There were 1,711 press releases posted in the last 24 hours and 402,305 in the last 365 days.

National Fuel Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Fiscal 2020 Earnings

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Fuel Gas Company (“National Fuel” or the “Company”) (NYSE:NFG) today announced consolidated results for the three months and fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.

FISCAL 2020 HIGHLIGHTS

  • Completed highly-accretive acquisition of Appalachian upstream and midstream gathering assets in July, which is expected to generate in excess of $100 million of consolidated E&P and Gathering segment free cash flow in fiscal 2021
  • E&P segment capital expenditures reduced by $107 million, or 22% from the prior year, excluding the Company's Appalachian upstream acquisition (see page 20)
  • E&P segment net production of 241.5 Bcfe, an increase of 29.7 Bcfe, or 14%, from the prior year, with corresponding 13% increase in Gathering segment throughput
  • Increased E&P segment reserves to approximately 3.5 Tcfe, an increase of 12% versus fiscal 2019, driven largely by the Company's recent acquisition, which added 684 Bcf of proved developing producing reserves at a cost of $0.36 per Mcf
  • Placed Empire North project into service in mid-September, which is expected to generate $27 million in incremental annual Pipeline & Storage segment revenue
  • Invested $71.4 million in Utility system modernization and reliability, replacing over 150 miles of older vintage mains and services, and bringing 5-year total to over $341 million
  • Increased shareholder dividend for the 50th consecutive year to an annual rate of $1.78 per share
  • Published initial Corporate Responsibility Report in September 2020, which is available on the Company's corporate responsibility website, responsibility.natfuel.com

FISCAL 2020 FOURTH QUARTER SUMMARY

  • GAAP net loss of $145.5 million, or $1.60 per share, which includes a $183.7 million non-cash, after-tax impairment of oil and gas properties, compared to GAAP net income of $47.3 million, or $0.54 per share, in the prior year
  • Adjusted operating results of $36.3 million, or $0.40 per share, compared to $47.0 million, or $0.54 per share, in the prior year (see non-GAAP reconciliation on page 2)
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $159.6 million compared to $157.3 million in the prior year (non-GAAP reconciliation on page 25)
  • Pipeline & Storage segment Adjusted EBITDA of $47.0 million, an increase of 31% from the prior year
  • Gathering segment Adjusted EBITDA of $33.1 million, an increase of 11% from the prior year
  • E&P segment net production of 67.3 Bcfe, an increase of 8.2 Bcfe, or 14%, from the prior year, which includes the impact of the Company's recently-closed Appalachian acquisition and approximately 6 Bcf of price-related natural gas curtailments
  • Average natural gas prices of $1.92 per Mcf, after hedge gains of $0.28 per Mcf, down $0.34 per Mcf from the prior year
  • Average oil prices of $55.70 per Bbl, after hedge gains of $14.49 per Bbl, down $5.30 per Bbl from the prior year

MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

David P. Bauer, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Fuel Gas Company, stated: “National Fuel turned a challenging 2020 fiscal year into one of opportunity, with several important milestones achieved in our fourth quarter. Over the past few months, we completed a highly-accretive acquisition, brought online the $129 million Empire North expansion project, and received the FERC certificate for our $279 million FM100 Project, giving us line of sight on significant growth in the years ahead. In addition, our Utility completed its annual system modernization program, through which over 150 miles of older vintage pipelines were replaced, further reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. And, in September, the Company published its initial Corporate Responsibility Report, an important step in the continuous improvement of our environmental, social, and governance initiatives and disclosures.

These milestones were not possible without the significant efforts of National Fuel’s 2,100 dedicated and hard-working employees, who have continued to meet the increased demands of our business during the pendency of the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the year, as we confronted the constantly evolving landscape of the health crisis, as well as significant commodity price headwinds, our integrated, diversified business model continued to provide an important measure of stability and predictability. 

As we move into fiscal 2021, National Fuel is well-positioned for growth, and we expect our Appalachian acquisition, which included significant, highly-economic drilling inventory, as well as the substantial growth of our FERC-regulated pipelines, to drive long-term value for our shareholders.  Combining this with a large base of stable, regulated cash flows, we are poised to generate strong consolidated returns, and grow our earnings and cash flows in the years ahead, while maintaining the strength of the Company’s investment-grade balance sheet and our focus on the sustainability of our operations.”

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP EARNINGS TO ADJUSTED OPERATING RESULTS

               
  Three Months Ended    Fiscal Year Ended
   September 30,    September 30,
(in thousands except per share amounts) 2020   2019   2020   2019
Reported GAAP Earnings $ (145,545 )   $ 47,281     $ (123,772 )   $ 304,290  
Items impacting comparability:              
Impairment of oil and gas properties (E&P) 253,441         449,438      
Tax impact of impairment of oil and gas properties (69,698 )       (123,187 )    
Deferred tax valuation allowance as of March 31, 2020         56,770      
Remeasurement of deferred income taxes under 2017 Tax Reform             (5,000 )
Mark-to-market adjustments due to hedge ineffectiveness (E&P)     (1,313 )       (2,096 )
Tax impact of mark-to-market adjustments due to hedge ineffectiveness     276         440  
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments (Corporate / All Other) (2,439 )   949     (1,645 )   2,045  
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on other investments 512     (199 )   345     (429 )
Adjusted Operating Results $ 36,271     $ 46,994     $ 257,949     $ 299,250  
               
Reported GAAP Earnings Per Share $ (1.60 )   $ 0.54     $ (1.41 )   $ 3.51  
Items impacting comparability:              
Impairment of oil and gas properties, net of tax (E&P) 2.02         3.71      
Deferred tax valuation allowance as of March 31, 2020         0.65      
Remeasurement of deferred income taxes under 2017 Tax Reform             (0.06 )
Mark-to-market adjustments due to hedge ineffectiveness, net of tax (E&P)     (0.01 )       (0.02 )
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, net of tax (Corporate / All Other) (0.02 )   0.01     (0.01 )   0.02  
Earnings per share impact of diluted shares         (0.02 )    
Adjusted Operating Results Per Share $ 0.40     $ 0.54     $ 2.92     $ 3.45  

FISCAL 2021 GUIDANCE UPDATE

National Fuel is revising its fiscal 2021 earnings guidance to reflect updated forecast assumptions and projections, including the impact of increased near-term natural gas price expectations since the Company’s preliminary guidance was announced in August 2020.  The Company is now projecting that earnings will be within the range of $3.55 to $3.85 per share, an increase of 27% from the Company’s 2020 adjusted operating results at the midpoint of the updated guidance range. The increase from the preliminary guidance is primarily due to higher expected price realizations on Seneca’s natural gas production and lower expected depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) rates at Seneca as a result of the Company’s fourth quarter fiscal 2020 impairment, which is expected to be partially offset by lower expected price realizations on Seneca’s crude oil production.

The Company is now assuming that NYMEX natural gas prices will average $3.00 per MMBtu in fiscal 2021, an increase of $0.35 per MMBtu from the $2.65 per MMBtu assumed in the preliminary guidance.  Additionally, the Company is now assuming that WTI oil prices will average $37.50 per Bbl in fiscal 2021, a $5.00 decrease from the $42.50 per Bbl assumed in the previous guidance.  For guidance purposes, the Company’s updated projections approximate the current NYMEX forward markets for natural gas and oil and consider the impact of local sales point differentials and new physical firm sales, transportation, and financial hedge contracts.

During the fourth quarter, Seneca executed approximately 30 billion cubic feet (“Bcf”) of new NYMEX natural gas swap contracts for fiscal 2021. Seneca currently has firm sales contracts in place for 275 Bcf, or approximately 90% of its projected fiscal 2021 Appalachian production, limiting its exposure to in-basin markets.  Approximately 234 Bcf of those sales, or 77% of Seneca’s expected Appalachian production, are either matched by a financial hedge, including a combination of swaps and no-cost collars, or were entered into at a fixed price.  

In connection with the continued development of the Leidy South and FM100 projects, both of which are on track to come online in the fourth quarter of calendar 2021, the Company now plans to add a second horizontal drilling rig in Appalachia in early calendar 2021.  Production from the first pad that will be drilled in connection with this activity addition is expected in early fiscal 2022. Overall, the Company's increased activity will allow Seneca to utilize its 330,000 dekatherms per day of incremental pipeline capacity on Leidy South to reach premium markets during the winter heating season.  The Company expects this second drilling rig to focus on the development of its highly-economic Eastern Development Area (“EDA”) assets, including its recently-acquired inventory in Tioga, County, Pa.  In order to further mitigate the risk of commodity price exposure for this additional activity, Seneca executed approximately 16 Bcf of new NYMEX natural gas swap contracts for fiscal 2022 at an average price of $2.90 per Mcf.  In total, Seneca now has approximately 170 Bcf of its fiscal 2022 Appalachian production secured by either financial hedges or fixed price physical sales contracts.

As a result of Seneca’s additional activity, the Company is increasing its Exploration and Production segment capital expenditure range to $350 million to $390 million, an increase of $60 million at the midpoint of the Company’s updated guidance range, and a decrease of approximately $15 million from Seneca’s 2020 fiscal year capital expenditures.  Based on the Company's fiscal 2021 assumptions, the Company expects its consolidated Exploration and Production and Gathering segment funds from operations to significantly exceed those segments' capital expenditures for the year, generating in excess of $100 million in consolidated free cash flow from these businesses.

In total, the Company’s consolidated capital expenditures in fiscal 2021 are now expected to be in the range of $720 million to $830 million.  Based on the Company’s fiscal 2021 assumptions, it still anticipates its cash flow from operations to exceed its capital expenditures for the year.

The Company’s other guidance assumptions remain largely unchanged from the previous guidance. Additional details on the Company's updated forecast assumptions and business segment guidance for fiscal 2021 are outlined in the table on page 8.

DISCUSSION OF FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS BY SEGMENT  

The following earnings discussion of each operating segment for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 is summarized in a tabular form on pages 9 and 10 of this report (earnings drivers for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 are summarized on pages 11 and 12).  It may be helpful to refer to those tables while reviewing this discussion.

Note that management defines Adjusted Operating Results as reported GAAP earnings adjusted for items impacting comparability, and Adjusted EBITDA as reported GAAP earnings before the following items: interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization, other income and deductions, impairments, and other items reflected in operating income that impact comparability.

Upstream Business

Exploration and Production Segment

The Exploration and Production segment operations are carried out by Seneca Resources Company, LLC ("Seneca").  Seneca explores for, develops and produces natural gas and oil reserves, primarily in Pennsylvania and California.

  Three Months Ended
  September 30,
(in thousands) 2020   2019   Variance
GAAP Earnings $ (169,171 )   $ 25,208     $ (194,379 )
Impairment of oil and gas properties, net of tax 183,743         183,743  
Mark-to-market adjustments due to hedge ineffectiveness, net of tax     (1,037 )   1,037  
Adjusted Operating Results $ 14,572     $ 24,171     $ (9,599 )
           
Adjusted EBITDA $ 75,439     $ 89,509     $ (14,070 )

Seneca’s fourth quarter GAAP earnings decreased $194.4 million versus the prior year.  This was primarily driven by a non-cash, pre-tax impairment charge of $253.4 million ($183.7 million after-tax) to write-down the value of Seneca’s oil and natural gas reserves under the full cost method of accounting. This method requires Seneca to perform a quarterly “ceiling test” comparing the present value of future net revenues from its oil and natural gas reserves based on an unweighted arithmetic average of the first day of the month oil and gas prices for each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period (“the ceiling”) with the book value of those reserves at the balance sheet date.  If the book value of the reserves exceeds the ceiling, a non-cash impairment charge must be recorded in order to reduce the book value of the reserves to the calculated ceiling.  Seneca could potentially record non-cash impairments in future quarters depending on the commodity price environment. 

Excluding this item, as well as the net impact of non-cash mark-to-market adjustments recorded in the prior year relating to hedge ineffectiveness (see table above), Seneca’s fourth quarter earnings decreased $9.6 million as the positive impacts of higher natural gas production and a lower effective income tax rate after the effect of the impairment were more than offset by the negative impacts of lower realized natural gas and crude oil prices, lower crude oil production, higher operating expenses resulting from increased production and higher interest expense.

Seneca produced 67.3 Bcfe during the fourth quarter, an increase of 8.2 Bcfe, or 14%, from the prior year.  Natural gas production increased 8.6 Bcf, or 15%, due primarily to production from the Company's acquisition of Appalachian upstream assets on July 31, 2020, and new Marcellus and Utica wells in Appalachia, partially offset by approximately 6 Bcf of price-related curtailments.  Net production increased 5.5 Bcf to 36.2 Bcf in the Eastern Development Area ("EDA"), primarily due to higher production from the Company's recent Appalachian acquisition, partly offset by natural production declines and the impact of price-related curtailments. Net production increased 3.2 Bcf to 27.3 Bcf in Seneca’s Western Development Area ("WDA"), primarily due to the ongoing development program in the region partially offset by price-related curtailments.  Oil production for the fourth quarter decreased 56,000 Bbls, or 9%, from the prior year due to a decline in production from assets in the Midway Sunset area of California driven by a reduction in steam injection rates in response to decreased oil prices, as well as workover activities, partially offset by new production brought on-line in Seneca’s Coalinga development area.

Seneca's average realized natural gas price, after the impact of transportation costs and $0.28 per Mcf of hedging gains, was $1.92 per Mcf, a decrease of $0.34 per Mcf from the prior year. This decline was largely due to lower NYMEX prices and lower spot pricing at local sales points in Pennsylvania. Seneca's average realized oil price, after the impact of $14.49 per Bbl of hedging gains, was $55.70 per Bbl, a decrease of $5.30 per Bbl compared to the prior year.  The decline in oil price realizations was due primarily to lower market prices for unhedged crude oil during the quarter and reduced price differentials at local sales points in California.

Lease operating and transportation (“LOE”) expense increased $4.6 million primarily due to higher transportation costs in Appalachia from increased production, partly offset by a decline in well repairs, workover activity and steam fuel costs in California.  LOE expense includes the fees paid to the Company’s Gathering segment for gathering and compression services used to connect Seneca’s Marcellus and Utica production to sales points along interstate pipelines.  DD&A expense decreased $0.7 million due largely to the ceiling test impairments recorded during fiscal 2020, partially offset by higher natural gas production.  On a unit of production basis, Seneca's combined general and administrative ("G&A"), LOE and DD&A expenses during the quarter collectively decreased $0.15 per Mcfe, or 8%, during the quarter.  Interest expense increased by $1.3 million from the prior year, primarily driven by additional long-term borrowings from the Company's long-term debt issuance in June 2020 that was used to fund a portion of the Company's Appalachian acquisition.  The reduction in Seneca's effective income tax rate was largely driven by a reduction to deferred state income taxes as a result of the recent Appalachian acquisition.

Proved Reserves Year-End Update

Seneca’s total proved natural gas and crude oil reserves at September 30, 2020 were 3,458 Bcfe, an increase of 359 Bcfe, or 12%, from September 30, 2019.  Seneca’s proved developed reserves at the end of fiscal 2020 were 2,906 Bcfe, representing 84% of total proved reserves, compared to 67% a year ago. The proved reserves base is approximately 96% natural gas and 4% oil.  In fiscal 2020, Seneca recorded 684 Bcfe of proved developed producing reserves as a result of its recent Appalachian acquisition, 9 Bcfe of proved reserve extensions and discoveries, primarily in Appalachia, and 93 Bcfe of downward revisions due primarily to changes in development plans and certain price-related revisions.

Midstream Businesses

Pipeline and Storage Segment

The Pipeline and Storage segment’s operations are carried out by National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation (“Supply Corporation”) and Empire Pipeline, Inc. (“Empire”).  The Pipeline and Storage segment provides natural gas transportation and storage services to affiliated and non-affiliated companies through an integrated system of pipelines and underground natural gas storage fields in western New York and Pennsylvania.

  Three Months Ended
  September 30,
(in thousands) 2020   2019   Variance
GAAP Earnings $ 16,045   $ 15,368   $ 677
           
Adjusted EBITDA $ 46,966   $ 35,747   $ 11,219

The Pipeline and Storage segment’s fourth quarter GAAP earnings increased $0.7 million versus the prior year, with higher operating revenues and lower operation and maintenance ("O&M") expenses partially offset by higher DD&A expense, higher interest expense, a decrease in other income and a higher effective income tax rate.  The increase in operating revenues of $10.4 million, or 15%, was largely due to an increase in Supply Corporation's transportation and storage rates effective February 1, 2020, in accordance with Supply Corporation's rate case settlement, coupled with new demand charges for transportation service from the Company's Empire North expansion project, which was placed in service during the fourth quarter, and from Supply Corporation's Line N to Monaca expansion project.  O&M expense decreased $0.9 million due to lower pipeline integrity, compressor and facility maintenance costs.  The increase in DD&A expense of $3.3 million was primarily attributable to an increase in Supply Corporation's depreciation rates associated with its rate case settlement.  The increase in interest expense of $3.6 million was primarily driven by additional long-term borrowings from the Company's long-term debt issuance in June 2020.  The decrease in other income of $2.5 million was primarily due to higher non-service pension and post-retirement benefit costs coupled with a decrease in allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC).  The increase in the effective income tax rate was largely due to differences in book and tax treatment of stock compensation.

Gathering Segment

The Gathering segment’s operations are carried out by National Fuel Gas Midstream Company, LLC’s limited liability companies. The Gathering segment constructs, owns and operates natural gas gathering pipelines and compression facilities in the Appalachian region, which currently deliver Seneca’s gross Appalachian production to the interstate pipeline system.

  Three Months Ended
  September 30,
(in thousands) 2020   2019   Variance
GAAP Earnings $ 17,550   $ 16,902   $ 648
           
Adjusted EBITDA $ 33,062   $ 29,895   $ 3,167

The Gathering segment’s fourth quarter GAAP earnings increased $0.6 million versus the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by higher operating revenues and the impact of a lower effective income tax rate, which were partially offset by higher DD&A expense, higher O&M expenses and higher interest expense.  Operating revenues increased $4.4 million primarily due to an 8.3 Bcf increase in gathered volumes resulting from the Company's recent Appalachian acquisition that included certain midstream gathering assets and from new Appalachian wells that were brought on-line, partially offset by decreases in gathered volumes resulting from natural production declines and the impact of price-related curtailments.  The increase in DD&A expense of $1.6 million was primarily attributable to incremental depreciation expense related to the fourth quarter Appalachian acquisition.  This acquisition also contributed in part to the $1.2 million increase in O&M expense, with the remainder of the increase due to higher compressor facility and maintenance costs.  The increase in interest expense of $1.7 million was primarily driven by additional long-term borrowings from the Company's long-term debt issuance in June 2020 that was used to fund a portion of the Appalachian acquisition.   The reduction in the Gathering segment's effective income tax rate was primarily due to a reduction to estimated deferred state income taxes as a result of the recent Appalachian acquisition.

Downstream Businesses

Utility Segment

The Utility segment operations are carried out by National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (“Distribution”), which sells or transports natural gas to customers located in western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania.

  Three Months Ended
  September 30,
(in thousands) 2020   2019   Variance
GAAP Earnings $ (6,969 )   $ (7,728 )   $ 759
           
Adjusted EBITDA $ 8,550     $ 6,714     $ 1,836

The Utility segment’s fourth quarter net loss was $0.8 million lower than the prior-year fourth quarter primarily due to higher customer margin (operating revenues less purchased gas sold), partially offset by higher O&M expense.  The increase in customer margin was due primarily to an increase in customer usage and the impact of adjustments related to regulatory rate and cost recovery mechanisms subject to annual reconciliation. 

The $2.7 million increase in O&M expense was primarily attributable to higher personnel costs and incremental expense recorded to increase the allowance for uncollectible accounts due to the potential for future customer non-payment resulting from the current economic backdrop brought on by COVID-19.

Corporate and All Other

The Company’s operations that are included in Corporate and All Other generated a combined net loss of $3.0 million in the current year fourth quarter, generally consistent with the combined net loss of $2.5 million generated in the prior-year fourth quarter.

EARNINGS TELECONFERENCE

The Company will host a conference call on Friday, November 6, 2020, at 11 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss this announcement.  Pre-registration is required to access the teleconference by phone in a listen-only mode by following this link:  http://www.directeventreg.com/registration/event/5657046.  To access the webcast, visit the Events Calendar under the News & Events page on the NFG Investor Relations website at investor.nationalfuelgas.com.  A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours following the teleconference at the same website link and by phone (toll-free) at 800-585-8367 using conference ID number “5657046”.  Both the webcast and conference call replay will be available until the close of business on Friday, November 13, 2020.

National Fuel is an integrated energy company reporting financial results for four operating segments: Exploration and Production, Pipeline and Storage, Gathering, and Utility.  Additional information about National Fuel is available at www.nationalfuelgas.com.


Certain statements contained herein, including statements identified by the use of the words “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “believes,” “seeks,” “will,” “may” and similar expressions, and statements which are other than statements of historical facts, are “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The Company’s expectations, beliefs and projections contained herein are expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that such expectations, beliefs or projections will result or be achieved or accomplished. In addition to other factors, the following are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements:  the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets, including Shell's upstream assets and midstream gathering assets in Pennsylvania, and achieve expected cost synergies; the length and severity of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, including its impacts across our businesses on demand, operations, global supply chains and liquidity; changes in economic conditions, including global, national or regional recessions, and their effect on the demand for, and customers’ ability to pay for, the Company’s products and services; changes in the price of natural gas or oil; impairments under the SEC’s full cost ceiling test for natural gas and oil reserves; the creditworthiness or performance of the Company’s key suppliers, customers and counterparties; financial and economic conditions, including the availability of credit, and occurrences affecting the Company’s ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms for working capital, capital expenditures and other investments, including any downgrades in the Company’s credit ratings and changes in interest rates and other capital market conditions; changes in laws, regulations or judicial interpretations to which the Company is subject, including those involving derivatives, taxes, safety, employment, climate change, other environmental matters, real property, and exploration and production activities such as hydraulic fracturing; delays or changes in costs or plans with respect to Company projects or related projects of other companies, including disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as difficulties or delays in obtaining necessary governmental approvals, permits or orders or in obtaining the cooperation of interconnecting facility operators; the Company's ability to complete planned strategic transactions; governmental/regulatory actions, initiatives and proceedings, including those involving rate cases (which address, among other things, target rates of return, rate design and retained natural gas), environmental/safety requirements, affiliate relationships, industry structure, and franchise renewal; changes in price differentials between similar quantities of natural gas or oil sold at different geographic locations, and the effect of such changes on commodity production, revenues and demand for pipeline transportation capacity to or from such locations; the impact of  information technology disruptions, cybersecurity or data security breaches; factors affecting the Company’s ability to successfully identify, drill for and produce economically viable natural gas and oil reserves, including among others geology, lease availability, title disputes, weather conditions, shortages, delays or unavailability of equipment and services required in drilling operations, insufficient gathering, processing and transportation capacity, the need to obtain governmental approvals and permits, and compliance with environmental laws and regulations; increasing health care costs and the resulting effect on health insurance premiums and on the obligation to provide other post-retirement benefits; other changes in price differentials between similar quantities of natural gas or oil having different quality, heating value, hydrocarbon mix or delivery date; the cost and effects of legal and administrative claims against the Company or activist shareholder campaigns to effect changes at the Company; uncertainty of oil and gas reserve estimates; significant differences between the Company’s projected and actual production levels for natural gas or oil; changes in demographic patterns and weather conditions; changes in the availability, price or accounting treatment of derivative financial instruments; changes in laws, actuarial assumptions, the interest rate environment and the return on plan/trust assets related to the Company’s pension and other post-retirement benefits, which can affect future funding obligations and costs and plan liabilities; economic disruptions or uninsured losses resulting from major accidents, fires, severe weather, natural disasters, terrorist activities or acts of war; significant differences between the Company’s projected and actual capital expenditures and operating expenses; or increasing costs of insurance, changes in coverage and the ability to obtain insurance. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date thereof.


NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES

GUIDANCE SUMMARY

As discussed on page 2, the Company is revising its earnings guidance for fiscal 2021.  Additional details on the Company's forecast assumptions and business segment guidance are outlined in the table below.

While the Company could potentially record non-cash impairments in future quarters depending on the commodity price environment, the amount of these charges is not reasonably determinable at this time. The amount of any ceiling test charge is determined at the end of the applicable quarter and will depend on many factors, including additions to or subtractions from proved reserves, fluctuations in oil and gas prices, and income tax effects related to the differences between the book and tax basis of the Company’s oil and gas properties. Some or all of these factors are likely to be significant. Because any potential ceiling test impairment charges and other potential items impacting comparability are not reasonably determinable at this time, the Company is unable to provide earnings guidance other than on a non-GAAP basis that excludes these items.

  Preliminary FY 2021 Guidance   Updated FY 2021 Guidance
Consolidated Earnings per Share, excluding items impacting comparability $3.40 to $3.70   $3.55 to $3.85
Consolidated Effective Tax Rate ~ 26%   ~ 26%
       
Capital Expenditures (Millions)      
Exploration and Production $290 - $330   $350 - $390
Pipeline and Storage $250 - $300   $250 - $300
Gathering $30 - $40   $30 - $40
Utility $90 - $100   $90 - $100
Consolidated Capital Expenditures $660 - $770   $720 - $830
       
Exploration & Production Segment Guidance      
       
Commodity Price Assumptions      
NYMEX natural gas price $2.65 /MMBtu   $3.00 /MMBtu
Appalachian basin spot price (winter I summer) $2.25 /MMBtu | $2.00 /MMBtu   $2.50 /MMBtu | $2.10 /MMBtu
NYMEX (WTI) crude oil price $42.50 /Bbl   $37.50 /Bbl
California oil price premium (% of WTI) 95%   94%
       
Production (Bcfe)      
East Division - Appalachia 290 to 320   290 to 320
West Division - California ~ 15   ~ 15
Total Production 305 to 335   305 to 335
       
E&P Operating Costs ($/Mcfe)      
LOE $0.83 - $0.85   $0.83 - $0.86
G&A $0.21 - $0.23   $0.21 - $0.23
DD&A $0.65 - $0.70   $0.60 - $0.65
       
Other Business Segment Guidance (Millions)      
Gathering Segment Revenues $185 - $200   $185 - $200
Pipeline and Storage Segment Revenues $330 - $340   $330 - $340
       


NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS
QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
(Unaudited)
                       
  Upstream   Midstream   Downstream        
                       
  Exploration &   Pipeline &           Corporate /    
(Thousands of Dollars) Production   Storage   Gathering   Utility   All Other   Consolidated*
                       
Fourth quarter 2019 GAAP earnings $ 25,208     $ 15,368     $ 16,902     $ (7,728 )   $ (2,469 )   $ 47,281  
                       
Items impacting comparability:                      
Mark-to-market adjustments due to hedge ineffectiveness (1,313 )                   (1,313 )
Tax impact of mark-to-market adjustments due to hedge ineffectiveness 276                     276  
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments                 949     949  
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on other investments                 (199 )   (199 )
Fourth quarter 2019 adjusted operating results 24,171     15,368     16,902     (7,728 )   (1,719 )   46,994  
                       
Drivers of adjusted operating results**                      
                       
Upstream Revenues                      
Higher (lower) natural gas production 15,257                     15,257  
Higher (lower) crude oil production (2,694 )                   (2,694 )
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging (16,951 )                   (16,951 )
Higher (lower) realized crude oil prices, after hedging (2,329 )                   (2,329 )
                       
Midstream Revenues                      
Higher (lower) operating revenues     8,231     3,474             11,705  
                       
Downstream Margins***                      
Impact of usage and weather             1,417         1,417  
System modernization tracker revenues             225         225  
Regulatory revenue adjustments             1,423         1,423  
                       
Operating Expenses                      
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses (3,613 )                   (3,613 )
Lower (higher) operating expenses (563 )   684     (969 )   (2,154 )       (3,002 )
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion 532     (2,568 )   (1,251 )       (703 )   (3,990 )
                       
Other Income (Expense)                      
(Higher) lower other deductions (434 )   (2,194 )           (1,254 )   (3,882 )
(Higher) lower interest expense (1,058 )   (2,815 )   (1,357 )       (659 )   (5,889 )
                       
Income Taxes                      
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate 2,476     (824 )   581     (22 )   (679 )   1,532  
                       
All other / rounding (222 )   163     170     (130 )   87     68  
Fourth quarter 2020 adjusted operating results 14,572     16,045     17,550     (6,969 )   (4,927 )   36,271  
                       
Items impacting comparability:                      
Impairment of oil and gas properties (253,441 )                   (253,441 )
Tax impact of impairment of oil and gas properties 69,698                     69,698  
Unrealized gain (loss) on other investments                 2,439     2,439  
Tax impact of unrealized gain (loss) on other investments                 (512 )   (512 )
Fourth quarter 2020 GAAP earnings $ (169,171 )   $ 16,045     $ 17,550     $ (6,969 )   $ (3,000 )   $ (145,545 )
                       
* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations
** Operating results have been calculated using the 21% federal statutory rate effective for the 2019 fiscal year.
*** Downstream margin defined as operating revenues less purchased gas expense.
 


NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS PER SHARE
QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
(Unaudited)
                       
  Upstream   Midstream   Downstream        
                       
  Exploration &   Pipeline &           Corporate /    
  Production   Storage   Gathering   Utility   All Other   Consolidated*
                       
Fourth quarter 2019 GAAP earnings per share $ 0.29     $ 0.18     $ 0.19     $ (0.09 )   $ (0.03 )   $ 0.54  
Items impacting comparability:                      
Mark-to-market adjustments due to hedge ineffectiveness, net of tax (0.01 )                   (0.01 )
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, net of tax                 0.01     0.01  
Fourth quarter 2019 adjusted operating results per share 0.28     0.18     0.19     (0.09 )   (0.02 )   0.54  
                       
Drivers of adjusted operating results**                      
                       
Upstream Revenues                      
Higher (lower) natural gas production 0.17                     0.17  
Higher (lower) crude oil production (0.03 )                   (0.03 )
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging (0.19 )                   (0.19 )
Higher (lower) realized crude oil prices, after hedging (0.03 )                   (0.03 )
                       
Midstream Revenues                      
Higher (lower) operating revenues     0.09     0.04             0.13  
                       
Downstream Margins***                      
Impact of usage and weather             0.02         0.02  
System modernization tracker revenues                      
Regulatory revenue adjustments             0.02         0.02  
                       
Operating Expenses                      
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses (0.04 )                   (0.04 )
Lower (higher) operating expenses (0.01 )   0.01     (0.01 )   (0.02 )       (0.03 )
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion 0.01     (0.03 )   (0.01 )       (0.01 )   (0.04 )
                       
Other Income (Expense)                      
(Higher) lower other deductions     (0.02 )           (0.01 )   (0.03 )
(Higher) lower interest expense (0.01 )   (0.03 )   (0.01 )       (0.01 )   (0.06 )
                       
Income Taxes                      
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate 0.03     (0.01 )   0.01         (0.01 )   0.02  
                       
All other / rounding (0.02 )   (0.01 )   (0.02 )   (0.01 )   0.01     (0.05 )
Fourth quarter 2020 adjusted operating results per share 0.16     0.18     0.19     (0.08 )   (0.05 )   0.40  
                       
Items impacting comparability:                      
Impairment of oil and gas properties, net of tax (2.02 )                   (2.02 )
Unrealized gain (loss) on other investments, net of tax                 0.02     0.02  
Fourth quarter 2020 GAAP earnings per share $ (1.86 )   $ 0.18     $ 0.19     $ (0.08 )   $ (0.03 )   $ (1.60 )
                       
* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations
** Operating results have been calculated using the 21% federal statutory rate effective for the 2019 fiscal year.
*** Downstream margin defined as operating revenues less purchased gas expense.
 


NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
(Unaudited)
                       
  Upstream   Midstream   Downstream        
                       
  Exploration &   Pipeline &           Corporate /    
(Thousands of Dollars) Production   Storage   Gathering   Utility   All Other   Consolidated*
                       
Fiscal 2019 GAAP earnings $ 111,807     $ 74,011     $ 58,413     $ 60,871     $ (812 )   $ 304,290  
                       
Items impacting comparability:                      
Remeasurement of deferred taxes under 2017 Tax Reform (990 )       (500 )       (3,510 )   (5,000 )
Mark-to-market adjustments due to hedge ineffectiveness (2,096 )                   (2,096 )
Tax impact of mark-to-market adjustments due to hedge ineffectiveness 440                     440  
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments                 2,045     2,045  
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on other investments                 (429 )   (429 )
Fiscal 2019 adjusted operating results 109,161     74,011     57,913     60,871     (2,706 )   299,250  
                       
Drivers of adjusted operating results**                      
                       
Upstream Revenues                      
Higher (lower) natural gas production 56,872                     56,872  
Higher (lower) crude oil production 1,192                     1,192  
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging (66,562 )                   (66,562 )
Higher (lower) realized crude oil prices, after hedging (8,707 )                   (8,707 )
                       
Midstream Revenues                      
Higher (lower) operating revenues     16,844     12,496             29,340  
                       
Downstream Margins***                      
Impact of usage and weather             (1,063 )       (1,063 )
System modernization tracker revenues             3,113         3,113  
Regulatory revenue adjustments             2,755         2,755  
Higher (lower) energy marketing margins                 3,022     3,022  
                       
Operating Expenses                      
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses (13,465 )                   (13,465 )
Lower (higher) operating expenses (662 )   5,743     (3,350 )   (8,474 )   404     (6,339 )
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes 1,643     (1,818 )               (175 )
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion (13,699 )   (7,113 )   (1,898 )   (1,119 )       (23,829 )
                       
Other Income (Expense)                      
(Higher) lower other deductions (1,559 )   (3,271 )       502         (4,328 )
(Higher) lower interest expense (2,624 )   (2,835 )   (1,162 )   725     (2,554 )   (8,450 )
                       
Income Taxes                      
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate (666 )   (3,228 )   1,013     (189 )   (1,338 )   (4,408 )
                       
All other / rounding (1,114 )   527     (150 )   245     223     (269 )
Fiscal 2020 adjusted operating results 59,810     78,860     64,862     57,366     (2,949 )   257,949  
                       
Items impacting comparability:                      
Impairment of oil and gas properties (449,438 )                   (449,438 )
Tax impact of impairment of oil and gas properties 123,187                     123,187  
Deferred tax valuation allowance (60,463 )       3,769         (76 )   (56,770 )
Unrealized gain (loss) on other investments                 1,645     1,645  
Tax impact of unrealized gain (loss) on other investments                 (345 )   (345 )
Fiscal 2020 GAAP earnings $ (326,904 )   $ 78,860     $ 68,631     $ 57,366     $ (1,725 )   $ (123,772 )
                       
* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations                      
** Operating results have been calculated using the 21% federal statutory rate effective for the 2019 fiscal year.
*** Downstream margin defined as operating revenues less purchased gas expense.
 


NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS PER SHARE
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
(Unaudited)
                       
  Upstream   Midstream   Downstream        
                       
  Exploration &   Pipeline &           Corporate /    
  Production   Storage   Gathering   Utility   All Other   Consolidated*
Fiscal 2019 GAAP earnings per share $ 1.29     $ 0.85     $ 0.67     $ 0.70     $     $ 3.51  
Items impacting comparability:                      
Remeasurement of deferred taxes under 2017 Tax Reform (0.01 )       (0.01 )       (0.04 )   (0.06 )
Mark-to-market adjustments due to hedge ineffectiveness, net of tax (0.02 )                   (0.02 )
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, net of tax                 0.02     0.02  
Rounding         0.01         (0.01 )    
Fiscal 2019 adjusted operating results per share 1.26     0.85     0.67     0.70     (0.03 )   3.45  
                       
Drivers of adjusted operating results**                      
                       
Upstream Revenues                      
Higher (lower) natural gas production 0.64                     0.64  
Higher (lower) crude oil production 0.01                     0.01  
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging (0.75 )                   (0.75 )
Higher (lower) realized crude oil prices, after hedging (0.10 )                   (0.10 )
                       
Midstream Revenues                      
Higher (lower) operating revenues     0.19     0.14             0.33  
                       
Downstream Margins***                      
Impact of usage and weather             (0.01 )       (0.01 )
System modernization tracker revenues             0.04         0.04  
Regulatory revenue adjustments             0.03         0.03  
Higher (lower) energy marketing margins                 0.03     0.03  
                       
Operating Expenses                      
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses (0.15 )                   (0.15 )
Lower (higher) operating expenses (0.01 )   0.06     (0.04 )   (0.10 )       (0.09 )
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes 0.02     (0.02 )                
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion (0.15 )   (0.08 )   (0.02 )   (0.01 )       (0.26 )
                       
Other Income (Expense)                      
(Higher) lower other deductions (0.02 )   (0.04 )       0.01         (0.05 )
(Higher) lower interest expense (0.03 )   (0.03 )   (0.01 )   0.01     (0.03 )   (0.09 )
                       
Income Taxes                      
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate (0.01 )   (0.04 )   0.01         (0.02 )   (0.06 )
                       
All other / rounding (0.03 )       (0.02 )   (0.02 )   0.02     (0.05 )
Fiscal 2020 adjusted operating results per share 0.68     0.89     0.73     0.65     (0.03 )   2.92  
                       
Items impacting comparability:                      
Impairment of oil and gas properties, net of tax (3.71 )                   (3.71 )
Deferred tax valuation allowance (0.69 )       0.04             (0.65 )
Unrealized gain (loss) on other investments, net of tax                 0.01     0.01  
Earnings per share impact of diluted shares     0.01     0.01             0.02  
Fiscal 2020 GAAP earnings per share $ (3.72 )   $ 0.90     $ 0.78     $ 0.65     $ (0.02 )   $ (1.41 )
                       
* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations                      
** Operating results have been calculated using the 21% federal statutory rate effective for the 2019 fiscal year.
*** Downstream margin defined as operating revenues less purchased gas expense.
 


               
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
               
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts)              
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,
  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS 2020   2019   2020   2019
Operating Revenues:              
Utility and Energy Marketing Revenues $ 78,016     $ 79,925     $ 728,336     $ 860,985  
Exploration and Production and Other Revenues 155,811     166,262     611,885     636,528  
Pipeline and Storage and Gathering Revenues 54,162     47,153     206,070     195,819  
  287,989     293,340     1,546,291     1,693,332  
Operating Expenses:              
Purchased Gas (5,773 )   4,728     233,890     386,265  
Operation and Maintenance:              
Utility and Energy Marketing 42,120     39,390     181,051     171,472  
Exploration and Production and Other 39,800     38,847     148,856     147,457  
Pipeline and Storage and Gathering 31,151     30,926     108,640     111,783  
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes 21,132     20,839     88,400     88,886  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 80,097     74,670     306,158     275,660  
Impairment of Oil and Gas Producing Properties 253,441         449,438      
  461,968     209,400     1,516,433     1,181,523  
               
Operating Income (Loss) (173,979 )   83,940     29,858     511,809  
               
Other Income (Expense):              
Other Income (Deductions) 159     1,435     (17,814 )   (15,542 )
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt (32,159 )   (25,598 )   (110,012 )   (101,614 )
Other Interest Expense (2,202 )   (1,081 )   (7,065 )   (5,142 )
               
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (208,181 )   58,696     (105,033 )   389,511  
               
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (62,636 )   11,415     18,739     85,221  
               
Net Income (Loss) Available for Common Stock $ (145,545 )   $ 47,281     $ (123,772 )   $ 304,290  
               
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share              
Basic $ (1.60 )   $ 0.55     $ (1.41 )   $ 3.53  
Diluted $ (1.60 )   $ 0.54     $ (1.41 )   $ 3.51  
               
Weighted Average Common Shares:              
Used in Basic Calculation 90,954,447   86,315,038   87,968,895   86,235,550
Used in Diluted Calculation 90,954,447   86,807,821   87,968,895   86,773,259
               


NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
   
  September 30,   September 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)   2020     2019
       
ASSETS      
Property, Plant and Equipment $ 12,351,852     $ 11,204,838  
Less - Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization   6,353,785       5,695,328  
Net Property, Plant and Equipment   5,998,067       5,509,510  
Assets Held for Sale, Net   53,424        
       
Current Assets:      
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments   20,541       20,428  
Hedging Collateral Deposits         6,832  
Receivables - Net   143,583       139,956  
Unbilled Revenue   17,302       18,758  
Gas Stored Underground   33,338       36,632  
Materials, Supplies and Emission Allowances   51,877       40,717  
Unrecovered Purchased Gas Costs         2,246  
Other Current Assets   47,557       97,054  
Total Current Assets   314,198       362,623  
       
Other Assets:      
Recoverable Future Taxes   118,310       115,197  
Unamortized Debt Expense   12,297       14,005  
Other Regulatory Assets   156,106       167,320  
Deferred Charges   67,131       33,843  
Other Investments   154,502       144,917  
Goodwill   5,476       5,476  
Prepaid Post-Retirement Benefit Costs   76,035       60,517  
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments   9,308       48,669  
Other   81       80  
Total Other Assets   599,246       590,024  
Total Assets $ 6,964,935     $ 6,462,157  
       
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES      
Capitalization:      
Comprehensive Shareholders' Equity      
Common Stock, $1 Par Value Authorized - 200,000,000 Shares; Issued and      
Outstanding - 90,954,696 Shares and 86,315,287 Shares, Respectively $ 90,955     $ 86,315  
Paid in Capital   1,004,158       832,264  
Earnings Reinvested in the Business   991,630       1,272,601  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss   (114,757 )     (52,155 )
Total Comprehensive Shareholders' Equity   1,971,986       2,139,025  
Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Portion and Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs   2,629,576       2,133,718  
Total Capitalization   4,601,562       4,272,743  
       
Current and Accrued Liabilities:      
Notes Payable to Banks and Commercial Paper   30,000       55,200  
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt          
Accounts Payable   134,126       132,208  
Amounts Payable to Customers   10,788       4,017  
Dividends Payable   40,475       37,547  
Interest Payable on Long-Term Debt   27,521       18,508  
Customer Advances   15,319       13,044  
Customer Security Deposits   17,199       16,210  
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities   140,176       139,600  
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments   43,969       5,574  
Total Current and Accrued Liabilities   459,573       421,908  
       
Deferred Credits:      
Deferred Income Taxes   696,054       653,382  
Taxes Refundable to Customers   357,508       366,503  
Cost of Removal Regulatory Liability   230,079       221,699  
Other Regulatory Liabilities   161,573       142,367  
Pension and Other Post-Retirement Liabilities   127,181       133,729  
Asset Retirement Obligations   192,228       127,458  
Other Deferred Credits   139,177       122,368  
Total Deferred Credits   1,903,800       1,767,506  
Commitments and Contingencies          
Total Capitalization and Liabilities $ 6,964,935     $ 6,462,157  


       
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
  Twelve Months Ended
  September 30,
(Thousands of Dollars) 2020   2019
       
Operating Activities:      
Net Income (Loss) Available for Common Stock $ (123,772 )   $ 304,290  
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
     
Provided by Operating Activities:      
Impairment of Oil and Gas Producing Properties 449,438      
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 306,158     275,660  
Deferred Income Taxes 54,313     122,265  
Stock-Based Compensation 14,931     21,186  
Other 6,527     8,608  
Change in:      
Receivables and Unbilled Revenue (2,578 )   6,379  
Gas Stored Underground and Materials, Supplies and Emission Allowances (6,625 )   (3,713 )
Unrecovered Purchased Gas Costs 2,246     1,958  
Other Current Assets 49,367     (29,030 )
Accounts Payable (4,657 )   (24,770 )
Amounts Payable to Customers 6,771     623  
Customer Advances 2,275     (565 )
Customer Security Deposits 989     (9,493 )
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities 5,001     10,992  
Other Assets (24,203 )   5,115  
Other Liabilities 4,628     4,978  
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $ 740,809     $ 694,483  
       
Investing Activities:      
Capital Expenditures $ (716,153 )   $ (788,938 )
Acquisition of Upstream Assets and Midstream Gathering Assets (506,258 )    
Other (1,205 )   (10,237 )
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities $ (1,223,616 )   $ (799,175 )
       
Financing Activities:      
Changes in Notes Payable to Banks and Commercial Paper $ (25,200 )   $ 55,200  
Dividends Paid on Common Stock (153,322 )   (147,418 )
Net Proceeds From Issuance of Long-Term Debt 493,007      
Net Proceeds from Issuance (Repurchase) of Common Stock 161,603     (8,877 )
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities $ 476,088     $ (101,095 )
       
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash (6,719 )   (205,787 )
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period 27,260     233,047  
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at September 30 $ 20,541     $ 27,260  


                   
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND STATISTICS
(UNAUDITED)
                   
UPSTREAM BUSINESS
                   
                   
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts) September 30,   September 30,
EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SEGMENT 2020   2019   Variance   2020 2019 Variance
Total Operating Revenues $ 154,726     $ 164,887     $ (10,161 )   $ 607,453   $ 632,740   $ (25,287 )
                   
Operating Expenses:                  
Operation and Maintenance:                  
General and Administrative Expense 16,653     16,063     590     63,429   64,003   (574 )
Lease Operating and Transportation Expense 54,983     50,409     4,574     203,670   186,626   17,044  
All Other Operation and Maintenance Expense 3,548     3,425     123     12,542   11,130   1,412  
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes 4,103     4,168     (65 )   15,646   17,726   (2,080 )
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 43,467     44,141     (674 )   172,124   154,784   17,340  
Impairment of Oil and Gas Producing Properties 253,441         253,441     449,438     449,438  
  376,195     118,206     257,989     916,849   434,269   482,580  
                   
Operating Income (Loss) (221,469 )   46,681     (268,150 )   (309,396 ) 198,471 (507,867 )
                   
Other Income (Expense):                  
Non-Service Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Costs (395 )   (4 )   (391 )   (1,580 ) (16 ) (1,564 )
Interest and Other Income 115     273     (158 )   698   1,107   (409 )
Interest Expense (15,555 )   (14,216 )   (1,339 )   (58,098 ) (54,777 ) (3,321 )
                   
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (237,304 )   32,734     (270,038 )   (368,376 ) 144,785   (513,161 )
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (68,133 )   7,526     (75,659 )   (41,472 ) 32,978   (74,450 )
Net Income (Loss) $ (169,171 )   $ 25,208     $ (194,379 )   $ (326,904 ) $ 111,807   $ (438,711 )
                   
Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Diluted) $ (1.86 )   $ 0.29     $ (2.15 )   $ (3.72 ) $ 1.29   $ (5.01 )
                   


NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND STATISTICS
(UNAUDITED)
                   
MIDSTREAM BUSINESSES
                   
                   
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts) September 30,   September 30,
PIPELINE AND STORAGE SEGMENT 2020   2019   Variance   2020 2019 Variance
Revenues from External Customers $ 54,090     $ 47,143     $ 6,947     $ 205,998   $ 195,808   $ 10,190  
Intersegment Revenues 26,236     22,764     3,472     103,606   92,475   11,131  
Total Operating Revenues 80,326     69,907     10,419     309,604   288,283   21,321  
                   
Operating Expenses:                  
Purchased Gas 74     241     (167 )   75   1,124   (1,049 )
Operation and Maintenance 25,233     26,099     (866 )   87,440   94,710   (7,270 )
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes 8,053     7,820     233     32,569   30,268   2,301  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 14,638     11,387     3,251     53,951   44,947   9,004  
  47,998     45,547     2,451     174,035   171,049   2,986  
                   
Operating Income 32,328     24,360     7,968     135,569   117,234   18,335  
                   
Other Income (Expense):                  
Non-Service Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit (Costs) Credit (394 )   930     (1,324 )   (917 ) 3,257   (4,174 )
Interest and Other Income 701     1,882     (1,181 )   5,552   5,900   (348 )
Interest Expense (10,695 )   (7,132 )   (3,563 )   (32,731 ) (29,142 ) (3,589 )
                   
Income Before Income Taxes 21,940     20,040     1,900     107,473   97,249   10,224  
Income Tax Expense 5,895     4,672     1,223     28,613   23,238   5,375  
Net Income $ 16,045     $ 15,368     $ 677     $ 78,860   $ 74,011   $ 4,849  
                   
Net Income Per Share (Diluted) $ 0.18     $ 0.18     $     $ 0.90   $ 0.85   $ 0.05  
                   
                   
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,
GATHERING SEGMENT 2020   2019   Variance   2020 2019 Variance
Revenues from External Customers $ 72     $ 10     $ 62     $ 72   $ 11   $ 61  
Intersegment Revenues 39,467     35,132     4,335     142,821   127,064   15,757  
Total Operating Revenues 39,539     35,142     4,397     142,893   127,075   15,818  
                   
Operating Expenses:                  
Operation and Maintenance 6,455     5,229     1,226     22,942   18,702   4,240  
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes 22     18     4     72   81   (9 )
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 6,785     5,202     1,583     22,440   20,038   2,402  
  13,262     10,449     2,813     45,454   38,821   6,633  
                   
Operating Income 26,277     24,693     1,584     97,439   88,254   9,185  
                   
Other Income (Expense):                  
Non-Service Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Costs (71 )   (1 )   (70 )   (285 ) (86 ) (199 )
Interest and Other Income 346     57     289     545   546   (1 )
Interest Expense (4,115 )   (2,397 )   (1,718 )   (10,877 ) (9,406 ) (1,471 )
                   
Income Before Income Taxes 22,437     22,352     85     86,822   79,308   7,514  
Income Tax Expense 4,887     5,450     (563 )   18,191   20,895   (2,704 )
Net Income $ 17,550     $ 16,902     $ 648     $ 68,631   $ 58,413   $ 10,218  
                   
Net Income Per Share (Diluted) $ 0.19     $ 0.19     $     $ 0.78   $ 0.67   $ 0.11  
                   


NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND STATISTICS
(UNAUDITED)
                   
DOWNSTREAM BUSINESS
                   
                   
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts) September 30,   September 30,
UTILITY SEGMENT 2020   2019   Variance   2020 2019 Variance
Revenues from External Customers $ 73,000     $ 67,189     $ 5,811     $ 642,855   $ 715,813   $ (72,958 )
Intersegment Revenues 944     1,645     (701 )   9,443   11,629   (2,186 )
Total Operating Revenues 73,944     68,834     5,110     652,298   727,442   (75,144 )
                   
Operating Expenses:                  
Purchased Gas 15,243     14,712     531     263,112   342,832   (79,720 )
Operation and Maintenance 41,573     38,845     2,728     178,896   168,684   10,212  
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes 8,578     8,563     15     38,872   39,792   (920 )
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 14,007     13,630     377     55,248   53,832   1,416  
  79,401     75,750     3,651     536,128   605,140   (69,012 )
                   
Operating Income (Loss) (5,457 )   (6,916 )   1,459     116,170   122,302   (6,132 )
                   
Other Income (Expense):                  
Non-Service Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Costs (2,001 )   (2,040 )   39     (26,963 ) (27,600 ) 637  
Interest and Other Income 589     870     (281 )   3,583   3,579   4  
Interest Expense (5,720 )   (5,492 )   (228 )   (22,150 ) (23,443 ) 1,293  
                   
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (12,589 )   (13,578 )   989     70,640   74,838   (4,198 )
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (5,620 )   (5,850 )   230     13,274   13,967   (693 )
Net Income (Loss) $ (6,969 )   $ (7,728 )   $ 759     $ 57,366   $ 60,871   $ (3,505 )
                   
Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Diluted) $ (0.08 )   $ (0.09 )   $ 0.01     $ 0.65   $ 0.70   $ (0.05 )
                   


NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND STATISTICS
(UNAUDITED)
                   
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts) September 30,   September 30,
ALL OTHER 2020   2019   Variance   2020 2019 Variance
Revenues from External Customers $ 5,988     $ 13,977     $ (7,989 )   $ 89,435   $ 148,582   $ (59,147 )
Intersegment Revenues 237     71     166     836   1,127   (291 )
Total Operating Revenues 6,225     14,048     (7,823 )   90,271   149,709   (59,438 )
Operating Expenses:                  
Purchased Gas 5,263     13,439     (8,176 )   80,485   144,292   (63,807 )
Operation and Maintenance 2,139     1,837     302     7,895   7,549   346  
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes 243     141     102     765   540   225  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 1,064     115     949     1,716   1,291   425  
  8,709     15,532     (6,823 )   90,861   153,672   (62,811 )
                   
Operating Loss (2,484 )   (1,484 )   (1,000 )   (590 ) (3,963 ) 3,373  
                   
Other Income (Expense):                  
Non-Service Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Costs (69 )   (11 )   (58 )   (276 ) (153 ) (123 )
Interest and Other Income 201     319     (118 )   873   1,371   (498 )
Interest Expense (13 )   (6 )   (7 )   (66 ) (21 ) (45 )
                   
Loss before Income Taxes (2,365 )   (1,182 )   (1,183 )   (59 ) (2,766 ) 2,707  
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (565 )   (316 )   (249 )   210   (955 ) 1,165  
Net Loss $ (1,800 )   $ (866 )   $ (934 )   $ (269 ) $ (1,811 ) $ 1,542  
Net Loss Per Share (Diluted) $ (0.02 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.01 )   $   $ (0.02 ) $ 0.02  
           
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,
CORPORATE 2020   2019   Variance   2020 2019 Variance
Revenues from External Customers $ 113     $ 134     $ (21 )   $ 478   $ 378   $ 100  
Intersegment Revenues 1,463     1,144     319     4,744   4,638   106  
Total Operating Revenues 1,576     1,278     298     5,222   5,016   206  
Operating Expenses:                  
Operation and Maintenance 4,481     4,348     133     13,401   14,258   (857 )
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes 133     129     4     476   479   (3 )
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 136     195     (59 )   679   768   (89 )
  4,750     4,672     78     14,556   15,505   (949 )
                   
Operating Loss (3,174 )   (3,394 )   220     (9,334 ) (10,489 ) 1,155  
                   
Other Income (Expense):                  
Non-Service Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Costs (775 )   (647 )   (128 )   (3,101 ) (2,679 ) (422 )
Interest and Other Income 37,730     28,993     8,737     127,524   115,605   11,919  
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt (32,159 )   (25,598 )   (6,561 )   (110,012 ) (101,614 ) (8,398 )
Other Interest Expense (1,922 )   (1,024 )   (898 )   (6,610 ) (4,726 ) (1,884 )
                   
Loss before Income Taxes (300 )   (1,670 )   1,370     (1,533 ) (3,903 ) 2,370  
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) 900     (67 )   967     (77 ) (4,902 ) 4,825  
Net Income (Loss) $ (1,200 )   $ (1,603 )   $ 403     $ (1,456 ) $ 999   $ (2,455 )
Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Diluted) $ (0.01 )   $ (0.02 )   $ 0.01     $ (0.02 ) $ 0.02   $ (0.04 )
                   
                   
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,
INTERSEGMENT ELIMINATIONS 2020   2019   Variance   2020 2019 Variance
Intersegment Revenues $ (68,347 )   $ (60,756 )   $ (7,591 )   $ (261,450 ) $ (236,933 ) $ (24,517 )
Operating Expenses:                  
Purchased Gas (26,353 )   (23,664 )   (2,689 )   (109,782 ) (101,983 ) (7,799 )
Operation and Maintenance (41,994 )   (37,092 )   (4,902 )   (151,668 ) (134,950 ) (16,718 )
  (68,347 )   (60,756 )   (7,591 )   (261,450 ) (236,933 ) (24,517 )
                   
Operating Income                  
                   
Other Income (Expense):                  
Interest and Other Deductions (35,818 )   (29,186 )   (6,632 )   (123,467 ) (116,373 ) (7,094 )
Interest Expense 35,818     29,186     6,632     123,467   116,373   7,094  
Net Income (Loss) $     $     $     $   $   $  
Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Diluted) $     $     $     $   $   $  


                       
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       
SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)
(Thousands of Dollars)
                       
                       
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,
  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
          Increase           Increase
  2020   2019   (Decrease)   2020   2019   (Decrease)
                       
Capital Expenditures:                      
Exploration and Production (1) $ 375,466   (3) $ 100,215 (4) $ 275,251     $ 670,455   (3)(4) $ 491,889 (4)(5) $ 178,566  
Pipeline and Storage 42,520   (3) 54,878 (4) (12,358 )   166,652   (3)(4) 143,005 (4)(5) 23,647  
Gathering (2) 251,606   (3) 10,254 (4) 241,352     297,806   (3)(4) 49,650 (4)(5) 248,156  
Utility 32,034   (3) 37,483 (4) (5,449 )   94,273   (3)(4) 95,847 (4)(5) (1,574 )
Total Reportable Segments 701,626     202,830   498,796     1,229,186     780,391   448,795  
All Other 2     5   (3 )   39     128   (89 )
Corporate 102     358   (256 )   522     727   (205 )
Eliminations (1,130 )     (1,130 )   (1,130 )     (1,130 )
Total Capital Expenditures $ 700,600     $ 203,193   $ 497,407     $ 1,228,617     $ 781,246   $ 447,371  


(1) 2020 includes $285.6 million related to the acquisition of upstream assets acquired from Shell, of which $284.5 million is included in Property, Plant and Equipment and $1.1 million is included in Materials, Supplies and Emission Allowances.  Excluding liabilities accrued, the amount paid was $282.8 million.
   
(2) 2020  includes $223.5 million related to the acquisition of midstream gathering assets acquired from Shell, of which $223.4 million is included in Property, Plant and Equipment and $0.1 million is included in Materials, Supplies and Emission Allowances.
   
(3) Capital expenditures for the quarter and year ended September 30, 2020, include accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to capital expenditures of $45.8 million, $17.3 million, $13.5 million, and $10.7 million in the Exploration and Production segment, Pipeline and Storage segment, Gathering segment and Utility segment, respectively.  These amounts have been excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at September 30, 2020, since they represent non-cash investing activities at that date.
   
(4) Capital expenditures for the year ended September 30, 2020, exclude capital expenditures of $38.0 million, $23.8 million, $6.6 million and $12.7 million in the Exploration and Production segment, Pipeline and Storage segment, Gathering segment and Utility segment, respectively.  These amounts were in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at September 30, 2019 and paid during the year ended September 30, 2020.  These amounts were excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at September 30, 2019, since they represented non-cash investing activities at that date.  These amounts have been included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at September 30, 2020.
   
(5) Capital expenditures for the year ended September 30, 2019, exclude capital expenditures of $51.3 million, $21.9 million, $6.1 million and $9.5 million in the Exploration and Production segment, Pipeline and Storage segment, Gathering segment and Utility segment, respectively.  These amounts were in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at September 30, 2018 and paid during the year ended September 30, 2019.  These amounts were excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at September 30, 2018, since they represented non-cash investing activities at that date.  These amounts have been included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at September 30, 2019.


                   
DEGREE DAYS                  
              Percent Colder
              (Warmer) Than:
Three Months Ended September 30, Normal   2020   2019   Normal (1)   Last Year (1)
                   
Buffalo, NY 162   101   45   (37.7 )   124.4  
Erie, PA 124   68   12   (45.2 )   466.7  
                   
Twelve Months Ended September 30,                  
                   
Buffalo, NY 6,653   6,103   6,699   (8.3 )   (8.9 )
Erie, PA 6,181   5,449   5,911   (11.8 )   (7.8 )
                   


(1) Percents compare actual 2020 degree days to normal degree days and actual 2020 degree days to actual 2019 degree days.


                       
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       
EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION INFORMATION
                       
                       
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,
          Increase           Increase
  2020   2019   (Decrease)   2020   2019   (Decrease)
                       
Gas Production/Prices:                      
Production (MMcf)                      
Appalachia 63,548    54,952    8,596      225,513    195,906    29,607   
West Coast 455    491    (36 )   1,889    1,974    (85 )
Total Production 64,003    55,443    8,560      227,402    197,880    29,522   
                       
Average Prices (Per Mcf)                      
Appalachia $ 1.63    $ 1.95    $ (0.32 )   $ 1.75    $ 2.40    $ (0.65 )
West Coast 3.31    3.94    (0.63 )   3.82    5.15    (1.33 )
Weighted Average 1.64    1.97    (0.33 )   1.77    2.43    (0.66 )
Weighted Average after Hedging 1.92    2.26    (0.34 )   2.07    2.44    (0.37 )
                       
Oil Production/Prices:                      
Production (Thousands of Barrels)                      
Appalachia     —          —   
West Coast 555    611    (56 )   2,345    2,320    25   
Total Production 556    612    (56 )   2,348    2,323    25   
                       
Average Prices (Per Barrel)                      
Appalachia $ 31.22    $ 60.70    $ (29.48 )   $ 45.69    $ 57.14    $ (11.45 )
West Coast 41.22    61.85    (20.63 )   45.94    64.18    (18.24 )
Weighted Average 41.21    61.85    (20.64 )   45.94    64.17    (18.23 )
Weighted Average after Hedging 55.70    61.00    (5.30 )   56.96    61.65    (4.69 )
                       
Total Production (MMcfe) 67,339    59,115    8,224      241,490    211,818    29,672   
                       
Selected Operating Performance Statistics:                      
General & Administrative Expense per Mcfe (1) $ 0.25    $ 0.27    $ (0.02 )   $ 0.26    $ 0.30    $ (0.04 )
Lease Operating and Transportation Expense per Mcfe (1)(2) $ 0.82    $ 0.85    $ (0.03 )   $ 0.84    $ 0.88    $ (0.04 )
Depreciation, Depletion & Amortization per Mcfe (1) $ 0.65    $ 0.75    $ (0.10 )   $ 0.71    $ 0.73    $ (0.02 )
                       


(1) Refer to page 16 for the General and Administrative Expense, Lease Operating and Transportation Expense and Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization Expense for the Exploration and Production segment.
   
(2) Amounts include transportation expense of $0.57 and $0.56 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively. Amounts include transportation expense of $0.57 and $0.56 per Mcfe for the twelve months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively.


 
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
             
EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION INFORMATION
 
             
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2021   Volume     Average Hedge Price
Oil Swaps            
Brent   936,000   BBL   $ 59.45 / BBL
NYMEX   156,000   BBL   $ 51.00 / BBL
Total   1,092,000    BBL   $ 58.24 / BBL
             
Gas Swaps            
NYMEX   149,160,000   MMBTU   $ 2.63 / MMBTU
DAWN   600,000   MMBTU   $ 3.00 / MMBTU
No Cost Collars   25,850,000   MMBTU   $ 2.28 / MMBTU (Floor) / $2.77 / MMBTU (Ceiling)
Fixed Price Physical Sales   65,421,882   MMBTU   $ 2.20 / MMBTU
Total   241,031,882    MMBTU      
             
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2022   Volume     Average Hedge Price
Oil Swaps            
Brent   300,000   BBL   $ 60.07 / BBL
NYMEX   156,000   BBL   $ 51.00 / BBL
Total   456,000    BBL   $ 56.97 / BBL
             
Gas Swaps            
NYMEX   128,530,000   MMBTU   $ 2.65 / MMBTU
No Cost Collars   2,350,000   MMBTU   $ 2.28 / MMBTU (Floor) / $2.77 / MMBTU (Ceiling)
Fixed Price Physical Sales   43,814,854   MMBTU   $ 2.30 / MMBTU
Total   174,694,854    MMBTU      
             
             
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2023   Volume     Average Hedge Price
Gas Swaps            
NYMEX   23,240,000   MMBTU   $ 2.54 / MMBTU
Fixed Price Physical Sales   38,508,864   MMBTU   $ 2.29 / MMBTU
Total   61,748,864    MMBTU      
             
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2024   Volume     Average Hedge Price
Gas Swaps            
NYMEX   1,150,000   MMBTU   $ 2.45 / MMBTU
Fixed Price Physical Sales   20,971,393   MMBTU   $ 2.25 / MMBTU
Total   22,121,393    MMBTU      
             
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2025   Volume     Average Hedge Price
Fixed Price Physical Sales   2,293,200   MMBTU   $ 2.18 / MMBTU


       
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
       
EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION INFORMATION
       
Reserve Quantity Information
(Unaudited)
       
       
  Gas MMcf
  U.S.
  Appalachian West Coast Total
  Region Region Company
Proved Developed and Undeveloped Reserves:      
September 30, 2019 2,915,886   33,633   2,949,519  
Extensions and Discoveries 7,246     7,246  
Revisions of Previous Estimates (85,647 ) (2,772 ) (88,419 )
Production (225,513 ) (1,889 ) (227,402 )
Purchases of Minerals in Place 684,141     684,141  
September 30, 2020 3,296,113   28,972   3,325,085  
       
Proved Developed Reserves:      
September 30, 2019 1,901,162   33,633   1,934,795  
September 30, 2020 2,744,851   28,972   2,773,823  
       
       
  Oil Mbbl
  U.S.
  Appalachian West Coast Total
  Region Region Company
Proved Developed and Undeveloped Reserves:      
September 30, 2019 13   24,860   24,873  
Extensions and Discoveries   288   288  
Revisions of Previous Estimates 2   (715 ) (713 )
Production (3 ) (2,345 ) (2,348 )
September 30, 2020 12   22,088   22,100  
       
Proved Developed Reserves:      
September 30, 2019 13   24,246   24,259  
September 30, 2020 12   22,088   22,100  
       


NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       
                       
                       
Pipeline & Storage Throughput - (millions of cubic feet - MMcf)        
                       
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,
          Increase           Increase
  2020   2019   (Decrease)   2020   2019   (Decrease)
Firm Transportation - Affiliated 13,021   14,194   (1,173 )   111,166   121,618   (10,452 )
Firm Transportation - Non-Affiliated 162,727   153,838   8,889     641,607   596,676   44,931  
Interruptible Transportation 857   189   668     2,859   2,163   696  
  176,605   168,221   8,384     755,632   720,457   35,175  
                       
Gathering Volume - (MMcf)                      
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,
          Increase           Increase
  2020   2019   (Decrease)   2020   2019   (Decrease)
Gathered Volume - Affiliated 73,441   65,170   8,271     264,305   234,760   29,545  
                       
                       
Utility Throughput - (MMcf)                      
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,
          Increase           Increase
  2020   2019   (Decrease)   2020   2019   (Decrease)
Retail Sales:                      
Residential Sales 4,033   3,247   786     60,977   63,828   (2,851 )
Commercial Sales 503   490   13     8,798   9,489   (691 )
Industrial Sales 31   63   (32 )   537   702   (165 )
  4,567   3,800   767     70,312   74,019   (3,707 )
Transportation 9,040   10,115   (1,075 )   68,272   76,028   (7,756 )
  13,607   13,915   (308 )   138,584   150,047   (11,463 )
                       


NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In addition to financial measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this press release contains information regarding Adjusted Operating Results, Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow, which are non-GAAP financial measures.  The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors because they provide an alternative method for assessing the Company's ongoing operating results or liquidity and for comparing the Company’s financial performance to other companies.  The Company's management uses these non-GAAP financial measures for the same purpose, and for planning and forecasting purposes. The presentation of non-GAAP financial measures is not meant to be a substitute for financial measures in accordance with GAAP. 

Management defines Adjusted Operating Results as reported GAAP earnings before items impacting comparability.  The following table reconciles National Fuel's reported GAAP earnings to Adjusted Operating Results for the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,
(in thousands except per share amounts) 2020   2019   2020   2019
Reported GAAP Earnings $ (145,545 )   $ 47,281     $ (123,772 )   $ 304,290  
Items impacting comparability:              
Impairment of oil and gas properties (E&P) 253,441         449,438      
Tax impact of impairment of oil and gas properties (69,698 )       (123,187 )    
Deferred tax valuation allowance as of March 31, 2020         56,770      
Remeasurement of deferred income taxes under 2017 Tax Reform             (5,000 )
Mark-to-market adjustments due to hedge ineffectiveness (E&P)     (1,313 )       (2,096 )
Tax impact of mark-to-market adjustments due to hedge ineffectiveness     276         440  
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments (Corporate/All Other) (2,439 )   949     (1,645 )   2,045  
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on other investments 512     (199 )   345     (429 )
Adjusted Operating Results $ 36,271     $ 46,994     $ 257,949     $ 299,250  
               
Reported GAAP Earnings per share $ (1.60 )   $ 0.54     $ (1.41 )   $ 3.51  
Items impacting comparability:              
Impairment of oil and gas properties, net of tax (E&P) 2.02         3.71      
Deferred tax valuation allowance as March 31, 2020         0.65      
Remeasurement of deferred income taxes under 2017 Tax Reform             (0.06 )
Mark-to-market adjustments due to hedge ineffectiveness, net of tax (E&P)     (0.01 )       (0.02 )
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, net of tax (Corporate/All Other) (0.02 )   0.01     (0.01 )   0.02  
Earnings per share impact of diluted shares         (0.02 )    
Adjusted Operating Results Per Share $ 0.40     $ 0.54     $ 2.92     $ 3.45  

Management defines Adjusted EBITDA as reported GAAP earnings before the following items:  interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization, other income and deductions, impairments, and other items reflected in operating income that impact comparability.  The following tables reconcile National Fuel's reported GAAP earnings to Adjusted EBITDA for the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,
(in thousands) 2020   2019   2020   2019
Reported GAAP Earnings $ (145,545 )   $ 47,281     $ (123,772 )   $ 304,290  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 80,097     74,670     306,158     275,660  
Other (Income) Deductions (159 )   (1,435 )   17,814     15,542  
Interest Expense 34,361     26,679     117,077     106,756  
Income Taxes (62,636 )   11,415     18,739     85,221  
Mark-to-Market Adjustments due to Hedge Ineffectiveness     (1,313 )       (2,096 )
Impairment of Oil and Gas Producing Properties 253,441         449,438      
Adjusted EBITDA $ 159,559     $ 157,297     $ 785,454     $ 785,373  
               
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment              
Pipeline and Storage Adjusted EBITDA $ 46,966     $ 35,747     $ 189,520     $ 162,181  
Gathering Adjusted EBITDA 33,062     29,895     119,879     108,292  
Total Midstream Businesses Adjusted EBITDA 80,028     65,642     309,399     270,473  
Exploration and Production Adjusted EBITDA 75,439     89,509     312,166     351,159  
Utility Adjusted EBITDA 8,550     6,714     171,418     176,134  
Corporate and All Other Adjusted EBITDA (4,458 )   (4,568 )   (7,529 )   (12,393 )
Total Adjusted EBITDA $ 159,559     $ 157,297     $ 785,454     $ 785,373  



 
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
SEGMENT ADJUSTED EBITDA
 
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,
(in thousands) 2020   2019   2020   2019
Exploration and Production Segment              
Reported GAAP Earnings $ (169,171 )   $ 25,208     $ (326,904 )   $ 111,807  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 43,467     44,141     172,124     154,784  
Other (Income) Deductions 280     (269 )   882     (1,091 )
Interest Expense 15,555     14,216     58,098     54,777  
Income Taxes (68,133 )   7,526     (41,472 )   32,978  
Mark-to-Market Adjustments due to Hedge Ineffectiveness     (1,313 )       (2,096 )
Impairment of Oil and Gas Producing Properties 253,441         449,438      
Adjusted EBITDA $ 75,439     $ 89,509     $ 312,166     $ 351,159  
               
Pipeline and Storage Segment              
Reported GAAP Earnings $ 16,045     $ 15,368     $ 78,860     $ 74,011  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 14,638     11,387     53,951     44,947  
Other (Income) Deductions (307 )   (2,812 )   (4,635 )   (9,157 )
Interest Expense 10,695     7,132     32,731     29,142  
Income Taxes 5,895     4,672     28,613     23,238  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 46,966     $ 35,747     $ 189,520     $ 162,181  
               
Gathering Segment              
Reported GAAP Earnings $ 17,550     $ 16,902     $ 68,631     $ 58,413  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 6,785     5,202     22,440     20,038  
Other (Income) Deductions (275 )   (56 )   (260 )   (460 )
Interest Expense 4,115     2,397     10,877     9,406  
Income Taxes 4,887     5,450     18,191     20,895  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 33,062     $ 29,895     $ 119,879     $ 108,292  
               
Utility Segment              
Reported GAAP Earnings $ (6,969 )   $ (7,728 )   $ 57,366     $ 60,871  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 14,007     13,630     55,248     53,832  
Other (Income) Deductions 1,412     1,170     23,380     24,021  
Interest Expense 5,720     5,492     22,150     23,443  
Income Taxes (5,620 )   (5,850 )   13,274     13,967  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 8,550     $ 6,714     $ 171,418     $ 176,134  
               
Corporate and All Other              
Reported GAAP Earnings $ (3,000 )   $ (2,469 )   $ (1,725 )   $ (812 )
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 1,200     310     2,395     2,059  
Other (Income) Deductions (1,269 )   532     (1,553 )   2,229  
Interest Expense (1,724 )   (2,558 )   (6,779 )   (10,012 )
Income Taxes 335     (383 )   133     (5,857 )
Adjusted EBITDA $ (4,458 )   $ (4,568 )   $ (7,529 )   $ (12,393 )
                               

Management defines free cash flow as funds from operations less capital expenditures. The Company is unable to provide a reconciliation of projected free cash flow as described in this release to its comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP without unreasonable efforts. This is due to our inability to calculate the comparable GAAP projected metrics, including operating income and total production costs, given the unknown effect, timing, and potential significance of certain income statement items.

Analyst Contact:
Kenneth E. Webster
716-857-7067

Media Contact:
Karen L. Merkel
716-857-7654

Primary Logo