SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Form 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For Quarter Ended June 30, 2004
Commission File No. 0-29604
ENERGYSOUTH, INC.
Alabama | 58-2358943 | |||
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer | |||
incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) | |||
2828 Dauphin Street, Mobile,
Alabama |
36606 |
|||
(Address of principal executive office) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code 251-450-4774
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 o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes x No o
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common stock ($.01 par value) outstanding at August 2, 2004 5,210,529 shares.
ENERGYSOUTH, INC.
FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2004
INDEX
Page No. |
||||||||
3 - 4 | ||||||||
5 | ||||||||
6 | ||||||||
7 - 17 | ||||||||
18 - 24 | ||||||||
27 | ||||||||
27 | ||||||||
28 - 32 | ||||||||
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 | ||||||||
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 | ||||||||
Certification Pursuant to Section 906 | ||||||||
Certification Pursuant to Section 906 |
2
PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
EnergySouth, Inc. | June 30, |
September 30, |
||||||||||
In Thousands |
2004 |
2003 |
2003 |
|||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||||||
Current Assets |
||||||||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents |
$ | 10,739 | $ | 5,766 | $ | 4,082 | ||||||
Receivables |
||||||||||||
Gas |
7,671 | 7,422 | 6,652 | |||||||||
Unbilled Revenue |
1,630 | 1,540 | 1,335 | |||||||||
Merchandise |
2,281 | 2,455 | 2,313 | |||||||||
Other |
1,011 | 701 | 939 | |||||||||
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts |
(1,889 | ) | (1,599 | ) | (889 | ) | ||||||
Materials, Supplies, and Merchandise, Net (At Average Cost) |
1,229 | 1,259 | 1,457 | |||||||||
Gas Stored Underground (At Average Cost) |
3,330 | 1,757 | 3,703 | |||||||||
Regulatory Assets (Note 5) |
2,895 | 2,051 | 2,945 | |||||||||
Deferred Income Taxes |
766 | 1,068 | 406 | |||||||||
Prepayments |
1,165 | 1,031 | 1,166 | |||||||||
Total Current Assets |
30,828 | 23,451 | 24,109 | |||||||||
Property, Plant, and Equipment |
272,625 | 263,116 | 267,047 | |||||||||
Less: Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization |
68,678 | 62,147 | 63,063 | |||||||||
Property, Plant, and Equipment Net |
203,947 | 200,969 | 203,984 | |||||||||
Construction Work in Progress |
201 | 1,701 | 1,208 | |||||||||
Total Property, Plant, and Equipment |
204,148 | 202,670 | 205,192 | |||||||||
Other Assets |
||||||||||||
Prepaid Pension Cost |
1,068 | 712 | 856 | |||||||||
Deferred Charges |
560 | 494 | 569 | |||||||||
Prepayments |
972 | 1,029 | 1,015 | |||||||||
Regulatory Assets (Note 5) |
742 | 1,101 | 996 | |||||||||
Merchandise Receivables Due After One Year |
3,421 | 4,005 | 3,774 | |||||||||
Total Other Assets |
6,763 | 7,341 | 7,210 | |||||||||
Total |
$ | 241,739 | $ | 233,462 | $ | 236,511 | ||||||
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
3
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
EnergySouth, Inc. | June 30, |
September 30, |
||||||||||
In Thousands, Except Share Data |
2004 |
2003 |
2003 |
|||||||||
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION |
||||||||||||
Current Liabilities |
||||||||||||
Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt |
$ | 6,208 | $ | 4,668 | $ | 6,006 | ||||||
Notes Payable |
250 | |||||||||||
Accounts Payable |
5,224 | 4,674 | 6,389 | |||||||||
Dividends Declared |
1,562 | 1,454 | 1,463 | |||||||||
Customer Deposits |
1,469 | 1,417 | 1,469 | |||||||||
Taxes Accrued |
5,845 | 4,311 | 3,500 | |||||||||
Interest Accrued |
521 | 578 | 1,272 | |||||||||
Regulatory Liabilities (Note 5) |
895 | 1,061 | 909 | |||||||||
Other |
986 | 1,159 | 1,012 | |||||||||
Total Current Liabilities |
22,710 | 19,322 | 22,270 | |||||||||
Other Liabilities |
||||||||||||
Accrued Postretirement Benefit Cost |
337 | 474 | 415 | |||||||||
Deferred Income Taxes |
20,919 | 17,228 | 18,484 | |||||||||
Deferred Investment Tax Credits |
275 | 296 | 288 | |||||||||
Regulatory Liabilities (Note 5) |
11,603 | 10,816 | 10,998 | |||||||||
Other |
1,558 | 2,535 | 2,619 | |||||||||
Total Other Liabilities |
34,692 | 31,349 | 32,804 | |||||||||
Total Liabilities |
57,402 | 50,671 | 55,074 | |||||||||
Capitalization |
||||||||||||
Stockholders Equity |
||||||||||||
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
(Authorized 10,000,000 Shares; Outstanding
June 2004 - 5,207,000;
June 2003 - 5,105,000;
September 2003 - 5,133,000 Shares) |
52 | 51 | 51 | |||||||||
Capital in Excess of Par Value |
25,844 | 22,761 | 23,490 | |||||||||
Grantor Trust, at cost (37,113 shares at June 30, 2004) (Note 7) |
(1,315 | ) | ||||||||||
Deferred Compensation Liability (Note 7) |
1,315 | |||||||||||
Retained Earnings |
68,368 | 61,360 | 61,114 | |||||||||
Total Stockholders Equity |
94,264 | 84,172 | 84,655 | |||||||||
Minority Interest |
4,592 | 4,000 | 4,142 | |||||||||
Long-Term Debt |
85,481 | 94,619 | 92,640 | |||||||||
Total Capitalization |
184,337 | 182,791 | 181,437 | |||||||||
Total |
$ | 241,739 | $ | 233,462 | $ | 236,511 | ||||||
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
4
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Three Months | Nine Months | |||||||||||||||
Ended June 30, |
Ended June 30, |
|||||||||||||||
In Thousands, Except Per Share Data |
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||||||||
Operating Revenues |
||||||||||||||||
Gas Revenues |
$ | 20,003 | $ | 19,605 | $ | 93,093 | $ | 78,415 | ||||||||
Merchandise Sales |
663 | 709 | 2,382 | 2,549 | ||||||||||||
Other |
330 | 269 | 1,083 | 930 | ||||||||||||
Total Operating Revenues |
20,996 | 20,583 | 96,558 | 81,894 | ||||||||||||
Operating Expenses |
||||||||||||||||
Cost of Gas |
6,098 | 5,855 | 35,859 | 26,632 | ||||||||||||
Cost of Merchandise |
522 | 586 | 1,872 | 1,940 | ||||||||||||
Operations and Maintenance |
6,040 | 6,414 | 19,386 | 19,002 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation |
2,439 | 2,291 | 7,308 | 6,855 | ||||||||||||
Taxes, Other Than Income Taxes |
1,694 | 1,601 | 6,744 | 5,929 | ||||||||||||
Total Operating Expenses |
16,793 | 16,747 | 71,169 | 60,358 | ||||||||||||
Operating Income |
4,203 | 3,836 | 25,389 | 21,536 | ||||||||||||
Other Income and (Expense) |
||||||||||||||||
Interest Expense |
(1,958 | ) | (2,109 | ) | (5,979 | ) | (6,260 | ) | ||||||||
Allowance for Borrowed Funds Used During Construction |
4 | 14 | 16 | 1,142 | ||||||||||||
Interest Income |
21 | 18 | 35 | 56 | ||||||||||||
Minority Interest |
(188 | ) | (177 | ) | (583 | ) | (563 | ) | ||||||||
Total Other Income (Expense) |
(2,121 | ) | (2,254 | ) | (6,511 | ) | (5,625 | ) | ||||||||
Income Before Income Taxes |
2,082 | 1,582 | 18,878 | 15,911 | ||||||||||||
Income Taxes |
784 | 596 | 7,139 | 5,992 | ||||||||||||
Net Income |
$ | 1,298 | $ | 986 | $ | 11,739 | $ | 9,919 | ||||||||
Earnings Per Share |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | 0.25 | $ | 0.19 | $ | 2.27 | $ | 1.96 | ||||||||
Diluted |
$ | 0.25 | $ | 0.19 | $ | 2.25 | $ | 1.94 | ||||||||
Average Common Shares Outstanding |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
5,202 | 5,080 | 5,163 | 5,058 | ||||||||||||
Diluted |
5,264 | 5,133 | 5,225 | 5,116 | ||||||||||||
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
5
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Nine Months | ||||||||
EnergySouth, Inc. | Ended June 30, |
|||||||
In Thousands |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities |
||||||||
Net Income |
$ | 11,739 | $ | 9,919 | ||||
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
Provided by Operating Activities |
||||||||
Depreciation and Amortization |
7,596 | 7,141 | ||||||
Provision for Losses on Receivables and Inventory |
1,096 | 575 | ||||||
Provision for Deferred Income Taxes |
2,123 | 3,538 | ||||||
Minority Interest |
583 | 563 | ||||||
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities: |
||||||||
Receivables |
(1,046 | ) | (2,502 | ) | ||||
Inventory |
549 | 1,633 | ||||||
Payables |
528 | (1,292 | ) | |||||
Deferred Purchased Gas Adjustment |
(4 | ) | (4,822 | ) | ||||
Other |
312 | (1,603 | ) | |||||
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities |
23,476 | 13,150 | ||||||
Cash
Flows from Investing Activities |
||||||||
Capital Expenditures |
(5,862 | ) | (11,251 | ) | ||||
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities |
(5,862 | ) | (11,251 | ) | ||||
Cash
Flows from Financing Activities |
||||||||
Repayment of Long-Term Debt |
(6,956 | ) | (3,267 | ) | ||||
Changes in Short-Term Borrowings |
(250 | ) | ||||||
Payment of Dividends |
(4,485 | ) | (4,185 | ) | ||||
Dividend Reinvestment |
274 | 264 | ||||||
Exercise of Stock Options |
592 | 701 | ||||||
Partnership Distributions to Minority Interest Holders |
(132 | ) | (208 | ) | ||||
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities |
(10,957 | ) | (6,695 | ) | ||||
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
6,657 | (4,796 | ) | |||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period |
4,082 | 10,562 | ||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period |
$ | 10,739 | $ | 5,766 | ||||
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
6
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of EnergySouth, Inc. (EnergySouth) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) include the accounts of Mobile Gas Service Corporation (Mobile Gas); EnergySouth Services, Inc. (Services); MGS Storage Services, Inc. (Storage); a 90.9% owned limited partnership, Bay Gas Storage Company, Ltd. (Bay Gas), and a 51% owned partnership, Southern Gas Transmission Company (SGT). Minority interest represents the respective other owners proportionate shares of the income and equity of Bay Gas and SGT. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Note 2. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. All adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring accruals, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the results for the interim periods have been made. The statements should be read in conjunction with the summary of accounting policies and notes to financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.
Due to the high percentage of customers using gas for heating, the Companys operations are seasonal in nature. Therefore, the results of operations for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 are not indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
7
The table below summarizes operating results for the twelve months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003:
Twelve Months | ||||||||
EnergySouth, Inc. | Ended June 30, |
|||||||
In Thousands, Except Per Share Data |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||
Operating Revenues |
$ | 114,273 | $ | 96,506 | ||||
Cost of Gas |
40,080 | 28,769 | ||||||
Cost of Merchandise |
2,403 | 2,815 | ||||||
Operations and Maintenance Expense |
24,811 | 24,386 | ||||||
Depreciation Expense |
9,401 | 8,736 | ||||||
Taxes, Other Than Income Taxes |
8,092 | 7,112 | ||||||
Operating Income |
29,486 | 24,688 | ||||||
Interest Income (Expense) Net |
(7,976 | ) | (8,242 | ) | ||||
Allowance for Borrowed Funds Used
During Construction |
68 | 1,695 | ||||||
Less: Minority Interest |
(773 | ) | (770 | ) | ||||
Income Before Income Taxes |
$ | 20,805 | $ | 17,371 | ||||
Income Taxes |
7,850 | 6,577 | ||||||
Net Income |
$ | 12,955 | $ | 10,794 | ||||
Earnings Per Share |
||||||||
Basic |
$ | 2.51 | $ | 2.14 | ||||
Diluted |
$ | 2.48 | $ | 2.11 | ||||
Average Common Shares Outstanding |
||||||||
Basic |
5,153 | 5,048 | ||||||
Diluted |
5,215 | 5,108 | ||||||
Note 3. Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for its employee stock option plans under the intrinsic value recognition and measurement provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. As stock options have been issued with exercise prices equal to the market value of the underlying shares on the grant date, no compensation cost has been recognized.
Had compensation cost for the plans been determined based on the fair value of the options on the grant date, consistent with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, the Companys net income and earnings per share would have been as follows:
8
Three Months | Nine Months | |||||||||||||||
EnergySouth, Inc. | Ended June 30, |
Ended June 30, |
||||||||||||||
In Thousands, Except per Share Data |
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||||||||
Net Income, as reported |
$ | 1,298 | $ | 986 | $ | 11,739 | $ | 9,919 | ||||||||
Deduct: |
||||||||||||||||
Total stock-based employee compensation
expense determined under fair value based
method for all awards, net of related tax effects |
47 | 42 | 134 | 117 | ||||||||||||
Pro forma net income |
$ | 1,251 | $ | 944 | $ | 11,605 | $ | 9,802 | ||||||||
Earnings per share: |
||||||||||||||||
Basic as reported |
$ | 0.25 | $ | 0.19 | $ | 2.27 | $ | 1.96 | ||||||||
Basic pro forma |
$ | 0.24 | $ | 0.19 | $ | 2.25 | $ | 1.94 | ||||||||
Diluted as reported |
$ | 0.25 | $ | 0.19 | $ | 2.25 | $ | 1.94 | ||||||||
Diluted pro forma |
$ | 0.24 | $ | 0.18 | $ | 2.22 | $ | 1.92 | ||||||||
Note 4. Retirement Plans and Other Benefits
The Company has a noncontributory, defined benefit plan covering substantially all of its employees. Benefits are based on the greater of amounts resulting from two different formulas: years of service and average compensation during the last five years of employment, or years of service and average compensation during the term of employment. The Company annually contributes to the plan the amount deductible for federal income tax purposes.
The Company also provides certain health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees. Substantially all employees may become eligible for such benefits if they retire under the provisions of the Companys retirement plan. The Company is accruing the costs of such benefits over the expected service period of the employees.
In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a revised Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 132 (revised 2003), Employers Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (SFAS 132R) which, in part, requires interim disclosures of the net periodic benefit cost recognized for each period for which a statement of income is presented.
9
The projected unit credit actuarial method was used to determine service cost and actuarial liability. In accordance with SFAS 132R, net periodic benefit cost for the periods indicated included the following components:
Pension | Postretirement | |||||||||||||||
Benefits |
Benefits |
|||||||||||||||
For the three months ended June 30, (in thousands) |
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||||||||
Service cost |
$ | 214 | $ | 173 | $ | 29 | $ | 25 | ||||||||
Interest cost |
391 | 382 | 62 | 64 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of transition asset |
(32 | ) | (46 | ) | ||||||||||||
Amortization of prior service cost |
24 | 24 | (11 | ) | (11 | ) | ||||||||||
Amortization of unrecognized gain/(loss) |
(32 | ) | (89 | ) | 3 | 2 | ||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets |
(645 | ) | (578 | ) | (71 | ) | (53 | ) | ||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost (credit) |
$ | (80 | ) | $ | (134 | ) | $ | 12 | $ | 27 | ||||||
Pension | Postretirement | |||||||||||||||
Benefits |
Benefits |
|||||||||||||||
For the nine months ended June 30, (in thousands) |
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||||||||
Service cost |
$ | 643 | $ | 518 | $ | 88 | $ | 75 | ||||||||
Interest cost |
1,172 | 1,145 | 187 | 191 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of transition asset |
(96 | ) | (137 | ) | ||||||||||||
Amortization of prior service cost |
71 | 71 | (33 | ) | (33 | ) | ||||||||||
Amortization of unrecognized (gain)/loss |
(96 | ) | (266 | ) | 9 | 5 | ||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets |
(1,934 | ) | (1,733 | ) | (212 | ) | (158 | ) | ||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost (credit) |
$ | (240 | ) | $ | (402 | ) | $ | 39 | $ | 80 | ||||||
For fiscal year 2004, the Company does not anticipate making any contributions to its pension plan due to the fact that the plan is currently fully funded and any contributions to the Companys postretirement benefit plan are expected to be immaterial.
Note 5. Rates and Regulatory Matters
On June 10, 2002, the APSC approved Mobile Gas request for the Rate Stabilization and Equalization (RSE) rate setting process to be effective October 1, 2002 through September 30, 2005, and thereafter unless modified or discontinued by APSC order. RSE is a ratemaking methodology already used by the APSC to regulate certain other utilities. Rate adjustments, designed to increase annual gas revenues by approximately $2.8 million and $2.2 million, were implemented under the RSE tariff effective December 1, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Increases are allowed only once each fiscal year, effective December 1, and cannot exceed four percent of prior-year revenues. Under RSE, the APSC has conducted reviews using fiscal year-to-date performance through January and through April plus Mobile Gas budget projections to determine whether Mobile Gas return on equity is expected to be within the allowed range of 13.35% to 13.85% at the end of the fiscal year. No reduction in
10
rates has been made based on these reviews. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2004, Mobile Gas return on equity as would be calculated for RSE purposes was 14.56% on average equity of $61,625,000. Financial results in the fourth quarter may lower this return on equity for the fiscal year to within the allowed range under RSE. Should Mobile Gas complete the fiscal year with a return on equity above the allowed range, however, an adjustment will be made to current fiscal year earnings such that the return on average equity as calculated for RSE purposes will equal 13.6%, the midpoint of the allowed range, and a payable reflected for the amount owed to customers. A reduction in rates would be made in the next fiscal year. RSE limits the amount of Mobile Gas equity upon which a return is permitted to 60 percent of its total capitalization and provides for certain cost control measures designed to monitor Mobile Gas operations and maintenance (O&M) expense. Under the inflation-based cost control measurement established by the APSC, if a change in Mobile Gas O&M expense per customer falls within 1.5 percentage points above or below the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Customers (index range), no adjustment is required. If the change in O&M expense per customer exceeds the index range, three-quarters of the difference is returned to customers. To the extent the change is less than the index range, the utility benefits by one-half of the difference through future rate adjustments. The increase in O&M expenses per customer was within the index range for the rate year ended September 30, 2003; therefore, no adjustments were required.
In conjunction with the approval of RSE, the APSC approved an Enhanced Stability Reserve (ESR), beginning October 1, 2002, to which Mobile Gas may charge the full amount of: 1) extraordinary O&M expenses resulting from force majeure events such as storms, severe weather, and outages, when one such event results in more than $100,000 of additional O&M expense or a combination of two or more such events results in more than $150,000 of additional O&M expense during a fiscal year; or 2) losses of revenue from any individual industrial or commercial customer in excess of $100,000 during the fiscal year, if such losses cause Mobile Gas return on equity to fall below 13.35%. An initial ESR balance of $1.0 million was recorded October 1, 2002 and is being recovered from customers through rates. Subject to APSC approval, additional funding, up to a maximum reserve balance of $1.5 million, may be provided by any future non-recurring revenue should such revenue cause Mobile Gas return on equity for the fiscal year to exceed 13.85%. During the year ended September 30, 2003, Mobile Gas charged $146,000 against the ESR due to revenue losses from a large industrial customer. Following a year in which a charge against the ESR is made, the APSC provides for accruals to the ESR of no more than $15,000 monthly until the maximum funding level is achieved; however, no such accruals have been made during the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004. The ESR balance of $854,000 at June 30, 2004 is included in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as part of Regulatory Liabilities.
Mobile Gas rates contain a temperature adjustment rider which is designed to offset the impact of unusually cold or warm weather on the Companys operating margins. The adjustment is calculated monthly for the months of November through April and applied to customers bills in the same billing cycle in which the weather variation occurs. The temperature adjustment rider applies to substantially all residential and small commercial customers.
11
The Company is subject to the provisions of FASB Statement No. 71, Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation (SFAS 71). Regulatory assets represent probable future revenues associated with certain costs that are expected to be recovered from customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory liabilities represent probable future reductions in revenues associated with amounts that are expected to be credited to customers through the ratemaking process. The following table presents the significant regulatory assets and liabilities as of the stated dates (in thousands):
June 30, 2004 |
June 30, 2003 |
September 30, 2003 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Current |
Noncurrent |
Current |
Noncurrent |
Current |
Noncurrent |
|||||||||||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property, Plant, and Equipment |
$ | 32 | $ | 85 | $ | 32 | $ | 85 | $ | 10 | ||||||||||||||
Deferred Purchase Gas Adjustment |
2,537 | 1,640 | 2,533 | |||||||||||||||||||||
ESR Fund |
167 | 542 | 167 | 708 | 167 | 666 | ||||||||||||||||||
Bad Debt Reserve |
133 | 166 | 133 | 299 | 133 | 265 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other |
26 | 34 | 26 | 62 | 27 | 55 | ||||||||||||||||||
Regulatory Assets |
$ | 2,895 | $ | 742 | $ | 2,051 | $ | 1,101 | $ | 2,945 | $ | 996 | ||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bad Debt Reserve |
$ | 25 | $ | 5 | $ | 45 | $ | 30 | $ | 40 | $ | 20 | ||||||||||||
ESR Fund |
854 | 1,000 | 854 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Asset Retirement Obligations |
11,457 | 10,630 | 10,825 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred Investment Tax Credit |
16 | 141 | 16 | 156 | 15 | 153 | ||||||||||||||||||
Regulatory Liabilities |
$ | 895 | $ | 11,603 | $ | 1,061 | $ | 10,816 | $ | 909 | $ | 10,998 | ||||||||||||
In the event that a portion of the Companys operations should no longer be subject to the provisions of SFAS No. 71, the Company would be required to write off related regulatory assets and liabilities that are not specifically addressed through regulated rates. In addition, the Company would be required to determine if any impairment to other assets exists, including plant, and write down the assets, if impaired, to their fair market value.
Note 6. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and diluted potential common shares, using the treasury stock method, outstanding during each period.
Average common shares used to compute basic earnings per share differed from average common shares used to compute diluted earnings per share by equivalent shares of 62,000 and 53,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and 62,000 and 58,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003. These differences in equivalent shares are from outstanding stock options.
12
Note 7. Deferred Compensation
The Company maintains The Second Amended and Restated EnergySouth, Inc. Non-Employee Directors Deferred Fee Plan (the Plan) which is a nonqualified deferred compensation plan available to each director of the Company who is not an employee of the Company. Under the Plan, the Company provides each such director with the opportunity to defer receipt of fees to be paid to such director as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company. A director who enrolls in the Plan may elect to have the deferred compensation credited in the form of phantom stock and any payments from the Plan to satisfy the deferred compensation obligations of such director will be made in shares of common stock. On April 1, 2004, the Company established a non-qualified grantor trust (the Trust) to assist in meeting obligations under the Plan. The assets held in the Trust are intended to be used to pay benefits payable under the Plan, but are subject to, among other things, the claims of general creditors of the Company.
A total of 60,000 shares of common stock of the Company have been reserved for issuance in satisfaction of the deferred compensation obligations. As of June 30, 2004, approximately 37,000 shares of common stock of the Company have been issued and are held by the Trust.
Note 8. Segment Information
The Company is principally engaged in two reportable business segments: Natural Gas Distribution and Natural Gas Storage. The Natural Gas Distribution segment is actively engaged in the distribution and transportation of natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers through Mobile Gas and SGT. The Natural Gas Storage segment provides for the underground storage of natural gas and transportation services through the operations of Bay Gas and Storage. Through Mobile Gas and Services, the Company also provides merchandising and other energy-related services which are aggregated with EnergySouth, the holding company, and included in the Other segment.
Segment earnings information presented in the table below includes intersegment revenues which are eliminated in consolidation. Such intersegment revenues are primarily amounts paid by the Natural Gas Distribution segment to the Natural Gas Storage segment.
13
For the three months ended | Natural Gas | Natural Gas | ||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2004 (in thousands): |
Distribution |
Storage |
Other |
Eliminations |
Consolidated |
|||||||||||||||
Operating Revenues |
$ | 16,667 | $ | 4,372 | $ | 993 | $ | (1,036 | ) | $ | 20,996 | |||||||||
Cost of Gas |
7,134 | (1,036 | ) | 6,098 | ||||||||||||||||
Cost of Merchandise |
522 | 522 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operations and Maintenance Expense |
4,982 | 695 | 363 | 6,040 | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation Expense |
1,828 | 611 | 2,439 | |||||||||||||||||
Taxes, Other Than Income Taxes |
1,436 | 246 | 12 | 1,694 | ||||||||||||||||
Operating Income |
1,287 | 2,820 | 96 | | 4,203 | |||||||||||||||
Interest Income |
10 | 11 | 21 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest Expense |
(825 | ) | (1,114 | ) | (19 | ) | (1,958 | ) | ||||||||||||
Allow. for Borrowed Funds Used
During Construction |
4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Less: Minority Interest |
(29 | ) | (159 | ) | (188 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Income Before Income Taxes |
$ | 447 | $ | 1,558 | $ | 77 | $ | 2,082 | ||||||||||||
For the three months ended | Natural Gas | Natural Gas | ||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2003 (in thousands): |
Distribution |
Storage |
Other |
Eliminations |
Consolidated |
|||||||||||||||
Operating Revenues |
$ | 16,461 | $ | 4,181 | $ | 978 | $ | (1,037 | ) | $ | 20,583 | |||||||||
Cost of Gas |
6,888 | (1,033 | ) | 5,855 | ||||||||||||||||
Cost of Merchandise & Jobbing |
586 | 586 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operations and Maintenance Expense |
5,275 | 817 | 326 | (4 | ) | 6,414 | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation Expense |
1,756 | 535 | 2,291 | |||||||||||||||||
Taxes, Other Than Income Taxes |
1,420 | 171 | 10 | 1,601 | ||||||||||||||||
Operating Income |
1,122 | 2,658 | 56 | | 3,836 | |||||||||||||||
Interest Income |
8 | 10 | 18 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest Expense |
(838 | ) | (1,185 | ) | (86 | ) | (2,109 | ) | ||||||||||||
Allow. for Borrowed Funds Used
During Construction |
14 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||
Less: Minority Interest |
(42 | ) | (135 | ) | (177 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Income Before Income Taxes |
$ | 264 | $ | 1,348 | $ | (30 | ) | $ | 1,582 | |||||||||||
14
For the nine months ended | Natural Gas | Natural Gas | ||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2004 (in thousands): |
Distribution |
Storage |
Other |
Eliminations |
Consolidated |
|||||||||||||||
Operating Revenues |
$ | 83,153 | $ | 13,087 | $ | 3,465 | $ | (3,147 | ) | $ | 96,558 | |||||||||
Cost of Gas |
39,006 | (3,147 | ) | 35,859 | ||||||||||||||||
Cost of Merchandise |
1,872 | 1,872 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operations and Maintenance Expense |
15,871 | 2,223 | 1,292 | 19,386 | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation Expense |
5,484 | 1,824 | 7,308 | |||||||||||||||||
Taxes, Other Than Income Taxes |
6,049 | 646 | 49 | 6,744 | ||||||||||||||||
Operating Income |
16,743 | 8,394 | 252 | | 25,389 | |||||||||||||||
Interest Income |
14 | 30 | (9 | ) | 35 | |||||||||||||||
Interest Expense |
(2,457 | ) | (3,378 | ) | (153 | ) | 9 | (5,979 | ) | |||||||||||
Allow. for Borrowed Funds Used
During Construction |
16 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||
Less: Minority Interest |
(117 | ) | (466 | ) | (583 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Income Before Income Taxes |
$ | 14,199 | $ | 4,580 | $ | 99 | $ | 18,878 | ||||||||||||
For the nine months ended | Natural Gas | Natural Gas | ||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2003 (in thousands): |
Distribution |
Storage |
Other |
Eliminations |
Consolidated |
|||||||||||||||
Operating Revenues |
$ | 71,191 | $ | 10,397 | $ | 3,475 | $ | (3,169 | ) | $ | 81,894 | |||||||||
Cost of Gas |
29,775 | (3,143 | ) | 26,632 | ||||||||||||||||
Cost of Merchandise & Jobbing |
1,940 | 1,940 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operations and Maintenance Expense |
15,989 | 1,888 | 1,151 | (26 | ) | 19,002 | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation Expense |
5,268 | 1,587 | 6,855 | |||||||||||||||||
Taxes, Other Than Income Taxes |
5,379 | 512 | 38 | 5,929 | ||||||||||||||||
Operating Income |
14,780 | 6,410 | 346 | | 21,536 | |||||||||||||||
Interest Income |
20 | 38 | (2 | ) | 56 | |||||||||||||||
Interest Expense |
(2,651 | ) | (3,467 | ) | (142 | ) | (6,260 | ) | ||||||||||||
Allow. for Borrowed Funds Used
During Construction |
32 | 1,110 | 1,142 | |||||||||||||||||
Less: Minority Interest |
(189 | ) | (374 | ) | (563 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Income Before Income Taxes |
$ | 11,992 | $ | 3,717 | $ | 202 | $ | 15,911 | ||||||||||||
Note 9. Unearned Revenue
In November 2001, Bay Gas entered into an agreement which granted a customer a nineteen-month option to transport additional volumes in excess of the volumes under long-term contract. During the first quarter of fiscal 2002, Bay Gas received $3,274,000 in consideration of the option agreement, which was fully amortized as of the end of May 2003.
Note 10. Contingencies
Like many gas distribution companies, prior to the widespread availability of natural gas, the Company manufactured gas for sale to its customers. In contrast to some other companies which operated multiple manufactured gas plants, the Company and its predecessor operated only one such plant, which discontinued operations in 1933. The process for manufacturing gas produced by-products and residuals, such as coal tar, and certain
15
remnants of these residuals are sometimes found at former gas manufacturing sites.
The Company conducted a preliminary assessment in 1994 of its former gas plant site and has tested certain waters in the vicinity of the site. The Company developed and has implemented a plan for the site based on the advice of environmental consultants, which involves securing and monitoring the site, and continued testing. In 2000, the Company commenced discussions with the City of Mobile regarding the possible development of the property as a city park. As part of this process, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) is conducting a Brownfields evaluation of the property. Testing of the site has been completed by ADEM; however, the Company is unable to predict when ADEMs final report will be available. Preliminary data received from ADEM has been reviewed by the Companys environmental consultants. Based on information received to date, the Company does not believe that the site currently poses any threat to human health or the environment. At this time, the Company continues to believe that material remediation costs are unlikely and has therefore established no reserve for such costs in its financial statements. The Company intends that, should further investigation or changes in environmental laws or regulations require material expenditures for evaluation or remediation, with regard to the site, it would apply to the APSC for appropriate rate recovery of such costs. However, there can be no assurances that the APSC would approve the recovery of such costs or the amount and timing of any such recovery.
The Company is involved in litigation arising in the normal course of business. Management believes that the ultimate resolution of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
Note 11. New Accounting Pronouncements
On December 8, 2003, President Bush signed into law a bill that expands Medicare, adding a prescription drug benefit for Medicare-eligible retirees starting in 2006. On May 19, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Staff Position FAS 106-2, Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (FAS 106-2) which provides guidance on the accounting and disclosures related to the subsidy for an employer that sponsors a postretirement health care benefit plan that provides prescription drug coverage. The Company does not provide health insurance coverage to retirees past 65 years of age, therefore, FAS 106-2 will not have an impact on the Companys financial statements.
Note 12. Subsequent Event
On July 30, 2004, the Board of Directors of EnergySouth declared a three-for-two split of outstanding common stock whereby one additional share will be issued for each two shares held as of the record date of August 16, 2004. Common stock will begin trading on the post split basis on September 2, 2004. The new shares will be issued to shareholders on September 1, 2004 with cash to be paid in lieu of fractional shares resulting from the split.
16
Pro-forma earnings per share data for the periods ended June 30, 2004 as reported in this Form 10-Q, and adjusted for the common stock split, is as follows:
Three Months | Nine Months | Twelve Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||
EnergySouth, Inc. | Ended June 30, |
Ended June 30, |
Ended June 30, |
|||||||||||||||||||||
In Thousands, Except per Share Data |
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||||||||||||||
Net Income |
$ | 1,298 | $ | 986 | $ | 11,739 | $ | 9,919 | $ | 12,955 | $ | 10,794 | ||||||||||||
Earnings Per Share |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | 0.17 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 1.52 | $ | 1.31 | $ | 1.68 | $ | 1.43 | ||||||||||||
Diluted |
$ | 0.16 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 1.50 | $ | 1.29 | $ | 1.66 | $ | 1.41 | ||||||||||||
Average Common Shares Outstanding |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
7,803 | 7,620 | 7,745 | 7,587 | 7,730 | 7,572 | ||||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
7,895 | 7,700 | 7,838 | 7,674 | 7,823 | 7,662 |
17
Item 2 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The Company
EnergySouth, Inc. (EnergySouth) is a holding company for a family of energy businesses. EnergySouth and its consolidated subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as the Company. The Company, through Mobile Gas Service Corporation (Mobile Gas) and Southern Gas Transmission Company (SGT), is engaged in the distribution of natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers in southwest Alabama. Through Bay Gas Storage Company, Ltd. (Bay Gas), the Company provides underground natural gas storage services and transportation services. Other EnergySouth subsidiaries are engaged in merchandising, financing, and other energy-related services.
Results Of Operations
Consolidated Earnings
All earnings per share amounts referred to herein are computed on a diluted basis. Earnings per share for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 increased $0.06 and $0.31, increases of 32% and 16%, respectively, as compared to the same prior year periods due primarily to increased earnings from Mobile Gas natural gas distribution system and Bay Gas natural gas storage business. Financial information by business segment is shown in Note 8 to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements above.
Earnings from the Companys natural gas distribution business increased $0.02 and $0.23, per share, respectively, for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same prior year periods. Mobile Gas earnings were positively impacted by rate adjustments which became effective December 1, 2003 and 2002 based upon the guidelines established under the Rate Stabilization and Equalization (RSE) tariff. For further information on RSE, see Natural Gas Distribution below. Earnings were also positively impacted by an increase in temperature-sensitive customers gas consumption, when adjusted for weather, during the first and second quarters of fiscal year 2004 as compared to the same prior year periods and a decrease in O&M expenses during the three and nine-month periods.
The Companys natural gas storage business, operated by Bay Gas, contributed increased earnings per share of $0.02 and $0.09, respectively, for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same prior year periods. The positive earnings contributions are due primarily to increased storage revenues from its second storage cavern placed in service on April 1, 2003. Increased revenues for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2004 were partially offset by additional operations and maintenance costs, depreciation expense and property taxes due to the completion of the second storage cavern.
18
Earnings from other business operations increased $0.02 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same prior year period due to additional costs recognized in the same prior year period to establish reserves for slow-moving merchandise inventory and a reduction in current year interest expense. Earnings from other business operations for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2004 decreased $0.01 as compared to the same prior year period due to a decrease in interest income from financing activities and additional reserves for bad debts.
Natural Gas Distribution
The natural gas distribution segment of the Company is actively engaged in the distribution and transportation of natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers in southwest Alabama through Mobile Gas and SGT.
The Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC) regulates the Companys gas distribution operations. Mobile Gas rate tariffs for gas distribution allow rate adjustments to pass through to customers the cost of gas, certain taxes, and incremental costs associated with the replacement of cast iron mains. These costs, therefore, have little direct impact on the Companys margins, which are defined as natural gas distribution revenues less the cost of gas and related taxes.
In fiscal year 2002, the APSC approved Mobile Gas request for a Rate Stabilization and Equalization (RSE) tariff, a ratemaking methodology already used by the APSC to regulate certain other utilities. Rate adjustments, designed to increase annual gas revenues by approximately $2.8 million and $2.2 million, were implemented under the RSE tariff effective December 1, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Increases are allowed only once each fiscal year, effective December 1, and cannot exceed four percent of prior-year revenues. Under RSE, the APSC has conducted reviews using fiscal year-to-date performance through January and through April plus Mobile Gas budget projections to determine whether Mobile Gas return on equity is expected to be within the allowed range of 13.35% to 13.85% at the end of the fiscal year. No reduction in rates has been made based on these reviews. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2004, Mobile Gas return on equity as would be calculated for RSE purposes was 14.56% on average equity of $61,625,000. Financial results in the fourth quarter may lower this return on equity for the fiscal year to within the allowed range under RSE. Should Mobile Gas complete the fiscal year with a return on equity above the allowed range, however, an adjustment will be made to current fiscal year earnings such that the return on average equity as calculated for RSE purposes will equal 13.6%, the midpoint of the allowed range, and a payable reflected for the amount owed to customers. A reduction in rates would be made in the next fiscal year. See Note 5 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Companys distribution business is highly seasonal and temperature-sensitive since residential and commercial customers use more gas during colder weather for space heating. As a result, gas revenues, cost of gas and related taxes in any given period reflect, in addition to other factors, the impact of weather, through either increased or decreased sales
19
volumes. The Company utilizes a temperature rate adjustment rider during the months of November through April to mitigate the impact that unusually cold or warm weather has on operating margins by reducing the base rate portion of customers bills in colder than normal weather and increasing the base rate portion of customers bills in warmer than normal weather. Normal weather for the Companys service territory is defined as the 30-year average temperature as determined by the National Weather Service.
Natural gas distribution revenues increased $206,000 (1%) and $11,962,000 (17%), respectively, during the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same prior year periods due primarily to the rate adjustments to recover increased gas costs paid to suppliers. Revenues also increased during the current year periods as a result of the RSE rate adjustments which went into effect on December 1, 2003 and 2002. The increase in revenues during the nine-month period was slightly offset by a 4% decline in volumes delivered to temperature-sensitive customers due to temperatures that were 9% warmer than the same period last year and a slight decline in the number of temperature-sensitive customers served during the current year period.
Revenues from the sale of natural gas to large commercial and industrial customers decreased $221,000 (10%) for the three-month period ended June 30, 2004 primarily due to an 18% decline in volumes delivered to these customers in the current year period which more than offset the higher natural gas prices and RSE adjustments. Revenues from the sale of natural gas to large commercial and industrial customers for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2004 increased $247,000 (4%) due to the increase in the price of natural gas and the RSE adjustments.
The cost of natural gas increased $246,000 (4%) and $9,231,000 (31%), respectively, for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same prior year periods due to higher commodity gas prices. Natural gas distribution margins were flat for the three-month period ended June 30, 2004. Margins increased 6% for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2004 primarily as a result of the RSE rate adjustments. Also, consumption by temperature-sensitive customers, when adjusted for weather, increased during the current year heating season as compared to the prior year heating season. The increase in margin for the nine-month period was partially offset by a slight decline in the number of temperature-sensitive customers served during the current year period and the declines in volumes delivered to large commercial and industrial customers which are not subject to the temperature rate adjustment rider.
Revenues from transportation customers declined $92,000 (5%) and $265,000 (5%), respectively, for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same prior year periods with a corresponding decline in volumes of 11% and 10%, respectively, due primarily to increased gas prices and general economic conditions. In addition to plant closings in recent years, a chemical company, which was a customer of Mobile Gas, ceased operations of its Mobile plant in June 2003 and some industrial plants have decreased production or switched to alternative fuels.
Operations and maintenance (O&M) expenses decreased $293,000 (6%) and $118,000
20
(1%), respectively, for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 due in part to reductions in promotional and advertising campaigns. Also contributing to the decrease in O&M expenses for the three-month period was a decrease in payroll costs and associated benefits related to the elimination of sixteen positions during the second quarter of 2004. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 88, Employers Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits, Mobile Gas expensed $270,000 during the second quarter of fiscal year 2004 related to the special termination benefits. The savings realized in the nine-month period were partially offset by the recognition of the additional expense.
Also partially offsetting the decreases in other O&M expenses for the three and nine-month periods was an increase in bad debt reserves. O&M expenses for bad debt reserves increased $74,000 and $382,000, respectively, during the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same prior year periods due to a rise in gas revenues associated with the increase in natural gas prices discussed above. In response to the corresponding increase in revenues, Mobile Gas has established additional reserves for anticipated uncollectible account balances for gas delivered during the current year winter heating season.
Depreciation expense increased $72,000 (4%) and $216,000 (4%), respectively, for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same prior year periods due to Mobile Gas capital expansion projects and increased investment in property, plant and equipment.
Other taxes primarily consist of property taxes and business license taxes that are based on gross revenues and fluctuate accordingly. Other taxes increased $16,000 (1%) and $670,000 (12%), respectively, for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 due primarily to the increased revenues discussed above.
Interest expense decreased $13,000 (2%) and $194,000 (7%), respectively, for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same prior year periods due to principal payments on long-term debt.
Minority interest reflects the minority partners share of pre-tax earnings of the SGT partnership, of which EnergySouths subsidiary holds a controlling interest. Minority interest decreased $13,000 (31%) and $72,000 (38%), respectively, during the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same prior year periods due to a decline in pretax earnings of the partnership.
Natural Gas Storage
The natural gas storage segment provides for the underground storage of natural gas and transportation services, through the operations of Bay Gas. The APSC certificated Bay Gas as an Alabama gas storage public utility in 1992. Through its first storage cavern with 2.3 Bcf of
21
working gas capacity and connected pipeline, Bay Gas thereafter began providing substantial, long-term services for Mobile Gas and other customers that include storage and transportation of natural gas from interstate and intrastate sources. The APSC does not regulate rates for Bay Gas interstate gas storage and storage-related services. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which has jurisdiction over interstate services, allows Bay Gas to charge market-based rates for such services. Market-based rates minimize regulatory involvement in the setting of rates for storage services and allow Bay Gas to respond to market conditions. Bay Gas also provides interstate transportation-only firm and interruptible services. The FERC last issued orders on October 11, 2001 and June 3, 2002 approving rates for such services. On March 9, 2004 in accordance with FERC filing requirements, Bay Gas filed a petition with the FERC requesting approval of rates for transportation-only service.
The construction of natural gas-fired electric generation facilities in the Southeast has provided opportunities to provide gas storage and transportation services. Construction of Bay Gas second storage cavern was completed and the cavern was placed into service April 1, 2003. Bay Gas entered into a fifteen-year contract with Southern Company Services, Inc. (Southern), an affiliate of Southern Company, for a substantial portion of the second cavern capacity. During fiscal year 2004, the remaining capacity of the second cavern was fully subscribed on a firm basis. Currently, the second salt-dome storage cavern has a working capacity of 3.7 Bcf. Continuing cavern development is planned to provide for an additional 1.0 Bcf of working gas capacity. Together, the two caverns at Bay Gas hold 6.0 Bcf, with injection and withdrawal capacity of 200 MMcf and 610 MMcf per day, respectively, but are currently planned to hold 7.0 Bcf, with injection and withdrawal capacity of 300 MMcf and 700 MMcf per day, respectively. The additional cavern development is projected to continue through fiscal 2006 without interruption of storage operations.
With the current working capacity of both caverns fully subscribed, Bay Gas recently began a process that could lead to additional cavern development. As a first step, Bay Gas has concluded a non-binding open season to assess interest for up to a 5Bcf of additional working capacity. Bay Gas is currently following up with the respondents in an effort to secure agreements for firm storage services. Bay Gas plans to move forward with development of a third storage cavern subject to its ability to execute sufficient firm storage agreements with the interested parties.
Bay Gas revenues increased $191,000 (5%) and $2,690,000 (26%), respectively, during the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same prior year periods due primarily to additional storage revenues associated with the commencement of operations of the second cavern and a new storage agreement which was signed during the first quarter of fiscal year 2004. Storage revenues were partially offset by the expiration in May 2003 of an option agreement for transportation services over and above contracted volumes. Bay Gas entered into an agreement in November 2001 which granted to a customer an option to order transportation of additional volumes in excess of the volumes currently under long-term contract. Bay Gas received $3,274,000 in consideration of the option agreement which was amortized over the nineteen-month option period. See Note 9 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information
22
pertaining to the option agreement.
Operations and maintenance (O&M) expenses decreased $122,000 (15%) during the three-month period ended June 30, 2004 and increased $335,000 (18%) during the nine-month period ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same prior year periods. The decrease during the three-month period ended June 30, 2004 is due primarily to non-routine non-recurring operational expenses which occurred in the third quarter of 2003 in connection with the start-up of the second cavern. The increase in O&M expenses during the nine-month period ended June 30, 2004 is primarily due to a general increase in operating costs as a result of the expansion activities of Bay Gas.
Depreciation expense increased $76,000 (14%) and $237,000 (15%), respectively, for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same prior year periods due primarily to the second storage cavern which was placed in service in April 2003.
Other taxes consist primarily of property taxes and those taxes increased as a result of the commencement of operations of Bay Gas second storage cavern.
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction represents the capitalization of interest costs to construction work-in-progress. Capitalized interest costs decreased $1,110,000 for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same prior year period due to the completion of Bay Gas second storage cavern.
Minority interest reflects the minority partners share of pre-tax earnings of the Bay Gas limited partnership, of which EnergySouths subsidiary holds a controlling interest. Minority interest increased $24,000 (18%) and $92,000 (25%), respectively, during the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same prior year periods due to increased pretax earnings of the limited partnership.
Other
Through Mobile Gas and EnergySouth Services, Inc., which are aggregated with EnergySouth, the holding company, the Company provides merchandising, financing, and other energy-related services to comprise the Other category. See Note 8 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements above for segment disclosure.
Income before income taxes from Other business activities increased for the three-month period ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same prior year period as a result of a reduction in current year interest expense and additional costs recognized in the same prior year period to establish reserves for slow-moving merchandise inventory. For the nine-month period ended June 30, 2004, income before income taxes from Other business activities decreased due primarily to the establishment of additional bad debt reserves associated with financing activities.
23
Income Taxes
Income taxes fluctuate with the change in income before income taxes. Income tax expense increased $188,000 (32%) and $1,147,000 (19%), respectively, for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same prior year periods.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company generally relies on cash generated from operations and, on a temporary basis, short-term borrowings, to meet working capital requirements and to finance normal capital expenditures. The Company issues debt and equity for longer term financing as needed. Impacts of operating, investing, and financing activities are shown on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cash provided by operating activities increased $10.3 million during the nine-month period ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same period last year due primarily to collections of increased gas costs from customers, an increase in net income, and an increase in payables. See the Natural Gas Distribution section for additional information regarding the pass-through to customers of the cost of gas.
Cash used in investing activities reflects the capital-intensive nature of the Companys business. During the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company used cash of $5.9 million and $11.3 million, respectively, for the construction of distribution and storage facilities, purchases of equipment and other general improvements.
Financing activities used cash of $11.0 and $6.7 million during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The $4.3 million change in financing activities is due primarily to repayments of long-term debt, including an additional principal payment of $1.7 million on Mobile Gas 7.27% Bonds.
Funds for the Companys short-term cash needs are expected to come from cash provided by operations and borrowings under the Companys revolving credit agreement. At June 30, 2004 the Company had $20.0 million available for borrowing on its revolving credit agreement. The Company pays a fee for its committed lines of credit rather than maintain compensating balances. The commitment fee is 0.125% of the average daily unborrowed amount during the annual period of calculation. The Company believes it has adequate financial flexibility to meet its expected cash needs in the foreseeable future.
Under its gas supply strategy, Mobile Gas enters into forward purchases of natural gas to lock in prices for a majority of its expected gas sales for the upcoming winter heating season. See Gas Supply under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 for further information.
The table below summarizes the Companys contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of June 30, 2004:
24
Remaining | Fiscal Years | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Type of Contractual | Fiscal Year | Fiscal Year | Fiscal Year | Fiscal Year | Fiscal Year | 2009 and | ||||||||||||||||||
Obligations (in thousands): |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
thereafter |
||||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Debt |
$ | 749 | $ | 6,248 | $ | 6,463 | $ | 6,769 | $ | 5,300 | $ | 66,160 | ||||||||||||
Interest Payments |
1,283 | 7,253 | 6,750 | 6,289 | 5,867 | 32,394 | ||||||||||||||||||
Gas Supply Contracts |
3,424 | 15,880 | 1,170 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 3,215 |
Critical Accounting Policies
See Critical Accounting Policies under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this report, which are not historical in nature, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this report and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of EnergySouth or its affiliates, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among others, risks associated with fluctuations in natural gas prices, including changes in the historical seasonal variances in natural gas prices and changes in historical patterns of collections of accounts receivable; the prices of alternative fuels; the relative pricing of natural gas versus other energy sources; the availability of other natural gas storage capacity; disruption or interruption of pipelines serving the Bay Gas storage facilities due to accidents or other events; risks generally associated with the transportation and storage of natural gas; the possibility that contracts with storage customers could be terminated under certain circumstances, or not renewed or extended upon expiration; the prices or terms of any extended or new contracts; possible loss or material change in the financial condition of one or more major customers; liability for remedial actions under environmental regulations; liability resulting from litigation; national and global economic and political conditions; and changes in tax and other laws applicable to the business. Additional factors that may impact forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Companys ability to successfully achieve internal performance goals, competition, the effects of state and federal regulation, including rate relief to recover increased capital and operating costs, general economic conditions, specific conditions in the Companys service area, and the Companys dependence on external suppliers, contractors, partners, operators, service providers, and
25
governmental agencies.
26
Item 3 QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
At June 30, 2004 the Company had approximately $91.7 million of long-term debt at fixed interest rates. Interest rates range from 6.9% to 9.00% and the maturity dates of such debt extend to 2023. See the information provided under the captions The Company, Gas Supply, and Liquidity and Capital Resources in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 for a discussion of the Companys risks related to regulation, weather, gas supply and prices, and the capital-intensive nature of the Companys business.
Item 4 CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation (the Evaluation) was carried out, under the supervision and with the participation of the Companys President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures (Disclosure Controls). Based on the Evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Companys Disclosure Controls are effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in the Companys periodic SEC reports.
Changes in Internal Control
Internal controls for financial reporting were also evaluated and there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect those controls subsequent to the date of their last evaluation.
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls
A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.
27
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) | Exhibit No. |
Description |
||||
31.1 | Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Chief Executive Officer | |||||
31.2 | Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Chief Financial Officer | |||||
32.1 | Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Chief Executive Officer | |||||
32.2 | Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Chief Financial Officer | |||||
(b) | Reports on Form 8-K | |||||
On May 4, 2004, EnergySouth, Inc. filed its current report on Form 8-K reporting earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 and declaration of a dividend. |
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.
ENERGYSOUTH, INC. | ||
(Registrant) | ||
Date: August 3, 2004
|
/s/ John S. Davis | |
John S. Davis | ||
President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Date: August 3, 2004
|
/s/ Charles P. Huffman | |
Charles P. Huffman | ||
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
28