CREDIT FACILITIES (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Short-term Debt [Line Items]

Short-term Debt [Text Block]

3. CREDIT FACILITY AND SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE

In October 2017, we amended and restated our credit agreement. The ONE Gas Credit Agreement remains a $700.0 million revolving unsecured credit facility, and includes a $20.0 million letter of credit subfacility and a $60.0 million swingline subfacility. We will also be able to request an increase in commitments of up to an additional $500.0 million upon satisfaction of customary conditions, including receipt of commitments from either new lenders or increased commitments from existing lenders. The ONE Gas Credit Agreement expires in October 2022, and is available to provide liquidity for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and mergers, the issuance of letters of credit and for other general corporate purposes.

The ONE Gas Credit Agreement contains certain financial, operational and legal covenants. Among other things, these covenants include maintaining ONE Gas’ total debt-to-capital ratio of no more than 70 percent at the end of any calendar quarter. At September 30, 2017, our total debt-to-capital ratio was 41 percent and we were in compliance with all covenants under the ONE Gas Credit Agreement.

We have a commercial paper program under which we may issue unsecured commercial paper up to a maximum amount of $700 million to fund short-term borrowing needs. The maturities of the commercial paper notes may vary but may not exceed 270 days from the date of issue. The commercial paper notes are generally sold at par less a discount representing an interest factor.

The ONE Gas Credit Agreement is available to repay the commercial paper notes, if necessary. Amounts outstanding under the commercial paper program reduce the borrowing capacity under the ONE Gas Credit Agreement. At September 30, 2017, we had $174.0 million in short-term borrowings, $1.8 million in letters of credit issued under the ONE Gas Credit Agreement and $524.2 million of remaining credit available under the ONE Gas Credit Agreement.