Williams Companies 10-Q 2022-03-31
Filed 2022-05-02. 7 sections, 212K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON
Cover and table of contents
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
| ☑ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022
or
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from _____________ to _____________
Commission file number 1-4174
THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC.
| (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
| Delaware | 73-0569878 | |||||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||
| One Williams Center | ||||||||
| Tulsa, Oklahoma | 74172-0172 | |||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (918) 573-2000
NO CHANGE
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
| Common Stock, $1.00 par value | WMB | New York Stock Exchange |
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 ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☑ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.) Yes ☐ No ☑
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
| Class | Shares Outstanding at April 28, 2022 | |||||||
| Common Stock, $1.00 par value | 1,218,011,601 |
The Williams Companies, Inc.
Index
The reports, filings, and other public announcements of The Williams Companies, Inc. (Williams) may contain or incorporate by reference statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. Such statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). These forward-looking statements relate to anticipated financial performance, management’s plans and objectives for
future operations, business prospects, outcomes of regulatory proceedings, market conditions, and other matters. We make these forward-looking statements in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this report that address activities, events, or developments that we expect, believe, or anticipate will exist or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by various forms of words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “continues,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “might,” “goals,” “objectives,” “targets,” “planned,” “potential,” “projects,” “scheduled,” “will,” “assumes,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “in-service date,” or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management and include, among others, statements regarding:
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Levels of dividends to Williams stockholders;
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Future credit ratings of Williams and its affiliates;
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Amounts and nature of future capital expenditures;
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Expansion and growth of our business and operations;
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Expected in-service dates for capital projects;
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Financial condition and liquidity;
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Business strategy;
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Cash flow from operations or results of operations;
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Seasonality of certain business components;
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Natural gas, natural gas liquids, and crude oil prices, supply, and demand;
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Demand for our services;
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The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, uncertainties, and risks that could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in this report. Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:
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Availability of supplies, market demand, and volatility of prices;
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Development and rate of adoption of alternative energy sources;
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The impact of existing and future laws and regulations, the regulatory environment, environmental matters, and litigation, as well as our ability to obtain necessary permits and approvals, and achieve favorable rate proceeding outcomes;
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Our exposure to the credit risk of our customers and counterparties;
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Our ability to acquire new businesses and assets and successfully integrate those operations and assets into existing businesses as well as successfully expand our facilities, and to consummate asset sales on acceptable terms;
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Whether we are able to successfully identify, evaluate, and timely execute our capital projects and investment opportunities;
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The strength and financial resources of our competitors and the effects of competition;
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The amount of cash distributions from and capital requirements of our investments and joint ventures in which we participate;
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Whether we will be able to effectively execute our financing plan;
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Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from stakeholders with respect to our environmental, social, and governance practices;
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The physical and financial risks associated with climate change;
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The impacts of operational and developmental hazards and unforeseen interruptions;
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The risks resulting from outbreaks or other public health crises, including COVID-19;
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Risks associated with weather and natural phenomena, including climate conditions and physical damage to our facilities;
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Acts of terrorism, cybersecurity incidents, and related disruptions;
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Our costs and funding obligations for defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans;
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Changes in maintenance and construction costs, as well as our ability to obtain sufficient construction-related inputs, including skilled labor;
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Inflation, interest rates, and general economic conditions (including future disruptions and volatility in the global credit markets and the impact of these events on customers and suppliers);
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Risks related to financing, including restrictions stemming from debt agreements, future changes in credit ratings as determined by nationally recognized credit rating agencies, and the availability and cost of capital;
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The ability of the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other oil exporting nations to agree to and maintain oil price and production controls and the impact on domestic production;
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Changes in the current geopolitical situation, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine;
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Changes in U.S. governmental administration and policies;
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Whether we are able to pay current and expected levels of dividends;
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Additional risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Given the uncertainties and risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, we caution investors not to unduly rely on our forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligations to and do not intend to update the above list or announce publicly the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.
In addition to causing our actual results to differ, the factors listed above and referred to below may cause our intentions to change from those statements of intention set forth in this report. Such changes in our intentions may also cause our results to differ. We may change our intentions, at any time and without notice, based upon changes in such factors, our assumptions, or otherwise.
Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, we caution that there are important factors, in addition to those listed above, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. For a detailed discussion of those factors, see Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as supplemented by the disclosure in Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
DEFINITIONS
The following is a listing of certain abbreviations, acronyms, and other industry terminology that may be used throughout this Form 10-Q.
Measurements:
Barrel: One barrel of petroleum products that equals 42 U.S. gallons
Mbbls/d: One thousand barrels per day
Bcf: One billion cubic feet of natural gas
Bcf/d: One billion cubic feet of natural gas per day
MMcf/d: One million cubic feet per day
British Thermal Unit (Btu): A unit of energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit
MMbtu: One million British thermal units
Tbtu: One trillion British thermal units
Dekatherms (Dth): A unit of energy equal to one million British thermal units
Mdth/d: One thousand dekatherms per day
MMdth: One million dekatherms or approximately one trillion British thermal units
MMdth/d: One million dekatherms per day
Consolidated Entities:
BRMH: Blue Racer Midstream Holdings, LLC
Cardinal: Cardinal Gas Services, L.L.C.
Gulfstar One: Gulfstar One LLC
Northeast JV: Ohio Valley Midstream LLC
Northwest Pipeline: Northwest Pipeline LLC
Transco: Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC
Partially Owned Entities: Entities in which we do not own a 100 percent ownership interest and which, as of March 31, 2022, we account for as equity-method investments, including principally the following:
Aux Sable: Aux Sable Liquid Products LP
Blue Racer: Blue Racer Midstream LLC
Discovery: Discovery Producer Services LLC
Gulfstream: Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C.
Laurel Mountain: Laurel Mountain Midstream, LLC
OPPL: Overland Pass Pipeline Company LLC
RMM: Rocky Mountain Midstream Holdings LLC
Targa Train 7: Targa Train 7 LLC
Government and Regulatory:
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
Exchange Act, the: Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
FERC: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
IRS: Internal Revenue Service
SEC: Securities and Exchange Commission
Other:
EBITDA: Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization
Fractionation: The process by which a mixed stream of natural gas liquids is separated into constituent products, such as ethane, propane, and butane
GAAP: U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
LNG: Liquefied natural gas; natural gas which has been liquefied at cryogenic temperatures
MVC: Minimum volume commitments
NGLs: Natural gas liquids; natural gas liquids result from natural gas processing and crude oil refining and are used as petrochemical feedstocks, heating fuels, and gasoline additives, among other applications
NGL margins: NGL revenues less any applicable Btu replacement cost, plant fuel, transportation, and fractionation
Sequent Acquisition: The July 1, 2021, acquisition of 100 percent of Sequent Energy Management, L.P. and Sequent Energy Canada, Corp.
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
The Williams Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Income
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions, except per-share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service revenues | $ | 1,537 | $ | 1,452 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Service revenues – commodity consideration | 77 | 49 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Product sales | 1,104 | 1,147 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net gain (loss) on commodity derivatives | (194) | (36) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 2,524 | 2,612 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Product costs | 803 | 932 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Processing commodity expenses | 30 | 21 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating and maintenance expenses | 394 | 360 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expenses | 498 | 438 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general, and administrative expenses | 154 | 123 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other (income) expense – net | (9) | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,870 | 1,873 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 654 | 739 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity earnings (losses) | 136 | 131 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other investing income (loss) – net | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest incurred | (289) | (296) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest capitalized | 3 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense) – net | 5 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 510 | 576 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Provision (benefit) for income taxes | 118 | 141 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | 392 | 435 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 12 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. | 380 | 426 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Preferred stock dividends | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) available to common stockholders | $ | 379 | $ | 425 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings (loss) per common share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | .31 | $ | .35 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average shares (thousands) | 1,216,940 | 1,214,646 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | .31 | $ | .35 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average shares (thousands) | 1,221,279 | 1,217,211 |
See accompanying notes.
The Williams Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 392 | $ | 435 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flow hedging activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized gain (loss) from derivative instruments, net of taxes of ($1) in 2022 and $2 in 2021 | 3 | (9) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassifications into earnings of net derivative instruments (gain) loss, net of taxes of $— in 2022 and $— in 2021 | — | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension and other postretirement benefits: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss and net actuarial loss from settlements included in net periodic benefit cost (credit), net of taxes of ($1) in 2022 and ($1) in 2021 | 2 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | 5 | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | 397 | 431 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 12 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. | $ | 385 | $ | 422 |
See accompanying notes.
The Williams Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
General
We are an energy company committed to being the leader in providing infrastructure that safely delivers natural gas products to reliably fuel the clean energy economy. Our operations are located in the United States.
Our interstate natural gas pipeline strategy is to create value by maximizing the utilization of our pipeline capacity by providing high quality, low cost transportation of natural gas to large and growing markets. Our gas pipeline businesses’ interstate transmission and storage activities are subject to regulation by the FERC and as such, our rates and charges for the transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce, and the extension, expansion or abandonment of jurisdictional facilities and accounting, among other things, are subject to regulation. The rates are established primarily through the FERC’s ratemaking process, but we also may negotiate rates with our customers pursuant to the terms of our tariffs and FERC policy. Changes in commodity prices and volumes transported have limited near-term impact on these revenues because the majority of cost of service is recovered through firm capacity reservation charges in transportation rates.
The ongoing strategy of our midstream operations is to safely and reliably operate large-scale midstream infrastructure where our assets can be fully utilized and drive low per-unit costs. We focus on consistently attracting new business by providing highly reliable service to our customers. These services include natural gas gathering, processing, treating, and compression, NGL fractionation and transportation, crude oil production handling and transportation, marketing services for NGL, crude oil and natural gas, as well as storage facilities.
Consistent with the manner in which our chief operating decision maker evaluates performance and allocates resources, our operations are conducted, managed, and presented within the following reportable segments: Transmission & Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, West, and Gas & NGL Marketing Services. All remaining business activities are included in Other. Our reportable segments are comprised of the following businesses:
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Transmission & Gulf of Mexico is comprised of our interstate natural gas pipelines, Transco and Northwest Pipeline, as well as natural gas gathering and processing and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region, including a 51 percent interest in Gulfstar One (a consolidated VIE), which is a proprietary floating production system, a 50 percent equity-method investment in Gulfstream, and a 60 percent equity-method investment in Discovery.
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Northeast G&P is comprised of our midstream gathering, processing, and fractionation businesses in the Marcellus Shale region primarily in Pennsylvania and New York, and the Utica Shale region of eastern Ohio, as well as a 65 percent interest in our Northeast JV (a consolidated VIE) which operates in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, a 66 percent interest in Cardinal (a consolidated VIE) which operates in Ohio, a 69 percent equity-method investment in Laurel Mountain, a 50 percent equity-method investment in Blue Racer, and Appalachia Midstream Investments, a wholly owned subsidiary that owns equity-method investments with an approximate average 66 percent interest in multiple gas gathering systems in the Marcellus Shale region.
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West is comprised of our gas gathering, processing, and treating operations in the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado and Wyoming, the Barnett Shale region of north-central Texas, the Eagle Ford Shale region of south Texas, the Haynesville Shale region of northwest Louisiana, and the Mid-Continent region which includes the Anadarko and Permian basins. This segment also includes our NGL storage facilities, an undivided 50 percent interest in an NGL fractionator near Conway, Kansas, a 50 percent equity-method investment in OPPL, a 50 percent equity-method investment in RMM, a 20 percent equity-method investment in Targa Train 7, and a 15 percent interest in Brazos Permian II, LLC.
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Gas & NGL Marketing Services includes our NGL and natural gas marketing and trading operations previously reported within the West segment prior to January 1, 2022, as well as the operations acquired in the Sequent Acquisition in 2021. This segment includes risk management and the storage and transportation of natural gas on strategically positioned assets, including our Transco system.
| Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued) | Table of Contents |
Dividends
In March 2022, we paid a regular quarterly dividend of $0.425 per share.
Overview of Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Net income (loss) attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc., for the three months ended March 31, 2022, decreased $46 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021, reflecting the benefit of higher service revenues from commodity-based gathering and processing rates in the West and Transco’s Leidy South project placed in service during the second half of 2021, higher commodity margins, and higher results from our upstream operations associated with increased scale of operations, more than offset by a $123 million net unrealized loss on commodity derivatives, the absence of a $77 million favorable impact in 2021 from Winter Storm Uri, and increased intangible asset amortization and selling, general, and administrative expenses, primarily resulting from the Sequent Acquisition.
Our results include $123 million of net unrealized losses from commodity derivatives not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. We can experience significant earnings volatility from the fair value accounting required for the derivatives used to hedge a portion of the economic value of the underlying transportation and storage marketing portfolio as well as upstream related production. However, the unrealized fair value measurement gains and losses are generally offset by valuation changes in the economic value of the underlying production or contracts, which is not recognized until the underlying transaction occurs.
The following discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition and liquidity should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of this Form 10‑Q and our Annual Report on Form 10-K dated February 28, 2022.
Recent Developments
Trace Acquisition
In April 2022, we completed the acquisition of 100 percent of Gemini Arklatex, LLC through which we acquired the gas gathering and related assets of Trace Midstream, located in the Haynesville Shale region (Trace Acquisition), for approximately $950 million, subject to working capital and post-closing adjustments. The purpose of the Trace Acquisition was to expand our footprint into the East Texas region of the Haynesville Shale region, increasing in-basin scale in one of the largest growth basins in the country, and to advance our clean energy strategy. The transaction closed on April 29, 2022.
Company Outlook
Our strategy is to provide a large-scale, reliable, and clean energy infrastructure designed to maximize the opportunities created by the vast supply of natural gas and natural gas products that exists in the United States. We accomplish this by connecting the growing demand for cleaner fuels and feedstocks with our major positions in the premier natural gas and natural gas products supply basins. We continue to maintain a strong commitment to safety, environmental stewardship including seeking opportunities for renewable energy ventures, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction. We believe that accomplishing these goals will position us to deliver safe, reliable, clean energy services to our customers and an attractive return to our shareholders. Our business plan for 2022 includes a continued focus on earnings and cash flow growth.
In 2022, our operating results are expected to benefit from higher commodity prices and volume growth in our Haynesville, Ohio Valley Midstream, and Cardinal areas. We also anticipate increases resulting from recently completed Transco expansion projects, development of our upstream oil and gas properties, and our recently completed Trace Acquisition. These increases are partially offset by the absence of favorable results captured during Winter Storm Uri in 2021 by our Gas & NGL Marketing Services business and lower expected results in the Bradford Supply Hub primarily due to lower gathering rates resulting from annual cost of service contract redetermination.
| Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued) | Table of Contents |
We seek to maintain a strong financial position and liquidity, as well as manage a diversified portfolio of safe, clean, and reliable energy infrastructure assets that continue to serve key growth markets and supply basins in the United States. Our growth capital and investment expenditures in 2022 are expected to be in a range from $2.25 billion to $2.35 billion. Growth capital spending in 2022 primarily includes Transco expansions, all of which are fully contracted with firm transportation agreements, projects supporting the Northeast G&P business, the Trace Acquisition, and an expansion in the Western Gulf area. We also expect to invest capital in the development of our upstream oil and gas properties. In addition to growth capital and investment expenditures, we also remain committed to projects that maintain our assets for safe and reliable operations, as well as projects that meet legal, regulatory, and/or contractual commitments.
Potential risks and obstacles that could impact the execution of our plan include:
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Continued negative impacts of COVID-19 driving a global recession, which could result in downturns in financial markets and commodity prices, as well as impact demand for natural gas and related products;
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Opposition to, and regulations affecting, our infrastructure projects, including the risk of delay or denial in permits and approvals needed for our projects;
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Counterparty credit and performance risk;
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Unexpected significant increases in capital expenditures or delays in capital project execution;
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Unexpected changes in customer drilling and production activities, which could negatively impact gathering and processing volumes;
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Lower than anticipated demand for natural gas and natural gas products which could result in lower than expected volumes, energy commodity prices, and margins;
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General economic, financial markets, or industry downturns, including increased inflation and interest rates;
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Physical damages to facilities, including damage to offshore facilities by weather-related events;
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Other risks set forth under Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the SEC on February 28, 2022, as supplemented by the disclosure in Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Expansion Projects
Our ongoing major expansion projects include the following:
Transmission & Gulf of Mexico
Regional Energy Access
In March 2021, we filed an application with the FERC for the project to expand Transco’s existing natural gas transmission system to provide incremental firm transportation capacity from receipt points in northeastern Pennsylvania to multiple delivery points in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. We plan to place the project into service as early as the fourth quarter of 2024, assuming timely receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. The project is expected to increase capacity by 829 Mdth/d.
| Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued) | Table of Contents |
Results of Operations
Consolidated Overview
The following table and discussion is a summary of our consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021. The results of operations by segment are discussed in further detail following this consolidated overview discussion.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | $ Change* | % Change* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service revenues | $ | 1,537 | $ | 1,452 | +85 | +6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service revenues – commodity consideration | 77 | 49 | +28 | +57 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Product sales | 1,104 | 1,147 | -43 | -4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net gain (loss) on commodity derivatives | (194) | (36) | -158 | NM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 2,524 | 2,612 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Product costs | 803 | 932 | +129 | +14 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Processing commodity expenses | 30 | 21 | -9 | -43 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating and maintenance expenses | 394 | 360 | -34 | -9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expenses | 498 | 438 | -60 | -14 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general, and administrative expenses | 154 | 123 | -31 | -25 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other (income) expense – net | (9) | (1) | +8 | NM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,870 | 1,873 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 654 | 739 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity earnings (losses) | 136 | 131 | +5 | +4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other investing income (loss) – net | 1 | 2 | -1 | -50 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (286) | (294) | +8 | +3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense) – net | 5 | (2) | +7 | NM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 510 | 576 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Provision (benefit) for income taxes | 118 | 141 | +23 | +16 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | 392 | 435 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 12 | 9 | -3 | -33 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. | $ | 380 | $ | 426 |
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- = Favorable change; - = Unfavorable change; NM = A percentage calculation is not meaningful due to a change in signs, a zero-value denominator, or a percentage change greater than 200.
Three months ended March 31, 2022 vs. three months ended March 31, 2021
Service revenues increased primarily due to higher gathering and processing rates driven by favorable commodity prices and annual contractual rate escalations for certain of our West and Northeast operations as well as higher transportation fee revenues associated with the Leidy South expansion project placed in service at Transco in the second half of 2021.
Service revenues – commodity consideration increased primarily due to higher NGL prices. These revenues represent consideration we receive in the form of commodities as full or partial payment for processing services
| Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued) | Table of Contents |
provided. Most of these NGL volumes are sold during the month processed and therefore are offset within Product costs below.
Product sales decreased primarily due to the impact of netting the 2022 legacy natural gas marketing revenues with the associated costs (see Note 1 – General, Description of Business, and Basis of Presentation of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) and lower gas marketing sales prices related to the absence of severe winter weather in 2022 as compared to the first quarter of 2021. These decreases were partially offset by higher marketing sales volumes of NGLs and natural gas, including the increase associated with the Sequent Acquisition in third-quarter 2021, higher sales associated with our upstream operations presented in our Other segment, and higher sales prices related to our equity NGL sales activities. As we are acting as agent for natural gas marketing customers of our Gas & NGL Marketing Services segment, our natural gas marketing product sales are presented net of the related costs of those activities.
Net gain (loss) on commodity derivatives includes realized and unrealized gains and losses from derivative instruments. The unfavorable change primarily reflects net realized and unrealized losses in our Other and Gas & NGL Marketing Services segments.
Product costs decreased primarily due to the impact of netting the 2022 legacy natural gas marketing revenues with the associated costs. These decreases were partially offset by higher prices and volumes for our NGL marketing activities, as well as higher NGL prices associated with volumes acquired as commodity consideration related to our equity NGL production activities.
The net sum of Service revenues – commodity consideration, Product sales, Product costs, Processing commodity expenses, and net realized gains and losses on commodity derivatives related to sales of product comprise our commodity margins. However, Product sales at our Other segment reflect sales related to our upstream operations and are excluded from our commodity margins.
Operating and maintenance expenses increased primarily due to increased costs associated with Transco's Leidy South expansion project placed in service in 2021 and higher expenses associated with our upstream operations.
Depreciation and amortization expenses increased primarily due to amortization of intangibles acquired in the Sequent Acquisition and an increase in depreciation at Transco related to ARO revisions (offset in Other (income) expense – net within Operating income (loss) resulting in no net impact on our results of operations).
Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased primarily due to higher employee-related expenses associated with the Sequent Acquisition.
Other (income) expense – net within Operating income (loss) changed favorably primarily due to the deferral of ARO depreciation (offset in Depreciation and amortization expenses resulting in no net impact on our results of operations).
Provision (benefit) for income taxes changed favorably primarily due to lower pre-tax income. See Note 5 – Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the effective tax rate compared to the federal statutory rate for both periods.
Period-Over-Period Operating Results - Segments
We evaluate segment operating performance based upon Modified EBITDA. Note 13 – Segment Disclosures of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements includes a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to Net income (loss). Management uses Modified EBITDA because it is an accepted financial indicator used by investors to compare company performance. In addition, management believes that this measure provides investors an enhanced perspective of the operating performance of our assets. Modified EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for a measure of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
| Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued) | Table of Contents |
Transmission & Gulf of Mexico
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service revenues | $ | 874 | $ | 834 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Service revenues – commodity consideration | 21 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Product sales | 100 | 67 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment revenues | 995 | 912 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Product costs | (100) | (66) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Processing commodity expenses | (6) | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other segment costs and expenses | (240) | (229) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Proportional Modified EBITDA of equity-method investments | 48 | 47 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Transmission & Gulf of Mexico Modified EBITDA | $ | 697 | $ | 660 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity margins | $ | 15 | $ | 8 |
Three months ended March 31, 2022 vs. three months ended March 31, 2021
Transmission & Gulf of Mexico Modified EBITDA increased primarily due to a favorable change to Service revenues, partially offset by higher Other segment costs and expenses.
Service revenues increased primarily due to a $39 million increase in Transco’s natural gas transportation revenues primarily associated with the Leidy South expansion project placed in service in the second half of 2021, and higher reimbursable electric power costs, which is offset by a similar change in electricity charges, reflected in Other segment costs and expenses.
Other segment costs and expenses increased primarily due to higher operating costs, including higher costs associated with the Leidy South expansion project and higher reimbursable electric power costs, which is offset by a similar change in electricity reimbursements, reflected in Service revenues. These increases are partially offset by a favorable change in the deferral of ARO related depreciation at Transco.
Northeast G&P
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service revenues | $ | 380 | $ | 358 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Service revenues – commodity consideration | 7 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Product sales | 36 | 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment revenues | 423 | 393 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Product costs | (37) | (32) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other segment costs and expenses | (118) | (112) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Proportional Modified EBITDA of equity-method investments | 150 | 153 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Northeast G&P Modified EBITDA | $ | 418 | $ | 402 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity margins | $ | 6 | $ | 3 |
| Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued) | Table of Contents |
Three months ended March 31, 2022 vs. three months ended March 31, 2021
Northeast G&P Modified EBITDA increased primarily due to higher Service revenues.
Service revenues increased primarily due to:
*•*A $9 million increase in revenues at Susquehanna Supply Hub primarily related to higher gathering rates, partially offset by lower gathering volumes;
- A $7 million increase in revenues associated with reimbursable electricity expenses, which is offset by similar changes in electricity charges, reflected in Other segment costs and expenses;
*•*A $5 million increase in revenues at the Northeast JV primarily related to higher processing volumes, partially offset by lower gathering volumes.
Other segment costs and expenses increased primarily due to higher operating expenses, including higher electricity charges.
Proportional Modified EBITDA of equity-method investments decreased at Appalachia Midstream Investments primarily driven by lower gathering rates resulting from annual cost of service contract redetermination, partially offset by an increase at Laurel Mountain due to higher commodity-based gathering rates and higher MVC revenue.
West
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service revenues | $ | 331 | $ | 291 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Service revenues – commodity consideration | 49 | 35 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Product sales | 187 | 152 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net gain (loss) on commodity derivatives | (5) | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment revenues | 562 | 476 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Product costs | (182) | (137) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Processing commodity expenses | (26) | (17) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other segment costs and expenses | (121) | (125) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Proportional Modified EBITDA of equity-method investments | 27 | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| West Modified EBITDA | $ | 260 | $ | 222 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity margins | $ | 23 | $ | 31 | |||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended March 31, 2022 vs. three months ended March 31, 2021
West Modified EBITDA increased primarily due to higher Service revenues, partially offset by lower Commodity margins.
Service revenues increased primarily due to:
-
A $50 million increase primarily due to higher processing rates in the Piceance region and higher gathering rates in the Barnett Shale and Haynesville Shale regions, driven by favorable commodity pricing;
-
A $1 million increase associated gathering volumes primarily due to a production increase in the Haynesville Shale region, substantially offset by a production decline in the Eagle Ford Shale region (the
| Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued) | Table of Contents |
impact of which is substantially offset by the recognition of higher MVC revenue described below); partially offset by
- A $7 million decrease in revenues associated with reimbursable compressor power and fuel purchases primarily due to lower prices related to the impact of the absence of severe winter weather in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the first quarter of 2021, which are offset by similar changes in Other segment costs and expenses;
*•*A $3 million decrease associated with lower MVC revenue in the Wamsutter region, partially offset by higher MVC revenue in the Eagle Ford Shale region.
The net sum of Service revenues – commodity consideration, Product sales, Product costs, Processing commodity expenses, and net realized gains and losses on commodity derivatives related to sales of product comprise our Commodity margins. We further segregate our Commodity margins into product margins associated with our equity NGLs and marketing margins. Marketing margins decreased $12 million, primarily due to the absence of severe winter weather in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the first quarter of 2021. Product margins from our equity NGLs increased $1 million, primarily due to higher net realized commodity sales prices, offset by lower non-ethane sales volumes and higher net realized prices for natural gas purchases associated with our equity NGL production activities.
Other segment costs and expenses changed favorably primarily due to lower reimbursable compressor power and fuel purchases which are offset in Service revenues.
Gas & NGL Marketing Services
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service revenues | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Product sales | 968 | 1,088 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net realized gain (loss) from derivative instruments | (56) | (34) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized gain (loss) from derivative instruments | (59) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net gain (loss) on commodity derivatives | (115) | (34) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment revenues | 854 | 1,055 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Product costs | (812) | (959) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other segment costs and expenses | (29) | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Gas & NGL Marketing Services Modified EBITDA | $ | 13 | $ | 93 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity margins | $ | 100 | $ | 95 |
Three months ended March 31, 2022 vs. three months ended March 31, 2021
Gas & NGL Marketing Services Modified EBITDA decreased primarily due to higher net unrealized loss from derivative instruments and higher Other segment costs and expenses, partially offset by higher Commodity margins.
The net sum of Product sales, Product costs, and Net realized gain (loss) from derivative instruments related to sales of product comprise our Commodity margins. Commodity margins increased $5 million primarily due to:
*•*A $63 million increase associated with the operations acquired in the Sequent Acquisition in the third quarter of 2021 primarily related to favorable pricing spreads on transportation capacity reflecting gains on physical transactions, partially offset by net realized losses on derivatives and a $15 million charge related
| Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued) | Table of Contents |
to the remaining recognition of a purchase accounting inventory fair value adjustment which increased the weighted-average cost of inventory. This increase was substantially offset by
- A $58 million decrease associated with our legacy natural gas marketing operations primarily due to lower net realized natural gas prices from the absence of severe winter weather in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the first quarter of 2021.
Net unrealized gain (loss) from derivative instruments relates to derivative contracts that are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. We can experience significant earnings volatility from the fair value accounting required for the derivatives used to hedge a portion of the economic value of the underlying transportation and storage portfolio. However, the unrealized fair value measurement gains and losses are offset by valuation changes in the economic value of the underlying transportation and storage portfolio, which is not accounted for on a fair value basis.
Other segment costs and expenses increased primarily due to higher employee-related costs related to the Sequent Acquisition.
Other
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service revenues | $ | 9 | $ | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Product sales | 104 | 56 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net realized gain (loss) from derivative instruments | (8) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized gain (loss) from derivative instruments | (66) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net gain (loss) on commodity derivatives | (74) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment revenues | 39 | 63 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other segment costs and expenses | (34) | (30) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Modified EBITDA | $ | 5 | $ | 33 |
Three months ended March 31, 2022 vs. three months ended March 31, 2021
Other Modified EBITDA decreased primarily due to $32 million lower results from our upstream operations which included the following:
*•*A $66 million net unrealized loss on commodity derivatives in the first quarter of 2022 related to hedges of future upstream production; partially offset by
- A $40 million increase in realized product sales primarily due to higher volumes associated with acquisitions of additional ownership interests in the second and third quarters of 2021. This volume increase was partially offset by lower average realized commodity prices due to the absence of severe winter weather in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the first quarter of 2021.
| Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued) | Table of Contents |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Liquidity
Outlook
Our growth capital and investment expenditures in 2022 are currently expected to be in a range from $2.25 billion to $2.35 billion. Growth capital spending in 2022 primarily includes Transco expansions, all of which are fully contracted with firm transportation agreements, projects supporting the Northeast G&P business, the Trace Acquisition, and an expansion in the Western Gulf area. We also expect to invest capital in the development of our upstream oil and gas properties. In addition to growth capital and investment expenditures, we also remain committed to projects that maintain our assets for safe and reliable operations, as well as projects that meet legal, regulatory, and/or contractual commitments. We funded the Trace Acquisition with available sources of short-term liquidity and intend to fund substantially all additional planned 2022 capital spending with cash available after paying dividends. We retain the flexibility to adjust planned levels of growth capital and investment expenditures in response to changes in economic conditions or business opportunities including the repurchase of our common stock.
During the first quarter of 2022, we early retired of $1.25 billion of 3.6 percent senior unsecured notes that were scheduled to mature in March 2022. As of March 31, 2022, we have approximately $1.6 billion of long-term debt due within one year. Our potential sources of liquidity available to address these maturities include cash on hand, proceeds from refinancing or from our credit facility, as well as proceeds from asset monetizations. In May 2022, we expect to early retire our $750 million of 3.35 percent senior unsecured notes that are scheduled to mature in August 2022.
Liquidity
Based on our forecasted levels of cash flow from operations and other sources of liquidity, we expect to have sufficient liquidity to manage our businesses in 2022. Our potential material internal and external sources and uses of liquidity are as follows:
| Sources: | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents on hand | |||||
| Cash generated from operations | |||||
| Distributions from our equity-method investees | |||||
| Utilization of our credit facility and/or commercial paper program | |||||
| Cash proceeds from issuance of debt and/or equity securities | |||||
| Proceeds from asset monetizations | |||||
| Uses: | |||||
| Working capital requirements | |||||
| Capital and investment expenditures | |||||
| Product costs | |||||
| Other operating costs including human capital expenses | |||||
| Quarterly dividends to our shareholders | |||||
| Debt service payments, including payments of long-term debt | |||||
| Distributions to noncontrolling interests | |||||
| Share repurchase program |
As of March 31, 2022, we have approximately $20.8 billion of long-term debt due after one year. Our potential sources of liquidity available to address these maturities include cash generated from operations, proceeds from refinancing or from our credit facility, as well as proceeds from asset monetizations.
| Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued) | Table of Contents |
Potential risks associated with our planned levels of liquidity discussed above include those previously discussed in Company Outlook*.*
As of March 31, 2022, we had a working capital deficit of $1.154 billion, including cash and cash equivalents and long-term debt due within one year. Our available liquidity is as follows:
| Available Liquidity | March 31, 2022 | ||||
| (Millions) | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 604 | |||
| Capacity available under our $3.75 billion credit facility, less amounts outstanding under our $3.5 billion commercial paper program (1) | 3,750 | ||||
| $ | 4,354 |
(1)In managing our available liquidity, we do not expect a maximum outstanding amount in excess of the capacity of our credit facility inclusive of any outstanding amounts under our commercial paper program. We had no commercial paper outstanding as of March 31, 2022. Through March 31, 2022, there was no amount outstanding under our commercial paper program and credit facility. At March 31, 2022, we were in compliance with the financial covenants associated with our credit facility.
Dividends
We increased our regular quarterly cash dividend to common stockholders by approximately 3.7 percent from the $0.41 per share paid in each quarter of 2021, to $0.425 per share paid in March 2022.
Distributions from Equity-Method Investees
The organizational documents of entities in which we have an equity-method investment generally require periodic distributions of their available cash to their members. In each case, available cash is reduced, in part, by reserves appropriate for operating their respective businesses.
Credit Ratings
The interest rates at which we are able to borrow money are impacted by our credit ratings. The current ratings are as follows:
| Rating Agency | Outlook | Senior Unsecured Debt Rating | ||||||||||||
| S&P Global Ratings | Stable | BBB | ||||||||||||
| Moody’s Investors Service | Stable | Baa2 | ||||||||||||
| Fitch Ratings | Stable | BBB |
These credit ratings are included for informational purposes and are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold our securities, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. No assurance can be given that the credit rating agencies will continue to assign us investment-grade ratings even if we meet or exceed their current criteria for investment-grade ratios. A downgrade of our credit ratings might increase our future cost of borrowing and, if ratings were to fall below investment-grade, could require us to provide additional collateral to third parties, negatively impacting our available liquidity.
| Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued) | Table of Contents |
Sources (Uses) of Cash
The following table summarizes the sources (uses) of cash and cash equivalents for each of the periods presented (see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Notes referenced in the table):
| Cash Flow | Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| Category | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Sources of cash and cash equivalents: | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating activities – net | Operating | $ | 1,082 | $ | 915 | ||||||||||||
| Proceeds from long-term debt | Financing | 3 | 897 | ||||||||||||||
| Uses of cash and cash equivalents: | |||||||||||||||||
| Payments of long-term debt | Financing | (1,256) | (5) | ||||||||||||||
| Common dividends paid | Financing | (518) | (498) | ||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | Investing | (291) | (260) | ||||||||||||||
| Dividends and distributions paid to noncontrolling interests | Financing | (37) | (54) | ||||||||||||||
| Purchases of and contributions to equity-method investments | Investing | (56) | (14) | ||||||||||||||
| Other sources / (uses) – net | Financing and Investing | (3) | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (1,076) | $ | 984 |
Operating activities
The factors that determine operating activities are largely the same as those that affect Net income (loss), with the exception of noncash items such as Depreciation and amortization, Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes, Equity (earnings) losses, and Net unrealized (gain) loss from derivative instruments.
Our Net cash provided (used) by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022, increased from the same period in 2021 primarily due to higher operating income (excluding noncash items as previously discussed), favorable changes in margin requirements, and higher distributions from unconsolidated affiliates.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
Our current interest rate risk exposure is related primarily to our debt portfolio and has not materially changed during the first three months of 2022.
Commodity Price Risk
We are exposed to commodity price risk primarily through the operations acquired in the Sequent Acquisition (Sequent), which routinely utilize various types of derivative instruments to economically hedge certain commodity price risks inherent in the natural gas marketing industry. These instruments include a variety of exchange-traded and OTC energy contracts such as forward contracts, futures contracts, and basis swaps, as well as physical transactions that qualify as derivatives. These economic hedging activities are not designated and do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment.
The maturities of Sequent’s derivative contracts at March 31, 2022 were as follows:
| Total Fair Value | Maturity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements Using (1) | 2022 | 2023 - 2024 | 2025 - 2026+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | $ | (32) | $ | 15 | $ | (59) | $ | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Level 2 | (408) | (52) | (195) | (161) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 3 | (11) | 4 | (14) | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of contracts outstanding at end of period (2) | $ | (451) | $ | (33) | $ | (268) | $ | (150) |
(1)See Note 10 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of valuation techniques by level within the fair value hierarchy. See Note 11 – Derivatives for the amount of change in fair value recognized in our Consolidated Statement of Income.
(2)Excludes cash collateral of $107 million in Level 1.
Sequent Value at Risk (VaR)
VaR is the maximum potential loss in portfolio value over a specified time period that is not expected to be exceeded within a given degree of probability. Sequent’s VaR may not be comparable to that of other companies due to differences in the factors used to calculate VaR. Sequent’s VaR is determined using a parametric model with a 95 percent confidence interval and a one-day holding period, which means that 95 percent of the time, the risk of loss in a day from a portfolio of positions is expected to be less than or equal to the amount of VaR calculated. Sequent’s open exposure is managed in accordance with established policies that limit market risk and require daily reporting of potential financial exposure to senior management. Because Sequent generally manages physical gas assets and economically protects its positions by hedging in the futures markets, Sequent’s open exposure is generally mitigated. Sequent employs daily risk testing, using both VaR and stress testing, to evaluate the risk of its positions.
Sequent actively monitors open commodity positions and the resulting VaR and maintains a relatively small risk exposure as total buy volume is close to sell volume, with minimal open natural gas price risk.
Sequent had the following VaRs for the period shown:
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | ||||||||||||||
| Average | $ | 6.2 | ||||||||||||
| High | $ | 10.4 | ||||||||||||
| Low | $ | 4.1 |
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(e) and 15d - 15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) (Disclosure Controls) or our internal control over financial reporting (Internal Controls) will prevent all errors and all fraud. 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. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. 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. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. We monitor our Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls and make modifications as necessary; our intent in this regard is that the Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls will be modified as systems change and conditions warrant.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our Disclosure Controls was performed as of the end of the period covered by this report. This evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these Disclosure Controls are effective at a reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes during the first quarter of 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Environmental
Certain reportable legal proceedings involving governmental authorities under federal, state, and local laws regulating the discharge of materials into the environment are described below. While it is not possible for us to predict the final outcome of the proceedings that are still pending, we do not anticipate a material effect on our consolidated financial position if we receive an unfavorable outcome in any one or more of such proceedings. Our threshold for disclosing material environmental legal proceedings involving a governmental authority where potential monetary sanctions are involved is $1 million.
On January 19, 2016, we received a Notice of Noncompliance with certain Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) regulations under the Clean Air Act at our Moundsville Fractionator Facility from the EPA, Region 3. Subsequently, the EPA alleged similar violations of certain LDAR regulations at our Oak Grove Gas Plant. On March 19, 2018, we received a Notice of Violation of certain LDAR regulations at our former Ignacio Gas Plant from the EPA, Region 8, following an on-site inspection of the facility. On March 20, 2018, we also received a Notice of Violation of certain LDAR regulations at our Parachute Creek Gas Plant from the EPA, Region 8. All such notices were subsequently referred to a common attorney at the Department of Justice (DOJ). We are exploring global resolution of the claims at these facilities, as well as alleged violations at certain other facilities, with the DOJ. Global resolution would include both payment of a civil penalty and an injunctive relief component. We continue to work with the DOJ and the other agencies to resolve these claims, whether individually or globally, and negotiations are ongoing.
Other environmental matters called for by this Item are described under the caption “Environmental Matters” in Note 12 – Contingent Liabilities of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements of this report, which information is incorporated by reference into this Item.
Other litigation
The additional information called for by this Item is provided in Note 9 – Stockholders’ Equity and Note 12 – Contingent Liabilities of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements of this report, which information is incorporated by reference into this Item.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, includes risk factors that could materially affect our business, financial condition, or future results. Those Risk Factors have not materially changed, except that they are supplemented or modified by the following risk factors.
Prices for natural gas, NGLs, oil, and other commodities, are volatile and this volatility has and could continue to adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, access to capital, and ability to maintain or grow our businesses.
Our revenues, operating results, future rate of growth, and the value of certain components of our businesses depend primarily upon the prices of natural gas, NGLs, oil, or other commodities, and the differences between prices of these commodities and could be materially adversely affected by an extended period of low commodity prices, or a decline in commodity prices. Price volatility has and could continue to impact both the amount we receive for our products and services and the volume of products and services we sell. Prices affect the amount of cash flow available for capital expenditures and our ability to borrow money or raise additional capital. Price volatility has had and could continue to have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.
The markets for natural gas, NGLs, oil, and other commodities are likely to continue to be volatile. Wide fluctuations in prices might result from one or more factors beyond our control, including:
-
Imbalances in supply and demand whether rising from worldwide or domestic supplies of and demand for natural gas, NGLs, oil, and related commodities;
-
Turmoil in the Middle East and other producing regions, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine;
-
The activities of OPEC and other countries, whether acting independently of or informally aligned with OPEC, which have significant oil, natural gas or other commodity production capabilities, including Russia;
-
The level of consumer demand;
-
The price and availability of other types of fuels or feedstocks;
-
The availability of pipeline capacity;
-
Supply disruptions, including plant outages and transportation disruptions;
-
The price and quantity of foreign imports and domestic exports of natural gas and oil;
-
Domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxes;
-
The credit of participants in the markets where products are bought and sold.
A breach of our information technology infrastructure, including a breach caused by a cybersecurity attack on us or third parties with whom we are interconnected, may interfere with the safe operation of our assets, result in the disclosure of personal or proprietary information, and harm our reputation.
We rely on our information technology infrastructure to process, transmit, and store electronic information, including information we use to safely operate our assets. Our Board of Directors has oversight responsibility with regard to assessment of the major risks inherent in our business, including cybersecurity risks, and reviews management’s efforts to address and mitigate such risks, including the establishment and implementation of policies to address cybersecurity threats. We have invested, and expect to continue to invest, significant time, manpower and capital in our information technology infrastructure. However, the age, operating systems, or condition of our current information technology infrastructure and software assets and our ability to maintain and upgrade such assets could affect our ability to resist cybersecurity threats. While we believe that we maintain appropriate information security policies, practices, and protocols, we regularly face cybersecurity and other security threats to our information technology infrastructure, which could include threats to our operational industrial control systems and safety systems that operate our pipelines, plants, and assets. We face unlawful attempts to gain access to our information technology infrastructure, including coordinated attacks from hackers, whether state-sponsored groups, “hacktivists,” or private individuals. We face the threat of theft and misuse of sensitive data and information, including customer and employee information. We also face attempts to gain access to information related to our assets through attempts to obtain unauthorized access by targeting acts of deception against individuals with legitimate access to physical locations or information. We also are subject to cybersecurity risks arising from the fact that our business operations are interconnected with third parties, including third-party pipelines, other facilities and our contractors and vendors. In addition, the breach of certain business systems could affect our ability to correctly record, process and report financial information. Breaches in our information technology infrastructure or physical facilities, or other disruptions including those arising from theft, vandalism, fraud, or unethical conduct, which may increase as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, could result in damage to or destruction of our assets, unnecessary waste, safety incidents, damage to the environment, reputational damage, potential liability, the loss of contracts, the imposition of significant costs associated with remediation and litigation, heightened regulatory scrutiny, increased insurance costs, and have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Difficult conditions in the global financial markets and the economy in general could negatively affect our business and results of operations.
Our businesses may be negatively impacted by adverse economic conditions or future disruptions in the global financial markets. Included among these potential negative impacts are industrial or economic contraction, (including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic) leading to reduced energy demand and lower prices for our products and services and increased difficulty in collecting amounts owed to us by our customers. The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the actions undertaken by western nations in response to Russia’s actions has had, and may continue to have, adverse impacts on global financial markets. If financing is not available when needed, or is available only on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to implement our business plans or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures. In addition, financial markets have periodically been affected by concerns over U.S. fiscal and monetary policies. These concerns, as well as actions taken by the U.S. federal government in response to these concerns, could significantly and adversely impact the global and U.S. economies and financial markets, which could negatively impact us in the manner described above.
Our business could be negatively impacted by acts of terrorism and related disruptions.
Given the volatile nature of the commodities we transport, process, store, and sell, our assets and the assets of our customers and others in our industry may be targets of terrorist activities. Uncertainty surrounding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, or other sustained military campaigns, may affect our operations in unpredictable ways, including the possibility that infrastructure facilities could be direct targets of, or indirect casualties of, an act of terrorism. A terrorist attack could create significant price volatility, disrupt our business, limit our access to capital markets, or cause significant harm to our operations, such as full or partial disruption to our ability to produce, process, transport, or distribute natural gas, NGLs, or other commodities. Acts of terrorism, as well as events occurring in response to or in connection with acts of terrorism, could cause environmental repercussions that could result in a significant decrease in revenues or significant reconstruction or remediation costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Share Repurchase Program
In September 2021, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program with a maximum dollar limit of $1.5 billion. Repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market, by block purchases, in privately negotiated transactions or in such other manner as determined by our management. Our management will also determine the timing and amount of any repurchases based on market conditions and other factors. The share repurchase program does not obligate us to acquire any particular amount of common stock, and it may be suspended or discontinued at any time. This share repurchase program does not have an expiration date. There were no repurchases under the program through March 31, 2022.
Item 6. Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Description | |||||||||||||
| 101.PRE* | — | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase. | ||||||||||||
| 104* | — | Cover Page Interactive Data File. The cover page interactive data file does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document (contained in Exhibit 101). |
- Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. | |||||
| (Registrant) | |||||
| /s/ Mary A. Hausman | |||||
| Mary A. Hausman | |||||
| Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
May 2, 2022