 
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income)$(1,334)$(1,155)$(1,097)$(820)
(1)
(1)The Company’s policy is to record retirement plan and other post-retirement benefit costs in the Utility segment on a volumetric basis to reflect the fact that the Utility segment experiences higher throughput of natural gas in the winter months and lower throughput of natural gas in the summer months.
The Company’s policy is to record retirement plan and other post-retirement benefit costs in the Utility segment on a volumetric basis to reflect the fact that the Utility segment experiences higher throughput of natural gas in the winter months and lower throughput of natural gas in the summer months.
 
The components of net periodic benefit cost other than service cost are presented in Other Income (Deductions) on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Employer Contributions.    During    The Company did not make any contributions to its tax-qualified, noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan (Retirement Plan) during the three months ended December 31, 2017,2023. In the remainder of fiscal 2024, the Company contributed $27.6 millionexpects its contributions to its tax-qualified, noncontributory defined-benefit retirement plan (Retirement Plan) and $0.7 millionthe Retirement Plan to be in the range of zero to $5.0 million. The Company did not make any contributions to its VEBA trusts for its other post-retirement benefits.  Inbenefits during the three months ended December 31, 2023, and does not anticipate making any such contributions during the remainder of 2018, the Company may contribute up to $5.0 million to the Retirement Plan. In the remainder of 2018, the Company expects its contributions to the VEBA trusts to be in the range of $2.0 million to $3.0 million.fiscal 2024.


Note 910– Regulatory Matters

New YorkJurisdiction
    
On April 28, 2016,    Distribution Corporation commenced a rate caseCorporation's current delivery rates in its New York jurisdiction were approved by filing proposed tariff amendments and supporting testimony requesting approval to increase its annual revenues by approximately $41.7 million. Distribution Corporation explainedthe NYPSC in the filing that its request for rate relief was necessitated by a revenue requirement driven primarily by rate base growth, higher operating expense and higher depreciation expense, among other things. On January 23, 2017, the administrative law judge assigned to the proceedingan order issued a recommended decision (RD) in the case. The RD, as revised on January 26, 2017, recommended a rate increase designed to provide additional annual revenues of $8.5 million, an equity ratio, subject to update of 42.3% based on the Company’s equity ratio, and a cost of equity, subject to update of 8.6%. On April 20, 2017 the NYPSC issued an Order adopting some provisions of the RD and modifying or rejecting others. The Order provides for an annual rate increase of $5.9 million. The rate increase becamewith rates becoming effective May 1, 2017.2017 ("2017 Rate Order"). The 2017 Rate Order further providesprovided for a return on equity of 8.7%, and established an equity ratio of 42.9%. The Order also directsdirected the implementation of an earnings sharing mechanism to be in place beginning on April 1, 2018.
On July 28, 2017,October 31, 2023, Distribution Corporation filedmade a filing with the NYPSC seeking an appealincrease of approximately $88 million in its total annual operating revenues for the projected rate year ending September 30, 2025, with a proposed effective date of October 1, 2024 that includes the maximum suspension period permitted under the New York State Supreme Court, Albany County, seeking reviewPublic Service Law ("2023 Rate Filing"). The Company is also proposing, among other things, to continue its leak prone pipe replacement program and to implement a number of initiatives that will facilitate achievement of the Order. The appeal contends that portionsemissions reduction goals of the Order should be invalidated because they fail to meet the applicable legal standard for agency decisions.CLCPA.

    On December 11, 2017, the appeal was transferred to the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department. The Company cannot predict the outcome of the appeal at this time.

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On December 22, 2017, the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the 2017 Tax Reform Act) was enacted into law. On December 29, 2017,August 13, 2021, the NYPSC issued an order institutingextending the date through which qualified pipeline replacement costs incurred by the Company can be recovered using the existing system modernization tracker for two years (until March 31, 2023). On December 9, 2022, the Company filed a proceedingpetition with the NYPSC to studyeffectuate a system improvement tracker through which qualified pipeline replacement costs through September 30, 2024 would be tracked and recovered, and to recover certain deferred costs associated with the potential effects ofexisting system modernization tracker, effective April 1, 2023. The NYPSC approved the enactment of the 2017 Tax Reform Actpetition by order dated March 17, 2023 contingent on the tax expensesCompany not filing a base rate case that would result in new rates becoming effective prior to October 1, 2024. The 2023 Rate Filing proposes to stop accruing and liabilitiescollecting revenues under its current system modernization and system improvement trackers and shift those revenues into the Company’s new base delivery rates. In the absence of New York utilities, anda multi-year rate plan settlement, the “regulatory treatmentCompany is requesting that it be allowed to reinstate a tracking mechanism similar to the existing system modernization tracker.

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Table of any windfalls resulting from sameContent
Pennsylvania Jurisdiction

    On October 28, 2022, Distribution Corporation made a filing with the PaPUC seeking an increase in orderits annual base rate operating revenues of $28.1 million. A settlement involving all active parties to preserve the benefits for ratepayers.” In its order, the NYPSC stated that the effect of the 2017 Tax Reform Act on utilities’ taxation is likely to be material and complex and that the proceeding was neededreached and filed with the PaPUC on April 13, 2023. The settlement provided for, among other things, an increase in Distribution Corporation’s annual base rate operating revenues of $23 million. The PaPUC approved the settlement in full, without modification or correction, on June 15, 2023 and new rates went into effect on August 1, 2023.

FERC Jurisdiction

    Supply Corporation filed a NGA Section 4 rate case at FERC on July 31, 2023 proposing rate increases to beginbe effective February 1, 2024. The proposed rates reflect an annual cost of service of $385.4 million, a rate base of $1.32 billion and a proposed cost of equity of 15.12%. If the processproposed rate increases finally approved at the end of addressing the impactproceeding exceed the rates that were in effect at July 31, 2023, but are less than rates put into effect subject to refund on February 1, 2024, Supply Corporation would be required to refund the State’s utilitiesdifference between the rates collected subject to refund and ratepayers. Thethe final approved rates, with interest at the FERC-approved rate. If the rates approved at the end of the proceeding are lower than the rates in effect at July 31, 2023, such lower rates will become effective prospectively from the effective date provided by the applicable FERC order, establishes that the first steps in such processand refunds with interest will be soliciting information from its regulated utilitieslimited to quantify the impact ofdifference between the 2017 Tax Reform Act, scheduling a technical conference with the utilities,rates collected subject to refund and the issuance of a NY Department of Public Service Staff (Staff) proposal for accounting and ratemaking treatment of the tax changes. The order further states that once Staff’s proposal is issued, utilities and other interested parties will be invited to comment on Staff’s recommendation. The order also declares that utilities are “put on notice that it is the [NYPSC]’s intent to ensure that net benefits accruing from the Tax Act are preserved for ratepayers, either through deferral accounting or another method, from the first day the Tax Act is put into effect. Utilities acting contrary to this intent do sorates in effect at their own risk.” The Company cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding at this time. Refer to Note 4 - Income Taxes for further discussion of the 2017 Tax Reform Act.July 31, 2023.
FERC Rate Proceedings
Supply Corporation currently has no active rate case on file. Supply Corporation's current    Empire’s 2019 rate settlement requiresprovides that Empire must make a rate case filing no later than December 31, 2019.May 1, 2025.
Empire currently has no active rate case on file. Empire’s current rate settlement requires a rate case filing no later than July 1, 2021.

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVERVIEW
 
Please note that this overview is a high-level summary of items that are discussed in greater detail in subsequent sections of this report.


The Company is a diversified energy company engaged principally in the production, gathering, transportation, distributionstorage and marketingdistribution of natural gas. The Company operates an integrated business, with assets centered in western New York and Pennsylvania, being utilized for, and benefiting from, the production and transportation of natural gas from the Appalachian basin.Basin. Current development activities are focused primarily in the Marcellus and Utica Shale.shales. The common geographic footprint of the Company’s subsidiaries enables them to share management, labor, facilities and support services across various businesses and pursue coordinated projects designed to produce and transport natural gas from the Appalachian basinBasin to markets in Canada and the eastern United States.States and Canada. The Company's efforts in this regard are not limited to affiliated projects. The Company has also been designing and building pipeline projects for the transportation of natural gas for non-affiliated natural gas producerscustomers in the Appalachian basin. The Company also develops and produces oil reserves, primarily in California.Basin. The Company reports financial results for fivefour business segments.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2017 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2016, the Company experienced an increase in earnings of $109.8 million. On December 22, 2017, the tax legislation referred to as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (the 2017 Tax Reform Act) was enacted. The 2017 Tax Reform Act significantly changes the taxation of business entities and includes specific provisions related to rate regulated companies. The more significant changes that impact the Company are the reduction in the corporate federal income tax rate from 35% to a blended 24.5% for fiscal 2018 and 21% for fiscal 2019 and beyond. As a fiscal year taxpayer, the Company is required to use a blended tax rate for fiscal 2018. As a result of the 2017 Tax Reform Act, the effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2017 (negative 69.2%) reflects the impact of a one-time remeasurementdiscussion of the Company's accumulated deferred income tax liability, a $111.0 million reduction to income tax expense. The effective tax rate also reflects a lower statutory rate of 24.5%. Without the one-time remeasurement of the Company's accumulated deferred income tax liability, the effective tax rate would have been 25.3%. For further discussion of the impact of the 2017 Tax Reform Act to the Company, refer to Item 1 at Note 4 — Income Taxes. For further discussion of the Company’s earnings, refer to the Results of Operations section below.


On February 3, 2017, the    The Company inhas continued to pursue development projects to expand its Pipeline and Storage segment, received FERC approvalsegment. One project on Supply Corporation's system, referred to as the Tioga Pathway Project, would allow for the transportation of 190,000 Dth per day of shale gas supplies from a project to move significant prospective Marcellus production from Seneca’s Western Development Area at Clermontnew interconnection in northwest Tioga County, Pennsylvania to an Empire interconnection with TransCanada Pipeline at Chippawa and anexisting Supply Corporation interconnection with Tennessee Gas Pipeline’s 200Pipeline Company, LLC at Ellisburg and a new virtual delivery point into an existing Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC’s (“Transco”) capacity lease, providing access to Mid-Atlantic markets. The Tioga Pathway Project has a target in-service date in East Aurora,late calendar 2026 and a preliminary cost estimate of approximately $90 million. The Tioga Pathway Project is discussed in more detail in the Capital Resources and Liquidity section that follows.

    From a rate perspective, Distribution Corporation, in its Pennsylvania jurisdiction, reached a settlement with the parties to its rate case proceeding. On June 15, 2023, the PaPUC issued an order adopting the settlement in full. The settlement authorized an increase in Distribution Corporation's annual base rate operating revenues of $23 million that became effective August 1, 2023. Distribution Corporation also filed a rate case proceeding with the NYPSC in its New York (“Northern Access 2016”). On April 7, 2017, the NYDEC issued a Noticejurisdiction on October 31, 2023 seeking an increase of Denial of the federal Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification and other state stream and wetland permitsapproximately $88 million in its total annual operating revenues for the New York portionprojected rate year ending September 30, 2025, with a proposed effective date of the project (the Water Quality Certification for the Pennsylvania portionOctober 1, 2024. In addition, Supply Corporation filed a NGA Section 4 rate case at FERC on July 31, 2023. For further discussion of the project was received on January 27, 2017). On April 21, 2017, the Company appealed the NYDEC's decision with regardDistribution Corporation and Supply Corporation rate matters, refer to the Water Quality Certification to the United States CourtRate Matters section below.
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Table of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and on May 11, 2017, the Company commenced legal action in New York State Supreme Court challenging the NYDEC's actions with regard to various state permits. The Company also has pending with FERC a proceeding asserting, among other things, that the NYDEC exceeded the reasonable and statutory time frames to take action under the Clean Water Act and, therefore, waived its opportunity to approve or deny the Water Quality Certification. The Company remains committed to the project. Approximately $75.5 million in costs have been incurred on this project through December 31, 2017, with the costs residing either in Construction Work in Progress, a component of Property, Plant and Equipment on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, or Deferred Charges.Content


Seneca has two downstream Canadian transportation contracts to move incremental volumes associated with the Northern Access 2016 project. One of the contracts has a term expiring on March 31, 2023 with a remaining commitment of approximately $27.1 million (using a 1.2545 Exchange Rate). The other transportation precedent agreement was suspended until the Northern Access 2016 project has received all its necessary permits. Seneca paid $2.4 million associated with this suspension during the quarter ended September 30, 2017 and will be reimbursed this amount if the project is reinstated. As noted above, the Company remains committed to the Northern Access 2016 project. Seneca has mitigated a portion of the current capacity costs through capacity release arrangements.

From a financing perspective, in September 2017,on February 7, 2024, the Company issued $300.0 million of 3.95% notes due in September 2027. The proceedsand certain lenders under the Credit Agreement consented to an extension of the debt issuance were used for the October 2017 redemption of $300.0 millionmaturity date of the Company's 6.50% notes that were scheduledCredit Agreement from February 26, 2027 to matureFebruary 25, 2028. As a result, the Company has aggregate commitments available under the Credit Agreement of $1.0 billion before February 26, 2027, and $940 million in April 2018.aggregate commitments available on and after February 26, 2027 to February 25, 2028.

    The Company expects to use cash on hand, and cash from operations, and short-term and long-term borrowings, as needed, to meet

25



its capital expenditurefinancing needs for the remainder of fiscal 20182024. The Company continues to evaluate these financing needs and may issue short-termoptions to meet them. Given the current economic conditions, which include continued inflationary pressures and volatile interest rates, the cost and/or long-term debt during fiscal 2018 as needed.availability of capital may be impacted, but the Company continues to expect to meet its financing needs.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
 
For a complete discussion of critical accounting estimates, refer to "Critical Accounting Estimates" in Item 7 of the Company's 20172023 Form 10-K.  There have been no material changes to that disclosure other than as set forth below.  The information presented below updates and should be read in conjunction with the critical accounting estimates in that Form 10-K.
 
Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Costs.  The Company, in its Exploration and Production segment, follows the full cost method of accounting for determining the book value of its oil and natural gas properties, with natural gas properties in the Appalachian Region being the primary component after the fiscal 2022 sale of the Company's California oil and natural gas properties. In accordance with thisthe full cost methodology, the Company is required to perform a quarterly ceiling test.  Under the ceiling test, the present value of future revenues from the Company's oil and gas reserves based on an unweighted arithmetic average of the first day of the month oil and gas prices for each month within the twelve-month period prior to the end of the reporting period (the “ceiling”) is compared with the book value of the Company’s oil and gas properties at the balance sheet date. The present value of future revenues is calculated using a 10% discount factor.  If the book value of the oil and gas properties exceeds the ceiling, a non-cash impairment charge must be recorded to reduce the book value of the oil and gas properties to the calculated ceiling. At December 31, 2017,2023, the ceiling exceeded the book value of the oil and gas properties by approximately $334.6$84.4 million. The 12-month average of the first day of the month price for crude oil for each month during the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, based on posted Midway Sunset prices, was $48.41 per Bbl. The 12-month average of the first day of the month price for natural gas for each month during the twelve months ended December 31, 2017,2023, based on the quoted Henry Hub spot price for natural gas, was $2.98$2.64 per MMBtu. (Note – because(Note: Because actual pricing of the Company’s various producing properties variesvary depending on their location and hedging, the prices used to calculate the ceiling may differ from the Midway Sunset and HenryHub prices,price, which areis only indicative of the 12-month average prices for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. Pricing differences would include2023. Actual realized pricing includes adjustments for regional market differentials, transportation fees and contractual arrangements.)  The following table illustratesIn regard to the sensitivity of the ceiling test calculation to commodity price changes, specifically showing the amounts the ceiling would have exceeded the book value of the Company's oil and gas properties at December 31, 2017 (which would not have resulted in an impairment charge) if natural gas prices were $0.25 per MMBtu lower than the average prices in the twelve-month period used at December 31, 2017, if crude2023 in the ceiling test calculation, the book value of the Company's oil prices were $5 per Bbl lower thanand gas properties would have exceeded the average prices used at December 31, 2017, and if both natural gas prices and crude oil prices were $0.25 per MMBtu and $5 per Bbl lower than the average prices used at December 31, 2017 (all amounts are presented after-tax). Theseceiling by approximately $250.8 million (after-tax), which would have resulted in an impairment charge. This calculated amounts areamount is based solely on price changes and dodoes not take into account any other changes to the ceiling test calculation, including, among others, changes in reserve quantities and future cost estimates.   

      Ceiling Testing Sensitivity to Commodity Price Changes
(Millions)
$0.25/MMBtu
Decrease in
Natural Gas Prices
 
$5.00/Bbl
Decrease in
Crude Oil Prices
 
$0.25/MMBtu
Decrease in
Natural Gas Prices
and $5.00/Bbl
Decrease in
Crude Oil Prices
      
Excess of Ceiling over Book Value under Sensitivity Analysis$188.4
 $295.4
 $149.2

It is difficult to predict what factors could lead to future non-cash impairments under the SEC's full cost ceiling test. Fluctuations in or subtractions from proved reserves, increases in development costs for undeveloped reserves and significant fluctuations in oil andnatural gas prices have an impact on the amount of the ceiling at any point in time. For a more complete discussion of the full cost method of accounting, refer to "Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Costs" under "Critical Accounting Estimates" in Item 7 of the Company's 20172023 Form 10-K.


2017 Tax Reform Act.  On December 22, 2017, the tax legislation referred to as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (the 2017 Tax Reform Act) was enacted. The 2017 Tax Reform Act significantly changes the taxation of business entities and includes specific provisions related to rate regulated companies. The more significant changes that impact the Company are the reduction in the corporate federal income tax rate from 35% to a blended 24.5% for fiscal 2018 and 21% for fiscal 2019 and beyond. As a fiscal year taxpayer, the Company is required to use a blended tax rate for fiscal 2018. In addition, beginning in fiscal 2019, the corporate alternative minimum tax will be eliminated and there will be enhanced limitations on the deductibility of certain executive compensation. For the rate regulated subsidiaries, the 2017 Tax Reform Act also allows for the continued deductibility of interest expense, the elimination of full expensing for tax purposes of certain property acquired after September 27, 2017 and the continuation of certain rate normalization requirements for accelerated depreciation benefits. The Company's non-rate regulated subsidiaries are allowed

26



full expensing of certain property acquired after September 27, 2017 and have potential limitations on the deductibility of interest expense beginning in fiscal 2019.

The Company has determined a reasonable estimate under SAB 118 for the measurement of the changes in deferred income taxes in the December 31, 2017 financial statements. The final determination of the impact of the income tax effects of these items will require additional analysis and further interpretation of the 2017 Tax Reform Act from yet to be issued U.S. Treasury regulations, state income tax guidance, federal and state regulatory guidance and technical corrections. For further discussion of the impact of the 2017 Tax Reform Act to the Company, refer to Item 1 at Note 4 — Income Taxes.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Earnings
 
The Company's earnings were $198.7$133.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 20172023 compared to earnings of $88.9$169.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016.2022.  The increasedecrease in earnings of $109.8$36.7 million is primarily athe result of higherlower earnings in the Exploration and Production segment Gathering segment and the Pipeline and Storage segment. LowerPartially offsetting these decreases were higher earnings in the Energy MarketingGathering segment, Utility segment and Utility segment,Corporate category, as well as lossesa lower loss in the Corporate and All Other categories partially offset these increases. 

The Company's earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 include a $111.0 million remeasurement of accumulated deferred income taxes recorded during the quarter ended December 31, 2017 and a lower statutory rate of 24.5% as a result of the 2017 Tax Reform Act, as discussed above. Additional discussion of earnings in each of the business segments can be found in the business segment information that follows.category. Note that all amounts used in the earnings discussions are after-tax amounts, unless otherwise noted.
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Earnings (Loss) by Segment
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
(Thousands)20172016Increase (Decrease)
(Thousands)
(Thousands)
Exploration and Production
Exploration and Production
Exploration and Production$106,698
$35,080
$71,618
Pipeline and Storage38,462
19,368
19,094
Pipeline and Storage
Pipeline and Storage
Gathering
Gathering
Gathering45,400
10,981
34,419
Utility20,993
21,175
(182)
Energy Marketing1,046
1,782
(736)
Utility
Utility
Total Reportable Segments
Total Reportable Segments
Total Reportable Segments212,599
88,386
124,213
All Other(719)(179)(540)
All Other
All Other
Corporate
Corporate
Corporate(13,226)701
(13,927)
Total Consolidated$198,654
$88,908
$109,746
Total Consolidated
Total Consolidated
 
Exploration and Production
 
Exploration and Production Operating Revenues
 
 Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
(Thousands)20172016Increase (Decrease)
Gas (after Hedging)$98,115
$120,564
$(22,449)
Oil (after Hedging)40,214
39,457
757
Gas Processing Plant1,065
761
304
Other(253)150
(403)
 $139,141
$160,932
$(21,791)
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
(Thousands)20232022Increase
(Decrease)
Gas Produced in Appalachia (after Hedging)$252,416 $273,197 $(20,781)
Other1,603 3,776 (2,173)
 $254,019 $276,973 $(22,954)
 

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Production Volumes
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 20232022Increase
(Decrease)
Gas Production per MMcf100,757 90,574 10,183 
 Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 20172016Increase (Decrease)
Gas Production (MMcf)
   
Appalachia35,414
39,807
(4,393)
West Coast695
776
(81)
Total Production36,109
40,583
(4,474)
    
Oil Production (Mbbl)
   
Appalachia1

1
West Coast672
721
(49)
Total Production673
721
(48)


Average Prices
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 20232022Increase
(Decrease)
Average Gas Price/Mcf
Weighted Average$2.31 $4.77 $(2.46)
Weighted Average After Hedging$2.51 $3.02 $(0.51)
 Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 20172016Increase (Decrease)
Average Gas Price/Mcf   
Appalachia$2.35
$2.35
$
West Coast$5.00
$4.24
$0.76
Weighted Average$2.40
$2.39
$0.01
Weighted Average After Hedging$2.72
$2.97
$(0.25)
    
Average Oil Price/Bbl   
Appalachia$43.85
N/M
N/M
West Coast$57.88
$43.69
$14.19
Weighted Average$57.86
$43.82
$14.04
Weighted Average After Hedging$59.79
$54.71
$5.08


N/M - Not Meaningful

20172023 Compared with 20162022
 
Operating revenues for the Exploration and Production segment decreased $21.8$23.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 20172023 as compared with the quarter ended December 31, 2016.2022. Gas production revenue after hedging decreased $22.4$20.8 million primarily due to the impact of a decrease in gas production coupled with a $0.25$0.51 per Mcf decrease in the weighted average price of natural gas after hedging. The decreasehedging, offset by a 10.2 Bcf increase in production was primarily due to natural declines from Marcellus wells in the Eastern Development Area.gas production. This was partially offset by increased natural gas production increases in the Western Development Arealargely due to additional production from new Marcellus and Utica wells coupled within the Appalachian region. In addition, other revenue decreased $2.2 million due to the non-recurrence of temporary capacity release revenue for a decrease in price-related curtailmentsportion of this segment's transportation capacity during the quarter ended December 31, 2017 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2016. This decrease to operating revenues was partially offset by an increase in oil production revenue after hedging of $0.8 million. The increase in oil production revenue was due to a $5.08 per Bbl increase in the weighted average price of oil after hedging, which was largely offset by a decrease in crude oil production. The decrease in crude oil production in the West Coast region was largely due to the lagging current year impact of decreased steam operations and well workover activity at its North Midway Sunset field in prior years (due to lower crude oil prices) coupled with oil production losses due to temporary shut-in production in Ventura County, California in response to the wildfires occurring in fiscal 2018. During the quarter ended December 31, 2017, there was an increase in steam operations and well workover activity versus the quarter ended December 31, 2016, which will stimulate future crude oil production.


2022.
28
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The Exploration and Production segment's earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 20172023 were $106.7$52.5 million, an increasea decrease of $71.6$38.7 million when compared with earnings of $35.1$91.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016.  The increase in earnings primarily reflects the remeasurement of accumulated deferred income taxes ($77.3 million) combined with the current period earnings impact of the change in federal tax rate from 35% to a blended rate of 24.5% for fiscal 2018 on current income taxes ($4.1 million), both of which were the result of the 2017 Tax Reform Act. It also reflects higher crude oil prices after hedging ($2.2 million), lower depletion expense ($1.1 million) and lower income tax expense, excluding the impact of the 2017 Tax Reform Act ($3.9 million).2022. The decrease in depletion expenseearnings was dueattributable to a decrease in production coupled with an increase in reserves (an increase in reserves lowers the per mcf/barrel depletion rate) partially offset by an increase in capitalized costs. The decrease in income tax expense, excluding the impact of the 2017 Tax Reform Act, was largely due to an increase in the enhanced oil recovery tax credit related to Seneca's California properties coupled with a decrease in state income taxes as a result of lower pre-tax net income for the Exploration and Production segment. These factors, which contributed to increased earnings during the quarter ended December 31, 2017 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2016, were partially offset by lower natural gas prices after hedging ($6.040.7 million), lower natural gas productionhigher depletion expense ($8.613.0 million), lower crude oil productionhigher lease operating and transportation expenses ($1.74.4 million) and, higher other operating expenses ($0.64.1 million), an increase in interest expense ($1.6 million) and an unrealized loss on contingent consideration received as part of the sale of Seneca's California assets ($3.0 million). These decreases were partially offset by higher natural gas production ($24.3 million) and lower other taxes ($2.6 million). The increase in depletion expense was primarily due to the net increase in production combined with a $0.10 per Mcf increase in the depletion rate. The increase in lease operating and transportation expenses was primarily the result of higher gathering and transportation costs combined with higher workover and saltwater disposal expenses. The increase in other operating expenses was primarily attributable to recognizing an accrual of plugging and abandonment costs related to certain California wells that were formerly owned by Seneca, combined with higher general and administrative costs. The increase in interest expense can largely be attributed to higher average interest rates on intercompany short-term and long-term borrowings, partially offset by lower intercompany long-term debt balances. The decrease in other taxes was primarily attributable to lower Impact Fees in the Appalachian region due to an increase in personnel costs.lower NYMEX pricing, which reduces the cost per well due to moving the Company into a lower rate tier.


Pipeline and Storage
 
Pipeline and Storage Operating Revenues
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
(Thousands)20172016Increase (Decrease)
(Thousands)
(Thousands)
Firm Transportation
Firm Transportation
Firm Transportation$56,756
$56,749
$7
Interruptible Transportation340
646
(306)
Interruptible Transportation
Interruptible Transportation
57,096
57,395
(299)
Firm Storage Service17,839
17,273
566
Firm Storage Service
Firm Storage Service
Interruptible Storage Service
Interruptible Storage Service
Interruptible Storage Service19
12
7
Other341
475
(134)
Other
Other
$75,295
$75,155
$140
 
Pipeline and Storage Throughput
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
(MMcf)20172016Increase (Decrease)
(MMcf)
(MMcf)
Firm Transportation
Firm Transportation
Firm Transportation206,701
190,781
15,920
Interruptible Transportation882
3,046
(2,164)
Interruptible Transportation
Interruptible Transportation
207,583
193,827
13,756
 
20172023 Compared with 20162022
 
Operating revenues for the Pipeline and Storage segment remained relatively flatdecreased $3.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 20172023 as compared with the quarter ended December 31, 2016.  An increase2022.  The decrease in operating revenues was primarily due to demand charges fora decrease in transportation service from Supply Corporation's Line D Expansion, which was placed in service on November 1, 2017, andrevenues of $4.6 million, partially offset by an increase in both transportation and storageother revenues due to Supply Corporation's greenhouse gas and pipeline safety surcharge effective November 1, 2017, were largely offset by a declineof $1.3 million. The decrease in transportation revenues is primarily due partially to contract expirations and revisions combined with a decrease in revenues from an additional 2% reductionelectric surcharge. The increase in Supply Corporation's rates effective November 1, 2016, which was requiredother revenues primarily reflects an adjustment to the aforementioned electric surcharge revenues. All customer surcharges and related adjustments for the electric surcharge mechanism are completely offset by the rate case settlement approved by FERC on November 13, 2015,an equal amount of electric power costs recorded in operation and a decline in demand charges for transportation services as a result of contract terminations.maintenance expense.


Transportation volume for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 increased2023 decreased by 13.825.7 Bcf from the prior year’s quarter. The increaseyear's quarter ended December 31, 2022 primarily due to a decrease in transportation volume for the quarter primarily reflects the impact of the Line D Expansion project being placed in servicefrom certain contract expirations combined with colder weather quarter over quarter.a decline in volume from warmer weather. Volume fluctuations, other than those caused by the addition or termination of contracts,
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generally do not have a significant impact on revenues as a result of the straight fixed-variable rate design utilized by Supply Corporation and Empire.


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The Pipeline and Storage segment’s earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 20172023 were $38.5$24.1 million, an increasea decrease of $19.1$5.4 million when compared with earnings of $19.4$29.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016.2022. The increasedecrease in earnings was primarily due to lower income tax expense ($17.6 million) combined with lower operating expenses ($1.9 million) and a decrease in interest expense ($0.3 million). Income tax expense was lower due to the remeasurement of accumulated deferred income taxes ($14.1 million) combined with the current period earnings impact of the change in federal tax rate from 35% to a blended rate of 24.5% for fiscal 2018lower operating revenues ($3.52.6 million), both a result of the 2017 Tax Reform Act. The decreaseas discussed above, combined with an increase in operating expenses primarily reflects lower pension and other post-retirement benefit costs combined with a decrease in the reserve for preliminary project costs. The decrease in interest expense was largely due to lower intercompany long-term borrowing interest rates for the Pipeline and Storage segment. These earnings increases were slightly offset by($1.5 million), an increase in depreciation expense ($0.6 million) and an increase in interest expense ($0.6 million). The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to incrementalan increase in personnel costs, as well as higher power costs related to Empire's electric motor drive compressor station. This increase in electric power costs is offset by an equal increase in revenue, as discussed above. These increases were partially offset by lower pipeline integrity costs. The increase in depreciation expense relatedwas primarily due to expansioncertain system modernization projects that were placedgoing into service since the prior-year first quarter. The increase in service within the last year combined with the non-recurrence of a reductioninterest expense is mainly due to depreciation expense recordedan increase in the quarter ended December 31, 2016 to reflect a reduction in depreciation rates retroactive to July 1, 2016 in accordance with Empire's rate case settlement. The FERC issued an order approving the settlement on December 13, 2016.intercompany short-term borrowings.


Looking ahead, the Pipeline and Storage segment expects transportation revenues to be negatively impacted in fiscal 2019 in an amount up to approximately $14 million as a result of an Empire system transportation contract reaching its termination date in December 2018. Management does not expect to renew the contract at existing rates given a change in market dynamics.

Gathering
 
Gathering Operating Revenues
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
(Thousands)20232022Increase
(Decrease)
Gathering Revenues$62,588 $56,413 $6,175 
 Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
(Thousands)20172016Increase (Decrease)
Gathering$23,802
$27,840
$(4,038)
Processing and Other Revenues33
26
7
 $23,835
$27,866
$(4,031)


Gathering Volume
 Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 20172016Increase (Decrease)
Gathered Volume - (MMcf)43,162
50,569
(7,407)
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 20232022Increase
(Decrease)
Gathered Volume - (MMcf)124,261 108,027 16,234 
 
20172023 Compared with 20162022
 
Operating revenues for the GatheringGathering segment decreased $4.0 increased $6.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 20172023 as compared with the quarter ended December 31, 2016, 2022, which was driven primarily by a 7.416.2 Bcf decreaseincrease in gathered volume. The overall decrease in gathered volume was due to a 5.2 Bcf decrease in gatheredGathered volume on Midstream Corporation’sthe Trout Run Gathering System (Trout Run), a 2.0and Tioga gathering systems increased 12.1 Bcf decrease in gathered volume on Midstream Corporation's Covington Gathering System (Covington), a 0.6and 6.3 Bcf, decrease in gathered volume on Midstream Corporation's Wellsboro Gathering System (Wellsboro), and a 0.1 Bcf decrease in gathered volumes spread across numerous Midstream systems. These decreases wererespectively, partially offset by a 0.5decrease of 2.2 Bcf on the Clermont gathering system. The net increase in gathered volume on Midstream Corporation's Clermont Gathering System (Clermont). The decreasescan be attributed to an increase in gross natural gas production in the Appalachian region by producers connected to the aforementioned volumes were largely due to a decrease in Seneca's production.gathering systems.


The Gathering segment’s earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 2023 were $45.4$28.8 million, an increase of $34.4$4.1 million when compared with earnings of $11.0$24.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016.2022. The increase in earnings was mainlyprimarily due to higher gathering revenues ($4.9 million) driven by the impact of the 2017 Tax Reform Act, which led to the remeasurement of accumulated deferred taxes ($34.9 million) and the impact of the tax rate change on current income tax ($1.5 million). These earnings increases wereincrease in gathered volume, as discussed above. This increase was partially offset by lowerhigher depreciation expense ($0.6 million). The increase in depreciation expense was largely due to additional plant in-service associated with the Tioga and Clermont gathering revenue ($2.6 million), as discussed above.systems.


30
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Utility


Utility Operating Revenues
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
(Thousands)20232022Increase
(Decrease)
Retail Sales Revenues:
Residential$149,656 $245,442 $(95,786)
Commercial21,209 35,343 (14,134)
Industrial 911 1,643 (732)
 171,776 282,428 (110,652)
Transportation      30,798 29,512 1,286 
Other(567)(259)(308)
                $202,007 $311,681 $(109,674)
 Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
(Thousands)20172016Increase (Decrease)
Retail Sales Revenues:   
Residential$134,739
$116,387
$18,352
Commercial19,633
15,979
3,654
Industrial 872
517
355
 155,244
132,883
22,361
Transportation      36,309
36,661
(352)
Off-System Sales41
627
(586)
Other(2,323)2,626
(4,949)
                $189,271
$172,797
$16,474


Utility Throughput
Three Months Ended
December 31,
Three Months Ended
December 31,
Three Months Ended
December 31,
(MMcf)
(MMcf)
(MMcf)
Retail Sales:
Retail Sales:
Retail Sales:
Residential
Residential
Residential
Commercial
Commercial
Commercial
Industrial
Industrial
Industrial
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
(MMcf)20172016Increase (Decrease)
Retail Sales:  
Residential17,847
15,764
2,083
Commercial2,596
2,299
297
Industrial 144
77
67
Transportation
Transportation
Transportation
20,587
18,140
2,447
Transportation 21,427
19,565
1,862
Off-System Sales22
173
(151)
42,036
37,878
4,158
 
Degree Days
Three Months Ended December 31,   Percent Colder (Warmer) Than
Normal20172016
Normal(1)
Prior Year(1)
Buffalo2,253
2,227
1,966
(1.2)%13.3%
Erie2,044
2,029
1,750
(0.7)%15.9%
      
(1)
Percents compare actual 2017 degree days to normal degree days and actual 2017 degree days to actual 2016 degree days.
2017 Compared with 2016
Three Months Ended December 31,   Percent Colder (Warmer) Than
Normal20232022
Normal(1)
Prior Year(1)
Buffalo, NY2,253 1,858 2,048 (17.5)%(9.3)%
Erie, PA(2)
1,894 1,664 1,987 (12.1)%(16.3)%
 
(1)Percents compare actual 2023 degree days to normal degree days and actual 2023 degree days to actual 2022 degree days.
(2)Normal degree days changed from the NOAA 30-year degree days to NOAA 15-year degree days with the implementation of new base rates in Pennsylvania in August 2023.
2023 Compared with 2022
Operating revenues for the Utility segment increased $16.5decreased $109.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 20172023 as compared with the quarter ended December 31, 2016.  The increase largely2022. This decrease resulted from a $22.4$110.7 million increase in retail gas sales revenues. The increasedecrease in retail gas sales revenue was largelyand a result of higher volumes (due to colder weather) and an$0.3 million decrease in other revenues, partially offset by a $1.3 million increase in transportation revenue. The decrease in retail gas sales revenue reflects a decrease in the cost of gas sold (per Mcf). and a 2.4 Bcf decrease in throughput mainly due to warmer weather. It should be noted that under its purchased gas adjustment clauses in New York and Pennsylvania, Distribution Corporation's earnings are not impacted by fluctuations in gas costs. Purchased gas expense recorded on the consolidated income statement matches the revenues collected from customers. The increasedecrease in operating revenuesretail gas sales revenue was partially offset by the impact of new base rates in Distribution Corporation's Pennsylvania jurisdiction pursuant to a $0.4 million decreasesettlement approved by the PaPUC on June 15, 2023. The increase in transportation revenues, a $4.9 million decrease in other revenues and a $0.6 million decrease in off-system sales (due to lower volumes). The $0.4 million decrease in transportation revenuesrevenue was primarily duealso largely attributable to the impact of regulatory adjustments,new base rates in Pennsylvania combined with an increase in revenues earned under the system modernization
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and system improvement tracker mechanisms in Distribution Corporation's New York jurisdiction, which more than offset the impact of larger volumes and colder weather. The $4.9 million decrease in other revenues was largely due to an estimated refund provisionallow for the current income tax benefits resulting fromrecovery of investments in leak prone pipe replacement. Additional details regarding the 2017 Tax Reform Act. Due to profit sharing with retail customers,base rate regulatory proceeding in Distribution Corporation's Pennsylvania jurisdiction can be found in the margins related to off-system sales are minimal.Rate Matters section below.


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The Utility segment’s earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 20172023 were $21.0$26.6 million, a decreasean increase of $0.2$2.8 million when compared withto earnings of $21.2$23.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016. Higher earnings associated with the new rate order issued by the NYPSC effective April 1, 2017 ($1.0 million) combined with2022. The increase was primarily due to the impact of colder weathernew base rates in fiscal 2018 comparedthe Utility's Pennsylvania jurisdiction ($6.8 million) and lower income tax expense ($1.8 million). The lower income tax expense was largely related to fiscal 2017 ($1.2 million)an increase in tax deductions related to certain repairs and maintenance expenditures recorded in the Utility's Pennsylvania jurisdiction as a result of recently updated IRS guidance. These factors were partially offset by an increase inhigher operating expenseexpenses ($0.73.8 million) and the impact of regulatory adjustments ($1.2 million). The increase in operating expense is, primarily due to higher amortization of environmental remediationpersonnel costs, that resulted from the new rate order. The current tax benefit associated with the 2017 Tax Reform Act was completely offset by the aforementioned refund provision.and a decrease in customer usage, primarily due to warmer weather ($2.8 million).

    
The impact of weather variations on earnings in the Utility segment’s New York rate jurisdictionsegment is mitigated by that jurisdiction’sa weather normalization clause (WNC). ThePrior to October 2023, the impact of weather variations on earnings was mitigated by a WNC solely in the Utility segment’s New York rate jurisdiction. However, effective October 2023, the impact of weather variations on earnings is also mitigated by a WNC in New York,the Utility segment’s Pennsylvania rate jurisdiction. The WNC, which covers the eight-month period from October through May, has had a stabilizing effect on earnings for the New York rate jurisdiction.Utility segment. In addition, in periods of colder than normal weather, the WNC benefits the Utility segment’s New Yorksegment's customers. For the quarter ended December 31, 2017,2023, the WNC increasedpreserved earnings byin the Utility segment’s New York rate jurisdiction of approximately $1.4 million and preserved earnings in the Utility segment’s Pennsylvania rate jurisdiction of approximately $0.4 million, as the weather was warmer than normal in both jurisdictions. For the quarter ended December 31, 2022, the WNC preserved earnings in the Utility segment’s New York rate jurisdiction of approximately $0.9 million, as the weather was warmer than normal.  For the quarter ended December 31, 2016, the WNC preserved

Corporate and All Other
2023 Compared with 2022
Corporate and All Other operations had earnings of $1.3 million as the weather was warmer than normal.

Energy Marketing
Energy Marketing Operating Revenues
 Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
(Thousands)20172016Increase (Decrease)
Natural Gas (after Hedging)$38,730
$36,790
$1,940
Other32
38
(6)
 $38,762
$36,828
$1,934
Energy Marketing Volume
 Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 20172016Increase (Decrease)
Natural Gas – (MMcf)11,979
11,127
852
2017 Compared with 2016
Operating revenues for the Energy Marketing segment increased $1.9$1.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 as compared with the quarter ended December 31, 2016.  The increase was primarily due to2023, an increase in gas sales revenue due to an increase in volume sold to retail customers as a result of colder weather, offset slightly by a lower average price of natural gas period over period.

The Energy Marketing segment earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 were $1.0 million, a decrease of $0.8 million when compared with earnings of $1.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016. This decrease in earnings was primarily attributable to lower margin of $0.8 million. The decrease in margin largely reflects a decline in average margin per Mcf primarily due to stronger natural gas prices at local purchase points relative to NYMEX-based sales contracts. The 2017 Tax Reform Act did not have a significant impact on Energy Marketing segment earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2017.

Corporate and All Other
2017 Compared with 2016
Corporate and All Other operations had a loss of $13.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $14.4$0.6 million when compared with earnings of $0.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016. 2022. The earnings decrease forincrease was primarily attributable to changes in unrealized gains on investments in equity securities. During the quarter is primarily attributed to a remeasurementended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded unrealized gains of accumulated deferred taxes under$0.8 million. During the 2017 Tax Reform Act ($15.1 million). This decrease in earningsquarter ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded unrealized gains of $0.2 million.

Other Income (Deductions)

    Net other income on the Consolidated Statements of Income was partially offset by higher margins ($0.4 million) from the sale of standing timber by Seneca's land and timber division and the current tax benefit of tax rate changes associated with the 2017 Tax Reform Act ($0.1 million).

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Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt (amounts below are pre-tax amounts)
Interest on long-term debt decreased $1.0$3.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 as2023, compared withto net other income of $6.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016.2022, for a decrease of $2.6 million. This decrease iscan be attributed primarily to a $4.2 million negative mark-to-market valuation adjustment for the contingent consideration received from the sale of Seneca's California assets in June 2022 (compared to a gain of $0.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022), as well as lower interest income of $1.4 million. The decrease in interest income was mainly due to lower interest income from investments and a decrease in interest from hedging collateral for derivative financial instruments. These decreases were partially offset by $2.0 million of business interruption insurance proceeds that Seneca received during the weighted average interest ratecurrent quarter related to a pipeline outage impacting Seneca's ability to market its gas, along with changes in realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments in equity securities that increased other income by $0.9 million.

Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt
    Interest expense on long-term debt outstanding. Theon the Consolidated Statement of Income decreased $1.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2022. This was primarily due to lower average long-term debt balances. In November 2022 and March 2023, the Company issued $300redeemed 3.75% notes, which in the aggregate amounted to $500.0 million, and in March 2023, the Company also redeemed $49.0 million of 3.95%7.395% notes. These redemptions were partially offset by the issuance of $300.0 million of 5.50% notes in September 2017 and repaid $300 millionMay 2023.

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Table of 6.5% notes in October 2017.Content

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
 
The Company’s primary source of cash during the three-month period ended December 31, 2017 consisted of cash provided by operating activities.    The Company’s primary sources of cash during the three-month period ended December 31, 20162023 consisted of cash provided by operating activities and net proceeds from short-term borrowings. The Company’s primary sources of cash during the three-month period ended December 31, 2022 consisted of cash provided by operating activities, net proceeds from short-term borrowings and proceeds from the sale of oila fixed income mutual fund held in a grantor trust.

    The Company expects to have adequate amounts of cash available to meet both its short-term and gas producing properties.long-term cash requirements for at least the next twelve months and for the foreseeable future thereafter. During the remainder of 2024, cash provided by operating activities is forecasted to be lower than 2023, but is expected to be more than enough to fund the Company's capital expenditures. Looking forward to 2025, based on current commodity prices, cash provided by operating activities is again expected to exceed capital expenditures. The Company also has two long-term debt maturities in 2025, totaling $500.0 million, which the Company anticipates funding with cash on hand as well as short-term and long-term borrowings. These cash flow projections do not reflect the impact of acquisitions or divestitures that may arise in the future.


Operating Cash Flow


Internally generated cash from operating activities consists of net income available for common stock, adjusted for non-cash expenses, non-cash income, gains and losses associated with investing and financing activities, and changes in operating assets and liabilities. Non-cash items include depreciation, depletion and amortization, deferred income taxes and stock-based compensation.


Cash provided by operating activities in the Utility and Pipeline and Storage segments may vary substantially from period to period because of the impact of rate cases. In the Utility segment, supplier refunds, over- or under-recovered purchased gas costs and weather may also significantly impact cash flow. The impact of weather on cash flow is tempered in the Utility segment’s New York rate jurisdiction by its WNC and in the Pipeline and Storage segment by the straight fixed-variable rate design used by Supply Corporation and Empire. Prior to October 2023, the weather impact on cash flow in the Utility segment was mitigated by a WNC solely in its New York rate jurisdiction. However, effective October 2023, the weather impact on cash flow in the Utility segment is also mitigated by a WNC in its Pennsylvania rate jurisdiction. The Pennsylvania rate jurisdiction WNC resulted from the PaPUC's approved settlement on June 15, 2023, further discussed in the Rate Matters section below.


Because of the seasonal nature of the heating business in the Utility and Energy Marketing segments,segment, revenues in these segmentsthis business are relatively high during the heating season, primarily the first and second quarters of the fiscal year, and receivable balances historically increase during these periods from the receivable balances at September 30.


The storage gas inventory normally declines during the first and second quarters of the fiscal year and is replenished during the third and fourth quarters.  For storage gas inventory accounted for under the LIFO method, the current cost of replacing gas withdrawn from storage is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income and a reserve for gas replacement is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the caption "Other Accruals and Current Liabilities." Such reserve is reduced as the inventory is replenished.


Cash provided by operating activities in the Exploration and Production segment may vary from period to period as a result of changes in the commodity prices of natural gas and crude oil as well as changes in production.  The Company uses various derivative financial instruments, including price swap agreements and futures contractsno cost collars, in an attempt to manage this energy commodity price risk.


Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $94.8$270.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017,2023, a decrease of $49.8$56.4 million compared with $144.6$327.3 million provided by operating activities for the three months ended December 31, 2016.2022. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities primarily reflects lower cash provided by operating activities in the Exploration and Production and Energy Marketing segments.segment, partially offset by higher cash provided by operating activities in the Utility segment. The decrease in the Exploration and Production segment wasis primarily due to lower cash receipts from crude oil andlower realized natural gas production, primarily a result of lower natural gas prices and lower production.prices. The decreaseincrease in the Energy MarketingUtility segment wasis primarily a resultdue to the timing of higher purchased gas costscost recovery and an increase in hedging collateral deposits. Hedging collateral deposits serve as collateral for open positions on exchange-trade futures contracts and over-the-counter swaps.the timing of customer receivable balance collections.



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Table of ContentsContent


Investing Cash Flow
 
Expenditures for Long-Lived Assets
 
The Company’s expenditures for long-lived assets totaled $126.5$235.7 million during the three months ended December 31, 20172023 and $94.6$223.5 million during the three months ended December 31, 2016.2022.  The table below presents these expenditures:
Total Expenditures for Long-Lived Assets     
Three Months Ended December 31,2023 2022 Increase (Decrease)
(Millions)  
Exploration and Production:     
Capital Expenditures$161.0 (1)$168.5 (2)$(7.5)
Pipeline and Storage:    
Capital Expenditures24.6 (1)16.4 (2)8.2 
Gathering:    
Capital Expenditures19.6 (1)13.3 (2)6.3 
Utility:    
Capital Expenditures30.5 (1)25.3 (2)5.2 
All Other:
Capital Expenditures— — — 
 $235.7  $223.5  $12.2 
Total Expenditures for Long-Lived Assets     
Three Months Ended December 31,2017 2016 Increase (Decrease)
(Millions)  
Exploration and Production:   
  
Capital Expenditures$74.7
(1)$40.7
(2)$34.0
Pipeline and Storage:   
  
Capital Expenditures22.3
(1)25.4
(2)(3.1)
Gathering:   
  
Capital Expenditures12.9
(1)11.3
(2)1.6
Utility:   
  
Capital Expenditures16.5
(1)17.1
(2)(0.6)
All Other:     
Capital Expenditures0.1
(1)0.1
(2)
 $126.5
 $94.6
 $31.9

(1)
At December 31, 2017,(1)At December 31, 2023, capital expenditures for the Exploration and Production segment, the Pipeline and Storage segment, the Gathering segment and the Utility segment include $37.1 million, $10.7 million, $4.7 million and $3.6 million, respectively, of non-cash capital expenditures. At September 30, 2017, capital expenditures for the Exploration and Production segment, the Pipeline and Storage segment, the Gathering segment and the Utility segment included $36.5 million, $25.1 million, $3.9 million and $6.7 million, respectively, of non-cash capital expenditures.  The capital expenditures for the Exploration and Production segment do not include any proceeds received from the sale of oil and gas assets to IOG under the joint development agreement.  
(2)
At December 31, 2016, capital expenditures for the Exploration and Production segment, the Pipeline and Storage segment, the Gathering segment and the Utility segment included $25.3 million, $8.7 million, $7.9 million and $7.1 million, respectively, of non-cash capital expenditures.  At September 30, 2016, capital expenditures for the Exploration and Production segment, the Pipeline and Storage segment, the Gathering segment and the Utility segment included $25.2 million, $18.7 million, $5.3 million and $11.2 million, respectively, of non-cash capital expenditures. The capital expenditures for the Exploration and Production segment do not include any proceeds received from the sale of oil and gas assets to IOG under the joint development agreement.  
Exploration and Production segment, the Pipeline and Storage segment, the Gathering segment and the Utility segment include $74.9 million, $5.5 million, $11.1 million and $6.4 million, respectively, of non-cash capital expenditures. At September 30, 2023, capital expenditures for the Exploration and Production segment, the Pipeline and Storage segment, the Gathering segment and the Utility segment included $43.2 million, $31.8 million, $20.6 million and $13.6 million, respectively, of non-cash capital expenditures. 

(2)At December 31, 2022, capital expenditures for the Exploration and Production segment, the Pipeline and Storage segment, the Gathering segment and the Utility segment included $102.9 million, $2.1 million, $1.1 million and $4.2 million, respectively, of non-cash capital expenditures.  At September 30, 2022, capital expenditures for the Exploration and Production segment, the Pipeline and Storage segment, the Gathering segment and the Utility segment included $83.0 million, $15.2 million, $10.7 million and $11.4 million, respectively, of non-cash capital expenditures.  
 
Exploration and Production
The Exploration and Production segment capital expenditures for the three months ended December 31, 20172023 were primarily well drilling and completion expenditures and included approximately $70.6 million forin the Appalachian region, (including $58.7and included $37.5 million in the Marcellus Shale area)area and $4.1$120.2 million forin the West Coast region.Utica Shale area. These amounts included approximately $40.7$106.0 million spent to develop proved undeveloped reserves.


On December 1, 2015, Seneca and IOG - CRV Marcellus, LLC (IOG), an affiliate of IOG Capital, LP, and funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group, LLC, executed a joint development agreement that allows IOG to participate in the development of certain oil and gas interests owned by Seneca in Elk, McKean and Cameron Counties, Pennsylvania. On June 13, 2016, Seneca and IOG executed an extension of the joint development agreement. Under the terms of the extended agreement, Seneca and IOG will jointly participate in a program to develop up to 75 Marcellus wells, with Seneca serving as program operator. IOG will hold an 80% working interest in all of the joint development wells. In total, IOG is expected to fund approximately $305 million for its 80% working interest in the 75 joint development wells. Of this amount, IOG has funded $267.1 million as of December 31, 2017, which includes $163.9 million of cash ($137.3 million in fiscal 2016 and $26.6 million in fiscal 2017) shown as Net Proceeds from Sale of Oil and Gas Producing Properties on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2017. Such proceeds from sale represent funding received from IOG for costs previously incurred by Seneca to develop a portion of the 75 joint development wells. A receivable of $17.3 million has been recorded at December 31, 2017 in recognition of additional IOG funding that is due to Seneca for costs incurred by Seneca to develop a portion of the 75 joint development wells. This receivable has been shown as a Non-Cash Investing Activity on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the quarter ended December 31, 2017. The remainder funded joint development expenditures. For further discussion of the extended joint development agreement, refer to Item 1 at Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies under the heading “Property, Plant and Equipment.”

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The Exploration and Production segment capital expenditures for the three months ended December 31, 20162022 were primarily well drilling and completion expenditures and included approximately $29.8 million forin the Appalachian region, (including $16.4and included $60.9 million in the Marcellus Shale area)area and $10.9$104.6 million forin the West Coast region.Utica Shale area. These amounts included approximately $8.3$110.5 million spent to develop proved undeveloped reserves.

Pipeline and Storage
 
The Pipeline and Storage segment capital expenditures for the three months ended December 31, 20172023 and December 31, 2022 were partially related toprimarily for additions, improvements and replacements to this segment’ssegment's transmission and gas storage systems.systems, which included system modernization expenditures that enhance the reliability and safety of the systems and reduce emissions.

    In addition, the Pipeline and Storage segment capital expenditures for the three months ended December 31, 2017 include expenditures relateddue to Supply Corporation's Line D Expansion Project ($12.4 million), as discussed below.  The Pipeline and Storage capital expenditures for the three months endedDecember 31, 2016 were mainly for expenditures related to Empire and Supply Corporation's Northern Access 2016 Project ($13.5 million) and Supply Corporation's Line D Expansion Project ($4.2 million) and also included additions, improvements, and replacements to this segment’s transmission and gas storage systems.
In light of the continuing demand for pipeline capacity to move natural gas from new wells being drilled in Appalachia, specifically in the Marcellus and Utica Shale producing areas, Supply Corporation and Empire have recently completed and are actively pursuing severalcontinue to pursue expansion projects designed to move anticipated Marcellus and Utica production gas to other interstate pipelines and to on-system markets, and markets beyond the Supply Corporation and Empire pipeline systems. Preliminary surveyAn expansion and investigation costs for expansion, routine replacement or modernization projects are initially recorded as Deferred Charges onproject where the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Management may reserve forCompany has forecasted a significant amount of investment in preliminary survey and investigation costs associated with large projects by reducing the Deferred Charges balanceand/or capital expenditures, and increasing Operation and Maintenance Expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income. If it is determined that it is highly probable thatwhere a project for which a reserveprecedent agreement has been established will be built, the reserveexecuted, is reversed. This reversal reduces Operation and Maintenance Expense and reestablishes the original balance in Deferred Charges. The amounts remain in Deferred Charges until such time as capital expenditures for the project have been incurred and activities that are necessary to get the construction project ready for its intended use are in progress. At that point, the balance is transferred from Deferred Charges to Construction Work in Progress, a componentdiscussed below.

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Table of Property, Plant and Equipment on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Content

Supply Corporation and Empire are developing a project which would move significant prospective Marcellus production from Seneca's Western Development Area at Clermont to an Empire interconnection with TransCanada Pipeline at Chippawa and an interconnection with TGP's 200 Line in East Aurora, New York (“Northern Access 2016”). The Northern Access 2016 project would provide an outlet to Dawn-indexed markets in Canada and to the TGP line serving the U.S. Northeast. The Northern Access 2016 project involves the construction of approximately 99 miles of largely 24” pipeline and approximately 27,500 horsepower of compression on the two systems. The preliminary cost estimate for the Northern Access 2016 project is approximately $500 million.  Supply Corporation, Empire and Seneca executed anchor shipper agreements for 350,000 Dth per day of firm transportation delivery capacity to Chippawa and 140,000 Dth per day of firm transportation capacity to a new interconnection with TGP's 200 Line on this project. On February 3, 2017, the Company received FERC approval of the project. On April 7, 2017, the NYDEC issued a Notice of Denial of the federal Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification and other state stream and wetland permits for the New York portion of the project (the Water Quality Certification for the Pennsylvania portion of the project was received on January 27, 2017). On April 21, 2017, the Company appealed the NYDEC's decision with regard to the Water Quality Certification to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and on May 11, 2017, the Company commenced legal action in New York State Supreme Court challenging the NYDEC's actions with regard to various state permits. The Company also has pending with FERC a proceeding asserting, among other things, that the NYDEC exceeded the reasonable and statutory time frames to take action under the Clean Water Act and, therefore, waived its opportunity to approve or deny the Water Quality Certification. In light of these pending legal actions, the Company has not yet determined a target in-service date. The Company remains committed to the project. As of December 31, 2017, approximately $75.5 million has been spent on the Northern Access 2016 project, including $21.9 million that has been spent to study the project, for which no reserve has been established. The remaining $53.6 million spent on the project has been capitalized as Construction Work in Progress.
On November 21, 2014,    Supply Corporation concluded an Open Season for an expansion of its Line D pipeline (“Line D Expansion”) that is intended to allow growing on-system markets to avail themselves of economical gas supply on the TGP 300 line, at an existing interconnect at Lamont, Pennsylvania,August 25, 2023, and provide increased capacity into the Erie, Pennsylvania market area. Supply Corporation has executed Service Agreements for a total of 77,500 Dth per day for terms of six to ten years and services began November 1, 2017. The project involves construction of a new 4,140 horsepower Keelor Compressor Station and modifications to the Bowen compressor station at an estimated capital cost of approximately $28.2 million. The project also provides system modernization benefits. As of December 31, 2017, approximately $26.8 million has been spentbased on the Line D Expansion project, all of which is included in Property, Plant and Equipment on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017.

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Empire concluded an Open Season on November 18, 2015, andpost-open season discussions, has designed a project that would allow for the transportation of 205,000190,000 Dth per day of additional shale gas supplies from interconnectionsa new interconnection in northwest Tioga County, Pennsylvania to TransCanadaan existing Supply Corporation interconnection with Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, LLC at Ellisburg and a new virtual delivery point into an existing Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC’s (“Transco”) capacity lease, providing access to Mid-Atlantic markets (“Tioga Pathway Project”). The Tioga Pathway Project involves the construction of approximately 19 miles of new pipeline and the TGP 200 Line (“Empire North Project”). Empirereplacement of approximately four miles of existing pipeline on the Supply Corporation system. Supply Corporation has executed a Precedent Agreement with a foundation shipperSeneca for 150,000190,000 Dth per day of transportation capacity and with two other shippers for 35,000 Dth per day and 5,000 Dth per day, respectively. Empire continues to negotiate precedent agreements with other prospective shippers. Empirecapacity. Supply Corporation expects to file a Section 7(c) application with the FERC in the second quarterhalf of fiscal 2018.calendar 2024. The Empire North projectTioga Pathway Project has a projected in-service date of November 1, 2019late calendar year 2026 and an estimated capital cost of approximately $140 million to $145$90 million. As of December 31, 2017, approximately $1.12023, $0.2 million has been spent to study this project, all of which has been included in Deferred Charges on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017.2023.

Supply Corporation has entered into a foundation shipper Precedent Agreement to provide incremental natural gas transportation services from Line N to the ethylene cracker facility being constructed by Shell Chemical Appalachia, LLC in Potter Township, Pennsylvania.  Supply Corporation has completed an Open Season for the project and has secured incremental firm transportation capacity commitments totaling 133,000 Dth per day on Line N and on the proposed pipeline extension of approximately 4.5 miles from Line N to the facility.  The proposed in-service date for this project is as early as July 1, 2019 and capital costs are expected to be $17 million. As of December 31, 2017, approximately $0.5 million has been spent to study this project, all of which has been included in Deferred Charges on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017.

Gathering
 
The majority of the Gathering segment capital expenditures for the three months ended December 31, 2017 were for the continued buildout of Midstream Corporation’s Clermont Gathering System and Midstream Corporation's Trout Run Gathering System, as discussed below.    The majority of the Gathering segment capital expenditures for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were for2023 included expenditures related to the construction of the Clermont Gathering System.

NFG Midstream Clermont, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiarycontinued expansion of Midstream Corporation, is building an extensiveCompany's Tioga and Clermont gathering system with compression in the Pennsylvania counties of McKean, Elksystems. Midstream Company spent $15.7 million and Cameron. The total cost estimate for the continued buildout will be dependent on the nature and timing of the shippers', including Seneca's, long-term plans. As of December 31, 2017, approximately $285.4$3.2 million, has been spent on the Clermont Gathering System, including approximately $4.0 million spentrespectively, during the three months ended December 31, 2017, all of which is included in Property, Plant and Equipment2023 on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017.
NFG Midstream Trout Run, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiarydevelopment of Midstream Corporation, continuesthe Tioga and Clermont gathering systems. These expenditures were largely attributable to develop its Trout Run Gathering System in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. The Trout Run Gathering System was initially placed in service in May 2012. The current system consiststhe installation of approximately 48 miles of backbone andnew in-field gathering pipelines two compressor stationsrelated to bringing new development online, as well as the continued development of centralized station facilities, including increased dehydration capacity and a dehydration and metering station.  Ascompression horsepower.

    The majority of the Gathering segment capital expenditures for the three months ended December 31, 2017, approximately $183.62022 included expenditures related to the continued expansion of Midstream Company's Clermont and Tioga gathering systems. Midstream Company spent $5.7 million has been spent on the Trout Run Gathering System, including approximately $6.3and $5.2 million, spentrespectively, during the three months ended December 31, 2017, all of which is included in Property, Plant and Equipment2022 on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017.

NFG Midstream Wellsboro, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiarydevelopment of Midstream Corporation, continuesthe Clermont and Tioga gathering systems. These expenditures were largely attributable to develop its Wellsboro Gathering Systemthe installation of new in-field gathering pipelines in the Clermont gathering system. In the Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Asgathering system, expenditures were largely attributable to the expansion of December 31, 2017, the Company has spent approximately $6.9 million in costson-pad and centralized station facilities related to this project, all of which is included in Property, Plant and Equipment on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017.bringing new development online.

Utility
 
Utility
The majority of the Utility segment capital expenditures for the three months endedDecember 31, 20172023 and December 31, 20162022 were made for main and service line improvements and replacements that enhance the reliability and safety of the system and reduce emissions. Expenditures were also made for main extensions.

    The Company estimates that the Utility segment capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $165 million for fiscal 2024, which is approximately $25 million higher than the estimate previously reported. This increase is due to the estimated impact of New York State’s recently enacted Roadway Excavation Quality Assurance Act. This Act requires contractors to pay state published prevailing wages on projects that require a permit to operate in a public right of way, which is expected to increase contractor charges to the Company.

Other Investing Activities
    In October 2022, the Company sold $10 million of fixed income mutual fund shares held in a grantor trust that was established for the benefit of Pennsylvania ratepayers. The proceeds were used in the Utility segment's Pennsylvania service territory during fiscal 2023 to fund the second year installment of a 5-year pass back of previously overcollected OPEB expenses, as well as main extensions.  to diversify a portion of grantor trust investments into lower risk money market mutual fund shares.

Project Funding
 
The    During the quarter ended December 31, 2023 and fiscal 2023, the Company has been financing the Pipeline and Storage segment and Gathering segment projects mentioned above, as well as the Exploration and Production segment capital expenditures with cash from operations and both short and long-term borrowings.short-term debt. Going forward, while the Company expects to use cash on hand, and cash from operations and short-term and long-term borrowings, as the first means of financing these projects, the Company may issue short-term and/or long-term debt as necessary during fiscal 2018needed, to help meet itsfinance capital expenditures needs.expenditures. The level of short-term andand/or long-term borrowings will depend upon the amountsamount of cash provided by operations, which, in turn, will likely be most impacted by natural gas production and crude oil prices combined with production from existing wells. the associated commodity price realizations in the Exploration and Production segment. It will also likely depend on the timing of gas cost recovery in the Utility segment.


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Table of ContentsContent


The Company continuously evaluates capital expenditures and potential investments in corporations, partnerships, and other business entities. The amounts are subject to modification for opportunities such as the acquisition of attractive oil andnatural gas properties, accelerated development of existing natural gas properties, natural gas storage and transmission facilities, natural gas gathering and compression facilities and the expansion of natural gas transmission line capacities.capacities, regulated utility assets and other opportunities as they may arise. The amounts are also subject to modification for opportunities involving emission reductions and/or energy transition including investments directly related to low- and no-carbon fuels. While the majority of capital expenditures in the Utility segment are necessitated by the continued need for replacement and upgrading of mains and service lines, the magnitude of future capital expenditures or other investments in the Company’s other business segments depends, to a large degree, upon market conditions.and regulatory conditions as well as legislative actions.
 
Financing Cash Flow
 
The Company did not have any consolidated    Consolidated short-term debt outstandingincreased $12.5 million, to a total of $300.0 million, when comparing the balance sheet at December 31, 2017 or2023 to the balance sheet at September 30, 2017, nor was there any2023. The maximum amount of short-term debt outstanding during the quarterthree months ended December 31, 2017. The2023 was $402.9 million. In addition to cash provided by operating activities, the Company continues to consider short-term debt (consisting of short-term notes payable to banks and commercial paper) an important source of cash for temporarily financing items such as capital expenditures, asset purchases, gas-in-storage inventory, unrecovered purchased gas costs, margin calls on derivative financial instruments, exploration and development expenditures, other working capital needs and repayment of long-term debt. Fluctuations in these items can have a significant impact on the amount and timing of short-term debt. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding commercial paper of $300.0 million. The Company did not have any short-term notes payable to banks as of December 31, 2023.

On September 9, 2016,February 28, 2022, the Company entered into a ThirdCredit Agreement (as amended from time to time, the "Credit Agreement") with a syndicate of twelve banks. The Credit Agreement replaced the previous Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (Credit Agreement) withand a syndicate of what now numbers 13 banks. Thisprevious 364-Day Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement provides a $750.0 million multi-year$1.0 billion unsecured committed revolving credit facility through December 5, 2019.with a maturity date of February 26, 2027. On February 7, 2024, the Company and certain lenders under the Credit Agreement consented to an extension of the maturity date of the Credit Agreement from February 26, 2027 to February 25, 2028. As a result, the Company has aggregate commitments available under the Credit Agreement of $1.0 billion before February 26, 2027, and $940 million in aggregate commitments available on and after February 26, 2027 to February 25, 2028.

    The Company also has a number of individual uncommitted or discretionary lines of credit with certain financial institutions for general corporate purposes. Borrowings under thethese uncommitted lines of credit arewould be made at competitive market rates. The uncommitted credit lines are revocable at the option of the financial institutionsinstitution and are reviewed on an annual basis. The Company anticipates that its uncommitted lines of credit generally will be renewed or substantially replaced by similar lines. Other financial institutions may also provide the Company with uncommitted or discretionary lines of credit in the future.

The total amount available to be issued under the Company’s commercial paper program is $500.0 million. The commercial paper program is backed by the Credit Agreement, which provides that the Company's debt to capitalization ratio will not exceed .650.65 at the last day of any fiscal quarter. For purposes of calculating the debt to capitalization ratio, the Company's total capitalization will be increased by adding back 50% of the aggregate after-tax amount of non-cash charges directly arising from any ceiling test impairment occurring on or after July 1, 2018, not to exceed $400 million. Since July 1, 2018, the Company recorded non-cash, after-tax ceiling test impairments totaling $381.4 million. As a result, at December 31, 2023, $190.7 million was added back to the Company's total capitalization for purposes of the calculation under the Credit Agreement. On May 3, 2022, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement with the same twelve banks under the initial Credit Agreement. The amendment further modified the definition of consolidated capitalization, for purposes of calculating the debt to capitalization ratio under the Credit Agreement, to exclude, beginning with the quarter from October 1, 2017 through December 5, 2019.ended June 30, 2022, all unrealized gains or losses on commodity-related derivative financial instruments and up to $10 million in unrealized gains or losses on other derivative financial instruments included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) within Total Comprehensive Shareholders' Equity on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. Under the Credit Agreement, such unrealized losses will not negatively affect the calculation of the debt to capitalization ratio, and such unrealized gains will not positively affect the calculation. At December 31, 2017,2023, the Company’s debt to capitalization ratio, (asas calculated under the facility)Credit Agreement was .53.0.45. The constraints specified in the Credit Agreement would have permitted an additional $1.36$3.32 billion in short-term and/or long-term debt to be outstanding (further limited by the indenture covenants discussed below)at December 31, 2023 before the Company’s debt to capitalization ratio exceeded .65.0.65.

A downgrade in the Company’s credit ratings could increase borrowing costs, negatively impact the availability of capital from banks, commercial paper purchasers and other sources, and require the Company's subsidiaries to post letters of
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Table of Content
credit, cash or other assets as collateral with certain counterparties. If the Company is not able to maintain investment-grade credit ratings, it may not be able to access commercial paper markets. However, the Company expects that it could borrow under its credit facilities or rely upon other liquidity sources, including cash provided by operations.sources.

The Credit Agreement contains a cross-default provision whereby the failure by the Company or its significant subsidiaries to make payments under other borrowing arrangements, or the occurrence of certain events affecting those other borrowing arrangements, could trigger an obligation to repay any amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement. In particular, a repayment obligation could be triggered if (i) the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries fails to make a payment when due of any principal or interest on any other indebtedness aggregating $40.0 million or more or (ii) an event occurs that causes, or would permit the holders of any other indebtedness aggregating $40.0 million or more to cause, such indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity. As

    None of the Company's long-term debt as of December 31, 2017, the Company did not have any debt outstanding under the Credit Agreement.
None of the Company’s long-term debt at December 31, 20172023 and September 30, 2023 had a maturity date within the following twelve-month period. The Current Portion of Long-Term Debt at September 30, 2017 consisted of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% notes scheduled to mature in April 2018. The Company redeemed these notes on October 18, 2017 for $307.0 million, plus accrued interest.


The Company’s embedded cost of long-term debt was 5.17% and 5.53%4.69% at December 31, 20172023 and 4.52% at December 31, 2016, respectively.2022.


Under the Company’s existing indenture covenants at December 31, 2017,2023, the Company would have been permitted to issue up to a maximum of $654.0 millionapproximately $3.83 billion in additional unsubordinated long-term indebtedness at then current market interest rates, in addition to being able to issue new indebtedness to replace maturing debt.existing debt (further limited by the debt to capitalization ratio constraint under the Credit Agreement, as discussed above). The Company's present liquidity position is believed to be adequate to satisfy known demands. However, ifIt is possible, depending on amounts reported in various income statement and balance sheet line items, that the indenture covenants could, for a period of time, prevent the Company were to experience a significant loss infrom issuing incremental unsubordinated long-term debt, or significantly limit the future (for example,amount of such debt that could be issued. Losses incurred as a result of an impairmentsignificant impairments of oil and gas properties), it is possible, depending on factors includingproperties have in the magnitude of the loss, that thesepast resulted in such temporary restrictions. The indenture covenants would restrict the Company's ability to issue additional long-term unsecured indebtedness for a period of up

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to nine calendar months, beginning with the fourth calendar month following the loss. This would not preclude the Company from issuing new indebtednesslong-term debt to replace maturingexisting long-term debt, or from issuing additional short-term debt. Please refer to the Critical Accounting Estimates section above for a sensitivity analysis concerning commodity price changes and their impact on the ceiling test.

The Company’s 1974 indenture pursuant to which $98.7$50.0 million (or 4.7%2.1%) of the Company’s long-term debt (as of December 31, 2017)2023) was issued, contains a cross-default provision whereby the failure by the Company to perform certain obligations under other borrowing arrangements could trigger an obligation to repay the debt outstanding under the indenture. In particular, a repayment obligation could be triggered if the Company fails (i) to pay any scheduled principal or interest on any debt under any other indenture or agreement or (ii) to perform any other term in any other such indenture or agreement, and the effect of the failure causes, or would permit the holders of the debt to cause, the debt under such indenture or agreement to become due prior to its stated maturity, unless cured or waived.


OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Company has entered into certain off-balance sheet financing arrangements. These financing arrangements are primarily operating leases. The Company’s consolidated subsidiaries have operating leases, the majority of which are with the Exploration and Production segment and Corporate operations, having a remaining lease commitment of approximately $27.4 million. These leases have been entered into for the use of compressors, drilling rigs, buildings and other items and are accounted for as operating leases.
OTHER MATTERS
 
In addition to the legal proceedings disclosed in Part II, Item 1 of this report, the Company is involved in other litigation and regulatory matters arising in the normal course of business. These other matters may include, for example, negligence claims and tax, regulatory or other governmental audits, inspections, investigations or other proceedings. These matters may involve state and federal taxes, safety, compliance with regulations, rate base, cost of service and purchased gas cost issues, among other things. While these normal-course matters could have a material effect on earnings and cash flows in the period in which they are resolved, they are not expected to change materially the Company’s present liquidity position, nor are they expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company.

During    Supply Corporation and Empire have developed a project which would move significant prospective Marcellus and Utica production from Seneca's Western Development Area at Clermont to an Empire interconnection with the TC Energy pipeline at Chippawa and an interconnection with TGP's 200 Line in East Aurora, New York (the “Northern Access project”). The Northern Access project would provide an outlet to Dawn-indexed markets in Canada and to the TGP line serving the U.S. Northeast. The Northern Access project involves the construction of approximately 99 miles of largely 24” pipeline and approximately 27,500 horsepower of compression on the two systems. Supply Corporation, Empire and Seneca executed anchor shipper agreements for 350,000 Dth per day of firm transportation delivery capacity to Chippawa and 140,000 Dth per day of firm transportation capacity to a new interconnection with TGP's 200 Line on this project. The Company remains committed to the project and, on June 29, 2022, received an extension of time from FERC, until December 31, 2024, to construct the project, which is the subject of an ongoing appeal at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The Company will update the $500 million preliminary cost estimate and expected in-service date for the project when there is
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further clarity on the timing of receipt of necessary regulatory approvals, including the completion of ongoing litigation. As of December 31, 2023, approximately $56.0 million has been spent on the Northern Access project, including $24.4 million that has been spent to study the project that is included in Deferred Charges on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The remaining $31.6 million spent on the project is included in Property, Plant and Equipment on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2023.
    The Company did not make any contributions to its tax-qualified, noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan (Retirement Plan) during the three months ended December 31, 2017,2023. In the remainder of fiscal 2024, the Company contributed $27.6 millionexpects its contributions to its tax-qualified, noncontributory defined-benefit retirement plan (Retirement Plan) and $0.7 millionthe Retirement Plan to be in the range of zero to $5.0 million. The Company did not make any contributions to its VEBA trusts for its other post-retirement benefits.  Inbenefits during the three months ended December 31, 2023, and does not anticipate making any such contributions during the remainder of 2018, the Company may contribute up to $5.0 million to the Retirement Plan. In the remainder of 2018, the Company expects its contributions to the VEBA trusts to be in the range of $2.0 million to $3.0 million.fiscal 2024.


Market Risk Sensitive Instruments
 
On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act was signed into law. The Dodd-Frank Act required the CFTC, SEC and other regulatory agencies to promulgate rules and regulations implementing the legislation, and includes provisions related to the swaps and over-the-counter derivatives markets that are designed to promote transparency, mitigate systemic risk and protect against market abuse. Although regulators have issued certainadopted several final regulations, other rules that may impact the Company have yet to be finalized.

The CFTC’s Dodd-Frank regulations continue to preserve the ability of non-financial end users to hedge their risks using swaps without being subject to mandatory clearing.  In 2015, legislation was enacted to exempt from margin requirements swaps used by non-financial end-users to hedge or mitigate commercial risk.   In 2016, the CFTC issued a reproposal to its position limit rules that would impose speculative position limits on positions in 28 core physical commodity contracts as well as economically equivalent futures, options and swaps.  While the Company does not intend to enter into positions on a speculative basis, such rules could nevertheless impact the ability of the Company to enter into certain derivative hedging transactions with respect to such commodities.  If we reduce our use of hedging transactions as a result of final regulations to be issued by the CFTC, our results of operations may become more volatile and our cash flows may be less predictable.  There may be other rules developed Rules adopted by the CFTC and other regulators that could adversely impact the Company. While many of those rules place specific conditions on the operations of swap dealers and major swap participants,rather than directly on the Company, concern remains that swap dealers and major swap participantswith whom the Company may transact will pass along their increased costs stemming from final rules through higher transaction costs and prices or other direct or indirect costs.

Finally, Some of those rules also may apply directly to the Company and adversely impact its ability to trade swaps and over-the-counter derivatives, whether due to increased costs, limitations on trading capacity or for other reasons. Additionally, given the additionalenforcement authority granted to the CFTC on anti-market manipulation, anti-fraud and disruptiveanti-disruptive trading practices, it is difficult to predict how the evolving enforcement priorities of the CFTC will impact our business. Should wethe Company violate any laws or regulations applicable to our hedging activities, weit could be subject to CFTC enforcement action and material penalties and sanctions. The Company continues to monitor these enforcement and other regulatory developments, but cannot predict the impact that evolving application of the Dodd-Frank Act may have on its operations.

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The accounting rulesauthoritative guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures requirerequires consideration of the impact of nonperformance risk (including credit risk) from a market participant perspective in the measurement of the fair value of assets and liabilities.  At December 31, 2017,2023, the Company determined that nonperformance risk associated with its natural gas price swap agreements, natural gas no cost collars and foreign currency contracts would have no material impact on its financial position or results of operation.  To assess nonperformance risk, the Company considered information such as any applicable collateral posted, master netting arrangements, and applied a market-based method by using the counterparty's (assuming the derivative is in a gain position) or the Company’s (assuming the derivative is in a loss position) credit default swaps rates.

For a complete discussion of all other market risk sensitive instruments used by the Company, refer to "Market“Market Risk Sensitive Instruments"Instruments” in Item 7 of the Company's 2017Company’s 2023 Form 10-K.  There have been no subsequent material changes to the Company’s exposure to market risk sensitive instruments.


Rate and Regulatory Matters
 
Utility Operation
 
Delivery rates for both the New York and Pennsylvania divisions are regulated by the states’ respective public utility commissions and typically are changed only when approved through a procedure known as a “rate case.” AlthoughAs noted below, the PennsylvaniaNew York division does not havecurrently has a rate case on file, see below for a description of the current rate proceedings affecting the New York division.file. In both jurisdictions, delivery rates do not reflect the recovery of purchased gas costs. Prudently-incurred gas costs are recovered through operation of automatic adjustment clauses, and are collected primarily through a separately-stated “supply charge” on the customer bill.
 
New YorkJurisdiction
 
On April 28, 2016,    Distribution Corporation commenced a rate caseCorporation's current delivery rates in its New York jurisdiction were approved by filing proposed tariff amendments and supporting testimony requesting approval to increase its annual revenues by approximately $41.7 million. Distribution Corporation explainedthe NYPSC in the filing that its request for rate relief was necessitated by a revenue requirement driven primarily by rate base growth, higher operating expense and higher depreciation expense, among other things. On January 23, 2017, the administrative law judge assigned to the proceedingan order issued a recommended decision (RD) in the case. The RD, as revised on January 26, 2017, recommended a rate increase designed to provide additional annual revenues of $8.5 million, an equity ratio, subject to update of 42.3% based on the Company’s equity ratio, and a cost of equity, subject to update of 8.6%. On April 20, 2017 the NYPSC issued an Order adopting some provisions of the RD and modifying or rejecting others. The Order provides for an annual rate increase of $5.9 million. The rate increase becamewith rates becoming effective May 1, 2017.2017 ("2017 Rate Order"). The 2017 Rate Order further providesprovided for a return on equity of 8.7%, and established an equity ratio of 42.9%. The Order also directsdirected the implementation of an earnings sharing mechanism to be in place beginning on April 1, 2018.
On July 28, 2017,October 31, 2023, Distribution Corporation filedmade a filing with the NYPSC seeking an appealincrease of approximately $88 million in its total annual operating revenues for the projected rate year ending September 30, 2025, with a proposed effective date of October 1, 2024 that includes the maximum suspension period permitted under the New York State Supreme Court, Albany County, seeking reviewPublic Service
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Law ("2023 Rate Filing"). The Company is also proposing, among other things, to continue its leak prone pipe replacement program and to implement a number of initiatives that will facilitate achievement of the Order. The appeal contends that portionsemissions reduction goals of the Order should be invalidated because they fail to meet the applicable legal standard for agency decisions.CLCPA.

    On December 11, 2017, the appeal was transferred to the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department. The Company cannot predict the outcome of the appeal at this time.
On December 22, 2017, the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the 2017 Tax Reform Act) was enacted into law. On December 29, 2017,August 13, 2021, the NYPSC issued an order institutingextending the date through which qualified pipeline replacement costs incurred by the Company can be recovered using the existing system modernization tracker for two years (until March 31, 2023). On December 9, 2022, the Company filed a proceedingpetition with the NYPSC to studyeffectuate a system improvement tracker through which qualified pipeline replacement costs through September 30, 2024 would be tracked and recovered, and to recover certain deferred costs associated with the potential effects ofexisting system modernization tracker, effective April 1, 2023. The NYPSC approved the enactment of the 2017 Tax Reform Actpetition by order dated March 17, 2023 contingent on the tax expensesCompany not filing a base rate case that would result in new rates becoming effective prior to October 1, 2024. The 2023 Rate Filing proposes to stop accruing and liabilities of New York utilities,collecting revenues under its current system modernization and system improvement trackers and shift those revenues into the “regulatory treatment of any windfalls resulting from same in order to preserveCompany’s new base delivery rates. In the benefits for ratepayers.” In its order, the NYPSC stated that the effect of the 2017 Tax Reform Act on utilities’ taxation is likely to be material and complex and that the proceeding was needed to begin the process of addressing the impact on the State’s utilities and ratepayers. The order establishes that the first steps in such process will be soliciting information from its regulated utilities to quantify the impact of the 2017 Tax Reform Act, scheduling a technical conference with the utilities, and the issuanceabsence of a NY Department of Public Service Staff (Staff) proposal for accounting and ratemaking treatment ofmulti-year rate plan settlement, the tax changes. The order further states that once Staff’s proposalCompany is issued, utilities and other interested parties will be invited to comment on Staff’s recommendation. The order also declares that utilities are “put on noticerequesting that it isbe allowed to reinstate a tracking mechanism similar to the [NYPSC]’s intent to ensure that net benefits accruing from the Tax Act are preserved for ratepayers, either through deferral accounting or another method, from the first day the Tax Act is put into effect. Utilities acting contrary to this intent do so at their own risk.” The Company cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding at this time. Refer to Item 1 at Note 4 - Income Taxes for a further discussion of the 2017 Tax Reform Act.existing system modernization tracker.

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Pennsylvania Jurisdiction
 
    On October 28, 2022, Distribution Corporation’s current delivery chargesCorporation made a filing with the PaPUC seeking an increase in its Pennsylvania jurisdiction were approved byannual base rate operating revenues of $28.1 million. A settlement involving all active parties to the proceeding was reached and filed with the PaPUC on November 30, 2006 as partApril 13, 2023. The settlement provided for, among other things, an increase in Distribution Corporation’s annual base rate operating revenues of a$23 million. The PaPUC approved the settlement agreement that became effective Januaryin full, without modification or correction, on June 15, 2023 and new rates went into effect on August 1, 2007.2023.
         
Pipeline and Storage
 
Supply Corporation currently has no activefiled a NGA Section 4 rate case at FERC on file.July 31, 2023 proposing rate increases to be effective February 1, 2024. The proposed rates reflect an annual cost of service of $385.4 million, a rate base of $1.32 billion and a proposed cost of equity of 15.12%. If the proposed rate increases finally approved at the end of the proceeding exceed the rates that were in effect at July 31, 2023, but are less than rates put into effect subject to refund on February 1, 2024, Supply Corporation's currentCorporation would be required to refund the difference between the rates collected subject to refund and the final approved rates, with interest at the FERC-approved rate. If the rates approved at the end of the proceeding are lower than the rates in effect at July 31, 2023, such lower rates will become effective prospectively from the effective date provided by the applicable FERC order, and refunds with interest will be limited to the difference between the rates collected subject to refund and the rates in effect at July 31, 2023.

    Empire’s 2019 rate settlement requiresprovides that Empire must make a rate case filing no later than December 31, 2019.May 1, 2025.

Empire currently has no active rate case on file. Empire’s current rate settlement requires a rate case filing no later than July 1, 2021.


Environmental Matters
 
The Company is subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. The Company has established procedures for the ongoing evaluation of its operations to identify potential environmental exposures and comply with regulatory requirements. In 2021, the Company set methane intensity reduction targets at each of its businesses, an absolute greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for the consolidated Company, and greenhouse gas reduction targets associated with the Company’s utility delivery system. In 2022, the Company began measuring progress against these reduction targets. The Company's ability to estimate accurately the time, costs and resources necessary to meet emissions targets may be impacted as environmental exposures, technology and opportunities change and regulatory and policy updates are issued.

For further discussion of the Company's environmental exposures, refer to Item 1 at Note 67 — Commitments and Contingencies under the heading “Environmental Matters.”


Legislative and regulatory measures to address climate change and greenhouse gas emissions are in various phases of discussion or implementation. Inimplementation in the United States, theseStates. These efforts include legislation, legislative proposals and EPAnew regulations at the state and federal level, actions at the state level, and private party litigation related to greenhouse gas emissions. While the U.S. Congress has from time to time considered legislation aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, Congress has not yet passed any federal climate change legislation and we cannot predict when or if Congress will pass such legislation and in what form. In the absence of such legislation, the EPA is regulating greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to the authority granted to it by the federal Clean Air Act. For example, in April 2012, the EPA adopted rules which restrict emissions associated with oil and natural gas drilling. The EPA previously adopted final regulations that set methane and volatile organic compound emissions standards for new or modified oil and gas emissions sources. These rules impose more stringent leak detection and repair requirements, and further address reporting and control of methane and volatile organic compound emissions. The current administration has issued executive orders to review and potentially roll back many of these regulations, and, in turn, litigation (not involving the Company) has been instituted to challenge the administration's efforts. The Company must continue to comply with all applicable regulations. In addition, the U.S. Congress has from time to time considered bills that would establish a cap-and-trade program to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. A number of states have adopted energy strategies or plans with goals that include the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. For example, New York’s State Energy Plan includes Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiatives which set greenhouse gas emission reduction targets of 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. Additionally, the Plan targets that 50% of electric generation must come from renewable energy sources by 2030. Similarly, Pennsylvania has a methane reduction framework for the oil and gas industry which will result in permitting changes with the stated goal of reducing methane emissions from well sites, compressor stations and pipelines. With respect to its operations in California, the Company currently complies with California cap-and-trade guidelines, which increases the Company's cost of environmental compliance in its Exploration and Production segment operations. Legislation or regulation that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions could also include emissions limits, reporting requirements, carbon taxes, restrictive permitting, increased efficiency standards, and incentives or mandates to conserve energy or use renewable energy sources. For example, the federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) legislation was signed into law on August 16, 2022. The IRA includes a methane charge that is expected to be applicable to the reported annual methane emissions of certain oil and gas
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facilities, above specified methane intensity thresholds, starting in calendar year 2024. This portion of the IRA is to be administered by the EPA and potential fees will begin with emissions reported for calendar year 2024. The EPA is the lead federal agency that regulates greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to the Clean Air Act. The regulations implemented by the EPA impose stringent leak detection and repair requirements and address reporting and control of methane and volatile organic compound emissions. The Company must continue to comply with all applicable regulations. Additionally, a number of states have adopted energy strategies or plans with aggressive goals for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Pennsylvania has a methane reduction framework with the stated goal of reducing methane emissions from well sites, compressor stations and pipelines. Federal, state or local governments may for example, provide tax advantages and other subsidies to support alternative energy sources, mandate the use of specific fuels or technologies, or promote research into new technologies to reduce the cost and increase the scalability of alternative energy sources. The NYPSC, for example, initiated a proceeding to consider climate-related financial disclosures at the utility operating company level, and the New York State legislature passed the CLCPA that mandates reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% from 1990 levels by 2030, and by 85% from 1990 levels by 2050, with the remaining emission reduction achieved by controlled offsets. The CLCPA also requires electric generators to meet 70% of demand with renewable energy by 2030 and 100% with zero emissions generation by 2040. In May 2023, New York State passed legislation that prohibits the installation of fossil fuel burning equipment and building systems in new buildings commencing on or after December 31, 2025, subject to certain exemptions. These climate change and greenhouse gas initiatives could impact the Company's customer base and assets depending on the promulgation of regulations to implement the CLCPA and on regulatory treatment afforded in the process. The NYDEC, in conjunction with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, is also in the early phases of developing a cap-and-invest program in the state, which is anticipated to be effective in 2025. The above-enumerated initiatives could also increase the Company’s cost of environmental compliance by increasing reporting requirements, requiring retrofitting of existing equipment, requiring installation of new equipment, and/or requiring the Company to retrofit existing equipment, install new equipment to reduce emissions from larger facilities and/or purchase of emission allowances. They could also delay or otherwise negatively affect efforts to obtain permits and other regulatory approvals with regard to existingapprovals. Changing market conditions and new facilities, impose additional monitoringregulatory requirements, as well as unanticipated or inconsistent application of existing laws and reportingregulations by administrative agencies, make it difficult to predict a long-term business impact across twenty or more years.

Effects of Inflation

    The Company’s operations are sensitive to increases in the rate of inflation because of its operational and capital spending requirements in both its regulated and reduce demandnon-regulated businesses. For the regulated businesses, recovery of increasing costs from customers can be delayed by the regulatory process of a rate case filing. For the non-regulated businesses, prices received for oil and natural gas. But legislationservices performed or regulation that sets a price on or otherwise restricts carbon emissions could also benefit the Companyproducts produced are determined by increasing demand for natural gas, because substantially fewer carbon emissions per Btu of heat generated are associated with the use of natural gas than with certain alternate fuels such as coal and oil. The effect (material or not) on the Company of any new legislative or regulatory measures will depend on the particular provisionsmarket factors that are ultimately adopted.not necessarily correlated to the underlying costs required to provide the service or product.


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New Authoritative Accounting and Financial Reporting Guidance

For discussion of the recently issued authoritative accounting and financial reporting guidance, refer to Item 1 at Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies under the heading “New Authoritative Accounting and Financial Reporting Guidance.”


Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
 
The Company is including the following cautionary statement in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to make applicable and take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, projections, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements which are other than statements of historical facts. From time to time, the Company may publish or otherwise make available forward-looking statements of this nature. All such subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of the Company, are also expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. Certain statements contained in this report, including, without limitation, statements regarding future prospects, plans, objectives, goals, projections, estimates of oil and gas quantities, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions, capital structure, anticipated capital expenditures, completion of construction projects, projections for pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations, impacts of the adoption of new authoritative accounting rules,and reporting guidance, and possible outcomes of litigation or regulatory proceedings, as well as statements that are identified by the use of the words “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “believes,” “seeks,” “will,” “may,” and similar expressions, are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and accordingly involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The Company’s expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that management’s expectations, beliefs or projections will result or be achieved or accomplished. In addition to other factors and matters discussed elsewhere herein, the following are important factors that, in the view of the Company, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements:
1.Delays or changes in costs or plans with respect to Company projects or related projects of other companies, including difficulties or delays in obtaining necessary governmental approvals, permits or orders or in obtaining the cooperation of interconnecting facility operators;
2.Governmental/regulatory actions, initiatives and proceedings, including those involving rate cases (which address, among other things, target rates of return, rate design and retained natural gas), environmental/safety requirements, affiliate relationships, industry structure, and franchise renewal;
3.Changes in laws, regulations or judicial interpretations to which the Company is subject, including those involving derivatives, taxes, safety, employment, climate change, other environmental matters, real property, and exploration and production activities such as hydraulic fracturing;
4.Impairments under the SEC’s full cost ceiling test for natural gas and oil reserves;
5.Changes in the price of natural gas or oil;
6.Financial and economic conditions, including the availability of credit, and occurrences affecting the Company’s ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms for working capital, capital expenditures and other investments, including any downgrades in the Company’s credit ratings and changes in interest rates and other capital market conditions;
7.Factors affecting the Company’s ability to successfully identify, drill for and produce economically viable natural gas and oil reserves, including among others geology, lease availability, title disputes, weather conditions, shortages, delays or unavailability of equipment and services required in drilling operations, insufficient gathering, processing and transportation capacity, the need to obtain governmental approvals and permits, and compliance with environmental laws and regulations;
8.Increasing health care costs and the resulting effect on health insurance premiums and on the obligation to provide other post-retirement benefits; 
9.Changes in price differentials between similar quantities of natural gas or oil at different geographic locations, and the effect of such changes on commodity production, revenues and demand for pipeline transportation capacity to or from such locations;
10.Other changes in price differentials between similar quantities of natural gas or oil having different quality, heating value, hydrocarbon mix or delivery date;

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1.Changes in laws, regulations or judicial interpretations to which the Company is subject, including those involving derivatives, taxes, safety, employment, climate change, other environmental matters, real property, and exploration and production activities such as hydraulic fracturing;
11.The cost and effects of legal and administrative claims against the Company or activist shareholder campaigns to effect changes at the Company;
12.Uncertainty of oil and gas reserve estimates;
13.Significant differences between the Company’s projected and actual production levels for natural gas or oil;
14.Changes in demographic patterns and weather conditions;
15.Changes in the availability, price or accounting treatment of derivative financial instruments;
16.Changes in laws, actuarial assumptions, the interest rate environment and the return on plan/trust assets related to the Company’s pension and other post-retirement benefits, which can affect future funding obligations and costs and plan liabilities;
17.Changes in economic conditions, including global, national or regional recessions, and their effect on the demand for, and customers’ ability to pay for, the Company’s products and services;
18.The creditworthiness or performance of the Company’s key suppliers, customers and counterparties;
19.Economic disruptions or uninsured losses resulting from major accidents, fires, severe weather, natural disasters, terrorist activities, acts of war, cyber attacks or pest infestation;
20.Significant differences between the Company’s projected and actual capital expenditures and operating expenses; or
21.Increasing costs of insurance, changes in coverage and the ability to obtain insurance.
2.Governmental/regulatory actions, initiatives and proceedings, including those involving rate cases (which address, among other things, target rates of return, rate design, retained natural gas and system modernization), environmental/safety requirements, affiliate relationships, industry structure, and franchise renewal;
3.The Company’s ability to estimate accurately the time and resources necessary to meet emissions targets;
4.Governmental/regulatory actions and/or market pressures to reduce or eliminate reliance on natural gas;
5.Changes in economic conditions, including inflationary pressures, supply chain issues, liquidity challenges, and global, national or regional recessions, and their effect on the demand for, and customers’ ability to pay for, the Company’s products and services;
6.Changes in the price of natural gas;
7.Impairments under the SEC's full cost ceiling test for natural gas reserves;
8.The creditworthiness or performance of the Company’s key suppliers, customers and counterparties;
9.Financial and economic conditions, including the availability of credit, and occurrences affecting the Company’s ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms for working capital, capital expenditures and other investments, including any downgrades in the Company’s credit ratings and changes in interest rates and other capital market conditions;
10.Increased costs or delays or changes in plans with respect to Company projects or related projects of other companies, as well as difficulties or delays in obtaining necessary governmental approvals, permits or orders or in obtaining the cooperation of interconnecting facility operators;
11.Changes in price differentials between similar quantities of natural gas sold at different geographic locations, and the effect of such changes on commodity production, revenues and demand for pipeline transportation capacity to or from such locations;
12.The impact of information technology disruptions, cybersecurity or data security breaches;
13.Factors affecting the Company’s ability to successfully identify, drill for and produce economically viable natural gas reserves, including among others geology, lease availability and costs, title disputes, weather conditions, water availability and disposal or recycling opportunities of used water, shortages, delays or unavailability of equipment and services required in drilling operations, insufficient gathering, processing and transportation capacity, the need to obtain governmental approvals and permits, and compliance with environmental laws and regulations;
14.The Company's ability to complete strategic transactions;
15.Increasing health care costs and the resulting effect on health insurance premiums and on the obligation to provide other post-retirement benefits; 
16.Other changes in price differentials between similar quantities of natural gas having different quality, heating value, hydrocarbon mix or delivery date;
17.The cost and effects of legal and administrative claims against the Company or activist shareholder campaigns to effect changes at the Company;
18.Negotiations with the collective bargaining units representing the Company's workforce, including potential work stoppages during negotiations;
19.Uncertainty of natural gas reserve estimates;
20.Significant differences between the Company’s projected and actual production levels for natural gas;
21.Changes in demographic patterns and weather conditions (including those related to climate change);
22.Changes in the availability, price or accounting treatment of derivative financial instruments;
23.Changes in laws, actuarial assumptions, the interest rate environment and the return on plan/trust assets related to the Company’s pension and other post-retirement benefits, which can affect future funding obligations and costs and plan liabilities;
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24.Economic disruptions or uninsured losses resulting from major accidents, fires, severe weather, natural disasters, terrorist activities or acts of war, as well as economic and operational disruptions due to third-party outages;
25.Significant differences between the Company’s projected and actual capital expenditures and operating expenses; or
26.Increasing costs of insurance, changes in coverage and the ability to obtain insurance.
The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.


    Forward-looking and other statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q regarding methane and greenhouse gas reduction plans and goals are not an indication that these statements are necessarily material to investors or required to be disclosed in our filings with the SEC. In addition, historical, current and forward-looking statements regarding methane and greenhouse gas emissions may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve and assumptions that are subject to change in the future.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Refer to the "Market Risk Sensitive Instruments" section in Item 2 – MD&A.


Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. These rules refer to the controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2017.   2023.   
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 20172023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


Part II.  Other Information
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
On September 13, 2017, the PaDEP sent a draft Consent Assessment of Civil Penalty (CACP) to Seneca, in relation to an alleged violation of the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act, as well as PaDEP rules and regulations regarding gas migration relating to Seneca’s drilling activities. The amount of the penalty sought by the PaDEP is not material to the Company. The draft CACP

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alleges a violation identified by the PaDEP in 2011. Seneca disputes the alleged violation and will vigorously defend its position in negotiations with the PaDEP.

For a discussion of various environmental and other matters, refer to Part I, Item 1 at Note 6 —7 – Commitments and Contingencies, and Part I, Item 2 - MD&A of this report under the heading “Other Matters – Environmental Matters.”
 
For a discussion of certain rate matters involving the NYPSC, refer to Part I, Item 1 of this report at Note 9 —10 – Regulatory Matters.
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors

The risk factors in Item 1A of the Company’s 20172023 Form 10-K have not materially changed other than as set forth below. The risk factor presented below supersedes the risk factor having the same caption in the 2017 Form 10-K and should otherwise be read in conjunction with all of the risk factors disclosed in the 2017 Form 10-K.changed.    
The Company’s need to comply with comprehensive, complex, and the sometimes unpredictable enforcement of government regulations may increase its costs and limit its revenue growth, which may result in reduced earnings.
While the Company generally refers to its Utility segment and its Pipeline and Storage segment as its "regulated segments," there are many governmental laws and regulations that have an impact on almost every aspect of the Company's businesses including, but not limited to, tax law, such as the 2017 Tax Reform Act and related regulatory action, and environmental law. Existing statutes and regulations may be revised or reinterpreted and new laws and regulations may be adopted or become applicable to the Company, such as tax legislation, which may increase the Company's costs, require refunds to customers or affect its business in ways that the Company cannot predict. Administrative agencies may apply existing laws and regulations in unanticipated, inconsistent or legally unsupportable ways, making it difficult to develop and complete projects, and harming the economic climate generally. New York State, for example, under the current executive administration, appears intent on imposing unattainable regulatory standards, at least with respect to certain fossil fuel energy infrastructure projects.
In the Company's Utility segment, the operations of Distribution Corporation are subject to the jurisdiction of the NYPSC, the PaPUC and, with respect to certain transactions, the FERC. The NYPSC and the PaPUC, among other things, approve the rates that Distribution Corporation may charge to its utility customers. Those approved rates also impact the returns that Distribution Corporation may earn on the assets that are dedicated to those operations. If Distribution Corporation is required in a rate proceeding to reduce the rates it charges its utility customers, or to the extent Distribution Corporation is unable to obtain approval for rate increases from these regulators, particularly when necessary to cover increased costs (including costs that may be incurred in connection with governmental investigations or proceedings or mandated infrastructure inspection, maintenance or replacement programs), earnings may decrease.
In addition to their historical methods of utility regulation, both the PaPUC and NYPSC have established competitive markets in which customers may purchase gas commodity from unregulated marketers, in addition to utility companies. Retail competition for gas commodity service does not pose an acute competitive threat for Distribution Corporation because in both jurisdictions it recovers its cost of service through delivery rates and charges, and not through any mark-up on the gas commodity purchased by its customers. Over the longer run, however, rate design changes resulting from customer migration to marketer service ("unbundling") can expose utilities such as Distribution Corporation to stranded costs and revenue erosion in the absence of compensating rate relief.
Both the NYPSC and the PaPUC have, from time-to-time, instituted proceedings for the purpose of promoting conservation of energy commodities, including natural gas. In New York, Distribution Corporation implemented a Conservation Incentive Program that promotes conservation and efficient use of natural gas by offering customer rebates for the installation of high-efficiency appliances, among other things. The intent of conservation and efficiency programs is to reduce customer usage of natural gas. Under traditional volumetric rates, reduced usage by customers results in decreased revenues to the Utility. To prevent revenue erosion caused by conservation, the NYPSC approved a "revenue decoupling mechanism" that renders Distribution Corporation's New York division financially indifferent to the effects of conservation. In Pennsylvania, the PaPUC has not directed Distribution Corporation to implement a conservation program. If the NYPSC were to revoke the revenue decoupling mechanism in a future proceeding or the PaPUC were to adopt a conservation program without revenue decoupling mechanism or other changes in rate design, reduced customer usage could decrease revenues, forcing Distribution Corporation to file for rate relief. If Distribution Corporation were unable to obtain adequate rate relief, its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows would be adversely affected.
In New York, aggressive generic statewide programs created under the label of efficiency or conservation continue to generate a sizable utility funding requirement for state agencies that administer those programs. Although utilities are authorized to recover the cost of efficiency and conservation program funding through special rates and surcharges, the resulting upward

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pressure on customer rates, coupled with increased assessments and taxes, could affect future tolerance for traditional utility rate increases, especially if natural gas commodity costs were to increase.
The Company is subject to the jurisdiction of the FERC with respect to Supply Corporation, Empire and some transactions performed by other Company subsidiaries, including Seneca, Distribution Corporation and NFR. The FERC, among other things, approves the rates that Supply Corporation and Empire may charge to their natural gas transportation and/or storage customers. Those approved rates also impact the returns that Supply Corporation and Empire may earn on the assets that are dedicated to those operations. Pursuant to the petition of a customer or state commission, or on the FERC's own initiative, the FERC has the authority to investigate whether Supply Corporation's and Empire's rates are still "just and reasonable" as required by the NGA, and if not, to adjust those rates prospectively. If Supply Corporation or Empire is required in a rate proceeding to adjust the rates it charges its natural gas transportation and/or storage customers, or if either Supply Corporation or Empire is unable to obtain approval for rate increases, particularly when necessary to cover increased costs, Supply Corporation's or Empire's earnings may decrease. The FERC also possesses significant penalty authority with respect to violations of the laws and regulations it administers. Supply Corporation, Empire and, to the extent subject to FERC jurisdiction, the Company's other subsidiaries are subject to the FERC's penalty authority. In addition, the FERC exercises jurisdiction over the construction and operation of facilities used in interstate gas transmission. Also, decisions of Canadian regulators such as the National Energy Board and the Ontario Energy Board could affect the viability and profitability of Supply Corporation and Empire projects designed to transport gas between Canada and the U.S.
The Company is also subject to the jurisdiction of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). PHMSA issues regulations and conducts evaluations, among other things, that set safety standards for pipelines and underground storage facilities. Compliance with new legislation could increase costs to the Company. Non-compliance with this legislation could result in civil penalties for pipeline safety violations. If as a result of these or similar new laws or regulations the Company incurs material costs that it is unable to recover fully through rates or otherwise offset, the Company's financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be adversely affected.
In the Company's Exploration and Production segment, various aspects of Seneca's operations are subject to regulation by, among others, the EPA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forestry Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the PaDEP, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources of the California Department of Conservation, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and in some areas, locally adopted ordinances. Administrative proceedings or increased regulation by these or other agencies could lead to operational delays or restrictions and increased expense for Seneca.
The Company has significant transactions involving price hedging of its oil and natural gas production as well as its fixed price purchase and sale commitments.
In order to protect itself to some extent against unusual price volatility and to lock in fixed pricing on oil and natural gas production for certain periods of time, the Company’s Exploration and Production segment regularly enters into commodity price derivatives contracts (hedging arrangements) with respect to a portion of its expected production. These contracts may at any time cover as much as approximately 80% of the Company’s expected energy production during the upcoming 12-month period. These contracts reduce exposure to subsequent price drops but can also limit the Company’s ability to benefit from increases in commodity prices. In addition, the Energy Marketing segment enters into certain hedging arrangements, primarily with respect to its fixed price purchase and sales commitments and its gas stored underground.
Under applicable accounting rules currently in effect, the Company’s hedging arrangements are subject to quarterly effectiveness tests. Inherent within those effectiveness tests are assumptions concerning the long-term price differential between different types of crude oil, assumptions concerning the difference between published natural gas price indexes established by pipelines into which hedged natural gas production is delivered and the reference price established in the hedging arrangements, assumptions regarding the levels of production that will be achieved and, with regard to fixed price commitments, assumptions regarding the creditworthiness of certain customers and their forecasted consumption of natural gas. Depending on market conditions for natural gas and crude oil and the levels of production actually achieved, it is possible that certain of those assumptions may change in the future, and, depending on the magnitude of any such changes, it is possible that a portion of the Company’s hedges may no longer be considered highly effective. In that case, gains or losses from the ineffective derivative financial instruments would be marked-to-market on the income statement without regard to an underlying physical transaction. For example, in the Exploration and Production segment, where the Company uses short positions (i.e. positions that pay off in the event of commodity price decline) to hedge forecasted sales, gains would occur to the extent that natural gas and crude oil hedge prices exceed market prices for the Company’s natural gas and crude oil production, and losses would occur to the extent that market prices for the Company’s natural gas and crude oil production exceed hedge prices.
Use of energy commodity price hedges also exposes the Company to the risk of non-performance by a contract counterparty. These parties might not be able to perform their obligations under the hedge arrangements. In addition, the Company enters into certain commodity price hedges that are cleared through the NYMEX or ICE by futures commission merchants. Under

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NYMEX and ICE rules, the Company is required to post collateral in connection with such hedges, with such collateral being held by its futures commission merchants. The Company is exposed to the risk of loss of such collateral from occurrences such as financial failure of its futures commission merchants, or misappropriation or mishandling of clients’ funds or other similar actions by its futures commission merchants. In addition, the Company is exposed to potential hedging ineffectiveness in the event of a failure by one of its futures commission merchants or contract counterparties.
It is the Company’s practice that the use of commodity derivatives contracts comply with various policies in effect in respective business segments. For example, in the Exploration and Production segment, commodity derivatives contracts must be confined to the price hedging of existing and forecast production, and in the Energy Marketing segment, commodity derivatives with respect to fixed price purchase and sales commitments must be matched against commitments reasonably certain to be fulfilled. The Company maintains a system of internal controls to monitor compliance with its policy. However, unauthorized speculative trades, if they were to occur, could expose the Company to substantial losses to cover positions in its derivatives contracts. In addition, in the event the Company’s actual production of oil and natural gas falls short of hedged forecast production, the Company may incur substantial losses to cover its hedges.
The Dodd-Frank Act increased federal oversight and regulation of the over-the-counter derivatives markets and certain entities that participate in those markets. The act requires the CFTC, the SEC and various banking regulators to promulgate rules and regulations implementing the act. Although regulators have issued certain regulations, other rules that may be relevant to the Company have yet to be finalized.
The CFTC’s Dodd-Frank regulations continue to preserve the ability of non-financial end users to hedge their risks using swaps without being subject to mandatory clearing. In 2015, legislation was enacted to exempt from margin requirements swaps used by non-financial end users to hedge or mitigate commercial risk. In 2016, the CFTC issued a reproposal to its position limit rules that would impose speculative position limits on positions in 28 core physical commodity contracts as well as economically equivalent futures, options and swaps. While the Company does not intend to enter into positions on a speculative basis, such rules could nevertheless impact the ability of the Company to enter into certain derivative hedging transactions with respect to such commodities. If the Company reduces its use of hedging transactions as a result of final CFTC regulations, the Company’s results of operations may become more volatile and its cash flows may be less predictable. There may be other rules developed by the CFTC and other regulators that could impact the Company. While many of those rules place specific conditions on the operations of swap dealers and major swap participants, concern remains that swap dealers and major swap participants will pass along their increased costs stemming from final rules through higher transaction costs and prices or other direct or indirect costs.
Finally, given the additional authority granted to the CFTC on anti-market manipulation, anti-fraud and disruptive trading practices, it is difficult to predict how the evolving enforcement priorities of the CFTC will impact the Company’s business. Should the Company violate any laws or regulations applicable to the Company’s hedging activities, the Company could be subject to CFTC enforcement action and material penalties and sanctions.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
On October 2, 2017,3, 2023, the Company issued a total of 6,9128,570 unregistered shares of Company common stock to nine non-employee directors of the Company then serving on the Board of Directors of the Company 768(or, in the case of non-employee directors who elected to defer receipt of such shares pursuant to each suchthe Company's Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors and
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Officers (the “DCP”), to the DCP trustee), consisting of 857 shares per director. All of these unregistered shares were issued under the Company’s 2009 Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Plan as partial consideration for such directors’ services during the quarter ended December 31, 2017.2023. The Company issued an additional 558 unregistered shares in the aggregate on October 13, 2023 pursuant to the dividend reinvestment feature of the DCP, to the six non-employee directors who participate in the DCP.  These transactions were exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as transactions not involving a public offering.
 

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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
 Total Number of Shares Purchased (a)
Average Price Paid per ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Share Repurchase Plans or Programs
Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under Share Repurchase Plans or Programs (b)
Oct. 1 - 31, 202310,443 $53.916,971,019
Nov. 1 - 30, 202311,134 $50.806,971,019
Dec. 1 - 31, 202388,473 $50.506,971,019
Total110,050 $50.856,971,019
(a)Represents (i) shares of common stock of the Company purchased with Company “matching contributions” for the accounts of participants in the Company’s 401(k) plans, and (ii) shares of common stock of the Company, if any, tendered to the Company by holders of stock-based compensation awards for the payment of applicable withholding taxes. During the quarter ended December 31, 2023, the Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock pursuant to its publicly announced share repurchase program. Of the 110,050 shares purchased other than through a publicly announced share repurchase program, 32,956 were purchased for the Company's 401(k) plans and 77,094 were purchased as a result of shares tendered to the Company by holders of stock-based compensation awards.
(b)In September 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of eight million shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company has not repurchased any shares since September 17, 2008. The repurchase program has no expiration date and management would discuss with the Company's Board of Directors any future repurchases under this program.

Item 5. Other Information
Period
 Total Number of Shares Purchased (a)
Average Price Paid per ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Share Repurchase Plans or Programs
Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under Share Repurchase Plans or Programs (b)
Oct. 1 - 31, 2017
N/A6,971,019
Nov. 1 - 30, 20177,336
$57.836,971,019
Dec. 1 - 31, 201743,882
$57.066,971,019
Total51,218
$57.176,971,019
(a)
Represents shares of common stock of the Company tendered to the Company by holders of stock options, SARs, restricted stock units or shares of restricted stock for the payment of option exercise prices or applicable withholding taxes.  During the quarter ended December 31, 2017, the Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock pursuant to its publicly announced share repurchase program.    
(b)
In September 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of eight million shares of the Company’s common stock.  The repurchase program has no expiration date.  The Company has not repurchased any shares since September 17, 2008 and has no plans to make further purchases in the near future.


Trading Arrangements

    During the quarter ended December 31, 2023, no director or officer (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act) of the Company adopted or terminated any “Rule 10b5–1 trading arrangement” or any “non-Rule 10b5–1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K.

Credit Agreement Extension

    On February 7, 2024, in response to the Company's request to extend the maturity date of the Credit Agreement, certain lenders under the Credit Agreement consented to the Company's request (the “Extension”). The Extension modified the stated maturity date of the Credit Agreement, with such Extension applicable for the lenders approving the Extension, from February 26, 2027 to February 25, 2028. After giving effect to the Extension, the Company has aggregate commitments available under the Credit Agreement of $1.0 billion before February 26, 2027, and $940 million in aggregate commitments available on and after February 26, 2027 to February 25, 2028.

Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Exhibit
10.1
10.2
10.3
1210.4
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Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Exhibit
31.110.5
10.6
31.1
31.2
32••
99
101Interactive data files submitted pursuant to Regulation S-T:S-T, formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income and Earnings Reinvested in the Business for the three months ended December 31, 20172023 and 2016,2022, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended December 31, 20172023 and 2016,2022, (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 20172023 and September 30, 2017,2023, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended December 31, 20172023 and 20162022 and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
••In accordance with Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K and SEC Release Nos. 33-8238 and 34-47986, Final Rule: Management’s Reports on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and Certification of Disclosure in Exchange Act Periodic Reports, the material contained in Exhibit 32 is “furnished” and not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing, except to the extent that the Registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.

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••  In accordance with Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K and SEC Release Nos. 33-8238 and 34-47986, Final Rule: Management’s Reports on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and Certification of Disclosure in Exchange Act Periodic Reports, the material contained in Exhibit 32 is “furnished” and not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing, except to the extent that the Registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.

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SIGNATURES
 
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
(Registrant)
/s/ D. P. BauerT. J. Silverstein
D. P. BauerT. J. Silverstein
Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer
/s/ K. M. CamioloE. G. Mendel
K. M. CamioloE. G. Mendel
Controller and Principal Accounting Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:  February 2, 20188, 2024



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