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, 2002. |
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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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QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY |
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
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87-0307414 |
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P.O. Box 45360 |
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(801) 324-2400
(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 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, 2002 |
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Common Stock, $1.00 par value |
6,550,843 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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PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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Item 1. Financial Statements |
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QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES |
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CONSOLIDATED 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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2002 |
2001 |
2002 |
2001 |
2002 |
2001 |
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(In Thousands) |
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REVENUES |
$ 36,332 |
$ 30,464 |
$ 103,053 |
$ 92,411 |
$ 135,535 |
$ 124,035 |
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OPERATING EXPENSES |
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Operating and maintenance |
12,152 |
11,841 |
36,532 |
34,049 |
49,727 |
47,294 |
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Depreciation |
5,841 |
3,861 |
15,497 |
12,085 |
18,819 |
16,076 |
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Other taxes |
1,163 |
710 |
3,140 |
2,285 |
3,775 |
3,278 |
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TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
19,156 |
16,412 |
55,169 |
48,419 |
72,321 |
66,648 |
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OPERATING INCOME |
17,176 |
14,052 |
47,884 |
43,992 |
63,214 |
57,387 |
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INTEREST AND OTHER |
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INCOME (EXPENSE) |
(1,923) |
1,204 |
312 |
3,945 |
2,317 |
4,697 |
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INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS OF |
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UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES |
5,108 |
(201) |
7,769 |
(1,521) |
8,184 |
(1,021) |
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DEBT EXPENSE |
(6,160) |
(3,509) |
(17,791) |
(11,824) |
(22,875) |
(16,022) |
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INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES |
14,201 |
11,546 |
38,174 |
34,592 |
50,840 |
45,041 |
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INCOME TAXES |
5,359 |
4,353 |
14,046 |
12,891 |
18,672 |
14,281 |
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NET INCOME |
$ 8,842 |
$ 7,193 |
$ 24,128 |
$ 21,701 |
$ 32,168 |
$ 30,760 |
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See notes to the consolidated financial statements |
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QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES |
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
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September 30, |
December 31, |
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2002 |
2001 |
2001 |
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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 |
$ 1,232 |
$ 908 |
$ 520 |
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Notes receivable from Questar Corporation |
30,100 |
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Accounts receivable |
8,781 |
7,315 |
10,105 |
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Inventories - materials and supplies, at |
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lower of average cost or market |
2,046 |
2,549 |
2,328 |
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Prepaid expenses and other |
346 |
249 |
643 |
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Total current assets |
12,405 |
41,121 |
13,596 |
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Property, plant and equipment |
953,747 |
815,323 |
881,248 |
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Less accumulated depreciation |
263,909 |
253,137 |
256,755 |
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Net property, plant and equipment |
689,838 |
562,186 |
624,493 |
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Investment in unconsolidated affiliates |
122,744 |
22,267 |
121,099 |
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Regulatory and other assets |
18,107 |
18,271 |
19,109 |
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$ 843,094 |
$ 643,845 |
$ 778,297 |
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY |
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Current liabilities |
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Short-term loans |
$ 100,000 |
$ 100,000 |
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Notes payable to Questar Corp. |
72,700 |
18,300 |
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
24,289 |
$ 21,799 |
29,399 |
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Total current liabilities |
196,989 |
21,799 |
147,699 |
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Long-term debt |
310,043 |
310,045 |
310,065 |
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Other liabilities |
5,923 |
2,908 |
4,434 |
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Deferred income taxes |
80,759 |
68,631 |
73,222 |
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Common shareholder's equity |
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Common stock |
6,551 |
6,551 |
6,551 |
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Additional paid-in capital |
142,034 |
142,034 |
142,034 |
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Retained earnings |
100,795 |
91,877 |
94,292 |
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Total common shareholder's equity |
249,380 |
240,462 |
242,877 |
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$ 843,094 |
$ 643,845 |
$ 778,297 |
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See notes to the consolidated financial statements |
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QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES |
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
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(Unaudited) |
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9 Months Ended |
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September 30, |
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2002 |
2001 |
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(In Thousands) |
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OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
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Net income |
$ 24,128 |
$ 21,701 |
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Depreciation |
16,235 |
12,988 |
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Deferred income taxes |
7,537 |
5,890 |
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Loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net of cash distributions |
2,003 |
1,521 |
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(Gain) loss from sales of assets |
105 |
(218) |
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50,008 |
41,882 |
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Change in operating assets and liabilities |
(738) |
9,862 |
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NET CASH PROVIDED FROM OPERATING |
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ACTIVITIES |
49,270 |
51,744 |
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INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
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Capital expenditures |
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Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
(77,549) |
(86,127) |
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Investment in unconsolidated affiliates |
(3,648) |
(4,700) |
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Total capital expenditures |
(81,197) |
(90,827) |
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Costs of disposition of property, plant and equipment |
(4,136) |
(589) |
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NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
(85,333) |
(91,416) |
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FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
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Issuance of long-term debt |
180,000 |
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Repayment of long-term debt |
(115,000) |
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Decrease in notes receivable from Questar Corporation |
(9,400) |
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Increase in notes payable to Questar Corporation |
54,400 |
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Payment of dividends |
(17,625) |
(16,875) |
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NET CASH PROVIDED BY |
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FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
36,775 |
38,725 |
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Change in cash and cash equivalents |
712 |
(947) |
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Beginning cash and cash equivalents |
520 |
1,855 |
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Ending cash and cash equivalents |
$ 1,232 |
$ 908 |
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See notes to the consolidated financial statements |
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QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES |
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
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September 30, 2002 |
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(Unaudited) |
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Note 1 - Basis of Presentation |
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The interim financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. While the transportation and storage operations are influenced by weather conditions, the straight fixed-variable rate design, which allows for recovery of substantially all fixed costs in the demand or reservation charge, reduces the earnings impact of weather conditions. The results of operations for the three-, nine- and twelve-month periods ended September 30, 2002, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2002. For further information refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001. |
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Note 2 - Sale of TransColorado |
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On October 20, 2002 Questar Pipeline sold Questar TransColorado, Inc., the holding company holding Questar's interest in the TransColorado pipeline to Kinder Morgan, Inc. and affiliates for $105.5 million. The sale was effective October 1, 2002, subject to normal review by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust legislation. Affiliates of Questar and Kinder Morgan were co-owners of the TransColorado Pipeline that extended from northwestern Colorado to northern New Mexico. Questar Pipeline exercised a contractual right (put) in 2001 to sell its 50% interest to an affiliate of Kinder Morgan. Following lengthy legal proceedings, a Colorado court issued a judgment upholding Questar Pipeline's right to exercise the put. The proceeds from the sale are being held in escrow pending the outcome of the FTC review and when released will be used to retire debt at Questar Pipeline. |
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Note 3 - Partnership Interest Acquisition |
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On October 30, 2002, Questar Overthrust Pipeline Co., an affiliate of Questar Pipeline, acquired the final 10% partnership interest in the Overthrust Pipeline Company from El Paso affiliate, CIG Overthrust Inc. The $1.8 million transaction gives Questar, through two affiliates, 100% interest in the 88-mile line, which runs from Evanston, Wyoming to Rock Springs, Wyoming. The Overthrust Pipeline was initially constructed as the westernmost leg of the 800-mile Trailblazer Pipeline that continues to Beatrice, Nebraska. In the first quarter of 2002, Questar Pipeline had acquired an additional 18% interest in the Overthrust pipeline from Natural Gas Pipeline, an affiliate of Kinder Morgan. |
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Note 4 - Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates |
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As of September 30, 2002, Questar Pipeline, directly or indirectly through subsidiaries, had interests in partnerships accounted for on an equity basis. As previously discussed in Notes 2 and 3, beginning with the fourth quarter of 2002 those relationships will cease. Historically, Questar TransColorado, Inc. (a subsidiary of Questar Pipeline) owned 50% of TransColorado pipeline (a general partnership) and as of September 30, 2002, Questar Pipeline owned 90% of Overthrust Pipeline Company (a general partnership). Questar Pipeline did not consolidate the financial results of Overthrust Pipeline because it did not have a controlling interest. The partnership agreement required approval of each partner in any significant partnership decisions. Transportation of natural gas was the primary business activity of these partnerships. Summarized gross operating results of the partnerships are listed below. |
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9 Months Ended |
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September 30, |
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2002 |
2001 |
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(In Thousands) |
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Revenues |
$ 24,992 |
$ 11,850 |
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Operating income (loss) |
14,732 |
(1,049) |
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Income (loss) before income taxes |
14,791 |
(9,546) |
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Note 5 - New Accounting Standard |
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The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 144 "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" as of January 1, 2002 without an impact in the balance sheet, income statement or statement of cash flows. |
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Note 6 - Reclassifications |
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Certain reclassifications were made to the 2001 financial statements to conform to the 2002 presentation. |
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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and |
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure of Market Risk |
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QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES |
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September 30, 2002 |
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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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2002 |
2001 |
2002 |
2001 |
2002 |
2001 |
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FINANCIAL RESULTS - (in thousands) |
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Revenues |
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From unaffiliated customers |
$ 18,015 |
$ 12,754 |
$ 44,855 |
$ 35,848 |
$ 58,409 |
$ 47,993 |
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From affiliates |
18,317 |
17,710 |
58,198 |
56,563 |
77,126 |
76,042 |
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Total revenues |
$ 36,332 |
$ 30,464 |
$ 103,053 |
$ 92,411 |
$ 135,535 |
$ 124,035 |
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Operating income |
$ 17,176 |
$ 14,052 |
$ 47,884 |
$ 43,992 |
$ 63,214 |
$ 57,387 |
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Net income |
8,842 |
7,193 |
24,128 |
21,701 |
32,168 |
30,760 |
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OPERATING STATISTICS |
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Natural gas transportation volumes (in |
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Thousands of decatherms) |
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For unaffiliated customers |
65,453 |
53,516 |
173,699 |
143,522 |
225,787 |
193,000 |
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For Questar Gas |
14,704 |
14,303 |
91,971 |
78,735 |
123,495 |
113,200 |
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For other affiliated customers |
1,228 |
1,981 |
2,525 |
3,986 |
5,43 |
6,919 |
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Total transportation |
81,385 |
69,800 |
268,195 |
226,243 |
354,713 |
313,119 |
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Transportation revenue (per decatherm) |
$ 0.30 |
$ 0.27 |
$ 0.25 |
$ 0.25 |
$ 0.25 |
$ 0.24 |
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Revenues |
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Questar Pipeline reported higher revenues in the 2002 periods presented when compared with the 2001 periods due to increased transportation activities, adding a new park and loan service and increased gathering of natural gas. Questar Pipeline has expanded its transportation system in response to a growing regional energy transportation demand. Main Line 104 began service in November of 2001 and the eastern segment of the Southern Trails Pipeline initiated service in June of 2002. Main Line 104 has a capacity of 272,000 decatherms per day and the eastern segment of the Southern Trails Pipeline has a daily capacity of 80,000 decatherms per day. Service for both pipelines is fully subscribed. Transportation volumes increased 19% in the nine-month period of 2002 with approximately 97% of the volumes transported under firm contracts. Daily firm-demand volumes increased to 1,389,000 decatherms in the first nine months of 2002 from 1,191,000 decatherms in the prior year period. Questar Pipeline initiated a park and loan service at its Clay Basin storage facility in July of 2002. Revenues from gathering gas increased by Questar Transportation Services (QTS), a subsidiary of Questar Pipeline, as a result of operating the non-jurisdictional Huntington lateral |
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Expenses |
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Operating and maintenance expenses were higher in the 2002 periods primarily because of legal fees, the start-up of operation of the eastern segment of the Southern Trails Pipeline and higher labor-related costs. Operating expenses of the Southern Trails Pipeline were responsible for approximately a $2.3 million increase in the comparison of the year to date periods presented. Legal expenses were $1 million higher in the first nine months of 2002 when compared with the 2001 period primarily due to litigation surrounding the TransColorado pipeline. The TransColorado litigation was resolved with the sale of Questar Pipeline's share of TransColorado in October of 2002. Pension and medical expenses have increased approximately $.5 million in 2002. The return earned on pension assets is lower in 2002 causing an increase in pension expenses. As a result of lower commodity prices, gas purchased and used in the QTS processing plant was approximately $.8 million less in the first nine months of 2 002 compared with the 2001 period, partially offsetting the increases discussed. |
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Depreciation expense was higher in the 2002 periods compared with the 2001 periods as a result of capital investment in new pipeline projects. |
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Interest and other income (expense) |
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On October 20, 2002, the complex legal issues between the partners of TransColorado Gas Transmission Company were resolved with the sale of Questar TransColorado, Inc.'s 50% interest in the TransColorado Pipeline for $105.5 million. The parties arranged the sale after a Colorado judge declared that Questar TransColorado's right to put (sell) its 50% interest in the pipeline to an affiliate of Kinder Morgan was valid and enforceable. As a result of the sale, the Company reduced the carrying value of its investment in TransColorado by $3 million in the third quarter of 2002 to reflect the net realized value of the sale. |
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Income (loss) from operations of unconsolidated affiliates |
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The Company's share of the TransColorado partnership was a pretax profit of $4.8 million for the third quarter and $6.9 million for the first nine months of 2002. The pipeline has operated near capacity in the second and third quarters of 2002 as a result of the wide basis differentials between gas prices in the Rockies and the San Juan Basin. TransColorado reported a $1.5 million pretax loss for the year earlier nine-month period. |
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Debt Expense |
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Increased levels of borrowing more than offset lower interest rates resulting in higher debt expense in the 2002 periods presented. In 2001, the Company refinanced $115 million of long-term debt carrying a weighted-average rate of 9.5% with debt having a weighted-average interest rate of 6.9%. An additional $65 million was borrowed on a long-term basis to finance capital projects. In October 2001, Questar Pipeline borrowed $100 million of floating-rate debt for a 12-month period to repay, through a wholly owned subsidiary Questar TransColorado, Inc., one-half of the outstanding and then maturing debt owed by the TransColorado Gas Transmission Company. |
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Liquidity and Capital Resources |
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Operating Activities |
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Net cash provided from operating activities of $49.3 million in the nine months of 2002 was $2.5 million less than the amount reported for the same period of 2001 due to changes in operating assets and liabilities. The decline resulted primarily from a timing difference caused by a reduction of accounts payable. |
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Investing Activities |
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Capital expenditures were $81.2 million in the first nine months of 2002. Capital expenditures for calendar year 2002 and 2003 are forecast to be $101.4 million and $72.1 million, respectively. In 2002, the Company completed work on the eastern segment of the Southern Trials pipeline and purchased an additional 28% interest in Overthrust Pipeline. |
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Financing Activities |
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In 2002, Questar Pipeline used net cash flow provided from operating activities and borrowed $54.4 million from Questar Corp. to finance capital expenditures and pay dividends. Forecasted capital expenditures for 2002 are expected to be financed from net cash provided from operating activities and the issuance of long-term debt and common equity. The Company loans excess funds to Questar Corp. or borrows from Questar Corp. for short-term needs. Such notes receivable and notes payable bear market interest rates. The Company issues long-term debt to third parties or sells equity to Questar Corp. to meet long-term capital requirements. |
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Business with Energy Merchants |
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The Company has significant transportation and storage business with some energy merchants that have recently had their debt ratings downgraded. The Company requests credit support from those companies that pose unfavorable credit risks. All companies with such concerns were current on their accounts as of the date of this report. The Company's largest contracts, other than those with its affiliate Questar Gas, are with Williams Energy Marketing and Trading with an annual reservation fee of $6.3 million for transportation and storage services and El Paso Resources with an annual reservation fee of $4.4 million for transportation services. |
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Moody's Downgrades Debt Rating |
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Moody's downgraded debt ratings of Questar and subsidiaries one level completing a review that began May 2, 2002. Also, Moody's established a stable outlook for each Questar entity. Moody's downgraded the rating of Questar Pipeline's senior unsecured debt from A1 to A2. A lower debt rating may increase Questar Pipeline's cost of debt. However, Moody's revised rating is investment grade. The downgrade will not materially affect Questar Pipeline's growth strategy. |
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On July 1, 2002, Questar Corporation filed a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to issue common equity or mandatory convertible securities if necessary to achieve debt-reduction goals. Currently, there are no plans for Questar to issue securities because over $200 million of cash has been raised through the sale of assets by its subsidiaries. |
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TransColorado Case |
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On October 20, 2002, the complex legal issues between the partners of TransColorado Gas Transmission Company were resolved with the sale of Questar TransColorado 90% interest in the TransColorado Pipeline to Kinder Morgan. The sale was arranged after a Colorado judge declared that Questar TransColorado's right to put (sell) its 50% interest in the pipeline to an affiliate of Kinder Morgan was valid and enforceable. |
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Western Segment of Southern Trails Pipeline |
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The Company has put in place a project team, including a consulting firm, to market the transportation capacity of the western segment of the Southern Trails pipeline. In addition, the FERC approved an order for Questar Southern Trails Pipeline Company that lowered the annual depreciation rate from 4% to 3%. |
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Forward-Looking Statements |
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This report includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27(A) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21(E) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included or incorporated by reference in this report, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "could", "expect", "intend", "project", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "forecast", or "continue" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Although these statements are made in good faith and are reasonable representations of the Company's expected performance at the time, actual results may var y from management's stated expectations and projections due to a variety of factors. |
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Important assumptions and other significant factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements include: |
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Changes in general economic conditions; |
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Changes in gas prices and supplies; |
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Changes in customers' credit ratings, including energy merchants; |
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Competition from other pipelines and storage facilities; |
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The effects of environmental regulations; |
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Changes in the rate of inflation, interest rates and regulation of income and other taxes; |
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The effect of natural phenomena; |
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The effect of accounting policies issued periodically by accounting standard-setting bodies; |
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Adverse changes in the business or financial condition of the Company, and; |
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A lower credit rating. |
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures |
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(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"). Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in alerting them on a timely basis to material information relating to the Company, including consolidated subsidiaries, required to be included in the Company's reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act. (b) Changes in Internal Controls. Since the Evaluation Date, there have not been any significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect such controls. |
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Part II |
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Item 1. Legal Proceedings. |
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Item 5. Other Information. |
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b. Gary G. Michael, age 62, was appointed to serve as a director of the Company effective October 24, 2002. Mr. Michael also serves as a director of Questar Corporation (Questar Pipeline's ultimate parent) and as Chairman of its Finance and Audit Committee. He retired in April of 2001 as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Albertson's, a position he had held since February of 1991. |
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c. On October 30, 2002, Questar Overthrust Pipeline Company, an affiliate of Questar Pipeline, announced the acquisition of a 10 percent interest in Overthrust Pipeline Company, a partnership that was organized to build, own and operate the Overthrust Pipeline. The 10 percent interest was acquired from CIG Overthrust Inc., an affiliate of El Paso Company. With this acquisition, Questar Pipeline and its affiliate own 100 percent of the partnership that owns and operates the pipeline, which is 88 miles long, has a diameter of 36 inches, and extends from the Whitney Canyon area north of Evanston, Wyoming, to Rock Springs, Wyoming. |
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d. The Company's Board of Directors serves as the "audit committee" for purposes of required disclosure under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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e. Additional Comments. |
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Questar Corporation ("Questar"), the Company's parent, filed a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2002. The Commission staff reviewed this document and the periodic reports of Questar and its reporting subsidiaries including Questar Pipeline. As a result of this review process, the Company is making the following statements and disclosures that should be read in conjunction with its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001. |
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Joint Venture Relationships. |
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As previously mentioned under Item 1., as of September 30, 2002, Questar Pipeline's subsidiary Questar TransColorado, Inc. was a 50 percent partner in TransColorado. This partnership was originally formed in 1990 to build and operate the TransColorado pipeline that commenced operations March 31, 1999. (The partnership agreement was subsequently amended in 1995, 1997 and 1998.) This pipeline extends from a point on Questar Pipeline's system 25 miles east of Rangely in northwestern Colorado and extends 292 miles to the Blanco hub in northwestern New Mexico. The partnership agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Questar Pipeline's 2001 Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
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As of September 30, 2002, Questar Pipeline also had a 90 percent interest in and is the operating partner of Overthrust Pipeline Company ("Overthrust"), a general partnership that was organized in 1979 to construct, own and operate the Overthrust segment of Trailblazer Pipeline System ("Trailblazer"). The 88-mile Overthrust segment is the western-most of Trailblazer's three segments; Trailblazer itself is an 800-mile pipeline that transports gas from producing areas in the Rocky Mountains to the Midwest. The remaining 10 percent was owned by an affiliate of El Paso Corporation and was purchased by Questar in October 2002. (The partnership agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Questar Pipeline's 2001 Annual Report on Form 10-K.) |
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Regulatory Assets. |
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Gains and losses on the reacquisition of debt are deferred and amortized as debt expense over the would-be remaining life of the retired debt or the life of the replacement debt in order to match regulatory treatment. The cost of the early retirement windows offered to employees is capitalized and amortized over a five-year period in accordance with regulatory treatment. The Company records cumulative increases in deferred taxes as income taxes recoverable from customers. The Company has adopted procedures with the FERC to include under- and over-provided deferred taxes in customer rates on a systematic basis. Questar Pipeline uses the deferral method to account for investment tax credits as required by the FERC. Regulation allows the Company to recover costs, but does not provide for a return on these assets. A list of regulatory assets at December 31 follows: |
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2001 |
2000 |
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(In Thousands) |
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Cost of reacquired debt |
$ 8,828 |
$ 4,079 |
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Income taxes recoverable from customers |
4,266 |
4,303 |
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Early retirement costs |
1,332 |
1,728 |
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Other |
397 |
80 |
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$14,823 |
$10,190 |
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Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K. |
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Exhibit No. |
Exhibit |
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3.1 |
Bylaws as amended effective October 24, 2002 |
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12 |
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges |
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99.1 |
Certification of D. N. Rose and S. E. Parks |
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b. Since filing its last Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company filed two Current Reports on Form 8-K disclosing information about the TransColorado pipeline project. The first report was dated August 26, 2002, and announced a favorable decision in the litigation involving the project. The second report was dated October 20, 2002, and contained information about the execution of a purchase agreement to sell Questar TransColorado, Inc. to Kinder Morgan, Inc. and its affiliates. No financial statements were filed with either report. |
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SIGNATURES |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. |
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QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY |
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November , 2002 |
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D. N. Rose |
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November , 2002 |
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S. E. Parks |
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CERTIFICATION |
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I, D. N. Rose, certify that: |
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1. |
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Questar Pipeline Company; |
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2. |
Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report |