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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 QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 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 File Number 0-14147

 

QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

State of Utah
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

87-0307414
(IRS Employer Identification Number)

    
 

P.O. Box 45360
180 East 100 South
Salt Lake City, Utah
(Address of principal executive offices)

 

84145-0360
(Zip code)


(801) 324-2400
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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 in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Yes   [  ]

 

No   [X]


Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.


Class

 

Outstanding as of April 30, 2004

Common Stock, $1.00 par value

 

6,550,843 shares

 

Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(a)(1) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format.





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Questar Pipeline Company

Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2004


TABLE OF CONTENTS



Page



PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1.

Financial Statements


Consolidated Statements of Income


Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets


Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


Notes Accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements


Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

   Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Item 4.

Controls and Procedures


PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION


Item 5.

Other Information


Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K


Signatures




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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS


This report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included or incorporated by reference in this report, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements.  In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” or “continue” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Although these statements are made in good faith and are reasonable representations of Questar Pipeline Company (“Questar Pipeline” or “the Company”) expected performance at the time, actual results may vary from management's stated expectations and projections due to a variety of factors.


Important assumptions and other significant factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements include: changes in general economic conditions; changes in gas and oil prices and changes in estimated quantities of gas and oil reserves; changes in rate-regulatory policies; regulation of the Wexpro Agreement; availability of gas and oil properties for sale or exploration and land-access issues; creditworthiness of counterparties; rate of inflation and interest rates; assumptions used in business combinations; weather and natural disasters; the effect of environmental and other regulation; effects of endangered or threatened species regulations; changes in customers' credit ratings; competition from other forms of energy, other pipelines and storage facilities; the effect of accounting policies issued periodically by accountin g standard-setting bodies; terrorist attacks or acts of war; changes in the business or financial condition of the Company; and changes in credit ratings for Questar Pipeline.





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PART I  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

 

March 31,

March 31,

 

2004

2003

2004

2003

 

(in thousands)

     

REVENUES

 $40,306

 $ 38,475

 $ 158,669

 $147,863

     

OPERATING EXPENSES

    

  Operating and maintenance

13,358

12,625

53,982

50,167

  Depreciation and amortization

6,964

6,082

27,023

23,386

  Other taxes

1,697

1,483

6,566

5,581

     

    TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES

22,019

20,190

87,571

79,134

     

    OPERATING INCOME

18,287

18,285

71,098

68,729

     

Interest and other income (expense)

36

116

(506)

(450)

     

Earnings from operations of

     unconsolidated affiliates

   

7,578

     

DEBT EXPENSE

(5,597)

(5,712)

(22,507)

(24,030)

     

  INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

    

      AND CUMULATIVE EFFECT

12,726

12,689

48,085

51,827

     

Income taxes

4,613

4,636

17,723

18,583

  INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE

       EFFECT

8,113

8,053

30,362

33,244

Cumulative effect of accounting change

    

for asset retirement obligations, net of

    

income taxes of $78

 

(133)

 

(133)

     

         NET INCOME

 $  8,113

 $    7,920

 $    30,362

 $ 33,111

     
     
     

See notes accompanying consolidated financial statements

  




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QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

  
   
 

March 31,

December 31,

 
 

2004

2003

2003

 
 

(Unaudited)

 

 
 

(in thousands)

 

ASSETS

    

Current assets

    

  Cash and cash equivalents

 $      532

 $     6,406

 $    2,951

 

  Accounts receivable

6,864

6,494

11,382

 

  Materials and supplies, at lower

    

       of average cost or market

2,563

2,234

2,395

 

  Prepaid expenses and other

2,463

2,202

3,327

 

    Total current assets

12,422

17,336

20,055

 
     

Property, plant and equipment

1,036,574

1,024,825

1,034,958

 

Less accumulated depreciation and

   amortization

341,170

322,422

336,206

 

    Net property, plant and equipment

695,404

702,403

698,752

 
     

Regulatory and other assets

31,733

16,785

31,338

 

Goodwill

4,185

4,058

4,185

 
     
 

 $743,744

 $ 740,582

 $ 754,330

 
     

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY

   

Current liabilities

    

  Notes payable to Questar Corp.

 $  26,900

 $   61,000

 $   49,500

 

  Accounts payable and accrued

        expenses

18,830

13,956

11,346

 

    Total current liabilities

45,730

74,956

60,846

 
     

Long-term debt

310,082

310,063

310,077

 

Deferred income taxes

110,573

98,385

107,929

 

Other long-term liabilities

16,717

3,148

16,824

 
     

Common shareholder's equity

    

  Common stock

6,551

6,551

6,551

 

  Additional paid-in capital

142,034

142,034

142,034

 

  Retained earnings

112,057

105,445

110,069

 

    Total common shareholder's equity

260,642

254,030

258,654

 
     
 

 $743,744

 $740,582

 $ 754,330

 
     
     

See notes accompanying consolidated financial statements

  




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QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

   
   
 

3 Months Ended

 

March 31,

 

2004

2003

 

(in thousands)

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

  

  Net income

 $  8,113               

 $    7,920

     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net

         cash provided from operating activities:

  

         Depreciation

7,247

6,422

         Deferred income taxes

2,650

2,543

         Gain from asset sales

(1)

(99)

         Cumulative effect of accounting change

 

133

 

18,009

16,919

  Change in operating assets and liabilities

12,181

9,290

        NET CASH PROVIDED FROM

  

          OPERATING ACTIVITIES

30,190

26,209

   

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

  

    Purchase of property, plant

  

      and equipment

(3,572)

(3,465)

   Costs of disposition of property,

  

      plant and equipment

(312)

(816)

      NET CASH USED IN INVESTING

  

        ACTIVITIES

(3,884)

(4,281)

   

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

  

  Decrease in notes payable to Questar Corp.

(22,600)

(13,800)

  Dividends paid

(6,125)

(5,875)

        NET CASH USED IN FINANCING

           ACTIVITIES

(28,725)

(19,675)

  Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(2,419)

2,253

  Beginning cash and cash equivalents

2,951

4,153

  Ending cash and cash equivalents

 $       532             

 $     6,406


See note accompanying consolidated financial statements




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QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY

NOTE ACCOMPANYING CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2004

(Unaudited)


Note 1 – Basis of Presentation of Interim Financial Statements


Questar Pipeline’s consolidated financial statements, with the exception of the condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2003, have not been audited by independent public accountants. The interim financial statements reflect all normal, recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the interim periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted (“GAAP”) in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from estimates. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.


The results of operations for the three- and twelve-month periods ended March 31 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2004. The straight fixed-variable rate design, which allows for recovery of substantially all fixed costs in demand or reservation charges, reduces the earnings impact of weather conditions on gas transportation and storage operations. Interim financial statements do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for audited annual financial statements. For further information please refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, that was filed by Questar Pipeline.






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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

March 31, 2004

(Unaudited)


Results of Operations


Questar Pipeline – a wholly-owned subsidiary of Questar Corporation (“Questar”) – provides interstate natural gas transmission, storage, processing and gathering services. Following is a summary of financial results and operating information.


 

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

 

March 31,

March 31,

 

2004

2003

2004

2003

FINANCIAL RESULTS (in thousands)

    

Revenues

    

  From unaffiliated customers

$18,013

$18,136

$  74,858

$  71,909

  From affiliates

22,293

20,339

83,811

75,954

    Total revenues

$40,306

$38,475

$158,669

$147,863

Operating income

$18,287

$18,285

$  71,098

$  68,729

  Income before cumulative effect

$  8,113

$  8,053

$  30,362

$  33,244

  Cumulative effect of accounting change

 

(133)

 

(133)

Net income

$  8,113

$  7,920

$  30,362

$  33,111

 

OPERATING STATISTICS

    

Natural gas transportation volumes (Mdth)

    

  For unaffiliated customers

53,734

65,516

244,317

258,183

  For Questar Gas

49,876

39,532

116,064

99,879

  For other affiliated customers

4,260

3,677

26,807

9,168

    Total transportation

107,870

108,725

387,188

367,230

     

Transportation revenue (per dth)

$     0.25

$     0.23

$     0.27

$     0.27

 


Revenues

Natural gas transmission and storage revenues grew 5% in the first quarter of 2004 compared with the first quarter of 2003 and 7% in the 12 months ended March 31, 2004, compared with the year-earlier period. Following is a summary of major changes in Questar Pipeline’s revenues.


 

Change in revenues

 


First Quarter

2004 v. 2003

12 Months Ended March 31, 2004

v. 2003

 

(in thousands)

   

New transportation contracts

$1,500

$  4,700

Expiration of prior transportation contracts

(100)

(1,600)

Eastern segment of Southern Trails in service

  

     beginning June of 2002

 

4,300

Change in gas-processing revenues

100

1,400

Change in gathering revenues

 

100

Other

300

1,900

        Increase

$1,800

$10,800


Questar Pipeline expanded its transportation system in response to growing regional natural gas production and transportation demand. Questar Pipeline added new transportation contracts in 2003 for deliveries to the Kern River Pipeline (owned by MidAmerican Energy) at Roberson Creek and for increased deliveries to Questar Gas customers in northern Utah.


Questar Pipeline began service in June 2002 on the eastern segment of the Southern Trails Pipeline, which extends from New Mexico’s San Juan basin into California.


Questar Pipeline’s transportation system is almost fully subscribed. As of March 31, 2004, Questar Pipeline had firm-transportation contracts of 1,647 thousand decatherms (MDth) per day compared with 1,655 Mdth per day as of December 31, 2003. The amounts include 80 Mdth per day capacity on the eastern segment of Southern Trails. Questar Gas is Questar Pipeline’s largest transportation customer with contracts for 951 Mdth per day, including 50 Mdth per day for winter-peaking service. The majority of Questar Gas’s transportation contracts extend to 2017.


Questar Pipeline’s primary storage facility is Clay Basin in eastern Utah. This facility is 100% subscribed under long-term contracts. Questar Gas has contracted for 62% of firm-storage capacity at Clay Basin for terms extending from 2008 to 2019.


During first quarter 2004 Questar Pipeline signed long-term contracts to support a $54 million expansion of its central Utah transmission system. The expansion will add over 100 MMcf per day of capacity from the Piceance and Uinta basins to the Kern River pipeline, a power-generation facility, and Questar Gas’s distribution system. Questar Pipeline will start construction in the summer of 2005 for a late-2005 in-service date.


Questar Pipeline subsidiary, Questar Transportation Services, owns a processing plant near Price, Utah that was built in 1999 to process gas on behalf of Questar Gas. Questar Gas has contracted for 100% of the plant’s firm capacity and pays the cost of service for operating the plant.

Operating Expenses

Operating and maintenance expenses increased 6% in the first quarter of 2004 over the first quarter of 2003. Reduced construction activity and related capitalization of labor costs resulted in higher operating expenses in the 2004 period. In addition, employee benefits, insurance and pipeline-inspection costs have increased.


Operating and maintenance expenses increased 8% in the 12 months ended March 31, 2004, over the year-earlier period. Higher expenses were due to increased maintenance and higher employee benefit, insurance and pipeline safety costs.


 Depreciation and property-tax expense increased in the 2004 periods, reflecting increased pipeline investment.


Accounting change

On January 1, 2003 the Company adopted a new accounting standard, SFAS 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” and recorded a cumulative effect that reduced net income by $133,000.


Liquidity and Capital Resources


Operating Activities

Net cash provided from operating activities increased 15% in 2004 compared with 2003 due to increased income, noncash adjustments to income and changes in operating assets and liabilities.


Investing Activities

Capital expenditures increased 3% in 2004. Questar Pipeline expects capital expenditures of $51 million in 2004.


Financing Activities

Net cash flow provided from operating activities was more than sufficient to fund capital expenditures and pay dividends in the first quarter of 2004. The excess cash flow was used to repay debt. As a result total debt was 56% of total capital at March 31, 2004. The Company expects capital expenditures for 2004 will be funded from cash flow from operations.


Other Information


Western Segment of Questar Southern Trails Pipeline

The western segment of the Southern Trails Pipeline, which runs from the California-Arizona border to Long Beach, California, is currently not in service. Questar Pipeline is actively seeking customers willing to enter into long-term gas transportation contracts necessary to place the pipeline into service. The company is also considering selling this pipeline, and has received non-binding indications of interest from several interested parties. Questar Pipeline's investment in the western segment is approximately $52 million.


Item 4. Controls and Procedures


(a)  Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”).  Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in alerting them on a timely basis to material information relating to the Company, including consolidated subsidiaries, required to be included in the Company's reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act.


(b)  Changes in Internal Controls.  Since the Evaluation Date, there have not been any significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect such controls.





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Part II

OTHER INFORMATION


Item 5.  Other information.


Questar Pipeline Company ("Questar Pipeline" or the "Company") announced several changes in its executive officers effective March 1, 2004.  Ronald W. Jibson and Kelly B. Maxfield were appointed to serve as Vice President, Operations, and Vice President, Information Technology and Administration, respectively.  Both men also serve in these same positions for other entities within the Regulated Services unit of Questar Corporation ("Questar").


Mr. Jibson, age 51, joined Questar as an engineer in 1980 and most recently served as General Manager, Operations.  Prior to being named to his current position, Mr. Maxfield, age 51, served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Consonus, Inc., a data hosting subsidiary of Questar.  He joined Questar as an auditor in 1977.


Shahab Saeed, age 44, resigned as Vice President, Support Services, for Questar Pipeline and Questar Gas Company to replace Mr. Maxfield as President and Chief Executive Officer of Consonus.  He also serves as Vice President of the Company’s parent, Questar Regulated Services, and Chief Operating Officer of another entity within Regulated Services.  He joined Questar as an industrial engineer in 1981 and has served as an officer within the group since November 2000.


Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.


a.

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:


Exhibit No.

Exhibit


31.1.

Certification signed by Alan K. Allred, the Chief Executive Officer of Questar Pipeline Company ("Questar Pipeline"), pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


31.2.

Certification signed by S. E. Parks, Questar Pipeline's Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


b.

Questar Pipeline did not file a Current Report on Form 8-K during the first quarter of 2004.




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SIGNATURES


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.


QUESTAR PIPELINE COMPANY


(Registrant)


May 13, 2004____________

/s/Alan K. Allred______________________

Date

Alan K. Allred

President and Chief Executive Officer




May 13, 2004__________

/s/S. E. Parks_________________________

Date

S. E. Parks

Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief

Financial Officer




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Exhibit List



Exhibit No.

Exhibit



31.1.

Certification signed by Alan K. Allred, the Chief Executive Officer of Questar Pipeline Company (“Questar Pipeline”), pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  

31.2.

Certification signed by S. E. Parks, Questar Pipeline's Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  



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Exhibit No. 31.1.



CERTIFICATION


I, Alan K. Allred, certify that:


1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Questar Pipeline Company.


2.

Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report.


3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report.


4.

The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:


a)

designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;


b)

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and


c)

presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;


5.

The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function);


a)

all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls that could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and


b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls;


6.

The registrant's other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.



May 13, 2004__________

/s/Alan K. Allred_______________________

Date

Alan K. Allred

President and Chief Executive Officer




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Exhibit No. 31.2.



CERTIFICATION


I, S. E. Parks, certify that:


1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Questar Pipeline Company.


2.

Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report.


3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report.


4.

The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:


a)

designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;


b)

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and


c)

presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;


5.

The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function);


a)

all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls that could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and


b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls;


6.

The registrant's other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.




May 13, 2004_____________

/s/S. E. Parks________________________

Date

S. E. Parks

Vice President, Treasurer, and

Chief Financial Officer




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