UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
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[X] |
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003. |
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[ ] |
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _______ TO _______. |
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Commission File Number 1-935 |
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QUESTAR GAS COMPANY |
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
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State of Utah |
87-0155877 |
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P.O. Box 45360 |
(Zip code) |
(801) 324-5555
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (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. |
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Yes [X] |
No [ ] |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.) |
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Yes [ ] |
No [X] |
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Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. |
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Class |
Outstanding as of October 31, 2003 |
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Common Stock, $2.50 par value |
9,189,626 shares |
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Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(a)(1) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format. |
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Questar Gas Company |
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Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2003 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS |
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Page |
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PART I |
FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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Item 1. |
Financial Statements |
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Income Statements |
3 |
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Condensed Balance Sheets |
4 |
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Condensed Statements of Cash Flows |
5 |
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Notes Accompanying Financial Statements |
6 |
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Item 2. |
Management's Discussion and Analysis of |
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Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
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Item 4. |
Controls and Procedures |
12 |
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PART II. |
OTHER INFORMATION |
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Item 1. |
Legal Proceedings |
13 |
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Item 6. |
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K |
14 |
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Signatures |
14 |
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2 |
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PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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Item 1. Financial Statements |
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QUESTAR GAS COMPANY |
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STATEMENTS OF INCOME |
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(Unaudited) |
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3 Months Ended |
9 Months Ended |
12 Months Ended |
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September 30, |
September 30, |
September 30, |
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2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
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(In Thousands) |
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REVENUES |
$ 71,498 |
$ 59,492 |
$ 398,063 |
$ 403,552 |
$ 590,022 |
$ 614,133 |
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OPERATING EXPENSES |
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Cost of natural gas sold |
43,838 |
26,743 |
242,954 |
251,934 |
361,314 |
396,664 |
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Operating and maintenance |
24,224 |
23,920 |
76,894 |
74,318 |
108,120 |
105,976 |
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Rate-refund obligation |
1,462 |
23,462 |
23,462 |
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Depreciation and amortization |
9,207 |
9,937 |
29,611 |
29,597 |
39,785 |
38,910 |
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Other taxes |
2,587 |
2,800 |
8,338 |
8,494 |
9,392 |
9,410 |
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TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
81,318 |
63,400 |
381,259 |
364,343 |
542,073 |
550,960 |
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OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) |
(9,820) |
(3,908) |
16,804 |
39,209 |
47,949 |
63,173 |
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INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME |
1,163 |
931 |
2,286 |
2,301 |
2,314 |
3,933 |
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DEBT EXPENSE |
(4,863) |
(5,446) |
(16,023) |
(16,768) |
(21,750) |
(22,844) |
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INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME |
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TAXES AND CUMULATIVE EFFECT |
(13,520) |
(8,423) |
3,067 |
24,742 |
28,513 |
44,262 |
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INCOME TAXES |
(5,261) |
(3,756) |
1,780 |
8,752 |
10,817 |
15,764 |
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INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE |
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CUMULATIVE EFFECT |
(8,259) |
(4,667) |
1,287 |
15,990 |
17,696 |
28,498 |
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Cumulative effect of accounting change |
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for asset retirement obligations, net of |
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income taxes of $204 |
(334) |
(334) |
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NET INCOME (LOSS) |
($ 8,259) |
($ 4,667) |
$ 953 |
$ 15,990 |
$ 17,362 |
$ 28,498 |
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See notes to the financial statements |
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3 |
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QUESTAR GAS COMPANY |
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CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS |
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September 30, |
December 31, |
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2003 |
2002 |
2002 |
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(Unaudited) |
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(In Thousands) |
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ASSETS |
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Current assets |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$ 760 |
$ 609 |
$ 2,993 |
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Federal income taxes recoverable |
21,110 |
2,090 |
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Accounts receivable, net |
7,246 |
7,552 |
50,950 |
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Unbilled gas accounts receivable |
10,424 |
9,305 |
39,788 |
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Inventories, at lower of average cost or market |
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Gas stored underground |
34,740 |
26,395 |
22,742 |
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Materials and supplies |
4,601 |
4,122 |
4,073 |
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Purchased-gas adjustment |
5,669 |
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Prepaid expenses and other |
916 |
420 |
1,474 |
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Deferred income taxes - current |
845 |
5,047 |
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Total current assets |
85,466 |
51,338 |
127,067 |
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Property, plant and equipment |
1,231,009 |
1,175,869 |
1,193,553 |
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Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
537,179 |
510,201 |
513,485 |
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Net property, plant and equipment |
693,830 |
665,668 |
680,068 |
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Regulatory and other assets |
28,251 |
19,573 |
19,004 |
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Goodwill |
5,652 |
5,879 |
5,652 |
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$ 813,199 |
$ 742,458 |
$ 831,791 |
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY |
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Current liabilities |
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Notes payable to Questar Corp. |
$ 28,300 |
$ 4,800 |
$ 36,400 |
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
74,340 |
54,174 |
85,388 |
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Purchased-gas adjustments |
2,223 |
13,282 |
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Deferred income taxes - current |
2,154 |
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Total current liabilities |
104,794 |
61,197 |
135,070 |
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Long-term debt |
290,000 |
285,000 |
285,000 |
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Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits |
111,064 |
89,835 |
94,720 |
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Other long-term liabilities |
11,310 |
2,882 |
3,173 |
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Common shareholder's equity |
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Common stock |
22,974 |
22,974 |
22,974 |
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Additional paid-in capital |
121,875 |
121,875 |
121,875 |
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Retained earnings |
151,182 |
158,695 |
168,979 |
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Total common shareholder's equity |
296,031 |
303,544 |
313,828 |
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$ 813,199 |
$ 742,458 |
$ 831,791 |
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See notes to the financial statements |
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4 |
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QUESTAR GAS COMPANY |
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CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW |
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(Unaudited) |
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9 Months Ended |
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September 30, |
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2003 |
2002 |
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(In Thousands) |
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OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
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Net income |
$ 953 |
$ 15,990 |
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Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided |
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from operating activities: |
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Depreciation and amortization |
31,919 |
31,864 |
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Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits |
23,750 |
1,560 |
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Net (gain) loss from asset sales |
153 |
(4) |
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Cumulative effect of accounting change |
334 |
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57,109 |
49,410 |
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Change in operating assets and liabilities |
8,266 |
69,664 |
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NET CASH PROVIDED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
65,375 |
119,074 |
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INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
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Capital expenditures |
(46,253) |
(42,489) |
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Proceeds from (cash used in) disposition of assets |
495 |
(167) |
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NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
(45,758) |
(42,656) |
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FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
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Issuance of long-term debt |
110,000 |
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Repayment of long-term debt |
(105,000) |
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Decrease in notes payable to Questar Corp. |
(8,100) |
(61,800) |
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Payment of dividends |
(18,750) |
(18,375) |
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NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
(21,850) |
(80,175) |
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Change in cash and cash equivalents |
(2,233) |
(3,757) |
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Beginning cash and cash equivalents |
2,993 |
4,366 |
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Ending cash and cash equivalents |
$ 760 |
$ 609 |
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See notes to the financial statements |
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5 |
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QUESTAR GAS COMPANY |
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
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September 30, 2003 |
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(Unaudited) |
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Note 1 - Basis of Presentation of Interim Financial Statements |
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The accompanying financial statements of Questar Gas Company (Questar Gas or the Company), with the exception of the condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 2002, have not been audited by independent public accountants. The interim financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Due to the seasonal nature of the business, the results of operations for the three-, nine- and twelve-month periods ended September 30, 2003, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2003. The impact of abnormal weather on gas distribution earnings is significantly reduced by the operations of a weather-normalization adjustment. For further information refer to the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20 02 filed by Questar Gas. |
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Note 2 - Utah Supreme Court Order in Questar Gas Carbon Dioxide Case |
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On August 1, 2003, the Utah Supreme Court issued an order reversing a decision made by the Public Service Commission of Utah (PSCU) in August of 2000 concerning certain processing costs incurred by Questar Gas. The court ruled that the PSCU did not comply with its responsibilities and regulatory procedures when approving a stipulation in Questar Gas's general rate case filed in December of 1999. The stipulation permitted Questar Gas to collect $5 million per year in rates to recover a portion of the costs incurred to reduce the level of carbon dioxide in gas volumes delivered to customers. The Committee of Consumer Services (Committee), a Utah state agency, appealed the PSCU's decision because the PSCU did not explicitly address whether the costs were prudently incurred. |
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As a result of the Court's order, Questar Gas recorded a $22 million liability for a potential refund to gas distribution customers. The liability reflects revenue received for processing costs from June of 1999 through June of 2003. This charge reduced Questar Gas net income by $13.6 million. For safety reasons, the Company has decided to continue to operate the plant. The cost for the second half of 2003 will be approximately $1.6 million, before interest. Thereafter, annual costs will be approximately $3.2 million after tax, before interest. Recording the liability did not have a material impact on credit, cash or liquidity of Questar Gas. Questar Gas has requested ongoing rate coverage for CO2 costs in its recent gas cost pass-through. Until the issue is decided by the PSCU, Questar Gas will record a liability for potential refund of the ongoing CO2 processing costs being collected in rates. |
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Questar Gas believes that it acted prudently and in the best interests of its customers to incur the processing costs and that the PSCU should now decide the issues. It has requested the PSCU proceed with the original case and find Questar Gas's actions were prudent. The Committee is arguing that the PSCU is precluded from proceeding with the case and has requested the PSCU immediately order refunds. Questar Gas and the Committee filed briefs on September 25, responsive briefs on October 23 and reply briefs on November 5. The PSCU has not issued any further decisions and timing for resolution of the CO2 case is uncertain since any PSCU order may be subject to appeals. |
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Note 3 - Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change -"Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations" |
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On January 1, 2003, Questar Gas adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 143 (SFAS 143) "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." As a result, the Company recorded a $334,000 after tax charge for the cumulative effect of this accounting change and a $582,000 long-term asset retirement obligation. SFAS 143 addresses the |
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6 |
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financial accounting and reporting of the fair value of legal obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets. The new standard requires the Company to estimate a fair value of abandonment costs and to capitalize and depreciate those costs over the life of the related assets. The provisions of SFAS 143 did not apply to a majority of the Company's long-lived distribution-system assets due to lack of a legal obligation to abandon the assets or to an indeterminable abandonment date. The new accounting rules allow deferral of an obligation until the abandonment date is known. |
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Questar Gas recorded a regulatory asset amounting to $6.6 million, reflecting a retroactive charge for the abandonment costs associated with gas wells operated on its behalf by Wexpro. The regulatory asset will be reduced as gas wells are plugged and abandoned. |
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The asset retirement obligation is adjusted to its present value each period through an accretion process using a credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. Both the accretion expense associated with the liability and the depreciation associated with the capitalized abandonment costs are non-cash expenses until the asset is retired. |
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Note 4 - Financing |
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On January 24, 2003, Questar Gas issued $40 million of ten year notes with an effective interest rate of 5.02%. The proceeds were used to redeem $41 million of debt with a coupon rate of 8.4%. Questar Gas paid a $1.7 million call premium. This issue completed a Form S-3 shelf registration for issuance of up to $100 million of medium-term notes filed by Questar Gas in the third quarter of 2001. |
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On February 27, 2003, Questar Gas filed a shelf registration statement for the issuance of up to $70 million of medium-term notes. In March 2003, Questar Gas sold $70 million of 15-year notes with a coupon rate of 5.31%. On April 24, 2003, proceeds from the offering were used to redeem $64 million of higher-cost debt issued in 1992 and 1993 with a weighted-average interest rate of 8.11%. Questar Gas paid a call premium of $2.6 million. |
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Note 5 - Reclassifications |
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Certain reclassifications were made to the 2002 financial statements to conform with the 2003 presentation. |
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7 |
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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
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QUESTAR GAS COMPANY |
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September 30, 2003 |
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(Unaudited) |
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Operating Results |
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Following is a summary of financial and operating information for the Company: |
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3 Months Ended |
9 Months Ended |
12 Months Ended |
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September 30, |
September 30, |
September 30, |
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2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
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FINANCIAL RESULTS - (In Thousands) |
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Revenues |
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From unaffiliated customers |
$71,054 |
$59,347 |
$396,162 |
$402,309 |
$587,688 |
$612,541 |
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From affiliates |
444 |
145 |
1,901 |
1,243 |
2,334 |
1,592 |
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Total revenues |
71,498 |
59,492 |
398,063 |
403,552 |
590,022 |
614,133 |
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Cost of natural gas sold |
43,838 |
26,743 |
242,954 |
251,934 |
361,314 |
396,664 |
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Margin |
$27,660 |
$32,749 |
$155,109 |
$151,618 |
$228,708 |
$217,469 |
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Operating income (loss) |
($9,820) |
($3,908) |
$16,804 |
$ 39,209 |
$ 47,949 |
$ 63,173 |
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Income (loss) before cumulative effect |
($8,259) |
($4,667) |
$1,287 |
$ 15,990 |
$17,696 |
$ 28,498 |
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Cumulative effect of accounting change |
(334) |
(334) |
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Net income (loss) |
($8,259) |
($ 4,667) |
$953 |
$ 15,990 |
$ 17,362 |
$ 28,498 |
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OPERATING STATISTICS |
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Natural gas volumes (In |
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Thousands of Decatherms) |
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Residential and commercial sales |
6,719 |
6,954 |
55,186 |
61,099 |
84,883 |
90,338 |
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Industrial sales |
1,710 |
1,882 |
7,138 |
7,678 |
10,189 |
10,588 |
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Transportation for industrial customers |
9,873 |
12,774 |
28,846 |
34,465 |
40,840 |
46,383 |
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Total industrial |
11,583 |
14,656 |
35,984 |
42,143 |
51,029 |
56,971 |
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Total deliveries |
18,302 |
21,610 |
91,170 |
103,242 |
135,912 |
147,309 |
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Natural gas revenue (per Decatherm) |
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Residential and commercial |
$ 8.46 |
$ 6.75 |
$ 6.31 |
$ 5.74 |
$ 6.12 |
$ 5.98 |
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Industrial sales |
5.30 |
3.42 |
4.52 |
4.34 |
4.27 |
4.50 |
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Transportation for industrial customers |
0.19 |
0.16 |
0.19 |
0.16 |
0.18 |
0.15 |
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Heating degree days colder (warmer) |
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than normal |
(9%) |
(30%) |
(9%) |
11% |
(5%) |
7% |
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Average temperature adjusted usage |
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per customer (Decatherms) |
9.1 |
9.8 |
78.4 |
77.0 |
118.8 |
118.0 |
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Number of customers at September 30, |
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Residential and commercial |
754,307 |
733,986 |
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Industrial |
1,236 |
1,281 |
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Total |
755,543 |
735,267 |
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8 |
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Third Quarter Earnings |
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Questar Gas's seasonal third quarter loss increased from $4.7 million in 2002 to $8.3 million in 2003. The 2002 quarter benefited from a $2.3 million after-tax settlement related to gas processing costs. However, this amount was later part of a potential liability charge in the second quarter of 2003. In addition, Questar Gas accrued an additional $900,000 after tax charge in the third quarter for gas processing costs. Questar Gas's rate structure is more seasonal as a result of a December 2002 general rate case as explained below. |
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Revenues less cost of natural gas sold (margin) |
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Questar Gas's margin for the 2003 periods benefited from a general rate increase effective December 30, 2002. The Public Service Commission of Utah (PSCU) issued an order approving an annual increase of $11.2 million using an 11.2% return on equity and end-of-test-period usage per customer and costs. The PSCU had based previous rate increases on a historical test year. Also, the PSCU's general rate order changed the regulatory accounting treatment of contributions in aid of construction (CIAC). Prior to 2003, CIAC had been treated as revenue. With the new order, CIAC will reduce rate base. The change shifted revenues to the first and fourth quarters. |
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Questar Gas's margin was 16% lower in the third quarter of 2003 when compared with the third quarter of 2002 primarily due to a one-time recovery of gas costs and CIAC collected in 2002. The 2002 quarter benefited from an August 2002 one-time recovery of $3.8 million of gas costs, which had been previously denied. The PSCU's order allowing the recovery was later reversed by a Utah Supreme Court ruling dated August 1, 2003. CIAC amounted to $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2002. |
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Higher general rates, more customers and higher usage per customer resulted in an increase in Questar Gas's margin for the first nine months of 2003. These factors more than offset the effect of the 2002 $3.8 million recovery of gas costs, CIAC received in 2002 and elimination of a new premise fee in the general rate case. The number of customers increased 20,276 or 2.8% in the year to year comparison. Temperature adjusted usage per customer grew by 2% in the first nine months of 2003 compared with the same period in 2002. The weather-normalization adjustment (WNA) mitigates the financial effect of temperatures that are either colder or warmer than normal. Generally, under the WNA customers pay for the non-gas costs reflected in rates based on normal temperatures. |
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