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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

____________

FORM 10-Q
____________


(Mark one)

X    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004

or

X    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from toCommission File Number 1-3196

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

54-1966737
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

120 Tredegar Street
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
(Address of principal executive offices)


23219

(Zip Code)

 

 

(804) 819-2000
(Registrant's telephone number)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes    X   No         

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes       No    X   

At September 30, 2004, the latest practicable date for determination, 100 shares of common stock, without par value, of the registrant were outstanding.

THE REGISTRANT MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(1)(a) AND (b) OF FORM 10-Q AND IS FILING THIS FORM 10-Q UNDER THE REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT.

 

PAGE 2

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

INDEX

 

 

Page  
Number

PART I. Financial Information


Item 1


Consolidated Financial Statements


 


Consolidated Statements of Income - Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003


3

 


Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003


4

 


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003


6

 


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


7


Item 2


Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations


16


Item 4


Controls and Procedures


29

 


PART II. Other Information

 


Item 1


Legal Proceedings


30


Item 6


Exhibits


30

 

 

PAGE 3

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

2004 

2003

2004 

2003

(millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Revenue

 

 

 

 

External customers

$1,031 

$ 824 

$3,812 

$3,350 

Affiliated customers

   217 

  198 

   815 

   483 

Total operating revenue

1,248 

1,022 

 4,627 

3,833 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

Purchased gas, net

 

 

 

 

     External suppliers

280 

194 

1,565 

1,093 

     Affiliated suppliers

 107 

159 

 386 

454 

Electric fuel and energy purchases

 

 

 

 

     External suppliers

46 

29 

123 

84 

     Affiliated suppliers

55 

31 

146 

58 

Liquids, pipeline capacity and other purchases

98 

41 

207 

137 

Other operations and maintenance

 

 

 

 

     Other

219 

131 

412 

 425 

     Affiliated

43 

37 

123 

121 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 156 

152 

 464 

442 

Other taxes

   55 

   45 

    191 

   175 

Total operating expenses

1,059 

 819 

 3,617 

 2,989 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

   189 

  203 

 1,010 

 844 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

     3 

   10 

   43 

   2 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and related charges:

 

 

 

 

   Interest expense-junior subordinated notes payable
      to affiliated trust



   -   


12 


  Interest expense - other

38 

32 

113 

103 

   Distributions-mandatorily redeemable trust
      preferred securities


    -  


   4 


    -  


     8 

     Total interest and related charges

   42 

  36 

125 

  115 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

150 

177 

928 

731 

Income tax expense

   50 

  62 

335 

   261 

Income before cumulative effect of a change in accounting
     principle


100 


115 


593 


470 

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
  (net of income taxes of $3)


   -   


   -   


     -  


   (5)

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$   100 

$  115 

$ 593 

$ 465 

 

 

 

 

 

____________

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

PAGE 4

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

 

September 30,
2004

December 31, 
2003(1)

 

(millions)

ASSETS

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$       28 

$       39 

Customer accounts receivable (net of allowance of $25 in 2004 and $37 in 2003)

620 

795 

Other accounts receivable

49 

45 

Receivables due from affiliates

340 

340 

Inventories

306 

238 

Prepayments

53 

56 

Derivative assets

454 

106 

Margin deposit assets

60 

59 

Other

       471 

      237 

       Total current assets

    2,381 

   1,915 

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

Investment in affiliates

210 

203 

Other

        82 

        79 

       Total investments

      292 

      282 

 

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

16,871 

15,854 

Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

   (6,070)

   (5,674)

       Net property, plant and equipment

   10,801 

   10,180 

Deferred Charges and Other Assets

 

 

Goodwill, net

623 

626 

Regulatory assets

366 

328 

Prepaid pension cost

956 

872 

Derivative assets

434 

84 

Other

       216 

       210 

       Total deferred charges and other assets

    2,595 

    2,120 

 

 

 

       Total assets

$16,069 

$14,497 

________________

(1)The Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2003 has been derived from the audited Consolidated
     Financial Statements at that date.



The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

PAGE 5

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS-(Continued)
(Unaudited)

September 30,
2004

December 31, 
2003(1)

(millions)

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY

Current Liabilities

Securities due within one year

$     550 

$     501 

Short-term debt

   -   

151 

Accounts payable, trade

743 

655 

Payables to affiliates

126 

118 

Affiliated current borrowings

690 

1,027 

Accrued interest, payroll and taxes

206 

214 

Derivative liabilities

1,563 

620 

Other

       361 

       278 

       Total current liabilities

    4,239 

    3,564 

Long-Term Debt

     Long-term debt

3,053 

3,213 

     Junior subordinated notes payable to affiliated trust

      206 

       206 

         Total long-term debt

    3,259 

    3,419 

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits

2,146 

1,760 

Asset retirement obligations

243 

240 

Derivative liabilities

1,442 

669 

Regulatory liabilities

217 

212 

Other

       418 

        268 

       Total deferred credits and other liabilities

    4,466 

     3,149 

       Total liabilities

   11,964 

   10,132 

Commitments and Contingencies (see Note 10)

Common Shareholder's Equity

Common stock-no par value, 100 shares authorized and outstanding

1,816 

1,816 

Other paid-in capital

2,479 

2,478 

Retained earnings

860 

608 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (1,050)

      (537)

       Total common shareholder's equity

    4,105 

    4,365 

       Total liabilities and shareholder's equity

$16,069 

$14,497 

________________

(1)The Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2003 has been derived from the audited Consolidated
     Financial Statements at that date.



The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

PAGE 6

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

 

Nine Months Ended
        September 30,        

 

2004

2003

 

(millions)

Operating Activities

 

 

Net income

$  593 

$  465 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

    Depreciation, depletion and amortization

464 

442 

    Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net

354 

146 

    Valuation adjustment on CNG International assets

(18)

  -  

    Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of income taxes

  -  

    Changes in:

 

 

        Accounts receivable

171 

122 

       Affiliated receivables and payables

(161)

        Inventories

(68)

(207)

Prepayments

75 

        Margin deposit assets and liabilities

(1)

37 

        Deferred purchased gas costs, net

15 

(77)

        Accounts payable, trade

88 

14 

        Accrued interest, payroll and taxes

(8) 

47 

        Other operating assets and liabilities

    (69)

  (65)

            Net cash provided by operating activities

 1,532 

   843 

 

 

 

Investing Activities

 

 

Additions to gas and oil properties, including acquisitions

(857)

(855)

Proceeds from sales of gas and oil properties

413 

  290 

Plant construction and other property additions

(234)

(285)

Other

     46 

     (4)

            Net cash used in investing activities

 (632)

 (854)

 

 

 

Financing Activities

 

 

Repayment of short-term debt, net

(151)

(197)

Issuance (repayment) of affiliated current borrowings, net

(337)

710 

Repayment of long-term debt

(88)

  (151)

Common stock dividend payments

  (341)

  (316)

Other

      6 

       -  

            Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

  (911)

     46 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

(11)

35 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     39 

     22 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$   28 

$   57 

 

 

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

 

Noncash transaction from financing activities:

 

 

     Conversion of short-term borrowings from parent to paid-in capital

$  -  

$    600 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

PAGE 7

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1.     Nature of Operations


Consolidated Natural Gas Company (the Company), a public utility holding company registered under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (1935 Act), is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dominion Resources, Inc. (Dominion). The Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in all phases of the natural gas business, explores for and produces gas and oil and provides a variety of energy marketing services. Its regulated gas distribution subsidiaries serve approximately 1.7 million residential, commercial and industrial gas sales and transportation customer accounts in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia and its nonregulated retail energy marketing businesses serve approximately 1.3 million residential and commercial gas and electric customer accounts in the Northeast and Midwest. The Company operates an interstate gas transmission pipeline system in the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic states and the Northeast and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import and storage facility in Maryland. The Company's producer services operations involve the aggregation of natural gas supply and related wholesale activities. The Company's exploration and production operations are located in several major gas and oil producing basins in the United States, both onshore and offshore.


The Company manages its daily operations through three primary operating segments: Energy, Delivery and Exploration & Production. In addition, the Company reports its corporate functions as a segment. Assets remain wholly-owned by the Company's legal subsidiaries.


The "Company" is used throughout this report and, depending on the context of its use, may represent any of the following: the legal entity, Consolidated Natural Gas Company, one of Consolidated Natural Gas Company's consolidated subsidiaries or the entirety of Consolidated Natural Gas Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.


Note 2.     Significant Accounting Policies


As permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements contain certain condensed financial information and exclude certain footnote disclosures normally included in annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (generally accepted accounting principles). These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004.


In the opinion of the Company's management, the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position as of September 30, 2004, its results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, and its cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.


The Company makes certain estimates and assumptions in preparing its Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses for the periods presented. Actual results may differ from those estimates.


The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include, after eliminating intercompany transactions and balances, the accounts of the Company and all majority-owned subsidiaries, and those variable interest entities (VIEs) where the Company has been determined to be the primary beneficiary.


The Company reports certain contracts and instruments at fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Market pricing and indicative price information from external sources are used to measure fair value when available. In the absence of this information, the Company estimates fair value based on near-term and historical price information and statistical methods. For individual contracts, the use of differing assumptions could have a material effect on the contract's estimated fair value. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 for a more detailed discussion of the Company's estimation techniques.

PAGE 8

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)


The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year. Information for quarterly periods is affected by seasonal variations in sales, rate changes, timing of purchased gas expense recovery and other factors.


Certain amounts in the 2003 Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2004 presentation.

Note 3.     Recently Adopted Accounting Standards


2004

FSP FAS 142-2

The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Staff Position 142-2, Application of FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, to Oil- and Gas- Producing Entities (FSP 142-2), in September 2004. FSP 142-2 was issued to clarify that an exception outlined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, includes the balance sheet classification of drilling and mineral rights of oil and gas producing entities. In accordance with the guidance in FSP 142-2, the Company will continue to present its oil and gas drilling rights as tangible assets classified in property, plant and equipment.


FIN 46R

The Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, (FIN 46R) for its interests in VIEs that are not considered special purpose entities on March 31, 2004. FIN 46R addresses the identification and consolidation of VIEs, which are entities that are not controllable through voting interests or in which the VIEs' equity investors do not bear the residual economic risks and rewards. There was no impact on the Company's results of operations or financial position related to this adoption.


As described more fully in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company adopted FIN 46R for its interests in special purpose entities on December 31, 2003.


2003


SFAS No. 143

Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, which provides accounting requirements for the recognition and measurement of liabilities associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets. Upon adoption, the Company recognized a $5 million after-tax loss as the cumulative effect of this change in accounting principle.


Note 4.     Recently Issued Accounting Standards


SAB 106

In September 2004, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 106 (SAB 106) that provides guidance to oil and gas companies following the full cost accounting method regarding the application of SFAS 143. SAB 106 requires companies calculating the full cost ceiling test to exclude future cash outflows associated with settling asset retirement obligations that have been accrued on the balance sheet as required by SFAS 143. However, estimated dismantlement and abandonment costs related to future development activities, which are not required to be accrued under SFAS 143, should continue to be included in the full cost ceiling test. The SEC staff has also recommended that companies discuss how the adoption of SFAS 143 has affected their accounting for oil and gas operations. The accounting and disclosure requirements of SAB 106 are to be applied prospectively beginning with the first quarter of 2005. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that SAB 106 may have on it s calculations under the full cost ceiling test.

PAGE 9

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)


Note 5.    Operating Revenue


The Company's operating revenue consists of the following:

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2004

2003

2004

2003

 

(millions)

Operating Revenue

 

 

 

 

Regulated gas sales

$  110

$  120

$  953

$  851

Nonregulated electric sales

115

72

303

170

Nonregulated gas sales

 

 

 

 

     External customers

146

131

656

664

     Affiliated customers

206

179

770

439

Gas transportation and storage

155

145

593

559

Gas and oil production

350

295

963

890

Other

    166

      80

   389

   260

        Total operating revenue

$1,248

$1,022

$4,627

$3,833

 

Note 6.     Comprehensive Income


The following table presents total comprehensive income:

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

2004

2003

2004

2003

 

(millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$100 

$115 

$593 

$465 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

  Net other comprehensive income (loss) associated  with effective portion of the changes in fair value of derivatives designated as cash flows hedges, net of taxes and amounts reclassified to earnings





 (230)





   149 





 (480)





 (169)

  Other(1)

   (1)

  (22)

   (33)

     (4) 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 (231)

  127

 (513)

 (173)

Total comprehensive income (loss)

$(131)

$  242

$  80 

$   292 

________________

(1)    Represents primarily the impact of foreign currency translation adjustments.

PAGE 10

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)


Note 7.     Hedge Accounting Activities


The Company is exposed to the impact of market fluctuations in the price of natural gas and oil and to the interest rate risks of its business operations. The Company uses derivative instruments to mitigate its exposure to these risks and designates derivative instruments as fair value or cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. Selected information about the Company's hedge accounting activities follows:

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(millions)

 

2004

2003

2004

2003

Portion of losses on hedging instruments determined to be ineffective and included in net income:

 

 

 

 

      Fair value hedges

$  (1)

$(2)

$ (1) 

$   (1)

      Cash flow hedges

   (1)

  -  

     -  

    -  

Net ineffectiveness

$  (2)

$(2)

$ (1) 

$   (1)

 

 

 

 

 

Portion of gains (losses) on hedging instruments attributable to changes in options' time value excluded from measurement of effectiveness and included in net income:

 

 

 

 

      Fair value hedges

  -  

   -

  -  

$ (1)

      Cash flow hedges

$ 30 

  $ (3)

$ 104 

    3 

Total change in options' time value

$ 30 

$  (3)

$ 104 

$  2 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table presents selected information related to cash flow hedges included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2004:

 

 





Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Loss,
After-Tax


Portion Expected
to be
Reclassified
to Earnings
During the
Next 12 Months,
After-Tax







Maximum
Term

(millions)

Commodities:

     Gas

$ (707)

$(374)

41 months

     Oil

(342)

(151)

39 months

Interest Rate

      (1)

       -  

42 months

     Total

$(1,050)

$(525)


The actual amounts that will be reclassified to earnings during the next 12 months will vary from the expected amounts presented above as a result of changes in market prices and interest rates. The effect of amounts being reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to earnings will generally be offset by the recognition of the hedged transactions (e.g., anticipated sales) in earnings, thereby achieving the realization of prices contemplated by the underlying risk management strategies.

PAGE 11

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)


As a result of damage to certain offshore production facilities in the Gulf of Mexico caused by Hurricane Ivan, and the related loss of forecasted oil production for the period from mid-September 2004 to May 2005, the Company discontinued certain cash flow hedges effective September 14, 2004. In connection with the discontinuance of these cash flow hedges, the Company reclassified losses of $71 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss to earnings during the three months ended September 30, 2004.


Note 8.     Ceiling Test


The Company follows the full cost method of accounting for gas and oil exploration and production activities prescribed by the SEC. Under the full cost method, capitalized costs are subject to a quarterly ceiling test. Under the ceiling test, amounts capitalized are limited to the present value of estimated future net revenues to be derived from the anticipated production of proved gas and oil reserves, assuming period-end hedge-adjusted prices. Approximately 14% of the Company's anticipated production is hedged by qualifying cash flow hedges, for which hedge-adjusted prices were used to calculate estimated future net revenue. Whether period-end market prices or hedge-adjusted prices were used for the portion of production that is hedged, there was no ceiling test impairment as of September 30, 2004.


Note 9.    Significant Financing Transactions


Credit Facilities

In June 2004, the Company entered into a $100 million letter of credit agreement that terminates in June 2007. In August 2004, the Company entered into a $100 million letter of credit agreement that terminates in August 2009. These agreements support letter of credit issuances, providing collateral required on derivative financial contracts used by the Company in its risk management strategies for gas and oil production. At September 30, 2004, outstanding letters of credit under these agreements totaled $200 million.


In August 2004, the Company entered into a $1.5 billion three-year revolving credit facility that terminates in August 2007. This credit facility is being used to support the issuance of commercial paper and letters of credit to provide collateral required on derivative financial contracts used by the Company in its risk management strategies for gas and oil production. At September 30, 2004, outstanding letters of credit under this facility totaled $1.46 billion.


In October 2004, the Company entered into three letter of credit agreements totaling $700 million that terminate in April 2005. These agreements support letter of credit issuances, providing collateral required on derivative financial contracts used by the Company in its risk management strategies for gas and oil production.


Joint Credit Facilities and Short-Term Debt

Dominion, Virginia Power, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dominion, and the Company have two three-year revolving joint credit facilities that allow aggregate borrowings of up to $2.25 billion. The facilities include a $1.5 billion credit facility that was entered into in May 2004 and terminates in May 2007 and a $750 million credit facility that was entered into in May 2002 and terminates in May 2005. These credit facilities are being used for working capital, as support for the combined commercial paper programs of Dominion, Virginia Power and the Company and the issuance of letters of credit of up to $500 million under the $1.5 billion credit facility and $200 million under the $750 million credit facility.


At September 30, 2004, total outstanding commercial paper supported by the credit facilities was $348 million and total outstanding letters of credit supported by the credit facilities were $148 million, none of which was issued on behalf of the Company. At September 30, 2004, capacity available under the two credit facilities was $1.75 billion.


Long-Term Debt

In June 2004, the Company repaid $88 million of its 9.25% senior notes.

PAGE 12

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)

 

Shelf Registration

At September 30, 2004, the Company had $1.3 billion of available capacity under a shelf registration with the SEC that would permit the Company to issue debt and trust preferred securities to meet future capital requirements.

The Company's current financing authorization under the 1935 Act expires at the end of 2004. The Company filed an application with the SEC in August 2004 to renew its 1935 Act financing authorization.


Note 10.     Commitments and Contingencies


Other than the matters discussed below, there have been no significant developments regarding the commitments and contingencies disclosed in Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, or Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, nor have any significant new matters arisen during the quarter ended September 30, 2004.


Guarantees, Letters of Credit and Surety Bonds

As of September 30, 2004, the Company had issued $1.4 billion of guarantees, including: $1.03 billion to support commodity transactions of subsidiaries, $200 million for subsidiary debt and $184 million for guarantees supporting other agreements of subsidiaries. The Company had also purchased $49 million of surety bonds and authorized the issuance of standby letters of credit by financial institutions of $1.66 billion. The Company enters into these arrangements to facilitate commercial transactions by its subsidiaries with third parties. While the majority of these guarantees do not have a termination date, the Company may choose at any time to limit the applicability of such guarantees to future transactions. To the extent that a liability subject to a guarantee has been incurred by a consolidated subsidiary, that liability is included in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company is not required to recognize liabilities for guarantees on behalf of its subsidiari es in the Consolidated Financial Statements, unless it becomes probable that the Company will have to perform under the guarantee. No such liabilities have been recognized as of September 30, 2004. The Company believes it is unlikely that it would be required to perform or otherwise incur any losses associated with guarantees of its subsidiaries' obligations.



Note 11. Credit Risk


The Company sells natural gas and provides distribution services to residential, commercial and industrial customers and provides transmission services to utilities and other energy companies. In addition, the Company enters into contracts with various companies in the energy industry for purchases and sales of energy-related commodities, including natural gas and oil, in its hedging activities. Credit risk associated with trade accounts receivable from energy consumers is limited due to the large number of customers. The Company's exposure to credit risk is concentrated primarily within its sales of gas and oil production and energy marketing activities as the Company transacts with a smaller, less diverse group of counterparties and transactions may involve large notional volumes and potentially volatile commodity prices. At September 30, 2004, gross credit exposure related to these transactions totaled $278 million, reflecting the unrealized gains for contracts carried at fair value plus any outstanding receivables (net of payables, where netting agreements exist). Of this amount, investment grade counterparties represent 45% and no single counterparty exceeded 9%. The credit exposure amounts exclude amounts receivable from affiliated companies. As of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the Company had margin deposit assets of $60 million and $59 million, respectively. The Company had no margin deposit liabilities as of September 30, 2004, or December 31, 2003.

PAGE 13

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)


Note 12.    Related Party Transactions


The Company engages in related party transactions primarily with other Dominion subsidiaries. The Company's accounts receivable and payable balances with affiliates are settled based on contractual terms or on a monthly basis, depending on the nature of the underlying transactions. The significant related party transactions are disclosed below.


Transactions with Other Dominion Subsidiaries

The Company transacts with other Dominion subsidiaries for certain quantities of natural gas and other commodities at market prices in the ordinary course of business. The Company also enters into certain financial derivative commodity contracts with Dominion subsidiaries. These contracts, which are principally comprised of commodity swaps and options, are used by the Company to manage commodity price risks associated with the purchases and sales of natural gas. The Company designates the majority of these contracts as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. The affiliated commodity transactions below include affiliate commodity derivative transactions that resulted in $4 million of gains in the third quarter of 2004 and $3 million in losses in the third quarter of 2003, and $14 million and $22 million in gains in the first nine months of 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

Three Months
    Ended September 30,    

Nine Months
    Ended September 30,    

 

2004

2003

2004

2003

 

(millions)

Purchases of natural gas from affiliates

$107

$159

$386

$454

Purchases of electric fuel and energy from affiliates

55

31

146

58

Sales of natural gas to affiliates

206

179

770

439

Sales of gas transportation and storage services to affiliates

4

6

15

22

Sales of electricity to affiliates

6

11

28

19


The Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets include derivative assets of $57 million and $50 million with Dominion subsidiaries at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively, and derivative liabilities of $84 million and $48 million with Dominion subsidiaries at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. Unrealized gains or losses, representing the effective portion of the changes in fair value of those derivative contracts that had been designated as hedges, are included in the balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.


Dominion Resources Services, Inc., a Dominion subsidiary, provides accounting, legal and certain administrative and technical services to the Company. The Company recognized expense of $44 million and $38 million in the third quarter of 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $127 million and $124 million in the first nine months of 2004 and 2003, respectively, in operations and maintenance expense related to these services.


Transactions with Dominion

As of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the Company and its subsidiaries have borrowed funds from Dominion under the Dominion money pool ($575 million and $901 million, respectively) and a short-term demand note ($115 million and $126 million, respectively). During the third quarter of 2004 and 2003, the Company incurred $3 million and $4 million, respectively, in interest charges related to these borrowings and $8 million and $10 million, respectively, in the first nine months of 2004 and 2003.

PAGE 14

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)

Note 13. Employee Benefit Plans


The following table illustrates the components of the provision for net periodic benefit cost for the Company's pension and other postretirement benefit plans for employees represented by collective bargaining units:

 

Defined Benefit
Pension Plans

Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans

Three Months Ended September 30,

2004 

2003 

2004 

2003 

 

(millions)

  Service cost

$ 3 

$ 2 

$ 4 

$ 4 

  Interest cost

  Expected return on plan assets

 (25)

(25)

 (3)

(3)

  Amortization of prior service cost

-  

-  

-  

  Amortization of transition obligation

(1)

(1)

  Amortization of net (gain) loss

  (1)

  (2)

   3 

   3 

  Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

 $(15)

($18)

$11 

$11 

 

 

 

 

 

  Company's net periodic benefit cost (credit)(1)

($28)

($33)

$16 

$16 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2004 

2003 

2004 

2003 

  Service cost

$  8 

$  6 

$ 13 

$ 10 

  Interest cost

23 

23 

19 

17 

  Expected return on plan assets

 (75)

(73)

(10)

(7)

  Amortization of prior service cost

-  

-  

-  

  Amortization of transition obligation

(2)

(3)

  Amortization of net (gain) loss

  (1)

  (6)

   8 

   7 

  Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

 $(46)

$(53)

$34 

$30 

 

 

 

 

 

  Company's net periodic benefit cost (credit)(1)

($84)

($99)

$48 

$44 

 

 

 

 

 

__________

(1)    Amounts represent all benefit plans in which the Company participates, including benefit plans covering multiple Dominion subsidiaries.


Employer Contributions


The Company made no contributions to its defined benefit pension plans or other postretirement benefit plans during the first nine months of 2004. The Company expects to contribute at least $51 million to its other postretirement benefit plans during the remainder of 2004. Under its funding policies, the Company evaluates plan funding requirements annually after receiving updated plan information from its actuary. The Company has reviewed updated information received from its actuary and as a result, does not expect to make contributions to its defined benefit pension plans during the remainder of 2004 based on the funded status of each plan and other factors.

PAGE 15

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)


Note 14.     Operating Segments


The Company is organized primarily on the basis of products and services sold in the United States. The Company manages its operations based on three primary operating segments:


Energy includes the Company's gas transmission pipeline and storage system, certain gas production operations, a LNG import and storage facility and producer services operations that include aggregation of gas supply and related wholesale activities.


Delivery
includes the Company's regulated gas distribution systems and customer service operations and the Company's nonregulated retail energy marketing activities.


Exploration & Production includes the Company's onshore and offshore gas and oil exploration, development and production operations. These operations are located in several major producing basins in the lower 48 states, including the outer continental shelf and deepwater areas of the Gulf of Mexico.


Corporate and Other includes the Company's corporate and other functions, including the activities of CNG International (CNGI) and other minor subsidiaries. This segment also includes the results of the Company's power generating facility. The contribution to net income by the Company's primary operating segments is determined based on a measure of profit that executive management believes represents the segments' core earnings. As a result, certain specific items attributable to those segments are not included in profit measures evaluated by executive management in assessing the segment's performance or allocating resources among the segments. These specific items are instead reported in the Corporate and Other segment.



Energy



Delivery


Exploration &
Production


Corporate
and Other



Eliminations


Consolidated
Total

(millions)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2004

Operating revenue - external customers

$415

$304

$522

$ 7 

$  -  

$1,248

Operating revenue - intersegment

44

12

28

  -  

(84)

  -    

Net income (loss)

38

2

121

(61)

  -  

100

Three Months Ended September 30, 2003

Operating revenue - external customers

$372

$258

$372

$20 

$  -  

$1,022

Operating revenue - intersegment

45

10

30

  -  

(85)

  -    

Net income

35

1

77

  -  

115

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

Operating revenue - external customers

$1,443

$1,825

$1,325

$ 34 

$  -  

$4,627

Operating revenue - intersegment

154

47

95

  -  

(296)

  -    

Net income (loss)

159

130

374

(70)

  -  

593

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003

Operating revenue - external customers

$1,169

$1,493

$1,127

$44 

$  -  

$3,833

Operating revenue - intersegment

164

35

97

  -  

(296)

  -    

Net income (loss)

156

104

236

(31)

  -  

465

 

PAGE 16

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

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


Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations (MD&A) discusses the results of operations and general financial condition of the Company. MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements. The "Company" is used throughout MD&A and, depending on the context of its use, may represent any of the following: the legal entity, Consolidated Natural Gas Company, one of Consolidated Natural Gas Company's consolidated subsidiaries or the entirety of Consolidated Natural Gas Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dominion.


Contents of MD&A


The MD&A consists of the following information:



Forward-Looking Statements


This report contains statements concerning the Company's expectations, plans, objectives, future financial performance and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In most cases, the reader can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "expect," "believe," "should," "could," "plan," "may" or other similar words.


The Company makes forward-looking statements with full knowledge that risks and uncertainties exist that may cause actual results to differ materially from predicted results. Factors that may cause actual results to differ are often presented with the forward-looking statements themselves. Additionally, other risks that may cause actual results to differ from predicted results are set forth in Risk Factors and Cautionary Statements That May Affect Future Results.


The Company bases its forward-looking statements on management's beliefs and assumptions using information available at the time the statements are made. The Company cautions the reader not to place undue reliance on its forward-looking statements because the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and projections about future events may, and often do, differ materially from actual results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect developments occurring after the statement is made.


Accounting Matters


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

As of September 30, 2004, there have been no significant changes with regard to critical accounting policies and estimates as disclosed in MD&A in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. The policies disclosed included the accounting for: derivative contracts at fair value; goodwill and long-lived asset impairment testing; employee benefit plans; regulated operations; and gas and oil operations.

PAGE 17

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

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


FIN 46R

The Company adopted FIN 46R for its interests in VIEs that are not considered special purpose entities on March 31, 2004. FIN 46R addresses the identification and consolidation of VIEs, which are entities that are not controllable through voting interests or in which the VIEs' equity investors do not bear the residual economic risks and rewards. There was no impact on the Company's results of operations or financial position related to this adoption.


Results of Operations


Presented below is a summary of contributions by the Company's operating segments to its net income:

Three Months Ended
       September 30,       

Nine Months Ended
       September 30,       

2004

2003

2004

2003

(millions)

  Energy

$ 38 

$ 35 

$ 159 

$ 156 

  Delivery

 2 

 130 

104 

  Exploration & Production

 121 

 77 

374 

236 

    Primary operating segments

 161 

113 

663 

496 

  Corporate and Other

   (61)

  2 

   (70)

  (31)

  Consolidated net income

$100 

$115 

$593 

$465 

 
Overview


Third Quarter 2004 vs. 2003

Net income for the third quarter of 2004 decreased 13% to $100 million, as compared to the third quarter of 2003. The Company's primary operating segments contributed an additional $48 million to net income. This increase largely reflects a higher contribution from exploration and production operations primarily due to favorable changes in the fair value of certain oil options that are reported in other operations and maintenance expense. Exploration & Production results were also affected by the recognition of revenue in connection with deliveries under volumetric production payment (VPP) agreements, partially offset by lower gas production, reflecting the sale of mineral rights under the VPP agreements. The results were also positively impacted by higher average realized prices for oil and increased oil production.


The consolidated results for the third quarter of 2004 include a $61 million after-tax loss related to the discontinuance of hedge accounting for certain oil hedges, resulting from a mid-September 2004 interruption of oil production in the Gulf of Mexico caused by Hurricane Ivan, and subsequent changes in the fair value of those hedges. These amounts are reported in the Corporate and Other segment.


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 vs. 2003

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 increased 28% to $593 million, as compared to the first nine months of 2003. The Company's primary operating segments contributed an additional $167 million to net income. This increase largely reflects:

PAGE 18

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)



The consolidated 2004 results include a $61 million after-tax loss related to the discontinuance of hedge accounting for certain oil hedges, resulting from an interruption of oil production in the Gulf of Mexico caused by Hurricane Ivan, and subsequent changes in the fair value of those hedges. Net income was favorably impacted in Corporate and Other by an $8 million gain on the sale of a portion of CNGI's investment in an Australian pipeline business in June 2004 as well as the impact of adjustments to the carrying amount of certain CNGI's investments held for sale.


Analysis of Consolidated Operations

Presented below are selected amounts related to the Company's results of operations.

 

 

Three Months
    Ended September 30,    

Nine Months
    Ended September 30,    

 

2004

2003

2004

2003

 

(millions)

Operating Revenue

 

 

 

 

Regulated gas sales

$ 110

$ 120 

$ 953

$ 851 

Nonregulated electric sales (1)

115

72 

303

170 

Nonregulated gas sales (1)

352

310 

1,426

1,103 

Gas transportation and storage (1)

155

145 

593

559 

Gas and oil production

350

295 

963

890 

Other (1)

166

80 

389

260 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

Purchased gas, net (1)

387

353 

1,951

1,547 

Electric fuel and energy purchases(1)

101

60 

269

142 

Liquids, pipeline capacity and other purchases

98

 41 

207

137 

Other operations and maintenance (1)

 262

168 

535

546 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

156

152 

464

442 

Other taxes

55

45 

191

175 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

3

10 

43

Interest and related charges (1)

42

36 

125

115 

Income tax expense

50

62 

335

261 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes transactions with other Dominion subsidiaries related to Dominion's enterprise-wide price risk management and other activities.
    See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of transactions with affiliates.


An analysis of the Company's results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, as compared to the same periods of 2003 follows.

PAGE 19

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)


Third Quarter 2004 vs. 2003


Operating Revenue


Regulated gas sales revenue
decreased 8% to $110 million, largely resulting from a $14 million decrease associated with milder weather, lower industrial sales and customer migration to Energy Choice programs, partially offset by a $4 million increase due to higher rates primarily related to the recovery of higher gas prices. The effect of this net decrease in regulated gas sales revenue was largely offset by a comparable decrease in Purchased gas expense.


Nonregulated electric sales revenue
increased 60% to $115 million resulting primarily from customer growth in nonregulated retail energy sales, partially offset by decreased revenue from the Company's power generation facility and the sale of CNGI's Kauai, Hawaii generation facility in December 2003.


Nonregulated gas sales revenue increased 14% to $352 million primarily reflecting:


Gas transportation and storage revenue
increased 7% to $155 million, largely due to the August 2003 reactivation of the Cove Point LNG facility, which was acquired by the Company in September 2002.


Gas and oil production revenue increased 19% to $350 million primarily reflecting:


Other revenue
increased 108% to $166 million, primarily reflecting:


Operating Expenses and Other Items


Purchased gas, net expense
increased 10% to $387 million, primarily reflecting:


Electric fuel and energy purchases expense
increased 68% to $101 million, primarily reflecting new business at the Company's nonregulated retail energy marketing operations, partially offset by lower expenses related to the Company's power generation facility and sale of CNGI's Kauai, Hawaii generation facility in December 2003.


Liquids, pipeline capacity and other purchases expense
increased 139% to $98 million, primarily reflecting an increase in the volume and the cost of oil purchased for resale as discussed above in Other revenue.

PAGE 20

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)


Other operations and maintenance expense
increased 56% to $262 million, primarily reflecting the following:


Other taxes expense
increased 22% to $55 million, primarily reflecting higher severance taxes, higher property taxes resulting from property additions, and higher gross receipts tax primarily resulting from increased nonregulated retail sales activity.



Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 vs. 2003


Operating Revenue


Regulated gas sales revenue
increased 12% to $953 million, largely resulting from a $152 million increase due to higher rates for regulated gas distribution operations primarily related to the recovery of higher gas prices, partially offset by a $69 million decrease associated with milder weather, lower industrial sales and customer migration to Energy Choice programs. The effect of this net increase in regulated gas sales revenue was largely offset by a comparable increase in Purchased gas expense.


Nonregulated electric sales revenue
increased 78% to $303 million, resulting primarily from increased volumes ($116 million), reflecting customer growth, and higher prices ($32 million) in the Company's nonregulated retail energy marketing operations, partially offset by lower revenue ($15 million) due to the sale of CNGI's generation assets in Kauai, Hawaii in December 2003.


Nonregulated gas sales revenue
increased 29% to $1.4 billion primarily reflecting:


Gas transportation and storage
revenue increased 6% to $593 million, largely due to the August 2003 reactivation of the Cove Point LNG facility, which was acquired by the Company in September 2002.


Gas and oil production revenue
increased 8% to $963 million primarily reflecting:

PAGE 21

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)


Other revenue
increased 50% to $389 million, primarily reflecting:


Operating Expenses and Other Items


Purchased gas, net expense
increased 26% to $2.0 billion, primarily reflecting:


Electric fuel and energy purchases expense
increased 89% to $269 million, primarily reflecting the following:


Liquids, pipeline capacity and other purchases expense
increased 51% to $207 million, primarily reflecting an increase in the volume and the cost of oil purchased for resale as discussed above in Other revenue.


Other operations and maintenance expense decreased 2% to $535 million, primarily reflecting the following:


Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense
increased 5% to $464 million, primarily reflecting higher exploration and production finding and development costs, and higher depreciation expense resulting from property additions, including the consolidation of a VIE as a result of adopting FIN 46R at December 31, 2003.


Other taxes expense
increased 9% to $191 million, primarily reflecting higher property taxes resulting from property additions, higher gross receipts tax primarily resulting from increased nonregulated retail sales activity, and higher severance taxes.

PAGE 22

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)


Other income
increased $41 million, primarily reflecting a $26 million benefit in 2004 related to a portion of CNGI's equity investment in an Australian pipeline business, consisting of an $18 million favorable adjustment to the carrying amount of this investment and an $8 million gain on its sale. In 2003, an $18 million impairment charge was recognized on this investment, based on estimated fair value at that time.


Interest expense
increased 9% to $125 million, primarily reflecting:


Income tax expense
increased 28% to $335 million primarily as a result of an increase in pre-tax income and an increase in the valuation allowance related to CNGI investments, partially offset by a reduction in state income taxes.


Segment Results of Operations


Energy Segment

The Energy segment includes the Company's gas transmission pipeline and storage system, certain gas production operations, a LNG import and storage facility and producer services operations that include aggregation of gas supply and related wholesale activities.

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

2004

2003

2004

2003

 

 

(millions)

 

Net income contribution

$38

$35

$159

$156

 

Gas sales (bcf)

50

55

178

152

 

Gas transmission throughput (bcf)

112

84

535

445

 

__________________
bcf = billion cubic feet


Presented below, on an after-tax basis, are the key factors impacting the Energy segment's operating results:

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

2004 vs. 2003

2004 vs. 2003

 

Increase

Increase

 

(Decrease)

(Decrease)

 

(millions)

Gas prices

$(2)

$ 2 

Cove Point LNG operations

Other

 _3 

  (7)

Change in net income contribution

$ 3 

$ 3 


The Energy segment's net income increased $3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2003, primarily reflecting the following:

PAGE 23

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)


Delivery Segment

The Delivery segment includes the Company's regulated gas distribution and customer service business and nonregulated retail energy marketing operations and related products and services.

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

2004

2003

2004

2003

 

 

(millions)

 

Net income contribution

$2

$1

$130

$104

 

Throughput:

 

 

 

 

 

     Gas sales-regulated (bcf)

9

10

87

95

 

     Gas transportation-regulated (bcf)

34

31

178

171

 

     Total throughput - regulated (bcf)

43

41

265

266

 


Presented below, on an after-tax basis, are the key factors impacting the Delivery segment's operating results:

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

2004 vs. 2003

2004 vs. 2003

 

Increase

Increase

 

(Decrease)

(Decrease)

 

(millions)

 

 

 

Weather

$ -

$(8)

Nonregulated retail energy marketing
  operations


24 

Other margins

(4)

Pension and OPEB expense

(2)

(9)

Bad debt expense

12 

Other

 (2)

  3 

Change in net income contribution

$1 

$26 



The Delivery segment's net income increased $1 million and $26 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2003, primarily reflecting the following:

PAGE 24

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

Exploration & Production Segment
The Exploration & Production segment includes the Company's gas and oil exploration, development and production business.

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

2004

2003

2004

2003

 

 

(millions)

 

Net income contribution

$121

$77

$374

$236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas production (bcf)

64.7

70.1

201.3

210.4

 

Oil production (million bbls)

2.5

1.9

6.5

5.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average realized prices with hedging results:

 

 

 

 

 

     Gas (per mcf)(1)

$4.12

$4.10

$4.09

$4.20

 

     Oil (per bbl)

$26.23

$24.54

$25.35

$25.13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average realized prices without hedging results:

 

 

 

 

 

     Gas (per mcf)(1)

$5.67

$4.90

$5.60

$5.45

 

     Oil (per bbl)

$42.65

$29.95

$38.46

$30.70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other information:

 

 

 

 

 

     DD&A (unit of production rate per mcfe)

$1.39

$1.38

$1.37

$1.32

 

_____________________
bbl = barrel
mcf = thousand cubic feet
mcfe = thousand cubic feet equivalent

(1) Excludes $74 million and $14 million of revenue recognized in the third quarter of 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $154 and $14 million of revenue recognized in the year-to-date period of 2004 and 2003, respectively, under the VPP agreements described in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 and Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.


Presented below, on an after-tax basis, are the key factors impacting the Exploration & Production segment's operating results:

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

2004 vs. 2003

2004 vs. 2003

 

Increase

Increase

 

(Decrease)

(Decrease)

 

(millions)

VPP revenue

$ 38 

$ 88 

Gas and oil-production

(5)

(21)

Gas and oil-prices

(6)

Operations and maintenance expense

63 

DD&A-production

DD&A-rate

(1)

(9)

Income taxes

22 

Other

   (2)

    (3)

Change in net income contribution

$ 44 

 $ 138 

PAGE 25

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)


The Exploration & Production segment's net income increased $44 million and $138 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2003, primarily reflecting the following:


Corporate and Other


Corporate and Other also includes CNGI and other minor subsidiaries.


Presented below are the Corporate and Other segment's after-tax results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003:

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

2004

2003

2004

2003

 

(millions)

Net income (loss)

$ (61)

$ 2

$  (70)

$ (31)



Three Months Ended September 30, 2004 vs. 2003

Corporate and Other experienced a net loss of $61 million for 2004, compared to a net income of $2 million in 2003. The 2004 results primarily reflect $96 million of incremental operations and maintenance expense ($61 million after-tax) related to the discontinuance of hedge accounting for certain oil hedges, resulting from an interruption of oil production in the Gulf of Mexico caused by Hurricane Ivan, and subsequent changes in the fair value of those hedges, attributable to the Exploration & Production segment.


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 vs. 2003

Corporate and Other experienced a net loss of $70 million for 2004, compared to a net loss of $31 million in 2003. The net loss recognized for 2004 primarily reflected the following:

PAGE 26

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)


The 2003 net loss primarily reflects impairment losses totaling $40 million ($25 million after-tax) related primarily to investments in the Australian pipeline business and a generation facility in Kauai, Hawaii that was sold in December 2003. In addition, the following specific items attributable to operating segments contributed to the 2003 net loss:

Credit Risk


The Company's exposure to potential credit risk results primarily from its marketing of natural gas and sales of gas and oil production. Presented below is a summary of the Company's gross credit exposure as of September 30, 2004 for these activities. The credit exposure amounts exclude amounts receivable from affiliated companies. The Company calculates its gross credit exposure for each counterparty as the unrealized fair value of derivative contracts plus any outstanding receivables (net of payables, where netting agreements exist), prior to the application of collateral. At September 30, 2004, the Company held no collateral made available by its counterparties.



 

 

Gross
Credit Exposure

 

(millions)

Investment grade(1)

$107

Non-investment grade(2)

54

No external ratings:

 

     Internally rated-investment grade(3)

17

     Internally rated-non-investment grade(4)

   100

         Total

$278

_______________

(1)   Designations as investment grade are based on minimum credit ratings assigned by Moody's and Standard & Poor's. The five largest counterparty exposures, combined, for this category represented approximately 19% of the total gross credit exposure.
(2)   The five largest counterparty exposures, combined, for this category represented approximately 17% of the total gross credit exposure.
(3)   The five largest counterparty exposures, combined, for this category represented approximately 4% of the total gross credit exposure.
(4)   The five largest counterparty exposures, combined, for this category represented approximately 7% of the total gross credit exposure.


Future Issues and Other Matters

American Jobs Creation Act of 2004

The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the Act) was signed into law in October 2004 and has several provisions for energy companies including a deduction related to qualified production activities taxable income. Under the Act, qualified production activities include the Company's electric generation and oil and gas extraction activities.


The FASB is currently reviewing the impact of the qualified production activities deduction on deferred taxes and is expected to issue guidance in the fourth quarter of 2004. Until this guidance is issued, the impact on the Company cannot be determined.

PAGE 27

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)


Risk Factors and Cautionary Statements That May Affect Future Results


Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-looking statement include weather conditions; governmental regulations; cost of environmental compliance; fluctuations in energy-related commodities prices and the effect these could have on the Company's earnings, liquidity position and the underlying value of its assets; trading counterparty credit risk; capital market conditions, including price risk due to marketable securities held as investments in trusts and benefit plans; fluctuations in interest rates; changes in rating agency requirements or ratings; changes in accounting standards; collective bargaining agreements and labor negotiations; the risks of operating businesses in regulated industries that are becoming deregulated; and political and economic conditions (including inflation and deflation). Other more specific risk factors are as follows:


The Company's operations are weather sensitive.
The Company's results of operations can be affected by changes in the weather. Weather conditions directly influence the demand for natural gas and affect the price of energy commodities. In addition, severe weather, including hurricanes, can be destructive, disrupting operations, causing production delays and unusual maintenance and repair that require the Company to incur additional expenses.


The Company is subject to complex government regulation that could adversely affect its operations.
The Company's operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local regulation and may require numerous permits, approvals and certificates from various governmental agencies. The Company must also comply with environmental legislation and associated regulations. Management believes the necessary approvals have been obtained for the Company's existing operations and that its business is conducted in accordance with applicable laws. However, new laws or regulations, or the revision or reinterpretation of existing laws or regulations, may require the Company to incur additional expenses.


Costs of environmental compliance, liabilities and litigation could exceed the Company's estimates.
Compliance with federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations may result in increased capital, operating and other costs, including remediation and containment expenses and monitoring obligations. In addition, the Company may be a responsible party for environmental clean-up at a site identified by a regulatory body. Management cannot predict with certainty the amount and timing of all future expenditures related to environmental matters because of the difficulty of estimating clean-up and compliance costs, and the possibility that changes will be made to the current environmental laws and regulations. There is also uncertainty in quantifying liabilities under environmental laws that impose joint and several liability on all potentially responsible parties.


The use of derivative instruments could result in financial losses and liquidity constraints.
The Company uses derivative instruments, including futures, forwards, options and swaps, to manage its commodity and financial market risks. In the future, the Company could recognize financial losses on these contracts as a result of volatility in the market values of the underlying commodities or if a counterparty fails to perform under a contract. In the absence of actively quoted market prices and pricing information from external sources, the valuation of these contracts involves management's judgment or use of estimates. As a result, changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the reported fair value of these contracts.


In addition, the Company uses financial derivatives to hedge future sales of its gas and oil production. These hedge arrangements generally include margin requirements that require the Company to deposit funds or post letters of credit with counterparties to cover the fair value of covered contracts in excess of agreed upon credit limits. When commodity prices rise to levels substantially higher than the levels where the Company has hedged future sales, the Company may be required to use a material portion of its available liquidity to cover these margin requirements. In some circumstances this could have a compounding effect on the Company's liquidity and financial results.


For additional information concerning derivatives and commodity-based trading contracts, see "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk-Market Rate Sensitive Instruments and Risk Management" and Notes 2 and 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

PAGE 28

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

The Company's exploration and production business is dependent on factors that cannot be predicted or controlled. Factors that may affect the Company's financial results include weather that damages or causes the shutdown of its oil and gas producing facilities, fluctuations in natural gas and crude oil prices, results of future drilling and well completion activities and its ability to acquire additional land positions in competitive lease areas, as well as inherent operational risks that could disrupt production.


Short-term market declines in the prices of natural gas and oil could adversely affect the Company's financial results by causing a permanent write-down of its natural gas and oil properties as required by the full cost method of accounting. Under the full cost method, all direct costs of property acquisition, exploration and development activities are capitalized. If net capitalized costs exceed the present value of estimated future net revenues based on hedge-adjusted period-end prices from the production of proved gas and oil reserves (the ceiling test) in a given country at the end of any quarterly period, then a permanent write-down of the assets must be recognized in that period.


An inability to access financial markets could affect the execution of the Company's business plan.
The Company relies on access to both short-term money markets and longer-term capital markets as a significant source of liquidity for capital requirements not satisfied by the cash flows from its operations. Management believes that the Company will maintain sufficient access to these financial markets based upon current credit ratings. However, certain disruptions outside of the Company's control may increase its cost of borrowing or restrict its ability to access one or more financial markets. Such disruptions could include an economic downturn, the bankruptcy of an unrelated energy company or changes to the Company's credit ratings. Restrictions on the Company's ability to access financial markets may affect its ability to execute its business plan as scheduled.


Changing rating agency requirements could negatively affect the Company's growth and business strategy.
As of September 30, 2004, the Company's senior unsecured debt was rated BBB+, negative outlook, by Standard & Poor's and A3, negative outlook, by Moody's. Both agencies have implemented more stringent applications of the financial requirements for various ratings levels. In order to maintain its current credit ratings in light of these or future new requirements, the Company may find it necessary to take steps or change its business plans in ways that may adversely affect the Company's growth and earnings. A reduction in the Company's credit ratings by either Standard & Poor's or Moody's could increase its borrowing costs and adversely affect operating results and could require it to post additional margin in connection with some of its trading and marketing activities.


Potential changes in accounting practices may adversely affect the Company's financial results.
The Company cannot predict the impact future changes in accounting standards or practices may have on public companies in general, the energy industry or its operations specifically. New accounting standards could be issued that could change the way the Company records revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities. These changes in accounting standards could adversely affect the Company's reported earnings or could increase reported liabilities.

PAGE 29

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY


ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


Senior management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation process, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.


On December 31, 2003, the Company adopted FIN 46R for its interests in special purpose entities referred to as SPEs and, as a result, has included in its consolidated financial statements those SPEs described in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2004 reflects $218 million of net property, plant and equipment and deferred charges and $234 million of related debt attributable to the SPEs. As these SPEs are owned by unrelated parties, the Company does not have the authority to dictate or modify, and therefore cannot assess, the disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting in place at these entities. 

PAGE 30

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


From time to time, the Company is alleged to be in violation or in default under orders, statutes, rules or regulations relating to the environment, compliance plans imposed upon or agreed to by the Company and its subsidiaries, or permits issued by various local, state and federal agencies for the construction or operation of facilities. Administrative proceedings may also be pending on these matters. In addition, in the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings. Management believes that the ultimate resolution of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, liquidity or results of operations.


In August 2004, Dominion Transmission, Inc. (DTI) received a proposed Consent Order and Agreement (COA) from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) which would supersede a 1990 COA between the parties. The proposed COA would resolve groundwater contamination issues at several DTI compressor stations in Pennsylvania. The draft COA proposes penalties to be paid to PADEP and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to resolve alleged violations. The proposed COA has not been accepted by DTI and is subject to ongoing negotiations with the agencies. Management believes that the ultimate resolution of the COA will not have a material effect on the Company.

 


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits:

 

3.1

Certificate of Incorporation of Consolidated Natural Gas Company (Exhibit (3A)(i) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, File No. 1-3196, incorporated by reference).

 

3.2

Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation, dated January 28, 2000 (Exhibit (3A)(ii) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, File No. 1-3196, incorporated by reference).

 

3.3

Bylaws as in effect on December 15, 2000 (Exhibit 3B to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, File No. 1-3196, incorporated by reference).

 

4

Consolidated Natural Gas Company agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request any other instrument with respect to long-term debt as to which the total amount of securities authorized does not exceed 10% of its total consolidated assets.

 

10

$1,500,000,0000 Three-Year Credit Agreement among Consolidated Natural Gas Company and Barclays Bank, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, dated August 10, 2004 (filed herewith).

 

12

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (filed herewith).

 

31.1

Certification by Registrant's Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

 

31.2

Certification by Registrant's Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

 

32

Certification to the Securities and Exchange Commission by Registrant's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

 

99

Condensed consolidated earnings statements (unaudited) (filed herewith).

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

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

 

CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY
Registrant

November 3, 2004

                  /s/ Steven A. Rogers                       
Steven A. Rogers
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)