Quarterly report to shareholders
First quarter 2022
Financial highlights
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 | |
(millions of $, except per share amounts) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Income | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | | | | | | 3,500 | | | 3,381 | | |
Net income/(loss) attributable to common shares | | | | | | 358 | | | (1,057) | | |
per common share – basic | | | | | | $0.36 | | | ($1.11) | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Comparable EBITDA1 | | | | | | 2,388 | | | 2,489 | | |
Comparable earnings | | | | | | 1,103 | | | 1,106 | | |
per common share | | | | | | $1.12 | | | $1.16 | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by operations | | | | | | 1,707 | | | 1,666 | | |
Comparable funds generated from operations | | | | | | 1,865 | | | 2,023 | | |
Capital spending2 | | | | | | 1,724 | | | 1,885 | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Dividends declared | | | | | | | | | |
Per common share | | | | | | $0.90 | | | $0.87 | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Basic common shares outstanding (millions) | | | | | | | | | |
– weighted average for the period | | | | | | 981 | | | 953 | | |
– issued and outstanding at end of period | | | | | | 983 | | | 979 | | |
1Additional information on Segmented earnings, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, can be found in the Consolidated results section.
2Includes Capital expenditures, Contributions to equity investments and Other distributions from equity investments. Refer to the Financial conditions – Cash used in investing activities section for additional information.
Management’s discussion and analysis
April 28, 2022
This management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A) contains information to help the reader make investment decisions about TC Energy Corporation (TC Energy). It discusses our business, operations, financial position, risks and other factors for the three months ended March 31, 2022, and should be read with the accompanying unaudited Condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2022, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
This MD&A should also be read in conjunction with our December 31, 2021 audited Consolidated financial statements and notes and the MD&A in our 2021 Annual Report. Capitalized abbreviated terms that are used but not otherwise defined herein are defined in our 2021 Annual Report. Certain comparative figures have been adjusted to reflect the current period's presentation.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
We disclose forward-looking information to help the reader understand management’s assessment of our future plans and financial outlook and our future prospects overall.
Statements that are forward looking are based on certain assumptions and on what we know and expect today and generally include words like anticipate, expect, believe, may, will, should, estimate or other similar words.
Forward-looking statements in this MD&A include information about the following, among other things:
•our financial and operational performance, including the performance of our subsidiaries
•expectations about strategies and goals for growth and expansion, including acquisitions
•expected cash flows and future financing options available, including portfolio management
•expected dividend growth
•expected access to and cost of capital
•expected costs and schedules for planned projects, including projects under construction and in development
•expected capital expenditures, contractual obligations, commitments and contingent liabilities
•expected regulatory processes and outcomes
•statements related to our GHG emissions reduction goals
•expected outcomes with respect to legal proceedings, including arbitration and insurance claims
•the expected impact of future tax and accounting changes
•expected industry, market and economic conditions
•the expected impact of COVID-19.
Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance. Actual events and results could be significantly different because of assumptions, risks or uncertainties related to our business or events that happen after the date of this MD&A.
2 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
Our forward-looking information is based on the following key assumptions, and subject to the following risks and uncertainties:
Assumptions
•realization of expected benefits from acquisitions, divestitures and energy transition
•regulatory decisions and outcomes
•planned and unplanned outages and the use of our pipeline, power and storage assets
•integrity and reliability of our assets
•anticipated construction costs, schedules and completion dates
•access to capital markets, including portfolio management
•expected industry, market and economic conditions
•inflation rates and commodity prices
•interest, tax and foreign exchange rates
•nature and scope of hedging
•expected impact of COVID-19.
Risks and uncertainties
•realization of expected benefits from acquisitions and divestitures
•our ability to successfully implement our strategic priorities and whether they will yield the expected benefits
•our ability to implement a capital allocation strategy aligned with maximizing shareholder value
•the operating performance of our pipeline, power and storage assets
•amount of capacity sold and rates achieved in our pipeline businesses
•the amount of capacity payments and revenues from our power generation assets due to plant availability
•production levels within supply basins
•construction and completion of capital projects
•cost and availability of, and inflationary pressure on labour, equipment and materials
•the availability and market prices of commodities
•access to capital markets on competitive terms
•interest, tax and foreign exchange rates
•performance and credit risk of our counterparties
•regulatory decisions and outcomes of legal proceedings, including arbitration and insurance claims
•our ability to effectively anticipate and assess changes to government policies and regulations, including those related to the environment and COVID-19
•our ability to realize the value of tangible assets and contractual recoveries, including those specific to the Keystone XL pipeline project
•competition in the businesses in which we operate
•unexpected or unusual weather
•acts of civil disobedience
•cyber security and technological developments
•ESG related risks
•impact of energy transition on our business
•economic conditions in North America as well as globally
•global health crises, such as pandemics and epidemics, including COVID-19 and the unexpected impacts related thereto.
You can read more about these factors and others in this MD&A and in other reports we have filed with Canadian securities regulators and the SEC, including the MD&A in our 2021 Annual Report.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 3
As actual results could vary significantly from the forward-looking information, you should not put undue reliance on forward-looking information and should not use future-oriented information or financial outlooks for anything other than their intended purpose. We do not update our forward-looking statements due to new information or future events, unless we are required to by law.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
You can find more information about TC Energy in our Annual Information Form (AIF) and other disclosure documents, which are available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).
NON-GAAP MEASURES
This MD&A references the following non-GAAP measures:
•comparable EBITDA
•comparable EBIT
•comparable earnings
•comparable earnings per common share
•funds generated from operations
•comparable funds generated from operations.
These measures do not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. Discussions throughout this MD&A on the factors impacting comparable earnings, comparable earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (comparable EBITDA) and comparable earnings before interest and taxes (comparable EBIT) are consistent with the factors that impact net income attributable to common shares and segmented earnings, respectively, except where noted otherwise.
Comparable measures
We calculate comparable measures by adjusting certain GAAP measures for specific items we believe are significant but not reflective of our underlying operations in the period. Except as otherwise described herein, these comparable measures are calculated on a consistent basis from period to period and are adjusted for specific items in each period, as applicable.
Our decision not to adjust for a specific item in reporting comparable measures is subjective and made after careful consideration. Specific items may include:
•gains or losses on sales of assets or assets held for sale
•income tax refunds, valuation allowances and adjustments resulting from changes in legislation and enacted tax rates
•unrealized fair value adjustments related to risk management activities and Bruce Power funds invested for post-retirement benefits
•legal, contractual, bankruptcy and other settlements
•impairment of goodwill, plant, property and equipment, investments and other assets
•acquisition and integration costs
•restructuring costs.
We exclude from comparable measures the unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of derivatives related to financial and commodity price risk management activities. These derivatives generally provide effective economic hedges but do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting. Beginning in first quarter 2022, with retroactive restatement of prior periods, we exclude from comparable measures our proportionate share of the unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of Bruce Power's investments held for post-retirement benefits and derivatives related to its risk management activities. These changes in fair value are recorded in net income. As these amounts do not accurately reflect the gains and losses that will be realized at settlement, we do not consider them reflective of our underlying operations.
4 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
We also exclude from comparable measures the unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses on the peso-denominated loan receivable from an affiliate as well as the corresponding proportionate share of Sur de Texas foreign exchange gains and losses, as the amounts do not accurately reflect the gains and losses that will be realized at settlement. These amounts offset within each reporting period, resulting in no impact on net income. This peso-denominated loan was fully repaid in first quarter 2022.
The following table identifies our non-GAAP measures against their most directly comparable GAAP measures.
| | | | | |
Comparable measure | GAAP measure |
| |
comparable EBITDA | segmented earnings |
comparable EBIT | segmented earnings |
comparable earnings | net income attributable to common shares |
comparable earnings per common share | net income per common share |
funds generated from operations | net cash provided by operations |
comparable funds generated from operations | net cash provided by operations |
| |
Comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT
Comparable EBITDA represents segmented earnings adjusted for certain specific items, excluding non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization. We use comparable EBITDA as a measure of our earnings from ongoing operations as it is a useful indicator of our performance and is also presented on a consolidated basis. Comparable EBIT represents segmented earnings adjusted for specific items and is an effective tool for evaluating trends in each segment. Refer to each business segment for a reconciliation to segmented earnings.
Comparable earnings and comparable earnings per common share
Comparable earnings represents earnings attributable to common shareholders on a consolidated basis, adjusted for specific items. Comparable earnings is comprised of segmented earnings, Interest expense, AFUDC, Interest income and other, Income tax expense, Non-controlling interests and Preferred share dividends, adjusted for specific items. Refer to the Consolidated results section for reconciliations to Net income attributable to common shares and Net income per common share.
Funds generated from operations and comparable funds generated from operations
Funds generated from operations reflects net cash provided by operations before changes in operating working capital. The components of changes in working capital are disclosed in our 2021 Consolidated financial statements. We believe funds generated from operations is a useful measure of our consolidated operating cash flows because it excludes fluctuations from working capital balances, which do not necessarily reflect underlying operations in the same period, and is used to provide a consistent measure of the cash generating ability of our businesses. Comparable funds generated from operations is adjusted for the cash impact of specific items noted above. Refer to the Financial condition section for a reconciliation to Net cash provided by operations.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 5
Consolidated results – first quarter 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $, except per share amounts) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines | | | | | | 358 | | | 356 | |
U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines | | | | | | 310 | | | 873 | |
Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines | | | | | | 120 | | | 152 | |
Liquids Pipelines | | | | | | 272 | | | (2,508) | |
Power and Storage | | | | | | 76 | | | 163 | |
Corporate | | | | | | 31 | | | 32 | |
Total segmented earnings/(losses) | | | | | | 1,167 | | | (932) | |
Interest expense | | | | | | (580) | | | (570) | |
Allowance for funds used during construction | | | | | | 75 | | | 50 | |
Interest income and other | | | | | | 61 | | | 62 | |
Income/(loss) before income taxes | | | | | | 723 | | | (1,390) | |
Income tax (expense)/recovery | | | | | | (323) | | | 440 | |
Net income/(loss) | | | | | | 400 | | | (950) | |
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | | | | | | (11) | | | (69) | |
Net income/(loss) attributable to controlling interests | | | | | | 389 | | | (1,019) | |
Preferred share dividends | | | | | | (31) | | | (38) | |
Net income/(loss) attributable to common shares | | | | | | 358 | | | (1,057) | |
Net income/(loss) per common share – basic | | | | | | $0.36 | | | ($1.11) | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income/(loss) attributable to common shares increased by $1.4 billion or $1.47 per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to the $2.2 billion after-tax asset impairment of the Keystone XL pipeline project in 2021, partially offset by a $531 million after-tax goodwill impairment charge related to Great Lakes and a $193 million income tax expense for the settlement-in-principle related to prior years' income tax assessments in Mexico in first quarter 2022 and also reflected the impact of common shares issued for the acquisition of TC PipeLines, LP in first quarter 2021.
The following specific items were recognized in Net income/(loss) attributable to common shares and were excluded from comparable earnings:
2022 results
•an after-tax goodwill impairment charge of $531 million related to Great Lakes. Refer to the Other information – Critical accounting estimates and accounting policy changes section for additional information
•a $193 million income tax expense for the settlement-in-principle related to prior years' income tax assessments in Mexico
•after-tax preservation and storage costs for Keystone XL pipeline project assets of $5 million, which could not be accrued as part of the Keystone XL asset impairment charge
•a $15 million after-tax unrealized loss on our proportionate share of Bruce Power's fair value adjustment on funds invested for post-retirement benefits and risk management activities.
2021 results
•a $2.2 billion after-tax asset impairment charge, net of expected contractual recoveries and other contractual and legal obligations, related to the termination of the Keystone XL pipeline project following the January 2021 revocation of the Presidential Permit
•a $2 million after-tax unrealized gain on our proportionate share of Bruce Power's fair value adjustment on funds invested for post-retirement benefits and risk management activities.
6 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
Net income in all periods included unrealized gains and losses from changes in risk management activities which we exclude, along with the above noted items, to arrive at comparable earnings. A reconciliation of Net income/(loss) attributable to common shares to comparable earnings is shown in the following table.
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(LOSS) TO COMPARABLE EARNINGS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $, except per share amounts) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income/(loss) attributable to common shares | | | | | | 358 | | | (1,057) | |
Specific items (net of tax): | | | | | | | | |
Great Lakes goodwill impairment charge | | | | | | 531 | | | — | |
Settlement-in-principle of Mexico prior years' income tax assessments | | | | | | 193 | | | — | |
Keystone XL asset impairment charge and other | | | | | | — | | | 2,192 | |
Keystone XL preservation and other | | | | | | 5 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Bruce Power unrealized fair value adjustments | | | | | | 15 | | | (2) | |
Risk management activities1 | | | | | | 1 | | | (27) | |
Comparable earnings | | | | | | 1,103 | | | 1,106 | |
Net income/(loss) per common share | | | | | | $0.36 | | | ($1.11) | |
Specific items (net of tax): | | | | | | | | |
Great Lakes goodwill impairment charge | | | | | | 0.54 | | | — | |
Settlement-in-principle of Mexico prior years' income tax assessments | | | | | | 0.20 | | | — | |
Keystone XL asset impairment charge and other | | | | | | — | | | 2.30 | |
Keystone XL preservation and other | | | | | | 0.01 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Bruce Power unrealized fair value adjustments | | | | | | 0.02 | | | — | |
Risk management activities | | | | | | (0.01) | | | (0.03) | |
Comparable earnings per common share | | | | | | $1.12 | | | $1.16 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 | | Risk management activities | | | | three months ended March 31 |
| | (millions of $) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines | | | | | | (15) | | | 6 | |
| | Liquids Pipelines | | | | | | 30 | | | 24 | |
| | Canadian Power | | | | | | (31) | | | — | |
| | Natural Gas Storage | | | | | | (7) | | | 1 | |
| | Foreign exchange | | | | | | 22 | | | 5 | |
| | Income tax attributable to risk management activities | | | | | | — | | | (9) | |
| | Total unrealized (losses)/gains from risk management activities | | | | | | (1) | | | 27 | |
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 7
COMPARABLE EBITDA TO COMPARABLE EARNINGS
Comparable EBITDA represents segmented earnings adjusted for the specific items described above and excludes non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization. For further information on our reconciliation to comparable EBITDA refer to the business segment financial results sections.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $, except per share amounts) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Comparable EBITDA | | | | | | | | |
Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines | | | | | | 644 | | | 686 | |
U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines | | | | | | 1,107 | | | 1,055 | |
Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines | | | | | | 148 | | | 180 | |
Liquids Pipelines | | | | | | 329 | | | 393 | |
Power and Storage | | | | | | 157 | | | 178 | |
Corporate | | | | | | 3 | | | (3) | |
Comparable EBITDA | | | | | | 2,388 | | | 2,489 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | | | (626) | | | (645) | |
Interest expense | | | | | | (580) | | | (570) | |
Allowance for funds used during construction | | | | | | 75 | | | 50 | |
Interest income and other included in comparable earnings | | | | | | 67 | | | 92 | |
Income tax expense included in comparable earnings | | | | | | (179) | | | (203) | |
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | | | | | | (11) | | | (69) | |
Preferred share dividends | | | | | | (31) | | | (38) | |
Comparable earnings | | | | | | 1,103 | | | 1,106 | |
Comparable earnings per common share | | | | | | $1.12 | | | $1.16 | |
8 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
Comparable EBITDA – 2022 versus 2021
Comparable EBITDA decreased by $101 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to the net effect of the following:
•decreased EBITDA from Liquids Pipelines as a result of lower contributions from liquids marketing activities, mainly attributable to lower margins
•lower EBITDA from Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines largely attributable to the impact of lower flow-through depreciation on the Canadian Mainline, partially offset by increased flow-through depreciation on the NGTL System, as noted below
•decreased EBITDA from Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines driven by lower equity earnings from Sur de Texas due to higher deferred income tax expense as a result of a foreign exchange gain calculated for Mexico income tax purposes on the revaluation of U.S. dollar-denominated loans
•lower Power and Storage EBITDA primarily attributable to lower Natural Gas Storage and other results reflecting lower realized Alberta natural gas storage spreads
•increased EBITDA in U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines from Columbia Gas following the FERC-approved settlement for higher transportation rates effective February 2021 and incremental earnings from growth projects placed in service.
Due to the flow-through treatment of certain expenses including income taxes, financial charges and depreciation in our Canadian rate-regulated pipelines, changes in these expenses impact our comparable EBITDA despite having no significant effect on net income.
Comparable earnings – 2022 versus 2021
Comparable earnings decreased by $3 million or $0.04 per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 and was primarily the net effect of:
•changes in comparable EBITDA described above
•lower Interest income and other mainly attributable to lower realized gains in 2022 compared to 2021 on derivatives used to manage our net exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations on U.S. dollar-denominated income
•higher Interest expense primarily due to lower capitalized interest as a result of its cessation for the Keystone XL pipeline project following the revocation of the Presidential Permit in January 2021
•decreased Non-controlling interests following the March 2021 acquisition of all outstanding common units of TC PipeLines, LP not beneficially owned by TC Energy
•higher AFUDC primarily due to expansion projects in our Canadian and U.S. natural gas pipelines
•decreased Income tax expense primarily due to lower earnings and a U.S. state tax adjustment, partially offset by lower foreign tax rate differentials and flow-through taxes
•lower Depreciation and amortization in Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines on the Canadian Mainline, partially offset by higher depreciation on the NGTL System from expansion facilities that were placed in service and in U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines mainly due to the timing of certain adjustments related to the Columbia Gas rate case settlement.
Foreign exchange
Certain of our businesses generate all or most of their earnings in U.S. dollars and, since we report our financial results in Canadian dollars, changes in the value of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar directly affect our comparable EBITDA and may also impact comparable earnings. As our U.S. dollar-denominated operations continue to grow, this exposure increases. A portion of the U.S. dollar-denominated comparable EBITDA exposure is naturally offset by U.S. dollar-denominated amounts below comparable EBITDA within Depreciation and amortization, Interest expense and other income statement line items. The balance of the exposure is actively managed on a rolling forward basis up to three years using foreign exchange derivatives; however, the natural exposure beyond that period remains.
The components of our financial results denominated in U.S. dollars are set out in the table below, including our U.S. and Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines operations along with the majority of our Liquids Pipelines business. Comparable EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 9
Pre-tax U.S. dollar-denominated income and expense items
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of US$) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Comparable EBITDA | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines | | | | | | 875 | | | 833 | |
Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines1 | | | | | | 132 | | | 159 | |
U.S. Liquids Pipelines | | | | | | 183 | | | 228 | |
| | | | | | 1,190 | | | 1,220 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | | | (238) | | | (218) | |
Interest on long-term debt and junior subordinated notes | | | | | | (305) | | | (317) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Allowance for funds used during construction | | | | | | 26 | | | 17 | |
Non-controlling interests and other | | | | | | (12) | | | (46) | |
| | | | | | 661 | | | 656 | |
Average exchange rate - U.S. to Canadian dollars | | | | | | 1.27 | | | 1.27 | |
1Excludes interest expense on our inter-affiliate loan with Sur de Texas which is fully offset in Interest income and other.
10 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
Outlook
Comparable EBITDA and comparable earnings
Our overall comparable EBITDA and comparable earnings per common share outlook for 2022 remains consistent with the 2021 Annual Report. We continue to monitor the impact of changes in energy markets, our construction projects and regulatory proceedings as well as COVID-19 for any potential effect on our 2022 comparable EBITDA and comparable earnings per share.
Consolidated capital spending and equity investments
Our total capital expenditures for 2022 are expected to be approximately $7 billion. The increase in 2022 capital expenditures from what was outlined in the 2021 Annual Report is primarily due to higher costs for the NGTL System, reflecting inflationary pressures on labour and materials, additional regulatory conditions and other factors. We continue to work on cost mitigation strategies and assess market conditions, developments in our construction projects and the impact of COVID-19 for further changes to our overall 2022 capital program.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 11
Capital program
We are developing quality projects under our capital program. These long-life infrastructure assets are supported by long-term commercial arrangements with creditworthy counterparties and/or regulated business models and are expected to generate significant growth in earnings and cash flows. In addition, many of these projects advance our goals to reduce our own carbon footprint as well as that of our customers.
Our capital program consists of approximately $25 billion of secured projects that represent commercially supported, committed projects that are either under construction or are in, or preparing to, commence the permitting stage.
Three years of maintenance capital expenditures for our businesses are included in the secured projects table. Maintenance capital expenditures on our regulated Canadian and U.S. natural gas pipelines are added to rate base on which we have the opportunity to earn a return and recover these expenditures through current or future tolls, which is similar to our capacity capital projects on these pipelines. Tolling arrangements in our liquids pipelines business provide for the recovery of maintenance capital expenditures.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we placed approximately $0.2 billion of capacity capital projects into service related to the NGTL System. In addition, approximately $0.3 billion of maintenance capital expenditures were incurred.
All projects are subject to cost and timing adjustments due to factors including weather, market conditions, route refinement, permitting conditions, scheduling and timing of regulatory permits, as well as other potential restrictions and uncertainties, including the ongoing impact of COVID-19. Amounts exclude capitalized interest and AFUDC, where applicable.
12 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
Secured projects
Estimated and incurred project costs referred to in the following table include 100 per cent of the capital expenditures related to our wholly-owned projects and our ownership share of equity contributions to fund projects within our equity investments, primarily Coastal GasLink and Bruce Power.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Expected in-service date | | Estimated project cost | | Project costs incurred as at March 31, 2022 |
(billions of $) |
| | | | | | |
Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines | | | | | | |
NGTL System1 | | 2022 | | 3.2 | | | 2.6 | |
| | 2023 | | 2.6 | | | 0.2 | |
| | 2024+ | | 0.5 | | | 0.1 | |
Canadian Mainline | | 2022 | | 0.2 | | | 0.1 | |
Coastal GasLink2 | | 2023 | | 0.2 | | | 0.2 | |
Regulated maintenance capital expenditures | | 2022-2024 | | 2.1 | | | 0.1 | |
U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines | | | | | | |
Modernization III (Columbia Gas) | | 2022-2024 | | US 1.2 | | | US 0.2 | |
Delivery market projects | | 2025 | | US 1.5 | | | — | |
Other capital | | 2022-2028 | | US 1.9 | | | US 1.0 | |
Regulated maintenance capital expenditures | | 2022-2024 | | US 2.0 | | | US 0.1 | |
Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines | | | | | | |
Villa de Reyes | | 2022 | | US 1.0 | | | US 0.9 | |
Tula3 | | — | | | US 0.8 | | | US 0.6 | |
Liquids Pipelines | | | | | | |
Other capacity capital | | 2022-2023 | | US 0.2 | | | US 0.1 | |
Recoverable maintenance capital expenditures | | 2022-2024 | | 0.1 | | | — | |
Power and Storage | | | | | | |
Bruce Power – life extension4 | | 2022-2027 | | 4.4 | | | 2.0 | |
Other | | | | | | |
Non-recoverable maintenance capital expenditures5 | | 2022-2024 | | 0.6 | | | — | |
| | | | 22.5 | | | 8.2 | |
Foreign exchange impact on secured projects6 | | | | 2.2 | | | 0.7 | |
Total secured projects (Cdn$) | | | | 24.7 | | | 8.9 | |
1Estimated project costs for 2022 and 2023 include $0.7 billion for Foothills related to the West Path Delivery Program.
2The expected in-service date and estimated project cost reflect the last agreed upon project update. These, along with our share of anticipated partner equity contributions to the project, will be determined by the substance of a resolution with LNG Canada. Refer to the Recent developments – Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines section for additional information on the status of Coastal GasLink's dispute with LNG Canada regarding the recognition of certain costs and schedule changes, as well as our commitment to provide additional temporary financing, if necessary, to Coastal GasLink under certain circumstances.
3The East Section of the Tula pipeline is available for interruptible transportation services. We are working to procure necessary land access on the west section of the Tula pipeline to finalize its construction. The central segment construction has been delayed due to pending Indigenous consultation processes under the responsibility of the Secretary of Energy. Refer to the Recent developments – Mexico section for additional information.
4Reflects our expected share of cash contributions for the Bruce Power Unit 6 Major Component Replacement (MCR) program, expected to be in service in 2023, and the Unit 3 MCR, expected to be in service in 2026, as well as amounts to be invested under the Asset Management program through 2027 and the incremental uprate initiative. Refer to the Recent developments – Power and Storage section for additional information.
5Includes non-recoverable maintenance capital expenditures from all segments and is primarily comprised of our proportionate share of maintenance capital expenditures for Bruce Power and other Power and Storage assets.
6Reflects U.S./Canada foreign exchange rate of 1.25 at March 31, 2022.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 13
Projects under development
In addition to our secured projects, we have a portfolio of projects that we are currently pursuing that are in varying stages of development. Projects under development have greater uncertainty with respect to timing and estimated project costs and are subject to corporate and regulatory approvals, unless otherwise noted. Each business segment has also outlined additional areas of focus for further ongoing business development activities and growth opportunities. As these projects are advanced, and upon reaching necessary milestones, they will be included in the secured projects table.
Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines
We continue to focus on optimizing the utilization and value of our existing Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines assets, including in-corridor expansions, providing connectivity to LNG export terminals and connections to growing shale gas supplies. Sustainability development projects will include additional compressor station electrification and waste heat capture power generation on our systems as well as other GHG abatement initiatives.
U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines
Delivery Market Projects
Projects are in development that will replace, upgrade and modernize certain U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines facilities while reducing emissions along portions of our pipeline systems in principal delivery markets. The enhanced facilities are expected to improve reliability of our systems and allow for additional transportation services under long-term contracts to address growing demand in the U.S. Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic regions while reducing direct carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. Included in our secured projects are the US$0.7 billion VR Project on Columbia Gas and the US$0.8 billion WR Project on ANR, two delivery market projects that were approved in 2021 with expected in-service dates in the second half of 2025.
Renewable Natural Gas Hub Development
We announced a strategic collaboration with GreenGasUSA to explore development of a network of natural gas transportation hubs, including renewable natural gas (RNG). These transportation hubs would provide centralized access to existing energy transportation infrastructure for RNG sources, such as farms, wastewater treatment facilities and landfills. This collaboration will rapidly expand and provide incremental capability to the 10 current RNG interconnects across our U.S. natural gas pipeline footprint. The development of these hubs is a critical step towards the acceleration of methane capture projects and the concurrent reduction of GHG emissions.
Other Opportunities
We are currently pursuing a variety of projects including compression replacement while furthering the electrification of our fleet, increasing capacity to LNG, power generation and LDCs, expanding our modernization programs and in-corridor expansion opportunities on our existing systems. These projects are expected to improve the reliability of our systems with an environmental focus on cleaner energy.
Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines
We are currently evaluating new growth projects driven by Mexico’s economic expansion and the need to connect natural gas to new regions of the country to serve power plants, industrial demand and LNG exports and, in doing so, reduce reliance on costly, carbon-intensive fuel oil. Potential projects include a re-route of the central segment of Tula as well as a new offshore pipeline that would connect additional natural gas supply to Southeast Mexico and capacity expansions on existing assets.
Liquids Pipelines
Grand Rapids Phase II
Regulatory approvals have been obtained for Phase II of Grand Rapids, which consists of completing the 36-inch pipeline for crude oil service and converting the 20-inch pipeline from crude oil to diluent service. Commercial support is being pursued with prospective customers.
14 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
Terminals Projects
We continue to pursue projects associated with our terminals in Alberta and the U.S. to expand our core business and add operational flexibility for our customers.
Other Opportunities
We remain focused on maximizing the value of our liquids assets by expanding and leveraging our existing infrastructure and enhancing connectivity and service offerings to our customers. We are pursuing selective growth opportunities to add incremental value to our Liquids Pipelines business and expansions that leverage available capacity on our existing infrastructure. We remain disciplined in our approach and will position our business development activities strategically to capture opportunities within our risk preferences.
Power and Storage
Bruce Power
Life Extension Program
The continuation of Bruce Power’s life extension program through to 2033 will require the investment of our proportionate share of Major Component Replacement (MCR) program costs on Units 4, 5, 7 and 8, as well as the remaining Asset Management program costs which continue beyond 2033, extending the life of Units 3 to 8 and the Bruce Power site to 2064. Preparation work for the Unit 4 MCR is well underway and work for the Unit 5, 7 and 8 MCRs has also begun. Future MCR investments will be subject to discrete decisions for each unit with specified off-ramps available to Bruce Power and the IESO. We expect to spend approximately $4.8 billion for our proportionate share of the Bruce Power MCR program costs for Units 4, 5, 7 and 8 and the remaining Asset Management program costs beyond 2027, as well as the incremental uprate initiative discussed below.
Uprate Initiative
Bruce Power's Project 2030 has a goal of achieving a site peak output of 7,000 MW by 2033 in support of climate change targets and future clean energy needs. Project 2030 is focused on continued asset optimization, innovation and leveraging new technology, which could include integration with storage and other forms of energy, to increase the site peak output. Project 2030 is arranged in three stages with the first two stages fully approved for execution. Stage 1 started in 2019 and is expected to add 150 MW of output and Stage 2, which began in early 2022, is targeting another 200 MW. Stage 3 requires Stages 1 and 2 to be complete and would enable an increase to the reactor power limit.
Development-Stage Projects
Ontario Pumped Storage
We continue to progress the development of the Ontario Pumped Storage project (OPSP), an energy storage facility located near Meaford, Ontario that would provide 1,000 MW of flexible, clean energy to Ontario’s electricity system using a process known as pumped hydro storage.
The OPSP has been granted long-term land access to the fourth Canadian Division Training Centre for development of the project on this site from the Federal Minister of National Defence and has been included in Gate 2 of the IESO's Unsolicited Proposals Process. Once in service, this project will store emission-free energy when available and provide that energy to Ontario during periods of peak demand, thereby maximizing the value of existing emission-free generation in the province.
Saddlebrook Solar and Storage
We are proposing to construct and operate the Saddlebrook Solar and Storage project, a solar and energy storage solution that consists of a solar-generating facility located in Aldersyde, Alberta that will operate in conjunction with a battery energy storage system.
The proposed generating facility will produce approximately 81 MW of power and the battery storage system will provide up to 40 MWh of energy storage capacity and is expected to reduce GHG emissions by approximately 115,000 tonnes per year. The project is expected to be partially funded through Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Biotechnology, Electricity and Sustainable Transportation Challenge. We expect to make a final investment decision on the project in 2022 with the first phases of commissioning beginning in 2023.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 15
Canyon Creek Pumped Storage
We are utilizing the existing site infrastructure from a decommissioned coal mine, located near Hinton, Alberta, to develop a pumped hydro storage project that is expected to have an initial generating capacity of 75 MW, expandable through future development to 400 MW. The facility is expected to provide up to 37 hours of on-demand, flexible, clean energy and ancillary services to the Alberta electricity grid. The project has received the approval of the Alberta Utilities Commission and the required approval of the Alberta Government for hydro projects under the Hydro Development Act.
The Canyon Creek Pumped Storage project is part of a larger product offering by us, a 24-by-7 carbon-free power product in the Province of Alberta and includes output from other projects currently under construction or being developed, thereby positioning our customers to manage hourly power needs with cost certainty and achieve decarbonization goals by sourcing power from emission-free assets.
Renewable Energy Contracts and/or Investment Opportunities
Through a Request for Information (RFI) process conducted in 2021, we are seeking potential contracts and/or investment opportunities in wind, solar and storage energy projects to meet the electricity needs of the U.S. portion of the Keystone Pipeline System and supply renewable energy products and services to industrial and oil and gas sectors proximate to our in-corridor demand. To date in 2022, we have finalized contracts for approximately 160 MW and 240 MW from our wind energy and solar projects, respectively. We continue to evaluate the proposals received through the RFI process and expect to finalize additional contracts in 2022.
Other Opportunities
We are actively building our customer-focused origination platform across North America, providing commodity products and energy services to help customers address the challenges of energy transition. Our existing network of assets, customers and suppliers provide a mutual opportunity in which we can tailor solutions to meet their clean energy needs. Although we may adopt custom-tailored strategies, the core underpinning remains consistent, which is that every opportunity we undertake will ultimately be driven by customer needs allowing us to complement each other’s capabilities, diversify risk and share learnings as we navigate the energy transition.
Other Energy Transition Developments
Our vision is to be the premier energy infrastructure company in North America today and in the future. That future includes embracing the energy transition that is underway and contributing to a lower-carbon energy world. As energy transition continues to evolve, we recognize a significant opportunity to reduce our emissions footprint, in addition to being a partner to our customers and other industries that are also looking for low-carbon solutions. Currently, it is uncertain how the energy mix will evolve and at what pace. We continue to observe a reliance on the existing sources of natural gas, crude oil and electricity, for which we currently provide services to our customers.
We are targeting five focus areas to reduce the emissions intensity of our operations, while also capturing growth
opportunities that meet the energy needs of the future:
•modernize our existing system and assets
•decarbonize our energy consumption
•drive digital solutions and technologies
•leverage carbon credits and offsets
•invest in low-carbon energy and infrastructure, such as renewables along with emerging fuels and technology.
16 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
Alberta Carbon Grid (ACG)
In June 2021, we announced a partnership with Pembina Pipeline Corporation to jointly develop a world-scale system which, when fully constructed, will be capable of transporting and sequestering more than 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. As an open-access system, ACG is intended to serve as the backbone for Alberta’s emerging carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) industry. On March 29, 2022, the ACG received notice from the Government of Alberta that our proposal (the Final Project Proposal) to build and operate a carbon storage hub and gathering lines in Alberta’s industrial heartland was among the successful proponents. The project has been invited to move forward into the next stage of the Province’s CCUS process and enter into an evaluation agreement to further assess viability. The ACG proposes to leverage existing right of ways and/or pipelines to connect the Alberta Industrial Heartland emissions region to a key sequestration location.
Irving Oil Decarbonization
We have signed an MOU to explore the joint development of a series of proposed energy projects focused on reducing GHG emissions and creating new economic opportunities in New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada. Together with Irving Oil Ltd., we have identified a series of potential projects focused on decarbonizing existing assets and deploying emerging technologies to reduce overall emissions over the medium and long term. The partnership’s initial focus will consider a suite of upgrade projects at Irving Oil’s refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick, with the goal of significantly reducing emissions through the production and use of low-carbon power generation.
Hydrogen Hubs
We have entered into two Joint Development Agreements (JDA) to support customer-driven hydrogen production for long-haul transportation, power generation, large industrials and heating customers across the United States and Canada. The first opportunity is a partnership with Nikola Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of zero-emission battery-electric and hydrogen-electric vehicles and related equipment, where Nikola will be a long-term anchor customer for hydrogen production infrastructure supporting hydrogen fueled zero-emission heavy-duty trucks. The JDA with Nikola supports co-development of large-scale green and blue hydrogen production hubs, utilizing our power and natural gas infrastructure. On April 26, 2022, we announced a plan to evaluate a hydrogen production hub on 140 acres in Crossfield, Alberta, where we currently operate a natural gas storage facility. We expect a final investment decision by the end of 2023, subject to customary regulatory approvals.
Our second customer-driven opportunity is a partnership with Hyzon Motors, a leader in fuel cell electric mobility for commercial vehicles, to develop hydrogen production facilities focused on zero-to-negative carbon intensity hydrogen from renewable natural gas, biogas and other sustainable sources. The facilities will be located close to demand, supporting Hyzon’s back-to-base vehicle deployments. Our significant pipeline, storage and power assets can potentially be leveraged to lower the cost and increase the speed of development of these hubs. This may include exploring the integration of pipeline assets to enable hydrogen distribution and storage via pipeline and/or to deliver carbon dioxide to permanent sequestration sites to decarbonize the hydrogen production process.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 17
Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines
The following is a reconciliation of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT (our non-GAAP measures) to segmented earnings (the most directly comparable GAAP measure).
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
NGTL System | | | | | | 426 | | | 397 | |
Canadian Mainline | | | | | | 170 | | | 236 | |
Other Canadian pipelines1 | | | | | | 48 | | | 53 | |
Comparable EBITDA | | | | | | 644 | | | 686 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | | | (286) | | | (330) | |
Comparable EBIT and segmented earnings | | | | | | 358 | | | 356 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
1Includes results from Foothills, Ventures LP, Great Lakes Canada, our investment in TQM, Coastal GasLink development fee revenue as well as general and administrative and business development costs related to our Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines.
Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines comparable EBIT and segmented earnings increased by $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.
Net income and comparable EBITDA for our rate-regulated Canadian natural gas pipelines are primarily affected by our approved ROE, our investment base, the level of deemed common equity and incentive earnings. Changes in depreciation, financial charges and income taxes also impact comparable EBITDA, but do not have a significant impact on net income as they are almost entirely recovered in revenues on a flow-through basis.
NET INCOME AND AVERAGE INVESTMENT BASE
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income | | | | | | | | |
NGTL System | | | | | | 170 | | | 152 | |
Canadian Mainline | | | | | | 49 | | | 51 | |
Average investment base | | | | | | | | |
NGTL System | | | | | | 16,879 | | | 15,011 | |
Canadian Mainline | | | | | | 3,699 | | | 3,702 | |
Net income for the NGTL System increased by $18 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 mainly due to a higher average investment base resulting from continued system expansions. The NGTL System is operating under the 2020-2024 Revenue Requirement Settlement which includes an ROE of 10.1 per cent on 40 per cent deemed common equity. This settlement provides the NGTL System the opportunity to increase depreciation rates if tolls fall below specified levels and an incentive mechanism for certain operating costs where variances from projected amounts are shared with our customers.
Net income for the Canadian Mainline for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was consistent with the same period in 2021. The Canadian Mainline is operating under the 2021-2026 Mainline Settlement which includes an approved ROE of 10.1 per cent on 40 per cent deemed common equity and an incentive to decrease costs and increase revenues on the pipeline under a beneficial sharing mechanism with our customers.
18 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
COMPARABLE EBITDA
Comparable EBITDA for Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines decreased by $42 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 due to the net effect of:
•flow-through depreciation on our regulated pipelines, as noted below
•lower flow-through income taxes on the Canadian Mainline
•lower Coastal GasLink development fee revenue due to timing of revenue recognition
•higher flow-through income taxes as well as increased rate-base earnings on the NGTL System.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Depreciation and amortization decreased by $44 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 mainly due to one section of the Canadian Mainline being fully depreciated in third quarter of 2021, partially offset by additional depreciation on the NGTL System from expansion facilities that were placed in service.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 19
U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines
The table below is a reconciliation of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT (our non-GAAP measures) to segmented earnings (the most directly comparable GAAP measure).
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of US$, unless otherwise noted) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Columbia Gas | | | | | | 416 | | | 408 | |
ANR | | | | | | 171 | | | 151 | |
Columbia Gulf | | | | | | 59 | | | 57 | |
Great Lakes1,2 | | | | | | 57 | | | 41 | |
GTN2,3 | | | | | | 51 | | | 15 | |
Other U.S. pipelines2,4 | | | | | | 110 | | | 60 | |
TC PipeLines, LP2,5 | | | | | | — | | | 24 | |
Non-controlling interests5 | | | | | | 11 | | | 77 | |
Comparable EBITDA | | | | | | 875 | | | 833 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | | | (167) | | | (148) | |
Comparable EBIT | | | | | | 708 | | | 685 | |
Foreign exchange impact | | | | | | 188 | | | 182 | |
Comparable EBIT (Cdn$) | | | | | | 896 | | | 867 | |
Specific items: | | | | | | | | |
Great Lakes goodwill impairment charge | | | | | | (571) | | | — | |
Risk management activities | | | | | | (15) | | | 6 | |
Segmented earnings (Cdn$) | | | | | | 310 | | | 873 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
1Results reflect our 53.55 per cent direct interest in Great Lakes until March 2021 and our 100 per cent ownership interest subsequent to the TC PipeLines, LP acquisition.
2Our ownership interest in TC PipeLines, LP was 25.5 per cent prior to the acquisition in March 2021, at which time it became 100 per cent. Prior to March 2021, results reflected TC PipeLines, LP’s 46.45 per cent interest in Great Lakes, its ownership of GTN, Bison, North Baja, Portland and Tuscarora as well as its share of equity income from Northern Border and Iroquois.
3Reflects 100 per cent of GTN's comparable EBITDA subsequent to the TC PipeLines, LP acquisition in March 2021.
4Reflects comparable EBITDA from our ownership in our mineral rights business (CEVCO), Crossroads, and our share of equity income from Millennium and Hardy Storage, as well as general and administrative and business development costs related to our U.S. natural gas pipelines. For the period subsequent to our acquisition of TC PipeLines, LP in March 2021, results also include 100 per cent of Bison, North Baja and Tuscarora, 61.7 per cent of Portland plus our equity income from Northern Border and Iroquois.
5Reflects comparable EBITDA attributable to portions of TC PipeLines, LP and Portland that we did not own prior to the TC PipeLines, LP acquisition in March 2021, and subsequently reflects earnings attributable to the remaining 38.3 per cent interest in Portland we do not own.
20 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines segmented earnings decreased by $563 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 and included the following specific items which have been excluded from our calculation of comparable EBIT and comparable earnings:
•a pre-tax goodwill impairment charge of $571 million related to Great Lakes in first quarter 2022. Refer to the Other information – Critical accounting estimates and accounting policy changes section for additional information
•unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of derivatives related to our U.S. natural gas marketing business.
Comparable EBITDA for U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines increased by US$42 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 and was primarily due to the net effect of:
•incremental earnings from growth projects placed in service, mainly on ANR
•increased earnings on Columbia Gas following the FERC-approved settlement for higher transportation rates effective February 2021. Refer to the Recent developments – U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines section for additional information.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Depreciation and amortization increased by US$19 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 mainly due to new projects placed in service and the timing of certain adjustments related to the Columbia Gas rate case settlement.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 21
Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines
The following is a reconciliation of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT (our non-GAAP measures) to segmented earnings (the most directly comparable GAAP measure).
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of US$, unless otherwise noted) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Topolobampo | | | | | | 41 | | | 41 | |
Sur de Texas1 | | | | | | 11 | | | 34 | |
Tamazunchale | | | | | | 30 | | | 31 | |
Guadalajara | | | | | | 18 | | | 19 | |
Mazatlán | | | | | | 18 | | | 17 | |
Villa de Reyes | | | | | | (1) | | | — | |
Comparable EBITDA | | | | | | 117 | | | 142 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | | | (22) | | | (22) | |
Comparable EBIT | | | | | | 95 | | | 120 | |
Foreign exchange impact | | | | | | 25 | | | 32 | |
Comparable EBIT and segmented earnings (Cdn$) | | | | | | 120 | | | 152 | |
1Represents equity income from our 60 per cent interest and fees earned from the construction and operation of the pipeline.
Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines segmented earnings decreased by $32 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.
Comparable EBITDA for Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines decreased by US$25 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily as a result of decreased equity earnings in Sur de Texas due to a higher deferred income tax expense resulting from a foreign exchange gain, calculated for Mexico income tax purposes, on the revaluation of a U.S. dollar-denominated loan which was entered into on March 15, 2022. Refer to the Financial risks and financial instruments – Related party transactions section for additional information.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was consistent with the same period in 2021.
22 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
Liquids Pipelines
The following is a reconciliation of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT (our non-GAAP measures) to segmented earnings/(losses) (the most directly comparable GAAP measure).
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Keystone Pipeline System | | | | | | 322 | | | 318 | |
Intra-Alberta pipelines1 | | | | | | 18 | | | 22 | |
Liquids marketing and other | | | | | | (11) | | | 53 | |
Comparable EBITDA | | | | | | 329 | | | 393 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | | | (81) | | | (80) | |
Comparable EBIT | | | | | | 248 | | | 313 | |
Specific items: | | | | | | | | |
Keystone XL asset impairment charge and other | | | | | | — | | | (2,845) | |
Keystone XL preservation and other | | | | | | (6) | | | — | |
Risk management activities | | | | | | 30 | | | 24 | |
Segmented earnings/(losses) | | | | | | 272 | | | (2,508) | |
Comparable EBITDA denominated as follows: | | | | | | | | |
Canadian dollars | | | | | | 98 | | | 104 | |
U.S. dollars | | | | | | 183 | | | 228 | |
Foreign exchange impact | | | | | | 48 | | | 61 | |
Comparable EBITDA | | | | | | 329 | | | 393 | |
1Intra-Alberta pipelines include Grand Rapids, White Spruce and Northern Courier. In November 2021, we sold our remaining 15 per cent interest in Northern Courier.
Liquids Pipelines segmented earnings increased by $2.8 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 and included the following specific items which have been excluded from our calculation of comparable EBIT and comparable earnings:
•a $2.8 billion pre-tax asset impairment charge in first quarter 2021, net of expected contractual recoveries and other contractual and legal obligations, associated with the termination of the Keystone XL pipeline project following the revocation of the Presidential Permit in January 2021
•pre-tax preservation and storage costs for Keystone XL pipeline project assets of $6 million in first quarter 2022, which could not be accrued as part of the Keystone XL asset impairment charge
•unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of derivatives related to our liquids marketing business.
Comparable EBITDA for Liquids Pipelines decreased by $64 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 due to lower contributions from liquids marketing activities in first quarter 2022. Compressed arbitrages between supply basins and refinery markets, steep backwardation as well as low inventory at key supply and trade hubs contributed to lower margins while market volatility negatively impacted risk management activities and the timing of earnings.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was consistent with the same period in 2021.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 23
Power and Storage
The following is a reconciliation of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT (our non-GAAP measures) to segmented earnings (the most directly comparable GAAP measure).
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Bruce Power1 | | | | | | 93 | | | 91 | |
Canadian Power | | | | | | 60 | | | 69 | |
Natural Gas Storage and other | | | | | | 4 | | | 18 | |
Comparable EBITDA | | | | | | 157 | | | 178 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | | | (20) | | | (19) | |
Comparable EBIT | | | | | | 137 | | | 159 | |
Specific items: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Bruce Power unrealized fair value adjustments | | | | | | (23) | | | 3 | |
Risk management activities | | | | | | (38) | | | 1 | |
Segmented earnings | | | | | | 76 | | | 163 | |
1Includes our share of equity income from Bruce Power.
Power and Storage segmented earnings decreased by $87 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 and included the following specific items:
•our proportionate share of Bruce Power's unrealized gains and losses on funds invested for post-retirement benefits and risk management activities
•unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of derivatives used to reduce commodity exposures in our Power and Storage business, which have been excluded from comparable EBIT.
Comparable EBITDA for Power and Storage decreased by $21 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to the net effect of:
•lower Natural Gas Storage and other results reflecting lower realized Alberta natural gas storage spreads in 2022
•reduced Canadian Power results primarily due to lower contributions from trading activities.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was consistent with the same period in 2021.
24 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
BRUCE POWER
The following is our proportionate share of the components of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $, unless otherwise noted) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Equity income included in comparable EBITDA and EBIT comprised of: | | | | | | | | |
Revenues1 | | | | | | 409 | | | 401 | |
Operating expenses | | | | | | (231) | | | (225) | |
Depreciation and other | | | | | | (85) | | | (85) | |
Comparable EBITDA and EBIT2 | | | | | | 93 | | | 91 | |
Bruce Power – other information | | | | | | | | |
Plant availability3,4 | | | | | | 84 | % | | 86 | % |
Planned outage days4 | | | | | | 77 | | | 74 | |
Unplanned outage days | | | | | | 14 | | | 15 | |
Sales volumes (GWh)2 | | | | | | 4,975 | | | 5,064 | |
Realized power price per MWh5 | | | | | | $82 | | | $79 | |
1Net of amounts recorded to reflect operating cost efficiencies shared with the IESO.
2Represents our 48.4 per cent ownership interest in Bruce Power. Sales volumes include deemed generation.
3The percentage of time the plant was available to generate power, regardless of whether it was running.
4Excludes Unit 6 MCR outage days.
5Calculation based on actual and deemed generation. Realized power price per MWh includes realized gains and losses from contracting activities and cost flow-through items. Excludes unrealized gains and losses on contracting activities and non-electricity revenues.
The Unit 6 MCR outage, which began in January 2020, is now in the installation phase. The Unit 5 planned outage, which began in February 2022, is on schedule for completion in second quarter 2022. Planned outages are scheduled to begin in mid-second quarter 2022 on Units 1 to 4 and another Unit 4 outage is planned for the second half of 2022. The average 2022 plant availability, excluding the Unit 6 MCR, is expected to be in the low-80 per cent range.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 25
Corporate
The following is a reconciliation of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT (our non-GAAP measures) to Corporate segmented earnings (the most directly comparable GAAP measure).
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Comparable EBITDA and EBIT | | | | | | 3 | | | (3) | |
Specific item: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Foreign exchange gains – inter-affiliate loans1 | | | | | | 28 | | | 35 | |
Segmented earnings | | | | | | 31 | | | 32 | |
1Reported in Income from equity investments in the Condensed consolidated statement of income.
Corporate segmented earnings decreased by $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. Corporate segmented earnings included foreign exchange gains on our proportionate share of peso-denominated inter-affiliate loans to the Sur de Texas joint venture from its partners. These foreign exchange gains are recorded in Income from equity investments in the Corporate segment and have been excluded from our calculation of comparable EBITDA and EBIT as they are fully offset by corresponding foreign exchange losses on the inter-affiliate loan receivable included in Interest income and other. On March 15, 2022, the peso-denominated inter-affiliate loans were fully repaid upon maturity. Refer to the Financial risks and financial instruments – Related party transactions section for additional information.
INTEREST EXPENSE
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Interest on long-term debt and junior subordinated notes | | | | | | | | |
Canadian dollar-denominated | | | | | | (177) | | | (170) | |
U.S. dollar-denominated | | | | | | (305) | | | (317) | |
Foreign exchange impact | | | | | | (81) | | | (84) | |
| | | | | | (563) | | | (571) | |
Other interest and amortization expense | | | | | | (19) | | | (16) | |
Capitalized interest | | | | | | 2 | | | 17 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | | | | | (580) | | | (570) | |
Interest expense increased by $10 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to the net effect of:
•lower capitalized interest due to its cessation for the Keystone XL pipeline project following the revocation of the Presidential Permit in January 2021
•higher interest rates on increased levels of short-term borrowings
•long-term debt and junior subordinated note issuances, net of maturities. Refer to the Financial condition section for additional information.
26 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
ALLOWANCE FOR FUNDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Canadian dollar-denominated | | | | | | 42 | | | 28 | |
U.S. dollar-denominated | | | | | | 26 | | | 17 | |
Foreign exchange impact | | | | | | 7 | | | 5 | |
Allowance for funds used during construction | | | | | | 75 | | | 50 | |
AFUDC increased by $25 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. The increase in Canadian dollar-denominated AFUDC is primarily related to NGTL System expansion projects under construction. The increase in U.S. dollar-denominated AFUDC is mainly the result of increased capital expenditures on our U.S. natural gas pipeline projects.
INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Interest income and other included in comparable earnings | | | | | | 67 | | | 92 | |
Specific items: | | | | | | | | |
Foreign exchange losses – inter-affiliate loan | | | | | | (28) | | | (35) | |
Risk management activities | | | | | | 22 | | | 5 | |
Interest income and other | | | | | | 61 | | | 62 | |
Interest income and other decreased by $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 and included the following specific items which have been removed from our calculation of Interest income and other included in comparable earnings:
•foreign exchange losses on the peso-denominated inter-affiliate loan receivable from the Sur de Texas joint venture, which was fully repaid upon maturity on March 15, 2022
•unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of derivatives used to manage our foreign exchange risk.
Our proportionate share of the corresponding foreign exchange gains and interest expense on the peso-denominated inter-affiliate loans to the Sur de Texas joint venture from its partners are reflected in Income from equity investments in the Corporate and Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines segments, respectively. The foreign exchange gains and losses on these inter-affiliate loans are removed from comparable earnings while the interest income and interest expense are included in comparable earnings with all amounts offsetting and resulting in no impact on net income. As part of refinancing activities with the Sur de Texas joint venture, on March 15, 2022, the peso-denominated loan discussed above was replaced with a new U.S. dollar-denominated loan of an equivalent $1.2 billion (US$938 million). Refer to the Financial risks and financial instruments – Related party transactions section for additional information.
Interest income and other included in comparable earnings decreased by $25 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to lower realized gains on derivatives used to manage our net exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuation on U.S. dollar-denominated income.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 27
INCOME TAX (EXPENSE)/RECOVERY
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Income tax expense included in comparable earnings | | | | | | (179) | | | (203) | |
Specific items: | | | | | | | | |
Great Lakes goodwill impairment charge | | | | | | 40 | | | — | |
Settlement-in-principle of Mexico prior years' income tax assessments | | | | | | (193) | | | — | |
Keystone XL asset impairment charge and other | | | | | | — | | | 653 | |
Keystone XL preservation and other | | | | | | 1 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Bruce Power unrealized fair value adjustments | | | | | | 8 | | | (1) | |
Risk management activities | | | | | | — | | | (9) | |
Income tax (expense)/recovery | | | | | | (323) | | | 440 | |
Income tax expense increased by $763 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 and included the following specific items which have been removed from our calculation of Income tax expense included in comparable earnings, in addition to the income tax impacts of the specific items referenced elsewhere in this MD&A:
•settlement-in-principle of prior years' income tax assessments related to our operations in Mexico. Refer to the Recent developments – Corporate section for additional information
•the income tax impact of the Keystone XL pipeline project asset impairment charge in 2021.
Income tax expense included in comparable earnings decreased by $24 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to lower earnings and a U.S. state tax adjustment in first quarter 2022, partially offset by lower foreign tax rate differentials and flow-through taxes.
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | | | | | | (11) | | | (69) | |
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests for the three months ended March 31, 2022 decreased by $58 million compared to the same period in 2021 primarily as a result of the March 2021 acquisition of all outstanding common units of TC PipeLines, LP not beneficially owned by TC Energy. Subsequent to the acquisition, TC PipeLines, LP became an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of TC Energy.
PREFERRED SHARE DIVIDENDS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Preferred share dividends | | | | | | (31) | | | (38) | |
Preferred share dividends decreased by $7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to the redemption of all issued and outstanding Series 13 preferred shares on May 31, 2021.
28 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
Recent developments
CANADIAN NATURAL GAS PIPELINES
Coastal GasLink
The Coastal GasLink project is approximately 63 per cent complete. The entire route has been cleared, grading is more than 74 per cent complete and more than 275 km of pipeline has been installed, with reclamation activities underway in many areas.
On March 9, 2022, we announced the signing of option agreements to sell a 10 per cent equity interest in Coastal GasLink Pipeline Limited Partnership (Coastal GasLink LP) to Indigenous communities across the project corridor. The opportunity to become business partners through equity ownership was made available to all 20 Nations holding existing agreements with Coastal GasLink LP. The Nations have established two entities that together currently represent 16 Indigenous communities that have confirmed their support for the option agreements. The equity option is exercisable after commercial in-service of the pipeline, subject to customary regulatory approvals and consents, including the consent of LNG Canada.
Coastal GasLink is in dispute with LNG Canada with respect to the recognition of certain costs and the impacts on schedule; however, the parties are in active and constructive discussions toward a resolution of this matter. We do not expect any suspension of construction activities due to the dispute while discussions continue. The ultimate level of debt financing and the amounts to be contributed as equity by Coastal GasLink LP partners, including us, will be determined by the substance of a resolution with LNG Canada.
We increased our commitment under a subordinated loan agreement to Coastal GasLink LP by $500 million in March 2022. This brings the total commitment under the subordinated loan agreement to $3.8 billion, which has been arranged in order to provide temporary financing to the project to fund incremental costs, if necessary, as a bridge to a required increase in project-level financing. At March 31, 2022, $289 million was outstanding on these loans (December 31, 2021 – $238 million).
NGTL System
In the three months ended March 31, 2022, the NGTL System placed approximately $0.2 billion of capacity projects in service.
2021 NGTL System Expansion Program
Construction of the 2021 NGTL System Expansion Program continues and, due to current market conditions as well as regulatory and weather delays, the estimated capital cost of the program is now $3.4 billion. As of March 31, 2022, $1.1 billion of facilities have been placed into service, with the majority of the remaining facilities expected to be placed into service in the second half of 2022 and final completion anticipated in first quarter 2023. The program consists of 344 km (214 miles) of new pipeline, three compressor units and associated facilities, and will add 1.6 PJ/d (1.5 Bcf/d) of incremental capacity to the NGTL System.
2022 NGTL System Expansion Program
We continue to advance construction of the 2022 NGTL System Expansion Program. As a result of current market conditions, material prices and additional regulatory delays, the estimated capital cost of the program is now $1.4 billion with in-service dates anticipated in fourth quarter 2022 and second quarter 2023. The program consists of approximately 166 km (103 miles) of new pipeline, one new compressor unit and associated facilities and is underpinned by approximately 773 TJ/d (722 MMcf/d) of firm-service contracts with eight-year minimum terms.
NGTL System/Foothills West Path Delivery Program
On March 2, 2022, we received further regulatory approvals related to $0.5 billion of facilities, with approval on remaining applications anticipated in fourth quarter 2022. As a result of terrain complexity, current market conditions, material and labour cost increases and additional CER permitting conditions, the Canadian portion of the West Path Delivery Program now has an estimated capital cost of $1.5 billion, with in-service dates anticipated in fourth quarter 2022 and fourth quarter 2023. The program consists of approximately 107 km (66 miles) of pipelines and associated facilities and is underpinned by 275 TJ/d (258 MMcf/d) of new firm-service contracts with terms that exceed 30 years.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 29
U.S. NATURAL GAS PIPELINES
Columbia Gas Section 4 Rate Case
Columbia Gas reached a settlement with its customers effective February 2021 and received FERC approval on February 25, 2022. As part of the settlement, there is a moratorium on any further rate changes until April 1, 2025. Columbia Gas must file for new rates with an effective date no later than April 1, 2026. Previously accrued rate refund liabilities were refunded to customers, including interest, in second quarter 2022.
ANR Section 4 Rate Case
ANR filed a Section 4 rate case with FERC on January 28, 2022 requesting an increase to ANR's maximum transportation rates effective August 1, 2022, subject to refund upon completion of the rate proceeding. The rate case is progressing as expected as we continue to pursue a collaborative process to find a mutually beneficial outcome with our customers, FERC and other stakeholders through settlement negotiations.
Great Lakes
On March 18, 2022, Great Lakes reached an uncontested pre-filing settlement with its customers and filed an unopposed rate settlement with FERC by which Great Lakes and the settling parties agreed to maintain existing recourse rates through October 31, 2025.
While the settlement created short-term rate certainty, it prompted a re-evaluation of Great Lakes’ long-term free cash flows which resulted in a US$451 million goodwill impairment charge being recorded in first quarter 2022. Refer to the Other information – Critical accounting estimates and accounting policy changes section for additional information.
KO Transmission Enhancement Acquisition
On April 28, 2022, we approved the approximately US$80 million acquisition of KO Transmission assets to be integrated into our Columbia Gas pipeline. After filing for and receiving FERC approval of Columbia Gas’ acquisition of KO Transmission assets, which is expected by the end of 2022, this expanded footprint will provide additional last-mile connectivity of Columbia Gas into northern Kentucky and southern Ohio to growing LDC markets. It will also provide a platform for future capital investments including future conversions of coal-fueled power plants in the region.
Renewable Natural Gas Hub Development
In April 2022, we announced a strategic collaboration with GreenGasUSA to explore development of a network of natural gas transportation hubs, including renewable natural gas (RNG). The transportation hubs would provide centralized access to existing energy transportation infrastructure for RNG sources, such as farms, wastewater treatment facilities and landfills. This collaboration will rapidly expand and provide incremental capability to the 10 current RNG interconnects across our U.S. natural gas pipeline footprint. The development of these hubs is a critical step towards the acceleration of methane capture projects and the concurrent reduction of GHG emissions.
Alberta XPress and North Baja XPress Projects
In April 2022, FERC provided certificate orders approving our Alberta XPress and North Baja XPress projects. The Alberta XPress project is an expansion of ANR that utilizes existing capacity on Great Lakes and the Canadian Mainline to connect growing supply from the WCSB to U.S. Gulf Coast LNG export markets. The anticipated in-service date is late 2022 or early 2023 with an estimated project cost of US$0.3 billion. The North Baja XPress project is designed to expand capacity on North Baja to meet increased customer demand by upgrading one existing compressor station and two existing meter stations in Arizona and California with a mid-2023 expected in-service date and total anticipated cost of $0.1 billion. All the upgrades required for North Baja XPress will occur on property and within facilities currently owned and/or operated by North Baja.
30 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
MEXICO NATURAL GAS PIPELINES
Tula and Villa de Reyes
The CFE initiated arbitration in June 2019 for the Tula and Villa de Reyes projects, disputing fixed capacity payments due to force majeure events. Arbitration proceedings are currently suspended while management holds collaborative settlement discussions with the CFE.
We successfully achieved mechanical completion of the Villa de Reyes project's lateral and north sections in April 2022. Construction of the south section is ongoing and we expect to complete the construction of the Villa de Reyes project in 2022, subject to the successful resolution of ongoing negotiations with neighbouring communities to obtain pending land access.
POWER AND STORAGE
Bruce Power Life Extension
On March 7, 2022, the IESO verified Bruce Power's Unit 3 MCR program final cost and schedule duration estimate submitted in December 2021. The Unit 3 MCR program is scheduled to begin in first quarter 2023 with an expected completion in 2026.
Bruce Power's contract price increased by approximately $10 per MWh on April 1, 2022, reflecting capital to be invested under the Unit 3 MCR program and the 2022 to 2024 Asset Management program plus normal annual inflation adjustments.
Renewable Energy Contracts and/or Investment Opportunities
Through an RFI process conducted in 2021, we are seeking potential contracts and/or investment opportunities in wind, solar and energy storage projects to meet the electricity needs of the U.S. portion of the Keystone Pipeline System and supply renewable energy products and services to industrial and oil and gas sectors proximate to our in-corridor demand. To date in 2022, we have finalized contracts for approximately 160 MW and 240 MW from our wind energy and solar projects, respectively. We continue to evaluate the proposals received through the RFI process and expect to finalize additional contracts in 2022.
OTHER ENERGY TRANSITION DEVELOPMENTS
Alberta Carbon Grid
In June 2021, we announced a partnership with Pembina Pipeline Corporation to jointly develop a world-scale carbon transportation and sequestration system which, when fully constructed, will be capable of transporting more than 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. On March 29, 2022, the ACG received notice from the Government of Alberta that our Final Project Proposal to build and operate a carbon storage hub and gathering lines in Alberta’s industrial heartland was among the successful proponents. The project has been invited to move forward into the next stage of the Province’s CCUS process and enter into an evaluation agreement to further assess the viability of this project. Designed to be an open-access system, the ACG proposes to leverage existing right of ways and/or pipelines to connect the Alberta Industrial Heartland emissions region to a key sequestration location.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 31
CORPORATE
Mexico Tax Audit
In 2019, the Mexican tax authority, the Tax Administration Services (SAT), completed an audit of the 2013 tax return of one of our subsidiaries in Mexico. The audit resulted in a tax assessment that denied the deduction for all interest expense and an assessment of additional tax, penalties and financial charges totaling less than US$1 million. We disagreed with this assessment and commenced litigation to challenge it. In January 2022, we received the tax court’s ruling on the 2013 tax return, which upheld the SAT assessment. From September 2021 to February 2022, the SAT issued assessments for tax years 2014 through 2017 which denied the deduction of all interest expense as well as assessed incremental withholding tax on the interest. These assessments totaled approximately US$490 million in income and withholding taxes, interest, penalties and other financial charges.
During first quarter 2022, we received a settlement offer from the SAT with respect to the above matters for the tax years 2013 through 2021 and subsequently reached a settlement-in-principle. In first quarter 2022, we accrued US$153 million of income tax expense (inclusive of withholding taxes, interest, penalties and other financial charges). This amount was fully paid in April 2022.
32 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
Financial condition
We strive to maintain financial strength and flexibility in all parts of the economic cycle. We rely on our operating cash flows to sustain our business, pay dividends and fund a portion of our growth. In addition, we access capital markets and engage in portfolio management to meet our financing needs, manage our capital structure and to preserve our credit ratings.
We believe we have the financial capacity to fund our existing capital program through predictable and growing cash flows from operations, access to capital markets, portfolio management, joint ventures, asset-level financing, cash on hand and substantial committed credit facilities. Annually, in fourth quarter, we renew and extend our credit facilities as required.
At March 31, 2022, our current assets totaled $8.5 billion and current liabilities amounted to $13.9 billion, leaving us with a working capital deficit of $5.4 billion compared to $5.6 billion at December 31, 2021. Our working capital deficiency is considered to be in the normal course of business and is managed through:
•our ability to generate predictable and growing cash flows from operations
•a total of $9.9 billion of committed revolving credit facilities, of which $4.6 billion of short-term borrowing capacity remains available, net of $5.3 billion backstopping outstanding commercial paper balances. We also have arrangements in place for a further $2.4 billion of demand credit facilities of which $1.2 billion remained available as at March 31, 2022
•our access to capital markets, including through securities issuances, incremental credit facilities, portfolio management activities, DRP and Corporate ATM programs, if deemed appropriate.
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by operations | | | | | | 1,707 | | | 1,666 | |
(Decrease)/increase in operating working capital | | | | | | (40) | | | 232 | |
Funds generated from operations | | | | | | 1,667 | | | 1,898 | |
Specific items: | | | | | | | | |
Settlement-in-principle of Mexico prior years' income tax assessments | | | | | | 193 | | | — | |
Keystone XL preservation and other | | | | | | 6 | | | — | |
Current income tax (recovery)/expense on Keystone XL asset impairment charge, preservation and other | | | | | | (1) | | | 125 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Comparable funds generated from operations | | | | | | 1,865 | | | 2,023 | |
Net cash provided by operations
Net cash provided by operations increased by $41 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to the amount and timing of working capital changes, partially offset by lower funds generated from operations.
Comparable funds generated from operations
Comparable funds generated from operations, a non-GAAP measure, helps us assess the cash generating ability of our businesses by excluding the timing effects of working capital changes as well as the cash impact of our specific items.
Comparable funds generated from operations decreased by $158 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to lower comparable EBITDA as described in the Consolidated results section, excluding changes in equity earnings, as well as lower distributions from operating activities of our equity investments.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 33
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Capital spending | | | | | | | | |
Capital expenditures | | | | | | (1,508) | | | (1,645) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Contributions to equity investments | | | | | | (216) | | | (240) | |
| | | | | | (1,724) | | | (1,885) | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Loans to affiliate | | | | | | (163) | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
Deferred amounts and other | | | | | | 54 | | | (306) | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | | | | (1,833) | | | (2,191) | |
In the three months ended March 31, 2022, capital expenditures were incurred primarily for the expansion of the NGTL System, ANR and Columbia Gas projects, as well as maintenance capital expenditures. Lower capital spending in 2022 compared to 2021 reflects the termination of the Keystone XL pipeline project following the revocation of the Presidential Permit in January 2021 as well as reduced spending on Columbia Gulf projects, partially offset by higher capital spending on the NGTL System.
As part of refinancing activities with the Sur de Texas joint venture, on March 15, 2022, our peso-denominated loan was fully repaid upon maturity in the amount of $1.2 billion and was subsequently replaced with a new U.S. dollar-denominated loan of an equivalent $1.2 billion. Contributions to equity investments and Other distributions from equity investments are presented above on a net basis, although they are reported on a gross basis in our Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. Refer to the Financial risks and financial instruments – Related party transactions section for additional information.
Loans to affiliate represent draws on the subordinated demand revolving credit facility and the subordinated loan agreement that we entered into with Coastal GasLink LP to provide additional liquidity and funding to the project. Refer to the Financial risks and financial instruments – Related party transactions section for additional information.
CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Notes payable issued/(repaid), net | | | | | | 330 | | | (2,707) | |
Long-term debt issued, net of issue costs | | | | | | — | | | 5,929 | |
Long-term debt repaid | | | | | | (26) | | | (980) | |
Junior subordinated notes issued, net of issue costs | | | | | | 1,011 | | | 496 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Redeemable non-controlling interest repurchased | | | | | | — | | | (633) | |
Dividends and distributions paid | | | | | | (915) | | | (851) | |
Common shares issued, net of issue costs | | | | | | 129 | | | 34 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Other | | | | | | 5 | | | (5) | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | | | | 534 | | | 1,283 | |
34 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
Long-term debt issuance
On April 22, 2022, ANR Pipeline Company entered into a note purchase agreement which commits our subsidiary to issue US$100 million of Senior Unsecured Notes due in May 2029 bearing interest at a fixed rate of 3.26 per cent, US$300 million of Senior Unsecured Notes due in May 2032 bearing interest at a fixed rate of 3.43 per cent, US$200 million of Senior Unsecured Notes due in May 2034 bearing interest at a fixed rate of 3.58 per cent, and US$200 million of Senior Unsecured Notes due in May 2037 bearing interest at a fixed rate of 3.73 per cent. ANR Pipeline Company expect to issue these Senior Unsecured Notes in May 2022.
Junior subordinated notes issued
In March 2022, we issued US$800 million of junior subordinated notes through TransCanada Trust, a wholly-owned financing trust subsidiary of TCPL. We intend to use the proceeds from the issuance to redeem all issued and outstanding TC Energy Series 15 preferred shares on May 31, 2022 pursuant to their terms and, prior to such redemption, to reduce short-term indebtedness and for general corporate purposes. Refer to Note 9, Junior subordinated notes issued, of our Condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.
DIVIDENDS
On April 28, 2022, we declared quarterly dividends on our common shares of $0.90 per share payable on July 29, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 30, 2022.
SHARE INFORMATION
At April 25, 2022, we had 983 million issued and outstanding common shares and 6 million outstanding options to buy common shares, of which 3 million were exercisable.
On April 1, 2022, we announced the redemption of all the issued and outstanding Series 15 preferred shares to take place on May 31, 2022, at a price equal to $25.00 per share. On April 28, 2022, we declared a final quarterly dividend of $0.30625 per Series 15 preferred share, for the period up to but excluding May 31, 2022, payable on May 31, 2022 to shareholders of record on May 17, 2022. This will be the final dividend on the Series 15 preferred shares and, as the redemption date is also a dividend payment date, the redemption price will not include any accrued and unpaid dividends. Subsequent to May 31, 2022, the Series 15 preferred shares will cease to be entitled to dividends and will be delisted from the TSX.
CREDIT FACILITIES
At April 25, 2022, we had a total of $10.0 billion of committed revolving credit facilities of which $3.5 billion of short-term borrowing capacity remains available, net of $6.5 billion backstopping outstanding commercial paper balances. We also have arrangements in place for a further $2.4 billion of demand credit facilities of which $1.2 billion remains available.
Refer to the Financial risks and financial instruments section for more information about liquidity, market and other risks.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Capital expenditure commitments at March 31, 2022 are largely consistent with December 31, 2021, reflecting the net effect of normal course fulfillment of commitments related to construction, partially offset by new commitments on capital projects.
There were no material changes to our contractual obligations in first quarter 2022 or to payments due in the next five years or after. Refer to our 2021 Annual Report for more information about our contractual obligations.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 35
Financial risks and financial instruments
We are exposed to market risk and counterparty credit risk and have strategies, policies and limits in place to manage the impact of these risks on our earnings, cash flows and, ultimately, shareholder value.
Risk management strategies, policies and limits are designed to ensure our risks and related exposures are in line with our business objectives and risk tolerance.
Refer to our 2021 Annual Report for more information about the risks we face in our business which have not changed substantially since December 31, 2021, other than as noted within this MD&A.
INTEREST RATE RISK
We utilize both short- and long-term debt to finance our operations which exposes us to interest rate risk. We typically pay fixed rates of interest on our long-term debt and floating rates on short-term debt including our commercial paper programs and amounts drawn on our credit facilities. A small portion of our long-term debt bears interest at floating rates. In addition, we are exposed to interest rate risk on financial instruments and contractual obligations containing variable interest rate components. We actively manage our interest rate risk using interest rate derivatives.
Many of our financial instruments and contractual obligations with variable rate components reference U.S. dollar London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), of which certain rate settings have ceased to be published at the end of 2021 with full cessation by mid-2023. We expect to use practical expedients available in the guidance to treat contract modifications as events that do not require contract remeasurement or reassessment of previous accounting determinations. As such, these changes are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In first quarter 2022, we have not identified any applicable contract modifications as a result of reference rate reform. We continue to monitor any new developments with respect to this guidance.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE RISK
Certain of our businesses generate all or most of their earnings in U.S. dollars and, since we report our financial results in Canadian dollars, changes in the value of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar can affect our comparable EBITDA and comparable earnings. Refer to the Consolidated results – Foreign exchange section for additional information.
A small portion of our Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines monetary assets and liabilities are peso-denominated, while the functional currency for our Mexico operations is U.S. dollars. These peso-denominated balances are revalued to U.S. dollars and, as a result, changes in the value of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar can affect our net income. In addition, foreign exchange gains or losses calculated for Mexico income tax purposes on the revaluation of the Sur de Texas U.S. dollar-denominated loan payable to us and our partner results in peso-denominated deferred income tax expense or recovery for Sur de Texas, leading to fluctuations in comparable EBITDA. These exposures are managed using foreign exchange derivatives, with the hedging gains and losses recorded in Interest income and other.
We hedge a portion of our net investment in foreign operations (on an after-tax basis) with U.S. dollar-denominated debt, cross-currency interest rate swaps, foreign exchange forwards and foreign exchange options as appropriate.
COUNTERPARTY CREDIT RISK
We have exposure to counterparty credit risk in a number of areas including:
•cash and cash equivalents
•accounts receivable and certain contractual recoveries
•available-for-sale assets
•fair value of derivative assets
•loans receivable.
36 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
Significant market events including global energy demand and supply disruptions as well as the sustained impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to contribute to market uncertainty impacting a number of our customers. While the majority of our credit exposure is to large creditworthy entities, we maintain close monitoring and communication with those counterparties experiencing greater financial pressures. Refer to our 2021 Annual Report for more information about the factors that mitigate our counterparty credit risk exposure.
We review financial assets carried at amortized cost for impairment using the lifetime expected loss of the financial asset at initial recognition and throughout the life of the financial asset. We use historical credit loss and recovery data, adjusted for our judgment regarding current economic and credit conditions, along with supportable forecasts to determine any impairment, which is recognized in Plant operating costs and other. At March 31, 2022, we had no significant credit losses, no significant credit risk concentration and no significant amounts past due or impaired.
We have significant credit and performance exposure to financial institutions because they hold cash deposits and provide committed credit lines and letters of credit that help manage our exposure to counterparties and provide liquidity in commodity, foreign exchange and interest rate derivative markets.
LIQUIDITY RISK
Liquidity risk is the risk that we will not be able to meet our financial obligations as they come due. We manage our liquidity risk by continuously forecasting our cash flows and ensuring we have adequate cash balances, cash flows from operations, committed and demand credit facilities and access to capital markets to meet our operating, financing and capital expenditure obligations under both normal and stressed economic conditions.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Loans receivable from affiliates
Related party transactions are conducted in the normal course of business and are measured at the exchange amount, which is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties.
Sur de Texas
We hold a 60 per cent equity interest in a joint venture with IEnova to own the Sur de Texas pipeline, for which we are the operator. In 2017, we entered into a MXN$21.3 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with the joint venture, which bore interest at a floating rate and was fully repaid upon maturity on March 15, 2022 in the amount of approximately $1.2 billion.
Our Condensed consolidated statement of income reflected the related interest income and foreign exchange impact on this loan which were fully offset upon consolidation with corresponding amounts included in our proportionate share of Sur de Texas equity earnings as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 | | Affected line item in the Condensed consolidated statement of income |
(millions of $) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income1 | | | | | | 19 | | | 21 | | | Interest income and other |
Interest expense2 | | | | | | (19) | | | (21) | | | Income from equity investments |
Foreign exchange losses1 | | | | | | (28) | | | (35) | | | Interest income and other |
Foreign exchange gains1 | | | | | | 28 | | | 35 | | | Income from equity investments |
1Included in our Corporate segment.
2Included in our Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines segment.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 37
As part of refinancing activities with the Sur de Texas joint venture, on March 15, 2022, the peso-denominated loan discussed above was replaced with a new U.S. dollar-denominated loan of an equivalent $1.2 billion (US$938 million). The loan bears interest at a floating rate and matures on March 15, 2023. At March 31, 2022, Loans receivable from affiliates under Current assets on our Condensed consolidated balance sheet reflected this US$0.9 billion or $1.2 billion loan receivable from the Sur de Texas joint venture.
Coastal GasLink LP
We hold a 35 per cent equity interest in Coastal GasLink LP, and have been contracted to develop and operate the Coastal GasLink pipeline. We have a subordinated demand revolving credit facility with Coastal GasLink LP to provide additional short-term liquidity and funding flexibility to the project. The facility bears interest at a floating market-based rate and had a capacity of $500 million with an outstanding balance of $113 million at March 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021 – $1 million) reflected in Loans receivable from affiliates under Current assets on our Condensed consolidated balance sheet.
TC Energy increased its commitment under a subordinated loan agreement to Coastal GasLink LP by $500 million in March 2022. This brings the total commitment under the subordinated loan agreement to $3.8 billion, which has been arranged in order to provide interim temporary financing, if necessary, to fund incremental project costs as a bridge to a required increase in project-level financing. Under this agreement, financing available to Coastal GasLink LP is provided through a combination of interest-bearing loans subject to floating market-based rates and non-interest-bearing loans that are subject to a return to us under certain conditions at the time the final cost of the project is determined. At March 31, 2022, the balance of Long-term loans receivable from affiliate on our Condensed consolidated balance sheet is $289 million (December 31, 2021 – $238 million).
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
With the exception of long-term debt and junior subordinated notes, our derivative and non-derivative financial
instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value unless they were entered into and continue to be held for the purpose of receipt or delivery in accordance with our normal purchase and sales exemptions and are documented as such. In addition, fair value accounting is not required for other financial instruments that qualify for certain accounting exemptions.
Derivative instruments
We use derivative instruments to reduce volatility associated with fluctuations in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign exchange rates. Derivative instruments, including those that qualify and are designated for hedge accounting treatment, are recorded at fair value.
The majority of derivative instruments that are not designated or do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment have been entered into as economic hedges to manage our exposure to market risk and are classified as held for trading. Changes in the fair value of held-for-trading derivative instruments are recorded in net income in the period of change. This may expose us to increased variability in reported operating results since the fair value of the held-for-trading derivative instruments can fluctuate significantly from period to period.
The recognition of gains and losses on derivatives for Canadian natural gas regulated pipeline exposures is determined through the regulatory process. Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of derivatives accounted for as part of RRA, including those that qualify for hedge accounting treatment, are expected to be recovered or refunded through the tolls charged by us. As a result, these gains and losses are deferred as regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities and are collected from or refunded to the ratepayers in subsequent years when the derivative settles.
38 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
Balance sheet presentation of derivative instruments
The balance sheet presentation of the fair value of derivative instruments is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(millions of $) | | March 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
| | | | |
Other current assets | | 437 | | | 169 | |
Other long-term assets | | 71 | | | 48 | |
Accounts payable and other | | (496) | | | (221) | |
Other long-term liabilities | | (33) | | | (47) | |
| | (21) | | | (51) | |
Unrealized and realized gains and losses on derivative instruments
The following summary does not include hedges of our net investment in foreign operations:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | three months ended March 31 |
(millions of $) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | | | |
Derivative Instruments Held for Trading1 | | | | | | | | |
Amount of unrealized (losses)/gains in the period | | | | | | | | |
Commodities | | | | | | (38) | | | 31 | |
Foreign exchange | | | | | | 22 | | | 5 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Amount of realized gains in the period | | | | | | | | |
Commodities | | | | | | 141 | | | 61 | |
Foreign exchange | | | | | | 41 | | | 41 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Derivative Instruments in Hedging Relationships2 | | | | | | | | |
Amount of realized losses in the period | | | | | | | | |
Commodities | | | | | | (3) | | | (11) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Interest rate | | | | | | (3) | | | (6) | |
1Realized and unrealized gains and losses on held-for-trading derivative instruments used to purchase and sell commodities are included on a net basis in Revenues. Realized and unrealized gains on foreign exchange held-for-trading derivative instruments are included on a net basis in Interest income and other.
2There were no gains or losses included in Net income/(loss) relating to discontinued cash flow hedges where it was probable that the anticipated transaction would not occur.
For further details on our non-derivative and derivative financial instruments, including classification assumptions made in the calculation of fair value and additional discussion of exposure to risks and mitigation activities, refer to Note 13, Risk management and financial instruments, of our Condensed consolidated financial statements.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 39
Other information
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Management, including our President and CEO and our CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as at March 31, 2022, as required by the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and by the SEC, and concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at a reasonable assurance level.
There were no changes in first quarter 2022 that had or are likely to have a material impact on our internal control over financial reporting.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ACCOUNTING POLICY CHANGES
When we prepare financial statements that conform with U.S. GAAP, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the timing and amounts we record for our assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses because these items may be affected by future events. We base the estimates and assumptions on the most current information available, using our best judgment. We also regularly assess the assets and liabilities themselves. A summary of our critical accounting estimates is included in our 2021 Annual Report.
Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill
Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate it might be impaired. We can initially make this assessment based on qualitative factors. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we will then perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test.
During first quarter 2022, we elected to pursue an unanticipated opportunity to extend the existing recourse rates on Great Lakes. This prompted us to re-evaluate the impact of maintaining recourse rates at the current level as opposed to moving forward with the previously presumed Great Lakes rate case process in 2022.
On March 18, 2022, Great Lakes reached a pre-filing settlement with its customers and filed an unopposed rate case settlement with FERC by which Great Lakes and the settling parties agreed to maintain existing recourse rates through October 31, 2025. While the settlement created short-term rate certainty, it prompted a re-evaluation of Great Lakes’ long-term free cash flows. With recourse rates maintained at the current level for the next three years, the expectation of increased contracting, growth and other near-term commercial and regulatory opportunities were negatively impacted.
Management performed a quantitative impairment test that evaluated a range of assumptions through a discounted cash flow analysis using a risk-adjusted discount rate. It was determined that the estimated fair value of the Great Lakes reporting unit no longer exceeded its carrying value, including goodwill, and that an impairment charge was necessary. As a result, we recorded a pre-tax goodwill impairment charge of $571 million ($531 million after tax) within the U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines segment that is included in Goodwill and asset impairment charges and other in the Condensed consolidated statement of income and was excluded from comparable earnings. The remaining goodwill balance related to Great Lakes is US$122 million at March 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021 – US$573 million). There is a risk that continued reductions in future cash flow forecasts and adverse changes in other key assumptions could result in a future impairment of a portion of the goodwill balance relating to Great Lakes.
We have elected to allocate goodwill impairment charges first to goodwill that is non-deductible for income tax purposes, with any remaining charge allocated to tax-deductible goodwill. The majority of the Great Lakes goodwill impairment charge was allocated to non-deductible goodwill and the income tax recovery of $40 million was attributable to the portion of the goodwill that was deductible for income tax purposes.
Accounting changes
Our significant accounting policies have remained unchanged since December 31, 2021 other than as described in Note 2, Accounting changes, of our Condensed consolidated financial statements. A summary of our significant accounting policies is included in our 2021 Annual Report.
40 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
Quarterly results
SELECTED QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 |
(millions of $, except per share amounts) | | First | | Fourth | | Third | | Second | | First | | Fourth | | Third | | Second |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | | 3,500 | | | 3,584 | | | 3,240 | | | 3,182 | | | 3,381 | | | 3,297 | | | 3,195 | | | 3,089 | |
Net income/(loss) attributable to common shares | | 358 | | | 1,118 | | | 779 | | | 975 | | | (1,057) | | | 1,124 | | | 904 | | | 1,281 | |
Comparable earnings | | 1,103 | | | 1,028 | | | 970 | | | 1,038 | | | 1,106 | | | 1,069 | | | 891 | | | 859 | |
Per share statistics: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income/(loss) per common share – basic | | $0.36 | | | $1.14 | | | $0.80 | | | $1.00 | | | ($1.11) | | | $1.20 | | | $0.96 | | | $1.36 | |
Comparable earnings per common share | | $1.12 | | | $1.05 | | | $0.99 | | | $1.06 | | | $1.16 | | | $1.14 | | | $0.95 | | | $0.92 | |
Dividends declared per common share | | $0.90 | | | $0.87 | | | $0.87 | | | $0.87 | | | $0.87 | | | $0.81 | | | $0.81 | | | $0.81 | |
FACTORS AFFECTING QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY BUSINESS SEGMENT
Quarter-over-quarter revenues and net income fluctuate for reasons that vary across our business segments.
In our Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines, U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines and Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines segments, except for seasonal fluctuations in short-term throughput volumes on U.S. pipelines, quarter-over-quarter revenues and segmented earnings generally remain relatively stable during any fiscal year. Over the long term, however, they fluctuate because of:
•regulatory decisions
•negotiated settlements with customers
•newly constructed assets being placed in service
•acquisitions and divestitures
•developments outside of the normal course of operations
•certain fair value adjustments.
In Liquids Pipelines, annual revenues and segmented earnings are based on contracted and uncontracted spot transportation, as well as liquids marketing activities. Quarter-over-quarter revenues and segmented earnings are affected by:
•regulatory decisions
•newly constructed assets being placed in service
•acquisitions and divestitures
•demand for uncontracted transportation services
•liquids marketing activities and commodity prices
•developments outside of the normal course of operations
•certain fair value adjustments.
In Power and Storage, quarter-over-quarter revenues and segmented earnings are affected by:
•weather
•customer demand
•newly constructed assets being placed in service
•acquisitions and divestitures
•market prices for natural gas and power
•capacity prices and payments
•planned and unplanned plant outages
•developments outside of the normal course of operations
•certain fair value adjustments.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 41
FACTORS AFFECTING FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY QUARTER
We calculate comparable measures by adjusting certain GAAP and non-GAAP measures for specific items we believe are significant but not reflective of our underlying operations in the period.
We exclude from comparable measures the unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of derivatives related to financial and commodity price risk management activities. These derivatives generally provide effective economic hedges but do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting. Beginning in first quarter 2022, with retroactive restatement of prior periods, we exclude from comparable measures our proportionate share of the unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of Bruce Power's investments held for post-retirement benefits and derivatives related to its risk management activities. These changes in fair value are recorded in net income. As these amounts do not accurately reflect the gains and losses that will be realized at settlement, we do not consider them reflective of our underlying operations.
We also exclude from comparable measures the unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses on the peso-denominated loan receivable from an affiliate as well as the corresponding proportionate share of Sur de Texas foreign exchange gains and losses, as the amounts do not accurately reflect the gains and losses that will be realized at settlement. These amounts offset within each reporting period, resulting in no impact on net income. This peso-denominated loan was fully repaid in first quarter 2022.
In first quarter 2022, comparable earnings also excluded:
•an after-tax goodwill impairment charge of $531 million related to Great Lakes
•a $193 million income tax expense for the settlement-in-principle of matters related to prior years' income tax assessments in Mexico
•preservation and storage costs for Keystone XL pipeline project assets of $5 million after tax, which could not be accrued as part of the Keystone XL asset impairment charge.
In fourth quarter 2021, comparable earnings also excluded:
•an incremental $60 million after-tax reduction to the Keystone XL asset impairment charge, net of expected contractual recoveries and other contractual and legal obligations, related to the termination of the Keystone XL pipeline project
•an after-tax gain of $19 million related to the sale of the remaining interest in Northern Courier
•preservation and storage costs for Keystone XL pipeline project assets of $10 million after tax, which could not be accrued as part of the Keystone XL asset impairment charge
•a $7 million after-tax gain related to pension adjustments as part of the Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP)
•an incremental $6 million income tax expense related to the sale of our Ontario natural gas-fired power plants sold in 2020.
In third quarter 2021, comparable earnings also excluded:
•a $55 million after-tax expense with respect to transition payments incurred as part of the VRP
•preservation and other costs of $11 million after tax primarily related to the preservation and storage of Keystone XL pipeline project assets.
In second quarter 2021, comparable earnings also excluded:
•preservation and other costs of $16 million after tax, which could not be accrued as part of Keystone XL asset impairment charge and interest expense on the Keystone XL project-level credit facility prior to its termination
•a $13 million after-tax recovery of certain costs from the IESO associated with the Ontario natural gas-fired power plants sold in 2020
•an incremental $2 million after-tax asset impairment charge, net of expected contractual recoveries and other contractual and legal obligations, related to the termination of the Keystone XL pipeline project.
In first quarter 2021, comparable earnings also excluded:
•an after-tax asset impairment charge, net of expected contractual recoveries and other contractual and legal obligations, of $2.2 billion related to the formal suspension of the Keystone XL pipeline project following the January 2021 revocation of the Presidential Permit.
42 | TC Energy First Quarter 2022
In fourth quarter 2020, comparable earnings also excluded:
•an incremental after-tax loss of $81 million related to the sale of our Ontario natural gas-fired power plants
•an income tax valuation allowance release of $18 million related to certain prior years' U.S. income tax losses resulting from our reassessment of deferred tax assets that are more likely than not to be realized
•an additional $18 million income tax recovery related to state income taxes on the sale of certain Columbia Midstream assets in 2019.
In third quarter 2020, comparable earnings also excluded:
•an incremental after-tax loss of $45 million related to the sale of the Ontario natural gas-fired power plants
•a $6 million reduction in the after-tax gain related to the sale of a 65 per cent equity interest in Coastal GasLink LP.
In second quarter 2020, comparable earnings also excluded:
•an after-tax gain of $408 million related to the sale of a 65 per cent equity interest in Coastal GasLink LP
•an incremental after-tax loss of $80 million related to the sale of the Ontario natural gas-fired power plants.
TC Energy First Quarter 2022 | 43