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


FORM 10-Q


|X|

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

 

 

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004

 

OR

|  | 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

 

 

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ___ TO ___

 

 

Commission

 

 

IRS Employer

 

 

File

 

State of

Identification

 

Number

Registrant

Incorporation

Number

 

1-7810

Energen Corporation

Alabama

63-0757759

 

 

2-38960

Alabama Gas Corporation

Alabama

63-0022000

 


605 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203-2707
Telephone Number 205/326-2700
http://www.energen.com

Alabama Gas Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energen Corporation, meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form with reduced disclosure format pursuant to General Instruction H(2).


Indicate by a check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES X NO ____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Energen Corporation YES X NO ___

Alabama Gas Corporation YES___ NO X


Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers' classes of common stock, as of November 3, 2004

 

Energen Corporation

$0.01 par value

36,442,118 shares

 

 

Alabama Gas Corporation

$0.01 par value

  1,972,052 shares

 

 

 

 

ENERGEN CORPORATION AND ALABAMA GAS CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(a) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income of Energen Corporation

 3

(b) Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets of Energen Corporation

 4

(c) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows of Energen Corporation

 6

(d) Condensed Statements of Income of Alabama Gas Corporation

 7

(e) Condensed Balance Sheets of Alabama Gas Corporation

 8

(f) Condensed Statements of Cash Flows of Alabama Gas Corporation

10

(g) Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

11

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations


21

Selected Business Segment Data of Energen Corporation

28

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

29

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

30

PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

31

Item 6.

Exhibits

31

SIGNATURES

32

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

 

ENERGEN CORPORATION

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

(in thousands, except per share data)

2004

2003

 

2004

2003

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas operations

$  104,336

$   87,994

 

$  295,996

$  266,296

Natural gas distribution

62,162

58,147

 

410,108

373,534

     Total operating revenues

166,498

146,141

 

706,104

639,830

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of gas

26,545

24,966

 

205,574

179,045

Operations and maintenance

60,788

50,227

 

170,179

149,005

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

30,896

29,203

 

88,559

87,473

Taxes, other than income taxes

15,354

12,389

 

55,679

47,824

Accretion expense

613

459

 

1,635

1,419

     Total operating expenses

134,196

117,244

 

521,626

464,766

Operating Income

32,302

28,897

 

184,478

175,064

Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

(10,515)

(10,153)

 

(31,527)

(31,709)

Other income

702

2,289

 

2,197

7,408

Other expense

(225)

(2,866)

 

(1,920)

(8,218)

     Total other expense

(10,038)

(10,730)

 

(31,250)

(32,519)

Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes


22,264


18,167

 


153,228


142,545

Income tax expense

8,532

6,710

 

57,031

53,305

Income From Continuing Operations

13,732

11,457

 

96,197

89,240

Discontinued Operations, net of taxes

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations

-

145

 

3

966

Gain (loss) on disposal

8

294

 

(5)

(382)

Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations

8

439

 

(2)

584

Net Income

$    13,740

$11,896

 

$    96,195

$  89,824

Diluted Earnings Per Average Common Share

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

$      0.37

$       0.32

 

$      2.63

$   2.51

Discontinued operations

-

0.01

 

-

0.02

Net Income

$        0.37

$  0.33

 

$        2.63

$   2.53

Basic Earnings Per Average Common Share

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

$      0.38

$       0.32

 

$      2.66

$   2.53

Discontinued operations

-

0.01

 

-

0.02

Net Income

$     0.38

$  0.33

 

$     2.66

$  2.55

Dividends Per Common Share

$    0.1925

$    0.185

 

$   0.5625

$   0.545

Diluted Average Common Shares Outstanding

36,700

36,261

 

36,629

35,561

Basic Average Common Shares Outstanding

36,268

35,869

 

36,224

35,208

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

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

ENERGEN CORPORATION

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

September 30, 2004

December 31, 2003

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$       4,511

$       2,127

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
    accounts of $10,510 at September 30, 2004, and
    $9,852 at December 31, 2003



118,388



172,915

Inventories, at average cost

 

 

    Storage gas inventory

60,604

40,654

    Materials and supplies

7,675

7,677

    Liquified natural gas in storage

3,346

3,475

Deferred income taxes

58,125

38,145

Prepayments and other

76,526

25,073

 

 

 

    Total current assets

329,175

290,066

 

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

 

Oil and gas properties, successful efforts method

1,548,350

1,197,340

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

360,725

310,368

    Oil and gas properties, net

1,187,625

886,972

Utility plant

927,430

883,225

Less accumulated depreciation

365,614

341,787

    Utility plant, net

561,816

541,438

Other property, net

5,419

5,041

    Total property, plant and equipment, net

1,754,860

1,433,451

 

 

 

Other Assets

 

 

Regulatory asset

19,650

18,082

Deferred charges and other

25,775 

39,833

 

 

 

    Total other assets

45,425 

57,915

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$   2,129,460 

$   1,781,432



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

 

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

ENERGEN CORPORATION

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands, except share data)

September 30, 2004

December 31, 2003

 

 

 

CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

Long-term debt due within one year

$      10,000

$      10,000

Notes payable to banks

213,000

11,000

Accounts payable

179,021

135,319

Accrued taxes

32,742

28,551

Customers' deposits

17,584

17,884

Amounts due customers

10,481

8,571

Accrued wages and benefits

26,740

24,957

Regulatory liability

65,761

54,146

Other

52,123

37,303

 

 

 

    Total current liabilities

607,452

327,731

 

 

 

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

 

 

Asset retirement obligation

34,149

26,515

Minimum pension liability

27,757

17,911

Regulatory liability

110,668

113,427

Deferred income taxes

76,803

33,200

Other

24,417

10,774

 

 

 

    Total deferred credits and other liabilities

273,794

201,827

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalization

 

 

Preferred stock, cumulative $0.01 par value, 5,000,000
    shares authorized


- - 


- -

Common shareholders' equity

 

 

    Common stock, $0.01 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized, 36,427,141 shares outstanding at September 30, 2004, and 36,223,531 shares outstanding at December 31, 2003



364



362

    Premium on capital stock

376,390

367,765

    Capital surplus

2,802

2,802

    Retained earnings

435,749

360,001

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

Unrealized loss on hedges

(66,110)

(21,714)

Minimum pension liability

(10,237)

(8,881)

Deferred compensation on restricted stock

(2,730)

(1,258)

Deferred compensation plan

24,120

17,063

Treasury stock, at cost (488,727 shares at September 30, 2004,
    and 415,869 shares at December 31, 2003)


(25,001)


(17,108)

    Total common shareholders' equity

735,347

699,032

Long-term debt

512,867

552,842

    Total capitalization

1,248,214

1,251,874

 

 

 

TOTAL CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES

$   2,129,460

$   1,781,432



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

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

ENERGEN CORPORATION

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands)

2004

2003

 

 

 

Operating Activities

 

 

Net income

$     96,195

$     89,824

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash

 

 

provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

    Depreciation, depletion and amortization

88,559

88,400

    Deferred income taxes

50,783

40,804

    Deferred investment tax credits

(308)

(336)

    Change in derivative fair value

4,213

748

    (Gain) loss on sale of assets

182

(10,059)

    Loss on properties held-for-sale

-

10,404

Net change in:

 

 

     Accounts receivable

32,909

41,558

     Inventories

(19,819)

(34,556)

     Accounts payable

(16,826)

(25,146)

     Amounts due customers

(5,413)

1,026

     Other current assets and liabilities

12,107

(16,661)

Other, net

10,648

3,090

 

 

 

    Net cash provided by operating activities

253,230

189,096 

 

 

 

Investing Activities

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

(132,197)

(153,960)

Acquisition

(262,825)

-

Proceeds from sale of assets

134

29,092

Other, net

(2,144)

636

 

 

 

    Net cash used in investing activities

(397,032)

(124,232)

 

 

 

Financing Activities

 

 

Payment of dividends on common stock

(20,447)

(19,236)

Issuance of common stock

5,216

41,648

Purchase of treasury stock

(510)

(339)

Reduction of long-term debt

(40,073)

(13,000)

Net change in short-term debt

202,000

(74,000)

 

 

 

    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

146,186

(64,927)

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

2,384

(63) 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

2,127

4,804 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

$       4,511

$      4,741



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

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

 

 

ALABAMA GAS CORPORATION

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

(in thousands)

2004

2003

 

2004

2003

Operating Revenues

$ 62,162

$ 58,147

 

$410,108

$373,534

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of gas

27,190

25,534

 

207,073

180,828

Operations and maintenance

29,563

27,657

 

88,422

84,208

Depreciation

9,985

9,385

 

29,453

27,532

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

    Current

(9,604)

(10,164)

 

9,810

9,712

    Deferred, net

4,800

5,331

 

7,878

7,174

    Deferred investment tax credits, net

(84)

(112)

 

(308)

(336)

Taxes, other than income taxes

5,554

5,146

 

28,701

26,353

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Total operating expenses

67,404

62,777

 

371,029

335,471

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income (Loss)

(5,242)

(4,630)

 

39,079

38,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for funds used during construction

347

80

 

1,008

573

Other income

426

897

 

1,527

3,090

Other expense

(248)

(1,032)

 

(1,934)

(3,642)

     Total other income (expense)

525

(55)

 

601

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Charges

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on long-term debt

2,462

3,222

 

8,212

9,697

Other interest expense (income)

566

(126)

 

2,335

586

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Total interest charges

3,028

3,096

 

10,547

10,283

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

$ (7,745)

$ (7,781)

 

$ 29,133

$ 27,801


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

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

ALABAMA GAS CORPORATION

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

(in thousands)

September 30, 2004

December 31, 2003

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

 

Utility plant

$   927,430

$   883,225

Less accumulated depreciation

365,614

341,787

 

 

 

    Utility plant, net

561,816

541,438

 

 

 

Other property, net

327

331

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

4,119

1,440

Accounts receivable

 

 

    Gas

57,546

134,376

    Merchandise

1,816

1,210

    Other

2,335

1,018

    Affiliated companies

771

-

    Allowance for doubtful accounts

(9,600)

(9,100)

Inventories, at average cost

 

 

    Storage gas inventory

60,604

40,654

    Materials and supplies

4,408

5,527

    Liquified natural gas in storage

3,346

3,475

Deferred income taxes

15,865

17,650

Regulatory asset

1,276

251

Prepayments and other

68,187

22,056

 

 

 

    Total current assets

210,673

218,557

 

 

 

Other Assets

 

 

Regulatory asset

19,650

18,082

Deferred charges and other

4,491

19,285

 

 

 

    Total other assets

24,141

37,367

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$   796,957

$   797,693



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

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

ALABAMA GAS CORPORATION

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands, except share data)

September 30, 2004

December 31, 2003

 

 

 

CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES

 

 

Capitalization

 

 

Preferred stock, cumulative $0.01 par value, 120,000 shares
    authorized, issuable in series-$4.70 Series


$              -


$           -

Common shareholder's equity

 

 

    Common stock, $0.01 par value; 3,000,000 shares
       authorized, 1,972,052 shares outstanding at
       September 30, 2004, and December 31, 2003



           20



         20

    Premium on capital stock

31,682

31,682

    Capital surplus

2,802

2,802

    Retained earnings

224,576

215,869

 

 

 

    Total common shareholder's equity

259,080

250,373

Long-term debt

129,460

169,533

 

 

 

    Total capitalization

388,540

419,906

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

Long-term debt due within one year

10,000

-

Notes payable to banks

55,000

11,000

Accounts payable

37,764

56,020

Amounts due to affiliates

-

37,290

Accrued taxes

27,517

22,145

Customers' deposits

17,584

17,884

Amounts due customers

10,481

8,571

Accrued wages and benefits

6,980

6,247

Regulatory liability

65,761

54,146

Other

12,452

9,039

 

 

 

    Total current liabilities

243,539

222,342

 

 

 

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

 

 

Deferred income taxes

38,480

32,178

Minimum pension liability

13,026

6,988

Regulatory liability

110,668

113,427

Other

2,704

2,852

 

 

 

     Total deferred credits and other liabilities

164,878

155,445

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

-

-

 

 

 

TOTAL CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES

$   796,957

$   797,693



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

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

ALABAMA GAS CORPORATION

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands)

2004

2003

 

 

 

Operating Activities

 

 

Net income

$     29,133

$     27,801

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash

 

 

provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

    Depreciation and amortization

29,453

27,532

    Deferred income taxes, net

7,878

7,174

    Deferred investment tax credits

(308)

(336)

Net change in:

 

 

    Accounts receivable

53,790

39,873

    Inventories

(18,702)

(34,950)

    Accounts payable

(18,005)

(14,900)

    Amounts due customers

(5,413)

1,026

    Other current assets and liabilities

5,768

(12,422)

Other, net

6,414

123

 

 

 

    Net cash provided by operating activities

90,008

40,921

 

 

 

Investing Activities

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

(40,991)

(40,966)

Other, net

(1,778)

307

 

 

 

    Net cash used in investing activities

(42,769)

(40,659)

 

 

 

Financing Activities

 

 

Dividends

(20,426)

-

Reduction of long-term debt

(30,073)

(5,000)

Net advances from (to) affiliates

(38,061)

18,793

Net change in short-term debt

44,000

(13,000)

 

 

 

    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(44,560)

793

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

2,679

1,055

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

1,440

2,818

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

$        4,119

$        3,873



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

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ENERGEN CORPORATION AND ALABAMA GAS CORPORATION

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION


The unaudited financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, the three months ended December 31, 2001, and the year ended September 30, 2001, included in the 2003 Annual Report of Energen Corporation (the Company) and Alabama Gas Corporation (Alagasco) on Form 10-K. On December 5, 2001, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a change in the Company's fiscal year end from September 30 to December 31, effective January 1, 2002. A transition report was filed on Form 10-Q for the period October 1, 2001 to December 31, 2001. Alagasco has a September 30 fiscal year for rate-setting purposes (rate year) and reports on a calendar year for the Securities and Exchange Commission and all other financial accounting reporting purposes. The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required for complete financial statements. The year-end consolidated condensed balance sheet data included in the interim report was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all annual disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Company's natural gas distribution business is seasonal in character and influenced by weather conditions. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year.

The quarterly information reflects the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 144, "Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." SFAS No. 144 requires that gains and losses from the sale of certain oil and gas properties and write-downs of certain properties held-for-sale be reported as discontinued operations, with income or loss from operations of the associated properties reported as income or loss from discontinued operations in the current and prior periods. All other adjustments to the unaudited financial statements that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations for the interim periods have been recorded. Such adjustments consisted of normal recurring items. Certain reclassifications were made to conform prior years' financial statements to the current-quarter presentation.

2. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," prospectively for all stock-based employee compensation effective as of January 1, 2003. Awards under the Company's plan vest over periods ranging from one to four years. The cost related to stock-based employee compensation included in the determination of net income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, approximates that which would have been recognized if the fair value method had been applied to all awards since the original effective date of SFAS No. 123. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and diluted and basic earnings per share as if the fair value based method had been applied to all outstanding and unvested awards in each period:

 

 

Three months ended

September 30,

 

Nine months ended

September 30,

(in thousands)

2004

2003

 

2004

2003

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

$ 13,740

$11,896

 

$ 96,195

$89,824

Stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income, net of tax

1,853

857

 

4,397

2,216

Stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value based method, net of tax

(1,319)

(960)

 

(3,369)

(2,336)

Pro forma

$ 14,274

$ 11,793

 

$ 97,223

$89,704

Diluted earnings per average common share

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

$ 0.37

$ 0.33

 

$ 2.63

$ 2.53

Pro forma

$ 0.39

$ 0.33

 

$ 2.65

$ 2.52

Basic earnings per average common share

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

$ 0.38

$ 0.33

 

$ 2.66

$ 2.55

Pro forma

$ 0.39

$ 0.33

 

$ 2.68

$ 2.55

3. REGULATORY

All of Alagasco's utility operations are conducted in the state of Alabama. Alagasco is subject to regulation by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC) which established the Rate Stabilization and Equalization (RSE) rate-setting process in 1983. RSE was extended with modifications in 2002, 1996, 1990, 1987 and 1985. On June 10, 2002, the APSC extended Alagasco's rate-setting methodology, RSE, without change, for a six-year period through January 1, 2008. Under the terms of that extension, RSE will continue after January 1, 2008, unless, after notice to the Company and a hearing, the Commission votes to either modify or discontinue its operation. Alagasco's allowed range of return on average equity remains 13.15 percent to 13.65 percent throughout the term of the order, subject to change in the event that the Commission, following a generic rate of return hearing, adjusts the equity returns of all major energy utilities operating under a similar methodology. Under RSE as extended, the APSC conducts quarterly reviews to determine, based on Alagasco's projections and year-to-date performance, whether Alagasco's return on average equity at the end of the rate year will be within the allowed range of return. Reductions in rates can be made quarterly to bring the projected return within the allowed range; increases, however, are allowed only once each rate year, effective December 1, and cannot exceed 4 percent of prior-year revenues. As of September 30, 2003, Alagasco had a $3 million reduction in revenues to bring the return on average equity within the allowed range of return. RSE limits the utility's equity upon which a return is permitted to 60 percent of total capitalization and provides for certain cost control measures designed to monitor Alagasco's operations and maintenance (O&M) expense. Under an inflation-based cost control measurement established by the APSC, if the percentage change in O&M expense per customer falls within a range of 1.25 points above or below the pe rcentage change in the Consumer Price Index For All Urban Consumers (index range), no adjustment is required. If the change in O&M expense per customer exceeds the index range, three-quarters of the difference is returned to customers. To the extent the change is less than the index range, the utility benefits by one-half of the difference through future rate adjustments. The increase in O&M expense per customer was above the index range for the rate years ended September 30, 2004 and 2003; as a result, the utility returned to customers $1.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, pre-tax through rate adjustments under the provisions of RSE. An $11.2 million and a $12.7 million annual increase in revenues became effective December 1, 2003 and 2002, respectively, under RSE.

Alagasco calculates a temperature adjustment to customers' monthly bills to substantially remove the effect of departures from normal temperatures on Alagasco's earnings. Adjustments to customers' bills are made in the same billing cycle in which the weather variation occurs. The temperature adjustment applies primarily to residential, small commercial and small industrial customers. Alagasco's rate schedules for natural gas distribution charges contain a Gas Supply Adjustment (GSA) rider, established in 1993, which permits the pass-through to customers of changes in the cost of gas supply.

4. DERIVATIVE COMMODITY INSTRUMENTS

Energen Resources Corporation, Energen's oil and gas subsidiary, periodically enters into derivative commodity instruments that qualify as cash flow hedges under SFAS No. 133," Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," to hedge its exposure to price fluctuations on oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids production. In addition, Alagasco periodically enters into cash flow derivative commodity instruments to hedge its exposure to price fluctuations on its gas supply. Such instruments typically include over-the-counter swaps, collars and basis hedges with major energy derivative product specialists. The counterparties to the commodity instruments are investment banks and energy-trading firms. In some contracts, the amount of credit allowed before collateral must be posted for out-of-the-money hedges varies depending on the credit rating of the Company.

Energen Resources applies SFAS No. 133 which requires all derivatives to be recognized on the balance sheet and measured at fair value. If a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effectiveness of the hedge, or the degree that the gain (loss) for the hedging instrument offsets the loss (gain) on the hedged item, is measured at each reporting period. The effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI) as a component of equity and subsequently reclassified into earnings as operating revenues when the forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative's change in fair value is required to be recognized in earnings immediately. Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge treatment under SFAS No. 133 must be recorded at fair value with gains or losses recognized in earnings in the period of change.

As of September 30, 2004, $55.4 million, net of tax, of deferred net losses on derivative instruments recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income are expected to be reclassified to operating revenues in earnings during the next 12-month period. The actual amounts that will be reclassified to earnings over the next year could vary materially from this amount due to changes in market conditions. Gains and losses on derivative instruments that are not accounted for as cash flow hedges as well as the ineffective portion of the change in fair value of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges, are included in operating revenues in the consolidated financial statements. For the ineffective portion of the change in fair value of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges, the Company recorded a $166,000 after-tax loss for the three months ended September 30, 2004, and a $350,000 after-tax loss year-to-date. Also, Energen Resources recorded an after-tax loss of $695,000 for the quart er and a $3.3 million after-tax loss year-to-date on contracts that did not meet the definition of cash flow hedges under SFAS No. 133. As of September 30, 2004, the Company had 3.13 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of gas hedges that expire in the fourth quarter of 2004, 0.21 Bcf of gas hedges that expire in the first quarter of 2005 and 90,000 barrels (Bbl) of oil hedges that expire in the fourth quarter of 2004 that did not meet the definition of a cash flow hedge but are considered by the Company to be viable economic hedges. As of September 30, 2004, and December 31, 2003, the Company had $40.5 million and $13.9 million, respectively, included in current and noncurrent deferred income taxes on the consolidated balance sheets related to OCI.

On September 27, 2004, Moody's Investors Service downgraded the debt rating of Energen to Baa2 senior unsecured from Baa1 and confirmed the debt rating of Alagasco as A1 senior unsecured. As a result, the Company posted collateral payments with a certain counterparty in the amount of $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.

Energen Resources has entered into the following transactions for the remainder of 2004 and subsequent years:

Production Period

Total Hedged Volumes

Average Contract

Price

Description

Natural Gas

2004

5.2 Bcf

$5.09 Mcf

NYMEX Swaps

 

6.3 Bcf

$4.30 Mcf

Basin Specific Swaps

 

0.6 Bcf

$4.05 - $4.44 Mcf

NYMEX Collars

2005

18.1 Bcf

$5.99 Mcf

NYMEX Swaps

 

17.3 Bcf

$4.63 Mcf

Basin Specific Swaps

Natural Gas Basis Differential

2005

1.6 Bcf

*

Basis Swaps

Oil

2004

357 MBbl

$28.38 Bbl

NYMEX Swaps

 

350 MBbl

$27.70 Bbl

West Texas Sour (WTS) Swaps

2005

1,538 MBbl

$33.05 Bbl

NYMEX Swaps

 

720 MBbl

$31.17 Bbl

WTS Swaps

2006

360 MBbl

$37.12 Bbl

NYMEX Swaps

Oil Basis Differential

2004

105 MBbl

*

Basis Swaps

2005

1,003 MBbl

*

Basis Swaps

Natural Gas Liquids

2004

9.3 MMGal

$0.41 Gal

Liquids Swaps

2005

30.2 MMGal

$0.49 Gal

Liquids Swaps

2006

30.2 MMGal

$0.56 Gal

Liquids Swaps

* Average contract prices not meaningful due to the varying nature of each contract.

All hedge transactions are subject to the Company's risk management policy, approved by the Board of Directors, which does not permit speculative positions. The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge. This process includes specific identification of the hedging instrument and the hedge transaction, the nature of the risk being hedged and how the hedging instrument's effectiveness in hedging the exposure to the hedged transaction's variability in cash flows attributable to the hedged risk will be assessed. Both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, the Company assesses whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items. The Company discontinues hedge accounting if a derivative has ceased to be a highly effective hedge. The maximum term over which Energen Resourc es has hedged exposures to the variability of cash flows is through December 31, 2006.

On December 4, 2000, the APSC authorized Alagasco to engage in energy risk-management activities to manage the utility's cost of gas supply. As required by SFAS No. 133, Alagasco recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet with a corresponding regulatory asset or liability. Any gains or losses are passed through to customers using the mechanisms of the GSA in compliance with Alagasco's APSC-approved tariff. In accordance with SFAS No. 71, Alagasco recorded a $56.3 million gain as a regulatory liability with a corresponding asset in prepayments and other of $56.3 million representing the fair value of derivatives as of September 30, 2004. Alagasco recorded a current regulatory asset of $0.3 million, a current regulatory liability of $17 million and a noncurrent regulatory liability of $8.7 million representing the fair value of derivatives as of December 31, 2003.

5. RECONCILIATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Three months ended

Three months ended

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

September 30, 2004

September 30, 2003

 

 

 

Per Share

 

 

Per Share

 

Income

Shares

Amount

Income

Shares

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic EPS

$   13,740

36,268

$   0.38

$11,896

35,869

$ 0.33 

Effect of Dilutive Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-range performance shares

 

156

 

 

139

 

Stock options

254

241

Restricted stock

 

22

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

$   13,740

36,700

$   0.37

$11,896

36,261

$ 0.33 

 

Nine months ended

Nine months ended

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

September 30, 2004

September 30, 2003

 

 

 

Per Share

 

 

Per Share

 

Income

Shares

Amount

Income

Shares

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic EPS

$   96,195

36,224

$   2.66

$89,824

35,208

$ 2.55 

Effect of Dilutive Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-range performance shares

 

142

 

 

132

 

Stock options

232

212

Restricted stock

 

31

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

$   96,195

36,629

$   2.63

$89,824

35,561

$ 2.53 

For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company had no options or shares of non-vested restricted stock that were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS.

6. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company principally is engaged in two business segments: the purchase, distribution and sale of natural gas in central and north Alabama (natural gas distribution) and the acquisition, development, exploration and production of oil and gas in the continental United States (oil and gas operations).

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

September 30,

September 30,

(in thousands)

2004

2003

 

2004

2003

Operating revenues from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

    Oil and gas operations

$104,981

$ 88,562

 

$297,495

$268,079

    Natural gas distribution

62,162

58,147

 

410,108

373,534

Eliminations and other

(645)

(568)

 

(1,499)

(1,783)

        Total

$166,498

$ 146,141

 

$706,104

$639,830

Operating income (loss) from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

    Oil and gas operations

$ 42,673

$ 38,958

 

$128,553

$121,649

    Natural gas distribution

(10,130)

(9,575)

 

56,459

54,613

    Eliminations and corporate expenses

(241)

(486)

 

(534)

(1,198)

        Total

$ 32,302

$ 28,897

 

$184,478

$175,064

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

    Oil and gas operations

$ (7,607)

$ (7,042)

 

$(21,385)

$(21,392)

    Natural gas distribution

(2,503)

(3,151)

 

(9,946)

(10,262)

    Eliminations and other

72

(537)

 

81

(865)

        Total

$ (10,038)

$ (10,730)

 

$(31,250)

$(32,519)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

$ 22,264

$ 18,167

 

$153,228

$142,545

 

(in thousands)

September 30, 2004

December 31, 2003

Identifiable assets

 

 

    Oil and gas operations

$  1,308,054

$     959,815

    Natural gas distribution

796,186

797,693

     Subtotal

2,104,240

1,757,508

    Eliminations and other

25,220

23,924

        Total

$ 2,129,460

$  1,781,432

7. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following:

 

Three months ended

Three months ended

(in thousands)

September 30, 2004

September 30, 2003

 

 

 

Net Income

$    13,740

$    11,896

Other comprehensive income (loss)

             

             

   Current period change in fair value of derivative instruments,       net of tax of ($23.6) million and $7.8 million

(38,585)

12,190

   Reclassification adjustment, net of tax of $8.2 million and
      $4.3 million


13,307


6,659

   Minimum pension liability, net of tax of ($0.7) million and ($2.4) million

(1,356)

(4,540)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

$   (12,894)

$     26,205

 

Nine months ended

Nine months ended

(in thousands)

September 30, 2004

September 30, 2003

 

 

 

Net Income

$    96,195

$89,824

Other comprehensive income (loss)

             

             

   Current period change in fair value of derivative instruments,   net of tax of ($46.4) million and ($21.1) million

(76,623)

(32,972)

   Reclassification adjustment, net of tax of $19.8 million and
      $18.8 million


32,227


29,357

 Minimum pension liability, net of tax of ($0.7) million and ($2.4) million

(1,356)

(4,540)

Comprehensive Income

$   50,443

$     81,669

Accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of the following:

(in thousands)

September 30, 2004

December 31, 2003

 

 

 

Unrealized loss on hedges, net of tax of ($40.5) million and ($13.9) million


$
    (66,110)


$    (21,714)

Minimum pension liability, net of tax of ($5.5) million and ($4.8) million

(10,237)

(8,881)

 

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

$    (76,347)

$    (30,595)

 

 

 

8. LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 144, which retains the previous asset impairment requirements of SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of," for loss recognition when the carrying value of an asset exceeds the sum of the undiscounted estimated future cash flows of the asset. In addition, SFAS No. 144 requires that gains and losses on the sale of certain oil and gas properties and write-downs of certain properties held-for-sale be reported as discontinued operations, with income or loss from operations of the associated properties reported as income or loss from discontinued operations. The results of operations for held-for-sale properties are reclassified and reported as discontinued operations for prior periods in accordance with SFAS No. 144. Energen Resources may, in the ordinary course of business, be involved in the sale of developed or undeveloped properties. All assets held-for-sale must be rep orted at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value. Energen Resources had no property sales during the third quarter of 2004 or the year-to-date ended September 30, 2004. During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, Energen Resources recorded a pre-tax writedown to fair value based upon expected market value of $10.4 million on certain non-strategic gas properties located in the Gulf Coast region. These properties were sold during the third quarter of 2003 for a pre-tax gain of $0.4 million. The pre-tax gain on disposals for the three months ended September 30, 2003, was $0.5 million and $9.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, largely due to sales of properties located in the San Juan Basin.

The following are the results of operations from discontinued operations:

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

(in thousands, except per share data)

2004

2003

 

2004

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas revenues

$ 1

$ 63

 

$ 3

$ 3,577

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretax income from discontinued operations

$ 1

$ 238

 

$ 5

$ 1,583

Income tax expense

1

93

 

2

617

Income From Discontinued Operations

-

145

 

3

966

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment charge on held-for-sale property

-

-

 

-

(10,404)

Gain (loss) on disposal

13

481

 

(8)

9,778

Income tax benefit (expense)

5

187

 

(3)

(244)

Gain (Loss) on Disposal

8

294

 

(5)

(382)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations

$ 8

$ 439

 

$ (2)

$ 584

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Earnings Per Average Common Share

 

 

 

 

 

Income from Discontinued Operations

$ -

$ -

 

$ -

$ 0.03

Loss on Disposal

-

0.01

 

-

(0.01)

Total Income from Discontinued Operations

$ -

$ 0.01

 

$ -

$ 0.02

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Earnings Per Average Common Share

 

 

 

 

 

Income from Discontinued Operations

$ -

$ -

 

$ -

$ 0.03

Loss on Disposal

-

0.01

 

-

(0.01)

Total Income from Discontinued Operations

$ -

$ 0.01

 

$ -

$ 0.02

9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

In December 2003, the FASB revised SFAS No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits - an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88 and 106." The revised Statement added additional interim disclosures relating to the net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement plans effective for interim periods ending after December 15, 2003.

The components of net pension expense were:

(in thousands)

Plan A

Plan B

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

2004

2003

2004

2003

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

 

 

 

 

Service cost

$ 1,356

$ 989

$ 146

$ 123

Interest cost

1,664

1,660

346

354

Expected long-term return on assets

(1,950)

(1,714)

(522)

(390)

Actuarial loss

433

157

27

-

Prior service cost amortization

58

58

88

88

Net periodic expense

$ 1,561

$ 1,150

$ 85

$ 175

(in thousands)

Plan A

Plan B

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

2004

2003

2004

2003

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

 

 

 

 

Service cost

$ 4,068

$ 2,967

$ 438

$ 369

Interest cost

4,992

4,980

1,038

1,062

Expected long-term return on assets

(5,850)

(5,142)

(1,566)

(1,170)

Actuarial loss

1,299

471

81

-

Prior service cost amortization

174

174

264

264

Net periodic expense

$ 4,683

$ 3,450

$ 255

$ 525

In January 2004, the Company contributed $773,000 to Plan A assets and $46,000 to Plan B assets. The Company may make additional discretionary contributions to Plan A of approximately $20.6 million and approximately $1.1 million to Plan B during the remainder of 2004.

Net periodic post-retirement benefit expense included the following:

(in thousands)

Salaried Employees

Union Employees

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

2004

2003

2004

2003

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

 

 

 

 

Service cost

$ 349

$ 206

$ 130

$ 103

Interest cost

572

511

463

503

Expected long-term return on assets

(433)

(325)

(699)

(525)

Actuarial loss (gain)

-

-

(134)

(71)

Prior service cost amortization

-

-

1

4

Transition amortization

171

171

321

321

Net periodic expense

$ 659

$ 563

$ 82

$ 335

 

(in thousands)

Salaried Employees

Union Employees

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

2004

2003

2004

2003

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

 

 

 

 

Service cost

$ 990

$ 618

$ 368

$ 309

Interest cost

1,732

1,533

1,450

1,509

Expected long-term return on assets

(1,194)

(975)

(1,928)

(1,575)

Actuarial loss (gain)

-

-

(280)

(213)

Prior service cost amortization

-

-

3

12

Transition amortization

512

513

963

963

Net periodic expense

$ 2,040

$ 1,689

$ 576

$ 1,005

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company made contributions aggregating $1.4 million and $3.3 million, respectively, to the post-retirement plans. The Company may make additional contributions of approximately $0.9 million through the remainder of 2004.

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments and Agreements: Certain of Alagasco's long-term contracts for the supply, storage and delivery of natural gas include fixed charges that amount to approximately $197 million through May 2013. Alagasco is committed to purchase minimum quantities of gas at market-related prices or to pay certain costs in the event the minimum quantities are not taken. These purchase commitments are approximately 46.5 Bcf through February 2007.

Alagasco purchases gas as an agent for certain of its large commercial and industrial customers. Alagasco has in certain instances provided guarantees to the sellers in order to facilitate these agency purchases. Liabilities existing for gas delivered to customers subject to these guarantees are included in the consolidated balance sheet. In the event the customer for whom the guarantee was entered fails to take delivery of the gas, Alagasco can sell such gas for the customer, with the customer liable for any resulting loss. Although the substantial majority of purchases under these guarantees are for the customers' current monthly consumption and are at current market prices, in some instances, the purchases are for an extended term at a fixed price. At September 30, 2004, the fixed price purchases under these guarantees had a maximum term outstanding through September 2005 and an aggregate purchase price of $9.4 million with a market value of $10.2 million.

Legal Matters: Energen and its affiliates are, from time to time, parties to various pending or threatened legal proceedings. Certain of these lawsuits include claims for punitive damages in addition to other specified relief. Based upon information presently available, and in light of available legal and other defenses, contingent liabilities arising from threatened and pending litigation are not considered material in relation to the respective financial positions of Energen and its affiliates. It should be noted, however, that Energen and its affiliates conduct business in Alabama and other jurisdictions in which the magnitude and frequency of punitive damage awards may bear little or no relation to culpability or actual damages, thus making it increasingly difficult to predict litigation results.

Various pending or threatened legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business are in progress currently, and the Company has accrued a provision for estimated costs.

Environmental Matters: Various environmental laws and regulations apply to the operations of Energen Resources and Alagasco. Historically, the cost of environmental compliance has not materially affected the Company's financial position and results of operations and is not expected to do so in the future; however, new regulations, enforcement policies, claims for damages or other events could result in significant unanticipated costs.

Environmental compliance costs, including ongoing maintenance, monitoring and similar costs, are expensed as incurred. Environmental remediation costs are accrued when remedial efforts are probable and the cost can be reasonably estimated.

The State of New Mexico has recently issued new regulations related to below-grade storage pits. Such pits are used to temporarily hold produced fluids until they can be disposed of permanently. Under the new regulations, the storage pits must be constructed with secondary containment and leak detection, and all such pits will require an annual certification attesting to the fact that the storage pits do not leak. To comply with the new regulation, in the current year-to-date, the Company has capitalized $0.5 million as part of the Company's recent acquisition of properties in the San Juan Basin and expensed $1.6 million which was recorded in lease operating expenses. The Company does not anticipate any further remediation charges related to the new regulations.

Alagasco is in the chain of title of nine former manufactured gas plant sites (four of which it still owns) and five manufactured gas distribution sites (one of which it still owns). An investigation of the sites does not indicate the present need for remediation activities. Management expects that, should remediation of any such sites be required in the future, Alagasco's share, if any, of such costs will not materially affect the results of operations or financial condition of Alagasco.

11. REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The following table details regulatory assets and liabilities on the balance sheets:

(in thousands)

September 30, 2004

December 31, 2003

 

Current

Noncurrent

Current

Noncurrent

Regulatory assets:

Pension asset

$       -

$    19,650

$     -

$     18,082

Gas supply adjustment

1,276

     -

      -

      -

Risk management activities

   -

     -

      251

      -

Total regulatory assets

$   1,276

$    19,650

$     251

$    18,082

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Enhanced stability reserve

$    3,662

$     -

$    3,481

$       -

Gas supply adjustment

-

      -

     4,903

       -

Risk management activities

      56,305

      -

     17,025

       8,650

RSE adjustment

1,294

      -

2,619

       -

Unbilled service margin

     4,500

       -

     26,118

       -

Asset removal costs, net

      -

      109,864

     -

       103,727

Other

       -

804

       -

       1,050

Total regulatory liabilities

$     65,761

$  110,668

$    54,146

$   113,427

12. LONG-TERM DEBT AND SHORT-TERM CREDIT LINES

In April 2004, Alagasco elected to call a total of $30 million of Medium-Term Notes maturing January 16, 2006 to December 15, 2023. During the second quarter of 2004, the Company recorded a pre-tax loss on debt extinguishment of $0.9 million for the call premiums and unamortized issuance costs.

All of the Company's debt is unsecured. The Company is in compliance with the covenants under the various long-term debt agreements. Except as discussed below, debt covenants address routine matters such as timely payment of principal and interest, maintenance of corporate existence and restrictions on liens. Payments with respect to Alagasco's 6.25% Notes and 6.75% Notes are insured by Ambac Assurance Corporation. Under the insurance agreement, Alagasco agreed that it will not dispose of distribution plant assets if, after such disposition, its distribution plant will be less than $200 million. Alagasco's distribution plant exceeded $200 million at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003. In addition, $300 million of the Company's outstanding debt is subject to a cross default provision under Energen's Indenture dated September 1, 1996 with The Bank of New York as Trustee. In the event Alagasco or Energen Resources had a debt default of more than $10 million it would also be considered a n event of default by Energen under the 1996 Indenture. In July 2004, Energen and Alagasco increased their short-term credit lines available for working capital needs to $287 million. Alagasco has been authorized by the APSC to borrow up to a total of $100 million of these available short-term credit lines.

On September 27, 2004, Moody's Investors Service downgraded the debt rating of Energen to Baa2 senior unsecured from Baa1 and confirmed the debt rating of Alagasco as A1 senior unsecured.

 

13. RECENT PRONOUNCEMENTS OF THE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD (FASB)

SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations," requires all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001, to be accounted for using the purchase method and SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," establishes guidelines in accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets. The appropriate applications of SFAS No. 141 and SFAS No. 142 were considered to determine whether oil and gas mineral rights should be classified separately as intangible assets on the balance sheet, rather than as a part of oil and gas properties as currently recorded. In September 2004, the Board issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. 142-2, "Application of FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, to Oil and Gas Producing Entities," which excluded oil and gas companies; therefore, the Company will continue to report lease rights as tangible assets on the balance sheet.

On December 8, 2003, President Bush signed into law a bill that expands Medicare, adding a prescription drug benefit for Medicare-eligible retirees starting in 2006. Deferring recognition of the Medicare impact was permitted by FSP No. 106-1, "Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003." The FASB superseded FSP 106-1 with the issuance of FSP No. 106-2, "Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003," in May 2004, which provided more specific authoritative guidance on the accounting for this federal subsidy. The Company adopted FSP 106-2 during the third quarter of 2004 and reduced its annual non-cash postretirement health expense by approximately $170,000 and its accumulated postretirement benefit obligation by $3.4 million. The adoption of FSP 106-2 does not require changes to previously reported information.

14. ACQUISITION OF OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES

On August 2, 2004, Energen Resources completed a purchase of San Juan Basin coalbed methane properties from SG Interests I, LTD. for an estimated $263 million. The effective date of the acquisition was August 1, 2004. Energen Resources acquired an estimated 240 Bcfe of proved natural gas and natural gas liquids reserves. Approximately 51 percent of the proved reserves are estimated to be behind pipe and undeveloped. The Company estimates that approximately 80 percent of the acquisition reserves are gas with natural gas liquids comprising the balance. Energen used its short-term credit facilities and internally generated cash flows to finance the acquisition. Currently, the Company is evaluating certain title issues related to properties not included in the estimated acquisition price of $263 million. The resolution of these issues may result in up to approximately $10 million additional acquisition cost.

Summarized below are the consolidated results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, on an unaudited pro forma basis as if the purchase of assets had occurred at the beginning of the period presented. The pro forma information is based on the Company's consolidated results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, and on the data provided by the seller. The pro forma financial information does not purport to be indicative of results of operations that would have occurred had the transaction occurred on the basis assumed above, nor are they indicative of results of the future operations of the combined enterprises.

 

Three months ended September 30,

Nine months ended September 30,

(in thousands, except per share data)

2004

2003

2004

2003

Operating revenues

$  168,262

$  150,834

$  718,450

$  653,910

Net income

$  13,855

$ 12,190

$  96,999

$ 90,707

Diluted earnings per average common share

$ 0.38

$ 0.34

$ 2.65

$ 2.55

Basic earnings per average common share

$ 0.38

$ 0.34

$ 2.68

$ 2.58

 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Energen's net income totaled $13.7 million ($0.37 per diluted share) for the three months ended September 30, 2004, and compared favorably to net income of $11.9 million ($0.33 per diluted share) recorded in the same period in the prior year. In the third quarter of 2004, Energen's income from continuing operations totaled $13.7 million ($0.37 per diluted share) and compared with income from continuing operations of $11.5 million ($0.32 per diluted share) in the same period a year ago. Income from discontinued operations for the current-year period was minimal as compared with a gain of $0.4 million ($0.02 per diluted share) from the prior-year third quarter. Energen Resources Corporation, Energen's oil and gas subsidiary, had net income for the three months ended September 30, 2004, of $21.7 million compared with $20.3 million in the previous period. Energen Resources generated net income from continuing operations of $21.7 million in the current quarter as compared with $19.9 million in the same quarter last year as higher commodity prices and increased production were partially offset by increased lease operating expenses and increased administrative expenses. Energen's natural gas utility, Alagasco, reported a net loss of $7.7 million in the third quarter of 2004 as compared to a net loss of $7.8 million in the same period last year. The utility historically records a net loss in the third quarter when the heating load is at its lowest level of the year.

For the 2004 year-to-date, Energen's net income totaled $96.2 million ($2.63 per diluted share) and compared favorably to net income of $89.8 million ($2.53 per diluted share) for the same period in the prior year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, Energen's income from continuing operations totaled $96.2 million ($2.63 per diluted share) and compared with $89.2 million ($2.51 per diluted share) in the same period a year ago. Discontinued operations generated a minimal loss in the current year-to-date period as compared with income from discontinued operations of $584,000 ($0.02 per diluted share) in the same period a year ago. Energen Resources had net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, of $66.7 million as compared with $62.7 million in the previous period. Energen Resources generated income from continuing operations of $66.7 million in the current year-to-date as compared with $62.1 million in the same period last year for the same reasons as indicated for the quarter variance explanation. Alagasco's net income of $29.1 million in the current year-to-date increased from net income of $27.8 million in the same period in the previous year reflecting the utility's ability to earn on a higher level of equity.

Oil and Gas Operations

Revenues from oil and gas operations rose 18.6 percent to $104.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004, and 11.2 percent to $296 million in the year-to-date, largely as a result of increased commodity prices and higher production volumes. In the current quarter, average gas prices increased 11.7 percent to $4.77 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf), while average oil prices rose 13.7 percent to $28.76 per barrel. Natural gas liquids prices increased 31.6 percent to an average price of $0.50 per gallon. In the year-to-date, average gas prices increased 10.7 percent to $4.76 per Mcf, average oil prices rose 7.1 percent to $27.47 per barrel and natural gas liquids prices increased 15.8 percent to an average price of $0.44 per gallon.

Production increased primarily in the San Juan and Black Warrior Basins largely as a result of additional drilling of coalbed methane wells. Increases in the San Juan Basin also included volumes related to the purchase of San Juan Basin coalbed methane properties from SG Interests I, LTD. for approximately $263 million. The effective date of the acquisition was August 1, 2004. Energen Resources acquired an estimated 240 Bcfe of proved natural gas and natural gas liquids reserves.

Natural gas production from continuing operations in the third quarter rose 5 percent to 14.7 billion cubic feet (Bcf), oil volumes increased 1.9 percent to 854 thousand barrels (MBbl) and natural gas liquids production increased 9.6 percent to 18.2 million gallons (MMgal). For the year-to-date, natural gas production increased 1.6 percent to 42.1 Bcf and oil production remained relatively stable at 2,558 MBbl. Natural gas liquids production rose 1.6 percent to 50.3 MMgal. Natural gas comprised approximately 65 percent of Energen Resources' production for the current quarter and the year-to-date.

Energen Resources periodically enters into derivative commodity instruments that qualify as cash flow hedges under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," to hedge its exposure to price fluctuations on oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids production. Such instruments typically include over-the-counter swaps, collars and basis hedges with major energy derivative product specialists. The counterparties to the commodity instruments are investment banks and energy-trading firms. In some contracts, the amount of credit allowed before collateral must be posted for out-of-the-money hedges varies depending on the credit rating of the Company. All hedge transactions are subject to the Company's risk management policy, approved by the Board of Directors, which does not permit speculative positions.

Energen Resources has entered into the following transactions for the remainder of 2004 and subsequent years:

Production Period

Total Hedged Volumes

Average Contract

Price

Description

Natural Gas

2004

5.2 Bcf

$5.09 Mcf

NYMEX Swaps

 

6.3 Bcf

$4.30 Mcf

Basin Specific Swaps

 

0.6 Bcf

$4.05 - $4.44 Mcf

NYMEX Collars

2005

18.1 Bcf

$5.99 Mcf

NYMEX Swaps

 

17.3 Bcf

$4.63 Mcf

Basin Specific Swaps

 

** 3.1 Bcf

$7.00 Mcf

Basin Specific Swaps

Natural Gas Basis Differential

2005

1.6 Bcf

*

Basis Swaps

Oil

2004

357 MBbl

$28.38 Bbl

NYMEX Swaps

 

350 MBbl

$27.70 Bbl

West Texas Sour (WTS) Swaps

2005

1,538 MBbl

$33.05 Bbl

NYMEX Swaps

 

720 MBbl

$31.17 Bbl

WTS Swaps

2006

360 MBbl

$37.12 Bbl

NYMEX Swaps

Oil Basis Differential

2004

105 MBbl

*

Basis Swaps

2005

1,003 MBbl

*

Basis Swaps

Natural Gas Liquids

2004

9.3 MMGal

$0.41 Gal

Liquids Swaps

2005

30.2 MMGal

$0.49 Gal

Liquids Swaps

2006

30.2 MMGal

$0.56 Gal

Liquids Swaps

* Average contract prices not meaningful due to the varying nature of each contract.

** Contracts entered into subsequent to September 30, 2004.

Realized prices are anticipated to be lower than New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) prices due to basis differences and other factors.

Operations and maintenance (O&M) expense increased $8.9 million for the quarter and $17.6 million in the year-to-date. Lease operating expenses (excluding production taxes) increased by $5.4 million for the quarter and $10.3 million year-to-date primarily due to increased workover and maintenance expenses, costs associated with new regulatory requirements (see Note 10), and the timing of ad valorem taxes. Administrative expense rose $2.3 million for the three months in the current quarter and $6.5 million in the year-to-date primarily due to labor related costs. Exploration expense was higher by $1 million in the third quarter and by $0.9 million in year-to-date comparisons.

Energen Resources' depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) expense for the quarter increased $1.1 million and declined $0.8 million in the year-to-date. The average depletion rate for the current quarter was $0.91 per mcfe, unchanged from the same period a year ago. DD&A expense increased largely due to increased production in quarter comparisons. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the average depletion rate was $0.89 per mcfe as compared to $0.91 per mcfe in the same period a year ago largely due to increased production in basins with lower DD&A rates and decreased DD&A rates driven by increased commodity prices as compared to the previous year.

Energen Resources' expense for taxes other than income taxes primarily reflected production-related taxes that were $2.8 million higher this quarter and $5.6 million higher for the year-to-date largely due to increased commodity market prices.

Energen Resources may, in the ordinary course of business, be involved in the sale of developed or undeveloped properties. With respect to developed properties, sales may occur as a result of, but not limited to, disposing of non-strategic or marginal assets and accepting offers where the buyer gives greater value to a property than does Energen Resources. The Company is required to reflect gains and losses on the dispositions of these assets, the writedown of certain properties held-for-sale, and income or loss from the operations of the associated held-for-sale properties as discontinued operations under the provisions of SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," which was adopted as of January 1, 2002. Energen Resources had no property sales during the current quarter or year-to-date ended September 30, 2004. During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, Energen Resources recorded a pre-tax writedown of $10.4 million on certain non-strategic gas prop erties located in the Gulf Coast region. These properties were subsequently sold in August 2003 for a pre-tax gain of $0.4 million. In the previous third quarter the Company recorded a pre-tax gain on disposals of $0.5 million and $9.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, largely due to sales of properties located in the San Juan Basin.

Natural Gas Distribution

Natural gas distribution revenues increased $4 million for the quarter largely due to an increase in the commodity cost of gas. For the quarter, weather was comparable with the previous period. Residential sales volumes declined 3.1 percent while small commercial and industrial customer sales volumes decreased 3.4 percent. Transportation volumes decreased 4.9 percent in period comparisons. Revenues for the year-to-date increased $36.6 million primarily due to an increase in commodity gas costs partially offset by a decrease in weather related sales volumes. Weather that was 2.2 percent warmer than in the same period last year contributed to a 5 percent decline in residential sales volumes and a 1.5 percent decrease in small commercial and industrial customer sales volumes. Large transportation volumes decreased 2.5 percent. Utility gas costs include commodity cost, risk management gains and losses and the provisions of the GSA rider. Higher gas costs partially offset by decreased gas p urchase volumes contributed to a 6.5 percent increase in cost of gas for the quarter and a 14.5 percent increase year-to-date. The GSA rider in Alagasco's rate schedule provides for a pass-through of gas price fluctuations to customers without markup. Alagasco's tariff provides a temperature adjustment to certain customers' bills designed to substantially remove the effect of departures from normal temperatures. The temperature adjustment applies primarily to residential, small commercial and small industrial customers.

As discussed more fully in Note 3, Alagasco is subject to regulation by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). On June 10, 2002, the APSC issued an order to extend the Company's rate-setting mechanism. Under the terms of that extension, RSE will continue after January 1, 2008, unless, after notice to the Company and a hearing, the Commission votes to either modify or discontinue its operation.

O&M expense increased 6.9 percent in the current quarter and 5 percent in the year-to-date primarily due to increased labor related costs. A 6.4 percent increase in depreciation expense in the current quarter and a 7 percent increase in the year-to-date was due to normal replacement of the utility's distribution and support systems. Taxes other than income taxes primarily reflected various state and local business taxes as well as payroll-related taxes. State and local business taxes generally are based on gross receipts and fluctuate accordingly.

Non-Operating Items

Interest expense for the Company increased $0.4 million in the third quarter and remained stable in the year-to-date. In quarter comparisons, increased short-term borrowings due to the acquisition of San Juan Basin coalbed methane properties and the $50 million of long-term debt issued by Energen in October 2003 were partially offset by the payment of current maturities of long-term debt and the election to call $30 million of Medium-Term Notes in April 2004 by Alagasco. In year-to-date comparisons, interest expense was reduced by the payment of current maturities of long-term debt, the election to call the Medium-Term Notes and a $32.1 million equity issuance completed in July 2003, which reduced short-term debt. These reductions were offset by increased short-term borrowings due to the acquisition mentioned above, $50 million of long-term debt issued in October 2003 and a $0.9 million pre-tax loss on debt extinguishment for the call premiums and unamortized debt issuance costs from t he aforementioned Medium-Term Notes. In the current quarter income tax expense increased $1.8 million and was $3.7 million higher in year-to-date comparisons largely due to higher consolidated pre-tax income.

 

FINANCIAL POSITION AND LIQUIDITY

Cash flows from operations for the year-to-date were $253.2 million as compared to $189.1 million in the same period last year. Increased net income during the period was augmented by changes in working capital items, which are highly influenced by throughput, changes in weather, and timing of payments. Working capital needs at Alagasco were primarily affected by storage gas inventory and increased gas costs compared to the prior period.

The Company had a net outflow of cash from investing activities of $397 million through the nine months ended September 30, 2004, primarily due to additions of property, plant and equipment. Energen Resources invested $354 million in capital expenditures primarily related to the acquisition and development of oil and gas properties. On August 2, 2004, Energen Resources completed a purchase of San Juan Basin coalbed methane properties from SG Interests I, LTD. for approximately $263 million. Approximately 51 percent of the proved acquisition reserves are estimated to be behind pipe and undeveloped. The Company estimates that approximately 80 percent of these reserves are gas with natural gas liquids comprising the balance. Utility capital expenditures totaled $41 million in the year-to-date and primarily represented system distribution expansion and support facilities.

The Company provided $146.2 million from financing activities in the year-to-date primarily due to the increase in short-term borrowings largely due to the San Juan Basin coalbed methane acquisition. Also influencing financing activities were the proceeds from the issuance of common stock partially offset by Alagasco's election to call $30 million of Medium-Term Notes in April 2004 and dividends paid to common stockholders.

FUTURE CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

The Company plans to continue to implement its diversified growth strategy that focuses on expanding Energen Resources' oil and gas operations through the acquisition of producing properties with developmental potential while maintaining the strength of the Company's utility foundation. For the five years ended December 31, 2003, Energen's diluted EPS grew at an average compound rate of 21.9 percent a year. Over the next five years, Energen is targeting an average diluted EPS growth rate over each rolling five-year period of approximately 7 to 8 percent a year.

Energen Resources' capital investment for oil and gas activities over a five-year planning period ending December 31, 2008, is estimated to be approximately $1.5 billion, with $1.1 billion for property acquisitions, $133 million for related acquisition development, $221 million for other development and $25 million for exploratory and other activities. To finance Energen Resources' investment program, the Company expects primarily to utilize short-term credit facilities to supplement internally generated cash flow. The Company plans to issue $100 million in long-term debt in the near-term planning period to repay amounts drawn on short-term credit facilities for capital expenditures. The Company may also periodically issue equity to replace short-term obligations, enhance liquidity and provide for long-term financing. Energen has available short-term credit facilities aggregating $287 million to help finance its growth plans and operating needs.

In July 2003, the Company completed the issuance of 1,000,000 shares of common stock through the periodic draw-down of shares in a shelf registration. In October 2003, the Company issued $50 million of long-term debt. These proceeds were used for general corporate purposes and to repay a portion of short-term debt incurred to finance the oil and gas property acquisition program of Energen Resources.

In 2004, Energen Resources plans to invest approximately $395 million in capital expenditures, including $263 million for the acquisition of San Juan Basin coalbed methane properties, as more fully described in Note 14, $6 million in related acquisition development, $119 million in other development and approximately $7 million in exploratory activities. As of December 31, 2003, the estimated amount of development of previously identified proved undeveloped reserves was approximately $77 million. Capital investment at Energen Resources in 2005

is expected to approximate $200 million for property acquisitions, $25 million for related acquisition development

and $52 million for other development and exploration. Of this $52 million, development of previously identified proved undeveloped reserves is estimated to be $35 million and exploratory exposure is estimated to be $3 million.

Energen Resources currently expects production to approximate 87.5 Bcfe and 93 Bcfe for 2004 and 2005, respectively. The Company's most recent estimate of production attributable to already owned proved reserves was prepared as of December 31, 2003. Production from proved reserves owned as of December 31, 2003, was estimated as 81.6 Bcfe and 77 Bcfe for 2004 and 2005, respectively.

Energen Resources' continued ability to invest in property acquisitions will be influenced significantly by industry trends, as the producing property acquisition market historically has been cyclical. Notwithstanding the estimated expenditures mentioned above, as an acquisition oriented company, Energen Resources continually evaluates acquisition opportunities which arise in the marketplace and from time to time may pursue acquisitions that meet Energen's acquisition criteria which could result in capital expenditures different than those outlined above. These acquisitions or negotiations to sell, trade or otherwise dispose of properties may alter the timing, nature and amounts of the aforementioned financing activities.

Alagasco maintains an investment in storage gas that is expected to average approximately $38 million in 2004 but may vary depending upon the price of natural gas. In April 2004, Alagasco called $30 million of Medium-Term Notes maturing January 16, 2006 to December 15, 2023. During 2004 and 2005, Alagasco plans to invest approximately $58 million and $60 million, respectively, in utility capital expenditures for normal distribution and support systems. Over the Company's five-year planning period ending December 31, 2008, Alagasco anticipates capital investments of approximately $280 million. The utility anticipates funding these capital requirements through internally generated capital and the utilization of short-term credit facilities. Alagasco may issue up to $80 million in long-term debt in the near-term planning period to repay amounts drawn on short-term credit facilities for capital expenditures and the anticipated refinancing of the $30 million recalled debt discussed above. Alaga sco also may refinance existing long-term debt.

Energen Resources periodically enters into derivative commodity instruments that qualify as cash flow hedges under SFAS No. 133 to hedge its exposure to price fluctuations on oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids production. In addition, Alagasco periodically enters into cash flow derivative commodity instruments to hedge its exposure to price fluctuations on its gas supply. Such instruments typically include over-the-counter swaps, collars and basis hedges with major energy derivative product specialists. The counterparties to the commodity instruments are investment banks and energy-trading firms. In some contracts, the amount of credit allowed before collateral must be posted for out-of-the-money hedges varies depending on the credit rating of the Company.

Access to capital is an integral part of the Company's business plan. The Company regularly provides information to corporate rating agencies related to current business activities and future performance expectations. These agencies have recently evaluated the business and financial profiles of the Company in light of the announcement of the aforementioned coalbed methane gas acquisition and a continued business strategy that focuses on expanding the oil and gas operations through the acquisition of properties. In June 2004, Standard and Poor's confirmed its credit rating for Energen and Alagasco as A- and revised its outlook from stable to negative. On September 27, 2004, Moody's Investors Service downgraded the debt rating of Energen to Baa2 senior unsecured from Baa1 and confirmed the debt rating of Alagasco as A1 senior unsecured. While the Company expects to have ongoing access to its short-term credit facilities and the broader long-term markets, continued accessibility could be affe cted by future economic and business conditions.

On October 25, 2004, President Bush signed into law the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. A provision of the Act includes an income tax deduction for income from domestic production activities of Energen Resources beginning in 2005. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this recent tax legislation.

 

 

 

Contractual Cash Obligations and Other Commitments

In the course of ordinary business activities, Energen enters into a variety of contractual cash obligations and other commitments. The following table summarizes the Company's significant contractual cash obligations, other than hedging contracts as of September 30, 2004.

 

 

Payments Due before December 31,

(in thousands)

Total

2004

2005 &

2006

2007 &

2008

2009 & Thereafter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term cash obligations

$213,000

$213,000

$ -

$ -

$ -

Long-term cash obligations (1)

522,867

-

25,000

22,000

475,867

Purchase obligations (2)

197,151

13,412

95,273

79,317

9,149

Capital lease obligations

-

-

-

-

-

Operating leases

43,110

876

6,208

4,862

31,164

Total contractual cash obligations

$976,128

$227,288

$126,481

$106,179

$516,180

(1) Long-term cash obligations include $1.6 million of unamortized debt discounts as of September 30, 2004.

(2) Certain of the Company's long-term gas procurement contracts for the supply, storage and delivery of natural gas include fixed charges of approximately $197 million through May 2013. The Company also is committed to purchase minimum quantities of gas at market-related prices or to pay certain costs in the event the minimum quantities are not taken. These purchase commitments are approximately 46.5 Bcf through February 2007.


Recent Pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)

SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations," requires all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001, to be accounted for using the purchase method and SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," establishes guidelines in accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets. The appropriate applications of SFAS No. 141 and SFAS No. 142 were considered to determine whether oil and gas mineral rights should be classified separately as intangible assets on the balance sheet, rather than as a part of oil and gas properties as currently recorded. In September 2004, the Board issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. 142-2, "Application of FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, to Oil and Gas Producing Entities," which excluded oil and gas companies; therefore, the Company will continue to report lease rights as tangible assets on the balance sheet.

On December 8, 2003, President Bush signed into law a bill that expands Medicare, adding a prescription drug benefit for Medicare-eligible retirees starting in 2006. Deferring recognition of the Medicare impact was permitted by FSP No. 106-1, "Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003." The FASB superseded FSP 106-1 with the issuance of FSP No. 106-2, "Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003," in May 2004, which provided more specific authoritative guidance on the accounting for this federal subsidy. The Company adopted FSP 106-2 during the third quarter of 2004 and reduced its annual non-cash postretirement health expense by approximately $170,000 and its accumulated postretirement benefit obligation by $3.4 million. The adoption of FSP 106-2 does not require changes to previously reported information.

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors

Certain statements in this report express expectations of future plans, objectives and performance of the Company and its subsidiaries and constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except as otherwise disclosed, the Company's forward-looking statements do not reflect the impact of possible or pending acquisitions, divestitures or restructurings. The Company cannot guarantee the absence of errors in input data, calculations and formulas used in its estimates, assumptions and forecasts. The Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

All statements based on future expectations rather than on historical facts are forward-looking statements that are dependent on certain events, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Some of these include, but are not limited to, economic and competitive conditions, inflation rates, legislative and regulatory changes, financial market conditions, future business decisions, and other uncertainties, all of which are difficult to predict.

There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved oil and gas reserves and in projecting future rates of production and timing of development expenditures. The total amount or timing of actual future production may vary significantly from reserve and production estimates. In the event Energen Resources is unable to fully invest its planned acquisition, development and exploratory expenditures, future operating revenues, production, and proved reserves could be negatively affected. The drilling of development and exploratory wells can involve significant risks, including those related to timing, success rates and cost overruns and these risks can be affected by lease and rig availability, complex geology and other factors.

Although Energen Resources makes use of swaps, options and fixed-price contracts to mitigate risk, fluctuations in future oil and gas prices could materially affect the Company's financial position, results of operation and cash flows; furthermore, such risk mitigation activities may cause the Company's financial position and results of operations to be materially different from results that would have been obtained had such risk mitigation activities not occurred. The effectiveness of such risk-mitigation assumes that counterparties maintain satisfactory credit quality.

 

 

SELECTED BUSINESS SEGMENT DATA

 

 

 

ENERGEN CORPORATION

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

(in thousands, except sales price data)

2004

2003

 

2004

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and Gas Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

    Natural gas

$   69,900

$   59,627

 

$  200,784

$  178,162

    Oil

24,553

21,213

 

70,266

65,119

    Natural gas liquids

9,065

6,245

 

22,220

18,896

    Other

818

909

 

2,726

4,119

        Total

$ 104,336

$   87,994

 

$  295,996

$  266,296

Production volumes from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

    Natural gas (MMcf)

14,657

13,954

 

42,148

41,469

    Oil (MBbl)

854

838

 

2,558

2,539

    Natural gas liquids (MMgal)

18.2

16.6

 

50.3

49.5

Production volumes from continuing operations (MMcfe)

22,374

21,352

 

64,684

63,779

Total production volumes (MMcfe)

22,374

21,359

 

64,684

64,513

Average sales price including effects of hedging

 

 

 

 

 

    Natural gas (Mcf)

$       4.77

$       4.27

 

$        4.76

$        4.30

    Oil (barrel)

$     28.76

$     25.30

 

$      27.47

$      25.64

    Natural gas liquids (gallon)

$      0.50

$      0.38

 

$ 0.44

$      0.38

Average sales price excluding effects of hedging

 

 

 

 

 

    Natural gas (Mcf)

$       5.44

$       4.79

 

$        5.45

$        5.16

    Oil (barrel)

$     40.82

$     28.51

 

$      36.40

$      29.38

    Natural gas liquids (gallon)

$      0.63

$      0.41

 

$       0.55

$       0.43

Other data from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

    Lease operating expense (LOE)

 

 

 

 

 

     LOE and other

$   22,076

$   16,666

 

$    58,351

$   48,008

     Production taxes

$    9,576

$    6,764

 

$    26,287

$   20,721

         Total

$   31,652

$   23,430

 

$ 84,638

$ 68,729

    Depreciation, depletion and amortization

$   20,911

$   19,818

 

$    59,106

$    59,941

    Capital expenditures

$ 288,585

$   31,972

 

$  359,993

$  112,994

    Exploration expenditures

$   1,807

$       802

 

$     1,907

$       980

    Operating income

$   42,673

$   38,958

 

$  128,553

$  121,649

Natural Gas Distribution

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

    Residential

$   33,860

$   32,997

 

$  267,164

$ 246,382

    Commercial and industrial - small

18,516

17,844

107,692

97,556

    Transportation

8,838

8,264

29,316

28,062

    Other

948

(958)

 

5,936

1,534

         Total

$   62,162

$   58,147

 

$  410,108

$ 373,534

Gas delivery volumes (MMcf)

 

 

 

 

 

    Residential

1,874

1,934

 

20,743

21,851

    Commercial and industrial - small

1,570

1,625

 

9,845

9,998

    Transportation

12,790

13,449

 

40,571

41,627

         Total

16,234

17,008

 

71,159

73,476

Other data

    Depreciation and amortization

$     9,985

$     9,385

 

$    29,453

$  27,532

    Capital expenditures

$   11,869

$   13,177

 

$    42,090

$    42,158

    Operating income (loss)

$  (10,130)

$    (9,575)

 

$    56,459

$   54,613

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Energen Resources' major market risk exposure is in the pricing applicable to its oil and gas production. Historically, prices received for oil and gas production have been volatile because of seasonal weather patterns, world and national supply-and-demand factors and general economic conditions. Crude oil prices also are affected by quality differentials, by worldwide political developments and by actions of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Basis differentials, like the underlying commodity prices, can be volatile because of regional supply-and-demand factors, including seasonal factors and the availability and price of transportation to consuming areas.

Energen Resources periodically enters into derivative commodity instruments that qualify as cash flow hedges under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," to hedge its exposure to price fluctuations on oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids production. In addition, Alagasco periodically enters into cash flow derivative commodity instruments to hedge its exposure to price fluctuations on its gas supply. Such instruments typically include over-the-counter swaps, collars and basis hedges with major energy derivative product specialists. The counterparties to the commodity instruments are investment banks and energy-trading firms. These counterparties have been deemed creditworthy by the Company and have agreed in certain instances to post collateral with the Company when unrealized gains on hedges exceed certain specified contractual amounts. Notwithstanding these agreements, the Company is at risk for econom ic loss based upon the creditworthiness of its counterparties. In some contracts, the amount of credit allowed before collateral must be posted for out-of-the-money hedges varies depending on the credit rating of the Company. All hedge transactions are subject to the Company's risk management policy, approved by the Board of Directors, which does not permit speculative positions. The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge. The maximum term over which Energen Resources is hedging exposures to the variability of cash flows is through December 31, 2006.

See Note 4 for details related to the Company's hedging activities.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a)

Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation they have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at a reasonable assurance level.

 

 

(b)

Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that during the period covered by this report there were no changes in our internal controls that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

 

 

 

Period

 

Total Number of Shares Purchased*

 

Average Price Paid per Share

Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans

Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans**

 

 

 

 

 

July 1, 2004 through July 31, 2004

-

-

-

-

August 1, 2004 through August 31, 2004

-

-

-

-

September 1, 2004 through September 30, 2004

288

$ 52.88

-

1,075,350

Total

288

$ 52.88

-

1,075,350

 

 

 

 

 

* Acquired in connection with tax withholdings on stock compensation plans.

** By resolution adopted May 24, 1994, and supplemented by a resolution adopted April 26, 2000, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 1,782,200 shares of the Company's common stock. The resolutions do not have an expiration date.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

 

Exhibits

10(a) - Form of Stock Option Agreement under the Energen Corporation 1997 Stock Incentive Plan

10(b) - Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under the Energen Corporation 1997 Stock Incentive Plan

10(c) - Form of Performance Share Award under the Energen Corporation 1997 Stock Incentive Plan

31(a) - Section 302 Certificate required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)

31(b) - Section 302 Certificate required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)

32 - Section 906 Certificate pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

ENERGEN CORPORATION

 

 

ALABAMA GAS CORPORATION

 

 

 

           November 5, 2004

 

By   /s/ Wm. Michael Warren, Jr.       

 

 

Wm. Michael Warren, Jr.

 

 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Energen Corporation, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Alabama Gas Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           November 5, 2004

 

By   /s/ G. C. Ketcham                        

 

 

G. C. Ketcham

 

 

Executive Vice President, Chief

 

 

Financial Officer and Treasurer of

 

 

Energen Corporation and Alabama Gas

 

 

Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

           November 5, 2004

 

By   /s/ Grace B. Carr                         

 

 

Grace B. Carr

 

 

Vice President and Controller of Energen Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           November 5, 2004

 

By    /s/ Paula H. Rushing                     

 

 

Paula H. Rushing

 

 

Vice President-Finance of Alabama Gas Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 






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