e10vk
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007
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 1-2700
El Paso Natural Gas Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
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74-0608280
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
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El Paso Building |
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1001 Louisiana Street |
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Houston, Texas
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77002 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
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(Zip Code) |
Telephone Number: (713) 420-2600
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule
405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section
13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed
by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation
S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in
definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ
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 o
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Accelerated filer o
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Non-accelerated
filer þ
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Smaller reporting company o |
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(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 o No þ
State the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant:
None
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrants classes of common stock,
as of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock, par value $1 per share. Shares outstanding on February 27, 2008: 1,000
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY MEETS THE CONDITIONS OF GENERAL INSTRUCTION I(1)(a) AND (b) TO
FORM 10-K AND IS THEREFORE FILING THIS REPORT WITH A REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT AS PERMITTED BY SUCH
INSTRUCTION.
Documents Incorporated by Reference: None
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Below is a list of terms that are common to our industry and used throughout this document:
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/d |
= |
per day |
BBtu |
= |
billion British thermal units |
Bcf |
= |
billion cubic feet |
LNG |
= |
liquefied natural gas |
MMcf |
= |
million cubic feet |
When we refer to cubic feet measurements, all measurements are at a pressure of 14.73 pounds
per square inch.
When we refer to us, we, our, ours, or EPNG, we are describing El Paso Natural Gas
Company and/or our subsidiaries.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview and Strategy
We are a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1928, and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
El Paso Corporation (El Paso). Our primary business consists of the interstate transportation and
storage of natural gas. We conduct our business activities through our natural gas pipeline systems
and a storage facility as discussed below.
Each of our pipeline systems and our storage facility operates under tariffs approved by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that establish rates, cost recovery mechanisms and
other terms and conditions of services to our customers. The fees or rates established under our
tariffs are a function of our costs of providing services to our customers, including a reasonable
return on our invested capital.
Our strategy is to enhance the value of our transportation and storage business by:
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Developing new growth projects in our market and supply areas; |
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Successfully recontracting expiring transportation capacity; |
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Focusing on efficiency and synergies across our system; |
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Ensuring the safety of our pipeline systems and assets; and |
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Providing outstanding customer service. |
The EPNG System. The EPNG system consists of approximately 10,200 miles of pipeline with a
winter sustainable west-flow capacity of 4,850 MMcf/d and approximately 800 MMcf/d of east-end
deliverability. During 2007, 2006 and 2005, average throughput was 4,189 BBtu/d, 4,179 BBtu/d and
4,053 BBtu/d. This system delivers natural gas from the San Juan, Permian, Anadarko basins and the
Rocky Mountains via interconnects to markets in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma,
Texas and northern Mexico.
The Mojave Pipeline Company (Mojave) System. The Mojave system consists of approximately 400
miles of pipeline with an east to west flow design capacity of approximately 400 MMcf/d. During
2007, 2006 and 2005, average throughput was 458 BBtu/d, 461 BBtu/d and 161 BBtu/d. Our 2007 and
2006 throughput includes 431 BBtu/d and 385 BBtu/d transported volume for the EPNG system. The
Mojave system connects with the EPNG system near Cadiz, California, the EPNG and Transwestern
systems at Topock, Arizona and the Kern River Gas Transmission Company system in California. This
system also extends to customers in the vicinity of Bakersfield, California.
Storage Facility. Prior to 2006, we utilized our Washington Ranch underground storage facility
located in New Mexico, which has up to approximately 44 Bcf of underground working natural gas
storage capacity to manage our transportation needs. In 2006, we also began using this facility to
offer interruptible storage services.
Markets and Competition
Our customers consist of natural gas distribution and industrial companies, electric
generation companies, natural gas producers, other natural gas pipelines, and natural gas marketing
and trading companies. We provide transportation service in our natural gas supply and market areas
and provide storage services in our supply areas. Our pipeline systems connect with multiple
pipelines that provide our customers with access to diverse sources of supply and various natural
gas markets.
1
Imported LNG is one of the fastest growing supply sectors of the natural gas market. LNG
terminals and other regasification facilities can serve as important sources of supply for
pipelines, enhancing their delivery capabilities and operational flexibility and complementing
traditional supply transported into market areas. However, these LNG delivery systems also may
compete with us for transportation of gas into market areas we serve.
Electric power generation is the fastest growing demand sector of the natural gas market. The
growth of the electric power industry potentially benefits the natural gas industry by creating
more demand for natural gas turbine generated electric power. This potential benefit is offset, in
varying degrees, by increased generation efficiency, the more effective use of surplus electric
capacity, increased natural gas prices and the use and availability of other fuel sources for power
generation. In addition, in several regions of the country, new additions in electric generating
capacity have exceeded load growth and electric transmission capabilities out of those regions.
These developments may inhibit owners of new power generation facilities from signing firm natural
gas transportation contracts with us.
We provide transportation services in the southwestern U.S. and to the Mexican border through
connections to other pipelines. These have recently been among the fastest growing regions in the
U.S. and in Mexico; therefore, the market demand for natural gas distribution as well as gas-fired
electric generation capacity has experienced considerable growth in these areas. The combined
capacity of all pipeline companies serving California, our largest market, is approximately 8.5
Bcf/d and we provide approximately 39 percent of this capacity. In 2007, the demand for interstate
pipeline capacity to California averaged 5.4 Bcf/d, equivalent to approximately 65 percent of the
total interstate pipeline capacity serving that state. Natural gas shipped to California on our
systems represented approximately 27 percent of the natural gas consumed in that state in 2007.
Our existing transportation and storage contracts mature at various times and in varying
amounts of throughput capacity. Our ability to extend our existing contracts or remarket expiring
capacity is dependent on competitive alternatives, the regulatory environment at the federal, state
and local levels and market supply and demand factors at the relevant dates these contracts are
extended or expire. The duration of new or renegotiated contracts will be affected by current
prices, competitive conditions and judgments concerning future market trends and volatility.
Subject to regulatory requirements, we attempt to recontract or remarket our capacity at the rates
allowed under our tariffs, although at times, we can discount these rates to remain competitive.
2
The following table details information related to our pipeline system, including the
customers, contracts and the competition we face on our pipeline systems as of December 31, 2007.
Firm customers reserve capacity on our pipeline systems and storage facilities and are obligated to
pay a monthly reservation or demand charge, regardless of the amount of natural gas they transport
or store, for the term of their contracts. Interruptible customers are customers without reserved
capacity that pay usage charges based on the volume of gas they request to transport, store, inject
or withdraw.
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Pipeline |
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System |
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Customer Information |
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Contract Information |
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Competition |
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EPNG
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Approximately 140
firm and
interruptible
customers.
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Approximately 190 firm
transportation contracts.
Weighted average remaining
contract term of
approximately four years.
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EPNG faces competition in the west
and southwest from other existing
and proposed pipelines, from
California storage facilities, and
from alternative energy sources
that are used to generate
electricity such as hydroelectric
power, nuclear energy, wind, solar,
coal and fuel oil. In addition,
construction of facilities to bring
LNG into California and northern
Mexico are underway. |
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Major Customers: |
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Southern California Gas
Company (SoCal) |
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(187 BBtu/d)
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Expires in 2009. |
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(246 BBtu/d)
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Expires in 2010. |
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(323 BBtu/d)
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Expires in 2011. |
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Southwest Gas
Corporation |
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(11 BBtu/d)
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Expires in 2008. |
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(603 BBtu/d)
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Expire in 20112015. |
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Mojave
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Approximately 20
firm and
interruptible
customers
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Approximately five firm
transportation contracts.
Weighted average remaining
contract term of
approximately eight years.
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Mojave faces competition from other
existing and proposed pipelines and
alternative energy sources that are
used to generate electricity such
as hydroelectric power, nuclear
energy, wind, solar, coal and fuel
oil. In addition, construction of
facilities to bring LNG into
California and northern Mexico are
underway. |
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Major Customer: |
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EPNG |
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(312 BBtu/d)
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Expires in 2015. |
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Regulatory Environment
Our interstate natural gas transmission systems and storage operations are regulated by the
FERC under the Natural Gas Act of 1938, the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 and the Energy Policy
Act of 2005. We operate under tariffs approved by the FERC that establish rates, cost recovery
mechanisms and other terms and conditions of service to our customers. Generally, the FERCs
authority extends to:
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rates and charges for natural gas transportation and storage; |
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certification and construction of new facilities; |
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extension or abandonment of services and facilities; |
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maintenance of accounts and records; |
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relationships between pipelines and certain affiliates; |
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terms and conditions of service; |
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depreciation and amortization policies; |
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acquisition and disposition of facilities; and |
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initiation and discontinuation of services. |
Our interstate pipeline systems are also subject to federal, state and local safety and
environmental statutes and regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S.
Department of Interior. We have ongoing inspection programs designed to keep our facilities in
compliance with pipeline safety and environmental requirements and we believe that our systems are
in material compliance with the applicable regulations.
Environmental
A description of our environmental activities is included in Part II, Item 8, Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 6, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Employees
As of February 27, 2008, we had approximately 860 full-time employees, none of whom are
subject to a collective bargaining arrangement.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF
THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions or beliefs
that we believe to be reasonable; however, assumed facts almost always vary from actual results,
and differences between assumed facts and actual results can be material, depending upon the
circumstances. Where, based on assumptions, we or our management express an expectation or belief
as to future results, that expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and is believed to have
a reasonable basis. We cannot assure you, however, that the stated expectation or belief will
occur, be achieved or accomplished. The words believe, expect, estimate, anticipate, and
similar expressions will generally identify forward-looking statements. All of our forward-looking
statements, whether written or oral, are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and any
other cautionary statements that may accompany such forward-looking statements. In addition, we
disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
after the date of this report.
With this in mind, you should consider the risks discussed elsewhere in this report and other
documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from time to time and the
following important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed in any forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf.
Risks Related to Our Business
Our success depends on factors beyond our control.
Our business is the transportation and storage of natural gas for third parties. The results
of our transportation and storage operations are impacted by the volumes of natural gas we
transport or store and the prices we are able to charge for doing so. The volume of natural gas we
are able to transport and store depends on the actions of those third parties and is beyond our
control. Further, the following factors, most of which are also beyond our control, may unfavorably
impact our ability to maintain or increase current throughput, or to remarket unsubscribed capacity
on our pipeline systems.
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service area competition; |
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expiration or turn back of significant contracts; |
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changes in regulation and action of regulatory bodies; |
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weather conditions that impact throughput and storage levels; |
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price competition; |
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drilling activity and decreased availability of conventional gas supply sources and the
availability and timing of other natural gas supply sources, such as LNG; |
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decreased natural gas demand due to various factors, including increases in prices and
the availability or increased demand of alternative energy sources such as hydroelectric
power, nuclear energy, wind, solar, coal and fuel oil; |
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continued development of additional sources of gas supply that can be accessed; |
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availability and cost of capital to fund ongoing maintenance and growth projects; |
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opposition to energy infrastructure development, especially in environmentally sensitive areas; |
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adverse general economic conditions including prolonged recessionary periods that might
negatively impact natural gas demand and the capital markets; |
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expiration or renewal of existing interests in real property including real property on
Native American lands; and |
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unfavorable movements in natural gas prices in certain supply and demand areas. |
Our revenues are generated under contracts that must be renegotiated periodically, some of which
are for a substantial portion of our firm transportation capacity.
Our revenues are generated under transportation and storage contracts which expire
periodically and must be renegotiated, extended or replaced. If we are unable to extend or replace
these contracts when they expire or renegotiate contract terms as favorable as the existing
contracts, we could suffer a material reduction in our revenues, earnings and cash flows. For
additional information on the expiration of our contract portfolio, see Part II, Item 7,
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. In
particular, our ability to extend and replace contracts could be adversely affected by factors we
cannot control, including:
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competition by other pipelines, including the change in rates or upstream supply of
existing pipeline competitors, as well as the proposed construction by other companies of
additional pipeline capacity or LNG terminals in markets served by our interstate
pipelines; |
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changes in state regulation of local distribution companies, which may cause them to
negotiate short-term contracts or turn back their capacity when their contracts expire; |
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reduced demand and market conditions in the areas we serve; |
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the availability of alternative energy sources or natural gas supply points; and |
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regulatory actions. |
For additional information on our contracts with our major customers, see Part II, Item 8,
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 8. The loss of any one of these customers or a
decline in their creditworthiness could adversely affect our results of operations, financial
position and cash flows.
Fluctuations in energy commodity prices could adversely affect our business.
Revenues generated by our transportation and storage contracts depend on volumes and rates,
both of which can be affected by the price of natural gas. Increased prices could result in a
reduction of the volumes transported by our customers, including power companies that may not
dispatch natural gas-fired power plants if natural gas prices increase. Increased prices could also
result in industrial plant shutdowns or load losses to competitive fuels as well as local
distribution companies loss of customer base. The success of our transmission and storage
operations is subject to continued development of additional gas supplies to offset the natural
decline from existing wells connected to our systems, which requires the development of additional
oil and natural gas reserves and obtaining additional supplies from interconnecting pipelines. A
decline in energy prices could cause a decrease in these development activities and could cause a
decrease in the volume of reserves available for transmission and storage through our systems.
6
We retain a fixed percentage of natural gas transported as provided in our tariff. This
retained natural gas is used as fuel and to replace lost and unaccounted for natural gas. If
natural gas prices in the supply basins connected to our pipeline systems are higher than prices in
other natural gas producing regions, our ability to compete with other transporters and our
long-term recontracting activities may be negatively impacted. Furthermore, fluctuations in pricing
between supply sources and market areas could negatively impact our transportation revenues.
Fluctuations in energy prices are caused by a number of factors, including:
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regional, domestic and international supply and demand; |
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availability and adequacy of transportation facilities; |
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energy legislation; |
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federal and state taxes, if any, on the transportation and storage of natural gas; |
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abundance of supplies of alternative energy sources; and |
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political unrest among countries producing oil and LNG. |
The agencies that regulate us and our customers could affect our profitability.
Our business is regulated by the FERC, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S.
Department of Interior and various state and local regulatory agencies whose actions have the
potential to adversely affect our profitability. In particular, the FERC regulates the rates we are
permitted to charge our customers for our services and sets authorized rates of return. The FERC
uses a discounted cash flow model that incorporates the use of proxy groups to develop a range of
reasonable returns earned on equity interests in companies with corresponding risks. The FERC then
assigns a rate of return on equity within that range to reflect specific risks of that pipeline
when compared to the proxy group companies. The FERC had been using a proxy group of companies that
included local distribution companies that are not faced with as much competition or risk as
interstate pipelines. The inclusion of these lower risk companies could have created downward
pressure on tariff rates when subjected to review by the FERC in future rate proceedings. Recently,
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit issued a decision that would require the FERC, if it
utilizes lower risk companies in the proxy group, to make upward adjustments to the return on
equity to compensate for their lower level of risk. Pursuant to the FERCs jurisdiction over rates,
existing rates may be challenged by complaint and proposed rate increases may be challenged by
protest. A successful complaint or protest against our rates could have an adverse impact on our
revenues. In addition, in July 2007, the FERC issued a proposed policy statement addressing the
issue of the proxy groups it will use to decide the return on equity of natural gas pipelines. The
proposed policy statement describes the FERCs intention to allow the use of master limited
partnerships in proxy groups, which we and other pipelines have advocated. However, the FERC also
proposed certain restrictions that would reduce the overall benefit that pipelines would receive by
use of master limited partnerships in the proxy group.
Also, increased regulatory requirements relating to the integrity of our pipelines requires
additional spending in order to maintain compliance with these requirements. Any additional
requirements that are enacted could significantly increase the amount of these expenditures.
Further, state agencies that regulate our local distribution company customers could impose
requirements that could impact demand for our services.
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Environmental compliance and remediation costs and the costs of environmental liabilities could
exceed our estimates.
Our operations are subject to various environmental laws and regulations regarding compliance
and remediation obligations. Compliance obligations can result in significant costs to install and
maintain pollution controls, fines and penalties resulting from any failure to comply and potential
limitations on our operations. Remediation obligations can result in significant costs associated
with the investigation or clean up of contaminated properties (some of which have been designated
as Superfund sites by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act ), as well as damage claims arising out of the
contamination of properties or impact on natural resources. Although we believe we have established
appropriate reserves for our environmental liabilities, it is not possible for us to estimate the
exact amount and timing of all future expenditures related to environmental matters and we could be
required to set aside additional amounts which could significantly impact our future consolidated
results of operations, cash flows or financial position. See Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements
and Supplementary Data, Note 6.
In estimating our environmental liabilities, we face uncertainties that include:
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estimating pollution control and clean up costs, including sites where preliminary site
investigation or assessments have been completed; |
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discovering new sites or additional information at existing sites; |
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quantifying liability under environmental laws that impose joint and several liability
on all potentially responsible parties; |
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evaluating and understanding environmental laws and regulations, including their
interpretation and enforcement; and. |
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changing environmental laws and regulations that may increase our costs. |
Currently, various legislative and regulatory measures to address greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions, including carbon dioxide and methane, are in various phases of discussion or
implementation. These include the Kyoto Protocol and various United States federal legislative
proposals which have been made over the last several years. It is difficult to predict the timing
of enactment of any federal legislation, as well as the ultimate legislation that will be enacted.
However, components of the legislation that have been proposed in the past could negatively impact
our operations and financial results, including whether any of our facilities are designated as the
point of regulation for GHG emissions, whether the federal legislation will expressly preempt the
potentially conflicting state GHG legislation and how inter-fuel issues will be handled, including
how allowances are granted and whether caps will be imposed on GHG charges.
Legislation and regulation are also in various stages of proposal, enactment, and
implementation in many of the states in which we operate. This includes various initiatives of
individual and coalitions of states, including seven western states that are members of the Western
Climate Initiative.
Additionally, various governmental entities and environmental groups have filed lawsuits
seeking to force the federal government to regulate GHG emissions and individual companies to
reduce the GHG emissions from their operations. These and other suits may also result in decisions
by federal agencies, state courts and other agencies that impact our operations and our ability to
obtain certifications and permits to construct future projects.
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These legislative, regulatory, and judicial actions could also result in changes to our
operations and to the consumption and demand for natural gas. Changes to our operations could
include increased costs to (i) operate and maintain our facilities, (ii) install new emission
controls on our facilities, (iii) construct new facilities, (iv) acquire allowances to authorize
our GHG emissions, (v) pay any taxes related to our GHG emissions and (vi) administer and manage a
GHG emissions program.
While we may be able to include some or all of any costs in the rates charged by us such
recovery of costs is uncertain and may depend on events beyond our control including the outcome of
future rate proceedings before the FERC and the provisions of any final legislation.
Our operations are subject to operational hazards and uninsured risks.
Our operations are subject to the inherent risks normally associated with pipeline operations,
including pipeline ruptures, explosions, pollution, release of toxic substances, fires, adverse
weather conditions (such as flooding), terrorist activity or acts of aggression, and other hazards.
Each of these risks could result in damage to or destruction of our facilities or damages or
injuries to persons and property causing us to suffer substantial losses.
While we maintain insurance against many of these risks to the extent and in amounts that we
believe are reasonable, our insurance coverages have material deductibles as well as limits on our
maximum recovery, and do not cover all risks. As a result, our results of operations, cash flows or
financial condition could be adversely affected if a significant event occurs that is not fully
covered by insurance.
The expansion of our business by constructing new facilities subjects us to construction and other
risks that may adversely affect our financial results.
We may expand the capacity of our existing pipelines or our storage facility by constructing
additional facilities. Construction of these facilities is subject to various regulatory,
development and operational risks, including:
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our ability to obtain necessary approvals and permits by the FERC and other regulatory
agencies on a timely basis and on terms that are acceptable to us; |
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the ability to obtain continued access to sufficient capital to fund expansion
projects; |
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the availability of skilled labor, equipment, and materials to complete expansion
projects; |
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potential changes in federal, state and local statutes, regulations and orders,
including environmental requirements that prevent a project from proceeding or increase the
anticipated cost of the project; |
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impediments on our ability to acquire rights-of-way or land rights on a timely basis or
on terms that are acceptable to us; |
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our ability to construct projects within anticipated costs, including the risk that we
may incur cost overruns resulting from inflation or increased costs of equipment,
materials, labor, lack of contractor productivity, or other factors beyond our control, that we may
not be able to recover from our customers which may be material; |
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the lack of future growth in natural gas supply; and |
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the lack of transportation, storage or throughput commitments. |
Any of these risks could prevent a project from proceeding, delay its completion or increase
its anticipated costs. As a result, new facilities may not achieve our expected investment return,
which could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
9
Our business requires the retention and recruitment of a skilled workforce and the loss of
employees could result in the failure to implement our business plan.
Our business requires the retention and recruitment of a skilled workforce. If we are unable
to retain and recruit employees such as engineers and other technical personnel, our business could
be negatively impacted.
Adverse changes in general domestic economic conditions could adversely affect our operating
results, financial condition, or liquidity.
We, El Paso, and its subsidiaries are subject to the risks arising from adverse changes in
general domestic economic conditions including recession or economic slowdown. Recently, the
direction and relative strength of the U.S. economy has been increasingly uncertain due to softness
in the housing markets, rising oil prices, and difficulties in the financial services sector. If
economic growth in the United States is slowed, demand growth from consumers for natural gas
transported by us may decrease which could impact our planned growth
capital. Additionally, our access to capital could be impeded. Any of these events, which
are beyond our control, could negatively impact our business, results of operations, financial
condition, and liquidity.
Risks Related to Our Affiliation with El Paso
El Paso files reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Each prospective investor should consider this
information and the matters disclosed therein in addition to the matters described in this report.
Such information is not included herein or incorporated by reference into this report.
Our relationship with El Paso and its financial condition subjects us to potential risks that are
beyond our control.
Due to our relationship with El Paso, adverse developments or announcements concerning El Paso
or its other subsidiaries could adversely affect our financial condition, even if we have not
suffered any similar development. The ratings assigned to El Pasos senior unsecured indebtedness
are below investment grade, currently rated Ba3 by Moodys Investor Service, BB- by Standard &
Poors and BB+ by Fitch Ratings. The ratings assigned to our senior unsecured indebtedness are
currently investment grade, rated Baa3 by Moodys Investor Service, BB by Standard & Poors and
investment grade with a BBB- rating by Fitch Ratings. We and El Paso are (i) on a positive outlook
with Moodys Investor Service and Standard & Poors and (ii) on a stable outlook with Fitch
Ratings. Downgrades of our or El Pasos credit ratings could increase our cost of capital and
collateral requirements, and could impede our access to capital markets.
El Paso provides cash management and other corporate services for us. Pursuant to El Pasos
cash management program, we transfer surplus cash to El Paso in exchange for an affiliated note
receivable. In addition, we conduct commercial transactions with some of our affiliates. If El Paso
or such affiliates are unable to meet their respective liquidity needs, we may not be able to
access cash under the cash management program, or our affiliates may not be able to pay their
obligations to us. However, we might still be required to satisfy affiliated payables. Our
inability to recover any affiliated receivables owed to us could adversely affect our financial
position. For a further discussion of these matters, see Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data, Note 10.
We may be subject to a change of control if an event of default occurs under El Pasos credit
agreement.
Under El Pasos $1.5 billion credit agreement, our common stock and the common stock of one of
El Pasos other subsidiaries are pledged as collateral. As a result, our ownership is subject to
change if there is a default under the credit agreement and El Pasos lenders exercise rights over
their collateral, even if we do not have any borrowings outstanding under the credit agreement. For
additional information concerning El Pasos credit facility, see Part II, Item 8, Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 5.
10
A default under El Pasos $1.5 billion credit agreement by any party could accelerate our future
borrowings, if any, under the credit agreement and our long-term debt, which could adversely affect
our liquidity position.
We are a party to El Pasos $1.5 billion credit agreement. We are only liable, however, for
our borrowings under the credit agreement, which were zero at December 31, 2007. Under the credit
agreement, a default by El Paso, or any other borrower could result in the acceleration of
repayment of all outstanding borrowings, including the borrowings of any non-defaulting party. The
acceleration of repayments of borrowings, if any, or the inability to borrow under the credit
agreement, could adversely affect our liquidity position and, in turn, our financial condition.
Furthermore, the indentures governing some of our long-term debt contain cross-acceleration
provisions, the most restrictive of which is $25 million. Therefore, if we borrow $25 million or
more under El Pasos $1.5 billion credit agreement and such borrowings are accelerated for any
reason, including the default of another party under the credit agreement, our long-term debt that
contains these provisions could also be accelerated. The acceleration of our long-term debt could
also adversely affect our liquidity position and, in turn, our financial condition.
We are an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of El Paso.
As an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of El Paso, subject to limitations in our credit
agreements and indentures, El Paso has substantial control over:
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our payment of dividends; |
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decisions on our financing and capital raising activities; |
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mergers or other business combinations; |
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our acquisitions or dispositions of assets; and |
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our participation in El Pasos cash management program. |
El Paso may exercise such control in its interests and not necessarily in the interests of us
or the holders of our long-term debt.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
We have not included a response to this item since no response is required under Item 1B of
Form 10-K.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
A description of our properties is included in Item 1, Business, and is incorporated herein by
reference.
We believe that we have satisfactory title to the properties owned and used in our business,
subject to liens for taxes not yet payable, liens incident to minor encumbrances, liens for credit
arrangements and easements and restrictions that do not materially detract from the value of these
properties, our interests in these properties or the use of these properties in our business. We
believe that our properties are adequate and suitable for the conduct of our business in the
future.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
A description of our legal proceedings is included in Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements
and Supplementary Data, Note 6, and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Information has been omitted from this report pursuant to the reduced disclosure format
permitted by General Instruction I to Form 10-K.
11
PART II
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ITEM 5. |
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MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF
EQUITY SECURITIES |
All of our common stock, par value $1 per share, is owned by a subsidiary of El Paso and,
accordingly, our stock is not publicly traded.
We pay dividends on our common stock from time to time from legally available funds that have
been approved for payment by our Board of Directors. No common stock dividends were declared or
paid in 2007 or 2006.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Information has been omitted from this report pursuant to the reduced disclosure format
permitted by General Instruction I to Form 10-K.
12
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The information required by this Item is presented in a reduced disclosure format pursuant to
General Instruction I to Form 10-K. Our Managements Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) should be read
in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying footnotes. MD&A
includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may result in
actual results differing from the statements we make. These risks and uncertainties are discussed
further in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors.
Overview
Our business primarily consists of interstate transportation and storage of natural gas. Each
of these businesses faces varying degrees of competition from other existing and proposed pipelines
and LNG facilities, as well as from alternative energy sources used to generate electricity, such
as hydroelectric power, nuclear energy, wind, coal and fuel oil. Our revenues from transportation
and storage services consist of the following types.
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Percent of Total |
Type |
|
Description |
|
Revenues in 2007 |
|
Reservation
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|
Reservation revenues are from customers (referred to as firm
customers) that reserve capacity on our pipeline systems and
storage facility. These firm customers are obligated to pay a
monthly reservation or demand charge, regardless of the amount
of natural gas they transport or store, for the term of their
contracts.
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86 |
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Usage and Other
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Usage revenues are from both firm customers and interruptible
customers (those without reserved capacity) that pay usage
charges based on the volume of gas actually transported,
stored, injected or withdrawn. We also earn revenue from other
miscellaneous sources.
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14 |
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The FERC regulates the rates we can charge our customers. These rates are generally a function
of the cost of providing services to our customers, including a reasonable return on our invested
capital. Because of our regulated nature and the high percentage of our revenues attributable to
reservation charges, our revenues have historically been relatively stable. However, our financial
results can be subject to volatility due to factors such as changes in natural gas prices, market
conditions, regulatory actions, competition, declines in the creditworthiness of our customers and
weather. On January 1, 2006, we adopted a fuel tracker on our EPNG system related to the actual
costs of fuel lost and unaccounted for and other gas balancing costs, such as encroachments against
our system gas supply and imbalance cash out price adjustments, with a true-up mechanism for
amounts over or under retained. The fuel tracker reduced the financial impacts of our operational
gas costs.
We continue to manage our recontracting process to limit the risk of significant impacts on
our revenues from expiring contracts. Our ability to extend existing customer contracts or remarket
expiring contracted capacity is dependent on competitive alternatives, the regulatory environment
at the federal, state and local levels and the market supply and demand factors at the relevant
dates these contracts are extended or expire. The duration of new or renegotiated contracts will be
affected by current prices, competitive conditions and judgments concerning future market trends
and volatility. Subject to regulatory requirements, we attempt to recontract or remarket our
capacity at the rates allowed under our tariffs, although, we can discount these rates to remain
competitive. Our existing contracts mature at various times and in varying amounts of throughput
capacity. The weighted average remaining contract term for active contracts is approximately four
years as of December 31, 2007.
13
Listed below are the expiration of our contract portfolio and the associated revenue
expirations for our firm transportation contracts as of December 31, 2007, including those with
terms beginning in 2008 or later.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent of Total |
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|
|
|
|
|
Percent of Total |
|
|
|
BBtu/d (1) |
|
|
Contracted Capacity |
|
|
Reservation Revenue |
|
|
Reservation Revenue |
|
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
1,112 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
2009 |
|
|
1,142 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
93 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
2010 |
|
|
562 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
2011 |
|
|
1,301 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
2012 |
|
|
637 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
2013 and beyond |
|
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1,085 |
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|
|
19 |
|
|
|
139 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
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Total |
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5,839 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
$ |
459 |
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|
|
100 |
|
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|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
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Excludes EPNG capacity on the Mojave system. |
Results of Operations
Our management uses earnings before interest expense and income taxes (EBIT) to assess the
operating results and effectiveness of our business. We believe EBIT is useful to our investors
because it allows them to more effectively evaluate our operating performance using the same
performance measure analyzed internally by our management. We define EBIT as net income adjusted
for (i) items that do not impact our income from continuing operations, (ii) income taxes, (iii)
interest and debt expense and (iv) affiliated interest income. We exclude interest and debt expense
from this measure so that investors may evaluate our operating results without regard to our
financing methods. EBIT may not be comparable to measurements used by other companies.
Additionally, EBIT should be considered in conjunction with net income and other performance
measures such as operating income or operating cash flows. Below is a reconciliation of our EBIT to
net income, our throughput volumes and an analysis and discussion of our results for the year ended
December 31, 2007 compared with 2006.
Operating Results:
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2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
(In millions, |
|
|
|
except volumes) |
|
Operating revenues |
|
$ |
557 |
|
|
$ |
588 |
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
(319 |
) |
|
|
(305 |
) |
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|
|
|
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|
|
Operating income |
|
|
238 |
|
|
|
283 |
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Other income, net |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBIT |
|
|
242 |
|
|
|
286 |
|
Interest and debt expense |
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(98 |
) |
|
|
(95 |
) |
Affiliated interest income, net |
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71 |
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|
|
53 |
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Income taxes |
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|
(83 |
) |
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(92 |
) |
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Net income |
|
$ |
132 |
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|
$ |
152 |
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|
|
|
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|
|
Throughput volumes (BBtu/d)(1) |
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4,216 |
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4,255 |
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|
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(1) |
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Throughput volumes exclude throughput transported by EPNG on the Mojave
system. |
EBIT Analysis:
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|
|
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|
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|
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EBIT |
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|
|
Revenue |
|
|
Expense |
|
|
Other |
|
|
Impact |
|
|
|
Favorable/(Unfavorable) |
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|
|
(In millions) |
|
Reservation and other services revenues |
|
$ |
(20 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(20 |
) |
Enron bankruptcy settlement |
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
Operating and general and administrative expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
Impairment of East Valley Line lateral |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
Other(1) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total impact on EBIT |
|
$ |
(31 |
) |
|
$ |
(14 |
) |
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
(44 |
) |
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|
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|
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|
|
(1) |
|
Consists of individually insignificant items. |
14
Reservation and Other Services Revenues. We periodically file for changes in our rates subject
to the approval of the FERC. Changes in rates and other tariff provisions resulting from these
regulatory proceedings have the potential to positively or negatively impact our profitability. Our
reservation and other services revenues were lower for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to
2006, primarily as a result of lower reservation revenues on our Mojave system due to a decrease in
tariff rates under our rate case settlement and the expiration of certain firm contracts, both
effective March 1, 2007. Capacity expiring on the EPNG system in
2006, was resold generally at
lower rates. Our completed rate proceedings are further discussed below and in Item 8, Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 6.
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EPNG In August 2007, EPNG received approval of the settlement of its rate case
from the FERC and began billing the settlement rates on October 1, 2007. The settlement
provides benefits for both EPNG and its customers for a three year period ending
December 31, 2008. Under the terms of the settlement, EPNG is required to file a new
rate case to be effective January 1, 2009. In 2007 and 2006, EPNG recorded rate refund
provisions of approximately $60 million and $65 million, inclusive of interest. In the
fourth quarter of 2007, EPNG refunded $115 million including interest in rate refunds to
its customers and refunded the remaining $10 million in January 2008. |
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|
Mojave In February 2007, as required by its prior rate case settlement, Mojave
filed with the FERC a general rate case proposing a 33 percent decrease in its base
tariff rates resulting from a variety of factors, including a decline in rate base and
various changes in rate design since the last rate case. No new services were proposed.
The new base rates were effective March 1, 2007. Mojave filed an offer of settlement to
resolve all issues in the rate case in October 2007 and received FERC approval of this
settlement in December 2007. Under the terms of this settlement, we have refund
obligations of $4 million that will be paid in the first quarter of 2008 for a
previously accrued regulatory obligation. Other refund obligations to third parties are
minimal . |
Enron Bankruptcy Settlement. During 2007 and 2006, we recorded income of approximately $5
million and $17 million, net of amounts owed to certain customers as a result of the Enron
bankruptcy settlement.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense. During the year ended December 31, 2007, our
depreciation and amortization expense was lower primarily as a result of changes to depreciation
and amortization rates implemented in our Mojave and EPNG rate cases.
Operating and General and Administrative Expenses. During the year ended December 31, 2007,
our operating, general, and administrative expenses increased primarily as a result of higher
repair and maintenance costs.
Impairment of East Valley Line Lateral. During the fourth quarter of 2007, we recorded an
impairment of approximately $9 million pursuant to a FERC order on our accounting treatment for the
planned sale of certain transmission facilities. We sought a rehearing of the FERCs determination,
which the FERC denied in February 2008. We are evaluating the possibility of seeking appellate
review of the FERCs order on the rehearing.
Interest and Debt Expense
Interest and debt expense for the year ended December 31, 2007, was $3 million higher than in
2006 primarily due to interest recorded in 2007 for EPNGs rate refund provision, partially offset
by lower average interest rates on outstanding debt.
Affiliated Interest Income, Net
Affiliated interest income, net for the year ended December 31, 2007, was $18 million higher
than in 2006 due to higher average short-term interest rates and higher average advances to El Paso
under its cash management program. The average short-term interest rate increased from 5.7% in 2006
to 6.2% in 2007. In addition, the average advances due from El Paso of $947 million in 2006
increased to $1.2 billion in 2007.
15
Income Taxes
Our effective tax rate of 39 percent and 38 percent for the years ended December 31, 2007 and
2006 was higher than the statutory rate of 35 percent in both periods primarily due to the effect
of state income taxes. For a reconciliation of the statutory rate to the effective tax rates, see
Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 2.
16
Liquidity and Capital Expenditures
Liquidity Overview. Our liquidity needs are provided by cash flows from operating activities. In
addition, we participate in El Pasos cash management program and depending on whether we have
short-term cash surpluses or requirements, we either advance cash to El Paso or El Paso advances
cash to us in exchange for an affiliated note receivable or payable that is due upon demand. We
have historically advanced cash to El Paso, which we reflect in investing activities in our
statement of cash flows. At December 31, 2007, we had a note receivable from El Paso of
approximately $1.1 billion. We do not intend to settle this note within the next twelve
months and therefore have classified it as non-current on our balance sheet. In 2007, we settled with El Paso certain tax
attributes previously reflected as deferred income taxes in our
financial statements for $40 million. This settlement is reflected as
operating activities in our statement of cash flows. See Item 8,
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 10, for a further discussion of El Pasos cash
management program.
In addition to the cash management program, in November 2007, El Paso entered into a $1.5
billion credit agreement, which amended and restated its existing $1.75 billion credit agreement.
We continue to be an eligible borrower under El Pasos $1.5 billion credit agreement and are only
liable for amounts we directly borrow. As of December 31, 2007, El Paso had approximately $0.3
billion of letters of credit issued and $0.4 billion of debt outstanding under this facility, none
of which was issued or borrowed by us. For a further discussion of this credit agreement, see Item
8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 5.
We believe that cash flows from operating activities combined with amounts available to us
under El Pasos cash management program and its credit agreement, if necessary, will be adequate to
meet our capital requirements and our existing operating needs.
Credit Profile. In March 2007, Moodys Investor Services upgraded our senior unsecured debt
rating to an investment grade rating of Baa3 and upgraded El Pasos senior unsecured debt rating to
Ba3 while maintaining a positive outlook. Additionally, in March 2007, (i) Standard and Poors
upgraded our senior unsecured debt ratings to BB and upgraded El Pasos senior unsecured debt
rating to BB-, maintaining a positive outlook and (ii) Fitch Ratings initiated coverage on us and
assigned an investment grade rating of BBB- on our senior unsecured debt and a rating of BB+ on El
Pasos senior unsecured debt. Our ratings affect the cost of capital that is available in third
party markets, generally allowing for a lower cost of capital relative to non-investment grade
companies.
Additionally, in April 2007, we were able to reduce our average cost of debt by issuing $355
million of 5.95% senior notes due in April 2017 and using a portion of the net proceeds to
repurchase approximately $301 million of 7.625% notes due in August 2010.
Capital Expenditures. Our capital expenditures for the years ended December 31 were as
follows:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Maintenance |
|
$ |
99 |
|
|
$ |
94 |
|
Expansion/Other |
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
120 |
|
|
$ |
143 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17
Under our current plan, we have budgeted to spend approximately $150 million in 2008 for capital expenditures to maintain the integrity of
our pipelines, to comply with clean air regulations and to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of
natural gas to our customers. In addition, we have budgeted to spend approximately $70 million in
2008 to expand the capacity and services of our
pipeline and storage systems. We expect to fund our capital
expenditures through a combination of internally generated funds and,
if necessary, repayments by El
Paso of amounts we advanced under its cash management program.
Commitments and Contingencies
For a discussion of our commitments and contingencies, see Item 8, Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data, Note 6, which is incorporated herein by reference.
New Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted
See Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 1, under New Accounting
Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted, which is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our primary market risk is exposure to changing interest rates. At December 31, 2007, we had a
note receivable from El Paso of approximately $1.1 billion, with a variable interest rate of 6.5%
that is due upon demand. While we are exposed to changes in interest income based on changes to the
variable interest rate, the fair value of this note receivable approximates its carrying value due
to the market-based nature of its interest rate. The table below shows the carrying value and
related weighted average effective interest rates of our non-affiliated interest bearing securities
by expected maturity dates and the fair value of those securities. At December 31, 2007, the fair
values of our fixed rate long-term debt securities have been estimated based on quoted market
prices for the same or similar issues.
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|
|
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|
|
December 31, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
Expected Fiscal Year of Maturity of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying Amounts |
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair |
|
Carrying |
|
Fair |
|
|
2010 |
|
Thereafter |
|
Total |
|
Value |
|
Amount |
|
Value |
|
|
(In millions, except for rates) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt fixed rate |
|
$ |
53 |
|
|
$ |
1,113 |
|
|
$ |
1,166 |
|
|
$ |
1,309 |
|
|
$ |
1,111 |
|
|
$ |
1,273 |
|
Average effective interest rate |
|
|
5.1 |
% |
|
|
7.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
MANAGEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over
financial reporting, as defined by SEC rules adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. It consists of
policies and procedures that:
|
|
|
Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; |
|
|
|
|
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with
authorizations of our management and directors; and |
|
|
|
|
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized
acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the
financial statements. |
Under
the supervision and with the participation of management, including
the President and
Chief Financial Officer, we made an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2007. In making this assessment, we used the criteria
established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on our evaluation, we concluded that our
internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2007.
19
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholder of El Paso Natural Gas Company:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of El Paso Natural Gas Company (the
Company) as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income,
stockholders equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31,
2007. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)
for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2007. These financial
statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is
to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We
were not engaged to perform an audit of the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for
designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of
expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial
reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material
respects, the consolidated financial position of El Paso Natural Gas Company at December 31, 2007
and 2006, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two
years in the period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in
relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material
respects the information set forth therein.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2007, the
Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48,
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109; effective
December 31, 2006, the Company adopted the recognition provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other
Postretirement Plans An Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132 (R); and effective
December 1, 2005, the Company adopted the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions accounting release
related to pipeline assessment costs.
Houston, Texas
February 25, 2008
20
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of El Paso Natural Gas Company:
In our opinion, the consolidated statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows for the
year ended December 31, 2005 listed in the Index appearing under Item 15(a) (1), present fairly, in
all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of El Paso Natural Gas Company and
its subsidiaries (the Company) for the year ended December 31, 2005, in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our
opinion, the financial statement schedule for the year ended December 31, 2005 listed in the Index
appearing under Item 15(a) (2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth
therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These
financial statements and the financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Companys
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and the
financial statement schedule based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements in
accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining,
on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Houston, Texas
February 28, 2006
21
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Operating revenues |
|
$ |
557 |
|
|
$ |
588 |
|
|
$ |
497 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operation and maintenance |
|
|
210 |
|
|
|
183 |
|
|
|
232 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
82 |
|
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
74 |
|
Taxes, other than income taxes |
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
319 |
|
|
|
305 |
|
|
|
335 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
238 |
|
|
|
283 |
|
|
|
162 |
|
Other income, net |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
Interest and debt expense |
|
|
(98 |
) |
|
|
(95 |
) |
|
|
(92 |
) |
Affiliated interest income, net |
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
244 |
|
|
|
110 |
|
Income taxes |
|
|
83 |
|
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
132 |
|
|
$ |
152 |
|
|
$ |
64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes.
22
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Accounts and notes receivable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer, net of allowance of $4 in 2007 and $5 in 2006 |
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
81 |
|
Affiliates |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Other |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Materials and supplies |
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
42 |
|
Other |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
135 |
|
|
|
174 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, at cost |
|
|
3,710 |
|
|
|
3,557 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
|
|
1,298 |
|
|
|
1,251 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total property, plant and equipment, net |
|
|
2,412 |
|
|
|
2,306 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note receivable from affiliate |
|
|
1,113 |
|
|
|
1,070 |
|
Other |
|
|
133 |
|
|
|
81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,246 |
|
|
|
1,151 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
3,793 |
|
|
$ |
3,631 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade |
|
$ |
101 |
|
|
$ |
59 |
|
Affiliates |
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
Other |
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
Taxes payable |
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
87 |
|
Accrued interest |
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
84 |
|
Regulatory liabilities |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Other |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
279 |
|
|
|
304 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt |
|
|
1,166 |
|
|
|
1,111 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
370 |
|
|
|
405 |
|
Other |
|
|
116 |
|
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
486 |
|
|
|
490 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, par value $1 per share; 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
1,268 |
|
|
|
1,268 |
|
Retained earnings |
|
|
594 |
|
|
|
462 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity |
|
|
1,862 |
|
|
|
1,726 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
|
$ |
3,793 |
|
|
$ |
3,631 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes.
23
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
132 |
|
|
$ |
152 |
|
|
$ |
64 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
82 |
|
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
74 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
Other non-cash income items |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Asset and
liability changes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
(34 |
) |
Accounts payable |
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
41 |
|
Taxes receivable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
102 |
|
Taxes payable |
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
Other current assets |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
16 |
|
Other current liabilities |
|
|
(88 |
) |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
Non-current assets |
|
|
(57 |
) |
|
|
(30 |
) |
|
|
(8 |
) |
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
|
125 |
|
|
|
322 |
|
|
|
304 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to property, plant and equipment |
|
|
(120 |
) |
|
|
(143 |
) |
|
|
(141 |
) |
Net change in notes receivable from affiliate |
|
|
(43 |
) |
|
|
(198 |
) |
|
|
(142 |
) |
Net change in restricted cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
Other |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
(161 |
) |
|
|
(322 |
) |
|
|
(298 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt |
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments to retire long-term debt |
|
|
(314 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes.
24
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
(In millions, except share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional |
|
|
|
|
|
|
other |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
Common stock |
|
|
paid-in |
|
|
Retained |
|
|
comprehensive |
|
|
stockholders |
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
capital |
|
|
earnings |
|
|
loss |
|
|
equity |
|
January 1, 2005 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,267 |
|
|
$ |
246 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,513 |
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
64 |
|
Allocated tax benefit of El Paso
equity plans |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2005 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,268 |
|
|
|
310 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,578 |
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
152 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
152 |
|
Adoption of SFAS No. 158, net of
income taxes of $3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2006 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,268 |
|
|
|
462 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
1,726 |
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
132 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
132 |
|
Reclassification to regulatory asset
(See Note 7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2007 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,268 |
|
|
$ |
594 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,862 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes.
25
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
We are a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1928, and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
El Paso Corporation (El Paso). Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and include the accounts of all majority
owned and controlled subsidiaries after the elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions.
We consolidate entities when we either (i) have the ability to control the operating and financial
decisions and policies of that entity or (ii) are allocated a majority of the entitys losses
and/or returns through our variable interests in that entity. The determination of our ability to
control or exert significant influence over an entity and whether we are allocated a majority of
the entitys losses and/or returns involves the use of judgment.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of our financial statements requires the use of estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts we report as assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and our disclosures in
these financial statements. Actual results can, and often do, differ from those estimates.
Regulated Operations
Our natural gas pipelines and storage operations are subject to the jurisdiction of the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under the Natural Gas Act of 1938, the Natural Gas
Policy Act of 1978 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005. We follow the regulatory accounting
principles prescribed under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71, Accounting
for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation. Under SFAS No. 71, we record regulatory assets and
liabilities that would not be recorded under GAAP for non-regulated entities. Regulatory assets and
liabilities represent probable future revenues or expenses associated with certain charges or
credits that will be recovered from or refunded to customers through the rate making process. Items
to which we apply regulatory accounting requirements include certain postretirement employee
benefit plan costs, an equity return component on regulated capital projects and certain costs
included in, or expected to be included in, future rates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider short-term investments with an original maturity of less than three months to be
cash equivalents.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We establish provisions for losses on accounts receivable and for natural gas imbalances due
from shippers and operators if we determine that we will not collect all or part of the outstanding
balance. We regularly review collectibility and establish or adjust our allowance as necessary
using the specific identification method.
Materials and Supplies
We value materials and supplies at the lower of cost or market value with cost determined
using the average cost method.
26
Natural Gas Imbalances
Natural gas imbalances occur when the actual amount of natural gas delivered from or received
by a pipeline system or storage facility differs from the contractual amount delivered or received.
We value these imbalances due to or from shippers and operators utilizing current index prices.
Imbalances are settled in cash or in-kind, subject to the terms of our tariff.
Imbalances due from others are reported in our balance sheet as either accounts receivable
from customers or accounts receivable from affiliates. Imbalances owed to others are reported on
the balance sheet as either trade accounts payable or accounts payable to affiliates. We classify
all imbalances as current as we expect to settle them within a year.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Our property, plant and equipment is recorded at its original cost of construction or, upon
acquisition, at the fair value of the assets acquired. For assets we construct, we capitalize
direct costs, such as labor and materials, and indirect costs, such as overhead, interest and an
equity return component, as allowed by the FERC. We capitalize major units of property replacements
or improvements and expense minor items. Prior to December 1, 2005, we capitalized certain costs
incurred related to our pipeline integrity programs as part of our property, plant and equipment.
Beginning December 1, 2005, we began expensing these costs based on a FERC accounting release.
During the year ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, we expensed approximately $6 million and $5
million as a result of the adoption of this accounting release.
We use the composite (group) method to depreciate property, plant and equipment. Under this
method, assets with similar lives and characteristics are grouped and depreciated as one asset. We
apply the FERC-accepted depreciation rate to the total cost of the group until its net book value
equals its salvage value. For certain general plant and rights-of-way, we depreciate the asset to
zero. The majority of our property, plant and equipment are on our EPNG system which has
depreciation rates ranging from one to 20 percent and the depreciable lives ranging from five to 92
years consistent with our rate settlements with the FERC. The depreciation rates on our Mojave
Pipeline Company (Mojave) system range from two to 33 percent per year. We re-evaluate depreciation
rates each time we file with the FERC for a change in our transportation and storage rates.
When we retire property, plant and equipment, we charge accumulated depreciation and
amortization for the original cost of the assets in addition to the cost to remove, sell or dispose
of the assets, less their salvage value. We do not recognize a gain or loss unless we sell an
entire operating unit. We include gains or losses on dispositions of operating units in operating
income.
Included in our property balances are additional acquisition costs of $152 million which
represent the excess of allocated purchase costs over the historical costs of the facilities. These
costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over 36 years, and we do not recover these excess
costs in our rates. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, we had unamortized additional acquisition costs
of $60 million and $63 million.
At December 31, 2007 and 2006, we had $98 million and $89 million of construction work in
progress included in our property, plant and equipment.
27
We capitalize a carrying cost (an allowance for funds used during construction) on debt and
equity funds related to our construction of long-lived assets. This carrying cost consists of a
return on the investment financed by debt and a return on the investment financed by equity. The
debt portion is calculated based on our average cost of debt. Interest costs on debt amounts
capitalized during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were $1 million, $1
million and $3 million. These debt amounts are included as a reduction to interest and debt expense
on our income statement. The equity portion of capitalized costs is calculated using the most
recent FERC-approved equity rate of return. The equity amounts capitalized (exclusive of any tax
related impacts) during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, were $2 million, $2
million and $5 million. These equity amounts are included as other non-operating income on our
income statement.
Asset Impairments
We evaluate assets for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that their carrying
values may not be recovered. These events include market declines that are believed to be other
than temporary, changes in the manner in which we intend to use a long-lived asset, decisions to
sell an asset and adverse changes in the legal or business environment such as adverse actions by
regulators. When an event occurs, we evaluate the recoverability of our long-lived assets carrying
values based on the long-lived assets ability to generate future cash flows on an undiscounted
basis. If an impairment is indicated, or if we decide to sell a long-lived asset or group of
assets, we adjust the carrying value of the asset downward, if necessary, to their estimated fair
value. Our fair value estimates are generally based on market data obtained through the sales
process or an analysis of expected discounted cash flows. The magnitude of any impairment is
impacted by a number of factors, including the nature of the assets being sold and our established
time frame for completing the sale, among other factors.
During the fourth quarter of 2007, we recorded an impairment of approximately $9 million
pursuant to a FERC order on our accounting treatment for the planned sale of certain transmission
facilities. We sought a rehearing of the FERCs determination, which the FERC denied in February
2008. We are evaluating the possibility of seeking appellate review of the FERCs order on the
rehearing.
Revenue Recognition
Our revenues are primarily generated from natural gas transportation and storage services.
Revenues for all services are based on the thermal quantity of gas delivered or subscribed at a
price specified in the contract. For our transportation and storage services, we recognize
reservation revenues on firm contracted capacity over the contract period regardless of the amount
of natural gas that is transported or stored. For interruptible or volumetric-based services, we
record revenues when physical deliveries of natural gas are made at the agreed upon delivery point
or when gas is injected or withdrawn from the storage facility. Gas not used in operations is based
on the volumes of natural gas we are allowed to retain relative to the amounts we use for operating
purposes. Prior to January 1, 2006, we recognized revenue on gas not used in operations on our EPNG
system when the volumes were retained under our tariff. Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted a
fuel tracker with a true-up mechanism for amounts over or under retained. We are subject to FERC
regulations and, as a result, revenues we collect may be subject to refund in a rate proceeding. We
establish reserves for these potential refunds.
Environmental Costs and Other Contingencies
Environmental Costs. We record liabilities at their undiscounted amounts on our balance sheet
as other current and long-term liabilities when environmental assessments indicate that remediation
efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of our liabilities are
based on currently available facts, existing technology and presently enacted laws and regulations
taking into consideration the likely effects of other societal and economic factors, and include
estimates of associated legal costs. These amounts also consider prior experience in remediating
contaminated sites, other companies clean-up experience and data released by the Environmental
Protection Agency or other organizations. Our estimates are subject to revision in future periods
based on actual costs or new circumstances. We capitalize costs that benefit future periods and we
recognize a current period charge in operation and maintenance expense when clean-up efforts do not
benefit future periods.
28
We evaluate any amounts paid directly or reimbursed by government sponsored programs and
potential recoveries or reimbursements of remediation costs from third parties, including insurance
coverage, separately from our liability. Recovery is evaluated based on the creditworthiness or
solvency of the third party, among other factors. When recovery is assured, we record and report an
asset separately from the associated liability on our balance sheet.
Other Contingencies. We recognize liabilities for other contingencies when we have an exposure
that, when fully analyzed, indicates it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the
amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Where the most likely outcome of a contingency can be
reasonably estimated, we accrue a liability for that amount. Where the most likely outcome cannot
be estimated, a range of potential losses is established and if no one amount in that range is more
likely than any other, the low end of the range is accrued.
Income Taxes
El Paso maintains a tax accrual policy to record both regular and alternative minimum taxes for companies included in its consolidated federal and state income tax returns. The policy
provides, among other things, that (i) each company in a taxable income position will accrue a
current expense equivalent to its federal and state income taxes, and (ii) each company in a tax
loss position will accrue a benefit to the extent its deductions, including general business
credits, can be utilized in the consolidated returns. El Paso pays all consolidated U.S. federal
and state income taxes directly to the appropriate taxing jurisdictions and, under a separate tax
billing agreement, El Paso may bill or refund its subsidiaries for their portion of these income
tax payments.
Pursuant to El Pasos policy, we record current income taxes based on our taxable income and
we provide for deferred income taxes to reflect estimated future tax payments and receipts.
Deferred taxes represent the tax impacts of differences between the financial statement and tax
bases of assets and liabilities and carryovers at each year end. We account for tax credits under
the flow-through method, which reduces the provision for income taxes in the year the tax credits
first become available. We reduce deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance when, based on our
estimates, it is more likely than not that a portion of those assets will not be realized in a
future period. The estimates utilized in the recognition of deferred tax assets are subject to
revision, either up or down, in future periods based on new facts or circumstances.
Effective January 1, 2007, we adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) Interpretation (FIN) No. 48, Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an
interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. FIN No. 48
clarifies SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes , and requires us to evaluate our tax positions
for all jurisdictions and for all years where the statute of limitations has not expired. FIN No.
48 requires companies to meet a more-likely-than-not threshold (i.e. a greater than 50 percent
likelihood of a tax position being sustained under examination) prior to recording a benefit for
their tax positions. Additionally, for tax positions meeting this more-likely-than-not threshold,
the amount of benefit is limited to the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent
probability of being realized upon effective settlement. The adoption of FIN No. 48 did not have a
material impact on our financial statements.
Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations
We account for our asset retirement obligations in accordance with SFAS No. 143, Accounting
for Asset Retirement Obligations and FIN No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement
Obligations. We record a liability for legal obligations associated with the replacement, removal
or retirement of our long-lived assets. Our asset retirement liabilities are recorded at their
estimated fair value with a corresponding increase to property, plant and equipment. This increase
in property, plant and equipment is then depreciated over the useful life of the long-lived asset
to which that liability relates. An ongoing expense is also recognized for changes in the value of
the liability as a result of the passage of time, which we record as depreciation and amortization
expense in our income statement. We have the ability to recover certain of these costs from our
customers and have recorded an asset (rather than expense) associated with the depreciation of the
property, plant and equipment and accretion of the liabilities described above.
29
We have legal obligations associated with our natural gas pipeline and related transmission
facilities and storage wells. We have obligations to plug storage wells when we no longer plan to
use them and when we abandon them. Our legal obligations associated with our natural gas
transmission facilities relate primarily to purging and sealing the pipeline if it is abandoned. We
also have obligations to remove hazardous materials associated with our natural gas transmission
facilities if they are replaced. We accrue a liability for legal obligations based on an estimate
of the timing and amount of their settlement.
We are required to operate and maintain our natural gas pipeline and storage systems, and
intend to do so as long as supply and demand for natural gas exists, which we expect for the
foreseeable future. Therefore, we believe that the substantial majority of our natural gas
pipelines and storage system assets have indeterminate lives. Accordingly, our asset retirement
liabilities as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, were not material to our financial statements. We
continue to evaluate our asset retirement obligations and future developments could impact the
amounts we record.
Postretirement Benefits
We maintain a postretirement benefit plan covering certain of our former employees. This plan
requires us to make contributions to fund the benefits to be paid out under the plan. These
contributions are invested until the benefits are paid out to plan participants. We record net
benefit cost related to this plan in our income statement. This net benefit cost is a function of
many factors including benefits earned during the year by plan
participants (which is a function of
the level of benefits provided under the plan, actuarial assumptions
and the passage of time),
expected returns on plan assets and amortization of certain deferred gains and losses. For a
further discussion of our policies with respect to our postretirement plan, see Note 7.
We use the recognition provisions of SFAS No. 158, Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans an Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and
132(R) to account for our plan. Under SFAS No. 158, we record an asset or liability for our
postretirement benefit plan based on its overfunded or underfunded status. Any deferred amounts
related to unrealized gains and losses or changes in actuarial assumptions are recorded either as a
regulatory asset or liability. For a further discussion of our application of SFAS No. 158, see
Note 7.
New Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted
As of December 31, 2007, the following accounting standards had not yet been adopted by us.
Fair Value Measurements. In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value
Measurements, which provides guidance on measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities in the
financial statements. We will adopt the provisions of this standard for our financial assets and
liabilities effective January 1, 2008. Adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material
impact on our financial statements. The FASB provided a one year deferral of the adoption of SFAS
No. 157 for certain non-financial assets and liabilities. We have elected to defer the adoption of
the standard for certain of our non-financial asset and liabilities and are currently evaluating
the impact, if any, that the deferred provisions of the standard will have on our financial
statements.
Measurement Date of Postretirement Benefits. In December 2006, we adopted the recognition
provisions of SFAS No. 158. Beginning in 2008, this standard will also require us to change the
measurement date of our postretirement benefit plan from September 30, the date we currently use,
to December 31. Adoption of the measurement date provisions of this standard is not expected to
have a material impact on our financial statements.
Fair Value Option. In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities including an Amendment to FASB Statement No. 115,
Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, which permits entities to choose
to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. We will adopt the
provisions of this standard effective January 1, 2008, and do not anticipate that it will have a
material impact on our financial statements.
Business Combinations. In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business
Combinations, which provides revised guidance on the accounting for acquisitions of businesses.
This standard changes the current guidance to require that all acquired assets, liabilities,
minority interest and certain contingencies be measured at fair
30
value, and certain other acquisition-related costs be expensed rather than capitalized. SFAS
No. 141(R) will apply to acquisitions that are effective after December 31, 2008, and application
of the standard to acquisitions prior to that date is not permitted.
Noncontrolling Interests. In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling
Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, which provides guidance on the presentation of
minority interests in the financial statements. This standard requires that minority interest be
presented as a component of equity rather than as a mezzanine item between liabilities and
equity, and also requires that minority interest be presented as a separate caption in the income
statement. This standard also requires all transactions with minority interest holders, including
the issuance and repurchase of minority interests, be accounted for as equity transactions unless a
change in control of the subsidiary occurs. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2008, and we are evaluating the impact that this standard will have on our
financial statements.
2. Income Taxes
El Paso files consolidated U.S. federal and certain state tax returns which include our
taxable income. In certain states, we file and pay taxes directly to the state taxing authorities.
With a few exceptions, we and El Paso are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local income
tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 1999. Additionally, the Internal Revenue
Service has completed an examination of El Pasos U.S. income tax returns for 2003 and 2004, with a
tentative settlement at the appellate level for all issues. For our open tax years, we have no
unrecognized tax benefits (liabilities for uncertain tax matters).
Components of Income Taxes. The following table reflects the components of income taxes
included in net income for each of the three years ended December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Current |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal |
|
$ |
40 |
|
|
$ |
66 |
|
|
$ |
35 |
|
State |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal |
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
State |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total income taxes |
|
$ |
83 |
|
|
$ |
92 |
|
|
$ |
46 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation. Our income taxes differ from the amount computed by
applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 35 percent for the following reasons for each of
the three years ended December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
(In millions, except for rates) |
|
Income taxes at the statutory federal rate of 35% |
|
$ |
75 |
|
|
$ |
85 |
|
|
$ |
39 |
|
Increase (decrease) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Non-deductible expenses |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes |
|
$ |
83 |
|
|
$ |
92 |
|
|
$ |
46 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective tax rate |
|
|
39 |
% |
|
|
38 |
% |
|
|
42 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
Deferred
Tax Assets and Liabilities. The following are the components of our net deferred tax
liability at December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment |
|
$ |
462 |
|
|
$ |
448 |
|
Regulatory and other assets |
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax liability |
|
|
491 |
|
|
|
509 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. net operating loss and tax credit carryovers |
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
80 |
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax asset |
|
|
128 |
|
|
|
146 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred tax liability |
|
$ |
363 |
|
|
$ |
363 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Credits and Carryovers. As of December 31, 2007, we had approximately $18 million of
alternative minimum tax credits that carryover indefinitely. We also have approximately $178
million of net operating loss carryovers that expire between 2021 and 2026. Usage of our carryovers
is subject to the limitations provided under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code as
well as the separate return limitation year rules of IRS regulations.
3. Financial Instruments
At December 31, 2007 and 2006, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents and trade
receivables and payables are representative of their fair value because of the short-term maturity
of these instruments. The fair value of our note receivable from affiliate approximates its
carrying value due to the market-based nature of its interest rate. The carrying amounts and
estimated fair values of our long-term debt are based on quoted market prices for the same or
similar issues and are as follows at December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
|
|
Amount |
|
Fair Value |
|
Amount |
|
Fair Value |
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt |
|
$ |
1,166 |
|
|
$ |
1,309 |
|
|
$ |
1,111 |
|
|
$ |
1,273 |
|
4. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
Below are the details of our regulatory assets and liabilities at December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Non-current regulatory assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Taxes on capitalized funds used during construction |
|
$ |
21 |
|
|
$ |
20 |
|
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
Postretirement benefits |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
Deferred fuel variance |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
Under-collected state income taxes |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Other |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-current regulatory assets |
|
$ |
74 |
|
|
$ |
58 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current regulatory liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and plant depreciation |
|
$ |
10 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Other |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current regulatory liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and plant depreciation |
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
Imbalance cashouts |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Postretirement benefits |
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
|
Excess deferred federal income taxes |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total regulatory liabilities |
|
$ |
105 |
|
|
$ |
56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32
5. Debt and Credit Facilities
Debt. Our long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
7.625% Notes due August 2010 |
|
$ |
54 |
|
|
$ |
355 |
|
5.95% Notes due April 2017 |
|
|
355 |
|
|
|
|
|
8.625% Debentures due January 2022 |
|
|
260 |
|
|
|
260 |
|
7.50% Debentures due November 2026 |
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
8.375% Notes due June 2032 |
|
|
300 |
|
|
|
300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,169 |
|
|
|
1,115 |
|
Less: Unamortized discount |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term debt |
|
$ |
1,166 |
|
|
$ |
1,111 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In April 2007, we issued $355 million of 5.95% senior notes using a portion of the net
proceeds to repurchase approximately $301 million of our 7.625% notes.
Credit Facilities. In November 2007, El Paso entered into a $1.5 billion credit agreement,
which amended and restated its existing $1.75 billion credit agreement. We continue to be an
eligible borrower under the $1.5 billion credit agreement and are only liable for amounts we
directly borrow. As of December 31, 2007, El Paso had approximately $0.3 billion of letters of
credit issued and $0.4 billion of debt outstanding under this facility, none of which was issued or
borrowed by us. Our common stock and the common stock of another El Paso subsidiary are
pledged as collateral under the credit agreement.
Under El Pasos $1.5 billion credit agreement and our indentures, we are subject to a number
of restrictions and covenants. The most restrictive of these include (i) limitations on the
incurrence of additional debt, based on a ratio of debt to EBITDA (as defined in the agreements),
which shall not exceed 5 to 1; (ii) limitations on the use of proceeds from borrowings; (iii)
limitations, in some cases, on transactions with our affiliates; (iv) limitations on the incurrence
of liens; (v) potential limitations on our ability to declare and pay dividends; and (vi) potential
limitations on our ability to participate in the El Pasos cash management program. Our long-term
debt contains cross-acceleration provisions, the most restrictive of which is a $25 million
cross-acceleration clause. For the year ended December 31, 2007, we were in compliance with our
debt-related covenants.
6. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
Sierra Pacific Resources and Nevada Power Company v. El Paso et al. In April 2003, Sierra
Pacific Resources and Nevada Power Company filed a suit in the U.S. District Court for the District
of Nevada against us, our affiliates and unrelated third parties, alleging that the defendants
conspired to manipulate prices and supplies of natural gas in the California-Arizona border market
from 1996 to 2001. The trial court twice dismissed the lawsuit. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Ninth Circuit, however, reversed the dismissal and remanded the matter to the trial court. The
defendants have filed a petition to request that the case be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, and
have also reasserted with the trial court, motions to dismiss on other grounds. Our costs and legal
exposure related to this lawsuit are not currently determinable.
33
Baldonado et al. v. EPNG. In August 2000, a main transmission line owned and operated by us
ruptured at the crossing of the Pecos River near Carlsbad, New Mexico. Twelve individuals at the
site were fatally injured. In June 2003, a lawsuit entitled Baldonado et al. v. EPNG was filed
in state court in Eddy County, New Mexico, on behalf of 26 firemen and emergency medical service
personnel who responded to the fire and who allegedly have suffered psychological trauma. This case
was dismissed by the trial court, but was appealed to the New Mexico Court of Appeals. In June
2006, the New Mexico Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of the plaintiffs claims for
negligent infliction of emotional distress, but reversed the dismissal of the claims for
intentional infliction of emotional distress. In December 2007, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued
an opinion which ruled that a trial on the merits could proceed on
either the grounds of intentional or reckless infliction of emotional
distress. EPNG moved to reconsider the decision and in
January 2008, removed the case to federal court on the basis of the federal question created by the
New Mexico Supreme Courts decision. The plaintiffs have made a motion to remand this matter which,
if successful, would move it back to state court. Our costs and legal exposure related to this
lawsuit are currently not determinable; however, we believe this matter will be fully covered by
insurance.
Gas Measurement Cases. We and a number of our affiliates were named defendants in actions that
generally allege mismeasurement of natural gas volumes and/or heating content resulting in the
underpayment of royalties. The first set of cases was filed in 1997 by an individual under the
False Claims Act, which have been consolidated for pretrial purposes (In re: Natural Gas Royalties
Qui Tam Litigation, U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming). These complaints allege an
industry-wide conspiracy to underreport the heating value as well as the volumes of the natural gas
produced from federal and Native American lands. In October 2006, the U.S. District Judge issued an
order dismissing all claims against all defendants. An appeal has been filed.
Similar allegations were filed in a second set of actions initiated in 1999 in Will Price, et
al. v. Gas Pipelines and Their Predecessors, et al., in the District Court of Stevens County,
Kansas. The plaintiffs currently seek certification of a class of royalty owners in wells on
non-federal and non-Native American lands in Kansas, Wyoming and Colorado. Motions for class
certification have been briefed and argued in the proceedings and the parties are awaiting the
courts ruling. The plaintiff seeks an unspecified amount of monetary damages in the form of
additional royalty payments (along with interest, expenses and punitive damages) and injunctive
relief with regard to future gas measurement practices. Our costs and legal exposure related to
these lawsuits and claim are not currently determinable.
Bank of America. We are a named defendant, along with Burlington Resources, Inc.
(Burlington), now a subsidiary of ConocoPhillips, in a class action lawsuit styled Bank of America,
et al. v. El Paso Natural Gas and Burlington Resources Oil and Gas Company, L.P., filed in October
2003 in the District Court of Kiowa County, Oklahoma asserting royalty underpayment claims related
to specified shallow wells in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. The Plaintiffs assert that royalties
were underpaid starting in the 1980s when the purchase price of gas was lowered below the Natural
Gas Policy Act maximum lawful prices. The Plaintiffs assert that royalties were further underpaid
by Burlington as a result of post-production cost deductions taken starting in the late 1990s.
This action was transferred to Washita County District Court in 2004. A tentative settlement
reached in November 2005 was disapproved by the court in June 2007. A class certification hearing
is scheduled for June 2008. A companion case styled Bank of America v. El Paso Natural Gas
involving similar claims made as to certain wells in Oklahoma was settled in 2006.
In addition to the above proceedings, we and our subsidiaries and affiliates are named
defendants in numerous lawsuits and governmental proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of
our business. For each of these matters, we evaluate the merits of the case, our exposure to the
matter, possible legal or settlement strategies and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. If we
determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be estimated, we establish the necessary
accruals. While the outcome of these matters, including those discussed above, cannot be predicted
with certainty, and there are still uncertainties related to the costs we may incur, based upon our
evaluation and experience to date, we accrued approximately $4 million for our outstanding legal
matters at December 31, 2007. It is possible that new information or future developments could
require us to reassess our potential exposure related to these matters and adjust our accruals
accordingly.
34
Environmental Matters
We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing environmental
quality and pollution control. These laws and regulations require us to remove or remedy the effect
on the environment of the disposal or release of specified substances at current and former
operating sites. At December 31, 2007, we accrued approximately $25 million for expected
remediation costs and associated onsite, offsite and groundwater technical studies and for related
environmental legal costs; however, we estimate that our exposure could be as high as $45
million. Our accrual includes $22 million for environmental contingencies related to properties we
previously owned.
Our accrual represents a combination of two estimation methodologies. First, where the most
likely outcome can be reasonably estimated, that cost has been accrued. Second, where the most
likely outcome cannot be estimated, a range of costs is established and if no one amount in that
range is more likely than any other, the lower end of the expected range has been accrued. Our
environmental remediation projects are in various stages of completion. Our recorded liabilities
reflect our current estimates of amounts we will expend to remediate these sites. However,
depending on the stage of completion or assessment, the ultimate extent of contamination or
remediation required may not be known. As additional assessments occur or remediation efforts
continue, we may incur additional liabilities.
Below is a reconciliation of our accrued liability from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007
(in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at January 1, 2007 |
|
$ |
24 |
|
Additions/adjustments for remediation activities |
|
|
6 |
|
Payments for remediation activities |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2007 |
|
$ |
25 |
|
|
|
|
|
For 2008, we estimate that our total remediation expenditures will be approximately $6
million, which will be expended under government directed clean-up plans.
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Matters. We
have received notice that we could be designated, or have been asked for information to determine
whether we could be designated, as a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) with respect to three
active sites under the CERCLA or state equivalents. We have sought to resolve our liability as a
PRP at these sites through indemnification by third parties and settlements which provide for
payment of our allocable share of remediation costs. As of December 31, 2007, we have estimated our
share of the remediation costs at these sites to be between $12 million and $16 million. Because
the clean-up costs are estimates and are subject to revision as more information becomes available
about the extent of remediation required, and in some cases we have asserted a defense to any
liability, our estimates could change. Moreover, liability under the federal CERCLA statute is
joint and several, meaning that we could be required to pay in excess of our pro rata share of
remediation costs. Our understanding of the financial strength of other PRPs has been considered,
where appropriate, in estimating our liabilities. Accruals for these matters are included in the
environmental reserve discussed above.
Chromium Review. In April 2004, the State of Arizonas Department of Environmental Quality
(ADEQ) requested information regarding the historical use of chromium containing compounds in our
operations. In June 2004, we responded fully to the request and began working with the ADEQ on this
matter. We commenced a study of our facilities in Arizona, Texas and New Mexico, as well as on
tribal lands in Arizona and New Mexico to determine if there were any issues concerning the usage
of chromium. Of the 12 Arizona sites that were investigated, nine were found not to have chromium
contamination above regulatory thresholds and no further action is required. Of the three remaining
sites, one was already enrolled in Arizonas Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) and the second
site has been entered in the VRP. We are further investigating the chromium levels at the third
site. Additional work will be conducted at these three sites as directed by the ADEQ. We
investigated eight Texas sites that previously used chromium of which two sites will require
further investigation for chromium impacts to soil and groundwater. We investigated 13 New Mexico
sites of which four sites will require further investigation. None of the sites on the tribal lands
were determined to require further investigation. We will be coordinating the additional work at
the Texas and New Mexico sites with the respective state environmental agencies.
35
It is possible that new information or future developments could require us to reassess our
potential exposure related to environmental matters. We may incur significant costs and liabilities
in order to comply with existing environmental laws and regulations. It is also possible that other
developments, such as increasingly strict environmental laws and regulations and orders of
regulatory agencies, as well as claims for damages to property and the environment or injuries to
employees, and other persons resulting from our current or past operations could result in
substantial costs and liabilities in the future. As this information becomes available, or other
relevant developments occur, we will adjust our accrual amounts accordingly. While there are still
uncertainties related to the ultimate costs we may incur, based upon our evaluation and experience
to date, we believe our reserves are adequate.
Rates and Regulatory Matters
EPNG. In August 2007, EPNG received approval of the settlement of its rate case from the FERC.
The settlement provides benefits for both EPNG and its customers for a three year period ending
December 31, 2008. Under the terms of the settlement, EPNG is required to file a new rate case to
be effective January 1, 2009. EPNG received approval from the FERC to begin billing the settlement
rates on October 1, 2007. Our financial statements reflect EPNGs settled rates. Additionally, in
2007 and 2006, we recorded rate refund provisions of approximately $60 million and $65 million,
inclusive of interest, which we reflected as accrued liabilities on our balance sheet. In the
fourth quarter of 2007, EPNG refunded $115 million including interest in rate refunds to its
customers and refunded the remaining $10 million in January 2008.
Mojave Rate Case. In February 2007, as required by its prior rate case settlement, Mojave
filed with the FERC a general rate case proposing a 33 percent decrease in its base tariff rates
resulting from a variety of factors, including a decline in rate base and various changes in rate
design since its last rate case. No new services were proposed. The new base rates were effective
March 1, 2007. In October 2007, Mojave filed an offer of settlement to resolve all issues in the
rate case and received FERC approval of this settlement in December 2007. Under the terms of this
settlement, we have refund obligations of $4 million that will be paid in the first quarter of 2008
for a previously accrued regulatory obligation. Other refund obligations to third parties are
minimal.
Other Matters
Navajo Nation. Approximately 900 looped pipeline miles of the north mainline of our EPNG
pipeline system are located on lands held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the
Navajo Nation. Our rights-of-way on lands crossing the Navajo Nation are the subject of a pending
renewal application filed in 2005 with the Department of the Interiors Bureau of Indian Affairs.
An interim agreement with the Navajo Nation expired at the end of December 2006. Negotiations
on the terms of the long-term agreement are continuing. In addition, we continue to preserve other
legal, regulatory and legislative alternatives, which include continuing to pursue our application
with the Department of the Interior for renewal of our rights-of-way on Navajo Nation lands. It is
uncertain whether our negotiation, or other alternatives, will be successful, or if successful,
what the ultimate cost will be of obtaining the rights-of-way and whether we will be able to
recover these costs in our rates.
Tuba City Uranium Milling Facility. For a period of approximately ten years beginning in the
mid to late 1950s, Rare Metals Corporation of America, a historical affiliate, conducted uranium
mining and milling operations in the vicinity of Tuba City, Arizona, under a contract with the
United States government as part of the Cold War nuclear program. The site of the Tuba City uranium mill, which is on land within the
Navajo Indian Reservation, reverted to the Navajo Nation after the mill closed in 1966. The
tailings at the mill site were encapsulated and a ground water remediation system was installed by
the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under the Federal Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act
of 1978. In May 2007, we filed suit against the DOE and other federal agencies requesting a
judicial determination that the DOE was fully and legally responsible for any remediation of any
waste associated with historical uranium production activity at two sites in the vicinity of the
mill facilities near Tuba City, Arizona. We are also cooperating with the Navajo Nation in joint
legislative efforts to achieve appropriations for the DOE to assess and remediate the sites.
Pending the potential remedial response by the United States government, we are undertaking certain
interim site control measures in coordination with the Navajo Nation.
36
While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, based on current
information, we do not expect the ultimate resolution of these matters to have a material adverse
effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows. It is possible that new
information or future developments could require us to reassess our potential exposure related to
these matters. The impact of these changes may have a material effect on our results of operations,
our financial position, and our cash flows in the periods these events occur.
Capital Commitments and Other Matters
Capital Commitments. At December 31, 2007, we had capital commitments of
approximately $12 million. We have other planned capital projects that are discretionary in nature,
with no substantial contractual capital commitments made in advance of the actual expenditures.
Operating
Leases and Other Commercial Commitments. We lease property, facilities and equipment under various operating leases.
Minimum future annual rental commitments on operating leases as of December 31, 2007, were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending |
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
(In millions) |
|
2008 |
|
$ |
2 |
|
2009 |
|
|
2 |
|
2010 |
|
|
1 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
Rental expense on our operating leases for each of the three years ended December 31, 2007,
2006 and 2005 was $20 million, $17 million and $6 million. These amounts include rent allocated to
us from El Paso.
We hold cancelable easements or rights-of-way arrangements from landowners permitting the use
of land for the construction and operation of our pipeline systems. Our obligations under these
easements are not material to our results of our operations.
Guarantees. We are or have been involved in various ownership and other
contractual arrangements that sometimes require us to provide additional financial support that
results in the issuance of financial and performance guarantees. In a financial guarantee, we are
obligated to make payments if the guaranteed party fails to make payments under, or violates the
terms of, the financial arrangement. In a performance guarantee, we provide assurance that the
guaranteed party will execute on the terms of the contract. If they do not, we are required to
perform on their behalf. As of December 31, 2007, we had approximately $11 million of financial and
performance guarantees not otherwise recorded in our financial statements.
7. Retirement Benefits
Pension and Retirement Benefits. El Paso maintains a pension plan and a retirement savings
plan covering substantially all of its U.S. employees, including our employees. The benefits under
the pension plan are determined under a cash balance formula. Under its retirement savings plan, El
Paso matches 75 percent of participant basic contributions up to six percent of eligible
compensation and can make additional discretionary matching contributions. El Paso is responsible
for benefits accrued under its plans and allocates the related costs to its affiliates.
Postretirement Benefits. We provide medical benefits for a closed group of employees who
retired on or before March 1, 1986, and limited postretirement life insurance for employees who
retired after January 1, 1985. As such, our obligation to accrue for other postretirement employee
benefits (OPEB) is primarily limited to the fixed population of retirees who retired on or before
March 1, 1986. The medical plan is pre-funded to the extent employer contributions are recoverable
through rates. To the extent actual OPEB costs differ from amounts recovered in rates, a regulatory
asset or liability is recorded. We do not expect to make any contributions to our postretirement
benefit plan in 2008.
37
In December 2006, we adopted the recognition provisions of SFAS No. 158, Employers Accounting
for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans an Amendment of FASB Statements No.
87, 88, 106, and 132(R), and began reflecting assets and liabilities related to our postretirement
benefit plan based on its funded or unfunded status and reclassified all actuarial deferrals as a
component of accumulated other comprehensive income. In March 2007, the FERC issued guidance
requiring regulated pipeline companies to recognize a regulatory asset or liability for the amount
that would otherwise be recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income under SFAS No. 158, if
it is probable that amounts calculated on the same basis as SFAS No. 106, Employers Accounting for
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions, would be included in our rates in future periods. Upon
adoption of this FERC guidance, we reclassified approximately $4 million from the beginning balance
of accumulated other comprehensive loss to a regulatory asset, which represented the amount we
believe will be included in our future rates.
Change in Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation, Plan Assets and Funded Status. Our
benefits are presented and computed as of and for the twelve months ended September 30:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Change in accumulated postretirement benefit obligation: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at beginning of period |
|
$ |
88 |
|
|
$ |
93 |
|
Interest cost |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Actuarial gain |
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
Benefits paid |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at end of period |
|
$ |
62 |
|
|
$ |
88 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in plan assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets at beginning period |
|
$ |
96 |
|
|
$ |
90 |
|
Actual return on plan assets |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
Employer contributions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
Benefits paid |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets at end of period |
|
$ |
104 |
|
|
$ |
96 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation of funded status: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets at September 30 |
|
$ |
104 |
|
|
$ |
96 |
|
Less: accumulated postretirement benefit obligation end of period |
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
88 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funded status at September 30 |
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
Fourth quarter contributions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset at December 31 |
|
$ |
42 |
|
|
$ |
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expected Payment of Future Benefits. As of December 31, 2007, we expect the following payments
(net of participant contributions and an expected subsidy related to the Medicare Prescription Drug
Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003) under our plan (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending |
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
$ |
7 |
|
2009 |
|
|
7 |
|
2010 |
|
|
7 |
|
2011 |
|
|
6 |
|
2012 |
|
|
6 |
|
2013 2017 |
|
|
27 |
|
38
Components
of Net Benefit Cost (Income). For each of the years ended December 31, the components of net
benefit cost (income) are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Interest cost |
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
Expected return on plan assets |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
Amortization of net actuarial loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of transition obligation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
postretirement benefit cost (income) |
|
$ |
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actuarial Assumptions and Sensitivity Analysis. Accumulated postretirement benefit obligations
and net benefit costs are based on actuarial estimates and assumptions. The following table details
the weighted average actuarial assumptions used in determining our postretirement plan obligations
for 2007, 2006 and 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
|
(Percent) |
Assumptions related to benefit obligations at September 30: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount rate |
|
|
6.05 |
|
|
|
5.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
Assumptions related to benefit costs at December 31: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount rate |
|
|
5.50 |
|
|
|
5.25 |
|
|
|
5.75 |
|
Expected return on plan assets(1) |
|
|
8.00 |
|
|
|
8.00 |
|
|
|
7.50 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The expected return on plan assets is a pre-tax rate of return based on our
targeted portfolio of investments. Our postretirement benefit plans investment earnings are
subject to unrelated business income taxes at a rate of 35%. The expected return on plan
assets for our postretirement benefit plan is calculated using the after-tax rate of return. |
Actuarial estimates for our postretirement benefits plan assumed a weighted average annual
rate of increase in the per capita costs of covered health care benefits of 9.4 percent in 2007,
gradually decreasing to 5.0 percent by the year 2015. Assumed health care cost trends can have a
significant effect on the amounts reported for our postretirement benefit plan. A one-percentage
point change would not have had a significant effect on interest costs in 2007 or 2006. A
one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trends would have the following effect as
of September 30:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
|
(In millions) |
One percentage point increase: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation |
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
One percentage point decrease: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation |
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
(5 |
) |
Plan Assets. The primary investment objective of our plan is to ensure that, over the
long-term life of the plan, an adequate pool of sufficiently liquid assets to meet the benefit
obligations to participants, retirees and beneficiaries exists. Investment objectives are long-term
in nature covering typical market cycles of three to five years. Any shortfall of investment
performance compared to investment objectives is the result of general economic and capital market
conditions. The following table provides the target and actual asset allocations in our
postretirement benefit plan as of September 30:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual |
|
Actual |
Asset Category |
|
Target |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
|
(Percent) |
Equity securities |
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
65 |
|
Debt securities |
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39
8. Transactions with Major Customers
The following table shows revenues from our major customers for each of the three years ended
December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
2006(2) |
|
2005 |
|
|
(In millions) |
SoCal |
|
$ |
87 |
|
|
$ |
145 |
|
|
$ |
156 |
|
Southwest Gas Corporation |
|
|
54 |
(1) |
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
In 2007, Southwest Gas Corporation did not represent more than 10 percent of
our revenues. |
(2) |
|
Revenues reflect rates subject to refund. |
9. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following table contains supplemental cash flow information for each of the three years
ended December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
|
(In millions) |
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest |
|
$ |
106 |
|
|
$ |
93 |
|
|
$ |
93 |
|
Income tax payments (refunds) |
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
(93 |
) |
10. Transactions with Affiliates
Cash Management Program. We participate in El Pasos cash management program which matches
short-term cash surpluses and needs of participating affiliates, thus minimizing total borrowings
from outside sources. El Paso uses the cash management program to settle intercompany transactions between participating affiliates. We have historically advanced cash to El Paso in exchange for an affiliated
note receivable that is due upon demand. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, we had a note receivable
from El Paso of approximately $1.1 billion. We do not intend to settle this note within the next
twelve months and therefore have classified it as non-current on our balance sheets. The interest
rate on this note at December 31, 2007 and 2006 was 6.5% and 5.3%.
Income Taxes. El Paso files consolidated U.S. federal and certain state tax returns which include our
taxable income. In certain states, we file and pay taxes directly to the state taxing authorities.
At December 31, 2007 and 2006, we had income taxes payable of $54 million and $81 million. The
majority of these balances, as well as our deferred income taxes, will become payable to El Paso.
See Note 1 for a discussion of our income tax policy.
During 2007, we amended our tax sharing agreement and intercompany tax billing policy with El
Paso to clarify the billing of taxes and tax related items to El Pasos subsidiaries. We also
settled with El Paso certain tax attributes
previously reflected as deferred income taxes in our financial
statements for $40 million through our cash management program. This settlement is reflected as operating activities in our statement of cash flows.
Other Affiliate Balances. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, we had contractual deposits from our
affiliates of $8 million and $7 million, included in other current liabilities on our balance
sheets.
Affiliate Revenues and Expenses. We provide natural gas transportation services to an
affiliate under long-term contracts. We entered into these contracts in the normal course of our
business and the services are based on the same terms as non-affiliates.
El Paso bills us directly for certain general and administrative costs and allocates a portion
of its general and administrative costs to us. In addition to allocations from El Paso, we are also
allocated costs from Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company (TGP) associated with our pipeline services. We
also allocate costs to Colorado Interstate Gas Company for its share of our pipeline services. The
allocations from El Paso and TGP are based on the estimated level of effort devoted to our
operations and the relative size of our EBIT, gross property and payroll.
40
The following table shows overall revenues and charges from our affiliates for each of the
three years ended December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
|
(In millions) |
Revenues from affiliates |
|
$ |
19 |
|
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
$ |
17 |
|
Operation and maintenance expenses from affiliates |
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
67 |
|
Reimbursements of operating expenses charged to affiliates |
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
11. Supplemental Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
Our financial information by quarter is summarized below. Due to the seasonal nature of our
business, information for interim periods may not be indicative of our results of operations for
the entire year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarters Ended |
|
|
|
|
March 31 |
|
June 30 |
|
September 30 |
|
December 31 |
|
Total |
|
|
(In millions) |
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenues |
|
$ |
145 |
|
|
$ |
136 |
|
|
$ |
136 |
|
|
$ |
140 |
|
|
$ |
557 |
|
Operating income |
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
54 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
238 |
|
Net income |
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
132 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenues |
|
$ |
153 |
|
|
$ |
142 |
|
|
$ |
155 |
|
|
$ |
138 |
|
|
$ |
588 |
|
Operating income |
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
283 |
|
Net income |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
152 |
|
41
SCHEDULE II
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
(In millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at |
|
Charged to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning |
|
Costs and |
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at |
Description |
|
of Period |
|
Expenses |
|
Deductions |
|
End of Period |
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
Legal reserves |
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
4 |
|
Environmental reserves |
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
25 |
|
Regulatory reserves(1) |
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
(115 |
) |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
(9 |
) |
|
$ |
5 |
|
Legal reserves |
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(30 |
) |
|
|
16 |
|
Environmental reserves |
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
24 |
|
Regulatory reserves(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
Legal reserves |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45 |
|
Environmental reserves |
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
See Note 6 to the financial statements for EPNGs rate case discussion. |
42
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of December 31, 2007, we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the
participation of our management, including our President and Chief Financial Officer, as to the
effectiveness, design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined by the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This evaluation considered the various processes
carried out under the direction of our disclosure committee in an effort to ensure that information
required to be disclosed in the SEC reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accurate,
complete and timely. Our management, including our President and Chief Financial Officer, does not
expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent and/or
detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can
provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.
Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints,
and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent
limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that
all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected. Based on
the results of our evaluation, our President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our
disclosure controls and procedures are effective at a reasonable level of assurance at December 31,
2007.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially
affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial
reporting during the fourth quarter of 2007.
ITEM9A(T). CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting
firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Managements report was not subject to
attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities
and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only managements report in this annual report.
See Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, under Managements Annual Report
on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
43
PART III
Item 10, Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance; Item 11, Executive
Compensation; Item 12, Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters; and Item 13, Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence have been omitted from this report pursuant to the reduced disclosure format
permitted by General Instruction I to Form 10-K.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Audit Fees
The
audit fees for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 of $863,000 and $678,000,
respectively, were primarily for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP and for the
audits of the consolidated financial statements of El Paso Natural Gas Company and its
subsidiaries, the review of documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, consents,
and the issuance of comfort letters.
All Other Fees
No other audit-related, tax or other services were provided by our independent registered
public accounting firm for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.
Policy for Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Fees
We are an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of El Paso and do not have a separate audit
committee. El Pasos Audit Committee has adopted a pre-approval policy for audit and non-audit
services. For a description of El Pasos pre-approval policies for audit and non-audit related
services, see El Paso Corporations proxy statement for its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
44
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this report:
1. Financial statements
The following consolidated financial statements are included in Part II, Item 8 of this
report:
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable,
or the required information is disclosed in the financial
statements or accompanying notes.
3. Exhibits
The Exhibit Index, which follows the signature page to this report and is hereby incorporated
herein by reference, sets forth a list of those exhibits filed herewith, and includes and
identifies contracts or arrangements required to be filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K by Item
601(b)(10)(iii) of Regulation S-K.
Undertaking
We hereby undertake, pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 601(b), paragraph (4)(iii), to furnish
to the U.S. SEC upon request all constituent instruments defining the rights of holders of our
long-term debt and our consolidated subsidiaries not filed as an exhibit hereto for the reason that
the total amount of securities authorized under any of such instruments does not exceed 10 percent
of our total consolidated assets.
45
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, El
Paso Natural Gas Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized on the 4th day of March 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ James J. Cleary
|
|
|
|
James J. Cleary |
|
|
|
President |
|
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been
signed below by the following persons on behalf of El Paso Natural Gas Company and in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ James J. Cleary
James J. Cleary
|
|
President and Director (Principal
Executive Officer)
|
|
March 4, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ John R. Sult
John R. Sult
|
|
Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and
Controller (Principal Accounting
and Financial Officer)
|
|
March 4, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ James C. Yardley
James C. Yardley
|
|
Chairman of the Board
|
|
March 4, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Daniel B. Martin
Daniel B. Martin
|
|
Senior Vice President and Director
|
|
March 4, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Thomas L. Price
Thomas L. Price
|
|
Vice President and Director
|
|
March 4, 2008 |
46
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
EXHIBIT INDEX
December 31, 2007
Each exhibit identified below is a part of this report. Exhibits filed with this report are
designated by *. All exhibits not so designated are incorporated herein by reference to a prior
filing as indicated.
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
3.A
|
|
Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated April 8, 2003 (Exhibit
3.A to our 2003 Second Quarter Form 10-Q). |
|
|
|
*3.B
|
|
By-laws dated June 24, 2002. |
|
|
|
4.A
|
|
Indenture dated as of January 1, 1992, between El Paso Natural Gas
Company and Wilmington Trust Company (as successor to Citibank,
N.A.), as Trustee, (Exhibit 4.A to our 2004 Form 10-K). |
|
|
|
4.B
|
|
Indenture dated as of November 13, 1996, between El Paso Natural
Gas Company and Wilmington Trust Company (as successor to JPMorgan
Chase Bank, formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank), as
Trustee, (Exhibit 4.B to our 2004 Form 10-K). |
|
|
|
4.C
|
|
Indenture dated as of July 21, 2003, between El Paso Natural Gas
Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, (Exhibit 4.1 to
our Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 23, 2003). |
|
|
|
4.D
|
|
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 10, 2002 between El
Paso Natural Gas Company and Wilmington Trust Company (as
successor in interest to JPMorgan Chase Bank, formerly known as
The Chase Manhattan Bank), as Trustee, to indenture dated November
13, 1996 (Exhibit 4.2 to our Form S-4 (Registration No. 33-97017)
filed on July 24, 2002). |
|
|
|
4.E
|
|
Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 4, 2007 between El
Paso Natural Gas Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee,
to indenture dated November 13, 1996 (Exhibit 4.A to our Current
Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on April 9, 2007). |
|
|
|
4.F
|
|
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 4, 2007 between El
Paso Natural Gas Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee,
to indenture dated as of July 23, 2003 (Exhibit 4.C to our Current
Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on April 9, 2007). |
|
|
|
4.G
|
|
Form of 5.95% Senior Note due 2017 (included in Exhibit 4.E). |
|
|
|
10.A
|
|
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 31, 2006,
among El Paso Corporation, Colorado Interstate Gas Company, El
Paso Natural Gas Company, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, the
several banks and other financial institutions from time to time
parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative
agent and as collateral agent. (Exhibit 10.A to our Current Report
on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 2, 2006.) |
|
|
|
10.A.1
|
|
Amendment No. 1 dated as of January 19, 2007 to the Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 31, 2006 among El Paso
Corporation, Colorado Interstate Gas Company, El Paso Natural Gas
Company, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, the several banks and
other financial institutions from time to time parties thereto and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and as
collateral agent (Exhibit 10.A.1 to our 2006 Form 10-K). |
|
|
|
10.B
|
|
Amended and Restated Security Agreement dated as of July 31, 2006,
among El Paso Corporation, Colorado Interstate Gas Company, El
Paso Natural Gas Company, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, the
Subsidiary Guarantors and certain other credit parties thereto and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., not in its individual capacity, but
solely as collateral agent for the Secured Parties and as the
depository bank. (Exhibit 10.B to our Current Report on Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on August 2, 2006.) |
47
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
|
|
|
10.C
|
|
Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 16, 2007, among El Paso Corporation,
El Paso Natural Gas Company, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, the several banks and other financial
institutions from time to time parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent
and as collateral agent. (Exhibit 10.A to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
November 21, 2007.) |
|
|
|
10.D
|
|
Third Amendment and Restated Security Agreement dated as of November 16, 2007, Made by among El Paso
Corporation, El Paso Natural Gas Company, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, the subsidiary Grantors and
certain other credit parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., not in its individual capacity,
but solely as collateral agent for the Secured Parties and as the depository bank. (Exhibit 10.B to
our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 21, 2007). |
|
|
|
10.E
|
|
Third Amended and Restated Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement dated as of November 16, 2007, made by each
of the Subsidiary Guarantors in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent (Exhibit 10.C
to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 21, 2007.) |
|
|
|
10.F
|
|
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 4, 2007, among El Paso Natural Gas Company and
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., ABN AMRO Incorporated, Goldman, Sachs &
Co, Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and SG Americas Securities, LLC
(Exhibit 10.A to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 9, 2007). |
|
|
|
21
|
|
Omitted pursuant to the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction I to Form 10-K. |
|
|
|
*31.A
|
|
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
*31.B
|
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
*32.A
|
|
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
*32.B
|
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
48