e10vq
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
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þ |
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008
OR
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o |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 1-14365
El Paso Corporation
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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Delaware
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76-0568816 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S. Employer |
Incorporation or Organization)
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Identification No.) |
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El Paso Building
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77002 |
1001 Louisiana Street
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(Zip Code) |
Houston, Texas |
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
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Telephone Number: (713) 420-2600
Internet Website: www.elpaso.com
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed
by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer,
a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.
See the definitions of large
accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer þ |
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Accelerated filer o |
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Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
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Smaller reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of
the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock, as
of the latest practicable date.
Common
stock, par value $3 per share. Shares outstanding on May 6,
2008: 702,325,215
EL PASO CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Below is a list of terms that are common to our industry and used throughout this document:
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/d
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= per day
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Mcfe
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= thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalents |
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Bbl
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= barrels
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MMBtu
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= million British thermal units |
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BBtu
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= billion British thermal units
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MMcf
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= million cubic feet |
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Bcf
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= billion cubic feet
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MMcfe
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= million cubic feet of natural gas equivalents |
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LNG
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= liquefied natural gas
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NGL
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= natural gas liquids |
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MBbls
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= thousand barrels
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TBtu
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= trillion British thermal units |
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Mcf
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= thousand cubic feet |
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When we refer to natural gas and oil in equivalents, we are doing so to compare quantities
of oil with quantities of natural gas or to express these different commodities in a common unit.
In calculating equivalents, we use a generally recognized standard in which one Bbl of oil is equal
to six Mcf of natural gas. Also, when we refer to cubic feet measurements, all measurements are at
a pressure of 14.73 pounds per square inch.
When we refer to us, we, our, ours, the company or El Paso, we are describing
El Paso Corporation and/or our subsidiaries.
2
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
EL PASO CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In millions, except per common share amounts)
(Unaudited)
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Quarter Ended |
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March 31, |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Operating revenues |
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$ |
1,269 |
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$ |
1,022 |
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Operating expenses
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Cost of products and services |
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56 |
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55 |
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Operation and maintenance |
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271 |
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301 |
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Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
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313 |
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271 |
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Taxes, other than income taxes |
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79 |
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60 |
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719 |
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687 |
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Operating income |
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550 |
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335 |
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Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates |
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37 |
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37 |
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Loss on debt extinguishment |
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(201 |
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Other income, net |
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22 |
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46 |
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Minority interest |
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(9 |
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(1 |
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Interest and debt expense |
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(233 |
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(283 |
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Income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations |
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367 |
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(67 |
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Income taxes |
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148 |
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(19 |
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Income (loss) from continuing operations |
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219 |
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(48 |
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Discontinued operations, net of income taxes |
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677 |
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Net income |
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219 |
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629 |
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Preferred stock dividends |
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19 |
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9 |
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Net income available to common stockholders |
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$ |
200 |
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$ |
620 |
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Basic and diluted earnings per common share |
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Income (loss) from continuing operations |
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$ |
0.29 |
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$ |
(0.08 |
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Discontinued operations, net of income taxes |
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0.97 |
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Net income per common share |
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$ |
0.29 |
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$ |
0.89 |
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Dividends declared per common share |
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$ |
0.08 |
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$ |
0.04 |
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See accompanying notes.
3
EL PASO CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
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March 31, |
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December 31, |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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ASSETS |
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Current assets |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
498 |
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$ |
285 |
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Accounts and notes receivable |
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Customers, net of allowance of $17 in 2008 and 2007 |
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691 |
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468 |
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Affiliates |
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150 |
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196 |
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Other |
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172 |
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201 |
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Inventory |
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132 |
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131 |
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Assets from price risk management activities |
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45 |
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113 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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285 |
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191 |
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Other |
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155 |
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127 |
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Total current assets |
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2,128 |
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1,712 |
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Property, plant and equipment, at cost |
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Pipelines |
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16,925 |
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16,750 |
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Natural gas and oil properties, at full cost |
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18,616 |
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19,048 |
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Other |
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307 |
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530 |
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35,848 |
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36,328 |
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Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization |
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17,071 |
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16,974 |
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Total property, plant and equipment, net |
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18,777 |
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19,354 |
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Other assets |
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Investments in unconsolidated affiliates |
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1,846 |
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1,614 |
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Assets from price risk management activities |
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326 |
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302 |
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Other |
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1,589 |
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1,597 |
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3,761 |
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3,513 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
24,666 |
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$ |
24,579 |
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See accompanying notes.
4
EL PASO CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except for share amounts)
(Unaudited)
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March 31, |
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December 31, |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
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Current liabilities |
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Accounts payable |
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Trade |
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$ |
445 |
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$ |
460 |
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Affiliates |
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9 |
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5 |
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Other |
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432 |
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502 |
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Current maturities of long-term financing obligations |
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366 |
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331 |
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Liabilities from price risk management activities |
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440 |
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267 |
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Accrued interest |
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230 |
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195 |
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Other |
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748 |
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653 |
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Total current liabilities |
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2,670 |
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2,413 |
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Long-term financing obligations, less current maturities |
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12,322 |
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12,483 |
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Other |
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Liabilities from price risk management activities |
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896 |
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931 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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1,337 |
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1,157 |
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Other |
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1,565 |
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1,750 |
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3,798 |
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3,838 |
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Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
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Minority interest |
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547 |
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565 |
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Stockholders equity |
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Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; authorized 50,000,000 shares;
issued 750,000 shares of 4.99% convertible perpetual stock; stated at
liquidation value |
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750 |
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750 |
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Common stock, par value $3 per share; authorized 1,500,000,000 shares; issued
709,548,833 shares in 2008 and 709,192,605 shares in 2007 |
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2,129 |
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2,128 |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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4,639 |
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4,699 |
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Accumulated deficit |
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(1,610 |
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(1,834 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
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(387 |
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(272 |
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Treasury stock (at cost); 8,699,603 shares in 2008 and 8,656,095 shares in 2007 |
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(192 |
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(191 |
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Total stockholders equity |
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5,329 |
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5,280 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
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$ |
24,666 |
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$ |
24,579 |
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See accompanying notes.
5
EL PASO CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
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Quarter Ended |
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March 31, |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Cash flows from operating activities |
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Net income |
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$ |
219 |
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$ |
629 |
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Less income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes |
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677 |
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Income (loss) from continuing operations |
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219 |
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(48 |
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Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities |
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Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
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313 |
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271 |
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Deferred income tax expense (benefit) |
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146 |
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(18 |
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Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, adjusted for cash distributions |
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23 |
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37 |
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Loss on debt extinguishment |
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201 |
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Other non-cash income items |
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15 |
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(2 |
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Asset and liability changes |
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(82 |
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(93 |
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Cash provided by continuing activities |
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634 |
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348 |
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Cash used in discontinued activities |
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(35 |
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Net cash provided by operating activities |
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634 |
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313 |
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Cash flows from investing activities |
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Capital expenditures |
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(531 |
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(528 |
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Cash paid for acquisitions |
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(295 |
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(255 |
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Net proceeds from the sale of assets and investments |
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598 |
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38 |
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Other |
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37 |
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2 |
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Cash used in continuing activities |
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(191 |
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(743 |
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Cash provided by discontinued activities |
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3,678 |
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Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
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(191 |
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2,935 |
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Cash flows from financing activities |
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Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt |
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1,240 |
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1,424 |
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Payments to retire long-term debt and other financing obligations |
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(1,430 |
) |
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(4,654 |
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Dividends paid |
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(38 |
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(37 |
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Contributions from discontinued operations |
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3,360 |
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Other |
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(2 |
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(3 |
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Cash provided by (used in) continuing activities |
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(230 |
) |
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90 |
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Cash used in discontinued activities |
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(3,643 |
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Net cash used in financing activities |
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(230 |
) |
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(3,553 |
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Change in cash and cash equivalents |
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213 |
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(305 |
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Cash and cash equivalents
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Beginning of period |
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285 |
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537 |
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End of period |
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$ |
498 |
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$ |
232 |
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See accompanying notes.
6
EL PASO CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
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Quarter |
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Ended |
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March 31, |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Net income |
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$ |
219 |
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$ |
629 |
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Pension and postretirement obligations: |
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Unrealized actuarial losses arising during period (net of income taxes of $1 in 2008) |
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(2 |
) |
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Reclassification adjustments (net of income taxes of $2 in 2008 and $3 in 2007) |
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5 |
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6 |
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Cash flow hedging activities: |
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Unrealized mark-to-market losses arising during period (net of income taxes of $70
in 2008 and $47 in 2007) |
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(123 |
) |
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(83 |
) |
Reclassification adjustments for changes in initial value to the settlement date (net
of income
taxes of $1 in 2008 and $15 in 2007) |
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2 |
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(25 |
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Investments available for sale: |
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Unrealized gains on investments available for sale arising during period (net of
income
taxes of $2 in 2007) |
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3 |
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Other comprehensive loss |
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|
(118 |
) |
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(99 |
) |
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Comprehensive income |
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$ |
101 |
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$ |
530 |
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|
See accompanying notes.
7
EL PASO CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
We prepared this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the rules and regulations of the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Because this is an interim period filing presented
using a condensed format, it does not include all of the disclosures required by U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles. You should read this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q along with our
2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which contains a summary of our significant accounting policies
and other disclosures. The financial statements as of March 31, 2008, and for the quarters ended
March 31, 2008 and 2007, are unaudited. We derived the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of
December 31, 2007, from the audited balance sheet filed in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In
our opinion, we have made all adjustments which are of a normal, recurring nature to fairly present
our interim period results. Due to the seasonal nature of our businesses, information for interim
periods may not be indicative of our operating results for the entire year. Our financial
statements for prior periods include reclassifications that were made to conform to the current
period presentation. Those reclassifications did not impact our reported net income or
stockholders equity.
Significant Accounting Policies
The information below provides an update of our significant accounting policies and accounting
pronouncements issued but not yet adopted as discussed in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Fair Value Measurements. On January 1, 2008, we adopted the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, for our financial assets
and liabilities. We elected to defer the adoption of SFAS No. 157 for our non-financial assets and
liabilities until January 1, 2009. The impact of adopting SFAS No. 157 was both a pre-tax increase
to operating revenues of $6 million and to other comprehensive income of $4 million, and a
reduction of our liabilities of $10 million, which represented
the impact of the consideration of our credit
standing in determining the value of our price risk management liabilities.
Measurement Date of Postretirement Benefits. Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted the
measurement date provisions of SFAS No. 158, Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and
Other Postretirement Plans an Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R) and
changed the measurement date of our postretirement benefit plans from
September 30 to December
31. We recorded a $5 million decrease, net of income taxes of $2 million, to the January 1, 2008
accumulated deficit and a $3 million decrease, net of income taxes of $2 million, to the January 1, 2008
accumulated other comprehensive loss upon the adoption of the measurement date provisions of this standard to
reflect an additional three months of net periodic benefit cost based on our September 30, 2007
measurement.
Derivative Instruments. In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities an amendment of
FASB Statement No. 133, which requires expanded disclosures about derivative instruments. This
standard requires companies to disclose their purpose for using derivative instruments, how those
derivatives are accounted for under SFAS No. 133, and where the impacts of those derivatives are
reflected in the financial statements. The provisions of this standard are effective for fiscal
years beginning after November 15, 2008, and we are currently evaluating the impact that the
adoption of this standard will have on our financial statement disclosures.
8
2. Acquisitions and Divestitures
Acquisitions
Gulf
LNG. In February 2008, we paid $295 million to complete the acquisition of a 50
percent interest in the Gulf LNG Clean Energy Project, an LNG terminal which is currently under
construction in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The terminal is expected to be placed in service in late
2011 at an estimated total cost of $1.1 billion. In addition, we have a commitment to loan Gulf
LNG up to $150 million under which we had advanced $1 million as of March 31, 2008. Our partner in
this project has commitment to loan up to $64 million. We
account for our investment in Gulf LNG using the equity method.
South Texas properties. In January 2007, we acquired operated natural gas and oil producing
properties and undeveloped acreage in south Texas for approximately $254 million.
Divestitures
Under SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of
Long-Lived Assets, we classify assets to be disposed of as held for sale or, if appropriate,
discontinued operations when they have received appropriate approvals to be disposed of by our
management or Board of Directors and when they meet other criteria. Cash flows from our
discontinued businesses are reflected as discontinued operating, investing, and financing
activities in our statement of cash flows. To the extent these operations do not maintain separate
cash balances, we reflect the net cash flows generated from these businesses as a contribution to
our continuing operations in cash from continuing financing activities.
Continuing operations asset sales. During the first quarter of 2008, we completed the sale of
certain non-core Gulf of Mexico, Onshore and Texas Gulf Coast natural gas and oil properties for
net cash proceeds of approximately $600 million.
Discontinued Operations. The following is a
description of our discontinued operations and summarized results of these operations for the
quarter ended March 31, 2007. As of March 31, 2008, all our assets and liabilities related to our
discontinued operations and assets held for sale had been sold.
In February 2007, we sold ANR, our Michigan storage assets and our 50 percent interest in
Great Lakes Gas Transmission for approximately $3.7 billion. During the first quarter of 2007, we
recorded a gain on the sale of $651 million, net of taxes of $356 million. Included in
the net assets of these discontinued operations as of the date of sale were net deferred tax
liabilities assumed by the purchaser. Below is summarized income statement information regarding
our discontinued operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ANR and |
|
|
|
Related |
|
|
|
Operations |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Quarter Ended March 31, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
101 |
|
Costs and expenses |
|
|
(43 |
) |
Other expense |
|
|
(7 |
) |
Interest and debt expense |
|
|
(10 |
) |
Income taxes |
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Income from operations |
|
|
26 |
|
Gain on sale, net of income taxes of $356 million |
|
|
651 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from discontinued operations |
|
$ |
677 |
|
|
|
|
|
9
3. Income Taxes
Income taxes included in our income from continuing operations for the quarters ended March 31
were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
|
(In millions, except rates) |
Income taxes |
|
$ |
148 |
|
|
$ |
(19 |
) |
Effective tax rate |
|
|
40 |
% |
|
|
28 |
% |
We compute interim period income taxes by applying an anticipated annual effective tax rate to our
year-to-date income or loss, except for significant unusual or infrequently occurring items. Significant tax
items are recorded in the period that the item occurs.
During the first quarter of 2008, our effective tax rate
was higher than the statutory rate primarily due to the tax impact of adjusting our postretirement benefit
obligations (See Note 9). During the first quarter of 2007, our overall effective tax rate on continuing
operations was lower than the statutory rate of 35 percent primarily due to earnings from unconsolidated
affiliates where we anticipate receiving dividends and state income taxes (net of federal tax benefit).
4. Earnings Per Share
We calculated basic and diluted earnings per common share as follows for the quarters ended
March 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
(1) |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
Diluted |
|
|
Basic |
|
|
Diluted |
|
|
|
(In millions, except per share amounts) |
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
|
$ |
219 |
|
|
$ |
219 |
|
|
$ |
(48 |
) |
|
$ |
(48 |
) |
Convertible preferred stock dividends |
|
|
(19 |
)(1) |
|
|
(19 |
)(1) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to common stockholders |
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
(57 |
) |
|
|
(57 |
) |
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
677 |
|
|
|
677 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income available to common stockholders |
|
$ |
200 |
|
|
$ |
200 |
|
|
$ |
620 |
|
|
$ |
620 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding |
|
|
697 |
|
|
|
697 |
|
|
|
694 |
|
|
|
694 |
|
Effect of dilutive securities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options and restricted stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding and dilutive securities |
|
|
697 |
|
|
|
701 |
|
|
|
694 |
|
|
|
694 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per common share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
|
$ |
0.29 |
|
|
$ |
0.29 |
|
|
$ |
(0.08 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.08 |
) |
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.97 |
|
|
|
0.97 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
0.29 |
|
|
$ |
0.29 |
|
|
$ |
0.89 |
|
|
$ |
0.89 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
Includes dividends declared in February 2008 and March 2008 (see
Note 10).
We exclude potentially dilutive securities (such as employee stock options, restricted stock,
convertible preferred stock and trust preferred securities) from the determination of diluted
earnings per share when their impact on income from continuing operations per common share is
antidilutive. For the quarter ended March 31, 2008, certain of our employee stock options, our
convertible preferred stock, and our trust preferred securities were antidilutive. For the quarter
ended March 31, 2007, we incurred losses from continuing operations and accordingly excluded all of
our potentially dilutive securities from the determination of diluted earnings per share as their
impact on loss per common share was antidilutive. For a further discussion of our potentially
dilutive securities, see our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
10
5. Fair Value Measurements
On January 1, 2008, we adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, and
SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, for our
financial assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 expands the disclosure requirements for financial
instruments and other derivatives recorded at fair value, and also requires that a companys own
credit risk be considered in determining the fair value of those instruments. The adoption of SFAS
No. 157 resulted in a $6 million increase in operating revenues, a $4 million pre-tax increase in
other comprehensive income, and a $10 million reduction of our liabilities to reflect the
consideration of our credit risk on our liabilities that are recorded at fair value. SFAS No. 159
provided us the option to record most financial assets and liabilities at fair value on an
instrument-by-instrument basis with changes in their fair value reported through the income
statement. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 had no impact on our financial statements as we elected
not to adopt fair value accounting at the present time for our applicable financial assets and
liabilities.
We use various methods to determine the fair values of our financial instruments and other
derivatives which depend on a number of factors, including the availability of observable market
data over the contractual term of the underlying instrument. For some of our instruments, the fair
value is calculated based on directly observable market data or data available for similar
instruments in similar markets. For other instruments, the fair value may be calculated based on
these inputs as well as other assumptions related to estimates of future settlements of these
instruments. We separate our financial instruments and other derivatives into three levels (Levels
1, 2 and 3) based on our assessment of the availability of observable market data and the
significance of non-observable data used to determine the fair value of our instruments. Our
assessment of an instrument can change over time based on the maturity or liquidity of the
instrument, which could result in a change in the classification of the instruments between levels.
Each of these levels and our corresponding instruments classified by level are further described
below:
|
|
|
Level 1 instruments fair values are based on quoted prices in actively traded markets.
Included in this level are our marketable securities invested in non-qualified compensation
plans whose fair value is determined using quoted prices of these instruments. |
|
|
|
|
Level 2 instruments fair values are based on pricing data representative of quoted
prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets (or identical assets and
liabilities in less active markets). Included in this level are our production-related
natural gas and oil derivatives and certain of our other natural gas derivatives (such as
natural gas supply arrangements) whose fair values are based on commodity pricing data
obtained from an independent pricing source. |
|
|
|
|
Level 3 instruments fair values are partially calculated using pricing data that is
similar to Level 2 above, but their fair value also reflects adjustments for being in less
liquid markets or having longer contractual terms. For these instruments, we use available
pricing data adjusted for liquidity and/or contractual terms to develop an estimate of
forward price curves. The curves are then used to estimate the value of settlements in
future periods based on contractual settlement quantities and dates. Our valuation
of these instruments considers specific contractual terms, statistical and simulation analysis, present value
concepts and other internal assumptions related to (i) contract maturities that extend
beyond the periods in which quoted market prices are available; (ii) the uniqueness of the
contract terms and (iii) the lack of viable market participants. Since a significant
portion of the fair value of our power-related
derivatives, interest rate and foreign currency swaps and certain of our remaining natural
gas derivatives with longer terms or in less liquid
markets than similar Level 2 derivatives, rely on the techniques discussed above,
we classify these instruments as Level 3 instruments. |
Listed below are our financial instruments classified in each level and a description of the
significant inputs utilized to determine their fair value at March 31, 2008 follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketable securities invested in non-qualified compensation plans |
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
20 |
|
Production-related natural gas and oil derivatives |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
Other natural gas derivatives |
|
|
|
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
Power-related derivatives |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
127 |
|
|
|
127 |
|
Interest rate and foreign currency swaps |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
171 |
|
|
|
171 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
332 |
|
|
|
391 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production-related natural gas and oil derivatives |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(302 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(302 |
) |
Other natural gas derivatives |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(192 |
) |
|
|
(217 |
) |
|
|
(409 |
) |
Power-related derivatives |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(612 |
) |
|
|
(612 |
) |
Interest rate swaps |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(84 |
) |
|
|
(84 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(507 |
) |
|
|
(913 |
) |
|
|
(1,420 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
$ |
(468 |
) |
|
$ |
(581 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,029 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table presents the changes in our financial assets and liabilities included in
Level 3 for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in fair |
|
|
Change in fair |
|
|
value reflected in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of |
|
|
value reflected in |
|
|
value reflected in |
|
|
long-term |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 1, |
|
|
operating |
|
|
operating |
|
|
financing |
|
|
Settlements, |
|
|
Balance as of |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
revenues(1) |
|
|
expenses(2) |
|
|
obligations(3) |
|
|
Net |
|
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
$ |
250 |
|
|
$ |
32 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
59 |
|
|
$ |
(9 |
) |
|
$ |
332 |
|
Liabilities |
|
|
(839 |
) |
|
|
(70 |
) |
|
|
(44 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
(913 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
(589 |
) |
|
$ |
(38 |
) |
|
$ |
(44 |
) |
|
$ |
59 |
|
|
$ |
31 |
|
|
$ |
(581 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Includes approximately $37 million of net losses that had not been realized through
settlements as of March 31, 2008.
(2) Includes approximately $43 million of net losses that had not been realized through
settlements as of March 31, 2008.
(3) Includes approximately $59 million of net gains that had not been realized through
settlements as of March 31, 2008.
6. Price Risk Management Activities
The following table summarizes the carrying value of the derivatives used in our price risk
management activities. In the table below, derivatives designated as accounting hedges consist of
instruments used to hedge our natural gas and oil production. Other commodity-based derivative
contracts relate to derivative contracts not designated as accounting hedges, such as options and
swaps, other natural gas and power purchase and supply contracts, and derivatives related to our
legacy energy trading activities. Interest rate and foreign currency derivatives consist of swaps
that are primarily designated as hedges of our interest rate and foreign currency risk on long-term
debt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Net assets (liabilities): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivatives designated as accounting hedges |
|
$ |
(214 |
) |
|
$ |
(23 |
) |
Other commodity-based derivative contracts |
|
|
(909 |
) |
|
|
(869 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total commodity-based derivatives |
|
|
(1,123 |
) |
|
|
(892 |
) |
Interest rate and foreign currency derivatives |
|
|
158 |
|
|
|
109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net liabilities from price risk management activities(1) |
|
$ |
(965 |
) |
|
$ |
(783 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Included in both current and non-current assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. |
12
7. Long-Term Financing Obligations and Other Credit Facilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Current maturities of long-term financing obligations |
|
$ |
366 |
|
|
$ |
331 |
|
Long-term financing obligations |
|
|
12,322 |
|
|
|
12,483 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
12,688 |
|
|
$ |
12,814 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit Facilities. As of March 31, 2008, we had available capacity under various credit
agreements of approximately $1.2 billion. During the first quarter of 2008, we made net
repayments of $150 million under our $1.5 billion revolving credit facility and as of March 31,
2008 had approximately $0.3 billion of letters of credit issued and approximately $0.3 billion of
debt outstanding under this facility. Additionally, as of March 31, 2008, (i) substantially all of
the $1 billion of capacity under our various unsecured revolving credit facilities was used to
issue letters of credit and (ii) approximately $ 0.7 billion was outstanding under our El Paso
Exploration & Production Company (EPEP) $1.0 billion revolving credit facility.
During the first
quarter of 2008, El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P. (EPB) borrowed an additional $40 million,
increasing the total amount outstanding under the facility to $495
million as of March 31, 2008. The EPB borrowings are not recourse to El Paso and the facility is
solely available for use by EPB and its subsidiaries.
Letters of Credit. We enter into letters of credit in the ordinary course of our operating
activities as well as periodically in conjunction with the sales of assets or businesses. As of
March 31, 2008, we had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $1.3 billion. Included in
this amount is approximately $1.0 billion of letters of credit securing our recorded obligations
related to price risk management activities.
8. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
ERISA Class Action Suits. In December 2002, a purported class action lawsuit entitled William
H. Lewis, III v. El Paso Corporation, et al. was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of Texas alleging that our communication with participants in our Retirement Savings Plan
included various misrepresentations and omissions that caused members of the class to hold and
maintain investments in El Paso stock in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
(ERISA). Various motions have been filed and we are awaiting the courts ruling. We have insurance
coverage for this lawsuit, subject to certain deductibles and co-pay obligations. We have
established accruals for this matter which we believe are adequate.
Cash Balance Plan Lawsuit. In December 2004, a purported class action lawsuit entitled
Tomlinson, et al. v. El Paso Corporation and El Paso Corporation Pension Plan was filed in
U.S. District Court for Denver, Colorado. The lawsuit alleges various violations of ERISA and the
Age Discrimination in Employment Act as a result of our change from a final average earnings
formula pension plan to a cash balance pension plan. The claims that our cash balance plan violated
ERISA were recently dismissed by the trial court. Our costs and legal exposure related to this
lawsuit are not currently determinable.
Retiree Medical Benefits Matter. We serve as the plan administrator for a medical benefits
plan that covers a closed group of retirees of Case Corporation who retired on or before July 1,
1994. Case was formerly a subsidiary of Tenneco, Inc. that was spun off in 1994. Tenneco retained
an obligation to provide certain medical benefits at the time of the spin-off and we assumed this
obligation as a result of our merger with Tenneco. Pursuant to an agreement with the applicable
union for Case employees, we believed our liability for these benefits was subject to a cap, such
that costs in excess of the cap were to be assumed by plan participants. In 2002, we and Case were
sued by individual retirees in a federal court in Detroit, Michigan in an action entitled Yolton et
al. v. El Paso Tennessee Pipeline Co. and Case Corporation. The suit alleged, among other things,
that El Paso and Case violated ERISA, that the benefits are vested under the applicable collective
bargaining agreements and that the defendants should be required to pay all costs above the cap.
Case further filed claims against El Paso asserting that El Paso was obligated to indemnify Case
for the amounts it would be required to pay. Prior to 2008, we accrued amounts pursuant to various
court rulings requiring us to indemnify Case for these above the cap amounts, pending a trial on
the merits.
In the first quarter of 2008, the trial court granted summary judgment and ruled that the
benefits are vested. The effect of this ruling is that we became the primary party that is
obligated to pay for amounts above the cap. As a result of the ruling, we adjusted our existing
indemnification accrual using current actuarial assumptions and reclassified our liability as a
postretirement benefit
13
obligation. See Note 9 for a discussion
of the impact of this matter on our postretirement
benefit obligations. Additionally, we intend to pursue appellate options following the determination by the trial court
of any damages incurred by the plaintiffs during the period when premium payments for the above the
cap costs were paid by the retirees. We believe our accruals established for this matter are adequate.
Price Reporting Litigation. Beginning in 2003, several lawsuits were filed against El Paso
Marketing L.P. (EPM) alleging that El Paso, EPM and other energy companies conspired to manipulate
the price of natural gas by providing false price information to industry trade publications that
published gas indices. The first set of cases, involving similar allegations on behalf of
commercial and residential customers, was transferred to a multi-district litigation proceeding
(MDL) in the U.S. District Court for Nevada and styled In re: Western States Wholesale Natural Gas
Antitrust Litigation. These cases were dismissed. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit,
however, reversed the dismissal and ordered that these cases be remanded to the trial court. The
second set of cases also involve similar allegations on behalf of certain purchasers of natural
gas. These include Farmland Industries v. Oneok Inc., et al. (filed in state court in Wyandotte
County, Kansas in July 2005) and Missouri Public Service Commission v. El Paso Corporation, et al.
(filed in the circuit court of Jackson County, Missouri at Kansas City in October 2006), and the
purported class action lawsuits styled: Leggett, et al. v. Duke Energy Corporation, et al. (filed
in Chancery Court of Tennessee in January 2005); Ever-Bloom Inc., et al. v. AEP Energy Services
Inc., et al. (filed in federal court for the Eastern District of California in September 2005);
Learjet, Inc., et al. v. Oneok Inc., et al. (filed in state court in Wyandotte County, Kansas in
September 2005); Breckenridge, et al. v. Oneok Inc., et al. (filed in state court in Denver County,
Colorado in May 2006); Arandell, et al. v. Xcel Energy, et al. (filed in the circuit court of Dane
County, Wisconsin in December 2006); and Heartland, et al. v. Oneok Inc., et al. (filed in the
circuit court of Buchanan County, Missouri in March 2007). The Leggett case was dismissed by the
Tennessee state court and has been appealed. The Missouri Public Service case was remanded to state
court. The Breckenridge case has been dismissed, but a motion for reconsideration was filed. The
remaining cases have all been transferred to the MDL proceeding. Dispositive motions have been
filed or are anticipated to be filed in these cases. Our costs and legal exposure related to these
lawsuits and claims are not currently determinable.
Gas Measurement Cases. A number of our subsidiaries were named defendants in actions that
generally allege mismeasurement of natural gas volumes and/or heating content resulting in the
underpayment of royalties. The first set of cases was filed in 1997 by an individual under the
False Claims Act, which have been consolidated for pretrial purposes (In re: Natural Gas Royalties
Qui Tam Litigation, U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming). These complaints allege an
industry-wide conspiracy to underreport the heating value as well as the volumes of the natural gas
produced from federal and Native American lands. In October 2006, the U.S. District Judge issued an
order dismissing all claims against all defendants. An appeal has been filed.
Similar allegations were filed in a second set of actions initiated in 1999 in Will Price, et
al. v. Gas Pipelines and Their Predecessors, et al., in the District Court of Stevens County,
Kansas. The plaintiffs currently seek certification of a class of royalty owners in wells on
non-federal and non-Native American lands in Kansas, Wyoming and Colorado. Motions for class
certification have been briefed and argued in the proceedings and the parties are awaiting the
courts ruling. The plaintiff seeks an unspecified amount of monetary damages in the form of
additional royalty payments (along with interest, expenses and punitive damages) and injunctive
relief with regard to future gas measurement practices. Our costs and legal exposure related to
these lawsuits and claims are not currently determinable.
MTBE. Certain of our subsidiaries used the gasoline additive methyl tertiary-butyl ether
(MTBE) in some of their gasoline. Certain subsidiaries also produced, bought, sold and distributed
MTBE. A number of lawsuits have been filed throughout the U.S. regarding the potential impact of
MTBE on water supplies. Some of our subsidiaries are among the defendants in approximately 81 such
lawsuits. The plaintiffs, certain state attorneys general, various water districts and a limited
number of individual water customers, generally seek remediation of their groundwater, prevention
of future contamination, damages (including natural resource damages), punitive damages, attorneys
fees and court costs. Among other allegations, plaintiffs assert that gasoline containing MTBE is a
defective product and that defendant refiners are liable in proportion to their market share.
Although these suits had been consolidated for pre-trial purposes in multi-district litigation in
the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, an appellate court decision directed
two of the cases to be remanded back to state court. A limited number of cases have since been
remanded to separate state court proceedings. It is possible many of the other cases will also be
remanded. We have reached an agreement in principle with the plaintiffs to settle approximately 59
of the lawsuits. We have also reached an agreement in principle with our insurers, whereby our
insurers would fund substantially all of the consideration to be provided by our subsidiaries under
the terms of the settlement with the plaintiffs. Approximately 22 of the remaining lawsuits are not
covered by the terms of this settlement. While the damages claimed in these remaining actions are
substantial, there remains significant legal uncertainty regarding the validity of the causes of
action asserted and the availability of the relief sought by the plaintiffs. We have tendered these
remaining cases to our insurers. Our costs and legal exposure related to these remaining lawsuits
are not currently determinable.
14
Government Investigations and Inquiries
Reserve Revisions. In March 2004, we received a subpoena from the SEC requesting documents
relating to our December 31, 2003 natural gas and oil reserve revisions. We originally
self-reported this matter to the SEC and have cooperated with the SEC in its investigation. On July
13, 2007, we received a notice indicating the SEC staff has made a preliminary decision to
recommend to the SEC that it institute an enforcement action against us and two of our subsidiaries
related to the reserve revisions. We understand that the staff of the SEC may have also issued
similar notices to several of our former employees. We were given the opportunity to respond to the
staff before it makes its formal recommendation on whether any action should be brought by the SEC,
and on September 25, 2007 we submitted our response.
In addition to the above proceedings, we and our subsidiaries and affiliates are named
defendants in numerous lawsuits and governmental proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of
our business. There are also other regulatory rules and orders in various stages of adoption,
review and/or implementation. For each of these matters, we evaluate the merits of the case, our
exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies and the likelihood of an
unfavorable outcome. If we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be estimated,
we establish the necessary accruals. While the outcome of these matters, including those discussed
above, cannot be predicted with certainty, and there are still uncertainties related to the costs
we may incur, based upon our evaluation and experience to date, we believe we have established
appropriate reserves for these matters. It is possible, however, that new information or future
developments could require us to reassess our potential exposure related to these matters and
adjust our accruals accordingly, and these adjustments could be material. As of March 31, 2008, we
had approximately $147 million accrued, which has not been reduced by $33 million of related
insurance receivables, for outstanding legal and governmental proceedings.
Rates and Regulatory Matters
Notice of Inquiry on Pipeline Fuel Retention Policies. In September 2007, the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a Notice of Inquiry regarding its policy about the in-kind
recovery of fuel and lost and unaccounted for gas by natural gas pipeline companies. Under current
policy, pipelines have options for recovering these costs. For some pipelines, the tariff states
the recovery of a fixed percentage as a non-negotiable fee-in-kind retained from the volumes
tendered for shipment by each shipper. There is also a tracker approach, where the pipelines
tariff provides for prospective adjustments to the fuel retention rates from time-to-time, but does
not include a mechanism to allow the pipeline to reconcile past over or under-recoveries of fuel.
Finally, some pipelines tariffs provide for a tracker with a true-up approach, where provisions in
a pipelines tariff allow for periodic adjustments to the fuel retention rates, and also provide
for a true-up of past over and under-recoveries of fuel and lost and unaccounted for gas. In this
proceeding, the FERC is seeking comments on whether it should change its current policy and
prescribe a uniform method for all pipelines to use in recovering these costs. Our pipeline
subsidiaries currently utilize a variety of these methodologies. At this time, we do not know what
impact, if any, this proceeding may ultimately have on any of us.
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. On October 3, 2007, the Minerals Management Service (MMS)
issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way. If adopted, the proposed rules
would substantially revise MMS OCS pipeline and rights-of-way regulations. The proposed rules would
have the effect of: (1) increasing the financial obligations of entities, like us, which have
pipelines and pipeline rights-of-way in the OCS; (2) increasing the regulatory requirements imposed
on the operation and maintenance of existing pipelines in the OCS; and (3) increasing the
requirements and preconditions for obtaining new rights-of-way in the OCS.
Rate of Return Proxy Groups. In April 2008, the FERC adopted a new policy that will allow
master limited partnerships to be included in rate of return proxy groups for determining rates for
services provided by interstate natural gas and oil pipelines. The FERC uses a discounted cash
flow model that incorporates the use of proxy groups to develop a range of reasonable returns
earned on equity interests in companies with corresponding risks. The FERC then assigns a rate of
return on equity within that range to reflect specific risks of that pipeline when compared to the
proxy group companies. The FERCs policy statement concludes among other items that (i) there
should be no cap on the level of distributions included in the current discounted cash flow
methodology and (ii) there should be a downward adjustment to the long-term growth rate used for the equity cost of capital of natural gas pipeline
master limited partnerships. FERC is not exploring other methods of determining a pipelines equity cost
of capital at this time. We believe this ruling will not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
EPNG Rate Case. In August 2007, EPNG received approval of the settlement of its rate case from
the FERC. The settlement provided benefits for both EPNG and its customers for a three year period
ending December 31, 2008. Under the terms of the settlement, EPNG is required to file a new rate
case no later than June 30, 2008, for rates to be effective January 1, 2009. EPNG
15
received approval from the FERC and began billing the settlement rates on October 1, 2007. In
the first quarter of 2008, EPNG refunded the remaining $10 million in rate refunds owed to its
customers pursuant to the settlement.
Other Matter
Navajo Nation. Approximately 900 looped pipeline miles of the north mainline of our EPNG
pipeline system are located on lands held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the
Navajo Nation. Our rights-of-way on lands crossing the Navajo Nation are the subject of a pending
renewal application filed in 2005 with the Department of the Interiors Bureau of Indian Affairs.
An interim agreement with the Navajo Nation expired at the end of December 2006. Negotiations on
the terms of the long-term agreement are continuing. In addition, we continue to preserve other
legal, regulatory and legislative alternatives, which include continuing to pursue our application
with the Department of the Interior for renewal of our rights-of-way on Navajo Nation lands. It is
uncertain whether our negotiation, or other alternatives, will be successful, or if successful,
what the ultimate cost will be of obtaining the rights-of-way or whether EPNG will be able to
recover these costs in its rates.
Environmental Matters
We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing environmental
quality and pollution control. These laws and regulations require us to remove or remedy the effect
on the environment of the disposal or release of specified substances at current and former
operating sites. As of March 31, 2008, we had accrued approximately $257 million, which has not
been reduced by $25 million for amounts to be paid directly under government sponsored programs.
Our accrual includes approximately $248 million for expected remediation costs and associated
onsite, offsite and groundwater technical studies and approximately $9 million for related
environmental legal costs. Of the $257 million accrual, $20 million was reserved for facilities we
currently operate and $237 million was reserved for non-operating sites (facilities that are shut
down or have been sold) and Superfund sites.
Our estimates of potential liability range from approximately $257 million to approximately
$465 million. Our accrual represents a combination of two estimation methodologies. First, where
the most likely outcome can be reasonably estimated, that cost has been accrued ($15 million).
Second, where the most likely outcome cannot be estimated, a range of costs is established
($242 million to $450 million) and if no one amount in that range is more likely than any other,
the lower end of the expected range has been accrued. Our environmental remediation projects are in
various stages of completion. Our recorded liabilities reflect our current estimates of amounts we
will expend to remediate these sites. However, depending on the stage of completion or assessment,
the ultimate extent of contamination or remediation required may not be known. As additional
assessments occur or remediation efforts continue, we may incur additional liabilities. By type of
site, our reserves are based on the following estimates of reasonably possible outcomes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
Sites |
|
Expected |
|
|
High |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Operating |
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
$ |
26 |
|
Non-operating |
|
|
211 |
|
|
|
390 |
|
Superfund |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
257 |
|
|
$ |
465 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Below is a reconciliation of our accrued liability from January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2008 (in
millions):
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of January 1, 2008 |
|
$ |
260 |
|
Additions/adjustments for remediation activities |
|
|
7 |
|
Payments for remediation activities |
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Balance as of March 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
257 |
|
|
|
|
|
For the remainder of 2008, we estimate that our total remediation expenditures will be
approximately $54 million, most of which will be expended under government directed clean-up plans.
In addition, we expect to make capital expenditures for environmental matters of approximately
$14 million in the aggregate for the years 2008 through 2012. These expenditures primarily relate
to compliance with clean air regulations.
16
CERCLA Matters. As part of our environmental remediation projects, we have received notice
that we could be designated, or have been asked for information to determine whether we could be
designated, as a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) with respect to 40 active sites under the
CERCLA or state equivalents. We have sought to resolve our liability as a PRP at these sites
through indemnification by third-parties and settlements, which provide for payment of our
allocable share of remediation costs. Because the clean-up costs are estimates and are subject to
revision as more information becomes available about the extent of remediation required, and in
some cases we have asserted a defense to any liability, our estimates could change. Moreover,
liability under the federal CERCLA statute is joint and several, meaning that we could be required
to pay in excess of our pro rata share of remediation costs. Our understanding of the financial
strength of other PRPs has been considered, where appropriate, in estimating our liabilities.
Accruals for these matters are included in the previously indicated estimates for Superfund sites.
It is possible that new information or future developments could require us to reassess our
potential exposure related to environmental matters. We may incur significant costs and liabilities
in order to comply with existing environmental laws and regulations. It is also possible that other
developments, such as increasingly strict environmental laws, regulations and orders of regulatory
agencies, as well as claims for damages to property and the environment or injuries to employees
and other persons resulting from our current or past operations, could result in substantial costs
and liabilities in the future. As this information becomes available, or other relevant
developments occur, we will adjust our accrual amounts accordingly. While there are still
uncertainties related to the ultimate costs we may incur, based upon our evaluation and experience
to date, we believe our reserves are adequate.
Guarantees and Indemnifications
We are involved in various joint ventures and other ownership arrangements that sometimes
require financial and performance guarantees. In a financial guarantee, we are obligated to make
payments if the guaranteed party fails to make payments under, or violates the terms of, the
financial arrangement. In a performance guarantee, we provide assurance that the guaranteed party
will execute on the terms of the contract. If they do not, we are required to perform on their
behalf. We also periodically provide indemnification arrangements related to assets or businesses
we have sold. These arrangements include, but are not limited to, indemnifications for income
taxes, the resolution of existing disputes, and environmental matters.
Our potential exposure under guarantee and indemnification agreements can range from a
specified amount to an unlimited dollar amount, depending on the nature of the claim and the
particular transaction. For those arrangements with a specified dollar amount, we have a maximum
stated value of approximately $851 million, which primarily relates to indemnification arrangements
associated with the sale of ANR, our Macae power facility in Brazil, and other legacy assets.
These amounts exclude guarantees for which we have issued related letters of credit discussed in
Note 7. As of March 31, 2008, we have recorded obligations of $91 million related to our
indemnification arrangements. This liability consists primarily of an indemnification that one of
our subsidiaries provided related to its sale of an ammonia facility that is reflected in our
financial statements at its fair value. We have provided a partial parental guarantee of our
subsidiarys obligations under this indemnification. We are unable to estimate a maximum exposure
for our guarantee and indemnification agreements that do not provide for limits on the amount of
future payments due to the uncertainty of these exposures.
9. Retirement Benefits
The components of net benefit cost for our pension and postretirement benefit plans for the
periods ended March 31 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
Pension |
|
|
Postretirement |
|
|
|
Benefits |
|
|
Benefits |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Service cost |
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Interest cost |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
Expected return on plan assets |
|
|
(47 |
) |
|
|
(45 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain) |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Amortization of prior service cost(1) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net benefit cost (income) |
|
$ |
(8 |
) |
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
As permitted, the amortization of any prior service cost is determined using a
straight-line amortization of the cost over the average remaining service period of employees
expected to receive benefits under the plan. |
17
Other Matter. In various court rulings prior to March 2008, we were required to indemnify
Case Corporation for certain benefits paid to a closed group of Case retirees as further discussed
in Note 8. In conjunction with those rulings, we recorded a liability for estimated amounts due
under the indemnification using actuarial methods similar to those used in estimating our
postretirement benefit plan obligations. This liability, however, was not included in our
postretirement benefit obligations or disclosures.
In March 2008, we received a summary judgment from the trial court on this matter that
we effectively became the primary party that is obligated to pay for these benefit payments. As a result
of the judgment, we adjusted our obligation using current actuarial assumptions, recording a $65
million reduction to current and non-current other liabilities and to operation and maintenance
expense. We also reclassified this obligation from an indemnification liability to a
postretirement benefit obligation, which increased our overall postretirement benefit obligations
by $280 million as of March 31, 2008.
As of March 31, 2008, we expect the following payments under our postretirement benefit plans,
net of participant contributions, which include the additional amounts related to the Case retirees
described above:
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending |
|
Other Postretirement |
December 31, |
|
Benefits(1) |
|
|
(In millions) |
2008 |
|
$ |
63 |
|
2009 |
|
|
63 |
|
2010 |
|
|
62 |
|
2011 |
|
|
62 |
|
2012 |
|
|
61 |
|
2013-2017 |
|
|
287 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes a reduction of approximately $5 million per year for an expected subsidy related to the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. |
For the remainder of 2008, we expect to contribute an additional $43 million to our other
postretirement benefit plans.
10. Stockholders Equity
The table below shows the amount of dividends paid and declared in 2008 (in millions, except
per share amounts).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock |
|
Convertible Preferred Stock |
|
|
($0.04/Share) |
|
(4.99%/Year) |
Amount paid through March 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
29 |
|
|
$ |
9 |
|
|
Declared in February 2008: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date of declaration |
|
February 7, 2008 |
|
February 7, 2008 |
Payable to shareholders on record |
|
March 7, 2008 |
|
March 15, 2008 |
Date Paid |
|
April 1, 2008 |
|
April 1, 2008 |
Amount Paid |
|
$ |
28 |
|
|
$ |
9 |
|
Declared in March 2008: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date of declaration |
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
March 31, 2008 |
Payable to shareholders on record |
|
June 6, 2008 |
|
June 15, 2008 |
Date payable |
|
July 1, 2008 |
|
July 1, 2008 |
Dividends on our common stock and preferred stock are treated as a reduction of additional
paid-in-capital since we currently have an accumulated deficit. For the remainder of 2008, we
expect dividends paid on our common and preferred stock will be taxable to our stockholders because
we anticipate they will be paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits for tax
purposes.
The terms of our 750,000 outstanding shares of 4.99% convertible preferred stock prohibit the
payment of dividends on our common stock unless we have paid or set aside for payment all
accumulated and unpaid dividends on such preferred stock for all preceding dividend periods. In
addition, although our credit facilities do not contain any direct restriction on the payment of
dividends, dividends are included as a fixed charge in the calculation of our fixed charge coverage
ratio under our credit facilities. If our fixed charge ratio were to exceed the permitted maximum
level, our ability to pay additional dividends would be restricted.
18
11. Business Segment Information
As of March 31, 2008, our business consists of two core segments, Pipelines and Exploration
and Production. We also have Marketing and Power segments. Our segments are strategic business
units that provide a variety of energy products and services. They are managed separately as each
segment requires different technology and marketing strategies. Our corporate operations include
our general and administrative functions, as well as other miscellaneous businesses and other
various contracts and assets, all of which are immaterial. A further discussion of each segment
follows.
Pipelines. Provides natural gas transmission, storage, and related services, primarily in the
United States. As of March 31, 2008, we conducted our activities primarily through seven wholly or
majority owned interstate pipeline systems and equity interests in three interstate transmission
systems. We also own two underground natural gas storage entities, an
LNG terminalling facility and have an interest in an LNG
terminalling facility under construction.
Exploration and Production. Engaged in the exploration for and the acquisition, development
and production of natural gas, oil and NGL, primarily in the United States, Brazil and Egypt.
Marketing. Markets and manages the price risks associated with our natural gas and oil
production as well as our remaining legacy trading portfolio.
Power. Manages the risks associated with our remaining international power investments
located primarily in Brazil, Asia and Central America. We continue to pursue the sale of these
assets.
Our management uses earnings before interest expense and income taxes (EBIT) to assess the
operating results and effectiveness of our business segments which consist of both consolidated
businesses and investments in unconsolidated affiliates. We believe EBIT is useful to our investors
because it allows them to more effectively evaluate the operating performance using the same
performance measure analyzed internally by our management. We define EBIT as net income or loss
adjusted for (i) items that do not impact our income or loss from continuing operations, such as
discontinued operations and the impact of accounting changes, (ii) income taxes and (iii) interest
and debt expense. We exclude interest and debt expense so that investors may evaluate our operating
results without regard to our financing methods or capital structure. EBIT may not be comparable to
measures used by other companies. Additionally, EBIT should be considered in conjunction with net
income and other performance measures such as operating income or operating cash flow. Below is a
reconciliation of our EBIT to our income from continuing operations for the quarters ended March
31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Segment EBIT |
|
$ |
561 |
|
|
$ |
426 |
|
Corporate and other |
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
(210 |
) |
Interest and debt expense |
|
|
(233 |
) |
|
|
(283 |
) |
Income taxes |
|
|
(148 |
) |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
|
$ |
219 |
|
|
$ |
(48 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
The following table reflects our segment results for the quarters ended March 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate |
|
|
|
|
Pipelines |
|
Production |
|
Marketing |
|
Power |
|
and Other(1) |
|
Total |
|
|
(In millions) |
Quarters Ended March 31,
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue from external customers |
|
$ |
707 |
|
|
$ |
83 |
(2) |
|
$ |
469 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
10 |
|
|
$ |
1,269 |
|
Intersegment revenue |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
520 |
(2) |
|
|
(526 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Operation and maintenance |
|
|
195 |
|
|
|
108 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
271 |
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
|
|
99 |
|
|
|
212 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
313 |
|
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates |
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
EBIT |
|
|
381 |
|
|
|
242 |
|
|
|
(60 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue from external customers |
|
$ |
631 |
|
|
$ |
220 |
(2) |
|
$ |
159 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
12 |
|
|
$ |
1,022 |
|
Intersegment revenue |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
285 |
(2) |
|
|
(294 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Operation and maintenance |
|
|
161 |
|
|
|
110 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
301 |
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
170 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
271 |
|
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
EBIT |
|
|
364 |
|
|
|
179 |
|
|
|
(135 |
) |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
(210 |
) |
|
|
216 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes eliminations of intercompany transactions. Our intersegment revenues,
along with our intersegment operating expenses, were incurred in the normal course of business
between our operating segments. During the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, we recorded
an intersegment revenue elimination of $6 million and $5 million in the Corporate and Other column to remove intersegment
transactions. |
|
(2) |
|
Revenues from external customers include gains and losses related to our
hedging of price risk associated with our natural gas and oil production. Intersegment
revenues represent sales to our Marketing segment, which is responsible for marketing our
production to third parties. |
Total assets by segment are presented below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Pipelines |
|
$ |
14,230 |
|
|
$ |
13,939 |
|
Exploration and Production |
|
|
7,417 |
|
|
|
8,029 |
|
Marketing |
|
|
572 |
|
|
|
537 |
|
Power |
|
|
519 |
|
|
|
531 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total segment assets |
|
|
22,738 |
|
|
|
23,036 |
|
Corporate and Other |
|
|
1,928 |
|
|
|
1,543 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total consolidated assets |
|
$ |
24,666 |
|
|
$ |
24,579 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
12. Investments in, Earnings from and Transactions with Unconsolidated Affiliates
We hold investments in unconsolidated affiliates which are accounted for using the equity
method of accounting. The earnings from unconsolidated affiliates reflected in our income statement
include (i) our share of net earnings directly attributable to these unconsolidated affiliates, and
(ii) any impairments and other adjustments recorded by us. The information below related to our
unconsolidated affiliates includes (i) our net investment and earnings (losses) we recorded from
these investments, (ii) summarized financial information of our proportionate share of these
investments, and (iii) revenues and charges with our unconsolidated affiliates.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (Losses) from |
|
|
|
Investment |
|
|
Unconsolidated Affiliates |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
Quarter Ended March 31, |
|
Net Investment and Earnings (Losses) |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Four Star (1) |
|
$ |
692 |
|
|
$ |
698 |
|
|
$ |
10 |
|
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
Citrus |
|
|
548 |
|
|
|
576 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
Gulf LNG(2) |
|
|
295 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bolivia to Brazil Pipeline |
|
|
107 |
|
|
|
105 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Gasoductos de Chihuahua |
|
|
152 |
|
|
|
146 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Manaus/Rio Negro(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
Porto Velho(4) |
|
|
(61 |
) |
|
|
(60 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
Asian and Central American Investments(4) |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Argentina to Chile Pipeline |
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Other |
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
1,846 |
|
|
$ |
1,614 |
|
|
$ |
37 |
|
|
$ |
37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Amortization of our purchase cost in excess of the underlying net assets of
Four Star was $14 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. |
|
(2) |
|
In February 2008, we acquired a 50 percent interest in Gulf LNG. |
|
(3) |
|
We transferred ownership of these plants to the power purchaser in January
2008. Accordingly, we eliminated our equity investments in these entities and retained
current assets of $80 million and current liabilities of $24 million after the transfer. For
a further discussion, see Matters that Could Impact our Investments below. |
|
(4) |
|
As of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, we had outstanding advances and
receivables of $314 million and $350 million related to our foreign investments of which
$307 million and $335 million related to our investment in Porto Velho. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
Summarized Financial Information |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Operating results data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenues |
|
$ |
186 |
|
|
$ |
189 |
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
93 |
|
|
|
111 |
|
Income from continuing operations |
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
Net income(1) |
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes net income of less than $1 million and $5 million for each of the
quarters ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, related to our proportionate share of affiliates in
which we hold a greater than 50 percent interest. |
We received distributions and dividends from our unconsolidated affiliates of $60 million and
$74 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. Our revenues and charges with
unconsolidated affiliates were not material during the quarter ended March 31, 2008. For the
quarter ended March 31, 2007, we had $12 million in interest income primarily related to our note
receivable with Porto Velho.
21
Matters that Could Impact Our Investments
Porto Velho. We have an equity investment in and a note receivable from the Porto Velho
project in Brazil. The power generated by the Porto Velho project is committed to a state-owned
utility under power purchase agreements, the largest of which extends through 2023. In July 2007,
we received an offer from our partner to purchase our investment in the project. We continue to
have discussions with our partner about this offer, although any sale is contingent, in part, upon
the satisfactory resolution of certain claims with the state-owned utility, which are further
described below. The power markets in Brazil continue to evolve and mature, and during 2007, the
Brazilian national power grid operator communicated to Porto Velhos management that its power
plant (and the region that the plant serves) will be interconnected to an integrated power grid in
Brazil as soon as late 2008. When the interconnection is completed, the state-owned utility will
have access to sources of power at rates that may be less than the price under Porto Velhos
existing power purchase agreements. Furthermore, there are plans to construct new hydroelectric
plants in northern Brazil that could reportedly be completed as early as 2012 which, once connected
to the grid, could further reduce regional power prices and the amount of power Porto Velho will be
able to sell under its power purchase agreements.
In February 2008, we received a payment
from the project of approximately $29 million, and we
and our partner extended to July 2008 the date on which we will be required to convert into equity
approximately $80 million of the amounts due to us under the note receivable from Porto Velho. In
addition, we may be required to convert up to an additional $80 million of the note in July 2008,
depending on the level of equity that our partner contributes to the project, which would increase
our percentage ownership in Porto Velho. Our total investment in the Porto Velho project was
approximately $246 million as of March 31, 2008, comprised primarily of the note receivable from
the project.
In December 2006, the Brazilian tax authorities assessed a $30 million fine against the Porto
Velho power project for allegedly not filing the proper tax forms related to the delivery of fuel
to the power facility under its power purchase agreements. We believe the claim by the tax
authorities is without merit and a ruling by the first level courts in Brazil determined that the
fine could not be applied as the statute of limitations had expired. The tax authorities have
appealed this decision. In addition, the state-owned utility has made claims against the Porto
Velho project for the period of 2003 through 2007 totaling approximately $60 million related to
alleged excess fuel consumption. We believe that we have valid defenses to these fuel claims. The
state-owned utility has made additional net claims of $30 million for retroactive currency
indexation adjustments, which are partially offset by retroactive revenue surcharges for periods
when the plant uses oil for fuel. We are currently evaluating this claim and are in negotiations
with the utility to resolve these issues and the fuel consumption claims. Further adverse
developments in the Brazilian power markets or at the project could impact our ability to recover
our remaining investment in the future.
Manaus /Rio Negro. On January 15, 2008, we transferred our ownership in the Manaus and Rio
Negro facilities to the plants power purchaser as required by their power purchase agreements. As
of March 31, 2008, we have approximately $69 million of accounts receivable owed to us under the
projects terminated power purchase agreements, which are guaranteed by the purchasers parent. The
purchaser has withheld payment of these receivables in light of their
claims of approximately $64 million related to plant maintenance the purchaser claims should have been performed at the
plants prior to the transfer, inventory levels and other items. We have been in ongoing
discussions with the purchaser about their claims, and early in the second quarter of 2008 we began
discussions with the parent of the purchaser. Should these discussions fail and the purchaser not
agree to payment of our receivables, we will initiate legal action against the purchaser to collect
our receivables and defend against their claims, and ultimately we will seek legal action to
enforce the parental guarantee related to our receivables. We have reviewed our obligations under
the power purchase agreement in relation to the claims and have accrued an obligation for the
uncontested claims. We believe the remaining contested claims are without merit. The ultimate
resolution of each of these matters is unknown at this time. Adverse developments related to either
our ability to collect amounts due to us or related to the dispute could require us to record
additional losses in the future.
Asian and Central American power investments. As of March 31, 2008, our total investment
(including advances to the projects) and guarantees related to these projects was approximately $59
million. We are in the process of selling these assets. Any changes in political and economic
conditions could negatively impact the amount of net proceeds we expect to receive upon their sale,
which may result in additional impairments.
22
Investment in Bolivia. We own an 8 percent interest in the Bolivia to Brazil pipeline. As of
March 31, 2008, our total investment and guarantees related to this pipeline project was
approximately $119 million, of which the Bolivian portion was $3 million. In 2006, the Bolivian
government announced a decree significantly increasing its interest in and control over Bolivias
oil and gas assets. We continue to monitor and evaluate, together with our partners, the potential
commercial impact that these political events in Bolivia could have on our investment. As new
information becomes available or future material developments arise, we may be required to record
an impairment of our investment.
Investment
in Argentina. We own an approximate 22 percent interest in the Argentina to Chile pipeline.
As of March 31, 2008, our total investment in this pipeline project was approximately $22 million.
The
Argentinian government has issued decrees significantly increasing
export taxes on natural gas transported on the
Argentina-to-Chile pipeline. We continue to monitor and evaluate, together with our partners, the potential
impact that these events in Argentina could have on our investment. In the first quarter of
2008, we executed a letter of intent to sell our 22 percent interest to one of our partners, subject to the
execution of definitive agreements and completion of due diligence by the buyer.
23
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The information contained in Item 2 updates, and you should read it in conjunction with,
information disclosed in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the financial statements and
notes presented in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Overview
Financial and Operational Update. During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, our pipeline
operations continued to make progress on their almost $4 billion
backlog of committed expansion projects
which provide a strong base of earnings and cash flow. Our exploration and production business
experienced continued success based on favorable commodity pricing and average
daily production for the quarter was consistent with our full year 2008 targets. Compared with the same period in
2007, average daily production has increased eight percent, not including our equity investment in
Four Star.
Outlook. For 2008, we expect the current operating trends in our core pipeline and
exploration and production businesses to continue with a focus on continued growth of these
businesses. We anticipate that our pipeline operations will continue to provide strong operating
results based on significant planned growth capital expenditures including an almost $4 billion
committed project backlog, current levels of contracted capacity, and recent rate and regulatory
actions. In the pipeline industry, a favorable macroeconomic environment supports continued
industry growth and we believe our systems are situated in locations that will allow us to be a
major participant in this growth. We will continue to pursue expansion projects, including
proposed joint venture development projects that would use our incumbent pipeline infrastructure to
connect supply areas to areas of high demand in the west, northeast and southeast. Finally, we are
committed to growing our MLP through organic growth opportunities, potential acquisitions, or
through future asset contributions. Our MLP provides us financial flexibility, a competitive cost
of capital on expansion opportunities, and is a strategic growth vehicle for El Paso.
In our exploration and production business, we expect to continue with the momentum
established in 2007. We believe the combination of assets in our domestic regions provides
significant near-term cash flows while providing consistent opportunities for competitive
investment returns. In addition, our international activities in Brazil and Egypt provide
opportunity for additional future reserve additions and longer term cash flows. In 2008, while
our international capital is expected to increase approximately 50 percent over 2007, we expect our
domestic programs will constitute approximately 80 percent of our total planned capital and
substantially all of our expected production.
As previously announced, we received net proceeds of approximately $600 million on the sale of
certain non-core properties in our Onshore Central, Onshore Western, Texas Gulf Coast and Gulf of
Mexico regions as part of our portfolio high-grading efforts. We expect to close on the sale of
the remaining non-core properties during the second quarter of 2008 for additional net proceeds of
approximately $50 million. The sale of these properties, together with the Peoples Energy
Production Company (Peoples) acquisition in 2007, increases the onshore U.S. weighting of our
inventory of future capital projects and is expected to reduce our per-unit lease operating costs
as well as increase our future production growth rate.
For a more detailed discussion of our operations, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
For a more detailed discussion of liquidity and capital resources related matters, see below.
24
Segment Results
We have two core operating business segments, Pipelines and Exploration and Production. We
also have a Marketing segment that markets our natural gas and oil production and manages our
legacy trading activities and a Power segment that has interests in several international power
plants. Our segments are managed separately, provide a variety of energy products and services, and
require different technology and marketing strategies. Our corporate activities include our general
and administrative functions, as well as other miscellaneous businesses, contracts and assets all
of which are immaterial.
Our management uses earnings before interest expense and income taxes (EBIT) as a measure to
assess the operating results and effectiveness of our business segments, which consist of both
consolidated businesses and investments in unconsolidated affiliates. We believe EBIT is useful to
investors because it allows them to evaluate more effectively our operating performance using the
same performance measure analyzed internally by our management. We define EBIT as net income (loss)
adjusted for (i) items that do not impact our income or loss from continuing operations, such as
discontinued operations, (ii) income taxes and (iii) interest and debt expense. We exclude interest
and debt expense from this measure so that investors may evaluate our operating results without
regard to our financing methods or capital structure. EBIT may not be comparable to measurements
used by other companies. Additionally, EBIT should be considered in conjunction with net income and
other performance measures such as operating income and operating cash flows.
Below is a reconciliation of our EBIT (by segment) to our consolidated net income for the
quarters ended March 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pipelines |
|
$ |
381 |
|
|
$ |
364 |
|
Exploration and Production |
|
|
242 |
|
|
|
179 |
|
Marketing |
|
|
(60 |
) |
|
|
(135 |
) |
Power |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment EBIT |
|
|
561 |
|
|
|
426 |
|
Corporate and other |
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
(210 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated EBIT |
|
|
600 |
|
|
|
216 |
|
Interest and debt expense |
|
|
(233 |
) |
|
|
(283 |
) |
Income taxes |
|
|
(148 |
) |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
|
|
219 |
|
|
|
(48 |
) |
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
677 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
219 |
|
|
$ |
629 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25
Pipelines Segment
Operating Results. Below are the operating results for our Pipelines segment as well as a
discussion of factors impacting EBIT for the quarters ending March 31, 2008 and 2007, or that could
potentially impact EBIT in future periods.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In millions, except volume |
|
|
|
amounts) |
|
Operating revenues |
|
$ |
720 |
|
|
$ |
644 |
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
(363 |
) |
|
|
(320 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
357 |
|
|
|
324 |
|
Other income |
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBIT before minority interest |
|
|
390 |
|
|
|
364 |
|
Minority interest |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBIT |
|
$ |
381 |
|
|
$ |
364 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Throughput volumes (BBtu/d)(1) |
|
|
19,321 |
|
|
|
18,040 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Throughput volumes include volumes associated with our proportionate share of
unconsolidated affiliates. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter
Ended March 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
Variance |
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
Expense |
|
|
Other |
|
|
EBIT |
|
|
|
Impact |
|
|
Impact |
|
|
Impact |
|
|
Impact |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Favorable/(Unfavorable) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
Expansions |
|
$ |
24 |
|
|
$ |
(5 |
) |
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
|
$ |
18 |
|
Reservation and usage revenues |
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
Gas not used in operations and revaluations |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 |
|
Calpine bankruptcy settlement |
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29 |
|
Operating and general and administrative expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
Gain/loss on long-lived assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(23 |
) |
Equity earnings from Citrus |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
Minority interest |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
Other(1) |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total impact on EBIT |
|
$ |
76 |
|
|
$ |
(43 |
) |
|
$ |
(16 |
) |
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Consists of individually insignificant items on several of our pipeline
systems. |
Expansions. In 2008, we benefited from increased reservation revenues and throughput volumes
due to projects placed in-service including the WIC Kanda lateral project in January 2008, and
various projects placed in-service throughout 2007 including Phase I of the Cypress project, the
Louisiana Deepwater Link project, the Triple-T extension project and the Northeast ConneXion-New
England project. We received FERC approval for the High Plains Pipeline project in March 2008 and
the Totem Gas Storage in April 2008.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, we continued to make progress on our almost $4
billion of committed backlog projects. Through March 31, 2008, we have spent approximately $0.4
billion on expansion projects and currently anticipate spending $0.5 billion for the remainder of
2008.
Other
Large Development Projects. Our Ruby Pipeline project, which is
not included in our backlog of committed growth projects, is
currently in the process of obtaining necessary customer commitments.
The project is estimated to cost over $2 billion with an estimated in-service date in 2011.
26
Reservation and Usage Revenues. During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, our EBIT was
favorably impacted by an increase in overall reservation and usage revenues. During 2008, we
benefited from additional capacity sold in the northern and southern regions of our TGP system,
additional interruptible and firm commodity services provided in several of our pipeline systems,
and increased demand for the off-system capacity on our CIG system. Partially offsetting these
favorable impacts was lower reservation revenues on our Mojave system due to a decrease in tariff
rates under its 2007 rate case settlement and the expiration of certain firm contracts.
Gas Not Used in Operations and Revaluations. In February 2008, the FERC approved certain
tariff changes to modify CIGs fuel recovery mechanism resulting in a favorable fuel cost and
revenue tracker adjustment. The FERCs approval of this
fuel and related gas cost recovery mechanism is expected to reduce future
earnings volatility resulting from these items. The FERC order, which became effective March 1, 2008, includes a true-up mechanism to
recover all cost impacts, or flow through to shippers any revenue impacts, of all fuel imbalance
revaluations and related gas balance items.
Effective
April 1, 2008, WIC implemented a FERC-approved fuel and related gas
cost recovery mechanism that is expected to reduce future earnings
volatility resulting from these items.
Calpine Bankruptcy Settlement. During the first quarter of 2008, we received a partial
distribution under Calpines approved plan of reorganization and
recorded revenue of $29 million.
Operating, General and Administrative Expenses. For the quarter ended March 31, 2008, our
operating and general and administrative expenses were higher than in 2007 primarily due to (i)
increased insurance costs for wind damage on our pipeline assets located primarily in the Gulf of
Mexico region; (ii) higher repair and maintenance costs related to our pipeline integrity program
and (iii) increased direct payroll related benefits for our employees.
Gain/Loss
on Long-Lived Assets. For the quarter ended March 31, 2008,
we recorded impairments of $16 million primarily related to our
decision not to proceed with the Essex-Middlesex project due to its
prolonged permitting process and changing market conditions. In 2007, we recorded a $7 million pretax gain on the sale of a pipeline
lateral.
Equity Earnings from Citrus. During the first quarter of 2008, equity earnings on our Citrus
investment decreased as compared to the same period in 2007 primarily due to a favorable settlement in 2007
of approximately $8 million for litigation brought against Spectra LNG Sales (formerly Duke Energy
LNG Sales, Inc.) for the wrongful termination of a gas supply contract.
Minority Interest. During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, we recorded approximately $9
million of minority interest expense related to our MLP formed in November 2007.
Other Regulatory Matters. In addition to the matters discussed above, our pipeline systems
periodically file for changes in their rates, which are subject to the approval of the FERC.
Changes in rates and other tariff provisions resulting from these regulatory proceedings have the
potential to positively or negatively impact our profitability. Currently, while certain of our
pipelines are expected to continue operating under their existing rates, other pipelines have
projected upcoming rate actions with anticipated effective dates in 2009 through 2011.
27
Exploration and Production Segment
Overview and Strategy
Our Exploration and Production segment conducts our natural gas and oil exploration and
production activities. The profitability and performance in this segment are driven by the ability
to locate and develop economic natural gas and oil reserves and extract those reserves at the
lowest possible production and administrative costs. Accordingly, we manage this business with the
goal of creating value through disciplined capital allocation, cost control and portfolio
management. Our strategy focuses on building and applying competencies in assets with repeatable
programs and where we have significant project inventory, sharpening our execution skills to
improve capital and expense efficiency and maximizing returns, and adding assets with inventory
that match our competencies and divesting assets that do not.
Our domestic natural gas and oil reserve portfolio blends lower decline rate, typically longer
lived assets in our Onshore regions, with steeper decline rate, shorter lived assets in our Texas
Gulf Coast and Gulf of Mexico and south Louisiana regions. At the beginning of 2008, our Onshore
region was split into two operating areas, Onshore Central and Onshore Western. Onshore Central
includes Arklatex, Black Warrior and Mid-Continent areas, and Onshore Western includes the Rockies
and Raton Basin areas. We believe the combination of our assets in these domestic regions provides
significant near-term cash flows while providing consistent opportunities for competitive
investment returns. Our international activities in Brazil and Egypt provide opportunity for
additional future reserve additions and longer term cash flows.
As previously announced, we entered into agreements to sell certain non-core properties in our
Onshore Central, Onshore Western, Texas Gulf Coast and Gulf of Mexico regions for $755 million as
part of our high-grading efforts. These properties had estimated proved reserves of approximately
309 Bcfe and estimated asset retirement obligations of $109 million at December 31, 2007. After
normal post closing adjustments, we expect to receive total cash proceeds of approximately $650
million. During the first quarter of 2008, we closed on the sale of the majority of these
properties for net cash proceeds of approximately $600 million. The remaining sales are expected
to close during second quarter of 2008. The sale of these properties, together with our
acquisition of Peoples Energy Company (Peoples) in 2007, increases the onshore U.S. weighting of
our inventory of future capital projects and is expected to reduce our per-unit costs as well as
increase our future production growth rate. The cash proceeds from the sale of these properties
were used to repay debt incurred for the acquisition of Peoples.
Significant Operational Factors Affecting the Quarter Ended March 31, 2008
Production. Our average daily production volume for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was
811 MMcfe/d (which does not include 75 MMcfe/d from our share of production volume from our equity
investment in Four Star). Average daily production for the three months ended March 31, 2008
associated with divested properties was 88 MMcfe/d. Below is an analysis of our production volumes
by region for the quarters ended March 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
|
(MMcfe/d) |
United States |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Onshore Central |
|
|
241 |
|
|
|
213 |
|
Onshore Western |
|
|
149 |
|
|
|
150 |
|
Texas Gulf Coast |
|
|
236 |
|
|
|
189 |
|
Gulf of Mexico and south Louisiana |
|
|
173 |
|
|
|
182 |
|
International |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brazil |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Consolidated |
|
|
811 |
|
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Four Star |
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28
In the first quarter of 2008, we increased production volumes in our Onshore Central and Texas
Gulf Coast operating regions. Our Onshore Central region production volumes increased due to our
Peoples acquisition and a successful Arklatex drilling program. Our Texas Gulf Coast region
production volumes increased due to the Peoples and Zapata County, Texas property acquisitions in
2007. Our Gulf of Mexico and south Louisiana region production volumes decreased due to natural
production declines and asset sales partially offset by our successful drilling program at High
Island and West Cameron areas. In Brazil, production volumes decreased primarily due to natural
production declines.
2008 Drilling Results
Onshore Central. We realized a 100 percent success rate on 66 gross wells drilled.
Onshore Western. We realized a 100 percent success rate on two gross wells drilled.
Texas
Gulf Coast. We experienced an 87 percent success rate on 23 gross wells drilled.
Gulf of Mexico and south Louisiana. We experienced a 50 percent success rate on 2 gross wells
drilled.
Brazil. We currently own 100 percent of the BM-CAL-4 concession in the Camamu Basin. In 2007,
we completed drilling two successful exploratory wells south of the Pinauna Field in this
concession that extends the southern limits of the Pinauna project.
We are currently evaluating development options, project risks and
associated economics for the Pinauna project. These options include
the sale of up to a 50 percent working interest to a third party.
Regulatory and environmental approvals are required before we can
enter the next major phase of development. In 2007, we also completed drilling and testing two exploratory wells with Petrobras
in the ES-5 Block in the Espirito Basin. These wells confirmed the extension of an earlier
discovery by Petrobras on a block to the south. We are currently in negotiations with Petrobras on
a unitization agreement for the development of this discovery.
Egypt. We are in the process of acquiring seismic data on our operated South Mariut Block.
The block is approximately 1.2 million acres and is located onshore in the western part of the Nile
Delta. We expect to commence drilling operations in the fourth quarter of 2008. During the first
quarter of 2008, we began drilling in the South Feiran block, which is our non-operated concession
in the Gulf of Suez. Drilling is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2008.
Cash Operating Costs. We monitor cash operating costs required to produce our natural gas and
oil volumes. These costs are calculated on a per Mcfe basis and include total operating expenses
less depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, other non-cash expense items and the cost of
products and services on our income statement. During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, cash
operating costs per unit decreased to $1.92/Mcfe as compared to $1.99/Mcfe during the same period
in 2007. Our cash operating costs decreased primarily due to lower lease operating costs as a
result of lower workover activity in the Gulf of Mexico and south Louisiana region partially offset
by higher production taxes which increased due to higher natural gas and oil revenues.
Capital Expenditures. Our total natural gas and oil capital expenditures were $302 million
for the three months ended March 31, 2008, of which $280 million were domestic capital
expenditures.
29
Outlook
For the full year 2008, we anticipate the following on a worldwide basis:
|
|
|
Average daily production volumes for the year of approximately 795 MMcfe/d to 850
MMcfe/d, which excludes approximately 65 MMcfe/d to 70 MMcfe/d from our equity investment in
Four Star. |
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions, of approximately $1.7 billion. While
approximately 80% of the Companys planned 2008 capital program is allocated to its domestic
program, we plan to spend approximately $350 million in international capital in 2008,
primarily in our Brazil exploration and development program. As part of our domestic capital
program, we will allocate a greater percentage of our capital to our Onshore Central,
Onshore Western and Texas Gulf Coast regions, as compared to our 2007 capital program, in
light of our first quarter 2008 asset divestitures. |
|
|
|
|
Average cash operating costs which include production costs, general and administrative
expenses and other expenses of approximately $1.75/Mcfe to $1.90/Mcfe for the year. Average
cash operating costs could change primarily as a result of severance taxes which are
sensitive to commodity prices; and |
|
|
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization rate of between $2.80/Mcfe and $3.20/Mcfe. |
Price Risk Management Activities
As part of our strategy, we enter into derivative contracts on our natural gas and oil
production to stabilize cash flows, to reduce the risk and financial impact of downward commodity
price movements on commodity sales and to protect the economic assumptions associated with our
capital investment programs. Because this strategy only partially reduces our exposure to downward
movements in commodity prices, our reported results of operations, financial position and cash
flows can be impacted significantly by movements in commodity prices from period to period.
Adjustments to our hedging strategy and the decision to enter into new positions or to alter
existing positions are made based on the goals of the overall company.
During the first quarter of 2008, we entered into floor and ceiling option contracts on
approximately 47 TBtu of anticipated 2008 natural gas production and 48 TBtu of anticipated 2009
natural gas production. We also entered into 7 TBtu of fixed price swaps on anticipated 2008
natural gas production and 292 MBbls of fixed price swaps on our anticipated 2008 oil production.
The following tables reflect the contracted volumes and the minimum, maximum and average
prices we will receive under our derivative contracts as of March 31, 2008. The tables below do
not include contracts entered into by our Marketing segment. For the consolidated impact of the
entirety of El Pasos production-related price risk management activities, see Liquidity and
Capital Resources.
Derivatives designated as accounting hedges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed Price |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Swaps(1) |
|
Floors(1) |
|
Ceilings(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
Volumes |
|
Price |
|
Volumes |
|
Price |
|
Volumes |
|
Price |
Natural Gas |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
19 |
|
|
$ |
7.48 |
|
|
|
98 |
|
|
$ |
8.00 |
|
|
|
98 |
|
|
$ |
10.82 |
|
2009 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
3.56 |
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
$ |
8.35 |
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
$ |
11.01 |
|
2010 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
3.70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011-2012 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
$ |
3.88 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
1,880 |
|
|
$ |
88.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Volumes presented are TBtu for natural gas and MBbl for oil. Prices presented
are per MMBtu of natural gas and per Bbl of oil. |
30
Derivatives not designated as accounting hedges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed Price |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Swaps(1 |
|
Floors(1) |
|
Ceilings(1) |
|
Basis Swaps(1)(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
Texas Gulf Coast |
|
Onshore-Raton |
|
Rockies |
|
|
Volumes |
|
Price |
|
Volumes |
|
Price |
|
Volumes |
|
Price |
|
Volumes |
|
Avg. Price |
|
Volumes |
|
Avg. Price |
|
Volumes |
|
Avg. Price |
Natural Gas |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
$ |
8.24 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
$ |
8.00 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
$ |
10.48 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
$ |
(0.33 |
) |
|
|
19 |
|
|
$ |
(1.13 |
) |
|
|
10 |
|
|
$ |
(1.37 |
) |
2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
$ |
(1.00 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Volumes presented are TBtu for natural gas and MBbl for oil. Prices presented
are per MMBtu of natural gas and per Bbl of oil. |
|
(2) |
|
Our basis swaps effectively limit our exposure to differences between the NYMEX
gas price and the price at the location where we sell our gas. The average prices listed above
are the amounts we will pay per MMBtu relative to the NYMEX price to lock-in these
locational price differences. |
Gains and losses associated with derivative contracts designated as hedges are deferred in
accumulated other comprehensive income and are recognized in earnings upon the sale of the related
production at market prices, resulting in a realized price that is approximately equal to the
hedged price. Gains and losses associated with derivative contracts not designated as hedges are
recognized in earnings each period.
In
April and May 2008, we entered into option contracts on 24 TBtu of our anticipated 2009 natural gas
production with a floor price of $9.00 per MMBtu and an average ceiling price of $18.22 per MMBtu.
We also entered into fixed price swaps on 3,431 MBbls of our anticipated 2009 oil production at an
average price of $109.93 per barrel. All of these contracts were designated as accounting hedges,
except for 1,497 MBbls of the 2009 fixed price oil swaps.
31
Operating Results and Variance Analysis
The tables below and the discussion that follows provide our financial results and analysis of
significant variances in these results during the quarters ended March 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Operating Revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas |
|
$ |
468 |
|
|
$ |
408 |
|
Oil, condensate and NGL |
|
|
159 |
|
|
|
88 |
|
Changes in fair value of derivative contracts not designated as accounting hedges |
|
|
(35 |
) |
|
|
3 |
|
Other |
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating revenues |
|
|
603 |
|
|
|
505 |
|
Operating Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
|
|
(212 |
) |
|
|
(170 |
) |
Production costs |
|
|
(91 |
) |
|
|
(86 |
) |
Cost of products and services |
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
(24 |
) |
General and administrative expenses |
|
|
(47 |
) |
|
|
(46 |
) |
Other |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
(377 |
) |
|
|
(328 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
226 |
|
|
|
177 |
|
Other income(1) |
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBIT |
|
$ |
242 |
|
|
$ |
179 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes equity earnings from our investment in Four Star. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
Variance |
|
Consolidated volumes, prices and costs per unit: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Volumes (MMcf) |
|
|
61,810 |
|
|
|
56,713 |
|
|
|
9 |
% |
Average realized prices including hedges ($/Mcf) |
|
$ |
7.57 |
|
|
$ |
7.19 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
Average realized prices excluding hedges ($/Mcf) |
|
$ |
7.72 |
|
|
$ |
6.46 |
|
|
|
20 |
% |
Average transportation costs ($/Mcf) |
|
$ |
0.28 |
|
|
$ |
0.31 |
|
|
|
(10 |
)% |
Oil, condensate and NGL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Volumes (MBbls) |
|
|
1,992 |
|
|
|
1,788 |
|
|
|
11 |
% |
Average realized prices including hedges ($/Bbl) |
|
$ |
79.74 |
|
|
$ |
49.32 |
|
|
|
62 |
% |
Average realized prices excluding hedges ($/Bbl) |
|
$ |
83.06 |
|
|
$ |
50.07 |
|
|
|
66 |
% |
Average transportation costs ($/Bbl) |
|
$ |
0.71 |
|
|
$ |
0.76 |
|
|
|
(7 |
)% |
Total equivalent volumes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MMcfe |
|
|
73,762 |
|
|
|
67,442 |
|
|
|
9 |
% |
MMcfe/d |
|
|
811 |
|
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
8 |
% |
Production costs and other cash operating costs ($/Mcfe) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average lease operating costs |
|
$ |
0.82 |
|
|
$ |
0.95 |
|
|
|
(14 |
)% |
Average production taxes(1) |
|
|
0.42 |
|
|
|
0.32 |
|
|
|
31 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total production costs |
|
|
1.24 |
|
|
|
1.27 |
|
|
|
(2 |
)% |
Average general and administrative expenses |
|
|
0.64 |
|
|
|
0.69 |
|
|
|
(7 |
)% |
Average taxes, other than production and income taxes |
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
33 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cash operating costs |
|
$ |
1.92 |
|
|
$ |
1.99 |
|
|
|
(4 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization ($/Mcfe) |
|
$ |
2.87 |
|
|
$ |
2.52 |
|
|
|
14 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unconsolidated affiliate volumes (Four Star) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas (MMcf) |
|
|
5,121 |
|
|
|
4,941 |
|
|
|
4 |
% |
Oil, condensate and NGL (MBbls) |
|
|
285 |
|
|
|
233 |
|
|
|
22 |
% |
Total equivalent volumes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MMcfe |
|
|
6,832 |
|
|
|
6,338 |
|
|
|
8 |
% |
MMcfe/d |
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
7 |
% |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Production taxes include ad valorem and severance taxes. |
32
Quarter Ended March 31, 2008 Compared to Quarter Ended March 31, 2007
Our EBIT for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 increased $63 million as compared to the same
period in 2007. The table below lists the significant variances in our operating results for the
quarter ended March 31, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Variances |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating |
|
|
Operating |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
Expense |
|
|
Other |
|
|
EBIT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Favorable/(Unfavorable) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
Natural Gas Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Higher realized prices in 2008 |
|
$ |
77 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
77 |
|
Impact of hedges |
|
|
(50 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(50 |
) |
Higher volumes in 2008 |
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33 |
|
Oil, Condensate and NGL Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Higher realized prices in 2008 |
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
66 |
|
Impact of hedges |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
Higher volumes in 2008 |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
Other Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in
fair value of derivatives not designated as accounting hedges |
|
|
(38 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(38 |
) |
Other |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Higher depletion rate in 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
Higher production volumes in 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
Production Costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lower lease operating costs in 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
Higher production taxes in 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings from investment in Four Star |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Variances |
|
$ |
98 |
|
|
$ |
(49 |
) |
|
$ |
14 |
|
|
$ |
63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas, oil, condensate and NGL revenues. During the first quarter of 2008, revenues
increased compared with the same period in 2007 due to higher production volumes and higher
commodity prices, including the effects of our hedging program. Losses on hedging settlements were
$15 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2008, as compared to gains of $40 million in the
same period in 2007. During the first quarter of 2008, we also benefited from an increase in
production volumes in our Onshore Central and Texas Gulf Coast regions compared to the same period
in 2007.
Other revenue. During the first quarter of 2008, we recognized mark-to-market losses of
$35 million compared to gains of $3 million during the same period in 2007 related to the
changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedges. In the first quarter of 2008, we
paid $4 million on contracts that settled during the period, compared to payments of $7 million on
contracts that settled during the first quarter of 2007.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense. During the first quarter of 2008, our
depletion rate increased as compared to the same periods in 2007 as a result of the Peoples and
Zapata County, Texas acquisitions in 2007 and higher finding and development costs.
Production costs. Our production taxes increased during the first quarter of 2008 as compared
to the same period in 2007 primarily due to higher natural gas and oil revenues. The increase in
production taxes was partially offset by a reduction in lease operating costs primarily as a result
of lower workover activity in the Gulf of Mexico and south Louisiana region.
Other. Our equity earnings from Four Star increased by $11 million as compared to the quarter
ended March 31, 2007 primarily due to higher natural gas prices and higher production volumes. The
production volume increase primarily relates to the increase in our equity ownership from 43
percent to 49 percent.
33
Marketing Segment
Overview. Our Marketing segments primary focus is marketing our Exploration and Production
segments natural gas and oil production and managing the Companys overall price risks, primarily
through the use of natural gas and oil derivative contracts. In addition, we continue to manage and
liquidate remaining legacy contracts which impact our operating results and the fair value of our
portfolio. Prior to 2008, we entered into various agreements to reduce our exposure to these legacy
contracts. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2008, we economically hedged the capacity risk
associated with our Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland (PJM) power portfolio. To the extent it is
economical to do so, we may enter into additional agreements to reduce our exposure or liquidate
our remaining legacy contracts before their expiration, which could affect our operating results in
future periods. For a further discussion of our contracts in this segment, see our 2007 Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
Our remaining exposure relates to changes in natural gas and oil prices, locational
differences in commodity prices in the PJM power market, and changes in interest rates used to
determine the fair value of our derivative contracts. As of March 31, 2008, we estimate that a 10
percent change in natural gas and oil prices would change the fair value of our derivatives by
approximately $33 million while a 1 percent change in interest rates would change the fair market
value of our derivatives by approximately $24 million.
Operating Results. During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, we generated an EBIT loss of $60
million primarily driven by changes in the fair value of our PJM power contracts and
production-related natural gas and oil derivative contracts due primarily to increases in commodity
prices and a decline in the interest rates used to determine the fair value of these contracts.
Below is further information about our overall operating results during each of the quarters ended
March 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Revenue by Significant Contract Type: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production-Related Natural Gas and Oil Derivative Contracts: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in fair value of options and swaps |
|
$ |
(21 |
) |
|
$ |
(87 |
) |
Contracts Related to Legacy Trading Operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas transportation-related contracts: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Demand charges |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(27 |
) |
Settlements, net of termination payments |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
Changes in fair value of other natural gas derivative contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(24 |
) |
Changes in fair value of power contracts |
|
|
(41 |
) |
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues |
|
|
(57 |
) |
|
|
(135 |
) |
Operating expenses |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating loss |
|
|
(60 |
) |
|
|
(136 |
) |
Other income, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBIT |
|
$ |
(60 |
) |
|
$ |
(135 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production-related Natural Gas and Oil Derivative Contracts
Our production-related natural gas and oil derivative contracts are designed to provide
protection to El Paso against changes in natural gas and oil prices. These are in addition to those
derivative contracts entered into by our Exploration and Production segment which are further
described in the discussion of that segment above. For the consolidated impact of all of El Pasos
production-related price risk management activities, refer to our Liquidity and Capital Resources
discussion. The fair value of our derivative contracts is impacted by changes in commodity prices
from period-to-period and is marked-to-market in our results.
34
Listed below are the volumes and average prices associated with our production-related
derivative contracts as of March 31, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Floors(1) |
|
|
Ceilings(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
Volumes |
|
|
Price |
|
|
Volumes |
|
|
Price |
|
Natural Gas 2009(2) |
|
|
17 |
|
|
$ |
6.00 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
$ |
8.75 |
|
|
Oil 2008 |
|
|
688 |
|
|
$ |
55.00 |
|
|
|
688 |
|
|
$ |
56.73 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Volumes presented are TBtu for natural gas and MBbl for oil. Prices
presented are per MMBtu of natural gas and per Bbl of oil. |
|
(2) |
|
In April 2008, we sold the $6.00 per MMBtu floor contracts for approximately
$2 million. |
We experience volatility in our financial results based on changes in the fair value of our
option contracts which generally move in the opposite direction from changes in forward commodity
prices. During the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, increases in commodity prices reduced
the fair value of our option contracts resulting in losses. During the quarter ended March 31,
2008, we paid approximately $10 million on contracts settled during that period, while during the
quarter ended March 31, 2007 we received approximately $17 million.
Contracts Related to Legacy Trading Operations
Natural gas transportation-related contracts. As of March 31, 2008, our transportation
contracts provide us with approximately 0.6 Bcf/d of pipeline capacity. In 2008, we anticipate
demand charges related to this capacity of approximately $41 million which we expect to steadily
decline to an average of $24 million annually from 2009 through 2012. The profitability of these
contracts is dependent upon the recovery of demand charges as well as our ability to use or
remarket the contracted pipeline capacity, which is impacted by a number of factors including
differences in natural gas prices at contractual receipt and delivery locations, the working
capital needed to use this capacity, and the capacity required to meet our long-term obligations.
In November 2007, we transferred our Alliance transportation contract to a third party which
significantly reduced our demand charges. Our transportation contracts are accounted for on an
accrual basis and impact our revenues as delivery or service under the contracts occurs.
Other natural gas derivative contracts. In addition to our natural gas transportation
contracts, we have other contracts with third parties that require us to purchase or deliver
natural gas primarily at market prices. While we have substantially offset all of the fixed price
exposure in these contracts, they are still subject to changes in fair value due to changes in the
interest rates used to value these contracts. During the quarter ended March 31, 2007, we assigned
a weather call derivative which required us to supply gas in the northeast region if temperatures
fell to specific levels resulting in a loss of $13 million.
Power contracts. Our power portfolio consists of contracts that require us to supply both
energy and capacity in the PJM region, as well as swap locational differences in prices between
specific locations in the PJM eastern region with the PJM west hub. Our 2008 losses were primarily
a result of adjustments to the fair value of our PJM contracts due to locational differences in
daily energy prices and changes in interest rates. Additionally, we executed a capacity purchase
agreement with a counterparty for 195 MW of capacity per day at a fixed price of $195 per MW-day
from June 2011 through April 2016. We entered into this capacity purchase agreement such that,
when combined with capacity prices established in auctions held by the PJM Independent System
Operator for periods prior to June 2011, we have economically hedged our exposure to supplying
capacity in the PJM region for the remainder of the contract term. Prior to 2008, we had
economically hedged the fixed commodity price exposure of supplying power under these contracts.
Our remaining exposure to these contracts relates primarily to locational differences in daily
energy prices and changes in interest rates used to determine the fair value of these contracts.
35
Power Segment
Our Power segment consists of assets in Brazil, Asia and Central America. We continue to
pursue the sale of these power investments. During the first quarter of 2008, our power purchase
agreements for the Manaus and Rio Negro power plants expired and we transferred the ownership of
these plants to the plants power purchaser. As of March 31, 2008, our net remaining investment,
guarantees and letters of credit related to power projects in this segment totaled approximately
$503 million which consisted of approximately $473 million in equity investments and notes and
accounts receivable and approximately $30 million in financial guarantees and letters of credit, as
follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
Area |
|
|
|
|
Brazil |
|
|
|
|
Porto Velho |
|
$ |
246 |
|
Manaus & Rio Negro |
|
|
57 |
|
Pipeline projects |
|
|
141 |
|
Asia and Central America |
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total investment, guarantees and letters of credit |
|
$ |
503 |
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Results. For the quarter ended March 31, 2008, our Power segment generated an EBIT
loss of $2 million. In the first quarter of 2007, we had EBIT of $18 million generated primarily
from interest on a note receivable with our Porto Velho project in Brazil. For a discussion of
developments and other matters that could impact our Brazilian investments, see Item 1, Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 12.
During the first quarters of 2007 and 2008, we did not recognize earnings from our Asian and
Central American investments and in 2008 we did not recognize earnings from our Porto Velho project
based on our inability to realize those earnings. We continue to pursue the sale of our remaining
investments in this segment. Until the sale of these international investments is completed, any
changes in regional political and economic conditions could negatively impact the anticipated
proceeds we may receive, which could result in impairments of our investments.
Corporate and Other Expenses, Net
Our corporate activities include our general and administrative functions as well as a number
of miscellaneous businesses, which do not qualify as operating segments and are not material to our
current period results. The following is a summary of significant items impacting EBIT in our
corporate activities for the quarters ended March 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(201 |
) |
Change in litigation, insurance and other reserves |
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
Foreign currency fluctuations on Euro-denominated debt |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
Gain on disposition of a portion of our telecommunications business |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total EBIT |
|
$ |
39 |
|
|
$ |
(210 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extinguishment of Debt. During the first quarter of 2007, we incurred losses of $201 million
in conjunction with repurchasing $3.5 billion of debt. For further information on our debt, see
Item 1, Financial Statements, Note 7.
Litigation, Insurance, and Other Reserves. We have a number of pending litigation matters and
reserves related to our historical business operations. Adverse rulings or unfavorable outcomes or
settlements against us related to these matters have impacted and may further impact our future
results.
In March 2008, we received a summary judgment from a trial court on our Case Corporation
indemnification dispute. As a result of the judgment, we adjusted our existing indemnification
accrual using current actuarial assumptions, and reclassified amounts accrued as a postretirement
benefit obligation. This resulted in a $65 million reduction in operation and maintenance expense.
See Item I, Financial Statements, Notes 8 and 9 for a further discussion of the Case matter.
36
During the first quarter of 2008, we recorded additional mark-to-market losses of
approximately $43 million on an indemnification associated with the sale of a legacy ammonia
facility. These losses were based on significant increases in ammonia prices during the first
quarter of 2008. Changes in ammonia prices may continue to impact this contract, which could
result in additional future losses.
Interest and Debt Expense
Our interest and debt expense was $233 million and $283 million during the quarters ended
March 31, 2008 and 2007. This decrease was primarily due to lower average debt balances in 2008
when compared to 2007.
Income Taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In millions, except for |
|
|
|
rates) |
|
Income taxes |
|
$ |
148 |
|
|
$ |
(19 |
) |
Effective tax rate |
|
|
40 |
% |
|
|
28 |
% |
For a discussion of our effective tax rates and other matters impacting our income taxes, see
Item 1, Financial Statements, Note 3.
Discontinued Operations
Income from our discontinued operations was $677 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007.
In February 2007, we sold ANR and related operations and recognized a gain in the first quarter of
2007 of $651 million, net of taxes of $356 million.
Commitments and Contingencies
For a further discussion of our commitments and contingencies, see Item I, Financial
Statements, Note 8 which is incorporated herein by reference.
37
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview. Our balance sheet enhancing activities over the past several years have given us
financial flexibility and a manageable current debt maturity profile. We are now positioned to
capitalize on our extensive backlog of committed pipeline projects as well as production-related
growth projects while meeting our ongoing obligations. In regards to our credit metrics, our
pipeline debt is currently rated investment grade and we continue to make progress on our corporate
credit metrics. Future improvement in our credit metrics will be driven by the placement of
pipeline projects in service, the ability to finance growth projects at competitive and attractive
rates, and the ability to utilize our master limited partnership as a low-cost financing option.
Sources and Uses of Cash. Our primary sources of cash are cash flow from operations and
amounts available to us under revolving credit facilities. On occasion and as conditions warrant,
we also generate funds through various financings and proceeds from asset sales. Our primary uses
of cash are funding the capital expenditure programs of our pipeline and exploration and production
operations, meeting operating needs, and repaying debt when due or repurchasing certain debt
obligations when conditions warrant.
2008 Cash Flow Activities. During the first quarter of 2008, we generated operating cash flow
of approximately $0.6 billion, primarily as a result of cash provided by our pipeline and
exploration and production operations. In addition, we generated $0.6 billion in proceeds from the
sale of certain oil and gas properties. We utilized these amounts to fund maintenance and growth
projects in our pipeline and exploration and production operations, which included the acquisition
of a 50 percent interest in the Gulf LNG Clean Energy project, and to pay down amounts borrowed
under our revolving credit facilities. For the quarter ended March 31, 2008, our cash flows from
continuing operations are summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
(In billions) |
|
Cash Flow from Operations |
|
|
|
|
Continuing operating activities |
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations |
|
$ |
0.2 |
|
Other income adjustments |
|
|
0.5 |
|
Change in other assets and liabilities |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Total cash flow from operations |
|
$ |
0.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other Cash Inflows |
|
|
|
|
Continuing investing activities |
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds from the sale of assets and investments |
|
$ |
0.6 |
|
Continuing financing activities |
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt(1) |
|
|
1.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total other cash inflows |
|
$ |
1.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Outflows |
|
|
|
|
Continuing investing activities |
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures |
|
$ |
0.5 |
|
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash required |
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing financing activities |
|
|
|
|
Payments to retire long-term debt and other financing obligations(1) |
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total cash outflows |
|
$ |
2.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in cash |
|
$ |
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Relates primarily to the net activity under our revolving credit facilities. |
38
Liquidity/Cash Flow Outlook. For the remainder of 2008, we expect to continue to generate
positive operating cash flows from our core pipeline and production businesses. We also anticipate
generating approximately $0.3 billion upon the completion of the remaining exploration and
production asset divestitures and the sale of our remaining international power assets. We
currently expect to use these cash sources, and additional financings, where necessary, to satisfy
working capital requirements, fund our expected capital expenditures, repay debt maturities and
complete planned debt repurchases. We have approximately $0.4 billion of debt that matures through
March 31, 2009 and intend on repurchasing approximately $0.2 billion of SNG debt and approximately
$0.1 billion of CIG debt in 2008 as previously announced.
Our capital expenditures (including acquisitions) for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, and
the amount we expect to spend for the remainder of 2008 to grow and maintain our businesses are as
follows (in billions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
|
Remaining |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
(In billions) |
|
Pipelines |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maintenance |
|
$ |
0.1 |
|
|
$ |
0.4 |
|
|
$ |
0.5 |
|
Growth |
|
|
0.4 |
(1) |
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
Exploration and Production |
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
Corporate and other(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.8 |
|
|
$ |
2.4 |
|
|
$ |
3.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes approximately $0.3 billion related to the acquisition of Gulf
LNG. |
|
(2) |
|
Relates primarily to building renovations at our corporate
facilities. |
Factors That Could Impact Our Future Liquidity. Based on our current cash on hand, available
liquidity through our revolving credit facilities, capital structure, and/or access to financial
markets, we believe we can adequately provide for working capital requirements, forecasted capital
expenditures, and upcoming debt maturities. However, our liquidity needs could increase or decrease
based on cash margining requirements related to our price risk management activities, among other
factors. For a complete discussion of risk factors that could impact our liquidity, see our 2007
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Price Risk Management Activities and Cash Margining Requirements. Our Exploration and
Production and Marketing segments have derivative contracts that provide price protection on a
portion of our anticipated natural gas and oil production. The following table shows the contracted
volumes and the minimum, maximum and average cash prices that we will receive under our derivative
contracts when combined with the sale of the underlying production as of March 31, 2008. These cash
prices may differ from the income impacts of our derivative contracts, depending on whether the
contracts are designated as hedges for accounting purposes or not. The individual segment
discussions provide additional information on the income impacts of our derivative contracts.
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Basis |
|
|
Fixed Price |
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
Swaps(1)(2) |
|
|
Swaps(1) |
|
Floors(1) |
|
Ceilings(1) |
|
Texas Gulf Coast |
|
Onshore-Raton |
|
Rockies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
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|
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Average |
|
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Average |
|
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Avg. |
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Avg. |
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Avg. |
|
|
Volumes |
|
Price |
|
Volumes |
|
Price |
|
Volumes |
|
Price |
|
Volumes |
|
Price |
|
Volumes |
|
Price |
|
Volumes |
|
Price |
Natural Gas |
|
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|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
25 |
|
|
$ |
7.65 |
|
|
|
128 |
|
|
$ |
8.00 |
|
|
|
128 |
|
|
$ |
10.74 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
$ |
(0.33 |
) |
|
|
19 |
|
|
$ |
(1.13 |
) |
|
|
10 |
|
|
$ |
(1.37 |
) |
2009 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
3.56 |
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
$ |
7.74 |
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
$ |
10.42 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
$ |
(1.00 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
3.70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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2011-2012 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
$ |
3.88 |
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Oil |
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|
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|
2008 |
|
|
1,880 |
|
|
$ |
88.48 |
|
|
|
688 |
|
|
$ |
55.00 |
|
|
|
688 |
|
|
$ |
56.73 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
(1) |
|
Volumes presented are TBtu for natural gas and MBbl for oil. Prices presented
are per MMBtu of natural gas and per Bbl of oil. |
|
(2) |
|
Our basis swaps effectively limit our exposure to differences between the NYMEX
gas price and the price at the location where we sell our gas. The average prices listed above
are the amounts we will pay per MMBtu relative to the NYMEX price to lock-in these
locational price differences. |
39
In April and May 2008, we entered into option contracts on 24 TBtu of our anticipated 2009
natural gas production with a floor price of $9.00 per MMBtu and an average ceiling price of $18.22
per MMBtu. We also entered into fixed price swaps on 3,431 MBbls of our anticipated 2009 oil
production at an average price of $109.93 per barrel. All of these contracts were designated as
accounting hedges, except for 1,497 MBbls of the 2009 fixed price oil swaps. In addition, we sold
17 TBtu of our $6.00 per MMBtu 2009 natural gas floor contracts.
We currently post letters of credit for the required margin on certain of our derivative
contracts. For the remainder of 2008, based on current prices, we expect approximately $0.2 billion
of the total of $1.0 billion in collateral outstanding at March 31, 2008 to be returned to us, a
substantial portion of which will be in the form of letters of credit. Depending on changes in
commodity prices, we could be required to post additional margin or may recover margin earlier than
anticipated. Based on our derivative positions at March 31, 2008, a $0.10/MMBtu increase in the
price curve of natural gas over the next several years would result in an increase in our margin
requirements of approximately $7 million in the aggregate over the life of the contracts of which
$3 million is associated with contracts expiring in 2008-2009 and $4 million is associated with contracts expiring in 2010 and beyond.
Commodity-Based Derivative Contracts
We use derivative financial instruments in our Exploration and Production and Marketing
segments to manage the price risk of commodities. In the tables below, derivatives designated as
accounting hedges primarily consist of options and swaps used to hedge natural gas production.
Other commodity-based derivative contracts are not traded on active exchanges and relate to
derivative contracts not designated as accounting hedges, such as options, swaps and other natural
gas and power purchase and supply contracts. The following table details the fair value of our
commodity-based derivative contracts by year of maturity and valuation methodology as of March 31,
2008:
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|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maturity |
|
|
Maturity |
|
|
Maturity |
|
|
Maturity |
|
|
Maturity |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
Less Than |
|
|
1 to 3 |
|
|
4 to 5 |
|
|
6 to 10 |
|
|
Beyond |
|
|
Fair |
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
Years |
|
|
Years |
|
|
Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
|
Value |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Derivatives designated as accounting hedges |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
Liabilities |
|
|
(148 |
) |
|
|
(45 |
) |
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(217 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total derivatives designated as accounting hedges(1) |
|
|
(148 |
) |
|
|
(42 |
) |
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(214 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other commodity-based derivatives |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
197 |
|
Liabilities |
|
|
(288 |
) |
|
|
(393 |
) |
|
|
(265 |
) |
|
|
(160 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,106 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other commodity-based derivatives(1)(2) |
|
|
(243 |
) |
|
|
(314 |
) |
|
|
(209 |
) |
|
|
(146 |
) |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
(909 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total commodity-based derivatives |
|
$ |
(391 |
) |
|
$ |
(356 |
) |
|
$ |
(233 |
) |
|
$ |
(146 |
) |
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
$ |
(1,123 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes positions whose fair value is primarily based on commodity prices
quoted on exchanges such as the NYMEX. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes positions whose fair values are derived from third party pricing
data and valuation techniques that consider specific contractual terms, statistical and
simulation analysis, present value concepts, and other internal assumptions. |
The following is a reconciliation of our commodity-based derivatives for the quarter ended
March 31, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivatives |
|
|
Other |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
Designated as |
|
|
Commodity- |
|
|
Commodity- |
|
|
|
Accounting |
|
|
Based |
|
|
Based |
|
|
|
Hedges |
|
|
Derivatives |
|
|
Derivatives |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Fair value of contracts outstanding at January 1, 2008 |
|
$ |
(23 |
) |
|
$ |
(869 |
) |
|
$ |
(892 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of contract settlements during the period |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
Changes in fair value of contracts |
|
|
(193 |
) |
|
|
(97 |
) |
|
|
(290 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net changes in contracts outstanding during the period |
|
|
(191 |
) |
|
|
(40 |
) |
|
|
(231 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of contracts outstanding at March 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
(214 |
) |
|
$ |
(909 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,123 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
This information updates, and you should read it in conjunction with the information disclosed
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, in addition to the information presented in Items 1 and 2 of
this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
There are no material changes in our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market
risks from those reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, except as presented below:
Commodity Price Risk
Production-Related Derivatives. We attempt to mitigate commodity price risk and stabilize
cash flows associated with our forecasted sales of natural gas and oil production through the use
of derivative natural gas and oil swaps, basis swaps and option contracts. These derivative
contracts are entered into by both our Exploration & Production and Marketing segments. The table
below presents the hypothetical sensitivity to changes in fair values arising from immediate
selected potential changes in the quoted market prices of the derivative commodity instruments used
to mitigate these market risks. We have designated certain of these derivatives as accounting
hedges. Contracts that are designated as accounting hedges will impact our earnings when the
related hedged production sales occur, and, as a result, any gain or loss on these hedging
derivatives would be offset by a gain or loss on the sale of the underlying hedged commodity, which
is not included in the table. Contracts that are not designated as accounting hedges impact our
earnings as the fair value of these derivatives changes. Our production-related derivatives do not
mitigate all of the commodity price risks of our forecasted sales of natural gas and oil production
and, as a result, we are subject to commodity price risks on our remaining forecasted natural gas
and oil production.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 Percent Increase |
|
|
10 Percent Decrease |
|
|
|
Fair Value |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
|
Increase |
|
Impact of changes
in commodity prices
on
production-related
derivative assets
(liabilities) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
(299 |
) |
|
$ |
(471 |
) |
|
$ |
(172 |
) |
|
$ |
(142 |
) |
|
$ |
157 |
|
December 31, 2007 |
|
$ |
(64 |
) |
|
$ |
(181 |
) |
|
$ |
(117 |
) |
|
$ |
58 |
|
|
$ |
122 |
|
Other Commodity-Based Derivatives. In our Marketing segment, we have other derivative
contracts that are not used to mitigate the commodity price risk associated with our natural gas
and oil production. Many of these contracts, which include forwards, swaps, options and futures,
are long-term historical contracts that we either intend to assign to third parties or manage until
their expiration. We measure risks from these contracts on a daily basis using a Value-at-Risk
simulation. This simulation allows us to determine the maximum expected one-day unfavorable impact
on the fair values of those contracts of adverse market movements over a defined period of time
within a specified confidence level and allows us to monitor our risk in comparison to established
thresholds. To measure Value-at-Risk, we use what is known as the historical simulation technique.
This technique simulates potential outcomes in the value of our portfolio based on market-based
price changes. Our exposure to changes in fundamental prices over the long-term can vary from the
exposure using the one-day assumption in our Value-at-Risk simulations. We supplement our
Value-at-Risk simulations with additional fundamental and market-based price analyses, including
scenario analysis and stress testing to determine our portfolios sensitivity to underlying risks.
These analyses and our Value-at-Risk simulations do not include commodity exposures related to our
production-related derivatives (described above), our Marketing segments natural gas
transportation related contracts that are accounted for under the accrual basis of accounting, or
our Exploration and Production segments sales of natural gas and oil production.
Our maximum expected one-day unfavorable impact on the fair values of our other
commodity-based derivatives as measured by Value-at-Risk based on a confidence level of 95 percent
and a one-day holding period was $2 million and $1 million as of March 31, 2008 and December 31,
2007. We may experience changes in our Value-at-Risk in the future if commodity prices are
volatile.
41
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of March 31, 2008, we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the
participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and our Chief
Financial Officer (CFO), as to the effectiveness, design and operation of our disclosure controls
and procedures, as defined by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This evaluation
considered the various processes carried out under the direction of our disclosure committee in an
effort to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accurate, complete and timely. Our
management, including our CEO and our CFO, does not expect that our disclosure controls and
procedures or our internal controls will prevent and/or detect all errors and all fraud. A control
system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute,
assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control
system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must
be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems,
no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of
fraud, if any, within our company have been detected. Based on the results of our evaluation, our
CEO and our CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at a reasonable
assurance level at March 31, 2008.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially
affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial
reporting during the first quarter of 2008.
42
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
See Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements, Note 8, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Additional information about our legal proceedings can be found in Part I, Item 3 of our 2007
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS FOR PURPOSES OF THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS
OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
We have made statements in this document that constitute forward-looking statements, as that
term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements
include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations. The words
believe, expect, estimate, anticipate and similar expressions will generally identify
forward-looking statements. These statements may relate to information or assumptions about:
|
|
|
earnings per share; |
|
|
|
|
capital and other expenditures; |
|
|
|
|
dividends; |
|
|
|
|
financing plans; |
|
|
|
|
capital structure; |
|
|
|
|
liquidity and cash flow; |
|
|
|
|
pending legal proceedings, claims and governmental proceedings, including
environmental matters; |
|
|
|
|
future economic and operating performance; |
|
|
|
|
operating income; |
|
|
|
|
managements plans; and |
|
|
|
|
goals and objectives for future operations. |
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. While we believe the
assumptions or bases underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable and are made in good
faith, we caution that assumed facts or bases almost always vary from actual results, and these
variances can be material, depending upon the circumstances. We cannot assure you that the
statements of expectation or belief contained in our forward-looking statements will result or be
achieved or accomplished. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from estimates or projections contained in our forward-looking statements are described in our 2007
Annual Report on Form 10-K under Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors. There have been no material changes
in our risk factors since that report.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.
43
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
The Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference and lists the exhibits required to be
filed by this report by Item 601(b)(10)(iii) of Regulation S-K.
44
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, El Paso Corporation has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
EL PASO CORPORATION |
|
|
|
Date: May 9, 2008
|
|
/s/ D. Mark Leland |
|
|
|
|
|
D. Mark Leland
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer) |
|
|
|
Date: May 9, 2008
|
|
/s/ John R. Sult |
|
|
|
|
|
John R. Sult
Senior Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer) |
45
EL PASO CORPORATION
EXHIBIT INDEX
Each exhibit identified below is filed with this Report.
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
12
|
|
Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends. |
|
|
|
31.A
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
31.B
|
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
32.A
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
32.B
|
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
46