e10vk
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
|
|
|
|
|
þ |
|
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
|
|
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
OR
|
|
|
|
|
o |
|
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 1-2700
El Paso Natural Gas Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
|
|
|
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
|
|
74-0608280
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
|
|
|
El Paso Building |
|
|
1001 Louisiana Street |
|
|
Houston, Texas
|
|
77002 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
|
|
(Zip Code) |
Telephone Number: (713) 420-2600
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined
in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes þ No o
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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants
knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of
this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated
filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer þ
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
State the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant: None
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrants classes of common stock,
as of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock, par value $1 per share. Shares outstanding on February 21, 2007: 1,000
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY MEETS THE CONDITIONS OF GENERAL INSTRUCTION I (1) (a) AND (b) TO
FORM 10-K AND IS THEREFORE FILING THIS REPORT WITH A REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT AS PERMITTED BY SUCH
INSTRUCTION.
Documents Incorporated by Reference: None
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
* |
|
We have not included a response to this item in this document since no response is required
pursuant to the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction I to Form 10-K. |
Below is a list of terms that are common to our industry and used throughout this document:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/d
|
|
= per day
|
|
|
|
LNG
|
|
= liquefied natural gas |
BBtu
|
|
= billion British thermal units
|
|
|
|
MMcf
|
|
= million cubic feet |
Bcf
|
|
= billion cubic feet |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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, or EPNG, we are describing El Paso Natural Gas
Company and/or our subsidiaries.
2
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview and Strategy
We are a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1928, and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
El Paso Corporation (El Paso). Our primary business consists of the interstate transportation and
storage of natural gas. We conduct our business activities through our natural gas pipeline systems
and a storage facility as discussed below.
Each of our pipeline systems and our storage facility operates under tariffs approved by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that establish rates, cost recovery mechanisms and
other terms and conditions of service to our customers. The fees or rates established under our
tariffs are a function of our costs of providing services to our customers, including a reasonable
return on our invested capital.
Our strategy is to protect and enhance the value of our transmission and storage business by:
|
|
|
Successfully recontracting expiring transportation capacity; |
|
|
|
|
Developing storage capacity to serve our market area; |
|
|
|
|
Focusing on cost efficiencies, especially fuel use; |
|
|
|
|
Successfully completing expansion projects; and |
|
|
|
|
Attracting new supply and transporting natural gas to new markets. |
Below is a further discussion of our pipeline systems and storage facility.
The EPNG System. The EPNG system consists of approximately 10,300 miles of pipeline with a
winter sustainable west-flow capacity of 4,850 MMcf/d and approximately 800 MMcf/d of east-end
deliverability. During 2006, 2005 and 2004, average throughput was 4,179 BBtu/d, 4,053 BBtu/d and
4,074 BBtu/d. This system delivers natural gas from the San Juan, Permian and Anadarko basins to
markets in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and northern Mexico.
The Mojave Pipeline Company (Mojave) System. The Mojave system consists of approximately 400
miles of pipeline with a design capacity of approximately 407 MMcf/d. During 2006, 2005 and 2004,
average throughput was 461 BBtu/d (including 385 BBtu/d transported for the EPNG system), 161
BBtu/d and 161 BBtu/d. This system connects with the EPNG system near Cadiz, California, the EPNG
and Transwestern systems at Topock, Arizona and the Kern River Gas Transmission Company system in
California. This system also extends to customers in the vicinity of Bakersfield, California.
Storage Facility. Prior to 2006, we utilized our Washington Ranch underground storage
facility located in New Mexico, which has up to approximately 44 Bcf of underground working natural
gas storage capacity solely to manage our system transportation needs. In 2006, we also began using
this facility to offer interruptible storage services.
Markets and Competition
Our customers consist of natural gas distribution and industrial companies, electric
generation companies, natural gas producers, other natural gas pipelines, and natural gas marketing
and trading companies. We provide transportation service in our natural gas supply and market areas
and provide storage services in our supply areas. Our pipeline systems connect with multiple
pipelines that provide our customers with access to diverse sources of supply and various natural
gas markets.
Imported LNG is one of the fastest growing supply sectors of the natural gas market. LNG
terminals and other regasification facilities can serve as important sources of supply for
pipelines, enhancing their delivery capabilities and operational flexibility and complementing
traditional supply transported into market areas. However, these LNG delivery systems also may
compete with us for transportation of gas into market areas we serve.
3
Electric power generation is the fastest growing demand sector of the natural gas market. The
growth of the electric power industry potentially benefits the natural gas industry by creating
more demand for natural gas turbine generated electric power. This effect is offset, in varying
degrees, by increased generation efficiency, the more effective use of surplus electric capacity,
increased natural gas prices and the use and availability of other fuel sources for power
generation. In addition, in several regions of the country, new additions in electric generating
capacity have exceeded load growth and electric transmission capabilities out of those regions.
These developments may inhibit owners of new power generation facilities from signing firm
contracts with us.
We provide transportation services in the southwestern U.S. and to the Mexican border through
connections to other pipelines. These have recently been among the fastest growing regions in the
U.S. and in Mexico; therefore, the market demand for natural gas distribution as well as gas-fired
electric generation capacity has experienced considerable growth in these areas. The combined
capacity of all pipeline companies serving California, our largest market, is approximately 8.5
Bcf/d and we provide approximately 39 percent of this capacity. In 2006, the demand for interstate
pipeline capacity to California averaged 5.2 Bcf/d, equivalent to approximately 61 percent of the
total interstate pipeline capacity serving that state. Natural gas shipped to California on our
system represented approximately 29 percent of the natural gas consumed in that state in 2006.
Our existing transportation and storage contracts mature at various times and in varying
amounts of throughput capacity. Our ability to extend our existing contracts or remarket expiring
capacity is dependent on competitive alternatives, the regulatory environment at the federal, state
and local levels and market supply and demand factors at the relevant dates these contracts are
extended or expire. The duration of new or renegotiated contracts will be affected by current
prices, competitive conditions and judgments concerning future market trends and volatility.
Subject to regulatory requirements, we attempt to recontract or remarket our capacity at the rates
allowed under our tariffs, although at times, we discount these rates to remain competitive.
The following table details our customers, contracts and competition on our pipeline systems
as of December 31, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pipeline |
|
|
|
|
|
|
System |
|
Customer Information |
|
Contract Information |
|
Competition |
EPNG |
|
Approximately 160 firm and |
|
Approximately 190 firm |
|
EPNG faces competition in the |
|
|
interruptible customers |
|
transportation contracts. Weighted |
|
west and southwest from other |
|
|
|
|
average remaining contract term of |
|
existing and proposed |
|
|
|
|
approximately four years. |
|
pipelines, from California |
|
|
|
|
|
|
storage facilities, and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
alternative energy sources that |
|
|
|
|
|
|
are used to generate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
electricity such as |
|
|
|
|
|
|
hydroelectric, nuclear, wind, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
coal and fuel oil. In addition, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
construction of facilities to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
bring LNG into California and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
northern Mexico are underway. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Major Customers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Southern California Gas
Company(SoCal) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(101 BBtu/d) |
|
Expires in 2007. |
|
|
|
|
(187 BBtu/d) |
|
Expires in 2009. |
|
|
|
|
(561 BBtu/d) |
|
Expire in 2010-2011. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Southwest Gas Corporation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11 BBtu/d) |
|
Expires in 2008. |
|
|
|
|
(476 BBtu/d) |
|
Expire in 2011-2015. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mojave |
|
Approximately 20 firm and |
|
Approximately six firm |
|
Mojave faces competition from |
|
|
interruptible customers |
|
transportation contracts. Weighted |
|
other existing and proposed |
|
|
|
|
average remaining contract term of |
|
pipelines and alternative |
|
|
|
|
approximately seven years. |
|
energy sources that are used to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
generate electricity such as |
|
|
|
|
|
|
hydroelectric, nuclear, wind, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
coal and fuel oil. In addition, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
construction of facilities to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
bring LNG into California and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
northern Mexico are underway. |
|
|
Major Customers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Los Angeles Department of
Water and Power |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(50 BBtu/d) |
|
Expires in 2007. |
|
|
|
|
EPNG |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(312 BBtu/d) |
|
Expires in 2015. |
|
|
4
Regulatory Environment
Our interstate natural gas transmission systems and storage operations are regulated by the
FERC under the Natural Gas Act of 1938, the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 and the Energy Policy
Act of 2005. We operate under tariffs approved by the FERC that establish rates, cost recovery
mechanisms, terms and conditions of service to our customers. Generally, the FERCs authority
extends to:
|
|
|
rates and charges for natural gas transportation and storage; |
|
|
|
|
certification and construction of new facilities; |
|
|
|
|
extension or abandonment of services and facilities; |
|
|
|
|
maintenance of accounts and records; |
|
|
|
|
relationships between pipelines and certain affiliates; |
|
|
|
|
terms and conditions of services; |
|
|
|
|
depreciation and amortization policies; |
|
|
|
|
acquisition and disposition of facilities; and |
|
|
|
|
initiation and discontinuation of services. |
Our interstate pipeline systems are also subject to federal, state and local statutes and
regulations regarding pipeline safety and environmental matters. We have ongoing inspection
programs designed to keep all of our facilities in compliance with pipeline safety and
environmental requirements and we believe that our systems are in material compliance with the
applicable requirements.
We are subject to U.S. Department of Transportation regulations that establish safety
requirements in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of our interstate natural gas
transmission systems and storage facility. Our operations on U.S. government land are regulated by
the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Environmental
A description of our environmental activities is included in Part II, Item 8, Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 6, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Employees
As of February 21, 2007, we had approximately 810 full-time employees, none of whom are
subject to a collective bargaining arrangement.
5
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE
SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and beliefs
that we believe to be reasonable; however, assumed facts almost always vary from actual results,
and the differences between assumed facts and actual results can be material, depending upon the
circumstances. Where we or our management express an expectation or belief as to future results,
that expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and based on assumptions believed to have a
reasonable basis. We cannot assure you, however, that the stated expectation or belief will occur
or be achieved or accomplished. The words believe, expect, estimate, anticipate, and
similar expressions will generally identify forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking
statements, whether written or oral, are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and any
other cautionary statements that may accompany those statements. In addition, we disclaim any
obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the
date of this report.
With this in mind, you should consider the risks discussed elsewhere in this report and other
documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from time to time and the
following important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed in any forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf.
Risks Related to Our Business
Our success depends on factors beyond our control.
Our business is the transportation and storage of natural gas for third parties. Our results
of operations are driven by the volumes of natural gas we transport or store and the prices we are
able to charge for doing so. The volumes of natural gas we are able to transport and store depends
on the actions of those third parties, and is beyond our control. Further, the following factors,
most of which are beyond our control, may unfavorably impact our ability to maintain or increase
current throughput, to renegotiate existing contracts as they expire or to remarket unsubscribed
capacity:
|
|
|
service area competition; |
|
|
|
|
expiration or turn back of significant contracts; |
|
|
|
|
changes in regulation and actions of regulatory bodies; |
|
|
|
|
weather conditions that impact throughput and storage levels; |
|
|
|
|
price competition; |
|
|
|
|
drilling activity and availability of natural gas; |
|
|
|
|
continued development of additional sources of gas supply that can be accessed; |
|
|
|
|
decreased natural gas demand due to various factors, including increases in prices and
the increased availability or popularity of alternative energy sources such as
hydroelectric, nuclear, wind, coal and fuel oil; |
|
|
|
|
availability and increased cost of capital to fund ongoing maintenance and growth projects; |
|
|
|
|
opposition to energy infrastructure development, especially in environmentally sensitive areas; |
|
|
|
|
adverse general economic conditions; |
|
|
|
|
expiration or renewal of existing interests in real property including real property on Native American lands; and |
|
|
|
|
unfavorable movements in natural gas prices in supply and demand areas. |
6
The revenues of our pipeline businesses are generated under contracts that must be renegotiated
periodically, some of which are for a substantial portion of our firm transportation capacity.
Our revenues are generated under transportation and storage contracts that expire periodically
and must be renegotiated, extended or replaced. Although we actively pursue the renegotiation,
extension or replacement of these contracts, we may not be able to extend or replace these
contracts when they expire or may only be able to do so on terms that are not as favorable as
existing contracts. If we are unable to renew, extend or replace these contracts or if we renew
them on less favorable terms, we may suffer a material reduction in our revenues and earnings.
For additional information on our contracts with our major customers, see Part II, Item 8,
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 8. The loss of any one of these customers or a
decline in their creditworthiness could adversely affect our results of operations, financial
position and cash flows.
Fluctuations in energy commodity prices could adversely affect our business.
Revenues generated by our transportation and storage contracts depend on volumes and rates,
both of which can be affected by the price of natural gas. Increased natural gas prices could
result in a reduction of the volumes transported by our customers, including power companies that
may not dispatch natural gas-fired power plants if natural gas prices increase. Increased prices
could also result in industrial plant shutdowns or load losses to competitive fuels as well as
local distribution companies loss of customer base. The success of our transmission and storage
operations is subject to continued development of additional gas supplies to offset the natural
decline from existing wells connected to our systems, which requires the development of additional
oil and gas reserves and obtaining additional supplies from interconnecting pipelines. A decline in
energy prices could cause a decrease in these development activities and could cause a decrease in
the volume of natural gas available for transmission and storage through our systems. We retain a
fixed percentage of natural gas transported. This retained natural gas is used as fuel and to
replace lost and unaccounted for natural gas. Pricing volatility may, in some cases, impact the
value of under or over recoveries of this retained natural gas, as well as imbalances and system
encroachments. If natural gas prices in the supply basins connected to our pipeline systems are
higher than prices in other natural gas producing regions, our ability to compete with other
transporters and our long-term recontracting efforts may be negatively impacted. Furthermore,
fluctuations in pricing between supply sources and market areas could negatively impact our
transportation revenues. Fluctuations in energy prices are caused by a number of factors,
including:
|
|
|
regional, domestic and international supply and demand; |
|
|
|
|
availability and adequacy of transportation facilities; |
|
|
|
|
energy legislation; |
|
|
|
|
federal and state taxes, if any, on the transportation and storage of natural gas; |
|
|
|
|
abundance of supplies of alternative energy sources; and |
|
|
|
|
political unrest among oil producing countries. |
The agencies that regulate us and our customers affect our profitability.
Our business is regulated by the FERC, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S.
Department of the Interior and various state and local regulatory agencies. Regulatory actions
taken by these agencies have the potential to adversely affect our profitability. In particular,
the FERC regulates the rates we are permitted to charge our customers for our services. In setting
authorized rates of return in recent FERC decisions, the FERC has utilized a proxy group of
companies that includes local distribution companies that are not faced with as much competition or
risk as interstate pipelines. The inclusion of these lower risk companies may create downward
pressure on tariff rates when subjected to review by the FERC in future rate proceedings. Shippers
on other pipelines have sought reductions from the FERC for the rates charged to their customers.
If our tariff rates were reduced or redesigned in a future rate proceeding, our results of
operations, financial position and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
In addition, increased regulatory requirements relating to the integrity of our pipelines
requires additional spending in order to maintain compliance with these requirements. Any
additional requirements that are enacted could significantly increase the amount of these
expenditures.
7
Further, state agencies that regulate our local distribution company customers could impose
requirements that could impact demand for our services.
Environmental compliance and remediation costs and the costs of environmental liabilities could
exceed our estimates.
Our operations are subject to various environmental laws and regulations that establish
compliance and remediation obligations. Compliance obligations can result in significant costs to
install and maintain pollution controls, fines and penalties resulting from any failure to comply
and potential limitations on our operations. Remediation obligations can result in significant
costs associated with the investigation and remediation of contaminated properties (some of which
have been designated as Superfund sites by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ), as well as damage
claims arising out of the contamination of properties or impact on natural resources. It is not
possible for us to estimate exactly the amount and timing of all future expenditures related to
environmental matters because of:
|
|
|
The uncertainties in estimating pollution control and clean up costs, including sites
where preliminary site investigation or assessments have been completed; |
|
|
|
|
The discovery of new sites or additional information at existing sites; |
|
|
|
|
The uncertainty in quantifying liability under environmental laws that impose joint and
several liability on all potentially responsible parties; and |
|
|
|
|
The nature of environmental laws and regulations, including the interpretation and
enforcement thereof. |
Currently, various legislative and regulatory measures to address greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions (including carbon dioxide and methane) are in various phases of discussion or
implementation. These include the Kyoto Protocol (which is impacting proposed domestic
legislation), proposed federal legislation and state actions to develop statewide or regional
programs, each of which have imposed or would impose reductions in GHG emissions. These actions
could result in increased costs to (i) operate and maintain our facilities, (ii) install new
emission controls on our facilities and (iii) administer and manage any GHG emissions program.
These actions could also impact the consumption of natural gas, thereby affecting our operations.
Although we believe we have established appropriate reserves for our environmental
liabilities, we could be required to set aside additional amounts due to these uncertainties which
could significantly impact our future results of operations, cash flows or financial position. For
additional information concerning our environmental matters, see Part II, Item 8, Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 6.
Our operations are subject to operational hazards and uninsured risks.
Our operations are subject to the inherent risks normally associated with pipeline operations,
including pipeline ruptures, explosions, pollution, release of toxic substances, fires, adverse
weather conditions and other hazards, each of which could result in damage to or destruction of our
facilities or damages or injuries to persons. In addition, our operations and assets face possible
risks associated with acts of aggression or terrorism. If any of these events were to occur, we
could suffer substantial losses.
While we maintain insurance against many of these risks to the extent and in amounts we
believe are reasonable, this insurance does not cover all risks. Many of our insurance coverages
have material deductibles as well as limits on our maximum recovery. As a result, our results of
operations, cash flows or financial condition could be adversely affected if a significant event
occurs that is not fully covered by insurance.
The expansion of our business by constructing new facilities subjects us to construction and other
risks that may adversely affect our financial results.
We may expand the capacity of our existing pipelines or our storage facility by constructing
additional facilities. Construction of these facilities is subject to various regulatory,
development and operational risks, including:
|
|
|
our ability to obtain necessary approvals and permits by regulatory agencies on a timely
basis and on terms that are acceptable to us; |
|
|
|
|
the ability to obtain continued access to sufficient capital to fund expansion projects; |
8
|
|
|
potential changes in federal, state and local statutes and regulations, including
environmental requirements, that prevent a project from proceeding or increase the
anticipated cost of the project; |
|
|
|
|
impediments on our ability to acquire rights-of-way or land rights on a timely basis on
terms that are acceptable to us; |
|
|
|
|
our ability to construct projects within anticipated costs, including the risk that we
may incur cost overruns resulting from inflation or increased costs of equipment, materials
or labor, or other factors beyond our control, that may be material; |
|
|
|
|
lack of anticipated future growth in natural gas supply; and |
|
|
|
|
lack of transportation, storage or throughput commitments. |
Any of these risks could prevent a project from proceeding, delay its completion or increase
its anticipated costs. As a result, new facilities may not achieve our expected investment return,
which could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
Our business requires the retention and recruitment of a skilled workforce and the loss of
employees could result in the failure to implement our business plan.
Our business requires the retention and recruitment of a skilled workforce. If we are unable
to retain and recruit employees such as engineers and other technical positions, our business could
be negatively impacted.
Risks Related to Our Affiliation with El Paso
El Paso files reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Each prospective investor should consider this
information and the matters disclosed therein in addition to the matters described in this report.
Such information is not incorporated by reference into this report.
Our relationship with El Paso and its financial condition subjects us to potential risks that are
beyond our control.
Due to our relationship with El Paso, adverse developments or announcements concerning El Paso
or its other subsidiaries could adversely affect our financial condition, even if we have not
suffered any similar development. The ratings assigned to El Pasos senior unsecured indebtedness
are below investment grade, currently rated B2 by Moodys Investor Service and B by Standard &
Poors. The ratings assigned to our senior unsecured indebtedness are currently rated Ba1 by
Moodys Investor Service and B+ by Standard & Poors. We and El Paso are on a positive outlook with
these agencies. Downgrades of our or El Pasos credit ratings could increase our cost of capital
and collateral requirements, and could impede our access to capital markets.
El Paso provides cash management and other corporate services for us. Pursuant to El Pasos
cash management program, we transfer surplus cash to El Paso in exchange for an affiliated
receivable. In addition, we conduct commercial transactions with some of our affiliates. If El Paso
or such affiliates are unable to meet their respective liquidity needs, we may not be able to
access cash under the cash management program, or our affiliates may not be able to pay their
obligations to us. However, we might still be required to satisfy affiliated company payables. Our
inability to recover any affiliated receivables owed to us could adversely affect our financial
position. For a further discussion of these matters, see Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data, Note 10.
We may be subject to a change of control if an event of default occurs under El Pasos credit
agreement.
Under El Pasos $1.75 billion credit agreement, our common stock and the common stock of
several of our affiliates are pledged as collateral. As a result, our ownership is subject to
change if there is a default under the credit agreement and El Pasos lenders exercise rights over
their collateral, even if we do not have any borrowings outstanding under the credit agreement.
A default under El Pasos $1.75 billion credit agreement by any party could accelerate our future
borrowings, if any, under the credit agreement and our long-term debt, which could adversely affect
our liquidity position.
We are a party to El Pasos $1.75 billion credit agreement. We are only liable, however, for
our borrowings under the credit agreement, which were zero at December 31, 2006. Under the credit
agreement, a default by El Paso, or any other borrower could result in the acceleration of all
outstanding borrowings, including the borrowings of any non-defaulting party. The acceleration of
our future borrowings, if any, or the inability to borrow under the credit agreement, could
adversely affect our liquidity position and, in turn, our financial condition.
9
Furthermore, the indentures governing some of our long-term debt contain cross-acceleration
provisions, the most restrictive of which is $25 million. Therefore, if we borrow $25 million or
more under El Pasos $1.75 billion credit agreement and such borrowings are accelerated for any
reason, including the default of another party under the credit agreement, our long-term debt that
contains these provisions could also be accelerated. The acceleration of our long-term debt could
also adversely affect our liquidity position and, in turn, our financial condition.
We are an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of El Paso.
As an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of El Paso, subject to limitations in our credit
agreements and indentures, El Paso has substantial control over:
|
|
|
our payment of dividends; |
|
|
|
|
decisions on our financing and capital raising activities; |
|
|
|
|
mergers or other business combinations; |
|
|
|
|
our acquisitions or dispositions of assets; and |
|
|
|
|
our participation in El Pasos cash management program. |
El Paso may exercise such control in its interests and not necessarily in the interests of us
or the holders of our long-term debt.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
We have not included a response to this item since no response is required under Item 1B of
Form 10-K.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
A description of our properties is included in Item 1, Business, and is incorporated herein by
reference.
We believe that we have satisfactory title to the properties owned and used in our businesses,
subject to liens for taxes not yet payable, liens incident to minor encumbrances, liens for credit
arrangements and easements and restrictions that do not materially detract from the value of these
properties, our interests in these properties or the use of these properties in our businesses. We
believe that our properties are adequate and suitable for the conduct of our business in the
future.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
A description of our legal proceedings is included in Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements
and Supplementary Data, Note 6, and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Item 4, Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders, has been omitted from this report
pursuant to the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction I to Form 10-K.
10
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER
PURCHASES OF
EQUITY SECURITIES
All of our common stock, par value $1 per share, is owned by a subsidiary of El Paso and,
accordingly, our stock is not publicly traded.
We pay dividends on our common stock from time to time from legally available funds that have
been approved for payment by our Board of Directors. No common stock dividends were declared or
paid in 2006 or 2005.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6, Selected Financial Data, has been omitted from this report pursuant to the reduced
disclosure format permitted by General Instruction I to Form 10-K.
11
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The information required by this Item is presented in a reduced disclosure format pursuant to
General Instruction I to Form 10-K. Our Managements Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) should be read
in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying footnotes. MD&A
includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may result in
actual results differing from the statements we make. Factors that could cause actual results to
differ include those risks and uncertainties that are discussed in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors.
Overview
Our business consists of the interstate transportation and storage of natural gas. Each of these
businesses faces varying degrees of competition from existing and proposed pipelines, as well as
from alternative energy sources used to generate electricity, such as hydroelectric, nuclear, wind,
coal and fuel oil. Our revenues from transportation and storage services consist of the following types.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent of Total Revenues |
Type |
|
Description |
|
in 2006 |
Reservation
|
|
Reservation revenues are
from customers (referred to
as firm customers) that
reserve capacity on our
pipeline systems and
storage facilities. These
firm customers are
obligated to pay a monthly
reservation or demand
charge, regardless of the
amount of natural gas they
transport or store, for the
term of their contracts.
|
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Usage
and Other
|
|
Usage revenues are from
both firm customers and interruptible customers
(those without reserved capacity) who pay charges based on the volume
of gas actually transported, injected or withdrawn.
|
|
|
10 |
|
Because of our regulated nature and the high percentage of our revenues attributable to
reservation charges, our revenues have historically been relatively stable. However, our financial
results can be subject to volatility due to factors such as changes in natural gas prices, market
conditions, regulatory actions, competition, the creditworthiness of our customers and weather. On
January 1, 2006, we adopted a fuel tracker on our EPNG system related to the actual costs of fuel
lost and unaccounted for and other gas balancing costs, such as encroachments against our system
gas supply and imbalance cash out price adjustments, with a true-up mechanism for amounts over or
under retained. We believe this fuel tracker will reduce the future financial impacts of our
operational gas costs.
Our ability to extend existing customer contracts or remarket expiring contracted capacity is
dependent on competitive alternatives, the regulatory environment at the federal, state and local
levels and the market supply and demand factors at the relevant dates these contracts are extended
or expire. The duration of new or renegotiated contracts will be affected by current prices,
competitive conditions and judgments concerning future market trends and volatility. Subject to
regulatory requirements, we attempt to recontract or remarket our capacity at the rates allowed
under our tariffs, although at times, we discount these rates to remain competitive. Our existing
contracts mature at various times and in varying amounts of throughput capacity. We continue to
manage our recontracting process to mitigate the risk of significant impacts on our revenues. The
weighted average remaining contract term for our contracts is approximately four years as of
December 31, 2006.
We successfully recontracted approximately 85 percent of the 1,600 BBtu/d of capacity that
expired in 2006 to various customers for terms ranging from one to three years. The remaining
capacity that expired in 2006 was recontracted for terms less than one year. We attempt to sell all
our capacity under long-term contracts and market any remaining open position under shorter terms
as market demand permits. Beginning in 2007, approximately 81 percent of our firm contracts were
long-term agreements and we are continuing to remarket our available capacity to serve either
existing customers, electric merchant generators, California non-core customers or new customers.
At this time, we are uncertain how much of the available capacity will be recontracted, and if so,
at what rates and term.
12
Below is the contract expiration portfolio and the associated revenue expirations for our firm
transportation contracts as of December 31, 2006, including those with terms beginning in 2007 or
later.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent of Total |
|
|
|
|
|
Percent of Total |
|
|
|
BBtu/d(1) |
|
|
Contracted Capacity |
|
|
Reservation Revenue |
|
|
Reservation Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
1,055 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
$ |
71 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
2008 |
|
|
1,079 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
2009 |
|
|
434 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
2010 |
|
|
341 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
2011 |
|
|
1,275 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
2012 and beyond |
|
|
974 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
153 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
5,158 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
$ |
479 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Excludes EPNG capacity on the Mojave system. |
Results of Operations
Our management uses earnings before interest expense and income taxes (EBIT) to assess the
operating results and effectiveness of our business. We believe EBIT is useful to our investors
because it allows them to more effectively evaluate our operating performance using the same
performance measure analyzed internally by our management. We define EBIT as net income adjusted
for (i) items that do not impact our income from continuing 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 independently from our financing methods. 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 or operating
cash flow. Below is a reconciliation of EBIT to net income for the years ended December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
(In millions, |
|
|
|
except volumes) |
|
Operating revenues |
|
$ |
588 |
|
|
$ |
497 |
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
(305 |
) |
|
|
(335 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
283 |
|
|
|
162 |
|
Other income, net |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBIT |
|
|
286 |
|
|
|
170 |
|
Interest and debt expense |
|
|
(95 |
) |
|
|
(92 |
) |
Affiliated interest income, net |
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
Income taxes |
|
|
(92 |
) |
|
|
(46 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
152 |
|
|
$ |
64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Throughput volumes (BBtu/d)(1) |
|
|
4,255 |
|
|
|
4,214 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Throughput volumes exclude throughput transported by Mojave on behalf of EPNG. |
The following items contributed to our overall EBIT increase of $116 million for the year
ended December 31, 2006 as compared to 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBIT |
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
Expense |
|
|
Other |
|
|
Impact |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Favorable/(Unfavorable) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
EPNG reservation and other services revenues |
|
$ |
77 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
77 |
|
Lower litigation accruals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42 |
|
Enron bankruptcy settlement |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 |
|
Lower general and administrative expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
Higher depreciation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18 |
) |
Higher rights-of-way expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
Other(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total impact on EBIT |
|
$ |
91 |
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
|
$ |
(5 |
) |
|
$ |
116 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Consists of individually insignificant items. |
13
The following discusses some of the significant items listed above as well as events that
may affect our operations in the future.
EPNG Reservation and Other Services Revenues. Our reservation and other services revenues on
the EPNG pipeline system were higher for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to 2005,
primarily due to the combined effect of (i) the termination, effective December 31, 2005, of
reduced tariff rates to certain customers under the terms of our FERC-approved systemwide capacity
allocation proceeding, (ii) an increase in tariff rates, which were effective January 1, 2006 and
subject to refund, and (iii) revenues from various interruptible services provided under our
tariffs.
EPNG negotiated a settlement of the rate case which was filed with the FERC in December 2006.
The settlement provides benefits for both EPNG and its customers for a three-year period ending
December 31, 2008. We have reserved sufficient amounts to meet EPNGs refund obligations under this
settlement. Such refunds will be payable within 120 days after approval by the FERC. Under the
terms of the settlement, EPNG is required to file a new rate case to be effective January 1, 2009.
For a further discussion of EPNGs rate case, see Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data, Note 6.
We periodically file for changes in our rates 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. Mojave is required to file for new rates to be
effective in March 2007. We anticipate a decrease in Mojaves rates resulting from a variety of
factors, including a decline in rate base and various changes in rate design since the last rate
case, although the impact is not yet determinable.
Lower Litigation Accruals. Our litigation accruals were lower during the year ended December
31, 2006 as compared to December 31, 2005, due to amounts accrued during 2005 for our outstanding
legal claims. For a further discussion of our legal matters, see Item 8, Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data, Note 6.
Enron Bankruptcy Settlement. During the third quarter of 2006, we recorded income of
approximately $17 million, net of amounts potentially owed to certain customers as a result of the
Enron bankruptcy settlement. We may receive additional amounts in the future as settlement proceeds
are released by the Bankruptcy Court. For a further discussion of this matter, see Item 8,
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 6.
Lower General and Administrative Expense. During the year ended December 31, 2006, our
general and administrative expenses were lower than in 2005, primarily due to a decrease in accrued
benefits costs, lower insurance and lower allocated costs from El Paso.
Higher Depreciation Expense. On January 1, 2006, the effective date of EPNGs rate case, EPNG
began applying higher depreciation rates to its property, plant and equipment which, along with an
increase in depreciable plant, resulted in higher depreciation expense for the year ended December
31, 2006.
Higher Rights-Of-Way Expense. EPNGs rights-of-way expense was higher for the year ended
December 31, 2006 as a result of the interim agreement reached with the Navajo Nation in January
2006. For a further discussion of this matter, see Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data, Note 6.
Affiliated Interest Income, Net
Affiliated interest income, net for the year ended December 31, 2006, was $21 million higher
than in 2005 due to higher average short-term interest rates and higher average advances to El Paso
under its cash management program. The average short-term interest rate increased from 4.2% in 2005
to 5.7% in 2006. In addition, the average advances due from El Paso of $779 million in 2005
increased to $947 million in 2006.
Income Taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
|
(In millions, |
|
|
except for rates) |
Income taxes |
|
$ |
92 |
|
|
$ |
46 |
|
Effective tax rate |
|
|
38 |
% |
|
|
42 |
% |
Our effective tax rate for 2006 was different than the statutory rate of 35 percent primarily
due to the effect of state income taxes. Our effective tax rate for 2005 was different than the
statutory rate of 35 percent primarily due to the effect of state income taxes and
14
non-deductible expenses. For a reconciliation of the statutory rate to the effective rates,
see Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 2.
Liquidity and Capital Expenditures
Liquidity Overview
Our liquidity needs are provided by cash flows from operating activities. In addition, we
participate in El Pasos cash management program. Under El Pasos cash management program,
depending on whether we have short-term cash surpluses or requirements, we either provide cash to
El Paso or El Paso provides cash to us in exchange for an affiliated note receivable or payable. We
have historically provided cash advances to El Paso, and we reflect these advances as investing
activities in our statement of cash flows. At December 31, 2006, we had a note receivable from El
Paso of approximately $1.1 billion that is due upon demand. However, we do not anticipate
settlement within the next twelve months. See Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,
Note 10, for a further discussion of El Pasos cash management program.
In addition to the cash management program, we are eligible to borrow amounts available under
El Pasos $1.75 billion credit agreement. We are only liable for amounts we directly borrow. We had
no borrowings at December 31, 2006 under the credit agreement. At December 31, 2006, there was
approximately $0.6 billion of borrowing capacity available to all eligible borrowers under the
$1.75 billion credit agreement. For a further discussion of this credit agreement, see Item 8,
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 5. We believe that cash flows from operating
activities and amounts available under El Pasos cash management program and its $1.75 billion credit
agreement, if necessary, will be adequate to meet our short-term
capital requirements for our existing operations.
El Paso recently announced that
it will pursue the formation of a master limited partnership
in 2007 to enhance the value and financial flexibility of its pipeline assets and to provide a
lower cost source of capital for new projects.
Capital Expenditures
Our capital expenditures for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Maintenance |
|
$ |
94 |
|
|
$ |
106 |
|
Expansion/Other |
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
143 |
|
|
$ |
140 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We have relatively high maintenance capital requirements over the next three years due, in
part, to the requirements of the 2002 Pipeline Safety Act and our continued commitment to maintain
and improve the total integrity of our pipeline systems. Under our current plan, we expect to spend
between approximately $123 million and $128 million in each of the next three years for capital
expenditures to maintain the integrity of our pipelines, to comply with clean air regulations and
to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to our customers. In addition, we have
budgeted to spend between approximately $24 million and $74 million in each of the next three years
to expand the capacity of our pipeline systems contingent, in part, upon customer commitments to
the projects. We expect to fund these capital expenditures through a combination of internally
generated funds and, if necessary, repayment by El Paso of amounts advanced to El Paso under its
cash management program.
Commitments and Contingencies
For a discussion of our commitments and contingencies, see Item 8, Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data, Note 6, which is incorporated herein by reference.
New Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted
See Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 1, under New Accounting
Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted, which is incorporated herein by reference.
15
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our primary market risk is exposure to changing interest rates. The table below shows the
carrying value and related weighted average effective interest rates of our interest bearing
securities by expected maturity dates and the fair value of those securities. At December 31, 2006,
the fair values of our fixed rate long-term debt securities have been estimated based on quoted
market prices for the same or similar issues.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2006 |
|
December 31, 2005 |
|
|
Expected Fiscal Year of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maturity of Carrying Amounts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair |
|
Carrying |
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
Thereafter |
|
Total |
|
Value |
|
Amount |
|
Fair Value |
|
|
(In millions, except for rates) |
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt fixed rate |
|
$ |
352 |
|
|
$ |
759 |
|
|
$ |
1,111 |
|
|
$ |
1,273 |
|
|
$ |
1,110 |
|
|
$ |
1,220 |
|
Average effective interest rate |
|
|
7.9 |
% |
|
|
8.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholder of El Paso Natural Gas Company
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of El Paso Natural Gas Company (the
Company) as of December 31, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders
equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. Our audit also included the financial statement
schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a) for the year ended December 31, 2006. These financial statements and schedule are the
responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements and schedule based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We
were not engaged to perform an audit of the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for
designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of
expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial
reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material
respects, the consolidated financial position of El Paso Natural Gas Company at December 31, 2006,
and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in
conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related
financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken
as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, effective December 1, 2005, the
Company adopted the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions accounting release related to pipeline
assessment costs and effective December 31, 2006, the Company adopted the recognition provisions of Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and
Other Postretirement Plans An Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Houston, Texas
February 26, 2007
17
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of
El Paso Natural Gas Company:
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the Index appearing under Item
15(a)(1), present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of El Paso
Natural Gas Company and its subsidiaries (the Company) at December 31, 2005, and the consolidated
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended
December 31, 2005 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule for each of the two
years in the period ended December 31, 2005 listed in the Index appearing under Item 15(a)(2)
presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in
conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and the
financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and the financial statement
schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the
standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Houston, Texas
February 28, 2006
18
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
Operating revenues |
|
$ |
588 |
|
|
$ |
497 |
|
|
$ |
508 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operation and maintenance |
|
|
183 |
|
|
|
232 |
|
|
|
166 |
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
74 |
|
|
|
72 |
|
Taxes, other than income taxes |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
305 |
|
|
|
335 |
|
|
|
266 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
283 |
|
|
|
162 |
|
|
|
242 |
|
Other income, net |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
Interest and debt expense |
|
|
(95 |
) |
|
|
(92 |
) |
|
|
(92 |
) |
Affiliated interest income, net |
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
|
244 |
|
|
|
110 |
|
|
|
176 |
|
Income taxes |
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
152 |
|
|
$ |
64 |
|
|
$ |
118 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes.
19
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Accounts and notes receivable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer, net of allowance of $5 in 2006 and $18 in 2005 |
|
|
81 |
|
|
|
114 |
|
Affiliates |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Materials and supplies |
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
Restricted cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 |
|
Other |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
174 |
|
|
|
193 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, at cost |
|
|
3,557 |
|
|
|
3,417 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization |
|
|
1,251 |
|
|
|
1,193 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total property, plant and equipment, net |
|
|
2,306 |
|
|
|
2,224 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note receivable from affiliate |
|
|
1,070 |
|
|
|
872 |
|
Other |
|
|
81 |
|
|
|
89 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,151 |
|
|
|
961 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
3,631 |
|
|
$ |
3,378 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade |
|
$ |
59 |
|
|
$ |
84 |
|
Affiliates |
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
Other |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
Taxes payable |
|
|
87 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
Accrued interest |
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
Other |
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
304 |
|
|
|
221 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt |
|
|
1,111 |
|
|
|
1,110 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
405 |
|
|
|
364 |
|
Other |
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
105 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
490 |
|
|
|
469 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, par value $1 per share; 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
1,268 |
|
|
|
1,268 |
|
Retained earnings |
|
|
462 |
|
|
|
310 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity |
|
|
1,726 |
|
|
|
1,578 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
|
$ |
3,631 |
|
|
$ |
3,378 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes.
20
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
152 |
|
|
$ |
64 |
|
|
$ |
118 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
74 |
|
|
|
72 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
155 |
|
Other non-cash income items |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset and liabilities changes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Western Energy Settlement liability |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(538 |
) |
Accounts receivable |
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
Accounts payable |
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Taxes receivable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
102 |
|
|
|
(102 |
) |
Taxes payable |
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
(93 |
) |
Other, net |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
(47 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
|
|
322 |
|
|
|
304 |
|
|
|
(436 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to property, plant and equipment |
|
|
(143 |
) |
|
|
(141 |
) |
|
|
(148 |
) |
Net change in note receivable from affiliate |
|
|
(198 |
) |
|
|
(142 |
) |
|
|
49 |
|
Net change in restricted cash |
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
443 |
|
Proceeds from the sale of assets |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
|
(322 |
) |
|
|
(298 |
) |
|
|
338 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments to retire debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Capital contributions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(25 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes.
21
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
(In millions, except share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional |
|
|
|
|
|
|
other |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
Common stock |
|
|
paid-in |
|
|
Retained |
|
|
comprehensive |
|
|
stockholders |
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
capital |
|
|
earnings |
|
|
loss |
|
|
equity |
|
January 1, 2004 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,194 |
|
|
$ |
128 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,322 |
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
118 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
118 |
|
Western Energy Settlement contribution |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,267 |
|
|
|
246 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,513 |
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
64 |
|
Allocated tax benefit of El Paso equity plans |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2005 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,268 |
|
|
|
310 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,578 |
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
152 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
152 |
|
Adoption of SFAS No. 158, net of income taxes of $3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2006 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,268 |
|
|
$ |
462 |
|
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
1,726 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes.
22
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
We are a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1928, and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
El Paso Corporation (El Paso). Our primary business consists of the interstate transportation and
storage of natural gas. We conduct our business activities through our natural gas pipeline systems
and a storage facility. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles and we include the accounts of all majority owned and
controlled subsidiaries after the elimination of all significant intercompany accounts and
transactions. We consolidate entities when we either (i) have the ability to control the operating
and financial decisions and policies of that entity or (ii) are allocated a majority of the
entitys losses and/or returns through our variable interests in that entity. The determination of
our ability to control or exert significant influence over an entity and whether we are allocated a
majority of the entitys losses and/or returns involves the use of judgment.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of our financial statements requires the use of estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts we report as assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and our disclosures in
the financial statements. Actual results can, and often do, differ from those estimates.
Regulated Operations
Our natural gas transmission systems and storage operations are subject to the jurisdiction of
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under the Natural Gas Act of 1938, the Natural Gas
Policy Act of 1978, and the Energy Policy Act of 2005. We apply the regulatory accounting
principles prescribed under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71, Accounting
for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation. Under SFAS No. 71, we record regulatory assets and
liabilities that would not be recorded under GAAP for non-regulated entities. Regulatory assets
and liabilities represent probable future revenues or expenses associated with certain charges or
credits that will be recovered from or refunded to customers through the rate making process. Items
to which we apply regulatory accounting requirements include certain postretirement employee
benefit plan costs, an equity return component on regulated capital projects and certain items
included in, or expected to be included in, future rates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider short-term investments with an original maturity of less than three months to be
cash equivalents.
We maintain cash on deposit with banks that is pledged for a particular use or restricted to
support a potential liability. We classify these balances as restricted cash in other current or
non-current assets in our balance sheet based on when we expect this cash to be used.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We establish provisions for losses on accounts receivable and for natural gas imbalances due
from shippers and operators if we determine that we will not collect all or part of an outstanding
receivable balance. We regularly review collectibility and establish or adjust our allowance as
necessary using the specific identification method.
Materials and Supplies
We value materials and supplies at the lower of cost or market value with cost determined
using the average cost method.
23
Natural Gas Imbalances
Natural gas imbalances occur when the actual amount of natural gas delivered from or received
by a pipeline system or storage facility differs from the contractual amount of natural gas
delivered or received. We value these imbalances due to or from shippers and operators at current
index prices. Imbalances are settled in cash or made up in-kind, subject to the terms of our
tariff.
Imbalances due from others are reported in our balance sheet as either accounts receivable
from customers or accounts receivable from affiliates. Imbalances owed to others are reported in
our balance sheet as either trade accounts payable or accounts payable to affiliates. In addition,
we classify all imbalances as current as we expect to settle them within a year.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Our property, plant and equipment is recorded at its original cost of construction or, upon
acquisition, at the fair value of the assets acquired. For assets we construct, we capitalize
direct costs, such as labor and materials, and indirect costs, such as overhead, an interest and an
equity return component, as allowed by the FERC. We capitalize major units of property replacements
or improvements and expense minor items. Prior to December 1, 2005, we capitalized certain costs
incurred related to our pipeline integrity programs as part of our property, plant and equipment.
Beginning December 1, 2005, we began expensing certain of these costs based on FERC guidance.
During the year ended December 31, 2006, we expensed approximately $7 million of pipeline integrity
program costs, approximately $5 million of which was a result of the adoption of this accounting
release.
We use the composite (group) method to depreciate property, plant and equipment. Under this
method, assets with similar lives and characteristics are grouped and depreciated as one asset. We
apply the FERC-accepted depreciation rate to the total cost of the group until its net book value
equals its salvage value. For certain general plant and rights-of-way, we depreciate the asset to
zero. The majority of our property, plant and equipment is on our EPNG system. Prior to EPNGs rate
case filed in June 2005, the range of our depreciation rates, including those for the Mojave
system, varied from two percent to 33 percent per year. Using these rates, the remaining
depreciable lives of our assets ranged from three to 63 years. In December 2006, we filed a
proposed rate case settlement with the FERC, which included a further modification of our
depreciation rates resulting in depreciation rates ranging from one to 20 percent and the
depreciable lives ranging from five to 92 years for assets on our EPNG system. We re-evaluate
depreciation rates each time we file with the FERC for a change in our transportation service and
storage rates.
When we retire property, plant and equipment, we charge accumulated depreciation and
amortization for the original cost of the assets in addition to the cost to remove, sell or dispose
of the assets, less their salvage value. We do not recognize a gain or loss unless we sell an
entire operating unit. We include gains or losses on dispositions of operating units in operating
income.
Included in our property balances are additional acquisition costs of $152 million which
represent the excess of allocated purchase costs over the historical costs of the facilities. These
costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over 36 years, and we do not recover these excess
costs in our rates. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, we had unamortized additional acquisition costs
of $63 million and $64 million.
At December 31, 2006 and 2005, we had approximately $89 million and $82 million of
construction work in progress included in our property, plant and equipment.
We capitalize a carrying cost (an allowance for funds used during construction) on funds
related to our construction of long-lived assets. This carrying cost consists of a return on the
investment financed by debt and a return on the investment financed by equity. The debt portion is
calculated based on our average cost of debt. Interest costs on debt amounts capitalized during the
years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were $1 million, $3 million and $3 million. These debt
amounts are included as a reduction to interest and debt expense in our income statement. The
equity portion of capitalized costs is calculated using the most recent FERC-approved equity rate
of return. The equity amounts capitalized during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004,
were $2 million, $5 million and $4 million (exclusive of any tax related impacts). These equity
amounts are included as other non-operating income on our income statement. Capitalized carrying
costs for debt and equity financed construction are reflected as an increase in the cost of the
asset on our balance sheet.
Asset Impairments
We evaluate assets for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that their carrying
values may not be recovered. These events include market declines that are believed to be other
than temporary, changes in the manner in which we intend to use a long-lived asset, decisions to
sell an asset and adverse changes in the legal or business environment such as adverse actions by
regulators. When an event occurs, we evaluate the recoverability of our long-lived assets carrying
values based on their ability to generate future cash flows on an undiscounted basis. If an
impairment is indicated or if we decide to sell a long-lived asset or group of assets, we adjust
the carrying value of these assets downward, if necessary, to their estimated fair value. Our fair
value estimates are generally based on market data obtained through the sales process or an
analysis of expected discounted cash flows. The magnitude of any
24
impairment is impacted by a number of factors, including the nature of the assets being sold
and our established time frame for completing the sales, among other factors.
Revenue Recognition
Our revenues are primarily generated from natural gas transportation and storage services.
Revenues for all services are based on the thermal quantity of gas delivered or subscribed at a
price specified in the contract. For our transportation and storage services, we recognize
reservation revenues on firm contracted capacity over the contract period regardless of the amount
of natural gas that is transported or stored. For interruptible or volumetric-based services, we
record revenues when physical deliveries of natural gas are made at the agreed upon delivery point
or when gas is injected or withdrawn from the storage facility. Gas not used in operations is based
on the volumes of natural gas we are allowed to retain relative to the amounts we use for operating
purposes. Prior to January 1, 2006, we recognized revenue on gas not used in operations on our EPNG
system when the volumes were retained under our tariff. On January 1, 2006, we adopted a fuel
tracker on our EPNG system related to the actual costs of fuel, lost and unaccounted for and other
gas balancing costs, such as encroachments against our system gas supply and imbalance cash out
price adjustments, with a true-up mechanism for amounts over or under retained. We are subject to
FERC regulations and, as a result, revenues we collect may be subject to refund in a rate
proceeding. We establish reserves for these potential refunds.
Environmental Costs and Other Contingencies
Environmental Costs. We record environmental liabilities at their undiscounted amounts in our
balance sheet in other current and long-term liabilities when environmental assessments indicate
that remediation efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of our
liabilities are based on currently available facts, existing technology and presently enacted laws
and regulations taking into consideration the likely effects of other societal and economic
factors, and include estimates of associated legal costs. These amounts also consider prior
experience in remediating contaminated sites, other companies clean-up experience and data
released by the Environmental Protection Agency or other organizations. Our estimates are subject
to revision in future periods based on actual costs or new circumstances. We capitalize costs that
benefit future periods and we recognize a current period expense when clean-up efforts do not
benefit future periods.
We evaluate any amounts paid directly or reimbursed by government sponsored programs and
potential recoveries or reimbursements of remediation costs from third parties, including insurance
coverage, separately from our liability. Recovery is evaluated based on the creditworthiness or
solvency of the third party, among other factors. When recovery is assured, we record and report an
asset separately from the associated liability on our balance sheet.
Other Contingencies. We recognize liabilities for other contingencies when we have an exposure
that, when fully analyzed, indicates it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the
amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Where the most likely outcome of a contingency can be
reasonably estimated, we accrue a liability for that amount. Where the most likely outcome cannot
be estimated, a range of potential losses is established and if no one amount in that range is more
likely than any other, the lower end of the range is accrued.
Income Taxes
El Paso maintains a tax accrual policy to record both regular and alternative minimum taxes
for companies included in its consolidated federal and state income tax returns. The policy
provides, among other things, that (i) each company in a taxable income position will accrue a
current expense equivalent to its federal and state income taxes, and (ii) each company in a tax
loss position will accrue a benefit to the extent its deductions, including general business
credits, can be utilized in the consolidated returns. El Paso pays all consolidated U.S. federal
and state income taxes directly to the appropriate taxing jurisdictions and, under a separate tax
billing agreement, El Paso may bill or refund its subsidiaries for their portion of these income
tax payments.
Pursuant to El Pasos policy, we record current income taxes based on our taxable income and
we provide for deferred income taxes to reflect estimated future tax payments and receipts.
Deferred taxes represent the tax impacts of differences between the financial statement and tax
bases of assets and liabilities and carryovers at each year end. We account for tax credits under
the flow-through method, which reduces the provision for income taxes in the year the tax credits
first become available. We reduce deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance when, based on our
estimates, it is more likely than not that a portion of those assets will not be realized in a
future period. The estimates utilized in the recognition of deferred tax assets are subject to
revision, either up or down, in future periods based on new facts or circumstances.
25
Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations
We account for our asset retirement obligations in accordance with SFAS No. 143, Accounting
for Asset Retirement Obligations and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation
(FIN) No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations. We record a liability for
legal obligations associated with the replacement, removal and retirement of our long-lived assets.
Our asset retirement liabilities are recorded at their estimated fair value with a corresponding
increase to property, plant and equipment. This increase in property, plant and equipment is then
depreciated over the useful life of the long-lived asset to which that liability relates. An
ongoing expense is also recognized for changes in the value of the liability as a result of the
passage of time, which we record as depreciation, depletion and amortization expense in our income
statement. Because we believe it is probable that we will recover
certain of these costs through our rates, we have recorded an asset
(rather than expense) associated with certain of the depreciation of
the property, plant and equipment and certain of the accretion of the
liabilities described above.
We have legal obligations associated with our natural gas pipeline and related transmission
facilities and storage wells. We have obligations to plug storage wells when we no longer plan to
use them and when we abandon them. Our legal obligations associated with our natural gas
transmission facilities relate primarily to purging and sealing the pipeline if it is abandoned. We
also have obligations to remove hazardous materials associated with our natural gas transmission
facilities if they are replaced. We accrue a liability for legal obligations based on an estimate
of the timing and amount of their settlement.
We are required to operate and maintain our natural gas pipeline and storage systems, and
intend to do so as long as supply and demand for natural gas exists, which we expect for the
foreseeable future. Therefore, we believe that the substantial majority of our natural gas pipeline
and storage system assets have indeterminate lives. Accordingly, our asset retirement liabilities
as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, were not material to our
financial statements. We continue to evaluate our asset retirement obligations and future developments could impact the amounts we
record.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
In December 2006, we adopted the 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). Under SFAS No. 158, we record an asset or liability for our pension and other
postretirement benefit plans based on their funded or unfunded status. We also record deferred
amounts related to unrealized gains and losses or changes in actuarial assumptions in accumulated
other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders equity, until those gains and losses are
recognized in the income statement. For a further discussion of our adoption of SFAS No. 158, see
Note 7.
Evaluation of Prior Period Misstatements in Current Financial Statements
In
December 2006, we adopted the provisions of the Securities and
Exchange Commissions (SEC) Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 108.
Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year
Financial Statements. SAB No. 108 provides guidance on how to evaluate the impact of financial
statement misstatements from prior periods that have been identified in the current year. The
adoption of these provisions did not have any material impact on our financial statements.
New Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted
As of December 31, 2006, the following accounting standards and interpretations had not yet
been adopted by us.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN No. 48,
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. FIN No. 48 clarifies SFAS No. 109, Accounting for
Income Taxes, and requires us to evaluate our tax positions for all jurisdictions and all years
where the statute of limitations has not expired. FIN No. 48 requires companies to meet a more
likely than not threshold (i.e. greater than a 50 percent likelihood of a tax position being
sustained under examination) prior to recording a benefit for their tax positions. Additionally,
for tax positions meeting this more likely than not threshold, the amount of benefit is limited to
the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent probability of being realized upon ultimate
settlement. The cumulative effect of applying this interpretation will be recorded as an adjustment
to the beginning balance of retained earnings, or other components of stockholders equity as
appropriate, in the period of adoption. This interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2006, and we do not anticipate that it will have a material impact on our
financial statements.
Fair Value Measurements. In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value
Measurements, which provides guidance on measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities in the
financial statements. We will be required to adopt the provisions of this standard no later than
in 2008, and are currently evaluating the impact, if any, that it will have on our financial
statements.
26
Measurement Date of Other Postretirement Benefits. In December 2006, we adopted the
recognition provisions of SFAS No. 158. This standard will also require us to change the
measurement date of our other postretirement benefit plans from September 30, the date we currently
use, to December 31 beginning in 2008. We are evaluating the
impact, if any, that the measurement date provisions of this standard
will have on our financial statements.
2. Income Taxes
Components of Income Taxes. The following table reflects the components of income taxes
included in net income for each of the three years ended December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Current |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal |
|
$ |
66 |
|
|
$ |
35 |
|
|
$ |
(99 |
) |
State |
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
(97 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
159 |
|
State |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
155 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total income taxes |
|
$ |
92 |
|
|
$ |
46 |
|
|
$ |
58 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation. Our income taxes differ from the amount computed by
applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 35 percent for the following reasons for each of
the three years ended December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
(In millions, except for rates) |
|
Income taxes at the statutory federal rate of 35% |
|
$ |
85 |
|
|
$ |
39 |
|
|
$ |
62 |
|
Increase (decrease) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
State tax valuation allowance Western Energy Settlement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
Non-deductible expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes |
|
$ |
92 |
|
|
$ |
46 |
|
|
$ |
58 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective tax rate |
|
|
38 |
% |
|
|
42 |
% |
|
|
33 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities. The following are the components of our net deferred tax
liability at December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment |
|
$ |
448 |
|
|
$ |
427 |
|
Employee benefits and deferred compensation obligations |
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
Regulatory and other assets |
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax liability |
|
|
509 |
|
|
|
499 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. net operating loss and tax credit carryovers |
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
81 |
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax asset |
|
|
146 |
|
|
|
149 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred tax liability |
|
$ |
363 |
|
|
$ |
350 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Credits and Carryovers. As of December 31, 2006, we had approximately $18 million of
alternative minimum tax credits that carryover indefinitely. We also have approximately $179
million of net operating loss carryovers that expire between 2018 and 2026. Usage of our carryovers is subject to the limitations provided under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal
Revenue Code as well as the separate return limitation year rules of IRS regulations.
Valuation Allowances. During 2003, we maintained a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets
related to our ability to realize state tax benefits from the deduction of the charge we took
related to the Western Energy Settlement. During 2004, we evaluated this allowance and determined
that these state tax benefits would be fully realized. Consequently, we reversed this valuation
allowance. Net of federal taxes, this benefit totaled approximately $6 million.
27
3. Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial instruments are as follows at
December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
|
|
Amount |
|
Fair Value |
|
Amount |
|
Fair Value |
|
|
(In millions) |
Balance sheet financial instruments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt(1) |
|
$ |
1,111 |
|
|
$ |
1,273 |
|
|
$ |
1,110 |
|
|
$ |
1,220 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
We estimated the fair value of our debt with fixed interest rates based on
quoted market prices for the same or similar issues. |
As
of December 31, 2006 and 2005, the carrying amounts of cash and
cash equivalents and trade receivables and payables
are representative of their fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.
4. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
Below are the details of our regulatory assets and liabilities at December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description |
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Non-current regulatory assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross-up of deferred taxes on capitalized funds used during construction |
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
$ |
19 |
|
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt |
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
Postretirement benefits |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
Deferred fuel variance |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
Under-collected state income taxes |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
Other |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-current regulatory assets(1) |
|
$ |
58 |
|
|
$ |
56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current regulatory liabilities |
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
Non-current regulatory liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and plant depreciation |
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
Imbalance cashouts |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Excess deferred federal income taxes |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total regulatory liabilities(1) |
|
$ |
56 |
|
|
$ |
44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Amounts are included as other non-current assets and other current and
non-current liabilities in our balance sheet. |
28
5. Debt and Credit Facilities
Debt
Our long-term debt outstanding consisted of the following at December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
7.625% Notes due August 2010 |
|
$ |
355 |
|
|
$ |
355 |
|
8.625% Debentures due January 2022 |
|
|
260 |
|
|
|
260 |
|
7.50% Debentures due November 2026 |
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
8.375% Notes due June 2032 |
|
|
300 |
|
|
|
300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,115 |
|
|
|
1,115 |
|
Less: Unamortized discount |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term debt |
|
$ |
1,111 |
|
|
$ |
1,110 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We have the ability to call $655 million of our notes due in August 2010 and June 2032 at any
time prior to their stated maturity date. If we were to exercise our option to call these notes, we
would be obligated to pay principal, accrued interest and potentially a make-whole premium to
redeem the debt.
Credit Facilities
In July 2006, El Paso entered into a new $1.75 billion credit agreement, consisting of a $1.25
billion three-year revolving credit facility and a $500 million five-year deposit letter of credit
facility. We are an eligible borrower under the credit agreement and are only liable for amounts we
directly borrow. We had no borrowings at December 31, 2006 under the credit agreement. Our common
stock and the common stock of several of our affiliates are pledged as collateral under the credit
agreement. At December 31, 2006, there was approximately $0.6 billion of borrowing capacity
available to all eligible borrowers under the $1.75 billion credit agreement.
Under the $1.75 billion credit agreement and our indentures, we are subject to a number of
restrictions and covenants. The most restrictive of these include (i) limitations on the incurrence
of additional debt, based on a ratio of debt to EBITDA (as defined in the agreements), the most
restrictive of which shall not exceed 5 to 1; (ii) limitations on the use of proceeds from
borrowings; (iii) limitations, in some cases, on transactions with our affiliates; (iv) limitations
on the incurrence of liens; (v) potential limitations on our ability to declare and pay dividends;
(vi) potential limitations on our ability to participate in the El Pasos cash management program
discussed in Note 10; and (vii) limitations on our ability to prepay debt. For the year ended
December 31, 2006, we were in compliance with our debt-related covenants.
Our long-term debt contains cross-acceleration provisions, the most restrictive of which is a
$25 million cross-acceleration clause.
6. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
Sierra Pacific Resources and Nevada Power Company v. El Paso et al. In April 2003, Sierra
Pacific Resources and Nevada Power Company filed a suit in the U.S. District Court for the District
of Nevada against us, our affiliates and unrelated third parties, alleging that the defendants
conspired to manipulate prices and supplies of natural gas in the California-Arizona border market
from 1996 to 2001. In 2004, the courts twice dismissed the lawsuit. The plaintiffs have appealed
that dismissal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The appeal has been fully
briefed. Our costs and legal exposure related to this lawsuit are not currently determinable.
29
Carlsbad. In August 2000, a main transmission line owned and operated by us ruptured at the
crossing of the Pecos River near Carlsbad, New Mexico. Twelve individuals at the site were fatally
injured. In June 2001, the U.S. Department of Transportations (DOT) Office of Pipeline Safety
issued a Notice of Probable Violation and Proposed Civil Penalty to us. The Notice alleged
violations of DOT regulations, proposed fines totaling $2.5 million and proposed corrective
actions. In April 2003, the National Transportation Safety Board issued its final report on the
rupture, finding that the rupture was probably caused by internal corrosion that was not detected
by our corrosion control program. In December 2003, this matter was referred by the DOT to the
Department of Justice (DOJ). As a result of the referral to the DOJ, the amount of the proposed
fine may increase substantially from the DOTs originally proposed fine of $2.5 million and may
also involve implementation of additional operational and safety measures. Negotiations with the
DOJ are continuing.
In addition, a lawsuit entitled Baldonado et al. v. EPNG was filed in June 2003, in state
court in Eddy County, New Mexico, on behalf of 26 firemen and emergency medical service personnel
who responded to the fire and who allegedly have suffered psychological trauma. This case was
dismissed by the trial court, but was appealed to the New Mexico Court of Appeals. In June 2006,
the New Mexico Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of the plaintiffs claims for negligent
infliction of emotional distress but reversed the dismissal of the claims for intentional
infliction of emotional distress. The New Mexico Supreme Court has agreed to review the actions by
the Court of Appeals. Our costs and legal exposure related to the Baldonado lawsuit are currently
not determinable, however, we believe these matters will be fully covered by insurance.
Gas Measurement Cases. We and a number of our affiliates 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 has 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 May 2005, a representative appointed by the
court issued a recommendation to dismiss most of the actions. In October 2006, the U.S. District
Judge issued an order dismissing all measurement 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 plaintiffs seek 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
this lawsuit and claim are not currently determinable.
Bank of America. We were a named defendant, along with Burlington Resources, Inc.
(Burlington), in two class action lawsuits styled Bank of America, et al. v. El Paso Natural Gas
Company, et al., and Deane W. Moore, et al. v. Burlington Northern, Inc., et al., each filed in
1997 in the District Court of Washita County, Oklahoma and subsequently consolidated by the court.
The consolidated class action has been settled. Our settlement contribution was approximately $30
million plus interest, which was fully accrued and paid on August 1, 2006. A third action, styled
Bank of America, et al. v. El Paso Natural Gas and Burlington Resources Oil and Gas Company, L.P.,
was filed in October 2003 in the District Court of Kiowa County, Oklahoma asserting similar claims
as to specified shallow wells in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. All the claims in this action have
also been settled subject to court approval, after a fairness hearing yet to be scheduled. We filed
an action styled El Paso Natural Gas Company v. Burlington Resources, Inc. and Burlington Resources
Oil and Gas Company, L.P. against Burlington in state court in Harris County, Texas relating to the
indemnity issues between Burlington and us. That action was stayed by agreement of the parties and
settled in November 2005, subject to all the underlying class settlements being finalized and
approved by the court.
In addition to the above matters, we and our subsidiaries and affiliates are also named
defendants in numerous lawsuits and governmental proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of
our business.
For each of our outstanding legal 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. As further information becomes available, or other relevant developments occur,
we 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
current reserves are adequate. At December 31, 2006, we had accrued approximately $16 million for
our outstanding legal matters.
30
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. At December 31, 2006, we had accrued approximately $24 million for expected
remediation costs and associated onsite, offsite and groundwater technical studies and for related
environmental legal costs. This accrual includes $21 million for environmental contingencies
related to properties we previously owned. Our accrual represents a combination of two estimation
methodologies. First, where the most likely outcome can be reasonably estimated, that cost has been
accrued. Second, where the most likely outcome cannot be estimated, a range of costs is established
and if no one amount in that range is more likely than any other, the lower end of the expected
range has been accrued. We estimate that our exposure could be as high as $45 million. Our
environmental remediation projects are in various stages of completion. The liabilities we have
recorded 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.
Below is a reconciliation of our accrued liability from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006
(in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at January 1, 2006 |
|
$ |
29 |
|
Additions/adjustments for remediation activities |
|
|
(1 |
) |
Payments for remediation activities |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2006 |
|
$ |
24 |
|
|
|
|
|
For 2007, we estimate that our total remediation expenditures will be approximately $4
million, which will be expended under government directed clean-up plans.
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Matters. 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 four
active sites under 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. As of December 31, 2006, we have estimated our share of
the remediation costs at these sites to be between $12 million and $16 million. 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
environmental reserve discussed above.
State of Arizona Chromium Review. In April 2004, the State of Arizonas Department of
Environmental Quality (ADEQ) requested information from us regarding the historical use of chromium
in our operations. By June 2004, we had responded fully to the request. We are currently working
with the State of Arizona on this matter and in 2006, we commenced a study of our facilities in
Arizona to determine if there are any issues concerning the usage of chromium. We also studied our
facilities on tribal lands in Arizona and New Mexico and our facility at the El Paso Station in El
Paso, Texas. Of the 12 sites that were studied, nine were found not to have chromium contamination
above regulatory thresholds. Of the three remaining sites, one was already enrolled in Arizonas
Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP), one will be entered into the VRP as soon as practicable, and
additional environmental studies will be conducted at the last site to determine if the
environmental conditions at the site warrant entering it into the VRP as well.
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 and regulations and claims for damages
to property, employees, other persons and the environment 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.
Rates and Regulatory Matters
Rate Case. In June 2005, we filed a rate case with the FERC proposing an increase in revenues
of 10.6 percent or $56 million annually over current tariff rates, new services and revisions to
certain terms and conditions of existing services on our EPNG system. On January 1, 2006, the rates
became effective, subject to refund. In March 2006, the FERC issued an order that generally
approved our proposed new services, which were implemented on June 1, 2006. In December 2006, we
filed a settlement with the FERC. The
31
settlement provided benefits for both us and our customers for a three year period ending
December 31, 2008. Only one party in the rate case contested the settlement. The Administrative
Law Judge has certified the settlement to the FERC finding that the settlement could be approved
for all parties or in the alternative, that the contesting party could be severed from the
settlement. We have reserved sufficient amounts to meet EPNGs refund obligations under the
settlement. Such refunds will be payable within 120 days after approval by the FERC.
While the outcome of our outstanding rates and regulatory matters cannot be predicted with
certainty, based on current information, we do not expect the ultimate resolution of these matters
to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.
However, it is possible that new information or future developments could require us to reassess
our potential exposure related to these matters, which could have a material effect on our results
of operations, our financial position and our cash flows.
Other Matters
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 includes 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 and whether we will be able to
recover these costs in our rates.
While the outcome of this matter cannot be predicted with certainty, based on current
information, we do not expect the ultimate resolution of this matter to have a material adverse
effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows. It is possible that new
information or future developments could require us to reassess our potential exposure related to
this matter. The impact of these changes may have a material effect on our results of operations,
our financial position, and our cash flows in the periods these events occur.
Enron Bankruptcy. In December 2001, Enron Corp. (Enron), and a number of its subsidiaries
including Enron North America Corp. (ENA) and Enron Power Marketing, Inc., filed for Chapter 11
bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
ENA had transportation contracts on our system. The transportation contracts were rejected and our
proof of claim was filed in the amount of approximately $128 million, which included $18 million
for amounts due for services provided through the date the contracts were rejected and $110 million
for claims arising after the date the contracts were rejected. In August 2006, the Bankruptcy
Court approved a claim of $58 million that is guaranteed by Enron up to $25 million. In October
2006, we received cash of approximately $21 million and 76,000 shares of Portland General Electric
Company common stock in connection with the resolution of certain claims we filed in the Enron
bankruptcy proceeding. We may receive additional amounts in the future as settlement proceeds are
released by the Bankruptcy Court.
Capital Commitments
At December 31, 2006, we had capital commitments of approximately $17 million. We have other
planned capital projects that are discretionary in nature, with no substantial contractual capital
commitments made in advance of the actual expenditures.
Operating Leases
We lease property, facilities and equipment under various operating leases. Minimum future
annual rental commitments on operating leases as of December 31, 2006, were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending |
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
(In millions) |
|
2007 |
|
$ |
8 |
|
2008 |
|
|
2 |
|
2009 |
|
|
2 |
|
2010 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
Our minimum future rental commitments have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals of
approximately $1 million due to us in the future under noncancelable subleases.
32
Included in our minimum future rental commitments above is our remaining obligation under a
terminated lease agreement. Rental expense on our operating leases for each of the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $17 million, $6 million and $3 million. These amounts include
our share of rent allocated to us from El Paso.
Other Commercial Commitments
We also hold cancelable easements or rights-of-way arrangements from landowners permitting the
use of land for the construction and operation of our pipeline systems. Currently, our obligations
under these easements are not material to the results of our operations.
Guarantees
We are or have been involved in various joint ventures and other ownership arrangements that
sometimes require additional financial support that results in the issuance of 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. As of December
31, 2006, we had approximately $11 million of financial and performance guarantees not otherwise
reflected in our financial statements.
7. Retirement Benefits
Pension and Retirement Benefits. El Paso maintains a pension plan to provide benefits
determined under a cash balance formula. El Paso also maintains a defined contribution plan
covering its U.S. employees, including our employees. El Paso matches 75 percent of participant
basic contributions up to 6 percent of eligible compensation and can make additional discretionary
matching contributions. El Paso is responsible for benefits accrued under its plans and allocates
the related costs to its affiliates.
Postretirement Benefits. We provide medical benefits for a closed group of employees who
retired on or before March 1, 1986, and limited postretirement life insurance for employees who
retired after January 1, 1985. As such, our obligation to accrue for other postretirement employee
benefits (OPEB) is primarily limited to the fixed population of retirees who retired on or before
March 1, 1986. The medical plan is pre-funded to the extent employer contributions are recoverable
through rates. To the extent actual OPEB costs differ from amounts recovered in rates, a regulatory
asset or liability is recorded. We expect to make no contributions to our postretirement benefit
plan in 2007.
On December 31, 2006, we adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 158, and upon adoption reflected
the assets related to our postretirement benefit plan based on its funded status. The adoption of
this standard decreased our other non-current assets by approximately $7 million, our other
non-current deferred tax liabilities by approximately $3 million, and our accumulated other
comprehensive income by approximately $4 million. We anticipate that less than $1 million of our
accumulated other comprehensive loss will be recognized as a part of our net periodic benefit cost
in 2007.
33
Change in Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation, Plan Assets and Funded Status. Our
benefits are presented and computed as of and for the twelve months ended September 30:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Change in accumulated postretirement benefit obligation: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at beginning of period |
|
$ |
93 |
|
|
$ |
85 |
|
Interest cost |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Actuarial (gain) loss |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
10 |
|
Benefits paid |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at end of period |
|
$ |
88 |
|
|
$ |
93 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in plan assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets at beginning period |
|
$ |
90 |
|
|
$ |
77 |
|
Actual return on plan assets |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
Employer contributions |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Benefits paid |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets at end of period |
|
$ |
96 |
|
|
$ |
90 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation of funded status: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets at September 30 |
|
$ |
96 |
|
|
$ |
90 |
|
Less: accumulated postretirement benefit obligation end of period |
|
|
88 |
|
|
|
93 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funded status at September 30 |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
Fourth quarter contributions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
Unrecognized actuarial losses (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset at December 31 |
|
$ |
8 |
|
|
$ |
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Amounts were reclassified to accumulated other comprehensive income upon adoption
of SFAS No. 158 in 2006. |
Expected Payment of Future Benefits. As of December 31, 2006, we expect the following
payments under our plans (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending |
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
$ |
9 |
|
2008 |
|
|
9 |
|
2009 |
|
|
9 |
|
2010 |
|
|
8 |
|
2011 |
|
|
8 |
|
2012 -2016 |
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
80 |
|
|
|
|
|
Components of Net Benefit Cost. For each of the years ended December
31, the components of net benefit cost are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Interest cost |
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
Expected return on plan assets |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
Amortization of net actuarial loss |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
Amortization of transition obligation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net postretirement benefit cost |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
|
$ |
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34
Actuarial Assumptions and Sensitivity Analysis. Accumulated postretirement benefit obligations
and net benefit costs are based on actuarial estimates and assumptions. The following table details
the weighted average actuarial assumptions used in determining our postretirement plan obligations
for 2006, 2005 and 2004:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
(Percent) |
Assumptions related to benefit obligations at September 30: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount rate |
|
|
5.50 |
|
|
|
5.25 |
|
|
|
|
|
Assumptions related to benefit costs at December 31: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount rate |
|
|
5.25 |
|
|
|
5.75 |
|
|
|
6.00 |
|
Expected return on plan assets(1) |
|
|
8.00 |
|
|
|
7.50 |
|
|
|
7.50 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The expected return on plan assets is a pre-tax rate (before a tax rate
ranging from 15 percent to 16 percent on postretirement benefits) that is primarily based on an
expected risk-free investment return, adjusted for historical risk premiums and specific risk
adjustments associated with our debt and equity securities. These
expected returns were then weighted based on the target asset allocations of our investment
portfolio. |
Actuarial estimates for our postretirement benefits plan assumed a weighted average
annual rate of increase in the per capita costs of covered health care benefits of 10.3 percent in
2006, gradually decreasing to 5.0 percent by the year 2015. Assumed health care cost trends can
have a significant effect on the amounts reported for our postretirement benefit plan. A
one-percentage point change would not have had a significant effect on interest costs in 2006 or
2005. A one-percentage point change in these trends would have the following increase (decrease) on
our accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of September 30:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
|
(In millions) |
One percentage point increase: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation |
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
One percentage point decrease: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation |
|
$ |
(5 |
) |
|
$ |
(6 |
) |
Plan Assets. The following table provides the actual asset allocations in our postretirement
plan as of September 30:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual |
|
|
Actual |
|
Asset Category |
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
(Percent) |
|
Equity securities |
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
65 |
|
Debt securities |
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The primary investment objective of our plan is to ensure that, over the long-term life of the
plan, an adequate pool of sufficiently liquid assets exists to support the benefit obligation to
participants, retirees and beneficiaries. In meeting this objective, the plan seeks to achieve a
high level of investment return consistent with a prudent level of portfolio risk. Investment
objectives are long-term in nature covering typical market cycles of three to five years. Any
shortfall in investment performance compared to investment objectives is the result of general
economic and capital market conditions.
The target allocation for the invested assets is 65 percent equity and 35 percent fixed
income. Other assets are held in cash for payment of benefits upon presentment. Any El Paso stock
held by the plan is held indirectly through investments in mutual funds.
8. Transactions with Major Customers
The following table shows revenues from our major customers for each of the three years ended
December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006(1) |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
(In millions) |
SoCal |
|
$ |
145 |
|
|
$ |
156 |
|
|
$ |
157 |
|
Southwest Gas Corporation |
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Revenues reflect rates subject to refund. |
35
9. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following table contains supplemental cash flow information for each of the three years
ended December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
(In millions) |
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest |
|
$ |
93 |
|
|
$ |
93 |
|
|
$ |
92 |
|
Income tax payments (refunds) |
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
(93 |
) |
|
|
98 |
|
10. Transactions with Affiliates
Cash Management Program. We participate in El Pasos cash management program which matches
short-term cash surpluses and needs of participating affiliates, thus minimizing total borrowings
from outside sources. We have historically provided cash to El Paso in exchange for an affiliated
note receivable that is due upon demand. However, we do not anticipate settlement within the next
twelve months and therefore, classified this receivable as non-current on our balance sheets. At
December 31, 2006 and 2005, we had a note receivable from El Paso of approximately $1.1 billion and
$872 million. The interest rate at December 31, 2006 and 2005, was 5.3% and 5.0%.
Taxes. El Paso files consolidated U.S. federal and certain state tax returns which include
our taxable income. In certain states, we file and pay taxes directly to the state taxing
authorities. We had income taxes payable of $81 million and $26 million at December 31, 2006 and
2005. The majority of these balances will become payable to or receivable from El Paso. See Note 1
for a discussion of our tax accrual policy.
Other Affiliate Balances. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, we had contractual deposits with our
affiliates of $7 million and $6 million, included in other current liabilities on our balance
sheets.
Affiliate Revenues and Expenses. We provide natural gas transportation services to an
affiliate under long-term contracts. We entered into these contracts in the normal course of
business and the services are based on the same terms as non-affiliates.
El Paso bills us directly for certain general and administrative costs and allocates a portion
of its general and administrative costs to us. In addition to allocations from El Paso, we are also
allocated costs from Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company (TGP) associated with our pipeline services. We
also allocate costs to Colorado Interstate Gas Company for its share of our pipeline services. The
allocations from El Paso and TGP are based on the estimated level of effort devoted to our
operations and the relative size of our EBIT, gross property and payroll.
The following table shows revenues and charges from our affiliates for each of the three years
ended December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
(In millions) |
Revenues from affiliates |
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
Operation and maintenance expenses from affiliates |
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
62 |
|
Reimbursements of operating expenses charged to affiliates |
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
36
11. Supplemental Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
Our financial information by quarter is summarized below. Due to the seasonal nature of our
business, information for interim periods may not be indicative of our results of operations for
the entire year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarters Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31 |
|
|
June 30 |
|
|
September 30 |
|
|
December 31 |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenues |
|
$ |
153 |
|
|
$ |
142 |
|
|
$ |
155 |
|
|
$ |
138 |
|
|
$ |
588 |
|
Operating income |
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
283 |
|
Net income |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
152 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenues |
|
$ |
123 |
|
|
$ |
123 |
|
|
$ |
125 |
|
|
$ |
126 |
|
|
$ |
497 |
|
Operating income |
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
162 |
|
Net income |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
37
SCHEDULE II
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(In millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at |
|
|
Charged to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance |
|
|
|
Beginning |
|
|
Costs and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
at End |
|
Description |
|
of Period |
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
Deductions |
|
|
of Period |
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
(9 |
) |
|
$ |
5 |
|
Legal reserves |
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(30 |
) |
|
|
16 |
|
Environmental reserves |
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
24 |
|
Regulatory reserves |
|
|
|
|
|
|
65 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
Legal reserves |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
42 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
45 |
|
Environmental reserves |
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Legal reserves |
|
|
541 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(538 |
)(2) |
|
|
3 |
|
Environmental reserves |
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
32 |
|
Regulatory reserves |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
For a discussion of these matters, see Item 8, Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data, Note 6. |
|
(2) |
|
Relates to payments made pursuant to the Western Energy Settlement. |
38
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
As previously reported in our Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 18, 2006, as amended on
April 24 and May 8, 2006, we appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006 and dismissed PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, there were no disagreements with
our former accountant or reportable events as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) and Item 304(a)(1)(v)
of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of December 31, 2006, we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the
participation of our management, including our President and Chief Financial Officer, 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 SEC reports we file or submit
under the Exchange Act is accurate, complete and timely. Our management, including our President
and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our
internal controls will prevent and/or detect all error 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 this evaluation, our President and
Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at
December 31, 2006.
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 fourth quarter of 2006.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
Item 10, Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance; Item 11, Executive
Compensation; Item 12, Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters; and Item 13, Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence have been omitted from this report pursuant to the reduced disclosure format
permitted by General Instruction I to Form 10-K.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Audit Fees
The audit fees for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 of $678,000 and $800,000 were
for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
respectively for the audits of the consolidated financial statements of El Paso Natural Gas
Company.
All Other Fees
No other audit-related, tax or other services were provided by our independent registered
public accounting firms for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005.
39
Policy for Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Fees
We are an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of El Paso and do not have a separate audit
committee. El Pasos Audit Committee has adopted a pre-approval policy for audit and non-audit
services. For a description of El Pasos pre-approval policies for audit and non-audit related
services, see El Paso Corporations proxy statement for its 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this report:
1. Financial statements.
The following consolidated financial statements are included in Part II, Item 8 of this
report:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms |
|
|
17 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Income |
|
|
19 |
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets |
|
|
20 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows |
|
|
21 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity |
|
|
22 |
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2. Financial statement schedules. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, or
the required information is disclosed in the financial
statements or accompanying notes. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3. Exhibits |
|
|
|
|
The Exhibit Index, which follows the signature page to this report and is hereby incorporated
herein by reference, sets forth a list of those exhibits filed herewith, and includes and
identifies contracts or arrangements required to be filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K by Item
601(b) (10)(iii) of Regulation S-K.
Undertaking
We hereby undertake, pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 601(b), paragraph (4) (iii), to furnish
to the U.S. SEC upon request all constituent instruments defining the rights of holders of our
long-term debt and our consolidated subsidiaries not filed as an exhibit hereto for the reason that
the total amount of securities authorized under any of such instruments does not exceed 10 percent
of our total consolidated assets.
40
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, El
Paso Natural Gas Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized on the 28th day of February 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/S/ JAMES J. CLEARY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
James J. Cleary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President |
|
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been
signed below by the following persons on behalf of El Paso Natural Gas Company and in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/S/ JAMES J. CLEARY
|
|
President and Director
|
|
February 28, 2007 |
|
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/S/ JOHN R. SULT
|
|
Senior Vice President,
|
|
February 28, 2007 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and Controller |
|
|
|
|
(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/S/ JAMES C. YARDLEY
|
|
Chairman of the Board
|
|
February 28, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/S/ DANIEL B. MARTIN
|
|
Senior Vice President and Director
|
|
February 28, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/S/ THOMAS L. PRICE
|
|
Vice President and Director
|
|
February 28, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
41
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
EXHIBIT INDEX
December 31, 2006
Each exhibit identified below is a part of this report. Exhibits filed with this report are
designated by *. All exhibits not so designated are incorporated herein by reference to a prior
filing as indicated.
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
|
|
|
3.A
|
|
Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated April 8, 2003 (Exhibit 3.A to our 2003 Second Quarter Form 10-Q). |
|
|
|
3.B
|
|
By-laws dated June 24, 2002 (Exhibit 3.B to our 2002 Form 10-K). |
|
|
|
4.A
|
|
Indenture dated as of January 1, 1992, between El Paso Natural Gas Company and Wilmington Trust Company (as
successor to Citibank, N.A.), as Trustee, (Exhibit 4.A to our 2004 Form 10-K). |
|
|
|
4.B
|
|
Indenture dated as of November 13, 1996, between El Paso Natural Gas Company and Wilmington Trust Company
(as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank), as Trustee, (Exhibit 4.B
to our 2004 Form 10-K). |
|
|
|
4.C
|
|
Indenture dated as of July 21, 2003, between El Paso Natural Gas Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as
Trustee, (Exhibit 4.1 to our Form 8-K filed July 23, 2003). |
|
|
|
10.A
|
|
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 31, 2006, among El Paso Corporation, Colorado
Interstate Gas Company, El Paso Natural Gas Company, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, the several banks and
other financial institutions from time to time parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as
administrative agent and as collateral agent. (Exhibit 10.A to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with
the SEC on August 2, 2006.) |
|
|
|
*10.A.1
|
|
Amendment No. 1 dated as of January 19, 2007 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July
31, 2006 among El Paso Corporation, Colorado Interstate Gas Company, El Paso Natural Gas Company, Tennessee
Gas Pipeline Company, the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time parties thereto
and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and as collateral agent. |
|
|
|
10.B
|
|
Amended and Restated Security Agreement dated as of July 31, 2006, among El Paso Corporation, Colorado
Interstate Gas Company, El Paso Natural Gas Company, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, the Subsidiary
Guarantors and certain other credit parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., not in its individual
capacity, but solely as collateral agent for the Secured Parties and as the depository bank. (Exhibit 10.B
to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on August 2, 2006.) |
|
|
|
21
|
|
Omitted pursuant to the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction I to Form 10-K. |
|
|
|
*31.A
|
|
Certification of Principal 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 Principal 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. |
42