UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One) |
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x |
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
15(d) OF THE |
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FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 |
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or |
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o |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
15(d) OF THE SECURITIES |
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FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO |
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COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-3551 |
EQUITABLE RESOURCES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
PENNSYLVANIA |
25-0464690 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
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225 North Shore Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212 |
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(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code) |
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Registrants telephone number, including area code: (412) 553-5700 |
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(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 x 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.
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Large Accelerated Filer |
x |
Accelerated Filer |
o |
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Non-Accelerated Filer |
o |
Smaller reporting company |
o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class |
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Outstanding at |
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Common stock, no par value |
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122,243,139 shares |
EQUITABLE RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Index
2
Statements of Consolidated Income (Unaudited)
|
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Three Months Ended |
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||||
|
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2008 |
|
2007 |
|
||
|
|
(Thousands, except per share amounts) |
|
||||
Operating revenues |
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$ |
535,774 |
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$ |
456,546 |
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Cost of sales |
|
271,178 |
|
220,012 |
|
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Net operating revenues |
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264,596 |
|
236,534 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Operating expenses: |
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|
|
|
|
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Operation and maintenance |
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25,592 |
|
27,444 |
|
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Production |
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16,520 |
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16,230 |
|
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Exploration |
|
555 |
|
282 |
|
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Selling, general and administrative |
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71,741 |
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66,297 |
|
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Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
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30,765 |
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27,427 |
|
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Total operating expenses |
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145,173 |
|
137,680 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Operating income |
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119,423 |
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98,854 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities |
|
|
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1,042 |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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Other income |
|
3,524 |
|
831 |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated investments |
|
1,294 |
|
109 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Interest expense |
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13,653 |
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13,111 |
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|
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Income before income taxes |
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110,588 |
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87,725 |
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Income taxes |
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40,068 |
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31,107 |
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Net income |
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$ |
70,520 |
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$ |
56,618 |
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Earnings per share of common stock: |
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Basic: |
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Weighted average common shares outstanding |
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121,891 |
|
121,217 |
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Net income |
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$ |
0.58 |
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$ |
0.47 |
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Diluted: |
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|
|
|
|
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Weighted average common shares outstanding |
|
122,927 |
|
122,757 |
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Net income |
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$ |
0.57 |
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$ |
0.46 |
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Dividends declared per common share |
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$ |
0.22 |
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$ |
0.22 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
EQUITABLE RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Statements of Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited)
|
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Three Months Ended |
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2008 |
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2007 |
|
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(Thousands) |
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Cash flows from operating activities: |
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|
|
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Net income |
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$ |
70,520 |
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$ |
56,618 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: |
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|
|
|
|
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Provision for losses on accounts receivable |
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2,490 |
|
450 |
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Depreciation, depletion, and amortization |
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30,765 |
|
27,427 |
|
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Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities |
|
|
|
(1,042 |
) |
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Other income |
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(3,524 |
) |
(831 |
) |
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Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated investments |
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(1,294 |
) |
(109 |
) |
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Deferred income taxes |
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48,507 |
|
1,007 |
|
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Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements |
|
(708 |
) |
(3,631 |
) |
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Decrease in inventory |
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139,037 |
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119,306 |
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Increase in accounts receivable and unbilled revenues |
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(68,106 |
) |
(24,922 |
) |
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Increase in margin deposits |
|
(72,116 |
) |
(12,031 |
) |
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Decrease in accounts payable |
|
(17,063 |
) |
(12,511 |
) |
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Change in derivative instruments at fair value, net |
|
14,808 |
|
39,727 |
|
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Changes in other assets and liabilities |
|
(37,283 |
) |
36,012 |
|
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Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
106,033 |
|
225,470 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
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Cash flows from investing activities: |
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|
|
|
|
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Capital expenditures |
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(200,014 |
) |
(156,839 |
) |
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Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities |
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|
7,295 |
|
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Investment in available-for-sale securities |
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(3,000 |
) |
(9,709 |
) |
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Net cash used in investing activities |
|
(203,014 |
) |
(159,253 |
) |
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|
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|
|
|
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Cash flows from financing activities: |
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|
|
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Dividends paid |
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(26,889 |
) |
(26,765 |
) |
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Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt |
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500,000 |
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|
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Debt issuance costs |
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(6,645 |
) |
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Decrease in short-term loans |
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(438,000 |
) |
(44,500 |
) |
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Decrease in note payable to Nora Gathering, LLC |
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(14,379 |
) |
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Proceeds from exercises under employee compensation plans |
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475 |
|
1,417 |
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Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements |
|
708 |
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3,631 |
|
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Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
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15,270 |
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(66,217 |
) |
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Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
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(81,711 |
) |
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|
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Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
81,711 |
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|
|
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Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
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$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Cash paid during the period for: |
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|
|
|
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Interest, net of amount capitalized |
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$ |
12,765 |
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$ |
13,516 |
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Income taxes, net of refund |
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$ |
6,855 |
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$ |
105 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
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March 31, |
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December 31, |
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(Thousands) |
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ASSETS |
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|
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|
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|
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Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
|
|
$ |
81,711 |
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Accounts receivable (less accumulated
provision for doubtful accounts: |
|
268,285 |
|
188,561 |
|
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Unbilled revenues |
|
34,636 |
|
48,744 |
|
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Margin deposits with financial institutions |
|
78,046 |
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5,930 |
|
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Inventory |
|
144,448 |
|
283,485 |
|
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Derivative instruments, at fair value |
|
4,965 |
|
37,143 |
|
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Prepaid expenses and other |
|
135,158 |
|
96,673 |
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Total current assets |
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665,538 |
|
742,247 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Equity in nonconsolidated investments |
|
136,501 |
|
135,366 |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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Property, plant and equipment |
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4,406,597 |
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4,207,402 |
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Less: accumulated depreciation and depletion |
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1,314,518 |
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1,287,911 |
|
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Net property, plant and equipment |
|
3,092,079 |
|
2,919,491 |
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|
|
|
|
|
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Investments, available-for-sale |
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35,796 |
|
35,675 |
|
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Other assets |
|
115,185 |
|
104,192 |
|
||
Total assets |
|
$ |
4,045,099 |
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$ |
3,936,971 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
|
|
March 31, |
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December 31, |
|
||
|
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(Thousands) |
|
||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Short-term loans |
|
$ |
12,000 |
|
$ |
450,000 |
|
Note payable to Nora Gathering, LLC |
|
14,950 |
|
29,329 |
|
||
Accounts payable |
|
262,194 |
|
279,257 |
|
||
Derivative instruments, at fair value |
|
672,101 |
|
516,626 |
|
||
Other current liabilities |
|
244,053 |
|
244,096 |
|
||
Total current liabilities |
|
1,205,298 |
|
1,519,308 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Long-term debt |
|
1,253,500 |
|
753,500 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other non-current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits |
|
380,881 |
|
400,465 |
|
||
Unrecognized tax benefits |
|
53,804 |
|
50,845 |
|
||
Pension and other post-retirement benefits |
|
40,466 |
|
41,768 |
|
||
Other credits |
|
76,311 |
|
73,613 |
|
||
Total other non-current liabilities |
|
551,462 |
|
566,691 |
|
||
Total liabilities |
|
3,010,260 |
|
2,839,499 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Common stockholders equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Common stock, no par value, authorized
320,000 shares; shares issued: |
|
385,619 |
|
382,191 |
|
||
Treasury stock, shares at cost:
March 31, 2008, 26,762; |
|
(483,421) |
|
(485,051 |
) |
||
Retained earnings |
|
1,553,227 |
|
1,509,596 |
|
||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
(420,586) |
|
(309,264 |
) |
||
Total common stockholders equity |
|
1,034,839 |
|
1,097,472 |
|
||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
|
$ |
4,045,099 |
|
$ |
3,936,971 |
|
6
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
A. Financial Statements
The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In this Form 10-Q, references to we, us, our, Equitable, Equitable Resources, and the Company refer collectively to Equitable Resources, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. In the opinion of management, these statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals, unless otherwise disclosed in this Form 10-Q) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of Equitable Resources, Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2008, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the three month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
The balance sheet at December 31, 2007 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
Due to the seasonal nature of the Companys natural gas distribution and storage businesses and the volatility of commodity prices, the interim statements for the three month period ended March 31, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2008.
For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Equitable Resources Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, the Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 7, 2008 that recast the historical business segment information contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K to reflect a change in organizational structure and segment reporting effective for 2008, as well as Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations on page 17 of this document.
B. Segment Information
Operating segments are revenue-producing components of the enterprise for which separate financial information is produced internally and are subject to evaluation by the Companys chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources.
In January 2008, the Company announced a change in organizational structure and several changes to executive management of the Company to better align the Company to execute its growth strategy for development and infrastructure expansion in the Appalachian Basin. These changes resulted in changes to the Companys reporting segments effective for fiscal year 2008.
The Company reports its operations in three segments, which reflect its lines of business. The Equitable Production segment includes the Companys exploration for, and development and production of, natural gas, and a limited amount of crude oil, in the Appalachian Basin. Equitable Midstreams operations include the natural gas gathering, processing, transportation and storage activities of the Company as well as sales of natural gas liquids (NGL). Equitable Distributions operations primarily comprise the state-regulated distribution activities of the Company.
Operating segments are evaluated on their contribution to the Companys consolidated results based on operating income, equity in earnings of nonconsolidated investments, and other income. Interest expense and income taxes are managed on a consolidated basis. Headquarters costs are billed to the operating segments based upon a fixed allocation of the headquarters annual operating budget. Differences between budget and actual headquarters expenses are not allocated to the operating segments.
Substantially all of the Companys operating revenues, income from operations and assets are generated or located in the United States.
7
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
||
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
||||
Revenues from external customers: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Equitable Production |
|
$ |
105,077 |
|
$ |
87,978 |
|
Equitable Midstream |
|
221,325 |
|
170,287 |
|
||
Equitable Distribution |
|
255,962 |
|
251,381 |
|
||
Less: intersegment revenues (a) |
|
(46,590) |
|
(53,100 |
) |
||
Total |
|
$ |
535,774 |
|
$ |
456,546 |
|
Total operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Equitable Production |
|
$ |
44,745 |
|
$ |
49,217 |
|
Equitable Midstream |
|
32,599 |
|
31,473 |
|
||
Equitable Distribution |
|
28,116 |
|
31,765 |
|
||
Unallocated expenses (b) |
|
39,713 |
|
25,225 |
|
||
Total |
|
$ |
145,173 |
|
$ |
137,680 |
|
Operating income: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Equitable Production |
|
$ |
60,332 |
|
$ |
38,761 |
|
Equitable Midstream |
|
60,854 |
|
51,641 |
|
||
Equitable Distribution |
|
37,950 |
|
33,677 |
|
||
Unallocated expenses (b) |
|
(39,713) |
|
(25,225 |
) |
||
Total |
|
$ |
119,423 |
|
$ |
98,854 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Reconciliation of operating income to net income: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other income: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Equitable Midstream |
|
$ |
3,383 |
|
$ |
763 |
|
Equitable Distribution |
|
141 |
|
68 |
|
||
Total |
|
$ |
3,524 |
|
$ |
831 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated investments: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Equitable Production |
|
$ |
93 |
|
$ |
73 |
|
Equitable Midstream |
|
1,155 |
|
|
|
||
Unallocated |
|
46 |
|
36 |
|
||
Total |
|
$ |
1,294 |
|
$ |
109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities |
|
|
|
1,042 |
|
||
Interest expense |
|
13,653 |
|
13,111 |
|
||
Income taxes |
|
40,068 |
|
31,107 |
|
||
Net income |
|
$ |
70,520 |
|
$ |
56,618 |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
||
|
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
||
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
||||
Segment Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Equitable Production |
|
$ |
1,785,969 |
|
$ |
1,614,787 |
|
Equitable Midstream |
|
1,259,813 |
|
1,232,348 |
|
||
Equitable Distribution |
|
897,783 |
|
906,113 |
|
||
Total operating segments |
|
3,943,565 |
|
3,753,248 |
|
||
Headquarters assets, including cash and short-term investments |
|
101,534 |
|
183,723 |
|
||
Total assets |
|
$ |
4,045,099 |
|
$ |
3,936,971 |
|
8
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
||
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Equitable Production |
|
$ |
18,121 |
|
$ |
15,293 |
|
Equitable Midstream |
|
7,218 |
|
6,875 |
|
||
Equitable Distribution |
|
5,053 |
|
4,953 |
|
||
Other |
|
373 |
|
306 |
|
||
Total |
|
$ |
30,765 |
|
$ |
27,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Expenditures for segment assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Equitable Production |
|
$ |
96,463 |
|
$ |
56,765 |
|
Equitable Midstream |
|
95,565 |
|
88,168 |
|
||
Equitable Distribution |
|
7,605 |
|
11,820 |
|
||
Other |
|
381 |
|
86 |
|
||
Total |
|
$ |
200,014 |
|
$ |
156,839 |
|
(a) Intersegment revenues primarily represent natural gas sales from Equitable Production to Equitable Midstream and transportation activities between Equitable Midstream and Equitable Distribution.
(b) Unallocated expenses primarily consist of incentive compensation and administrative costs in excess of budget that are not allocated to the operating segments.
C. Derivative Instruments
Natural Gas Hedging Instruments
The Companys overall objective in its hedging program is to ensure an adequate level of return for the increased well development and infrastructure investments at Equitable Production and Equitable Midstream. The various derivative commodity instruments used by the Company to hedge its exposure to variability in expected future cash flows associated with the fluctuations in the price of natural gas related to the Companys forecasted sale of equity production and forecasted natural gas purchases and sales have been designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. Futures contracts obligate the Company to buy or sell a designated commodity at a future date for a specified price and quantity at a specified location. Swap agreements involve payments to or receipts from counterparties based on the differential between a fixed and variable price for the commodity. Collar agreements require the counterparty to pay the Company if the index price falls below the floor price and the Company to pay the counterparty if the index price rises above the cap price. Exchange-traded instruments are generally settled with offsetting positions. Over the counter (OTC) arrangements require settlement in cash.
The fair value of the Companys derivative commodity instruments classified as cash flow hedges under Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS No. 133) is presented below:
|
|
As of |
|
||||
|
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
December 31, 2007 |
|
||
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
||||
Asset |
|
$ |
4,965 |
|
$ |
34,921 |
|
Liability |
|
(650,783) |
|
(489,227 |
) |
||
Net liability |
|
$ |
(645,818) |
|
$ |
(454,306 |
) |
These amounts are included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as derivative instruments, at fair value. The net fair value of derivative instruments changed during the first quarter of 2008 primarily as a result of an increase in natural gas prices. The absolute quantities of the Companys derivative commodity instruments that have been designated and qualify as cash flow hedges totaled 285.1 Bcf and 287.3 Bcf as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, and primarily related to natural gas swaps. The open positions at March 31, 2008 had maturities extending through December 2013.
9
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The Company deferred net losses of $396.0 million and $286.2 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, associated with the effective portion of the change in fair value of its derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges. Assuming no change in price or new transactions, the Company estimates that approximately $201.0 million of net unrealized losses on its derivative commodity instruments reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, as of March 31, 2008 will be recognized in earnings during the next twelve months due to the settlement of hedged transactions. This recognition occurs through a reduction in the Companys net operating revenues resulting in the average hedged price becoming the realized sales price.
Ineffectiveness associated with the Companys derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges increased earnings by approximately $1.0 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2008 and decreased earnings by approximately $0.7 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2007. These amounts are included in operating revenues in the Statements of Consolidated Income.
The Company had an immaterial amount of derivative commodity instruments held for trading purposes as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
In May 2007, the Company sold a portion of its interest in certain gas properties in the Nora area. As part of this transaction, the Company closed out certain cash flow hedges associated with forecasted production at this location by purchasing offsetting positions. The fair value of these derivative instruments was a $16.2 million liability at March 31, 2008. In addition, the fair value of derivative instruments associated with forecasted production at non-core gas properties sold in May 2005 was a $5.1 million liability at March 31, 2008. The Company does not treat these derivatives as hedging instruments under SFAS No. 133. These amounts are included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as derivative instruments, at fair value.
When the net fair value of any of the Companys swap agreements represents a liability to the Company which is in excess of the agreed-upon threshold between the Company and the financial institution acting as counterparty, the counterparty requires the Company to remit funds to the counterparty as a margin deposit for the derivative liability which is in excess of the threshold amount. The Company recorded such deposits in the amount of $71.5 million in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2008.
When the Company enters into exchange-traded natural gas contracts, exchanges require participants, including the Company, to remit funds to the corresponding broker as good-faith deposits to guard against the risks associated with changing market conditions. Participants must make such deposits based on an established initial margin requirement as well as the net liability position, if any, of the fair value of the associated contracts. In the case where the fair value of such contracts is in a net asset position, the broker may remit funds to the Company, in which case the Company records a current liability for such amounts received. The initial margin requirements are established by the exchanges based on prices, volatility and the time to expiration of the related contract and are subject to change at the exchanges discretion. The Company recorded such deposits in the amount of $6.5 million in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2008.
D. Investments, Available-For-Sale
As of March 31, 2008, the investments classified by the Company as available-for-sale consist of approximately $35.8 million of equity and bond funds intended to fund plugging and abandonment and other liabilities for which the Company self-insures. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company purchased additional equity and bond funds with a cost basis totaling $3.0 million. Any unrealized gains or losses with respect to investments classified as available-for-sale are recognized within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as a component of equity, accumulated other comprehensive loss.
During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company reviewed its investment portfolio including its investment allocation and as a result sold equity funds with a cost basis of $6.3 million for total proceeds of $7.3 million, resulting in the Company recognizing a gain of $1.0 million. The Company used the proceeds from these sales and other available cash to purchase other equity and bond funds with a cost basis totaling $9.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2007. The Company utilizes the specific identification method to determine the cost of all investment securities sold.
10
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
E. Fair Value Measurements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, (SFAS No. 157) which established a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008.
The Company has an established process for determining fair value. Fair value is based on quoted market prices, where available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon models that use as inputs, market-based parameters, including but not limited to forward curves, discount rates, broker quotes and volatilities. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 required the Company to incorporate nonperformance risk into its models. Nonperformance risk considers the effect of the Companys credit standing on the fair value of liabilities and the effect of the counterpartys credit standing on the fair value of assets. As a result of the implementation of SFAS No. 157, the Company recorded a gain in accumulated other comprehensive income of $7.8 million.
In accordance with SFAS No. 157, the Company has categorized its financial instruments into a three-level fair value hierarchy, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). Financial instruments included in Level 1 include the Companys futures contracts and available-for-sale investments, while instruments included in Level 2 include the majority of the Companys swap agreements, and instruments included in Level 3 include the Companys collar agreements and a portion of the Companys swap agreements. The fair value of financial instruments included in Level 2 is based on industry models that use significant observable inputs, including NYMEX forward curves and LIBOR-based discount rates. Financial instruments included in Level 3 represent approximately 3% of the total net derivative instruments, at fair value.
The following assets and liabilities were measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the period:
|
|
|
|
Fair value measurements at reporting date using |
|||||||||
Description |
|
March 31, |
|
Quoted |
|
Significant |
|
Significant |
|
||||
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
||||||||||
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Investments, available-for-sale |
|
$ |
35,796 |
|
$ |
35,796 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Derivative instruments, at fair value |
|
4,965 |
|
2,960 |
|
610 |
|
1,395 |
|
||||
Total assets |
|
$ |
40,761 |
|
$ |
38,756 |
|
$ |
610 |
|
$ |
1,395 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Derivative instruments, at fair value |
|
$ |
(672,101) |
|
$ |
(17,690) |
|
$ |
(632,321) |
|
$ |
(22,090 |
) |
Total liabilities |
|
$ |
(672,101) |
|
$ |
(17,690) |
|
$ |
(632,321) |
|
$ |
(22,090 |
) |
11
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
|
|
Fair value measurements using |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative instruments, at fair |
|
|
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
|
Balance at January 1, 2008 |
|
$ |
(2,387) |
|
Total gains or losses: |
|
|
|
|
Included in earnings |
|
1,676 |
|
|
Included in other comprehensive income |
|
(22,606) |
|
|
Purchases, issuances, and settlements |
|
2,622 |
|
|
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 |
|
|
|
|
Balance at March 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
(20,695) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amount of total gains or losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets and liabilities still held as of March 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
(178) |
|
Gains and losses included in earnings for the period are reported in operating revenues in the Statements of Consolidated Income.
F. Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Total comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, was as follows:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
||
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
||||
Net income |
|
$ |
70,520 |
|
$ |
56,618 |
|
Other comprehensive (loss) income: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net change in cash flow hedges |
|
(117,633) |
|
(92,504 |
) |
||
Unrealized loss on investments, available-for-sale |
|
(1,910) |
|
(464 |
) |
||
Pension and other post-retirement benefit plans: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Prior service cost |
|
(71) |
|
(104 |
) |
||
Net loss |
|
395 |
|
562 |
|
||
Settlement loss |
|
75 |
|
79 |
|
||
Total comprehensive loss |
|
$ |
(48,624) |
|
$ |
(35,813 |
) |
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, are as follows:
|
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
||
|
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
||
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
||||
Net unrealized loss from hedging transactions (a) |
|
$ |
(396,587) |
|
$ |
(286,776 |
) |
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities |
|
1,962 |
|
3,872 |
|
||
Pension and other post-retirement benefits adjustment |
|
(25,961) |
|
(26,360 |
) |
||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
$ |
(420,586) |
|
$ |
(309,264 |
) |
(a) includes $7.8 million gain recorded in the first quarter of 2008 related to the adoption of SFAS No. 157.
12
G. Share-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for its share-based payment awards in accordance with SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (SFAS No. 123R).
Share-based compensation expense recorded by the Company was as follows:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
||
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
||||
2005 Executive Performance Incentive Program |
|
$ |
42,548 |
|
$ |
25,549 |
|
2007 Supply Long-Term Incentive Program |
|
488 |
|
|
|
||
Restricted stock awards |
|
983 |
|
887 |
|
||
Nonqualified stock options |
|
|
|
183 |
|
||
Non-employee directors share-based awards |
|
549 |
|
525 |
|
||
Total share-based compensation expense |
|
$ |
44,568 |
|
$ |
27,144 |
|
2005 Executive Performance Incentive Program
The vesting of the awards granted under the 2005 Executive Performance Incentive Program (2005 Program) will occur contingent upon a combination of the level of total shareholder return relative to a fixed group of peer companies and the Companys average absolute return on total capital during the four year performance period ending December 31, 2008. Payment of awards is expected to be made in cash and stock based on the price of the Companys common stock at the end of the performance period, December 31, 2008. The Company accounts for these awards as liability awards and as such records compensation expense for the remeasurement of the fair value of the awards at the end of each reporting period. The Company continually monitors its stock price and performance in order to assess the impact on the ultimate payout under the 2005 Program. The Company evaluated its assumptions during the first quarter of 2008 and increased its assumptions for both the ultimate share price and the payout multiple at the end of the performance period to $70.00 and 250% of the units awarded, respectively. As a result, the Company recognized an increase in long-term incentive plan expense of approximately $31 million associated with the 2005 Program. The 2005 Program expense is classified as selling, general and administrative expense in the Statements of Consolidated Income. A portion of the 2005 Program expense is included as an unallocated expense in deriving total operating income for segment reporting purposes. See Note B. The Company has recorded a total accrual for the 2005 Program of $149.6 million in other current liabilities in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2008.
2007 Supply Long-Term Incentive Program
On July 1, 2007, the Company established the 2007 Supply Long-Term Incentive Program (2007 Supply Program) to provide a long-term incentive compensation opportunity to key employees in the Equitable Production and Equitable Midstream segments. Awards granted may be earned by achieving pre-determined total sales volumes targets and by satisfying certain applicable employment requirements. The awards earned may be increased to a maximum of three times the initial award or reduced to zero based upon achievement of the predetermined performance levels. Payment of awards will be made in cash based on the price of the Companys common stock at the end of the performance period, December 31, 2010. The Company accounts for these awards as liability awards and as such records compensation expense for the remeasurement of the fair value of the awards at the end of each reporting period. The Company evaluated its assumptions during the first quarter of 2008 and increased its assumption for the ultimate share price at the vesting date for the 2007 Supply Program to $78.00. The Company maintained its assumption for the payout multiple at 100% of the units awarded. Total compensation cost recorded for the 2007 Supply Program was $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, which included $0.6 million of cost capitalized as part of oil and gas-producing properties and $0.5 million recorded as expense in the Companys Statement of Consolidated Income.
13
Restricted Stock Awards
The Company granted 81,820 and 68,330 restricted stock awards during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, to key employees of the Company. The shares granted will be fully vested at the end of the three-year period commencing with the date of grant. The weighted average fair value of these restricted stock grants, based on the grant date fair value of the Companys stock, was $60.28 and $43.62, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
As of March 31, 2008, there was $8.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock awards. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 26 months.
Non-Qualified Stock Options
No stock options were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2008. The Company granted 17,866 stock options during the three months ended March 31, 2007, all of which comprised options granted for reload rights associated with previously-awarded options, at a weighted average grant date fair value of $10.24.
The fair value of the Companys option grants was estimated at the dates of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the assumptions indicated in the table below for the three month period ended March 31, 2007.
Risk-free interest rate (range) |
|
4.66% to 4.73% |
|
Dividend yield |
|
2.29% |
|
Volatility factor |
|
.212 |
|
Expected term |
|
3-6 years |
|
As of March 31, 2008, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding nonvested stock options as all outstanding options were fully vested.
As of March 31, 2008, 101,500 options were outstanding under the 1999 Nonemployee Directors Stock Incentive Plan. No options were granted to non-employee directors during the three month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.
Nonemployee Directors Share-Based Awards
The Company has historically granted to non-employee directors share-based awards which vested upon award. The value of the share-based awards will be paid in cash on the earlier of the directors death or retirement from the Companys Board of Directors. The Company accounts for these share-based awards as liability awards and as such records compensation expense for the remeasurement of the fair value of the awards at the end of each reporting period. A total of 88,530 non-employee director share-based awards were outstanding as of March 31, 2008. No share-based awards were granted to non-employee directors during the three month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.
H. Income Taxes
The Company estimates an annual effective income tax rate based on projected results for the year and applies this rate to income before taxes to calculate income tax expense. Any refinements made due to subsequent information that affects the estimated annual effective income tax rate are reflected as adjustments in the current period. Separate effective income tax rates are calculated for net income from continuing operations and any other separately reported net income items, such as discontinued operations.
On March 31, 2008, West Virginia enacted legislation, effective for the Companys tax year beginning January 1, 2009, that contemplates a reduction of West Virginias corporate net income tax rate over the next six years. As a result of this law change, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $4.6 million to reflect an overall decrease in the Companys expected deferred tax liability as of the effective date of each respective income tax rate reduction. This benefit is included in the annual income tax expense and the entire amount is reflected in the first quarter of 2008.
14
The Companys effective income tax rate for the three months ending March 31, 2008 is 36.2%. The Company currently estimates the annual effective income tax rate to be approximately 38.6%. The estimated annual effective income tax rate as of March 31, 2007 was 35.5%.
There were no material changes to the Companys methodology or to the balance recorded for unrecognized tax benefits during the three months ended March 31, 2008.
The consolidated federal income tax liability of the Company has been settled with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) through 1997. The IRS has completed its audit and review of the Companys federal income tax filings for the 1998 through 2000 years. The audit results for these periods generated a tax refund for the Company that is in excess of $2 million which requires review and approval by the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT). During the review process, the JCT questioned an issue that the Company had previously agreed upon with the IRS through the Fast Track Appeals process. The Company is currently working with the Settlement Agent and the IRS Manager to try to resolve the questions raised by the JCT.
The IRS has surveyed the 2001 and 2002 federal income tax filings and is currently reviewing the research and experimentation tax credits claimed for such years. During the second quarter of 2007, the IRS began an examination of the Companys federal income tax filings for 2003 through 2005. The Company believes that it is appropriately reserved for any uncertain tax positions related to these periods.
The Company is also subject to various routine state income tax examinations. The Company mainly operates in four states which have statutes of limitations that expire between three to four years from the date of filing of the income tax return.
I. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
The Companys costs related to its defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:
|
|
Pension Benefits |
|
Other Benefits |
|
||||||||
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
||||
|
|
(Thousands ) |
|
||||||||||
Components of net periodic benefit cost |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Service cost |
|
$ |
44 |
|
$ |
63 |
|
$ |
110 |
|
$ |
123 |
|
Interest cost |
|
1,080 |
|
1,093 |
|
610 |
|
636 |
|
||||
Expected return on plan assets |
|
(1,333) |
|
(1,403) |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Amortization of prior service cost |
|
29 |
|
41 |
|
(226) |
|
(215 |
) |
||||
Recognized net actuarial loss |
|
312 |
|
363 |
|
511 |
|
574 |
|
||||
Settlement loss |
|
126 |
|
433 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Net periodic benefit cost |
|
$ |
258 |
|
$ |
590 |
|
$ |
1,005 |
|
$ |
1,118 |
|
J. Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133, (SFAS No. 161). SFAS No. 161 is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entitys financial position, financial performance and cash flows. This Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that SFAS No. 161 will have on its consolidated financial statements.
15
K. Other Events
On March 13, 2008, the Company completed a public offering of $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes (Senior Notes) due April 1, 2018. The proceeds from the offering were used to repay $438.0 million of short-term notes under the Companys revolving credit facility. The indenture governing the Senior Notes contains covenants that limit the Companys ability to, among other things, incur certain liens securing indebtedness, engage in certain sale and leaseback transactions, and enter into certain consolidations, mergers, conveyances, transfers or leases of all or substantially all of the Companys assets.
In June 2006, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals issued a decision involving interpretation of certain types of oil and gas leases of an unrelated party, in a case where a class of royalty owners in the state of West Virginia had filed a lawsuit claiming that the defendant underpaid royalties by deducting certain post-production costs not permitted by such types of leases and not paying a fair value for the gas produced from the royalty owners leases. In January 2007, the jury in the aforementioned case returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff royalty owners, awarding the plaintiffs significant compensatory and punitive damages for the alleged underpayment of royalties. While the defendant has appealed the verdict, this decision may ultimately impact other royalty interest rights in West Virginia. Claims have been brought against others in the oil and gas industry, including the Company. The proceedings against the Company are in the early stages and the plaintiffs have sought class certification. The Company believes that the claims and facts decided in the unrelated lawsuit can be differentiated from those asserted against the Company. Nevertheless, the Company has reviewed its West Virginia royalty agreements and established a reserve it believes to be appropriate.
16
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Disclosures in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts are forward-looking and usually identified by the use of words such as anticipate, estimate, will, forecasts, approximate, expect, project, intend, plan, believe and other words of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial matters. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this report include the matters discussed in the sections captioned Outlook in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and the expectations of plans, strategies, objectives, and growth and anticipated financial and operational performance of the Company and its subsidiaries, including guidance regarding the Companys drilling and infrastructure programs, production and sales volumes, reserves, capital expenditures, financing requirements, hedging strategy, tax position, and the move to a holding company structure. A variety of factors could cause the Companys actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Companys forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance and results of the Companys business and forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those set forth under Item 1A, Risk Factors of the Companys Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and the Company does not intend to correct or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
CORPORATE OVERVIEW
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008
vs. Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
Equitable Resources consolidated net income for the three months ended March 31, 2008 totaled $70.5 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, compared to $56.6 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, reported for the same period a year ago. At Equitable Production, operating revenues increased due to an increase in the average well-head sales price and an increase in sales volumes. At Equitable Midstream, transmission and storage net operating revenues increased due to increased commercial storage activity and higher seasonal price spreads, while gathering and processing net operating revenues primarily increased due to higher natural gas liquids (NGL) sales prices. At Equitable Distribution, net operating revenues increased slightly between years, while operating expenses decreased primarily due to $4.9 million of transition expenses incurred in the first quarter of 2007 for the now terminated agreement to acquire The Peoples Natural Gas Company (Peoples) and Hope Gas, Inc. (Hope).
These positive effects on net income were partially offset by a $17.5 million increase in shared-based compensation expense and higher depletion, depreciation and amortization, primarily at Equitable Production.
The Company has reported the components of each segments operating income and various operational measures in the sections below, and where appropriate, has provided information describing how a measure was derived. Equitables management believes that presentation of this information provides useful information to management and investors regarding the financial condition, operations and trends of each of Equitables segments without being obscured by the financial condition, operations and trends for the other segment or by the effects of corporate allocations of interest and income taxes. In addition, management uses these measures for budget planning purposes.
17
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
EQUITABLE PRODUCTION
OVERVIEW
Equitable Production continued to focus on organic production through its drilling program. The Company drilled 139 gross (105 net) wells in the first quarter of 2008, including 66 horizontal shale wells and 3 horizontal Berea wells, compared to 110 gross (83 net) wells in the first quarter of 2007 which included 7 horizontal shale wells.
Equitable Productions operating revenues for the first quarter increased 19% from 2007 to 2008. The average well-head sales price increased 18% due to a 19% increase in the average NYMEX price and a higher percentage of unhedged gas sales, partially offset by a lower realized hedge price compared to 2007. Sales volumes increased 9% from 2007 to 2008 excluding volumes from properties sold during 2007. The increase was primarily the result of increased production from the 2007 drilling program partially offset by the normal production decline in the Companys existing wells.
Operating expenses at Equitable Production decreased 9% primarily due to certain 2007 non-recurring charges for legal disputes offset by higher depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses in 2008.
18
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
EQUITABLE PRODUCTION
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
||||||
|
|
March 31, |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
% |
|
||
OPERATIONAL DATA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Natural gas and oil production (MMcfe) |
|
21,021 |
|
20,416 |
|
3.0 |
|
||
Company usage, line loss (MMcfe) |
|
(1,306) |
|
(1,078) |
|
21.2 |
|
||
Total sales volumes (MMcfe) |
|
19,715 |
|
19,338 |
|
1.9 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Average (well-head) sales price ($/Mcfe) |
|
$ |
5.21 |
|
$ |
4.42 |
|
17.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Lease operating expenses (LOE), excluding production taxes ($/Mcfe) |
|
$ |
0.28 |
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
(12.5) |
|
Production taxes ($/Mcfe) |
|
$ |
0.49 |
|
$ |
0.47 |
|
4.3 |
|
Production depletion ($/Mcfe) |
|
$ |
0.81 |
|
$ |
0.70 |
|
15.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Production depletion |
|
$ |
17,091 |
|
$ |
14,332 |
|
19.3 |
|
Other depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) |
|
1,030 |
|
961 |
|
7.2 |
|
||
Total DD&A |
|
$ |
18,121 |
|
$ |
15,293 |
|
18.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Capital expenditures (thousands) |
|
$ |
96,463 |
|
$ |
56,765 |
|
69.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
FINANCIAL DATA (Thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total operating revenues |
|
$ |
105,077 |
|
$ |
87,978 |
|
19.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
LOE, excluding production taxes |
|
5,962 |
|
6,533 |
|
(8.7) |
|
||
Production taxes |
|
10,223 |
|
9,573 |
|
6.8 |
|
||
Exploration expense |
|
555 |
|
282 |
|
96.8 |
|
||
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) |
|
9,884 |
|
17,536 |
|
(43.6) |
|
||
DD&A |
|
18,121 |
|
15,293 |
|
18.5 |
|
||
Total operating expenses |
|
44,745 |
|
49,217 |
|
(9.1) |
|
||
Operating income |
|
$ |
60,332 |
|
$ |
38,761 |
|
55.7 |
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008
vs. Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
Equitable Productions operating income totaled $60.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to $38.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The $21.5 million increase in operating income was primarily the result of an increase in the average well-head sales price and the establishment in 2007 of reserves in connection with legal disputes.
Total operating revenues were $105.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to $88.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The $17.1 million increase in total operating revenues was primarily due to an 18% increase in the average well-head sales price and a 9% increase in production sales volumes, excluding volumes from properties sold during 2007. The $0.79 per Mcfe increase in the average well-head sales price was primarily attributable to a $1.26 increase in the average NYMEX price and a higher percentage of unhedged gas sales, partially offset by a lower realized hedge price. The increase in production sales volumes was primarily the result of increased production from the 2007 drilling program, partially offset by the normal production decline in the Companys wells and the sale of interests in certain properties in the Nora area.
19
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Operating expenses totaled $44.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to $49.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The decrease in SG&A was primarily due to 2007 reserves for certain West Virginia legal disputes and a decrease in 2008 in other legal fees, settlements and expenses, partially offset by higher overhead costs associated with the growth of the Company and incentive plan expenses, as well as adjustments to the allowance for doubtful accounts due to increased sales. The increase in production taxes is due to increased severance taxes partially offset by a decrease in property taxes. The increase in severance taxes (a production tax directly imposed on the value of the gas extracted) was primarily due to higher gas commodity prices. The decrease in property taxes was a direct result of lower prices in prior years, as property taxes in several of the taxing jurisdictions where the Companys wells are located are calculated based on historical gas commodity prices and sales volumes. The increase in DD&A was primarily due to increased depletion expense resulting from increases in the unit rate ($2.4 million) and volume ($0.4 million). The $0.11 increase in the depletion rate is primarily attributable to the increased investment in oil and gas producing properties.
Capital expenditures totaled $96.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to $56.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The $39.7 million increase was primarily due to drilling additional horizontal wells in Kentucky, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
OUTLOOK
Equitable Productions business strategy is focused on organic growth of the Companys natural gas reserves. Key elements of Equitable Productions strategy include:
· Expanding reserves and production through horizontal drilling in Kentucky and West Virginia. The Companys capital commitments budget for 2008 includes $536 million for well development. Through this capital program the Company will seek to maximize the value of its existing asset base by developing its large acreage position, which the Company believes holds significant production and reserve growth potential. A substantial portion of the Companys 2008 drilling efforts will be focused on drilling horizontal wells in shale formations in Kentucky and West Virginia. The Company estimates that more than 300 horizontal wells will be drilled in 2008.
· Exploiting additional reserve potential through key emerging development plays. In 2008, the Company will examine the potential for exploitation of gas reserves in new geological formations and through different technologies. Plans include re-entry wells in the Devonian shale, testing the Devonian shale in Virginia, and high and low pressure Marcellus shale wells. In addition, the Company will obtain proprietary seismic data in order to evaluate deep drilling opportunities for 2009. Approximately 15% of wells drilled in 2008 are expected to be located in these emerging development plays in the Appalachian Basin.
20
Equitable Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
EQUITABLE MIDSTREAM
OVERVIEW
Equitable Midstreams first quarter net operating revenues increased by 12% from 2007 to 2008. This increase was primarily due to higher average NGL sales prices in the gathering and processing business and favorable storage asset optimization in the transmission and storage business. The storage revenues are primarily driven by the increased optimization of the Companys contractual and physical gas storage assets which allow the segment to purchase gas and store it in lower price markets and simultaneously enter into contracts to sell it later at higher prices, taking advantage of seasonal gas price spreads. Those spreads were wider for transactions settled in the first quarter of 2008 than they were for contracts which settled in the first quarter of 2007. Increases in net operating revenues were partially offset by an increase in SG&A expenses.
During May 2007, the Equitable Midstream segment contributed certain Nora area gathering facilities and pipelines to Nora Gathering, LLC, a newly formed entity that is equally owned by the Company and Pine Mountain Oil and Gas, Inc., in exchange for a 50% equity interest in the LLC and cash. As a result of the gathering asset contribution, gathered volumes, gathering revenues and gathering-related expenses related to the Nora area gathering activities which are included in the first quarter of 2007 results are not included in Equitable Midstreams operating results for the first quarter of 2008. However, Equitable Midstream records its 50% equity interest in the earnings of Nora Gathering, LLC in equity in earnings of nonconsolidated investments.
In 2006, Equitrans entered into a rate case settlement with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that allows Equitrans, among other things, to institute an annual surcharge for the tracking and recovery of all costs (operations, maintenance and return on invested capital) incurred on and after September 1, 2005, related to Equitrans Pipeline Safety Program under the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002. On March 29, 2007, the Company received approval, subject to refund, to institute the surcharge, and on April 1, 2007, the Company commenced billing the surcharge. On November 26, 2007, FERC removed the refund condition and approved the surcharge effective April 1, 2007. Filings to modify the surcharge must be made on or before March 1 of each year for approval by the FERC. On February 29, 2008, the Company filed to increase its existing Pipeline Safety Surcharge. On March 27, 2008, the Company received an Interim Order from FERC granting approval, subject to refund, to institute the increased surcharge effective April 1, 2008. The Company anticipates continuing to utilize the surcharge mechanism in future years to recover costs incurred in connection with its Pipeline Safety Program.
On March 17, 2008, the Company filed a motion with FERC requesting an extension of the March 31, 2008 deadline to complete and place into service the Big Sandy Pipeline. The Company received approval of this extension on March 24, 2008. Big Sandy was placed into service, and commissioning and start-up are currently underway.
21
Equitable Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
EQUITABLE MIDSTREAM
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|||||||
|
|
March 31, |
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
% |
|
||
OPERATIONAL DATA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Gathering and processing: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Gathered volumes (MMBtu) |
|
33,837 |
|
41,293 |
|
(18.1 |
) |
||
Average gathering fee ($/MBtu) |
|
$ |
0.98 |
|
$ |
0.84 |
|
16.7 |
|
Gathering and compression expense ($/MBtu) |
|
$ |
0.34 |
|
$ |
0.33 |
|
3.0 |
|
NGLs sold (Mgal) (a) |
|
18,393 |
|
18,630 |
|
(1.3 |
) |
||
Average NGL sales price ($/gal) |
|
$ |
1.37 |
|
$ |
0.92 |
|
48.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Transmission and storage: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Transmission pipeline throughput (MMBtu) |
|
14,760 |
|
12,288 |
|
20.1 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net operating revenues (thousands): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Gathering and processing |
|
$ |
44,783 |
|
$ |
39,749 |
|
12.7 |
|
Transmission and storage |
|
48,670 |
|
43,365 |
|
12.2 |
|
||
Total net operating revenues |
|
$ |
93,453 |
|
$ |
83,114 |
|
12.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net operating income (thousands): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Gathering and processing |
|
$ |
22,122 |
|
$ |
16,758 |
|
32.0 |
|
Transmission and storage |
|
38,732 |
|
34,883 |
|
11.0 |
|
||
Total net operating income |
|
$ |
60,854 |
|
$ |
51,641 |
|
17.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
DD&A (thousands): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Gathering and processing |
|
$ |
5,528 |
|
$ |
5,060 |
|
9.2 |
|
Transmission and storage |
|
1,690 |
|
1,815 |
|
(6.9 |
) |
||
Total DD&A |
|
$ |
7,218 |
|
$ |
6,875 |
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Capital expenditures (thousands) |
|
$ |
95,565 |
|
$ |
88,168 |
|
8.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
FINANCIAL DATA (Thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total operating revenues |
|
$ |
221,325 |
|
$ |
170,287 |
|
30.0 |
|
Purchased gas costs |
|
127,872 |
|
87,173 |
|
46.7 |
|
||
Total net operating revenues |
|
$ |
93,453 |
|
$ |
83,114 |
|
12.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Operating and maintenance (O&M) |
|
15,265 |
|
16,887 |
|
(9.6 |
) |
||
SG&A |
|
10,116 |
|
7,711 |
|
31.2 |
|
||
DD&A |
|
7,218 |
|
6,875 |
|
5.0 |
|
||
Total operating expenses |
|
32,599 |
|
31,473 |
|
3.6 |
|
||
Operating income |
|
$ |
60,854 |
|
$ |
51,641 |
|
17.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other income |
|
$ |
3,383 |
|
$ |
763 |
|
343.4 |
|
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated investments |
|
$ |
1,155 |
|
$ |
|
|
100.0 |
|
(a) NGLs sold includes NGLs recovered at the Companys processing plant and transported to a fractionation plant owned by a third party for separation into commercial components, net of volumes retained, as well as equivalent volumes sold at liquid component prices under the Companys contractual processing arrangements with third parties.
22
Equitable Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008
vs. Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
Equitable Midstreams operating income totaled $60.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to $51.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of approximately $9.3 million between years. An increase in net operating revenues was partially offset by increased operating expenses.
Total net operating revenues were $93.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to $83.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The $10.4 million increase in total net operating revenues was due to a $5.3 million increase in transmission and storage net operating revenues and a $5.1 million increase in gathering and processing net operating revenues. The increase in transmission and storage net operating revenues was due to increased commercial storage activity and higher seasonal price spreads in the contracts settled in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the first quarter of 2007. The first quarter of 2008 transmission net revenues were also increased from prior year due to the Pipeline Safety surcharge that was formally approved in November 2007. Transmission throughput increased in the first quarter of 2008 compared to prior year as a result of increased affiliated short-term storage-related volumes, as well as increased third party firm transportation. These volume increases had little impact on net revenues in 2008. The increase in gathering and processing net operating revenues was due to a 49% higher sales price for NGL products and a 17% increase in the average gathering fee, partially offset by an 18% decline in gathered volumes. Commodity market prices for propane and other NGLs increased significantly in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007. The increase in average gathering fee is reflective of the Companys commitment to ensuring that this fee is sufficient to cover increasing operating costs. The decrease in gathered volumes reported is primarily the result of a reduction in volumes gathered for Equitable Production due to the 2007 contribution of gathering facilities and pipelines to Nora Gathering, LLC, as well as higher third party customer volume shut-ins in 2008, partially offset by increased Company production.
Total operating revenues increased by $51.0 million, or 30%, primarily as a result of increased commercial activities related to contractual transmission and storage assets, as well as the increase in processing revenues related to higher sales prices for NGL products. Total purchased gas costs increased due to the increased contractual transmission and storage activities.
Operating expenses totaled $32.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to $31.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The $1.1 million increase in operating expenses was due to increases of $2.4 million in SG&A and $0.3 million in DD&A, partially offset by a decrease of $1.6 million in O&M. The increase in SG&A is primarily due to higher overhead costs associated with the growth of the Company and higher labor costs including higher incentive compensation costs due to growth in the Midstream business, partially offset by decreased SG&A for the gathering assets contributed to Nora Gathering, LLC. The increase in DD&A was primarily due to the increased investment in gathering and processing infrastructure during 2008, partially offset by decreased depreciation relating to the gathering asset contribution to Nora Gathering, LLC. The decrease in O&M resulted mainly from the gathering asset contribution to Nora Gathering, LLC partially offset by increased electricity charges for the gathering and processing business due to new compressors and processing facilities.
Other income represents allowance for equity funds used during construction. The $2.6 million increase from the first quarter of 2007 to the first quarter of 2008 was primarily the result of increased capital spending for the Big Sandy Pipeline as well as spending on regulated pipeline safety and integrity projects.
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated investments totaled $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and related to equity earnings recorded for Equitable Midstreams investment in Nora Gathering, LLC.
23
Equitable Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
OUTLOOK
Equitable Midstreams business strategy is focused on growing through expansion of its midstream infrastructure in the Appalachian Basin. The most significant challenge continuing to face the Company and the Appalachian Basin in general relates to the availability of pipeline infrastructure required to get the gas to market. As the Companys Equitable Production business and other producers continue to expand the development of their reserves, the need for such infrastructure becomes more vital.
· |
Investing in midstream transportation, gathering and processing in the Appalachian Basin. The Companys investment in midstream infrastructure is focused on its transportation, gathering and processing capacity including completion of the Langley processing facility. Infrastructure investment will help mitigate curtailments and increase the flexibility and reliability of the Companys gathering systems in transporting gas to market. The Company has adopted a pipe-driven business model whereby production growth is expected to occur in conjunction with the completion of a series of pipeline and compression projects known as corridors. Each corridor will radiate out from a central processing facility, such as the Companys Langley facility, which will then connect to larger pipes, such as the Big Sandy Pipeline, that transport gas to growth markets. |
|
|
· |
Growth and expansion of storage, gathering and commercial operations. Equitable Midstream plans to continue to provide disciplined incremental earnings growth through its storage, gathering and commercial operations, including expanding these assets where there are additional opportunities to provide economical storage services in the Companys operating regions. |
|
|
· |
Expansion of market footprint. As Equitable grows its Appalachian production base, the Company is exploring opportunities to expand its market footprint in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic gas sales markets. To this end, the Company has previously announced its intent to participate with Tennessee Gas Pipeline in the development of the Northeast Passage Project. In addition, the Company continues discussions with other interstate pipelines in the growing Mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets. |
24
Equitable Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION
OVERVIEW
Equitable Distributions net operating revenues for the first quarter remained relatively unchanged from 2007 to 2008. Total operating expenses in the first quarter of 2008 decreased 12%, primarily due to costs incurred in the first quarter of 2007 related to the now terminated agreement to acquire Peoples and Hope.
The weather in Equitable Gas service territory in the first quarter of 2008 was 1% colder than the first quarter of 2007, but was still 2% warmer than the 30-year National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) average for the Companys service territory. The weather in the first quarter of 2007 was 3% warmer than the 30-year average.
On March 1, 2006, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Dominion Resources, Inc.s (Dominion) natural gas distribution assets in Pennsylvania and in West Virginia for approximately $970 million, subject to adjustments, in a cash transaction for the stock of Peoples and Hope. In light of the continued delay in achieving the final legal approvals for this transaction, the Company and Dominion terminated the definitive agreement pursuant to a mutual termination agreement entered into on January 15, 2008.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||
|
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
% |
|
||
OPERATIONAL DATA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Heating degree days (30 year average: 2,930) |
|
2,884 |
|
2,848 |
|
1.3 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Residential sales and transportation volumes (MMcf) |
|
12,063 |
|
11,950 |
|
0.9 |
|
||
Commercial and industrial volumes (MMcf) |
|
11,611 |
|
10,006 |
|
16.0 |
|
||
Total throughput (MMcf) Distribution |
|
23,674 |
|
21,956 |
|
7.8 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net operating revenues (thousands): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Residential |
|
$ |
41,288 |
|
$ |
41,175 |
|
0.3 |
|
Commercial & industrial |
|
19,834 |
|
17,957 |
|
10.5 |
|
||
Off-system and energy services |
|
4,944 |
|
6,310 |
|
(21.6 |
) |
||
Total net operating revenues |
|
$ |
66,066 |
|
$ |
65,442 |
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Capital expenditures (thousands) |
|
$ |
7,605 |
|
$ |
11,820 |
|
(35.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
FINANCIAL DATA (thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total operating revenues |
|
$ |
255,962 |
|
$ |
251,381 |
|
1.8 |
|
Purchased gas costs |
|
189,896 |
|
185,939 |
|
2.1 |
|
||
Net operating revenues |
|
66,066 |
|
65,442 |
|
1.0 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
O&M |
|
10,116 |
|
10,259 |
|
(1.4 |
) |
||
SG&A |
|
12,947 |
|
16,553 |
|
(21.8 |
) |
||
DD&A |
|
5,053 |
|
4,953 |
|
2.0 |
|
||
Total operating expenses |
|
28,116 |
|
31,765 |
|
(11.5 |
) |
||
Operating income |
|
$ |
37,950 |
|
$ |
33,677 |
|
12.7 |
|
25
Equitable Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008
vs. Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
Equitable Distributions operating income totaled $38.0 million for 2008 compared to $33.7 million for 2007. The $4.3 million increase in operating income is primarily due to lower operating expenses related to the impact of transition planning costs incurred in 2007 for the now terminated agreement to acquire Peoples and Hope.
Net operating revenues were $66.1 million for 2008 compared to $65.4 million for 2007. The $0.7 million increase in net operating revenues was primarily a result of increased commercial and industrial margins of $1.8 million due to an increase in performance-based revenues offset by a $1.4 million decrease in off-system and energy services margins. Commercial and industrial volumes increased 1,605 MMcf from 2007 to 2008 primarily due to an increase in usage by one industrial customer. These high volume industrial sales have very low margins and did not significantly impact total net operating revenues. Weather was 1% colder than the prior year resulting in a $0.1 million increase in residential net operating revenues. Off-system and energy services net operating revenues decreased due to lower asset optimization opportunities recognized in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to 2007.
Operating expenses totaled $28.1 million for 2008 compared to $31.8 million for 2007. The $3.7 million decrease in operating expenses included $4.9 million of expenses incurred in 2007 in connection with the now terminated agreement to acquire Peoples and Hope. Offsetting this decrease was a $1.3 million increase in bad debt expense resulting from a significant increase in customer participation in Equitable Distributions Customer Assistance Program. The provision for uncollectible accounts represented 1.2% of residential revenues in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 0.4% of residential revenues in 2007.
Capital expenditures totaled $7.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to $11.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The $4.2 million decrease in capital expenditures was primarily due to reduced mainline pipeline replacement work in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to 2007 and lower technology expenditures.
OUTLOOK
Equitable Distributions business strategy is focused on efficiently and effectively operating the Companys assets to optimize its return. Equitable Distribution will seek to enhance the value of its existing distribution assets by establishing a reputation for excellent customer service; effectively managing its capital spending; improving the efficiency of its work force through superior work management; and continuing to leverage technology throughout its operations. Equitable Distribution continues its evaluation for a base rate case filing for the Pennsylvania distribution business in order to improve returns through regulatory arrangements that fairly balance the interests of customers and shareholders.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
Operating Activities
Cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $106.0 million for the first quarter of 2008 and $225.5 million for the first quarter of 2007, a net decrease of $119.5 million in cash flows provided by operating activities between years. The decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to the following:
· a $72.1 million increase in cash required for margin deposits on the Companys natural gas hedge agreements during the first quarter of 2008 compared to a $12.0 million increase in cash required for margin deposits during the first quarter of 2007. The net increase in margin deposit requirements during the first quarter of 2008 was primarily the result of the Companys lower credit rating in 2008;
· a net increase in accounts receivable and unbilled revenues of $43.2 million between years primarily due to increased average well-head sales prices and volumes at Equitable Production and increased commercial storage activity and higher seasonal price spreads at Equitable Midstream.
26
Equitable Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Investing Activities
Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $203.0 million for the first quarter of 2008 and $159.3 million for the first quarter of 2007, a net increase of $43.7 million in cash flows used in investing activities between years. The increase in cash flows used in investing activities was primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures to $200.0 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $156.8 million in the first quarter of 2007, resulting primarily from more capital expended for Equitable Productions drilling program, as the Company drilled 69 horizontal wells and 139 total gross wells in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 7 horizontal shale and 110 total gross wells in the first quarter of 2007. In addition, Equitable Midstream continues to invest in the expansion of its midstream infrastructure programs in the Appalachian Basin.
Financing Activities
Cash flows provided by financing activities totaled $15.3 million for the first quarter of 2008 compared to cash flows used in financing activities of $66.2 million for the first quarter of 2007, a net increase of $81.5 million in cash flows provided by financing activities between years. The increase in cash flows provided by financing activities was primarily due to the following:
· the Companys public offering of $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes in the first quarter of 2008;
partially offset by:
· the Companys use of the proceeds from the above mentioned public offering to repay $438.0 million of short-term notes under the Companys revolving credit facility compared to the repayment of $44.5 million of short-term loans during the first quarter of 2007;
· the repayment of $14.4 million relating to the Note Payable to Nora Gathering, LLC.
The Company is committed to maintaining a cost effective capital structure and intends to finance future cash requirements, including the portion of the 2008 capital expenditure forecast not financed by cash flows from operations, using capital market transactions.
Security Ratings
The table below reflects the current credit ratings for the outstanding debt instruments of the Company. Changes in credit ratings may affect the Companys cost of short-term and long-term debt and its access to the credit markets.
|
|
Unsecured |
|
|
|
|
|
Medium-Term |
|
Commercial |
|
Rating Service |
|
Notes |
|
Paper |
|
Moodys Investors Service |
|
Baa1 |
|
P-2 |
|
Standard & Poors Ratings Services |
|
BBB |
|
A-2 |
|
The Standard and Poors rating includes a negative outlook, reflecting the increasing influence of Equitables E&P operations over the entire Company.
The Companys credit ratings may be subject to further revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. The Company cannot ensure that a rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a credit rating agency if, in its judgment, circumstances so warrant. If the credit rating agencies downgrade the Companys ratings, particularly below investment grade, it may significantly limit the Companys access to the commercial paper market and borrowing costs would increase. In addition, the Company would likely be required to pay a higher interest rate in future financings, incur increased margin deposit requirements with respect to its hedging instruments, and the potential pool of investors and funding sources would decrease. The margin amount can change as a result of gas prices, as well as credit thresholds set forth in agreements between the hedging counterparties and the Company.
27
Equitable Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The Companys debt instruments and other financial obligations include provisions that, if not complied with, could require early payment, additional collateral support or similar actions. The most important default events include maintaining covenants with respect to maximum leverage ratio, insolvency events, nonpayment of scheduled principal or interest payments, acceleration of other financial obligations, and change of control provisions. The Companys current credit facilitys financial covenants require a total debt-to-total capitalization ratio of no greater than 65%. The calculation of this ratio excludes the effects of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). As of March 31, 2008, the Company is in compliance with all existing debt provisions and covenants.
Commodity Risk Management
The Companys overall objective in its hedging program is to ensure an adequate level of return for the increased well development and infrastructure investments at Equitable Production and Equitable Midstream. The Companys risk management program includes the use of exchange-traded natural gas futures contracts and options and OTC natural gas swap agreements and options (collectively, derivative commodity instruments) to hedge exposures to fluctuations in natural gas prices and for trading purposes. The preponderance of derivative commodity instruments currently utilized by the Company are fixed price swaps or collars.
The Company increased its hedge position for 2008 through 2015 by using cashless collars. As of April 29, 2008, the approximate volumes and prices of the Companys total hedge position for 2008 through 2010 are:
|
|
2008** |
|
2009 |
|
2010 |
|
|||
Swaps |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Total Volume (Bcf) |
|
38 |
|
37 |
|
35 |
|
|||
Average Price per Mcf (NYMEX)* |
|
$ |
4.62 |
|
$ |
5.91 |
|
$ |
5.96 |
|
Collars |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Total Volume (Bcf) |
|
9 |
|
23 |
|
21 |
|
|||
Average Floor Price per Mcf (NYMEX)* |
|
$ |
7.59 |
|
$ |
7.34 |
|
$ |
7.29 |
|
Average Cap Price per Mcf (NYMEX)* |
|
$ |
12.00 |
|
$ |
13.68 |
|
$ |
13.51 |
|
* The above price is based on a conversion rate of 1.05 MMBtu/Mcf
**April through December
The Companys current hedged position provides price protection for greater than 50 percent of expected production through 2010. The Companys exposure to a $0.10 change in average NYMEX natural gas price is approximately $0.01 per diluted share for 2008 and ranges from $0.02 to $0.03 per diluted share per year for 2009 and 2010. The Company also engages in a limited number of basis swaps to protect earnings from undue exposure to the risk of geographic disparities in commodity prices.
See Note C to the Companys Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the Companys hedging activities.
Commitments and Contingencies
In June 2006, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals issued a decision involving interpretation of certain types of oil and gas leases of an unrelated party, in a case where a class of royalty owners in the state of West Virginia had filed a lawsuit claiming that the defendant underpaid royalties by deducting certain post-production costs not permitted by such types of leases and not paying a fair value for the gas produced from the royalty owners leases. In January 2007, the jury in the aforementioned case returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff royalty owners, awarding the plaintiffs significant compensatory and punitive damages for the alleged underpayment of royalties. While the defendant has appealed the verdict, this decision may ultimately impact other royalty interest rights in West Virginia. Claims have been brought against others in the oil and gas industry, including the Company. The proceedings against the Company are in the early stages and the plaintiffs have sought class certification. The Company believes that the claims and facts decided in the unrelated lawsuit can be differentiated from those asserted against the Company.
28
Equitable Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Nevertheless, the Company has reviewed its West Virginia royalty agreements and established a reserve it believes to be appropriate.
In the ordinary course of business, various other legal claims and proceedings are pending or threatened against the Company. While the amounts claimed may be substantial, the Company is unable to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of such claims and proceedings. The Company has established reserves for pending litigation, which it believes are adequate, and after consultation with counsel and giving appropriate consideration to available insurance, the Company believes that the ultimate outcome of any matter currently pending against the Company will not materially affect the financial position of the Company.
Incentive Compensation
The Company accounts for its share-based payment arrangements in accordance with SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, and accordingly records compensation cost for all forms of share-based payments to employees, including employee stock options, in its financial statements. The Companys recent compensation practices have focused primarily on the issuance of performance-based units and time-restricted stock awards, for which it recognizes compensation cost over the applicable vesting periods. All stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2008 are fully vested.
The Company recorded the following incentive compensation cost, including amounts both expensed and capitalized, in its financial statements for the periods indicated below:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
||||
|
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
||
|
|
(Millions) |
|
||||
Short-term incentive compensation expense |
|
$ |
6.2 |
|
$ |
4.5 |
|
Long-term incentive compensation expense |
|
45.1 |
|
27.1 |
|
||
Total incentive compensation expense |
|
$ |
51.3 |
|
$ |
31.6 |
|
The long-term incentive compensation is primarily associated with the 2005 Executive Performance Incentive Program (the 2005 Program). In the first quarter of 2008, the Company increased its assumptions for both the ultimate share price and the payout multiple at the end of the performance period (December 31, 2008) based on a review of the Companys performance relative to its peer group under the 2005 Program as well as the significant appreciation in the Companys stock price during the period. The Companys current payout multiple assumption of 250% of the units awarded is the maximum available under the 2005 Program. As a result of the changes in assumptions, the Company recognized approximately $31 million of additional long-term incentive expenses associated with the 2005 Program in the first quarter of 2008 and expects to record a greater amount of incentive expense in fiscal year 2008 than previously estimated. The Company currently forecasts 2008 incentive compensation costs of approximately $103 million for the programs in place at March 31, 2008, including expense of $77 million for the 2005 Program. Assuming no changes in other assumptions, a 5% increase in the Companys stock price assumption for December 31, 2008 would result in an additional increase in 2008 compensation expense for the 2005 Program of approximately $9 million, and a 5% decrease in the Companys stock price assumption would result in a decrease in 2008 compensation expense of the same amount.
The Company had also increased its share price and payout multiple assumptions in the first quarter of 2007, which resulted in additional long-term expense of $20.1 million recorded during that period.
Dividend
On April 23, 2008, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 22 cents per share, payable June 1, 2008, to shareholders of record on May 9, 2008.
29
Equitable Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Critical Accounting Policies
The Companys critical accounting policies are described in the notes to the Companys consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007 contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any new accounting policies or updates to existing accounting policies as a result of new accounting pronouncements have been included in the notes to the Companys Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the period ended March 31, 2008. The application of the Companys critical accounting policies may require management to make judgments and estimates about the amounts reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Management uses historical experience and all available information to make these estimates and judgments, and different amounts could be reported using different assumptions and estimates.
30
Equitable Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Derivative Commodity Instruments
The Companys primary market risk exposure is the volatility of future prices for natural gas, which can affect the operating results of the Company primarily through the Equitable Production segment and the Equitable Midstream segment. The Companys use of derivatives to reduce the effect of this volatility is described in Note C to the Consolidated Financial Statements and under the caption Commodity Risk Management in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this Form 10-Q. The Company uses non-leveraged derivative commodity instruments that are placed with major financial institutions whose creditworthiness is continually monitored. The Company also enters into energy trading contracts to leverage its assets and limit its exposure to shifts in market prices. The Companys use of these derivative financial instruments is implemented under a set of policies approved by the Companys Corporate Risk Committee and Board of Directors.
Commodity Price Risk
The following sensitivity analysis estimates the potential effect on fair value or future earnings from derivative commodity instruments due to a 10% increase and a 10% decrease in commodity prices.
For the derivative commodity instruments used to hedge the Companys forecasted production, the Company sets policy limits relative to the expected production and sales levels, which are exposed to price risk. For the derivative commodity instruments used to hedge forecasted natural gas purchases and sales, which are exposed to price risk, the Company sets limits related to acceptable exposure levels.
The financial instruments currently utilized by the Company include futures contracts, swap agreements and collar agreements, which may require payments to or receipt of payments from counterparties based on the differential between a fixed and variable price for the commodity. The Company also considers options and other contractual agreements in determining its commodity hedging strategy.
Management monitors price and production levels on a continuous basis and will make adjustments to quantities hedged as warranted. As a result of the increase in well development and infrastructure investment at Equitable Production and Equitable Midstream, the Companys overall objective in its hedging program is to ensure an adequate level of return for these investments. To the extent that the Company has hedged its production at prices below the current market price, the Company is unable to benefit fully from increases in the price of natural gas.
With respect to the derivative commodity instruments held by the Company for purposes other than trading as of March 31, 2008, the Company hedged portions of expected equity production through 2013 and portions of forecasted purchases and sales by utilizing futures contracts, swap agreements and collar agreements covering approximately 265.6 Bcf of natural gas. See the Commodity Risk Management section of Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this Form 10-Q for further discussion. A hypothetical decrease of 10% in the market price of natural gas from the March 31, 2008 levels would increase the fair value of non-trading natural gas derivative instruments by approximately $219.9 million. A hypothetical increase of 10% in the market price of natural gas from the March 31, 2008 levels would decrease the fair value of non-trading natural gas derivative instruments by approximately $222.1 million.
The Company determined the change in the fair value of the derivative commodity instruments using a method similar to its normal change in fair value as described in Note 1 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. The Company assumed a 10% change in the price of natural gas from its levels at March 31, 2008. The price change was then applied to the derivative commodity instruments recorded on the Companys Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, resulting in the change in fair value.
31
Equitable Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries
The above analysis of the derivative commodity instruments held by the Company for purposes other than trading does not include the offsetting impact that the same hypothetical price movement may have on the Company and its subsidiaries physical sales of natural gas. The portfolio of derivative commodity instruments held for risk management purposes approximates the notional quantity of a portion of the expected or committed transaction volume of physical commodities with commodity price risk for the same time periods. Furthermore, the derivative commodity instrument portfolio is managed to complement the physical transaction portfolio, reducing overall risks within limits. Therefore, an adverse impact to the fair value of the portfolio of derivative commodity instruments held for risk management purposes associated with the hypothetical changes in commodity prices referenced above would be offset by a favorable impact on the underlying hedged physical transactions, assuming the derivative commodity instruments are not closed out in advance of their expected term, the derivative commodity instruments continue to function effectively as hedges of the underlying risk and the anticipated transactions occur as expected.
If the underlying physical transactions or positions are liquidated prior to the maturity of the derivative commodity instruments, a loss on the financial instruments may occur, or the derivative commodity instruments might be worthless as determined by the prevailing market value on their termination or maturity date, whichever comes first.
Other Market Risks
The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to derivative contracts. This credit exposure is limited to derivative contracts with a positive fair value. The Company believes that NYMEX-traded futures contracts have minimal credit risk because Commodity Futures Trading Commission regulations are in place to protect exchange participants, including the Company, from any potential financial instability of the exchange members. The Company manages the credit risk of the other derivative contracts by limiting dealings to those counterparties who meet the Companys criteria for credit and liquidity strength.
The Company utilizes various information technology systems to monitor and evaluate its credit risk exposures. Credit exposure is controlled through credit approvals and limits. To manage the level of credit risk, the Company deals with counterparties that are of investment grade or better, enters into netting agreements whenever possible, and may obtain collateral or other security.
Less than one percent or $2.1 million, of OTC derivative contracts outstanding at March 31, 2008 have a positive fair value. All derivative contracts outstanding as of March 31, 2008 are with counterparties having an S&P rating of A- or above.
As of March 31, 2008, the Company is not in default under any derivative contracts and has no knowledge of default by any counterparty to derivative contracts. Furthermore, except for the adjustments recorded in connection with the implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements described in Note E to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company made no adjustments to the fair value of derivative contracts due to credit related concerns. The Company will continue to monitor market conditions that may impact the fair value of derivative contracts reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
32
Equitable Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Companys Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, an evaluation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)), was conducted as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the first quarter of 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
33
Federal Trade Commission v. Equitable Resources, Inc. et al, Before Federal Trade Commission
On March 14, 2007, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued an administrative complaint challenging the Companys proposed acquisition of Peoples from Dominion. Each of the Company, Dominion and Peoples were named as parties in the complaint.
On January 15, 2008, the Company and Dominion mutually agreed to terminate the definitive agreement pursuant to which the Company was to acquire Peoples and Hope and, based upon this termination, the administrative complaint was dismissed on January 31, 2008.
Federal Trade Commission v. Equitable Resources, Inc. et al, United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
On April 13, 2007, the FTC filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeking a preliminary injunction to enjoin the Companys proposed acquisition of Peoples from Dominion. Each of the Company, Dominion and Peoples were named as defendants in the complaint. The FTC sought an injunction to maintain the status quo during the pendency of the administrative proceeding described above. On May 14, 2007, the District Court dismissed the FTCs request for a preliminary injunction on the basis that the state action immunity doctrine barred the FTCs claim. The FTC appealed the dismissal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. On June 1, 2007, the Third Circuit issued an order enjoining the transaction pending further order of the Third Circuit. On February 22, 2008, the Third Circuit granted the FTCs motion seeking to have the FTCs appeal to the Third Circuit declared moot and the District Courts opinion vacated in light of the termination of the acquisition agreement.
Kay Company, LLC et al v. Equitable Production Company et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia
On July 31, 2006 Equitable Production Company was served with a gas royalty action filed by several royalty owners in the Roane County, West Virginia Circuit Court which alleges Equitable Production Company failed to pay royalties on the fair value of the gas produced and marketed from the leases and took improper post-production deductions from the royalties paid. The suit seeks class certification, compensatory and punitive damages, an accounting, and other relief based on alleged breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and fraudulent concealment. Equitable Production Company removed the suit to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on August 7, 2006. The plaintiffs have filed an amended complaint naming the Company as an additional defendant.
In June 2006, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals issued a decision involving interpretation of certain types of oil and gas leases of an unrelated party, in a case where a class of royalty owners in the state of West Virginia had filed a lawsuit claiming that the defendant underpaid royalties by deducting certain post-production costs not permitted by such types of leases and not paying a fair value for the gas produced from the royalty owners leases. In January 2007, the jury in the aforementioned case returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff royalty owners, awarding the plaintiffs significant compensatory and punitive damages for the alleged underpayment of royalties. While the defendant has appealed the verdict, this decision may ultimately impact other royalty interest rights in West Virginia. The Company is vigorously defending its case and believes that the claims and facts in the unrelated lawsuit can be differentiated from those asserted against the Company. Nevertheless, the Company has reviewed its West Virginia royalty agreements and established a reserve it believes to be appropriate.
In addition to the claims disclosed above, in the ordinary course of business, various other legal claims and proceedings are pending or threatened against the Company. While the amounts claimed may be substantial, the Company is unable to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of such claims and proceedings. The Company has established reserves for other pending litigation, which it believes are adequate, and after consultation with counsel and giving appropriate consideration to available insurance, the Company believes that the ultimate outcome of any other matter currently pending against the Company will not materially affect the financial position of the Company.
34
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Information regarding risk factors is discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors of the Companys Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Companys Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The following table sets forth the Companys repurchases of equity securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act that occurred in the three months ended March 31, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period |
|
Total |
|
Average |
|
Total number of |
|
Maximum number (or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 2008 |
|
1,009 |
|
$ 50.54 |
|
|
|
8,385,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February
2008 |
|
12,490 |
|
$ 59.05 |
|
|
|
8,385,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 2008 |
|
921 |
|
$ 61.25 |
|
|
|
8,385,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
14,420 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Includes 11,575 shares delivered in exchange for the exercise of stock options and restricted share awards to cover award cost and tax withholding and 2,845 shares for Company-directed purchases made by the Companys 401(k) plans. |
|
|
(b) |
Equitables Board of Directors previously authorized a share repurchase program with a maximum of 50.0 million shares and no expiration date. The program was initially publicly announced on October 7, 1998 with subsequent amendments announced on November 12, 1999, July 20, 2000, April 15, 2004 and July 13, 2005. |
35
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
4.1 |
Indenture dated as of March 18, 2008 between Equitable Resources, Inc. and The Bank of New York, as Trustee. |
|
|
4.2 |
First Supplemental Indenture (including the form of senior note) dated as of March 18, 2008 between Equitable Resources, Inc. and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, pursuant to which the 6.50% Senior Notes due 2018 were issued. |
|
|
10.1 |
Employment Agreement dated March 14, 2008 between Equitable Resources, Inc. and Johanna G. OLoughlin. |
|
|
10.2 |
Mutual Termination Agreement, dated as of January 15, 2008, by and between Equitable Resources, Inc. and Dominion Resources, Inc. |
|
|
10.3 |
Underwriting Agreement dated March 13, 2008 among Equitable Resources, Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc., as representatives of the underwriters named therein. |
|
|
31.1 |
Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer |
|
|
31.2 |
Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer |
|
|
32 |
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer |
36
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.
|
|
EQUITABLE RESOURCES, INC. |
|
|
|
(Registrant) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Philip P. Conti |
|
|
|
Philip P. Conti |
|
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
Date: May 1, 2008
37
Exhibit No. |
|
Document Description |
|
Incorporated by Reference |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
Indenture dated as of March 18, 2008 between Equitable Resources, Inc. and The Bank of New York, as Trustee. |
|
Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed on March 18, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
4.2 |
|
First Supplemental Indenture (including the form of senior note) dated as of March 18, 2008 between Equitable Resources, Inc. and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, pursuant to which the 6.50% Senior Notes due 2018 were issued. |
|
Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K filed on March 18, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
10.1 |
|
Employment Agreement dated March 14, 2008 between Equitable Resources, Inc. and Johanna G. OLoughlin. |
|
Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed on March 20, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
10.2 |
|
Mutual Termination Agreement, dated as of January 15, 2008, by and between Equitable Resources, Inc. and Dominion Resources, Inc. |
|
Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed on January 17, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
10.3 |
|
Underwriting Agreement dated March 13, 2008 among Equitable Resources, Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc., as representatives of the underwriters named therein. |
|
Filed as Exhibit 1.1 to Form 8-K filed on March 18, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
31.1 |
|
Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer |
|
Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
31.2 |
|
Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer |
|
Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
32 |
|
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer |
|
Filed herewith as Exhibit 32 |
38