Our reports, filings, and other public announcements might contain or incorporate by reference statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. Such statements are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You typically can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words, such as "anticipate," believe," "could," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "may," "plan," "potential," "project," "schedule," "will," and other similar words. These statements are based on our intentions, beliefs, and assumptions about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. In addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such statements, other factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. Those factors include, among others: Our businesses are subject to complex government regulations that are subject to changes in the regulations themselves or in their interpretation or implementation; Our ability to gain adequate, reliable and affordable access to transmission and distribution assets due to the FERC and regional regulation of wholesale market transactions for electricity and gas; Our gas sales, transmission and storage operations are subject to government regulations and rate proceedings that could have an adverse impact on our ability to recover the costs of operating our pipeline facilities; The different regional power markets in which we compete or will compete in the future have changing regulatory structures; Our risk measurement and hedging activities might not prevent losses; Electricity, natural gas liquids and gas prices are volatile and this volatility could adversely affect our financial results, cash flows, access to capital and ability to maintain existing businesses; We might not be able to successfully manage the risks associated with selling and marketing products in the wholesale energy markets; Our operating results might fluctuate on a seasonal and quarterly basis; Risks related to laws of other countries, taxes, economic conditions, fluctuations in currency rates, political conditions and policies of foreign governments; Legal proceedings and governmental investigations related to our business; Recent developments affecting the wholesale power and energy trading industry sector that have reduced market activity and liquidity; Because we no longer maintain investment grade credit ratings, our counterparties have required us to provide higher amounts of credit support; Despite our restructuring efforts, we may not attain investment grade ratings; Institutional knowledge represented by our former employees now employed by our outsourcing service provider might not be adequately preserved; Failure of the outsourcing relationship might negatively impact our ability to conduct our business; Our ability to receive services from outsourcing provider locations outside the United States might be impacted by cultural differences, political instability, or unanticipated regulatory requirements in jurisdictions outside the United States; We could be held liable for the environmental condition of any of our assets, which could include losses or costs of compliance that exceed our current expectations; Environmental regulation and liability relating to our business will be subject to environmental legislation in all jurisdictions in which it operates, and such legislation may be subject to change; Potential changes in accounting standards that might cause us to revise our financial disclosure in the future, which might change the way analysts measure our business or financial performance; The continued availability of natural gas reserves to our natural gas transmission and midstream businesses; Our drilling, production, gathering, processing and transporting activities involve numerous risks that might result in accidents and other operating risks and costs; Compliance with the Pipeline Improvement Act may result in unanticipated costs and consequences; Estimating reserves and future net revenues involves uncertainties and negative revisions to reserve estimates and oil and gas price declines may lead to impairment of oil and gas assets; The threat of terrorist activities and the potential for continued military and other actions; The historic drilling success rate of our exploration and production business is no guarantee of future performance; and Our assets and operations can be affected by weather and other phenomena. In light of these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, the events described in the forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a different extent or at a different time that we have described. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward Looking Statements |