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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005
OR
[ ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period
from to
Commission File Number 1-2745
Southern Natural Gas Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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Delaware |
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63-0196650 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization) |
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
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El Paso Building
1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
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77002
(Zip Code) |
Telephone Number: (713) 420-2600
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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the
registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No þ
Indicate the number of shares
outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common
stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common stock, par value $1 per share. Shares outstanding on
May 11, 2005: 1,000
SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY
MEETS THE CONDITIONS OF GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(1)(a) AND (b)
TO FORM 10-Q AND IS THEREFORE FILING THIS REPORT WITH A
REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT AS PERMITTED BY SUCH INSTRUCTION.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Caption |
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PART I Financial Information
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Item 1.
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Financial Statements
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1 |
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Item 2.
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Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations
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10 |
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Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the Safe
Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995
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14 |
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Item 3.
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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* |
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Item 4.
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Controls and Procedures
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14 |
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PART II Other Information
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Item 1.
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Legal Proceedings
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16 |
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Item 2.
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Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
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* |
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Item 3.
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Defaults Upon Senior Securities
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* |
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Item 4.
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Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
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* |
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Item 5.
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Other Information
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16 |
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Item 6.
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Exhibits
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16 |
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Signatures
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17 |
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* |
We have not included a response to this item in this document
since no response is required pursuant to the reduced disclosure
format permitted by General Instruction H to Form 10-Q. |
Below is a list of terms that are common to our industry and
used throughout this document:
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/d
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= per day |
BBtu
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= billion British thermal units |
Mcf
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= thousand cubic feet |
MMcf
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= million cubic feet |
When we refer to cubic feet measurements, all measurements are
at a pressure of 14.73 pounds per square inch.
When we refer to us, we,
our, or ours, we are describing Southern
Natural Gas Company and/or our subsidiaries.
i
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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Item 1. |
Financial Statements |
SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
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Quarter Ended | |
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March 31, | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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Operating revenues
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$ |
125 |
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$ |
128 |
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Operating expenses
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Operation and maintenance
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40 |
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46 |
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Depreciation, depletion and amortization
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13 |
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13 |
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Gain on the sale of long-lived assets
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(7 |
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Taxes, other than income taxes
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7 |
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6 |
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53 |
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65 |
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Operating income
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72 |
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63 |
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Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates
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18 |
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10 |
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Other income, net
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7 |
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2 |
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Interest and debt expense
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(23 |
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(23 |
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Affiliated interest income, net
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1 |
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1 |
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Income before income taxes
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75 |
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53 |
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Income taxes
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23 |
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17 |
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Net income
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$ |
52 |
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$ |
36 |
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Other comprehensive income
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1 |
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Comprehensive income
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$ |
53 |
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$ |
36 |
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See accompanying notes.
1
SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
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March 31, | |
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December 31, | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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ASSETS |
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Current assets
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$ |
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$ |
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Accounts and notes receivable
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Customer, net of allowance of $2 in 2005 and $3 in 2004
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49 |
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80 |
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Materials and supplies
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11 |
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11 |
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Restricted cash
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8 |
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Deferred income taxes
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4 |
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4 |
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Other
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5 |
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5 |
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Total current assets
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77 |
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100 |
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Property, plant and equipment, at cost
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3,224 |
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3,234 |
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Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
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1,344 |
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1,344 |
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Total property, plant and equipment, net
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1,880 |
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1,890 |
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Other assets
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Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
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746 |
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740 |
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Note receivable from affiliate
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244 |
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171 |
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Regulatory assets
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39 |
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41 |
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Other
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18 |
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21 |
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1,047 |
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973 |
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Total assets
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$ |
3,004 |
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$ |
2,963 |
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
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Current liabilities
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Accounts payable
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Trade
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$ |
25 |
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$ |
36 |
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Affiliates
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14 |
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8 |
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Other
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3 |
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2 |
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Taxes payable
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65 |
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58 |
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Accrued interest
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10 |
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30 |
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Contractual deposits
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3 |
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3 |
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Other
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5 |
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3 |
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Total current liabilities
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125 |
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140 |
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Long-term debt
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1,195 |
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1,195 |
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Other liabilities
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Deferred income taxes
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306 |
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296 |
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Other
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47 |
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54 |
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353 |
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350 |
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Commitments and contingencies
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Stockholders equity
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Common stock, par value $1 per share; 1,000 shares
authorized, issued and outstanding
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Additional paid-in capital
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340 |
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340 |
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Retained earnings
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998 |
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946 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive loss
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(7 |
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(8 |
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Total stockholders equity
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1,331 |
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1,278 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders equity
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$ |
3,004 |
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$ |
2,963 |
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See accompanying notes.
2
SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
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Quarter Ended | |
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March 31, | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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Cash flows from operating activities
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Net income
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$ |
52 |
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$ |
36 |
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Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating
activities
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Depreciation, depletion and amortization
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13 |
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13 |
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Deferred income taxes
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10 |
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9 |
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Gain on the sale of long-lived assets
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(7 |
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Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, adjusted for cash
distributions
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(6 |
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(10 |
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Other non-cash income items
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(3 |
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(1 |
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Asset and liability changes
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19 |
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(12 |
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Net cash provided by operating activities
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78 |
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35 |
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Cash flows from investing activities
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Additions to property, plant and equipment
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(39 |
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(47 |
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Proceeds from the sale of assets
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32 |
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Net change in affiliate advances
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(73 |
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17 |
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Net change in restricted cash
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2 |
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(5 |
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Net cash used in investing activities
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(78 |
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(35 |
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Net change in cash and cash equivalents
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Cash and cash equivalents
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Beginning of period
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End of period
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$ |
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$ |
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See accompanying notes.
3
SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting
Policies
Basis of Presentation
We are a wholly owned subsidiary of El Paso Corporation
(El Paso). We prepared this Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q under the rules and regulations of the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Because
this is an interim period filing presented using a condensed
format, it does not include all of the disclosures required by
generally accepted accounting principles. You should read it
along with our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which
includes a summary of our significant accounting policies and
other disclosures. The financial statements as of
March 31, 2005 and for the quarters ended
March 31, 2005 and 2004, are unaudited. We derived the
balance sheet as of December 31, 2004, from the
audited balance sheet filed in our 2004 Annual Report on
Form 10-K. In our opinion, we have made all adjustments
which are of a normal, recurring nature to fairly present our
interim period results. Due to the seasonal nature of our
business, information for interim periods may not be indicative
of our results of operations for the entire year.
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Revision of Prior Period Financial Information |
In connection with the preparation of our financial statements
for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, we concluded that it
was appropriate to classify cash that is restricted for use in
funding construction of our Elba Island facility as a
non-current asset to the extent it will not be refunded within
twelve months. Previously, such restricted cash had been
classified as a current asset. Accordingly, we have revised the
prior classification to report non-current restricted cash of
$10 million within other assets on our Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2004. We have
also made corresponding adjustments to our Condensed
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the period ended March
31, 2004, to reflect the change in non-current restricted cash
of $5 million as an investing, rather than operating
activity. This change in classification, which we do not believe
is material, does not affect previously reported cash flows from
financing activities in our previously reported Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows, or any amounts in our previously
reported Consolidated Statements of Income for any period.
Significant Accounting Policies
Our significant accounting policies are consistent with those
discussed in our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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New Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted |
As of March 31, 2005, there were several accounting
standards and interpretations that had not yet been adopted by
us. Below is a discussion of a significant standard that may
impact us.
Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. In March
2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 47, Accounting for
Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations. FIN No. 47
requires companies to record a liability for those asset
retirement obligations in which the timing or amount of
settlement of the obligation are uncertain. These conditional
obligations were not addressed by Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 143, which we adopted on
January 1, 2003. FIN No. 47 will require us to accrue
a liability when a range of scenarios indicate that the
potential timing and settlement amounts of our conditional asset
retirement obligations can be determined. We will adopt the
provisions of this standard in the fourth quarter of 2005 and
have not yet determined the impact, if any, that this
pronouncement will have on our financial statements.
4
2. Credit Facilities
El Paso maintains a $3 billion credit agreement. We are not
a borrower under the credit agreement; however, one of our
subsidiaries and our ownership in an equity investee are
collateral under the credit agreement. At
March 31, 2005, El Paso had $1.2 billion
outstanding under the term loan and $1.4 billion of letters
of credit issued under the credit agreement. For a further
discussion of El Pasos $3 billion credit
agreement and our restrictive covenants, see our 2004 Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
3. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
Grynberg. In 1997, we and a number of our affiliates were
named defendants in actions brought by Jack Grynberg on behalf
of the U.S. Government under the False Claims Act.
Generally, these complaints allege an industry-wide conspiracy
to underreport the heating value as well as the volumes of the
natural gas produced from federal and Native American lands,
which deprived the U.S. Government of royalties. The
plaintiff in this case seeks royalties that he contends the
government should have received had the volume and heating value
been differently measured, analyzed, calculated and reported,
together with interest, treble damages, civil penalties,
expenses and future injunctive relief to require the defendants
to adopt allegedly appropriate gas measurement practices. No
monetary relief has been specified in this case. These matters
have been consolidated for pretrial purposes (In re: Natural Gas
Royalties Qui Tam Litigation, U.S. District Court
for the District of Wyoming, filed June 1997). Motions to
dismiss have been briefed and argued and the parties are
awaiting the courts ruling. Our costs and legal exposure
related to these lawsuits and claims are not currently
determinable.
Royalty Claim. In five contract settlements reached
in the late 1980s with Elf Aquitaine (Elf) pertaining to the
pricing of gas produced from certain federal offshore blocks, we
indemnified Elf against royalty claims that potentially could
have been asserted by the Minerals Management Service (MMS).
Following its settlements with us, Elf received demands from MMS
for royalty payments related to the settlements. With our
approval, Elf protested the demands for over a decade while
trying to reach a settlement with the MMS. Elf, which is now
TOTAL E&P USA (TOTAL), advised us that it had renewed
efforts to settle claims by the MMS for excess royalties
attributable to price reductions that we achieved in the gas
contract settlements in the late 1980s. TOTAL informed us that
the MMS is claiming in excess of $13 million in royalties,
a large portion of which is interest, for the five settlements
with us. We have advised TOTAL that not all of the amounts being
sought by the MMS are covered by our indemnity. If TOTAL cannot
resolve these claims administratively with MMS, then an appeal
can be taken to the federal courts. We have the right under a
pre-existing settlement with our customers to recover, through a
surcharge payable by our customers, a portion of the amount
ultimately paid under the royalty indemnity with TOTAL.
In addition to the above matters, we and our subsidiaries and
affiliates are named defendants in numerous lawsuits and
governmental proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of
our business.
For each of our outstanding legal matters, we evaluate the
merits of the case, our exposure to the matter, possible legal
or settlement strategies and the likelihood of an unfavorable
outcome. If we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable
and can be estimated, we establish the necessary accruals. As
further information becomes available, or other relevant
developments occur, we adjust our accrual amounts accordingly.
While there are still uncertainties related to the ultimate
costs we may incur, based upon our evaluation and experience to
date, we believe our current reserves are adequate. At
March 31, 2005, we had accrued approximately
$2 million for our outstanding legal matters.
Environmental Matters
We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations
governing environmental quality and pollution control. These
laws and regulations require us to remove or remedy the effect
on the environment of the disposal or release of specified
substances at current and former operating sites. At
March 31, 2005, we had accrued $1 million for
expected remediation costs and associated onsite, offsite and
groundwater technical
5
studies. Our accrual was based on the most likely outcome that
can be reasonably estimated. Below is a reconciliation of our
accrued liability from January 1, 2005 to
March 31, 2005 (in millions):
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Balance at January 1, 2005
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$ |
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Other changes, net
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1 |
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Balance at March 31, 2005
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$ |
1 |
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For the remainder of 2005, we estimate that our total
remediation expenditures will be $1 million, which will be
expended under government directed clean-up plans. In addition,
we expect to make capital expenditures for environmental matters
of approximately $5 million in the aggregate for the years
2005 through 2009. These expenditures primarily relate to
compliance with clean air regulations.
It is possible that new information or future developments could
require us to reassess our potential exposure related to
environmental matters. We may incur significant costs and
liabilities in order to comply with existing environmental laws
and regulations. It is also possible that other developments,
such as increasingly strict environmental laws and regulations
and claims for damages to property, employees, other persons and
the environment resulting from our current or past operations,
could result in substantial costs and liabilities in the future.
As this information becomes available, or other relevant
developments occur, we will adjust our accrual amounts
accordingly. While there are still uncertainties relating to the
ultimate costs we may incur, based upon our evaluation and
experience to date, we believe our reserves are adequate.
Rates and Regulatory
Matters
Rate Case. In August 2004, we filed a rate case with the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) seeking an annual
rate increase of $35 million, or 11 percent in
jurisdictional rates, no changes to cost allocation, rate design
or current fuel retention percentage, and certain revisions to
our effective tariff regarding terms and conditions of service.
In September 2004, the FERC issued a suspension order accepting
certain proposed tariff revisions, including the elimination of
right of first refusal matching term limitations, changes in the
imbalance cash-out price calculations, and permitting
formularized discounting as a non-material deviation. These
revisions became effective in October 2004. The order
established a technical conference to assess other proposed
tariff revisions, including notice to exercise public service
commission outs, restrictions on firm receipt point amendments,
the application of the storage reconciliation mechanism
surcharge to additional services on our system, and the change
in cash-out pricing for imbalances of less than 2 percent.
The FERC established a hearing, which is scheduled for
July 2005. On December 9, 2004, the FERC staff
convened a technical conference on tariff issues not set for
hearing. On February 28, 2005, the FERC issued an order on
Technical Conference and Rehearing accepting all tariff changes
proposed by us in our rate filing except for one proposal
governing changes to receipt points under existing service
agreements, which was set for hearing. We have reached a
tentative settlement in principle that will resolve all issues
in our rate proceeding. The offer of settlement was filed with
the FERC on April 29, 2005. We implemented the settlement
rates on an interim basis as of March 1, 2005 as negotiated
rates with all shippers which elected to be consenting parties
under the rate settlement. Based on its provisions as currently
proposed, we do not expect the settlement to have a material
impact on our future financial results. The settlement should
also have the effect of extending the average contract terms to
seven years. For a further discussion of our current and
upcoming rate proceedings, refer to our 2004 Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
Rate Investigation. In December 2004, our subsidiary,
Southern LNG, Inc., filed a cost and revenue study with the
FERC, in compliance with existing certificate authorization, to
justify its existing rates for terminaling service at its LNG
marine receiving terminal at Elba Island. In February 2005, the
FERC set the cost and revenue study for hearing under
Section 5 of the Natural Gas Act to determine if the
current rates remain just and reasonable. We have reached a
tentative settlement in principle that will resolve all issues
in this proceeding.
Accounting for Pipeline Integrity Costs. In November
2004, the FERC issued a proposed accounting release that may
impact certain costs we incur related to our pipeline integrity
program. If the release is
6
enacted as written, we would be required to expense certain
future pipeline integrity costs instead of capitalizing them as
part of our property, plant and equipment. Although we continue
to evaluate the impact that this potential accounting release
will have on our consolidated financial statements, we currently
estimate that we would be required to expense an additional
amount of pipeline integrity expenditures in the range of
approximately $5 million to $7 million annually over
the next eight years.
Selective Discounting Notice of Inquiry. In November
2004, the FERC issued a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) seeking comments
on its policy regarding selective discounting by natural gas
pipelines. The FERC seeks comments regarding whether its
practice of permitting pipelines to adjust their ratemaking
throughput downward in rate cases to reflect discounts given by
pipelines for competitive reasons is appropriate when the
discount is given to meet competition from another natural gas
pipeline. We, along with several of our affiliated pipelines,
filed comments on the NOI in March 2005. The final outcome of
this inquiry cannot be predicted with certainty, nor can we
predict the impact that the final rule will have on us.
While the outcome of our outstanding rates and regulatory
matters cannot be predicted with certainty, based on current
information, we do not expect the ultimate resolution of these
matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial
position, operating results or cash flows. However, it is
possible that new information or future developments could
require us to reassess our potential exposure related to these
matters, which could have a material effect on our results of
operations, our financial position, and our cash flows in the
periods these events occur.
Atlanta Gas Light. The majority of our contracts for firm
transportation service with our largest customer, Atlanta Gas
Light Company (AGL), were due to expire in 2005. In April 2004,
we and AGL executed definitive agreements pursuant to which AGL
agreed to extend its firm transportation service contracts with
us for 926,534 Mcf/d for a weighted average term of
6.5 years between 2008 and 2015 in exchange for the sale by
us to AGL of approximately 250 miles of certain pipeline
facilities and nine measurement facilities in the metropolitan
Atlanta area at a transfer price of approximately
$32 million. Agreements to implement the transactions
(Triangle Project) were reached subject to approvals by the FERC
and the Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC). In late 2004
and early 2005, the FERC and GPSC issued orders generally
approving the Triangle Project. The transaction closed on
March 1, 2005, and construction of the 6.36 miles of
pipeline to close the gap between the two segments on our
30-inch Ocmulgee-Atlanta Line began in April 2005.
Construction is expected to be completed in July 2005, and the
facilities will be transferred to AGL. We recognized a
$7 million gain on the sale of the pipeline and measurement
facilities.
Duke Litigation. Citrus Trading Corporation (CTC), a
direct subsidiary of Citrus Corp. (Citrus), has filed suit
against Duke Energy LNG Sales, Inc (Duke) and PanEnergy Corp.,
the holding company of Duke, seeking damages of
$185 million for breach of a gas supply contract and
wrongful termination of that contract. Duke sent CTC a notice of
termination of the gas supply contract alleging failure of CTC
to increase the amount of an outstanding letter of credit as
collateral for its purchase obligations. Duke has filed an
amended counter claim in federal court joining Citrus and a
cross motion for partial summary judgment, requesting that the
court find that Duke had a right to terminate its gas sales
contract with CTC due to the failure of CTC to adjust the amount
of the letter of credit supporting its purchase obligations. CTC
filed an answer to Dukes motion, which is currently
pending before the court. An adverse outcome on these matters
could impact our investment in Citrus. We do not expect the
ultimate resolution of this matter to have a material adverse
effect on us.
While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with
certainty, based on current information and our existing
accruals, we do not expect the ultimate resolution of these
matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial
position, operating results or cash flows. However, it is
possible that new information or future developments could
require us to reassess our potential exposure related to these
matters, and adjust our accruals accordingly. The impact of
these changes may have a material effect on our results of
operations, our financial position, and our cash flows in the
periods these events occur.
7
4. Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates and
Transactions with Affiliates
Investments in Unconsolidated
Affiliates
Our investments in unconsolidated affiliates are accounted for
using the equity method of accounting and consist of our equity
ownership interests in Citrus and Bear Creek Storage Company.
Summarized income statement information of our proportionate
share of these unconsolidated affiliates for the quarters ended
March 31 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Operating results data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenues
|
|
$ |
58 |
|
|
$ |
56 |
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
Income from continuing operations and net
income(1)
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
(1) |
The difference between our proportionate share of our equity
investments net income and our earnings from
unconsolidated affiliates reflected in our income statement is
due primarily to timing differences between the estimated and
actual equity earnings from our investments. |
Summarized income statement information of our proportionate
share of Citrus income for the quarters ended
March 31 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Operating results data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenues
|
|
$ |
53 |
|
|
$ |
51 |
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
Income from continuing operations and net
income(1)
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
(1) |
The difference between our proportionate share of our equity
investments net income and our earnings from
unconsolidated affiliates reflected in our income statement is
due primarily to timing differences between the estimated and
actual equity earnings from our investments. |
In March 2005, we received a $12 million dividend from
Citrus.
Transactions with Affiliates
Cash Management Program. We participate in
El Pasos cash management program which matches
short-term cash surpluses and needs of participating affiliates,
thus minimizing total borrowings from outside sources. At
March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, we had advanced
to El Paso $244 million and $171 million. The
interest rate at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004
was 3.5% and 2.0%. These receivables are due upon demand;
however, at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, we
have classified these advances as a non-current note receivable
from affiliates because we do not anticipate settlement within
the next twelve months.
Taxes. We are a party to a tax accrual policy with
El Paso whereby El Paso files U.S. and certain state
tax returns on our behalf. In certain states, we file and pay
directly to the state taxing authorities. We have income taxes
payable of $56 million at March 31, 2005 and
$46 million at December 31, 2004, included in taxes
payable on our balance sheets. The majority of these balances
will become payable to El Paso.
Other Affiliate Balances. The following table shows other
balances with our affiliates:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Accounts payable
|
|
$ |
14 |
|
|
$ |
8 |
|
Contractual deposits
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
8
Affiliate Revenues and Expenses. The following table
shows revenues and charges from our affiliates for the quarters
ended March 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Revenues from affiliates
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
Operations and maintenance expenses from affiliates
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
9
|
|
Item 2. |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations |
The information contained in Item 2 updates, and should be
read in conjunction with, the information disclosed in our 2004
Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the financial statements
and notes presented in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q.
Results of Operations
Our management, as well as El Pasos management, uses
earnings before interest expense and income taxes (EBIT) to
assess the operating results and effectiveness of our business.
We define EBIT as net income adjusted for (i) items that do
not impact our income from continuing operations,
(ii) income taxes, (iii) interest and debt expense and
(iv) affiliated interest income. Our business consists of
consolidated operations as well as investments in unconsolidated
affiliates. We exclude interest and debt expense from this
measure so that our management can evaluate our operating
results without regard to our financing methods. We believe the
discussion of our results of operations based on EBIT is useful
to our investors because it allows them to more effectively
evaluate the operating performance of both our consolidated
business and our unconsolidated investments using the same
performance measure analyzed internally by our management. EBIT
may not be comparable to measurements used by other companies.
Additionally, EBIT should be considered in conjunction with net
income and other performance measures such as operating income
or operating cash flows.
The following is a reconciliation of EBIT to net income for the
quarters ended March 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions, except | |
|
|
volume amounts) | |
Operating revenues
|
|
$ |
125 |
|
|
$ |
128 |
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
(53 |
) |
|
|
(65 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBIT
|
|
|
97 |
|
|
|
75 |
|
Interest and debt expense
|
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
|
(23 |
) |
Affiliated interest income, net
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
52 |
|
|
$ |
36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Throughput volumes
(BBtu/d)(1)
|
|
|
3,195 |
|
|
|
3,510 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Throughput volumes include volumes associated with our
proportionate share of our 50 percent equity interest in
Citrus Corp. (Citrus) and billable transportation throughput
volumes for storage injection. |
10
The following items contributed to our overall EBIT increase of
$22 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 as
compared to the same period in 2004:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBIT | |
|
|
Revenue | |
|
Expense | |
|
Other | |
|
Impact | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Favorable/(Unfavorable) | |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Mainline expansions
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
|
$ |
4 |
|
Gas sales activities
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Higher allocation of overhead costs from affiliates
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
Gain on the sale of assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
|
Earnings from our equity investment in Citrus
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
Other
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total impact on EBIT
|
|
$ |
(3 |
) |
|
$ |
12 |
|
|
$ |
13 |
|
|
$ |
22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following provides further discussions on some of the
significant items listed above as well as events that may affect
our operations in the future.
Mainline Expansions. Our mainline expansions consist of
three major projects that were phased into service from June
2002 through August 2004. The increase in expansion revenue was
partially offset by depreciation on the new facilities and the
elimination of earnings associated with an allowance for funds
used during construction (AFUDC).
In April 2003, the FERC approved our expansion of our Elba
Island LNG facility to increase the base load sendout rate of
the facility from 446 MMcf/d to 806 MMcf/d. Our current cost
estimates for the expansion are approximately $157 million,
and expenditures as of March 31, 2005 were approximately
$102 million. We commenced construction in July 2003
and expect to place the expansion in service in
February 2006. As a result of increasing levels of capital
invested in the expansion, higher AFUDC in 2005 resulted in
higher EBIT compared to 2004.
Gas Sales Activities. In 2004, we had a gas sales
agreement that required us to purchase and sell volumes at a
rate close to the market index price. Although the arrangement
resulted in variances in both revenue and expense, there was no
material effect on EBIT. That contract expired in the fourth
quarter of 2004.
Gain on the Sale of Assets. We recorded a gain of
$7 million in March 2005 from the sale of certain
facilities to Atlanta Gas Light Company. For a discussion of
this transaction, see Item 1, Financial Statements,
Note 3.
Citrus. Our earnings in Citrus increased in 2005
primarily due to Citrus exit of its trading business in
2004.
Gas Not Used in Operations and Other Gas Sales. The
financial impact of operational gas, net of gas used in
operations, is based on the amount of gas we are allowed to
recover and dispose of according to the provisions in our
tariff, relative to the amounts of gas we use for operating
purposes and the price of natural gas. Gas not needed for
operations results in revenues to us, which are driven by
volumes and prices during a given period. During 2004 and 2005,
we recovered, fairly consistently, volumes of natural gas that
were not utilized for operations. These recoveries were based on
factors such as system throughput, facility enhancements and the
ability to operate the system in the most efficient and safe
manner. Additionally, a steadily increasing natural gas price
environment during this timeframe resulted in favorable impacts
on our operating results in 2005 versus 2004. We anticipate that
revenue from this area of our business will continue to vary in
the future and will be reduced by our current rate settlement
which includes prospective changes in our tariff provisions
governing recovery of operational gas and energy costs. Our
revenues will also continue to be affected by the efficiency of
our pipeline operations, the price of natural gas and other
factors.
Regulatory Matters. In November 2004, the FERC issued a
proposed accounting release that may impact certain costs we
incur related to our pipeline integrity program. If the release
is enacted as written, we
11
would be required to expense certain future pipeline integrity
costs instead of capitalizing them as part of our property,
plant and equipment. Although we continue to evaluate the impact
that this potential accounting release will have on our
consolidated financial statements, we currently estimate that we
would be required to expense an additional amount of pipeline
integrity expenditures in the range of approximately
$5 million to $7 million annually over the next eight
years.
We periodically file for changes in our rates which are subject
to the approval of the FERC. In August 2004, we filed a rate
case with the FERC seeking an annual rate increase of
$35 million, or 11 percent in jurisdictional rates, no
changes to cost allocation, rate design or current fuel
retention percentage, and certain revisions to our effective
tariff regarding terms and conditions of service. We reached a
tentative settlement in principle that was filed with the FERC
on April 29, 2005. The settlement rates were implemented on
an interim basis as of March 1, 2005 as negotiated rates
with all shippers which elected to be consenting parties under
the rate settlement. Based on its provisions as currently
proposed, we do not expect the settlement to have a material
impact on our future EBIT. The settlement should also have the
effect of extending the average contract terms to seven years.
For a further discussion of our current and upcoming rate
proceedings, refer to our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Income Taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended | |
|
|
March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions, | |
|
|
except for rates) | |
Income taxes
|
|
$ |
23 |
|
|
$ |
17 |
|
Effective tax rate
|
|
|
31 |
% |
|
|
32 |
% |
Our effective tax rates were different than the statutory rate
of 35 percent, primarily due to the effect of state income
taxes, offset by the tax effect of earnings from unconsolidated
affiliates where we anticipate receiving dividends.
Liquidity
Our liquidity needs have historically been provided by cash
flows from operating activities and the use of
El Pasos cash management program. Under
El Pasos cash management program, depending on
whether we have short-term cash surpluses or requirements, we
either provide cash to El Paso or El Paso provides
cash to us. We have historically provided cash advances to
El Paso, and we reflect these advances as investing
activities in our statement of cash flows. At
March 31, 2005, we had a cash advance receivable from
El Paso of $244 million as a result of this program.
This receivable is due upon demand; however, we do not
anticipate settlement within the next twelve months. At
March 31, 2005, this receivable was classified as a
non-current note receivable from affiliates on our balance
sheet. We believe that cash flows from operating activities and
amounts available under El Pasos cash management
program, if necessary, will be adequate to meet our short-term
capital requirements for our existing operations.
Capital Expenditures
Our capital expenditures for the quarter ended
March 31, 2005 were approximately $39 million. We
expect to spend $153 million for the remainder of 2005 for
capital expenditures, consisting of $69 million to expand
the capacity of our system, $61 million to maintain the
integrity of our pipeline and ensure the safe and reliable
delivery of our natural gas to our customers and
$23 million to repair damage caused by Hurricane Ivan in
2004. We expect to fund our maintenance and expansion capital
expenditures through a combination of internally generated funds
and/or by recovering amounts advanced to El Paso under its
cash management program, if necessary.
12
Commitments and Contingencies
See Item 1, Financial Statements, Note 3, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
13
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS FOR PURPOSES OF THE SAFE
HARBOR PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION
REFORM ACT OF 1995
This Report contains or incorporates by reference
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Where any
forward-looking statement includes a statement of the
assumptions or bases underlying the forward-looking statement,
we caution that, while we believe these assumptions or bases to
be reasonable and to be made in good faith, assumed facts or
bases almost always vary from the actual results, and the
differences between assumed facts or bases and actual results
can be material, depending upon the circumstances. Where, in any
forward-looking statement, we or our management express an
expectation or belief as to future results, that expectation or
belief is expressed in good faith and is believed to have a
reasonable basis. We cannot assure you, however, that the
statement of expectation or belief will result or be achieved or
accomplished. The words believe, expect,
estimate, anticipate and similar
expressions will generally identify forward-looking statements.
With this in mind, you should consider the risks discussed
elsewhere in this Report and other documents we file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.
|
|
Item 3. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
Omitted from this Report pursuant to the reduced disclosure
format permitted by General Instruction H to Form 10-Q.
|
|
Item 4. |
Controls and Procedures |
Material Weaknesses Previously Disclosed
As discussed in our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we did
not maintain effective controls as of December 31, 2004,
over (1) access to financial application programs and data in
certain information technology environments, and (2)
identification, capture and communication of financial data used
in accounting for non-routine transactions or activities. The
remedial actions implemented in the first quarter of 2005
related to these material weaknesses are described below.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of March 31, 2005, we carried out an evaluation under
the supervision and with the participation of our management,
including our President and our Chief Financial Officer (CFO),
as to the effectiveness, design and operation of our disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and
15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the Exchange Act)). This evaluation considered the
various processes carried out under the direction of our
disclosure committee in an effort to ensure that information
required to be disclosed in the SEC reports we file or submit
under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported within the time periods specified by the SECs
rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and
communicated to our management, including the President and CFO,
as appropriate, to allow timely discussion regarding required
financial disclosure.
Based on the results of this evaluation, our President and CFO
concluded that as a result of the material weaknesses discussed
above, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective
as of March 31, 2005. Because of these material weaknesses,
we performed additional procedures to ensure that our financial
statements as of and for the quarter ended March 31, 2005,
were fairly presented in all material respects in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the first quarter of 2005, we implemented the following
changes in our internal control over financial reporting:
|
|
|
|
|
Implemented automated and manual controls for our primary
financial system to monitor unauthorized password changes; |
14
|
|
|
|
|
Developed a segregation of duties matrix for our primary
financial system that documents existing role assignments; and |
|
|
|
Implemented an accounting policy that requires a higher level of
review of non-routine transactions. |
We have identified other remedial actions to improve our
internal control over financial reporting that are in the
process of being implemented. In addition, we are continuing to
evaluate the ongoing effectiveness and sustainability of the
changes we have made in our internal control and, as a result of
our ongoing evaluation, we may identify additional changes to
improve our internal control over financial reporting.
15
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
|
|
Item 1. |
Legal Proceedings |
See Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements, Note 3,
which is incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
Item 2. |
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of
Proceeds |
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 |
Omitted from this Report pursuant to the reduced disclosure
format permitted by General Instruction H to Form 10-Q.
|
|
Item 4. |
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
Omitted from this Report pursuant to the reduced disclosure
format permitted by General Instruction H to Form 10-Q.
|
|
Item 5. |
Other Information |
None.
Each exhibit identified below is filed as a part of this Report.
Exhibits not incorporated by reference to a prior filing are
designated by an *. Exhibits designated by
** are furnished with this filing pursuant to
Item 601(b)(32) of Regulation S-K. All exhibits not so
designated are incorporated herein by reference to a prior
filing as indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
*31 |
.A |
|
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
*31 |
.B |
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
**32 |
.A |
|
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
**32 |
.B |
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
Undertaking
|
|
|
We hereby undertake, pursuant to Regulation S-K,
Item 601(b), paragraph (4)(iii), to furnish to the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, all
constituent instruments defining the rights of holders of our
long-term debt not filed herewith for the reason that the total
amount of securities authorized under any of such instruments
does not exceed 10 percent of our total consolidated assets. |
16
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, Southern Natural Gas Company has duly caused this report
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized.
|
|
|
SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY |
Date: May 11, 2005
|
|
|
/s/ James C. Yardley
|
|
|
|
James C. Yardley |
|
President |
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
Date: May 11, 2005
|
|
|
/s/ Greg G. Gruber
|
|
|
|
Greg G. Gruber |
|
Senior Vice President, |
|
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
|
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
17
SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY
EXHIBIT INDEX
Each exhibit identified below is filed as a part of this Report.
Exhibits not incorporated by reference to a prior filing are
designated by an *. Exhibits designated by
** are furnished with this filing pursuant to
Item 601(b)(32) of Regulation S-K. All exhibits not so
designated are incorporated herein by reference to a prior
filing as indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
*31 |
.A |
|
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
*31 |
.B |
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
**32 |
.A |
|
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
**32 |
.B |
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |