Attached files

file filename
EX-12 - RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES - PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LPexhibit12.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LPexhibit32_2.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LPexhibit31_2.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LPexhibit31_1.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LPexhibit32_1.htm

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

FORM 10-Q

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended

March 31, 2011


Commission File No. 1-2921

_______________


PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
44-0382470
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
   
   
5444 Westheimer Road
77056-5306
Houston, Texas
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
 


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (713) 989-7000

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes R No £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes £ No £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer £    Accelerated filer £    Non-accelerated filer R    Smaller reporting company £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).
Yes £    No R

Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line, LP meets the conditions set forth in General Instructions H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format.  Item 2 of Part I has been reduced and Item 3 of Part I and Items 2 and 3 of Part II have been omitted in accordance with Instruction H.

 
 

 

PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
FORM 10-Q
March 31, 2011
Table of Contents


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION:                                                                                                                                                      Page(s)

     Glossary.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   1                                                                                                                                         
      
     ITEM 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited):
          Condensed consolidated statement of operations.                               2

          Condensed consolidated balance sheet.                                                                                                                                                         3

          Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.                               5

          Condensed consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income.                        6

          Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.                                              7

     ITEM 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.                                                 17

     ITEM 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.                          21                         

     ITEM 4.  Controls and Procedures.                                                                                                                                                             21

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

     ITEM 1.  Legal Proceedings.                                                                                                                                                             23

     ITEM 1A.  Risk Factors.                                                                                                                                        23   

     ITEM 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.                      23

     ITEM 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities.                                                                                                                                                        23

 
     ITEM 4.  Reserved.                                                                                                                                                                                        23

     ITEM 5.  Other Information.                                                                                                                                                                                 23

     ITEM 6.  Exhibits.                                                                                                                                                                                                   23

     SIGNATURES.                                                                                                                                                                                                       26

 
 

 

GLOSSARY

The abbreviations, acronyms and industry terminology used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are defined as follows:

Bcf                                                                     Billion cubic feet
Bcf/d                                                                Billion cubic feet per day
CFO                                                                  Chief Financial Officer
Company                                                              PEPL and its subsidiaries
COO                                                                 Chief Operating Officer
CrossCountry Citrus                                                                    CrossCountry Citrus, LLC
EITR                                                                 Effective income tax rate
EPA                                                                  United States Environmental Protection Agency
Exchange Act                                                                    Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
FERC                                                                           Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
GAAP                                                                         Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
HAPs                                                               Hazardous air pollutants
LNG                                                                  Liquefied Natural Gas
LNG Holdings                                                                    Trunkline LNG Holdings, LLC
Panhandle                                                                  PEPL and its subsidiaries
PCBs                                                                Polychlorinate biphenyls
PEPL                                                                Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company, LP
Sea Robin                                                             Sea Robin Pipeline Company, LLC
SEC                                                                  U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Southern Union                                                                         Southern Union Company and its subsidiaries
Southwest Gas Storage                                                             Pan Gas Storage, LLC (d.b.a. Southwest Gas)
SPCC                                                                         Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure
TBtu                                                                Trillion British thermal units
Trunkline                                                                   Trunkline Gas Company, LLC
Trunkline LNG                                                                             Trunkline LNG Company, LLC



1

 
 

 

PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Operating revenue
 
 
   
 
 
Transportation and storage of natural gas
  $ 145,516     $ 146,728  
LNG terminalling revenue
    54,172       37,586  
Other revenue
    2,606       2,361  
Total operating revenues
    202,294       186,675  
 
               
Operating expenses
               
Operating, maintenance and general
    56,301       53,884  
Operating, maintenance and general - affiliate (Note 3)
    13,398       13,877  
Depreciation and amortization
    32,274       29,177  
Taxes, other than on income
    9,305       9,228  
Total operating expenses
    111,278       106,166  
 
               
Operating income
    91,016       80,509  
 
               
Other income (expenses):
               
Interest expense
    (26,934 )     (22,389 )
Interest income - affiliates (Note 3)
    2,169       2,013  
Other, net
    62       44  
Total other expenses
    (24,703 )     (20,332 )
 
               
Earnings before income taxes
    66,313       60,177  
 
               
Income taxes (Note 8)
    20,701       26,585  
 
               
Net earnings
  $ 45,612     $ 33,592  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
2

 

PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(UNAUDITED)

 
 
 
   
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
   
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 58     $ 56  
Accounts receivable, billed and unbilled,
               
net of allowances of $897 and $897, respectively
    74,354       77,888  
Accounts receivable – related parties (Note 3)
    5,128       5,922  
Natural gas imbalances - receivable
    71,030       51,607  
System natural gas and operating supplies
    109,068       147,254  
Other
    24,923       22,261  
Total current assets
    284,561       304,988  
 
               
Property, plant and equipment
               
Plant in service
    3,958,131       3,952,425  
Construction work in progress
    47,503       47,085  
 
    4,005,634       3,999,510  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    648,568       613,336  
Net property, plant and equipment
    3,357,066       3,386,174  
 
               
Note receivable - related parties (Note 3)
    916,706       823,406  
Other
    24,588       24,361  
 
               
 
               
Total assets
  $ 4,582,921     $ 4,538,929  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
3

 

PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(UNAUDITED)


 
 
 
   
 
 
PARTNERS' CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Partners' capital
 
 
   
 
 
Partners' capital
  $ 1,686,303     $ 1,640,691  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (Note 5)
    (14,512 )     (16,928 )
Tax sharing note receivable - related party
    (2,681 )     (3,188 )
Total partners' capital
    1,669,110       1,620,575  
 
               
Long-term debt  (Note 6)
    1,529,474       1,984,427  
Total capitalization
    3,198,584       3,605,002  
 
               
Current liabilities:
               
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 6)
    455,000       -  
Accounts payable
    7,006       9,811  
Accounts payable - related parties (Note 3)
    59,162       56,393  
Natural gas imbalances - payable
    158,476       177,192  
Accrued taxes
    17,385       15,423  
Accrued interest
    24,037       14,298  
Capital accruals
    21,970       33,038  
Other
    90,050       95,191  
Total current liabilities
    833,086       401,346  
 
               
Deferred income taxes, net 
    499,554       466,309  
Other
    51,697       66,272  
Commitments and contingencies   (Note 11)
               
 
               
Total partners' capital and liabilities
  $ 4,582,921     $ 4,538,929  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
4

 

PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
   
 
 
Net earnings
  $ 45,612     $ 33,592  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    32,274       29,177  
Deferred income taxes, net
    30,140       19,957  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
    5,257       15,217  
Net cash flows provided by operating activities
    113,283       97,943  
 
               
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
               
Net increase in note receivable - related parties
    (93,300 )     (69,350 )
Net increase (decrease) in income taxes payable - related parties (Note 3)
    (9,947 )     6,122  
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (10,828 )     (41,517 )
Plant retirements and other
    1,806       5,316  
Net cash flows used in investing activities
    (112,269 )     (99,429 )
 
               
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
               
Increase (decrease) in book overdraft
    (1,012 )     1,490  
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities
    (1,012 )     1,490  
 
               
Change in cash and cash equivalents
    2       4  
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    56       55  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 58     $ 59  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
5

 

PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)


 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Partners' Capital
   
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
   
Tax Sharing Note Receivable-Related Party
   
Total
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance December 31, 2010
  $ 1,640,691     $ (16,928 )   $ (3,188 )   $ 1,620,575  
 
                               
Tax sharing receivable - Southern Union
    -       -       507       507  
 
                               
Comprehensive income:
                               
  Net earnings
    45,612       -       -       45,612  
  Net change in other comprehensive income  (Note 5)
    -       2,416       -       2,416  
  Comprehensive income
    45,612       2,416       -       48,028  
 
                               
Balance March 31, 2011
  $ 1,686,303     $ (14,512 )   $ (2,681 )   $ 1,669,110  
 
                               


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
6

 

PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of PEPL, a Delaware limited partnership, and its subsidiaries have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.  These statements do not include all of the information and annual note disclosures required by GAAP, and should be read in conjunction with Panhandle’s financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2010, which are included in Panhandle’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC.  The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and reflect adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of results for the interim period.  The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.  Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s operations, the results of operations and cash flows for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.

In 1999, the Company discontinued application of regulatory-based accounting policies for its units which had been applying such accounting policies, primarily due to the level of discounting from tariff rates and its inability to recover specific costs.  The accounting required by the regulatory-based authoritative guidance differs from the accounting required for businesses that do not apply its provisions.  Transactions that are generally recorded differently as a result of applying regulatory accounting requirements include, among others, recognition of regulatory assets, the capitalization of an equity component of invested funds on regulated capital projects and depreciation differences.

1.  Description of Business

Panhandle is primarily engaged in the interstate transportation and storage of natural gas and also provides LNG terminalling and regasification services.  The Company is subject to the rules and regulations of the FERC.  The Company’s entities include the following:

·  
PEPL, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Southern Union Company;
·  
Trunkline, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of PEPL;
·  
Sea Robin, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of PEPL;
·  
LNG Holdings, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of PEPL;
·  
Trunkline LNG, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of LNG Holdings; and
·  
Southwest Gas Storage, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of PEPL.

The Company’s pipeline assets include approximately 10,000 miles of interstate pipelines that transport natural gas from the Gulf of Mexico, South Texas and the panhandle regions of Texas and Oklahoma to major U.S. markets in the Midwest and Great Lakes region.  The pipelines have a combined peak day delivery capacity of 5.5 Bcf/d and approximately 68.1 Bcf of owned underground storage capacity.  The Company also owns and operates an LNG import terminal located on Louisiana’s Gulf Coast, and has 9.0 Bcf of above ground LNG storage capacity.

Southern Union Panhandle, LLC, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Southern Union Company, serves as the general partner of PEPL and owns a one percent general partnership interest in PEPL.  Southern Union Company owns a ninety-nine percent limited partnership interest in PEPL.

2.  System Natural Gas and Operating Supplies

System natural gas and operating supplies consist of natural gas held for operations and materials and supplies, both of which are stated at the lower of weighted average cost or market, while natural gas owed back to customers is valued at market.  The natural gas held for operations that the Company does not expect to consume in its operations in the next twelve months is reflected in non-current assets.

 
7

 

PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)




The components of inventory at the dates indicated are as follows:

 
 
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Current
 
 
   
 
 
Natural gas (1)
  $ 90,535     $ 129,727  
Materials and supplies
    18,533       17,527  
Total current
    109,068       147,254  
 
               
Non-Current
               
Natural gas (1)
    4,922       5,715  
 
  $ 113,990     $ 152,969  

______________________________
(1)  
Natural gas volumes held for operations at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were 20,850,000 MMBtu and 30,598,000 MMBtu, respectively.
 
 

3.  Related Party Transactions
 
The following table provides a summary of related party transactions for the periods presented.
 

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Related Party Transactions
 
2011
   
2010
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Transportation and storage
 
 
   
 
 
of natural gas (1)
  $ 1,008     $ 1,277  
Operation and maintenance:
               
Management and royalty fees
    5,055       4,683  
Other expenses (2)
    8,343       9,194  
Other income, net:
               
Interest income - Southern Union
    387       258  
Interest income - CrossCountry Citrus
    1,782       1,755  
Other
    66       59  

___________________________
(1)  
Represents transportation and storage revenues with Missouri Gas Energy, a Southern Union division.
(2)  
Primarily includes allocations of corporate charges from Southern Union, partially offset for expenses attributable to services provided by Panhandle on behalf of other affiliate companies.

Pursuant to a demand note with Southern Union Company under a cash management program, the Company loans excess cash, net of repayments, to Southern Union.  The Company is credited with interest on the note at a one month LIBOR rate.  Given the uncertainties regarding the timing of the Company’s cash flows, including financings, capital expenditures and operating cash flows, the Company has reported the note receivable as a non-current asset.  The Company has access to the funds via the demand note and expects repayment to ultimately occur to primarily fund capital expenditures or debt retirements.

 
8

 

PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



The interest rate under the note receivable with CrossCountry Citrus is based on the variable interest rate under the term loan facility due in 2012 plus a credit spread over LIBOR of 112.5 basis points.  See Note 6. Debt Obligations – LNG Holdings Term Loans for more information regarding this note receivable.

The counterparty to the notes receivable is the parent of the Company, Southern Union, whose debt is rated BBB- by Fitch Ratings, Baa3 by Moody's Investor Services, Inc. and BBB- by Standard & Poor's.

The following table provides a summary of the related party balances included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at the dates indicated.

 
 
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Notes receivable - related parties
 
 
   
 
 
Southern Union
  $ 548,580     $ 455,280  
CrossCountry Citrus
    368,126       368,126  
 
  $ 916,706     $ 823,406  
 
               
Accounts receivable - related parties (1)
  $ 5,128     $ 5,922  
 
               
Accounts payable - related parties:
               
Southern Union - income taxes (2)
  $ 33,326     $ 43,273  
Southern Union - other (3)
    25,663       12,940  
Other (4)
    173       180  
 
  $ 59,162     $ 56,393  

______________________________
(1)  
Primarily related to interest income associated with the Note receivable – CrossCountry Citrus and services provided for Citrus.
(2)  
Related to income taxes payable to Southern Union per the tax sharing agreement to provide for taxes to be remitted upon the filing of the tax return.
(3)  
Primarily related to payroll funding provided by Southern Union.  The March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 amounts are net of insurance proceeds of nil and $13.9 million, respectively, owed by Southern Union to the Company.
(4)  
Primarily related to various administrative and operating costs paid by other affiliate companies on behalf of the Company.

4.  Regulatory Matters

On August 31, 2009, Sea Robin filed with FERC to implement a rate surcharge to recover Hurricane Ike-related costs not otherwise recovered from insurance proceeds or from other third parties, with initial accumulated net costs of approximately $38 million included in the filing.  On September 30, 2009, FERC approved the surcharge to be effective March 1, 2010, subject to refund and the outcome of hearings with FERC to explore issues set forth in certain customer protests, including the costs to be included and the applicability of the surcharge to discounted contracts.  On August 31, 2010, Sea Robin submitted its semiannual filing related to the surcharge which reflected updated costs incurred of approximately $46 million, net of insurance and surcharge recoveries, which were reflected in the updated surcharge rate effective October 1, 2010, subject to refund.  The Administrative Law Judge issued an initial decision on December 13, 2010, approving the surcharge for recovery from all shippers, including discounted and non-discounted shippers, over a recovery period of 21.4 years and including applicable carrying charges.  The Company, as well as other parties, have filed briefs for exception on certain aspects of the decision.  The ultimate outcome of this matter is pending a final FERC decision.

 
9

 

PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)




5.  Comprehensive Income

The table below provides an overview of comprehensive income for the periods presented.

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Net earnings
  $ 45,612     $ 33,592  
 
               
Reclassification of unrealized loss (gain) on interest rate hedges
               
into earnings, net of tax of $2,164 and $2,186, respectively
    3,222       3,255  
Change in fair value of interest rate hedges, net of tax of
               
$(287) and $(2,306), respectively
    (428 )     (3,430 )
Reclassification of prior service credit relating to other
               
postretirement benefits into earnings, net of tax
               
of $(144) and $(202), respectively
    (378 )     (321 )
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
    2,416       (496 )
 
               
Total comprehensive income
  $ 48,028     $ 33,096  

 
10

 

PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



6. Debt Obligations
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
The following table sets forth the debt obligations at the dates indicated.
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
6.05% Senior Notes due 2013
  $ 250,000     $ 269,015     $ 250,000     $ 268,988  
6.20% Senior Notes due 2017
    300,000       333,711       300,000       322,893  
8.125% Senior Notes due 2019
    150,000       175,370       150,000       169,671  
7.00% Senior Notes due 2029
    66,305       72,341       66,305       69,911  
7.00% Senior Notes due 2018
    400,000       432,672       400,000       442,120  
Term Loans due 2012
    815,391       802,073       815,391       799,084  
Net premiums on long-term debt
    2,778       2,778       2,731       2,731  
Total debt outstanding
    1,984,474     $ 2,087,960       1,984,427     $ 2,075,398  
Current portion of long-term debt
    (455,000 )             -          
Total long-term debt
  $ 1,529,474             $ 1,984,427          

The fair value of the Company’s term loans due 2012 as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was determined using the market approach, which utilized reported recent loan transactions for parties of similar credit quality and remaining life, as there is no active secondary market for loans of these types and sizes. 

The fair value of the Company’s other long-term debt as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was also determined using the market approach, which utilized observable market data to corroborate the estimated credit spreads and prices for the Company’s non-bank long-term debt securities in the secondary market.  Those valuations were based in part upon the reported trades of the Company’s non-bank long-term debt securities where available and the actual trades of debt securities of similar credit quality and remaining life where no secondary market trades were reported for the Company’s non-bank long-term debt securities. 

7.  Benefits

The net periodic benefit cost of the Company’s postretirement benefit plan for the periods presented includes the components noted in the table below.

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Service cost
  $ 637     $ 575  
Interest cost
    950       872  
Expected return on plan assets
    (950 )     (837 )
Prior service credit amortization
    (522 )     (522 )
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 115     $ 88  

 
11

 

PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)




8.  Income Taxes

The following table summarizes the Company’s income taxes for the periods presented.

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
 
$
 20,701 
 
 
$
 26,585 
 
Effective tax rate
 
 
31%
 
 
 
44%
 

The $5.9 million decrease in federal and state income tax expense was primarily due to the impact of $5.3 million of lower state income tax expense (net of the federal tax benefit) mainly due to state investment tax credits recorded in 2011 and $2.9 million of higher income tax expense in 2010 resulting from the elimination of the Medicare Part D tax subsidy in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) legislation signed into law in March 2010, partially offset by higher pre-tax earnings.

9.  Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company is exposed to certain risks in its ongoing business operations.  The primary risk managed by using derivative instruments is interest rate risk.  Interest rate swaps and treasury rate locks are the principal derivative instruments used by the Company to manage interest rate risk associated with its long-term borrowings, although other interest rate derivative contracts may also be used from time to time.  The Company recognizes all derivative instruments as assets or liabilities at fair value in the unaudited interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Interest Rate Contracts

The Company may enter into interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to changes in interest payments on long-term debt attributable to movements in market interest rates, and may enter into treasury rate locks to manage its exposure to changes in future interest payments attributable to changes in treasury rates prior to the issuance of new long-term debt instruments.

Interest Rate Swaps.  As of March 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding pay-fixed interest rate swaps with a total notional amount of $455 million applicable to the 2012 Term Loan.  These interest rate swaps are accounted for as cash flow hedges, with the effective portion of changes in their fair value recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified into Interest expense in the same periods during which the related interest payments on long-term debt impact earnings.  As of March 31, 2011, approximately $11.8 million of net after-tax losses in Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to these interest rate swaps is expected to be amortized into Interest expense during the next twelve months.  Any ineffective portion of the cash flow hedge is reported in current-period earnings.

Treasury Rate Locks.  As of March 31, 2011, the Company had no outstanding treasury rate locks.  However, certain of its treasury rate locks that settled in prior periods are associated with interest payments on outstanding long-term debt.  These treasury rate locks are accounted for as cash flow hedges, with the effective portion of their settled value recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified into Interest expense in the same periods during which the related interest payments on long-term debt impact earnings.  As of March 31, 2011, approximately $166,000 of net after-tax losses in Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to these treasury rate locks will be amortized into Interest expense during the next twelve months.

 
12

 

PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


 
 
The Company had no asset derivative instruments at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.  The following table summarizes the fair value amounts of the Company’s liability derivative instruments and their location in the unaudited interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at the dates indicated.

 
 
 
Fair Value (1)
 
Balance Sheet
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
Location
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Cash Flow Hedges:
 
 
 
   
 
 
Interest rate contracts
Other current liabilities
  $ 19,743     $ 19,694  
                                                                                                      Other noncurrent liabilities
    -       4,652  
 
 
  $ 19,743     $ 24,346  

The following table summarizes the location and amount of derivative instrument gains and losses reported in the Company’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the periods presented.

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Cash Flow Hedges: (1)
 
 
   
 
 
Change in fair value - increase in Accumulated other comprehensive loss,
 
 
   
 
 
excluding tax expense effect of $287 and $2,306, respectively
  $ 715     $ 5,736  
Reclassification of unrealized loss (gain) from Accumulated other comprehensive
               
loss - increase (decrease) of Interest expense, excluding tax expense effect
               
of $2,164 and $2,186, respectively
    5,386       5,441  

____________
(1)  
See Note 5 – Comprehensive Income for additional related information.

10.  Fair Value Measurement

The following table sets forth the Company’s liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at the dates indicated.

 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Fair Value Hierarchy
 
 
Fair Value as of
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
March 31, 2011
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Interest-rate swap derivatives
  $ 19,743     $ -     $ 19,743     $ -  
Total
  $ 19,743     $ -     $ 19,743     $ -  


 
13

 
 

PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


 
 
The Company’s Level 2 interest-rate swap derivative instruments are valued using pricing models based on an income approach that discounts future cash flows to a present value amount. The significant pricing model inputs for the interest-rate swaps include published rates for U.S. Dollar LIBOR interest rate swaps. The pricing model also adjusts for nonperformance risk associated with the counterparty or Company, as applicable, through the use of credit risk adjusted discount rates based on published default rates. The Company did not have any Level 3 instruments measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs at March 31, 2011 or December 31, 2010.

The approximate fair value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable is equal to book value, due to their short-term nature.

11.  Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation. The Company is involved in legal, tax and regulatory proceedings before various courts, regulatory commissions and governmental agencies regarding matters arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which involve substantial amounts.  Where appropriate, the Company has established reserves in order to provide for such matters.  The Company believes the final disposition of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Will Price, an individual, filed actions in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas for damages against a number of companies, including the Company, alleging mis-measurement of natural gas volumes and Btu content, resulting in lower royalties to mineral interest owners.  On September 19, 2009, the Court denied plaintiffs’ request for class certification.  Plaintiffs have filed a motion for reconsideration, which the Court denied on March 31, 2010.  The Company believes that its measurement practices conformed to the terms of its FERC natural gas tariffs, which were filed with and approved by FERC.  As a result, the Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the Will Price lawsuit (including FERC-related affirmative defenses, such as the filed rate/tariff doctrine, the primary/exclusive jurisdiction of FERC, and the defense that the Company complied with the terms of its tariffs).  In the event that Plaintiffs refuse Panhandle’s pending request for voluntary dismissal, Panhandle will continue to vigorously defend the case.  The Company does not believe the outcome of the Will Price litigation will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The East End Project involved the installation of a total of approximately 31 miles of pipeline in and around Tuscola, Illinois, Montezuma, Indiana and Zionsville, Indiana.  Construction began in 2007 and was completed in the second quarter of 2008.  PEPL is seeking recovery of each contractor’s share of approximately $50 million of cost overruns from the construction contractor, an inspection contractor and the construction management contractor for improper welding, inspection and construction management of the East End Project.  Certain of the contractors have filed counterclaims against PEPL for alleged underpayments of approximately $18 million.  The matter is pending in state court in Harris County, Texas.  The trial date is currently set for May 2011.  However, the Company has requested a stay of the trial based on issues submitted to the Court of Appeals.  The Company does not believe the outcome of this case will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Environmental Matters.  The Company’s operations are subject to federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations regarding water quality, hazardous and solid waste management, air quality control and other environmental matters.  These laws, rules and regulations require the Company to conduct its operations in a specified manner and to obtain and comply with a wide variety of environmental registrations, licenses, permits, inspections and other approvals.  Failure to comply with applicable environmental laws, rules and regulations may expose the Company to significant fines, penalties and/or interruptions in operations.  The Company’s environmental policies and procedures are designed to achieve compliance with such applicable laws and

 
14

 
 

PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


 
regulations.  These evolving laws and regulations and claims for damages to property, employees, other persons and the environment resulting from current or past operations may result in significant expenditures and liabilities in the future.  The Company engages in a process of updating and revising its procedures for the ongoing evaluation of its operations to identify potential environmental exposures and enhance compliance with regulatory requirements.

Environmental Remediation.  The Company is responsible for environmental remediation at certain sites on its natural gas transmission systems for contamination resulting from the past use of lubricants containing PCBs in compressed air systems; the past use of paints containing PCBs; and the prior use of wastewater collection facilities and other on-site disposal areas.  The Company has implemented a program to remediate such contamination.  The primary remaining remediation activity on the Panhandle systems is associated with past use
of paints containing PCBs or PCB impacts to equipment surfaces and to a building at one location. The PCB assessments are ongoing and the related estimated remediation costs are subject to further change.  The Company believes the total PCB remediation costs will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Other remediation typically involves the management of contaminated soils and may involve remediation of groundwater.  Activities vary with site conditions and locations, the extent and nature of the contamination, remedial requirements, complexity and sharing of responsibility.  The ultimate liability and total costs associated with these sites will depend upon many factors.  If remediation activities involve statutory joint and several liability provisions, strict liability, or cost recovery or contribution actions, the Company could potentially be held responsible for contamination caused by other parties.  In some instances, the Company may share liability associated with contamination with other PRPs.  The Company may also benefit from contractual indemnities that cover some or all of the cleanup costs.  These sites are generally managed in the normal course of business or operations.  The Company believes the outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company’s environmental remediation activities are undertaken in cooperation with and under the oversight of appropriate regulatory agencies, enabling the Company under certain circumstances to take advantage of various voluntary cleanup programs in order to perform the remediation in the most effective and efficient manner.  The costs incurred by the Company while performing such remediation is included in the estimates associated with probable environmental response actions.

The table below reflects the amount of accrued liabilities recorded at the dates indicated to cover probable environmental response actions.

 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Current
  $ 3,411     $ 4,273  
Noncurrent
    4,897       4,498  
Total environmental liabilities
  $ 8,308     $ 8,771  

Air Quality Control.  The Kansas Department of Health and Environment set certain contingency measures as part of the agency’s ozone maintenance plan for the Kansas City area.  These measures must be revised to conform to the requirements of the EPA ozone standard discussed above.  As such, the costs associated with these activities cannot be estimated with any certainty at this time, but the Company believes such costs will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 
15

 

 

PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


 
In August 2010, EPA finalized a rule that requires reductions in a number of pollutants, including formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, for certain engines regardless of size at Area Sources (sources that emit less than ten tons per year of any one Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) or twenty-five tons per year of all HAPs) and engines less than 500 horsepower at Major Sources (sources that emit ten tons per year or more of any one HAP or twenty-five tons per year of all HAPs).  Compliance is required by October 2013.  It is anticipated that the limits adopted in this rule will be used in a future EPA rule that is scheduled to be finalized in 2013, with compliance required in 2016.  This future rule is expected to require reductions in formaldehyde and carbon monoxide emissions from engines greater than 500 horsepower at Major Sources.

Nitrogen oxides are the primary air pollutant from natural gas-fired engines.  Nitrogen oxide emissions may form ozone in the atmosphere.  EPA lowered the ozone standard to seventy-five parts per billion (ppb) in 2008 with compliance anticipated in 2013 to 2015.  In January 2010, EPA proposed lowering the standard to sixty to seventy ppb in lieu of the seventy-five ppb standard, with compliance required in 2014 or later.

In January 2010, EPA finalized a 100 ppb one-hour nitrogen dioxide standard. The rule requires the installation of new nitrogen dioxide monitors in urban communities and roadways by 2013.  This new monitoring may result in additional nitrogen dioxide non-attainment areas.  In addition, ambient air quality modeling may be required to demonstrate compliance with the new standard.

The Company is currently reviewing the potential impact of the August 2010 Area Source National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants rule and proposed rules regarding HAPs and ozone and the new nitrogen dioxide standard on its operations and the potential costs associated with the installation of emission control systems on its existing engines.  Costs associated with these activities cannot be estimated with any certainty at this time, but the Company believes such costs will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

SPCC Rules.  In 2008 and 2009, the EPA adopted amendments to the SPCC rules with the stated intention of providing greater clarity, tailoring requirements and streamlining requirements.  On October 7, 2010, EPA amended the compliance date for certain facilities from November 10, 2010 to November 10, 2011.  The Company is currently reviewing the impact of the modified regulations on its operations and may incur costs for tank integrity testing, alarms and other associated corrective actions as well as potential upgrades to containment structures.  Costs associated with such activities cannot be estimated with certainty at this time, but the Company believes such costs will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Other Commitments and Contingencies.

 Controlled Group Pension Liabilities.  Southern Union Company (including certain of its divisions) sponsors a number of defined benefit pension plans for employees.  Under applicable pension and tax laws, upon being acquired by Southern Union, the Company became a member of Southern Union Company’s “controlled group” with respect to those plans and, along with Southern Union Company and any other members of that group, is jointly and severally liable for any failure by Southern Union (along with any other persons that may be or become a sponsor of any such plan) to fund any of these pension plans or to pay any unfunded liabilities that these plans may have if they are ever terminated.  In addition, if any of the obligations of any of these pension plans is not paid when due, a lien in favor of that plan or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation may be created against the assets of each member of Southern Union Company’s controlled group, including the Company and each of its subsidiaries.  Based on the latest actuarial information available as of December 31, 2010, the aggregate amount of the projected benefit obligations of these pension plans was approximately $193.7 million and the estimated fair value of all of the assets of these plans was approximately $127 million.

See Note 4 – Regulatory Matters for other potential contingent matters applicable to the Company.

 
16

 


ITEM 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is provided as a supplement to the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to help provide an understanding of the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations.  The following section includes an overview of the Company’s business as well as recent developments that management of the Company believes are important in understanding its results of operations and anticipating future trends in those operations.  Subsequent sections include an analysis of the Company’s results of operations on a consolidated basis and information relating to the Company’s liquidity and capital resources and other matters.  The information required by this Item is presented in a reduced disclosure format pursuant to General Instruction H to Form 10-Q.

Overview

The Company’s business purpose is to provide interstate transportation and storage of natural gas in a safe, efficient and dependable manner.  The Company operates approximately 10,000 miles of interstate pipelines that transport up to 5.5 Bcf/d of natural gas.  Demand for natural gas transmission services on the Company’s pipeline system is seasonal, with the highest throughput and a higher portion of annual total operating revenues occurring in the traditional winter heating season, which occurs during the first and fourth calendar quarters.

The Company’s business is conducted through both short- and long-term contracts with customers.  Shorter-term contracts, both firm and interruptible, tend to have a greater impact on the volatility of revenues.  Short-term and long-term contracts are affected by changes in market conditions and competition with other pipelines, changing supply sources and volatility in natural gas prices and basis differentials.  Since the majority of the Company’s revenues are related to firm capacity reservation charges, which customers pay whether they utilize their contracted capacity or not, volumes transported do not have as significant an impact on revenues over the short-term.  However, longer-term demand for capacity may be affected by changes in the customers’ actual and anticipated utilization of their contracted capacity and other factors.

The Company’s regulated transportation and storage businesses can file (or be required to file) for changes in their rates, which are subject to approval by FERC.  Although a significant portion of the Company’s contracts are discounted or negotiated rate contracts, changes in rates and other tariff provisions resulting from regulatory proceedings have the potential to negatively impact the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

 
17

 

 
Results of Operations

The following table illustrates the results of operations of the Company for the periods presented.

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except volumes)
 
Operating revenue:
 
 
   
 
 
Transportation and storage of natural gas
  $ 145,516     $ 146,728  
LNG terminalling revenue
    54,172       37,586  
Other revenue
    2,606       2,361  
Total operating revenue (1)
    202,294       186,675  
 
               
Operating expenses:
               
Operating, maintenance and general
    69,699       67,761  
Depreciation and amortization
    32,274       29,177  
Taxes, other than on income
    9,305       9,228  
Total operating expenses
    111,278       106,166  
 
               
Operating income
    91,016       80,509  
 
               
Other income (expense):
               
Interest expense
    (26,934 )     (22,389 )
Other, net
    2,231       2,057  
Total other expense, net
    (24,703 )     (20,332 )
 
               
Earnings before income taxes
    66,313       60,177  
 
               
Income taxes
    20,701       26,585  
 
               
Net earnings
  $ 45,612     $ 33,592  
 
               
Panhandle natural gas volumes transported (TBtu): (2)
               
PEPL
    171       167  
Trunkline
    195       154  
Sea Robin
    34       47  

_____________
 (1)  Reservation revenues comprised 90 percent and 89 percent of total operating revenues in the 2011 and 2010 periods, respectively.
 (2)  Includes transportation deliveries made throughout the Company's pipeline network.
 
Three months ended March 31, 2011 versus the Three months ended March 31, 2010.

Operating Revenue.  For the three-month period ended March 31, 2011, operating revenue increased $15.6 million versus the same time period in 2010 primarily as the result of:
·  
Higher LNG revenues of $16.6 million largely attributable to the LNG terminal infrastructure enhancement construction project placed in service in March 2010;
·  
Decreased transportation and storage revenue of $1.2 million primarily attributable to lower transportation interruptible revenues of $1.3 million, primarily due to lower volumes in 2011 on Sea Robin largely attributable to market conditions; and

 
18

 

    ·  Flat transportation reservation revenues in 2011 versus 2010 due to $1.3 million of higher short-term capacity sold on Trunkline, offset by $1.3 million of lower short-term volumes and rates at
        PEPL.
 
Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2011 increased $5.1 million versus the same period in 2010 primarily as the result of:
·  
Higher operating, maintenance and general expenses of $1.9 million in 2011 versus 2010 primarily attributable to:
o  
A $2.4 million increase in fuel tracker costs primarily due to a net over-recovery in 2010;
o  
A $1.1 million increase in legal expenses due to ongoing litigation; and
o  
A $1.2 million decrease in contract storage costs primarily due to a contract termination in March 2010; and
·  
Increased depreciation and amortization expense of $3.1 million in 2011 versus 2010 primarily due to the LNG terminal infrastructure enhancement construction project placed in service in March 2010 and a $109.2 million increase in property, plant and equipment placed in service after March 31, 2010.  Depreciation and amortization expense is expected to continue to increase primarily due ongoing capital additions.

Other Expense, Net.  Other expense, net for the three-month period ended March 31, 2011 increased $4.4 million versus the same period in 2010 primarily as a result of higher interest expense of $4.5 million principally attributable to lower capitalized interest resulting from the LNG terminal infrastructure enhancement construction project placed in service in March 2010, partially offset by lower interest expense resulting from the repayment of the $40.5 million 8.25% Senior Notes in April 2010.

Income Taxes.  The Company’s EITR was 31 percent and 44 percent for the three-month period ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Income taxes during the 2011 period, versus the same period in 2010, decreased $5.9 million primarily due to the impact of $5.3 million of lower state income tax expense (net of the federal tax benefit) mainly due to state investment tax credits recorded in 2011 and $2.9 million of higher income tax expense in 2010 resulting from the elimination of the Medicare Part D tax subsidy in the PPACA legislation signed into law in March 2010, partially offset by higher pre-tax earnings.

OTHER MATTERS

Contingencies

See Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited), Note 11 – Commitments and Contingencies in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Regulatory

See Part I, Item 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited), Note 4 – Regulatory Matters in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash generated from operations constitutes the Company’s primary source of liquidity.  The $548.5 million working capital deficit at March 31, 2011 is expected to be funded from refinancings of existing indebtedness, cash flows from operations or from repayments from Southern Union of intercompany loans.  Based on the Company’s current level of operations, management believes that cash flow from operations, available existing cash, and other sources, including liquid working capital and new borrowings, will be adequate to meet liquidity needs for the next several years, although no assurances can be given as to the sufficiency of cash flows or the ability to refinance existing obligations.

 
19

 

Retirement of Debt Obligations.  The Company expects to refinance and/or extend the $455 million Term Loan.  The Company believes, based on its investment grade credit ratings and general financial condition, successful historical access to capital and debt markets and market expectations regarding the Company's future earnings and cash flows, that it will be able to refinance this obligation under acceptable terms prior to its maturity.

Potential Sea Robin Impairment.  Sea Robin, comprised primarily of offshore facilities, suffered damage from Hurricane Ike related to several platforms and gathering pipelines.  As there were no new indicators of potential impairment during the first quarter of 2011, the impairment test on Sea Robin was not performed as of March 31, 2011.  Approximately $115 million of the approximately $150 million total estimated capital replacement and retirement expenditures to replace property and equipment damaged by Hurricane Ike are related to Sea Robin and is substantially completed.  As of March 31, 2011 the Company has received approximately $51 million for claims submitted with respect to Hurricane Ike-related damage to Sea Robin.  The Company estimates approximately $10 million of additional insurance proceeds will ultimately be received for the claims related to Sea Robin.
 
Additionally, Sea Robin has implemented a rate surcharge initially approved by FERC in September 2009, subject to refund and final FERC decision, to recover Hurricane Ike-related costs not otherwise recovered from insurance proceeds or from other third parties.  To the extent the Company’s capital expenditures are not recovered from insurance proceeds or through its hurricane rate surcharge, its net investment in Sea Robin’s property plant and equipment would have increased without necessarily generating additional revenues unless the incremental costs are recovered through future rate proceedings or additional throughput.  See Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited), Note 4 – Regulatory Matters for information related to the surcharge filing.  If Sea Robin’s hurricane surcharge is not ultimately approved for recovery from all shippers or Sea Robin experiences other adverse developments impacting anticipated future cash flows that are not remedied through rate proceedings, the Company could potentially be required to record an impairment of its net investment in Sea Robin.

Credit Ratings.  As of March 31, 2011, the Company’s debt was rated Baa3 by Moody’s Investor Services, Inc., BBB- by Standard & Poor’s and BBB- by Fitch Ratings.  If the Company’s credit ratings are downgraded below investment grade or if there are times when it is placed on "credit watch," the Company could be negatively impacted as follows:
·  
Borrowing costs associated with debt obligations could increase annually up to approximately $4.3 million; and
·  
FERC may be unwilling to allow the Company to pass along increased debt service costs to natural gas customers.

Inflation.  The Company believes that inflation has caused, and may continue to cause, increases in certain operating expenses, capital replacement and construction costs. The Company continually reviews the adequacy of its rates in relation to such increasing cost of providing services, the inherent regulatory lag in adjusting its tariff rates and the rates it is actually able to charge in its markets.

Trunkline LNG Cost and Revenue Study.  On July 1, 2009, Trunkline LNG filed a Cost and Revenue Study with respect to the Trunkline LNG facility expansions completed in 2006, in compliance with FERC orders.  Such filing, which was as of March 31, 2009, reflected an annualized cost of service level of $54.7 million, less than the associated revenues of $68.5 million.  BG LNG Services (BGLS) filed a motion to intervene and protest on July 14, 2009.  By order dated July 26, 2010, FERC determined that since (i) Trunkline LNG has fixed negotiated rates with BGLS through 2015, which would be unaffected by any rate change that might be determined through hearing at this time, and (ii) current costs and revenues are not necessarily representative of Trunkline LNG’s costs and revenues at the termination of the negotiated rate period in 2015, there was no reason to expend FERC’s and parties’ resources on a Natural Gas Act section 5 proceeding at this time.  The order is final and not subject to rehearing.

 
20

 

 
ITEM 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Item 3, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, has been omitted from this report pursuant to the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction H to Form 10-Q.

ITEM 4.  Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company has established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company, including consolidated entities, in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s COO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  The Company performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its COO and CFO, and with the participation of personnel from its Legal, Internal Audit, Risk Management and Financial Reporting Departments, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, Panhandle’s COO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2011.

Changes in Internal Controls

Management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 was included in Panhandle’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 25, 2011.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.  Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions.  These forward-looking statements, which address the Company’s expected business and financial performance, among other matters, are identified by terms and phrases such as:  anticipate, believe, intend, estimate, expect, continue, should, could, may, plan, project, predict, will, potential, forecast and similar expressions.  Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may or could cause actual results to be materially different from the results predicted.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to:

·  
changes in demand for natural gas and related services by customers, in the composition of the Company’s customer base and in the sources of natural gas accessible to the Company’s system;
·  
the effects of inflation and the timing and extent of changes in the prices and overall demand for and availability of natural gas as well as electricity, oil, coal and other bulk materials and chemicals;
·  
adverse weather conditions, such as warmer or colder than normal weather in the Company’s service territories, as applicable, and the operational impact of natural disasters;
·  
changes in laws or regulations, third-party relations and approvals, and decisions of courts, regulators and/or governmental bodies affecting or involving the Company, including deregulation initiatives and the impact of rate and tariff proceedings before FERC and various state regulatory commissions;
·  
the speed and degree to which additional competition, including competition from alternative forms of energy, is introduced to the Company’s business and the resulting effect on revenues;

 
21

 

·  
the impact and outcome of pending and future litigation and/or regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries;
·  
the  ability to comply with or to successfully challenge existing and/or or new environmental, safety and other laws and regulations;
·  
unanticipated environmental liabilities;
·  
the uncertainty of estimates, including accruals and costs of environmental remediation;
·  
the impact of potential impairment charges;
·  
the ability to acquire new businesses and assets and integrate those operations into its existing operations, as well as its ability to expand its existing businesses and facilities;
·  
the timely receipt of required approvals by applicable governmental entities for the construction and operation of the  pipelines and other projects;
·  
the ability to complete expansion projects on time and on budget;
·  
the ability to control costs successfully and achieve operating efficiencies, including the purchase and implementation of new technologies for achieving such efficiencies;
·  
the impact of factors affecting operations such as maintenance or repairs, environmental incidents, natural gas pipeline system constraints and relations with labor unions representing bargaining-unit employees;
·  
the performance of contractual obligations by customers, service providers and contractors;
·  
exposure to customer concentrations with a significant portion of revenues realized from a relatively small number of customers and any credit risks associated with the financial position of those customers;
·  
changes in the ratings of the Company’s debt securities;
·  
the risk of a prolonged slow-down in growth or decline in the United States economy or the risk of delay in growth or decline in the United States economy, including liquidity risks in United States credit markets;
·  
the impact of unsold pipeline capacity being greater than expected;
·  
changes in interest rates and other general market and economic conditions, and in the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, whether in the capital markets or otherwise;
·  
declines in the market prices of equity and debt securities and resulting funding requirements for other postretirement benefit plans;
·  
acts of nature, sabotage, terrorism or other similar acts that cause damage to the  facilities or those of the Company’s  suppliers' or customers' facilities;
·  
market risks beyond the Company’s control affecting its risk management activities including market liquidity, commodity price volatility and counterparty creditworthiness;
·  
the availability/cost of insurance coverage and the ability to collect under existing insurance policies;
·  
the risk that material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal controls over financial reporting could emerge or that minor problems could become significant;
·  
changes in accounting rules, regulations and pronouncements that impact the measurement of the results of operations, the timing of when such measurements are to be made and recorded and the disclosures surrounding these activities;
·  
the effects of changes in governmental policies and regulatory actions, including changes with respect to income and other taxes, environmental compliance, climate change initiatives, authorized rates of recovery of costs (including pipeline relocation costs) and permitting for new natural gas production accessible to the Company’s system;
·  
market risks affecting the Company’s pricing of its services provided and renewal of significant customer contracts; and
·  
other risks and unforeseen events, including other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in filings with the SEC.

These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of the Company’s forward-looking statements.  Other factors could also have material adverse effects on the Company’s future results.  These and other risks are described in greater detail in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and its other reports filed with the SEC.  In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events described in forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a different extent or at a different time than the Company has

 
22

 

described.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings.

The Company is a party to or has property subject to litigation and other proceedings, including matters arising under provisions relating to the protection of the environment, as described in Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited), Note 11 – Commitments and Contingencies, in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in the Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies, information included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

The Company is subject to federal and state requirements for the protection of the environment, including those for the discharge of hazardous materials and remediation of contaminated sites.  As a result, the Company is a party to or has its property subject to various other lawsuits or proceedings involving environmental protection matters.  For information regarding these matters, see Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited), Note 11 – Commitments and Contingencies, in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in the Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies, information included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 2011.

ITEM 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Item 2, Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds, has been omitted from this report pursuant to the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction H to Form 10-Q.

ITEM 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

Item 3, Defaults Upon Senior Securities, has been omitted from this report pursuant to the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction H to Form 10-Q.

ITEM 4.  Reserved.

N/A

ITEM 5.  Other Information.
 
All information required to be reported on Form 8-K for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 was appropriately reported.

ITEM 6. Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:
   
3(a)
Certificate of Formation of Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company, LP.  (Filed as Exhibit 3.A to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.)
   

 
23

 


3(b)
Limited Partnership Agreement of Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company, LP, dated as of June 29, 2004, between Southern Union Company and Southern Union Panhandle LLC.  (Filed as Exhibit 3.B to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.)
   
4(a)
Indenture dated as of March 29, 1999, among CMS Panhandle Holding Company, Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company and NBD Bank (the predecessor to Bank One Trust Company, National Association, J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.), as Trustee. (Filed as Exhibit 4(a) to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999, and incorporated herein by reference.)
   
4(b)
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 29, 1999, among CMS Panhandle Holding Company, Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company and NBD Bank (the predecessor to Bank One Trust Company, National Association, J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.), as Trustee, including a form of Guarantee by Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company of the obligations of CMS Panhandle Holding Company. (Filed as Exhibit 4(b) to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999, and incorporated herein by reference.)
   
4(c)
Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 27, 2000, between Panhandle and Bank One Trust Company, National Association (succeeded to by The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., which changed its name to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.), as Trustee. (Filed as Exhibit 4(e) to the Form S-4 (File No. 333-39850) filed on June 22, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.)
   
4(d)
Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 18, 2003, between Panhandle and Bank One Trust Company, National Association (succeeded to by The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., which changed its name to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.), as Trustee. (Filed as Exhibit 4(d) to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference.)
   
4(e)
Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 12, 2004, between Panhandle and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (succeeded to by The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., which changed its name to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.), as Trustee.  (Filed as Exhibit 4.E to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.)
   
4(f)
Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 26, 2007, between Panhandle and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (now known as The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.), as Trustee (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Panhandle’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.)
   
4(g)
 
 
10(a)
Form of Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 12, 2008, between Panhandle and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (now known as The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.), as Trustee (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Panhandle’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 11, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.)
 
Form of Seventh Supplemental Indenture, to be dated as of June 2, 2009, between Panhandle and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to
Panhandle’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 28, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

 
24

 


   
10(b)
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement between Trunkline LNG Holdings, LLC, as borrower, Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company, LP and CrossCountry Citrus, LLC, as guarantors, the financial institutions listed therein and Bayerische Hypo-Und Vereinsbank AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent, dated as of June 29, 2007 (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Panhandle’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.)
   
10(c)
 
 
 
10(d)
Amendment Number 1 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement between Trunkline LNG Holdings, LLC as borrower, Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company, LP and CrossCountry Citrus, LLC, as guarantors, the financial institutions listed therein and Bayerische Hypo-Und Vereinsbank AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent, dated as of June 13, 2008 (Filed as Exhibit 10(b) to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.)
 
Credit Agreement between Trunkline LNG Holdings, LLC, as borrower, Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company, LP and Trunkline LNG Company, LLC, as guarantors, the financial institutions listed therein and Bayerische Hypo- Und Vereinsbank AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent, dated as of March 15, 2007.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Panhandle’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 21, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.)
   
10(e)
Amended and Restated Promissory Note made by CrossCountry Citrus, LLC, as borrower, in favor of Trunkline LNG Holdings LLC, as holder, dated as of June 13, 2008 (Filed as Exhibit 10(d) to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.)
 
12
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.  (Filed herewith as Exhibit 12.)
   
31.1
Certificate by President and Chief Operating Officer pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) or 15d – 14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31.2
Certificate by Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) or 15d – 14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.1
Certificate by President and Chief Operating Officer pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(b) or 15d – 14(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
   
32.2
Certificate by Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(b) or 15d – 14(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.


 
25

 

SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company, LP has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.




 
PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY, LP
   
   
   
   
Date:  May 9, 2011
By: /s/   ROBERT O. BOND
 
Robert O. Bond
President and Chief Operating Officer
(authorized officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/   GARY W. LEFELAR
Gary W. Lefelar
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
(principal accounting officer)

 
 
 
26