e10vq
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
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þ |
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010
OR
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o |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 1-32599
WILLIAMS PARTNERS L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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DELAWARE
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20-2485124 |
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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ONE WILLIAMS CENTER |
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TULSA, OKLAHOMA
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74172-0172 |
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number: (918) 573-2000
NO CHANGE
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed
by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its
corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted
pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes
þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large
accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer þ
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Accelerated filer o
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Non-accelerated filer o
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Smaller reporting company o |
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
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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
The registrant had 255,777,452 common units outstanding as of July 28, 2010.
Williams Partners L.P.
Index
Certain matters contained in this report include forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements relate to anticipated financial
performance, managements plans and objectives for future operations, business prospects, outcome
of regulatory proceedings, market conditions, and other matters.
All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this report that
address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will exist or may
occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by
various forms of words such as anticipates, believes, seeks, could, may, should,
continues, estimates, expects, forecasts, intends, might, goals, objectives,
targets, planned, potential, projects, scheduled, will, or other similar expressions.
These statements are based on managements beliefs and assumptions and on information currently
available to management and include, among others, statements regarding:
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Amounts and nature of future capital expenditures; |
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Expansion and growth of our business and operations; |
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Financial condition and liquidity; |
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Cash flow from operations or results of operations; |
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The levels of cash distributions to unitholders; |
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Seasonality of certain business segments; |
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Natural gas and natural gas liquids prices and demand. |
Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, uncertainties, and risks that
could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in
this report. Limited partner units are inherently different from the capital stock of a
corporation, although many of the business risks to which we are subject are similar to those that
would be faced by a corporation engaged in a similar business. You should carefully consider the
risk factors discussed below in addition to the other information in this report. If any of the
following risks were actually to occur, our business, results of operations and financial condition
could be materially adversely affected. In that case, we might not be able to pay distributions on
our common units, the trading price of our common units could decline, and unitholders could lose
all or part of their investment. Many of the factors that will
1
determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict. Specific factors that
could cause actual results to differ from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements
include, among others, the following:
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Whether we have sufficient cash from operations to enable us to maintain current levels
of cash distributions or to pay the minimum quarterly distribution following establishment
of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to our general
partner; |
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Availability of supplies (including the uncertainties inherent in assessing and
estimating future natural gas reserves), market demand, volatility of prices, and the
availability and cost of capital; |
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Inflation, interest rates and general economic conditions (including future disruptions
and volatility in the global credit markets and the impact of these events on our customers
and suppliers); |
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The strength and financial resources of our competitors; |
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Development of alternative energy sources; |
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The impact of operational and development hazards; |
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Costs of, changes in, or the results of laws, government regulations (including
proposed climate change legislation and/or potential additional regulation of drilling and
completion of wells), environmental liabilities, litigation and rate proceedings; |
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Our allocated costs for defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit
plans sponsored by our affiliates; |
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Changes in maintenance and construction costs; |
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Changes in the current geopolitical situation; |
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Our exposure to the credit risks of our customers; |
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Risks related to strategy and financing, including restrictions stemming from our debt
agreements, future changes in our credit ratings and the availability and cost of credit; |
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Risks associated with future weather conditions; |
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Additional risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC). |
Given the uncertainties and risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ
materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, we caution investors not to
unduly rely on our forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligations to and do not intend to
update the above list or to announce publicly the result of any revisions to any of the
forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.
In addition to causing our actual results to differ, the factors listed above and referred to
below may cause our intentions to change from those statements of intention set forth in this
report. Such changes in our intentions may also cause our results to differ. We may change our
intentions, at any time and without notice, based upon changes in such factors, our assumptions, or
otherwise.
Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, we caution that there are
important factors, in addition to those listed above, that may cause actual results to differ
materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. For a detailed
discussion of those factors, see Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2009, and Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Form 10-Q.
2
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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Item 1. |
|
Financial Statements |
Williams Partners L.P.
Consolidated Statement of Income
(Unaudited)
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Three months ended |
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Six months ended |
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June 30, |
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June 30, |
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2010 |
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2009* |
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2010 |
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2009* |
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(Millions, except per-unit amounts) |
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Revenues: |
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Gas Pipeline |
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$ |
380 |
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$ |
421 |
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$ |
787 |
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$ |
822 |
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Midstream Gas & Liquids |
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987 |
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663 |
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2,038 |
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1,221 |
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Intercompany eliminations |
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(3 |
) |
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(5 |
) |
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Total revenues |
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1,367 |
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1,081 |
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2,825 |
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2,038 |
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Segment costs and expenses: |
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Costs and operating expenses |
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987 |
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738 |
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2,001 |
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1,381 |
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Selling, general and administrative expenses |
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68 |
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71 |
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127 |
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141 |
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Other (income) expense net |
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(7 |
) |
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3 |
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(10 |
) |
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Segment costs and expenses |
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1,048 |
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812 |
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2,118 |
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1,522 |
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General corporate expenses |
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28 |
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26 |
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62 |
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51 |
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Operating income: |
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Gas Pipeline |
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138 |
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147 |
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298 |
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311 |
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Midstream Gas & Liquids |
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181 |
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122 |
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409 |
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205 |
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General corporate expenses |
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(28 |
) |
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(26 |
) |
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(62 |
) |
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(51 |
) |
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Total operating income |
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291 |
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243 |
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645 |
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465 |
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Equity earnings |
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27 |
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16 |
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53 |
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21 |
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Interest accrued third-party |
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(101 |
) |
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(51 |
) |
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(182 |
) |
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(102 |
) |
Interest accrued affiliate |
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(1 |
) |
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(16 |
) |
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(1 |
) |
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(30 |
) |
Interest capitalized |
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7 |
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17 |
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19 |
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31 |
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Interest income |
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6 |
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3 |
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11 |
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Other income (expense) net |
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2 |
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2 |
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1 |
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5 |
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Income before income taxes |
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225 |
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217 |
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538 |
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401 |
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Provision for income taxes |
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2 |
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3 |
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Net income |
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225 |
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|
215 |
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|
538 |
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|
398 |
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Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling
interests |
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5 |
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6 |
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11 |
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|
13 |
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Net income attributable to controlling interests |
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$ |
220 |
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$ |
209 |
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$ |
527 |
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$ |
385 |
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Allocation of net income for calculation of earnings per
common unit: |
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Net income attributable to controlling
interests |
|
$ |
220 |
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$ |
209 |
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$ |
527 |
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|
$ |
385 |
|
Allocation of net income to general partner
and
Class C units |
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50 |
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|
183 |
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|
335 |
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|
340 |
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Allocation of net income to common units |
|
$ |
170 |
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|
$ |
26 |
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$ |
192 |
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$ |
45 |
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Basic and diluted net income per common unit |
|
$ |
0.66 |
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|
$ |
0.48 |
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|
$ |
1.24 |
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|
$ |
0.84 |
|
Weighted average number of common units outstanding |
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|
255,777,452 |
(a) |
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|
52,777,452 |
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|
154,838,225 |
(a) |
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|
52,777,452 |
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|
(a) |
|
Calculated as discussed in Note 2. |
|
* |
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Recast as discussed in Note 1. |
See accompanying notes.
3
Williams Partners L.P.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Unaudited)
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June 30, |
|
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December 31, |
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2010 |
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2009 |
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|
(Millions) |
|
ASSETS |
|
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|
Current assets: |
|
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Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
218 |
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|
$ |
153 |
|
Accounts receivable: |
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Trade |
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|
331 |
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|
|
381 |
|
Affiliate |
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|
3 |
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|
6 |
|
Inventories |
|
|
170 |
|
|
|
129 |
|
Regulatory assets |
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|
66 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
Prepaid expense |
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|
53 |
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|
|
26 |
|
Other current assets |
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|
55 |
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|
49 |
|
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|
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Total current assets |
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|
896 |
|
|
|
821 |
|
Investments |
|
|
589 |
|
|
|
593 |
|
Gross property, plant and equipment |
|
|
15,668 |
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|
15,416 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation |
|
|
(5,415 |
) |
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|
(5,191 |
) |
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|
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|
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|
Property, plant and equipment net |
|
|
10,253 |
|
|
|
10,225 |
|
Regulatory assets, deferred charges and other |
|
|
411 |
|
|
|
345 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
12,149 |
|
|
$ |
11,984 |
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LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable: |
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Trade |
|
$ |
296 |
|
|
$ |
356 |
|
Affiliate |
|
|
161 |
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|
|
80 |
|
Accrued interest |
|
|
124 |
|
|
|
49 |
|
Other accrued liabilities |
|
|
154 |
|
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|
136 |
|
Long-term debt due within one year |
|
|
159 |
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|
15 |
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Total current liabilities |
|
|
894 |
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|
636 |
|
Long-term debt |
|
|
6,073 |
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|
2,981 |
|
Asset retirement obligations |
|
|
477 |
|
|
|
477 |
|
Regulatory liabilities, deferred income and other |
|
|
275 |
|
|
|
263 |
|
Contingent liabilities and commitments (Note 7) |
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Equity: |
|
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|
|
|
|
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|
Common units (255,777,452 units outstanding at June 30, 2010
and 52,777,452 units outstanding at December 31, 2009) |
|
|
5,388 |
|
|
|
1,631 |
|
General partner |
|
|
(1,317 |
) |
|
|
5,647 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries |
|
|
346 |
|
|
|
347 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total equity |
|
|
4,430 |
|
|
|
7,627 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and equity |
|
$ |
12,149 |
|
|
$ |
11,984 |
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|
|
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|
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|
See accompanying notes.
4
Williams Partners L.P.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
(Unaudited)
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|
Williams Partners L.P. |
|
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|
Accumulated Other |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
Limited Partners |
|
|
General |
|
|
Comprehensive |
|
|
Noncontrolling |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
Common |
|
|
Class C |
|
|
Partner |
|
|
Income |
|
|
Interests |
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
(Millions) |
|
Balance January 1, 2010 |
|
$ |
1,631 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
5,647 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
$ |
347 |
|
|
$ |
7,627 |
|
Comprehensive income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
167 |
|
|
|
156 |
|
|
|
204 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
538 |
|
Other comprehensive income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net unrealized income on cash flow
hedges, net of reclassification
adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
549 |
|
Cash distributions |
|
|
(68 |
) |
|
|
(87 |
) |
|
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(189 |
) |
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
(12 |
) |
Issuance of units (203,000,000 Class C
units) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,946 |
|
|
|
(6,946 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions to The Williams Companies,
Inc. net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,357 |
) |
|
|
(188 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,545 |
) |
Conversion of Class C units to Common
(203,000,000 units) |
|
|
3,658 |
|
|
|
(3,658 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance June 30, 2010 |
|
$ |
5,388 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(1,317 |
) |
|
$ |
13 |
|
|
$ |
346 |
|
|
$ |
4,430 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes.
5
Williams Partners L.P.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June 30, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 * |
|
|
|
(Millions) |
|
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
538 |
|
|
$ |
398 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
268 |
|
|
|
261 |
|
Cash provided (used) by changes in current assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts and notes receivable |
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
(51 |
) |
Inventories |
|
|
(41 |
) |
|
|
10 |
|
Other assets and deferred charges |
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(24 |
) |
Accounts payable |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
82 |
|
|
|
(49 |
) |
Affiliates net |
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
(35 |
) |
Other, including changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
|
967 |
|
|
|
637 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from long-term debt |
|
|
3,749 |
|
|
|
|
|
Payments of long-term debt |
|
|
(513 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Payment of debt issuance costs |
|
|
(62 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
(12 |
) |
Distributions to limited partners and general partner |
|
|
(189 |
) |
|
|
(76 |
) |
Distributions to the Williams Companies, Inc net |
|
|
(119 |
) |
|
|
(59 |
) |
Other net |
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities |
|
|
2,846 |
|
|
|
(151 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of Contributed Entities |
|
|
(3,426 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures |
|
|
(339 |
) |
|
|
(376 |
) |
Net proceeds from dispositions |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Changes in notes receivable from parent |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(86 |
) |
Purchase of investments |
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
(123 |
) |
Distribution
received from Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
73 |
|
Other net |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used by investing activities |
|
|
(3,748 |
) |
|
|
(518 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
(32 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
|
153 |
|
|
|
133 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
|
$ |
218 |
|
|
$ |
101 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Recast as discussed in Note 1. |
See accompanying notes.
6
Williams Partners L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 1. Organization, Basis of Presentation, and Description of Business
Organization
Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, references in this report to we, our, us
or similar language refer to Williams Partners L.P. and its subsidiaries.
We are a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership. Williams Partners GP LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company wholly owned by The Williams Companies, Inc. (Williams), serves as our
general partner. Williams currently owns an approximate 82 percent limited partner interest, a 2
percent general partner interest and incentive distribution rights (IDRs) in us. All of our
activities are conducted through Williams Partners Operating LLC (OLLC), an operating limited
liability company (wholly owned by us).
The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements do not include all the notes in our
annual financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto in Exhibit 99.1 of our Form 8-K, dated May 12, 2010, for the
year ended December 31, 2009. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include all normal
recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly our
financial position at June 30, 2010, results of operations for the three and six months ended June
30, 2010 and 2009, changes in equity for the six months ended June 30, 2010, and cash flows for the
six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. We eliminated all intercompany transactions and
reclassified certain amounts to conform to the current classifications.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
On May 24, 2010, we and Williams Pipeline Partners L.P. (WMZ) entered into a merger agreement
(Merger Agreement) providing for the merger of WMZ into us (the Merger). The Merger and the Merger
Agreement are described in detail in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 initially filed by us
on June 9, 2010 and in our and WMZs joint proxy statement/prospectus dated July 15, 2010 that is
being provided to holders of record of WMZs units at the close of business on July 15, 2010, who
are the holders of WMZs units who will be entitled to vote on the Merger at the special meeting of
WMZs unitholders scheduled for August 31, 2010. If the Merger is approved at that meeting, it is
anticipated that the Merger will be consummated shortly thereafter, and all of WMZs units not
already held by us will be exchanged for our units at an exchange ratio of 0.7584 of our units for
each WMZ unit. Assuming the Merger is completed, we will own a 100 percent interest in Northwest
Pipeline GP (Northwest Pipeline) and Williams will hold an approximate 80 percent interest in us,
comprised of an approximate 78 percent limited partner interest and all of our 2 percent general
partner interest.
Basis of Presentation
On February 17, 2010, we closed a transaction (the Dropdown) with our general partner, our
operating company and certain subsidiaries of and including Williams, pursuant to which Williams
contributed to us the ownership interests in the entities that made up its Gas Pipeline and
Midstream Gas & Liquids (Midstream) businesses to the extent not already owned by us, including
Williams limited and general partner interests in WMZ, but excluding its Canadian, Venezuelan and
olefins operations, and 25.5 percent of Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C. (Gulfstream),
collectively defined as the Contributed Entities.
7
Notes (Continued)
This contribution was made in exchange for aggregate consideration of:
|
|
|
$3.5 billion in cash, less certain expenses incurred by us and other post-closing
adjustments, which we financed by issuing $3.5 billion of senior unsecured notes (see Note
3). |
|
|
|
203 million of our Class C limited partnership units, which automatically converted
into our common limited partnership units on May 10, 2010. |
|
|
|
An increase in the capital account of our general partner to allow it to maintain its 2
percent general partner interest. |
These transactions are reflected in these consolidated financial statements. Because the
acquired entities were affiliates of Williams at the time of the acquisition, this transaction is
accounted for as a combination of entities under common control, similar to a pooling of interests,
whereby the assets and liabilities of the acquired entities are combined with ours at their
historical amounts. The effect of recasting our financial statements to account for this common
control transaction increased net income $190 million and $354 million for the three and six months
ended June 30, 2009, respectively. This acquisition did not impact historical earnings per limited
partner unit as pre-acquisition earnings of the Contributed Entities were allocated to our general
partner.
Description of Business
Our operations are located in the United States and are organized into the following reporting
segments: Gas Pipeline and Midstream.
Gas Pipeline includes Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco) and Northwest
Pipeline, which own and operates a combined total of approximately 13,900 miles of pipelines with a
total annual throughput of approximately 2,700 TBtu of natural gas and peak-day delivery capacity
of approximately 12 MMdt of natural gas. Gas Pipeline also holds interests in joint venture
interstate and intrastate natural gas pipeline systems including a 24.5 percent interest in
Gulfstream, which owns an approximate 745-mile pipeline with the capacity to transport
approximately 1.26 million Dth per day of natural gas. Gas Pipeline also includes our indirect
45.7 percent limited partner interest and 2 percent general partner interest in WMZ, which holds
the remaining 35 percent interest in Northwest Pipeline.
Midstream includes our natural gas gathering, treating and processing businesses and has a
primary service area concentrated in major producing basins in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, the
Gulf of Mexico and Pennsylvania. Midstreams primary businessesnatural gas gathering, treating
and processing; natural gas liquids (NGL) fractionation, storage and transportation; and oil
transportationfall within the middle of the process of taking raw natural gas and crude oil from
the producing fields to the consumers.
8
Notes (Continued)
Note 2. Allocation of Net Income and Distributions
The allocation of net income among our general partner, limited partners, and noncontrolling
interests for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Six months ended |
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
(Millions) |
|
Allocation of net income to general partner: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
225 |
|
|
$ |
215 |
|
|
$ |
538 |
|
|
$ |
398 |
|
Net income applicable to pre-partnership operations
allocated to general partner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(183 |
) |
|
|
(163 |
) |
|
|
(340 |
) |
Net income applicable to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
(13 |
) |
Net reimbursable costs charged directly to general partner |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income subject to 2% allocation of general partner interest |
|
|
218 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
360 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
General partners share of net income |
|
|
2.0 |
% |
|
|
2.0 |
% |
|
|
2.0 |
% |
|
|
2.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General partners allocated share of net income before
items directly allocable to general partner interest |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Incentive distributions paid to general partner* |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
Charges allocated directly to general partner |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
Pre-partnership net income allocated to
general partner interest |
|
|
|
|
|
|
183 |
|
|
|
163 |
|
|
|
340 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income allocated to general partner |
|
$ |
36 |
|
|
$ |
183 |
|
|
$ |
204 |
|
|
$ |
347 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
225 |
|
|
$ |
215 |
|
|
$ |
538 |
|
|
$ |
398 |
|
Net income allocated to general partner |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
183 |
|
|
|
204 |
|
|
|
347 |
|
Net income allocated to Class C limited partners |
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
156 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income allocated to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income allocated to common limited partners |
|
$ |
117 |
|
|
$ |
26 |
|
|
$ |
167 |
|
|
$ |
38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
In the calculation of basic and diluted net income per limited
partner unit, the net income allocated to the general partner
includes IDRs pertaining to the current reporting period, but paid
in the subsequent period. The net income allocated to the general
partners capital account reflects IDRs paid during the current
reporting period. |
The Charges allocated directly to general partner amounts represent the net of both
income and expense items. Under the terms of an omnibus agreement, we are reimbursed by our
general partner for certain expense items and are required to distribute certain income items to
our general partner.
For purposes of calculating the second quarter and year-to-date 2010 basic and diluted net
income per common unit, the weighted average number of common units outstanding are calculated
considering Class C units as common units for the entire second quarter. For the year-to-date
calculation, net income allocated to the Class C units is based on the distributed earnings paid to
the Class C units for first quarter 2010. For the allocation of 2010 net income for the
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, net income was allocated based on the number of days
the Class C units were outstanding as Class C units during 2010.
Total comprehensive income for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 is $248 million
and $215 million, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 is $549 million
and $397 million, respectively.
9
Notes (Continued)
We paid or have authorized payment of the following partnership cash distributions during 2009
and 2010 (in millions, except for per unit amounts):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive |
|
|
|
|
Per Unit |
|
Common |
|
Class C |
|
|
|
|
|
Distribution |
|
Total Cash |
Payment Date |
|
Distribution |
|
Units |
|
Units |
|
2% |
|
Rights |
|
Distribution |
2/13/2009 |
|
$ |
0.6350 |
|
|
$ |
33 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
8 |
|
|
$ |
42 |
|
5/15/2009 |
|
$ |
0.6350 |
|
|
$ |
33 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
34 |
|
8/14/2009 |
|
$ |
0.6350 |
|
|
$ |
33 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
34 |
|
11/13/2009 |
|
$ |
0.6350 |
|
|
$ |
33 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
34 |
|
2/12/2010 |
|
$ |
0.6350 |
|
|
$ |
33 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
34 |
|
5/14/2010 (a) |
|
$ |
0.6575 |
|
|
$ |
35 |
|
|
$ |
87 |
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
|
$ |
155 |
|
8/13/2010 (b) |
|
$ |
0.6725 |
|
|
$ |
172 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
45 |
|
|
$ |
221 |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Distributions on the Class C units and the additional general
partner units issued in connection with the closing of the
Dropdown, as well as the related incentive distribution rights
payment, were prorated to reflect the fact that they were not
outstanding during the full first quarter period. |
|
(b) |
|
The Board of Directors of our general partner declared this cash
distribution on July 27, 2010, to be paid on August 13, 2010, to
unitholders of record at the close of business on August 6, 2010. |
Note 3. Debt and Banking Arrangements
Long-Term Debt
As of June 30, 2010, our debt is unsecured with a weighted-average interest rate of 6.1
percent, payable through 2040. Interest rates range from 3.8 percent to 9.0 percent. Certain of our
debt agreements contain covenants that restrict or limit, among other things, our ability to create
liens supporting indebtedness, sell assets, make certain distributions, repurchase equity, and
incur additional debt.
Revolving Credit and Letter of Credit Facility
In connection with the Dropdown, we entered into a new $1.75 billion three-year senior
unsecured revolving credit facility with Transco and Northwest Pipeline as co-borrowers (Credit
Facility). This Credit Facility replaced our unsecured $450 million credit facility, comprised of
a $200 million revolving credit facility and a $250 million term loan, which was terminated as part
of the Dropdown. At the closing, we utilized $250 million of the Credit Facility to repay the
outstanding term loan. As of June 30, 2010, no loans are outstanding under the Credit Facility.
The Credit Facility expires February 15, 2013, and may, under certain conditions, be increased by
up to an additional $250 million. The full amount of the Credit Facility is available to us to the
extent not otherwise utilized by Transco and Northwest Pipeline. Transco and Northwest Pipeline
each have access to borrow up to $400 million under the Credit Facility to the extent not otherwise
utilized by us. Each time funds are borrowed, the borrower may choose from two methods of
calculating interest: a fluctuating base rate equal to Citibank N.A.s adjusted base rate plus an
applicable margin, or a periodic fixed rate equal to LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The adjusted
base rate will be the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.5 percent, (ii) Citibank N.A.s
publicly announced base rate, and (iii) one-month LIBOR plus 1.0 percent. We are required to pay a
commitment fee (currently 0.5 percent) based on the unused portion of the Credit Facility. The
applicable margin and the commitment fee are based on the specific borrowers senior unsecured
long-term debt ratings. The Credit Facility contains various covenants that limit, among other
things, a borrowers and its respective subsidiaries ability to incur indebtedness, grant certain
liens supporting indebtedness, merge or consolidate, sell all or substantially all of its assets,
enter into certain affiliate transactions, make certain distributions during an event of default
and allow any material change in the nature of its business. Significant financial covenants under
the Credit Facility include:
|
|
|
Our ratio of debt to EBITDA (each as defined in the Credit Facility) must be no greater
than 5 to 1. |
|
|
|
The ratio of debt to capitalization (defined as net worth plus debt) must be no greater
than 55 percent for Transco and Northwest Pipeline. |
10
Notes (Continued)
Each of the above ratios are tested at the end of each fiscal quarter, and the debt to EBITDA ratio
is measured on a rolling four-quarter basis (with the first full year measured on an annualized
basis). At June 30, 2010, we are in compliance with these financial covenants.
The Credit Facility includes customary events of default. If an event of default with respect
to a borrower occurs under the Credit Facility, the lenders will be able to terminate the
commitments for all borrowers and accelerate the maturity of the loans of the defaulting borrower
under the Credit Facility and exercise other rights and remedies.
At June 30, 2010, no loans are outstanding and no letters of credit are issued under the
credit facility.
Issuances
In connection with the Dropdown, we issued $3.5 billion face value of senior unsecured notes
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Millions) |
|
3.80% Senior Notes due 2015 |
|
$ |
750 |
|
5.25% Senior Notes due 2020 |
|
|
1,500 |
|
6.30% Senior Notes due 2040 |
|
|
1,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
3,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Prior to the issuance of this debt, we entered into forward starting interest rate swaps to
hedge against variability in interest rates on a portion of the anticipated debt issuance. Upon the
issuance of the debt, these instruments were terminated, which resulted in a payment of $7 million.
This amount has been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and is being amortized over
the term of the related debt.
As part of the issuance of the $3.5 billion unsecured notes, we entered into registration
rights agreements with the initial purchasers of the notes. An offer to exchange these
unregistered notes for substantially identical new notes that are registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, was commenced in June 2010 and completed in July 2010.
Note 4. Inventories
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
(Millions) |
|
Natural gas liquids |
|
$ |
52 |
|
|
$ |
44 |
|
Natural gas in underground storage |
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
Materials, supplies, and other |
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
170 |
|
|
$ |
129 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 5. Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is the amount received to sell an asset or the amount paid to transfer a liability
in an orderly transaction between market participants (an exit price) at the measurement date. Fair
value is a market-based measurement considered from the perspective of a market participant. We use
market data or assumptions that we believe market participants would use in pricing the asset or
liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation.
These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or unobservable. We apply both market
and income approaches for recurring fair value measurements using the best available information
while utilizing valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the
use of unobservable inputs.
11
Notes (Continued)
The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value, giving the highest
priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1
measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). We classify fair
value balances based on the observability of those inputs. The three levels of the fair value
hierarchy are as follows:
|
|
|
Level 1 Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that we
have the ability to access. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or
liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an
ongoing basis. Our Level 1 measurements primarily consist of financial instruments that are
exchange traded. |
|
|
|
Level 2 Inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1,
that are either directly or indirectly observable. These inputs are either directly
observable in the marketplace or indirectly observable through corroboration with market
data for substantially the full contractual term of the asset or liability being measured.
The instruments included in our Level 2 measurements consist primarily of over-the-counter
instruments such as natural gas forward contracts and swaps. |
|
|
|
Level 3 Inputs that are not observable for which there is little, if any, market
activity for the asset or liability being measured. These inputs reflect managements best
estimate of the assumptions market participants would use in determining fair value. Our
Level 3 measurements consist of instruments that are valued utilizing unobservable pricing
inputs that are significant to the overall fair value. |
In valuing certain contracts, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different
levels of the fair value hierarchy. For disclosure purposes, assets and liabilities are classified
in their entirety in the fair value hierarchy level based on the lowest level of input that is
significant to the overall fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a
particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the placement
within the fair value hierarchy levels.
The following table presents, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our assets and
liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2010 |
|
|
December 31, 2009 |
|
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
(Millions) |
|
|
(Millions) |
|
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARO Trust Investments
(see Note 6) |
|
$ |
33 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
33 |
|
|
$ |
22 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
22 |
|
Energy derivatives |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
33 |
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
$ |
56 |
|
|
$ |
22 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
$ |
24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energy derivatives |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Many contracts have bid and ask prices that can be observed in the market. Our policy is
to use a mid-market pricing (the mid-point price between bid and ask prices) convention to value
individual positions and then adjust on a portfolio level to a point within the bid and ask range
that represents our best estimate of fair value. For offsetting positions by location, the
mid-market price is used to measure both the long and short positions.
The determination of fair value for our assets and liabilities also incorporates the time
value of money and various credit risk factors which can include the credit standing of the
counterparties involved, master netting arrangements, the impact of credit enhancements (such as
cash collateral posted and letters of credit), and our nonperformance risk on our liabilities. The
determination of the fair value of our liabilities does not consider noncash collateral credit
enhancements.
12
Notes (Continued)
Forward and swap contracts included in Level 2 are valued using an income approach including
present value techniques. Significant inputs into our Level 2 valuations include commodity prices
and interest rates, as well as considering executed transactions or broker quotes corroborated by
other market data. These broker quotes are based on observable market prices at which transactions
could currently be executed. In certain instances where these inputs are not observable for all
periods, relationships of observable market data and historical observations are used as a means to
estimate fair value. Where observable inputs are available for substantially the full term of the
asset or liability, the instrument is categorized in Level 2.
The tenure of our derivatives portfolio is relatively short with all of our derivatives
expiring by December 31, 2010. Due to the nature of the products and tenure, we are consistently
able to obtain market pricing. All pricing is reviewed on a daily basis and is formally validated
with broker quotes and documented on a monthly basis.
Certain instruments trade in less active markets with lower availability of pricing
information. These instruments are valued with a present value technique using inputs that may not
be readily observable or corroborated by other market data. These instruments are classified within
Level 3 when these inputs have a significant impact on the measurement of fair value. Certain
inputs into the model are generally observable, such as interest rates, whereas natural gas liquids
commodity prices are considered unobservable. The instruments included in Level 3 consist primarily
of natural gas liquids swaps and forward contracts.
Reclassifications of fair value between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 of the fair value
hierarchy, if applicable, are made at the end of each quarter. No significant transfers between
Level 1 and Level 2 occurred during the period ended June 30, 2010. The following tables present a
reconciliation of changes in the fair value of our net energy derivatives classified as Level 3 in
the fair value hierarchy.
Level 3 Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Energy Derivatives |
|
|
Net Energy Derivatives |
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Six months ended |
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
(Millions) |
|
|
(Millions) |
|
Beginning balance |
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
Realized and unrealized gains (losses): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Included in net income |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Included in other comprehensive income |
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases, issuances, and settlements |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Transfers into Level 3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfers out of Level 3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending balance |
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized gains (losses) included in net income relating to
instruments still held at June 30 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in net income for the above periods are
reported in revenues in our Consolidated Statement of Income.
For the periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, there were no assets or liabilities measured at
fair value on a nonrecurring basis.
13
Notes (Continued)
Note 6. Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial Instruments
Fair-value methods
We use the following methods and assumptions in estimating our fair-value disclosures for
financial instruments:
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance
Sheet approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
ARO Trust Investments: Pursuant to its 2008 rate case settlement, Transco deposits a
portion of its collected rates into an external trust (ARO Trust) that is specifically designated
to fund future asset retirement obligations. The ARO Trust invests in a portfolio of mutual funds
that are reported at fair value in regulatory assets, deferred charges and other in the
Consolidated Balance Sheet and are classified as available-for-sale. However, both realized and
unrealized gains and losses are ultimately recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities.
Long-term debt: The fair value of our publicly traded long-term debt is valued using
indicative period-end traded bond market prices. Private debt is valued based on market rates and
the prices of similar securities with similar terms and credit ratings. At June 30, 2010 and
December 31, 2009, approximately 44 percent and 91 percent, respectively, of our long-term debt was
publicly traded. (See Note 3.)
Other: Includes current and noncurrent notes receivable.
Energy derivatives: Energy derivatives include forwards and swaps. These are carried
at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. See Note 5 for discussion of valuation of our
energy derivatives.
Carrying amounts and fair values of our financial instruments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2010 |
|
December 31, 2009 |
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
|
|
Amount |
|
Fair Value |
|
Amount |
|
Fair Value |
|
|
(Millions) |
Asset (Liability) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
218 |
|
|
$ |
218 |
|
|
$ |
153 |
|
|
$ |
153 |
|
ARO Trust Investments |
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
Long-term debt, including current portion |
|
|
(6,232 |
) |
|
|
(6,582 |
) |
|
|
(2,996 |
) |
|
|
(3,194 |
) |
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Net energy derivatives: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energy commodity cash flow hedges affiliate |
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
Other energy derivatives |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Energy Commodity Derivatives
Risk management activities
We are exposed to market risk from changes in energy commodity prices within our operations.
We may utilize derivatives to manage our exposure to the variability in expected future cash flows
from forecasted purchases of natural gas and forecasted sales of NGLs attributable to commodity
price risk. Certain of these derivatives utilized for risk management purposes have been designated
as cash flow hedges, while other derivatives have not been designated as cash flow hedges or do not
qualify for hedge accounting despite hedging our future cash flows on an economic basis.
We sell NGL volumes received as compensation for certain processing services at different
locations throughout the United States. We also buy natural gas to satisfy the required fuel and
shrink needed to generate NGLs. To
14
Notes (Continued)
reduce exposure to a decrease in revenues from fluctuations in NGL market prices or increases
in costs and operating expenses from fluctuations in natural gas market prices, we may enter into
NGL or natural gas swap agreements, financial or physical forward contracts, and financial option
contracts to mitigate the price risk on forecasted sales of NGLs and purchases of natural gas.
These cash flow hedges are expected to be highly effective in offsetting cash flows attributable to
the hedged risk during the term of the hedge. However, ineffectiveness may be recognized primarily
as a result of locational differences between the hedging derivative and the hedged item.
Volumes
Our energy commodity derivatives are comprised of both contracts to purchase commodities (long
positions) and contracts to sell commodities (short positions). Derivative transactions are
categorized into two types:
|
|
|
Fixed price: Includes physical and financial derivative transactions that settle at a
fixed location price; |
|
|
|
Basis: Includes financial derivative transactions priced off the difference in value
between a commodity at two specific delivery points; |
The following table depicts the notional quantities of the net long (short) positions in our
commodity derivatives portfolio as of June 30, 2010. Natural gas is presented in millions of
British Thermal Units (MMBtu) and NGLs are presented in gallons.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative Notional Volumes |
|
Measurement |
|
Fixed Price |
|
Basis |
Designated as Hedging Instruments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Midstream Risk Management |
|
MMBtu |
|
|
11,460,000 |
|
|
|
7,615,000 |
|
Midstream Risk Management |
|
Gallons |
|
|
(126,294,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Not Designated as Hedging Instruments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Midstream Risk Management |
|
Gallons |
|
|
(3,570,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Fair values and gains (losses)
The following table presents the fair value of energy commodity derivatives. Our derivatives
are included in other current assets and other accrued liabilities in our Consolidated Balance
Sheet. Derivatives are classified as current or noncurrent based on the contractual timing of
expected future net cash flows of individual contracts. The expected future net cash flows for
derivatives classified as current are expected to occur by December 31, 2010.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2010 |
|
|
December 31, 2009 |
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Liabilities |
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
(Millions) |
|
|
(Millions) |
|
Designated as hedging instruments |
|
$ |
22 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
Not designated as hedging instruments |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total derivatives |
|
$ |
23 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15
Notes (Continued)
The following table presents gains and losses for our energy commodity derivatives designated
as cash flow hedges, as recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) or
revenues.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended
June 30, |
|
Six months ended
June 30, |
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
|
Classification |
|
|
(Millions) |
|
(Millions) |
|
|
Net gain recognized in other comprehensive income
(effective portion) |
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
14 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
AOCI |
Net loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive
income into income (effective portion) |
|
$ |
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
Revenues |
Gain (loss) recognized in income (ineffective portion) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Revenues |
There were no gains or losses recognized in income as a result of excluding amounts from the
assessment of hedge effectiveness or as a result of reclassifications to earnings following the
discontinuance of any cash flow hedges. As of June 30, 2010, we have hedged portions of future cash
flows associated with anticipated NGL sales and natural gas purchases through December 31, 2010.
Based on recorded values at June 30, 2010, net gains to be reclassified into earnings by December
31, 2010, are $17 million. These recorded values are based on market prices of the commodities as
of June 30, 2010. Due to the volatile nature of commodity prices and changes in the
creditworthiness of counterparties, actual gains or losses realized by December 31, 2010, will
likely differ from these values. These gains or losses will offset net losses or gains that will be
realized in earnings from previous unfavorable or favorable market movements associated with
underlying hedged transactions.
Gains recognized in revenues on our energy commodity derivatives not designated as hedging
instruments were less than $1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and $4 million for the
six months ended June 30, 2009.
The cash flow impact of our derivative activities is presented in the Consolidated Statement
of Cash Flows as changes in other assets and deferred charges and changes in accrued liabilities.
Credit-risk-related features
Our financial swap contracts are with Williams Gas Marketing, Inc., and the derivative
contracts not designated as cash flow hedging instruments are primarily physical commodity sale
contracts. These agreements do not contain any provisions that require us to post collateral
related to net liability positions.
Guarantees
In addition to the guarantees and payment obligations discussed in Note 7, we have issued
guarantees and other similar arrangements as discussed below.
We are required by our revolving credit agreement to indemnify lenders for any taxes required
to be withheld from payments due to the lenders and for any tax payments made by the lenders. The
maximum potential amount of future payments under these indemnifications is based on the related
borrowings and such future payments cannot currently be determined. These indemnifications
generally continue indefinitely unless limited by the underlying tax regulations and have no
carrying value. We have never been called upon to perform under these indemnifications and have no
current expectation of a future claim.
At June 30, 2010, we do not expect these guarantees to have a material impact on our future
liquidity or financial position. However, if we are required to perform on these guarantees in the
future, it may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
16
Notes (Continued)
Note 7. Contingent Liabilities
Environmental Matters
Since 1989, Transco has had studies underway to test certain of its facilities for the
presence of toxic and hazardous substances to determine to what extent, if any, remediation may be
necessary. Transco has responded to data requests from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and state agencies regarding such potential contamination of certain of its sites. Transco
has identified polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in compressor systems, soils and
related properties at certain compressor station sites. Transco has also been involved in
negotiations with the EPA and state agencies to develop screening, sampling and cleanup programs.
In addition, Transco commenced negotiations with certain environmental authorities and other
parties concerning investigative and remedial actions relative to potential mercury contamination
at certain gas metering sites. The costs of any such remediation will depend upon the scope of the
remediation. At June 30, 2010, we had accrued liabilities of $4 million related to PCB
contamination, potential mercury contamination, and other toxic and hazardous substances. Transco
has been identified as a potentially responsible party at various Superfund and state waste
disposal sites. Based on present volumetric estimates and other factors, we have estimated our
aggregate exposure for remediation of these sites to be less than $500,000, which is included in
the environmental accrual discussed above. We expect that these costs will be recoverable through
Transcos rates.
Beginning in the mid-1980s, Northwest Pipeline evaluated many of its facilities for the
presence of toxic and hazardous substances to determine to what extent, if any, remediation might
be necessary. Consistent with other natural gas transmission companies, Northwest Pipeline
identified PCB contamination in air compressor systems, soils and related properties at certain
compressor station sites. Similarly, Northwest Pipeline identified hydrocarbon impacts at these
facilities due to the former use of earthen pits and mercury contamination at certain gas metering
sites. The PCBs were remediated pursuant to a Consent Decree with the EPA in the late 1980s and
Northwest Pipeline conducted a voluntary clean-up of the hydrocarbon and mercury impacts in the
early 1990s. In 2005, the Washington Department of Ecology required Northwest Pipeline to
reevaluate its previous mercury clean-ups in Washington. Consequently, Northwest Pipeline is
conducting additional remediation activities at certain sites to comply with Washingtons current
environmental standards. At June 30, 2010, we have accrued liabilities of $7 million for these
costs. We expect that these costs will be recoverable through Northwest Pipelines rates.
In March 2008, the EPA issued a new air quality standard for ground level ozone. In September
2009, the EPA announced that it would reconsider those standards. In January 2010, the EPA proposed
more stringent standards, which are expected to be final in the third quarter 2010. The EPA expects
that new eight-hour ozone nonattainment areas will be designated in July 2011. The new standards
and nonattainment areas will likely impact the operations of our interstate gas pipelines and cause
us to incur additional capital expenditures to comply. At this time we are unable to estimate the
cost that may be required to meet these regulations. We expect that costs associated with these
compliance efforts will be recoverable through rates.
In February 2010, the EPA promulgated a final rule establishing a new one-hour nitrogen
dioxide (NO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standard. The effective date of the new NO2 standard
was April 12, 2010. This new standard is subject to numerous challenges in federal court. We are
unable at this time to estimate the cost of additions that may be required to meet this new
regulation.
In September 2007, the EPA requested, and Transco later provided, information regarding
natural gas compressor stations in the states of Mississippi and Alabama as part of the EPAs
investigation of our compliance with the Clean Air Act. On March 28, 2008, the EPA issued notices
of violations (NOVs) alleging violations of Clean Air Act requirements at these compressor
stations. Transco met with the EPA in May 2008 and submitted its response denying the allegations
in June 2008. In July 2009, the EPA requested additional information pertaining to these compressor
stations and in August 2009, Transco submitted the requested information.
In April 2010, we entered into a global settlement with the New Mexico Environmental
Departments Air Quality Bureau (NMED) to resolve allegations of various air emissions violations
at certain of our facilities. The settlement resolves NOVs dating back to 2007 and includes a
$400,000 penalty, as well as environmental projects totaling $1.35 million.
17
Notes (Continued)
In March 2008, the EPA proposed a penalty of $370,000 for alleged violations relating to leak
detection and repair program delays at our Ignacio gas plant in Colorado and for alleged permit
violations at a compressor station. We met with the EPA and are exchanging information in order to
resolve the issues.
We also accrue environmental remediation costs for natural gas underground storage facilities,
primarily related to soil and groundwater contamination. At June 30, 2010, we have accrued
liabilities totaling $7 million for these costs.
Summary of environmental matters
Actual costs incurred for these matters could be substantially greater than amounts accrued
depending on the actual number of contaminated sites identified, the actual amount and extent of
contamination discovered, the final cleanup standards mandated by the EPA and other governmental
authorities and other factors, but any incremental amount cannot be reasonably estimated at this
time.
Rate Matters
On August 31, 2006, Transco submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) a
general rate filing (Docket No. RP06-569) principally designed to recover increased costs. The
rates became effective March 1, 2007, subject to refund and the outcome of a hearing. All issues in
this proceeding except one have been resolved by settlement.
The one issue reserved for litigation or further settlement relates to Transcos proposal to
change the design of the rates for service under one of its storage rate schedules, which was
implemented subject to refund on March 1, 2007. A hearing on that issue was held before a FERC
Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in July 2008. In November 2008, the ALJ issued an initial decision
in which he determined that Transcos proposed incremental rate design is unjust and unreasonable.
On January 21, 2010, the FERC reversed the ALJs initial decision, and approved our proposed
incremental rate design. Certain parties have sought rehearing of the FERCs order.
Safety Matters
The United States Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration rules implementing the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 require pipeline
operators to implement integrity management programs, including more frequent inspections and other
safeguards in areas where the potential consequences of pipeline accidents pose the greatest risk
to people and property. In accordance with the final rule, Transco and Northwest Pipeline developed
Integrity Management Plans, identified high consequence areas, completed baseline assessment plans,
and are on schedule to complete the required assessments within specified timeframes. Currently,
Transco and Northwest Pipeline estimate that the cost to perform required assessments and
remediation will be primarily capital and range between $140 and $200 million, and between $80 and
$95 million, respectively, over the remaining assessment period of 2010 through 2012. Management
considers the costs associated with compliance with the rule to be prudent costs incurred in the
ordinary course of business and, therefore, recoverable through their respective rates.
Other Legal Matters
Will Price (formerly Quinque)
In 2001, we were named, along with other subsidiaries of Williams, as defendants in a
nationwide class action lawsuit in Kansas state court that had been pending against other
defendants, generally pipeline and gathering companies, since 2000. The plaintiffs alleged that the
defendants have engaged in mismeasurement techniques that distort the heating content of natural
gas, resulting in an alleged underpayment of royalties to the class of producer plaintiffs and
sought an unspecified amount of damages. The fourth amended petition, which was filed in 2003,
deleted all of our defendant entities except two Midstream subsidiaries. All remaining defendants
opposed class certification, and on September 18, 2009, the court denied plaintiffs most recent
motion to certify the class. On October 2, 2009, the plaintiffs filed a motion for reconsideration
of the denial. On March 31, 2010, the court entered an order denying plaintiffs motion for
reconsideration and as a result, there are no class action allegations remaining in the case.
18
Notes (Continued)
Other
In addition to the foregoing, various other proceedings are pending against us which are
incidental to our operations.
Summary
Litigation, arbitration, regulatory matters and environmental matters are subject to inherent
uncertainties. Were an unfavorable ruling to occur, there exists the possibility of a material
adverse impact on the results of operations in the period in which the ruling occurs. Management,
including internal counsel, currently believes that the ultimate resolution of the foregoing
matters, taken as a whole and after consideration of amounts accrued, insurance coverage, recovery
from customers or other indemnification arrangements, will not have a material adverse effect upon
our future liquidity or financial position.
Note 8. Segment Disclosures
Our reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and
services. The segments are managed separately because each segment requires different technology,
marketing strategies and industry knowledge. WMZ is consolidated within the Gas Pipeline segment.
(See Note 1.)
Performance Measurement
We currently evaluate segment operating performance based on segment profit from operations,
which includes segment revenues from external and internal customers, segment costs and expenses,
and equity earnings. Intersegment sales are generally accounted for at current market prices as if
the sales were to unaffiliated third parties.
The primary types of costs and operating expenses by segment can be generally summarized as
follows:
|
|
|
Gas Pipeline depreciation and operation and maintenance expenses; |
|
|
|
Midstream commodity purchases (primarily for NGL and crude marketing, shrink and
fuel), depreciation, and operation and maintenance expenses. |
19
Notes (Continued)
The following table reflects the reconciliation of segment revenues to revenues and segment
profit to operating income as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gas Pipeline |
|
|
Midstream |
|
|
Eliminations |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
(Millions) |
|
Three months ended June 30, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
External |
|
$ |
380 |
|
|
$ |
987 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,367 |
|
Internal |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues |
|
$ |
380 |
|
|
$ |
987 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,367 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit |
|
$ |
148 |
|
|
$ |
198 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
346 |
|
Less equity earnings |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment operating income |
|
$ |
138 |
|
|
$ |
181 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
319 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General corporate expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(28 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
291 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, 2009* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
External |
|
$ |
420 |
|
|
$ |
661 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,081 |
|
Internal |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues |
|
$ |
421 |
|
|
$ |
663 |
|
|
$ |
(3 |
) |
|
$ |
1,081 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit |
|
$ |
155 |
|
|
$ |
130 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
285 |
|
Less equity earnings |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment operating income |
|
$ |
147 |
|
|
$ |
122 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
269 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General corporate expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
243 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gas Pipeline |
|
|
Midstream |
|
|
Eliminations |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
(Millions) |
|
Six months ended June 30, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
External |
|
$ |
787 |
|
|
$ |
2,038 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,825 |
|
Internal |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues |
|
$ |
787 |
|
|
$ |
2,038 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,825 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit |
|
$ |
317 |
|
|
$ |
443 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
760 |
|
Less equity earnings |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment operating income |
|
$ |
298 |
|
|
$ |
409 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
707 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General corporate expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(62 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
645 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June 30, 2009* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
External |
|
$ |
822 |
|
|
$ |
1,216 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,038 |
|
Internal |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues |
|
$ |
822 |
|
|
$ |
1,221 |
|
|
$ |
(5 |
) |
|
$ |
2,038 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit |
|
$ |
327 |
|
|
$ |
210 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
537 |
|
Less equity earnings |
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment operating income |
|
$ |
311 |
|
|
$ |
205 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
516 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General corporate expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(51 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
465 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Recast as discussed in Note 1. |
20
Notes (Continued)
Note 9. Subsequent Event
In July 2010, we notified our partner in the Overland Pass Pipeline Company, LLC (OPPL) of our
election to exercise our option to purchase an additional ownership interest, which will provide us
a 50 percent ownership interest in OPPL. The option price is estimated to be approximately $425
million, which will reduce our available liquidity. Subject to government approvals, we expect to
close the transaction within the third quarter of 2010.
21
Item 2
Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Recent Developments
The Dropdown
On February 17, 2010, we closed a transaction with our general partner, our operating company,
The Williams Companies, Inc. (Williams) and certain subsidiaries of Williams, pursuant to which
Williams contributed to us the ownership interests in the entities that made up Williams Gas
Pipeline and Midstream Gas & Liquids (Midstream) businesses to the extent not already owned by us,
including Williams limited and general partner interests in Williams Pipeline Partners L.P. (WMZ),
but excluding Williams Canadian, Venezuelan, and olefin operations and 25.5 percent of Gulfstream
Natural Gas System, L.L.C. (Gulfstream). Such entities are hereafter referred to as the
Contributed Entities. This contribution was made in exchange for aggregate consideration of:
|
|
|
$3.5 billion in cash, less certain expenses incurred by us and other post-closing
adjustments, relating to our acquisition of the Contributed Entities. This cash
consideration was financed through the private issuance of $3.5 billion of senior unsecured
notes with net proceeds of $3.466 billion. |
|
|
|
|
203 million Class C units, which received a prorated initial distribution and were then
converted to regular common units on May 10, 2010. |
|
|
|
|
An increase in the capital account of our general partner to allow it to maintain its 2
percent general partner interest. |
The transactions described in the preceding paragraph are referred to as the Dropdown.
WMZ Exchange Offer
On May 24, 2010, we entered into a merger agreement with WMZ (Merger Agreement) providing for
the merger of WMZ into us (the Merger). The Merger and the Merger Agreement are described in
detail in our Registration Statement on Form S-4 initially filed on June 9, 2010, and in WMZs and
our joint proxy statement/prospectus dated July 15, 2010, that is being provided to holders of
record of WMZs units at the close of business on July 15, 2010, who are the holders of WMZs units
who will be entitled to vote on the Merger at the special meeting of WMZs unitholders scheduled
for August 31, 2010. If the Merger is approved at that meeting, it is anticipated that the Merger
will be consummated shortly thereafter, and all of WMZs units not already held by us will be
exchanged at a ratio of 0.7584 of our units for each WMZ unit. Assuming the Merger is completed,
we will own a 100 percent interest in Northwest Pipeline GP (Northwest Pipeline), and Williams will
hold an approximate 80 percent interest in us, comprised of an approximate 78 percent limited
partner interest and all of our 2 percent general partner interest.
Credit Facility
In connection with the Dropdown, we entered into a new $1.75 billion senior unsecured
revolving three-year credit facility (Credit Facility) with Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company,
LLC (Transco) and Northwest Pipeline, as co-borrowers with borrowing sublimits of $400 million
each, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, and other lenders named therein. The Credit
Facility replaced our previous $450 million senior unsecured credit agreement. At the closing of
the Dropdown, we borrowed $250 million under the Credit Facility to repay the term loan outstanding
under our previously existing credit facility. As of June 30, 2010, no loans are outstanding under
the Credit Facility.
22
Managements Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
Overland Pass Pipeline
In July 2010, we notified our partner in the Overland Pass Pipeline Company, LLC (OPPL) of our
election to exercise our option to purchase an additional ownership interest, which will provide us
a 50 percent ownership interest in OPPL. The option price is estimated to be approximately $425
million. (See Results of Operations Segments, Midstream Gas & Liquids.)
Overview
We manage our business and analyze our results of operations on a segment basis. Our
operations are divided into two business segments: Gas Pipeline and Midstream.
|
|
|
Gas Pipeline includes Transco and a 65 percent interest in Northwest Pipeline, which
own and operate a combined total of approximately 13,900 miles of pipelines with a total
annual throughput of approximately 2,700 trillion British thermal units (TBtu) of natural
gas and peak-day delivery capacity of approximately 12 million dekatherms (MMdt) of natural
gas. Gas Pipeline also holds interests in joint venture interstate and intrastate natural
gas pipeline systems including a 24.5 percent interest in Gulfstream, which owns an
approximate 745-mile pipeline with the capacity to transport approximately 1.26 MMdt per
day of natural gas. |
|
|
|
|
Midstream includes natural gas gathering, processing and treating facilities, and crude
oil gathering and transportation facilities with primary service areas concentrated in
major producing basins in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, the Gulf of Mexico, and
Pennsylvania. |
Company Outlook
We believe we are well positioned to execute on our 2010 business plan and to capture
attractive growth opportunities. While the economic environment in the latter half of 2009 and
first quarter of 2010 improved compared to conditions earlier in 2009, this trend has moderated in
the second quarter of 2010 as global economies continue to struggle. However, energy commodity
price indicators, while recently lower, continue to reflect an expectation of growth and increasing
demand. But given the potential volatility of these measures, it is reasonably possible that the
economy could worsen and/or energy commodity prices could further decline, negatively impacting
future operating results and increasing the risk of nonperformance of counterparties or impairments
of long-lived assets.
As a result of the Dropdown, we believe we are better positioned to drive additional growth
and pursue value-adding growth strategies. Additionally, the Dropdown enhances our access to
capital markets.
We continue to invest in our businesses in a way that meets customer needs and enhances our
competitive position by:
|
|
|
Continuing to invest in and grow our gathering and processing and interstate natural
gas pipeline systems; |
|
|
|
|
Retaining the flexibility to adjust our planned levels of capital and investment
expenditures in response to changes in economic conditions or business opportunities. |
Potential risks and obstacles that could impact the execution of our plan include:
|
|
|
Lower than anticipated commodity prices; |
|
|
|
|
Lower than expected levels of cash flow from operations; |
|
|
|
|
Availability of capital; |
|
|
|
|
Counterparty credit and performance risk; |
23
Managements Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
|
|
|
Decreased volumes from third parties served by our midstream business; |
|
|
|
|
General economic, financial markets, or industry downturn; |
|
|
|
|
Changes in the political and regulatory environments; |
|
|
|
|
Physical damages to facilities, especially damage to offshore facilities by named
windstorms for which our aggregate insurance policy limit is $75 million in the event of a
material loss. |
We continue to address these risks through utilization of commodity hedging strategies,
disciplined investment strategies, and maintaining ample liquidity from cash and cash equivalents
and unused revolving credit facility capacity.
Fair Value Measurements
Certain of our energy derivative assets and energy derivative liabilities trade in markets
with lower availability of pricing information requiring us to use unobservable inputs and are
considered Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. At June 30, 2010, 87 percent of our energy
derivative assets and none of our energy derivative liabilities measured at fair value on a
recurring basis are included in Level 3. For Level 2 transactions, we do not make significant
adjustments to observable prices in measuring fair value as we do not generally trade in inactive
markets.
The determination of fair value for our energy derivative assets and our energy derivative
liabilities also incorporates the time value of money and various credit risk factors which can
include the credit standing of the counterparties involved, master netting arrangements, the impact
of credit enhancements (such as cash collateral posted and letters of credit) and our
nonperformance risk on our energy derivative liabilities. The determination of the fair value of
our energy derivative liabilities does not consider noncash collateral credit enhancements. For net
derivative assets, we apply a credit spread, based on the credit rating of the counterparty,
against the net derivative asset with that counterparty. For net derivative liabilities we apply
our own credit rating. We derive the credit spreads by using the corporate industrial credit curves
for each rating category and building a curve based on certain points in time for each rating
category. The spread comes from the discount factor of the individual corporate curves versus the
discount factor of the LIBOR curve. At June 30, 2010, the credit reserve is significantly less than
$1 million on both our net derivative assets and net derivative liabilities. Considering these
factors and that we do not have significant risk from our net credit exposure to derivative
counterparties, the impact of credit risk is not significant to the overall fair value of our
derivatives portfolio.
Our entire derivatives portfolio expires by December 31, 2010. Due to the nature of the
markets in which we transact and the relatively short tenure of our derivatives portfolio, we do
not believe it is necessary to make an adjustment for illiquidity. We regularly analyze the
liquidity of the markets based on the prevalence of broker pricing and exchange pricing for
products in our derivatives portfolio.
The instruments included in Level 3 at June 30, 2010, consist primarily of natural gas liquids
swaps and forward contracts used to manage the price risk of future natural gas liquid sales. The
change in the overall fair value of instruments included in Level 3 primarily results from changes
in commodity prices.
Our financial swap contracts are with Williams Gas Marketing, Inc., and the derivative
contracts not designated as cash flow hedging instruments are primarily physical commodity sale
contracts. These agreements do not contain any provisions that require us to post collateral
related to net liability positions.
24
Managements Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
Results of Operations
Consolidated Overview
The following table and discussion is a summary of our consolidated results of operations for
the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, compared to the three and six months ended June 30,
2009. The results of operations by segment are discussed in further detail following this
consolidated overview discussion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
|
|
(Millions) |
|
|
Change* |
|
|
Change* |
|
|
(Millions) |
|
|
Change* |
|
|
Change* |
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
1,367 |
|
|
$ |
1,081 |
|
|
|
+ 286 |
|
|
|
+26 |
% |
|
$ |
2,825 |
|
|
$ |
2,038 |
|
|
|
+ 787 |
|
|
|
+39 |
% |
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and operating expenses |
|
|
987 |
|
|
|
738 |
|
|
|
- 249 |
|
|
|
-34 |
% |
|
|
2,001 |
|
|
|
1,381 |
|
|
|
- 620 |
|
|
|
-45 |
% |
Selling, general and
administrative expenses |
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
+ 3 |
|
|
|
+4 |
% |
|
|
127 |
|
|
|
141 |
|
|
|
+ 14 |
|
|
|
+10 |
% |
Other (income) expense net |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
+ 10 |
|
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
+ 10 |
|
|
|
NM |
|
General corporate expenses |
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
- 2 |
|
|
|
-8 |
% |
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
- 11 |
|
|
|
-22 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
|
1,076 |
|
|
|
838 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,180 |
|
|
|
1,573 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
291 |
|
|
|
243 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
645 |
|
|
|
465 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity earnings |
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
+ 11 |
|
|
|
+69 |
% |
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
+ 32 |
|
|
|
+152 |
% |
Interest accrued net |
|
|
(95 |
) |
|
|
(50 |
) |
|
|
- 45 |
|
|
|
-90 |
% |
|
|
(164 |
) |
|
|
(101 |
) |
|
|
- 63 |
|
|
|
-62 |
% |
Interest income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
- 6 |
|
|
|
-100 |
% |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
- 8 |
|
|
|
-73 |
% |
Other income net |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
- 4 |
|
|
|
-80 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
|
225 |
|
|
|
217 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
538 |
|
|
|
401 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
+ 2 |
|
|
|
+100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
+ 3 |
|
|
|
+100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income |
|
|
225 |
|
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
538 |
|
|
|
398 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less: Net income attributable to
noncontrolling interests |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
+ 1 |
|
|
|
+17 |
% |
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
+ 2 |
|
|
|
+15 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to
controlling interests |
|
$ |
220 |
|
|
$ |
209 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
527 |
|
|
$ |
385 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
+ = Favorable change; - = Unfavorable change; NM = A percentage calculation is not
meaningful due to change in signs, a zero-value denominator, or a percentage change greater than
200. |
Three months ended June 30, 2010 vs. three months ended June 30, 2009
The increase in revenues is primarily due to higher natural gas liquids (NGL) and crude oil
marketing revenues and higher NGL production revenues at Midstream, reflecting higher average NGL
and crude prices, partially offset by lower revenues from transportation imbalance settlements in
2010 compared to 2009 at Gas Pipeline.
The increase in costs and operating expenses is primarily due to increased NGL and crude oil
marketing purchases and NGL production costs at Midstream, reflecting higher average NGL, crude,
and natural gas prices, partially offset by a decrease in costs associated with lower
transportation imbalance settlements in 2010 compared to 2009 at Gas Pipeline.
Other (income) expense net within operating income in 2010 includes $11 million of
involuntary conversion gains due to insurance recoveries that are in excess of the carrying value
of Gulf assets, which were damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008, and our Ignacio plant, which was
damaged by a fire in 2007.
The increase in operating income generally reflects an improved energy commodity price
environment in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the second quarter of 2009.
25
Managements Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
Equity earnings increased primarily due to a $5 million increase from Aux Sable Liquid
Products LP (Aux Sable) and a $5 million increase from Discovery Producer Services LLC (Discovery)
at Midstream.
Interest accrued net increased due to the $3.5 billion of senior notes that were issued in
February 2010 in conjunction with the Dropdown. See Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for a discussion of the debt issuance.
Six months ended June 30, 2010 vs. six months ended June 30, 2009
The increase in revenues is primarily due to higher NGL and crude oil marketing revenues and
higher NGL production revenues at Midstream, reflecting higher average NGL and crude prices,
partially offset by lower revenues from transportation imbalance settlements in 2010 compared to
2009 and lower other service revenues at Gas Pipeline.
The increase in costs and operating expenses is primarily due to increased NGL and crude oil
marketing purchases and NGL production costs at Midstream, reflecting higher average NGL, crude,
and natural gas prices, partially offset by a decrease in costs associated with lower
transportation imbalance settlements in 2010 compared to 2009 at Gas Pipeline.
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased primarily due to lower pension and
certain other employee-related expenses at Gas Pipeline.
Other (income) expense net within operating income in 2010 includes $11 million of
involuntary conversion gains as previously discussed.
General corporate expenses in 2010 includes $8 million of outside services incurred related to
the Dropdown.
The increase in operating income generally reflects an improved energy commodity price
environment in 2010 compared to 2009.
Equity earnings increased primarily due to an $19 million increase from Discovery and a $10
million increase from Aux Sable at Midstream.
Interest accrued net increased due to the $3.5 billion of senior notes that were issued in
February 2010 in conjunction with the Dropdown. See Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for a discussion of the debt issuance.
26
Managements Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
Results of Operations Segments
Gas Pipeline
Overview of Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
Gas Pipelines strategy to create value focuses on maximizing the utilization of our pipeline
capacity by providing high quality, low cost transportation of natural gas to large and growing
markets.
Gas Pipelines interstate transmission and storage activities are subject to regulation by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and as such, our rates and charges for the
transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce, and the extension, expansion or abandonment
of jurisdictional facilities and accounting, among other things, are subject to regulation. The
rates are established through the FERCs ratemaking process. Changes in commodity prices and
volumes transported have little near-term impact on revenues because the majority of cost of
service is recovered through firm capacity reservation charges in transportation rates.
Mobile Bay South expansion project
In May 2009, we received approval from the FERC to construct a compression facility in Alabama
allowing natural gas pipeline transportation service to various southbound delivery points. The cost of the project is
estimated to be $34 million. The project was placed into service in May 2010 and increased capacity
by 253 thousand dekatherms per day (Mdt/d).
Gas Pipeline master limited partnership
As of June 30, 2010, we own approximately 47.7 percent of WMZ, including 100 percent of WMZs
general partner and incentive distribution rights. Considering the presumption of control of the
general partner, we consolidate WMZ within our Gas Pipeline segment. Gas Pipelines segment profit
includes 100 percent of WMZs segment profit.
Outlook for the Remainder of 2010
Expansion Projects
85 North
In September 2009, we received approval from the FERC to construct an expansion of our
existing natural gas transmission system from Alabama to various delivery points as far north as
North Carolina. The cost of the project is estimated to be $241 million. Phase I was placed into
service in July 2010 and increased capacity by 90 Mdt/d. Phase II service is anticipated to begin
in May 2011 and will increase capacity by 218 Mdt/d.
Mobile Bay South II
In July 2010, we received approval from the FERC to construct additional compression
facilities and modifications to existing facilities in Alabama allowing transportation service to
various southbound delivery points. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2010 and is
estimated to cost $36 million. The estimated project in-service date is May 2011 and will increase
capacity by 380 Mdt/d.
Sundance Trail
In November 2009, we received approval from the FERC to construct approximately 16 miles of
30-inch pipeline between our existing compressor stations in Wyoming. The project also includes an
upgrade to our existing compressor station and is estimated to cost $60 million. The estimated
in-service date is November 2010 and will increase capacity by 150 Mdt/d.
27
Managements Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
Period-Over-Period Operating Results
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, |
|
|
Six months ended June 30, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
(Millions) |
|
|
(Millions) |
|
Segment revenues |
|
$ |
380 |
|
|
$ |
421 |
|
|
$ |
787 |
|
|
$ |
822 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit |
|
$ |
148 |
|
|
$ |
155 |
|
|
$ |
317 |
|
|
$ |
327 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, 2010 vs. three months ended June 30, 2009
Segment revenues decreased primarily due to $38 million lower transportation imbalance
settlements (offset in costs and operating expenses) and a $9 million decrease in other service
revenues due to reduced customer usage of our temporary natural gas loan and storage services.
These decreases are partially offset by an increase in transportation revenues from expansion
projects placed into service in 2009 by Transco and a $3 million sale of base gas from an abandoned
storage field (offset in costs and operating expenses).
Costs and operating expenses decreased $32 million, or 14 percent, primarily due to $38
million lower transportation imbalance settlements (offset in segment revenues), partially offset
by $3 million related to the sale of base gas from an abandoned storage field (offset in segment
revenues) and $2 million of higher depreciation expense.
Other (income) expense net reflects a $3 million gain on the sale of base gas from an
abandoned storage field offset by $2 million related to the over collection of certain
employee-related expenses (offset in segment revenues) that will be returned to our customers.
Segment profit decreased primarily due to lower other services revenues.
Six months ended June 30, 2010 vs. six months ended June 30, 2009
Segment revenues decreased primarily due to $32 million lower transportation imbalance
settlements (offset in costs and operating expenses) and an $18 million decrease in other service
revenues due to reduced customer usage of our temporary natural gas loan and storage services.
These decreases are partially offset by a $9 million sale of base gas from an abandoned storage
field (offset in costs and operating expenses) and an increase in transportation revenues from
expansion projects placed into service in 2009 by Transco.
Costs and operating expenses decreased $16 million, or 4 percent, primarily due to $32 million
associated with lower transportation imbalance settlements (offset in segment revenues), partially
offset by $9 million related to the sale of base gas from an abandoned storage field (offset in
segment revenues) and $4 million of higher depreciation expense.
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $9 million, or 11 percent, primarily
due to lower employee-related expenses, including pension and other postretirement benefits.
Other (income) expense net reflects an $8 million gain on the sale of base gas from an
abandoned storage field offset by $5 million related to the over collection of certain
employee-related expenses (offset in segment revenues) that will be returned to our customers and
$3 million of higher project development costs.
Segment profit decreased primarily due to lower other service revenues and the other
previously described changes.
28
Managements Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
Midstream Gas & Liquids
Overview of Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
Midstreams ongoing strategy is to safely and reliably operate large-scale midstream
infrastructure where our assets can be fully utilized and drive low per-unit costs. We focus on
consistently attracting new business by providing highly reliable service to our customers and
utilizing our low cost-of-capital to invest in growing markets, including the deepwater Gulf of
Mexico, the Marcellus Shale, and the western United States.
Significant events during 2010 include the following:
Perdido Norte
Our Perdido Norte project, in the western deepwater of the Gulf of Mexico, began start-up of
operations late in the first quarter of 2010. The project includes a 200 million cubic feet per day
(MMcf/d) expansion of our onshore Markham gas processing facility and a total of 184 miles of
deepwater oil and gas lines that expand the scale of our existing infrastructure. Shortly after an
initial startup, production was suspended during the second quarter to address facility issues.
Currently our facilities are fully commissioned and ready to receive production, which we expect to
begin receiving in the third quarter of 2010.
Impact of Gulf Oil Spill
Our transportation and processing assets in the Gulf of Mexico have not been significantly
impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Operations are normal at all facilities with the
exception of increased air quality monitoring at our facilities in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. We
have not experienced any operational or logistical issues that would hinder the safety of our
employees or facilities. If exploration in the Gulf of Mexico is restricted, our expected future
volumes will be reduced for the remainder of 2010. While it is too early to predict, if impacted
producers reduce their offshore or onshore capital growth plans, our expected future volumes will
be reduced more significantly in the long term. While we continue to carefully monitor the events
and business environment in the Gulf of Mexico for potential negative impacts, we also continue to
pursue major expansion and growth opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico, including the possible
construction of deepwater pipelines and our deepwater floating production system referred to as
Gulfstar.
Overland Pass Pipeline
In July 2010, we notified our partner in OPPL of our election to exercise our option to
purchase an additional ownership interest, which will provide us a 50 percent ownership interest in
OPPL. The option price is estimated to be approximately $425 million. Subject to government
approvals, we expect to close the transaction within the third quarter with an effective
acquisition date of June 30, 2010. In 2006, we entered into an agreement to develop new pipeline
capacity for transporting NGLs from production areas in the Rocky Mountain area to central Kansas.
Our partner reimbursed us for the development costs we had incurred for the proposed pipeline and
acquired 99 percent of the pipeline. We retained a 1 percent interest and the option to increase
our ownership to 50 percent within two years of the pipeline becoming operational in November of
2008. As long as we retain a 50 percent ownership interest in OPPL, we have the right to become
operator upon providing notice. OPPL includes a 760-mile NGL pipeline
from Opal, Wyoming, to the Mid-Continent NGL market center in Conway,
Kansas, along with 150- and 125-mile extensions into the Piceance and
Denver-Joules Basins in Colorado, respectively. Our equity NGL volumes from our two Wyoming plants and our Willow
Creek facility in Colorado are dedicated for transport on OPPL under a long-term shipping
agreement.
Volatile commodity prices
Average per-unit NGL margins in the six months ending June 30, 2010 are significantly higher
than the same period of 2009, benefiting from a period of increasing average NGL prices while
abundant natural gas supplies limited the increase in natural gas prices. Benefits from favorable
natural gas price differentials in the Rocky Mountain area have narrowed since the second quarter
of 2009 such that our realized per-unit margins are only slightly greater than that of the industry
benchmarks for natural gas processed in the Henry Hub area and for liquids fractionated and sold at
Mont Belvieu, Texas.
29
Managements Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
NGL margins are defined as NGL revenues less any applicable BTU replacement cost, plant fuel,
and third-party transportation and fractionation. Per-unit NGL margins are calculated based on
sales of our own equity volumes at the processing plants.
Outlook for Remainder of 2010
The following factors could impact our business in 2010.
Commodity price changes
|
|
|
While our per-unit NGL margins have declined from the first to the second quarter of
2010, we expect our average per-unit NGL margins in 2010 to be higher than our average
per-unit margins in 2009 and our rolling five-year average per-unit NGL margins. NGL price
changes have historically tracked somewhat with changes in the price of crude oil, although
NGL, crude and natural gas prices are highly volatile and difficult to predict. NGL margins
are highly dependent upon continued demand within the global economy. Forecasted domestic
and global demand for polyethylene, or plastics, has been impacted by the weakness in the
global economy. In addition, projected new third party international ethylene production
capacity may lower future demand for domestic ethylene. However, NGL products are currently
the preferred feedstock for ethylene and propylene production, which has been shifting away
from the more expensive crude-based feedstocks. Bolstered by abundant long-term domestic
natural gas supplies, we expect to benefit from these dynamics in the broader global
petrochemical markets. |
30
Managements Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
|
|
|
As part of our efforts to manage commodity price risks on an enterprise basis, we
continue to evaluate our commodity hedging strategies. To reduce the exposure to changes in
market prices, we have entered into NGL swap agreements to fix the prices of approximately
20 percent of our anticipated NGL sales volumes and an approximate corresponding portion of
anticipated shrink gas requirements for the remainder of 2010. The combined impact of
these energy commodity derivatives will provide a margin on the hedged volumes of $117
million. The following table presents our energy commodity derivatives, including
derivatives entered into as of July 15, 2010. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
Volumes |
|
Average Hedge |
|
|
Period |
|
Hedged |
|
Price |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(per gallon) |
Designated as hedging instruments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NGL sales ethane (million gallons) |
|
July - September 2010 |
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
$ |
0.58 |
|
NGL sales propane (million gallons) |
|
July - December 2010 |
|
|
63.7 |
|
|
$ |
1.16 |
|
NGL sales isobutane (million gallons) |
|
July - December 2010 |
|
|
12.7 |
|
|
$ |
1.54 |
|
NGL sales normal butane (million gallons) |
|
July - December 2010 |
|
|
19.1 |
|
|
$ |
1.50 |
|
NGL sales natural gasoline (million gallons) |
|
July - December 2010 |
|
|
24.5 |
|
|
$ |
1.84 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(per MMbtu) |
Natural gas purchases (Tbtu) |
|
July - December 2010 |
|
|
11.8 |
|
|
$ |
4.57 |
|
Gathering, processing, and NGL sales volumes
|
|
|
The growth of natural gas supplies supporting our gathering and processing volumes are
impacted by producer drilling activities. While it is too early to predict the ultimate
impact of the Gulf oil spill, our future volumes will likely be reduced for the remainder of 2010
if exploration in the Gulf of Mexico is restricted or if producers reduce their offshore or
onshore capital growth plans. Our customers are generally large producers, and we have not
experienced and do not anticipate an overall significant decline in volumes due to reduced
drilling activity. |
|
|
|
|
In our onshore businesses, we expect higher fee revenues, NGL volumes, depreciation
expense and operating expenses in 2010 compared to 2009 as our Willow Creek facility moves
into a full year of operation, and our expansion at Echo Springs is completed late in 2010. |
|
|
|
|
We expect fee revenues, NGL volumes, depreciation expense, and operating expenses in
our Gulf Coast businesses to increase from 2009 levels with our Perdido Norte expansion
operations, which we expect to contribute to segment profit beginning in the third quarter
of 2010. Increased volumes from our Perdido Norte expansion are expected to be partially
offset by lower volumes in other Gulf Coast areas due to natural declines. |
Expansion Projects
Ongoing major expansion projects include:
|
|
|
Additional processing and NGL production capacities at our Echo Springs facility and
related gathering system expansions in the Wamsutter area of Wyoming, which we expect to be
in service in the fourth quarter of 2010. |
|
|
|
|
A 28-mile natural gas gathering pipeline in the Marcellus Shale region which we will
construct and operate in conjunction with a long-term agreement with a major producer.
Construction on the 20-inch pipeline, which will deliver gas into the Transco pipeline, is
expected to begin in the first quarter of 2011 and be completed during 2011. |
31
Managements Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
|
|
|
Additional capital to be invested within our Laurel Mountain Midstream, LLC (Laurel
Mountain) equity investment to grow the existing gathering infrastructure with additional
pipeline miles, compression, and well-connects in 2010 and beyond. Laurel Mountain will
also benefit from a recent joint venture transaction between its anchor customer and a
third-party drilling partner, which we expect to provide the funding to accelerate the
customers drilling plans and grow their leasehold position in the Marcellus Shale region
dedicated to Laurel Mountain gathering services. |
|
|
|
|
We intend to pursue construction of a 450 MMcf/d cryogenic gas processing facility to
be located at the Williams Exploration & Production Parachute plant complex capable of
recovering up to 25 Mbbls/d of NGLs. Production from Williams Exploration & Production in
the Piceance valley and highlands currently exceeds the processing capacity at the Willow
Creek plant. The new Parachute plant is expected to be in service in 2013 and will process
Williams Exploration & Productions equity production from its existing treatment
facilities. This proposed project is subject to certain final approvals. |
Period-Over-Period Operating Results
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, |
|
|
Six months ended June 30, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
(Millions) |
|
|
(Millions) |
|
Segment revenues |
|
$ |
987 |
|
|
$ |
663 |
|
|
$ |
2,038 |
|
|
$ |
1,221 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit |
|
$ |
198 |
|
|
$ |
130 |
|
|
$ |
443 |
|
|
$ |
210 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, 2010 vs. three months ended June 30, 2009
The increase in segment revenues is largely due to:
|
|
|
A $213 million increase in marketing revenues primarily due to higher average NGL and
crude prices. These changes are more than offset by similar changes in marketing purchases. |
|
|
|
|
A $100 million increase in revenues associated with the production of NGLs reflecting
an increase of $91 million associated with a 56 percent increase in average NGL per-unit
sales prices. |
|
|
|
|
An $8 million increase in fee revenues primarily due to new fees for processing natural
gas production at Willow Creek, partially offset by reduced fees from lower deepwater
gathering and transportation volumes. |
Segment costs and expenses increased $265 million, or 49 percent, primarily as a result of:
|
|
|
A $232 million increase in marketing purchases primarily due to higher average NGL and
crude prices. These changes more than offset similar changes in marketing revenues. |
|
|
|
|
A $37 million increase in costs associated with the production of NGLs due primarily to
a 50 percent increase in average natural gas prices. |
|
|
|
|
An $11 million favorable change related to involuntary conversion gains due to
insurance recoveries in excess of the carrying value of our Ignacio plant, which was
damaged by a fire in 2007, and Gulf assets which were damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008. |
The increase in Midstreams segment profit reflects the previously described changes in
segment revenues and segment costs and expenses and higher equity earnings. A more detailed
analysis of the segment profit of certain Midstream operations is presented as follows.
32
Managements Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
The increase in Midstreams segment profit includes:
|
|
|
A $63 million increase in NGL production margins reflecting: |
|
|
|
A $56 million increase in the onshore businesses NGL margins reflecting a 61
percent increase in average NGL prices, partially offset by an increase in production
costs reflecting a 63 percent increase in average natural gas prices. NGL equity
volumes were 7 percent higher due primarily to new production at Willow Creek. |
|
|
|
|
A $7 million increase in the Gulf Coast businesses NGL margins reflecting a
$13 million increase related to commodity price changes including a 45 percent increase
in average NGL prices, partially offset by a 31 percent increase in average natural gas
prices. NGL equity volumes sold were 18 percent lower primarily due to an isolated
mechanical issue that reduced the Boomvang gas production flow and natural field
declines. |
|
|
|
An $11 million favorable change related to involuntary conversion gains as previously
discussed. |
|
|
|
|
A $9 million increase in equity earnings related to a $5 million increase from Aux
Sable primarily due to higher processing margins and a $5 million increase from Discovery
primarily due to higher processing margins and new volumes from an expansion completed in
2009. |
|
|
|
|
An $8 million increase in fee revenues as previously discussed. |
|
|
|
|
A $19 million decrease in margins related to the marketing of NGLs and crude
primarily due to unfavorable changes in pricing while product was in transit in 2010 as
compared to favorable changes in pricing while product was in transit in 2009. |
Six months ended June 30, 2010 vs. six months ended June 30, 2009
The increase in segment revenues is largely due to:
|
|
|
A $506 million increase in marketing revenues primarily due to higher average NGL and
crude prices. These changes are more than offset by similar changes in marketing purchases. |
|
|
|
|
A $288 million increase in revenues associated with the production of NGLs reflecting
an increase of $255 million associated with a 76 percent increase in average NGL per-unit
sales prices and an increase of $33 million associated with a 12 percent increase in ethane
volumes sold and a 3 percent increase in non-ethane volumes sold. |
|
|
|
|
A $15 million increase in fee revenues primarily due to new fees for processing natural
gas production at Willow Creek, partially offset by reduced fees from lower deepwater
gathering and transportation volumes. |
Segment costs and expenses increased $613 million, or 60 percent, primarily as a result of:
|
|
|
A $527 million increase in marketing purchases primarily due to higher average NGL and
crude prices. These changes more than offset similar changes in marketing revenues. |
|
|
|
|
A $90 million increase in costs associated with the production of NGLs reflecting an
increase of $77 million associated with a 44 percent increase in average natural gas prices
and an increase of $13 million associated with an 8 percent increase in gas volumes for BTU
replacement cost and plant fuel. |
|
|
|
|
A $12 million favorable change related to involuntary conversion gains due to insurance
recoveries in excess of the carrying value of our Ignacio plant, which was damaged by a
fire in 2007, and Gulf assets which were damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008. |
33
Managements Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
The increase in Midstreams segment profit reflects the previously described changes in
segment revenues and segment costs and expenses and higher equity earnings. A more detailed
analysis of the segment profit of certain Midstream operations is presented as follows.
The increase in Midstreams segment profit includes:
|
|
|
A $198 million increase in NGL production margins reflecting: |
|
|
|
A $158 million increase in the onshore businesses NGL margins reflecting an 81
percent increase in average NGL prices, partially offset by an increase in production
costs reflecting a 50 percent increase in average natural gas prices. NGL equity
volumes were 6 percent higher due primarily to new production at Willow Creek. |
|
|
|
|
A $40 million increase in the Gulf Coast businesses NGL margins reflecting a
$39 million increase related to commodity price changes including a 60 percent increase
in average NGL prices, partially offset by a 27 percent increase in average natural gas
prices. NGL equity volumes sold were 15 percent higher reflecting a 36 percent increase
in ethane volumes sold, partially offset by a 2 percent decrease in non-ethane volumes
sold. Favorable impacts including low recoveries in the first quarter of 2009 driven
by unfavorable NGL economics and decreasing inventory in the first quarter of 2010
compared to increasing inventory in the first quarter of 2009 are partially offset by
natural field declines and an isolated mechanical issue that reduced the Boomvang gas
production flow. |
|
|
|
A $29 million increase in equity earnings, primarily due to an $19 million increase
from Discovery due primarily to recovery from the impact of the 2008 hurricanes, new
volumes from an expansion completed in 2009 and higher processing margins. In addition,
equity earnings from Aux Sable are $10 million higher primarily due to higher processing
margins. |
|
|
|
|
A $15 million increase in fee revenues as previously discussed. |
|
|
|
|
A $12 million favorable change related to involuntary conversion gains as previously
discussed. |
|
|
|
|
A $21 million decrease in margins related to the marketing of NGLs and crude
primarily due to unfavorable changes in pricing while product was in transit in 2010 as
compared to favorable changes in pricing while product was in transit in 2009. |
34
Managements Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Liquidity
Outlook
For 2010, we expect operating results and cash flows to be higher than 2009 levels due to the
combination of expected higher energy commodity prices and the start-up of certain expansion
capital projects. However, energy commodity prices are volatile and difficult to predict. Although
our cash flows are impacted by fluctuations in energy commodity prices, that impact is somewhat
mitigated by certain of our cash flow streams that are not directly impacted by commodity price
movements, as follows:
|
|
|
Firm demand and capacity reservation transportation revenues under long-term contracts at Gas Pipeline; |
|
|
|
|
Fee-based revenues from certain gathering and processing services at Midstream; |
|
|
|
|
Hedged NGL sales and natural gas purchases for a portion of activities at Midstream. |
We believe we have, or have access to, the financial resources and liquidity necessary to meet
our requirements for working capital, capital and investment expenditures, unitholder distributions
and debt service payments while maintaining a sufficient level of liquidity. In particular, we note
the following for 2010:
|
|
|
We increased our per-unit quarterly distribution from $0.6575 to $0.6725 beginning with
the distribution with respect to the second quarter of 2010. |
|
|
|
|
We expect to fund capital and investment expenditures, debt service payments,
distributions to unitholders and working capital requirements primarily through cash flow
from operations, cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash proceeds from common unit and/or
long-term debt issuances and utilization of our revolving credit facility as needed. Based
on a range of market assumptions, we currently estimate our cash flow from operations will
be between $1.375 billion and $1.775 billion in 2010. |
Liquidity
Based on our forecasted levels of cash flow from operations and other sources of liquidity, we
expect to have sufficient liquidity to manage our businesses in 2010. Our internal and external
sources of liquidity include:
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents on hand; |
|
|
|
|
Cash generated from operations, including cash distributions from our equity-method investees; |
|
|
|
|
Cash proceeds from offerings of our common units and/or long-term debt; |
|
|
|
|
Capital contributions from Williams pursuant to the omnibus agreement; |
|
|
|
|
Use of our credit facility, as needed and available. |
|
|
We anticipate our more significant uses of cash to be: |
|
|
|
|
Maintenance and expansion capital expenditures; |
|
|
|
|
Contributions to our equity-method investees to fund their expansion capital expenditures; |
|
|
|
|
Interest on our long-term debt; |
|
|
|
|
Quarterly distributions to our unitholders and/or general partner. |
35
Managements Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
Potential risks associated with our planned levels of liquidity and the planned capital and
investment expenditures discussed above include:
|
|
|
Lower than expected levels of cash flow from operations. |
|
|
|
|
Sustained reductions in energy commodity prices from expected 2010 levels. |
|
|
|
|
Physical damages to facilities, especially damage to offshore facilities by named
windstorms for which our aggregate policy limit is $75 million in the event of a material
loss. |
Available Liquidity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2010 |
|
|
|
(Millions) |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
218 |
|
Available capacity under our $1.75 billion three-year senior unsecured credit facility (expires February 15, 2013) (1) |
|
|
1,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,968 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The full amount of the credit facility is available to us, to the extent not otherwise
utilized by Transco and Northwest Pipeline, and may, under certain conditions, be increased by
up to an additional $250 million. Transco and Northwest Pipeline are each able to borrow up
to $400 million under the credit facility to the extent not otherwise utilized by us. |
We expect our available liquidity will be reduced by approximately $425 million in the third
quarter related to our acquisition of an increased interest in OPPL.
(See Results of Operation Segments, Midstream Gas & Liquids.)
Shelf Registration
On October 28, 2009, we filed a shelf registration statement as a well-known seasoned issuer
that allows us to issue an unlimited amount of registered debt and limited partnership unit
securities.
Distributions from Equity Method Investees
Our equity method investees organizational documents require distribution of their available
cash to their members on a quarterly basis. In each case, available cash is reduced, in part, by
reserves appropriate for operating their respective businesses. Our more significant equity method
investees include: Aux Sable, Discovery, Gulfstream and
Laurel Mountain.
Omnibus Agreement with Williams
In connection with the Dropdown, we entered into an omnibus agreement with Williams. Pursuant
to this omnibus agreement, Williams is obligated to indemnify us from and against or reimburse us
for (i) amounts incurred by us or our subsidiaries for repair or abandonment costs for damages to
certain facilities caused by Hurricane Ike, up to a maximum of $10 million, (ii) maintenance
capital expenditure amounts incurred by us or our subsidiaries in respect of certain U.S.
Department of Transportation projects, up to a maximum aggregate amount of $50 million, and (iii)
an amount based on the amortization over time of deferred revenue amounts that relate to cash
payments received prior to the closing of the Dropdown for services to be rendered by us in the
future at the Devils Tower floating production platform located in Mississippi Canyon Block 773. In
addition, we will be obligated to pay to Williams the net proceeds of certain sales of natural gas
recovered from the Hester storage field pursuant to the FERC order dated March 7, 2008, approving a
settlement agreement in Docket No. RP06-569.
36
Managements Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
Credit Facility
At June 30, 2010, we have a $1.75 billion three-year senior unsecured revolving credit
facility (Credit Facility) with Transco and Northwest Pipeline, as co-borrowers, and Citibank, N.A.
as the administrative agent, and certain other lenders named therein. The full amount of the Credit
Facility is available to us, to the extent not otherwise utilized by Transco and Northwest
Pipeline, and may, under certain conditions, be increased by up to an additional $250 million.
Transco and Northwest Pipeline are each able to borrow up to $400 million under the Credit Facility
to the extent not otherwise utilized by us. We utilized $250 million of the Credit Facility to
repay a term loan that was outstanding under our previous credit facility. As of June 30, 2010 no
loans or letters of credit were outstanding under the Credit Facility.
Interest on borrowings under the Credit Facility is payable at rates per annum equal to, at
the option of the borrower: (1) a fluctuating base rate equal to Citibank, N.A.s adjusted base
rate plus the applicable margin or (2) a periodic fixed rate equal to LIBOR plus the applicable
margin. The adjusted base rate will be the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.5 percent,
(ii) Citibank N.A.s publicly announced base rate and (iii) one-month LIBOR plus 1.0 percent. We
pay a commitment fee (currently 0.5 percent) based on the unused portion of the Credit Facility.
The applicable margin and the commitment fee are determined by reference to a pricing schedule
based on the borrowers senior unsecured debt ratings.
In addition, we are required to maintain a ratio of debt to EBITDA (each as defined in the
Credit Facility) of no greater than 5 to 1 for us and our consolidated subsidiaries. For each of
Transco and Northwest Pipeline and their respective consolidated subsidiaries, the ratio of debt to
capitalization (defined as net worth plus debt) is not permitted to be greater than 55 percent.
Each of the above ratios is tested at the end of each fiscal quarter, and the debt to EBITDA ratio
will be measured on a rolling four-quarter basis (with the full year measured on an annualized
basis). At June 30, 2010, we are in compliance with these covenants.
The Credit Facility includes customary events of default. If an event of default with respect
to a borrower occurs under the Credit Facility, the lenders will be able to terminate the
commitments for all borrowers and accelerate the maturity of the loans of the defaulting borrower
under the Credit Facility and exercise other rights and remedies.
Credit Ratings
The table below presents our current credit ratings and outlook on our senior unsecured
long-term debt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Unsecured |
Rating Agency |
|
Date of Last Change |
|
Outlook |
|
Debt Rating |
Standard & Poors
|
|
January 12, 2010
|
|
Positive
|
|
BBB- |
Moodys Investor Service
|
|
February 17, 2010
|
|
Stable
|
|
Baa3 |
Fitch Ratings
|
|
February 2, 2010
|
|
Stable
|
|
BBB- |
With respect to Standard and Poors, a rating of BBB or above indicates an investment grade
rating. A rating below BBB indicates that the security has significant speculative
characteristics. A BB rating indicates that Standard and Poors believes the issuer has the
capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation, but adverse business conditions could
lead to insufficient ability to meet financial commitments. Standard and Poors may modify its
ratings with a + or a - sign to show the obligors relative standing within a major rating
category.
With respect to Moodys, a rating of Baa or above indicates an investment grade rating. A
rating below Baa is considered to have speculative elements. The 1, 2, and 3 modifiers show
the relative standing within a major category. A 1 indicates that an obligation ranks in the
higher end of the broad rating category, 2 indicates a mid-range ranking, and 3 indicates a
ranking at the lower end of the category.
37
Managements Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
With respect to Fitch, a rating of BBB or above indicates an investment grade rating. A
rating below BBB is considered speculative grade. Fitch may add a + or a - sign to show the
obligors relative standing within a major rating category.
Credit rating agencies perform independent analyses when assigning credit ratings. No
assurance can be given that the credit rating agencies will continue to assign us investment grade
ratings even if we meet or exceed their current criteria for investment grade ratios. A downgrade
of our credit rating might increase our future cost of borrowing and would require us to post
additional collateral with third parties, negatively impacting our available liquidity. As of June
30, 2010, we estimate that a downgrade to a rating below investment grade would require us to post
up to $75 million in additional collateral with third parties.
Capital Expenditures
Each of our businesses is capital-intensive, requiring investment to upgrade or enhance
existing operations and comply with safety and environmental regulations. The capital requirements
of these businesses consist primarily of:
|
|
|
Maintenance capital expenditures, which are generally not discretionary, include (1)
capital expenditures made to replace partially or fully depreciated assets in order to
maintain the existing operating capacity of our assets and to extend their useful lives,
(2) expenditures which are mandatory and/or essential to comply with laws and regulations
and maintain the reliability of our operations, and (3) certain well connection
expenditures. |
|
|
|
|
Expansion capital expenditures, which are generally more discretionary than maintenance
capital expenditures, include (1) expenditures to acquire additional assets to grow our
business, to expand and upgrade plant or pipeline capacity and to construct new plants,
pipelines and storage facilities and (2) well connection expenditures which are not
classified as maintenance expenditures. |
The following table provides summary information related to our actual and expected capital
expenditures for 2010. These amounts reflect total increases to property, plant and equipment
including accrued amounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maintenance |
|
|
Expansion |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
Segment |
|
Estimate |
|
|
June 30, 2010 |
|
|
Estimate |
|
|
June 30, 2010 |
|
|
Estimate |
|
|
June 30, 2010 |
|
|
|
(Millions) |
|
Gas Pipeline |
|
$ |
210-230 |
|
|
$ |
57 |
|
|
$ |
300-350 |
|
|
$ |
81 |
|
|
$ |
510-580 |
|
|
$ |
138 |
|
Midstream |
|
|
105-125 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
795-975 |
|
|
|
123 |
|
|
|
900-1,100 |
|
|
|
144 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
315-355 |
|
|
$ |
78 |
|
|
$ |
1,095-1,325 |
|
|
$ |
204 |
|
|
$ |
1,410-1,680 |
|
|
$ |
282 |
|
Cash Distributions to Unitholders
We have paid quarterly distributions to unitholders and our general partner after every
quarter since our initial public offering on August 23, 2005. However, Williams waived its
incentive distribution rights related to the 2009 distribution periods. In April, 2010, we
increased our quarterly distribution from $0.6350 to $0.6575 per unit effective with our
distribution with respect to the first quarter of 2010. As part of the consideration for the
Dropdown, we issued 203 million Class C limited partnership units to Williams, which are identical
to our common limited partnership units except that for the first quarter of 2010 they received a
prorated quarterly distribution since they were not outstanding during the full quarterly period.
These Class C units automatically converted into our common limited partnership units on May 10,
2010. We have increased our quarterly distribution from $0.6575 to $0.6725 per unit. The full
amount of this distribution with respect to the second quarter of 2010 will be approximately
$221 million, which will be paid on August 13, 2010, to the general and limited partners of record
at the close of business on August 6, 2010.
38
Managements Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
Sources (Uses) of Cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June 30, 2010 |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
(Millions) |
|
Net cash provided (used) by: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities |
|
$ |
967 |
|
|
$ |
637 |
|
Financing activities |
|
|
2,846 |
|
|
|
(151 |
) |
Investing activities |
|
|
(3,748 |
) |
|
|
(518 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
65 |
|
|
$ |
(32 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased
from the same period in 2009 primarily due to higher operating income.
Financing Activities
Significant transactions include:
|
|
|
$3.5 billion of net proceeds from the issuance of senior unsecured notes in 2010. |
|
|
|
|
$250 million received from revolver borrowings on our $1.75 billion unsecured credit
facility in February 2010 to repay term loan. As of June 30, 2010, no loans are outstanding
on this credit facility (see Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). |
|
|
|
|
$189 million and $76 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, related to cash
distributions paid to unit holders. |
Investing Activities
Significant transactions include:
|
|
|
$3.4 billion related to the cash consideration paid to Williams in the Dropdown
transaction in 2010. |
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures in 2010 and 2009 totaled $339 million and $376 million,
respectively. |
|
|
|
|
$100 million cash payment in 2009 for our 51 percent ownership interest in the joint
venture Laurel Mountain. |
|
|
|
|
$73 million of cash received in 2009 as a distribution from Gulfstream following its
debt offering. |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We had no guarantees of off-balance sheet debt to third parties or any other off-balance sheet
arrangements at June 30, 2010.
39
Item 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
The Dropdown and related debt issuance had a significant impact on our debt portfolio but did
not materially change our interest rate risk exposure. (See Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.)
Commodity Price Risk
We are exposed to the impact of fluctuations in the market price of natural gas liquids (NGL)
and natural gas, as well as other market factors, such as market volatility and commodity price
correlations. We are exposed to these risks in connection with our owned energy-related assets and
our long-term energy-related contracts. We manage a portion of the risks associated with these
market fluctuations using various derivative contracts. The fair value of derivative contracts is
subject to many factors, including changes in energy commodity market prices, the liquidity and
volatility of the markets in which the contracts are transacted, and changes in interest rates.
(See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)
We measure the risk in our portfolio using a value-at-risk methodology to estimate the
potential one-day loss from adverse changes in the fair value of the portfolio. Value at risk
requires a number of key assumptions and is not necessarily representative of actual losses in fair
value that could be incurred from the portfolio. Our value-at-risk model uses a Monte Carlo method
to simulate hypothetical movements in future market prices and assumes that, as a result of changes
in commodity prices, there is a 95 percent probability that the one-day loss in fair value of the
portfolio will not exceed the value at risk. The simulation method uses historical correlations and
market forward prices and volatilities. In applying the value-at-risk methodology, we do not
consider that the simulated hypothetical movements affect the positions or would cause any
potential liquidity issues, nor do we consider that changing the portfolio in response to market
conditions could affect market prices and could take longer than a one-day holding period to
execute. While a one-day holding period has historically been the industry standard, a longer
holding period could more accurately represent the true market risk given market liquidity and our
own credit and liquidity constraints. Our derivative contracts are contracts held for nontrading
purposes and hedge a portion of our commodity price risk exposure from NGL sales and natural gas
purchases.
The value at risk was $1.9 million at June 30, 2010 and $0.1 million at December 31, 2009.
Substantially all of the derivative contracts included in our value-at-risk calculation are
accounted for as cash flow hedges. Any change in the fair value of these hedge contracts would
generally not be reflected in earnings until the associated hedged item affects earnings.
40
Item 4
Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our general partners Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e)
and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act) (Disclosure Controls) or our internal controls over
financial reporting (Internal Controls) will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no
matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that
the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect
the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered
relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation
of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any,
within Williams Partners L.P. have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities
that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple
error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some
persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design
of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of
future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated
goals under all potential future conditions. Because of the inherent limitations in a
cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
We monitor our Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls and make modifications as necessary; our
intent in this regard is that the Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls will be modified as
systems change and conditions warrant.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our Disclosure Controls was
performed as of the end of the period covered by this report. This evaluation was performed under
the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our general partners Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, our management concluded
that these Disclosure Controls are effective at a reasonable assurance level.
Second-Quarter 2010 Changes in Internal Controls
There have been no changes during the second quarter of 2010 that have materially affected, or
are reasonably likely to materially affect, our Internal Controls.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The information called for by this item is provided in Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements of this report, which
information is incorporated by reference into this item.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2009, includes certain risk factors that could materially affect our business, financial
condition or future results. Those Risk Factors have not materially changed, except as set forth
below:
Our operations are subject to governmental laws and regulations relating to the protection of the
environment, which may expose us to significant costs and liabilities and could exceed current
expectations.
The risk of substantial environmental costs and liabilities is inherent in natural gas
gathering, transportation, storage, processing and treating, and in the fractionation and storage
of NGLs, and we may incur substantial
41
environmental costs and liabilities in the performance of these types of operations. Our
operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations
governing environmental protection, the discharge of materials into the environment and the
security of chemical and industrial facilities. These laws include:
|
|
|
CAA and analogous state laws, which impose obligations related to air emissions; |
|
|
|
|
CWA, and analogous state laws, which regulate discharge of wastewaters from our
facilities to state and federal waters; |
|
|
|
|
CERCLA, and analogous state laws, which regulate the cleanup of hazardous substances
that may have been released at properties currently or previously owned or operated by us
or locations to which we have sent wastes for disposal; and |
|
|
|
|
RCRA, and analogous state laws, which impose requirements for the handling and
discharge of solid and hazardous waste from our facilities. |
Various governmental authorities, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and
analogous state agencies and the United States Department of Homeland Security, have the power to
enforce compliance with these laws and regulations and the permits issued under them, oftentimes
requiring difficult and costly actions. Failure to comply with these laws, regulations, and permits
may result in the assessment of administrative, civil, and criminal penalties, the imposition of
remedial obligations, the imposition of stricter conditions on or revocation of permits, and the
issuance of injunctions limiting or preventing some or all of our operations.
There is inherent risk of the incurrence of environmental costs and liabilities in our
business, some of which may be material, due to our handling of the products we gather, transport,
process, fractionate and store, air emissions related to our operations, historical industry
operations, waste disposal practices, and the prior use of flow meters containing mercury. Joint
and several, strict liability may be incurred without regard to fault under certain environmental
laws and regulations, including CERCLA, RCRA, and analogous state laws, for the remediation of
contaminated areas and in connection with spills or releases of natural gas and wastes on, under,
or from our properties and facilities. Private parties, including the owners of properties through
which our pipeline and gathering systems pass and facilities where our wastes are taken for
reclamation or disposal, may have the right to pursue legal actions to enforce compliance as well
as to seek damages for non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations or for personal
injury or property damage arising from our operations. Some sites we operate are located near
current or former third-party hydrocarbon storage and processing operations, and there is a risk
that contamination has migrated from those sites to ours. In addition, increasingly strict laws,
regulations and enforcement policies could materially increase our compliance costs and the cost of
any remediation that may become necessary. Our insurance may not cover all environmental risks and
costs or may not provide sufficient coverage if an environmental claim is made against us.
Our business may be adversely affected by increased costs due to stricter pollution control
requirements or liabilities resulting from non-compliance with required operating or other
regulatory permits. Also, we might not be able to obtain or maintain from time to time all required
environmental regulatory approvals for our operations. If there is a delay in obtaining any
required environmental regulatory approvals, or if we fail to obtain and comply with them, the
operation of our facilities could be prevented or become subject to additional costs, resulting in
potentially material adverse consequences to our business, financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows.
In addition, recent scientific studies have suggested that emissions of certain gases,
commonly referred to as greenhouse gases (GHGs), may be contributing to warming of the earths
atmosphere, and various governmental bodies have considered legislative and regulatory responses in
this area.
Legislative and regulatory responses related to GHGs and climate change creates the potential
for financial risk. The United States Congress and certain states have for some time been
considering various forms of legislation related to GHG emissions. There have also been
international efforts seeking legally binding reductions in emissions of GHGs. In addition,
increased public awareness and concern may result in more state, regional and/or federal
requirements to reduce or mitigate GHG emissions.
42
Several bills have been introduced in the United States Congress that would compel GHG
emission reductions. On June 26, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean
Energy and Security Act which is intended to decrease annual GHG emissions through a variety of
measures, including a cap and trade system which limits the amount of GHGs that may be emitted
and incentives to reduce the nations dependence on traditional energy sources. The U.S. Senate is
currently considering similar legislation, and numerous states have also announced or adopted
programs to stabilize and reduce GHGs. In addition, on December 7, 2009, the EPA issued a final
determination that six GHGs are a threat to public safety and welfare. This determination could
ultimately lead to the direct regulation of GHG emissions in our industry under the CAA. While it
is not clear whether or when any federal or state climate change laws or regulations will be
passed, any of 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. If we are unable to recover or pass through a significant level of our
costs related to complying with climate change regulatory requirements imposed on us, it could have
a material adverse effect on our results of operations and our ability to make cash distributions
to unitholders. To the extent financial markets view climate change and GHG emissions as a
financial risk, this could negatively impact our cost of and access to capital.
Certain environmental and other groups have suggested that additional laws and regulations may
be needed to more closely regulate the hydraulic fracturing process commonly used in natural gas
production and legislation has been proposed in Congress to provide for such regulation. We cannot
predict whether any federal, state or local legislation or regulation will be enacted in this area
and if so, what its provisions would be. If additional levels of reporting, regulation and
permitting were required, our operations and those of our customers could be adversely affected.
We make assumptions and develop expectations about possible expenditures related to
environmental conditions based on current laws and regulations and current interpretations of those
laws and regulations. If the interpretation of laws or regulations, or the laws and regulations
themselves, change, our assumptions may change, and any new capital costs incurred to comply with
such changes may not be recoverable under our regulatory rate structure or our customer contracts.
In addition, new environmental laws and regulations might adversely affect our products and
activities, including processing, fractionation, storage and transportation, as well as waste
management and air emissions. For instance, federal and state agencies could impose additional
safety requirements, any of which could affect our profitability.
43
Item 6. Exhibits
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Exhibit |
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No. |
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Description |
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Exhibit 3.1
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Certificate of Limited Partnership of Williams Partners L.P. (filed
on May 2, 2005 as Exhibit 3.1 to Williams Partners L.P.s
registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-124517)) and
incorporated herein by reference. |
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Exhibit 3.2
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Certificate of Formation of Williams Partners GP LLC (filed on May 2,
2005 as Exhibit 3.3 to Williams Partners L.P.s registration
statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-124517)) and incorporated herein
by reference. |
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Exhibit 3.3
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Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Williams
Partners L.P. (including form of common unit certificate), as amended
by Amendments Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 (filed on February 25, 2010
as Exhibit 3.3 to Williams Partners L.P.s annual report on Form 10-K
(File No. 001-32599)) and incorporated herein by reference. |
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Exhibit 3.4
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Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Williams
Partners GP LLC (filed on August 26, 2005 as Exhibit 3.2 to Williams
Partners L.P.s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32599)) and
incorporated herein by reference. |
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Exhibit 12
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Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.(1) |
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Exhibit 31.1
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a)
and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, and Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.(1) |
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Exhibit 31.2
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Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a)
and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, and Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.(1) |
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Exhibit 32
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.(2) |
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Exhibit 101.INS
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XBRL Instance Document.(2) |
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Exhibit 101.SCH
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.(2) |
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Exhibit 101.CAL
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.(2) |
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Exhibit 101.DEF
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.(2) |
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Exhibit 101.LAB
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.(2) |
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Exhibit 101.PRE
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.(2) |
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(1) |
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Filed herewith. |
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(2) |
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Furnished herewith. |
44
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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WILLIAMS PARTNERS L.P. |
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(Registrant) |
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By: Williams Partners GP LLC, its general partner |
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/s/ Ted T. Timmermans
Ted T. Timmermans
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Controller (Duly Authorized Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer) |
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July 29, 2010
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit |
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No. |
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Description |
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Exhibit 3.1
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Certificate of Limited Partnership of Williams Partners L.P. (filed
on May 2, 2005 as Exhibit 3.1 to Williams Partners L.P.s
registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-124517)) and
incorporated herein by reference. |
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Exhibit 3.2
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Certificate of Formation of Williams Partners GP LLC (filed on May 2,
2005 as Exhibit 3.3 to Williams Partners L.P.s registration
statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-124517)) and incorporated herein
by reference. |
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Exhibit 3.3
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Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Williams
Partners L.P. (including form of common unit certificate), as amended
by Amendments Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 (filed on February 25, 2010
as Exhibit 3.3 to Williams Partners L.P.s annual report on Form 10-K
(File No. 001-32599)) and incorporated herein by reference. |
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Exhibit 3.4
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Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Williams
Partners GP LLC (filed on August 26, 2005 as Exhibit 3.2 to Williams
Partners L.P.s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32599)) and
incorporated herein by reference. |
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Exhibit 12
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Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.(1) |
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Exhibit 31.1
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a)
and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, and Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.(1) |
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Exhibit 31.2
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Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a)
and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, and Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.(1) |
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Exhibit 32
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.(2) |
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Exhibit 101.INS
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XBRL Instance Document.(2) |
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Exhibit 101.SCH
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.(2) |
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Exhibit 101.CAL
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.(2) |
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Exhibit 101.DEF
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.(2) |
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Exhibit 101.LAB
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.(2) |
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Exhibit 101.PRE
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.(2) |
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(1) |
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Filed herewith. |
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(2) |
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Furnished herewith. |