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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 1999
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Commission File Number 1-3880
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NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New Jersey 13-1086010
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
10 Lafayette Square
Buffalo, New York 14203
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(716) 857-6980
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(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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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 and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days. YES X NO
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Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
Common stock, $1 par value, outstanding at April 30, 1999:
38,700,958 shares.
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Company or Group of Companies for which Report is Filed:
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NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY (Company or Registrant)
SUBSIDIARIES: National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (Distribution
Corporation)
National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation (Supply Corporation)
Seneca Resources Corporation (Seneca)
Highland Land & Minerals, Inc. (Highland)
Leidy Hub, Inc. (Leidy Hub)
Data-Track Account Services, Inc. (Data-Track)
National Fuel Resources, Inc. (NFR)
Horizon Energy Development, Inc. (Horizon)
Upstate Energy, Inc. (Upstate)
Niagara Independence Marketing Company (NIM)
Seneca Independence Pipeline Company (SIP)
Utility Constructors, Inc. (UCI)
INDEX
Part I. Financial Information Page
----------------------------- ----
Item 1. Financial Statements
a. Consolidated Statements of Income and Earnings
Reinvested in the Business - Three Months and
Six Months Ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 4 - 5
b. Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 1999 and
September 30, 1998 6 - 7
c. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Six
Months Ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 8
d. Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive
Income - Three Months and Six Months
Ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 9
e. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 10 - 16
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations 17 - 39
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 39
Part II. Other Information
--------------------------
Item 1. Legal Proceedings *
Item 2. Changes in Securities 39
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities *
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 39 - 40
Item 5. Other Information *
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 40
Signature 41
* The Company has nothing to report under this item.
Reference to "the Company" in this report means the Registrant or the Registrant
and its subsidiaries collectively, as appropriate in the context of the
disclosure.
This Form 10-Q contains "forward-looking statements" as defined by the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements should be
read with the cautionary statements included in this Form 10-Q at Item 2
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" (MD&A), under the heading "Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking
Statements." Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements
of historical fact, including, without limitation, those statements that are
designated with a "1" following the statement, as well as those statements that
are identified by the use of the words "anticipates," "estimates," "expects,"
"intends," "plans," "predicts," "projects," and similar expressions.
Part I. - Financial Information
- -------------------------------
Item 1. Financial Statements
--------------------
National Fuel Gas Company
-------------------------
Consolidated Statements of Income and Earnings
----------------------------------------------
Reinvested in the Business
--------------------------
(Unaudited)
-----------
Three Months Ended
March 31,
-------------------
1999 1998
---- ----
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per
Common Share Amounts)
INCOME
Operating Revenues $483,404 $456,441
-------- --------
Operating Expenses
Purchased Gas 201,818 188,874
Fuel Used in Heat and Electric Generation 17,807 14,176
Operation 77,151 86,323
Maintenance 6,064 6,561
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes 30,683 30,680
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 31,726 26,798
Impairment of Oil and Gas Producing Properties - 128,996
Income Taxes - Net 34,680 (9,739)
-------- --------
399,929 472,669
-------- --------
Operating Income (Loss) 83,475 (16,228)
Other Income 1,575 25,594
-------- --------
Income Before Interest Charges and
Minority Interest in Foreign Subsidiaries 85,050 9,366
-------- --------
Interest Charges
Interest on Long-Term Debt 16,083 11,115
Other Interest 6,198 17,111
-------- --------
22,281 28,226
-------- --------
Minority Interest in Foreign Subsidiaries (1,624) (2,402)
-------- --------
Net Income (Loss) Available for Common Stock 61,145 (21,262)
EARNINGS REINVESTED IN THE BUSINESS
Balance at January 1 448,433 484,431
-------- --------
509,578 463,169
Dividends on Common Stock
(1999 - $.45; 1998 - $.435) 17,345 16,604
-------- --------
Balance at March 31 $492,233 $446,565
======== ========
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share:
Basic $ 1.58 $(0.56)
====== ======
Diluted $ 1.57 N/A
====== ======
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Used in Basic Calculation 38,609,655 38,263,632
========== ==========
Used In Diluted Calculation 38,876,685 N/A
========== ==========
N/A - Not applicable due to antidilution
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
----------------------------
National Fuel Gas Company
-------------------------
Consolidated Statements of Income and Earnings
----------------------------------------------
Reinvested in the Business
--------------------------
(Unaudited)
-----------
Six Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
1999 1998
---- ----
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per
Common Share Amounts)
INCOME
Operating Revenues $823,826 $827,462
-------- --------
Operating Expenses
Purchased Gas 312,824 353,141
Fuel Used in Heat and Electric Generation 37,781 18,510
Operation 152,422 151,837
Maintenance 11,647 12,907
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes 52,688 54,891
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 63,575 57,918
Impairment of Oil and Gas Producing Properties - 128,996
Income Taxes - Net 52,580 13,210
-------- --------
683,517 791,410
-------- --------
Operating Income 140,309 36,052
Other Income 6,317 26,762
-------- --------
Income Before Interest Charges and
Minority Interest in Foreign Subsidiaries 146,626 62,814
-------- --------
Interest Charges
Interest on Long-Term Debt 33,450 22,562
Other Interest 11,525 21,151
-------- --------
44,975 43,713
-------- --------
Minority Interest in Foreign Subsidiaries (2,888) (2,829)
-------- --------
Income Before Cumulative Effect 98,763 16,272
Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting for Depletion - (9,116)
-------- --------
Net Income Available for Common Stock 98,763 7,156
EARNINGS REINVESTED IN THE BUSINESS
Balance at October 1 428,112 472,595
-------- --------
526,875 479,751
Dividends on Common Stock
(1999 - $.90; 1998 - $.87) 34,642 33,186
-------- --------
Balance at March 31 $492,233 $446,565
======== ========
Basic Earnings Per Common Share:
Income Before Cumulative Effect $2.56 $ 0.43
Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting for Depletion - (0.24)
----- ------
Net Income Available for Common Stock $2.56 $ 0.19
===== ======
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:
Income Before Cumulative Effect $2.54 $ 0.42
Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting for Depletion - (0.24)
----- ------
Net Income Available for Common Stock $2.54 $ 0.18
===== ======
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Used in Basic Calculation 38,568,349 38,230,331
========== ==========
Used in Diluted Calculation 38,911,856 38,673,312
========== ==========
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
----------------------------
National Fuel Gas Company
-------------------------
Consolidated Balance Sheets
---------------------------
March 31,
1999 September 30,
(Unaudited) 1998
----------- ------------
(Thousands of Dollars)
ASSETS
Property, Plant and Equipment $3,244,599 $3,186,853
Less - Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion
and Amortization 976,052 938,716
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2,268,547 2,248,137
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Current Assets
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments 34,572 30,437
Receivables - Net 205,393 82,336
Unbilled Utility Revenue 38,366 15,403
Gas Stored Underground 9,567 31,661
Materials and Supplies - at average cost 22,153 24,609
Unrecovered Purchased Gas Costs - 6,316
Prepayments 31,279 19,755
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341,330 210,517
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Other Assets
Recoverable Future Taxes 88,303 88,303
Unamortized Debt Expense 22,326 22,295
Other Regulatory Assets 41,760 41,735
Deferred Charges 8,957 8,619
Other 77,140 64,853
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238,486 225,805
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$2,848,363 $2,684,459
========== ==========
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
----------------------------
National Fuel Gas Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
March 31,
1999 September 30,
(Unaudited) 1998
----------- -------------
(Thousands of Dollars)
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Capitalization:
Common Stock Equity
Common Stock, $1 Par Value
Authorized - 200,000,000 Shares; Issued
and Outstanding - 38,640,515 Shares and
38,468,795 Shares, Respectively $ 38,641 $ 38,469
Paid in Capital 424,240 416,239
Earnings Reinvested in the Business 492,233 428,112
Cumulative Translation Adjustment (11,780) 7,265
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Total Common Stock Equity 943,334 890,085
Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Portion 724,920 692,669
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Total Capitalization 1,668,254 1,582,754
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Minority Interest in Foreign Subsidiaries 23,622 25,479
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Current and Accrued Liabilities
Notes Payable to Banks and
Commercial paper 362,100 326,300
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt 160,111 216,929
Accounts Payable 47,213 59,933
Amounts Payable to Customers 8,216 5,781
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities 163,267 80,480
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740,907 689,423
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Deferred Credits
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes 273,030 258,222
Taxes Refundable to Customers 18,404 18,404
Unamortized Investment Tax Credit 11,948 11,372
Other Deferred Credits 112,198 98,805
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415,580 386,803
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Commitments and Contingencies - -
---------- ----------
$2,848,363 $2,684,459
========== ==========
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
----------------------------
National Fuel Gas Company
-------------------------
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
-------------------------------------
(Unaudited)
-----------
Six Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
1999 1998
---- ----
(Thousands of Dollars)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income Available for Common Stock $ 98,763 $ 7,156
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
Provided by Operating Activities:
Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting
for Depletion - 9,116
Impairment of Oil and Gas Producing Properties - 128,996
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 63,575 57,918
Deferred Income Taxes 18,754 (48,890)
Minority Interest in Foreign Subsidiaries 2,888 2,829
Other 2,254 (1,074)
Change in:
Receivables and Unbilled Utility Revenue (149,227) (100,862)
Gas Stored Underground and Materials and
Supplies 23,778 23,518
Unrecovered Purchased Gas Costs 6,316 (340)
Prepayments (11,539) (19,134)
Accounts Payable (11,436) (18,249)
Amounts Payable to Customers 2,435 (6,812)
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities 82,734 84,603
Other Assets (7,762) (2,798)
Other Liabilities 13,531 6,680
-------- --------
Net Cash Provided by
Operating Activities 135,064 122,657
-------- --------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures (116,350) (220,889)
Investment in Subsidiaries, Net of Cash
Acquired - (75,963)
Other (3,543) 353
-------- --------
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (119,893) (296,499)
-------- --------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Change in Notes Payable to Banks and Commercial
Paper 35,800 281,593
Net Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt 98,736 -
Reduction of Long-Term Debt (114,334) (52,323)
Dividends Paid on Common Stock (34,559) (33,131)
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock 4,761 2,387
-------- --------
Net Cash Provided by (Used in)
Financing Activities (9,596) 198,526
--------- --------
Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash (1,440) -
--------- --------
Net Increase in Cash and
Temporary Cash Investments 4,135 24,684
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments at October 1 30,437 14,039
-------- --------
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments at March 31 $ 34,572 $ 38,723
======== ========
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
----------------------------
National Fuel Gas Company
-------------------------
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
-----------------------------------------------
(Unaudited)
-----------
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
1999 1998
---- ----
(Thousands of Dollars)
Net Income (Loss) Available for Common Stock $ 61,145 $(21,262)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Cumulative Translation Adjustment (19,175) 3,213
-------- --------
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Available for
Common Stock $ 41,970 $(18,049)
======== ========
Six Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
1999 1998
---- ----
(Thousands of Dollars)
Net Income Available for Common Stock $ 98,763 $ 7,156
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Cumulative Translation Adjustment (19,045) 910
-------- --------
Comprehensive Income Available for
Common Stock $ 79,718 $ 8,066
======== ========
Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
----------------------------
National Fuel Gas Company
-------------------------
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
------------------------------------------
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of the Company and its majority owned subsidiaries. The equity method
is used to account for the Company's investment in minority owned entities. All
significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated where
appropriate.
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Quarterly Earnings. The Company, in its opinion, has included all adjustments
that are necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations for the
reported periods. The consolidated financial statements and notes thereto,
included herein, should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and
notes for the years ended September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996, that are included
in the Company's combined Annual Report to Shareholders/Form 10-K for 1998. The
fiscal 1999 consolidated financial statements will be examined by the Company's
independent accountants after the end of the fiscal year.
The earnings for the six months ended March 31, 1999 should not be
taken as a prediction of earnings for the entire fiscal year ending September
30, 1999. Most of the Company's business is seasonal in nature and is influenced
by weather conditions. Because of the seasonal nature of the Company's heating
business, earnings during the winter months normally represent a substantial
part of earnings for the entire fiscal year. The impact of abnormal weather on
earnings during the heating season is partially reduced by the operation of a
weather normalization clause included in Distribution Corporation's New York
tariff. The weather normalization clause is effective for October through May
billings. Distribution Corporation's tariff for its Pennsylvania jurisdiction
does not have a weather normalization clause. In addition, Supply Corporation's
straight fixed-variable rate design, which allows for recovery of substantially
all fixed costs in the demand or reservation charge, reduces the earnings impact
of weather fluctuations.
Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting. Effective October 1, 1997, Seneca
changed its method of depletion for oil and gas properties from the gross
revenue method to the units of production method. The units of production method
was applied retroactively to prior years to determine the cumulative effect
through October 1, 1997. This cumulative effect reduced earnings for 1998 by
$9.1 million, net of income tax.
Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
----------------------------
Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Costs. Oil and gas property acquisition,
exploration and development costs are capitalized under the full-cost method of
accounting as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Due to
significant declines in oil prices in 1998, Seneca's capitalized costs under the
full-cost method of accounting exceeded the full-cost ceiling at March 31, 1998.
Seneca was required to recognize an impairment of its oil and gas producing
properties in the quarter ended March 31, 1998. This charge amounted to $129.0
million (pretax) and reduced net income for the quarter and six months ended
March 31, 1998 by $79.1 million ($2.07 per common share, basic; $2.05 per common
share, for the six months ended March 31, 1998, on a diluted basis).
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. For purposes of the Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt
instruments purchased with a maturity of generally three months or less to be
cash equivalents. Cash interest payments during the six months ended March 31,
1999 and 1998, amounted to $45.5 million and $30.5 million, respectively. Income
taxes paid during the six months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 amounted to $18.6
million and $40.4 million, respectively. During the six months ended March 31,
1999, the Company received a $1.0 million refund of taxes and interest from the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) stemming from the final settlement of the audits
of years 1977-1994. During the six months ended March 31, 1998, the Company
received a $6.2 million refund of taxes and interest from the IRS stemming from
the aforementioned settlement.
Reclassification. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform
with current year presentation.
Earnings per Common Share. Basic earnings per common share is computed by
dividing income available for common stock by the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share
reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other
contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.
Such additional shares are added to the denominator of the basic earnings per
common share calculation in order to calculate diluted earnings per common
share. The only potentially dilutive securities the Company has outstanding are
stock options. The diluted weighted average shares outstanding shown on the
Consolidated Statement of Income reflects the potential dilution as a result of
these stock options. Such dilution was determined using the Treasury Stock
Method as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128,
"Earnings per Share."
Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
----------------------------
Note 2 - Income Taxes
The components of federal and state income taxes included in the
Consolidated Statement of Income are as follows (in thousands):
Six Months Ended
March 31,
----------------
1999 1998
---- ----
Operating Expenses:
Current Income Taxes -
Federal $26,213 $52,235
State 4,513 5,242
Deferred Income Taxes -
Federal 16,861 (43,750)
State 1,700 (5,140)
Foreign Income Taxes 3,293 4,623
------- -------
52,580 13,210
Other Income:
Deferred Investment Tax Credit (332) (305)
Minority Interest in Foreign Subsidiaries (832) (1,457)
Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting - (5,736)
------- -------
Total Income Taxes $51,416 $ 5,712
======= =======
Total income taxes as reported differ from the amounts that were
computed by applying the federal income tax rate to income before income taxes.
The following is a reconciliation of this difference (in thousands):
Six Months Ended
March 31,
----------------
1999 1998
---- ----
Net income available for common stock $ 98,763 $ 7,156
Total income taxes 51,416 5,712
-------- --------
Income before income taxes $150,179 $ 12,868
======== ========
Income tax expense, computed at
statutory rate of 35% $ 52,563 $ 4,504
Increase (reduction) in taxes resulting from:
State income taxes 4,038 66
Depreciation 1,037 1,225
Prior years tax adjustment (1,309) 3,200
Foreign tax in excess of (less than)
statutory rate (2,898) (107)
Miscellaneous (2,015) (3,176)
-------- --------
Total Income Taxes $ 51,416 $ 5,712
======== ========
Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
----------------------------
Significant components of the Company's deferred tax liabilities
(assets) were as follows (in thousands):
At March 31, 1999 At September 30, 1998
----------------- ---------------------
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Abandonments $ 18,797 $ 15,545
Excess of tax over book
depreciation 138,948 132,138
Exploration and
intangible well
drilling costs 160,749 147,795
Other 40,168 42,109
-------- --------
Total Deferred Tax
Liabilities 358,662 337,587
-------- --------
Deferred Tax Assets:
Overheads capitalized
for tax purposes (23,999) (22,484)
Other (61,633) (56,881)
-------- --------
Total Deferred Tax
Assets (85,632) (79,365)
-------- --------
Total Net Deferred
Income Taxes $273,030 $258,222
======== ========
The primary issues related to Internal Revenue Service audits of the
Company for the years 1977 - 1994 were settled during March 1998 with the
settlement of remaining issues related to these same audits occurring in
December 1998. Net income for the six months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 were
increased by approximately $3.9 and $5.0 million, respectively, as a result of
interest, net of tax and other adjustments, related to these settlements.
Note 3 - Capitalization
Common Stock. During the six months ended March 31, 1999, the Company issued
61,710 shares of common stock under the Company's section 401(k) Plans, 56,560
shares to participants in the Company's Dividend Reinvestment Plan and 17,568
shares to participants in the Company's Customer Stock Purchase Plan.
Additionally, 35,882 shares of common stock were issued under the Company's
stock option and award plans, including 6,580 shares of restricted stock.
On December 10, 1998, 615,500 stock options were granted at an
exercise price of $46.0625 per share.
Shareholder Rights Plan. The Company's shareholder rights plan (the "Plan") was
adopted in 1996, and is described in the Company's combined Annual Report to
Shareholders/Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998 at Note D
(Capitalization) to the financial statements which are found in Item 8. The Plan
has since been amended, and is now embodied in an Amended and Restated Rights
Agreement which is included in this Form 10-Q as Exhibit 10-2. The amendment of
the Plan was prompted in part by recent legal developments which called into
question special voting rights, particularly in connection with the redemption
of rights issued under shareholder rights plans, reserved for certain directors
(often called "Continuing Directors" or, under the Plan, "Independent
Directors").
Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
----------------------------
In September 1998, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the
amendment of the Plan in several respects. First, all provisions conferring
special voting rights on Independent Directors for any decisions would be
replaced by a requirement that such decisions be made only upon the affirmative
vote of three-fourths of the entire Board. Second, certain obligations of the
Company under the Plan which may require prior regulatory approval would be so
qualified. Third, the original ten-year term of the Plan would be extended for
an additional two years. The Board also authorized the officers to make various
other amendments to the Plan.
These plan amendments were implemented effective April 30, 1999, by
the execution of the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement.
Long-Term Debt. In February 1999, the Company issued $100.0 million of 6.0%
medium-term notes due to mature in March 2009. After deducting underwriting
discounts and commissions, the net proceeds to the Company amounted to $98.7
million. The proceeds of this debt issuance were used to redeem $100.0 million
of 5.58% medium-term notes which matured in March 1999.
In March 1999, the Company redeemed $10.3 million of HarCor Energy,
Inc.'s (HarCor) 14.875% Senior Secured Notes through an open market purchase.
HarCor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seneca. The total cost of this redemption
was $11.9 million, which included a redemption price of 110% and accrued
interest.
Note 4 - Derivative Financial Instruments
Seneca has entered into certain price swap agreements and call
options to manage a portion of the market risk associated with fluctuations in
the price of natural gas and crude oil, thereby providing more stability to its
operating results. These agreements are not held for trading purposes.
The price swap agreements call for Seneca to receive monthly payments
from (or make payment to) other parties based upon the difference between a
fixed and a variable price as specified by the agreement. The variable price is
either a crude oil price quoted on the New York Mercantile Exchange or a quoted
natural gas price in "Inside FERC." These variable prices are highly correlated
with the market prices received by Seneca for its natural gas and crude oil
production. At March 31, 1999, Seneca had natural gas price swap agreements
covering a notional amount of 15.4 Bcf extending through fiscal 2000 at a
weighted average fixed rate of $2.30 per Mcf. Seneca also had crude oil price
swap agreements covering a notional amount of 1,282,000 bbls extending through
calendar 2000 at a fixed rate of $18.00 per bbl. On the crude oil price swap
agreements, any payments received by Seneca would be subject to a floor price of
$12.50 per bbl. For calendar 1999, any payments made by Seneca under the crude
oil price swap agreements would be calculated as the price differential above
$18.00 multiplied by two times the notional quantity. For calendar 2000, any
payments made by Seneca would revert to the price differential above $18.00
multiplied by the notional quantity.
Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
----------------------------
At March 31, 1999, Seneca had natural gas call options (sale
position) covering a notional amount of 21.7 Bcf extending through fiscal 2001
at a weighted average strike price of $2.65 per Mcf. Seneca had crude oil call
options (sale position) covering a notional amount of 732,000 bbls for calendar
2000 at a strike price of $18.00 per bbl. Seneca also had crude oil call options
(purchase position) covering a notional amount of 1,832,000 bbls extending
through fiscal 2000 at a strike price of $20.00 per bbl.
Seneca had unrecognized gains of approximately $1.1 million related
to its derivative financial instruments.
Seneca recognized gains of $4.4 million and $5.9 million related to its
price swap agreements during the quarter and six months ended March 31, 1999,
respectively. During the quarter ended March 31, 1998, Seneca recognized net
gains of $0.5 million related to its price swap agreements. For the six months
ended March 31, 1998, Seneca recognized net losses of $7.8 million related to
its price swap agreements. Gains or losses from these price swap agreements are
accrued in operating revenues on the Consolidated Statement of Income at the
contract settlement dates.
The Company is exposed to credit risk on the price swap agreements
that Seneca has entered into as well as on the call options that Seneca has
purchased. Credit risk relates to the risk of loss that the Company would incur
as a result of nonperformance by Seneca's counterparties of their contractual
obligations pursuant to the price swap agreements. To mitigate such credit risk,
before entering into a price swap agreement with a new counterparty, management
performs a credit check and prepares a report indicating the results of the
credit investigation. This report must be approved by Seneca's board of
directors after which a Master Swap Agreement is executed between Seneca and the
counterparty. On an ongoing basis, periodic reports are prepared by management
to monitor counterparty credit exposure. In the case of the call options that
Seneca purchased, the counterparty selected was one in which Seneca currently
has a Master Swap Agreement, meaning that a credit investigation had been
completed and continues to be monitored. Considering the procedures in place,
the Company does not anticipate any material impact to its financial position,
results of operations, or cash flows as a result of nonperformance by
counterparties.
NFR utilizes exchange-traded futures and options to manage a portion of
the market risk associated with fluctuations in the price of natural gas. Such
futures and options are not held for trading purposes. At March 31, 1999, NFR
had natural gas futures contracts related to gas purchase and sale commitments
covering 11.8 Bcf of gas on a net basis extending through fiscal 2000 at a
weighted average contract price of $2.22 per Mcf. NFR also had sold natural gas
options related to gas purchase and sale commitments covering 0.3 Bcf of gas on
a net basis extending through fiscal 2000 at a weighted average strike price of
$2.14 per Mcf.
Gains or losses from natural gas futures are recorded in Other
Deferred Credits on the Consolidated Balance Sheet until the hedged commodity
transaction occurs, at which point they are reflected in operating revenues in
the Consolidated Statement of Income. At March 31, 1999, NFR had deferred losses
of $1.4 million related to these futures contracts and options. NFR recognized
net losses of $4.4 million related to futures contracts and options during the
quarter ended March 31, 1999. For the quarter ended March 31, 1998, NFR
recognized a loss of $25,000. NFR recognized net losses of $5.4 million related
to futures contracts and options for the six months ended March 31, 1999. For
the six months ended March 31, 1998, NFR recognized net
Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
----------------------------
gains of $1.4 million. Since these futures contracts and options qualify and
have been designated as hedges these net losses and gains were substantially
offset by the related commodity transaction.
Note 5 - Commitments and Contingencies
Environmental Matters. The Company is subject to various federal, state and
local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. The
Company has established procedures for the ongoing evaluation of its operations
to identify potential environmental exposures and assure compliance with
regulatory policies and procedures.
It is the Company's policy to accrue estimated environmental clean-up
costs (investigation and remediation) when such amounts can reasonably be
estimated and it is probable that the Company will be required to incur such
costs. Distribution Corporation has estimated its clean-up costs related to
former manufactured gas plant sites and third party waste disposal sites will be
in the range of $10.0 million to $11.0 million. At March 31, 1999, Distribution
Corporation has recorded the minimum liability of $10.0 million. The Company is
currently not aware of any material additional exposure to environmental
liabilities. However, adverse changes in environmental regulations or other
factors could impact the Company.
In New York and Pennsylvania, Distribution Corporation is recovering
site investigation and remediation costs in rates. Accordingly, the Consolidated
Balance Sheet at March 31, 1999 includes related regulatory assets in the amount
of approximately $12.0 million.
The Company, in its international operations in the Czech Republic, is
in the process of constructing new fluidized-bed boilers at the district heating
and power generation plant of Prvni severozapadni teplarenska, a.s. (PSZT) to
comply with certain clean air standards mandated by the Czech Republic
government. Capital expenditures related to this construction incurred by PSZT
for the six months ended March 31, 1999 were approximately $13.3 million. An
additional $19.7 million is budgeted for this construction for the remainder of
fiscal 1999.
For further discussion, refer to Note H - Commitments and Contingencies
under the heading "Environmental Matters" in Item 8 of the Company's 1998 Form
10-K.
Other. The Company is involved in litigation arising in the normal course of
business. The Company is involved in regulatory matters arising in the normal
course of business that involve rate base, cost of service and purchased gas
cost issues. While the resolution of such litigation or regulatory matters could
have a material effect on earnings and cash flows, none of this litigation, and
none of these regulatory matters, is expected to have a material adverse effect
on the financial condition of the Company at this time.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations
---------------------
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Earnings.
The Company's earnings were $61.1 million, or $1.58 per common share
($1.57 per common share on a diluted basis), for the quarter ended March 31,
1999. This compares with a loss of $21.3 million, or $0.56 per common share, for
the quarter ended March 31, 1998. This loss includes a non-cash impairment of
Seneca's oil and gas assets in the amount of $79.1 million (after-tax). Without
this item, the earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 1998, would have been
$57.8 million, or $1.51 per common share ($1.49 per common share on a diluted
basis).
The Company's earnings were $98.8 million, or $2.56 per common share
($2.54 per common share on a diluted basis), for the six months ended March 31,
1999. This compares with earnings of $7.2 million, or $0.19 per common share
($0.18 per common share on a diluted basis), for the six months ended March 31,
1998. Earnings for the six months ended March 31, 1998, include the non-cash
impairment of Seneca's oil and gas assets, noted above, as well as a non-cash
cumulative effect of a change in accounting. Without these two non-cash items,
earnings for the six months ended March 31, 1998 would have been $95.4 million
or $2.50 per common share ($2.47 per common share on a diluted basis). The
accounting change was a change in depletion methods for Seneca's oil and gas
assets, which had a negative $9.1 million (after-tax), or $0.24 per common
share, non-cash cumulative effect through October 1, 1997.
Discussion of Quarter Earnings.
Excluding the non-cash impairment noted above, the increase in earnings
for the current year's quarter compared with the prior year's quarter was the
result of higher earnings in all segments, except the Exploration and Production
segment.
The Utility segment's earnings are higher mainly due to weather, which
was on average 18% colder than the prior year, and lower operating and
maintenance (O&M) expense. Despite a rate reduction in New York that became
effective October 1, 1998, as well as a special reserve to be applied against
incremental costs resulting from the State of New York Public Service
Commission's (PSC) gas restructuring efforts, the New York Division maintained
earnings about the same as the prior year. Last year's Utility segment results
included the negative impact of interest expense in connection with the
settlement of the primary issues of IRS audits of years 1977-1994.
In the Pipeline and Storage segment, earnings are up because of lower
O&M expense and higher revenue from unbundled pipeline sales and open access
transportation. The decrease in O&M expense relates mainly to reserves
established in the second quarter of fiscal 1998 for preliminary costs incurred
on proposed pipeline projects, to a storage loss recorded in the second quarter
of fiscal 1998 and to lower benefits expense in the current quarter. The
settlement of the primary issues of the above noted IRS audits made a positive
contribution to this segment's earnings in the second quarter of last year.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
The International segment's increased earnings came from Horizon's
investment in Prvni severozapadni teplarenska, a.s. (PSZT), a company with
district heating and power generation operations located in the Czech Republic.
Horizon initially invested in PSZT in February 1998, thus the second quarter of
fiscal 1998 reflected only two months of activity.
The Other Nonregulated segment's earnings are up because of higher
earnings in the timber operations. In addition, this segment's natural gas
marketing operations experienced higher margins as a result of increased
volumes.
In the Exploration and Production segment, (excluding the non-cash
impairment in the prior year's quarter) earnings are down primarily because of
this segment's portion of interest income, recognized in last year's second
quarter, related to the previously mentioned settlement of the primary issues of
the IRS audits. In addition, earnings this quarter were hurt again because of
low oil and gas prices, which, after hedging, were below the prices for the
prior year's quarter by $5.15 per barrel (a 32% decline) and $0.12 per thousand
cubic feet (Mcf) (a 5% decline), respectively.
Discussion of Six Month Earnings.
Excluding both the non-cash impairment and the cumulative effect of a
change in accounting from the prior year's period, the increase in earnings for
the six months ended March 31, 1999, as compared with the prior year's period,
was also the result of higher earnings in all segments, except the Exploration
and Production segment. Although earnings were up in the Utility segment, the
main reason was because the settlement of the primary issues of IRS audits of
years 1977-1994 had a negative impact on earnings in the prior year while
adjustments made relating to the final settlement of these audits had a positive
impact to earnings in the current year. Absent the IRS audit items, operating
results of the Utility segment are actually down from the prior year as slightly
colder weather (which mainly benefits the Pennsylvania jurisdiction) and lower
O&M expense were not enough to offset the effects of the New York rate decrease,
the special gas restructuring reserve and the expense associated with an early
retirement offer effective in December 1998. In the Pipeline and Storage
segment, lower O&M expense, even after the early retirement charge, was the main
reason for higher earnings. The International segment's higher earnings reflect
six months of results from its investment in PSZT, while the prior year's period
only includes two months. Similar to the discussion for the quarter, earnings in
the Other Nonregulated segment are higher and the earnings of the Exploration
and Production segment are down for the year.
A more detailed discussion of current period results can be found in
the business segment information that follows.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
OPERATING REVENUES
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
------------------------- -------------------------
1999 1998 % Change 1999 1998 % Change
---- ---- -------- ---- ---- --------
Utility
Retail Revenues:
Residential $255,452 $243,398 5.0 $420,533 $453,134 (7.2)
Commercial 49,051 51,480 (4.7) 78,231 96,681 (19.1)
Industrial 5,965 5,247 13.7 9,370 11,659 (19.6)
-------- -------- -------- --------
310,468 300,125 3.4 508,134 561,474 (9.5)
Off-System Sales 10,647 16,021 (33.5) 17,496 30,771 (43.1)
Transportation 27,713 22,337 24.1 46,665 37,514 24.4
Other (3,324) 3,887 (185.5) (4,641) 3,452 (234.4)
-------- -------- -------- --------
345,504 342,370 0.9 567,654 633,211 (10.4)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Pipeline and Storage
Storage Service 15,839 15,984 (0.9) 31,625 32,469 (2.6)
Transportation 24,443 24,695 (1.0) 47,893 48,463 (1.2)
Other 3,830 1,653 131.7 6,688 7,257 (7.8)
-------- -------- -------- --------
44,112 42,332 4.2 86,206 88,189 (2.2)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Exploration and
Production 33,660 24,819 35.6 65,288 49,528 31.8
-------- -------- -------- --------
International 40,812 36,351 12.3 81,077 47,940 69.1
-------- -------- -------- --------
Other Nonregulated 46,274 37,149 24.6 75,766 61,326 23.5
-------- -------- -------- --------
Less-Intersegment
Revenues 26,958 26,580 1.4 52,165 52,732 (1.1)
-------- -------- -------- --------
$483,404 $456,441 5.9 $823,826 $827,462 (0.4)
======== ======== ======== ========
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE
INCOME TAXES
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
------------------------- -------------------------
1999 1998 % Change 1999 1998 % Change
---- ---- -------- ---- ---- --------
Utility $ 71,860 $ 72,378 (0.7) $108,483 $119,854 (9.5)
Pipeline and Storage 20,549 14,166 45.1 39,377 37,016 6.4
Exploration and
Production* 8,917 (119,815) 107.4 17,156 (116,368) 114.7
International 11,919 6,024 97.9 20,616 6,909 198.4
Other Nonregulated 5,300 1,870 183.4 8,062 2,943 173.9
Corporate (390) (590) 33.9 (805) (1,092) 26.3
-------- -------- -------- --------
$118,155 $(25,967) 555.0 $192,889 $ 49,262 291.6
======== ======== ======== ========
*1998 includes non-cash impairment charge of $128,996,000.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
SYSTEM NATURAL GAS VOLUMES
(millions of cubic feet-MMcf)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
------------------------ -------------------------
1999 1998 % Change 1999 1998 % Change
---- ---- -------- ---- ---- --------
Utility Gas Sales
Residential 34,762 31,221 11.3 54,977 56,010 (1.8)
Commercial 7,191 7,273 (1.1) 11,130 13,187 (15.6)
Industrial 1,385 1,227 12.9 2,231 2,469 (9.6)
Off-System 5,195 6,470 (19.7) 7,971 10,948 (27.2)
------- ------- ------- -------
48,533 46,191 5.1 76,309 82,614 (7.6)
------- ------- ------- -------
Non-Utility Gas Sales
Production(in
equivalent MMcf) 14,622 9,563 52.9 28,849 20,453 41.1
------- ------- ------- -------
Total Gas Sales 63,155 55,754 13.3 105,158 103,067 2.0
------- ------- ------- -------
Transportation
Utility 23,061 20,682 11.5 38,030 35,332 7.6
Pipeline and Storage 108,567 101,490 7.0 190,106 195,893 (3.0)
Nonregulated 67 - NM 321 276 16.3
------- ------- ------- -------
131,695 122,172 7.8 228,457 231,501 (1.3)
------- ------- ------- -------
Marketing Volumes 12,938 9,339 38.5 20,338 14,520 40.1
------- ------- ------- -------
Less-Inter and
Intrasegment Volumes:
Transportation 66,878 58,351 14.6 109,651 102,743 6.7
Production 877 1,064 (17.6) 1,860 2,058 (9.6)
------- ------- ------- -------
67,755 59,415 14.0 111,511 104,801 6.4
------- ------- ------- -------
Total System Natural Gas
Volumes 140,033 127,850 9.5 242,442 244,287 (0.8)
======= ======= ======= =======
NM = Not meaningful.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
Utility.
Operating revenues for the Utility segment increased $3.1 million for
the quarter ended March 31, 1999, as compared with the same period a year ago.
This increase reflects the fact that this quarter combined gas sales and
transportation revenues increased $10.3 million while other operating revenues
decreased $7.2 million.
The increase in gas sales and transportation revenues for the quarter
is primarily the result of colder weather in the current year quarter as
compared to the prior year quarter, offset in part by a general base rate
decrease in the New York jurisdiction effective October 1, 1998. Increased gas
revenues reflects the recovery of higher gas costs, which resulted from higher
volumes sold (a 2.3 billion cubic feet (Bcf) increase for the quarter ended
March 31, 1999) partly offset by a decrease in the average cost of purchased gas
($3.35 per Mcf and $3.77 per Mcf during the quarter ended March 31, 1999 and
1998, respectively). While gas sales have increased from the prior year,
primarily due to colder weather, volumes sold have been lowered by the migration
of certain retail customers to transportation service in both the New York and
Pennsylvania jurisdictions, as a result of new aggregator services. See further
discussion of restructuring in the Utility segment's service territory in the
"Rate Matters" section that follows.
Other operating revenues decreased $7.2 million for the quarter ended
March 31, 1999, compared to the prior year's quarter, due to a $3.2 million gas
restructuring reserve reducing revenue in the quarter ended March 31, 1999 and
$6.0 million of revenue related to an IRS audit settlement in the prior year's
quarter, offset in part by a $2.0 million refund provision also recorded in the
prior year's quarters. The gas restructuring reserve is to be applied against
incremental costs resulting from the PSC's gas restructuring efforts (the PSC's
gas restructuring efforts are further discussed in the "Rate Matters" section
that follows). The $6.0 million of revenue related to the IRS audits represents
the rate recovery of interest expense as allowed by the New York rate settlement
of July 1996. The refund provision recorded in the prior year's quarter was for
a 50% sharing with customers of earnings over a predetermined amount in
accordance with the New York rate settlement of July 1996. These three items are
included in the "Other" category in the Utility section of the Operating
Revenues table above.
Operating revenues for the Utility segment decreased $65.6 million for
the six months ended March 31, 1999, as compared with the same period a year
ago. This decrease is made up of combined gas sales and transportation revenue,
which are down $57.5 million and other operating revenue, which decreased $8.1
million.
The decrease in gas revenues primarily reflects the recovery of lower
gas costs which resulted from a decrease in gas sales (a 6.3 Bcf decrease for
the six months ended March 31, 1999) and a decrease in the average cost of
purchased gas ($3.55 per Mcf and $4.11 per Mcf during the six months ended March
31, 1999 and 1998, respectively), as well as the general base rate decrease in
the New York jurisdiction effective October 1, 1998. The decrease in gas sales
also reflects, in part, the migration of certain retail customers to
transportation service in both the New York and Pennsylvania jurisdictions, as a
result of new aggregator services. See further discussion of restructuring in
the Utility segment's service territory in the "Rate Matters" section that
follows.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
Other operating revenues decreased $8.1 million for the six months
ended March 31, 1999, compared with the six months ended March 31, 1998 due to a
$4.9 million gas restructuring reserve reducing revenue in the current six month
period, $6.0 million of revenue recorded in 1998 as a result of the settlement
of IRS audits and $0.5 million of a revenue reduction in the current year due to
a final IRS audit settlement, offset in part by a $3.1 million refund provision
recorded in the prior year's six-month period.
Operating income before income taxes for the Utility segment decreased
$0.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 1999 compared to the same period a
year ago. Excluding the $6.0 million of rate recovery of interest expense
related to the IRS audits for the 1998 quarter, as noted above (this rate
recovery is offset 100% by interest expense, included below the operating income
line), the Utility segment's pretax operating income increased $5.5 million for
the quarter ended March 31, 1999. This increase for the quarter resulted
primarily from the revenue increases, as discussed above, and a reduction in O&M
expense. The positive impact of the colder weather was greatest in the
Pennsylvania jurisdiction since Pennsylvania does not have a weather
normalization clause (WNC). The decrease in O&M expense relates primarily to
benefit and labor expense reduction.
Operating income before income taxes for the Utility segment decreased
$11.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 1999, as compared to the same
period a year ago. Excluding the $6.0 million of rate recovery of interest
expense related to the IRS audits in 1998, as well as $0.5 million of a revenue
reduction in 1999 due to a final IRS audit settlement, as noted above (this rate
recovery is offset 100% by interest expense, included below the operating income
line), the Utility segment's pretax operating income decreased $4.9 million for
the six months ended March 31, 1999. This decrease in pretax operating income
resulted primarily from the revenue reduction as discussed above, offset in part
by lower O&M expense. The lower O&M expense is primarily due to lower benefit
and labor costs, despite the costs associated with an early retirement in
December 1998.
Degree Days
Three Months Ended March 31:
----------------------------
Percent (Warmer) Colder
in 1999 Than
Normal 1999 1998 Normal 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Buffalo 3,405 3,277 2,785 (3.8) 17.7
Erie 3,198 3,026 2,547 (5.4) 18.8
Six Months Ended March 31:
--------------------------
Buffalo 5,665 5,248 5,079 (7.4) 3.3
Erie 5,243 4,758 4,643 (9.3) 2.5
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
Pipeline and Storage.
Operating income before income taxes for the Pipeline and Storage
segment increased $6.4 million and $2.4 million for the quarter and six months
ended March 31, 1999, respectively, as compared with the same periods a year
ago. For the quarter, the increase is primarily attributable to lower O&M costs
and higher revenues from unbundled pipeline sales and open access
transportation. In the previous year's quarter, reserves were established for
preliminary survey and investigation costs associated with the Niagara Expansion
and Green Canyon projects. In addition in the quarter ended March 31, 1998,
Supply Corporation recognized a base gas loss at its Zoar storage field. In
total, these three items amounted to $3.7 million, pretax. O&M expense is also
down due to lower benefit costs in the current quarter.
The increase in operating income before income taxes for the six months
ended March 31, 1999, is primarily attributable to lower O&M expense, offset in
part by lower revenues from unbundled pipeline sales and open access
transportation. The reduction in O&M is attributable to the reserves and base
gas loss recorded in 1998, as discussed above, and lower benefit costs (even
after the charge for the early retirement in December 1998). Partly offsetting
these reductions in O&M was the reversal of a reserve for a storage project in
the first quarter of 1998.
While transportation volumes in this segment increased 7.1 Bcf and
decreased 5.8 Bcf, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended March 31,
1999, the change in volumes did not have a significant impact on earnings as a
result of Supply Corporation's straight fixed-variable (SFV) rate design.
Early Retirement Offer.
On March 26, 1999, the Company made an early retirement offer to its
Pennsylvania operating employees' union in both Distribution Corporation and
Supply Corporation. Of the 61 people eligible, 30 accepted. The early retirement
offer will result in a charge to earnings of approximately $1.0 to $1.5 million
in the third quarter of fiscal 1999.
Exploration and Production.
Operating income before income taxes from the Company's Exploration and
Production segment increased $128.7 million for the quarter ended March 31,
1999, compared with the same period a year ago. Excluding the prior year's $129
million non-cash impairment of this segment's oil and gas assets, as discussed
previously, operating income before income taxes decreased $0.3 million as
compared with the prior year's quarter. This decrease resulted primarily from
lower oil and gas prices, which after hedging, were below the prices for the
prior year's quarter by $5.15 per bbl and $0.12 per Mcf, respectively. Despite
lower prices, oil and gas revenues, after hedging, were up because of increased
production. This production increase came mainly from the properties acquired in
the HarCor Energy, Inc. (HarCor), Whittier Trust Company (Whittier) and
Bakersfield Energy Resources (BER) acquisitions in the prior year. There was
also increased production in the Gulf Coast, primarily new production at
Vermilion 309, Galveston 239 and West Cameron 540, combined with increased
production at High Island 194. However, the increased revenues were more than
offset by higher depletion expense and lease operating costs. Lease operating
costs increased primarily in the West Coast Division as a result of the
additional leases acquired from HarCor, BER and Whittier in the prior year.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
For the six months ended March 31, 1999, operating income before income
taxes for the Exploration and Production segment increased $133.5 million,
compared with the same period a year ago. Excluding the $129 million non-cash
impairment of this segment's oil and gas assets, as discussed previously,
operating income before income taxes for the six months ended March 31, 1999,
increased $4.5 million as compared with the prior year's same period. This
increase on a year-to-date basis, was mainly caused by higher oil and gas
production, due to the acquisitions on the West Coast in 1998, and new
production on certain Gulf Coast properties. However, lower oil prices, even
after hedging, and higher lease operating costs and depletion expense partly
offset by the positive impacts of this higher production.
PRODUCTION VOLUMES
Exploration and Production.
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
----------------------- -----------------------
1999 1998 % Change 1999 1998 % Change
---- ---- -------- ---- ---- --------
Gas Production - (MMcf)
Gulf Coast 6,507 5,860 11.0 12,941 12,701 1.9
West Coast 985 157 527.4 1,789 412 334.2
Appalachia 1,154 1,276 (9.6) 2,311 2,484 (7.0)
------ ------ ------ ------
8,646 7,293 18.6 17,041 15,597 9.3
====== ====== ====== ======
Oil Production - (Thousands of Barrels)
Gulf Coast 337 296 13.9 670 610 9.8
West Coast 657 80 721.3 1,293 194 566.5
Appalachia 2 2 - 5 5 -
--- --- ----- -----
996 378 163.5 1,968 809 143.3
=== === ===== =====
AVERAGE PRICES
Exploration and Production.
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
----------------------- -----------------------
1999 1998 % Change 1999 1998 % Change
---- ---- -------- ---- ---- --------
Average Gas Price/Mcf
Gulf Coast $1.73 $2.27 (23.8) $1.86 $2.68 (30.6)
West Coast $1.85 $1.69 9.5 $2.09 $2.13 (1.9)
Appalachia $2.53 $3.10 (18.4) $2.47 $3.06 (19.3)
Weighted Average $1.85 $2.40 (22.9) $1.97 $2.73 (27.8)
Weighted Average After
Hedging $2.26 $2.38 (5.0) $2.21 $2.21 -
Average Oil Price/bbl
Gulf Coast $11.67 $14.83 (21.3) $11.76 $16.98 (30.7)
West Coast $ 9.09 $11.81 (23.0) $ 8.96 $14.20 (36.9)
Appalachia $11.45 $15.80 (27.5) $12.31 $17.93 (31.3)
Weighted Average $ 9.97 $14.19 (29.7) $ 9.92 $16.32 (39.2)
Weighted Average After
Hedging $10.83 $15.98 (32.2) $10.83 $16.62 (34.8)
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
Seneca has entered into certain price swap agreements to manage a
portion of the market risk associated with fluctuations in the price of natural
gas and crude oil, thereby providing more stability to its operating results
(refer to the "Market Risk Sensitive Instruments" section of this Item for
further discussion). The following summarizes Seneca's settlements under such
price swap agreements:
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
------------------ ----------------
(thousands of dollars) 1999 1998 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ----
Natural Gas Price Swap Agreements:
Notional Quantities -
Equivalent Bcf 5.5 5.7 11.3 13.1
Gain (Loss) $3,512 ($136) $4,130 ($8,085)
Crude Oil Price Swap Agreements:
Notional Quantities -
Equivalent bbls 180,000 219,000 315,000 453,000
Gain (Loss) $855 $677 $1,791 $239
International
Operating income before income taxes for the International segment
increased $5.9 million and $13.7 million for the quarter and the six-months
ended March 31, 1999, respectively, compared with the same periods a year ago.
These increases, as well as the revenue increases shown in the "Operating
Revenue" table above and the "Heat and Electric Revenues" table below, resulted
primarily from the operations of PSZT, a district heating and power generation
plant located in the northern part of the Czech Republic. Horizon first acquired
75.3% of the outstanding shares of PSZT in February 1998 and currently owns
86.2%. The quarter and six months ended March 31, 1998 reflected only two months
of operating revenues and income for PSZT.
The following table summarizes the heating and electricity sales of the
International segment for the quarter and six months ended March 31, 1999 and
1998, respectively:
Heating and Electric Volumes
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
1999 1998 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ----
Heating (Gigajoules) 4,464,875 3,830,849 8,443,772 4,861,030
Electricity (Megawatt hours) 311,588 230,479 617,869 243,355
Heating and Electric Revenues
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
(in thousands) 1999 1998 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ----
Heating $31,256 $25,832 $60,297 $33,706
Electricity $ 9,765 $ 5,696 $19,678 $ 6,080
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
Other Nonregulated.
Operating income before income taxes associated with this segment
increased $3.4 million and $5.1 million, respectively, for the quarter and
six-months ended March 31, 1999, compared with the same periods a year ago. The
increases can be attributed primarily to improved performance in the Company's
timber operations and energy marketing subsidiary. The increased performance in
the timber operations resulted from the 1998 purchase of timber property and two
lumber mills. The increased performance of NFR, the Company's energy marketing
subsidiary, was the result of increased volumes and margins.
Income Taxes.
Income taxes increased $44.4 million and $39.4 million, respectively,
for the quarter and six months ended March 31, 1999, primarily as a result of an
increase in pretax income (pretax income before cumulative effect, for the six
months ended March 31, 1998). For further discussion of income taxes, refer to
"Note 2 Income Taxes" in Part I, Item 1 of this report.
Other Income.
Other income decreased $24.0 million and $20.4 million, respectively,
for the quarter and six months ended March 31, 1999, mainly due to $18.5 million
of interest income resulting from the previously mentioned settlement of IRS
audits in March 1998. For the six months ended March 31, 1999, this decrease was
partly offset by $3.1 of interest income in December 1998 related to the final
settlement of the IRS audits. In addition, Other Income for the quarter and six
month period ended March 31, 1998 included a gain of approximately $2.3 million
associated with U.S. dollar denominated debt carried on the balance sheet of
PSZT until December 1998, at which time it was converted to a Czech koruna
denominated loan.
Interest Charges.
Interest on long-term debt increased $5.0 million and $10.9 million for
the quarter and six months ending March 31, 1999, respectively, mainly because
of a higher average amount of long-term debt outstanding compared to the same
periods a year ago. Long-term balances have grown significantly as a result of
last year's acquisitions of Severoceske teplarny, a.s. (SCT), PSZT, HarCor,
Whittier and BER.
Other interest decreased $10.9 million and $9.6 million for the quarter
and six-month period, respectively, mainly as a result of interest expense
related to the previously mentioned settlement of IRS audits. The quarter and
six months ended March 31, 1998 included $11.7 million of interest expense
related to these IRS audits. The six months ended March 31, 1999 includes a
reduction of interest expense of $2.6 million related to the final settlement of
these audits. Higher interest on short-term debt during the quarter and
six-month periods, due mainly to higher average outstanding balances, partly
offset the decreases related to the IRS audits.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
The Company's primary sources of cash during the six-month period ended
March 31, 1999, consisted of cash provided by operating activities, long-term
debt and short-term bank loans and commercial paper. These sources were
supplemented by issuances of common stock under the Company's stock and benefit
plans.
Operating Cash Flow.
Internally generated cash from operating activities consists of net
income available for common stock, adjusted for non-cash expenses, non-cash
income and changes in operating assets and liabilities. Non-cash items include
depreciation, depletion and amortization, deferred income taxes, minority
interest in foreign subsidiaries and allowance for funds used during
construction. For the six months ended March 31, 1998, non-cash items also
included the cumulative effect of a change in accounting for depletion and the
impairment of oil and gas producing properties.
Cash provided by operating activities in the Utility and the Pipeline
and Storage segments may vary substantially from period to period because of the
impact of rate cases. In the Utility segment, pipeline company refunds, over- or
under-recovered purchased gas costs and weather also significantly impact cash
flow. The Company considers pipeline company refunds and over-recovered
purchased gas costs as a substitute for short-term borrowings. The impact of
weather on cash flow is tempered in the Utility segment's New York rate
jurisdiction by its WNC and in the Pipeline and Storage segment by Supply
Corporation's SFV rate design.
Because of the seasonal nature of the Company's heating business,
revenues are relatively high during the six months ended March 31 and
receivables and unbilled utility revenue historically increase from September to
March because of winter weather.
The storage gas inventory normally declines during the first and second
quarters of the fiscal year and is replenished during the third and fourth
quarters. For storage gas inventory accounted for under the last-in, first-out
(LIFO) method, the current cost of replacing gas withdrawn from storage is
recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income and a reserve for gas
replacement is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and is included under
the caption "Other Accruals and Current Liabilities." Such reserve is reduced as
the inventory is replenished.
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $135.1 million for
the six months ended March 31, 1999, an increase of $12.4 million compared with
$122.7 million provided by operating activities for the six months ended March
31, 1998. The Utility segment accounted for the majority of this increase as
lower cash payments for gas purchases and operation and maintenance expenses
more than offset lower cash receipts from gas sales and transportation service.
Partly offsetting the increase experienced by the Utility segment was a decrease
to cash provided by operating activities in the Exploration and Production
segment. The Exploration and Production segment experienced a decrease to cash
provided by operating activities primarily because of an increase in interest
payments combined with higher operating costs. These decreases to cash were
partly offset by the positive cash flow associated with the Exploration and
Production segment's hedging transactions.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
Investing Cash Flow.
Capital Expenditures and Other Investing Activities
- ---------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures represent the Company's additions to property,
plant and equipment and are exclusive of investments in corporations (stock
acquisitions) and/or partnerships. Such investments are treated separately in
the Statements of Cash Flows and further discussed in the segment discussion
below.
The Company's capital expenditures and other investments totaled $116.4
million during the six months ended March 31, 1999. The following table
summarizes the Company's capital expenditures and other investments by business
segment:
(in millions)
- -------------
Other Total
Capital Investments Capital
Expenditures through Expenditures and
through 3/31/99 3/31/99 Other Investments
--------------- ------- -----------------
Utility $ 19.2 $ - $ 19.2
Pipeline and Storage 12.6 3.6 16.2
Exploration and Production 64.5 - 64.5
International 16.0 - 16.0
Other Nonregulated 4.1 - 4.1
------ ----- ------
$116.4 $ 3.6 $120.0
====== ===== ======
Utility
- -------
The majority of the Utility capital expenditures were made for
replacement of mains and main extensions, as well as for the replacement of
service lines.
Pipeline and Storage
- --------------------
The majority of the Pipeline and Storage capital expenditures were
made for additions, improvements, and replacements to this segment's
transmission and storage systems.
During the six month period, SIP made a $3.6 million investment in
Independence Pipeline Company, a Delaware general partnership, bringing its
total investment through March 31, 1999 to $9.1 million. This investment
represents a one-third partnership interest. The investment has been financed
with short-term borrowings. Independence Pipeline Company intends to build a 370
mile natural gas pipeline (Independence Pipeline Project) from Defiance, Ohio to
Leidy, Pennsylvania at an estimated cost of $675 million.1 If the Independence
Pipeline Project is not constructed, SIP's share of the development costs
(including SIP's investment in Independence Pipeline Company) is estimated not
to exceed $9.0 to $13.0 million.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
Exploration and Production
- --------------------------
The Exploration and Production segment's capital expenditures for the
six months ended March 31, 1999 included approximately $40.8 million for
Seneca's offshore program in the Gulf of Mexico, including offshore drilling
expenditures, offshore construction, lease acquisition costs and geological and
geophysical expenditures. Offshore drilling was concentrated on Vermilion 309,
Galveston 239, Vermilion 253, Brazos 414S, Brazos 375 and Brazos 376. Offshore
construction occurred primarily at Vermilion 309 and West Delta 78. Lease
acquisition costs resulted from successful bidding on six state of Texas tracts
and five federal lease blocks in the Gulf of Mexico. Offshore geological and
geophysical expenditures were made for purchases of 3-D seismic data.
The remaining $23.7 million of capital expenditures included onshore
drilling, construction and recompletion costs for wells located in Louisiana,
Texas, Alabama and California as well as onshore geological and geophysical
costs, including the purchase of certain 3-D seismic data and fixed asset
purchases. The onshore capital expenditures were concentrated on the California
properties acquired through the Whittier and BER asset purchases, as well as the
HarCor stock purchase, all of which occurred in 1998. Another area of emphasis
included the Thomas Ranch #1-H Well in Grimes County, Texas.
Currently, the Company intends to spend an additional $30.0 million
beyond the original 1999 capital expenditure budget of $92.0 million for the
Exploration and Production segment.1 The additional $30.0 million will be
primarily for development drilling and facilities construction, with particular
emphasis being the remaining development of Vermilion 309.1
International
- -------------
The majority of the International segment capital expenditures were
made by PSZT for the construction of new fluidized-bed boilers at its district
heating and power generation plant to comply with stricter clean air standards.
Short-term borrowings and cash from operations were used to finance these
capital expenditures.
Other Nonregulated
- ------------------
Other Nonregulated capital expenditures consisted primarily of land
and timber purchases for Seneca's timber operations, as well as the installation
of new equipment for Highland's sawmill and kiln operations.
The capital expenditure programs of the Company's subsidiaries are
under continuous review. The amounts are subject to modification for
opportunities in the natural gas industry such as the acquisition of attractive
oil and gas properties or storage facilities and the expansion of transmission
line capacities. While the majority of capital expenditures in the Utility
segment are necessitated by the continued need for replacement and upgrading of
mains and service lines, the magnitude of future capital expenditures in the
Company's other business segments depends, to a large degree, upon market
conditions.1
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
Financing Cash Flow.
Consolidated short-term debt increased by $35.8 million during the
first six months of fiscal 1999. The Company continues to consider short-term
bank loans and commercial paper important sources of cash for temporarily
financing capital expenditures and investments in corporations and/or
partnerships, gas-in-storage inventory, unrecovered purchased gas costs,
exploration and development expenditures and other working capital needs. In
addition, the Company considers pipeline company refunds and over-recovered
purchased gas costs as a substitute for short-term debt. Fluctuations in these
items can have a significant impact on the amount and timing of short-term debt.
In February 1999, the Company issued $100.0 million of 6.0%
medium-term notes due to mature in March 2009. After deducting underwriting
discounts and commissions, the net proceeds to the Company amounted to $98.7
million. The proceeds of this debt issuance were used to redeem $100.0 million
of 5.58% medium-term notes which matured in March 1999.
In March 1999, the Company redeemed $10.3 million of HarCor's 14.875%
Senior Secured Notes through an open market purchase. The total cost of this
redemption was $11.9 million, which included a redemption price of 110% and
accrued interest. The Company used short-term debt to finance this redemption.
At March 31, 1999, the Company had $100.0 million of debentures
and/or medium-term notes remaining unissued and registered with the SEC under a
shelf registration filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933. In March 1998,
the Company obtained authorization from the SEC, under the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, to issue, in the aggregate, long-term debt
securities and equity securities amounting to $2.0 billion during the order's
authorization period, which extends to December 31, 2002.
The Company anticipates issuing up to $250 million of medium-term
notes during the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 1999.1 The intention of
these issuances is to repay certain outstanding short-term debt, to retire
certain outstanding medium-term notes and to redeem the remaining amount of
HarCor's Senior Secured Notes.1
The Company's present liquidity position is believed to be adequate
to satisfy known demands.1 Under the Company's covenants contained in its
indenture covering long-term debt, at March 31, 1999, the Company would have
been permitted to issue up to a maximum of $506.0 million in additional
long-term unsecured indebtedness, at projected market interest rates. In
addition, at March 31, 1999, the Company had regulatory authorizations and
unused short-term credit lines that would have permitted it to borrow an
additional $387.9 million of short-term debt.
The amounts and timing of the issuance and sale of debt and/or equity
securities will depend on market conditions, regulatory authorizations, and the
requirements of the Company.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
The Company is involved in litigation arising in the normal course of
business. The Company is involved in regulatory matters arising in the normal
course of business that involve rate base, cost of service and purchased gas
cost issues, among other things. While the resolution of such litigation or
regulatory matters could have a material effect on earnings and cash flows in
the year of resolution, none of this litigation and none of these regulatory
matters are expected to change materially the Company's present liquidity
position, nor have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the
Company at this time.1
Market Risk Sensitive Instruments.
For a discussion of market risk sensitive instruments, refer to "Market
Risk Sensitive Instruments" in Item 7 and Item 2 of the Company's 1998 Form 10-K
and December 1998 Form 10-Q, respectively. There have been no subsequent
material changes to the Company's exposure to market risk sensitive instruments.
RATE MATTERS
Utility Operation.
New York Jurisdiction
On October 21, 1998, the PSC approved a rate plan for Distribution
Corporation for the period beginning October 1, 1998 and ending September 30,
2000. The plan is the result of a settlement agreement entered into by
Distribution Corporation, Staff for the PSC (Staff), Multiple Intervenors (an
advocate for large industrial customers) and the State Consumer Protection
Board. Under the plan, Distribution Corporation's rates are reduced by $7.2
million, or 1.1%. In addition, customers will receive up to $6.0 million in bill
credits, disbursed volumetrically over the two year term, reflecting a
predetermined share of excess earnings under a 1996 settlement. An allowed
return on equity of 12%, above which 50% of additional earnings are shared with
the customers, is maintained from the 1996 settlement. Finally, the rate plan
also provides that $7.2 million of 1999 revenues will be set aside in a special
reserve to be applied against Distribution Corporation's incremental costs
resulting from the PSC's gas restructuring effort further described below.
On November 3, 1998, the PSC issued its Policy Statement Concerning the
-------------------------------
Future of the Natural Gas Industry in New York State and Order Terminating
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity Assignment (Policy Statement). The Policy Statement sets forth the
- --------------------
PSC's "vision" on "how best to ensure a competitive market for natural gas in
New York." That vision includes the following goals:
(1) Effective competition in the gas supply market for retail
customers;
(2) Downward pressure on customer gas prices;
(3) Increased customer choice of gas suppliers and service options;
(4) A provider of last resort (not necessarily the utility);
(5) Continuation of reliable service and maintenance of operations
procedures that treat all participants fairly;
(6) Sufficient and accurate information for customers to use in making
informed decisions;
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
(7) The availability of information that permits adequate oversight of
the market to ensure fair competition; and
(8) Coordination of Federal and State policies affecting gas supply
and distribution in New York State.
The Policy Statement provides that the most effective way to establish
a competitive market in gas supply is "for local distribution companies to cease
selling gas." The PSC hopes to accomplish that objective over a three-to-seven
year transition period, taking into account "statutory requirements" and the
individual needs of each local distribution company (LDC).1 The Policy Statement
directs Staff to schedule "discussions" with each LDC on an "individualized plan
that would effectuate our vision." In preparation for negotiations, LDCs will be
required to address issues such as a strategy to hold new capacity contracts to
a minimum, a long-term rate plan with a goal of reducing or freezing rates, and
a plan for further unbundling. In addition, Staff was instructed to hold
collaborative sessions with multiple parties to discuss generic issues including
reliability and market power regulation.
As of February 1, 1999, Staff has convened a multitude of
collaboratives, proceedings and discussions on various issues relating to
restructuring, including reliability of service, billing and allocation of
stranded costs. Distribution Corporation is participating in all facets of
Staff's effort.
The PSC's Order Terminating Capacity Assignment, included with the
----------------------------------------
Policy Statement, directed the state's LDCs to file proposed tariffs, by no
later than February 1, 1999, revising the current requirement that marketers
take assignment of an allocation of upstream capacity for each customer that
elects to purchase gas from a marketer other than the LDC. Although the order
states that the so-called "mandatory assignment" feature of aggregation service
is terminated effective April 1, 1999, LDCs are permitted to show that their
individual circumstances may warrant continuation of the requirement. The order
also recognizes that LDCs with intermediate pipelines, like Distribution
Corporation, could present "unique cost and reliability issues which require
further consideration." The order provides that to the extent all or part of an
LDC's mandatory assignment authority is indeed terminated, there will be a
reasonable opportunity to recover stranded costs.
On February 1, 1999, Distribution Corporation filed revised tariff
sheets in compliance with the Order Terminating Capacity Assignment.
-------------------------------------------
Distribution Corporation's compliance filing is designed to comply with the
PSC's directives and operate in the same manner as the company's "System Wide
Energy Select" program approved for the Pennsylvania Division (described below).
In an order issued on March 24, 1999, the PSC rejected portions of the February
1, 1999 compliance filing without prejudice, and directed Distribution
Corporation to submit revised tariff sheets, effective April 1, 1999, to adopt a
new capacity option for retail marketers. The new capacity option eliminates
long line capacity upstream of Supply Corporation from the "mandatory capacity"
requirement described above. This change, effective April 1, 1999, allows
marketers to choose alternate capacity paths, if available, from the production
area to Supply Corporation's city gate. Marketers will continue to be obligated
to take release of Distribution Corporation's storage and transmission capacity
on Supply Corporation.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
To the extent any stranded pipeline costs are generated by the above
proposal, they would be recovered in their entirety from firm service customers
through a "transition surcharge" mechanism.1
The effective date for the compliance filing was April 1, 1999.
On March 17, 1999, the PSC issued an order in Case 98-G-0122 directing
the state's LDCs to file a uniform, basic gas-for-electric-generation-service
tariff to replace tariffs filed pursuant to the PSC's 1991 Bypass Policy
Statement. Distribution Corporation serves a number of generation customers
under tariffs designed pursuant to the 1991 Bypass Policy Statement. Although
existing contracts for service would not be disturbed by the March 17, 1999
order, future contracts would be negotiated under the terms of the new, uniform
tariff. Distribution Corporation filed for rehearing of the PSC's order, arguing
that (1) the PSC erred by not exempting upstate utilities in highly competitive
territories from the requirement to file a uniform tariff; (2) rate components
in the uniform tariff were not properly designed or adopted; and (3) a
prohibition against negotiating rates with affiliated generators should be
reconsidered to prevent bypass. Distribution Corporation cannot ascertain an
outcome at this time.
Pennsylvania Jurisdiction
Distribution Corporation currently does not have a rate case on file
with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PaPUC). Management will
continue to monitor its financial position in the Pennsylvania jurisdiction to
determine the necessity of filing a rate case in the future.
Effective October 1, 1997, Distribution Corporation commenced a PaPUC
approved customer choice pilot program called Energy Select. Energy Select,
which lasted until April 1, 1999, allowed approximately 19,000 small commercial
and residential customers of Distribution Corporation in the greater Sharon,
Pennsylvania area to purchase gas supplies from qualified, participating
non-utility suppliers (or marketers) of gas. Distribution Corporation was not a
supplier of gas in this pilot. Under Energy Select, Distribution Corporation
delivered the gas to the customer's home or business and remained responsible
for reading customer meters, the safety and maintenance of its pipeline system
and responding to gas emergencies. NFR was a participating supplier in Energy
Select.
On February 11, 1999, Distribution Corporation's System Wide Energy
Select tariff was approved by the PaPUC for an effective date of February 12,
1999. This program is intended to expand the Energy Select pilot program
described above to apply across Distribution Corporation's entire Pennsylvania
service territory. The plan borrows many features of the Energy Select pilot,
but several important changes were adopted. Most significantly, the new program
includes Distribution Corporation as a choice for retail consumers, in
furtherance of Distribution Corporation's objective to remain a merchant. Also
departing from the pilot scheme, Distribution Corporation resumes its role as
provider of last resort, and maintains customer contact by providing a billing
service on its own behalf and, as an option, for participating marketers.
Finally, the System Wide Energy Select program addresses upstream capacity
requirements in a manner substantially similar to the method proposed for
Distribution Corporation's New York compliance filing, described above.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
A gas restructuring bill (Senate Bill No. 943) was introduced in the
Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1997 proposing to amend the Public Utility Code
to allow all retail customers, including residential, the ability to choose
their own gas supplier. Senate Bill No. 943 has not yet been enacted into law.
However, in December 1997, the Chairman of the PaPUC convened a collaborative of
gas industry interests to develop a consensus bill using Senate Bill No. 943 as
the starting point. As a member of the utility interest group, Distribution
Corporation is and will continue to be an active participant in the
collaborative.1 Distribution Corporation is not able to predict the outcome of
the bill.
Base rate adjustments in both the New York and Pennsylvania
jurisdictions do not reflect the recovery of purchased gas costs. Such costs are
recovered through operation of the purchased gas adjustment clauses of the
appropriate regulatory authorities.
Pipeline and Storage.
Supply Corporation currently does not have a rate case on file with the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Its last case was settled with the
FERC in February 1996. As part of that settlement, Supply Corporation agreed not
to seek recovery of revenues related to certain terminated service from storage
customers until April 1, 2000, as long as the terminations were not greater than
approximately 30% of the terminable service. Supply Corporation has been
successful in marketing and obtaining executed contracts for such terminated
storage service (at discounted rates) and expects to continue obtaining executed
contracts for additional terminated storage service as it arises.1
OTHER MATTERS
Environmental Matters.
The Company is subject to various federal, state and local laws and
regulations relating to the protection of the environment. The Company has
established procedures for the ongoing evaluation of its operations to identify
potential environmental exposures and assure compliance with regulatory policies
and procedures.
It is the Company's policy to accrue estimated environmental clean-up
costs (investigation and remediation) when such amounts can reasonably be
estimated and it is probable that the Company will be required to incur such
costs. Distribution Corporation has estimated its clean-up costs related to
former manufactured gas plant sites and third party waste disposal sites will be
in the range of $10.0 million to $11.0 million.1 At March 31, 1999, Distribution
Corporation has recorded the minimum liability of $10.0 million. The Company is
currently not aware of any material additional exposure to environmental
liabilities. However, adverse changes in environmental regulations or other
factors could impact the Company.
In New York and Pennsylvania, Distribution Corporation is recovering
site investigation and remediation costs in rates. Accordingly, the Consolidated
Balance Sheet at March 31, 1990 includes related regulatory assets in the amount
of approximately $12.0 million.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
The Company, in its international operations in the Czech Republic, is
in the process of constructing new fluidized-bed boilers at the district heating
and power generation plant of PSZT to comply with certain clean air standards
mandated by the Czech Republic government. Capital expenditures related to this
construction incurred by PSZT for the six months ended March 31, 1999 were
approximately $13.3 million. An additional $19.7 million is budgeted for this
construction for the rest of fiscal 1999.
For further discussion, refer to Note H - Commitments and Contingencies
under the heading "Environmental Matters" in Item 8 of the Company's 1998 Form
10-K.
Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure.
Numerous media reports have heightened concern that information
technology computer systems, software programs and semiconductors may not be
capable of recognizing dates after the Year 2000 because such systems use only
two digits to refer to a particular year. Such systems may read dates in the
Year 2000 and thereafter as if those dates represent the year 1900 or thereafter
and, in certain instances, such systems may fail to function properly.
State of Readiness
The Company reports that the majority of its systems are Year 2000
ready, and that the few remaining systems (i.e. primarily those for which
implementation was deferred until after the 1998-1999 heating season) are
expected to be Year 2000 ready by June 30, 1999.1 Following the completion of an
early-impact analysis study, a formal project manager at the Company was
designated to spearhead the Year 2000 remediation effort. The methodology
adopted by the Company to address the Year 2000 issue is a combination of
methods recommended by respected industry consultants and efforts tailored to
meet the Company's specific needs. The Company's Year 2000 plan addresses five
primary areas.
A. Mainframe Corporate Business Applications Developed and Maintained by the
Company: A detailed plan and impact analysis was conducted in 1996-1997 to
determine the extent of Year 2000 implications on the Company's mainframe-based
computer systems. The remediation and testing in this area have been completed.
B. Personal Computer Business Applications Software Developed and Supported by
the Company: The Company has retained a consulting firm to perform a detailed
impact analysis of the personal computer business application systems supported
by the Company's Information Services Department. The firm has corrected Year
2000 problems identified by its analysis. Certain applications identified by the
consulting firm as potentially problematic have been retired and replaced with
Year 2000 compliant applications. The required changes and testing for these
applications are complete.
C. Vendor-Supplied Software, Hardware, and Services for Corporate Business
Applications Supported by the Company: This category includes all mainframe
infrastructure products as well as all PC client / server software and hardware.
The Company has sent letters to its vendors asking if their products and
services will continue to perform as expected after January 1, 2000. These
vendors are responsible for approximately 200 products and services associated
with corporate computer applications. The Company has
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
received responses from all vendors which the Company believes supply critical
hardware, software, date-sensitive embedded chips and related computer services.
The Company expects to complete testing and implementation of the
vendor-supplied Year 2000 compliant products and services by July 31, 1999.1
D. Vendor-Supplied Products and Services Used on a Corporate Wide Basis: This
category includes the critical products and services that are used by multiple
departments within the Company including all products containing embedded chips
which might be date sensitive. The Company has sent letters to the primary
vendors who provide these products and services to the Company, requesting Year
2000 compliance plans. The Company is monitoring their responses and
incorporating them into the Company's overall Year 2000 project and contingency
plans. The Company expects to complete testing and implementation of the
products and services of these vendors by May 31, 1999 (reference is made to the
"Risks" section below).1
E. User-Department Maintained Business Applications: The Company uses certain
business software applications that were either built in-house or
vendor-supplied and subsequently maintained by individual departments of the
Company. The scope of such applications includes, but is not limited to,
spreadsheets, databases, vendor provided products and services and embedded
process controls. A corporate wide Year 2000 task force is in place and has
established a process to identify and resolve Year 2000 problems in this area.
This task force meets on a monthly basis to coordinate ongoing activities and
report on the project status. Providers of critical products and services have
been identified and the Company has sent letters requesting their Year 2000
compliance plans. Responses are being monitored and incorporated into the Year
2000 planning of the various departments. All applications and services under
this category are Year 2000 ready.
Cost
The cost of upgrading both vendor supplied and internally developed
systems and services is being expensed as incurred. Management estimates that
such cost will total approximately $2.3 million, of which approximately $1.8
million has been incurred to date and $0.5 million remains to be spent.1
Risks
The Company's main concern is to ensure the safe and reliable
production and delivery of natural gas and Company-provided services to its
customers. Based on the efforts discussed above, the Company expects to be able
to operate its own facilities without interruption and continue normal operation
in Year 2000 and beyond.1 However, the Company has no control over the systems
and services used by third parties with whom it interfaces. While the Company
has placed its major third parties on notice that the Company expects their
products and services to perform as expected after January 1, 2000, the Company
cannot predict with accuracy the actual adverse consequences to the Company that
could result if such third parties are not Year 2000 compliant.1 The widespread
failure of electric, telecommunication, and upstream gas supply could
potentially affect gas service to utility customers, and the Company is pursuing
contingency plans to avoid such disruptions.
The majority of the devices which control the Company's physical
delivery system are not susceptible to Year 2000 problems because they do not
contain micro-processors. The Company has conducted an extensive review of its
existing micro-processors (embedded technology) and has replaced non-Year 2000
compliant hardware.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
Distribution Corporation is subject to regulatory review by both the
PSC and the PaPUC. Both of these regulatory bodies have issued orders concerning
the Year 2000 issue, and both have established dates in 1999 by which
jurisdictional utilities must have taken the necessary steps to ensure that its
critical systems are Year 2000 ready. In the event Distribution Corporation
fails to meet the requirements of those orders, it may be subject to the
imposition of fines or formal enforcement actions by the regulatory bodies.
Contingency Planning
The Company formed its Corporate Year 2000 task force in mid-1997.
The primary function of this group is to: (1) raise awareness of the Year 2000
issue within the Company, (2) facilitate identification and remediation of Year
2000 potential problems within the Company, and (3) facilitate and develop
corporate contingency plans. The group is comprised of middle to senior level
managers and Company executives. The Company's main thrust at present in
contingency planning is identification and prioritization of the potential risks
posed by Year 2000 failures outside of the Company's control. All departments
and subsidiaries have submitted lists of potential risks, which are now being
prioritized, in relation to the overall corporation, in the order of human
safety, reliability/delivery of Company services and administrative services.
The Company has existing disaster/contingency plans to deal with operational gas
supply or delivery problems, loss of the corporate data center, and loss of the
corporate customer telephone centers. These plans are being reviewed to address
failures resulting from Year 2000 problems created or occurring outside of the
Company (i.e. loss of electricity, telephone service, etc.). The Company expects
to have its Year 2000 contingency plans completed by mid-September 1999.1 The
Company has selected this date as opposed to one in early 1999 so that the
contingency plans are current and operational and that the Company will be able
to use them immediately, if required.1
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
The Company is including the following cautionary statement in this
Form 10-Q to make applicable and take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for any forward-looking
statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. Forward-looking statements
include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future
events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements which are
other than statements of historical facts. From time to time, the Company may
publish or otherwise make available forward-looking statements of this nature.
All such subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and
whether made by or on behalf of the Company, are also expressly qualified by
these cautionary statements. Certain statements contained herein, including
without limitation those which are designated with a "1", are forward-looking
statements and accordingly involve risks and uncertainties which could cause
actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the
forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are
based on various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further
assumptions. The Company's expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed
in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis,
including, without limitation, management's examination of historical operating
trends, data contained in the Company's records and other data available from
third parties, but there can be no assurance that management's expectations,
beliefs or projections will result
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
or be achieved or accomplished. In addition to other factors and matters
discussed elsewhere herein, the following are important factors that, in the
view of the Company, could cause actual results to differ materially from those
discussed in the forward-looking statements:
1. Changes in economic conditions, demographic patterns and weather
conditions
2. Changes in the availability and/or price of natural gas and oil
3. Inability to obtain new customers or retain existing ones
4. Significant changes in competitive factors affecting the Company
5. Governmental/regulatory actions and initiatives, including those
affecting financings, allowed rates of return, industry and rate
structure, franchise renewal, and environmental/safety requirements
6. Unanticipated impacts of restructuring initiatives in the natural gas
and electric industries
7. Significant changes from expectations in actual capital expenditures
and operating expenses and unanticipated project delays
8. Occurrences affecting the Company's ability to obtain funds from
operations, debt or equity to finance needed capital expenditures and
other investments
9. Ability to successfully identify and finance oil and gas property
acquisitions and ability to operate existing and any subsequently
acquired properties
10. Ability to successfully identify, drill for and produce economically
viable natural gas and oil reserves
11. Changes in the availability and/or price of derivative financial
instruments
12. Inability of the various counterparties to meet their obligations with
respect to the Company's financial instruments
13. Regarding foreign operations - changes in foreign trade and monetary
policies, laws and regulations related to foreign operations, political
and governmental changes, inflation and exchange rates, taxes and
operating conditions
14. Significant changes in tax rates or policies or in rates of inflation
or interest
15. Significant changes in the Company's relationship with its employees
and the potential adverse effects if labor disputes or grievances were
to occur
16. Changes in accounting principles and/or the application of such
principles to the Company
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations (Cont.)
-----------------------------
17. Unanticipated problems related to the Company's internal Year 2000
initiative as well as potential adverse consequences related to third
party Year 2000 compliance.
The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
----------------------------------------------------------
Refer to the "Market Rate Sensitive Instruments" section in Item 2 -
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
Part II. Other Information
- -------- -----------------
Item 2. Changes in Securities
---------------------
On January 4, 1999, the Company issued 700 unregistered shares of
Company common stock to the seven non-employee directors of the Company. These
shares were issued as partial consideration for the directors' service as
directors during the quarter ended March 31, 1999, pursuant to the Company's
Retainer Policy for Non-Employee Directors.
These transactions were exempt from registration by Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as transactions not involving any public
offering.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
---------------------------------------------------
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of National Fuel Gas Company was
held on February 18, 1999. At that meeting, the shareholders elected directors,
appointed independent accountants and rejected a shareholder proposal.
The total votes were as follows:
Against Broker
For or Withheld Abstain Non-Votes
---------- ----------- ------- ---------
(i) Election of directors
to serve for a three-
year term:
- Robert T. Brady 32,995,578 883,944 - -
- William J. Hill 32,913,298 966,224 - -
- Bernard J. Kennedy 32,921,850 957,672 - -
Directors whose term of office continued after the meeting:
Term expiring in 2000: Eugene T. Mann, George L. Mazanec and George H.
Schofield.
Term expiring in 2001: Philip C. Ackerman, James V. Glynn and Bernard
S. Lee.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders (Cont.)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Against Broker
For or Withheld Abstain Non-Votes
---------- ----------- ------- ---------
(ii) Appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP as independent
accountants 33,297,456 346,998 235,068 -
(iii) A shareholder
proposed resolution
regarding the Company's
Stock Plans 4,461,906 22,748,220 1,279,029 5,390,367
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
--------------------------------
(a) Exhibits
Exhibit
Number Description of Exhibit
------ ----------------------
(10) Material Contracts
10.1 Amendment to the National Fuel Gas Company
Deferred Compensation Plan, dated February
18, 1999.
10.2 Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated
as of April 30, 1999, between National Fuel
Gas Company and HSBC Bank USA.
(12) Statements regarding Computation of Ratios:
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges for the
Twelve Months Ended March 31, 1999 and the
Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 1994
through 1998.
(27) Financial Data Schedules
27.1 Financial Data Schedule for the Six Months
Ended March 31, 1999.
27.2 Amended Financial Data Schedule for the Six
Months Ended March 31, 1998.
(99) National Fuel Gas Company Consolidated
Statement of Income for the Twelve Months
Ended March 31, 1999 and 1998.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
None
SIGNATURE
---------
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.
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
-------------------------
(Registrant)
/s/Joseph P. Pawlowski
--------------------------
Joseph P. Pawlowski
Treasurer and
Principal Accounting Officer
Date: May 14, 1999
------------
EXHIBIT INDEX
(Form 10Q)
Exhibit 10.1 Amendment to the National Fuel Gas Company
Deferred Compensation Plan, dated February 18, 1999.
Exhibit 10.2 Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as
of April 30, 1999, between National Fuel Gas Company
and HSBC Bank USA.
Exhibit 12 Statements regarding Computation of Ratios:
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges for the Twelve
Months Ended March 31, 1999 and the Fiscal Years
Ended September 30, 1994 through 1998.
Exhibit 27.1 Financial Data Schedule for the Six Months Ended
March 31, 1999.
Exhibit 27.2 Amended Financial Data Schedule for the Six
Months Ended March 31, 1998.
Exhibit 99 National Fuel Gas Company Consolidated Statement
of Income for the Twelve Months Ended March 31, 1999
and 1998.