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8-K - FORM 8-K - NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COform8-kq22016.htm
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 2, 2016
NW Natural Reports Results for the
Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
___________________________________________________
Consolidated earnings were stable with $0.07 per share on net income of $2.0 million for the second quarter of 2016, compared to $0.08 per share and $2.2 million for 2015.
We connected over 10,500 utility customers during the last twelve months equating to a customer growth rate of 1.5% at June 30, 2016.
The Company refunded nearly $30 million to customers related to lower than projected wholesale natural gas prices and asset management activities.
We obtained the environmental siting permit in April 2016 for our North Mist gas storage expansion project, keeping the project on schedule to meet a winter of 2018-19 in service date. The Company is now finalizing a few additional permits, a full project cost estimate including an updated EPC estimate, and anticipates a notice to proceed during the fall of 2016.
Consolidated earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2016 were $1.40 per share on net income of $38.7 million, compared to $1.12 per share on net income of $30.7 million for 2015. These results include a regulatory disallowance for past environmental costs of $3.3 million pre-tax, or $0.07 per share after tax based on 27.6 million diluted shares, in 2016 and $15.0 million pre-tax, or $0.33 per share after tax based on 27.4 million diluted shares, in 2015. A statutory tax rate of 39.5% was used in both calculations.
Excluding these charges on a non-GAAP basis, earnings were $1.47 per share for 2016 compared to $1.45 per share for 2015. Please see tabular reconciliation of these measures in Consolidated Results section below.
The Company reaffirmed earnings guidance for 2016, at $1.98 to $2.18 per share or $2.05 to $2.25 per share adjusted to exclude the effects of the pre-tax charge of $3.3 million, or $0.07 per share after-tax, related to the final environmental implementation order received in January 2016 as described below.
___________________________________________________
PORTLAND, ORE.—Northwest Natural Gas Company, dba NW Natural (NYSE: NWN), reported earnings per share of $0.07 on net income of $2.0 million for the second quarter of 2016, compared to $0.08 per share on net income of $2.2 million for 2015. Consolidated net income was $38.7 million, or $1.40 per share, for the first six months of 2016, compared to net income of $30.7 million, or $1.12 per share, for the same period of 2015.

Results for both six month periods were affected by non-cash charges related to the Company's environmental regulatory proceeding, which was resolved in January 2016. The first quarter of 2016 included a $3.3 million pre-tax, or $0.07 per share after-tax disallowance(1), from the OPUC's 2016 Order (2016 Order), which was related to the Company's compliance filing under the environmental mechanism. The first quarter of 2015 included a $15.0 million pre-tax charge or $0.33 per share after-tax disallowance from the February 2015 OPUC Order (2015 Order) in the environmental docket. Excluding these charges(2), consolidated net income was $40.7 million, or $1.47 per share for the first six months of 2016, compared to $1.45 per share on net income of $39.8 million for 2015.

“I’m honored to lead this 157-year old Company. Like those before me, I am committed to operating a safe, reliable system in an environmentally responsible way, providing exceptional service to our customers, and continuing to create a solid value for our investors,” said David Anderson, President and CEO of NW Natural. “We had a strong quarter with solid financial results and saw the benefits of lower natural gas prices and continued customer growth. In the months ahead, we will work to leverage the positive momentum in our local economy and to progress our North Mist storage expansion project.”
_________________

(1)Earnings per share (EPS) calculation based on average diluted shares outstanding of 27.6 million and an income tax rate of 39.5%.
(2) See tabular reconciliation of non-GAAP measures in Consolidated Results section below.

1





Consolidated Results
For the three months ended June 30, 2016, NW Natural earnings remained relatively flat with a $0.01 per share or $0.2 million decrease, compared to the same period in 2015. Results were driven by a $1.3 million decrease in utility margin from significantly warmer weather than 2015 offset by customer growth and a $0.7 million increase in operating and maintenance (O&M) expense, partially offset by a $1.7 million increase in gas storage revenues from higher asset management agreements and improved storage pricing at our Gill Ranch facility.

The second quarter results are summarized in the table below:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
In thousands, except per share data
Amount
Per Share
 
Amount
Per Share
 
Change
Net income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Utility segment
$
507

$
0.02

 
$
2,245

$
0.08

 
$
(1,738
)
Gas storage segment
1,439

0.05

 
(86
)

 
1,525

Other
73


 
38


 
35

Consolidated net income
$
2,019

$
0.07

 
$
2,197

$
0.08

 
$
(178
)
Utility margin
$
69,371

 
 
$
70,715

 
 
$
(1,344
)
Gas storage operating revenues
6,992

 
 
5,333

 
 
1,659


For the six months ended June 30, 2016, NW Natural earnings increased $0.28 per share or $8.0 million compared to 2015. The increase was largely due to the non-cash charges related to the 2015 and 2016 Orders. Excluding these charges on a non-GAAP basis, net income increased by $0.9 million primarily from $4.7 million of higher utility margin attributable to customer growth and gains from gas cost incentive sharing and a $1.7 million increase in gas storage revenues, offset by a $5.2 million decrease in other income related to the recognition of $5.3 million of equity earnings on deferred regulatory assets as a result of the 2015 Order.

The six month results are summarized in the table below:
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
In thousands, except per share data
Amount
Per Share
 
Amount
Per Share
 
Change
Net income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Utility segment
$
36,359

$
1.32

 
$
30,580

$
1.12

 
$
5,779

Gas storage segment
2,175

0.08

 
28


 
2,147

Other
126


 
75


 
51

Consolidated net income
$
38,660

$
1.40

 
$
30,683

$
1.12

 
$
7,977

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory environmental disallowance, net of taxes ($1,304 and $5,925)(1)
1,996

0.07

 
9,075

0.33

 
(7,079
)
Adjusted consolidated net income(1)
$
40,656

$
1.47

 
$
39,758

$
1.45

 
$
898

Utility margin
$
206,035

 
 
$
201,316

 
 
$
4,719

Gas storage operating revenues
12,361

 
 
10,636

 
 
1,725

(1) Regulatory environmental disallowance of $3.3 million in 2016 is recorded in utility other income and expense, net ($2.8 million) and utility operations and maintenance expense ($0.5 million). Regulatory environmental disallowance of $15.0 million in 2015 is recorded in utility operations and maintenance expense. Adjusted EPS and net income are non-GAAP financial measures based on the after-tax disallowance. EPS is calculated using the combined federal and state statutory tax rate of 39.5% and 27.6 million and 27.4 million diluted shares for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

2





Utility Results
For the three months ended June 30, 2016, utility segment net income decreased $1.7 million or $0.06 per share due to a $1.3 million decrease in utility margin primarily reflecting significantly warmer weather during the quarter than the same period in 2015 offset by strong customer growth, a $0.9 million increase in O&M expense, and a $0.7 million decrease in other income from lower interest earned on net regulatory assets.

The 7% decrease in deliveries and $1.3 million decrease in margin for the second quarter of 2016 compared to 2015 was mainly due to lower residential and commercial volumes reflecting weather that was 21% warmer than a year ago, and 42% warmer than average. The region experienced exceptionally warm weather during the quarter. Significantly warmer weather can impact utility margins as our Washington customers do not have a weather normalization mechanism in place, and 9% of our Oregon customers have opted out of weather normalization.

For the six months ended June 30, 2016, utility segment net income increased $5.8 million or $0.20 per share due to a $4.7 million increase in utility margin reflecting customer growth and an increase in gas cost incentive sharing gains, a $13.8 million decrease in O&M expense primarily due to the $15.0 million regulatory disallowance as a result of the 2015 Order; and an $8.5 million decrease in other income due to a $2.8 million interest write-off as a result of the 2016 Order and the recognition of $5.3 million of equity earnings on deferred regulatory assets as a result of the 2015 Order.

Although weather for the six months ended June 30, 2016 was comparable to the prior year, deliveries increased 5% due to comparatively colder weather in the first quarter of 2016 during our peak heating season. Weather was 22% warmer than average due to significantly warmer weather in the second quarter of 2016.

Customer Growth. NW Natural achieved a customer growth rate for the trailing 12-month period ended June 30, 2016 of 1.5%, with the Company serving over 718,000 customers at quarter end.

Utility Volume and Margin. The following table presents key utility margin metrics:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Favorable/(Unfavorable)Change
 
Favorable/(Unfavorable) % Change
(Dollars and therms in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
QTD
 
YTD
 
QTD
 
YTD
Gas sales and transportation deliveries
 
192,933


207,886

 
565,482

 
537,863

 
(14,953
)
 
27,619

 
(7
)%
 
5
 %
Weather (in heating degree days)
 
403

 
512

 
1,988

 
1,993

 
(109
)
 
(5
)
 
(21
)
 

Utility operating revenues
 
$
92,135

 
$
132,891

 
$
342,239

 
$
389,197

 
$
(40,756
)
 
$
(46,958
)
 
(31
)
 
(12
)
Less: Cost of gas
 
20,871

 
62,176

 
129,282

 
187,881

 
41,305

 
58,599

 
66

 
31

 
Environmental remediation expense
 
1,893

 

 
6,922

 

 
(1,893
)
 
(6,922
)
 

 

Utility margin(1)
 
$
69,371

 
$
70,715

 
$
206,035

 
$
201,316

 
$
(1,344
)
 
$
4,719

 
(2
)%
 
2
 %
(1) In November 2015 the Company began collecting revenues from customers through the environmental mechanism. These collections are included in utility operating revenues and are offset by the amortization of environmental liabilities presented in the environmental remediation expense line in the operating expense section of the income statement. Utility margin provides a key metric in assessing the performance of the utility segment.

Gas Storage Results
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company's gas storage segment net income increased $1.5 million or $0.05 per share and $2.1 million or $0.08 per share, respectively. Results reflected an increase in revenues from our asset management agreements as well as improved pricing at Gill Ranch for the 2016-17 gas storage year. In addition, lower operating costs and interest expense at the Gill Ranch facility contributed to improved results.


3




Consolidated Operations
For the three months ended June 30, 2016, consolidated O&M expense increased $0.7 million compared to the same period in 2015 due to higher professional services and contractor work. For the six months ended June 30, 2016 consolidated O&M expense decreased $14.5 million compared to the same period in 2015 primarily due to the $15.0 million pre-tax charge from the 2015 Order offset by the higher professional services and contractor work.

For the three months ended June 30, 2016, other income decreased $0.6 million compared to the same period in 2015 due to lower interest earned on net regulatory assets. For the six months ended June 30, 2016 other income decreased $8.0 million compared to the same period in 2015 due to the recognition of $5.3 million of equity earnings from deferred environmental expenses in the first quarter of 2015 as a result of the 2015 Order. In addition, the 2016 Order resulted in a write-off of $2.8 million of interest in the first quarter of 2016.

Cash Flows
Cash provided by operations increased $32.1 million to $199.6 million for the first six months of 2016 due to $20.1 million higher net deferred tax liabilities from the extension of bonus depreciation; $20.4 million increase in cash from lower accounts payable balances reflecting comparatively lower gas prices and volumes sold, and $6.9 million of cash collections under our environmental mechanism as well as positive changes for other working capital items. These items were partially offset by a $31.0 million decrease in cash primarily from the payment of the early refund of gas cost savings to customers in June 2016.

2016 Earnings Guidance
The Company reaffirmed earnings guidance today in the range of $1.98 to $2.18 per share including the effects of the pre-tax charge of $3.3 million or $0.07 per share after-tax(1), related to the 2016 Order. Excluding the charge on a non-GAAP basis, earnings guidance is $2.05 to $2.25 per share. The Company’s 2016 earnings guidance assumes customer growth from the utility segment, average weather conditions, sustainable operations and maintenance expense levels and normal inflationary increases, slow recovery of the gas storage market, the impact of the five-year extension of bonus depreciation resulting from the enactment of the Federal PATH Act of 2015, and no significant changes in prevailing legislative and regulatory policies, mechanisms, or outcomes.

(1)EPS calculation based on average diluted shares outstanding of 27.6 million and an income tax rate of 39.5%.

Dividend Declaration
The board of directors of NW Natural declared a quarterly dividend of 46.75 cents per share on the Company’s common stock. The dividends will be paid on August 15, 2016 to shareholders of record on July 29, 2016. The Company’s indicated annual dividend rate is $1.87 per share.

Presentation of Results
In addition to presenting the results of operations and earnings amounts in total, certain financial measures are expressed in cents per share or exclude the after-tax regulatory charges related to the Orders implementing the SRRM in 2015 and 2016, which are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company presents net income and EPS excluding the regulatory disallowance along with the GAAP measures to illustrate the magnitude of this disallowance on ongoing business and operational results. Although the excluded amounts are properly included in the determination of these items under GAAP, the Company believes the amount and nature of such disallowance make period to period comparisons of operations difficult or potentially confusing. Financial measures are expressed in cents per share as these amounts reflect factors that directly impact earnings, including income taxes. All references in this section to EPS are on the basis of diluted shares. The Company uses such non-GAAP financial measures to analyze its financial performance because it believes they provide useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating its financial condition and results of operations.


4




Conference Call Arrangements
As previously reported, NW Natural will conduct a conference call and webcast starting at 8 a.m. Pacific Time (11 a.m. Eastern Time) on August 2, 2016 to review the Company's financial and operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

To hear the conference call live, please dial 1-866-267-6789 within the United States and 1-855-669-9657 from Canada. International callers can dial 1-412-902-4110. To access the conference replay, please call 1-877-344-7529 and enter the conference identification pass code 10088843. To hear the replay from Canada, please dial 1-855-669-9658 and from international locations, please dial 1-412-317-0088.

To hear the conference by webcast, log on to NW Natural's corporate website at nwnatural.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This report, and other presentations made by NW Natural from time to time, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipates," "assumes," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "believes," "estimates," "expects" and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the following: plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, the economy, investments, customer growth, weather and its impacts, environmental remediation cost recoveries, levels and pricing of gas storage contracts, gas storage development or costs, events or timing related thereto, financial positions, operation and maintenance expense, capital expenditures, free cash flow levels, revenues and earnings and the timing thereof, dividends, effects of regulatory disallowance, performance, effects of legislative policies, including bonus depreciation, timing or effects of future regulatory proceedings or future regulatory approvals, regulatory prudence reviews, effects of and recoveries under regulatory mechanisms, including, but not limited to, SRRM, and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts.

Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and assumptions regarding its business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions you therefore against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future operational or financial performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are discussed by reference to the factors described in Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors", and Part II, Item 7 and Item 7A "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Part I, Items 2 and 3 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk", and Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors", in the Company's quarterly reports filed thereafter.

All forward-looking statements made in this report and all subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of the Company, are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for the Company to predict all such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.


5




About NW Natural
NW Natural (NYSE:NWN) is headquartered in Portland, Ore., and provides natural gas service to more than 718,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers through approximately 14,000 miles of mains and service lines in western Oregon and southwestern Washington. It is the largest independent natural gas utility in the Pacific Northwest with $2.9 billion in total assets. NW Natural and its subsidiaries currently own and operate underground gas storage facilities with storage capacity of approximately 31 Bcf in Oregon and California. Additional information is available at nwnatural.com.

# # #
Investor Contact:
Nikki Sparley
Phone: 503-721-2530
Email: nikki.sparley@nwnatural.com

Media Contact:
Melissa Moore
Phone: 503-220-2436
Email: melissa.moore@nwnatural.com

6




 
NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY
 
Financial Highlights (Unaudited)
 
Second Quarter - 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
In thousands, except per share amounts, customer, and degree day data
 
June 30,
 
 
June 30,
 
 
June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Change
2016
 
2015
Change
2016
 
2015
Change
Operating revenues
$
99,183

 
$
138,280

(28)%
$
354,712

 
$
399,945

(11)%
$
678,558

 
$
727,427

(7)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of gas
 
20,871

 
 
62,176

(66)
 
129,282

 
 
187,881

(31)
 
268,706

 
 
339,890

(21)
 
Operations and maintenance
 
35,962

 
 
35,311

2
 
74,901

 
 
89,427

(16)
 
142,995

 
 
156,292

(9)
 
Environmental remediation
 
1,893

 
 

100
 
6,922

 
 

100
 
10,435

 
 

100
 
General taxes
 
7,438

 
 
7,649

(3)
 
16,122

 
 
16,381

(2)
 
30,022

 
 
30,423

(1)
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
20,413

 
 
20,230

1
 
40,807

 
 
40,341

1
 
81,389

 
 
80,236

1
 
Total operating expenses
 
86,577

 
 
125,366

(31)
 
268,034

 
 
334,030

(20)
 
533,547

 
 
606,841

(12)
Income from operations
 
12,606

 
 
12,914

(2)
 
86,678

 
 
65,915

31
 
145,011

 
 
120,586

20
Other income and expense, net
 
513

 
 
1,135

(55)
 
(1,796
)
 
 
6,184

(129)
 
(233
)
 
 
6,472

(104)
Interest expense, net
 
9,718

 
 
10,438

(7)
 
19,454

 
 
20,919

(7)
 
41,074

 
 
42,263

(3)
Income before income taxes
 
3,401

 
 
3,611

(6)
 
65,428

 
 
51,180

28
 
103,704

 
 
84,795

22
Income tax expense
 
1,382

 
 
1,414

(2)
 
26,768

 
 
20,497

31
 
42,024

 
 
34,375

22
Net income
$
2,019

 
$
2,197

(8)
 
38,660

 
 
30,683

26
$
61,680

 
$
50,420

22
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average diluted for period
 
27,632

 
 
27,388

 
 
27,591

 
 
27,378

 
 
27,519

 
 
27,319

 
 
End of period
 
27,550

 
 
27,363

 
 
27,550

 
 
27,363

 
 
27,550

 
 
27,363

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per share information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
$
0.07

 
$
0.08

 
$
1.40

 
$
1.12

 
$
2.24

 
$
1.85

 
Dividends declared per share of common stock
 
0.4675

 
 
0.4650

 
 
0.9350

 
 
0.9300

 
 
1.8675

 
 
1.8600

 
Book value per share, end of period
 
29.04

 
 
28.39

 
 
29.04

 
 
28.39

 
 
29.04

 
 
28.39

 
Market closing price, end of period
 
64.82

 
 
42.18

 
 
64.82

 
 
42.18

 
 
64.82

 
 
42.18

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital structure, end of period:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock equity
 
51.7
 %


49.2
 %
 
 
51.7
 %


49.2
 %
 
 
51.7
 %
 
 
49.2
 %
 
 
Long-term debt
 
36.8



38.8

 
 
36.8



38.8

 
 
36.8

 
 
38.8

 
 
Short-term debt (including amounts due in one year)
 
11.5



12.0

 
 
11.5



12.0

 
 
11.5

 
 
12.0

 
 
Total
 
100.0
 %


100.0
 %
 
 
100.0
 %


100.0
 %
 
 
100.0
 %
 
 
100.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating statistics:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customers - end of period
 
718,191



707,539

1.5%
 
718,191

 
 
707,539

1.5%
 
718,191

 
 
707,539

1.5%
Utility volumes - therms:
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential and commercial sales
 
82,625



97,066

 
 
325,499

 
 
303,883

 
 
592,344

 
 
554,097

 
 
Industrial sales and transportation
 
110,308



110,820

 
 
239,983

 
 
233,980

 
 
463,887

 
 
462,286

 
Total utility volumes sold and delivered
 
192,933



207,886

 
 
565,482

 
 
537,863

 
 
1,056,231

 
 
1,016,383

 
Utility operating revenues:
 




 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential and commercial sales
$
82,509


$
117,919

 
$
320,181

 
$
358,831

 
$
606,185

 
$
648,083

 
 
Industrial sales and transportation
 
10,972



17,138

 
 
28,636

 
 
37,664

 
 
62,467

 
 
73,289

 
 
Other revenues
 
1,102



1,131

 
 
2,513

 
 
2,537

 
 
3,890

 
 
3,877

 
 
Less: Revenue taxes
 
2,448



3,297

 
 
9,091

 
 
9,835

 
 
17,290

 
 
18,044

 
Total utility operating revenues
 
92,135



132,891

 
 
342,239

 
 
389,197

 
 
655,252

 
 
707,205

 
 
Less: Cost of gas
 
20,871



62,176

 
 
129,282

 
 
187,881

 
 
268,706

 
 
339,890

 
 
  Environmental remediation expense
 
1,893




 
 
6,922

 
 

 
 
10,435

 
 

 
Utility margin, net
$
69,371


$
70,715

 
 
206,035

 
$
201,316

 
$
376,111

 
$
367,315

 
Degree days:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average (25-year average)
 
691

 
 
691

 
 
2,562

 
 
2,546

 
 
4,256

 
 
4,240

 
 
Actual
 
403

 
 
512

(21)%
 
1,988

 
 
1,993

—%
 
3,453

 
 
3,365

3%
Percent colder (warmer) than average weather
 
(42
)%
 
 
(26
)%
 
 
(22
)%
 
 
(22
)%
 
 
(19
)%
 
 
(21
)%
 


7




NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
 
 
June 30,
 
 
June 30,
In thousands
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
5,463

 
$
4,466

 
Accounts receivable
 
 
23,353

 
 
32,041

 
Accrued unbilled revenue
 
 
14,175

 
 
12,760

 
Allowance for uncollectible accounts
 
 
(570
)
 
 
(723
)
 
Regulatory assets
 
 
49,004

 
 
63,016

 
Derivative instruments
 
 
7,445

 
 
1,023

 
Inventories
 
 
66,171

 
 
76,511

 
Gas reserves
 
 
15,707

 
 
18,214

 
Income taxes receivable
 
 

 
 

 
Deferred tax assets
 
 

 
 
12,693

 
Other current taxes
 
 
21,312

 
 
14,007

 
 
Total current assets
 
 
202,060

 
 
234,008

Non-current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant, and equipment
 
 
3,146,631

 
 
3,042,671

 
Less: Accumulated depreciation
 
 
932,179

 
 
893,722

 
 
Total property, plant, and equipment, net
 
 
2,214,452

 
 
2,148,949

 
Gas reserves
 
 
108,286

 
 
121,355

 
Regulatory assets
 
 
344,969

 
 
342,806

 
Derivative instruments
 
 
3,541

 
 
1,369

 
Other investments
 
 
67,868

 
 
68,147

 
Restricted cash
 
 

 
 
4,500

 
Other non-current assets
 
 
1,968

 
 
2,782

 
 
Total non-current assets
 
 
2,741,084

 
 
2,689,908

 
 
Total assets
 
$
2,943,144

 
$
2,923,916

Liabilities and equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term debt
 
$
152,800

 
$
190,300

 
Current maturities of long-term debt
 
 
24,987

 
 

 
Accounts payable
 
 
57,756

 
 
49,505

 
Taxes accrued
 
 
6,237

 
 
8,782

 
Interest accrued
 
 
5,793

 
 
5,922

 
Regulatory liabilities
 
 
27,300

 
 
26,712

 
Derivative instruments
 
 
3,471

 
 
15,017

 
Other current liabilities
 
 
35,289

 
 
31,332

 
 
Total current liabilities
 
 
313,633

 
 
327,570

Long-term debt
 
 
570,045

 
 
613,737

Deferred credits and other non-current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Deferred tax liabilities
 
 
554,400

 
 
524,099

 
Regulatory liabilities
 
 
341,259

 
 
328,646

 
Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities
 
 
219,049

 
 
233,554

 
Derivative instruments
 
 
474

 
 
1,077

 
Other non-current liabilities
 
 
144,285

 
 
118,269

 
 
Total deferred credits and other non-current liabilities
 
 
1,259,467

 
 
1,205,645

Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
 
388,967

 
 
378,887

 
Retained earnings
 
 
417,857

 
 
407,490

 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
 
(6,825
)
 
 
(9,413
)
 
 
Total equity
 
 
799,999

 
 
776,964

 
 
Total liabilities and equity
 
$
2,943,144

 
$
2,923,916


8




NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
In thousands
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
Operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
38,660

 
$
30,683

 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
 
40,807

 
 
40,341

 
 
Regulatory amortization of gas reserves
 
 
7,647

 
 
10,023

 
 
Deferred tax liabilities, net
 
 
27,022

 
 
6,886

 
 
Qualified defined benefit pension plan expense
 
 
2,737

 
 
3,032

 
 
Contributions to qualified defined benefit pension plans
 
 
(6,120
)
 
 
(5,810
)
 
 
Deferred environmental (expenditures) recoveries, net
 
 
(5,521
)
 
 
(5,659
)
 
 
Regulatory disallowance of prior environmental cost deferrals
 
 
3,273

 
 
15,000

 
 
Interest expense (income) on deferred environmental expenses
 
 

 
 
(5,322
)
 
 
Amortization of environmental remediation
 
 
6,922

 
 

 
 
Other
 
 
2,121

 
 
418

 
 
Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Receivables
 
 
87,271

 
 
85,121

 
 
 
Inventories
 
 
4,525

 
 
1,321

 
 
 
Taxes accrued
 
 
3,710

 
 
(249
)
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
 
(17,141
)
 
 
(37,532
)
 
 
 
Interest accrued
 
 
(80
)
 
 
(157
)
 
 
 
Deferred gas costs
 
 
(9,295
)
 
 
21,718

 
 
 
Other, net
 
 
13,022

 
 
7,670

 
 
Cash provided by operating activities
 
 
199,560

 
 
167,484

Investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
 
(62,153
)
 
 
(58,072
)
 
Utility gas reserves
 
 

 
 
(1,945
)
 
Restricted cash
 
 

 
 
(1,500
)
 
Other
 
 
2,453

 
 
201

 
 
Cash used in investing activities
 
 
(59,700
)
 
 
(61,316
)
Financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock issued, net
 
 
4,332

 
 
812

 
Long-term debt retired
 
 

 
 
(40,000
)
 
Change in short-term debt
 
 
(117,235
)
 
 
(44,400
)
 
Cash dividend payments on common stock
 
 
(25,677
)
 
 
(25,398
)
 
Other
 
 
(28
)
 
 
(2,250
)
 
 
Cash used in financing activities
 
 
(138,608
)
 
 
(111,236
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
 
1,252

 
 
(5,068
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
 
4,211

 
 
9,534

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
5,463

 
$
4,466

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest paid, net of capitalization
 
$
18,124

 
$
19,615

 
Income taxes paid (refunded)
 
 
(7,900
)
 
 
4,625

 
 
 
 


9