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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


|X|

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

 

 

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002

 

OR

|  | 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

 

 

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ___ TO ___

 

 

Commission

 

 

IRS Employer

 

 

File

 

State of

Identification

 

Number

Registrant

Incorporation

Number

 

1-7810

Energen Corporation

Alabama

63-0757759

 

 

2-38960

Alabama Gas Corporation

Alabama

63-0022000

 


605 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203-2707
Telephone Number 205/326-2700
http://www.energen.com

Alabama Gas Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energen Corporation, meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form with reduced disclosure format pursuant to General Instruction H(2).


Indicate by a check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES X NO ____



Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers' classes of common stock, as of October 11, 2002

 

Energen Corporation

$0.01 par value

34,634,508 shares

 

 

Alabama Gas Corporation

$0.01 par value

  1,972,052 shares

 



INDUSTRY GLOSSARY

For a more complete definition of certain terms defined below, please refer to Rule 4-10(a) of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended.

Basis

The difference between the futures price for a commodity and the corresponding cash spot price. The differential commonly is related to factors such as product quality, location and contract pricing.

 

 

Basin-specific

A type of derivative contract whereby the contract's settlement price is based on specific geographic basin indices.

 

 

Cash Flow Hedge

The designation of a derivative instrument to reduce the exposure to variability in cash flows from the forecasted sale of oil or gas production whereby the gains (losses) on the derivative transaction are anticipated to offset the losses (gains) on the forecasted sale.

 

 

Collar

A financial arrangement that effectively establishes a price range for the commodity. The producer only bears the risk of fluctuation between the minimum (or floor) price and the maximum (or ceiling) price.

 

 

Development Costs

The costs necessary to gain access to, prepare and equip wells drilled to produce proved oil and gas reserves following discovery.

 

 

Exploratory Well

A well drilled to a previously untested geologic structure to determine the presence of oil or gas.

Futures Contract

An exchange-traded legal contract to buy or sell a standard quantity and quality of a commodity at a specified future date and price. Such contracts offer liquidity and minimal credit risk exposure but lack the flexibility of swap contracts.

 

 

Hedging

The use of derivative commodity instruments such as futures, swaps and collars to help reduce financial exposure to commodity price volatility.

 

 

Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)

Natural gas that is liquified by reducing the temperature to 260 degrees Fahrenheit. LNG typically is used to supplement traditional natural gas supplies during periods of peak demand.

 

 

Natural Gas Liquids (NGL)

Liquid hydrocarbons that are extracted and separated from the natural gas stream. NGL products include ethane, propane, butane, natural gasoline and other hydrocarbons.

 

 

Proved Developed Reserves

The portion of proved reserves which can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods.

 

 

Proved Reserves

Estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions.

 

 

Proved Undeveloped Reserves

The portion of proved reserves which can be expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled proved acreage or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for completion.

 

 

Reserve to Production Ratio

Ratio determined by dividing the remaining recoverable reserves by estimated annual production volumes expressed in years of supply.

 

 

Swap

A contractual arrangement in which two parties, called counterparties, effectively agree to exchange or "swap" variable and fixed rate payment streams based on a specified commodity volume. The contracts allow for flexible terms such as specific quantities, settlement dates and location but also expose the parties to counterparty credit risk.

 

 

Throughput

Total volumes of natural gas sold or transported.

 

 

 

ENERGEN CORPORATION AND ALABAMA GAS CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

(a) Consolidated Statements of Income of Energen Corporation

 1

(b) Consolidated Balance Sheets of Energen Corporation

 2

(c) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of Energen Corporation

 4

(d) Statements of Income of Alabama Gas Corporation

 5

(e) Balance Sheets of Alabama Gas Corporation

 6

(f) Statements of Cash Flows of Alabama Gas Corporation

8

(g) Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements

9

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations


16

Selected Business Segment Data of Energen Corporation

21

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

22

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures.................................................................................

23

PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

24

SIGNATURES

25

CERTIFICATIONS

26

 

 


 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

 

 

ENERGEN CORPORATION

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

(in thousands, except per share data)

2002

2001

 

2002

2001

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas operations

$  66,727

$  51,382

 

$ 177,341

$ 168,650

Natural gas distribution

50,225

60,671

 

322,458

434,736

     Total operating revenues

116,952

112,053

 

499,799

603,386

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of gas

17,897

28,902

 

144,038

260,348

Operations and maintenance

48,859

45,559

 

140,811

137,117

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

27,980

24,511

 

79,214

65,357

Taxes, other than income taxes

9,382

9,429

 

36,749

46,254

     Total operating expenses

104,118

108,401

 

400,812

509,076

Operating Income

12,834

3,652

 

98,987

94,310

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

(10,987)

(10,716)

 

(32,828)

(31,830)

Other income

3,885

3,804

 

10,583

11,765

Other expense

(4,020)

(3,292)

 

(10,614)

(10,495)

     Total other expense

(11,122)

(10,204)

 

(32,859)

(30,560)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations
Before Income Taxes


1,712


(6,552)

 


66,128


63,750

Income tax expense (benefit)

1,509

(3,008)

 

14,114

10,778

Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations

203

(3,544)

 

52,014

52,972

Discontinued Operations, net of taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

39

356

 

(270)

1,205

Gain (loss) on disposal

(36)

-

 

270

-

Income From Discontinued Operations

3

356

 

0

1,205

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

$       206

$  (3,188)

 

$  52,014

$  54,177

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Earnings Per Average Common Share

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing Operations

$      0.01

$    (0.11)

 

$      1.55

$      1.70

Discontinued Operations

0.00

     0.01

 

0.00

      0.04

Net Income (Loss)

$      0.01

$   (0.10)

 

$      1.55

$      1.74

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Earnings Per Average Common Share

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing Operations

$      0.01

$   (0.11)

 

$      1.56

$      1.72

Discontinued Operations

0.00

$     0.01

 

0.00

      0.04

Net Income (Loss)

$      0.01

$   (0.10)

 

$      1.56

$      1.76

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends Per Common Share

$      0.18

$   0.175

 

$      0.53

$   0.515

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Average Common Shares Outstanding

34,731

31,244

 

33,543

31,171

Basic Average Common Shares Outstanding

34,425

30,948

 

33,245

30,814

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

ENERGEN CORPORATION

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

September 30, 2002

December 31, 2001

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$        4,758  

$       6,482 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
    accounts of $9,353 at September 30, 2002, and
    $11,623 at December 31, 2001



69,508 



77,106

Inventories, at average cost

 

 

    Storage gas inventory

37,455 

50,978

    Materials and supplies

9,325 

8,894 

    Liquified natural gas in storage

3,615 

3,146 

Deferred gas costs

2,308 

17,776 

Deferred income taxes

32,313 

29,636 

Prepayments and other

20,704 

6,948 

 

 

 

    Total current assets

179,986 

200,966 

 

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

 

Oil and gas properties, successful efforts method

1,046,290 

844,962 

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

257,470 

228,867 

    Oil and gas properties, net

788,820 

616,095 

Utility plant

809,799 

769,259 

Less accumulated depreciation

399,669 

384,430 

    Utility plant, net

410,130 

384,829 

Other property, net

4,684 

4,755 

    Total property, plant and equipment, net

1,203,634 

1,005,679 

 

 

 

Other Assets

 

 

Deferred income taxes

10,567 

8,406 

Deferred charges and other

41,226 

25,305 

 

 

 

    Total other assets

51,793 

33,711 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$   1,435,413 

$   1,240,356 



The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

ENERGEN CORPORATION

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands, except share data)

September 30, 2002

December 31, 2001

 

 

 

CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

Long-term debt due within one year

$      13,000

$      16,072

Notes payable to banks

110,000

24,000

Accounts payable

53,122

58,783

Accrued taxes

26,509

32,183

Customers' deposits

15,848

16,399

Amounts due customers

29,465

14,896

Accrued wages and benefits

21,688

22,711

Other

37,409

29,564

 

 

 

    Total current liabilities

307,041

214,608

 

 

 

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

 

 

Accrued pension obligation

21,100

-

Other

6,308

7,410

 

 

 

    Total deferred credits and other liabilities

27,408

7,410

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalization

 

 

Preferred stock, cumulative $0.01 par value, 5,000,000
    shares authorized


- - 


- -

Common shareholders' equity

 

 

    Common stock, $0.01 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized,
       34,548,037 shares outstanding at September 30, 2002, and
       31,248,547 shares outstanding at December 31, 2001



346



312

    Premium on capital stock

315,294

235,976

    Capital surplus

2,802

2,802

    Retained earnings

264,877

230,554

    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

(4,336)

7,168

Deferred compensation on restricted stock

(948)

(1,513)

Deferred compensation plan

7,646

7,222

Treasury stock, at cost (304,228 shares at September 30, 2002,
    and 341,465 shares at December 31, 2001)


(7,646)


(8,316)

 

 

 

    Total common shareholders' equity

578,035

474,205

Long-term debt

522,929

544,133

 

 

 

    Total capitalization

1,100,964

1,018,338

 

 

 

TOTAL CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES

$   1,435,413

$   1,240,356



The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

ENERGEN CORPORATION

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands)

2002

2001

 

 

 

Operating Activities

 

 

Net income

$    52,014

$    54,177

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash

 

 

provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

    Depreciation, depletion and amortization

83,180

67,036

    Deferred income taxes

8,544

1,804

    Deferred investment tax credits

(336)

(336)

    Change in derivative fair value

(7,807)

(428)

    Gain on sale of assets

(3,373)

(72)

Net change in:

 

 

     Accounts receivable

7,598

66,862

     Inventories

12,623

(36,760)

     Deferred gas costs

15,468

35,343

     Accounts payable

(7,467)

(35,068)

     Amounts due customers

(1,613)

(10,805)

     Other current assets and liabilities

(591)

1,840

Other, net

(128)

(7,789)

 

 

 

    Net cash provided by operating activities

158,112 

135,804 

 

 

 

Investing Activities

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

(108,118)

(171,069)

Acquisition

(117,043)

-

Proceeds from sale of assets

14,335

11,347

Other, net

(600)

(715)

 

 

 

    Net cash used in investing activities

(211,426)

(160,437)

 

 

 

Financing Activities

 

 

Payment of dividends on common stock

(17,690)

(15,905)

Issuance of common stock

7,556

12,177

Purchase of treasury stock

(2,516)

Reduction of long-term debt

(21,204)

(31,583)

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

75,000

Debt issuance costs

(3,801)

Net change in short-term debt

82,928

(15,000)

 

 

 

    Net cash provided by financing activities

51,590 

18,372

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

(1,724) 

(6,261)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

6,482 

11,594

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

$     4,758 

$     5,333



The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


 

STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

 

 

ALABAMA GAS CORPORATION

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

(in thousands)

2002

2001

 

2002

2001

Operating Revenues

$  50,225

$  60,671

 

$ 322,458

$ 434,736

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of gas

18,307

29,253

 

145,231

261,893

Operations and maintenance

28,053

25,120

 

80,641

78,975

Depreciation

8,492

7,907

 

25,035

23,379

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

    Current

(9,735)

(1,192)

 

7,666

14,107

    Deferred, net

4,905

(2,210)

 

6,795

(2,417)

    Deferred investment tax credits, net

(112)

(112)

 

(336)

(336)

Taxes, other than income taxes

4,280

4,925

 

22,926

28,793

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Total operating expenses

54,190

63,691

 

287,958

404,394

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income (Loss)

(3,965)

(3,020)

 

34,500

30,342

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for funds used during construction

312

481

 

837

1,564

Other income

1,135

1,218

 

3,832

3,846

Other expense

(1,623)

(1,357)

 

(4,493)

(4,412)

     Total other income (expense)

(176)

342

 

176

998

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Charges

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on long-term debt

3,265

2,547

 

9,917

6,680

Other interest expense

294

711

 

953

2,685

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Total interest charges

3,559

3,258

 

10,870

9,365

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

$    (7,700)

$    (5,936)

 

$   23,806

$  21,975



The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these financial statements.



BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

ALABAMA GAS CORPORATION

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

(in thousands)

September 30, 2002

December 31, 2001

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

 

Utility plant

$   809,799

$   769,259

Less accumulated depreciation

399,669

384,430

 

 

 

    Utility plant, net

410,130

384,829

 

 

 

Other property, net

188

308

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

2,478

3,372

Accounts receivable

 

 

    Gas

43,330

59,504

    Merchandise

1,207

1,506

    Other

907

626

    Affiliated companies

3,336

-

    Allowance for doubtful accounts

(8,850)

(11,100)

Inventories, at average cost

 

 

    Storage gas inventory

37,455

50,978

    Materials and supplies

5,530

5,363

    Liquified natural gas in storage

3,615

3,146

Deferred gas costs

2,308

17,776

Deferred income taxes

20,799

22,820

Prepayments and other

18,515

1,378

 

 

 

    Total current assets

130,630

155,369

 

 

 

Deferred Charges and Other Assets

26,629

8,715

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$   567,577

$   549,221



The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

ALABAMA GAS CORPORATION

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands, except share data)

September 30, 2002

December 31, 2001

 

 

 

CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES

 

 

Capitalization

 

 

Preferred stock, cumulative $0.01 par value, 120,000 shares
    authorized, issuable in series-$4.70 Series


$              -


$           

Common shareholder's equity

 

 

    Common stock, $0.01 par value; 3,000,000 shares
        authorized, 1,972,052 shares outstanding at
        September 30, 2002, and December 31, 2001



           20



         20

    Premium on capital stock

31,682

31,682

    Capital surplus

2,802

2,802

    Retained earnings

184,795

172,147

 

 

 

    Total common shareholder's equity

219,299

206,651

Long-term debt

179,533

185,000

 

 

 

    Total capitalization

398,832

391,651

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

Long-term debt due within one year

5,000

5,000 

Notes payable to banks

-

19,000 

Accounts payable

33,838

37,077

Accrued taxes

29,717

29,505 

Customers' deposits

15,848

16,399 

Amounts due customers

29,465

14,896 

Accrued wages and benefits

4,189

10,509 

Other

10,063

7,289 

 

 

 

    Total current liabilities

128,120

139,675 

 

 

 

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

 

 

Deferred income taxes

20,724

15,531 

Accrued pension obligation

18,151

-

Accumulated deferred investment tax credits

868

1,204 

Customer advances for construction and other

882

1,160 

 

 

 

     Total deferred credits and other liabilities

40,625

17,895 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES

$   567,577

$   549,221 



The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

ALABAMA GAS CORPORATION

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands)

2002

2001

 

 

 

Operating Activities

 

 

Net income

$     23,806

$     21,975

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash

 

 

provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

    Depreciation and amortization

25,035

23,379

    Deferred income taxes, net

6,795

(2,417)

    Deferred investment tax credits

(336)

(336)

Net change in:

 

 

    Accounts receivable

13,942

42,525

    Inventories

12,887

(35,200)

    Deferred gas costs

15,468

35,343

    Accounts payable

(185)

(54,216)

    Amounts due customers

14,569

(10,805)

    Other current assets and liabilities

(20,924)

4,929

Other, net

(764)

(1,513)

 

 

 

    Net cash provided by operating activities

90,293

23,664

 

 

 

Investing Activities

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

(49,547)

(44,015)

Other, net

168

(481)

 

 

 

    Net cash used in investing activities

(49,379)

(44,496)

 

 

 

Financing Activities

 

 

Dividends

(11,159)

(15,897)

Net advances to affiliates

(6,182)

(21,120)

Reduction of long-term debt

(5,467)

-

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

-

75,000

Debt issuance costs

-

(3,709)

Net change in short-term debt

(19,000)

(21,000)

 

 

 

    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(41,808)

13,274

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

(894)

(7,558)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

3,372

9,113

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

$        2,478

       1,555



The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ENERGEN CORPORATION AND ALABAMA GAS CORPORATION

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION


All adjustments to the unaudited financial statements that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations for the interim periods have been recorded. Such adjustments consisted of normal recurring items. Certain reclassifications were made to conform prior years' financial statements to the current-quarter presentation.


The unaudited financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto for the years ended September 30, 2001, 2000, and 1999, included in the 2001 Annual Report of Energen Corporation (the Company) and Alabama Gas Corporation (Alagasco) on Form 10-K. On December 5, 2001, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a change in the Company's fiscal year end from September 30 to December 31, effective January 1, 2002. A transition report was filed on Form 10-Q for the period October 1, 2001 to December 31, 2001. Alagasco will continue on a September 30 fiscal year for rate-setting purposes (rate year) and will report on a calendar year for the Securities and Exchange Commission and all other financial accounting reporting purposes. The Company's natural gas distribution business is seasonal in character and influenced by weather conditions. Results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year.


2. REGULATORY

As an Alabama utility, Alagasco is subject to regulation by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC) which, in 1983, established the Rate Stabilization and Equalization (RSE) rate-setting process. RSE was extended in 2002, 1996, 1990, 1987 and 1985. On June 10, 2002, the APSC extended RSE for a six-year period, through January 1, 2008. Under the APSC order, Alagasco's allowed range of return remains 13.15 percent to 13.65 percent throughout the term of the order, subject to change in the event that the Commission, following a generic rate of return hearing, adjusts the returns of all major energy utilities operating under a similar methodology. Under RSE as extended, the APSC conducts quarterly reviews to determine, based on Alagasco's projections and year-to-date performance, whether Alagasco's return on average equity at the end of the rate year will be within the allowed range. Reductions in rates can be made quarterly to bring the projected return within the allowed range; incr eases, however, are allowed only once each rate year, effective December 1, and cannot exceed 4 percent of prior-year revenues. RSE limits the utility's equity upon which a return is permitted to 60 percent of total capitalization and provides for certain cost control measures designed to monitor Alagasco's operations and maintenance (O&M) expense. Under the inflation-based cost control measurement established by the APSC, if the percentage change in O&M expense per customer falls within a range of 1.25 points above or below the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index For All Urban Consumers (index range), no adjustment is required. If the change in O&M expense per customer exceeds the index range, three-quarters of the difference is returned to customers. To the extent the change is less than the index range, the utility benefits by one-half of the difference through future rate adjustments. The increase in O&M expense per customer was above the index range for the rate year ended Sept ember 30, 2002; as a result, the utility had a decrease in net income of $0.2 million through the cost control provision of RSE. A $16.3 million and a $9.1 million annual increase in revenues became effective December 1, 2001 and 2000, respectively, under RSE as extended.

Alagasco calculates a temperature adjustment to customers' monthly bills to substantially remove the effect of departures from normal temperatures on Alagasco's earnings. Adjustments to customers' bills are made in the same billing cycle in which the weather variation occurs. The temperature adjustment applies to residential, small commercial and small industrial customers. Alagasco's rate schedules for natural gas distribution charges contain a Gas Supply Adjustment (GSA) rider, established in 1993, which permits the pass-through to customers of changes in the cost of gas supply.


The APSC approved an Enhanced Stability Reserve (ESR), beginning October 1997 in the amount of $3.9 million with an approved maximum funding level of $4 million, to which Alagasco may charge the full amount of: (1) extraordinary O&M expenses, resulting from force majeure events such as storms, severe weather, and outages, when one or a combination of two such events result in more than $200,000 of additional O&M expense during a rate year; or (2) individual industrial and commercial customer revenue losses that exceed $250,000 during the rate year, if such losses cause Alagasco's return on average equity to fall below 13.15 percent. During 2001, Alagasco charged $1.2 million against the ESR related to extraordinary bad debt expense and revenue losses from certain large industrial customers. Following a year in which a charge against the ESR is made, the APSC provides for accretions to the ESR of no more than $40,000 monthly until the maximum funding level is achieved. At September 30, 2002, an d December 31, 2001, the ESR balance of $2.9 million and $2.7 million, respectively, was included in amounts due customers on the consolidated financial statements.


At September 30, 2002, Alagasco had a $18.2 million accrued obligation related to its salaried and union pension plans. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation," Alagasco has established a regulatory asset of $14.2 million recorded in deferred charges and other for the portion of the accrued obligation to be recovered through rates in future periods.


3. DERIVATIVE COMMODITY INSTRUMENTS

The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 133 (subsequently amended by SFAS Nos. 137 and 138), Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, on October 1, 2000. This statement requires all derivatives to be recognized on the balance sheet and measured at fair value. If a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the Company is required to measure the effectiveness of the hedge, or the degree that the gain (loss) for the hedging instrument offsets the loss (gain) on the hedged item, at each reporting period. The effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI) as a component of equity and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative's change in fair value is required to be recognized in earnings immediately. Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge treatment under SFAS No. 133 must b e rec