WMB_2014.09.30_10Q
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
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þ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014
or
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¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from _____________ to _____________
Commission file number 1-4174
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THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
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DELAWARE | | 73-0569878 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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ONE WILLIAMS CENTER | | |
TULSA, OKLAHOMA | | 74172-0172 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (918) 573-2000
NO CHANGE
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)
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 ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). þ Yes ¨ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer þ | | Accelerated filer ¨ | | Non-accelerated filer ¨ | | Smaller reporting company ¨ |
| | | | (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | | |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.) Yes ¨ No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
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Class | | Shares Outstanding at October 27, 2014 |
Common Stock, $1 par value | | 747,462,634 |
The Williams Companies, Inc.
Index
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| Page |
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Item 1. Financial Statements | |
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Certain matters contained in this report include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements relate to anticipated financial performance, management’s plans and objectives for future operations, business prospects, outcome of regulatory proceedings, market conditions, and other matters. We make these forward-looking statements in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this report that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will exist or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by various forms of words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “continues,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “might,” “proposed,” “goals,” “objectives,” “targets,” “planned,” “potential,” “projects,” “scheduled,” “will,” “assumes,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “in service date” or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management and include, among others, statements regarding:
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• | The levels of dividends to stockholders; |
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• | Expected levels of cash distributions by Access Midstream Partners, L.P. (ACMP) and Williams Partners L.P. (WPZ) with respect to general partner interests, incentive distribution rights, and limited partner interests; |
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• | The closing, expected timing, and benefits of the proposed merger of ACMP and WPZ (the Proposed Merger); |
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• | Amounts and nature of future capital expenditures; |
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• | Expansion and growth of our business and operations; |
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• | Financial condition and liquidity; |
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• | Cash flow from operations or results of operations; |
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• | Seasonality of certain business components; |
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• | Natural gas, natural gas liquids, and olefins prices, supply and demand; |
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• | Demand for our services. |
Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, uncertainties and risks that could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in this report. Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:
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• | Whether WPZ, ACMP, or the merged partnership will produce sufficient cash flows to provide the level of cash distributions we expect; |
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• | Whether we are able to pay current and expected levels of dividends; |
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• | Availability of supplies, market demand, and volatility of commodity prices; |
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• | Inflation, interest rates, fluctuation in foreign exchange rates, and general economic conditions (including future disruptions and volatility in the global credit markets and the impact of these events on our customers and suppliers); |
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• | The strength and financial resources of our competitors and the effects of competition; |
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• | Whether we are able to successfully identify, evaluate and execute investment opportunities; |
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• | Our ability to acquire new businesses and assets and successfully integrate those operations and assets, including ACMP’s business, into our existing businesses, as well as successfully expand our facilities; |
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• | Development of alternative energy sources; |
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• | The impact of operational and development hazards and unforeseen interruptions; |
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• | Costs of, changes in, or the results of laws, government regulations (including safety and environmental regulations), environmental liabilities, litigation, and rate proceedings; |
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• | Our costs and funding obligations for defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans; |
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• | Changes in maintenance and construction costs; |
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• | Changes in the current geopolitical situation; |
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• | Our exposure to the credit risk of our customers and counterparties; |
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• | ACMP’s dependence on a limited number of customers and vendors; |
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• | Risks related to strategy and financing, including restrictions stemming from our debt agreements, future changes in our credit ratings as well as the credit ratings of ACMP, WPZ, or the merged partnership as determined by nationally-recognized credit rating agencies and the availability and cost of capital; |
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• | The amount of cash distributions from and capital requirements of our investments and joint ventures in which we participate; |
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• | Risks associated with weather and natural phenomena, including climate conditions; |
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• | Acts of terrorism, including cybersecurity threats and related disruptions; |
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• | Additional risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
Given the uncertainties and risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, we caution investors not to unduly rely on our forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligations to and do not intend to update the above list or to announce publicly the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.
In addition to causing our actual results to differ, the factors listed above and referred to below may cause our intentions to change from those statements of intention set forth in this report. Such changes in our intentions may also cause our results to differ. We may change our intentions, at any time and without notice, based upon changes in such factors, our assumptions, or otherwise.
Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, we caution that there are important factors, in addition to those listed above, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. For a detailed discussion of those factors, see Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Form 10-Q.
DEFINITIONS
The following is a listing of certain abbreviations, acronyms, and other industry terminology used throughout this Form 10-Q.
Measurements:
Barrel: One barrel of petroleum products that equals 42 U.S. gallons
Bcf: One billion cubic feet of natural gas
Bcf/d: One billion cubic feet of natural gas per day
British Thermal Unit (Btu): A unit of energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree
Fahrenheit
Dekatherms (Dth): A unit of energy equal to one million British thermal units
Mbbls/d: One thousand barrels per day
Mdth/d: One thousand dekatherms per day
MMcf/d: One million cubic feet per day
Consolidated Entities:
ACMP: Access Midstream Partners, L.P.
Constitution: Constitution Pipeline Company, LLC
Gulfstar One: Gulfstar One LLC
Northwest Pipeline: Northwest Pipeline LLC
Transco: Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC
WPZ: Williams Partners L.P.
Partially Owned Entities: Entities in which we do not own a 100 percent ownership interest and which, as of September 30, 2014, we account for as an equity-method investment, including principally the following:
Aux Sable: Aux Sable Liquid Products LP
Bluegrass Pipeline: Bluegrass Pipeline Company LLC
Caiman II: Caiman Energy II, LLC
Discovery: Discovery Producer Services LLC
Gulfstream: Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C.
Laurel Mountain: Laurel Mountain Midstream, LLC
Moss Lake: Moss Lake Fractionation LLC and Moss Lake LPG Terminal LLC
OPPL: Overland Pass Pipeline Company LLC
Government and Regulatory:
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
FERC: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Other:
B/B Splitter: Butylene/Butane splitter
RGP Splitter: Refinery grade propylene splitter
IDR: Incentive distribution right
NGLs: Natural gas liquids; natural gas liquids result from natural gas processing and crude oil refining and are
used as petrochemical feedstocks, heating fuels, and gasoline additives, among other applications
NGL margins: NGL revenues less Btu replacement cost, plant fuel, transportation, and fractionation
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Williams Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Income
(Unaudited)
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
| | (Millions, except per-share amounts) |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | |
Service revenues | | $ | 1,127 |
| | $ | 736 |
| | $ | 2,771 |
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| $ | 2,163 |
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Product sales | | 942 |
| | 887 |
| | 2,725 |
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| 3,037 |
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Total revenues | | 2,069 |
| | 1,623 |
| | 5,496 |
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| 5,200 |
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Costs and expenses: | | | |
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Product costs | | 807 |
| | 710 |
| | 2,300 |
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| 2,301 |
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Operating and maintenance expenses | | 412 |
| | 269 |
| | 1,018 |
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| 820 |
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Depreciation and amortization expenses | | 369 |
| | 207 |
| | 797 |
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| 606 |
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Selling, general, and administrative expenses | | 171 |
| | 130 |
| | 457 |
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| 385 |
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Net insurance recoveries – Geismar Incident | | — |
| | (50 | ) | | (161 | ) | | (50 | ) |
Other (income) expense – net | | 3 |
| | 21 |
| | 47 |
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| 26 |
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Total costs and expenses | | 1,762 |
| | 1,287 |
| | 4,458 |
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| 4,088 |
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Operating income (loss) | | 307 |
| | 336 |
| | 1,038 |
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| 1,112 |
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Equity earnings (losses) | | 66 |
| | 37 |
| | 55 |
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| 93 |
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Gain on remeasurement of equity-method investment | | 2,522 |
| | — |
| | 2,522 |
| | — |
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Other investing income (loss) – net | | 11 |
| | 10 |
| | 43 |
| | 62 |
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Interest incurred | | (262 | ) |
| (151 | ) |
| (623 | ) |
| (454 | ) |
Interest capitalized | | 52 |
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| 27 |
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| 110 |
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| 75 |
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Other income (expense) – net | | 10 |
| | 1 |
| | 15 |
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| 1 |
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Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | | 2,706 |
| | 260 |
| | 3,160 |
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| 889 |
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Provision (benefit) for income taxes | | 998 |
| | 62 |
| | 1,133 |
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| 260 |
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Income (loss) from continuing operations | | 1,708 |
| | 198 |
| | 2,027 |
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| 629 |
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Income (loss) from discontinued operations | | — |
| | (1 | ) | | 4 |
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| (10 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | 1,708 |
| | 197 |
| | 2,031 |
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| 619 |
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Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | | 30 |
| | 56 |
| | 110 |
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| 175 |
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Net income (loss) attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. | | $ | 1,678 |
| | $ | 141 |
| | $ | 1,921 |
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| $ | 444 |
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Amounts attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc.: | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | 1,678 |
| | $ | 143 |
| | $ | 1,917 |
| | $ | 454 |
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Income (loss) from discontinued operations | | — |
| | (2 | ) | | 4 |
| | (10 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 1,678 |
| | $ | 141 |
| | $ | 1,921 |
| | $ | 444 |
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Basic earnings (loss) per common share: | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | 2.24 |
| | $ | .21 |
| | $ | 2.70 |
| | $ | .66 |
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Income (loss) from discontinued operations | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (.01 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 2.24 |
| | $ | .21 |
| | $ | 2.70 |
| | $ | .65 |
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Weighted-average shares (thousands) | | 747,412 |
| | 683,274 |
| | 709,809 |
| | 682,744 |
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Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | 2.22 |
| | $ | .20 |
| | $ | 2.68 |
| | $ | .66 |
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Income (loss) from discontinued operations | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (.01 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 2.22 |
| | $ | .20 |
| | $ | 2.68 |
| | $ | .65 |
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Weighted-average shares (thousands) | | 752,064 |
| | 687,306 |
| | 714,119 |
| | 687,007 |
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Cash dividends declared per common share | | $ | .56 |
| | $ | .36625 |
| | $ | 1.3875 |
| | $ | 1.0575 |
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See accompanying notes.
The Williams Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
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| | Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
| | (Millions) |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 1,708 |
| | $ | 197 |
| | $ | 2,031 |
| | $ | 619 |
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Other comprehensive income (loss): | | | | | | | | |
Cash flow hedging activities: | | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized gain (loss) from derivative instruments, net of taxes | | — |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | 1 |
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Reclassifications into earnings of net derivative instruments (gain) loss, net of taxes | | — |
| | (1 | ) | | — |
| | (1 | ) |
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes of $13 and $5 in 2014 | | (51 | ) | | 20 |
| | (58 | ) | | (31 | ) |
Pension and other postretirement benefits: | | | | | | | | |
Prior service credit arising during the year, net of taxes of ($8) and ($8) in 2013 | | — |
| | 15 |
| | — |
| | 15 |
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Amortization of prior service cost (credit) included in net periodic benefit cost, net of taxes of $1 and $3 in 2014 and $1 and $1 in 2013, respectively | | (1 | ) | | — |
| | (3 | ) | | (1 | ) |
Net actuarial gain (loss) arising during the year, net of taxes of ($7) and ($7) in 2013 | | — |
| | 12 |
| | — |
| | 12 |
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Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss included in net periodic benefit cost, net of taxes of ($4) and ($11) in 2014 and ($7) and ($18) in 2013, respectively | | 6 |
| | 9 |
| | 18 |
| | 29 |
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Other comprehensive income (loss) | | (46 | ) | | 56 |
| | (43 | ) | | 24 |
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Comprehensive income (loss) | | 1,662 |
| | 253 |
| | 1,988 |
| | 643 |
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Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | | 12 |
| | 56 |
| | 105 |
| | 175 |
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Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. | | $ | 1,650 |
| | $ | 197 |
| | $ | 1,883 |
| | $ | 468 |
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See accompanying notes.
The Williams Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Unaudited)
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| | September 30, 2014 | | December 31, 2013 |
| | (Millions, except per-share amounts) |
ASSETS | | |
Current assets: | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 302 |
| | $ | 681 |
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Accounts and notes receivable, net: | | | | |
Trade and other | | 860 |
| | 600 |
|
Income tax receivable | | 102 |
| | 74 |
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Deferred income tax asset | | 126 |
| | 27 |
|
Inventories | | 284 |
| | 194 |
|
Other current assets and deferred charges | | 224 |
| | 107 |
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Total current assets | | 1,898 |
| | 1,683 |
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Investments | | 7,085 |
| | 4,360 |
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Property, plant, and equipment, at cost | | 35,568 |
| | 25,823 |
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Accumulated depreciation and amortization | | (8,170 | ) | | (7,613 | ) |
Property, plant and equipment – net | | 27,398 |
| | 18,210 |
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Goodwill | | 1,658 |
| | 646 |
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Other intangible assets, net of amortization | | 11,136 |
| | 1,644 |
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Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other | | 632 |
| | 599 |
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Total assets | | $ | 49,807 |
| | $ | 27,142 |
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LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 1,017 |
| | $ | 960 |
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Accrued liabilities | | 895 |
| | 797 |
|
Commercial paper | | 265 |
| | 225 |
|
Long-term debt due within one year | | 754 |
| | 1 |
|
Total current liabilities | | 2,931 |
| | 1,983 |
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Long-term debt | | 19,922 |
| | 11,353 |
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Deferred income taxes | | 4,657 |
| | 3,529 |
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Other noncurrent liabilities | | 1,616 |
| | 1,356 |
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Contingent liabilities (Note 12) | |
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Equity: | | | | |
Stockholders’ equity: | | | | |
Common stock (960 million shares authorized at $1 par value; 782 million shares issued at September 30, 2014 and 718 million shares issued at December 31, 2013) | | 782 |
| | 718 |
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Capital in excess of par value | | 14,925 |
| | 11,599 |
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Retained deficit | | (5,315 | ) | | (6,248 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | | (222 | ) | | (164 | ) |
Treasury stock, at cost (35 million shares of common stock) | | (1,041 | ) | | (1,041 | ) |
Total stockholders’ equity | | 9,129 |
| | 4,864 |
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Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries | | 11,552 |
| | 4,057 |
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Total equity | | 20,681 |
| | 8,921 |
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Total liabilities and equity | | $ | 49,807 |
| | $ | 27,142 |
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See accompanying notes.
The Williams Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
(Unaudited)
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| The Williams Companies, Inc., Stockholders | | | | |
| Common Stock | | Capital in Excess of Par Value | | Retained Deficit | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | Treasury Stock | | Total Stockholders’ Equity | | Noncontrolling Interests | | Total Equity |
| (Millions) |
Balance – December 31, 2013 | $ | 718 |
| | $ | 11,599 |
| | $ | (6,248 | ) | | $ | (164 | ) | | $ | (1,041 | ) | | $ | 4,864 |
| | $ | 4,057 |
| | $ | 8,921 |
|
Net income (loss) | — |
| | — |
| | 1,921 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,921 |
| | 110 |
| | 2,031 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (38 | ) | | — |
| | (38 | ) | | (5 | ) | | (43 | ) |
Issuance of common stock for acquisition of business (Note 10) | 61 |
| | 3,317 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 3,378 |
| | — |
| | 3,378 |
|
Noncontrolling interest resulting from acquisition of business | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 7,529 |
| | 7,529 |
|
Cash dividends – common stock | — |
| | — |
| | (986 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (986 | ) | | — |
| | (986 | ) |
Dividends and distributions to noncontrolling interests | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (509 | ) | | (509 | ) |
Stock-based compensation and related common stock issuances, net of tax | 3 |
| | 72 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 75 |
| | — |
| | 75 |
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Sales of limited partner units of Williams Partners L.P. | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 55 |
| | 55 |
|
Changes in ownership of consolidated subsidiaries, net | — |
| | (62 | ) | | — |
| | (20 | ) | | — |
| | (82 | ) | | 118 |
| | 36 |
|
Contributions from noncontrolling interests | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 260 |
| | 260 |
|
Deconsolidation of Bluegrass Pipeline (Note 2) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (63 | ) | | (63 | ) |
Other | — |
| | (1 | ) | | (2 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (3 | ) | | — |
| | (3 | ) |
Net increase (decrease) in equity | 64 |
| | 3,326 |
| | 933 |
| | (58 | ) | | — |
| | 4,265 |
| | 7,495 |
| | 11,760 |
|
Balance – September 30, 2014 | $ | 782 |
| | $ | 14,925 |
| | $ | (5,315 | ) | | $ | (222 | ) | | $ | (1,041 | ) | | $ | 9,129 |
| | $ | 11,552 |
| | $ | 20,681 |
|
See accompanying notes.
The Williams Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Unaudited) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Nine months ended September 30, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 |
| | (Millions) |
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 2,031 |
| | $ | 619 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided (used) by operating activities: | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 797 |
| | 606 |
|
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes | | 1,042 |
| | 301 |
|
Amortization of stock-based awards | | 36 |
| | 28 |
|
Gain on remeasurement of equity-method investment | | (2,522 | ) | | — |
|
Cash provided (used) by changes in current assets and liabilities: | | | | |
Accounts and notes receivable | | (106 | ) | | 85 |
|
Inventories | | (89 | ) | | (53 | ) |
Other current assets and deferred charges | | (49 | ) | | 11 |
|
Accounts payable | | 60 |
| | (47 | ) |
Accrued liabilities | | (126 | ) | | 91 |
|
Other, including changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities | | 30 |
| | 61 |
|
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities | | 1,104 |
| | 1,702 |
|
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | | |
Proceeds from (payments of) commercial paper – net | | 39 |
| | 370 |
|
Proceeds from long-term debt | | 6,134 |
| | 1,705 |
|
Payments of long-term debt | | (864 | ) | | (2,081 | ) |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | | 3,414 |
| | 14 |
|
Proceeds from sale of limited partner units of consolidated partnership | | 55 |
| | 1,819 |
|
Dividends paid | | (986 | ) | | (722 | ) |
Dividends and distributions paid to noncontrolling interests | | (509 | ) | | (344 | ) |
Contributions from noncontrolling interests | | 260 |
| | 327 |
|
Other – net | | (16 | ) | | 6 |
|
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities | | 7,527 |
| | 1,094 |
|
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | | |
Capital expenditures (1) | | (2,943 | ) | | (2,542 | ) |
Purchases of and contributions to equity-method investments | | (345 | ) | | (350 | ) |
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired | | (5,958 | ) | | — |
|
Other – net | | 236 |
| | (11 | ) |
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities | | (9,010 | ) | | (2,903 | ) |
| | | | |
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | (379 | ) | | (107 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | 681 |
| | 839 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 302 |
| | $ | 732 |
|
_________ | | | | |
(1) Increases to property, plant, and equipment | | $ | (2,902 | ) | | $ | (2,685 | ) |
Changes in related accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | (41 | ) | | 143 |
|
Capital expenditures | | $ | (2,943 | ) | | $ | (2,542 | ) |
See accompanying notes.
The Williams Companies, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 1 – General, Description of Business, and Basis of Presentation
General
Our accompanying interim consolidated financial statements do not include all the notes in our annual financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in Exhibit 99.1 of our Form 8-K dated May 22, 2014. The accompanying unaudited financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments and others that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly our interim financial statements.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, references in this report to “we,” “our,” “us,” or similar language refer to The Williams Companies, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Description of Business
Our operations are located principally in the United States and are organized into the Williams Partners, Access Midstream Partners, and Williams NGL & Petchem Services reportable segments. All remaining business activities are included in Other.
Williams Partners consists of our consolidated master limited partnership, Williams Partners L.P. (WPZ), and includes gas pipeline and midstream businesses. The gas pipeline businesses primarily consist of two interstate natural gas pipelines, which are Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco) and Northwest Pipeline LLC (Northwest Pipeline), a 50 percent equity-method investment in Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C., and a 41 percent interest in Constitution Pipeline Company, LLC (Constitution) (a consolidated entity). WPZ’s midstream operations are composed of significant, large-scale operations in the Rocky Mountain and Gulf Coast regions, operations in the Marcellus Shale region, and various equity-method investments in domestic natural gas gathering and processing assets and natural gas liquid (NGL) fractionation and transportation assets. WPZ’s midstream assets also include an NGL fractionator and storage facilities near Conway, Kansas as well as an olefins production facility in Geismar, Louisiana, along with associated ethane and propane pipelines, a refinery grade splitter in Louisiana, an oil sands offgas processing plant located near Fort McMurray, Alberta, and an NGL/olefin fractionation facility and butylene/butane splitter facility at Redwater, Alberta.
Access Midstream Partners consists of our consolidated master limited partnership, Access Midstream Partners, L.P. (ACMP), which includes domestic midstream businesses that provide gathering, treating, and compression services to producers under long-term, fee-based contracts in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays, as well as the Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Barnett, Mid-Continent, and Niobrara areas. ACMP also includes a 49 percent equity-method investment in Utica East Ohio Midstream, LLC, and Appalachia Midstream Services, LLC, which owns an approximate average 47 percent interest in 10 gas gathering systems in the Marcellus Shale. We previously owned an equity-method investment in ACMP until July 1, 2014, at which time we acquired all of the interests in ACMP previously held by Global Infrastructure Partners II (GIP), which included 50 percent of the general partner interest and 55.1 million limited partner units for $5.995 billion in cash (ACMP Acquisition). See Note 3 – Acquisition for further details.
Williams NGL & Petchem Services includes certain other domestic olefins pipeline assets, certain Canadian growth projects under development, including a propane dehydrogenation facility and a liquids extraction plant, as well as a 50 percent equity-method investment in Bluegrass Pipeline Company LLC (Bluegrass Pipeline). See Note 2 – Variable Interest Entities for more information regarding the status of Bluegrass Pipeline.
Other includes other business activities that are not operating segments, as well as corporate operations.
Basis of Presentation
We contributed certain Canadian operations in February 2014 to WPZ (Canada Dropdown) for total consideration of $56 million of cash (including a $31 million post-closing adjustment received in the second quarter), 25,577,521 WPZ Class D limited-partner units, and an increase in the capital account of its general partner to allow us to maintain our 2 percent general partner interest. In lieu of cash distributions, the Class D units receive quarterly distributions of additional paid-in-kind Class D units. All Class D units outstanding will be convertible to common units beginning in the first quarter of 2016. The contribution agreement governing the Canada Dropdown provides that WPZ can issue additional Class D units to us on a quarterly basis through 2015 for up to a total of $200 million in cash for the purpose of funding certain facility expansions. At September 30, 2014, no additional Class D units have been issued to us under this provision. These operations were previously reported within the Williams NGL & Petchem Services segment, but are now reported within Williams Partners. Prior period segment disclosures have been recast for this transaction. In October 2014, a purchase price adjustment was finalized whereby we will pay $56 million in cash to WPZ in the fourth quarter 2014 and waive $2 million in payment of incentive distribution rights (IDRs) with respect to the November 2014 distribution.
Consolidated master limited partnerships
During the third quarter of 2014, WPZ issued 1,080,448 common units pursuant to an equity distribution agreement between WPZ and certain banks. Considering this, as well as our contribution of certain Canadian assets discussed above, and WPZ’s quarterly distribution of additional paid-in-kind Class D units to us, we own approximately 66 percent of the interests in WPZ, including the interests of the general partner, which are wholly owned by us, and IDRs as of September 30, 2014.
Following the ACMP Acquisition on July 1, 2014, we owned approximately 50 percent of the limited partner units, including all of the Class B units that pay quarterly distribution of additional paid-in-kind Class B units. During the third quarter, we received a quarterly distribution of additional paid-in-kind Class B units and now own 51 percent of the interests in ACMP, including the interests of the general partner, which are wholly owned by us, and IDRs as of September 30, 2014.
The previously described equity issuances by WPZ and ACMP had the combined net impact of increasing Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries by $118 million, and decreasing Capital in excess of par value by $62 million, Deferred income taxes by $36 million, and Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by $20 million in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
WPZ and ACMP are each self-funding and maintain separate lines of bank credit and cash management accounts. WPZ also has a commercial paper program. (See Note 9 – Debt and Banking Arrangements.) Cash distributions from WPZ and ACMP to us, including any associated with our IDRs, occur through the normal partnership distributions from WPZ and ACMP to their respective partners.
Discontinued operations
Unless indicated otherwise, the information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements relates to our continuing operations.
Accounting standards issued but not yet adopted
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 establishing Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (ASC 606). ASC 606
establishes a comprehensive new revenue recognition model designed to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services and requires significantly enhanced revenue disclosures. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within the reporting period. Accordingly, we will adopt this standard in the first quarter of 2017. ASC 606 allows either full retrospective or modified retrospective transition and early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements.
Note 2 – Variable Interest Entities
Consolidated VIEs
As of September 30, 2014, we consolidate the following variable interest entities (VIEs):
Gulfstar One
WPZ owns a 51 percent interest in Gulfstar One LLC (Gulfstar One), a subsidiary that, due to certain risk-sharing provisions in its customer contracts, is a VIE. WPZ is the primary beneficiary because it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Gulfstar One’s economic performance. WPZ, as construction agent for Gulfstar One, designed, constructed, and installed a proprietary floating-production system, Gulfstar FPS™, and associated pipelines which will initially provide production handling and gathering services for the Tubular Bells oil and gas discovery in the eastern deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The project is expected to be in service in the fourth quarter of 2014. WPZ has received certain advance payments from the producer customers during the construction process. In certain circumstances, the producer customers will be responsible for Gulfstar One’s unrecovered portion of the firm price of building the facilities if the production handling agreement is terminated. Construction of an expansion project is underway that will provide production handling and gathering services for the Gunflint oil and gas discovery in the eastern deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The expansion project is expected to be in service in the first quarter of 2016. The current estimate of the total remaining construction costs for both projects is less than $180 million which we expect will be funded with revenues received from customers and capital contributions from WPZ and the other equity partner on a proportional basis.
Constitution
WPZ owns a 41 percent interest in Constitution, a subsidiary that, due to shipper fixed-payment commitments under its firm transportation contracts, is a VIE. WPZ is the primary beneficiary because it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Constitution’s economic performance. WPZ, as construction agent for Constitution, is building a pipeline connecting our gathering system in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, to the Iroquois Gas Transmission and the Tennessee Gas Pipeline systems. WPZ plans to place the project in service in late 2015 to 2016 and estimates the total remaining construction costs of the project to be approximately $525 million, which will be funded with capital contributions from WPZ and the other equity partners on a proportional basis.
The following table presents amounts included in our Consolidated Balance Sheet that are for the use or obligation of our consolidated VIEs, which are joint projects in the development and construction phase.
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2014 |
| December 31, 2013 (1) |
| Classification |
| (Millions) |
|
|
Assets (liabilities): |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 68 |
| | $ | 130 |
|
| Cash and cash equivalents |
Property, plant and equipment | 1,494 |
| | 1,113 |
|
| Property, plant, and equipment, at cost |
Accounts payable | (83 | ) | | (146 | ) |
| Accounts payable |
Construction retainage | — |
| | (3 | ) |
| Accrued liabilities |
Current deferred revenue | — |
| | (10 | ) | | Accrued liabilities |
Asset retirement obligation | (56 | ) | | — |
| | Other noncurrent liabilities |
Noncurrent deferred revenue associated with customer advance payments | (178 | ) | | (115 | ) |
| Other noncurrent liabilities |
(1) Amounts presented for December 31, 2013, include balances related to Bluegrass Pipeline. See discussion of the subsequent deconsolidation of Bluegrass Pipeline below.
Nonconsolidated VIEs
We have also identified certain interests in VIEs for which we are not the primary beneficiary. These include:
Laurel Mountain
WPZ’s 51 percent-owned equity-method investment in Laurel Mountain Midstream, LLC (Laurel Mountain) is considered to be a VIE generally due to contractual provisions that transfer certain risks to customers. As decisions about the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of this entity require a unanimous vote of all members, WPZ is not the primary beneficiary. Our maximum exposure to loss is limited to the carrying value of this investment, which was $464 million at September 30, 2014. On October 1, 2014, a restructuring transaction was completed that increased WPZ’s ownership interest to 69 percent and amended certain commercial contracts.
Caiman II
During April 2014, Caiman Energy II, LLC (Caiman II), a previously reported VIE, became able to finance its current activities without additional subordinated financial support due in part to its primary investee, Blue Racer Midstream LLC, securing a revolving credit agreement with a third party. The total equity investment at risk of Caiman II is sufficient to finance its activities. As a result, Caiman II is no longer a VIE and continues to be reported as a 58 percent-owned equity-method investment due to the significant participatory rights of our partners such that we do not control.
Bluegrass Pipeline
We own a 50 percent equity-method investment in Bluegrass Pipeline, which was a proposed NGL pipeline that would connect processing facilities in the Marcellus and Utica shale-gas areas in the northeastern United States to growing petrochemical and export markets in the Gulf Coast area of the United States. Bluegrass Pipeline was considered to be a VIE because it had insufficient equity to finance activities during its development stage. From its inception until February 16, 2014, we were the primary beneficiary of this entity because we had the power to direct whether the project moved forward and thus we previously consolidated the Bluegrass Pipeline.
On February 16, 2014, we and our partner executed an amendment to the governing documents that removed our power to direct whether the project moved forward. As a result, we were no longer the primary beneficiary as of that date, and we deconsolidated the Bluegrass Pipeline and began reporting our 50 percent interest as an equity-method investment. There was no gain or loss recognized upon deconsolidation.
Based on a lack of customer commitments and other factors, our management decided in April 2014 to discontinue further funding of the project. The capitalized project development costs at the Bluegrass Pipeline entity were written off as of March 31, 2014, and as a result, we recognized $67 million in related equity losses in the first quarter of 2014. On September 2, 2014, we received a notice of dissolution from our partner with respect to the Bluegrass Pipeline entity and the related Moss Lake entities. We have begun the dissolution process for these entities.
Moss Lake
We own 50 percent equity-method investments in Moss Lake Fractionation LLC and Moss Lake LPG Terminal LLC (collectively referred to as Moss Lake) which were considered to be VIEs because they had insufficient equity to finance activities during their development stage. Moss Lake was being developed to construct a proposed large-scale fractionation plant, expand natural gas liquids storage facilities in Louisiana and construct a proposed pipeline connecting these facilities to the Bluegrass Pipeline. Additionally, Moss Lake would construct a proposed new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) terminal. We were not the primary beneficiary of this entity because we did not have the power to direct the majority of the activities of Moss Lake that most significantly impact its economic performance at this stage. In the first quarter of 2014, we recognized $4 million in equity losses related to Moss Lake, primarily associated with the underlying write-off of capitalized project development costs at Moss Lake. The carrying value of our investment in Moss Lake is less than $1 million at September 30, 2014. As a result of the circumstances noted above in our Bluegrass Pipeline discussion, on September 2, 2014, we received a notice of dissolution from our partner with respect to the Bluegrass Pipeline entity and Moss Lake entities. We have begun the dissolution process.
Note 3 – Acquisition
On July 1, 2014, we acquired 50 percent of the general partner interest and 55.1 million limited partner units in ACMP previously held by GIP for $5.995 billion in cash. We now own 100 percent of the general partner interest, including IDRs, and approximately 50 percent of the limited partner units in ACMP. The acquisition was funded through the issuance of equity (See Note 10 – Stockholders’ Equity) and debt (See Note 9 – Debt and Banking Arrangements), credit facility borrowings, and cash on hand.
ACMP is a publicly traded master limited partnership listed on the New York Stock Exchange that owns, operates, develops, and acquires natural gas gathering systems and other midstream energy assets. The purpose of the acquisition is to enhance our position in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays, provide additional diversity via the Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Barnett, Mid-Continent, and Niobrara areas, and to fortify our stable, fee-based business model and support our dividend growth strategy.
Following the ACMP Acquisition, we no longer account for our investment in ACMP by applying the equity method. The preliminary acquisition-date fair value of our equity-method investment in ACMP was $4.6 billion. As a result of remeasuring our equity-method investment to fair value, we recognized a $2.5 billion non-cash gain in the third quarter of 2014 associated with obtaining control and we now consolidate our investment in ACMP.
Through our 100 percent ownership of the general partner, we have obtained control of ACMP. Therefore, this acquisition was accounted for as a business combination which, among other things, requires identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed to be measured at their acquisition-date fair values. The excess of the consideration, including the fair value of the noncontrolling interest and our previously held equity-method interest, over those fair values is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill recognized in the acquisition relates primarily to enhancing and diversifying our basin positions and is reported in our Access Midstream Partners segment. Allocation to its reporting units has not been completed. The goodwill is not subject to amortization, but will be evaluated at least annually for impairment or more frequently if impairment indicators are present. Substantially all of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
The valuation techniques used to measure the acquisition-date fair value of our equity-method investment in ACMP consisted of valuing the existing limited partner units and general partner interest separately. The limited partner units, consisting of common and Class B units, were valued based on ACMP’s closing common unit price at July 1, 2014. The general partner interest, including IDRs, was valued on a noncontrolling basis using an income approach based
on a discounted cash flow analysis and two market approaches consisting of comparable guideline companies and an implied fair value from our GIP purchase.
The following table presents the preliminary allocation of the acquisition-date fair value of the major classes of the assets acquired, which are presented in the Access Midstream Partners segment, liabilities assumed, and noncontrolling interest at July 1, 2014. These amounts are preliminary because our valuation work has not been completed. The fair value of accounts receivable acquired equals contractual amounts receivable.
|
| | | |
Accounts receivable | $ | 177 |
|
Other current assets | 61 |
|
Investments | 4,648 |
|
Property, plant, and equipment - net | 7,092 |
|
Goodwill | 1,012 |
|
Other intangible assets | 9,615 |
|
Current liabilities | (407 | ) |
Debt | (4,052 | ) |
Other noncurrent liabilities | (10 | ) |
Noncontrolling interest in ACMP’s subsidiaries | (985 | ) |
Noncontrolling interest in ACMP | (6,544 | ) |
Intangible assets recognized in the acquisition are related to contractual customer relationships from gas gathering agreements with our customers. The basis for determining the value of these intangible assets is estimated future net cash flows to be derived from acquired customer contracts and relationships and discounted using a risk-adjusted discount rate. These intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over 30 years during which customer contracts are expected to contribute to our cash flows. We expense costs incurred to renew or extend the terms of our gas gathering, processing, and fractionation contracts with customers. Approximately 59 percent of the expected future revenues from the customer contracts associated with the ACMP Acquisition are impacted by our ability and intent to renew or renegotiate existing customer contracts. Based on the estimated future revenues during the current contract periods, the weighted-average periods prior to the next renewal or extension of the existing customer contracts is approximately 17 years.
The non-cash adjustment to record the fair value of the noncontrolling interest in ACMP was determined based on the common units owned by the noncontrolling interest and ACMP’s closing common unit price at July 1, 2014.
The following unaudited pro forma revenues and net income attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. for the three months ended September 30, 2013, and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, are presented as if the ACMP Acquisition had been completed on January 1, 2013. These pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of what the actual results would have been if the acquisition had in fact occurred on the date or for the periods indicated, nor do they purport to project revenues or net income attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. for any future periods or as of any date. These amounts do not give effect to any potential cost savings, operating synergies, or revenue enhancements to result from the transactions or the potential costs to achieve these cost savings, operating synergies, and revenue enhancements.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| | 2013 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
| | | | | | |
Revenues | | $ | 1,884 |
| | $ | 6,066 |
| | $ | 5,945 |
|
| | | | | | |
Net income attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. | | $ | 130 |
| | $ | 1,899 |
| | $ | 387 |
|
Significant adjustments to net income attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. include additional depreciation and amortization expense associated with reflecting the acquired property, plant, and equipment and other intangible assets at fair value. The adjustments assume estimated useful lives of 30 years. Other significant adjustments to net income attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. include interest expense related to debt financing associated with the acquisition as well as net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, ACMP contributed revenues of $300 million and net income attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. of $37 million.
ACMP has one customer that accounted for $257 million of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2014, and is included in our consolidated results. This customer accounted for $470 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014, and $220 million and $633 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, that occurred prior to our acquisition and are not included in our consolidated results but are included in the pro forma results in the above table.
Costs related to this acquisition are $15 million and are reported within our ACMP segment and included in Selling, general, and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statement of Income. Direct transaction costs associated with financing commitments are $9 million and reported within Interest incurred in our Consolidated Statement of Income. Equity earnings (losses) includes $19 million of equity losses associated with certain compensation-related costs at ACMP that were triggered by the acquisition.
Note 4 – Other Income and Expenses
The following table presents certain gains or losses reflected in Other (income) expense – net within Costs and expenses in our Consolidated Statement of Income:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2014 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
| (Millions) |
Williams Partners | | | | | | | |
Amortization of regulatory assets associated with asset retirement obligations | $ | 8 |
| | $ | 8 |
| | $ | 25 |
| | $ | 15 |
|
Write-off of the Eminence abandonment regulatory asset not recoverable through rates | — |
| | 9 |
| | — |
| | 15 |
|
Insurance recoveries associated with the Eminence abandonment | — |
| | (3 | ) | | — |
| | (15 | ) |
Impairment of certain equipment held for sale (see Note 11) | — |
| | — |
| | 17 |
| | — |
|
Net gain related to partial acreage dedication release | (12 | ) | | — |
| | (12 | ) | | — |
|
Accrued loss associated with a producer claim | — |
| | 9 |
| | — |
| | 9 |
|
Geismar Incident
On June 13, 2013, an explosion and fire occurred at WPZ’s Geismar olefins plant. The fire was extinguished on the day of the incident. The incident (Geismar Incident) rendered the facility temporarily inoperable and resulted in significant human, financial, and operational effects.
We have substantial insurance coverage for repair and replacement costs, lost production, and additional expenses related to the incident as follows:
| |
• | Property damage and business interruption coverage with a combined per-occurrence limit of $500 million and retentions (deductibles) of $10 million per occurrence for property damage and a waiting period of 60 days per occurrence for business interruption; |
| |
• | General liability coverage with per-occurrence and aggregate annual limits of $610 million and retentions (deductibles) of $2 million per occurrence; |
| |
• | Workers’ compensation coverage with statutory limits and retentions (deductibles) of $1 million total per occurrence. |
During the nine month period ended September 30, 2014, we received $175 million, and during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, we received $50 million of insurance recoveries related to the Geismar Incident. These amounts are reported within Williams Partners and reflected in Net insurance recoveries – Geismar Incident in the Consolidated Statement of Income. Also included in Net insurance recoveries – Geismar Incident are $14 million of related covered insurable expenses incurred in excess of our retentions (deductibles) during the nine month period ended September 30, 2014.
The three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, include $4 million and $10 million, respectively, of costs under our insurance deductibles reported in Operating and maintenance expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
Additional Items
The nine month period ended September 30, 2014, includes $19 million of project development costs related to the Bluegrass Pipeline reported within Williams NGL & Petchem Services and reflected in Selling, general, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
The three month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, include $14 million and $11 million, respectively, and the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, include $41 million and $37 million, respectively, of interest income associated with a receivable related to the sale of certain former Venezuela assets reflected in Other investing income (loss) – net in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
The three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 include $1 million and $5 million, respectively, and the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 includes $26 million of gains resulting from ACMP’s equity issuances reflected in Other investing income (loss) – net in the Consolidated Statement of Income. These equity issuances resulted in the dilution of our equity-method investment ownership interest and are accounted for as though we sold a portion of our equity-method investment.
Note 5 – Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
The Provision (benefit) for income taxes includes:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2014 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
| (Millions) |
Current: | | | | | | | |
Federal | $ | (15 | ) | | $ | 25 |
| | $ | 98 |
| | $ | (47 | ) |
State | (2 | ) | | — |
| | 2 |
| | 3 |
|
Foreign | 2 |
| | 2 |
| | 7 |
| | 3 |
|
| (15 | ) | | 27 |
| | 107 |
| | (41 | ) |
Deferred: | | | | | | | |
Federal | 911 |
| | 21 |
| | 910 |
| | 233 |
|
State | 98 |
| | 9 |
| | 103 |
| | 41 |
|
Foreign | 4 |
| | 5 |
| | 13 |
| | 27 |
|
| 1,013 |
| | 35 |
| | 1,026 |
| | 301 |
|
Total provision (benefit) | $ | 998 |
| | $ | 62 |
| | $ | 1,133 |
| | $ | 260 |
|
The effective income tax rate for the total provision for the three months ended September 30, 2014, is greater than the federal statutory rate primarily due to the effect of state income taxes, partially offset by taxes on foreign operations and the impact of nontaxable noncontrolling interests.
The effective income tax rate for the total provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, is greater than the federal statutory rate primarily due to the effect of state income taxes and taxes on foreign operations, partially offset by a tax benefit related to the completion of the Canada Dropdown in the first quarter of 2014 and the impact of nontaxable noncontrolling interests.
The federal and state income tax provisions for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 include the tax effect of a $2.5 billion gain associated with remeasuring our equity-method investment to fair value as a result of the ACMP Acquisition. (See Note 3 – Acquisition).
The effective income tax rates for the total provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, are less than the federal statutory rate primarily due to the impact of nontaxable noncontrolling interests and taxes on foreign operations, partially offset by the effect of state income taxes. The 2013 state deferred provision includes $10 million, net of federal benefit, related to the impact of a second-quarter Texas franchise tax law change.
As a result of closing the Canada Dropdown, approximately $64 million of previously deferred tax liability has been reclassified as a current income tax liability through the third quarter of 2014.
During the next 12 months, we do not expect ultimate resolution of any unrecognized tax benefit associated with domestic or international matters to have a material impact on our unrecognized tax benefit position.
Note 6 – Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share from Continuing Operations |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2014 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
| (Dollars in millions, except per-share amounts; shares in thousands) |
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. available to common stockholders for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share | $ | 1,678 |
| | $ | 143 |
| | $ | 1,917 |
| | $ | 454 |
|
Basic weighted-average shares | 747,412 |
| | 683,274 |
| | 709,809 |
| | 682,744 |
|
Effect of dilutive securities: | | | | | | | |
Nonvested restricted stock units | 2,424 |
| | 1,901 |
| | 2,205 |
| | 1,975 |
|
Stock options | 2,210 |
| | 2,113 |
| | 2,087 |
| | 2,169 |
|
Convertible debentures | 18 |
| | 18 |
| | 18 |
| | 119 |
|
Diluted weighted-average shares | 752,064 |
| | 687,306 |
| | 714,119 |
| | 687,007 |
|
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations: | | | | | | | |
Basic | $ | 2.24 |
| | $ | .21 |
| | $ | 2.70 |
| | $ | .66 |
|
Diluted | $ | 2.22 |
| | $ | .20 |
| | $ | 2.68 |
| | $ | .66 |
|
We have nonvested service-based restricted stock units that contain a nonforfeitable right to dividends during the vesting period and are considered participating securities. Dividends associated with these participating securities were $1 million and $3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and have been subtracted from Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. available to common stockholders for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share in the calculation of earnings (loss) per common share.
Note 7 – Employee Benefit Plans
Net periodic benefit cost (credit) is as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pension Benefits |
| Three months ended September 30, |
| Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2014 |
| 2013 |
| 2014 |
| 2013 |
| (Millions) |
Components of net periodic benefit cost: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service cost | $ | 10 |
|
| $ | 11 |
|
| $ | 30 |
|
| $ | 33 |
|
Interest cost | 15 |
|
| 12 |
|
| 46 |
|
| 38 |
|
Expected return on plan assets | (19 | ) |
| (15 | ) |
| (57 | ) |
| (45 | ) |
Amortization of prior service cost | — |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | 1 |
|
Amortization of net actuarial loss | 10 |
|
| 15 |
|
| 29 |
|
| 45 |
|
Net periodic benefit cost | $ | 16 |
|
| $ | 24 |
|
| $ | 48 |
|
| $ | 72 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other Postretirement Benefits |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2014 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
| (Millions) |
Components of net periodic benefit cost (credit): | | | | | | | |
Service cost | $ | — |
| | $ | 1 |
| | $ | 1 |
| | $ | 2 |
|
Interest cost | 2 |
| | 2 |
| | 7 |
| | 8 |
|
Expected return on plan assets | (3 | ) | | (3 | ) | | (9 | ) | | (7 | ) |
Amortization of prior service credit | (5 | ) | | (3 | ) | | (15 | ) | | (7 | ) |
Amortization of net actuarial loss | — |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | 4 |
|
Reclassification to regulatory liability | 1 |
| | 1 |
| | 3 |
| | 1 |
|
Net periodic benefit cost (credit) | $ | (5 | ) | | $ | (1 | ) | | $ | (13 | ) | | $ | 1 |
|
Amortization of prior service credit and net actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit cost (credit) for our other postretirement benefit plans associated with Transco and Northwest Pipeline are recorded to regulatory assets/liabilities instead of other comprehensive income (loss).
Amounts recognized in regulatory assets/liabilities include:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2014 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
| (Millions) |
Amortization of prior service credit | $ | (3 | ) | | $ | (1 | ) | | $ | (9 | ) | | $ | (4 | ) |
Amortization of net actuarial loss | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2 |
|
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we contributed $61 million to our pension plans and $5 million to our other postretirement benefit plans. We presently anticipate making additional contributions of approximately $2 million to our pension plans and approximately $1 million to our other postretirement benefit plans in the remainder of 2014.
Note 8 – Inventories
|
| | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2014 | | December 31, 2013 |
| (Millions) |
Natural gas liquids, olefins, and natural gas in underground storage | $ | 202 |
| | $ | 111 |
|
Materials, supplies, and other | 82 |
| | 83 |
|
| $ | 284 |
| | $ | 194 |
|
Note 9 – Debt and Banking Arrangements
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt of ACMP is as follows:
|
| | | |
| September 30, 2014 |
| (Millions) |
Unsecured: | |
5.875% Notes due 2021 | $ | 750 |
|
6.125% Notes due 2022 | 750 |
|
4.875% Notes due 2023 | 1,400 |
|
4.875% Notes due 2024 | 750 |
|
Credit facility loans | 466 |
|
Other, including capital lease obligations | 6 |
|
Premium on debt | 244 |
|
Total long-term debt, including current portion | 4,366 |
|
Long-term debt due within one year | (4 | ) |
Long-term debt | $ | 4,362 |
|
The indentures governing ACMP’s notes contain covenants that, among other things, limit ACMP’s ability and the ability of certain of ACMP’s subsidiaries to: (1) sell assets including equity interests in its subsidiaries; (2) pay distributions on, redeem or purchase ACMP’s units, or redeem or purchase ACMP’s subordinated debt; (3) make investments; (4) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue preferred units; (5) create or incur certain liens; (6) enter into agreements that restrict distributions or other payments from certain subsidiaries to ACMP; (7) consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of ACMP’s or certain of ACMP’s subsidiaries’ assets; (8) engage in transactions with affiliates; and (9) create unrestricted subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications. If ACMP’s notes achieve an investment grade rating from either of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and no default, as defined in the indentures, has occurred or is continuing, many of these covenants will terminate.
Issuances
On June 27, 2014, WPZ completed a public offering of $750 million of 3.9 percent senior unsecured notes due 2025 and $500 million of 4.9 percent senior unsecured notes due 2045. WPZ used a portion of the net proceeds to repay amounts outstanding under its commercial paper program, to fund capital expenditures, and for general partnership purposes.
On June 24, 2014, we completed a public offering of $1.25 billion of 4.55 percent senior unsecured notes due 2024 and $650 million of 5.75 percent senior unsecured notes due 2044. We used the net proceeds to finance a portion of the ACMP Acquisition (See Note 3 – Acquisition.)
On March 4, 2014, WPZ completed a public offering of $1 billion of 4.3 percent senior unsecured notes due 2024 and $500 million of 5.4 percent senior unsecured notes due 2044. WPZ used the net proceeds to repay amounts outstanding under its commercial paper program, to fund capital expenditures, and for general partnership purposes.
Commercial Paper Program
At September 30, 2014, WPZ had $265 million of Commercial paper outstanding at a weighted average interest rate of 0.26 percent under its $2 billion commercial paper program.
Credit Facilities
On June 27, 2014, we entered into Amendment No. 1 (the Amendment) to the First Amended & Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2013. The Amendment changed certain defined terms and provisions concerning the maintenance of ownership of the general partner of Williams Partners L.P. and the indebtedness of certain of our subsidiaries that act as general partner of WPZ and of ACMP and increased our permitted financial covenant thresholds. Our significant financial covenants after the Amendment require our ratio of debt to EBITDA (each as defined in the credit facility) to be no greater than 4.75 to 1. For the fiscal quarter and the two following fiscal quarters in which one or more acquisitions for a total aggregate purchase price equal to or greater than $50 million has been executed, we are required to maintain a ratio of debt to EBITDA of no greater than 5.5 to 1.
Letter of credit capacity under our $1.5 billion and WPZ’s $2.5 billion credit facilities is $700 million and $1.3 billion, respectively. At September 30, 2014, no letters of credit have been issued and loans totaling $320 million were outstanding on our credit facility. At September 30, 2014, no letters of credit have been issued and no loans were outstanding on WPZ’s credit facility. We issued letters of credit totaling $14 million and WPZ issued letters of credit totaling $1 million as of September 30, 2014, under certain bilateral bank agreements.
ACMP Credit Facility
ACMP’s amended and restated senior secured revolving credit facility dated May 13, 2013, matures in May 2018 and includes revolving commitments of $1.75 billion, including a sublimit of $100 million for same-day swing line advances and a sub-limit of $200 million for letters of credit. In addition, the revolving credit facility’s accordion feature allows ACMP to increase the available borrowing capacity under the facility up to $2 billion, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the identification of lenders or proposed lenders that agree to satisfy the increased commitment amounts under the revolving credit facility. At September 30, 2014, no letters of credit and no same-day swing line advances have been issued and loans totaling $466 million are outstanding on ACMP’s credit facility.
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility are available to fund working capital, finance capital expenditures and acquisitions, provide for the issuance of letters of credit and for general partnership purposes. The revolving credit facility is secured by all of ACMP’s assets, and loans thereunder (other than swing line loans) bear interest at ACMP’s option at either (i) the greater of (a) the reference rate of Wells Fargo Bank, NA, (b) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50 percent or (c) the Eurodollar rate which is based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), plus 1.00 percent, each of which is subject to a margin that varies from 0.50 percent to 1.50 percent per annum, according to ACMP’s leverage ratio (as defined in the agreement), or (ii) the Eurodollar rate plus a margin that varies from 1.50 percent to 2.50 percent per annum, according to ACMP’s leverage ratio. If ACMP reaches investment grade status, ACMP will have the option to release the security under the credit facility and amounts borrowed will bear interest under a specified ratings-based pricing grid. The unused portion of the credit facility is subject to commitment fees of (a) 0.25 percent to 0.375 percent per annum while ACMP is subject to the leverage-based pricing grid, according to ACMP’s leverage ratio and (b) 0.15 percent to 0.30 percent per annum while ACMP is subject to the ratings-based pricing grid, according to its senior unsecured long-term debt ratings.
Additionally, the revolving credit facility contains various covenants and restrictive provisions which limit ACMP and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness, guarantees and/or liens; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of ACMP’s assets; make certain investments or restricted payments; modify certain material agreements; engage in certain types of transactions with affiliates; dispose of assets; and prepay certain indebtedness. If ACMP fails to perform its obligations under these and other covenants, the revolving credit commitment could be
terminated and any outstanding borrowings, together with accrued interest, under the revolving credit facility could be declared immediately due and payable. The revolving credit facility also has cross default provisions that apply to any other indebtedness ACMP may have with an outstanding principal amount in excess of $50 million.
The revolving credit facility agreement contains certain negative covenants that (i) limit ACMP’s ability, as well as the ability of certain of its subsidiaries, among other things, to enter into hedging arrangements and create liens and (ii) require ACMP to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio, and an EBITDA to interest expense ratio, in each case as described in the credit facility agreement. The revolving credit facility agreement also provides for the discontinuance of the requirement for ACMP to maintain the EBITDA to interest expense ratio and allows for ACMP to release all collateral securing the revolving credit facility if ACMP reaches investment grade status. The revolving credit facility agreement also requires ACMP to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio of 5.5 to 1.0 (or 5.0 to 1.0 after ACMP has released all collateral upon achieving investment grade status). At September 30, 2014, ACMP was in compliance with these financial covenants.
Note 10 – Stockholders’ Equity
On June 23, 2014, we issued 61 million shares of common stock at a price of $57.00 per share. That amount includes 8 million shares purchased pursuant to the full exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares. The net proceeds of $3.378 billion were used in July 2014 to finance a portion of the ACMP Acquisition. (See Note 3 – Acquisition).
AOCI
The following table presents the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of income taxes:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash Flow Hedges | | Foreign Currency Translation | | Pension and Other Post Retirement Benefits | | Total |
| (Millions) |
Balance at December 31, 2013 | $ | (1 | ) | | $ | 128 |
| | $ | (291 | ) | | $ | (164 | ) |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | — |
| | (53 | ) | | — |
| | (53 | ) |
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | — |
| | — |
| | 15 |
| | 15 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss) | — |
| | (53 | ) | | 15 |
| | (38 | ) |
Changes in ownership of consolidated subsidiaries, net | — |
| | (20 | ) | | — |
| | (20 | ) |
Balance at September 30, 2014 | $ | (1 | ) | | $ | 55 |
| | $ | (276 | ) | | $ | (222 | ) |
Reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are presented in the following table by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
|
| | | | | | |
| | | | |
Component | | Reclassifications | | Classification |
| | (Millions) | | |
Pension and other postretirement benefits: | | | | |
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) included in net periodic benefit cost | | $ | (6 | ) | | Note 7 – Employee Benefit Plans |
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss included in net periodic benefit cost | | 29 |
| | Note 7 – Employee Benefit Plans |
Total pension and other postretirement benefits, before income taxes | | 23 |
| | |
Income tax benefit | | (8 | ) | | Provision (benefit) for income taxes |
Reclassifications during the period | | $ | 15 |
| | |
Note 11 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees
The following table presents, by level within the fair value hierarchy, certain of our financial assets and liabilities. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, commercial paper, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Therefore, these assets and liabilities are not presented in the following table.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Fair Value Measurements Using |
| Carrying Amount | | Fair Value | | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
| (Millions) |
Assets (liabilities) at September 30, 2014: | | | | | | | | | |
Measured on a recurring basis: | | | | | | | | | |
ARO Trust investments | $ | 42 |
| | $ | 42 |
| | $ | 42 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Energy derivatives assets designated as hedging instruments | 1 |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | 1 |
| | — |
|
Energy derivatives assets not designated as hedging instruments | 2 |
| | 2 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2 |
|
Energy derivatives liabilities not designated as hedging instruments | (3 | ) | | (3 | ) | | — |
| | (1 | ) | | (2 | ) |
Additional disclosures: | | | | | | | | | |
Notes receivable and other | 30 |
| | 70 |
| | 1 |
| | 4 |
| | 65 |
|
Long-term debt, including current portion (1) | (20,669 | ) | | (21,598 | ) | | — |
| | (21,598 | ) | | — |
|
Guarantee | (31 | ) | | (28 | ) | | — |
| | (28 | ) | | — |
|
Assets (liabilities) at December 31, 2013: | | | | | | | | | |
Measured on a recurring basis: | | | | | | | | | |
ARO Trust investments | $ | 33 |
| | $ | 33 |
| | $ | 33 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Energy derivatives assets not designated as hedging instruments | 3 |
| | 3 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 3 |
|
Energy derivatives liabilities not designated as hedging instruments | (3 | ) | | (3 | ) | | — |
| | (1 | ) | | (2 | ) |
Additional disclosures: | | | | | | | | | |
Notes receivable and other | 77 |
| | 140 |
| | 1 |
| | 6 |
| | 133 |
|
Long-term debt (1) | (11,353 | ) | | (11,971 | ) | | — |
| | (11,971 | ) | | — |
|
Guarantee | (32 | ) | | (29 | ) | | — |
| | (29 | ) | | — |
|
(1) Excludes capital leases
Fair Value Methods
We use the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of our financial instruments:
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
ARO Trust investments: Transco deposits a portion of its collected rates, pursuant to its rate case settlement, into an external trust (ARO Trust) that is specifically designated to fund future asset retirement obligations. The ARO Trust invests in a portfolio of actively traded mutual funds that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis based on quoted prices in an active market, is classified as available-for-sale, and is reported in Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Both realized and unrealized gains and losses are ultimately recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities.
Energy derivatives: Energy derivatives include commodity based exchange-traded contracts and over-the-counter (OTC) contracts, which consist of physical forwards, futures, and swaps that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value amounts are presented on a gross basis and do not reflect the netting of asset and liability positions permitted under the terms of our master netting arrangements. Further, the amounts do not include cash held on deposit in margin accounts that we have received or remitted to collateralize certain derivative positions. Energy derivatives assets are reported in Other current assets and deferred charges and Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Energy derivatives liabilities are reported in Accrued liabilities and Other noncurrent liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Reclassifications of fair value between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, if applicable, are made at the end of each quarter. No transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 or 2013.
Additional fair value disclosures
Notes receivable and other: Notes receivable and other consists of various notes, including a receivable related to the sale of certain former Venezuela assets. The disclosed fair value of this receivable is determined by an income approach. We calculated the net present value of a probability-weighted set of cash flows utilizing assumptions based on contractual terms, historical payment patterns by the counterparty, future probabilities of default, our likelihood of using arbitration if the counterparty does not perform, and discount rates. We determined the fair value of the receivable to be $65 million at September 30, 2014. The carrying value of this receivable is $25 million at September 30, 2014. The current and noncurrent portions are reported in Accounts and notes receivable, net and Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other, respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
At December 31, 2013, notes receivable and other also included a receivable from our former affiliate, WPX Energy, Inc. (WPX) related to various proceedings involving prices charged for power in California and other western states (see Note 12 – Contingent Liabilities). In second quarter 2014, the proceedings related to this receivable were settled, and we received $42 million and recorded pretax Income (loss) from discontinued operations of $7 million.
Long-term debt: The disclosed fair value of our long-term debt is determined by a market approach using broker quoted indicative period-end bond prices. The quoted prices are based on observable transactions in less active markets for our debt or similar instruments.
Guarantee: The guarantee represented in the table consists of a guarantee we have provided in the event of nonpayment by our previously owned communications subsidiary, Williams Communications Group (WilTel), on a lease performance obligation that extends through 2042.
To estimate the disclosed fair value of the guarantee, an estimated default rate is applied to the sum of the future contractual lease payments using an income approach. The estimated default rate is determined by obtaining the average cumulative issuer-weighted corporate default rate based on the credit rating of WilTel’s current owner and the term of the underlying obligation. The default rate is published by Moody’s Investors Service. This guarantee is reported in Accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis
In second quarter 2014, we designated certain equipment within our Williams Partners segment as held for sale. The estimated fair value (less cost to sell) of the equipment at September 30, 2014, is $44 million and is reported in Other current assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The estimated fair value was determined by a market approach based on our analysis of information related to sales of similar pre-owned equipment in the principal market. This analysis resulted in a second quarter impairment charge of $17 million, recorded in Other (income) expense – net within Costs and expenses. This nonrecurring fair value measurement fell within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Guarantees
We are required by our revolving credit agreements to indemnify lenders for certain taxes required to be withheld from payments due to the lenders and for certain tax payments made by the lenders. The maximum potential amount of future payments under these indemnifications is based on the related borrowings and such future payments cannot currently be determined. These indemnifications generally continue indefinitely unless limited by the underlying tax regulations and have no carrying value. We have never been called upon to perform under these indemnifications and have no current expectation of a future claim.
Regarding our previously described guarantee of Wiltel’s lease performance, the maximum potential exposure is approximately $34 million and $35 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Our exposure declines systematically throughout the remaining term of WilTel’s obligation.
We have provided guarantees in the event of nonpayment by our previously owned subsidiary, WPX, on certain contracts, primarily a natural gas purchase contract extending through 2023. We estimate the maximum undiscounted potential future payment obligation under these remaining guarantees is approximately $53 million at September 30, 2014. Our recorded liability for these guarantees, which considers our estimate of the fair value of the guarantees, is insignificant.
Note 12 – Contingent Liabilities
Indemnification of WPX Matters
We have agreed to indemnify our former affiliate, WPX and its subsidiaries, related to the following matters.
Issues resulting from California energy crisis
WPX’s former power business was engaged in power marketing in various geographic areas, including California. Prices charged for power by WPX and other traders and generators in California and other western states in 2000 and 2001 were challenged in various proceedings, including those before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). WPX has entered into settlements with the State of California (State Settlement), major California utilities (Utilities Settlement), and others that substantially resolved each of these issues with these parties.
Although the State Settlement and Utilities Settlement resolved a significant portion of the refund issues among the settling parties, WPX continued to have potential refund exposure to nonsettling parties, including various California end users that did not participate in the Utilities Settlement. On April 24, 2014, the FERC approved a settlement among the California utilities, WPX, and us which resolves the remaining legal issues (WPX’s collection of accrued interest from counterparties as well as WPX’s payment of accrued interest on refund amounts) arising from the 2000-2001 California Energy Crisis. In May 2014, WPX paid to us approximately $42 million in settlement proceeds that it received from the California utilities and the dissolution of escrow accounts.
Reporting of natural gas-related information to trade publications
Direct and indirect purchasers of natural gas in various states filed class actions against WPX and others alleging the manipulation of published gas price indices and seeking unspecified amounts of damages. Such actions were transferred to the Nevada federal district court for consolidation of discovery and pre-trial issues.
In 2011, the Nevada district court granted WPX’s joint motions for summary judgment to preclude the plaintiffs’ state law claims because the federal Natural Gas Act gives the FERC exclusive jurisdiction to resolve those issues. The court also denied the plaintiffs’ class certification motion as moot. The plaintiffs appealed the court’s ruling and on April 10, 2013, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the district court and remanded the cases to the district court to permit the plaintiffs to pursue their state antitrust claims for natural gas sales that were not subject to FERC jurisdiction under the Natural Gas Act. On July 1, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the cases. Because of the uncertainty around the remaining pending unresolved issues, including an insufficient description of the purported classes and other related matters, we cannot reasonably estimate a range of potential exposures at this time. However, it is reasonably possible that the ultimate resolution of these items and our related indemnification obligation could
result in future charges that may be material to our results of operations. In connection with this indemnification, we have an accrued liability balance associated with this matter, and as a result, have an indirect exposure to future developments in this matter.
Other Legal Matters
Geismar Incident
As a result of the previously discussed Geismar Incident, there were two fatalities, and numerous individuals (including employees and contractors) reported injuries, which varied from minor to serious. WPZ is cooperating with the Chemical Safety Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding their investigations of the Geismar Incident. On October 21, 2013, the EPA issued an Inspection Report pursuant to the Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Program following its inspection of the facility on June 24 through 28, 2013. The report notes the EPA’s preliminary determinations about the facility’s documentation regarding process safety, process hazard analysis, as well as operating procedures, employee training, and other matters. On June 16, 2014, we received a request for information related to the Geismar Incident from the EPA under Section 114 of the Clean Air Act to which we responded on August 13, 2014. We and the EPA continue to discuss preliminary determinations, and the EPA could issue penalties pertaining to final determinations. On December 11, 2013, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued citations in connection with its investigation of the June 13, 2013 incident, which included a Notice of Penalty for $99,000. We settled the citations with OSHA on September 12, 2014 for a penalty of $36,000. The settlement was judicially approved on September 23, 2014. On June 25, 2013, OSHA commenced a second inspection pursuant to its Refinery and Chemical National Emphasis Program (NEP). OSHA did not issue a citation to WPZ in connection with this NEP inspection and there is a six month statute of limitations for violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 or regulations promulgated under such act. On June 28, 2013, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) issued a Consolidated Compliance Order & Notice of Potential Penalty to Williams Olefins, L.L.C. that consolidates claims of unpermitted emissions and other deviations under the Clean Air Act that the parties had been negotiating since 2010 and alleged unpermitted emissions arising from the Geismar Incident. Negotiations with the LDEQ are ongoing. Any potential fines and penalties from these agencies would not be covered by our insurance policy. Additionally, multiple lawsuits, including class actions for alleged offsite impacts, property damage, customer claims, and personal injury, have been filed against various of our subsidiaries.
Due to the ongoing investigation into the cause of the incident, and the limited information available associated with the filed lawsuits, which generally do not specify any amounts for claimed damages, we cannot reasonably estimate a range of potential loss related to these contingencies at this time.
Gulf Liquids litigation
Gulf Liquids, one of our subsidiaries, contracted with Gulsby Engineering Inc. (Gulsby) and Gulsby-Bay (a joint venture between Gulsby and Bay Ltd.) for the construction of certain gas processing plants in Louisiana. National American Insurance Company (NAICO) and American Home Assurance Company provided payment and performance bonds for the projects. In 2001, the contractors and sureties filed multiple cases in Louisiana and Texas against Gulf Liquids and us. On January 28, 2008, the court issued its judgment awarding certain damages against Gulf Liquids in favor of Gulsby and Gulsby-Bay. Gulf Liquids, Gulsby, Gulsby-Bay, Bay Ltd., and NAICO appealed the judgment. In February 2009, we settled with Bay Ltd. and Gulsby-Bay. On May 8, 2012, the Texas Court of Appeals issued its mandate remanding the original breach of contract claims involving Gulsby and attorney fee claims to trial court. The parties reached an agreement to settle on October 2, 2014.
Alaska refinery contamination litigation
In 2010, James West filed a class action lawsuit in state court in Fairbanks, Alaska on behalf of individual property owners whose water contained sulfolane contamination allegedly emanating from the Flint Hills Oil Refinery in North Pole, Alaska. The suit named our subsidiary, Williams Alaska Petroleum Inc. (WAPI), and Flint Hills Resources Alaska, LLC (FHRA), a subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc., as defendants. We owned and operated the refinery until 2004 when we sold it to FHRA. We and FHRA have made claims under the pollution liability insurance policy issued in
connection with the sale of the North Pole refinery to FHRA. We and FHRA also filed claims against each other seeking, among other things, contractual indemnification alleging that the other party caused the sulfolane contamination.
In 2011, we and FHRA settled the James West claim. We and FHRA subsequently filed motions for summary judgment on the other’s claims. On November 5, 2013, the court ruled that the applicable statute of limitations bars all FHRA’s claims against us and dismissed those claims with prejudice. FHRA asked the court to reconsider and clarify its ruling. On July 8, 2014, the court reaffirmed its dismissal of all FHRA’s claims and entered judgment for us. On August 6, 2014, FHRA appealed the court’s decision to the Alaska Supreme Court.
We currently estimate that our reasonably possible loss exposure in this matter could range from an insignificant amount up to $32 million, although uncertainties inherent in the litigation process, expert evaluations, and jury dynamics might cause our exposure to exceed that amount.
Independent of the litigation matter described in the preceding paragraphs, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) indicated that it views FHRA and us as responsible parties. During the first quarter of 2013 and again on December 23, 2013, ADEC informed FHRA and us that ADEC intends to enter a compliance order to address the environmental remediation of sulfolane and other possible contaminants including cleanup work outside the refinery’s boundaries to be performed in 2014. In addition, ADEC will seek from each of FHRA and us an adequate financial performance guarantee for the benefit of ADEC. On March 6, 2014, the State of Alaska filed suit against FHRA and us in state court in Fairbanks seeking injunctive relief and damages in connection with the sulfolane contamination. On May 5, 2014, FHRA filed cross-claims against us in the State of Alaska suit, and FHRA also seeks injunctive relief and damages. Due to the ongoing assessment of the level and extent of sulfolane contamination and the ultimate cost of remediation and division of costs among the potentially responsible parties, we are unable to estimate a range of exposure at this time.
Transco 2012 rate case
On August 31, 2012, Transco submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) a general rate filing principally designed to recover increased costs and to comply with the terms of the settlement in its prior rate proceedings. The new rates became effective March 1, 2013, subject to refund and the outcome of the hearing. On August 27, 2013, Transco filed a stipulation and agreement with the FERC proposing to resolve all issues in this proceeding without the need for a hearing (Agreement). On December 6, 2013, the FERC issued an order approving the Agreement without modifications. Pursuant to its terms, the Agreement became effective March 1, 2014. We paid $118 million of rate refunds on April 18, 2014.
ACMP matters
Certain of ACMP’s customers, including one of its major customers, have been named in various lawsuits alleging underpayment of royalty. In certain of these cases, ACMP has also been named as a defendant based on allegations that it improperly participated with that major customer in causing the alleged royalty underpayments. Management believes that the claims asserted to date are subject to indemnity obligations owed to ACMP by that major customer. While no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of these cases, management currently believes that the final resolution of these cases will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.
Environmental Matters
We are a participant in certain environmental activities in various stages including assessment studies, cleanup operations and remedial processes at certain sites, some of which we currently do not own. We are monitoring these sites in a coordinated effort with other potentially responsible parties, the EPA, and other governmental authorities. We are jointly and severally liable along with unrelated third parties in some of these activities and solely responsible in others. Certain of our subsidiaries have been identified as potentially responsible parties at various Superfund and state waste disposal sites. In addition, these subsidiaries have incurred, or are alleged to have incurred, various other hazardous materials removal or remediation obligations under environmental laws. As of September 30, 2014, we have accrued liabilities totaling $43 million for these matters, as discussed below. Our accrual reflects the most likely costs of cleanup, which are generally based on completed assessment studies, preliminary results of studies or our experience with other
similar cleanup operations. Certain assessment studies are still in process for which the ultimate outcome may yield significantly different estimates of most likely costs. Any incremental amount in excess of amounts currently accrued cannot be reasonably estimated at this time due to uncertainty about the actual number of contaminated sites ultimately identified, the actual amount and extent of contamination discovered and the final cleanup standards mandated by the EPA and other governmental authorities.
The EPA and various state regulatory agencies routinely promulgate and propose new rules, and issue updated guidance to existing rules. More recent rules and rulemakings include, but are not limited to, rules for reciprocating internal combustion engine maximum achievable control technology, new air quality standards for ground level ozone, one hour nitrogen dioxide emission limits, and new air quality standards impacting storage vessels, pressure valves, and compressors. We are unable to estimate the costs of asset additions or modifications necessary to comply with these new regulations due to uncertainty created by the various legal challenges to these regulations and the need for further specific regulatory guidance.
Continuing operations
Our interstate gas pipelines are involved in remediation activities related to certain facilities and locations for polychlorinated biphenyls, mercury, and other hazardous substances. These activities have involved the EPA and various state environmental authorities, resulting in our identification as a potentially responsible party at various Superfund waste sites. At September 30, 2014, we have accrued liabilities of $11 million for these costs. We expect that these costs will be recoverable through rates.
We also accrue environmental remediation costs for natural gas underground storage facilities, primarily related to soil and groundwater contamination. At September 30, 2014, we have accrued liabilities totaling $6 million for these costs.
Former operations, including operations classified as discontinued
We have potential obligations in connection with assets and businesses we no longer operate. These potential obligations include remediation activities at the direction of federal and state environmental authorities and the indemnification of the purchasers of certain of these assets and businesses for environmental and other liabilities existing at the time the sale was consummated. Our responsibilities relate to the operations of the assets and businesses described below.
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• | Former agricultural fertilizer and chemical operations and former retail petroleum and refining operations; |
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• | Former petroleum products and natural gas pipelines; |
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• | Former petroleum refining facilities; |
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• | Former exploration and production and mining operations; |
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• | Former electricity and natural gas marketing and trading operations. |
At September 30, 2014, we have accrued environmental liabilities of $26 million related to these matters.
Other Divestiture Indemnifications
Pursuant to various purchase and sale agreements relating to divested businesses and assets, we have indemnified certain purchasers against liabilities that they may incur with respect to the businesses and assets acquired from us. The indemnities provided to the purchasers are customary in sale transactions and are contingent upon the purchasers incurring liabilities that are not otherwise recoverable from third parties. The indemnities generally relate to breach of warranties, tax, historic litigation, personal injury, property damage, environmental matters, right of way and other representations that we have provided.
At September 30, 2014, other than as previously disclosed, we are not aware of any material claims against us involving the indemnities; thus, we do not expect any of the indemnities provided pursuant to the sales agreements to have a material impact on our future financial position. Any claim for indemnity brought against us in the future may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period in which the claim is made.
In addition to the foregoing, various other proceedings are pending against us which are incidental to our operations.
Summary
We have disclosed our estimated range of reasonably possible losses for certain matters above, as well as all significant matters for which we are unable to reasonably estimate a range of possible loss. We estimate that for all other matters for which we are able to reasonably estimate a range of loss, our aggregate reasonably possible losses beyond amounts accrued are immaterial to our expected future annual results of operations, liquidity and financial position. These calculations have been made without consideration of any potential recovery from third parties.
Note 13 – Segment Disclosures
Our reportable segments are Williams Partners, Access Midstream Partners, and Williams NGL & Petchem Services. All remaining business activities are included in Other. (See Note 1 – General, Description of Business, and Basis of Presentation.)
Performance Measurement
We currently evaluate segment operating performance based upon Segment profit (loss) from operations, which includes Segment revenues from external and internal customers, segment costs and expenses, Equity earnings (losses) and Income (loss) from investments. General corporate expenses represent Selling, general, and administrative expenses that are not allocated to our segments. Intersegment revenues are generally accounted for at current market prices as if the sales were to unaffiliated third parties.
The following table reflects the reconciliation of Segment revenues and Segment profit (loss) to Total revenues and Operating income (loss) as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Income and Total assets by reportable segment.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Williams Partners | | Access Midstream Partners | | Williams NGL & Petchem Services | | Other | | Eliminations | | Total |
| (Millions) |
Three months ended September 30, 2014 | |
Segment revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Service revenues | | | | | | | | | | | |
External | $ | 765 |
| | $ | 300 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 62 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 1,127 |
|
Internal | 1 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 7 |
| | (8 | ) | | — |
|
Total service revenues | 766 |
| | 300 |
| | — |
| | 69 |
| | (8 | ) | | 1,127 |
|
Product sales | | | | | | | | | | | |
External | 942 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 942 |
|
Internal | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Total product sales | 942 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 942 |
|
Total revenues | $ | 1,708 |
| | $ | 300 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 69 |
| | $ | (8 | ) | | $ | 2,069 |
|
Segment profit (loss) | $ | 373 |
| | $ | 2,563 |
| | $ | (3 | ) | | $ | 1 |
| | | | $ | 2,934 |
|
Less: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity earnings (losses) | 36 |
| | 29 |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | | | 66 |
|
Income (loss) from investments | — |
| | 2,519 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | | | 2,519 |
|
Segment operating income (loss) | $ | 337 |
| | $ | 15 |
| | $ | (4 | ) | | $ | 1 |
| | | | 349 |
|
General corporate expenses | | | | | | | | | | | (42 | ) |
Operating income (loss) | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 307 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Three months ended September 30, 2013 |
Segment revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Service revenues | | | | | | | | | | | |
External | $ | 731 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 5 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 736 |
|
Internal | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2 |
| | (2 | ) | | — |
|
Total service revenues | 731 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 7 |
| | (2 | ) | | 736 |
|
Product sales | | | | | | | | | | | |
External | 887 |
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