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 quarter ended September 30, 2006
[ ]
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 0-14147
QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
STATE OF UTAH 87-0307414
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
180 East 100 South Street, P.O. Box 45360 Salt Lake City, Utah 84145-0360
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code(801) 324-2400
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 [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [X]
On October 31, 2006, 6,550,843 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $1.00 par value, were outstanding (all shares are owned by Questar Corporation).
Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H (1) (a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format.
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Questar Pipeline Company
Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
3
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended
3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2006
4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended
5
Notes Accompanying the Consolidated Financial Statements
6
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
8
11
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
12
13
13
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||
September 30, | September 30, | |||
2006 | 2005 | 2006 | 2005 | |
(in thousands) | ||||
REVENUES | ||||
From unaffiliated customers | $ 25,793 | $ 22,584 | $ 76,147 | $ 59,583 |
From affiliated companies | 19,100 | 20,182 | 59,493 | 64,124 |
TOTAL REVENUES | 44,893 | 42,766 | 135,640 | 123,707 |
OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||
Operating and maintenance | 8,470 | 7,002 | 24,631 | 22,592 |
General and administrative | 4,530 | 6,520 | 14,244 | 18,398 |
Other taxes | 2,108 | 1,686 | 5,573 | 4,943 |
Depreciation and amortization | 7,847 | 7,340 | 23,595 | 21,853 |
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES | 22,955 | 22,548 | 68,043 | 67,786 |
OPERATING INCOME | 21,938 | 20,218 | 67,597 | 55,921 |
Interest and other income | 242 | 193 | 689 | 1,072 |
Interest expense | (5,814) | (5,556) | (17,765) | (16,666) |
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 16,366 | 14,855 | 50,521 | 40,327 |
Income taxes | 6,219 | 5,632 | 19,051 | 15,172 |
NET INCOME | $ 10,147 | $ 9,223 | $ 31,470 | $ 25,155 |
See notes accompanying the consolidated financial statements
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QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
September 30, | December 31, | |
2006 | 2005 | |
(in thousands) | ||
ASSETS | ||
Current assets | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 486 | $ 3,938 |
Notes receivable from Questar | 1,100 | 9,200 |
Accounts receivable | 5,405 | 9,344 |
Accounts receivable from affiliated companies | 1,141 | 92 |
Materials and supplies, at lower | ||
of average cost or market | 3,459 | 3,229 |
Prepaid expenses and other | 867 | 3,532 |
Total current assets | 12,458 | 29,335 |
Property, plant and equipment | 1,151,922 | 1,101,512 |
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | 400,683 | 381,387 |
Net property, plant and equipment | 751,239 | 720,125 |
Goodwill | 4,185 | 4,185 |
Regulatory assets | 10,249 | 10,715 |
Other noncurrent assets | 10,660 | 10,019 |
$ 788,791 | $ 774,379 | |
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY | ||
Current liabilities | ||
Notes payable to Questar | $ 25,000 | $ 58,400 |
Accounts and other payables | 42,960 | 14,457 |
Accounts payable to affiliated companies | 2,760 | 2,677 |
Deferred income taxes – current | 290 | 290 |
Total current liabilities | 71,010 | 75,824 |
Long-term debt | 310,130 | 310,115 |
Deferred income taxes | 114,494 | 112,206 |
Other long-term liabilities | 20,099 | 15,578 |
Common shareholder’s equity | ||
Common stock | 6,551 | 6,551 |
Additional paid-in capital | 142,466 | 142,034 |
Retained earnings | 124,041 | 112,071 |
Total common shareholder’s equity | 273,058 | 260,656 |
$ 788,791 | $ 774,379 |
See notes accompanying the consolidated financial statements
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QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
9 Months Ended | ||
September 30, | ||
2006 | 2005 | |
(in thousands) | ||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||
Net income | $ 31,470 | $ 25,155 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net | ||
cash provided from operating activities: | ||
Depreciation and amortization | 25,064 | 23,384 |
Deferred income taxes | 2,288 | 3,081 |
Share-based compensation | 432 |
|
Net gain from asset sales | (10) | (383) |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | 25,777 | 9,007 |
NET CASH PROVIDED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | 85,021 | 60,244 |
INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||
Capital expenditures | (39,046) | (56,643) |
Cash used in the disposition of assets | (4,627) | (911) |
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES | (43,673) | (57,554) |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||
Change in notes receivable from Questar | 8,100 | (4,600) |
Change in notes payable to Questar | (33,400) | 20,700 |
Dividends paid | (19,500) | (19,125) |
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES | (44,800) | (3,025) |
Change in cash and cash equivalents | (3,452) | (335) |
Beginning cash and cash equivalents | 3,938 | 3,007 |
Ending cash and cash equivalents | $ 486 | $ 2,672 |
See notes accompanying the consolidated financial statements
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QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY
NOTES ACCOMPANYING THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1 – Nature of Business
Questar Pipeline Company (Questar Pipeline or the Company) is an interstate pipeline company that provides natural gas-transportation and underground storage services in Utah, Wyoming and Colorado. As a “natural gas company” under the Natural Gas Act of 1938, Questar Pipeline and certain subsidiary pipeline companies are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The Company also provides non-jurisdictional gas processing and gathering. Questar Pipeline is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Questar Corporation (Questar) headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Note 2 – Basis of Presentation of Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
The interim consolidated financial statements contain the accounts of Questar Pipeline and its majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and with the instructions for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Regulations S-X and S-K. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The consolidated financial statements reflect all normal, recurring adjustments and accruals that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. Interim consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for audited annual consolidated financial statements. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. Certain reclassifications were made to prior period financial statements to conform with the current presentation.
The preparation of consolidated financial statements and notes in conformity with GAAP requires that management make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from estimates. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2006, due to a variety of factors discussed in the Forward-Looking Statements located in Part I Item 2 of this report.
Note 3 – Share-Based Compensation
Questar issues stock options and restricted shares to certain officers, employees and non-employee directors under its Long Term Stock Incentive Plan (LTSIP). Questar has granted and continues to grant share-based compensation to certain Questar Pipeline employees. Prior to January 1, 2006, Questar and the Company accounted for share-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APBO) 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and related interpretations. No compensation cost was recorded for stock options issued because the exercise price equaled the market price on the date of grant. The granting of restricted shares results in recognition of compensation cost. Restricted shares are valued at the grant-date market price and amortized to expense over the vesting period.
Questar and the Company implemented Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 123R “Share Based Payment,” (SFAS 123R) effective January 1, 2006 and chose the modified prospective phase-in method of accounting by SFAS 123R. The modified prospective phase-in method requires recognition of compensation costs for all share-based payments granted, modified or settled after January 1, 2006, as well as for any awards that were granted prior to the implementation date for
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which the required service has not yet been performed. As a result of adopting SFAS 123R, the Company’s income before income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, was approximately $0.2 million lower than if the Company had continued to account for share-based compensation under APBO 25. The pro forma share-based compensation expense impact for the first nine months of 2005 was approximately $0.1 million.
Transactions involving stock options granted to employees of Questar Pipeline under the LTSIP are summarized below:
Outstanding Options | Price Range | Weighted- Average Price | |
Balance at January 1, 2006 | 97,835 | $21.38 – $48.66 | $36.75 |
Exercised | (16,500) | 22.95 – 28.01 | 25.87 |
Employee transfer | 4,500 | 27.11 | 27.11 |
Balance at September 30, 2006 | 85,835 | $21.38 – $48.66 | $38.33 |
The number of unvested stock options held by employees of Questar Pipeline decreased by 15,500 shares in the first nine months of 2006.
Options Outstanding | Options Exercisable | Unvested Options | |||||
Range of exercise prices | Number outstanding at Sept. 30, 2006 | Weighted-average remaining term in years | Weighted-average exercise price | Number exercisable at Sept. 30, 2006 | Weighted-average exercise price | Number unvested at Sept. 30, 2006 | Weighted average exercise price |
$21.38 – $22.95 | 22,335 | 2.2 | $21.68 | 22,335 | $21.68 | ||
27.11 – 48.66 | 63,500 | 7.9 | 44.19 | 38,500 | 41.29 | 25,000 | $48.66 |
85,835 | 6.4 | $38.33 | 60,835 | $34.09 | 25,000 | $48.66 |
Most restricted shares vest in equal installments over a three to five year period from the grant date. Several grants vest in a single installment after a specified period. The weighted average vesting period of unvested restricted shares at September 30, 2006, was 18 months. Transactions involving restricted shares held by employees of Questar Pipeline are summarized below:
Weighted Average | |||
Shares | Price Range | Price | |
Balance at January 1, 2006 | 14,000 | $34.90 – $51.00 | $47.49 |
Granted | 5,125 | 73.50 | 73.50 |
Distributed | (734) | 34.90 – 51.00 | 39.29 |
Forfeited | (150) | 73.50 | 73.50 |
Balance at September 30, 2006 | 18,241 | $34.90 – $73.50 | $54.91 |
Note 4 – Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
Regulatory assets are described in Note 6 of the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 in Part II of its Annual Report filed on Form 10-K. Questar Pipeline recovers these costs but does not generally receive a return on these assets.
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Following is a description of the Company’s regulatory assets:
•
Gains and losses on the reacquisition of debt are deferred and amortized as interest expense over the would-be remaining life of the retired debt. The reacquired debt costs had a weighted-average life of approximately 11 years as of September 30, 2006.
•
The Company is allowed to recover certain deferred taxes from customers over the life of the related property, plant and equipment.
Note 5 – Recent Accounting Development
In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (FIN 48). The interpretation applies to all tax positions related to income taxes subject to FASB Statement 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold for a tax position to be reflected in the financial statements. If recognized, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more-likely-than-not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. FIN 48 is effective January 1, 2007. The Company is evaluating the effect, if any, that FIN 48 will have on its financial statements.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion updates information as to Questar Pipeline’s financial condition provided in its 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and analyzes the changes in the results of operations between the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005. For definitions of commonly used gas and oil terms found in this Form 10-Q, please refer to the “Glossary of Commonly Used Terms” provided in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Summary
Questar Pipeline net income grew 10% in the third quarter and 25% in the first nine months of 2006 compared to the 2005 periods as a result of additional firm-transportation contracts supporting recent system expansions and higher NGL revenues.
Results of Operations
Following is a summary of Questar Pipeline’s financial and operating results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2006 compared with the same periods of 2005:
3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||
September 30, | September 30, | |||
2006 | 2005 | 2006 | 2005 | |
(in thousands) | ||||
OPERATING INCOME | ||||
Revenues | ||||
Transportation | $ 29,761 | $26,643 | $ 89,411 | $ 79,897 |
Storage | 9,346 | 9,156 | 28,225 | 27,986 |
Gas processing | 1,447 | 1,405 | 4,238 | 4,872 |
NGL and other revenues | 4,339 | 5,562 | 13,766 | 10,952 |
Total revenues | 44,893 | 42,766 | 135,640 | 123,707 |
Operating expenses | ||||
Operating and maintenance | 8,470 | 7,002 | 24,631 | 22,592 |
General and administrative | 4,530 | 6,520 | 14,244 | 18,398 |
Depreciation and amortization | 7,847 | 7,340 | 23,595 | 21,853 |
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Other taxes | 2,108 | 1,686 | 5,573 | 4,943 |
Total operating expenses | 22,955 | 22,548 | 68,043 | 67,786 |
Operating income | $ 21,938 | $20,218 | $ 67,597 | $ 55,921 |
OPERATING STATISTICS | ||||
Natural gas transportation volumes (in Mdth) | ||||
For unaffiliated customers | 88,115 | 71,257 | 228,991 | 188,252 |
For Questar Gas | 14,936 | 16,594 | 83,074 | 86,545 |
For other affiliated customers | 7,255 | 9,072 | 16,829 | 17,553 |
Total transportation | 110,306 | 96,923 | 328,894 | 292,350 |
Transportation revenue (per dth) | $ 0.27 | $ 0.27 | $ 0.27 | $ 0.27 |
Firm-daily transportation demand at September 30 (Mdth) | 2,151 | 1,832 |
Revenues
Following is a summary of major changes in Questar Pipeline’s revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the same periods of 2005:
3 Months Ended Sept. 30, 2006 Compared with 2005 | 9 Months Ended Sept. 30, 2006 Compared with 2005 | |
(in thousands) | ||
Transportation | ||
New transportation contracts | $ 3,943 | $12,347 |
Expiration of transportation contracts | (338) | (1,447) |
Other transportation | (487) | (1,386) |
Storage | 190 | 239 |
Gas processing | 42 | (634) |
NGL and other revenues | ||
Change in NGL revenues | (1,506) | 1,709 |
Change in gathering revenues | 61 | 278 |
Park and loan revenues | 262 | 912 |
Other | (40) | (85) |
Increase | $ 2,127 | $11,933 |
As of September 30, 2006, Questar Pipeline had firm-transportation contracts of 2,151 Mdth per day compared with 1,832 Mdth per day as of September 30, 2005. Questar Pipeline has expanded its transportation system in response to growing regional natural gas production and transportation demand. In the second quarter of 2005, Questar Pipeline began operating a lateral to an electric generation power plant with a capacity of 190 Mdth per day. In the fourth quarter of 2005, Questar Pipeline completed an expansion of its southern system, which added capacity of 102 Mdth per day. On January 1, 2006, Questar Pipeline subsidiary, Questar Overthrust Pipeline, placed in service an interconnection with Kern River Gas Transmission Company that added capacity of 220 Mdth per day. Each of these expansion projects was fully subscribed with long-term contracts.
Questar Gas is Questar Pipeline’s largest transportation customer with contracts for 951 Mdth per day, including 50 Mdth per day for winter-peaking service. The majority of Questar Gas transportation contracts extend through mid 2017.
Questar Pipeline’s primary storage facility is Clay Basin in eastern Utah. This facility is 100% subscribed under long-term contracts. In addition to Clay Basin, Questar Pipeline also owns and operates three smaller aquifer gas storage facilities. Questar Gas has contracted for 26% of firm-storage capacity at
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Clay Basin for terms extending from two to 13 years and 100% of the firm-storage capacity at the aquifer facilities for terms extending for 12 years.
Questar Pipeline charges FERC-approved transportation and storage rates that are based on straight-fixed-variable rate design. Under this rate design, all fixed costs of providing service including depreciation and return on investment are recovered through the demand charge. About 95% of Questar Pipeline costs are fixed and recovered through these demand charges. Questar Pipeline’s earnings are driven primarily by demand revenues from firm shippers. Since only about 5% of operating costs are recovered through volumetric charges, changes in transportation volumes do not have a significant impact on earnings.
NGL revenues increased in the first nine months of 2006 over the same period of 2005. NGL revenues were lower in the third quarter of 2006 compared with the third quarter of 2005 due to the 2005 resolution of the fuel-gas reimbursement percentage proceedings as discussed below. NGL volumes increased 2% in the third quarter and 43% in the first nine months of 2006, and NGL prices increased 37% in the third quarter and 36% in the first nine months of 2006 compared to the prior year periods.
Revenues from park and loan services increased in the first nine months of 2006 over the first nine months of 2005 due to increased demand. Questar Pipeline shares 75% of its park and loan revenues with customers once it has received revenues equal to the cost of service. Beginning in the second quarter, additional revenues received in 2006 are being shared with customers.
Fuel-Gas Reimbursement Percentage (FGRP)
During the third quarter of 2005, Questar Pipeline received approval of a settlement with customers that resolved outstanding issues in the 2004 and 2005 FGRP filings. Included in this settlement was a resolution of the amount of liquid revenues at the Kastler plant to be retained by Questar Pipeline. Questar Pipeline recorded the impact of the settlement in third quarter 2005 increasing liquid revenues by $2.7 million and net income by $1.7 million.
Expenses
Operating, maintenance, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2006 and $2.1 million in the first nine months of 2006 compared with the 2005 periods. Beginning in July 2005 customers at the Company’s Price, Utah plant began supplying their own fuel gas, which accounted for about 40% of the decrease. Operating, maintenance, general and administrative expenses per decatherm transported declined from $0.14 in the first nine months of 2005 to $0.12 in the first nine months of 2006.
Depreciation expense increased 7% in the third quarter of 2006 and 8% in the first nine months of 2006 over the same periods of 2005 due to investment in pipeline expansions.
Clay Basin Storage
Questar Pipeline conducts periodic pressure tests on its Clay Basin storage facility. Beginning with a test in April 2002, the Company noted a discrepancy between the book volumes of cushion gas at Clay Basin and the volumes implied by pressure data. Questar Pipeline retained a reservoir consultant to model the reservoir and determine the size and cause of the discrepancy. The Company conducted five additional pressure tests from April 2004 to April 2006 to validate the model.
The reservoir model indicates from 0 to 3.8 Bcf of gas may be missing from Clay Basin, with the most likely amount of 3.2 Bcf. The cumulative gas loss is due to imprecision inherent in measurement of large injection and withdrawal volumes as well as reservoir heterogeneity that impacts storage reservoir performance. The cushion gas loss represents 0.25 % of the volume of gas cycled in and out of the reservoir over the past 30 years. There is no indication that the reservoir is leaking. The Clay Basin reservoir is functioning as expected to meet customer requirements.
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Questar Pipeline has discussed with the FERC the recording of the loss of gas as a reduction of native gas remaining in the reservoir. This accounting treatment would not impact Questar Pipeline net income. Alternatively, if the FERC requires Questar Pipeline to adjust recoverable cushion gas, earnings could be reduced by about $3 million after tax. Questar Pipeline is discussing various tariff changes including a resolution of this issue with firm storage customers.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report may contain or incorporate by reference information that includes or is based upon “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, prospective services or products, future performance or results of current and antic ipated services or products, exploration efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, trends in operations and financial results.
Any or all forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many such factors will be important in determining actual future results. These statements are based on current expectations and the current economic environment. They involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Among factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are:
•
the risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005;
•
general economic conditions, including the performance of financial markets and interest rates;
•
changes in industry trends;
•
changes in laws or regulations; and
•
other factors, most of which are beyond our control.
Questar Pipeline undertakes no obligation to publicly correct or update the forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report, in other documents, or on the website to reflect future events or circumstances. All such statements are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by the report (the Evaluation Date). Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in alerting them on a timely basis to material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, required to be included in the Company’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer also concluded that the controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information r equired to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management including its principal executive and financial officers or persons performing similar functions as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
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Changes in Internal Controls.
Since the Evaluation Date, there have not been any changes in the Company’s internal controls or other factors during the most recent fiscal quarter that could materially affect such controls.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Questar Pipeline is involved in various commercial and regulatory claims and litigation and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of its business. Management does not believe any of them will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position. An accrual is recorded for a loss contingency when its occurrence is probable and damages can be reasonably estimated based on the anticipated most likely outcome. Some of the claims involve highly complex issues relating to liability, damages and other matters subject to substantial uncertainties and, therefore, the probability of liability or an estimate of loss cannot be reasonably determined.
Grynberg. Questar affiliates are involved in various pending lawsuits filed by Jack Grynberg, an independent producer. InUnited States ex rel. Grynberg v. Questar Corp., Civil No. 99-MD-1604, consolidated asIn re Natural Gas Royalties Qui Tam Litigation, Consolidated Case MDL No. 1293 (D. Wyo.), Grynberg has filedqui tamclaimsagainst Questar under the federal False Claims Act substantially similar to other cases filed against other industry pipelines and their affiliates which have been consolidated for discovery and pre-trial motions in Wyoming’s federal district court. The cases involve allegations of industry-wide mismeasurement of natural gas quantities on which royalty payments are due the federal government.
The defendants filed a motion contending that the court has no jurisdiction over the case because Grynberg cannot satisfy the statutory requirements for jurisdiction. The defendants argued that Grynberg’s allegations were publicly disclosed prior to the filing of his complaint and that Grynberg is not the “original source” of the information on which the allegations are based. The Special Master appointed in the case issued a Report and Recommendation to the district court recommending dismissal of the Questar defendants, except for one small entity acquired by Questar Gas after these cases were filed. By order dated October 20, 2006, the district court granted defendants motion and dismissed all of Grynberg’s claims against all the defendants for lack of jurisdiction. The judge found that Grynberg was not the “original source” and therefore could not bring the action. Grynberg will likely file a notice of appeal.
InGrynberg and L & R Exploration Venture v. Questar Pipeline Co., Civil No. 97CV0471 (D. Wyo.) Grynberg brought breach of contract claims, statutory claims and fraud claims against Questar entities related to a certain gas purchase contract for the purchase of gas produced from wells located in Wyoming. In June 2001 the federal district judge entered an order granting partial summary judgment dismissing the antitrust claims from the case. By order dated September 12, 2006, the judge also dismissed the fraud claims and ratable-take claims. The breach of contract claims are the only issues remaining to be decided. Grynberg filed a notice of appeal on October 11, 2006.
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Item 6. Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
Exhibit No.
Exhibits
31.1.
Certification signed by R. Allan Bradley, Questar Pipeline Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2.
Certification signed by S. E. Parks, Questar Pipeline Company’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.
Certification signed by R. Allan Bradley and S. E. Parks, Questar Pipeline Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
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.
QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY
(Registrant)
November 9, 2006
/s/R. Allan Bradley_____________________
R. Allan Bradley
President and Chief Executive Officer
November 9, 2006
/s/S. E. Parks_________________________
S. E. Parks
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Exhibits List
Exhibit No.
Exhibits
31.1.
Certification signed by R. Allan Bradley, Questar Pipeline Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2.
Certification signed by S. E. Parks, Questar Pipeline Company’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.
Certification signed by R. Allan Bradley and S. E. Parks, Questar Pipeline Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
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Exhibit 31.1.
CERTIFICATION
I, R. Allan Bradley, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report of Questar Pipeline Company on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2006;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and we have:
a)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
c)
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a)
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
November 9, 2006
/s/R. Allan Bradley
R. Allan Bradley
President and Chief Executive Officer
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Exhibit 31.2.
CERTIFICATION
I, S. E. Parks, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report of Questar Pipeline Company on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2006;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and we have:
a)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
c)
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a)
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
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b)
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
November 9, 2006
/s/S. E. Parks
S. E. Parks
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit No. 32.
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Questar Pipeline Company on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), R. Allan Bradley, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and S. E. Parks, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of his knowledge:
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY
November 9, 2006
/s/R. Allan Bradley
R. Allan Bradley
President and Chief Executive Officer
November 9, 2006
/s/S. E. Parks
S. E. Parks
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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