National Fuel Reports First Quarter Earnings

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y.--()--National Fuel Gas Company (“National Fuel” or the “Company”) (NYSE:NFG) today announced consolidated earnings for the first quarter of its 2014 fiscal year (the quarter ended December 31, 2013).

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 of $82.3 million, or $0.97 per share, increased $14.4 million, or $0.16 per share, compared to $67.9 million, or $0.81 per share, for the prior year’s first quarter. The increase is due to higher earnings across all segments.
  • Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 were $253.7 million compared to $203.5 million for the prior year’s first quarter, an increase of 25%.
  • Seneca Resources Corporation’s (“Seneca”) first quarter production of natural gas and crude oil was 37.1 billion cubic feet equivalent (“Bcfe”), or 404 million cubic feet equivalent (“MMcfe”) per day, an increase of 12.6 Bcfe or approximately 51%, over the prior year’s first quarter.
  • The Company is reiterating its previous fiscal 2014 production guidance range of 145 to 165 Bcfe. This represents a 20% to 37% increase over fiscal 2013 production.
  • The Company is revising its GAAP earnings guidance range for fiscal 2014 to a range of $3.20 to $3.40 per share. The previous earnings guidance had been a range of $3.10 to $3.40 per share. This guidance assumes a flat NYMEX price of $4.00 per MMBtu for natural gas and $90 per Bbl for crude oil for unhedged production for the remainder of the fiscal year.
  • A conference call is scheduled for Friday, February 7, 2014, at 11 a.m. Eastern Time.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

Ronald J. Tanski, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Fuel Gas Company, stated: “National Fuel’s financial and operating results for the first quarter reflect the quality of our assets and the focused work of our employees. Growth across all of our business segments contributed to a 21 percent increase in consolidated earnings over the prior year’s first quarter.

“Seneca Resources delivered significant growth, increasing production 51 percent compared to the prior year’s first quarter and 12 percent compared to the fourth quarter of last year. Notwithstanding Seneca’s tremendous operating performance, ongoing volatility in natural gas prices in the Appalachian region dampened Seneca’s financial results. Since these regional pricing issues are expected to persist for the next few years, Seneca and our midstream subsidiaries continue to evaluate long-term solutions to help deliver natural gas to markets with more stable pricing that correlates more closely with long-term NYMEX pricing. To that end, during the quarter, Seneca acquired long-term firm transportation capacity on Tennessee Gas Pipeline’s Niagara Expansion project, which is designed to export Marcellus Shale production to Canada, in part by using new capacity that our Supply Corporation will build and lease to Tennessee.

“Our Utility employees remained focused on safe and reliable service during a winter that has been much colder than recent years, and our midstream subsidiaries have easily handled the increased throughput resulting from our ongoing pipeline capacity expansion. Combined with Seneca’s substantial production growth, fiscal 2014 is off to a strong start.”

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SEGMENT OPERATIONS UPDATE

Seneca’s activities during the first quarter were primarily focused on multi-well pads in DCNR Tract 100 in Lycoming County, Pa., in the Eastern Development Area (“EDA”) and its Greater Clermont Area in Elk and Cameron counties, located in its Western Development Area (“WDA”).

Recently, Seneca brought 6 new wells on line in Tract 100 with 24-hour peak production rates that averaged 15.6 million cubic feet (“MMcf”) per day per well. These wells, which were spud in early fiscal 2013, had an average lateral length of 4,872 feet. Each well was completed using a reduced cluster spacing (“RCS”) design, averaging 32 stages per well with an average of 10 stages completed per day. The estimated capital cost to drill and complete each of these wells averaged $6.9 million.

In its Greater Clermont Area, Seneca drilled all 9 wells on its first multi-well development pad in the WDA. These wells had an average lateral length of approximately 5,600 feet, and will be completed prior to the Clermont Gathering System going in service, which is targeted to occur in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.

Today, Seneca has two horizontal drilling rigs operating in the WDA, with one currently located on a 6-well development pad in the Greater Clermont Area, and the other drilling the first of 5 delineation wells scheduled for fiscal 2014. A third rig, located in the EDA, remains focused on development drilling in Lycoming County.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

National Fuel had consolidated earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, of $82.3 million, or $0.97 per share, compared to the prior year’s first quarter of $67.9 million, or $0.81 per share, an increase of $14.4 million or $0.16 per share. Higher earnings across all segments contributed to the increase. (Note: All references to earnings per share are to diluted earnings per share and all amounts used in the discussion of earnings are after tax unless otherwise noted.)

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS BY SEGMENT

The following discussion of the earnings of each segment is summarized in a tabular form at pages 8 and 9 of this report. It may be helpful to refer to those tables while reviewing this discussion.

Upstream Business

Exploration and Production Segment

The Exploration and Production segment operations are carried out by Seneca Resources Corporation (“Seneca”). Seneca explores for, develops and produces natural gas and oil reserves in Pennsylvania, California and Kansas.

The Exploration and Production segment’s earnings in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 of $31.1 million, or $0.37 per share, increased $4.4 million, or $0.05 per share, when compared with the prior year’s first quarter.

Overall production of natural gas and crude oil for the current quarter of 37.1 Bcfe increased approximately 12.6 Bcfe, or 51.4 percent, compared to the prior year’s first quarter. Production from Seneca’s Appalachia properties increased approximately 64.4 percent and accounted for the entire 12.6 Bcfe increase, largely because of Seneca’s strong well results in Lycoming County. California production of 5.0 Bcfe was consistent with the prior year’s first quarter.

Lower commodity prices realized after hedging also impacted earnings. The weighted average natural gas price received by Seneca (after hedging) for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, was $3.70 per thousand cubic feet (“Mcf”), a decrease of $0.49 per Mcf compared to the prior year’s first quarter. The weighted average crude oil price realized after hedging for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, was $94.00 per Bbl, a decrease of $2.69 per Bbl compared to the prior year’s first quarter.

On a per unit basis, depletion decreased $0.20 per thousand cubic feet equivalent (“Mcfe”) due to higher natural gas reserve balances at December 31, 2013, compared to the prior year’s first quarter. On a per unit basis, lease operating and transportation expenses (“LOE”) at $0.95 per Mcfe decreased $0.10 per Mcfe compared to the prior year’s first quarter due to higher production. General and administrative expenses (“G&A”) decreased $0.18 per Mcfe compared to the prior year’s first quarter also due to higher production. Earnings were also impacted by higher interest expense due to a higher outstanding debt balance.

Midstream Businesses

Pipeline and Storage Segment

The Pipeline and Storage segment’s operations are carried out by National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation (“Supply Corporation”) and Empire Pipeline, Inc. (“Empire”). The Pipeline and Storage segment provides natural gas transportation and storage services to affiliated and non-affiliated companies through an integrated system of pipelines and underground natural gas storage fields in western New York and Pennsylvania.

The Pipeline and Storage segment’s earnings of $19.1 million, or $0.23 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, increased $2.2 million, or $0.03 per share, when compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase in earnings is mainly due to higher non-affiliated transportation revenues from the Northern Access and Line N 2012 Expansion projects, which were placed in service in the prior year’s first quarter, and lower operating expenses due to lower pension and other post retirement benefit costs. Earnings were reduced by a lower allowance for funds used during construction due to the completion of the expansion projects mentioned above.

Gathering Segment

The Gathering segment’s operations are carried out by National Fuel Gas Midstream Corporation’s (“Midstream”) subsidiary limited liability companies. The Gathering segment constructs, owns and operates natural gas pipeline gathering and processing facilities in the Appalachian region and currently provides the critical gathering infrastructure for transporting Seneca’s Marcellus Shale production to the interstate pipeline system.

The Gathering segment’s earnings of $6.1 million, or $0.07 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, increased $4.2 million, or $0.05 per share, when compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase in earnings is mainly due to higher gathering revenues from Midstream’s Trout Run gathering system in Lycoming County, Pa.

Downstream Businesses

Utility Segment

The Utility segment operations are carried out by National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (“Distribution”), which sells or transports natural gas to customers located in western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania.

The Utility segment’s earnings of $24.2 million, or $0.28 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, increased $1.3 million, or $0.01 per share, when compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year. Colder weather in Pennsylvania was a major reason for the increase in earnings in the current year’s first quarter. Temperatures in Pennsylvania were 11.2 percent colder in the quarter ended December 31, 2013, than in the prior year’s first quarter. In New York, the impact of weather variations on earnings is mitigated by that jurisdiction’s weather normalization clause. Lower interest expense (mainly due to a lower outstanding debt balance) and regulatory true-up adjustments also contributed to higher earnings in the Utility segment. Higher operating expenses, consisting mostly of higher pension related costs, which were the result of the settlement of the rate proceeding in New York, reduced earnings in the current year’s first quarter.

Energy Marketing Segment

National Fuel Resources, Inc. (“NFR”) comprises the Company’s Energy Marketing segment. NFR markets natural gas to industrial, wholesale, commercial, public authority and residential customers primarily in western and central New York and northwestern Pennsylvania, offering competitively priced natural gas to its customers.

The Energy Marketing segment’s earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, of $1.6 million increased $1.1 million compared to the prior year’s first quarter earnings of $0.5 million. The increase in earnings is due to the impact of recording unbilled revenues and related margins as of December 31, 2013. In prior periods, revenues and related purchased gas costs for the Energy Marketing segment were recorded when billed, resulting in a one month lag.

Corporate and All Other

The Corporate and All Other category primarily includes corporate operations. The category also includes the remaining operations of Seneca’s Northeast division that markets high quality hardwoods from Appalachian land holdings.

The Corporate and All Other category earnings of $0.1 million, for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, compares to a loss of $1.0 million for the prior year’s first quarter. The increase in the earnings is largely due to the receipt of insurance proceeds and higher proceeds from the sale of certain timber stumpage tracts by Seneca’s land and timber division in the current year’s first quarter.

EARNINGS GUIDANCE

The Company is revising its GAAP earnings guidance range for fiscal 2014 to a range of $3.20 to $3.40 per share. The previous earnings guidance had been a range of $3.10 to $3.40 per share. This guidance includes forecast oil and gas production for fiscal 2014 in the range between 145 to 165 Bcfe, hedges currently in place and a flat NYMEX price of $4.00 per MMBtu for natural gas and $90 per Bbl for crude oil for unhedged production for the remainder of the fiscal year.

EARNINGS TELECONFERENCE

The Company will host a conference call on Friday, February 7, 2014, at 11 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss this announcement. There are two ways to access this call. For those with Internet access, visit the investor relations page at National Fuel’s website at investor.nationalfuelgas.com. For those without Internet access, access is also provided by dialing (toll-free) 1-866-383-8009, using passcode “80323087.” For those unable to listen to the live conference call, a replay will be available at approximately 3 p.m. Eastern Time at the same website link and by phone at (toll-free) 1-888-286-8010, using passcode “73413175.” Both the webcast and telephonic replay will be available until the close of business on Friday, February 14, 2014.

National Fuel is an integrated energy company with $6.3 billion in assets comprised of the following five operating segments: Exploration and Production, Pipeline and Storage, Gathering, Utility, and Energy Marketing. Additional information about National Fuel is available at www.nationalfuelgas.com.

Certain statements contained herein, including statements identified by the use of the words “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “believes,” “seeks,” “will,” “may” and similar expressions, and statements which are other than statements of historical facts, are “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The Company’s expectations, beliefs and projections contained herein are expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that such expectations, beliefs or projections will result or be achieved or accomplished. In addition to other factors, the following are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements: factors affecting the Company’s ability to successfully identify, drill for and produce economically viable natural gas and oil reserves, including among others geology, lease availability, title disputes, weather conditions, shortages, delays or unavailability of equipment and services required in drilling operations, insufficient gathering, processing and transportation capacity, the need to obtain governmental approvals and permits, and compliance with environmental laws and regulations; changes in laws, regulations or judicial interpretations to which the Company is subject, including those involving derivatives, taxes, safety, employment, climate change, other environmental matters, real property, and exploration and production activities such as hydraulic fracturing; governmental/regulatory actions, initiatives and proceedings, including those involving rate cases (which address, among other things, allowed rates of return, rate design and retained natural gas), environmental/safety requirements, affiliate relationships, industry structure, and franchise renewal; changes in the price of natural gas or oil; changes in price differential between similar quantities of natural gas or oil sold at different geographic locations, and the effect of such changes on commodity production, revenues and demand for pipeline transportation capacity to or from such locations; other changes in price differentials between similar quantities of natural gas and oil having different quality, heating value, hydrocarbon mix or delivery date; impairments under the SEC’s full cost ceiling test for natural gas and oil reserves; uncertainty of oil and gas reserve estimates; significant differences between the Company’s projected and actual production levels for natural gas or oil; changes in demographic patterns and weather conditions; changes in the availability, price or accounting treatment of derivative financial instruments; delays or changes in costs or plans with respect to Company projects or related projects of other companies, including difficulties or delays in obtaining necessary governmental approvals, permits or orders or in obtaining the cooperation of interconnecting facility operators; financial and economic conditions, including the availability of credit, and occurrences affecting the Company’s ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms for working capital, capital expenditures and other investments, including any downgrades in the Company’s credit ratings and changes in interest rates and other capital market conditions; changes in economic conditions, including global, national or regional recessions, and their effect on the demand for, and customers’ ability to pay for, the Company’s products and services; the creditworthiness or performance of the Company’s key suppliers, customers and counterparties; economic disruptions or uninsured losses resulting from major accidents, fires, severe weather, natural disasters, terrorist activities, acts of war, cyber attacks or pest infestation; significant differences between the Company’s projected and actual capital expenditures and operating expenses; changes in laws, actuarial assumptions, the interest rate environment and the return on plan/trust assets related to the Company’s pension and other post-retirement benefits, which can affect future funding obligations and costs and plan liabilities; the cost and effects of legal and administrative claims against the Company or activist shareholder campaigns to effect changes at the Company; increasing health care costs and the resulting effect on health insurance premiums and on the obligation to provide other post-retirement benefits; or increasing costs of insurance, changes in coverage and the ability to obtain insurance. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date thereof.

               
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS
QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
 
 
Upstream Midstream Businesses Downstream Businesses
 
Exploration & Pipeline & Energy Corporate /
(Thousands of Dollars)   Production     Storage     Gathering     Utility     Marketing     All Other     Consolidated*
 
First quarter 2013 GAAP earnings $ 26,680 $ 16,933 $ 1,942 $ 22,878 $ 495 $ (984 ) $ 67,944
 
Drivers of operating results
Higher (lower) crude oil prices (1,248 ) (1,248 )
Higher (lower) natural gas prices (10,413 ) (10,413 )
Higher (lower) natural gas production 34,319 34,319
Higher (lower) crude oil production 91 91
Derivative mark to market adjustments 1,204 1,204
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses (6,159 ) (6,159 )
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion (12,472 ) (799 ) (13,271 )
 
Higher (lower) transportation and storage revenues 3,682 3,682
Higher (lower) gathering and processing revenues 5,786 5,786
Lower (higher) operating expenses 1,310 1,660 (2,416 ) (393 ) 161
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes (653 ) (653 )
 
Regulatory true-up adjustments 1,093 1,093
Colder weather 1,907 1,907
 
Higher (lower) margins 1,153 505 1,658
 
Higher (lower) AFUDC** (1,534 ) (1,534 )
 
(Higher) lower interest expense (1,319 ) 922 (397 )
 
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate (778 ) (899 ) (660 ) (2,337 )
 
All other / rounding   535       (704 )     (122 )     (169 )     (44 )     923       419  
First quarter 2014 GAAP earnings $ 31,097     $ 19,138     $ 6,147     $ 24,215     $ 1,604     $ 51     $ 82,252  
 
* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations
** AFUDC = Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
 
               
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS PER SHARE
QUARTER ENDED December 31, 2013
 
 
Upstream Midstream Businesses Downstream Businesses
 
Exploration & Pipeline & Energy Corporate /
  Production     Storage     Gathering     Utility     Marketing     All Other     Consolidated*
 
First quarter 2013 GAAP earnings $ 0.32 $ 0.20 $ 0.02 $ 0.27 $ 0.01 $ (0.01 ) $ 0.81
 
Drivers of operating results
Higher (lower) crude oil prices (0.01 ) (0.01 )
Higher (lower) natural gas prices (0.12 ) (0.12 )
Higher (lower) natural gas production 0.41 0.41
Higher (lower) crude oil production - -
Derivative mark to market adjustments 0.01 0.01
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses (0.07 ) (0.07 )
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion (0.15 ) (0.01 ) (0.16 )
 
Higher (lower) transportation and storage revenues 0.04 0.04
Higher (lower) gathering and processing revenues 0.07 0.07
Lower (higher) operating expenses 0.02 0.02 (0.03 ) - 0.01
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes (0.01 ) (0.01 )
 
Regulatory true-up adjustments 0.01 0.01
Colder weather 0.02 0.02
 
Higher (lower) margins 0.01 0.01 0.02
 
Higher (lower) AFUDC** (0.02 ) (0.02 )
 
(Higher) lower interest expense (0.02 ) 0.01 (0.01 )
 
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate (0.01 ) (0.01 ) (0.01 ) (0.03 )
 
All other / rounding   -       -       -       -       -     -       -  
First quarter 2014 GAAP earnings $ 0.37     $ 0.23     $ 0.07     $ 0.28     $ 0.02   $ -     $ 0.97  
 
* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations
** AFUDC = Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
 
         
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
December 31,
(Unaudited)

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

2013 2012
Operating Revenues $ 550,072   $ 452,854  
 
Operating Expenses:
Purchased Gas 167,605 121,919
Operation and Maintenance 107,846 107,732
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes 20,926 19,664
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization   93,114     72,331  
389,491 321,646
 
Operating Income 160,581 131,208
 
Other Income (Expense):
Interest Income 702 1,386
Other Income 228 1,415
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt (22,885 ) (21,448 )
Other Interest Expense   (949 )   (1,068 )
 
Income Before Income Taxes 137,677 111,493
 
Income Tax Expense   55,425     43,549  
 
Net Income Available for Common Stock $ 82,252   $ 67,944  
 
Earnings Per Common Share:
Basic $ 0.98   $ 0.81  
Diluted $ 0.97   $ 0.81  
 
Weighted Average Common Shares:
Used in Basic Calculation   83,707,687     83,390,278  
Used in Diluted Calculation   84,659,001     84,006,050  
 
           
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 
December 31, September 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)         2013     2013
 
ASSETS
Property, Plant and Equipment

$  

7,468,200

$  

7,313,203
Less - Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization           2,242,521         2,161,477  
Net Property, Plant and Equipment           5,225,679         5,151,726  
 
Current Assets:
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments 23,880 64,858
Hedging Collateral Deposits - 1,094
Receivables - Net 164,074 133,182
Unbilled Revenue 80,828 19,483
Gas Stored Underground 36,047 51,484
Materials and Supplies - at average cost 27,364 29,904
Unrecovered Purchased Gas Costs 9,001 12,408
Other Current Assets 45,197 56,905
Deferred Income Taxes           23,127         79,359  
Total Current Assets           409,518         448,677  
 
Other Assets:
Recoverable Future Taxes 162,296 163,355
Unamortized Debt Expense 16,065 16,645
Other Regulatory Assets 257,697 252,568
Deferred Charges 9,818 9,382
Other Investments 99,433 96,308
Goodwill 5,476 5,476
Prepaid Post-Retirement Benefit Costs 24,865 22,774
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments 53,678 48,989
Other           459         2,447  
Total Other Assets           629,787         617,944  
Total Assets         $ 6,264,984       $ 6,218,347  
 
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Capitalization:
Comprehensive Shareholders' Equity
Common Stock, $1 Par Value Authorized - 200,000,000
Shares; Issued and Outstanding - 83,741,402 Shares
and 83,661,969 Shares, Respectively $ 83,741 $ 83,662
Paid in Capital 695,571 687,684
Earnings Reinvested in the Business 1,493,466 1,442,617
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss           (22,038 )       (19,234 )
Total Comprehensive Shareholders' Equity 2,250,740 2,194,729
Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Portion           1,649,000         1,649,000  
Total Capitalization           3,899,740         3,843,729  
 
Current and Accrued Liabilities:
Notes Payable to Banks and Commercial Paper - -
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt - -
Accounts Payable 121,615 105,283
Amounts Payable to Customers 8,884 12,828
Dividends Payable 31,403 31,373
Interest Payable on Long-Term Debt 18,195 29,960
Customer Advances 18,678 21,959
Customer Security Deposits 15,690 16,183
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities 102,709 83,946
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments           7,161         639  
Total Current and Accrued Liabilities           324,335         302,171  
 
Deferred Credits:
Deferred Income Taxes 1,318,577 1,347,007
Taxes Refundable to Customers 84,781 85,655
Unamortized Investment Tax Credit 1,470 1,579
Cost of Removal Regulatory Liability 163,238 157,622
Other Regulatory Liabilities 69,897 61,549
Pension and Other Post-Retirement Liabilities 139,664 158,014
Asset Retirement Obligations 120,122 119,511
Other Deferred Credits           143,160         141,510  
Total Deferred Credits           2,040,909         2,072,447  
Commitments and Contingencies           -         -  
Total Capitalization and Liabilities         $ 6,264,984       $ 6,218,347  
 
         
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
December 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)         2013   2012
 
Operating Activities:
Net Income Available for Common Stock

$  

82,252

$  

67,944
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
Provided by Operating Activities:
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 93,114 72,331
Deferred Income Taxes 30,093 41,000
Excess Tax Benefits Associated with Stock-Based Compensation Awards (3,149 ) -
Stock-Based Compensation 2,960 3,302
Other (2,095 ) 4,621
Change in:
Hedging Collateral Deposits 1,094 364
Receivables and Unbilled Revenue (92,261 ) (55,261 )
Gas Stored Underground and Materials and Supplies 17,977 3,941
Unrecovered Purchased Gas Costs 3,407 -
Other Current Assets 12,764 7,013
Accounts Payable 39,382 6,163
Amounts Payable to Customers (3,944 ) (4,686 )
Customer Advances (3,281 ) (1,987 )
Customer Security Deposits (493 ) 984
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities 12,347 (5,667 )
Other Assets (6,268 ) (597 )
Other Liabilities           (7,205 )     6,495  
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities         $ 176,694     $ 145,960  
 
Investing Activities:
Capital Expenditures $ (194,920 ) $ (162,981 )
Other           3,615       (3,533 )
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities         $ (191,305 )   $ (166,514 )
 
Financing Activities:
Changes in Notes Payable to Banks and Commercial Paper $ - $ 67,000
Excess Tax Benefits Associated with Stock-Based Compensation Awards 3,149 -
Dividends Paid on Common Stock (31,373 ) (60,879 )
Net Proceeds From Issuance of Common Stock           1,857       956  
Net Cash Provided By (Used in) Financing Activities         $ (26,367 )   $ 7,077  
Net Decrease in Cash and Temporary
Cash Investments (40,978 ) (13,477 )
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments
at Beginning of Period           64,858       74,494  
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments
at December 31         $ 23,880     $ 61,017  
 
           
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND STATISTICS
(UNAUDITED)
 
UPSTREAM BUSINESS
 
 
Three Months Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts) December 31,

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SEGMENT

2013   2012   Variance
Total Operating Revenues

$  

193,046    

$  

155,450    

$  

37,596

 
 
Operating Expenses:
Operation and Maintenance:
General and Administrative Expense 15,134 14,433 701
Lease Operating and Transportation Expense 35,171 25,696 9,475
All Other Operation and Maintenance Expense 2,782 5,498 (2,716 )
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes 4,263 3,257 1,006
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization   71,110       51,922       19,188  
  128,460       100,806       27,654  
 
Operating Income 64,586 54,644 9,942
 
Other Income (Expense):
Interest Income 551 470 81
Other Interest Expense   (10,726 )     (8,696 )     (2,030 )
 
Income Before Income Taxes 54,411 46,418 7,993
Income Tax Expense   23,314       19,738       3,576  
Net Income $ 31,097     $ 26,680     $ 4,417  
 
Net Income Per Share (Diluted) $ 0.37     $ 0.32     $ 0.05  
 
           
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND STATISTICS
(UNAUDITED)
 
MIDSTREAM BUSINESSES
 
 
Three Months Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts) December 31,

PIPELINE AND STORAGE SEGMENT

2013   2012   Variance
Revenues from External Customers

$  

51,212

$  

43,459

$  

7,753
Intersegment Revenues   20,739       22,797       (2,058 )
Total Operating Revenues   71,951       66,256       5,695  
 
Operating Expenses:
Purchased Gas 1,262 786 476
Operation and Maintenance 16,885 19,439 (2,554 )
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes 5,688 5,433 255
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization   9,121       8,525       596  
  32,956       34,183       (1,227 )
 
Operating Income 38,995 32,073 6,922
 
Other Income (Expense):
Interest Income 75 64 11
Other Income (193 ) 1,343 (1,536 )
Other Interest Expense   (6,800 )     (6,177 )     (623 )
 
Income Before Income Taxes 32,077 27,303 4,774
Income Tax Expense   12,939       10,370       2,569  
Net Income $ 19,138     $ 16,933     $ 2,205  
 
Net Income Per Share (Diluted) $ 0.23     $ 0.20     $ 0.03  
 
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,

GATHERING SEGMENT

2013   2012   Variance
Revenues from External Customers $ 235 $ 202 $ 33
Intersegment Revenues   14,350       5,480       8,870  
Total Operating Revenues   14,585       5,682       8,903  
 
Operating Expenses:
Operation and Maintenance 1,167 943 224
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes 32 141 (109 )
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization   1,909       680       1,229  
  3,108       1,764       1,344  
 
Operating Income 11,477 3,918 7,559
 
Other Income (Expense):
Interest Income 38 - 38
Other Income 1 - 1
Other Interest Expense   (583 )     (468 )     (115 )
 
Income Before Income Taxes 10,933 3,450 7,483
Income Tax Expense   4,786       1,508       3,278  
Net Income $ 6,147     $ 1,942     $ 4,205  
 
Net Income Per Share (Diluted) $ 0.07     $ 0.02     $ 0.05  
 
           
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND STATISTICS
(UNAUDITED)
 
DOWNSTREAM BUSINESSES
 
 
Three Months Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts) December 31,

UTILITY SEGMENT

2013   2012   Variance
Revenues from External Customers

$  

230,453

$  

208,563

$  

21,890
Intersegment Revenues   4,706       4,311       395  
Total Operating Revenues   235,159       212,874       22,285  
 
Operating Expenses:
Purchased Gas 121,926 105,942 15,984
Operation and Maintenance 47,271 43,261 4,010
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes 10,667 10,355 312
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization   10,711       10,508       203  
  190,575       170,066       20,509  
 
Operating Income 44,584 42,808 1,776
 
Other Income (Expense):
Interest Income 77 886 (809 )
Other Income 370 219 151
Other Interest Expense   (6,814 )     (8,233 )     1,419  
 
Income Before Income Taxes 38,217 35,680 2,537
Income Tax Expense   14,002       12,802       1,200  
Net Income $ 24,215     $ 22,878     $ 1,337  
 
Net Income Per Share (Diluted) $ 0.28     $ 0.27     $ 0.01  
 
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,

ENERGY MARKETING SEGMENT

2013   2012   Variance
Revenues from External Customers $ 73,159 $ 44,166 $ 28,993
Intersegment Revenues   255       426       (171 )
Total Operating Revenues   73,414       44,592       28,822  
 
Operating Expenses:
Purchased Gas 69,204 42,156 27,048
Operation and Maintenance 1,593 1,594 (1 )
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes - 58 (58 )
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization   48       23       25  
  70,845       43,831       27,014  
 
Operating Income 2,569 761 1,808
 
Other Income (Expense):
Interest Income 45 53 (8 )
Other Income 15 12 3
Other Interest Expense   (8 )     (10 )     2  
 
Income Before Income Taxes 2,621 816 1,805
Income Tax Expense   1,017       321       696  
Net Income $ 1,604     $ 495     $ 1,109  
 
Net Income Per Share (Diluted) $ 0.02     $ 0.01     $ 0.01  
 
           
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND STATISTICS
(UNAUDITED)
 
Three Months Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts) December 31,

ALL OTHER

2013   2012   Variance
Total Operating Revenues

$  

1,700    

$  

813    

$  

887  
 
Operating Expenses:
Operation and Maintenance 353 283 70
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes 157 157 -
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization   58       473       (415 )
  568       913       (345 )
 
Operating Income (Loss) 1,132 (100 ) 1,232
 
Other Income (Expense):
Interest Income 34 39 (5 )
Other Income 21 (34 ) 55
Other Interest Expense   (1 )     (1 )     -  
 
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes 1,186 (96 ) 1,282
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)   511       (39 )     550  
Net Income (Loss) $ 675     $ (57 )   $ 732  
 
Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Diluted) $ 0.01     $ -     $ 0.01  
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,

CORPORATE

2013   2012   Variance
Revenues from External Customers $ 267 $ 201 $ 66
Intersegment Revenues   963       547       416  
Total Operating Revenues   1,230       748       482  
 
Operating Expenses:
Operation and Maintenance 3,716 3,181 535
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes 119 263 (144 )
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization   157       200       (43 )
  3,992       3,644       348  
 
Operating Loss (2,762 ) (2,896 ) 134
 
Other Income (Expense):
Interest Income 24,607 23,304 1,303
Other Income 14 (125 ) 139
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt (22,885 ) (21,448 ) (1,437 )
Other Interest Expense   (742 )     (913 )     171  
 
Loss Before Income Taxes (1,768 ) (2,078 ) 310
Income Tax Benefit   (1,144 )     (1,151 )     7  
Net Loss $ (624 )   $ (927 )   $ 303  
 
Net Loss Per Share (Diluted) $ (0.01 )   $ (0.01 )   $ -  
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,

INTERSEGMENT ELIMINATIONS

2013   2012     Variance
Intersegment Revenues $ (41,013 )   $ (33,561 )   $ (7,452 )
 
Operating Expenses:
Purchased Gas (24,787 ) (26,965 ) 2,178
Operation and Maintenance   (16,226 )     (6,596 )     (9,630 )
  (41,013 )     (33,561 )     (7,452 )
 
Operating Income - - -
 
Other Income (Expense):
Interest Income (24,725 ) (23,430 ) (1,295 )
Other Interest Expense   24,725       23,430       1,295  
 
Net Income $ -     $ -     $ -  
 
Net Income Per Share (Diluted) $ -     $ -     $ -  
 
           
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
(Unaudited)
 
Increase
2013 2012 (Decrease)
 

Capital Expenditures:

Exploration and Production

$   

111,341

(1)(2)

$   

127,652 (3)(4)

$   

(16,311

)

Pipeline and Storage 9,939 (1)(2) 25,751 (3)(4)

(15,812

)

Gathering 23,463 (1)(2) 13,559 (3)(4) 9,904
Utility 21,660 (1)(2) 14,363 (3)(4) 7,297
Energy Marketing   43   183  

(140

)

Total Reportable Segments 166,446 181,508

(15,062

)

All Other 59 106

(47

)

Corporate   15   8   7
Total Capital Expenditures

$

166,520 $ 181,622 $

(15,102

)

     

(1)

Capital expenditures for the three months ended December 31, 2013 include accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to capital expenditures of $38.4 million, $0.6 million, $8.8 million, and $4.9 million in the Exploration and Production segment, Pipeline and Storage segment, Gathering segment and Utility segment, respectively. These amounts have been excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at December 31, 2013 since they represent non-cash investing activities at that date.
 

(2)

Capital expenditures for the three months ended December 31, 2013 exclude capital expenditures of $58.5 million, $5.6 million, $6.7 million and $10.3 million in the Exploration and Production segment, Pipeline and Storage segment, Gathering segment and Utility segment, respectively. These amounts were in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at September 30, 2013 and paid during the three months ended December 31, 2013. These amounts were excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at September 30, 2013 since they represented non-cash investing activities at that date. These amounts have been included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at December 31, 2013.
 

(3)

Capital expenditures for the three months ended December 31, 2012 include accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to capital expenditures of $73.4 million, $10.5 million, $2.1 million, and $0.1 million in the Exploration and Production segment, Pipeline and Storage segment, Gathering segment and Utility segment, respectively. These amounts have been excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at December 31, 2012 since they represent non-cash investing activities at that date.
 

(4)

Capital expenditures for the three months ended December 31, 2012 exclude capital expenditures of $38.9 million, $12.7 million, $12.7 million and $3.2 million in the Exploration and Production segment, Pipeline and Storage segment, Gathering segment and Utility segment, respectively. These amounts were in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at September 30, 2012 and paid during the three months ended December 31, 2012. These amounts were excluded from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows at September 30, 2012 since they represented non-cash investing activities at that date. These amounts have been included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at December 31, 2012.
 

DEGREE DAYS

                       
 
Percent Colder
(Warmer) Than:

Three Months Ended December 31

Normal 2013 2012 Normal (1) Last Year (1)
 
Buffalo, NY 2,253 2,290 2,036 1.6 12.5
Erie, PA 2,044 2,110 1,898 3.2 11.2
     
(1) Percents compare actual 2013 degree days to normal degree days and actual 2013 degree days to actual 2012 degree days.
 
           
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION INFORMATION

 
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
Increase
2013 2012 (Decrease)
 

Gas Production/Prices:

Production (MMcf)
Appalachia 32,052 19,496 12,556
West Coast 786 745 41  
Total Production 32,838 20,241 12,597  
 
Average Prices (Per Mcf)
Appalachia

$  

3.28

$  

3.35

$  

(0.07 )
West Coast (3) 5.93 6.53 (0.60 )
Weighted Average 3.35 3.47 (0.12 )
Weighted Average after Hedging 3.70 4.19 (0.49 )
 

Oil Production/Prices:

Production (Thousands of Barrels)
Appalachia 9 6 3
West Coast 706 708 (2 )
Total Production 715 714 1  
 
Average Prices (Per Barrel)
Appalachia $ 96.03 $ 87.83 $ 8.20
West Coast 97.45 100.10 (2.65 )
Weighted Average 97.43 100.01 (2.58 )
Weighted Average after Hedging 94.00 96.69 (2.69 )
 
Total Production (Mmcfe) 37,128 24,525 12,603  
 

Selected Operating Performance Statistics:

General & Administrative Expense per Mcfe (1) $ 0.41 $ 0.59 $ (0.18 )
Lease Operating and Transportation Expense per Mcfe (1)(2) $ 0.95 $ 1.05 $ (0.10 )
Depreciation, Depletion & Amortization per Mcfe (1) $ 1.92 $ 2.12 $ (0.20 )
 
    (1)   Refer to page 13 for the General and Administrative Expense, Lease Operating Expense and Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization Expense for the Exploration and Production segment.
(2) Amounts include transportation expense of $0.41 and $0.32 per Mcfe for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
(3) Prices reflect revenues from gas produced on the West Coast, including natural gas liquids.
 
             
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION INFORMATION

 
Hedging Summary for the Remaining Nine Months of Fiscal 2014
 

SWAPS

Volume

Average Hedge Price

Oil
Midway Sunset (MWSS) 0.47 MMBBL $ 95.68 / BBL
Brent 1.01 MMBBL $ 102.32 / BBL
Total 1.48 MMBBL $ 100.22 / BBL
 
Gas
NYMEX 61.51 BCF $ 4.27 / MCF
Dominion Transmission Appalachian (DOM) 20.57 BCF $ 4.26 / MCF
Southern California City Gate (SoCal) 0.86 BCF $ 4.57 / MCF
Total 82.94 BCF $ 4.27 / MCF
 
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2015
 

SWAPS

Volume

Average Hedge Price

Oil
Brent 0.90 MMBBL $ 98.42 / BBL
NYMEX 0.40 MMBBL $ 90.14 / BBL
Total 1.30 MMBBL $ 95.90 / BBL
 
Gas
NYMEX 58.94 BCF $ 4.32 / MCF
DOM 17.83 BCF $ 4.07 / MCF
SoCal 1.14 BCF $ 4.57 / MCF
Total 77.91 BCF $ 4.27 / MCF
 
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2016
 

SWAPS

Volume

Average Hedge Price

Oil
Brent 0.93 MMBBL $ 95.18 / BBL
NYMEX 0.30 MMBBL $ 86.09 / BBL
Total 1.23 MMBBL $ 92.97 / BBL
 
Gas
NYMEX 35.66 BCF $ 4.46 / MCF
DOM 17.94 BCF $ 4.07 / MCF
Total 53.60 BCF $ 4.33 / MCF
 
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2017
 

SWAPS

Volume

Average Hedge Price

Oil
Brent 0.38 MMBBL $ 92.30 / BBL
 
Gas
NYMEX 23.77 BCF $ 4.71 / MCF
DOM 17.94 BCF $ 4.07 / MCF
Total 41.71 BCF $ 4.44 / MCF
 
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2018
 

SWAPS

Volume

Average Hedge Price

Oil
Brent 0.08 MMBBL $ 91.00 / BBL
 
Gas
NYMEX 5.29 BCF $ 4.81 / MCF
 
               
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION INFORMATION

 

Gross Wells in Process of Drilling

Quarter Ended December 31, 2013

Total

East

West

Company

Wells in Process - Beginning of Period
Exploratory 0.000 0.000 0.000
Developmental 76.000 0.000 76.000
Wells Commenced
Exploratory 0.000 1.000 1.000
Developmental 14.000 18.000 32.000
Wells Completed
Exploratory 0.000 0.000 0.000
Developmental 14.000 17.000 31.000
Wells Plugged & Abandoned
Exploratory 0.000 0.000 0.000
Developmental 1.000 0.000 1.000
Wells in Process - End of Period
Exploratory 0.000 1.000 1.000
Developmental 75.000 1.000 76.000
               
 

Net Wells in Process of Drilling

Quarter Ended December 31, 2013

Total

East

West

Company

Wells in Process - Beginning of Period
Exploratory 0.000 0.000 0.000
Developmental 61.000 0.000 61.000
Wells Commenced
Exploratory 0.000 0.766 0.766
Developmental 14.000 18.000 32.000
Wells Completed
Exploratory 0.000 0.000 0.000
Developmental 14.000 17.000 31.000
Wells Plugged & Abandoned
Exploratory 0.000 0.000 0.000
Developmental 1.000 0.000 1.000
Wells in Process - End of Period
Exploratory 0.000 0.766 0.766
Developmental 60.000 1.000 61.000
 
           
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
 
 
Pipeline & Storage Throughput - (millions of cubic feet - MMcf)
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
Increase
2013 2012 (Decrease)
Firm Transportation - Affiliated 29,686 28,234 1,452
Firm Transportation - Non-Affiliated 161,970 95,179 66,791
Interruptible Transportation 1,322 1,252 70  
192,978 124,665 68,313  
 
Gathering Volume - (MMcf)
Three Months Ended
December 31,
Increase
2013 2012 (Decrease)
Gathered Volume - Affiliated 31,014 16,811 14,203  
 
 
Utility Throughput - (MMcf)
Three Months Ended
December 31,
Increase
2013 2012 (Decrease)
Retail Sales:
Residential Sales 17,008 15,153 1,855
Commercial Sales 2,360 1,967 393
Industrial Sales 91 301 (210 )
19,459 17,421 2,038
Off-System Sales 1,978 2,429 (451 )
Transportation 21,190 18,637 2,553  
42,627 38,487 4,140  
 
Energy Marketing Volume
Three Months Ended
December 31,
Increase
2013 2012 (Decrease)
Natural Gas (MMcf) 16,008 10,365 5,643  
 
                   
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
FISCAL 2014 EARNINGS GUIDANCE AND SENSITIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share sensitivity to changes
Fiscal 2014 (Diluted earnings per share guidance*) from prices used in guidance* ^
 

$0.50 change per MMBtu
gas

$5 change per Bbl oil
Range Increase   Decrease Increase   Decrease
 
Consolidated Earnings $ 3.20 - $ 3.40 +$

0.07

-$

0.07

+$ 0.03 -$ 0.03
 

* Please refer to forward looking statement footnote beginning at page 6 of document.

^ This sensitivity table is current as of February 6, 2014 and only considers revenue from the Exploration and Production segment's crude oil and natural gas sales. This revenue is based upon pricing used in the Company's earnings forecast. For its fiscal 2014 earnings forecast, the Company is utilizing flat NYMEX equivalent commodity pricing, exclusive of basis differential, of $4.00 per MMBtu for natural gas and $90 per Bbl for crude oil. The sensitivities will become obsolete with the passage of time, changes in Seneca's production forecast, changes in basis differential, as additional hedging contracts are entered into, and with the settling of hedge contracts at their maturity.

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In addition to financial measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this press release contains information regarding Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company believes that this non-GAAP financial measure is useful to investors because it provides an alternative method for assessing the Company's ongoing operating results, for measuring the Company’s cash flow and liquidity, and for comparing the Company’s financial performance to other companies. The Company's management uses this non-GAAP financial measure for the same purpose, and for planning and forecasting purposes. The presentation of non-GAAP financial measures is not meant to be a substitute for financial measures in accordance with GAAP.

Management defines Adjusted EBITDA as reported GAAP earnings before the following items: interest expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization, interest and other income, impairments, items impacting comparability and income taxes.

The following tables reconcile National Fuel's reported GAAP earnings to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2013:

         
 
Three Months
Ended December 31,
2013 2012
(in thousands)
Reported GAAP Earnings

$  

82,252

$  

67,944
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 93,114 72,331
Interest and Other Income (930 ) (2,801 )
Interest Expense 23,834 22,516
Income Taxes   55,425     43,549  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 253,695   $ 203,539  
 
         
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
 

Quarter Ended December 31 (unaudited)

2013 2012
 
Operating Revenues

$  

550,072,000

$  

452,854,000
 
Net Income Available for Common Stock $ 82,252,000 $ 67,944,000
 
Earnings Per Common Share:
Basic $ 0.98 $ 0.81
Diluted $ 0.97 $ 0.81
 
Weighted Average Common Shares:
Used in Basic Calculation   83,707,687   83,390,278
Used in Diluted Calculation   84,659,001   84,006,050
 

Twelve Months Ended December 31 (unaudited)

 
Operating Revenues $ 1,926,768,000 $ 1,647,284,000
 
Net Income Available for Common Stock $ 274,309,000 $ 227,322,000
 
Earnings Per Common Share:
Basic $ 3.28 $ 2.73
Diluted $ 3.25 $ 2.71
 
Weighted Average Common Shares:
Used in Basic Calculation   83,598,868   83,258,386
Used in Diluted Calculation   84,411,007   83,800,341

Contacts

National Fuel Gas Company
Analyst:
Timothy J. Silverstein, 716-857-6987
or
Media:
Karen L. Merkel, 716-857-7654

Contacts

National Fuel Gas Company
Analyst:
Timothy J. Silverstein, 716-857-6987
or
Media:
Karen L. Merkel, 716-857-7654