SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q (Mark One) X QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 OR TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _____ TO _____ Commission File No. 1-935 QUESTAR GAS COMPANY (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) STATE OF UTAH 87-0155877 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) P.O. Box 45360, 180 East 100 South, Salt Lake City, Utah84145-0360 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code:(801) 324-5555 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. Class Outstanding as of June 30, 1998 Common Stock, $2.50 par value 9,189,626 shares Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(a)(1) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format. PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements QUESTAR GAS COMPANY STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended June 30, June 30, June 30, 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 (In Thousands) REVENUES $74,387 $63,323 $266,176 $238,636 $475,763 $407,734 OPERATING EXPENSES Natural gas purchases 41,965 29,669 160,063 126,880 282,116 208,671 Operating and maintenance 23,735 25,802 49,012 53,206 97,525 101,149 Depreciation 7,697 7,369 15,528 15,302 31,386 29,668 Other taxes 2,531 2,546 4,903 5,289 7,788 7,509 TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 75,928 65,386 229,506 200,677 418,815 346,997 OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) (1,541) (2,063) 36,670 37,959 56,948 60,737 INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME 1,296 1,016 2,028 1,739 3,677 2,173 DEBT EXPENSE (4,570) (4,465) (9,696) (8,807) (20,008) (17,271) INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES (4,815) (5,512) 29,002 30,891 40,617 45,639 INCOME TAXES (CREDITS) (2,434) (2,909) 10,669 11,185 12,976 15,179 NET INCOME (LOSS) ($2,381) ($2,603) $18,333 $19,706 $27,641 $30,460 See note to financial statements QUESTAR GAS COMPANY CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) June 30, December 31, 1998 1997 1997 (In Thousands) ASSETS Current assets Cash and short-term investments $6,747 Accounts receivable $36,871 $32,626 86,487 Inventories 13,233 10,745 20,347 Purchased-gas adjustments 12,506 48,866 37,251 Other current assets 2,929 2,975 4,356 Total current assets 65,539 95,212 155,188 Property, plant and equipment 900,082 840,247 882,936 Less allowances for depreciation 365,909 339,133 354,761 Net property, plant and equipment 534,173 501,114 528,175 Other assets 23,089 19,514 21,488 $622,801 $615,840 $704,851 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY Current liabilities Checks outstanding in excess of cash balances $5,259 $2,517 Notes payable to Questar Corporation 25,000 69,900 $100,000 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 55,515 38,625 64,487 Total current liabilities 85,774 111,042 164,487 Long-term debt 225,000 175,000 225,000 Other liabilities 5,568 11,083 5,989 Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits 77,110 89,901 87,109 Redeemable cumulative preferred stock 4,808 Common shareholder's equity Common stock 22,974 22,974 22,974 Additional paid-in capital 41,875 41,875 41,875 Retained earnings 164,500 159,157 157,417 Total common shareholder's equity 229,349 224,006 222,266 $622,801 $615,840 $704,851 See note to financial statements QUESTAR GAS COMPANY CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) 6 Months Ended June 30, 1998 1997 (In Thousands) OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $18,333 $19,706 Depreciation 16,668 16,637 Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits (9,999) 8,590 25,002 44,933 Change in operating assets and liabilities 71,908 (12,612) NET CASH PROVIDED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 96,910 32,321 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures (24,974) (20,985) Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment 2,308 2,534 NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (22,666) (18,451) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Checks outstanding in excess of cash balances 5,259 2,517 Decrease in notes payable to Questar Corporation (75,000) (6,300) Redemption of preferred stock (20) Payment of dividends (11,250) (11,942) NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES (80,991) (15,745) DECREASE IN CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS ($6,747) ($1,875) See note to financial statements QUESTAR GAS COMPANY NOTE TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS June 30, 1998 (Unaudited) Note 1 - Basis of Presentation The interim financial statements furnished reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Due to the seasonal nature of the business, the results of operations for the three-and six-month periods ended June 30, 1998, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 1998. For further information refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations QUESTAR GAS COMPANY June 30, 1998 (Unaudited) Operating Results Following is a summary of financial and operating information for the Company: 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended June 30, June 30, June 30, 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 (Dollars In Thousands) FINANCIAL RESULTS Revenues From unaffiliated customers $74,268 $62,632 $266,057 $236,854 $474,887 $404,128 From affiliates 119 691 119 1,782 876 3,606 Total revenues 74,387 63,323 266,176 238,636 475,763 407,734 Natural gas purchases 41,965 29,669 160,063 126,880 282,116 208,671 Revenues less natural gas purchases $32,422 $33,654 $106,113 $111,756 $193,647 $199,063 Operating income (loss) ($1,541) ($2,063) $36,670 $37,959 $56,948 $60,737 Net income (loss) (2,381) (2,603) 18,333 19,706 27,641 30,460 OPERATING STATISTICS Natural gas volumes (in thousands of decatherms) Residential and commercial sales 13,178 12,157 47,492 48,562 84,677 82,998 Industrial sales 2,267 2,104 5,097 5,006 9,614 9,238 Transportation for industrial customers 13,115 11,625 27,947 24,577 54,683 49,301 Total deliveries 28,560 25,886 80,536 78,145 148,974 141,537 Natural gas revenue (per decatherm) Residential and commercial $4.70 $4.31 $5.06 $4.43 $5.02 $4.36 Industrial sales 2.90 2.30 3.01 2.34 2.92 2.25 Transportation for industrial customers 0.11 0.12 0.11 0.13 0.12 0.12 Heating degree days Actual 899 678 3,291 3,133 5,623 5,227 Normal 741 741 3,484 3,484 5,801 5,801 Colder (warmer) than normal 21% (9%) (6%) (10%) (3%) (10%) Number of customers at June 30, 643,696 621,647 Revenues, less natural gas purchases, were $1,232,000 lower in the second quarter of 1998 and $5,643,000 lower in the 6-month period ended June 30, 1998 when compared with the same periods in 1997 because of several rate changes affecting the first half of 1998. A rate surcharge, associated with construction of a distribution pipeline into southern Utah and in effect for the past 10 years, was discontinued in September 1997. Some general-service customers, who met higher load factor standards, shifted to firm commercial rates, which have a lower margin. Retail usage of gas per customer fell during the first half of 1998 after reaching an unusually high mark in the first half of 1997. This is in large part attributable to reaction to rising gas costs included in rates during the latter part of 1997 and first part of 1998. Partially offsetting the rate changes and lower usage per customer has been the effect of a strong growth rate in the number of customers served by Questar Gas. The number of customers served grew by 3.5% from a year ago to 643,696 at June 30, 1998. Temperatures, as measured in degree days, were colder than normal in the second quarter of 1998. However, the impact was slight because temperatures are relatively mild during the second quarter in comparison with the winter heating season that extends from November through March. Also, Questar Gas' rates include a weather-normalization adjustment that reduces the revenue impact of weather fluctuations. Virtually all of Questar Gas' residential and commercial volumes were covered under the weather-normalization adjustment in the first half of both 1998 and 1997. In March 1998, the Public Service Commission of Wyoming approved Questar Gas' gas-merchant unbundling proposal that was filed in Wyoming in 1997. Under this plan, a transportation service option was extended to residential and commercial customers as well as industrial customers. Customers choosing transportation service are allowed to secure gas supplies directly from producers and marketers and pay Questar Gas a fee for transportation services. Questar Gas continues to offer a traditional bundled sales service as well. The unbundling proposal called for an open enrollment period to be held from March 1 through April 30. However, no suppliers signed up to provide gas to Wyoming customers. Another open enrollment will be held next year. Questar expects that the option of unbundled service in Wyoming will not have a material effect on earnings. Volumes delivered to industrial customers increased 12% in the first half of 1998 when compared with the same half of 1997 due to additions of new customers as well as expanded operations with several ongoing customers. Margins from gas delivered to industrial customers are substantially lower than from gas delivered to residential and commercial customers. Questar Gas' natural gas purchases were higher in the 1998 periods presented when compared with the same periods of 1997. Higher gas purchase prices were paid by the Company as natural gas prices increased sharply during the 1996-1997 winter-heating season. The increase in gas costs was first noted as an increase in the purchased-gas cost account, but was ultimately collected in rates. Questar Gas' rates include the recovery of gas costs which amounted to $2.27 per decatherm (dth) in 1998 compared with $1.54 per dth in 1997. Because of lower forecasted gas prices and the fact that past gas cost increases have been largely recovered, the Company received approval to reduce gas costs in rates by $1.1 million in Utah and $356,000 in Wyoming effective July 1, 1998. The Company routinely files for adjustment of purchased-gas costs with the Utah and Wyoming Public Service Commissions on a semiannual basis. Operating and maintenance expenses were lower in the 3- and 6-month periods of 1998 as a result of capitalizing labor costs associated with installing computer systems, cost reductions as a result of sharing services with an affiliated company, capitalizing labor costs associated with construction projects, lower bad debt costs and not repeating a 1997 write-off of obsolete inventory. The Company continues efforts to resolve Year 2000 issues and expects that the expense of becoming Year 2000 compliant will not be material. Questar Gas and Questar Pipeline share the costs of certain administrative, accounting, legal, engineering and related services under Questar Regulated Services Co. The Regulated Services group recently completed a voluntary early retirement program that was effective July 31, 1998. The program reduced the regulated services work force by more than 10% or 177 employees, which will decrease future operating expenses. The costs associated with the early retirement program will be deferred and amortized over a five-year period in accordance with past regulatory treatment. The deferred annual charge is expected to be more than offset by lower labor-related costs. Depreciation expense was higher in the 1998 periods presented when compared with the 1997 periods primarily as a result of increase investment in property, plant and equipment. Other taxes, primarily property taxes, were lower in the second quarter and first half of 1998 as a result of property refunds and lower tax assessments. The Company sold surplus real estate in the second quarter of 1998 resulting in an $800,000 pretax gain. Interest expense was higher in the 1998 periods due primarily to an issuance of $50 million of medium-term notes with an average interest rate of 6.88 % in the second and third quarters of 1997. The effective income tax rate was 36.8% in the first half of 1998 and 36.2% in the first half of 1997. The Company recognized $1,089,000 of tight-sands gas-production credits in the 1998 period and $1,296,000 in the 1997 period. Questar Gas, as a result of acquiring Questar Pipeline's gas purchase contracts, is responsible for any judgment rendered against Questar Pipeline in a lawsuit that was tried before a jury in 1994. In a ruling issued June 2, 1998, the trial judge set aside all aspects of the jury's verdict except for $.5 million in favor of a producer related to certain contractual, take-or-pay issues. Other than on these take-or-pay matters, a judgment was entered on all other issues in favor of Questar Pipeline. A notice of appeal has been filed by the producer. Liquidity and Capital Resources Operating Activities Net cash provided from operating activities of $96,910,000 was $64,589,000 more than was generated in the same period of 1997. The increase in cash flow was primarily due to collection of gas costs, which were under-collected in the first half of 1997. Investing Activities Capital expenditures were $24,974,000 in the first half of 1998 compared with $20,985,000 in the corresponding 1997 period. Capital expenditures for calendar year 1998 are estimated at $66,000,000. Financing Activities The Company has a short-term borrowing arrangement with its parent company, Questar Corporation. As of June 30, Questar Gas had loan balances outstanding of $25,000,000 in 1998 and $69,900,000 in 1997. First half financing activities in 1998 and 1997 included payment of dividends and a partial repayment of loans from Questar using net cash provided from operations. Capital expenditures for 1998 will be financed with net cash flow provided from operating activities and borrowings from Questar. Forward Looking Statements This 10-Q contains forward-looking statements about the future operations and expectations of Questar Gas. According to management, these statements are made in good faith and are reasonable representations of the Company's expected performance at the time. Actual results may vary from management's stated expectations and projections due to a variety of factors. PART II OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings. (a) Questar Gas Company (Questar Gas or the Company), on May 29, 1998, filed a semi-annual, gas cost pass-through application with the Public Service Commission of Wyoming (PSCW). The Company's application reflected a decrease in its commodity costs, resulting in an annual revenue decrease of $355,686. The PSCW authorized Questar Gas to reflect the requested decrease in rates effective July 1, 1998. (b) On June 12, 1998, Questar Gas filed a semi-annual, gas cost pass-through application with the Public Service Commission of Utah (PSCU), seeking to adjust its rates to reflect an annual revenue decrease of approximately $1,085,000 in its rates. The Company's application reflected annualized gas costs of $256.7 million, compared to $259.2 million reflected in its prior gas cost application. Questar Gas also requested authorization to reduce the surcharge associated with prior undercollection of its gas costs. By an interim order dated June 26, 1998, the PSCU authorized the Company to reflect the requested decrease in its rates effective July 1, 1998. (c) Additional public hearings in a pending case involving the Company's gathering rates are scheduled to be held on September 2, 1998, before the PSCU. The case, which involves potential refunds of up to $7.6 million plus interest, centers on a claim made by the Division of Public Utilities, a state agency, that a reduction in gathering rates charged to Questar Gas by an affiliate should be extended retroactively to March of 1996. (See the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1997, page 7, for a discussion of the case.) (d) On June 2, 1998, the trial court judge entered a judgment that basically overturned most of a jury verdict rendered against the Company in late 1994. The case, which Questar Gas inherited when it acquired the gas purchase contracts of its affiliate, Questar Pipeline Company (Questar Pipeline), involved claims made by an independent producer for take or pay, tax reimbursements, contract breach, and tortious interference with a contract. The jury awarded the producer approximately $5,500,000 plus interest in compensatory damages and $200,000 in punitive damages. The judge's order reduced the jury verdict to an amount less than $500,000. (See the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1997, page 12, for a discussion of the case.) The plaintiff producer has filed a notice of appeal with the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. The plaintiff producer filed a second case against the Company and its affiliates in 1997. The second case was also filed in Wyoming's federal district court and presents some of the same claims heard in the first case for a subsequent period of time. It also involves additional claims of fraud and antitrust violation. This second case has been stayed pending the outcome of the resolution of issues from the first case. Item 5. Other Information. The retirement of Michael E. Benefield, age 59, as an officer and employee of the Company effective July 31, 1998, led to a reorganization of responsibilities among the Company's executive officers. At the time of his retirement, Mr. Benefield was Vice President, Business Development and Planning, for the Company and its affiliates, Questar Pipeline and Questar Regulated Services Company (Regulated Services) and had served in this capacity since May of 1996. He had over 21 years of service with the Company and its affiliates when he retired. Ms. Susan Glasmann, age 50, was named to serve as the Company's Vice President and General Manager, replacing Mr. S. C. Yeager who had served in this capacity since May of 1996. Ms. Glasmann held the position of Vice President, Business Support, for two years prior to being appointed to her new position. Mr. Yeager, age 51, was named to the position of Vice President, Business Development, for the Company, Questar Pipeline, and Regulated Services. Mr. Lowell F. Gill, age 55, was appointed to serve as Vice President, Transportation Operations for the Company and Regulated Services. Mr. Gill also serves as Vice President and General Manager of Questar Pipeline. Mr. Gary W. DeBernardi, age 55, who had formerly served as Vice President, Technical Support, was named to the position of Vice President, Technical Services, for the Company, Questar Pipeline, and Regulated Services. Messrs. D. N. Rose, S. E. Parks, and Glenn H. Robinson will continue to serve in their positions as President and Chief Executive Officer; Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer; and Vice President and Controller, respectively. Item 6. Exhibit and Reports on Form 8-K. (a) The following exhibits have been filed as part of this report: Exhibit No. 10.1 Annual Management Incentive Plan adopted by Questar Gas Company, Questar Pipeline Company and Questar Regulated Services Company as amended and restated effective May 19, 1998. 10.2. Questar Gas Company Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors as amended and restated effective May 19, 1998. (b) The Company did not file any Current Reports on Form 8-K during the second quarter of 1998. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. QUESTAR GAS COMPANY (Registrant) August 14, 1998 /s/D. N. Rose D. N. Rose President and Chief Executive Officer August 14, 1998 /s/S.E. Parks S. E. Parks Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer