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 ended June 30, 2010
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 1-12202
ONEOK PARTNERS, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 93-1120873 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| |
100 West Fifth Street, Tulsa, OK | 74103 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (918) 588-7000
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 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 X No __
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer X Accelerated filer __ Non-accelerated filer __ Smaller reporting company__
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes __ No X
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class | | Outstanding at July 28, 2010 |
Common units | | 65,413,677 units |
Class B units | | 36,494,126 units |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I. | Financial Information | Page No. |
Item 1. | Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |
| | 5 |
| | 6 |
| | 7 |
| | 8-9 |
| | 10 |
| | 11-22 |
Item 2. | | 23-41 |
Item 3. | | 41 |
Item 4. | | 41-42 |
Part II. | Other Information | |
Item 1. | | 42 |
Item 1A. | | 42 |
Item 2. | | 42 |
Item 3. | | 42 |
Item 4. | | 42 |
Item 5. | | 42 |
Item 6. | | 42-43 |
| | 44 |
As used in this Quarterly Report, references to “we,” “our,” “us” or the “Partnership” refer to ONEOK Partners, L.P., its subsidiary, ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership, and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.
The statements in this Quarterly Report that are not historical information, including statements concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations, economic performance or related assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “should,” “goal,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “could,” “may,” “continue,” “might,” “potential,” “scheduled” and other words and terms of similar meaning. Although we believe that our expectations regarding future events are based on re asonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that such expectations or assumptions will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are described under Part I, Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, “Forward-Looking Statements” and Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report and under Part 1, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report.
INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE
We make available on our Web site copies of our Annual Report, Quarterly Reports, Current Reports on Form 8-K, amendments to those reports filed or furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and reports of holdings of our securities filed by our officers and directors under Section 16 of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such material electronically or otherwise furnishing it to the SEC. Our Web site and any contents thereof are not incorporated by reference into this report.
We also make available on our Web site the Interactive Data Files required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T. In accordance with Rule 402 of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
GLOSSARY
The abbreviations, acronyms and industry terminology used in this Quarterly Report are defined as follows:
| AFUDC | Allowance for funds used during construction |
| Annual Report | Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 |
| ASU | Accounting Standards Update |
| Bbl | Barrels, one barrel is equivalent to 42 United States gallons |
| BBtu/d | Billion British thermal units per day |
| Btu(s) | British thermal units, a measure of the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit |
| Bushton Plant | Bushton Gas Processing Plant |
| Clean Air Act | Federal Clean Air Act, as amended |
| Clean Water Act | Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, as amended |
| EBITDA | Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization |
| EPA | United States Environmental Protection Agency |
| Exchange Act | Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended |
| FASB | Financial Accounting Standards Board |
| FERC | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission |
| GAAP | Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America |
| Intermediate Partnership | ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership, a wholly owned subsidiary of ONEOK Partners, L.P. |
| KCC | Kansas Corporation Commission |
| LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate |
| MBbl/d | Thousand barrels per day |
| MMBtu | Million British thermal units |
| MMBtu/d | Million British thermal units per day |
| MMcf/d | Million cubic feet per day |
| Moody’s | Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. |
| NBP Services | NBP Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of ONEOK |
| NGL products | Marketable natural gas liquid purity products, such as ethane, ethane/propane mix, propane, iso-butane, normal butane and natural gasoline |
| NGL(s) | Natural gas liquid(s) |
| Northern Border Pipeline | Northern Border Pipeline Company |
| NYMEX | New York Mercantile Exchange |
| OBPI | ONEOK Bushton Processing Inc. |
| OCC | Oklahoma Corporation Commission |
| ONEOK Partners GP | ONEOK Partners GP, L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of ONEOK and our sole general partner |
| OPIS | Oil Price Information Service |
| Overland Pass Pipeline Company | Overland Pass Pipeline Company LLC |
| Partnership Agreement | Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of ONEOK Partners, L.P., as amended |
| Partnership Credit Agreement | The Partnership’s $1.0 billion Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated March 30, 2007 |
| Quarterly Report(s) | Quarterly Report(s) on Form 10-Q |
| S&P | Standard & Poor’s Rating Group |
| SEC | Securities and Exchange Commission |
| Securities Act | Securities Act of 1933, as amended |
| Viking Gas Transmission | Viking Gas Transmission Company |
| XBRL | eXtensible Business Reporting Language |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ONEOK Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
(Unaudited) | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | (Thousands of dollars, except per unit amounts) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | | $ | 2,055,121 | | | $ | 1,397,057 | | | $ | 4,259,127 | | | $ | 2,647,922 | |
Cost of sales and fuel | | | 1,766,959 | | | | 1,135,075 | | | | 3,709,840 | | | | 2,132,399 | |
Net margin | | | 288,162 | | | | 261,982 | | | | 549,287 | | | | 515,523 | |
Operating expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operations and maintenance | | | 85,334 | | | | 87,712 | | | | 172,540 | | | | 165,391 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 43,987 | | | | 39,953 | | | | 87,857 | | | | 79,893 | |
General taxes | | | 12,624 | | | | 12,795 | | | | 21,726 | | | | 24,562 | |
Total operating expenses | | | 141,945 | | | | 140,460 | | | | 282,123 | | | | 269,846 | |
Gain (loss) on sale of assets | | | (260 | ) | | | 3,276 | | | | (1,045 | ) | | | 3,940 | |
Operating income | | | 145,957 | | | | 124,798 | | | | 266,119 | | | | 249,617 | |
Equity earnings from investments (Note H) | | | 20,676 | | | | 14,188 | | | | 41,792 | | | | 35,410 | |
Allowance for equity funds used during construction | | | 235 | | | | 9,468 | | | | 482 | | | | 18,471 | |
Other income | | | 401 | | | | 3,424 | | | | 2,251 | | | | 3,815 | |
Other expense | | | (3,990 | ) | | | (383 | ) | | | (4,332 | ) | | | (2,429 | ) |
Interest expense | | | (53,330 | ) | | | (50,888 | ) | | | (107,483 | ) | | | (101,796 | ) |
Income before income taxes | | | 109,949 | | | | 100,607 | | | | 198,829 | | | | 203,088 | |
Income taxes | | | (4,800 | ) | | | (3,068 | ) | | | (9,660 | ) | | | (5,939 | ) |
Net income | | | 105,149 | | | | 97,539 | | | | 189,169 | | | | 197,149 | |
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | 134 | | | | 1 | | | | 285 | | | | 20 | |
Net income attributable to ONEOK Partners, L.P. | | $ | 105,015 | | | $ | 97,538 | | | $ | 188,884 | | | $ | 197,129 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Limited partners' interest in net income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income attributable to ONEOK Partners, L.P. | | $ | 105,015 | | | $ | 97,538 | | | $ | 188,884 | | | $ | 197,129 | |
General partner's interest in net income | | | (28,789 | ) | | | (23,388 | ) | | | (56,177 | ) | | | (45,700 | ) |
Limited partners' interest in net income | | $ | 76,226 | | | $ | 74,150 | | | $ | 132,707 | | | $ | 151,429 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Limited partners' net income per unit, basic and diluted (Note I) | | $ | 0.75 | | | $ | 0.81 | | | $ | 1.32 | | | $ | 1.66 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Number of units used in computation (thousands) | | | 101,908 | | | | 91,415 | | | | 100,821 | | | | 91,169 | |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | | | | | | |
| | June 30, | | | December 31, | |
(Unaudited) | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Assets | | (Thousands of dollars) | |
Current assets | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 3,054 | | | $ | 3,151 | |
Accounts receivable, net | | | 518,870 | | | | 624,635 | |
Affiliate receivables | | | 30,749 | | | | 32,397 | |
Gas and natural gas liquids in storage | | | 230,004 | | | | 217,585 | |
Commodity imbalances | | | 73,454 | | | | 188,177 | |
Other current assets | | | 62,815 | | | | 36,148 | |
Total current assets | | | 918,946 | | | | 1,102,093 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Property, plant and equipment | | | | | | | | |
Property, plant and equipment | | | 6,448,952 | | | | 6,353,909 | |
Accumulated depreciation and amortization | | | 1,049,581 | | | | 972,497 | |
Net property, plant and equipment | | | 5,399,371 | | | | 5,381,412 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Investments and other assets | | | | | | | | |
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates | | | 757,232 | | | | 765,163 | |
Goodwill and intangible assets | | | 665,037 | | | | 668,870 | |
Other assets | | | 40,056 | | | | 35,721 | |
Total investments and other assets | | | 1,462,325 | | | | 1,469,754 | |
Total assets | | $ | 7,780,642 | | | $ | 7,953,259 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and equity | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Current maturities of long-term debt | | $ | 236,931 | | | $ | 261,931 | |
Notes payable (Note D) | | | 680,000 | | | | 523,000 | |
Accounts payable | | | 543,281 | | | | 694,290 | |
Affiliate payables | | | 23,141 | | | | 21,866 | |
Commodity imbalances | | | 203,356 | | | | 392,688 | |
Other current liabilities | | | 128,894 | | | | 153,539 | |
Total current liabilities | | | 1,815,603 | | | | 2,047,314 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities | | | 2,589,227 | | | | 2,822,086 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Deferred credits and other liabilities | | | 81,450 | | | | 73,798 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note F) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Equity | | | | | | | | |
ONEOK Partners, L.P. partners’ equity: | | | | | | | | |
General partner | | | 92,848 | | | | 84,434 | |
Common units: 65,413,677 and 59,912,777 units issued and outstanding at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively | | | 1,830,314 | | | | 1,561,762 | |
Class B units: 36,494,126 units issued and outstanding at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 | | | 1,347,994 | | | | 1,380,299 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | | | 17,930 | | | | (22,037 | ) |
Total ONEOK Partners, L.P. partners' equity | | | 3,289,086 | | | | 3,004,458 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries | | | 5,276 | | | | 5,603 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total equity | | | 3,294,362 | | | | 3,010,061 | |
Total liabilities and equity | | $ | 7,780,642 | | | $ | 7,953,259 | |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. | |
| | | | | | |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, | |
(Unaudited) | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| (Thousands of dollars) | |
Operating activities | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 189,169 | | | $ | 197,149 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 87,857 | | | | 79,893 | |
Allowance for equity funds used during construction | | | (482 | ) | | | (18,471 | ) |
Loss (gain) on sale of assets | | | 1,045 | | | | (3,940 | ) |
Deferred income taxes | | | 3,488 | | | | 3,558 | |
Equity earnings from investments | | | (41,792 | ) | | | (35,410 | ) |
Distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates | | | 39,034 | | | | 38,233 | |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | | 105,765 | | | | (79,824 | ) |
Affiliate receivables | | | 1,648 | | | | (55 | ) |
Gas and natural gas liquids in storage | | | (12,419 | ) | | | 25,976 | |
Accounts payable | | | (148,327 | ) | | | 16,410 | |
Affiliate payables | | | 1,275 | | | | (729 | ) |
Commodity imbalances, net | | | (74,609 | ) | | | (25,470 | ) |
Other assets and liabilities | | | (18,905 | ) | | | (7,875 | ) |
Cash provided by operating activities | | | 132,747 | | | | 189,445 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Investing activities | | | | | | | | |
Changes in investments in unconsolidated affiliates | | | 9,448 | | | | 17,393 | |
Capital expenditures (less allowance for equity funds used during construction) | | | (98,694 | ) | | | (321,860 | ) |
Proceeds from sale of assets | | | 202 | | | | 8,050 | |
Cash used in investing activities | | | (89,044 | ) | | | (296,417 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Financing activities | | | | | | | | |
Cash distributions: | | | | | | | | |
General and limited partners | | | (273,747 | ) | | | (241,864 | ) |
Noncontrolling interests | | | (612 | ) | | | (489 | ) |
Borrowing (repayment) of notes payable, net | | | 157,000 | | | | 360,000 | |
Repayment of notes payable with maturities over 90 days | | | - | | | | (870,000 | ) |
Issuance of long-term debt, net of discounts | | | - | | | | 498,325 | |
Long-term debt financing costs | | | - | | | | (4,000 | ) |
Repayment of long-term debt | | | (255,965 | ) | | | (5,965 | ) |
Issuance of common units, net of discounts | | | 322,704 | | | | 220,458 | |
Contribution from general partner | | | 6,820 | | | | 4,675 | |
Cash used in financing activities | | | (43,800 | ) | | | (38,860 | ) |
Change in cash and cash equivalents | | | (97 | ) | | | (145,832 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | | 3,151 | | | | 177,635 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 3,054 | | | $ | 31,803 | |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ONEOK Partners, L.P. Partners' Equity | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Unaudited) | | Common Units | | | Class B Units | | | General Partner | | | Common Units | |
| | (Units) | | | (Thousands of dollars) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
December 31, 2009 | | | 59,912,777 | | | | 36,494,126 | | | $ | 84,434 | | | $ | 1,561,762 | |
Net income | | | - | | | | - | | | | 56,177 | | | | 84,361 | |
Other comprehensive income | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Issuance of common units (Note E) | | | 5,500,900 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 322,704 | |
Contribution from general partner (Note E) | | | - | | | | - | | | | 6,820 | | | | - | |
Distributions paid (Note E) | | | - | | | | - | | | | (54,583 | ) | | | (138,513 | ) |
June 30, 2010 | | | 65,413,677 | | | | 36,494,126 | | | $ | 92,848 | | | $ | 1,830,314 | |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. | | | | | |
ONEOK Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY | | | | |
(Continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | ONEOK Partners, L.P. Partners' Equity | | | |
(Unaudited) | | Class B Units | | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | | Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries | | | Total Equity | |
| | (Thousands of dollars) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
December 31, 2009 | | $ | 1,380,299 | | | $ | (22,037 | ) | | $ | 5,603 | | | $ | 3,010,061 | |
Net income | | | 48,346 | | | | - | | | | 285 | | | | 189,169 | |
Other comprehensive income | | | - | | | | 39,967 | | | | - | | | | 39,967 | |
Issuance of common units (Note E) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 322,704 | |
Contribution from general partner (Note E) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 6,820 | |
Distributions paid (Note E) | | | (80,651 | ) | | | - | | | | (612 | ) | | | (274,359 | ) |
June 30, 2010 | | $ | 1,347,994 | | | $ | 17,930 | | | $ | 5,276 | | | $ | 3,294,362 | |
ONEOK Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
(Unaudited) | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | (Thousands of dollars) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 105,149 | | | $ | 97,539 | | | $ | 189,169 | | | $ | 197,149 | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives | | | 11,542 | | | | (12,870 | ) | | | 36,249 | | | | (13,080 | ) |
Less: Realized gains (losses) on derivatives recognized in net income | | | 930 | | | | 16,419 | | | | (3,718 | ) | | | 35,620 | |
Other | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 212 | |
Total other comprehensive income (loss) | | | 10,612 | | | | (29,289 | ) | | | 39,967 | | | | (48,488 | ) |
Comprehensive income | | | 115,761 | | | | 68,250 | | | | 229,136 | | | | 148,661 | |
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | 134 | | | | 1 | | | | 285 | | | | 20 | |
Comprehensive income attributable to ONEOK Partners, L.P. | | $ | 115,627 | | | $ | 68,249 | | | $ | 228,851 | | | $ | 148,641 | |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ONEOK Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
A. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and reflect all adjustments that, in our opinion, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The 2009 year-end consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report.
Our accounting policies are consistent with those disclosed in Note A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Update
The following recently issued accounting standards update affects our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures:
Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures - In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements,” which established new disclosure requirements and clarified existing requirements for disclosures of fair value measurements. ASU 2010-06 required us to add two new disclosures, when applicable: (i) transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 fair value measurements including the reasons for the transfers, and (ii) a gross presentation of activity within the reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements. Except for separate disclosure of purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the reconciliation of our Level 3 fair value measurements, we applied this guidance to our disclosures beginning with our March 31 , 2010, Quarterly Report. The separate disclosure of purchases, sales, issuances and settlements will be required beginning with our March 31, 2011, Quarterly Report, and we do not expect the impact to be material. ASU 2010-06 requires prospective application in the period of adoption, and we have not recast our prior-year disclosures. See Note B for more discussion of our fair value measurements.
B. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Determining Fair Value - We define fair value as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or the transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We use the income approach to determine the fair value of our derivative assets and liabilities and consider the markets in which the transactions are executed. While many of the contracts in our portfolio are executed in liquid markets where price transparency exists, some contracts are executed in markets for which market prices may exist, but the market may be relatively inactive. This results in limited price transparency that requires management’s judgment and assumptions to estimate fair values. For certain transactions, we utilize modeling techniques using NYMEX-settled pricing data and historical correlations of NGL product prices to crude oil prices. We validate our valuation inputs with third-party information and settlement prices from other sources, where available. In addition, as prescribed by the income approach, we compute the fair value of our derivative portfolio by discounting the projected future cash flows from our derivative assets and liabilities to present value using the interest rate yields to calculate present-value discount factors derived from LIBOR, Eurodollar futures and U.S. Treasury swaps. Finally, we consider the credit risk of our counterparties with whom our derivative assets and liabilities are executed. Although we use our best estimates to determine the fair value of the derivative contracts we have executed, the ultimate market prices realized could differ from our estimates, and the differences could be significant.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements - The following table sets forth our recurring fair value measurements for the periods indicated:
| | June 30, 2010 | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total - Gross | | | Netting (a) | | | Total - Net | |
| | (Thousands of dollars) | |
Derivatives - commodity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets (b) | | $ | - | | | $ | 16,309 | | | $ | 9,197 | | | $ | 25,506 | | | $ | (1,688 | ) | | $ | 23,818 | |
Liabilities (c) | | $ | - | | | $ | (1,443 | ) | | $ | (2,953 | ) | | $ | (4,396 | ) | | $ | 1,688 | | | $ | (2,708 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2009 | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total - Gross | | | Netting (a) | | | Total - Net | |
| | (Thousands of dollars) | |
Derivatives - commodity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets (b) | | $ | - | | | $ | 459 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 459 | | | $ | (459 | ) | | $ | - | |
Liabilities (c) | | $ | - | | | $ | (5,720 | ) | | $ | (13,052 | ) | | $ | (18,772 | ) | | $ | 459 | | | $ | (18,313 | ) |
(a) - Our derivative assets and liabilities are presented in our Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis. We net derivative assets and liabilities when a legally enforceable master-netting arrangement exists between the counterparty to a derivative contract and us. | |
(b) - Included in other current assets and other assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. | | | | | | | | | |
(c) - Included in other current liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At June 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, we had no cash collateral held or posted under our master-netting arrangements.
We categorize derivatives for which fair value is determined using multiple inputs within a single level, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
Our derivative instruments categorized as Level 2 include non-exchange traded fixed-price swaps for natural gas and condensate that are valued based on NYMEX-settled prices for natural gas and crude oil, respectively.
Our derivative instruments categorized as Level 3 include over-the-counter fixed-price swaps for NGL products, natural gas basis swaps and physical forward contracts for NGL products. These instruments are valued based on information from a pricing service, the forward NYMEX curve for crude oil, correlations of specific NGL products to crude oil and internally developed basis curves incorporating observable and unobservable market data. We corroborate the data on which our fair value estimates are based using our market knowledge of recent transactions and day-to-day pricing fluctuations and analysis of historical relationships of data from the pricing service compared with actual settlements and correlations. We do not believe that our derivative instruments categorized as Level 3 have a material impact o n our results of operations, as the majority of our derivatives are accounted for as cash flow hedges for which ineffectiveness is not material.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of our Level 3 fair value measurements for the periods indicated:
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
Derivative Assets (Liabilities) | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | (Thousands of dollars) | |
Net assets (liabilities) at beginning of period | | $ | (2,332 | ) | | $ | 25,995 | | | $ | (13,052 | ) | | $ | 37,649 | |
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Included in earnings (a) | | | (1,059 | ) | | | 982 | | | | (1,059 | ) | | | 2,086 | |
Included in other comprehensive income (loss) | | | 9,635 | | | | (15,380 | ) | | | 20,355 | | | | (28,138 | ) |
Net assets at end of period | | $ | 6,244 | | | $ | 11,597 | | | $ | 6,244 | | | $ | 11,597 | |
(a) - Included in revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Income. | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The change in our Level 3 fair value measurements is due to the execution of new derivative transactions during the period, as well as changes in commodity prices.
Other Financial Instruments - The approximate fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable is equal to book value, due to the short-term nature of these items. The fair value of borrowings under our Partnership Credit Agreement approximates the carrying value since the interest rates are periodically adjusted to reflect current market conditions.
The estimated fair value of the aggregate of our senior notes outstanding, including current maturities, was $3.1 billion and $3.3 billion at June 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, respectively. The book value of the aggregate of our senior notes outstanding, including current maturities, was $2.8 billion and $3.1 billion at June 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, respectively. The estimated fair value of the aggregate of our senior notes outstanding has been determined using quoted market prices for similar issues with similar terms and maturities.
C. RISK MANAGEMENT AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES USING DERIVATIVES
Risk Management Activities - We are sensitive to changes in natural gas, crude oil and NGL prices, principally as a result of contractual terms under which these commodities are processed, purchased and sold. We use physical forward sales and financial derivatives to secure a certain price for a portion of our share of natural gas, condensate and NGL products. We follow established policies and procedures to assess risk and approve, monitor and report our risk management activities. We have not used these instruments for trading purposes. We are also subject to the risk of interest-rate fluctuation in the normal course of business.
Commodity price risk - Commodity price risk refers to the risk of loss in cash flows and future earnings arising from adverse changes in the price of natural gas, NGLs and condensate. We use the following commodity derivative instruments to mitigate the commodity price risk associated with a portion of the forecasted sales of these commodities:
· | Futures contracts - Standardized exchange-traded contracts to purchase or sell natural gas or crude oil at a specified price, requiring delivery on, or settlement through, the sale or purchase of an offsetting contract by a specified future date under the provisions of exchange regulations; |
· | Forward contracts - Commitments to purchase or sell natural gas, crude oil or NGLs for delivery at some specified time in the future. Forward contracts are different from futures in that forwards are customized and non-exchange traded; and |
· | Swaps - Financial trades involving the exchange of payments based on two different pricing structures for a commodity. In a typical commodity swap, parties exchange payments based on changes in the price of a commodity or a market index, while fixing the price they effectively pay or receive for the physical commodity. As a result, one party assumes the risks and benefits of the movements in market prices while the other party assumes the risks and benefits of a fixed price for the commodity. |
In our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment, we are exposed to commodity price risk as a result of receiving commodities in exchange for services associated with our POP contracts. To a lesser extent, exposures arise from the relative price differential between NGLs and natural gas, or the gross processing spread, with respect to our keep-whole processing contracts. We are also exposed to basis risk between the various production and market locations where we buy and sell commodities. As part of our hedging strategy, we use the previously described commodity derivative instruments to minimize the impact of price fluctuations related to natural gas, NGLs and condensate. We reduce our gross processing spread exposure through a combination of physical and financial hedges. We uti lize a portion of our POP equity natural gas production as an offset, or natural hedge, to an equivalent portion of our keep-whole shrink requirements. This has the effect of converting our gross processing spread risk to NGL commodity price risk. We hedge a portion of the forecasted sales of the commodities we retain, including NGLs, natural gas and condensate.
In our Natural Gas Pipelines segment, we are exposed to commodity price risk because our intrastate and interstate natural gas pipelines collect natural gas from our customers for operations or as part of our fee for services provided. When the amount of natural gas consumed in operations by these pipelines differs from the amount provided by our customers, our pipelines must buy or sell natural gas, or store or use natural gas from inventory, which can expose us to commodity price risk depending on the regulatory treatment for this activity. We use physical forward sales or purchases to reduce the impact of price fluctuations related to natural gas. At June 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, we were not using any financial derivative instruments with respect to our natural gas pipeline operations.
In our Natural Gas Liquids segment, we are exposed to basis risk primarily as a result of the relative value of NGL purchases at one location and sales at another location. To a lesser extent, we are exposed to commodity price risk resulting from the relative values of the various NGL products to each other, NGLs in storage and the relative value of NGLs to natural gas. We utilize physical forward contracts to reduce the impact of price fluctuations related to NGLs. At June 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, we were not using any derivative financial contracts with respect to our NGL activities.
Interest-rate risk - We manage interest-rate risk through the use of fixed-rate debt, floating-rate debt and, at times, interest-rate swaps. Interest-rate swaps are agreements to exchange an interest payment at some future point based on the differential between two interest rates. At June 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, we did not have any interest-rate swap agreements.
Accounting Treatment - We record derivative instruments at fair value, with the exception of normal purchases and normal sales that are expected to result in physical delivery. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a cash flow hedging relationship and, if so, the reason for holding it.
The table below summarizes the various ways in which we account for our derivative instruments and the impact on our consolidated financial statements:
| | Recognition and Measurement |
Accounting Treatment | Balance Sheet | | Income Statement |
Normal purchases and normal sales | | - Fair value not recorded | | - Change in fair value not recognized in earnings |
Mark-to-market | | - Recorded at fair value | | - Change in fair value recognized in earnings |
Cash flow hedge | | - Recorded at fair value | | - Ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recognized in earnings |
| | - Effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported initially as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | | - Effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings |
Fair value hedge | | - Recorded at fair value | | - The gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recognized in earnings |
| | - Change in fair value of the hedged item is recorded as an adjustment to book value | | - Change in fair value of the hedged item is recognized in earnings |
We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as risk management objectives, strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions and methods for assessing and testing correlation and hedge ineffectiveness. We specifically identify the forecasted transaction that has been designated as the hedged item with a cash flow hedge. We assess the effectiveness of hedging relationships quarterly by performing a regression analysis on our fair value and cash flow hedging relationships to determine whether the hedge relationships are highly effective on a retrospective and prospective basis. We also document our normal purchases and normal sales transactions that we expect to result in physical delivery and that we elect to exempt from derivative accounting treatment.
Cash flows from futures, forwards and swaps that are accounted for as hedges are included in the same Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows category as the cash flows from the related hedged items.
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments - See Note B for the fair values of our derivative instruments and a discussion of the inputs associated with our fair value measurements.
Notional Quantities for Derivative Instruments - The following table sets forth the notional quantities for derivative instruments held for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | June 30, | | December 31, |
| | | | | Contract | 2010 | | 2009 |
| | | | | Type | Receiver | | Receiver |
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | | | | | |
| Cash flow hedges | | | | | | |
| | Fixed price | | | | | | |
| | | - Natural gas (Bcf) | Swaps | | 12.5 | | 9.2 | |
| | | - Crude oil and NGLs (MMBbl) | Swaps | | 1.8 | | 2.4 | |
| | Basis | | | | | | |
| | | - Natural gas (Bcf) | Swaps | | 12.5 | | 9.2 | |
Cash Flow Hedges - At June 30, 2010, our Consolidated Balance Sheet reflected a net unrealized gain of $22.3 million in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), with a corresponding offset in derivative financial instrument assets and liabilities that will be realized within the next 18 months as the forecasted transactions affect earnings. If prices remain at current levels, we will recognize $15.9 million in gains over the next 12 months, and we will recognize $6.4 million in gains thereafter.
The following table sets forth the effect of cash flow hedges recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for the periods indicated:
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships | | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
| 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | (Thousands of dollars) | |
Commodity contracts | | $ | 11,542 | | | $ | (13,313 | ) | | $ | 36,249 | | | $ | (13,644 | ) |
Interest-rate contracts | | | - | | | | 443 | | | | - | | | | 564 | |
Total gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (effective portion) | | $ | 11,542 | | | $ | (12,870 | ) | | $ | 36,249 | | | $ | (13,080 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The following table sets forth the effect of cash flow hedges on our Consolidated Statements of Income for the periods indicated:
| Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from | | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
Derivatives in Cash Flow | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
Hedging Relationships | (Loss) into Net Income (Effective Portion) | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | | (Thousands of dollars) | |
Commodity contracts | Revenues | | $ | 709 | | | $ | 15,983 | | | $ | (4,160 | ) | | $ | 34,748 | |
Interest-rate contracts | Interest expense | | | 221 | | | | 436 | | | | 442 | | | | 872 | |
Total gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net income (effective portion) | | $ | 930 | | | $ | 16,419 | | | $ | (3,718 | ) | | $ | 35,620 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ineffectiveness related to our cash flow hedges was not material for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. In the event that it becomes probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur, we would discontinue cash flow hedge treatment, which would affect earnings. There were no gains or losses due to the discontinuance of cash flow hedge treatment during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.
The balance in accumulated other comprehensive income in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, was attributable to unrealized gains and losses on derivatives.
Credit Risk - All the commodity derivative financial contracts we enter into are with ONEOK Energy Services Company, L.P. (OES), a subsidiary of ONEOK. OES enters into similar commodity derivative financial contracts with third parties at our direction and on our behalf. We have an indemnification agreement with OES that indemnifies and holds OES harmless from any liability it may incur solely as a result of its entering into commodity derivative financial contracts on our behalf. Derivative assets for which we would indemnify OES in the event of a default by the counterparty totaled $22.1 million at June 30, 2010, and were with investment-grade counterparties that are primarily in the oil a nd gas and financial services sectors. At December 31, 2009, there were no derivative assets for which we would indemnify OES in the event of a default by the counterparty.
D. CREDIT FACILITIES AND SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE
Our Partnership Credit Agreement, which expires in March 2012, contains certain financial, operational and legal covenants. Among other things, these requirements include maintaining a ratio of indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA (EBITDA, as defined in our Partnership Credit Agreement, adjusted for all non-cash charges and increased for projected EBITDA from certain lender-approved capital expansion projects) of no more than 5 to 1. If we consummate one or more acquisitions in which the aggregate purchase price is $25 million or more, the allowable ratio of indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA will be increased to 5.5 to 1 for the three calendar quarters following the acquisitions. At June 30, 2010, our ratio of indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA was 4.3 to 1, and we were in compliance with all covenants under our Par tnership Credit Agreement.
In June 2010, we initiated a new commercial paper program under which we may issue unsecured commercial paper notes up to a maximum amount outstanding of $1.0 billion to fund our short-term borrowing needs. The maturities of the commercial paper notes will vary but may not exceed 270 days from the date of issue. The commercial paper notes will be sold at a negotiated discount from par or will bear interest at a negotiated rate.
Our Partnership Credit Agreement, which expires in March 2012, is available to repay the commercial paper notes, if necessary. Amounts outstanding under the commercial paper program reduce the borrowings available under our Partnership Credit Agreement. At June 30, 2010, we had not issued any commercial paper. In July 2010, we repaid all borrowings outstanding under our Partnership Credit Agreement with the issuance of commercial paper.
At June 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, we had $680 million and $523 million, respectively, of borrowings outstanding under our Partnership Credit Agreement, and under the most restrictive provisions of our Partnership Credit Agreement had $320 million and $367 million, respectively, of credit available. At June 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, we had $24.2 million issued in letters of credit outside of the Partnership Credit Agreement. Borrowings under our Partnership Credit Agreement are nonrecourse to our general partner.
Borrowings under our Partnership Credit Agreement are typically short term in nature, ranging from one day to six months. Accordingly, these borrowings are classified as short-term notes payable.
E. EQUITY
ONEOK - ONEOK and its affiliates owned all of the Class B units, 5.9 million common units and the entire 2 percent general partner interest in us, which together constituted a 42.8 percent ownership interest in us at June 30, 2010.
Equity Issuance - In February 2010, we completed an underwritten public offering of 5,500,900 common units, including the partial exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option, at a public offering price of $60.75 per common unit, generating net proceeds of approximately $322.7 million. In conjunction with the offering, ONEOK Partners GP contributed $6.8 million in order to maintain its 2 percent general partner interest in us. We used the proceeds from the sale of common units and the general partner contribution to repay borrowings under our Partnership Credit Agreement and for general partnership purposes.
Cash Distributions - Cash distributions paid to our general partner of $54.6 million and $45.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, included incentive distributions of $49.1 million and $40.6 million, respectively.
In July 2010, our general partner declared a cash distribution of $1.12 per unit ($4.48 per unit on an annualized basis) for the second quarter of 2010, an increase of $0.01 from the previous quarter, which will be paid on August 13, 2010, to unitholders of record at the close of business on July 30, 2010.
F. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Environmental Liabilities - We are subject to multiple environmental, historical and wildlife preservation laws and regulations affecting many aspects of our present and future operations. Regulated activities include those involving air emissions, stormwater and wastewater discharges, handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, hazardous materials transportation, and pipeline and facility construction. These laws and regulations require us to obtain and comply with a wide variety of environmental clearances, registrations, licenses, permits and other approvals. Failure to comply with these laws, regulations, permits and licenses may expose us to fines, penalties and/or interruption s in our operations that could be material to our results of operations. If a leak or spill of hazardous substances or petroleum products occurs from pipelines or facilities that we own, operate or otherwise use, we could be held jointly and severally liable for all resulting liabilities, including response, investigation and clean-up costs, which could materially affect our results of operations and cash flows. In addition, emission controls required under the Clean Air Act and other similar federal and state laws could require unexpected capital expenditures at our facilities. We cannot assure that existing environmental regulations will not be revised or that new regulations will not be adopted or become applicable to us. Revised or additional regulations that result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our expenditures for environmental evaluation, mitigation, remediation and compliance to date have not been significant in relation to our financial position or results of operations, and our expenditures related to environmental matters had no material effect upon earnings or cash flows during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 or 2009.
In May 2010, the EPA finalized the “Tailoring Rule” that will regulate greenhouse gas emissions at new or modified facilities that meet certain criteria. Affected facilities will be required to review best available control technology, conduct air-quality analysis, impact analysis and public reviews with respect to such emissions. The rule will be phased in beginning January 2011 and, at current emission threshold levels, will have a minimal impact on our existing facilities. The EPA has stated it will consider lowering the threshold levels over the next five years, which could increase the impact on our existing facilities. However, potential costs, fees or expenses associated with the potential adjustmen ts are unknown.
In addition, the EPA issued a rule on air-quality standards, “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines,” also known as RICE NESHAP, scheduled to be adopted in early 2013. The rule will require capital expenditures over the next three years for the purchase and installation of new emissions-control equipment. We do not expect these expenditures to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Legal Proceedings - We are a party to various litigation matters and claims that have arisen in the normal course of our operations. While the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the final outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Overland Pass Pipeline Company - Overland Pass Pipeline Company is a joint venture between us and Williams Partners L.P. (Williams). We own 99 percent of the joint venture and operate the pipeline. In July 2010, we received notification that Williams elected to exercise its option to increase its ownership in Overland Pass Pipeline Company to 50 percent from 1 percent. The purchase price, as determined in accordance with the joint venture’s limited liability company agreement, is estimated to be approximately $425 million. The transaction is expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2010, subject to obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals. Upon closing of the transaction and as long as Williams owns at least 50 percent of Overland P ass Pipeline Company, Williams will have the option to become operator. We expect to deconsolidate Overland Pass Pipeline Company and account for it under the equity method of accounting upon closing of the transaction. We do not expect the transaction to have a material impact on our results of operations.
Investment in Northern Border Pipeline - Northern Border Pipeline anticipates requiring an additional equity contribution of approximately $102 million from its partners in 2011, of which our share will be approximately $51 million based on our 50 percent equity interest.
G. SEGMENTS
Segment Descriptions - We implemented changes to the structure of our previous reportable business segments during the third quarter of 2009 to better align them with how we manage our businesses. Our financial results are now reported in these three segments: (i) Natural Gas Gathering and Processing; (ii) Natural Gas Pipelines, both of which remain unchanged; and (iii) Natural Gas Liquids, which consolidates our former natural gas liquids gathering and fractionation segment with our former natural gas liquids pipelines segment due to the integrated manner in which they are managed. Prior-period amounts have been recast to reflect these segment changes.
Our operations are divided into three reportable business segments based on similarities in economic characteristics, products and services, types of customers, methods of distribution and regulatory environment, as follows:
· | our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment primarily gathers and processes natural gas; |
· | our Natural Gas Pipelines segment primarily operates regulated interstate and intrastate natural gas transmission pipelines and natural gas storage facilities; and |
· | our Natural Gas Liquids segment primarily gathers, treats, fractionates and transports NGLs and stores, markets and distributes NGL products. |
Accounting Policies - The accounting policies of the segments are described in Note A and Note M of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report. Intersegment and affiliate sales are recorded on the same basis as sales to unaffiliated customers. Net margin is comprised of total revenues less cost of sales and fuel. Cost of sales and fuel includes commodity purchases, fuel and transportation costs.
Customers - For the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and the six months ended June 30, 2009, we had no single unaffiliated customer from which we received 10 percent or more of our consolidated revenues. We had one unaffiliated customer from which we received $140.4 million, or approximately 10 percent, of our consolidated revenues, for the three months ended June 30, 2009.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, sales to affiliated customers were less than 10 percent. See Note J for additional information about our sales to affiliated customers.
Operating Segment Information - The following tables set forth certain selected financial information for our operating segments for the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 | | Natural Gas Gathering and Processing | | | Natural Gas Pipelines (a) | | | Natural Gas Liquids (b) | | | Other and Eliminations | | | Total | |
| | (Thousands of dollars) | |
Sales to unaffiliated customers | | $ | 109,651 | | | $ | 56,559 | | | $ | 1,780,822 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 1,947,032 | |
Sales to affiliated customers | | | 85,214 | | | | 22,875 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 108,089 | |
Intersegment revenues | | | 120,265 | | | | 553 | | | | 6,242 | | | | (127,060 | ) | | | - | |
Total revenues | | $ | 315,130 | | | $ | 79,987 | | | $ | 1,787,064 | | | $ | (127,060 | ) | | $ | 2,055,121 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net margin | | $ | 88,745 | | | $ | 72,822 | | | $ | 128,507 | | | $ | (1,912 | ) | | $ | 288,162 | |
Operating costs | | | 29,839 | | | | 23,608 | | | | 45,768 | | | | (1,257 | ) | | | 97,958 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 15,006 | | | | 11,061 | | | | 17,920 | | | | - | | | | 43,987 | |
Gain (loss) on sale of assets | | | (247 | ) | | | 63 | | | | (77 | ) | | | 1 | | | | (260 | ) |
Operating income | | $ | 43,653 | | | $ | 38,216 | | | $ | 64,742 | | | $ | (654 | ) | | $ | 145,957 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity earnings from investments | | $ | 7,552 | | | $ | 12,500 | | | $ | 624 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 20,676 | |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 29,793 | | | $ | 8,434 | | | $ | 21,736 | | | $ | 2,904 | | | $ | 62,867 | |
(a) - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $62.0 million, net margin of $57.0 million and operating income of $28.1 million. | |
(b) - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our Natural Gas Liquids segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $89.9 million, of which $58.8 million related to sales within the segment, net margin of $69.5 million and operating income of $38.8 million. | |
Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 | | Natural Gas Gathering and Processing | | | Natural Gas Pipelines (a) | | | Natural Gas Liquids (b) | | | Other and Eliminations | | | Total | |
| | (Thousands of dollars) | |
Sales to unaffiliated customers | | $ | 73,667 | | | $ | 51,493 | | | $ | 1,164,328 | | | $ | (1 | ) | | $ | 1,289,487 | |
Sales to affiliated customers | | | 84,713 | | | | 22,857 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 107,570 | |
Intersegment revenues | | | 81,721 | | | | 176 | | | | 5,214 | | | | (87,111 | ) | | | - | |
Total revenues | | $ | 240,101 | | | $ | 74,526 | | | $ | 1,169,542 | | | $ | (87,112 | ) | | $ | 1,397,057 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net margin | | $ | 86,292 | | | $ | 66,861 | | | $ | 109,852 | | | $ | (1,023 | ) | | $ | 261,982 | |
Operating costs | | | 34,031 | | | | 24,484 | | | | 42,649 | | | | (657 | ) | | | 100,507 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 14,465 | | | | 10,629 | | | | 14,847 | | | | 12 | | | | 39,953 | |
Gain (loss) on sale of assets | | | 3,093 | | | | (24 | ) | | | (3 | ) | | | 210 | | | | 3,276 | |
Operating income | | $ | 40,889 | | | $ | 31,724 | | | $ | 52,353 | | | $ | (168 | ) | | $ | 124,798 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity earnings from investments | | $ | 7,721 | | | $ | 5,555 | | | $ | 912 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 14,188 | |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 23,509 | | | $ | 16,840 | | | $ | 88,546 | | | $ | 471 | | | $ | 129,366 | |
(a) - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $60.8 million, net margin of $52.8 million and operating income of $22.7 million. | |
(b) - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our Natural Gas Liquids segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $57.0 million, of which $36.4 million related to sales within the segment, net margin of $45.0 million and operating income of $18.8 million. | |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 | | Natural Gas Gathering and Processing | | | Natural Gas Pipelines (a) | | | Natural Gas Liquids (b) | | | Other and Eliminations | | | Total | |
| | (Thousands of dollars) | |
Sales to unaffiliated customers | | $ | 223,846 | | | $ | 114,011 | | | $ | 3,676,250 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 4,014,107 | |
Sales to affiliated customers | | | 192,391 | | | | 52,629 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 245,020 | |
Intersegment revenues | | | 254,081 | �� | | | 937 | | | | 13,296 | | | | (268,314 | ) | | | - | |
Total revenues | | $ | 670,318 | | | $ | 167,577 | | | $ | 3,689,546 | | | $ | (268,314 | ) | | $ | 4,259,127 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net margin | | $ | 170,060 | | | $ | 151,387 | | | $ | 232,521 | | | $ | (4,681 | ) | | $ | 549,287 | |
Operating costs | | | 64,295 | | | | 46,384 | | | | 86,769 | | | | (3,182 | ) | | | 194,266 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 29,658 | | | | 21,943 | | | | 36,256 | | | | - | | | | 87,857 | |
Gain (loss) on sale of assets | | | (275 | ) | | | 64 | | | | (835 | ) | | | 1 | | | | (1,045 | ) |
Operating income | | $ | 75,832 | | | $ | 83,124 | | | $ | 108,661 | | | $ | (1,498 | ) | | $ | 266,119 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity earnings from investments | | $ | 13,239 | | | $ | 27,575 | | | $ | 978 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 41,792 | |
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates | | $ | 328,608 | | | $ | 399,370 | | | $ | 29,254 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 757,232 | |
Total assets | | $ | 1,653,129 | | | $ | 1,885,753 | | | $ | 4,286,355 | | | $ | (44,595 | ) | | $ | 7,780,642 | |
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries | | $ | - | | | $ | 5,228 | | | $ | 33 | | | $ | 15 | | | $ | 5,276 | |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 48,940 | | | $ | 11,669 | | | $ | 37,555 | | | $ | 530 | | | $ | 98,694 | |
(a) - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $132.4 million, net margin of $119.2 million and operating income of $62.2 million. | |
(b) - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our Natural Gas Liquids segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $171.5 million, of which $107.6 million related to sales within the segment, net margin of $133.0 million and operating income of $74.0 million. | |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 | | Natural Gas Gathering and Processing | | | Natural Gas Pipelines (a) | | | Natural Gas Liquids (b) | | | Other and Eliminations | | | Total | |
| | (Thousands of dollars) | |
Sales to unaffiliated customers | | $ | 135,813 | | | $ | 100,210 | | | $ | 2,160,194 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 2,396,217 | |
Sales to affiliated customers | | | 202,920 | | | | 48,785 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 251,705 | |
Intersegment revenues | | | 151,611 | | | | 323 | | | | 10,309 | | | | (162,243 | ) | | | - | |
Total revenues | | $ | 490,344 | | | $ | 149,318 | | | $ | 2,170,503 | | | $ | (162,243 | ) | | $ | 2,647,922 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net margin | | $ | 172,344 | | | $ | 132,429 | | | $ | 212,443 | | | $ | (1,693 | ) | | $ | 515,523 | |
Operating costs | | | 65,859 | | | | 44,664 | | | | 80,276 | | | | (846 | ) | | | 189,953 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 28,913 | | | | 23,422 | | | | 27,544 | | | | 14 | | | | 79,893 | |
Gain (loss) on sale of assets | | | 3,074 | | | | 3 | | | | - | | | | 863 | | | | 3,940 | |
Operating income | | $ | 80,646 | | | $ | 64,346 | | | $ | 104,623 | | | $ | 2 | | | $ | 249,617 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity earnings from investments | | $ | 12,187 | | | $ | 21,763 | | | $ | 1,460 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 35,410 | |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 52,327 | | | $ | 34,268 | | | $ | 234,794 | | | $ | 471 | | | $ | 321,860 | |
(a) - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $122.4 million, net margin of $104.5 million and operating income of $46.0 million. | |
(b) - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our Natural Gas Liquids segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $114.8 million, of which $70.1 million related to sales within the segment, net margin of $88.8 million and operating income of $40.8 million. | |
H. UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES
Equity Earnings from Investments - The following table sets forth our equity earnings from investments for the periods indicated:
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | (Thousands of dollars) | |
Northern Border Pipeline | | $ | 12,372 | | | $ | 5,454 | | | $ | 27,218 | | | $ | 21,492 | |
Bighorn Gas Gathering, L.L.C. | | | 1,811 | | | | 1,824 | | | | 2,048 | | | | 3,910 | |
Fort Union Gas Gathering, L.L.C. | | | 3,581 | | | | 3,805 | | | | 7,139 | | | | 6,015 | |
Lost Creek Gathering Company, L.L.C. | | | 1,454 | | | | 1,312 | | | | 2,856 | | | | 2,202 | |
Other | | | 1,458 | | | | 1,793 | | | | 2,531 | | | | 1,791 | |
Equity earnings from investments | | $ | 20,676 | | | $ | 14,188 | | | $ | 41,792 | | | $ | 35,410 | |
Unconsolidated Affiliates Financial Information - The following table sets forth summarized combined financial information of our unconsolidated affiliates for the periods indicated:
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| (Thousands of dollars) |
Income Statement | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating revenues | | $ | 98,077 | | | $ | 87,951 | | | $ | 197,308 | | | $ | 194,017 | |
Operating expenses | | $ | 44,896 | | | $ | 44,429 | | | $ | 89,611 | | | $ | 89,232 | |
Net income | | $ | 45,955 | | | $ | 32,129 | | | $ | 92,866 | | | $ | 82,645 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributions paid to us | | $ | 26,115 | | | $ | 30,142 | | | $ | 49,644 | | | $ | 63,473 | |
Distributions paid to us are classified as operating activities on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows until the cumulative distributions exceed our proportionate share of income from the unconsolidated affiliate since the date of our initial investment. The amount of cumulative distributions paid to us that exceeds our cumulative proportionate share of income in each period represents a return of investment and is classified as an investing activity on our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Distributions paid to us include a $9.1 million and $17.1 million return of investment for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $10.6 million and $25.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
I. LIMITED PARTNERS’ NET INCOME PER UNIT
Limited partners’ net income per unit is computed by dividing net income attributable to ONEOK Partners, L.P., after deducting the general partner’s allocation as discussed below, by the weighted-average number of outstanding limited partner units, which includes our common and Class B limited partner units. ONEOK, as sole holder of our Class B units, has waived its right to receive increased quarterly distributions on the Class B units. Because ONEOK has waived its right to increased quarterly distributions, currently each Class B unit and common unit share equally in the earnings of the partnership, and neither has any liquidation or other preferences. ONEOK retains the option to withdraw its waiver at any time by giving us no less than 90 days advance notice. ONEOK Partners GP own s the entire 2 percent general partnership interest in us, which entitles it to incentive distribution rights that provide for an increasing proportion of cash distributions from the partnership as the distributions made to limited partners increase above specified levels.
For purposes of our calculation of limited partners’ net income per unit, net income attributable to ONEOK Partners, L.P. is generally allocated to the general partner as follows: (i) an amount based upon the 2 percent general partner interest in net income attributable to ONEOK Partners, L.P. and (ii) the amount of the general partner’s incentive distribution rights based on the total cash distributions declared for the period. The amount of incentive distribution allocated to our general partner totaled $26.7 million and $21.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $52.4 million and $41.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
The terms of our Partnership Agreement limit the general partner’s incentive distribution to the amount of available cash calculated for the period. As such, incentive distribution rights are not allocated on undistributed earnings or distributions in excess of earnings. Gains resulting from interim capital transactions, as defined in our Partnership Agreement, are generally not subject to distribution; however, our Partnership Agreement provides that if such distributions were made, the incentive distribution rights would not apply. For additional information regarding our general partner’s incentive distribution rights, see Note J of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report.
J. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment sells natural gas to ONEOK and its subsidiaries. A portion of our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s revenues are from ONEOK and its subsidiaries. Additionally, our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment and Natural Gas Liquids segment purchase a portion of the natural gas used in their operations from ONEOK and its subsidiaries.
We have certain contractual rights to the Bushton Plant. Our Processing and Services Agreement with ONEOK and OBPI sets out the terms by which OBPI provides services to us at the Bushton Plant through 2012. We have contracted for all of the capacity of the Bushton Plant from OBPI. In exchange, we pay OBPI for all costs and expenses necessary for the
operation and maintenance of the Bushton Plant, and we reimburse ONEOK for OBPI’s obligations under equipment leases covering the Bushton Plant.
Under the Services Agreement with ONEOK, ONEOK Partners GP and NBP Services (Services Agreement), our operations and the operations of ONEOK and its affiliates can combine or share certain common services in order to operate more efficiently and cost effectively. Under the Services Agreement, ONEOK provides to us similar services that it provides to its affiliates, including those services required to be provided pursuant to our Partnership Agreement. ONEOK Partners GP may purchase services from ONEOK and its affiliates pursuant to the terms of the Services Agreement. ONEOK Partners GP has no employees and utilizes the services of ONEOK and ONEOK Services Company to fulfill its operating obligations.
ONEOK and its affiliates provide a variety of services to us under the Services Agreement, including cash management and financial services, employee benefits provided through ONEOK’s benefit plans, administrative services, insurance and office space leased in ONEOK’s headquarters building and other field locations. Where costs are specifically incurred on behalf of one of our affiliates, the costs are billed directly to us by ONEOK. In other situations, the costs may be allocated to us through a variety of methods, depending upon the nature of the expense and activities. For example, a service that applies equally to all employees is allocated based upon the number of employees. However, an expense benefiting the consolidated company but having no direct basis for allocation is allo cated by the modified Distrigas method, a method using a combination of ratios that includes gross plant and investment, earnings before interest and taxes and payroll expense. It is not practicable to determine what these general overhead costs would be on a stand-alone basis. All costs directly charged or allocated to us are included in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
Our derivative financial contracts with OES are discussed under “Credit Risk” in Note C.
The following table sets forth the transactions with related parties for the periods indicated:
| Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended | |
| June 30, | | June 30, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| (Thousands of dollars) |
Revenues | | $ | 108,089 | | | $ | 107,570 | | | $ | 245,020 | | | $ | 251,705 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of sales and fuel | | $ | 11,215 | | | $ | 9,416 | | | $ | 28,974 | | | $ | 26,054 | |
Administrative and general expenses | | | 51,974 | | | | 49,855 | | | | 102,999 | | | | 98,478 | |
Total expenses | | $ | 63,189 | | | $ | 59,271 | | | $ | 131,973 | | | $ | 124,532 | |
Cash Distributions to ONEOK - We paid cash distributions to ONEOK and its subsidiaries related to its general and limited partner interests of $75.6 million and $68.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $148.3 million and $137.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
| MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report, as well as our Annual Report.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Outlook - We expect a slow economic recovery to continue for the remainder of 2010. Although volatility in the financial markets could limit our access to financial markets on a timely basis or increase our cost of capital in the future, we anticipate improved credit markets for the remainder of 2010, compared with 2009; however, the potential impacts of the recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) may reduce liquidity in the financial markets and could increase our cost of capital and the costs of hedging certain risks inherent in our business. We anticipate the consolidation of underperforming assets in the industry, particularly those with high commodity price exposure and/or high levels of debt. 160; Additionally, we anticipate an improving commodity price environment to continue during 2010, compared with 2009.
Cash Distributions - In July 2010, our general partner declared a cash distribution of $1.12 per unit ($4.48 per unit on an annualized basis) for the second quarter of 2010, an increase of $0.01 from the previous quarter, which will be paid August 13, 2010, to unitholders of record at the close of business on July 30, 2010.
Commercial Paper Program - In June 2010, we established a commercial paper program providing for the issuance of up to $1.0 billion of unsecured commercial paper notes. Amounts outstanding under the commercial paper program reduce the borrowings available under our Partnership Credit Agreement. At June 30, 2010, we had not issued any commercial paper. In July 2010, we repaid all borrowings outstanding under our Partnership Credit Agreement with the issuance of commercial paper.
Long-Term Debt - In June 2010, we repaid $250 million of maturing senior notes with available cash and short-term borrowings. With the repayment of these notes, we no longer have any obligation to offer to repurchase the $225 million senior notes due 2011 in the event that our long-term debt credit ratings fall below investment grade.
Overland Pass Pipeline Company - Overland Pass Pipeline Company is a joint venture between us and Williams Partners L.P. (Williams). We own 99 percent of the joint venture and operate the pipeline. In July 2010, we received notification that Williams elected to exercise its option to increase its ownership in Overland Pass Pipeline Company to 50 percent from 1 percent. The purchase price, as determined in accordance with the joint venture’s limited liability company agreement, is estimated to be approximately $425 million. The transaction is expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2010, subject to obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals. Upon closing of the transaction and as long as Williams owns at least 50 percent of Overland P ass Pipeline Company, Williams will have the option to become operator. We do not expect the transaction to have a material impact on our results of operations. We expect to use the proceeds from the transaction to repay short-term debt and to fund our recently announced capital projects.
Growth Projects - In April 2010, we announced that we will invest approximately $405 million to $470 million for projects in the Bakken Shale in the Williston Basin in North Dakota and in the Woodford Shale in Oklahoma, which will enable us to meet the rapidly growing needs of producers in these areas.
Garden Creek plant and related projects - We plan to construct a new 100 MMcf/d natural gas processing facility, the Garden Creek plant, in eastern McKenzie County, North Dakota. The plant and related expansions are estimated to cost between $150 million and $210 million and will double our natural gas processing capacity in the Williston Basin. These projects are expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2011. In addition, we will invest $200 million to $205 million during 2010 and 2011 for new well connections, expansions and upgrades to our existing natural gas gathering infrastructure in the Bakken Shale. These projects are in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment.
Woodford Shale projects - We also will invest $55 million in the Woodford Shale in Oklahoma for new well connections in 2010 and 2011 and to connect our natural gas gathering system to our Maysville, Oklahoma, natural gas processing facility, as well as for the connection of a new third-party processing plant to our NGL gathering system in Oklahoma. These projects are in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing and Natural Gas Liquids segments.
Bakken Pipeline and related projects - In July 2010, we announced plans to build a 525- to 615-mile NGL pipeline that will transport unfractionated NGLs from the Bakken Shale in the Williston Basin in North Dakota to the Overland Pass Pipeline.
The Bakken Pipeline will initially transport up to 60 MBbl/d of unfractionated NGL production from our natural gas gathering and processing assets in the Bakken Shale and from third-party natural gas processing plants south through western North Dakota and eastern Montana to Wyoming, where it will connect to the Overland Pass Pipeline near Cheyenne, Wyoming. The volumes will then be delivered to our existing NGL infrastructure in the Mid-Continent. Additional pump facilities could increase the new pipeline’s capacity to 110 MBbl/d. Supply commitments for the Bakken Pipeline will be anchored by NGL production from our natural gas processing plants and from third-party processors, which are in various stages of negotiation. 160; Following receipt of all necessary permits, construction of the 12-inch diameter pipeline is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2012 and is currently expected to be completed during the first half of 2013. Project costs for the new pipeline are estimated to be $450 million to $550 million.
The additional unfractionated NGL volumes from the new Bakken Pipeline and other supply sources under development in the Rockies will require an investment of $35 million to $40 million for our anticipated share of the costs for additional pump stations on the Overland Pass Pipeline. This investment along with projected capital expenditures in 2010, will increase capacity to the maximum of 255 MBbl/d.
We also will invest $110 million to $140 million to expand and upgrade our existing fractionation capacity at Bushton, Kansas, increasing our capacity to 210 MBbl/d from 150 MBbl/d.
Sterling I Pipeline Expansion - In July 2010, we announced plans to install seven additional pump stations for approximately $36 million along our existing Sterling I natural gas liquids distribution pipeline, increasing its capacity by 15 MBbl/d, which will be supplied by our Mid-Continent NGL infrastructure. The Sterling I pipeline transports NGL products from our fractionator in Medford, Oklahoma, to the Mont Belvieu, Texas, market center and is currently operating at capacity. The pump station installation will begin later this year and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2011.
Equity Issuance - In February 2010, we completed an underwritten public offering of 5,500,900 common units, including the partial exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option, at a public offering price of $60.75 per common unit, generating net proceeds of approximately $322.7 million. In conjunction with the offering, ONEOK Partners GP contributed $6.8 million in order to maintain its 2 percent general partner interest in us. We used the proceeds from the sale of common units and the general partner contribution to repay borrowings under our Partnership Credit Agreement and for general partnership purposes. As a result of these transactions, ONEOK and its subsidiaries own a 42.8 percent aggregate equity interest in us.
Financial Markets Legislation - In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act was enacted, representing a far-reaching overhaul of the framework for regulation of U.S. financial markets. We are currently evaluating the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Dodd-Frank Act calls for various regulatory agencies, including the SEC and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, to establish regulations for implementation of many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, which we expect will provide additional clarity regarding the extent of the impact of this legislation on us. We expect to be able to continue to participate in financial markets for hedging certain risks inherent in our business, including commodity and interest rate risks. However, the costs of doing so may be increased as a result of the new legislation. We may also incur additional costs associated with our compliance with the new regulations and anticipated additional reporting and disclosure obligations.
Segment Realignment - We implemented changes to the structure of our previous reportable business segments during the third quarter of 2009 to better align them with how we manage our businesses. Our financial results are now reported in these three segments: (i) Natural Gas Gathering and Processing; (ii) Natural Gas Pipelines, both of which remain unchanged; and (iii) Natural Gas Liquids, which consolidates our former natural gas liquids gathering and fractionation segment with our former natural gas liquids pipelines segment due to the integrated manner in which they are managed. Prior-period amounts have been recast to reflect these segment changes.
Operating Results - Net income attributable to us increased to $105.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared with $97.5 million for the same period in 2009. The increase in net income attributable to us for the three-month period ending June 30, 2010, is due primarily to the following:
· | an increase in net margin due primarily to: |
- | higher NGL volumes gathered, fractionated and transported, associated with the completion of our capital projects, as well as new NGL supply connections in our Natural Gas Liquids segment; |
- | higher net realized commodity prices in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment; and |
- | increased transportation capacity contracted and the impact of higher natural gas prices on retained fuel in our Natural Gas Pipelines segment; offset partially by |
- | lower optimization margins as increasing NGL volumes from customers under fee-based contracts limited the fractionation and transportation capacity available for optimization activities in our Natural Gas Liquids segment; |
· | an increase in equity earnings from investments due to increased throughput on Northern Border Pipeline in our Natural Gas Pipelines segment; |
· | a decrease in operating costs due primarily to: |
- | the timing of certain accruals for employee-related costs; offset partially by |
- | the operations of our capital projects completed last year; and |
· | a decrease in allowance for equity funds used during construction due primarily to the completion of the Arbuckle Pipeline, Piceance lateral and D-J Basin lateral in our Natural Gas Liquids segment. |
For the six-month period, net income attributable to us decreased to $188.9 million from $197.1 million for the same period in 2009. The decrease in net income attributable to us for the six-month period ending June 30, 2010, is due primarily to the following:
· | an increase in operating costs resulting from the operation of our capital projects completed last year and higher employee-related costs; and |
· | a decrease in allowance for equity funds used during construction due primarily to the completion of the Arbuckle Pipeline, Piceance lateral and D-J Basin lateral in our Natural Gas Liquids segment; offset partially by |
· | an increase in net margin due primarily to: |
- | higher NGL volumes gathered, fractionated and transported, associated with the completion of our capital projects, as well as new NGL supply connections in our Natural Gas Liquids segment; |
- | higher natural gas transportation margins from an increase in capacity contracted on Midwestern Gas Transmission, Viking Gas Transmission’s Fargo lateral that was completed in October 2009 and from the Guardian Pipeline expansion and extension project that was completed in February 2009 in our Natural Gas Pipelines segment; and |
- | higher net realized commodity prices in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment; offset partially by |
- | lower optimization margins as increasing NGL volumes from customers under fee-based contracts limited the fractionation and transportation capacity available for optimization activities in our Natural Gas Liquids segment; and |
- | lower volumes gathered in the Powder River Basin in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment; and |
· | an increase in equity earnings from investments due to increased throughput on Northern Border Pipeline in our Natural Gas Pipelines segment. |
IMPACT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Information about the impact of new accounting standards is included in Note A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report for ASU 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements,” which did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. See Note B of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of our fair value measurements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. These estimates and assumptions also affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although we believe these estimates and assumptions are reasonable, actual results could differ from our estimates.
Information about our critical accounting policies and estimates is included under Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates,” in our Annual Report.
FINANCIAL RESULTS AND OPERATING INFORMATION
Consolidated Operations
Selected Financial Results - The following table sets forth certain selected consolidated financial results for the periods indicated:
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | | | Three Months | | | Six Months | |
| | June 30, | | | June 30, | | | 2010 vs. 2009 | | | 2010 vs. 2009 | |
Financial Results | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | Increase (Decrease) | | Increase (Decrease) |
| | (Millions of dollars) | |
Revenues | | $ | 2,055.1 | | | $ | 1,397.1 | | | $ | 4,259.1 | | | $ | 2,647.9 | | | $ | 658.0 | | | | 47 | % | | $ | 1,611.2 | | | | 61 | % |
Cost of sales and fuel | | | 1,766.9 | | | | 1,135.1 | | | | 3,709.8 | | | | 2,132.3 | | | | 631.8 | | | | 56 | % | | | 1,577.5 | | | | 74 | % |
Net margin | | | 288.2 | | | | 262.0 | | | | 549.3 | | | | 515.6 | | | | 26.2 | | | | 10 | % | | | 33.7 | | | | 7 | % |
Operating costs | | | 97.9 | | | | 100.5 | | | | 194.3 | | | | 190.0 | | | | (2.6 | ) | | | (3 | %) | | | 4.3 | | | | 2 | % |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 44.0 | | | | 40.0 | | | | 87.9 | | | | 79.9 | | | | 4.0 | | | | 10 | % | | | 8.0 | | | | 10 | % |
Gain (loss) on sale of assets | | | (0.3 | ) | | | 3.3 | | | | (1.0 | ) | | | 3.9 | | | | (3.6 | ) | | | * | | | | (4.9 | ) | | | * | |
Operating income | | $ | 146.0 | | | $ | 124.8 | | | $ | 266.1 | | | $ | 249.6 | | | $ | 21.2 | | | | 17 | % | | $ | 16.5 | | | | 7 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity earnings from investments | | $ | 20.7 | | | $ | 14.2 | | | $ | 41.8 | | | $ | 35.4 | | | $ | 6.5 | | | | 46 | % | | $ | 6.4 | | | | 18 | % |
Allowance for equity funds used during construction | | $ | 0.2 | | | $ | 9.5 | | | $ | 0.5 | | | $ | 18.5 | | | $ | (9.3 | ) | | | (98 | %) | | $ | (18.0 | ) | | | (97 | %) |
Interest expense | | $ | (53.3 | ) | | $ | (50.9 | ) | | $ | (107.5 | ) | | $ | (101.8 | ) | | $ | 2.4 | | | | 5 | % | | $ | 5.7 | | | | 6 | % |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 62.9 | | | $ | 129.4 | | | $ | 98.7 | | | $ | 321.9 | | | $ | (66.5 | ) | | | (51 | %) | | $ | (223.2 | ) | | | (69 | %) |
* Percentage change is greater than 100 percent. | | | | | | | | | | |
Energy markets were affected by increased commodity prices during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same periods last year. The increase in commodity prices had a direct impact on our revenues and cost of sales and fuel. Net margin increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year, due to the following:
· | higher NGL volumes gathered, fractionated and transported, associated with the completion of our capital projects, as well as new NGL supply connections in our Natural Gas Liquids segment; |
· | higher natural gas transportation margins from an increase in capacity contracted on Midwestern Gas Transmission and Viking Gas Transmission’s Fargo lateral that was completed in October 2009 in our Natural Gas Pipelines segment; |
· | higher net realized commodity prices in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment; offset partially by |
· | lower optimization margins as increasing NGL volumes from customers under fee-based contracts limited the fractionation and transportation capacity available for optimization activities in our Natural Gas Liquids segment; and |
· | lower volumes gathered in the Powder River Basin in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment. |
Operating costs decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year, due primarily to the timing of certain accruals for employee-related costs, offset partially by the operations of our capital projects completed last year. Operating costs increased for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year, due primarily to the operation of our capital projects completed last year and higher employee-related costs.
Depreciation and amortization increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same periods last year, due primarily to higher depreciation expense associated with our capital projects completed last year.
Equity earnings from investments increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same periods last year, due to increased throughput on Northern Border Pipeline.
Allowance for equity funds used during construction and capital expenditures decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same periods last year, due primarily to our completed capital projects.
Additional information regarding our financial results and operating information is provided in the following discussion for each of our segments.
Natural Gas Gathering and Processing
Overview - Our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment’s operations include gathering and processing of natural gas produced from crude oil and natural gas wells. We gather and process natural gas in the Mid-Continent region, which includes the Anadarko Basin of Oklahoma that contains the NGL-rich Woodford shale formation and the Hugoton and Central Kansas Uplift Basins of Kansas. We also gather and/or process natural gas in two producing basins in the Rocky Mountain region: the Williston Basin, which spans portions of Montana and North Dakota that includes the oil-producing Bakken and Three Forks shale formations, and the Powder River Basin of Wyoming. The natural gas we gather in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming is coal-bed methane, or dry gas, that does not require processing or NGL extraction, in order to be marketable; dry gas is gathered, compressed and delivered into a downstream pipeline or marketed for a fee.
In the Mid-Continent region and the Williston Basin, unprocessed natural gas is compressed and transported through pipelines to processing facilities where volumes are aggregated, treated and processed to remove water vapor, solids and other contaminants, and to extract NGLs in order to provide marketable natural gas, commonly referred to as residue gas. The residue gas, which consists primarily of methane, is compressed and delivered to natural gas pipelines for transportation to end users. When the NGLs are separated from the unprocessed natural gas at the processing plants, the NGLs are generally in the form of a mixed, unfractionated NGL stream. This unfractionated NGL stream is fractionated, through the application of heat and pressure, and separated into NGL products. Our natural gas and N GL products are sold to affiliates and a diverse customer base. Revenues for this segment are derived primarily from POP, fee and keep-whole contracts. Under a POP contract, we retain a portion of sales proceeds from the commodity sales for our services. With a fee-based contract, we charge a fee for our services, and with the keep-whole contract, we retain the NGLs as our fee for service and return to the producer an equivalent quantity of or payment for residue gas containing the same amount of Btus as the unprocessed natural gas that was delivered to us.
Selected Financial Results - The following table sets forth certain selected financial results for our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment for the periods indicated:
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | | | Three Months | | | Six Months | |
| | June 30, | | | June 30, | | | 2010 vs. 2009 | | | 2010 vs. 2009 | |
Financial Results | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | Increase (Decrease) | | | Increase (Decrease) | |
| (Millions of dollars) | |
NGL and condensate sales | | $ | 173.2 | | | $ | 129.2 | | | $ | 360.3 | | | $ | 247.0 | | | $ | 44.0 | | | | 34 | % | | $ | 113.3 | | | | 46 | % |
Residue gas sales | | | 105.4 | | | | 74.0 | | | | 237.3 | | | | 166.0 | | | | 31.4 | | | | 42 | % | | | 71.3 | | | | 43 | % |
Gathering, compression, dehydration and processing fees and other revenue | | | 36.5 | | | | 36.9 | | | | 72.7 | | | | 77.3 | | | | (0.4 | ) | | | (1 | %) | | | (4.6 | ) | | | (6 | %) |
Cost of sales and fuel | | | 226.4 | | | | 153.8 | | | | 500.2 | | | | 318.0 | | | | 72.6 | | | | 47 | % | | | 182.2 | | | | 57 | % |
Net margin | | | 88.7 | | | | 86.3 | | | | 170.1 | | | | 172.3 | | | | 2.4 | | | | 3 | % | | | (2.2 | ) | | | (1 | %) |
Operating costs | | | 29.8 | | | | 34.0 | | | | 64.3 | | | | 65.9 | | | | (4.2 | ) | | | (12 | %) | | | (1.6 | ) | | | (2 | %) |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 15.0 | | | | 14.5 | | | | 29.7 | | | | 28.9 | | | | 0.5 | | | | 3 | % | | | 0.8 | | | | 3 | % |
Gain (loss) on sale of assets | | | (0.2 | ) | | | 3.1 | | | | (0.3 | ) | | | 3.1 | | | | (3.3 | ) | | | * | | | | (3.4 | ) | | | * | |
Operating income | | $ | 43.7 | | | $ | 40.9 | | | $ | 75.8 | | | $ | 80.6 | | | $ | 2.8 | | | | 7 | % | | $ | (4.8 | ) | | | (6 | %) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity earnings from investments | | $ | 7.6 | | | $ | 7.7 | | | $ | 13.2 | | | $ | 12.2 | | | $ | (0.1 | ) | | | (1 | %) | | $ | 1.0 | | | | 8 | % |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 29.8 | | | $ | 23.5 | | | $ | 48.9 | | | $ | 52.3 | | | $ | 6.3 | | | | 27 | % | | $ | (3.4 | ) | | | (7 | %) |
* Percentage change is greater than 100 percent. | | | | | | |
Net margin increased for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year, primarily as result of the following:
· | an increase of $4.0 million due to higher net realized commodity prices; and |
· | an increase of $1.6 million due to higher volumes processed and sold; offset partially by |
· | a decrease of $1.7 million due to lower volumes gathered in the Powder River Basin; and |
· | a decrease of $1.1 million due to changes in contract terms. |
Net margin decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year, primarily as result of the following:
· | a decrease of $3.8 million due to lower volumes gathered in the Powder River Basin; |
· | a decrease of $3.0 million due to favorable legal settlements recognized in the first quarter of 2009; and |
· | a decrease of $2.6 million due to changes in contract terms; offset partially by |
· | an increase of $5.5 million due to higher net realized commodity prices; and |
· | an increase of $1.3 million due to higher volumes processed and sold. |
Operating costs decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year, due primarily to the timing of certain accruals for employee-related costs and lower costs associated with general taxes, outside services and maintenance. Operating costs decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year, due primarily to lower outside services and maintenance costs.
Gain (loss) on sale of assets decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same periods last year, due to the sale of excess compression equipment in 2009.
Capital expenditures increased for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year, due to our recently announced capital projects. Capital expenditures decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year due to our completed capital projects in 2009, offset partially by costs related to our recently announced capital projects.
Selected Operating Information - The following tables set forth selected operating information for our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment for the periods indicated:
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
Operating Information | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Natural gas gathered (BBtu/d) (a) | | | 1,088 | | | | 1,130 | | | | 1,090 | | | | 1,147 | |
Natural gas processed (BBtu/d) (a) | | | 690 | | | | 658 | | | | 677 | | | | 655 | |
NGL sales (MBbl/d) (a) | | | 45 | | | | 42 | | | | 44 | | | | 41 | |
Residue gas sales (BBtu/d) (a) | | | 290 | | | | 291 | | | | 283 | | | | 288 | |
Realized composite NGL net sales price ($/gallon) (b) | | $ | 0.90 | | | $ | 0.84 | | | $ | 0.94 | | | $ | 0.85 | |
Realized condensate net sales price ($/Bbl) (b) | | $ | 63.45 | | | $ | 77.03 | | | $ | 62.92 | | | $ | 72.51 | |
Realized residue gas net sales price ($/MMBtu) (b) | | $ | 5.37 | | | $ | 3.21 | | | $ | 5.33 | | | $ | 3.42 | |
Realized gross processing spread ($/MMBtu) (a) | | $ | 3.48 | | | $ | 6.34 | | | $ | 3.70 | | | $ | 6.34 | |
(a) - Includes volumes for consolidated entities only. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(b) - Includes equity volumes only. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
Operating Information (a) | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Percent of proceeds | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NGL sales (Bbl/d) | | | 5,797 | | | | 5,346 | | | | 5,408 | | | | 5,210 | |
Residue gas sales (MMBtu/d) | | | 43,534 | | | | 41,054 | | | | 40,978 | | | | 38,979 | |
Condensate sales (Bbl/d) | | | 1,887 | | | | 1,825 | | | | 1,902 | | | | 1,925 | |
Percentage of total net margin | | | 55% | | | | 49% | | | | 54% | | | | 49% | |
Fee-based | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Wellhead volumes (MMBtu/d) | | | 1,088,438 | | | | 1,130,169 | | | | 1,090,239 | | | | 1,146,681 | |
Average rate ($/MMBtu) | | $ | 0.31 | | | $ | 0.31 | | | $ | 0.30 | | | $ | 0.30 | |
Percentage of total net margin | | | 34% | | | | 36% | | | | 35% | | | | 36% | |
Keep-whole | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NGL shrink (MMBtu/d) | | | 14,336 | | | | 18,874 | | | | 14,079 | | | | 18,528 | |
Plant fuel (MMBtu/d) | | | 1,537 | | | | 2,166 | | | | 1,625 | | | | 2,174 | |
Condensate shrink (MMBtu/d) | | | 1,695 | | | | 2,042 | | | | 1,638 | | | | 2,113 | |
Condensate sales (Bbl/d) | | | 343 | | | | 413 | | | | 331 | | | | 428 | |
Percentage of total net margin | | | 11% | | | | 15% | | | | 11% | | | | 15% | |
(a) - Includes volumes for consolidated entities only. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Commodity Price Risk - The following tables set forth our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment’s hedging information for the periods indicated:
| | Six Months Ending | |
| | December 31, 2010 | |
| | Volumes Hedged | | | Average Price | | Percentage Hedged | |
NGLs (Bbl/d) (a) | | | 5,166 | | | $ | 1.05 | | / gallon | | | 60 | % |
Condensate (Bbl/d) (a) | | | 1,611 | | | $ | 1.83 | | / gallon | | | 76 | % |
Total (Bbl/d) | | | 6,777 | | | $ | 1.24 | | / gallon | | | 63 | % |
Natural gas (MMBtu/d) | | | 23,345 | | | $ | 5.55 | | / MMBtu | | | 95 | % |
(a) - Hedged with fixed-price swaps. | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ending | |
| | December 31, 2011 | |
| | Volumes Hedged | | | Average Price | | Percentage Hedged | |
NGLs (Bbl/d) (a) | | | 902 | | | $ | 1.34 | | / gallon | | | 10 | % |
Condensate (Bbl/d) (a) | | | 596 | | | $ | 2.12 | | / gallon | | | 26 | % |
Total (Bbl/d) | | | 1,498 | | | $ | 1.65 | | / gallon | | | 13 | % |
Natural gas (MMBtu/d) | | | 22,541 | | | $ | 5.72 | | / MMBtu | | | 75 | % |
(a) - Hedged with fixed-price swaps. | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment’s commodity price risk related to physical sales of commodities is estimated as a hypothetical change in the price of NGLs, crude oil and natural gas, excluding the effects of hedging and assuming normal operating conditions. Our condensate sales are based on the price of crude oil. We estimate the following:
· | a $0.01 per gallon decrease in the composite price of NGLs would decrease annual net margin by approximately $1.3 million; |
· | a $1.00 per barrel decrease in the price of crude oil would decrease annual net margin by approximately $1.1 million; and |
· | a $0.10 per MMBtu decrease in the price of natural gas would decrease annual net margin by approximately $1.0 million. |
These estimates do not include any effects on demand for our services or changes in operations that we may undertake to compensate for or improve our ability to realize market advantages from periodic price changes. For example, a change in the gross processing spread may cause us to change the amount of ethane we extract from the natural gas stream, impacting gathering and processing margins for certain contracts.
See Note C of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report for more information on our hedging activities.
Natural Gas Pipelines
Overview - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment primarily owns and operates regulated natural gas transmission pipelines, natural gas storage facilities and natural gas gathering systems for non-processed gas. We also provide interstate natural gas transportation and storage service in accordance with Section 311(a) of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, as amended.
Our interstate natural gas pipeline assets transport natural gas through FERC-regulated interstate natural gas pipelines in North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. Our interstate pipeline companies include:
· | Midwestern Gas Transmission, which is a bi-directional system that interconnects with Tennessee Gas Transmission Company’s pipeline near Portland, Tennessee, and with several interstate pipelines near Joliet, Illinois; |
· | Viking Gas Transmission, which transports natural gas from an interconnection with a TransCanada Corporation pipeline near Emerson, Manitoba, to an interconnection with ANR Pipeline Company near Marshfield, Wisconsin; |
· | Guardian Pipeline interconnects with several pipelines in Joliet, Illinois, and with local distribution companies in Wisconsin; and |
· | OkTex Pipeline, which has interconnections in Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. |
Our intrastate natural gas pipeline assets in Oklahoma have access to the major natural gas producing areas and transport natural gas throughout the state. We also have access to the major natural gas producing area in south central Kansas. In Texas, our intrastate natural gas pipelines are connected to the major natural gas producing areas in the Texas panhandle and the Permian Basin and transport natural gas to the Waha Hub, where other pipelines may be accessed for transportation to western markets, the Houston Ship Channel market to the east and the Mid-Continent market to the north.
We own underground natural gas storage facilities in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas.
Our transportation contracts for our regulated natural gas activities are based upon rates stated in our tariffs. Tariffs specify the maximum rates that customers can be charged, which can be discounted to meet competition if necessary, and the general terms and conditions for pipeline transportation service, which are established at FERC or appropriate state jurisdictional agency proceedings, known as rate cases. In Texas and Kansas, natural gas storage service is a fee business that may be regulated by the state in which the facility operates and by the FERC for certain types of services. In Oklahoma, natural gas gathering and natural gas storage operations are also a fee business but are not subject to rate regulation by the OCC and have market-based rate authority from the FERC for certain types of ser vices.
Selected Financial Results and Operating Information - The following tables set forth certain selected financial results and operating information for our Natural Gas Pipelines segment for the periods indicated:
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | | | Three Months | | | Six Months | |
| | June 30, | | | June 30, | | | 2010 vs. 2009 | | | 2010 vs. 2009 | |
Financial Results | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | Increase (Decrease) | | | Increase (Decrease) | |
| | (Millions of dollars) | |
Transportation revenues | | $ | 58.0 | | | $ | 53.8 | | | $ | 123.9 | | | $ | 110.4 | | | $ | 4.2 | | | | 8 | % | | $ | 13.5 | | | | 12 | % |
Storage revenues | | | 17.6 | | | | 15.0 | | | | 34.2 | | | | 29.3 | | | | 2.6 | | | | 17 | % | | | 4.9 | | | | 17 | % |
Gas sales and other revenues | | | 4.4 | | | | 5.7 | | | | 9.4 | | | | 9.6 | | | | (1.3 | ) | | | (23 | %) | | | (0.2 | ) | | | (2 | %) |
Cost of sales | | | 7.2 | | | | 7.7 | | | | 16.2 | | | | 16.9 | | | | (0.5 | ) | | | (6 | %) | | | (0.7 | ) | | | (4 | %) |
Net margin | | | 72.8 | | | | 66.8 | | | | 151.3 | | | | 132.4 | | | | 6.0 | | | | 9 | % | | | 18.9 | | | | 14 | % |
Operating costs | | | 23.6 | | | | 24.5 | | | | 46.4 | | | | 44.7 | | | | (0.9 | ) | | | (4 | %) | | | 1.7 | | | | 4 | % |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 11.1 | | | | 10.6 | | | | 21.9 | | | | 23.4 | | | | 0.5 | | | | 5 | % | | | (1.5 | ) | | | (6 | %) |
Gain on sale of assets | | | 0.1 | | | | - | | | | 0.1 | | | | - | | | | 0.1 | | | | 100 | % | | | 0.1 | | | | 100 | % |
Operating income | | $ | 38.2 | | | $ | 31.7 | | | $ | 83.1 | | | $ | 64.3 | | | $ | 6.5 | | | | 21 | % | | $ | 18.8 | | | | 29 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity earnings from investments | | $ | 12.5 | | | $ | 5.6 | | | $ | 27.6 | | | $ | 21.8 | | | $ | 6.9 | | | | * | | | $ | 5.8 | | | | 27 | % |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 8.4 | | | $ | 16.8 | | | $ | 11.7 | | | $ | 34.3 | | | $ | (8.4 | ) | | | (50 | %) | | $ | (22.6 | ) | | | (66 | %) |
* Percentage change is greater than 100 percent. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
Operating Information (a) | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Natural gas transportation capacity contracted (MMcf/d) | | | 5,454 | | | | 5,192 | | | | 5,656 | | | | 5,220 | |
Transportation capacity subscribed | | | 84% | | | | 79% | | | | 87% | | | | 79% | |
Average natural gas price | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mid-Continent region ($/MMBtu) | | $ | 4.07 | | | $ | 2.88 | | | $ | 4.55 | | | $ | 3.04 | |
(a) - Includes volumes for consolidated entities only. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net margin increased for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year, primarily as a result of the following:
· | an increase of $2.7 million from the impact of higher natural gas prices on retained fuel, offset partially by lower natural gas volumes retained; and |
· | an increase of $2.5 million from higher natural gas transportation margins, excluding retained fuel, primarily as a result of increased capacity contracted on Midwestern Gas Transmission as a result of a new interconnection with the Rockies Express Pipeline that was placed in service in June 2009 and the incremental margin from Viking Gas Transmission’s Fargo lateral that was completed in October 2009. |
Net margin increased for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year, primarily as a result of the following:
· | an increase of $11.7 million from higher natural gas transportation margins, excluding retained fuel, primarily as a result of increased capacity contracted on Midwestern Gas Transmission as a result of a new interconnection with the Rockies Express Pipeline that was placed in service beginning in June 2009, Viking Gas Transmission’s Fargo lateral that was completed in October 2009 and the incremental margin from the Guardian Pipeline expansion and extension project that was completed in February 2009; |
· | an increase of $3.4 million from higher natural gas storage margins, excluding retained fuel, primarily as a result of contract renegotiations; and |
· | an increase of $3.3 million from the impact of higher natural gas prices on retained fuel, offset partially by lower natural gas volumes retained. |
Operating costs decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year, due primarily to the timing of certain accruals for employee-related costs. Operating costs increased for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year, due primarily to higher employee-related costs.
Equity earnings from investments increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same periods last year, due to increased throughput on Northern Border Pipeline.
Capital expenditures decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same periods last year, due primarily to the Guardian Pipeline expansion and extension project that was completed in February 2009.
Natural Gas Liquids
Overview - Our natural gas liquids assets consist of facilities that gather, fractionate and treat NGLs and store NGL products primarily in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas. We own FERC-regulated natural gas liquids gathering and distribution pipelines in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Wyoming and Colorado, and terminal and storage facilities in Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois. We also own FERC-regulated natural gas liquids distribution and refined petroleum products pipelines in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana that connect our Mid-Continent assets with Midwest markets, including Chicago, Illinois. The majority of the pipeline-connected natural gas processing plants in Oklahoma, Kansas and the Texas panhandle, which extract NGLs from unpro cessed natural gas, are connected to our gathering systems.
Most natural gas produced at the wellhead contains a mixture of NGL components, such as ethane, propane, iso-butane, normal butane and natural gasoline. Natural gas processing plants remove the NGLs from the natural gas stream to realize the higher economic value of the NGLs and to meet natural gas pipeline-quality specifications, which limit NGLs in the natural gas stream due to liquid and Btu content. The NGLs that are separated from the natural gas stream at the natural gas processing plants remain in a mixed, unfractionated form until they are gathered, primarily by pipeline, and delivered to fractionators where the NGLs are separated into NGL products. These NGL products are then stored or distributed to our customers, such as petrochemical manufacturers, heating fuel users, refineries and propane dis tributors. We also purchase NGLs from third parties, as well as from our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment.
Net margin for our Natural Gas Liquids segment is derived primarily from exchange services, optimization and marketing, pipeline transportation, isomerization and storage, defined as follows:
· | Our exchange services business primarily collects fees to gather, fractionate and treat unfractionated NGLs, thereby converting them into marketable NGL products that are stored and shipped to a market center or customer-designated location. |
· | Our optimization and marketing business utilizes our assets, contract portfolio and market knowledge to capture locational and seasonal price differentials. We transport NGL products between Conway, Kansas, and Mont Belvieu, Texas, in order to capture the locational price differentials between the two market centers. Our NGL storage facilities are also utilized to capture seasonal price variances. |
· | Our pipeline transportation business transports NGLs, NGL products and refined petroleum products primarily under our FERC-regulated tariffs. Tariffs specify the rates we charge our customers and the general terms and conditions for NGL transportation service on our pipelines. |
· | Our isomerization business captures the price differential when normal butane is converted into the more valuable iso-butane at an isomerization unit in Conway, Kansas. Iso-butane is used in the refining industry to increase the octane of motor gasoline. |
· | Our storage business collects fees to store NGLs at our Mid-Continent and Mont Belvieu facilities. |
Selected Financial Results and Operating Information - The following tables set forth certain selected financial results and operating information for our Natural Gas Liquids segment for the periods indicated:
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | | | Three Months | | | Six Months | |
| | June 30, | | | June 30, | | | 2010 vs. 2009 | | | 2010 vs. 2009 | |
Financial Results | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | Increase (Decrease) | | | Increase (Decrease) | |
| | (Millions of dollars) | |
NGL and condensate sales | | $ | 1,650.2 | | | $ | 1,065.0 | | | $ | 3,420.4 | | | $ | 1,958.8 | | | $ | 585.2 | | | | 55 | % | | $ | 1,461.6 | | | | 75 | % |
Exchange service and storage revenues | | | 112.0 | | | | 85.5 | | | | 217.1 | | | | 170.4 | | | | 26.5 | | | | 31 | % | | | 46.7 | | | | 27 | % |
Transportation revenues | | | 24.9 | | | | 19.0 | | | | 52.0 | | | | 41.3 | | | | 5.9 | | | | 31 | % | | | 10.7 | | | | 26 | % |
Cost of sales and fuel | | | 1,658.6 | | | | 1,059.7 | | | | 3,457.0 | | | | 1,958.1 | | | | 598.9 | | | | 57 | % | | | 1,498.9 | | | | 77 | % |
Net margin | | | 128.5 | | | | 109.8 | | | | 232.5 | | | | 212.4 | | | | 18.7 | | | | 17 | % | | | 20.1 | | | | 9 | % |
Operating costs | | | 45.8 | | | | 42.6 | | | | 86.8 | | | | 80.3 | | | | 3.2 | | | | 8 | % | | | 6.5 | | | | 8 | % |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 17.9 | | | | 14.8 | | | | 36.2 | | | | 27.5 | | | | 3.1 | | | | 21 | % | | | 8.7 | | | | 32 | % |
Loss on sale of assets | | | 0.1 | | | | - | | | | 0.8 | | | | - | | | | 0.1 | | | | 100 | % | | | 0.8 | | | | 100 | % |
Operating income | | $ | 64.7 | | | $ | 52.4 | | | $ | 108.7 | | | $ | 104.6 | | | $ | 12.3 | | | | 23 | % | | $ | 4.1 | | | | 4 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity earnings from investments | | $ | 0.6 | | | $ | 0.9 | | | $ | 1.0 | | | $ | 1.5 | | | $ | (0.3 | ) | | | (33 | %) | | $ | (0.5 | ) | | | (33 | %) |
Allowance for equity funds used | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
during construction | | $ | 0.2 | | | $ | 9.3 | | | $ | 0.4 | | | $ | 17.1 | | | $ | (9.1 | ) | | | (98 | %) | | $ | (16.7 | ) | | | (98 | %) |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 21.7 | | | $ | 88.5 | | | $ | 37.6 | | | $ | 234.8 | | | $ | (66.8 | ) | | | (75 | %) | | $ | (197.2 | ) | | | (84 | %) |
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
Operating Information | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
NGL sales (MBbl/d) | | | 449 | | | | 401 | | | | 438 | | | | 391 | |
NGLs fractionated (MBbl/d) | | | 524 | | | | 479 | | | | 508 | | | | 472 | |
NGLs transported-gathering lines (MBbl/d) | | | 480 | | | | 364 | | | | 460 | | | | 344 | |
NGLs transported-distribution lines (MBbl/d) | | | 482 | | | | 461 | | | | 475 | | | | 453 | |
Conway-to-Mont Belvieu OPIS average price differential | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ethane ($/gallon) | | $ | 0.16 | | | $ | 0.12 | | | $ | 0.12 | | | $ | 0.10 | |
Net margin increased for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year, primarily as a result of the following:
· | an increase of $26.7 million due to increased volumes gathered, fractionated and transported, primarily associated with the completion of the Arbuckle Pipeline and Piceance lateral, as well as new supply connections; |
· | an increase of $4.4 million due to the impact of operational measurement gains and losses, compared with the same period last year; and |
· | an increase of $1.9 million due to higher storage margins as a result of contract renegotiations; offset partially by |
· | a decrease of $14.2 million related to lower optimization margins as increasing NGL volumes from customers under fee-based contracts limited the fractionation and transportation capacity available for optimization activities, offset partially by increased volumes marketed. |
Net margin increased for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year, primarily as a result of the following:
· | an increase of $44.8 million due to increased volumes gathered, fractionated and transported, primarily associated with the completion of the Arbuckle Pipeline, Piceance lateral and D-J Basin lateral, as well as new supply connections; and |
· | an increase of $4.8 million due to higher storage margins as a result of contract renegotiations; offset partially by |
· | a decrease of $29.0 million related to lower optimization margins as increasing NGL volumes from customers under fee-based contracts limited the fractionation and transportation capacity available for optimization activities, offset partially by increased volumes marketed. |
Operating costs increased for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year, due primarily to the operation of the Arbuckle Pipeline and increased general taxes, materials and supplies, and property insurance, offset partially by lower employee-related costs due to the timing of certain accruals. Operating costs increased for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year, due primarily to the operation of the Arbuckle Pipeline, increased materials and supplies expense and higher property insurance costs.
Depreciation and amortization increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same periods last year, due primarily to higher depreciation expense associated with the Arbuckle Pipeline placed in service in August 2009, the Piceance lateral placed in service in October 2009 and the D-J Basin lateral placed in service in March 2009.
Allowance for equity funds used during construction and capital expenditures decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same periods last year, due primarily to the completion of the Arbuckle Pipeline, Piceance lateral and D-J Basin lateral.
Contingencies
Legal Proceedings - We are a party to various litigation matters and claims that have arisen in the normal course of our operations. While the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the final outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Additional information about our legal proceedings is included under Part II, Item 1, Legal Proceedings, of this Quarterly Report and under Part I, Item 3, Legal Proceedings, in our Annual Report.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
General - Part of our strategy is to grow through internally generated growth projects and acquisitions that strengthen and complement our existing assets. We have relied primarily on operating cash flow, bank credit facilities, debt issuances and the sale of common units for our liquidity and capital resources requirements. We fund our operating expenses, debt service and cash distributions to our limited partners and general partner primarily with operating cash flow. We expect to continue to use these sources and our newly established commercial paper program, discussed below, for liquidity and capital resource needs on both a short- and long-term basis. We have no guarantees o f debt or other similar commitments to unaffiliated parties.
In the first six months of 2010, we utilized our Partnership Credit Agreement to fund our short-term liquidity needs, and we accessed the public equity markets for our long-term financing needs. See discussion below under “Equity Issuance” for more information.
In June 2010, we established a commercial paper program providing for the issuance of up to $1.0 billion of unsecured commercial paper notes. Amounts outstanding under the commercial paper program reduce the borrowings available under our Partnership Credit Agreement. See discussion below under “Short-term Liquidity” for more information.
We expect a slow economic recovery to continue for the remainder of 2010. Although volatility in the financial markets could limit our access to financial markets on a timely basis or increase our cost of capital in the future, we anticipate improved credit markets for the remainder of 2010, compared with 2009. Our ability to continue to access capital markets for debt and equity financing under reasonable terms depends on our financial condition and credit ratings, and market conditions. We anticipate that our cash flow generated from operations, existing capital resources and ability to obtain financing will enable us to maintain our current level of operations and our planned operations, as well as capital expenditures.
Capital Structure - The following table sets forth our capitalization structure for the periods indicated:
| | June 30, | | December 31, |
| | 2010 | | 2009 |
Long-term debt | | 46% | | 51% |
Equity | | 54% | | 49% |
Debt (including notes payable) | | 52% | | 55% |
Equity | | 48% | | 45% |
Cash Management - We use a centralized cash management program that concentrates the cash assets of our operating subsidiaries in joint accounts for the purpose of providing financial flexibility and lowering the cost of borrowing, transaction costs and bank fees. Our centralized cash management program provides that funds in excess of the daily needs of our operating subsidiaries are concentrated, consolidated or made available for use by other entities within our consolidated group. Our operating subsidiaries participate in this program to the extent they are permitted pursuant to FERC regulations or our operating agreements. Under the cash management program, depending on whether a participating subsidiary has
short-term cash surpluses or cash requirements, the Intermediate Partnership provides cash to the subsidiary or the subsidiary provides cash to the Intermediate Partnership.
Short-term Liquidity - Our principal sources of short-term liquidity consist of cash generated from operating activities, our Partnership Credit Agreement and our newly established commercial paper program.
The total amount of short-term borrowings authorized by our general partner’s Board of Directors is $1.5 billion. At June 30, 2010, we had $680 million of borrowings outstanding under our Partnership Credit Agreement, which expires in March 2012, and approximately $3.1 million of available cash and cash equivalents. As of June 30, 2010, we could have issued $592.6 million of additional short- and long-term debt under the most restrictive provisions contained in our various borrowing agreements. At June 30, 2010, we had $24.2 million in letters of credit issued outside of our Partnership Credit Agreement.
In June 2010, we initiated a new commercial paper program, under which we may issue unsecured commercial paper notes up to a maximum amount outstanding of $1.0 billion to fund our short-term borrowing needs. The maturities of the commercial paper notes will vary but may not exceed 270 days from the date of issue. The commercial paper notes will be sold at a negotiated discount from par or will bear interest at a negotiated rate.
Our Partnership Credit Agreement, which expires in March 2012, is available to repay the commercial paper notes, if necessary. Amounts outstanding under the commercial paper program reduce the borrowings available under our Partnership Credit Agreement. At June 30, 2010, we had not issued any commercial paper. In July 2010, we repaid all borrowings outstanding under our Partnership Credit Agreement with the issuance of commercial paper.
Our Partnership Credit Agreement contains certain financial, operational and legal covenants as discussed in Note H of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report. Among other things, these covenants include maintaining a ratio of indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA (EBITDA, as defined in our Partnership Credit Agreement, adjusted for all non-cash charges and increased for projected EBITDA from certain lender-approved capital expansion projects) of no more than 5 to 1. At June 30, 2010, our ratio of indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA was 4.3 to 1, and we were in compliance with all covenants under our Partnership Credit Agreement.
Long-term Financing - In addition to our principal sources of short-term liquidity discussed above, options available to us to meet our longer-term cash requirements include the issuance of common units or long-term notes. Other options to obtain financing include, but are not limited to, issuance of convertible debt securities, asset securitization, and the sale and leaseback of facilities.
We are subject to changes in the debt and equity markets, and there is no assurance we will be able or willing to access the public or private markets in the future. We may choose to meet our cash requirements by utilizing some combination of cash flows from operations, borrowing under our newly established commercial paper program or our existing credit facility, altering the timing of controllable expenditures, restricting future acquisitions and capital projects, or pursuing other debt or equity financing alternatives. Some of these alternatives could involve higher costs or negatively affect our credit ratings, among other factors. Based on our investment-grade credit ratings, general financial condition and market expectations regarding our future earnings and projected cash flows, we believe that we will be able to meet our cash requirements and maintain our investment-grade credit ratings.
In June 2010, we repaid $250 million of maturing senior notes with available cash and short-term borrowings. With the repayment of these notes, we no longer have any obligation to offer to repurchase the $225 million senior notes due 2011 in the event that our long-term debt credit ratings fall below investment grade.
The indentures governing our senior notes due 2011 include an event of default upon acceleration of other indebtedness of $25 million or more, and the indentures governing our senior notes due 2012, 2016, 2019, 2036 and 2037 include an event of default upon the acceleration of other indebtedness of $100 million or more. Such events of default would entitle the trustee or the holders of 25 percent in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior notes due 2011, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2036 and 2037 to declare those notes immediately due and payable in full.
We may redeem the notes due 2012, 2016, 2019, 2036 and 2037, in whole or in part, at any time prior to their maturity at a redemption price equal to the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and a make-whole premium. The redemption price will never be less than 100 percent of the principal amount of the respective note plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The notes due 2012, 2016, 2019, 2036 and 2037 are senior unsecured obligations, ranking equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness, and effectively junior to all of the existing and future debt and other liabilities of any non-guarantor subsidiaries. Our long-term debt is nonrecourse to our general partner.
Equity Issuance - In February 2010, we completed an underwritten public offering of 5,500,900 common units, including the partial exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option, at a public offering price of $60.75 per common unit, generating net proceeds of approximately $322.7 million. In conjunction with the offering, ONEOK Partners GP contributed $6.8 million in order to maintain its 2 percent general partner interest in us. We used the proceeds from the sale of common units and the general partner contribution to repay borrowings under our Partnership Credit Agreement and for general partnership purposes. As a result of these transactions, ON EOK and its subsidiaries own a 42.8 percent aggregate equity interest in us.
Capital Expenditures - Our capital expenditures are typically financed through operating cash flows, short- and long-term debt and the issuance of equity. Capital expenditures were $98.7 million and $321.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. We classify expenditures that are expected to generate additional revenue or significant operating efficiencies as growth capital expenditures. Maintenance capital expenditures are those required to maintain existing operations and do not generate additional revenues.
The following table summarizes our 2010 projected growth and maintenance capital expenditures, excluding AFUDC:
2010 Projected Capital Expenditures | | Growth | | | Maintenance | | | Total | |
| | (Millions of dollars) | |
Natural Gas Gathering and Processing | | $ | 240 | | | $ | 22 | | | $ | 262 | |
Natural Gas Pipelines | | | 5 | | | | 21 | | | | 26 | |
Natural Gas Liquids | | | 149 | | | | 38 | | | | 187 | |
Other | | | - | | | | 2 | | | | 2 | |
Total projected capital expenditures | | $ | 394 | | | $ | 83 | | | $ | 477 | |
Overland Pass Pipeline Company - Overland Pass Pipeline Company is a joint venture between us and Williams Partners L.P. (Williams). We own 99 percent of the joint venture and operate the pipeline. In July 2010, we received notification that Williams elected to exercise its option to increase its ownership in Overland Pass Pipeline Company to 50 percent from 1 percent. The purchase price, as determined in accordance with the joint venture’s limited liability company agreement, is estimated to be approximately $425 million. The transaction is expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2010, subject to obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals. Upon closing of the transaction and as long as Williams owns at least 50 percent of Overland P ass Pipeline Company, Williams will have the option to become operator. We expect to use the proceeds from the transaction to repay short-term debt and to fund our recently announced capital projects.
Investment in Northern Border Pipeline - Northern Border Pipeline anticipates requiring an additional equity contribution of approximately $102 million from its partners in 2011, of which our share will be approximately $51 million based on our 50 percent equity interest.
Credit Ratings - Our long-term debt credit ratings as of June 30, 2010, are shown in the table below:
Rating Agency | Rating | Outlook |
Moody’s | Baa2 | Stable |
S&P | BBB | Stable |
Our recently established commercial paper program is rated Prime-2 by Moody’s and A2 by S&P. Our credit ratings, which are currently investment grade, may be affected by a material change in our financial ratios or a material event affecting our business. The most common criteria for assessment of our credit ratings are the debt-to-EBITDA ratio, interest coverage, business risk profile and liquidity. We do not currently anticipate a downgrade in our credit ratings. However, if our credit ratings were downgraded, the interest rates on our commercial paper borrowings and borrowings under our Partnership Credit Agreement would increase, resulting in an increase in our cost to borrow funds and potentially a loss of access to the commercial paper market. In the event that we are unable to borrow funds under our commercial paper program and there has not been a material adverse change in our business, we would continue to have access to our Partnership Credit Agreement, which expires March 2012. An adverse rating change alone is not a default under our Partnership Credit Agreement. See additional discussion about our credit ratings under “Long-term Financing.”
In the normal course of business, our counterparties provide us with secured and unsecured credit. In the event of a downgrade in our credit ratings or a significant change in our counterparties’ evaluation of our creditworthiness, we could be required to provide additional collateral in the form of cash, letters of credit or other negotiable instruments as a condition of continuing to conduct business with such counterparties.
Other than the provisions discussed in the previous paragraph, we have determined that we do not have significant exposure to rating triggers in various other contracts and equipment leases. Rating triggers are defined as provisions that would create an automatic default or acceleration of indebtedness based on a change in our long-term debt credit ratings.
Cash Distributions - We distribute 100 percent of our available cash, which generally consists of all cash receipts less adjustments for cash disbursements and net change to reserves, to our general and limited partners. Our income is allocated to our general partner and limited partners according to their partnership percentages of 2 percent and 98 percent, respectively. The effect of any incremental income allocations for incentive distributions to our general partner is calculated after the income allocation for the general partner’s partnership interest and before the income allocation to the limited partners.
The following table sets forth cash distributions paid, including our general partner’s incentive distribution interests, during the periods indicated:
| | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | (Millions of dollars) |
Common unitholders | | $ | 138.5 | | | $ | 117.6 | |
Class B unitholders | | | 80.7 | | | | 78.8 | |
General partner | | | 54.6 | | | | 45.5 | |
Noncontrolling interests | | | 0.6 | | | | 0.5 | |
Total cash distributions paid | | $ | 274.4 | | | $ | 242.4 | |
In the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, cash distributions paid to our general partner included incentive distributions of $49.1 million and $40.6 million, respectively.
In July 2010, our general partner declared a cash distribution of $1.12 per unit ($4.48 per unit on an annualized basis) for the second quarter of 2010, an increase of $0.01 from the previous quarter, which will be paid on August 13, 2010, to unitholders of record at the close of business on July 30, 2010.
Additional information about our cash distributions is included in “Cash Distribution Policy” under Part II, Item 5, Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities, in our Annual Report.
Commodity Prices - We are subject to commodity price volatility. Significant fluctuations in commodity prices may impact our overall liquidity due to the impact commodity price changes have on our cash flows from operating activities, including the impact on working capital for NGLs and natural gas held in storage, margin requirements and certain energy-related receivables. We believe that our available credit and cash and cash equivalents are adequate to meet liquidity requirements associated with commodity price volatility. See Note C of the Notes to C onsolidated Financial Statements and the discussion under Natural Gas Gathering and Processing’s “Commodity Price Risk” in Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in this Quarterly Report for information on our hedging activities.
CASH FLOW ANALYSIS
We use the indirect method to prepare our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Under this method, we reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities by adjusting net income for those items that impact net income but may not result in actual cash receipts or payments during the period. These reconciling items include depreciation and amortization, allowance for equity funds used during construction, gain or loss on sale of assets, deferred income taxes, equity earnings from investments, distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates, and changes in our assets and liabilities not classified as investing or financing activities.
The following table sets forth the changes in cash flows by operating, investing and financing activities for the periods indicated:
| | Six Months Ended | | | Variances | |
| | June 30, | | | 2010 vs. 2009 | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | Increase (Decrease) | |
| (Millions of dollars) | |
Total cash provided by (used in): | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating activities | | $ | 132.7 | | | $ | 189.5 | | | $ | (56.8 | ) | | | (30 | %) |
Investing activities | | | (89.0 | ) | | | (296.4 | ) | | | 207.4 | | | | 70 | % |
Financing activities | | | (43.8 | ) | | | (38.9 | ) | | | (4.9 | ) | | | 13 | % |
Change in cash and cash equivalents | | | (0.1 | ) | | | (145.8 | ) | | | 145.7 | | | | (100 | %) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | | 3.2 | | | | 177.6 | | | | (174.4 | ) | | | (98 | %) |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 3.1 | | | $ | 31.8 | | | $ | (28.7 | ) | | | (90 | %) |
* Percentage change is greater than 100 percent. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Cash Flows - Operating cash flows are affected by earnings from our business activities. We provide services for producers and consumers of natural gas, condensate and NGLs. Changes in commodity prices and demand for our services or products, whether because of general economic conditions, changes in demand for the end products that are made with our products or increased competition from other service providers, could affect our earnings and operating cash flows.
Cash flows from operating activities, before changes in operating assets and liabilities, were $278.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with $261.0 million for the same period in 2009. The increase was due primarily to changes in operating income discussed in “Consolidated Operations” under Financial Results and Operating Information in Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in this Quarterly Report.
The changes in operating assets and liabilities decreased operating cash flows $145.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with a decrease of $71.6 million for the same period in 2009, primarily as a result of the following:
· | the impact of commodity prices on our operating assets and liabilities; |
· | the changes in volumes of commodities in storage; and |
· | the timing of cash receipts from our revenues resulting in decreased accounts receivable; offset partially by |
· | the timing of payments for purchases of commodities and other expenses resulting in decreased accounts payable. |
Investing Cash Flows - Cash used in investing activities decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period in 2009, due primarily to reduced capital expenditures as a result of the completion of our capital projects included under Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, “Capital Projects,” in our Annual Report.
Financing Cash Flows - Cash used in financing activities increased for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period in 2009. The increase was due primarily to the following:
· | Cash distributions to our general and limited partners for the first six months of 2010 were $273.7 million, compared with $241.9 million for the same period in 2009, an increase of $31.8 million. This increase was due primarily to additional units outstanding during 2010, as well as cash distributions of $2.21 per unit paid during the first six months of 2010, compared with cash distributions of $2.16 per unit for the same period last year; |
· | Net borrowings of notes payable were $157.0 million during the first six months of 2010, compared with net repayments of $510.0 million for the same period last year; |
· | In June 2010, we repaid $250.0 million of maturing long-term debt with available cash and short-term borrowings. |
· | The change in net proceeds generated from common unit offerings for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with the same period last year, due primarily to the following: |
– | In February 2010, our common unit offering generated net proceeds of approximately $322.7 million. In addition, ONEOK Partners GP contributed $6.8 million in order to maintain its 2 percent general partner interest in us. We used the proceeds from the sale of common units and the general partner contribution to repay borrowings under our Partnership Credit Agreement and for general partnership purposes; |
– | In June 2009, our common unit offering generated net proceeds of approximately $220.5 million. In addition, ONEOK Partners GP contributed $4.7 million in order to maintain its 2 percent general partner interest in us. We used the proceeds and general partner contributions to repay borrowings under our Partnership Credit Agreement and for general partnership purposes; and |
· | In March 2009, we completed an underwritten public offering of senior notes totaling approximately $498.3 million, net of discounts but before offering expenses. The net proceeds from the notes were used to repay borrowings under our Partnership Credit Agreement. |
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY MATTERS
Additional information about our environmental matters is included in Note F of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report.
Pipeline Safety - We are subject to Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulations, including integrity management regulations. The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 requires pipeline companies to perform integrity assessments on pipeline segments that pass through densely populated areas or near specifically designated high consequence areas. We are in compliance with all material requirements associated with the various pipeline safety regulations. We cannot provide assurance that existing pipeline safety regulations will not be revised or interpreted in a different manner or that new regulations will not be adopted that could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions.
Air and Water Emissions - The Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and analogous state laws impose restrictions and controls regarding the discharge of pollutants into the air and water in the United States. Under the Clean Air Act, a federally enforceable operating permit is required for sources of significant air emissions. We may be required to incur certain capital expenditures for air pollution-control equipment in connection with obtaining or maintaining permits and approvals for sources of air emissions. The Clean Water Act imposes substantial potential liability for the removal of pollutants discharged to waters of the United States and remediation of waters affected by such discharge. We are in compliance with all material requiremen ts associated with the various air and water regulations.
The United States Congress is actively considering legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide and methane. In addition, other federal, state and regional initiatives to regulate greenhouse gas emissions are under way. We are monitoring federal and state legislation to assess the potential impact on our operations. We estimate our direct greenhouse gas emissions annually as we collect all applicable greenhouse gas emission data for the previous year. Our most recent estimate indicates that our 2009 emissions were less than 3.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents on an annual basis. We will continue efforts to improve our ability to quantify our direct greenhouse gas emissions and will report suc h emissions as required by the EPA’s Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting rule adopted in September 2009. The rule requires greenhouse gas emissions reporting for affected facilities on an annual basis, beginning with our 2010 emissions report that will be due in March 2011, and will require us to track the emission equivalents for all NGLs delivered to our customers. Also, the EPA has recently released a proposed subpart to the Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule that will require the reporting of vented and fugitive emissions of methane from our facilities. The new requirements are proposed to begin in January 2011, with the first reporting of fugitive emissions due March 31, 2012. We do not expect the cost to gather this emission data to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. At this time, no legislation has been enacted that assesses any costs, fees or expense on any of these emissions.
In May 2010, the EPA finalized the “Tailoring Rule” that will regulate greenhouse gas emissions at new or modified facilities that meet certain criteria. Affected facilities will be required to review best available control technology, conduct air-quality analysis, impact analysis and public reviews with respect to such emissions. The rule will be phased in beginning January 2011 and, at current emission threshold levels, will have a minimal impact on our existing facilities. The EPA has stated it will consider lowering the threshold levels over the next five years, which could increase the impact on our existing facilities. However, potential costs, fees or expenses associated with the potential adjustments are unknown.
In addition, the EPA issued a rule on air-quality standards, “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines,” also known as RICE NESHAP, scheduled to be adopted in early 2013. The rule will require capital expenditures over the next three years for the purchase and installation of new emissions-control equipment. We do not expect these expenditures to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Superfund - The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, also known as CERCLA or Superfund, imposes liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original act, on certain classes of persons who contributed to the release of a hazardous substance into the environment. These persons include the owner or operator of a facility where the release occurred and companies that disposed or arranged for the disposal of the hazardous substances found at the facility. Under CERCLA, these persons may be liable for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances released into the environment, damages to natural resources and the costs of certain health studi es.
Chemical Site Security - The United States Department of Homeland Security (Homeland Security) released an interim rule in April 2007 that requires companies to provide reports on sites where certain chemicals, including many hydrocarbon products, are stored. We completed the Homeland Security assessments, and our facilities were subsequently assigned, on a preliminary basis, one of four risk-based tiers ranging from high (Tier 1) to low (Tier 4) risk, or not tiered at all due to low risk. To date, four of our facilities have been given a Tier 4 rating. Facilities receiving a Tier 4 rating are required to complete Site Security Plans and possible physical security enha ncements. We do not expect the Site Security Plans and possible security enhancement costs to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Pipeline Security - Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration, along with the United States Department of Transportation, has completed a review and inspection of our “critical facilities” and identified no material security issues.
Environmental Footprint - Our environmental and climate change strategy focuses on taking steps to minimize the impact of our operations on the environment. These strategies include: (i) developing and maintaining an accurate greenhouse gas emissions inventory, according to new rules issued by the EPA; (ii) improving the efficiency of our various pipelines, natural gas processing facilities and natural gas liquids fractionation facilities; (iii) following developing technologies for emissions control; (iv) following developing technologies to capture carbon dioxide to keep it from reaching the atmosphere; and (v) analyzing options for future energy investment.
We continue to focus on maintaining low rates of lost-and-unaccounted-for natural gas through expanded implementation of best practices to limit the release of natural gas during pipeline and facility maintenance and operations. Our most recent calculation of our annual lost-and-unaccounted-for natural gas, for all of our business operations, is less than 1 percent of total throughput.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements contained and incorporated in this Quarterly Report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. The forward-looking statements relate to our anticipated financial performance, management’s plans and objectives for our future operations, our business prospects, the outcome of regulatory and legal proceedings, market conditions and other matters. We make these forward-looking statements in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following discussion is intended to identify important factors that could cause future outcomes to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements include the items identified in the preceding paragraph, the information concerning possible or assumed future results of our operations and other statements contained or incorporated in this Quarterly Report identified by words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “should,” “goal,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “could,” “may,” “continue,” “might,” “potential,” “scheduled” and other words and terms of similar meaning.
One should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which are applicable only as of the date of this Quarterly Report. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Those factors may affect our operations, markets, products, services and prices. In addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with the forward-looking statements, factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statement include, among others, the following:
· | the effects of weather and other natural phenomena on our operations, demand for our services and energy prices; |
· | competition from other United States and foreign energy suppliers and transporters, as well as alternative forms of energy, including, but not limited to, solar power, wind power, geothermal energy and biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel; |
· | the capital intensive nature of our businesses; |
· | the profitability of assets or businesses acquired or constructed by us; |
· | our ability to make cost-saving changes in operations; |
· | risks of marketing, trading and hedging activities, including the risks of changes in energy prices or the financial condition of our counterparties; |
· | the uncertainty of estimates, including accruals and costs of environmental remediation; |
· | the timing and extent of changes in energy commodity prices; |
· | the effects of changes in governmental policies and regulatory actions, including changes with respect to income and other taxes, environmental compliance, climate change initiatives, authorized rates of recovery of gas and gas transportation costs; |
· | the impact on drilling and production by factors beyond our control, including the demand for natural gas and crude oil; producers’ desire and ability to obtain necessary permits; reserve performance; and capacity constraints on the pipelines that transport crude oil, natural gas and NGLs from producing areas and our facilities; |
· | difficulties or delays experienced by trucks or pipelines in delivering products to or from our terminals or pipelines; |
· | changes in demand for the use of natural gas because of market conditions caused by concerns about global warming; |
· | conflicts of interest between us, our general partner, ONEOK Partners GP, and related parties of ONEOK Partners GP; |
· | the impact of unforeseen changes in interest rates, equity markets, inflation rates, economic recession and other external factors over which we have no control; |
· | our indebtedness could make us vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions, limit our ability to borrow additional funds and/or place us at competitive disadvantages compared with our competitors that have less debt or have other adverse consequences; |
· | actions by rating agencies concerning the credit ratings of us or the parent of our general partner; |
· | the results of administrative proceedings and litigation, regulatory actions and receipt of expected clearances involving the OCC, KCC, Texas regulatory authorities or any other local, state or federal regulatory body, including the FERC; |
· | our ability to access capital at competitive rates or on terms acceptable to us; |
· | risks associated with adequate supply to our gathering, processing, fractionation and pipeline facilities, including production declines that outpace new drilling; |
· | the risk that material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting could emerge or that minor problems could become significant; |
· | the impact and outcome of pending and future litigation; |
· | the ability to market pipeline capacity on favorable terms, including the effects of: |
- | future demand for and prices of natural gas and NGLs; |
- | competitive conditions in the overall energy market; |
- | availability of supplies of Canadian and United States natural gas; and |
- | availability of additional storage capacity; |
· | performance of contractual obligations by our customers, service providers, contractors and shippers; |
· | the timely receipt of approval by applicable governmental entities for construction and operation of our pipeline and other projects and required regulatory clearances; |
· | our ability to acquire all necessary permits, consents and other approvals in a timely manner, to promptly obtain all necessary materials and supplies required for construction, and to construct gathering, processing, storage, fractionation and transportation facilities without labor or contractor problems; |
· | the mechanical integrity of facilities operated; |
· | demand for our services in the proximity of our facilities; |
· | our ability to control operating costs; |
· | acts of nature, sabotage, terrorism or other similar acts that cause damage to our facilities or our suppliers’ or shippers’ facilities; |
· | economic climate and growth in the geographic areas in which we do business; |
· | the risk of a prolonged slowdown in growth or decline in the U.S. economy or the risk of delay in growth recovery in the U.S. economy, including liquidity risks in U.S. credit markets; |
· | the impact of recently issued and future accounting updates and other changes in accounting policies; |
· | the possibility of future terrorist attacks or the possibility or occurrence of an outbreak of, or changes in, hostilities or changes in the political conditions in the Middle East and elsewhere; |
· | the risk of increased costs for insurance premiums, security or other items as a consequence of terrorist attacks; |
· | risks associated with pending or possible acquisitions and dispositions, including our ability to finance or integrate any such acquisitions and any regulatory delay or conditions imposed by regulatory bodies in connection with any such acquisitions and dispositions; |
· | the impact of unsold pipeline capacity being greater or less than expected; |
· | the ability to recover operating costs and amounts equivalent to income taxes, costs of property, plant and equipment and regulatory assets in our state and FERC-regulated rates; |
· | the composition and quality of the natural gas and NGLs we gather and process in our plants and transport on our pipelines; |
· | the efficiency of our plants in processing natural gas and extracting and fractionating NGLs; |
· | the impact of potential impairment charges; |
· | the risk inherent in the use of information systems in our respective businesses, implementation of new software and hardware, and the impact on the timeliness of information for financial reporting; |
· | our ability to control construction costs and completion schedules of our pipelines and other projects; and |
· | the risk factors listed in the reports we have filed and may file with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference. |
These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other factors could also have material adverse effects on our future results. These and other risks are described in greater detail in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or change in circumstances, expectations or otherwise.
| QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are consistent with those discussed in Part II, Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in our Annual Report.
COMMODITY PRICE RISK
See Note C of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and the discussion under Natural Gas Gathering and Processing’s “Commodity Price Risk” in Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in this Quarterly Report for information on our hedging activities.
Quarterly Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures - As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and the Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) of ONEOK Partners GP, our general partner, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management of ONEOK Partners GP, including the officers of O NEOK Partners GP who are the equivalent of our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on their evaluation, they concluded that as of June 30, 2010, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting - There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the second quarter ended June 30, 2010, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Additional information about our legal proceedings is included under Part I, Item 3, Legal Proceedings, in our Annual Report and our March 31, 2010 Quarterly Report.
Our investors should consider the risks set forth in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors of our Annual Report that could affect us and our business. Although we have tried to discuss key factors, our investors need to be aware that other risks may prove to be important in the future. New risks may emerge at any time, and we cannot predict such risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our financial performance. Investors should carefully consider the discussion of risks and the other information included or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report, including “Forward-Looking Statements,” which are included in Part I, Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
| UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
Not Applicable.
| DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES |
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Readers of this report should not rely on or assume the accuracy of any representation or warranty or the validity of any opinion contained in any agreement filed as an exhibit to this Quarterly Report, because such representation, warranty or opinion may be subject to exceptions and qualifications contained in separate disclosure schedules, may represent an allocation of risk between parties in the particular transaction, may be qualified by materiality standards that differ from what may be viewed as material for securities law purposes, or may no longer continue to be true as of any given date. All exhibits attached to this Quarterly Report are included for the purpose of complying with requirements of the SEC. Other than the certifications made by our officers pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 included as exh ibits to this Quarterly Report, all exhibits are included only to provide information to investors regarding their respective terms and should not be relied upon as constituting or providing any factual disclosures about us, any other persons, any state of affairs or other matters.
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report:
Exhibit No. | Exhibit Description |
| 10.1 | Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between ONEOK Partners, L.P. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. dated as of June 16, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 22, 2010). |
| 10.2 | Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between ONEOK Partners, L.P. and Banc of America Securities LLC dated as of June 16, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 22, 2010). |
| 10.3 | Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between ONEOK Partners, L.P. and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. dated as of June 16, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 22, 2010). |
| 31.1 | Certification of John W. Gibson pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| 31.2 | Certification of Curtis L. Dinan pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| 32.1 | Certification of John W. Gibson pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished only pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)). |
| 32.2 | Certification of Curtis L. Dinan pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished only pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)). |
| 101.INS | XBRL Instance Document. |
| 101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
| 101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document. |
| 101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Document. |
| 101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document. |
| 101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document. |
Attached as Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report are the following documents formatted in XBRL: (i) Document and Entity Information; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009; (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009; (v) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the six months ended June 30, 2010; (vi) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009; and (vii) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 401 of Regulation S-T that the information contained in the XBRL documents is unaudited, and these XBRL documents are not the official publicly filed consolidated financial statements of ONEOK Partners, L.P. The purpose of submitting these XBRL formatted documents is to test the related format and technology, and as a result, investors should continue to rely on the official filed version of the furnished documents and not rely on this information in making investment decisions.
In accordance with Rule 402 of Regulation S-T, the XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing. We also make available on our Web site the Interactive Data Files submitted as Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report.
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 hereunto duly authorized.
| | ONEOK PARTNERS, L.P. |
| | By: ONEOK Partners GP, L.L.C., its General Partner |
| | | |
Date: August 4, 2010 | | By: /s/ Curtis L. Dinan |
| | | Curtis L. Dinan |
| | | Senior Vice President, |
| | | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
| | | (Signing on behalf of the Registrant |
| | | and as Principal Financial Officer) |
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