10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

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 1-10042

Atmos Energy Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas and Virginia	75-1743247
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(IRS employer identification no.)
Three Lincoln Centre, Suite 1800 5430 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, Texas	75240 (Zip code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

(972) 934-9227

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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  þ    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).    Yes  þ    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer  þ Accelerated Filer  ¨ Non-Accelerated Filer  ¨ Smaller Reporting Company  ¨

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)    Yes  ¨    No  þ

Number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of April 29, 2016.

Class	Shares Outstanding
No Par Value	102,233,265

GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS

AEC	Atmos Energy Corporation
AEH	Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc.
AEM	Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC
AOCI	Accumulated other comprehensive income
Bcf	Billion cubic feet
FASB	Financial Accounting Standards Board
Fitch	Fitch Ratings, Ltd.
GAAP	Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
GRIP	Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program
Mcf	Thousand cubic feet
MMcf	Million cubic feet
Moody’s	Moody’s Investors Services, Inc.
NYMEX	New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc.
PPA	Pension Protection Act of 2006
PRP	Pipeline Replacement Program
RRC	Railroad Commission of Texas
RRM	Rate Review Mechanism
S&P	Standard & Poor’s Corporation
SEC	United States Securities and Exchange Commission
WNA	Weather Normalization Adjustment

2

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	March 31, 2016			September 30, 2015
	(Unaudited)
	(In thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment	$	9,722,228		$	9,240,100
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,882,815			1,809,520
Net property, plant and equipment	7,839,413			7,430,580
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	47,918			28,653
Accounts receivable, net	361,582			295,160
Gas stored underground	190,961			236,603
Other current assets	52,451			65,890
Total current assets	652,912			626,306
Goodwill	742,702			742,702
Deferred charges and other assets	308,899			293,357
	$	9,543,926		$	9,092,945
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock, no par value (stated at $.005 per share); 200,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: March 31, 2016 — 102,209,505 shares; September 30, 2015 — 101,478,818 shares	$	511		$	507
Additional paid-in capital	2,255,875			2,230,591
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(157,239		)	(109,330		)
Retained earnings	1,245,418			1,073,029
Shareholders’ equity	3,344,565			3,194,797
Long-term debt	2,455,559			2,455,388
Total capitalization	5,800,124			5,650,185
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	226,641			238,942
Other current liabilities	373,783			457,954
Short-term debt	626,929			457,927
Total current liabilities	1,227,353			1,154,823
Deferred income taxes	1,557,790			1,411,315
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	426,756			427,553
Pension and postretirement liabilities	294,377			287,373
Deferred credits and other liabilities	237,526			161,696
	$	9,543,926		$	9,092,945

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

	Three Months Ended   March 31
	2016			2015
	(Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share data)
Operating revenues
Regulated distribution segment	$	849,685		$	1,130,613
Regulated pipeline segment	95,703			91,730
Nonregulated segment	287,395			438,322
Intersegment eliminations	(100,490		)	(120,597		)
	1,132,293			1,540,068
Purchased gas cost
Regulated distribution segment	440,543			724,378
Regulated pipeline segment	—			—
Nonregulated segment	274,296			415,416
Intersegment eliminations	(100,357		)	(120,464		)
	614,482			1,019,330
Gross profit	517,811			520,738
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	133,666			133,460
Depreciation and amortization	71,972			68,022
Taxes, other than income	62,157			69,046
Total operating expenses	267,795			270,528
Operating income	250,016			250,210
Miscellaneous expense	(685		)	(1,561		)
Interest charges	27,560			27,447
Income before income taxes	221,771			221,202
Income tax expense	79,961			83,518
Net income	$	141,810		$	137,684
Basic and diluted net income per share	$	1.38		$	1.35
Cash dividends per share	$	0.42		$	0.39
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding	102,946			101,746

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

	Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016			2015
	(Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share data)
Operating revenues
Regulated distribution segment	$	1,488,287		$	1,977,385
Regulated pipeline segment	190,380			175,297
Nonregulated segment	559,919			900,610
Intersegment eliminations	(200,072		)	(254,459		)
	2,038,514			2,798,833
Purchased gas cost
Regulated distribution segment	745,684			1,247,338
Regulated pipeline segment	—			—
Nonregulated segment	531,062			861,665
Intersegment eliminations	(199,806		)	(254,193		)
	1,076,940			1,854,810
Gross profit	961,574			944,023
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	258,514			252,042
Depreciation and amortization	143,211			135,615
Taxes, other than income	113,628			118,431
Total operating expenses	515,353			506,088
Operating income	446,221			437,935
Miscellaneous expense	(1,894		)	(3,268		)
Interest charges	58,043			57,211
Income before income taxes	386,284			377,456
Income tax expense	141,613			142,177
Net income	$	244,671		$	235,279
Basic and diluted net income per share	$	2.38		$	2.31
Cash dividends per share	$	0.84		$	0.78
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding	102,837			101,667

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

	Three Months Ended   March 31						Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016			2015			2016			2015
	(Unaudited) (In thousands)
Net income	$	141,810		$	137,684		$	244,671		$	235,279
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $(505), $484, $(947) and $(129)	(879		)	962			(1,647		)	(105		)
Cash flow hedges:
Amortization and unrealized loss on interest rate agreements, net of tax of $(30,819), $(18,778), $(28,070) and $(48,546)	(53,618		)	(32,669		)	(48,835		)	(84,456		)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on commodity cash flow hedges, net of tax of $140, $(1,395), $1,645 and $(20,091)	220			(2,182		)	2,573			(31,134		)
Total other comprehensive loss	(54,277		)	(33,889		)	(47,909		)	(115,695		)
Total comprehensive income	$	87,533		$	103,795		$	196,762		$	119,584

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016			2015
	(Unaudited) (In thousands)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$	244,671		$	235,279
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization:
Charged to depreciation and amortization	143,211			135,615
Charged to other accounts	645			566
Deferred income taxes	132,456			131,292
Other	10,355			10,332
Net assets / liabilities from risk management activities	9,528			(29,091		)
Net change in operating assets and liabilities	(85,090		)	56,855
Net cash provided by operating activities	455,776			540,848
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(538,233		)	(441,644		)
Other, net	1,888			(1,346		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(536,345		)	(442,990		)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Net increase in short-term debt	169,002			21,839
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	—			493,538
Settlement of interest rate agreements	—			13,364
Repayment of long-term debt	—			(500,000		)
Cash dividends paid	(86,809		)	(78,074		)
Repurchase of equity awards	—			(7,985		)
Issuance of common stock	17,641			12,727
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	99,834			(44,591		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	19,265			53,267
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	28,653			42,258
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	47,918		$	95,525

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

7

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

March 31, 2016

1.    Nature of Business

Atmos Energy Corporation (“Atmos Energy” or the “Company”) and our subsidiaries are engaged primarily in the regulated natural gas distribution and pipeline businesses as well as other nonregulated natural gas businesses. Historically, our regulated businesses have generated over 90 percent of our consolidated net income.

Through our regulated distribution business, we deliver natural gas through sales and transportation arrangements to approximately three million residential, commercial, public authority and industrial customers through our six regulated distribution divisions, which at March 31, 2016, covered service areas located in eight states. In addition, we transport natural gas for others through our distribution system. Our regulated businesses also include our regulated pipeline and storage operations, which include the transportation of natural gas to our North Texas distribution system and the management of our underground storage facilities. Our regulated businesses are subject to federal and state regulation and/or regulation by local authorities in each of the states in which our regulated distribution divisions operate.

Our nonregulated businesses operate primarily in the Midwest and Southeast through various wholly-owned subsidiaries of Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc. (AEH). AEH is wholly owned by the Company and based in Houston, Texas. Through AEH, we provide natural gas management and transportation services to municipalities, natural gas distribution companies, including certain divisions of Atmos Energy, and third parties.

2.    Unaudited Financial Information

These consolidated interim-period financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States on the same basis as those used for the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. In the opinion of management, all material adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation have been made to the unaudited consolidated interim-period financial statements. These consolidated interim-period financial statements are condensed as permitted by the instructions to Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Atmos Energy Corporation included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. Because of seasonal and other factors, the results of operations for the six-month period ended March 31, 2016 are not indicative of our results of operations for the full 2016 fiscal year, which ends September 30, 2016.

No events have occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date that would require recognition or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Significant accounting policies

Our accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015.

Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2016, we completed our annual goodwill impairment assessment. Based on the assessment performed, we determined that our goodwill was not impaired.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that will supersede virtually all existing revenue recognition guidance under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Under the new standard, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current guidance. The new standard is currently scheduled to become effective for us beginning on October 1, 2018 and can be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are currently evaluating the effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows, as well as the transition approach we will select.

In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs, which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The new standard will be effective for us beginning on October 1, 2016, and will be applied retrospectively. We are currently evaluating the impact this standard may have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

8

In November 2015, the FASB issued guidance that requires all deferred income tax liabilities and assets to be presented as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. Currently, entities are required to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in a classified balance sheet. The new standard will become effective for us beginning on October 1, 2017; however, as permitted under the new guidance, we have elected early adoption. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on our results of operations or cash flows. In accordance with the transition guidance, we have adopted this new guidance prospectively and prior periods have not been adjusted.

In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance related to the classification and measurement of financial instruments. The amendments modify the accounting and presentation for certain financial liabilities and equity investments not consolidated or reported using the equity method. The guidance is effective for us beginning October 1, 2018; limited early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of this new guidance.

In February 2016, the FASB issued a comprehensive new leasing standard that will require lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases, including operating leases, with a term greater than 12 months on its balance sheet. The new standard will be effective for us beginning on October 1, 2019; early adoption is permitted. The new leasing standard requires modified retrospective transition, which requires application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the year of adoption. We are currently evaluating the effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting and reporting of share-based payment arrangements. Key modifications required under the new guidance include:

• Recognition of all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies associated with stock-based compensation as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement in the period the awards vest. The guidance also requires these income tax inflows and outflows to be classified as an operating activity.

• Simplification of the accounting for forfeitures.

• Clarification that cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax-withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity.

The guidance will be effective for us beginning October 1, 2017; however, as permitted under the new guidance, we have elected early adoption. In accordance with the transition requirements, we recorded a $3.3 million income tax benefit for stock awards that vested during the current fiscal year. Additionally, we recorded a $14.5 million cumulative-effect increase to retained earnings with an offsetting increase to the Company’s net operating loss (NOL) deferred tax asset to recognize the effect of excess tax benefits earned prior to September 30, 2015. Since we have adopted this new guidance prospectively, prior periods have not been adjusted.

Regulatory assets and liabilities

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require cost-based, rate-regulated entities that meet certain criteria to reflect the authorized recovery of costs due to regulatory decisions in their financial statements. As a result, certain costs are permitted to be capitalized rather than expensed because they can be recovered through rates. We record certain costs as regulatory assets when future recovery through customer rates is considered probable. Regulatory liabilities are recorded when it is probable that revenues will be reduced for amounts that will be credited to customers through the ratemaking process. Substantially all of our regulatory assets are recorded as a component of deferred charges and other assets and substantially all of our regulatory liabilities are recorded as a component of deferred credits and other liabilities. Deferred gas costs are recorded either in other current assets or liabilities and the regulatory cost of removal obligation is reported separately.

9

Significant regulatory assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 included the following:

	March 31, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Regulatory assets:
Pension and postretirement benefit costs(1)	$	113,483	$	121,183
Infrastructure mechanisms(2)	53,698		32,813
Deferred gas costs	1,136		9,715
Recoverable loss on reacquired debt	15,040		16,319
APT annual adjustment mechanism	—		1,002
Rate case costs	1,796		1,533
Other	16,297		9,774
	$	201,450	$	192,339
Regulatory liabilities:
Regulatory cost of removal obligations	$	486,857	$	483,676
Deferred gas costs	68,812		28,100
Asset retirement obligations	9,063		9,063
APT annual adjustment mechanism	640		—
Other	5,202		3,693
	$	570,574	$	524,532

⁽¹⁾  Includes $13.6 million and $16.6 million of pension and postretirement expense deferred pursuant to regulatory authorization.

⁽²⁾  Infrastructure mechanisms in Texas and Louisiana allow for the deferral of all expenses associated with capital expenditures incurred pursuant to these rules, which primarily consists of interest, depreciation and other taxes, until the next rate proceeding (rate case or annual rate filing), at which time investment and costs would be recoverable through base rates.

3.    Segment Information

We operate the Company through the following three segments:

• The regulated distribution segment, which includes our regulated natural gas distribution and related sales operations,

• The regulated pipeline segment, which includes the regulated pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline — Texas Division and

• The nonregulated segment, which is comprised of our nonregulated natural gas management, nonregulated natural gas transmission, storage and other services.

Our determination of reportable segments considers the strategic operating units under which we manage sales of various products and services to customers in differing regulatory environments. Although our regulated distribution segment operations are geographically dispersed, they are reported as a single segment as each regulated distribution division has similar economic characteristics. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. We evaluate performance based on net income or loss of the respective operating units.

10

Income statements for the three and six months endedMarch 31, 2016 and 2015 by segment are presented in the following tables:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated		Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	847,487		$	23,419		$	261,387	$	—		$	1,132,293
Intersegment revenues	2,198			72,284			26,008		(100,490		)	—
	849,685			95,703			287,395		(100,490		)	1,132,293
Purchased gas cost	440,543			—			274,296		(100,357		)	614,482
Gross profit	409,142			95,703			13,099		(133		)	517,811
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	99,180			27,131			7,488		(133		)	133,666
Depreciation and amortization	57,663			13,179			1,130		—			71,972
Taxes, other than income	54,686			6,738			733		—			62,157
Total operating expenses	211,529			47,048			9,351		(133		)	267,795
Operating income	197,613			48,655			3,748		—			250,016
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(150		)	(376		)	292		(451		)	(685		)
Interest charges	18,717			9,145			149		(451		)	27,560
Income before income taxes	178,746			39,134			3,891		—			221,771
Income tax expense	64,434			13,949			1,578		—			79,961
Net income	$	114,312		$	25,185		$	2,313	$	—		$	141,810
Capital expenditures	$	176,080		$	70,136		$	343	$	—		$	246,559

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	1,128,473		$	24,477		$	387,118		$	—		$	1,540,068
Intersegment revenues	2,140			67,253			51,204			(120,597		)	—
	1,130,613			91,730			438,322			(120,597		)	1,540,068
Purchased gas cost	724,378			—			415,416			(120,464		)	1,019,330
Gross profit	406,235			91,730			22,906			(133		)	520,738
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	103,425			22,842			7,326			(133		)	133,460
Depreciation and amortization	55,153			11,747			1,122			—			68,022
Taxes, other than income	62,939			5,238			869			—			69,046
Total operating expenses	221,517			39,827			9,317			(133		)	270,528
Operating income	184,718			51,903			13,589			—			250,210
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(937		)	(379		)	252			(497		)	(1,561		)
Interest charges	19,313			8,391			240			(497		)	27,447
Income before income taxes	164,468			43,133			13,601			—			221,202
Income tax expense	62,615			15,451			5,452			—			83,518
Net income	$	101,853		$	27,682		$	8,149		$	—		$	137,684
Capital expenditures	$	145,990		$	34,360		$	(19	)	$	—		$	180,331

11

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2016
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated		Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	1,484,654		$	46,826		$	507,034	$	—		$	2,038,514
Intersegment revenues	3,633			143,554			52,885		(200,072		)	—
	1,488,287			190,380			559,919		(200,072		)	2,038,514
Purchased gas cost	745,684			—			531,062		(199,806		)	1,076,940
Gross profit	742,603			190,380			28,857		(266		)	961,574
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	190,529			54,219			14,032		(266		)	258,514
Depreciation and amortization	114,997			25,949			2,265		—			143,211
Taxes, other than income	99,947			12,309			1,372		—			113,628
Total operating expenses	405,473			92,477			17,669		(266		)	515,353
Operating income	337,130			97,903			11,188		—			446,221
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(902		)	(805		)	671		(858		)	(1,894		)
Interest charges	39,422			18,292			1,187		(858		)	58,043
Income before income taxes	296,806			78,806			10,672		—			386,284
Income tax expense	109,239			28,035			4,339		—			141,613
Net income	$	187,567		$	50,771		$	6,333	$	—		$	244,671
Capital expenditures	$	342,624		$	195,419		$	190	$	—		$	538,233

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated		Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	1,973,877		$	45,028		$	779,928	$	—		$	2,798,833
Intersegment revenues	3,508			130,269			120,682		(254,459		)	—
	1,977,385			175,297			900,610		(254,459		)	2,798,833
Purchased gas cost	1,247,338			—			861,665		(254,193		)	1,854,810
Gross profit	730,047			175,297			38,945		(266		)	944,023
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	190,410			47,457			14,441		(266		)	252,042
Depreciation and amortization	110,239			23,129			2,247		—			135,615
Taxes, other than income	106,583			10,103			1,745		—			118,431
Total operating expenses	407,232			80,689			18,433		(266		)	506,088
Operating income	322,815			94,608			20,512		—			437,935
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(2,266		)	(631		)	552		(923		)	(3,268		)
Interest charges	40,953			16,715			466		(923		)	57,211
Income before income taxes	279,596			77,262			20,598		—			377,456
Income tax expense	106,356			27,545			8,276		—			142,177
Net income	$	173,240		$	49,717		$	12,322	$	—		$	235,279
Capital expenditures	$	312,237		$	129,114		$	293	$	—		$	441,644

12

Balance sheet information at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 by segment is presented in the following tables:

	March 31, 2016
	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline		Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	5,902,803	$	1,884,620	$	51,990		$	—		$	7,839,413
Investment in subsidiaries	948,346		—		—			(948,346		)	—
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	38,464		—		9,454			—			47,918
Assets from risk management activities	637		—		6,837			—			7,474
Other current assets	430,759		17,465		356,348			(207,052		)	597,520
Intercompany receivables	980,055		—		—			(980,055		)	—
Total current assets	1,449,915		17,465		372,639			(1,187,107		)	652,912
Goodwill	575,449		132,542		34,711			—			742,702
Noncurrent assets from risk management activities	—		—		—			—			—
Deferred charges and other assets	290,737		17,742		420			—			308,899
	$	9,167,250	$	2,052,369	$	459,760		$	(2,135,453	)	$	9,543,926
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders’ equity	$	3,344,565	$	628,045	$	320,301		$	(948,346	)	$	3,344,565
Long-term debt	2,455,559		—		—			—			2,455,559
Total capitalization	5,800,124		628,045		320,301			(948,346		)	5,800,124
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	822,929		—		—			(196,000		)	626,929
Liabilities from risk management activities	784		—		—			—			784
Other current liabilities	492,645		11,751		106,296			(11,052		)	599,640
Intercompany payables	—		956,552		23,503			(980,055		)	—
Total current liabilities	1,316,358		968,303		129,799			(1,187,107		)	1,227,353
Deferred income taxes	1,102,679		455,277		(166		)	—			1,557,790
Noncurrent liabilities from risk management activities	185,057		—		—			—			185,057
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	426,756		—		—			—			426,756
Pension and postretirement liabilities	294,377		—		—			—			294,377
Deferred credits and other liabilities	41,899		744		9,826			—			52,469
	$	9,167,250	$	2,052,369	$	459,760		$	(2,135,453	)	$	9,543,926

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	September 30, 2015
	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline		Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	5,670,306	$	1,706,449	$	53,825		$	—		$	7,430,580
Investment in subsidiaries	1,038,670		—		(2,096		)	(1,036,574		)	—
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	23,863		—		4,790			—			28,653
Assets from risk management activities	378		—		8,854			—			9,232
Other current assets	421,591		24,628		480,503			(338,301		)	588,421
Intercompany receivables	887,713		—		—			(887,713		)	—
Total current assets	1,333,545		24,628		494,147			(1,226,014		)	626,306
Goodwill	575,449		132,542		34,711			—			742,702
Noncurrent assets from risk management activities	368		—		—			—			368
Deferred charges and other assets	270,372		17,288		5,329			—			292,989
	$	8,888,710	$	1,880,907	$	585,916		$	(2,262,588	)	$	9,092,945
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders’ equity	$	3,194,797	$	577,275	$	461,395		$	(1,038,670	)	$	3,194,797
Long-term debt	2,455,388		—		—			—			2,455,388
Total capitalization	5,650,185		577,275		461,395			(1,038,670		)	5,650,185
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	782,927		—		—			(325,000		)	457,927
Liabilities from risk management activities	9,568		—		—			—			9,568
Other current liabilities	569,273		29,780		99,480			(11,205		)	687,328
Intercompany payables	—		867,409		20,304			(887,713		)	—
Total current liabilities	1,361,768		897,189		119,784			(1,223,918		)	1,154,823
Deferred income taxes	1,008,091		406,254		(3,030		)	—			1,411,315
Noncurrent liabilities from risk management activities	110,539		—		—			—			110,539
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	427,553		—		—			—			427,553
Pension and postretirement liabilities	287,373		—		—			—			287,373
Deferred credits and other liabilities	43,201		189		7,767			—			51,157
	$	8,888,710	$	1,880,907	$	585,916		$	(2,262,588	)	$	9,092,945

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4.    Earnings Per Share

We use the two-class method of computing earnings per share because we have participating securities in the form of non-vested restricted stock units with a nonforfeitable right to dividend equivalents, for which vesting is predicated solely on the passage of time. The calculation of earnings per share using the two-class method excludes income attributable to these participating securities from the numerator and excludes the dilutive impact of those shares from the denominator. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are calculated as follows:

	Three Months Ended   March 31				Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016		2015		2016		2015
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share
Net income	$	141,810	$	137,684	$	244,671	$	235,279
Less: Income allocated to participating securities	231		296		405		520
Income available to common shareholders	$	141,579	$	137,388	$	244,266	$	234,759
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding	102,946		101,746		102,837		101,667
Net income per share - Basic and Diluted	$	1.38	$	1.35	$	2.38	$	2.31

5.    Debt

The nature and terms of our debt instruments and credit facilities are described in detail in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. Except as noted below, there were no material changes in the terms of our debt instruments during the six months ended March 31, 2016.

Long-term debt

Long-term debt at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 consisted of the following:

	March 31, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Unsecured 6.35% Senior Notes, due June 2017	$	250,000	$	250,000
Unsecured 8.50% Senior Notes, due 2019	450,000		450,000
Unsecured 5.95% Senior Notes, due 2034	200,000		200,000
Unsecured 5.50% Senior Notes, due 2041	400,000		400,000
Unsecured 4.15% Senior Notes, due 2043	500,000		500,000
Unsecured 4.125% Senior Notes, due 2044	500,000		500,000
Medium-term note Series A, 1995-1, 6.67%, due 2025	10,000		10,000
Unsecured 6.75% Debentures, due 2028	150,000		150,000
Total long-term debt	2,460,000		2,460,000
Less:
Original issue discount on unsecured senior notes and debentures	4,441		4,612
	$	2,455,559	$	2,455,388

On October 15, 2014, we issued $500 million of 4.125% 30-year unsecured senior notes, which replaced, on a long-term basis, our $500 million unsecured 4.95% senior notes. The effective rate of these notes is 4.086%, after giving effect to the offering costs and the settlement of the associated forward starting interest rate swaps. The net proceeds of approximately $494 million were used to repay our $500 million4.95% senior unsecured notes at maturity on October 15, 2014.

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Short-term debt

Our short-term debt is utilized to fund ongoing working capital needs, such as our seasonal requirements for gas supply, general corporate liquidity and capital expenditures. Our short-term borrowing requirements are affected primarily by the seasonal nature of the natural gas business. Changes in the price of natural gas and the amount of natural gas we need to supply our customers’ needs could significantly affect our borrowing requirements. Our short-term borrowings typically reach their highest levels in the winter months.

We currently finance our short-term borrowing requirements through a combination of a $1.25 billion commercial paper program, four committed revolving credit facilities and one uncommitted revolving credit facility with third-party lenders. These facilities provide approximately $1.3 billion of working capital funding. At March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 a total of $626.9 million and $457.9 million was outstanding under our commercial paper program.

Regulated Operations

We fund our regulated operations as needed, primarily through our commercial paper program and three committed revolving credit facilities with third-party lenders that provide approximately $1.3 billion of working capital funding, including a five-year $1.25 billion unsecured facility with an accordion feature, which, if utilized would increase the borrowing capacity to $1.5 billion, a $25 million unsecured facility and a $10 million unsecured revolving credit facility, which is used primarily to issue letters of credit. Due to outstanding letters of credit, the total amount available to us under our $10 million revolving credit facility was $4.1 million at March 31, 2016.

In addition to these third-party facilities, our regulated operations have a $500 million intercompany revolving credit facility with AEH, which bears interest at the lower of (i) the Eurodollar rate under the five-year revolving credit facility or (ii) the lowest rate outstanding under the commercial paper program. Applicable state regulatory commissions have approved our use of this facility through December 31, 2016.

Nonregulated Operations

Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC (AEM), which is wholly owned by AEH, has one uncommitted $25 million bilateral credit facility that was renewed and extended in March 2016 and one committed $15 million bilateral credit facility that was renewed and extended in December 2015. The uncommitted $25 million bilateral credit facility currently expires in December 2016 and the $15 million bilateral credit facility expires in September 2016. These facilities are used primarily to issue letters of credit. Due to outstanding letters of credit, the total amount available to us under these bilateral credit facilities was $36.9 million at March 31, 2016.

AEH has a $500 million intercompany demand credit facility with AEC. This facility bears interest at a rate equal to the one-month LIBOR rate plus 3.00 percent. Applicable state regulatory commissions have approved our use of this facility through December 31, 2016.

Debt Covenants

The availability of funds under our regulated credit facilities is subject to conditions specified in the respective credit agreements, all of which we currently satisfy. These conditions include our compliance with financial covenants and the continued accuracy of representations and warranties contained in these agreements. We are required by the financial covenants in each of these facilities to maintain, at the end of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of total debt to total capitalization of no greater than 70 percent. At March 31, 2016, our total-debt-to-total-capitalization ratio, as defined in the agreements, was 49 percent. In addition, both the interest margin and the fee that we pay on unused amounts under certain of these facilities are subject to adjustment depending upon our credit ratings.

In addition to these financial covenants, our credit facilities and public indentures contain usual and customary covenants for our business, including covenants substantially limiting liens, substantial asset sales and mergers.

Additionally, our public debt indentures relating to our senior notes and debentures, as well as certain of our revolving credit agreements, each contain a default provision that is triggered if outstanding indebtedness arising out of any other credit agreements in amounts ranging from in excess of $15 million to in excess of $100 million becomes due by acceleration or is not paid at maturity.

We were in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of March 31, 2016. If we were unable to comply with our debt covenants, we would likely be required to repay our outstanding balances on demand, provide additional collateral or take other corrective actions.

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6.    Shareholders' Equity

Shelf Registration

On March 28, 2016, we filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to issue, from time to time, up to $2.5 billion in common stock and/or debt securities, which replaced our registration statement that expired on March 28, 2016.

At-the-Market Equity Sales Program

On March 28, 2016, we entered into an at-the-market (ATM) equity distribution agreement (the Agreement) with Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC in their capacity as agents and/or as principals (Agents). Under the terms of the Agreement, we may issue and sell, through any of the Agents, shares of our common stock, up to an aggregate offering price of $200 million, through the period ended March 28, 2019. We may also sell shares from time to time to an Agent for its own account at a price to be agreed upon at the time of sale. We will pay each Agent a commission of 1.0% of the gross offering proceeds of the shares sold through it as a sales agent. We have no obligation to offer or sell any shares under the Agreement, and may at any time suspend offers and sales under the Agreement. The shares will be issued pursuant to our shelf registration statement filed with the SEC on March 28, 2016. There were no transactions under the ATM program during the second fiscal quarter of 2016.

1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan

In August 1998, the Board of Directors approved and adopted the 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), which became effective in October 1998 after approval by our shareholders. The LTIP is a comprehensive, long-term incentive compensation plan providing for discretionary awards of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, bonus stock, time-lapse restricted stock, time-lapse restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units and stock units to certain employees and non-employee directors of the Company and our subsidiaries. The objectives of this plan include attracting and retaining the best personnel, providing for additional performance incentives and promoting our success by providing employees with the opportunity to acquire our common stock. 

As of September 30, 2015, we were authorized to grant awards for up to a maximum of 8.7 million shares of common stock under this plan subject to certain adjustment provisions. In February 2016, our shareholders voted to increase the number of authorized LTIP shares by 2.5 million shares and to extend the term of the plan for an additional five years, through September 2021. On March 29, 2016, we filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 to register an additional 2.5 million shares; we also listed such shares with the New York Stock Exchange.

2011 Share Repurchase Program

We did not repurchase any shares during the six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 under our 2011 share repurchase program, which is scheduled to end on September 30, 2016.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

We record deferred gains (losses) in AOCI related to available-for-sale securities, interest rate agreement cash flow hedges and commodity contract cash flow hedges. Deferred gains (losses) for our available-for-sale securities and commodity contract cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings upon settlement, while deferred gains (losses) related to our interest rate agreement cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings as they are amortized. The following tables provide the components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balances, net of the related tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income.

	Available- for-Sale Securities			Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges			Commodity Contracts Cash Flow Hedges			Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2015	$	4,949		$	(88,842	)	$	(25,437	)	$	(109,330	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(1,568		)	(49,008		)	(19,185		)	(69,761		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(79		)	173			21,758			21,852
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,647		)	(48,835		)	2,573			(47,909		)
March 31, 2016	$	3,302		$	(137,677	)	$	(22,864	)	$	(157,239	)

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	Available- for-Sale Securities			Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges			Commodity Contracts Cash Flow Hedges			Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2014	$	7,662		$	(18,381	)	$	(1,674	)	$	(12,393	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(101		)	(84,824		)	(38,902		)	(123,827		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(4		)	368			7,768			8,132
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(105		)	(84,456		)	(31,134		)	(115,695		)
March 31, 2015	$	7,557		$	(102,837	)	$	(32,808	)	$	(128,088	)

The following tables detail reclassifications out of AOCI for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. Amounts in parentheses below indicate decreases to net income in the statement of income.

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities	$	124		Operation and maintenance expense
	124			Total before tax
	(45		)	Tax expense
	$	79		Net of tax
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(136	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	(12,703		)	Purchased gas cost
	(12,839		)	Total before tax
	5,004			Tax benefit
	$	(7,835	)	Net of tax
Total reclassifications	$	(7,756	)	Net of tax

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(136	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	(13,078		)	Purchased gas cost
	(13,214		)	Total before tax
	5,150			Tax benefit
Total reclassifications	$	(8,064	)	Net of tax

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	Six Months Ended March 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in  the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities	$	124		Operation and maintenance expense
	124			Total before tax
	(45		)	Tax expense
	$	79		Net of tax
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(273	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	(35,668		)	Purchased gas cost
	(35,941		)	Total before tax
	14,010			Tax benefit
	$	(21,931	)	Net of tax
Total reclassifications	$	(21,852	)	Net of tax

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in  the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities	$	6		Operation and maintenance expense
	6			Total before tax
	(2		)	Tax expense
	$	4		Net of tax
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(580	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	(12,734		)	Purchased gas cost
	(13,314		)	Total before tax
	5,178			Tax benefit
	$	(8,136	)	Net of tax
Total reclassifications	$	(8,132	)	Net of tax

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7.     Interim Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Information

The components of our net periodic pension cost for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are presented in the following table. Most of these costs are recoverable through our gas distribution rates; however, a portion of these costs is capitalized into our gas distribution rate base. The remaining costs are recorded as a component of operation and maintenance expense.

	Three Months Ended March 31
	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2016			2015			2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	4,697		$	5,051		$	2,706		$	3,896
Interest cost	7,094			6,698			3,106			3,597
Expected return on assets	(6,880		)	(6,437		)	(1,566		)	(1,608		)
Amortization of transition obligation	—			—			20			68
Amortization of prior service credit	(56		)	(47		)	(411		)	(411		)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss	3,320			3,916			(542		)	—
Net periodic pension cost	$	8,175		$	9,181		$	3,313		$	5,542

	Six Months Ended March 31
	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2016			2015			2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	9,395		$	10,102		$	5,412		$	7,792
Interest cost	14,189			13,397			6,212			7,193
Expected return on assets	(13,761		)	(12,873		)	(3,132		)	(3,216		)
Amortization of transition obligation	—			—			41			136
Amortization of prior service credit	(113		)	(96		)	(822		)	(822		)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss	6,640			7,833			(1,084		)	—
Net periodic pension cost	$	16,350		$	18,363		$	6,627		$	11,083

The assumptions used to develop our net periodic pension cost for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:

	Pension Benefits		Other Benefits
	2016	2015	2016	2015
Discount rate	4.55%	4.43%	4.55%	4.43%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50%	3.50%	N/A	N/A
Expected return on plan assets	7.00%	7.25%	4.45%	4.60%

The discount rate used to compute the present value of a plan’s liabilities generally is based on rates of high-grade corporate bonds with maturities similar to the average period over which the benefits will be paid. Generally, our funding policy has been to contribute annually an amount in accordance with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. In accordance with the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA), we determined the funded status of our plans as of January 1, 2016. Based on that determination, we are not required to make a minimum contribution to our defined benefit plans; however, we may consider whether a voluntary contribution is prudent to maintain certain funding levels.

We contributed $9.0 million to our other post-retirement benefit plans during the six months ended March 31, 2016. We expect to contribute between $15 million and $25 million to these plans during fiscal 2016.

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8.    Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation and Environmental Matters

With respect to the specific litigation and environmental-related matters or claims that were disclosed in Note 10 to the financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, there were no material changes in the status of such litigation and environmental-related matters or claims during the six months ended March 31, 2016.

We are a party to various litigation and environmental-related matters or claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of our business. While the results of such litigation and response actions to such environmental-related matters or claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we continue to believe the final outcome of such litigation and matters or claims will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Purchase Commitments

Our regulated distribution divisions, except for our Mid-Tex Division, maintain supply contracts with several vendors that generally cover a period of up to one year. Commitments for estimated base gas volumes are established under these contracts on a monthly basis at contractually negotiated prices. Commitments for incremental daily purchases are made as necessary during the month in accordance with the terms of the individual contract.

Our Mid-Tex Division also maintains a limited number of long-term supply contracts to ensure a reliable source of gas for our customers in its service area which obligate it to purchase specified volumes at prices indexed to natural gas distribution hubs. These purchase commitment contracts are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. There were no material changes to the purchase commitments for the six months ended March 31, 2016.

AEH has commitments to purchase physical quantities of natural gas under contracts indexed to the forward NYMEX strip or fixed price contracts. These purchase commitment contracts are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. Except for purchases made in the normal course of business under these contracts, there were no material changes to the purchase commitments for the six months ended March 31, 2016.

Our nonregulated segment maintains long-term contracts related to storage and transportation. The estimated contractual demand fees for contracted storage and transportation under these contracts are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. There were no material changes to the estimated storage and transportation fees for the six months ended March 31, 2016.

Regulatory Matters

Various regulatory agencies, including the SEC and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, continue to adopt regulations implementing many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010. We continue to enact new procedures and modify existing business practices and contractual arrangements to comply with such regulations.  Additional rulemakings are pending which we believe will result in new reporting and disclosure obligations. The costs associated with hedging certain risks inherent in our business may be further increased when these expected additional regulations are adopted.

As of March 31, 2016, a rate case was in progress in our Kentucky service area, formula rate filing mechanisms were in progress in our Atmos Pipeline-Texas, Louisiana, Mid-Tex and Tennessee service areas, infrastructure mechanisms were in progress in our Mississippi and West Texas service areas and an expedited rate filing was in progress in Virginia. These regulatory proceedings are discussed in further detail below in Management’s Discussion and Analysis — Recent Ratemaking Developments.

9.    Financial Instruments

We currently use financial instruments in our regulated distribution and nonregulated segments to mitigate commodity price risk and interest rate risk. The objectives and strategies for using financial instruments, which have been tailored to our regulated distribution and nonregulated segments, and the related accounting for these financial instruments are fully described in Notes 2 and 12 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. During the six months ended March 31, 2016 there were no changes in our objectives, strategies and accounting for using financial instruments. Our financial instruments do not contain any credit-risk-related or other contingent features that could cause payments to be accelerated when our financial instruments are in net liability positions. The following summarizes those objectives and strategies.

Regulated Commodity Risk Management Activities

Our purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms essentially insulate our regulated distribution segment from commodity price risk; however, our customers are exposed to the effects of volatile natural gas prices. We manage this exposure through a

21

combination of physical storage, fixed-price forward contracts and financial instruments, primarily over-the-counter swap and option contracts, in an effort to minimize the impact of natural gas price volatility on our customers during the winter heating season.

We typically seek to hedge between 25 and 50 percent of anticipated heating season gas purchases using financial instruments. For the 2015-2016 heating season (generally October through March), in the jurisdictions where we are permitted to utilize financial instruments, we hedged approximately 33 percent, or 23.0 Bcf of the winter flowing gas requirements. We have not designated these financial instruments as hedges for accounting purposes.

Nonregulated Commodity Risk Management Activities

Our nonregulated segment is exposed to risks associated with changes in the market price of natural gas through the purchase, sale and delivery of natural gas to its customers at competitive prices. We manage our exposure to such risks through a combination of physical storage and financial instruments, including futures, over-the-counter and exchange-traded options and swap contracts with counterparties. Specifically, these operations use financial instruments in the following ways:

• Gas delivery and related services - Certain financial instruments, designated as cash flow hedges of anticipated purchases and sales at index prices, are used to mitigate the commodity price risk associated with deliveries under fixed-priced forward contracts to either deliver gas to customers or purchase gas from suppliers. These financial instruments have maturity dates ranging from one to 57 months.

• Transportation and storage services - Our nonregulated operations use storage swaps and futures to capture additional storage arbitrage opportunities that arise subsequent to the execution of the original fair value hedge associated with our physical natural gas inventory, basis swaps to insulate and protect the economic value of our fixed price and storage books and various over-the-counter and exchange-traded options. These financial instruments have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes.

• Aggregating and purchasing gas supply - Certain financial instruments, designated as fair value hedges, are used to hedge our natural gas inventory used in asset optimization activities.

Interest Rate Risk Management Activities

We periodically manage interest rate risk by entering into financial instruments to effectively fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost associated with anticipated financings.

As of March 31, 2016, we had forward starting interest rate swaps to effectively fix the Treasury yield component associated with the anticipated issuance of $250 million and $450 million unsecured senior notes in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2019, at 3.37% and 3.78%, which we designated as cash flow hedges at the time the swaps were executed. As of March 31, 2016, we had $18.5 million of net realized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) associated with the settlement of financial instruments used to fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost of financing various issuances of long-term debt and senior notes, which will be recognized as a component of interest expense over the life of the associated notes from the date of settlement. The remaining amortization periods for these settled amounts extend through fiscal 2045.

Quantitative Disclosures Related to Financial Instruments

The following tables present detailed information concerning the impact of financial instruments on our condensed consolidated balance sheet and income statements.

As of March 31, 2016, our financial instruments were comprised of both long and short commodity positions. A long position is a contract to purchase the commodity, while a short position is a contract to sell the commodity. As of March 31, 2016, we had net long/(short) commodity contracts outstanding in the following quantities:

Contract Type	Hedge Designation	Regulated Distribution	Nonregulated
		Quantity (MMcf)
Commodity contracts	Fair Value	—	(35,770	)
	Cash Flow	—	46,553
	Not designated	4,690	55,854
		4,690	66,637

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Financial Instruments on the Balance Sheet

The following tables present the fair value and balance sheet classification of our financial instruments by operating segment as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015. The gross amounts of recognized assets and liabilities are netted within our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to the extent that we have netting arrangements with the counterparties.

		Regulated Distribution					Nonregulated
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
		(In thousands)
March 31, 2016
Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—		$	16,032		$	(37,251	)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		—			920			(6,194		)
Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		(187,717		)	—			—
Total		—		(187,717		)	16,952			(43,445		)
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	637		(784		)	39,964			(33,248		)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		—			14,767			(11,075		)
Total		637		(784		)	54,731			(44,323		)
Gross Financial Instruments		637		(188,501		)	71,683			(87,768		)
Gross Amounts Offset on Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Contract netting		—		—			(71,683		)	71,683
Net Financial Instruments		637		(188,501		)	—			(16,085		)
Cash collateral		—		2,660			6,837			16,085
Net Assets/Liabilities from Risk Management Activities		$	637	$	(185,841	)	$	6,837		$	—

23

		Regulated Distribution					Nonregulated
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
		(In thousands)
September 30, 2015
Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—		$	11,680		$	(36,067	)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		—			126			(9,918		)
Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		(110,539		)	—			—
Total		—		(110,539		)	11,806			(45,985		)
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	378		(9,568		)	65,239			(65,780		)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	368		—			14,318			(14,218		)
Total		746		(9,568		)	79,557			(79,998		)
Gross Financial Instruments		746		(120,107		)	91,363			(125,983		)
Gross Amounts Offset on Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Contract netting		—		—			(91,363		)	91,363
Net Financial Instruments		746		(120,107		)	—			(34,620		)
Cash collateral		—		—			8,854			34,620
Net Assets/Liabilities from Risk Management Activities		$	746	$	(120,107	)	$	8,854		$	—

Impact of Financial Instruments on the Income Statement

Hedge ineffectiveness for our nonregulated segment is recorded as a component of purchased gas cost and primarily results from differences in the location and timing of the derivative instrument and the hedged item. Hedge ineffectiveness could materially affect our results of operations for the reported period. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 we recognized a loss arising from fair value and cash flow hedge ineffectiveness of $3.3 million and $2.3 million. For the six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 we recognized a gain (loss) arising from fair value and cash flow hedge ineffectiveness of $4.6 million and $(4.5) million. Additional information regarding ineffectiveness recognized in the income statement is included in the tables below.

Fair Value Hedges

The impact of our nonregulated commodity contracts designated as fair value hedges and the related hedged item on our condensed consolidated income statement for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 is presented below.

	Three Months Ended   March 31
	2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Commodity contracts	$	4,594		$	(7,622	)
Fair value adjustment for natural gas inventory designated as the hedged item	(7,939		)	5,142
Total increase in purchased gas cost	$	(3,345	)	$	(2,480	)
The increase in purchased gas cost is comprised of the following:
Basis ineffectiveness	$	(2,095	)	$	(678	)
Timing ineffectiveness	(1,250		)	(1,802		)
	$	(3,345	)	$	(2,480	)

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	Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Commodity contracts	$	10,338		$	7,469
Fair value adjustment for natural gas inventory designated as the hedged item	(5,778		)	(11,641		)
Total (increase) decrease in purchased gas cost	$	4,560		$	(4,172	)
The (increase) decrease in purchased gas cost is comprised of the following:
Basis ineffectiveness	$	(806	)	$	309
Timing ineffectiveness	5,366			(4,481		)
	$	4,560		$	(4,172	)

Basis ineffectiveness arises from natural gas market price differences between the locations of the hedged inventory and the delivery location specified in the hedge instruments. Timing ineffectiveness arises due to changes in the difference between the spot price and the futures price, as well as the difference between the timing of the settlement of the futures and the valuation of the underlying physical commodity. As the commodity contract nears the settlement date, spot-to-forward price differences should converge, which should reduce or eliminate the impact of this ineffectiveness on purchased gas cost. To the extent that the Company’s natural gas inventory does not qualify as a hedged item in a fair-value hedge, or has not been designated as such, the natural gas inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market.

Cash Flow Hedges

The impact of cash flow hedges on our condensed consolidated income statements for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 is presented below. Note that this presentation does not reflect the financial impact arising from the hedged physical transaction. Therefore, this presentation is not indicative of the economic gross profit we realized when the underlying physical and financial transactions were settled.

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(12,703	)	$	(12,703	)
Gain arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			61			61
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(12,642		)	(12,642		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(136		)	—			(136		)
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	$	(136	)	$	(12,642	)	$	(12,778	)

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(13,078	)	$	(13,078	)
Gain arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			163			163
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(12,915		)	(12,915		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(136		)	—			(136		)
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	$	(136	)	$	(12,915	)	$	(13,051	)

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	Six Months Ended March 31, 2016
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(35,668	)	$	(35,668	)
Gain arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			18			18
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(35,650		)	(35,650		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(273		)	—			(273		)
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	$	(273	)	$	(35,650	)	$	(35,923	)

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(12,734	)	$	(12,734	)
Loss arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			(327		)	(327		)
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(13,061		)	(13,061		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(580		)	—			(580		)
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	$	(580	)	$	(13,061	)	$	(13,641	)

The following table summarizes the gains and losses arising from hedging transactions that were recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. The amounts included in the table below exclude gains and losses arising from ineffectiveness because those amounts are immediately recognized in the income statement as incurred.

	Three Months Ended   March 31						Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016			2015			2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Decrease in fair value:
Interest rate agreements	$	(53,704	)	$	(32,755	)	$	(49,008	)	$	(84,824	)
Forward commodity contracts	(7,529		)	(10,160		)	(19,185		)	(38,902		)
Recognition of losses in earnings due to settlements:
Interest rate agreements	86			86			173			368
Forward commodity contracts	7,749			7,978			21,758			7,768
Total other comprehensive loss from hedging, net of tax(1)	$	(53,398	)	$	(34,851	)	$	(46,262	)	$	(115,590	)

⁽¹⁾  Utilizing an income tax rate ranging from 37 percent to 39 percent based on the effective rates in each taxing jurisdiction.

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Deferred gains (losses) recorded in AOCI associated with our interest rate agreements are recognized in earnings as they are amortized over the terms of the underlying debt instruments, while deferred gains (losses) associated with commodity contracts are recognized in earnings upon settlement. The following amounts, net of deferred taxes, represent the expected recognition in earnings of the deferred losses recorded in AOCI associated with our financial instruments, based upon the fair values of these financial instruments as of March 31, 2016. However, the table below does not include the expected recognition in earnings of our outstanding interest rate agreements as those instruments have not yet settled.

	Interest Rate Agreements			Commodity Contracts			Total
	(In thousands)
Next twelve months	$	(347	)	$	(19,651	)	$	(19,998	)
Thereafter	(18,130		)	(3,213		)	(21,343		)
Total(1)	$	(18,477	)	$	(22,864	)	$	(41,341	)

⁽¹⁾  Utilizing an income tax rate ranging from 37 percent to 39 percent based on the effective rates in each taxing jurisdiction.

Financial Instruments Not Designated as Hedges

The impact of financial instruments that have not been designated as hedges on our condensed consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was an (increase) decrease in purchased gas cost of $(2.5) million and $8.7 million. For the six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 purchased gas cost (increased) decreased by $(4.7) million and $9.6 million. Note that this presentation does not reflect the expected gains or losses arising from the underlying physical transactions associated with these financial instruments. Therefore, this presentation is not indicative of the economic gross profit we realized when the underlying physical and financial transactions were settled.

As discussed above, financial instruments used in our regulated distribution segment are not designated as hedges. However, there is no earnings impact on our regulated distribution segment as a result of the use of these financial instruments because the gains and losses arising from the use of these financial instruments are recognized in the consolidated statement of income as a component of purchased gas cost when the related costs are recovered through our rates and recognized in revenue. Accordingly, the impact of these financial instruments is excluded from this presentation.

10.    Fair Value Measurements

We report certain assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). We record cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable at carrying value, which substantially approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. For other financial assets and liabilities, we primarily use quoted market prices and other observable market pricing information to minimize the use of unobservable pricing inputs in our measurements when determining fair value. The methods used to determine fair value for our assets and liabilities are fully described in Note 2 to the financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. During the six months ended March 31, 2016, there were no changes in these methods.

Fair value measurements also apply to the valuation of our pension and postretirement plan assets. Current accounting guidance requires employers to annually disclose information about fair value measurements of the assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The fair value of these assets is presented in Note 6 to the financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015.

Quantitative Disclosures

Financial Instruments

The classification of our fair value measurements requires judgment regarding the degree to which market data is observable or corroborated by observable market data. Authoritative accounting literature establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value based on observable and unobservable data. The hierarchy categorizes the inputs into three levels, with the highest priority given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1), with the lowest priority given to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The following tables summarize, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015. Assets and liabilities are categorized in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

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	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral(2)			March 31, 2016
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	637	$	—	$	—		$	637
Nonregulated segment	—		71,683		—		(64,846		)	6,837
Total financial instruments	—		72,320		—		(64,846		)	7,474
Hedged portion of gas stored underground	65,077		—		—		—			65,077
Available-for-sale securities
Money market funds	—		4,400		—		—			4,400
Registered investment companies	36,670		—		—		—			36,670
Bonds	—		33,477		—		—			33,477
Total available-for-sale securities	36,670		37,877		—		—			74,547
Total assets	$	101,747	$	110,197	$	—	$	(64,846	)	$	147,098
Liabilities:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	188,501	$	—	$	(2,660	)	$	185,841
Nonregulated segment	—		87,768		—		(87,768		)	—
Total liabilities	$	—	$	276,269	$	—	$	(90,428	)	$	185,841

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral(3)			September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	746	$	—	$	—		$	746
Nonregulated segment	—		91,363		—		(82,509		)	8,854
Total financial instruments	—		92,109		—		(82,509		)	9,600
Hedged portion of gas stored underground	43,901		—		—		—			43,901
Available-for-sale securities
Money market funds	—		1,072		—		—			1,072
Registered investment companies	40,619		—		—		—			40,619
Bonds	—		32,509		—		—			32,509
Total available-for-sale securities	40,619		33,581		—		—			74,200
Total assets	$	84,520	$	125,690	$	—	$	(82,509	)	$	127,701
Liabilities:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	120,107	$	—	$	—		$	120,107
Nonregulated segment	—		125,983		—		(125,983		)	—
Total liabilities	$	—	$	246,090	$	—	$	(125,983	)	$	120,107

⁽¹⁾  Our Level 2 measurements consist of over-the-counter options and swaps which are valued using a market-based approach in which observable market prices are adjusted for criteria specific to each instrument, such as the strike price, notional amount or basis differences, municipal and corporate bonds which are valued based on the most recent available quoted market prices and money market funds which are valued at cost.

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⁽²⁾  This column reflects adjustments to our gross financial instrument assets and liabilities to reflect netting permitted under our master netting agreements and the relevant authoritative accounting literature. In addition, as of March 31, 2016, we had $2.7 million of cash held in margin accounts to collateralize certain regulated distribution financial instruments, which were used to offset noncurrent risk management liabilities. As of March 31, 2016, we had $22.9 million of cash held in margin accounts to collateralize certain nonregulated financial instruments. Of this amount, $16.1 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements with the remaining $6.8 million is classified as current risk management assets.

⁽³⁾  This column reflects adjustments to our gross financial instrument assets and liabilities to reflect netting permitted under our master netting agreements and the relevant authoritative accounting literature. In addition, as of September 30, 2015, we had $43.5 million of cash held in margin accounts to collateralize certain nonregulated financial instruments. Of this amount, $34.6 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements with the remaining $8.9 million is classified as current risk management assets.

Available-for-sale securities are comprised of the following:

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gain		Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
As of March 31, 2016
Domestic equity mutual funds	$	26,548	$	5,425	$	(1,115	)	$	30,858
Foreign equity mutual funds	5,037		775		—			5,812
Bonds	33,355		132		(10		)	33,477
Money market funds	4,400		—		—			4,400
	$	69,340	$	6,332	$	(1,125	)	$	74,547
As of September 30, 2015
Domestic equity mutual funds	$	27,643	$	7,332	$	(456	)	$	34,519
Foreign equity mutual funds	5,261		905		(66		)	6,100
Bonds	32,423		106		(20		)	32,509
Money market funds	1,072		—		—			1,072
	$	66,399	$	8,343	$	(542	)	$	74,200

At March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015, our available-for-sale securities included $41.1 million and $41.7 million related to assets held in separate rabbi trusts for our supplemental executive benefit plans. At March 31, 2016, we maintained investments in bonds that have contractual maturity dates ranging from May 2016 through September 2020.

These securities are reported at market value with unrealized gains and losses shown as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). We regularly evaluate the performance of these investments on a fund by fund basis for impairment, taking into consideration the fund’s purpose, volatility and current returns. If a determination is made that a decline in fair value is other than temporary, the related fund is written down to its estimated fair value and the other-than-temporary impairment is recognized in the income statement.

Other Fair Value Measures

Our debt is recorded at carrying value. The fair value of our debt is determined using third party market value quotations, which are considered Level 1 fair value measurements for debt instruments with a recent, observable trade or Level 2 fair value measurements for debt instruments where fair value is determined using the most recent available quoted market price. The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of our debt as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015:

	March 31, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Carrying Amount	$	2,460,000	$	2,460,000
Fair Value	$	2,749,244	$	2,669,323

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11.    Concentration of Credit Risk

Information regarding our concentration of credit risk is disclosed in Note 15 to the financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. During the six months ended March 31, 2016, there were no material changes in our concentration of credit risk.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Atmos Energy Corporation

We have reviewed the condensed consolidated balance sheet of Atmos Energy Corporation and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2016 and the related condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and six-month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six-month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Atmos Energy Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, not presented herein, and we expressed an unqualified audit opinion on those consolidated financial statements in our report dated November 6, 2015. In our opinion, the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Atmos Energy Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2015, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheets from which it has been derived.

/s/    ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Dallas, Texas

May 4, 2016

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

INTRODUCTION

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Management’s Discussion and Analysis in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2015.

Cautionary Statement for the Purposes of the Safe Harbor under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Report are forward-looking statements made in good faith by us and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this Report, or any other of our documents or oral presentations, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “goal”, “intend”, “objective”, “plan”, “projection”, “seek”, “strategy” or similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements relating to our strategy, operations, markets, services, rates, recovery of costs, availability of gas supply and other factors. These risks and uncertainties include the following: our ability to continue to access the credit and capital markets to satisfy our liquidity requirements; regulatory trends and decisions, including the impact of rate proceedings before various state regulatory commissions; the impact of adverse economic conditions on our customers; the effects of inflation and changes in the availability and price of natural gas; market risks beyond our control affecting our risk management activities, including commodity price volatility, counterparty creditworthiness or performance and interest rate risk; the concentration of our distribution, pipeline and storage operations in Texas; increased competition from energy suppliers and alternative forms of energy; adverse weather conditions; the capital-intensive nature of our regulated distribution business; increased costs of providing health care benefits along with pension and postretirement health care benefits and increased funding requirements; the inability to continue to hire, train and retain appropriate personnel; possible increased federal, state and local regulation of the safety of our operations; increased federal regulatory oversight and potential penalties; the impact of environmental regulations on our business; the impact of climate changes or related additional legislation or regulation in the future; the inherent hazards and risks involved in operating our distribution and pipeline and storage businesses; the threat of cyber-attacks or acts of cyber-terrorism that could disrupt our business operations and information technology systems; natural disasters, terrorist activities or other events and other risks and uncertainties discussed herein, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, while we believe these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will approximate actual experience or that the expectations derived from them will be realized. Further, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any of our forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

OVERVIEW

Atmos Energy and our subsidiaries are engaged primarily in the regulated natural gas distribution and transmission and storage businesses as well as other nonregulated natural gas businesses. We distribute natural gas through sales and transportation arrangements to approximately three million residential, commercial, public authority and industrial customers throughout our six regulated distribution divisions, which at March 31, 2016 covered service areas located in eight states. In addition, we transport natural gas for others through our regulated distribution and pipeline systems.

Through our nonregulated businesses, we provide natural gas management and marketing services to municipalities, other local gas distribution companies and industrial customers primarily in the Midwest and Southeast and natural gas transmission and storage services to certain of our regulated distribution divisions and to third parties.

As discussed in Note 3, we operate the Company through the following three segments:

• the regulated distribution segment, which includes our regulated natural gas distribution and related sales operations,

• the regulated pipeline segment, which includes the regulated pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline — Texas Division and

• the nonregulated segment, which includes our nonregulated natural gas management, nonregulated natural gas transmission, storage and other services.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND POLICIES

Our condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We based our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to risk management and trading activities, the allowance for doubtful accounts, legal and environmental accruals, insurance accruals, pension and postretirement obligations, deferred income taxes and the valuation of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and other long-lived assets. Actual results may differ from such estimates.

Our critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 and include the following:

• Regulation

• Unbilled revenue

• Pension and other postretirement plans

• Contingencies

• Financial instruments and hedging activities

• Fair value measurements

• Impairment assessments

Our critical accounting policies are reviewed periodically by the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. There were no significant changes to these critical accounting policies during the six months ended March 31, 2016.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Executive Summary

Atmos Energy strives to operate its businesses safely and reliably while delivering superior shareholder value. To achieve this objective, we are investing in our infrastructure and seeking to achieve positive rate outcomes that benefit both our customers and the Company.

During the first six months of fiscal 2016, we earned $244.7 million, or $2.38 per diluted share, a four percent increase period over period. Regulated operations represented 98 and 97 percent of our consolidated net income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016. The following tables reflect the segregation of our consolidated net income and diluted earnings per share between our regulated and nonregulated operations:

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2016		2015		Change
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Regulated operations	$	139,497	$	129,535	$	9,962
Nonregulated operations	2,313		8,149		(5,836		)
Net income	$	141,810	$	137,684	$	4,126
Diluted EPS from regulated operations	$	1.36	$	1.27	$	0.09
Diluted EPS from nonregulated operations	0.02		0.08		(0.06		)
Consolidated diluted EPS	$	1.38	$	1.35	$	0.03

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	Six Months Ended March 31
	2016		2015		Change
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Regulated operations	$	238,338	$	222,957	$	15,381
Nonregulated operations	6,333		12,322		(5,989		)
Net income	$	244,671	$	235,279	$	9,392
Diluted EPS from regulated operations	$	2.32	$	2.19	$	0.13
Diluted EPS from nonregulated operations	0.06		0.12		(0.06		)
Consolidated diluted EPS	$	2.38	$	2.31	$	0.07

Positive rate outcomes achieved in our regulated businesses offset the effect of weather that was 26 percent warmer than the prior-year period. As of March 31, 2016, we had completed nine regulatory proceedings resulting in a $22.1 million increase in annual operating income and had twelve ratemaking efforts in progress seeking $109.0 million of additional annual operating income. Our nonregulated results in the current-year period reflect larger losses on the settlement of financial positions during a period of falling gas prices.

Capital expenditures for the first six months of fiscal 2016 were $538.2 million. Approximately 83 percent was invested to improve the safety and reliability of our distribution and transportation systems, with a significant portion of this investment incurred under regulatory mechanisms that reduce lag to six months or less. We expectour capital expenditures to range between $1 billion and $1.1 billion for fiscal 2016. We funded our capital expenditure program primarily through operating cash flows of $455.8 million and net short-term borrowings.

On March 28, 2016, we entered into an at-the-market (ATM) equity distribution agreement under which we may issue and sell, shares of our common stock, up to an aggregate offering price of $200 million. The shares will be issued under our shelf registration statement filed with the SEC on March 28, 2016. Proceeds from the ATM program will be used primarily to repay short-term debt outstanding under our $1.25 billion commercial paper program, to fund capital spending primarily to enhance the safety and reliability of our system and for general corporate purposes. 

As a result of the continued contribution and stability of our regulated earnings, cash flows and capital structure, our Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend by 7.7 percent for fiscal 2016.

Regulated Distribution Segment

The primary factors that impact the results of our regulated distribution operations are our ability to earn our authorized rates of return, the cost of natural gas, competitive factors in the energy industry and economic conditions in our service areas.

Our ability to earn our authorized rates of return is based primarily on our ability to improve the rate design in our various ratemaking jurisdictions by reducing or eliminating regulatory lag and, ultimately, separating the recovery of our approved margins from customer usage patterns. Improving rate design is a long-term process and is further complicated by the fact that we operate in multiple rate jurisdictions.

Seasonal weather patterns can also affect our regulated distribution operations. However, the effect of weather that is above or below normal is substantially offset through weather normalization adjustments, known as WNA, which has been approved by state regulatory commissions for approximately 97 percent of our residential and commercial meters in the following states for the following time periods:

Kansas, West Texas	October — May
Tennessee	October — April
Kentucky, Mississippi, Mid-Tex	November — April
Louisiana	December — March
Virginia	January — December

Our regulated distribution operations are also affected by the cost of natural gas. The cost of gas is passed through to our customers without markup. Therefore, increases in the cost of gas are offset by a corresponding increase in revenues. Accordingly, we believe gross profit is a better indicator of our financial performance than revenues. However, gross profit in our Texas and Mississippi service areas includes franchise fees and gross receipts taxes, which are calculated as a percentage of

34

revenue (inclusive of gas costs). Therefore, the amount of these taxes included in revenues is influenced by the cost of gas and the level of gas sales volumes. We record the associated tax expense as a component of taxes, other than income. Although changes in these revenue-related taxes arising from changes in gas costs affect gross profit, over time the impact is offset within operating income.

As discussed above, the cost of gas typically does not have a direct impact on our gross profit. However, higher gas costs mean higher bills for our customers, which may adversely impact our accounts receivable collections, resulting in higher bad debt expense and may require us to increase borrowings under our credit facilities resulting in higher interest expense. In addition, higher gas costs, as well as competitive factors in the industry and general economic conditions may cause customers to conserve or, in the case of industrial consumers, to use alternative energy sources. However, gas cost risk has been mitigated in recent years through improvements in rate design that allow us to collect from our customers the gas cost portion of our bad debt expense on approximately 75 percent of our residential and commercial margins.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

Financial and operational highlights for our regulated distribution segment for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are presented below.

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2016			2015			Change
	(In thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Gross profit	$	409,142		$	406,235		$	2,907
Operating expenses	211,529			221,517			(9,988		)
Operating income	197,613			184,718			12,895
Miscellaneous expense	(150		)	(937		)	787
Interest charges	18,717			19,313			(596		)
Income before income taxes	178,746			164,468			14,278
Income tax expense	64,434			62,615			1,819
Net income	$	114,312		$	101,853		$	12,459
Consolidated regulated distribution sales volumes — MMcf	111,932			142,455			(30,523		)
Consolidated regulated distribution transportation volumes — MMcf	40,677			40,559			118
Total consolidated regulated distribution throughput — MMcf	152,609			183,014			(30,405		)
Consolidated regulated distribution average cost of gas per Mcf sold	$	3.94		$	5.08		$	(1.14	)

Income for our regulated distribution segment increased 12 percent, primarily due to a $2.9 million increase in gross profit combined with a $10.0 million decrease in operating expenses. The quarter-over-quarter increase in gross profit primarily reflects:

• a $17.1 million net increase in rate adjustments. Our Mid-Tex Division accounted for $9.8 million of this increase. We also experienced increases in our Mississippi and West Texas Divisions.

• a $12.6 million decrease in revenue-related taxes primarily in our Mid-Tex and West Texas Divisions, offset by a corresponding $10.4 million decrease in the related tax expense.

• a $2.2 million decrease in consumption. Current-quarter weather was 25 percent warmer than the prior-year quarter, before adjusting for weather normalization mechanisms. As a result, sales volumes decreased 21 percent. 

The decrease in operating expenses, which include operation and maintenance expense, provision for doubtful accounts, depreciation and amortization expense and taxes, other than income, was primarily due to the decrease in revenue-related tax expense partially offset by higher depreciation expense associated with increased capital investments.

35

The following table shows our operating income by regulated distribution division, in order of total rate base, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. The presentation of our regulated distribution operating income is included for financial reporting purposes and may not be appropriate for ratemaking purposes.

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2016		2015		Change
	(In thousands)
Mid-Tex	$	80,645	$	73,999	$	6,646
Kentucky/Mid-States	30,461		29,356		1,105
Louisiana	23,742		24,094		(352		)
West Texas	20,298		17,704		2,594
Mississippi	23,705		21,511		2,194
Colorado-Kansas	18,030		17,268		762
Other	732		786		(54		)
Total	$	197,613	$	184,718	$	12,895

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 compared with Six Months Ended March 31, 2015

Financial and operational highlights for our regulated distribution segment for the six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are presented below.

	Six Months Ended March 31
	2016			2015			Change
	(In thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Gross profit	$	742,603		$	730,047		$	12,556
Operating expenses	405,473			407,232			(1,759		)
Operating income	337,130			322,815			14,315
Miscellaneous expense	(902		)	(2,266		)	1,364
Interest charges	39,422			40,953			(1,531		)
Income before income taxes	296,806			279,596			17,210
Income tax expense	109,239			106,356			2,883
Net income	$	187,567		$	173,240		$	14,327
Consolidated regulated distribution sales volumes — MMcf	180,649			229,377			(48,728		)
Consolidated regulated distribution transportation volumes — MMcf	72,888			77,071			(4,183		)
Total consolidated regulated distribution throughput — MMcf	253,537			306,448			(52,911		)
Consolidated regulated distribution average cost of gas per Mcf sold	$	4.13		$	5.44		$	(1.31	)

Income for our regulated distribution segment increased eight percent, primarily due to a $12.6 million increase in gross profit combined with a $1.8 million decrease in operating expenses. The year-over-year increase in gross profit primarily reflects:

• a $30.6 million net increase in rate adjustments. Our Mid-Tex Division accounted for $16.9 million of this increase. We also experienced increases in our Mississippi and West Texas Divisions.

• a $13.9 million decrease in revenue-related taxes primarily in our Mid-Tex and West Texas Divisions, offset by a corresponding $10.8 million decrease in the related tax expense.

• a $3.3 million decrease in consumption. Current-period weather was 26 percent warmer than the prior-year period, before adjusting for weather normalization mechanisms. As a result, sales volumes decreased 21 percent. 

The decrease in operating expenses, which include operation and maintenance expense, provision for doubtful accounts, depreciation and amortization expense and taxes, other than income, was primarily due to the decrease in revenue-related tax expense partially offset by increased property taxes and depreciation expense associated with increased capital investments.

Net income for the six months ended March 31, 2016 includes a $3.3 million income tax benefit for stock awards that vested during the current-year period as a result of adopting the new stock-based accounting guidance.

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The following table shows our operating income by regulated distribution division, in order of total rate base, for the six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. The presentation of our regulated distribution operating income is included for financial reporting purposes and may not be appropriate for ratemaking purposes.

	Six Months Ended March 31
	2016		2015		Change
	(In thousands)
Mid-Tex	$	148,776	$	133,113	$	15,663
Kentucky/Mid-States	49,379		49,152		227
Louisiana	38,794		40,819		(2,025		)
West Texas	33,228		28,802		4,426
Mississippi	36,532		35,810		722
Colorado-Kansas	28,156		27,257		899
Other	2,265		7,862		(5,597		)
Total	$	337,130	$	322,815	$	14,315

Recent Ratemaking Developments

The amounts described in the following sections represent the operating income that was requested or received in each rate filing, which may not necessarily reflect the stated amount referenced in the final order, as certain operating costs may have changed as a result of a commission’s or other governmental authority’s final ruling. During the first six months of fiscal 2016, we completed nine regulatory proceedings, resulting in a $22.1 million increase in annual operating income as summarized below:

Rate Action	Annual Increase to Operating Income
	(In thousands)
Annual formula rate mechanisms	$	17,826
Rate case filings	4,456
Other rate activity	(183		)
	$	22,099

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Additionally, the following ratemaking efforts seeking $68.3 million in annual operating income were in progress as of March 31, 2016:

Division	Rate Action	Jurisdiction	Operating Income Requested
			(In thousands)
Kentucky/Mid-States	Rate Case	Kentucky	$	5,531
Kentucky/Mid-States	Formula Rate Mechanism	Tennessee	4,888
Kentucky/Mid-States	Expedited Rate Filing(1)	Virginia	537
Louisiana	Formula Rate Mechanism(1)	Trans LA	6,216
Louisiana	Formula Rate Mechanism	LGS	8,686
Mid-Tex	Formula Rate Mechanism	Dallas	6,915
Mid-Tex	Formula Rate Mechanism	Mid-Tex Cities	26,564
Mid-Tex	Formula Rate Mechanism(2)	Environs	1,325
Mississippi	Infrastructure Mechanism	Mississippi	3,519
West Texas	Infrastructure Mechanism (3)	Cities of Amarillo, Channing, Lubbock & Dalhart	3,484
West Texas	Infrastructure Mechanism(2)	Environs	646
			$	68,311

⁽¹⁾  The proposed increase for Virginia and Trans LA customers was implemented on April 1, 2016, subject to refund.

⁽²⁾  The 2015 GRIP increase was approved by the Railroad Commission of Texas on May 3, 2016.

⁽³⁾  The 2015 GRIP increase was implemented on April 26, 2016.

Annual Formula Rate Mechanisms

As an instrument to reduce regulatory lag, formula rate mechanisms allow us to refresh our rates on an annual periodic basis without filing a formal rate case. However, these filings still involve discovery by the appropriate regulatory authorities prior to the final determination of rates under these mechanisms. We currently have formula rate mechanisms in our Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee operations and in substantially all of our Texas divisions. Additionally, we have specific infrastructure programs in substantially all of our distribution divisions with tariffs in place to permit the investment associated with these programs to have their surcharge rate adjusted annually to recover approved capital costs incurred in a prior test-year period. The following table summarizes our annual formula rate mechanisms by state.

	Annual Formula Rate Mechanisms
State	Infrastructure Programs	Formula Rate Mechanisms
Colorado	System Safety and Integrity Rider (SSIR)	—
Kansas	Gas System Reliability Surcharge (GSRS)	—
Kentucky	Pipeline Replacement Program (PRP)	—
Louisiana	(1)	Rate Stabilization Clause (RSC)
Mississippi	System Integrity Rider (SIR)	Stable Rate Filing (SRF), Supplemental Growth Filing (SGR)
Tennessee	—	Annual Rate Mechanism (ARM)
Texas	Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program (GRIP), (1)	Dallas Annual Rate Review (DARR), Rate Review Mechanism (RRM)
Virginia	Steps to Advance Virginia Energy (SAVE)	—

⁽¹⁾   Infrastructure mechanisms in Texas and Louisiana allow for the deferral of all expenses associated with capital expenditures incurred pursuant to these rules, which primarily consists of interest, depreciation and other taxes, until the next rate proceeding (rate case or annual rate filing), at which time investment and costs would be recoverable through base rates.

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The following annual formula rate mechanisms were approved during the six months ended March 31, 2016.

Division	Jurisdiction	Test Year Ended	Increase (Decrease) in Annual Operating Income		Effective Date
		(In thousands)
2016 Filings:
Colorado-Kansas	Colorado	12/31/2016	$	764	01/01/2016
Mississippi	Mississippi-SRF(1)	10/31/2016	9,192		01/01/2016
Mississippi	Mississippi-SGR (2)	10/31/2016	250		12/01/2015
Kentucky/Mid-States	Kentucky-PRP	09/30/2016	3,786		10/01/2015
Kentucky/Mid-States	Virginia-SAVE	09/30/2016	118		10/01/2015
West Texas	West Texas Cities	09/30/2015	3,716		10/01/2015
Total 2016 Filings			$	17,826

⁽¹⁾  The commission issued a final order approving a $9.2 million increase in annual operating income on December 21, 2015 with an effective date of January 1, 2016.

⁽²⁾  The Mississippi Supplemental Growth Rider permits the Company to pursue up to $5.0 million of eligible industrial growth projects beyond the Division’s normal main extension policies. This is the third year of the SGR program.

Rate Case Filings

A rate case is a formal request from Atmos Energy to a regulatory authority to increase rates that are charged to our customers. Rate cases may also be initiated when the regulatory authorities request us to justify our rates. This process is referred to as a “show cause” action. Adequate rates are intended to provide for recovery of the Company’s costs as well as a fair rate of return and ensure that we continue to deliver reliable, reasonably priced natural gas service safely to our customers. The following table summarizes the rate cases that were completed during the six months ended March 31, 2016.

Division	State	Increase in Annual Operating Income		Effective Date
	(In thousands)
2016 Rate Case Filings:
Colorado-Kansas	Kansas	$	2,372	03/17/2016
Colorado-Kansas	Colorado	2,084		01/01/2016
Total 2016 Rate Case Filings		$	4,456

Other Ratemaking Activity

The following table summarizes other ratemaking activity during the six months ended March 31, 2016.

Division	Jurisdiction	Rate Activity	Additional Annual Operating Income			Effective Date
		(In thousands)
2016 Other Rate Activity:
Colorado-Kansas	Kansas	Ad-Valorem (1)	$	(183	)	02/01/2016
Total 2016 Other Rate Activity			$	(183	)

⁽¹⁾  The Ad Valorem filing relates to a collection of property taxes in excess of the amount included in our Kansas service area's base rates.

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Regulated Pipeline Segment

Our regulated pipeline segment consists of the pipeline and storage operations of the Atmos Pipeline–Texas Division. The Atmos Pipeline–Texas Division transports and stores natural gas for our Mid-Tex Division and third party local distribution companies and manages five underground storage facilities in Texas. We also provide interruptible transportation, storage and ancillary services to electric generation and industrial customers as well as producers, marketers and other shippers.

Our regulated pipeline segment is impacted by seasonal weather patterns, competitive factors in the energy industry and economic conditions in our Mid-Tex service area. Natural gas prices do not directly impact the results of this segment as revenues are derived from the transportation and storage of natural gas. However, natural gas prices and demand for natural gas could influence the level of drilling activity in the markets that we serve, which may influence the level of throughput we may be able to transport on our pipeline. Further, natural gas price differences between the various hubs that we serve could influence the volumes of gas transported for shippers through our pipeline system and the rates for such transportation.

The results of Atmos Pipeline — Texas Division are also significantly impacted by the natural gas requirements of the Mid-Tex Division because it is the primary transporter of natural gas for our Mid-Tex Division.

Finally, as a regulated pipeline, the operations of the Atmos Pipeline — Texas Division may be impacted by the timing of when costs and expenses are incurred and when these costs and expenses are recovered through its tariffs. Additionally, APT annually uses GRIP to recover capital costs incurred in the prior calendar year.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

Financial and operational highlights for our regulated pipeline segment for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are presented below.

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2016			2015			Change
	(In thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Mid-Tex transportation	$	72,872		$	60,666		$	12,206
Third-party transportation	19,594			28,085			(8,491		)
Storage and park and lend services	588			1,069			(481		)
Other	2,649			1,910			739
Gross profit	95,703			91,730			3,973
Operating expenses	47,048			39,827			7,221
Operating income	48,655			51,903			(3,248		)
Miscellaneous expense	(376		)	(379		)	3
Interest charges	9,145			8,391			754
Income before income taxes	39,134			43,133			(3,999		)
Income tax expense	13,949			15,451			(1,502		)
Net income	$	25,185		$	27,682		$	(2,497	)
Gross pipeline transportation volumes — MMcf	185,542			220,646			(35,104		)
Consolidated pipeline transportation volumes — MMcf	115,040			126,371			(11,331		)

Net income for our regulated pipeline segment decreased nine percent, primarily due to a $4.0 million increase in gross profit, offset by a $7.2 million increase in operating expenses. The increase in gross profit primarily reflects a $7.0 million increase in rates from the GRIP filing approved in 2015 partially offset by decreased through-system volumes and lower storage and blending fees due to warmer weather in the current-year quarter compared to the prior-year quarter.

Operating expenses increased $7.2 million, primarily due to increased levels of pipeline maintenance activities to improve the safety and reliability of our system and increased property taxes and depreciation expense associated with increased capital investments.

On May 3, 2016, a GRIP filing was approved by the Railroad Commission of Texas for $40.7 million of additional annual operating income, effective with bills rendered on and after May 3, 2016.

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Six Months EndedMarch 31, 2016 compared with Six Months EndedMarch 31, 2015

Financial and operational highlights for our regulated pipeline segment for the six months endedMarch 31, 2016 and 2015 are presented below.

	Six Months Ended March 31
	2016			2015			Change
	(In thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Mid-Tex transportation	$	141,159		$	120,745		$	20,414
Third-party transportation	40,882			48,479			(7,597		)
Storage and park and lend services	1,564			2,073			(509		)
Other	6,775			4,000			2,775
Gross profit	190,380			175,297			15,083
Operating expenses	92,477			80,689			11,788
Operating income	97,903			94,608			3,295
Miscellaneous expense	(805		)	(631		)	(174		)
Interest charges	18,292			16,715			1,577
Income before income taxes	78,806			77,262			1,544
Income tax expense	28,035			27,545			490
Net income	$	50,771		$	49,717		$	1,054
Gross pipeline transportation volumes — MMcf	363,744			402,008			(38,264		)
Consolidated pipeline transportation volumes — MMcf	244,199			247,005			(2,806		)

Net income for our regulated pipeline segment increased two percent, primarily due to a $15.1 million increase in gross profit, partially offset by an $11.8 million increase in operating expenses. The increase in gross profit primarily reflects a $17.1 million increase in rates from the GRIP filing approved in 2015 and a $3.1 million increase from the sale of excess retention gas. These increases were partially offset by decreased through-system volumes and lower storage and blending fees due to warmer weather in the current-year period compared to the prior-year period.

Operating expenses increased $11.8 million, primarily due to increased levels of pipeline maintenance activities to improve the safety and reliability of our system and increased property taxes and depreciation expense associated with increased capital investments.

Nonregulated Segment

Our nonregulated operations are conducted through Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc. (AEH), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atmos Energy Corporation and, historically, have represented approximately five percent of our consolidated net income.

AEH's primary business is to buy, sell and deliver natural gas at competitive prices to approximately 1,000 customers located primarily in the Midwest and Southeast areas of the United States. AEH accomplishes this objective by aggregating and purchasing gas supply, arranging transportation and storage logistics and effectively managing commodity price risk.

AEH also earns storage and transportation demand fees primarily from our regulated distribution operations in Louisiana and Kentucky. These demand fees are subject to regulatory oversight and are renewed periodically.

Our nonregulated activities are significantly influenced by competitive factors in the industry and general economic conditions. Therefore, the margins earned from these activities are dependent upon our ability to attract and retain customers and to minimize the cost of buying, selling and delivering natural gas to offer more competitive pricing to those customers.

Natural gas prices can influence:

•The demand for natural gas. Higher prices may cause customers to conserve or use alternative energy sources.

Conversely, lower prices could cause customers such as electric power generators to switch from alternative energy

sources to natural gas.

• The collection of accounts receivable from customers, which could affect the level of bad debt expense recognized by this segment.

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• The level of borrowings under our credit facilities, which affects the level of interest expense recognized by this

segment.

Natural gas price volatility can also influence our nonregulated business in the following ways:

• Price volatility influences basis differentials, which provide opportunities to profit from identifying the lowest cost

alternative among the natural gas supplies, transportation and markets to which we have access.

• Increased or decreased volatility impacts the amounts of unrealized margins recorded in our gross profit and could

impact the amount of cash required to collateralize our risk management liabilities.

Our nonregulated segment manages its exposure to natural gas commodity price risk through a combination of physical storage and financial instruments. Therefore, results for this segment include unrealized gains or losses on its net physical gas position and the related financial instruments used to manage commodity price risk. These margins fluctuate based upon changes in the spreads between the physical and forward natural gas prices. The magnitude of the unrealized gains and losses is also contingent upon the levels of our net physical position at the end of the reporting period.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

Financial and operating highlights for our nonregulated segment for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are presented below.

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2016			2015			Change
	(In thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Realized margins
Gas delivery and related services	$	16,705		$	17,873		$	(1,168	)
Storage and transportation services	3,272			3,353			(81		)
Other	(3,514		)	3,001			(6,515		)
Total realized margins	16,463			24,227			(7,764		)
Unrealized margins	(3,364		)	(1,321		)	(2,043		)
Gross profit	13,099			22,906			(9,807		)
Operating expenses	9,351			9,317			34
Operating income	3,748			13,589			(9,841		)
Miscellaneous income	292			252			40
Interest charges	149			240			(91		)
Income before income taxes	3,891			13,601			(9,710		)
Income tax expense	1,578			5,452			(3,874		)
Net income	$	2,313		$	8,149		$	(5,836	)
Gross nonregulated delivered gas sales volumes — MMcf	107,414			122,178			(14,764		)
Consolidated nonregulated delivered gas sales volumes — MMcf	95,804			105,401			(9,597		)
Net physical position (Bcf)	36.4			17.0			19.4

The $9.8 million quarter-over-quarter decrease in gross profit reflects a $7.8 million decrease in realized margins, combined with a $2.0 million decrease in unrealized margins. The following were the key drivers for the $7.8 million decrease in realized margins:

• Margins from gas delivery and related services margins decreased $1.2 million, primarily due to a nine percentdecrease in consolidated sales volumes due to warmer weather in the current-year quarter. However, this decrease was partially offset by an increase in per-unit margins from 15 cents to 16 cents per Mcf, primarily due to lower net transportation costs incurred as result of fewer deliveries.

• Other realized margins decreased $6.5 million. The decrease primarily reflects higher losses, compared with the prior-year quarter, on the settlement of long financial positions as a result of falling natural gas prices during the quarter.  Additionally, storage fees increased quarter-over-quarter due to increased park and loan activity.

Unrealized margins decreased $2.0 million, primarily due to the quarter-over-quarter unfavorable movement of the physical mark on the fair value of natural gas inventory hedged positions.

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Six Months EndedMarch 31, 2016 compared with Six Months EndedMarch 31, 2015

	Six Months Ended March 31
	2016			2015			Change
	(In thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Realized margins
Gas delivery and related services	$	28,555		$	28,632		$	(77	)
Storage and transportation services	6,527			6,666			(139		)
Other	(14,765		)	(2,830		)	(11,935		)
Total realized margins	20,317			32,468			(12,151		)
Unrealized margins	8,540			6,477			2,063
Gross profit	28,857			38,945			(10,088		)
Operating expenses	17,669			18,433			(764		)
Operating income	11,188			20,512			(9,324		)
Miscellaneous income	671			552			119
Interest charges	1,187			466			721
Income before income taxes	10,672			20,598			(9,926		)
Income tax expense	4,339			8,276			(3,937		)
Net income	$	6,333		$	12,322		$	(5,989	)
Gross nonregulated delivered gas sales volumes — MMcf	204,147			230,371			(26,224		)
Consolidated nonregulated delivered gas sales volumes — MMcf	180,935			196,331			(15,396		)
Net physical position (Bcf)	36.4			17.0			19.4

The $10.1 million year-over-year decrease in gross profit reflects a $12.2 million decrease in realized margins, partially offset by a $2.1 million increase in unrealized margins. The following were the key drivers for the $12.2 million decrease in realized margins:

• Margins from gas delivery and related services were flat year-over-year. Consolidated sales volumes decreased eight percent due to warmer weather. However, lower net transportation costs and other variable costs driven by fewer deliveries resulted in an increase in per-unit margins from 12 cents to 14 cents per Mcf, which offset the effect of reduced sales volumes.

• Other realized margins decreased $11.9 million. The decrease primarily reflects higher losses, compared with the prior-year period, on the settlement of long financial positions as a result of falling natural gas prices.  Additionally, storage fees increased period-over-period due to increased park and loan activity.

Unrealized margins increased $2.1 million, primarily due to the period-over-period favorable movement of the physical mark on the fair value of natural gas inventory hedged positions.

Operating expenses decreased $0.8 million, primarily due to lower bad debt expense.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The liquidity required to fund our working capital, capital expenditures and other cash needs is provided from a variety of sources including internally generated funds and borrowings under our commercial paper program and bank credit facilities. Additionally, we have various uncommitted trade credit lines with our gas suppliers that we utilize to purchase natural gas on a monthly basis. Finally, from time to time, we raise funds from the public debt and equity capital markets to fund our liquidity needs.

We regularly evaluate our funding strategy and capital structure to ensure that we (i) have sufficient liquidity for our short-term and long-term needs in a cost-effective manner and (ii) maintain a balanced capital structure with a debt-to-capitalization ratio in a target range of 45 to 55 percent. We also evaluate the levels of committed borrowing capacity that we require. We currently have over $1 billion of capacity under our short-term facilities.

We plan to continue to fund our growth through the use of operating cash flows, debt and equity securities while maintaining a balanced capital structure. To support our capital market activities, we filed a registration statement with the SEC on March 28, 2016 to issue, from time to time, up to $2.5 billion in common stock and/or debt securities, which replaced our registration statement that expired on March 28, 2016. On March 28, 2016, we entered into an at-the-market (ATM) equity

43

distribution agreement under which we may issue and sell, shares of our common stock, up to an aggregate offering price of $200 million. The shares will be issued under our shelf registration statement. Proceeds from the ATM program will be used primarily to repay short-term debt outstanding under our $1.25 billion commercial paper program, to fund capital spending primarily to enhance the safety and reliability of our system and for general corporate purposes. No shares were issued under the ATM program during the second fiscal quarter of 2016.

The following table presents our capitalization inclusive of short-term debt and the current portion of long-term debt as of March 31, 2016, September 30, 2015 and March 31, 2015:

	March 31, 2016				September 30, 2015				March 31, 2015
	(In thousands, except percentages)
Short-term debt	$	626,929	9.8	%	$	457,927	7.5	%	$	224,986	3.9	%
Long-term debt	2,455,559		38.2	%	2,455,388		40.2	%	2,455,217		42.2	%
Shareholders’ equity	3,344,565		52.0	%	3,194,797		52.3	%	3,139,694		53.9	%
Total	$	6,427,053	100.0	%	$	6,108,112	100.0	%	$	5,819,897	100.0	%

Cash Flows

Our internally generated funds may change in the future due to a number of factors, some of which we cannot control. These include regulatory changes, prices for our products and services, demand for such products and services, margin requirements resulting from significant changes in commodity prices, operational risks and other factors.

Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are presented below.

	Six Months Ended March 31
	2016			2015			Change
	(In thousands)
Total cash provided by (used in)
Operating activities	$	455,776		$	540,848		$	(85,072	)
Investing activities	(536,345		)	(442,990		)	(93,355		)
Financing activities	99,834			(44,591		)	144,425
Change in cash and cash equivalents	19,265			53,267			(34,002		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	28,653			42,258			(13,605		)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	47,918		$	95,525		$	(47,607	)

Cash flows from operating activities

Period-over-period changes in our operating cash flows are primarily attributable to changes in net income and working capital changes, particularly within our regulated distribution segment resulting from changes in the price of natural gas and the timing of customer collections, payments for natural gas purchases and deferred gas cost recoveries.

For the six months ended March 31, 2016, we generated cash flow of $455.8 million from operating activities compared with $540.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2015. The $85.1 million decrease in operating cash flows primarily reflects the timing of deferred gas cost recoveries.

Cash flows from investing activities

In executing our regulatory strategy, we target our capital spending on regulatory mechanisms that permit us to earn an adequate return timely on our investment without compromising the safety or reliability of our system. Substantially all of our regulated jurisdictions have rate tariffs that provide the opportunity to include in their rate base approved capital costs on a periodic basis without being required to file a rate case.

In recent years, a substantial portion of our cash resources has been used to fund our ongoing construction program, which enables us to enhance the safety and reliability of the systems used to provide regulated distribution services to our existing customer base, expand our natural gas distribution services into new markets, enhance the integrity of our pipelines and, more recently, expand our intrastate pipeline network. Over the last three fiscal years, approximately 80 percent of our capital spending has been committed to improving the safety and reliability of our system. We anticipate our annual capital spending will be in the range of $1 billion to $1.1 billion through fiscal 2020.

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For the six months ended March 31, 2016, capital expenditures were $538.2 million, compared with $441.6 million in the prior-year period. The $96.6 million increase primarily reflects an increase in capital spending in our regulated pipeline segment, primarily related to the enhancement and fortification of two storage fields to ensure the reliability of gas service to our Mid-Tex Division combined with a planned increase in spending in our regulated distribution operations.

Cash flows from financing activities

For the six months ended March 31, 2016, our financing activities generated $99.8 million of cash compared with $44.6 million of cash used in the prior-year period. The $144.4 million increase of cash generated is primarily due to higher net short-term debt borrowings due to increased capital expenditures and period-over-period changes in working capital funding needs compared to the prior year.

The following table summarizes our share issuances for the six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

	Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016	2015
Shares issued:
Direct Stock Purchase Plan	78,652	79,803
1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan	458,929	488,729
Retirement Savings Plan and Trust	193,106	178,067
Total shares issued	730,687	746,599

The year-over-year decrease in the number of shares issued primarily reflects a decrease in shares issued under the 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan. For the six months ended March 31, 2016, we did not cancel and retire any shares attributable to federal income tax withholdings on equity awards. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, we canceled and retired 148,464 such shares.

Credit Facilities

Our short-term borrowing requirements are affected primarily by the seasonal nature of the natural gas business and the level of our capital expenditures. Changes in the price of natural gas, the amount of natural gas we need to supply to meet our customers’ needs and our capital spending activities could significantly affect our borrowing requirements. However, our short-term borrowings typically reach their highest levels in the winter months.

We finance our short-term borrowing requirements through a combination of a $1.25 billion commercial paper program, four committed revolving credit facilities and one uncommitted revolving credit facility with third-party lenders that provide approximately $1.3 billion of working capital funding. As of March 31, 2016, the amount available to us under our credit facilities, net of commercial paper and outstanding letters of credit, was $0.7 billion.

Credit Ratings

Our credit ratings directly affect our ability to obtain short-term and long-term financing, in addition to the cost of such financing. In determining our credit ratings, the rating agencies consider a number of quantitative factors, including debt to total capitalization, operating cash flow relative to outstanding debt, operating cash flow coverage of interest and pension liabilities and funding status. In addition, the rating agencies consider qualitative factors such as consistency of our earnings over time, the quality of our management and business strategy, the risks associated with our regulated and nonregulated businesses and the regulatory structures that govern our rates in the states where we operate.

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Our debt is rated by three rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s Corporation (S&P), Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch). As of March 31, 2016, Moody's and Fitch maintained a stable outlook. S&P issued a revised outlook from stable to positive on October 29, 2015, citing the potential for an upgraded rating in the future if we maintain our current level of financial performance as capital spending levels remain elevated. Our current debt ratings are all considered investment grade and are as follows:

	S&P	Moody’s	Fitch
Senior unsecured long-term debt	A-	A2	A
Short-term debt	A-2	P-1	F-2

A significant degradation in our operating performance or a significant reduction in our liquidity caused by more limited access to the private and public credit markets as a result of deteriorating global or national financial and credit conditions could trigger a negative change in our ratings outlook or even a reduction in our credit ratings by the three credit rating agencies. This would mean more limited access to the private and public credit markets and an increase in the costs of such borrowings.

A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The highest investment grade credit rating is AAA for S&P, Aaa for Moody’s and AAA for Fitch. The lowest investment grade credit rating is BBB- for S&P, Baa3 for Moody’s and BBB- for Fitch. Our credit ratings may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the rating agencies, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. There can be no assurance that a rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered, or withdrawn entirely, by a rating agency if, in its judgment, circumstances so warrant.

Debt Covenants

We were in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of March 31, 2016. Our debt covenants are described in greater detail in Note 5 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

Except as noted in Note 7 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, there were no significant changes in our contractual obligations and commercial commitments during the six months ended March 31, 2016.

Risk Management Activities

We conduct risk management activities through our regulated distribution and nonregulated segments. In our regulated distribution segment, we use a combination of physical storage, fixed physical contracts and fixed financial contracts to reduce our exposure to unusually large winter-period gas price increases. Additionally, we manage interest rate risk by entering into financial instruments to effectively fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost associated with anticipated financings.

In our nonregulated segment, we manage our exposure to the risk of natural gas price changes and lock in our gross profit margin through a combination of storage and financial instruments, including futures, over-the-counter and exchange-traded options and swap contracts with counterparties. To the extent our inventory cost and actual sales and actual purchases do not correlate with the changes in the market indices we use in our hedges, we could experience ineffectiveness or the hedges may no longer meet the accounting requirements for hedge accounting, resulting in the financial instruments being treated as mark to market instruments through earnings.

The following table shows the components of the change in fair value of our regulated distribution segment’s financial instruments for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:

	Three Months Ended   March 31						Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016			2015			2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Fair value of contracts at beginning of period	$	(109,263	)	$	(94,848	)	$	(119,361	)	$	14,284
Contracts realized/settled	(8,128		)	(10,655		)	(20,758		)	(33,811		)
Fair value of new contracts	240			216			57			(149		)
Other changes in value	(70,713		)	(32,423		)	(47,802		)	(118,034		)
Fair value of contracts at end of period	(187,864		)	(137,710		)	(187,864		)	(137,710		)
Netting of cash collateral	2,660			—			2,660			—
Cash collateral and fair value of contracts at period end	$	(185,204	)	$	(137,710	)	$	(185,204	)	$	(137,710	)

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The fair value of our regulated distribution segment’s financial instruments at March 31, 2016 is presented below by time period and fair value source:

	Fair Value of Contracts at March 31, 2016
	Maturity in Years
Source of Fair Value	Less Than 1			1-3			4-5		Greater Than 5		Total Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Prices actively quoted	$	(147	)	$	(187,717	)	$	—	$	—	$	(187,864	)
Prices based on models and other valuation methods	—			—			—		—		—
Total Fair Value	$	(147	)	$	(187,717	)	$	—	$	—	$	(187,864	)

The following table shows the components of the change in fair value of our nonregulated segment’s financial instruments for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:

	Three Months Ended   March 31						Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016			2015			2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Fair value of contracts at beginning of period	$	(21,019	)	$	(26,099	)	$	(34,620	)	$	(3,033	)
Contracts realized/settled	1,849			4,346			20,747			11,511
Fair value of new contracts	—			—			—			—
Other changes in value	3,085			(14,387		)	(2,212		)	(44,618		)
Fair value of contracts at end of period	(16,085		)	(36,140		)	(16,085		)	(36,140		)
Netting of cash collateral	22,922			52,723			22,922			52,723
Cash collateral and fair value of contracts at period end	$	6,837		$	16,583		$	6,837		$	16,583

The fair value of our nonregulated segment’s financial instruments at March 31, 2016 is presented below by time period and fair value source:

	Fair Value of Contracts at March 31, 2016
	Maturity in Years
Source of Fair Value	Less Than 1			1-3			4-5		Greater Than 5		Total Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Prices actively quoted	$	(14,503	)	$	(2,047	)	$	465	$	—	$	(16,085	)
Prices based on models and other valuation methods	—			—			—		—		—
Total Fair Value	$	(14,503	)	$	(2,047	)	$	465	$	—	$	(16,085	)

Pension and Postretirement Benefits Obligations

For the six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, our total net periodic pension and other benefits costs were $23.0 million and $29.4 million. A substantial portion of those costs relating to our regulated distribution operations are recoverable through our gas distribution rates; however, a portion of these costs is capitalized into our distribution rate base. The remaining costs are recorded as a component of operation and maintenance expense.

Our fiscal 2016 costs were determined using a September 30, 2015 measurement date. As of September 30, 2015, interest and corporate bond rates utilized to determine our discount rates were higher than the interest and corporate bond rates as of September 30, 2014, the measurement date for our fiscal 2015 net periodic cost. Therefore, we increased the discount rate used to measure our fiscal 2016 net periodic cost from 4.43 percent to 4.55 percent. We lowered our expected return on plan assets from 7.25 percent to 7.00 percent in the determination of our fiscal 2016 net periodic pension cost based upon expected market returns for our targeted asset allocation. In October 2014, the Society of Actuaries released its final report on mortality tables and the mortality improvement scale to reflect increasing life expectancies in the United States and in October 2015, the Society of Actuaries issued an additional report related to mortality tables and the mortality improvement scale. As of September 30, 2015, we updated our assumed mortality tables to incorporate both of these updates. As a result of the net impact

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of changes in these and other assumptions, we expect our fiscal 2016 net periodic pension cost to decrease by approximately 20 percent.

The amounts with which we fund our defined benefit plans are determined in accordance with the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA) and are influenced by the funded position of the plans when the funding requirements are determined on January 1 of each year. Based upon the determination as of January 1, 2015, we are not required to make a minimum contribution to our defined benefit plans during fiscal 2016. However, we may consider whether a voluntary contribution is prudent to maintain certain funding levels.

For the six months ended March 31, 2016 we contributed $9.0 million to our postretirement medical plans. We anticipate contributing between $15 million and $25 million to our postretirement plans during fiscal 2016.

The projected pension liability, future funding requirements and the amount of pension expense or income recognized for the plans are subject to change, depending upon the actuarial value of plan assets in the plans and the determination of future benefit obligations as of each subsequent actuarial calculation date. These amounts will be determined by actual investment returns, changes in interest rates, values of assets in the plans and changes in the demographic composition of the participants in the plans.

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OPERATING STATISTICS AND OTHER INFORMATION

The following tables present certain operating statistics for our regulated distribution, regulated pipeline and nonregulated segments for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

Regulated Distribution Sales and Statistical Data

	Three Months Ended   March 31				Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016		2015		2016		2015
METERS IN SERVICE, end of period
Residential	2,899,265		2,864,252		2,899,265		2,864,252
Commercial	267,213		262,235		267,213		262,235
Industrial	1,479		1,524		1,479		1,524
Public authority and other	8,410		8,430		8,410		8,430
Total meters	3,176,367		3,136,441		3,176,367		3,136,441
INVENTORY STORAGE BALANCE — Bcf	40.2		25.0		40.2		25.0
SALES VOLUMES — MMcf(1)
Gas sales volumes
Residential	68,758		90,182		108,927		142,400
Commercial	35,854		43,921		59,272		72,636
Industrial	4,459		4,898		7,915		8,788
Public authority and other	2,861		3,454		4,535		5,553
Total gas sales volumes	111,932		142,455		180,649		229,377
Transportation volumes	43,986		44,441		79,110		83,276
Total throughput	155,918		186,896		259,759		312,653
OPERATING REVENUES (000’s)(1)
Gas sales revenues
Residential	$	563,565	$	744,013	$	979,550	$	1,285,738
Commercial	222,480		309,648		394,505		551,278
Industrial	17,568		26,694		31,853		49,605
Public authority and other	16,560		22,892		27,093		37,890
Total gas sales revenues	820,173		1,103,247		1,433,001		1,924,511
Transportation revenues	22,624		21,977		42,105		41,129
Other gas revenues	6,888		5,389		13,181		11,745
Total operating revenues	$	849,685	$	1,130,613	$	1,488,287	$	1,977,385
Average cost of gas per Mcf sold	$	3.94	$	5.08	$	4.13	$	5.44

See footnote following these tables.

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Regulated Pipeline and Nonregulated Operations Sales and Statistical Data

	Three Months Ended   March 31				Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016		2015		2016		2015
CUSTOMERS, end of period
Industrial	764		750		764		750
Municipal	133		130		133		130
Other	488		522		488		522
Total	1,385		1,402		1,385		1,402
NONREGULATED INVENTORY STORAGE
BALANCE — Bcf	35.1		18.5		35.1		18.5
REGULATED PIPELINE VOLUMES — MMcf(1)	185,542		220,646		363,744		402,008
NONREGULATED DELIVERED GAS SALES
VOLUMES — MMcf(1)	107,414		122,178		204,147		230,371
OPERATING REVENUES (000’s)(1)
Regulated pipeline	$	95,703	$	91,730	$	190,380	$	175,297
Nonregulated	287,395		438,322		559,919		900,610
Total operating revenues	$	383,098	$	530,052	$	750,299	$	1,075,907

Note to preceding tables:

⁽¹⁾  Sales volumes and revenues reflect segment operations, including intercompany sales and transportation amounts.

RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

Recent accounting developments and their impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows are described in Note 2 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Information regarding our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are disclosed in Item 7A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. During the six months ended March 31, 2016, there were no material changes in our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). Based on this evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2016 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us, including our consolidated entities, in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms, including a reasonable level of assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We did not make any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the second quarter of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

During the six months ended March 31, 2016, there were no material changes in the status of the litigation and other matters that were disclosed in Note 10 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. We continue to believe that the final outcome of such litigation and other matters or claims will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 6. Exhibits

A list of exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K and filed as part of this report is set forth in the Exhibits Index, which immediately precedes such exhibits.

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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.

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

               (Registrant)

By: /s/    BRETJ. ECKERT

Bret J. Eckert

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Duly authorized signatory)

Date: May 4, 2016

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EXHIBITS INDEX

Item 6

Exhibit Number	Description	Page Number or Incorporation by Reference to
10	Equity Distribution Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2016, among Atmos Energy Corporation, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC.	Exhibit 1.1 to Form 8-K dated March 28, 2016 (File No. 1-10042)
12	Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges
15	Letter regarding unaudited interim financial information
31	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
32	Section 1350 Certifications*
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

* These certifications, which were made pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, furnished as Exhibit 32 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, will not be deemed to be filed with the Commission or incorporated by reference into any filing by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates such certifications by reference.

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EX-12

Exhibit 12

Atmos Energy Corporation

Computation of Earnings to Fixed Charges

	Three Months Ended   March 31				Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016		2015		2016		2015
	(Dollars in thousands)
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes per statement of income	$	221,771	$	221,202	$	386,284	$	377,456
Add:
Portion of rents representative of the interest factor	3,134		3,135		6,276		6,279
Interest on debt & amortization of debt expense	27,560		27,447		58,043		57,211
Income as adjusted	$	252,465	$	251,784	$	450,603	$	440,946
Fixed charges:
Interest on debt & amortization of debt expense (1)	$	27,560	$	27,447	$	58,043	$	57,211
Capitalized interest (2)	652		430		1,369		1,032
Rents	9,401		9,405		18,827		18,838
Portion of rents representative of the interest factor (3)	3,134		3,135		6,276		6,279
Fixed charges (1)+(2)+(3)	$	31,346	$	31,012	$	65,688	$	64,522
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges	8.05		8.12		6.86		6.83

EX-15

Exhibit 15

Board of Directors

Atmos Energy Corporation

We are aware of the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Form S-3, No. 33-37869; Form S-3, No. 33-58220; Form S-3D/A, No. 33-70212; Form S-3, No. 33-56915; Form S-3/A, No. 333-03339; Form S-3/A, No. 333-32475; Form S-3/A, No. 333-50477; Form S-3, No. 333-95525; Form S-3/A, No. 333-93705; Form S-3, No. 333-75576; Form S-3D, No. 333-113603; Form S-3, No. 333-118706; Form S-3D, No. 333-155666; Form S-3D, No. 333-208317; Form S-3ASR, No. 333-210424; Form S-4, No. 333-13429; Form S-8, No. 33-57687; Form S-8, No. 33-57695; Form S-8, No. 333-32343; Form S-8, No. 333-46337; Form S-8, No. 333-73143; Form S-8, No. 333-73145; Form S-8, No. 333-63738; Form S-8, No. 333-88832; Form S-8, No. 333-116367; Form S-8, No. 333-138209; Form S-8, No. 333-145817; Form S-8, No. 333-155570; Form S-8, No. 333-166639; Form S-8, No. 333-177593; Form S-8, No. 333-199301; and Form S-8, No. 333-210461) of Atmos Energy Corporation and in the related Prospectuses of our report dated May 4, 2016, relating to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of Atmos Energy Corporation, which are included in its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Dallas, Texas

May 4, 2016

EX-31

EXHIBIT 31

RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATIONS

I, Kim R. Cocklin, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Atmos Energy Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and     

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 4, 2016

/s/ KIM R. COCKLIN

Kim R. Cocklin

Chief Executive Officer

I, Bret J. Eckert, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Atmos Energy Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and     

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 4, 2016

/s/ BRET J. ECKERT

Bret J. Eckert

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

EX-32

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Atmos Energy Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Kim R. Cocklin, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

May 4, 2016

/s/ KIM R. COCKLIN

Kim R. Cocklin

Chief Executive Officer

A signed original of this written statement has been provided to Atmos Energy Corporation and will be retained by Atmos Energy Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Atmos Energy Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Bret J. Eckert, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

May 4, 2016

/s/ BRET J. ECKERT

Bret J. Eckert

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

A signed original of this written statement has been provided to Atmos Energy Corporation and will be retained by Atmos Energy Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

XML

Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Apr. 29, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Atmos Energy Corporation
Entity Central Index Key	0000731802
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		102,233,265

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment	$ 9,722,228	$ 9,240,100
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,882,815	1,809,520
Net property, plant and equipment	7,839,413	7,430,580
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	47,918	28,653
Accounts receivable, net	361,582	295,160
Gas stored underground	190,961	236,603
Other current assets	52,451	65,890
Total current assets	652,912	626,306
Goodwill	742,702	742,702
Deferred charges and other assets	308,899	293,357
Total assets	9,543,926	9,092,945
Shareholders' equity
Common stock, no par value (stated at $.005 per share)	511	507
Additional paid-in capital	2,255,875	2,230,591
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(157,239)	(109,330)
Retained earnings	1,245,418	1,073,029
Shareholders' equity	3,344,565	3,194,797
Long-term debt	2,455,559	2,455,388
Total capitalization	5,800,124	5,650,185
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	226,641	238,942
Other current liabilities	373,783	457,954
Short-term debt	626,929	457,927
Total current liabilities	1,227,353	1,154,823
Deferred income taxes	1,557,790	1,411,315
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	426,756	427,553
Pension and postretirement liabilities	294,377	287,373
Deferred credits and other liabilities	237,526	161,696
Total shareholders' equity and liabilities	$ 9,543,926	$ 9,092,945

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (PARENTHETICALS) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common Stock, No Par Value	$ 0.005	$ 0.005
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	102,209,505	101,478,818
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	102,209,505	101,478,818

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Operating revenues
Operating revenues	$ 1,132,293	$ 1,540,068	$ 2,038,514	$ 2,798,833
Purchased gas cost
Purchased gas cost	614,482	1,019,330	1,076,940	1,854,810
Gross profit	517,811	520,738	961,574	944,023
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	133,666	133,460	258,514	252,042
Depreciation and amortization	71,972	68,022	143,211	135,615
Taxes, other than income	62,157	69,046	113,628	118,431
Total operating expenses	267,795	270,528	515,353	506,088
Operating income	250,016	250,210	446,221	437,935
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(685)	(1,561)	(1,894)	(3,268)
Interest charges	27,560	27,447	58,043	57,211
Income (loss) before income taxes	221,771	221,202	386,284	377,456
Income tax expense (benefit)	79,961	83,518	141,613	142,177
Net income (loss)	$ 141,810	$ 137,684	$ 244,671	$ 235,279
Basic and diluted net income per share	$ 1.38	$ 1.35	$ 2.38	$ 2.31
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.42	$ 0.39	$ 0.84	$ 0.78
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted	102,946	101,746	102,837	101,667
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Operating revenues
Operating revenues	$ 849,685	$ 1,130,613	$ 1,488,287	$ 1,977,385
Purchased gas cost
Purchased gas cost	440,543	724,378	745,684	1,247,338
Gross profit	409,142	406,235	742,603	730,047
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	99,180	103,425	190,529	190,410
Depreciation and amortization	57,663	55,153	114,997	110,239
Taxes, other than income	54,686	62,939	99,947	106,583
Total operating expenses	211,529	221,517	405,473	407,232
Operating income	197,613	184,718	337,130	322,815
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(150)	(937)	(902)	(2,266)
Interest charges	18,717	19,313	39,422	40,953
Income (loss) before income taxes	178,746	164,468	296,806	279,596
Income tax expense (benefit)	64,434	62,615	109,239	106,356
Net income (loss)	114,312	101,853	187,567	173,240
Regulated Pipeline Segment [Member]
Operating revenues
Operating revenues	95,703	91,730	190,380	175,297
Purchased gas cost
Purchased gas cost	0	0	0	0
Gross profit	95,703	91,730	190,380	175,297
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	27,131	22,842	54,219	47,457
Depreciation and amortization	13,179	11,747	25,949	23,129
Taxes, other than income	6,738	5,238	12,309	10,103
Total operating expenses	47,048	39,827	92,477	80,689
Operating income	48,655	51,903	97,903	94,608
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(376)	(379)	(805)	(631)
Interest charges	9,145	8,391	18,292	16,715
Income (loss) before income taxes	39,134	43,133	78,806	77,262
Income tax expense (benefit)	13,949	15,451	28,035	27,545
Net income (loss)	25,185	27,682	50,771	49,717
Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Operating revenues
Operating revenues	287,395	438,322	559,919	900,610
Purchased gas cost
Purchased gas cost	274,296	415,416	531,062	861,665
Gross profit	13,099	22,906	28,857	38,945
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	7,488	7,326	14,032	14,441
Depreciation and amortization	1,130	1,122	2,265	2,247
Taxes, other than income	733	869	1,372	1,745
Total operating expenses	9,351	9,317	17,669	18,433
Operating income	3,748	13,589	11,188	20,512
Miscellaneous income (expense)	292	252	671	552
Interest charges	149	240	1,187	466
Income (loss) before income taxes	3,891	13,601	10,672	20,598
Income tax expense (benefit)	1,578	5,452	4,339	8,276
Net income (loss)	2,313	8,149	6,333	12,322
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Operating revenues
Operating revenues	(100,490)	(120,597)	(200,072)	(254,459)
Purchased gas cost
Purchased gas cost	(100,357)	(120,464)	(199,806)	(254,193)
Gross profit	(133)	(133)	(266)	(266)
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	(133)	(133)	(266)	(266)
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Taxes, other than income	0	0	0	0
Total operating expenses	(133)	(133)	(266)	(266)
Operating income	0	0	0	0
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(451)	(497)	(858)	(923)
Interest charges	(451)	(497)	(858)	(923)
Income (loss) before income taxes	0	0	0	0
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 141,810	$ 137,684	$ 244,671	$ 235,279
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(879)	962	(1,647)	(105)
Schedule of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedges [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	(53,398)	(34,851)	(46,262)	(115,590)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(54,277)	(33,889)	(47,909)	(115,695)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	87,533	103,795	196,762	119,584
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Schedule of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedges [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	(53,618)	(32,669)	(48,835)	(84,456)
Commodity Contract [Member]
Schedule of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedges [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	$ 220	$ (2,182)	$ 2,573	$ (31,134)

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) (PARENTHETICALS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax Portion Attributable To Parent Abstract
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, tax	$ (505)	$ 484	$ (947)	$ (129)
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Schedule of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Cash Flow Hedges [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax	(30,819)	(18,778)	(28,070)	(48,546)
Commodity Contract [Member]
Schedule of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Cash Flow Hedges [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax	$ 140	$ (1,395)	$ 1,645	$ (20,091)

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$ 244,671	$ 235,279
Depreciation and amortization:
Charged to depreciation and amortization	143,211	135,615
Charged to other accounts	645	566
Other
Deferred income taxes	132,456	131,292
Other	10,355	10,332
Net Assets Liabilities From Risk Management Activities	9,528	(29,091)
Net change in operating assets and liabilities	(85,090)	56,855
Net cash provided by operating activities	455,776	540,848
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(538,233)	(441,644)
Other, net	1,888	(1,346)
Net cash used in investing activities	(536,345)	(442,990)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Net increase in short-term debt	169,002	21,839
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	493,538
Settlement of interest rate agreements	0	13,364
Repayments of long-term debt	0	(500,000)
Cash dividends paid	(86,809)	(78,074)
Repurchase of equity awards	0	(7,985)
Issuance of common stock	17,641	12,727
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	99,834	(44,591)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	19,265	53,267
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	28,653	42,258
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 47,918	$ 95,525

XML

Nature of Business

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Business

Nature of Business

Atmos Energy Corporation (“Atmos Energy” or the “Company”) and our subsidiaries are engaged primarily in the regulated natural gas distribution and pipeline businesses as well as other nonregulated natural gas businesses. Historically, our regulated businesses have generated over 90 percent of our consolidated net income.

Through our regulated distribution business, we deliver natural gas through sales and transportation arrangements to approximately three million residential, commercial, public authority and industrial customers through our six regulated distribution divisions, which at March 31, 2016, covered service areas located in eight states. In addition, we transport natural gas for others through our distribution system. Our regulated businesses also include our regulated pipeline and storage operations, which include the transportation of natural gas to our North Texas distribution system and the management of our underground storage facilities. Our regulated businesses are subject to federal and state regulation and/or regulation by local authorities in each of the states in which our regulated distribution divisions operate.

Our nonregulated businesses operate primarily in the Midwest and Southeast through various wholly-owned subsidiaries of Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc. (AEH). AEH is wholly owned by the Company and based in Houston, Texas. Through AEH, we provide natural gas management and transportation services to municipalities, natural gas distribution companies, including certain divisions of Atmos Energy, and third parties.

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Unaudited Financial Information

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Unaudited Financial Information

Unaudited Financial Information

These consolidated interim-period financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States on the same basis as those used for the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. In the opinion of management, all material adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation have been made to the unaudited consolidated interim-period financial statements. These consolidated interim-period financial statements are condensed as permitted by the instructions to Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Atmos Energy Corporation included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. Because of seasonal and other factors, the results of operations for the six-month period ended March 31, 2016 are not indicative of our results of operations for the full 2016 fiscal year, which ends September 30, 2016.

No events have occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date that would require recognition or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Significant accounting policies

Our accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015.

Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2016, we completed our annual goodwill impairment assessment. Based on the assessment performed, we determined that our goodwill was not impaired.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that will supersede virtually all existing revenue recognition guidance under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Under the new standard, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current guidance. The new standard is currently scheduled to become effective for us beginning on October 1, 2018 and can be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are currently evaluating the effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows, as well as the transition approach we will select.

In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs, which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The new standard will be effective for us beginning on October 1, 2016, and will be applied retrospectively. We are currently evaluating the impact this standard may have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In November 2015, the FASB issued guidance that requires all deferred income tax liabilities and assets to be presented as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. Currently, entities are required to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in a classified balance sheet. The new standard will become effective for us beginning on October 1, 2017; however, as permitted under the new guidance, we have elected early adoption. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on our results of operations or cash flows. In accordance with the transition guidance, we have adopted this new guidance prospectively and prior periods have not been adjusted.

In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance related to the classification and measurement of financial instruments. The amendments modify the accounting and presentation for certain financial liabilities and equity investments not consolidated or reported using the equity method. The guidance is effective for us beginning October 1, 2018; limited early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of this new guidance.

In February 2016, the FASB issued a comprehensive new leasing standard that will require lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases, including operating leases, with a term greater than 12 months on its balance sheet. The new standard will be effective for us beginning on October 1, 2019; early adoption is permitted. The new leasing standard requires modified retrospective transition, which requires application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the year of adoption. We are currently evaluating the effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting and reporting of share-based payment arrangements. Key modifications required under the new guidance include:

• Recognition of all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies associated with stock-based compensation as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement in the period the awards vest. The guidance also requires these income tax inflows and outflows to be classified as an operating activity.

• Simplification of the accounting for forfeitures.

• Clarification that cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax-withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity.

The guidance will be effective for us beginning October 1, 2017; however, as permitted under the new guidance, we have elected early adoption. In accordance with the transition requirements, we recorded a $3.3 million income tax benefit for stock awards that vested during the current fiscal year. Additionally, we recorded a $14.5 million cumulative-effect increase to retained earnings with an offsetting increase to the Company’s net operating loss (NOL) deferred tax asset to recognize the effect of excess tax benefits earned prior to September 30, 2015. Since we have adopted this new guidance prospectively, prior periods have not been adjusted.

Regulatory assets and liabilities

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require cost-based, rate-regulated entities that meet certain criteria to reflect the authorized recovery of costs due to regulatory decisions in their financial statements. As a result, certain costs are permitted to be capitalized rather than expensed because they can be recovered through rates. We record certain costs as regulatory assets when future recovery through customer rates is considered probable. Regulatory liabilities are recorded when it is probable that revenues will be reduced for amounts that will be credited to customers through the ratemaking process. Substantially all of our regulatory assets are recorded as a component of deferred charges and other assets and substantially all of our regulatory liabilities are recorded as a component of deferred credits and other liabilities. Deferred gas costs are recorded either in other current assets or liabilities and the regulatory cost of removal obligation is reported separately.

Significant regulatory assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 included the following:

	March 31, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Regulatory assets:
Pension and postretirement benefit costs(1)	$	113,483	$	121,183
Infrastructure mechanisms(2)	53,698		32,813
Deferred gas costs	1,136		9,715
Recoverable loss on reacquired debt	15,040		16,319
APT annual adjustment mechanism	—		1,002
Rate case costs	1,796		1,533
Other	16,297		9,774
	$	201,450	$	192,339
Regulatory liabilities:
Regulatory cost of removal obligations	$	486,857	$	483,676
Deferred gas costs	68,812		28,100
Asset retirement obligations	9,063		9,063
APT annual adjustment mechanism	640		—
Other	5,202		3,693
	$	570,574	$	524,532

⁽¹⁾  Includes $13.6 million and $16.6 million of pension and postretirement expense deferred pursuant to regulatory authorization.

⁽²⁾  Infrastructure mechanisms in Texas and Louisiana allow for the deferral of all expenses associated with capital expenditures incurred pursuant to these rules, which primarily consists of interest, depreciation and other taxes, until the next rate proceeding (rate case or annual rate filing), at which time investment and costs would be recoverable through base rates.

XML

Segment Information

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Segment Information

We operate the Company through the following three segments:

• The regulated distribution segment, which includes our regulated natural gas distribution and related sales operations,

• The regulated pipeline segment, which includes the regulated pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline — Texas Division and

• The nonregulated segment, which is comprised of our nonregulated natural gas management, nonregulated natural gas transmission, storage and other services.

Our determination of reportable segments considers the strategic operating units under which we manage sales of various products and services to customers in differing regulatory environments. Although our regulated distribution segment operations are geographically dispersed, they are reported as a single segment as each regulated distribution division has similar economic characteristics. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. We evaluate performance based on net income or loss of the respective operating units.

Income statements for the three and six months endedMarch 31, 2016 and 2015 by segment are presented in the following tables:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated		Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	847,487		$	23,419		$	261,387	$	—		$	1,132,293
Intersegment revenues	2,198			72,284			26,008		(100,490		)	—
	849,685			95,703			287,395		(100,490		)	1,132,293
Purchased gas cost	440,543			—			274,296		(100,357		)	614,482
Gross profit	409,142			95,703			13,099		(133		)	517,811
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	99,180			27,131			7,488		(133		)	133,666
Depreciation and amortization	57,663			13,179			1,130		—			71,972
Taxes, other than income	54,686			6,738			733		—			62,157
Total operating expenses	211,529			47,048			9,351		(133		)	267,795
Operating income	197,613			48,655			3,748		—			250,016
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(150		)	(376		)	292		(451		)	(685		)
Interest charges	18,717			9,145			149		(451		)	27,560
Income before income taxes	178,746			39,134			3,891		—			221,771
Income tax expense	64,434			13,949			1,578		—			79,961
Net income	$	114,312		$	25,185		$	2,313	$	—		$	141,810
Capital expenditures	$	176,080		$	70,136		$	343	$	—		$	246,559

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	1,128,473		$	24,477		$	387,118		$	—		$	1,540,068
Intersegment revenues	2,140			67,253			51,204			(120,597		)	—
	1,130,613			91,730			438,322			(120,597		)	1,540,068
Purchased gas cost	724,378			—			415,416			(120,464		)	1,019,330
Gross profit	406,235			91,730			22,906			(133		)	520,738
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	103,425			22,842			7,326			(133		)	133,460
Depreciation and amortization	55,153			11,747			1,122			—			68,022
Taxes, other than income	62,939			5,238			869			—			69,046
Total operating expenses	221,517			39,827			9,317			(133		)	270,528
Operating income	184,718			51,903			13,589			—			250,210
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(937		)	(379		)	252			(497		)	(1,561		)
Interest charges	19,313			8,391			240			(497		)	27,447
Income before income taxes	164,468			43,133			13,601			—			221,202
Income tax expense	62,615			15,451			5,452			—			83,518
Net income	$	101,853		$	27,682		$	8,149		$	—		$	137,684
Capital expenditures	$	145,990		$	34,360		$	(19	)	$	—		$	180,331

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2016
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated		Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	1,484,654		$	46,826		$	507,034	$	—		$	2,038,514
Intersegment revenues	3,633			143,554			52,885		(200,072		)	—
	1,488,287			190,380			559,919		(200,072		)	2,038,514
Purchased gas cost	745,684			—			531,062		(199,806		)	1,076,940
Gross profit	742,603			190,380			28,857		(266		)	961,574
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	190,529			54,219			14,032		(266		)	258,514
Depreciation and amortization	114,997			25,949			2,265		—			143,211
Taxes, other than income	99,947			12,309			1,372		—			113,628
Total operating expenses	405,473			92,477			17,669		(266		)	515,353
Operating income	337,130			97,903			11,188		—			446,221
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(902		)	(805		)	671		(858		)	(1,894		)
Interest charges	39,422			18,292			1,187		(858		)	58,043
Income before income taxes	296,806			78,806			10,672		—			386,284
Income tax expense	109,239			28,035			4,339		—			141,613
Net income	$	187,567		$	50,771		$	6,333	$	—		$	244,671
Capital expenditures	$	342,624		$	195,419		$	190	$	—		$	538,233

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated		Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	1,973,877		$	45,028		$	779,928	$	—		$	2,798,833
Intersegment revenues	3,508			130,269			120,682		(254,459		)	—
	1,977,385			175,297			900,610		(254,459		)	2,798,833
Purchased gas cost	1,247,338			—			861,665		(254,193		)	1,854,810
Gross profit	730,047			175,297			38,945		(266		)	944,023
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	190,410			47,457			14,441		(266		)	252,042
Depreciation and amortization	110,239			23,129			2,247		—			135,615
Taxes, other than income	106,583			10,103			1,745		—			118,431
Total operating expenses	407,232			80,689			18,433		(266		)	506,088
Operating income	322,815			94,608			20,512		—			437,935
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(2,266		)	(631		)	552		(923		)	(3,268		)
Interest charges	40,953			16,715			466		(923		)	57,211
Income before income taxes	279,596			77,262			20,598		—			377,456
Income tax expense	106,356			27,545			8,276		—			142,177
Net income	$	173,240		$	49,717		$	12,322	$	—		$	235,279
Capital expenditures	$	312,237		$	129,114		$	293	$	—		$	441,644

Balance sheet information at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 by segment is presented in the following tables:

	March 31, 2016
	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline		Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	5,902,803	$	1,884,620	$	51,990		$	—		$	7,839,413
Investment in subsidiaries	948,346		—		—			(948,346		)	—
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	38,464		—		9,454			—			47,918
Assets from risk management activities	637		—		6,837			—			7,474
Other current assets	430,759		17,465		356,348			(207,052		)	597,520
Intercompany receivables	980,055		—		—			(980,055		)	—
Total current assets	1,449,915		17,465		372,639			(1,187,107		)	652,912
Goodwill	575,449		132,542		34,711			—			742,702
Noncurrent assets from risk management activities	—		—		—			—			—
Deferred charges and other assets	290,737		17,742		420			—			308,899
	$	9,167,250	$	2,052,369	$	459,760		$	(2,135,453	)	$	9,543,926
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders’ equity	$	3,344,565	$	628,045	$	320,301		$	(948,346	)	$	3,344,565
Long-term debt	2,455,559		—		—			—			2,455,559
Total capitalization	5,800,124		628,045		320,301			(948,346		)	5,800,124
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	822,929		—		—			(196,000		)	626,929
Liabilities from risk management activities	784		—		—			—			784
Other current liabilities	492,645		11,751		106,296			(11,052		)	599,640
Intercompany payables	—		956,552		23,503			(980,055		)	—
Total current liabilities	1,316,358		968,303		129,799			(1,187,107		)	1,227,353
Deferred income taxes	1,102,679		455,277		(166		)	—			1,557,790
Noncurrent liabilities from risk management activities	185,057		—		—			—			185,057
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	426,756		—		—			—			426,756
Pension and postretirement liabilities	294,377		—		—			—			294,377
Deferred credits and other liabilities	41,899		744		9,826			—			52,469
	$	9,167,250	$	2,052,369	$	459,760		$	(2,135,453	)	$	9,543,926

	September 30, 2015
	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline		Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	5,670,306	$	1,706,449	$	53,825		$	—		$	7,430,580
Investment in subsidiaries	1,038,670		—		(2,096		)	(1,036,574		)	—
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	23,863		—		4,790			—			28,653
Assets from risk management activities	378		—		8,854			—			9,232
Other current assets	421,591		24,628		480,503			(338,301		)	588,421
Intercompany receivables	887,713		—		—			(887,713		)	—
Total current assets	1,333,545		24,628		494,147			(1,226,014		)	626,306
Goodwill	575,449		132,542		34,711			—			742,702
Noncurrent assets from risk management activities	368		—		—			—			368
Deferred charges and other assets	270,372		17,288		5,329			—			292,989
	$	8,888,710	$	1,880,907	$	585,916		$	(2,262,588	)	$	9,092,945
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders’ equity	$	3,194,797	$	577,275	$	461,395		$	(1,038,670	)	$	3,194,797
Long-term debt	2,455,388		—		—			—			2,455,388
Total capitalization	5,650,185		577,275		461,395			(1,038,670		)	5,650,185
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	782,927		—		—			(325,000		)	457,927
Liabilities from risk management activities	9,568		—		—			—			9,568
Other current liabilities	569,273		29,780		99,480			(11,205		)	687,328
Intercompany payables	—		867,409		20,304			(887,713		)	—
Total current liabilities	1,361,768		897,189		119,784			(1,223,918		)	1,154,823
Deferred income taxes	1,008,091		406,254		(3,030		)	—			1,411,315
Noncurrent liabilities from risk management activities	110,539		—		—			—			110,539
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	427,553		—		—			—			427,553
Pension and postretirement liabilities	287,373		—		—			—			287,373
Deferred credits and other liabilities	43,201		189		7,767			—			51,157
	$	8,888,710	$	1,880,907	$	585,916		$	(2,262,588	)	$	9,092,945

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Earnings Per Share

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

We use the two-class method of computing earnings per share because we have participating securities in the form of non-vested restricted stock units with a nonforfeitable right to dividend equivalents, for which vesting is predicated solely on the passage of time. The calculation of earnings per share using the two-class method excludes income attributable to these participating securities from the numerator and excludes the dilutive impact of those shares from the denominator. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are calculated as follows:

	Three Months Ended   March 31				Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016		2015		2016		2015
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share
Net income	$	141,810	$	137,684	$	244,671	$	235,279
Less: Income allocated to participating securities	231		296		405		520
Income available to common shareholders	$	141,579	$	137,388	$	244,266	$	234,759
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding	102,946		101,746		102,837		101,667
Net income per share - Basic and Diluted	$	1.38	$	1.35	$	2.38	$	2.31

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Debt

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

Debt

The nature and terms of our debt instruments and credit facilities are described in detail in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. Except as noted below, there were no material changes in the terms of our debt instruments during the six months ended March 31, 2016.

Long-term debt

Long-term debt at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 consisted of the following:

	March 31, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Unsecured 6.35% Senior Notes, due June 2017	$	250,000	$	250,000
Unsecured 8.50% Senior Notes, due 2019	450,000		450,000
Unsecured 5.95% Senior Notes, due 2034	200,000		200,000
Unsecured 5.50% Senior Notes, due 2041	400,000		400,000
Unsecured 4.15% Senior Notes, due 2043	500,000		500,000
Unsecured 4.125% Senior Notes, due 2044	500,000		500,000
Medium-term note Series A, 1995-1, 6.67%, due 2025	10,000		10,000
Unsecured 6.75% Debentures, due 2028	150,000		150,000
Total long-term debt	2,460,000		2,460,000
Less:
Original issue discount on unsecured senior notes and debentures	4,441		4,612
	$	2,455,559	$	2,455,388

On October 15, 2014, we issued $500 million of 4.125% 30-year unsecured senior notes, which replaced, on a long-term basis, our $500 million unsecured 4.95% senior notes. The effective rate of these notes is 4.086%, after giving effect to the offering costs and the settlement of the associated forward starting interest rate swaps. The net proceeds of approximately $494 million were used to repay our $500 million4.95% senior unsecured notes at maturity on October 15, 2014.

Short-term debt

Our short-term debt is utilized to fund ongoing working capital needs, such as our seasonal requirements for gas supply, general corporate liquidity and capital expenditures. Our short-term borrowing requirements are affected primarily by the seasonal nature of the natural gas business. Changes in the price of natural gas and the amount of natural gas we need to supply our customers’ needs could significantly affect our borrowing requirements. Our short-term borrowings typically reach their highest levels in the winter months.

We currently finance our short-term borrowing requirements through a combination of a $1.25 billion commercial paper program, four committed revolving credit facilities and one uncommitted revolving credit facility with third-party lenders. These facilities provide approximately $1.3 billion of working capital funding. At March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 a total of $626.9 million and $457.9 million was outstanding under our commercial paper program.

Regulated Operations

We fund our regulated operations as needed, primarily through our commercial paper program and three committed revolving credit facilities with third-party lenders that provide approximately $1.3 billion of working capital funding, including a five-year $1.25 billion unsecured facility with an accordion feature, which, if utilized would increase the borrowing capacity to $1.5 billion, a $25 million unsecured facility and a $10 million unsecured revolving credit facility, which is used primarily to issue letters of credit. Due to outstanding letters of credit, the total amount available to us under our $10 million revolving credit facility was $4.1 million at March 31, 2016.

In addition to these third-party facilities, our regulated operations have a $500 million intercompany revolving credit facility with AEH, which bears interest at the lower of (i) the Eurodollar rate under the five-year revolving credit facility or (ii) the lowest rate outstanding under the commercial paper program. Applicable state regulatory commissions have approved our use of this facility through December 31, 2016.

Nonregulated Operations

Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC (AEM), which is wholly owned by AEH, has one uncommitted $25 million bilateral credit facility that was renewed and extended in March 2016 and one committed $15 million bilateral credit facility that was renewed and extended in December 2015. The uncommitted $25 million bilateral credit facility currently expires in December 2016 and the $15 million bilateral credit facility expires in September 2016. These facilities are used primarily to issue letters of credit. Due to outstanding letters of credit, the total amount available to us under these bilateral credit facilities was $36.9 million at March 31, 2016.

AEH has a $500 million intercompany demand credit facility with AEC. This facility bears interest at a rate equal to the one-month LIBOR rate plus 3.00 percent. Applicable state regulatory commissions have approved our use of this facility through December 31, 2016.

Debt Covenants

The availability of funds under our regulated credit facilities is subject to conditions specified in the respective credit agreements, all of which we currently satisfy. These conditions include our compliance with financial covenants and the continued accuracy of representations and warranties contained in these agreements. We are required by the financial covenants in each of these facilities to maintain, at the end of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of total debt to total capitalization of no greater than 70 percent. At March 31, 2016, our total-debt-to-total-capitalization ratio, as defined in the agreements, was 49 percent. In addition, both the interest margin and the fee that we pay on unused amounts under certain of these facilities are subject to adjustment depending upon our credit ratings.

In addition to these financial covenants, our credit facilities and public indentures contain usual and customary covenants for our business, including covenants substantially limiting liens, substantial asset sales and mergers.

Additionally, our public debt indentures relating to our senior notes and debentures, as well as certain of our revolving credit agreements, each contain a default provision that is triggered if outstanding indebtedness arising out of any other credit agreements in amounts ranging from in excess of $15 million to in excess of $100 million becomes due by acceleration or is not paid at maturity.

We were in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of March 31, 2016. If we were unable to comply with our debt covenants, we would likely be required to repay our outstanding balances on demand, provide additional collateral or take other corrective actions.

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Shareholders' Equity

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Equity [Abstract]

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity

Shelf Registration

On March 28, 2016, we filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to issue, from time to time, up to $2.5 billion in common stock and/or debt securities, which replaced our registration statement that expired on March 28, 2016.

At-the-Market Equity Sales Program

On March 28, 2016, we entered into an at-the-market (ATM) equity distribution agreement (the Agreement) with Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC in their capacity as agents and/or as principals (Agents). Under the terms of the Agreement, we may issue and sell, through any of the Agents, shares of our common stock, up to an aggregate offering price of $200 million, through the period ended March 28, 2019. We may also sell shares from time to time to an Agent for its own account at a price to be agreed upon at the time of sale. We will pay each Agent a commission of 1.0% of the gross offering proceeds of the shares sold through it as a sales agent. We have no obligation to offer or sell any shares under the Agreement, and may at any time suspend offers and sales under the Agreement. The shares will be issued pursuant to our shelf registration statement filed with the SEC on March 28, 2016. There were no transactions under the ATM program during the second fiscal quarter of 2016.

1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan

In August 1998, the Board of Directors approved and adopted the 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), which became effective in October 1998 after approval by our shareholders. The LTIP is a comprehensive, long-term incentive compensation plan providing for discretionary awards of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, bonus stock, time-lapse restricted stock, time-lapse restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units and stock units to certain employees and non-employee directors of the Company and our subsidiaries. The objectives of this plan include attracting and retaining the best personnel, providing for additional performance incentives and promoting our success by providing employees with the opportunity to acquire our common stock. 

As of September 30, 2015, we were authorized to grant awards for up to a maximum of 8.7 million shares of common stock under this plan subject to certain adjustment provisions. In February 2016, our shareholders voted to increase the number of authorized LTIP shares by 2.5 million shares and to extend the term of the plan for an additional five years, through September 2021. On March 29, 2016, we filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 to register an additional 2.5 million shares; we also listed such shares with the New York Stock Exchange.

2011 Share Repurchase Program

We did not repurchase any shares during the six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 under our 2011 share repurchase program, which is scheduled to end on September 30, 2016.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

We record deferred gains (losses) in AOCI related to available-for-sale securities, interest rate agreement cash flow hedges and commodity contract cash flow hedges. Deferred gains (losses) for our available-for-sale securities and commodity contract cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings upon settlement, while deferred gains (losses) related to our interest rate agreement cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings as they are amortized. The following tables provide the components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balances, net of the related tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income.

	Available- for-Sale Securities			Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges			Commodity Contracts Cash Flow Hedges			Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2015	$	4,949		$	(88,842	)	$	(25,437	)	$	(109,330	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(1,568		)	(49,008		)	(19,185		)	(69,761		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(79		)	173			21,758			21,852
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,647		)	(48,835		)	2,573			(47,909		)
March 31, 2016	$	3,302		$	(137,677	)	$	(22,864	)	$	(157,239	)

	Available- for-Sale Securities			Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges			Commodity Contracts Cash Flow Hedges			Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2014	$	7,662		$	(18,381	)	$	(1,674	)	$	(12,393	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(101		)	(84,824		)	(38,902		)	(123,827		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(4		)	368			7,768			8,132
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(105		)	(84,456		)	(31,134		)	(115,695		)
March 31, 2015	$	7,557		$	(102,837	)	$	(32,808	)	$	(128,088	)

The following tables detail reclassifications out of AOCI for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. Amounts in parentheses below indicate decreases to net income in the statement of income.

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities	$	124		Operation and maintenance expense
	124			Total before tax
	(45		)	Tax expense
	$	79		Net of tax
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(136	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	(12,703		)	Purchased gas cost
	(12,839		)	Total before tax
	5,004			Tax benefit
	$	(7,835	)	Net of tax
Total reclassifications	$	(7,756	)	Net of tax

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(136	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	(13,078		)	Purchased gas cost
	(13,214		)	Total before tax
	5,150			Tax benefit
Total reclassifications	$	(8,064	)	Net of tax

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in  the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities	$	124		Operation and maintenance expense
	124			Total before tax
	(45		)	Tax expense
	$	79		Net of tax
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(273	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	(35,668		)	Purchased gas cost
	(35,941		)	Total before tax
	14,010			Tax benefit
	$	(21,931	)	Net of tax
Total reclassifications	$	(21,852	)	Net of tax

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in  the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities	$	6		Operation and maintenance expense
	6			Total before tax
	(2		)	Tax expense
	$	4		Net of tax
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(580	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	(12,734		)	Purchased gas cost
	(13,314		)	Total before tax
	5,178			Tax benefit
	$	(8,136	)	Net of tax
Total reclassifications	$	(8,132	)	Net of tax

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Interim Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Information

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

General Discussion of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]

Interim Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans

Interim Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Information

The components of our net periodic pension cost for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are presented in the following table. Most of these costs are recoverable through our gas distribution rates; however, a portion of these costs is capitalized into our gas distribution rate base. The remaining costs are recorded as a component of operation and maintenance expense.

	Three Months Ended March 31
	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2016			2015			2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	4,697		$	5,051		$	2,706		$	3,896
Interest cost	7,094			6,698			3,106			3,597
Expected return on assets	(6,880		)	(6,437		)	(1,566		)	(1,608		)
Amortization of transition obligation	—			—			20			68
Amortization of prior service credit	(56		)	(47		)	(411		)	(411		)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss	3,320			3,916			(542		)	—
Net periodic pension cost	$	8,175		$	9,181		$	3,313		$	5,542

	Six Months Ended March 31
	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2016			2015			2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	9,395		$	10,102		$	5,412		$	7,792
Interest cost	14,189			13,397			6,212			7,193
Expected return on assets	(13,761		)	(12,873		)	(3,132		)	(3,216		)
Amortization of transition obligation	—			—			41			136
Amortization of prior service credit	(113		)	(96		)	(822		)	(822		)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss	6,640			7,833			(1,084		)	—
Net periodic pension cost	$	16,350		$	18,363		$	6,627		$	11,083

The assumptions used to develop our net periodic pension cost for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:

	Pension Benefits		Other Benefits
	2016	2015	2016	2015
Discount rate	4.55%	4.43%	4.55%	4.43%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50%	3.50%	N/A	N/A
Expected return on plan assets	7.00%	7.25%	4.45%	4.60%

The discount rate used to compute the present value of a plan’s liabilities generally is based on rates of high-grade corporate bonds with maturities similar to the average period over which the benefits will be paid. Generally, our funding policy has been to contribute annually an amount in accordance with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. In accordance with the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA), we determined the funded status of our plans as of January 1, 2016. Based on that determination, we are not required to make a minimum contribution to our defined benefit plans; however, we may consider whether a voluntary contribution is prudent to maintain certain funding levels.

We contributed $9.0 million to our other post-retirement benefit plans during the six months ended March 31, 2016. We expect to contribute between $15 million and $25 million to these plans during fiscal 2016.

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Commitments and Contingencies

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation and Environmental Matters

With respect to the specific litigation and environmental-related matters or claims that were disclosed in Note 10 to the financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, there were no material changes in the status of such litigation and environmental-related matters or claims during the six months ended March 31, 2016.

We are a party to various litigation and environmental-related matters or claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of our business. While the results of such litigation and response actions to such environmental-related matters or claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we continue to believe the final outcome of such litigation and matters or claims will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Purchase Commitments

Our regulated distribution divisions, except for our Mid-Tex Division, maintain supply contracts with several vendors that generally cover a period of up to one year. Commitments for estimated base gas volumes are established under these contracts on a monthly basis at contractually negotiated prices. Commitments for incremental daily purchases are made as necessary during the month in accordance with the terms of the individual contract.

Our Mid-Tex Division also maintains a limited number of long-term supply contracts to ensure a reliable source of gas for our customers in its service area which obligate it to purchase specified volumes at prices indexed to natural gas distribution hubs. These purchase commitment contracts are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. There were no material changes to the purchase commitments for the six months ended March 31, 2016.

AEH has commitments to purchase physical quantities of natural gas under contracts indexed to the forward NYMEX strip or fixed price contracts. These purchase commitment contracts are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. Except for purchases made in the normal course of business under these contracts, there were no material changes to the purchase commitments for the six months ended March 31, 2016.

Our nonregulated segment maintains long-term contracts related to storage and transportation. The estimated contractual demand fees for contracted storage and transportation under these contracts are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. There were no material changes to the estimated storage and transportation fees for the six months ended March 31, 2016.

Regulatory Matters

Various regulatory agencies, including the SEC and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, continue to adopt regulations implementing many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010. We continue to enact new procedures and modify existing business practices and contractual arrangements to comply with such regulations.  Additional rulemakings are pending which we believe will result in new reporting and disclosure obligations. The costs associated with hedging certain risks inherent in our business may be further increased when these expected additional regulations are adopted.

As of March 31, 2016, a rate case was in progress in our Kentucky service area, formula rate filing mechanisms were in progress in our Atmos Pipeline-Texas, Louisiana, Mid-Tex and Tennessee service areas, infrastructure mechanisms were in progress in our Mississippi and West Texas service areas and an expedited rate filing was in progress in Virginia. These regulatory proceedings are discussed in further detail below in Management’s Discussion and Analysis — Recent Ratemaking Developments.

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Financial Instruments

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments

We currently use financial instruments in our regulated distribution and nonregulated segments to mitigate commodity price risk and interest rate risk. The objectives and strategies for using financial instruments, which have been tailored to our regulated distribution and nonregulated segments, and the related accounting for these financial instruments are fully described in Notes 2 and 12 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. During the six months ended March 31, 2016 there were no changes in our objectives, strategies and accounting for using financial instruments. Our financial instruments do not contain any credit-risk-related or other contingent features that could cause payments to be accelerated when our financial instruments are in net liability positions. The following summarizes those objectives and strategies.

Regulated Commodity Risk Management Activities

Our purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms essentially insulate our regulated distribution segment from commodity price risk; however, our customers are exposed to the effects of volatile natural gas prices. We manage this exposure through a combination of physical storage, fixed-price forward contracts and financial instruments, primarily over-the-counter swap and option contracts, in an effort to minimize the impact of natural gas price volatility on our customers during the winter heating season.

We typically seek to hedge between 25 and 50 percent of anticipated heating season gas purchases using financial instruments. For the 2015-2016 heating season (generally October through March), in the jurisdictions where we are permitted to utilize financial instruments, we hedged approximately 33 percent, or 23.0 Bcf of the winter flowing gas requirements. We have not designated these financial instruments as hedges for accounting purposes.

Nonregulated Commodity Risk Management Activities

Our nonregulated segment is exposed to risks associated with changes in the market price of natural gas through the purchase, sale and delivery of natural gas to its customers at competitive prices. We manage our exposure to such risks through a combination of physical storage and financial instruments, including futures, over-the-counter and exchange-traded options and swap contracts with counterparties. Specifically, these operations use financial instruments in the following ways:

• Gas delivery and related services - Certain financial instruments, designated as cash flow hedges of anticipated purchases and sales at index prices, are used to mitigate the commodity price risk associated with deliveries under fixed-priced forward contracts to either deliver gas to customers or purchase gas from suppliers. These financial instruments have maturity dates ranging from one to 57 months.

• Transportation and storage services - Our nonregulated operations use storage swaps and futures to capture additional storage arbitrage opportunities that arise subsequent to the execution of the original fair value hedge associated with our physical natural gas inventory, basis swaps to insulate and protect the economic value of our fixed price and storage books and various over-the-counter and exchange-traded options. These financial instruments have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes.

• Aggregating and purchasing gas supply - Certain financial instruments, designated as fair value hedges, are used to hedge our natural gas inventory used in asset optimization activities.

Interest Rate Risk Management Activities

We periodically manage interest rate risk by entering into financial instruments to effectively fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost associated with anticipated financings.

As of March 31, 2016, we had forward starting interest rate swaps to effectively fix the Treasury yield component associated with the anticipated issuance of $250 million and $450 million unsecured senior notes in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2019, at 3.37% and 3.78%, which we designated as cash flow hedges at the time the swaps were executed. As of March 31, 2016, we had $18.5 million of net realized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) associated with the settlement of financial instruments used to fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost of financing various issuances of long-term debt and senior notes, which will be recognized as a component of interest expense over the life of the associated notes from the date of settlement. The remaining amortization periods for these settled amounts extend through fiscal 2045.

Quantitative Disclosures Related to Financial Instruments

The following tables present detailed information concerning the impact of financial instruments on our condensed consolidated balance sheet and income statements.

As of March 31, 2016, our financial instruments were comprised of both long and short commodity positions. A long position is a contract to purchase the commodity, while a short position is a contract to sell the commodity. As of March 31, 2016, we had net long/(short) commodity contracts outstanding in the following quantities:

Contract Type	Hedge Designation	Regulated Distribution	Nonregulated
		Quantity (MMcf)
Commodity contracts	Fair Value	—	(35,770	)
	Cash Flow	—	46,553
	Not designated	4,690	55,854
		4,690	66,637

Financial Instruments on the Balance Sheet

The following tables present the fair value and balance sheet classification of our financial instruments by operating segment as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015. The gross amounts of recognized assets and liabilities are netted within our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to the extent that we have netting arrangements with the counterparties.

		Regulated Distribution					Nonregulated
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
		(In thousands)
March 31, 2016
Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—		$	16,032		$	(37,251	)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		—			920			(6,194		)
Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		(187,717		)	—			—
Total		—		(187,717		)	16,952			(43,445		)
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	637		(784		)	39,964			(33,248		)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		—			14,767			(11,075		)
Total		637		(784		)	54,731			(44,323		)
Gross Financial Instruments		637		(188,501		)	71,683			(87,768		)
Gross Amounts Offset on Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Contract netting		—		—			(71,683		)	71,683
Net Financial Instruments		637		(188,501		)	—			(16,085		)
Cash collateral		—		2,660			6,837			16,085
Net Assets/Liabilities from Risk Management Activities		$	637	$	(185,841	)	$	6,837		$	—

		Regulated Distribution					Nonregulated
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
		(In thousands)
September 30, 2015
Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—		$	11,680		$	(36,067	)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		—			126			(9,918		)
Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		(110,539		)	—			—
Total		—		(110,539		)	11,806			(45,985		)
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	378		(9,568		)	65,239			(65,780		)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	368		—			14,318			(14,218		)
Total		746		(9,568		)	79,557			(79,998		)
Gross Financial Instruments		746		(120,107		)	91,363			(125,983		)
Gross Amounts Offset on Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Contract netting		—		—			(91,363		)	91,363
Net Financial Instruments		746		(120,107		)	—			(34,620		)
Cash collateral		—		—			8,854			34,620
Net Assets/Liabilities from Risk Management Activities		$	746	$	(120,107	)	$	8,854		$	—

Impact of Financial Instruments on the Income Statement

Hedge ineffectiveness for our nonregulated segment is recorded as a component of purchased gas cost and primarily results from differences in the location and timing of the derivative instrument and the hedged item. Hedge ineffectiveness could materially affect our results of operations for the reported period. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 we recognized a loss arising from fair value and cash flow hedge ineffectiveness of $3.3 million and $2.3 million. For the six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 we recognized a gain (loss) arising from fair value and cash flow hedge ineffectiveness of $4.6 million and $(4.5) million. Additional information regarding ineffectiveness recognized in the income statement is included in the tables below.

Fair Value Hedges

The impact of our nonregulated commodity contracts designated as fair value hedges and the related hedged item on our condensed consolidated income statement for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 is presented below.

	Three Months Ended   March 31
	2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Commodity contracts	$	4,594		$	(7,622	)
Fair value adjustment for natural gas inventory designated as the hedged item	(7,939		)	5,142
Total increase in purchased gas cost	$	(3,345	)	$	(2,480	)
The increase in purchased gas cost is comprised of the following:
Basis ineffectiveness	$	(2,095	)	$	(678	)
Timing ineffectiveness	(1,250		)	(1,802		)
	$	(3,345	)	$	(2,480	)

	Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Commodity contracts	$	10,338		$	7,469
Fair value adjustment for natural gas inventory designated as the hedged item	(5,778		)	(11,641		)
Total (increase) decrease in purchased gas cost	$	4,560		$	(4,172	)
The (increase) decrease in purchased gas cost is comprised of the following:
Basis ineffectiveness	$	(806	)	$	309
Timing ineffectiveness	5,366			(4,481		)
	$	4,560		$	(4,172	)

Basis ineffectiveness arises from natural gas market price differences between the locations of the hedged inventory and the delivery location specified in the hedge instruments. Timing ineffectiveness arises due to changes in the difference between the spot price and the futures price, as well as the difference between the timing of the settlement of the futures and the valuation of the underlying physical commodity. As the commodity contract nears the settlement date, spot-to-forward price differences should converge, which should reduce or eliminate the impact of this ineffectiveness on purchased gas cost. To the extent that the Company’s natural gas inventory does not qualify as a hedged item in a fair-value hedge, or has not been designated as such, the natural gas inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market.

Cash Flow Hedges

The impact of cash flow hedges on our condensed consolidated income statements for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 is presented below. Note that this presentation does not reflect the financial impact arising from the hedged physical transaction. Therefore, this presentation is not indicative of the economic gross profit we realized when the underlying physical and financial transactions were settled.

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(12,703	)	$	(12,703	)
Gain arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			61			61
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(12,642		)	(12,642		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(136		)	—			(136		)
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	$	(136	)	$	(12,642	)	$	(12,778	)

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(13,078	)	$	(13,078	)
Gain arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			163			163
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(12,915		)	(12,915		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(136		)	—			(136		)
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	$	(136	)	$	(12,915	)	$	(13,051	)

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2016
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(35,668	)	$	(35,668	)
Gain arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			18			18
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(35,650		)	(35,650		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(273		)	—			(273		)
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	$	(273	)	$	(35,650	)	$	(35,923	)

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(12,734	)	$	(12,734	)
Loss arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			(327		)	(327		)
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(13,061		)	(13,061		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(580		)	—			(580		)
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	$	(580	)	$	(13,061	)	$	(13,641	)

The following table summarizes the gains and losses arising from hedging transactions that were recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. The amounts included in the table below exclude gains and losses arising from ineffectiveness because those amounts are immediately recognized in the income statement as incurred.

	Three Months Ended   March 31						Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016			2015			2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Decrease in fair value:
Interest rate agreements	$	(53,704	)	$	(32,755	)	$	(49,008	)	$	(84,824	)
Forward commodity contracts	(7,529		)	(10,160		)	(19,185		)	(38,902		)
Recognition of losses in earnings due to settlements:
Interest rate agreements	86			86			173			368
Forward commodity contracts	7,749			7,978			21,758			7,768
Total other comprehensive loss from hedging, net of tax(1)	$	(53,398	)	$	(34,851	)	$	(46,262	)	$	(115,590	)

⁽¹⁾  Utilizing an income tax rate ranging from 37 percent to 39 percent based on the effective rates in each taxing jurisdiction.

Deferred gains (losses) recorded in AOCI associated with our interest rate agreements are recognized in earnings as they are amortized over the terms of the underlying debt instruments, while deferred gains (losses) associated with commodity contracts are recognized in earnings upon settlement. The following amounts, net of deferred taxes, represent the expected recognition in earnings of the deferred losses recorded in AOCI associated with our financial instruments, based upon the fair values of these financial instruments as of March 31, 2016. However, the table below does not include the expected recognition in earnings of our outstanding interest rate agreements as those instruments have not yet settled.

	Interest Rate Agreements			Commodity Contracts			Total
	(In thousands)
Next twelve months	$	(347	)	$	(19,651	)	$	(19,998	)
Thereafter	(18,130		)	(3,213		)	(21,343		)
Total(1)	$	(18,477	)	$	(22,864	)	$	(41,341	)

⁽¹⁾  Utilizing an income tax rate ranging from 37 percent to 39 percent based on the effective rates in each taxing jurisdiction.

Financial Instruments Not Designated as Hedges

The impact of financial instruments that have not been designated as hedges on our condensed consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was an (increase) decrease in purchased gas cost of $(2.5) million and $8.7 million. For the six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 purchased gas cost (increased) decreased by $(4.7) million and $9.6 million. Note that this presentation does not reflect the expected gains or losses arising from the underlying physical transactions associated with these financial instruments. Therefore, this presentation is not indicative of the economic gross profit we realized when the underlying physical and financial transactions were settled.

As discussed above, financial instruments used in our regulated distribution segment are not designated as hedges. However, there is no earnings impact on our regulated distribution segment as a result of the use of these financial instruments because the gains and losses arising from the use of these financial instruments are recognized in the consolidated statement of income as a component of purchased gas cost when the related costs are recovered through our rates and recognized in revenue. Accordingly, the impact of these financial instruments is excluded from this presentation.

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Fair Value Measurements

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

We report certain assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). We record cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable at carrying value, which substantially approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. For other financial assets and liabilities, we primarily use quoted market prices and other observable market pricing information to minimize the use of unobservable pricing inputs in our measurements when determining fair value. The methods used to determine fair value for our assets and liabilities are fully described in Note 2 to the financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. During the six months ended March 31, 2016, there were no changes in these methods.

Fair value measurements also apply to the valuation of our pension and postretirement plan assets. Current accounting guidance requires employers to annually disclose information about fair value measurements of the assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The fair value of these assets is presented in Note 6 to the financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015.

Quantitative Disclosures

Financial Instruments

The classification of our fair value measurements requires judgment regarding the degree to which market data is observable or corroborated by observable market data. Authoritative accounting literature establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value based on observable and unobservable data. The hierarchy categorizes the inputs into three levels, with the highest priority given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1), with the lowest priority given to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The following tables summarize, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015. Assets and liabilities are categorized in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral(2)			March 31, 2016
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	637	$	—	$	—		$	637
Nonregulated segment	—		71,683		—		(64,846		)	6,837
Total financial instruments	—		72,320		—		(64,846		)	7,474
Hedged portion of gas stored underground	65,077		—		—		—			65,077
Available-for-sale securities
Money market funds	—		4,400		—		—			4,400
Registered investment companies	36,670		—		—		—			36,670
Bonds	—		33,477		—		—			33,477
Total available-for-sale securities	36,670		37,877		—		—			74,547
Total assets	$	101,747	$	110,197	$	—	$	(64,846	)	$	147,098
Liabilities:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	188,501	$	—	$	(2,660	)	$	185,841
Nonregulated segment	—		87,768		—		(87,768		)	—
Total liabilities	$	—	$	276,269	$	—	$	(90,428	)	$	185,841

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral(3)			September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	746	$	—	$	—		$	746
Nonregulated segment	—		91,363		—		(82,509		)	8,854
Total financial instruments	—		92,109		—		(82,509		)	9,600
Hedged portion of gas stored underground	43,901		—		—		—			43,901
Available-for-sale securities
Money market funds	—		1,072		—		—			1,072
Registered investment companies	40,619		—		—		—			40,619
Bonds	—		32,509		—		—			32,509
Total available-for-sale securities	40,619		33,581		—		—			74,200
Total assets	$	84,520	$	125,690	$	—	$	(82,509	)	$	127,701
Liabilities:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	120,107	$	—	$	—		$	120,107
Nonregulated segment	—		125,983		—		(125,983		)	—
Total liabilities	$	—	$	246,090	$	—	$	(125,983	)	$	120,107

⁽¹⁾  Our Level 2 measurements consist of over-the-counter options and swaps which are valued using a market-based approach in which observable market prices are adjusted for criteria specific to each instrument, such as the strike price, notional amount or basis differences, municipal and corporate bonds which are valued based on the most recent available quoted market prices and money market funds which are valued at cost.

⁽²⁾  This column reflects adjustments to our gross financial instrument assets and liabilities to reflect netting permitted under our master netting agreements and the relevant authoritative accounting literature. In addition, as of March 31, 2016, we had $2.7 million of cash held in margin accounts to collateralize certain regulated distribution financial instruments, which were used to offset noncurrent risk management liabilities. As of March 31, 2016, we had $22.9 million of cash held in margin accounts to collateralize certain nonregulated financial instruments. Of this amount, $16.1 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements with the remaining $6.8 million is classified as current risk management assets.

⁽³⁾  This column reflects adjustments to our gross financial instrument assets and liabilities to reflect netting permitted under our master netting agreements and the relevant authoritative accounting literature. In addition, as of September 30, 2015, we had $43.5 million of cash held in margin accounts to collateralize certain nonregulated financial instruments. Of this amount, $34.6 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements with the remaining $8.9 million is classified as current risk management assets.

Available-for-sale securities are comprised of the following:

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gain		Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
As of March 31, 2016
Domestic equity mutual funds	$	26,548	$	5,425	$	(1,115	)	$	30,858
Foreign equity mutual funds	5,037		775		—			5,812
Bonds	33,355		132		(10		)	33,477
Money market funds	4,400		—		—			4,400
	$	69,340	$	6,332	$	(1,125	)	$	74,547
As of September 30, 2015
Domestic equity mutual funds	$	27,643	$	7,332	$	(456	)	$	34,519
Foreign equity mutual funds	5,261		905		(66		)	6,100
Bonds	32,423		106		(20		)	32,509
Money market funds	1,072		—		—			1,072
	$	66,399	$	8,343	$	(542	)	$	74,200

At March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015, our available-for-sale securities included $41.1 million and $41.7 million related to assets held in separate rabbi trusts for our supplemental executive benefit plans. At March 31, 2016, we maintained investments in bonds that have contractual maturity dates ranging from May 2016 through September 2020.

These securities are reported at market value with unrealized gains and losses shown as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). We regularly evaluate the performance of these investments on a fund by fund basis for impairment, taking into consideration the fund’s purpose, volatility and current returns. If a determination is made that a decline in fair value is other than temporary, the related fund is written down to its estimated fair value and the other-than-temporary impairment is recognized in the income statement.

Other Fair Value Measures

Our debt is recorded at carrying value. The fair value of our debt is determined using third party market value quotations, which are considered Level 1 fair value measurements for debt instruments with a recent, observable trade or Level 2 fair value measurements for debt instruments where fair value is determined using the most recent available quoted market price. The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of our debt as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015:

	March 31, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Carrying Amount	$	2,460,000	$	2,460,000
Fair Value	$	2,749,244	$	2,669,323

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Concentration of Credit Risk

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

Information regarding our concentration of credit risk is disclosed in Note 15 to the financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. During the six months ended March 31, 2016, there were no material changes in our concentration of credit risk.

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Accounting Policies (Policy)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Regulatory assets and liabilities

Regulatory assets and liabilities

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require cost-based, rate-regulated entities that meet certain criteria to reflect the authorized recovery of costs due to regulatory decisions in their financial statements. As a result, certain costs are permitted to be capitalized rather than expensed because they can be recovered through rates. We record certain costs as regulatory assets when future recovery through customer rates is considered probable. Regulatory liabilities are recorded when it is probable that revenues will be reduced for amounts that will be credited to customers through the ratemaking process. Substantially all of our regulatory assets are recorded as a component of deferred charges and other assets and substantially all of our regulatory liabilities are recorded as a component of deferred credits and other liabilities. Deferred gas costs are recorded either in other current assets or liabilities and the regulatory cost of removal obligation is reported separately.

Segment Reporting

Segment Information

We operate the Company through the following three segments:

• The regulated distribution segment, which includes our regulated natural gas distribution and related sales operations,

• The regulated pipeline segment, which includes the regulated pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline — Texas Division and

• The nonregulated segment, which is comprised of our nonregulated natural gas management, nonregulated natural gas transmission, storage and other services.

Our determination of reportable segments considers the strategic operating units under which we manage sales of various products and services to customers in differing regulatory environments. Although our regulated distribution segment operations are geographically dispersed, they are reported as a single segment as each regulated distribution division has similar economic characteristics. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. We evaluate performance based on net income or loss of the respective operating units.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

We use the two-class method of computing earnings per share because we have participating securities in the form of non-vested restricted stock units with a nonforfeitable right to dividend equivalents, for which vesting is predicated solely on the passage of time. The calculation of earnings per share using the two-class method excludes income attributable to these participating securities from the numerator and excludes the dilutive impact of those shares from the denominator.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

We report certain assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). We record cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable at carrying value, which substantially approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. For other financial assets and liabilities, we primarily use quoted market prices and other observable market pricing information to minimize the use of unobservable pricing inputs in our measurements when determining fair value. The methods used to determine fair value for our assets and liabilities are fully described in Note 2 to the financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. During the six months ended March 31, 2016, there were no changes in these methods.

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Unaudited Financial Information (Table)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Regulatory Assets And Liabilities Table [Abstract]

Schedule of Regulatory Assets [Table Text Block]

Significant regulatory assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 included the following:

	March 31, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Regulatory assets:
Pension and postretirement benefit costs(1)	$	113,483	$	121,183
Infrastructure mechanisms(2)	53,698		32,813
Deferred gas costs	1,136		9,715
Recoverable loss on reacquired debt	15,040		16,319
APT annual adjustment mechanism	—		1,002
Rate case costs	1,796		1,533
Other	16,297		9,774
	$	201,450	$	192,339
Regulatory liabilities:
Regulatory cost of removal obligations	$	486,857	$	483,676
Deferred gas costs	68,812		28,100
Asset retirement obligations	9,063		9,063
APT annual adjustment mechanism	640		—
Other	5,202		3,693
	$	570,574	$	524,532

⁽¹⁾  Includes $13.6 million and $16.6 million of pension and postretirement expense deferred pursuant to regulatory authorization.

⁽²⁾  Infrastructure mechanisms in Texas and Louisiana allow for the deferral of all expenses associated with capital expenditures incurred pursuant to these rules, which primarily consists of interest, depreciation and other taxes, until the next rate proceeding (rate case or annual rate filing), at which time investment and costs would be recoverable through base rates.

Schedule of Regulatory Liabilities [Table Text Block]

Significant regulatory assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 included the following:

	March 31, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Regulatory assets:
Pension and postretirement benefit costs(1)	$	113,483	$	121,183
Infrastructure mechanisms(2)	53,698		32,813
Deferred gas costs	1,136		9,715
Recoverable loss on reacquired debt	15,040		16,319
APT annual adjustment mechanism	—		1,002
Rate case costs	1,796		1,533
Other	16,297		9,774
	$	201,450	$	192,339
Regulatory liabilities:
Regulatory cost of removal obligations	$	486,857	$	483,676
Deferred gas costs	68,812		28,100
Asset retirement obligations	9,063		9,063
APT annual adjustment mechanism	640		—
Other	5,202		3,693
	$	570,574	$	524,532

⁽¹⁾  Includes $13.6 million and $16.6 million of pension and postretirement expense deferred pursuant to regulatory authorization.

⁽²⁾  Infrastructure mechanisms in Texas and Louisiana allow for the deferral of all expenses associated with capital expenditures incurred pursuant to these rules, which primarily consists of interest, depreciation and other taxes, until the next rate proceeding (rate case or annual rate filing), at which time investment and costs would be recoverable through base rates.

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Segment Information (Table)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment

Income statements for the three and six months endedMarch 31, 2016 and 2015 by segment are presented in the following tables:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated		Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	847,487		$	23,419		$	261,387	$	—		$	1,132,293
Intersegment revenues	2,198			72,284			26,008		(100,490		)	—
	849,685			95,703			287,395		(100,490		)	1,132,293
Purchased gas cost	440,543			—			274,296		(100,357		)	614,482
Gross profit	409,142			95,703			13,099		(133		)	517,811
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	99,180			27,131			7,488		(133		)	133,666
Depreciation and amortization	57,663			13,179			1,130		—			71,972
Taxes, other than income	54,686			6,738			733		—			62,157
Total operating expenses	211,529			47,048			9,351		(133		)	267,795
Operating income	197,613			48,655			3,748		—			250,016
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(150		)	(376		)	292		(451		)	(685		)
Interest charges	18,717			9,145			149		(451		)	27,560
Income before income taxes	178,746			39,134			3,891		—			221,771
Income tax expense	64,434			13,949			1,578		—			79,961
Net income	$	114,312		$	25,185		$	2,313	$	—		$	141,810
Capital expenditures	$	176,080		$	70,136		$	343	$	—		$	246,559

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	1,128,473		$	24,477		$	387,118		$	—		$	1,540,068
Intersegment revenues	2,140			67,253			51,204			(120,597		)	—
	1,130,613			91,730			438,322			(120,597		)	1,540,068
Purchased gas cost	724,378			—			415,416			(120,464		)	1,019,330
Gross profit	406,235			91,730			22,906			(133		)	520,738
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	103,425			22,842			7,326			(133		)	133,460
Depreciation and amortization	55,153			11,747			1,122			—			68,022
Taxes, other than income	62,939			5,238			869			—			69,046
Total operating expenses	221,517			39,827			9,317			(133		)	270,528
Operating income	184,718			51,903			13,589			—			250,210
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(937		)	(379		)	252			(497		)	(1,561		)
Interest charges	19,313			8,391			240			(497		)	27,447
Income before income taxes	164,468			43,133			13,601			—			221,202
Income tax expense	62,615			15,451			5,452			—			83,518
Net income	$	101,853		$	27,682		$	8,149		$	—		$	137,684
Capital expenditures	$	145,990		$	34,360		$	(19	)	$	—		$	180,331

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2016
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated		Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	1,484,654		$	46,826		$	507,034	$	—		$	2,038,514
Intersegment revenues	3,633			143,554			52,885		(200,072		)	—
	1,488,287			190,380			559,919		(200,072		)	2,038,514
Purchased gas cost	745,684			—			531,062		(199,806		)	1,076,940
Gross profit	742,603			190,380			28,857		(266		)	961,574
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	190,529			54,219			14,032		(266		)	258,514
Depreciation and amortization	114,997			25,949			2,265		—			143,211
Taxes, other than income	99,947			12,309			1,372		—			113,628
Total operating expenses	405,473			92,477			17,669		(266		)	515,353
Operating income	337,130			97,903			11,188		—			446,221
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(902		)	(805		)	671		(858		)	(1,894		)
Interest charges	39,422			18,292			1,187		(858		)	58,043
Income before income taxes	296,806			78,806			10,672		—			386,284
Income tax expense	109,239			28,035			4,339		—			141,613
Net income	$	187,567		$	50,771		$	6,333	$	—		$	244,671
Capital expenditures	$	342,624		$	195,419		$	190	$	—		$	538,233

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated		Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	1,973,877		$	45,028		$	779,928	$	—		$	2,798,833
Intersegment revenues	3,508			130,269			120,682		(254,459		)	—
	1,977,385			175,297			900,610		(254,459		)	2,798,833
Purchased gas cost	1,247,338			—			861,665		(254,193		)	1,854,810
Gross profit	730,047			175,297			38,945		(266		)	944,023
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	190,410			47,457			14,441		(266		)	252,042
Depreciation and amortization	110,239			23,129			2,247		—			135,615
Taxes, other than income	106,583			10,103			1,745		—			118,431
Total operating expenses	407,232			80,689			18,433		(266		)	506,088
Operating income	322,815			94,608			20,512		—			437,935
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(2,266		)	(631		)	552		(923		)	(3,268		)
Interest charges	40,953			16,715			466		(923		)	57,211
Income before income taxes	279,596			77,262			20,598		—			377,456
Income tax expense	106,356			27,545			8,276		—			142,177
Net income	$	173,240		$	49,717		$	12,322	$	—		$	235,279
Capital expenditures	$	312,237		$	129,114		$	293	$	—		$	441,644

Balance sheet information at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 by segment is presented in the following tables:

	March 31, 2016
	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline		Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	5,902,803	$	1,884,620	$	51,990		$	—		$	7,839,413
Investment in subsidiaries	948,346		—		—			(948,346		)	—
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	38,464		—		9,454			—			47,918
Assets from risk management activities	637		—		6,837			—			7,474
Other current assets	430,759		17,465		356,348			(207,052		)	597,520
Intercompany receivables	980,055		—		—			(980,055		)	—
Total current assets	1,449,915		17,465		372,639			(1,187,107		)	652,912
Goodwill	575,449		132,542		34,711			—			742,702
Noncurrent assets from risk management activities	—		—		—			—			—
Deferred charges and other assets	290,737		17,742		420			—			308,899
	$	9,167,250	$	2,052,369	$	459,760		$	(2,135,453	)	$	9,543,926
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders’ equity	$	3,344,565	$	628,045	$	320,301		$	(948,346	)	$	3,344,565
Long-term debt	2,455,559		—		—			—			2,455,559
Total capitalization	5,800,124		628,045		320,301			(948,346		)	5,800,124
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	822,929		—		—			(196,000		)	626,929
Liabilities from risk management activities	784		—		—			—			784
Other current liabilities	492,645		11,751		106,296			(11,052		)	599,640
Intercompany payables	—		956,552		23,503			(980,055		)	—
Total current liabilities	1,316,358		968,303		129,799			(1,187,107		)	1,227,353
Deferred income taxes	1,102,679		455,277		(166		)	—			1,557,790
Noncurrent liabilities from risk management activities	185,057		—		—			—			185,057
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	426,756		—		—			—			426,756
Pension and postretirement liabilities	294,377		—		—			—			294,377
Deferred credits and other liabilities	41,899		744		9,826			—			52,469
	$	9,167,250	$	2,052,369	$	459,760		$	(2,135,453	)	$	9,543,926

	September 30, 2015
	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline		Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	5,670,306	$	1,706,449	$	53,825		$	—		$	7,430,580
Investment in subsidiaries	1,038,670		—		(2,096		)	(1,036,574		)	—
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	23,863		—		4,790			—			28,653
Assets from risk management activities	378		—		8,854			—			9,232
Other current assets	421,591		24,628		480,503			(338,301		)	588,421
Intercompany receivables	887,713		—		—			(887,713		)	—
Total current assets	1,333,545		24,628		494,147			(1,226,014		)	626,306
Goodwill	575,449		132,542		34,711			—			742,702
Noncurrent assets from risk management activities	368		—		—			—			368
Deferred charges and other assets	270,372		17,288		5,329			—			292,989
	$	8,888,710	$	1,880,907	$	585,916		$	(2,262,588	)	$	9,092,945
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders’ equity	$	3,194,797	$	577,275	$	461,395		$	(1,038,670	)	$	3,194,797
Long-term debt	2,455,388		—		—			—			2,455,388
Total capitalization	5,650,185		577,275		461,395			(1,038,670		)	5,650,185
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	782,927		—		—			(325,000		)	457,927
Liabilities from risk management activities	9,568		—		—			—			9,568
Other current liabilities	569,273		29,780		99,480			(11,205		)	687,328
Intercompany payables	—		867,409		20,304			(887,713		)	—
Total current liabilities	1,361,768		897,189		119,784			(1,223,918		)	1,154,823
Deferred income taxes	1,008,091		406,254		(3,030		)	—			1,411,315
Noncurrent liabilities from risk management activities	110,539		—		—			—			110,539
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	427,553		—		—			—			427,553
Pension and postretirement liabilities	287,373		—		—			—			287,373
Deferred credits and other liabilities	43,201		189		7,767			—			51,157
	$	8,888,710	$	1,880,907	$	585,916		$	(2,262,588	)	$	9,092,945

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Earnings Per Share (Table)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings per share table

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are calculated as follows:

	Three Months Ended   March 31				Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016		2015		2016		2015
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share
Net income	$	141,810	$	137,684	$	244,671	$	235,279
Less: Income allocated to participating securities	231		296		405		520
Income available to common shareholders	$	141,579	$	137,388	$	244,266	$	234,759
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding	102,946		101,746		102,837		101,667
Net income per share - Basic and Diluted	$	1.38	$	1.35	$	2.38	$	2.31

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Debt (Table)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of Debt

Long-term debt at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 consisted of the following:

	March 31, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Unsecured 6.35% Senior Notes, due June 2017	$	250,000	$	250,000
Unsecured 8.50% Senior Notes, due 2019	450,000		450,000
Unsecured 5.95% Senior Notes, due 2034	200,000		200,000
Unsecured 5.50% Senior Notes, due 2041	400,000		400,000
Unsecured 4.15% Senior Notes, due 2043	500,000		500,000
Unsecured 4.125% Senior Notes, due 2044	500,000		500,000
Medium-term note Series A, 1995-1, 6.67%, due 2025	10,000		10,000
Unsecured 6.75% Debentures, due 2028	150,000		150,000
Total long-term debt	2,460,000		2,460,000
Less:
Original issue discount on unsecured senior notes and debentures	4,441		4,612
	$	2,455,559	$	2,455,388

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Shareholders' Equity (Table)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following tables provide the components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balances, net of the related tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income.

	Available- for-Sale Securities			Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges			Commodity Contracts Cash Flow Hedges			Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2015	$	4,949		$	(88,842	)	$	(25,437	)	$	(109,330	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(1,568		)	(49,008		)	(19,185		)	(69,761		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(79		)	173			21,758			21,852
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,647		)	(48,835		)	2,573			(47,909		)
March 31, 2016	$	3,302		$	(137,677	)	$	(22,864	)	$	(157,239	)

	Available- for-Sale Securities			Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges			Commodity Contracts Cash Flow Hedges			Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2014	$	7,662		$	(18,381	)	$	(1,674	)	$	(12,393	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(101		)	(84,824		)	(38,902		)	(123,827		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(4		)	368			7,768			8,132
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(105		)	(84,456		)	(31,134		)	(115,695		)
March 31, 2015	$	7,557		$	(102,837	)	$	(32,808	)	$	(128,088	)

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following tables detail reclassifications out of AOCI for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. Amounts in parentheses below indicate decreases to net income in the statement of income.

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities	$	124		Operation and maintenance expense
	124			Total before tax
	(45		)	Tax expense
	$	79		Net of tax
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(136	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	(12,703		)	Purchased gas cost
	(12,839		)	Total before tax
	5,004			Tax benefit
	$	(7,835	)	Net of tax
Total reclassifications	$	(7,756	)	Net of tax

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(136	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	(13,078		)	Purchased gas cost
	(13,214		)	Total before tax
	5,150			Tax benefit
Total reclassifications	$	(8,064	)	Net of tax

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in  the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities	$	124		Operation and maintenance expense
	124			Total before tax
	(45		)	Tax expense
	$	79		Net of tax
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(273	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	(35,668		)	Purchased gas cost
	(35,941		)	Total before tax
	14,010			Tax benefit
	$	(21,931	)	Net of tax
Total reclassifications	$	(21,852	)	Net of tax

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in  the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities	$	6		Operation and maintenance expense
	6			Total before tax
	(2		)	Tax expense
	$	4		Net of tax
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(580	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	(12,734		)	Purchased gas cost
	(13,314		)	Total before tax
	5,178			Tax benefit
	$	(8,136	)	Net of tax
Total reclassifications	$	(8,132	)	Net of tax

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Interim Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Table)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

General Discussion of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]

Components of net periodic pension cost table

The components of our net periodic pension cost for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are presented in the following table. Most of these costs are recoverable through our gas distribution rates; however, a portion of these costs is capitalized into our gas distribution rate base. The remaining costs are recorded as a component of operation and maintenance expense.

	Three Months Ended March 31
	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2016			2015			2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	4,697		$	5,051		$	2,706		$	3,896
Interest cost	7,094			6,698			3,106			3,597
Expected return on assets	(6,880		)	(6,437		)	(1,566		)	(1,608		)
Amortization of transition obligation	—			—			20			68
Amortization of prior service credit	(56		)	(47		)	(411		)	(411		)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss	3,320			3,916			(542		)	—
Net periodic pension cost	$	8,175		$	9,181		$	3,313		$	5,542

	Six Months Ended March 31
	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2016			2015			2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	9,395		$	10,102		$	5,412		$	7,792
Interest cost	14,189			13,397			6,212			7,193
Expected return on assets	(13,761		)	(12,873		)	(3,132		)	(3,216		)
Amortization of transition obligation	—			—			41			136
Amortization of prior service credit	(113		)	(96		)	(822		)	(822		)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss	6,640			7,833			(1,084		)	—
Net periodic pension cost	$	16,350		$	18,363		$	6,627		$	11,083

Schedule of assumptions used table text block

The assumptions used to develop our net periodic pension cost for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:

	Pension Benefits		Other Benefits
	2016	2015	2016	2015
Discount rate	4.55%	4.43%	4.55%	4.43%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50%	3.50%	N/A	N/A
Expected return on plan assets	7.00%	7.25%	4.45%	4.60%

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Financial Instruments (Table)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Oustanding commodity contracts volumes table

As of March 31, 2016, we had net long/(short) commodity contracts outstanding in the following quantities:

Contract Type	Hedge Designation	Regulated Distribution	Nonregulated
		Quantity (MMcf)
Commodity contracts	Fair Value	—	(35,770	)
	Cash Flow	—	46,553
	Not designated	4,690	55,854
		4,690	66,637

Financial instruments on the balance sheet

		Regulated Distribution					Nonregulated
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
		(In thousands)
September 30, 2015
Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—		$	11,680		$	(36,067	)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		—			126			(9,918		)
Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		(110,539		)	—			—
Total		—		(110,539		)	11,806			(45,985		)
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	378		(9,568		)	65,239			(65,780		)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	368		—			14,318			(14,218		)
Total		746		(9,568		)	79,557			(79,998		)
Gross Financial Instruments		746		(120,107		)	91,363			(125,983		)
Gross Amounts Offset on Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Contract netting		—		—			(91,363		)	91,363
Net Financial Instruments		746		(120,107		)	—			(34,620		)
Cash collateral		—		—			8,854			34,620
Net Assets/Liabilities from Risk Management Activities		$	746	$	(120,107	)	$	8,854		$	—

The following tables present the fair value and balance sheet classification of our financial instruments by operating segment as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015. The gross amounts of recognized assets and liabilities are netted within our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to the extent that we have netting arrangements with the counterparties.

		Regulated Distribution					Nonregulated
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
		(In thousands)
March 31, 2016
Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—		$	16,032		$	(37,251	)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		—			920			(6,194		)
Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		(187,717		)	—			—
Total		—		(187,717		)	16,952			(43,445		)
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	637		(784		)	39,964			(33,248		)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		—			14,767			(11,075		)
Total		637		(784		)	54,731			(44,323		)
Gross Financial Instruments		637		(188,501		)	71,683			(87,768		)
Gross Amounts Offset on Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Contract netting		—		—			(71,683		)	71,683
Net Financial Instruments		637		(188,501		)	—			(16,085		)
Cash collateral		—		2,660			6,837			16,085
Net Assets/Liabilities from Risk Management Activities		$	637	$	(185,841	)	$	6,837		$	—

Fair value hedges table

The impact of our nonregulated commodity contracts designated as fair value hedges and the related hedged item on our condensed consolidated income statement for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 is presented below.

	Three Months Ended   March 31
	2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Commodity contracts	$	4,594		$	(7,622	)
Fair value adjustment for natural gas inventory designated as the hedged item	(7,939		)	5,142
Total increase in purchased gas cost	$	(3,345	)	$	(2,480	)
The increase in purchased gas cost is comprised of the following:
Basis ineffectiveness	$	(2,095	)	$	(678	)
Timing ineffectiveness	(1,250		)	(1,802		)
	$	(3,345	)	$	(2,480	)

	Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Commodity contracts	$	10,338		$	7,469
Fair value adjustment for natural gas inventory designated as the hedged item	(5,778		)	(11,641		)
Total (increase) decrease in purchased gas cost	$	4,560		$	(4,172	)
The (increase) decrease in purchased gas cost is comprised of the following:
Basis ineffectiveness	$	(806	)	$	309
Timing ineffectiveness	5,366			(4,481		)
	$	4,560		$	(4,172	)

Cash flow hedges

The impact of cash flow hedges on our condensed consolidated income statements for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 is presented below. Note that this presentation does not reflect the financial impact arising from the hedged physical transaction. Therefore, this presentation is not indicative of the economic gross profit we realized when the underlying physical and financial transactions were settled.

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(12,703	)	$	(12,703	)
Gain arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			61			61
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(12,642		)	(12,642		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(136		)	—			(136		)
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	$	(136	)	$	(12,642	)	$	(12,778	)

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(13,078	)	$	(13,078	)
Gain arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			163			163
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(12,915		)	(12,915		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(136		)	—			(136		)
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	$	(136	)	$	(12,915	)	$	(13,051	)

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2016
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(35,668	)	$	(35,668	)
Gain arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			18			18
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(35,650		)	(35,650		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(273		)	—			(273		)
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	$	(273	)	$	(35,650	)	$	(35,923	)

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(12,734	)	$	(12,734	)
Loss arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			(327		)	(327		)
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(13,061		)	(13,061		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(580		)	—			(580		)
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	$	(580	)	$	(13,061	)	$	(13,641	)

Other comprehensive income from hedging table

The following table summarizes the gains and losses arising from hedging transactions that were recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. The amounts included in the table below exclude gains and losses arising from ineffectiveness because those amounts are immediately recognized in the income statement as incurred.

	Three Months Ended   March 31						Six Months Ended   March 31
	2016			2015			2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Decrease in fair value:
Interest rate agreements	$	(53,704	)	$	(32,755	)	$	(49,008	)	$	(84,824	)
Forward commodity contracts	(7,529		)	(10,160		)	(19,185		)	(38,902		)
Recognition of losses in earnings due to settlements:
Interest rate agreements	86			86			173			368
Forward commodity contracts	7,749			7,978			21,758			7,768
Total other comprehensive loss from hedging, net of tax(1)	$	(53,398	)	$	(34,851	)	$	(46,262	)	$	(115,590	)

⁽¹⁾  Utilizing an income tax rate ranging from 37 percent to 39 percent based on the effective rates in each taxing jurisdiction.

Expected recognition in earnings of deferred gains/(losses) in AOCI table

The following amounts, net of deferred taxes, represent the expected recognition in earnings of the deferred losses recorded in AOCI associated with our financial instruments, based upon the fair values of these financial instruments as of March 31, 2016. However, the table below does not include the expected recognition in earnings of our outstanding interest rate agreements as those instruments have not yet settled.

	Interest Rate Agreements			Commodity Contracts			Total
	(In thousands)
Next twelve months	$	(347	)	$	(19,651	)	$	(19,998	)
Thereafter	(18,130		)	(3,213		)	(21,343		)
Total(1)	$	(18,477	)	$	(22,864	)	$	(41,341	)

⁽¹⁾  Utilizing an income tax rate ranging from 37 percent to 39 percent based on the effective rates in each taxing jurisdiction.

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Fair Value Measurements (Table)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair value measurements table

The following tables summarize, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015. Assets and liabilities are categorized in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral(2)			March 31, 2016
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	637	$	—	$	—		$	637
Nonregulated segment	—		71,683		—		(64,846		)	6,837
Total financial instruments	—		72,320		—		(64,846		)	7,474
Hedged portion of gas stored underground	65,077		—		—		—			65,077
Available-for-sale securities
Money market funds	—		4,400		—		—			4,400
Registered investment companies	36,670		—		—		—			36,670
Bonds	—		33,477		—		—			33,477
Total available-for-sale securities	36,670		37,877		—		—			74,547
Total assets	$	101,747	$	110,197	$	—	$	(64,846	)	$	147,098
Liabilities:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	188,501	$	—	$	(2,660	)	$	185,841
Nonregulated segment	—		87,768		—		(87,768		)	—
Total liabilities	$	—	$	276,269	$	—	$	(90,428	)	$	185,841

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral(3)			September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	746	$	—	$	—		$	746
Nonregulated segment	—		91,363		—		(82,509		)	8,854
Total financial instruments	—		92,109		—		(82,509		)	9,600
Hedged portion of gas stored underground	43,901		—		—		—			43,901
Available-for-sale securities
Money market funds	—		1,072		—		—			1,072
Registered investment companies	40,619		—		—		—			40,619
Bonds	—		32,509		—		—			32,509
Total available-for-sale securities	40,619		33,581		—		—			74,200
Total assets	$	84,520	$	125,690	$	—	$	(82,509	)	$	127,701
Liabilities:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	120,107	$	—	$	—		$	120,107
Nonregulated segment	—		125,983		—		(125,983		)	—
Total liabilities	$	—	$	246,090	$	—	$	(125,983	)	$	120,107

⁽¹⁾  Our Level 2 measurements consist of over-the-counter options and swaps which are valued using a market-based approach in which observable market prices are adjusted for criteria specific to each instrument, such as the strike price, notional amount or basis differences, municipal and corporate bonds which are valued based on the most recent available quoted market prices and money market funds which are valued at cost.

⁽²⁾  This column reflects adjustments to our gross financial instrument assets and liabilities to reflect netting permitted under our master netting agreements and the relevant authoritative accounting literature. In addition, as of March 31, 2016, we had $2.7 million of cash held in margin accounts to collateralize certain regulated distribution financial instruments, which were used to offset noncurrent risk management liabilities. As of March 31, 2016, we had $22.9 million of cash held in margin accounts to collateralize certain nonregulated financial instruments. Of this amount, $16.1 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements with the remaining $6.8 million is classified as current risk management assets.

⁽³⁾  This column reflects adjustments to our gross financial instrument assets and liabilities to reflect netting permitted under our master netting agreements and the relevant authoritative accounting literature. In addition, as of September 30, 2015, we had $43.5 million of cash held in margin accounts to collateralize certain nonregulated financial instruments. Of this amount, $34.6 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements with the remaining $8.9 million is classified as current risk management assets.

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

Available-for-sale securities are comprised of the following:

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gain		Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
As of March 31, 2016
Domestic equity mutual funds	$	26,548	$	5,425	$	(1,115	)	$	30,858
Foreign equity mutual funds	5,037		775		—			5,812
Bonds	33,355		132		(10		)	33,477
Money market funds	4,400		—		—			4,400
	$	69,340	$	6,332	$	(1,125	)	$	74,547
As of September 30, 2015
Domestic equity mutual funds	$	27,643	$	7,332	$	(456	)	$	34,519
Foreign equity mutual funds	5,261		905		(66		)	6,100
Bonds	32,423		106		(20		)	32,509
Money market funds	1,072		—		—			1,072
	$	66,399	$	8,343	$	(542	)	$	74,200

Other fair value measurements table

The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of our debt as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015:

	March 31, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Carrying Amount	$	2,460,000	$	2,460,000
Fair Value	$	2,749,244	$	2,669,323

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Nature of Business (Details) customers in Millions	Mar. 31, 2016 state customers regulated_gas_distributions_divisions
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of Customers, Regulated Distribution | customers	3
Number of Divisions, Regulated Distribution | regulated_gas_distributions_divisions	6
Number of States in which Entity Operates | state	8

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Unaudited Interim Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Retained earnings		$ 1,245,418		$ 1,245,418		$ 1,073,029
Income tax expense (benefit)		(79,961)	$ (83,518)	(141,613)	$ (142,177)
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory assets		201,450		201,450		192,339
Regulatory asset - future recoverable pension costs		13,600		13,600		16,600
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities		570,574		570,574		524,532
Regulatory Cost of Removal [Member]
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities		486,857		486,857		483,676
Deferred Gas Costs [Member]
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities		68,812		68,812		28,100
Asset Retirement Obligation Costs [Member]
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities		9,063		9,063		9,063
Revenue Subject to Refund [Member]
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities		640		640		0
Other [Member]
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities		5,202		5,202		3,693
Pension And Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member]
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	[1]	113,483		113,483		121,183
Infrastructure Mechanisms [Member]
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	[2]	53,698		53,698		32,813
Deferred Gas Costs [Member]
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory assets		1,136		1,136		9,715
Recoverable Loss On Reacquired Debt [Member]
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory assets		15,040		15,040		16,319
APT Annual Adjustment Mechanism [Member]
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory assets		0		0		1,002
Rate Case Costs [Member]
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory assets		1,796		1,796		1,533
Other [Member]
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory assets		16,297		16,297		$ 9,774
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards		3,300		3,300
Income tax expense (benefit)				3,300
Adjustments for New Accounting Principle, Early Adoption [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards		14,500		14,500
Retained earnings		$ 14,500		$ 14,500

[1] Includes $13.6 million and $16.6 million of pension and postretirement expense deferred pursuant to regulatory authorization.

[2] Infrastructure mechanisms in Texas and Louisiana allow for the deferral of all expenses associated with capital expenditures incurred pursuant to these rules, which primarily consists of interest, depreciation and other taxes, until the next rate proceeding (rate case or annual rate filing), at which time investment and costs would be recoverable through base rates

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Segment Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) segment	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments | segment			3
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Total operating revenues	$ 1,132,293	$ 1,540,068	$ 2,038,514	$ 2,798,833
Purchased gas cost	614,482	1,019,330	1,076,940	1,854,810
Gross profit	517,811	520,738	961,574	944,023
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	133,666	133,460	258,514	252,042
Depreciation and amortization	71,972	68,022	143,211	135,615
Taxes, other than income	62,157	69,046	113,628	118,431
Total operating expenses	267,795	270,528	515,353	506,088
Operating income	250,016	250,210	446,221	437,935
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(685)	(1,561)	(1,894)	(3,268)
Interest charges	27,560	27,447	58,043	57,211
Income (loss) before income taxes	221,771	221,202	386,284	377,456
Income tax expense (benefit)	79,961	83,518	141,613	142,177
Net income (loss)	141,810	137,684	244,671	235,279
Capital expenditures	246,559	180,331	538,233	441,644
ASSETS
Net property, plant and equipment	7,839,413		7,839,413		$ 7,430,580
Investment in subsidiaries	0		0		0
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	47,918	95,525	47,918	95,525	28,653	$ 42,258
Assets from risk management activities	7,474		7,474		9,232
Other current assets	597,520		597,520		588,421
Intercompany receivables	0		0		0
Total current assets	652,912		652,912		626,306
Goodwill	742,702		742,702		742,702
Noncurrent assets from risk management activities	0		0		368
Deferred charges and other assets	308,899		308,899		292,989
Total assets	9,543,926		9,543,926		9,092,945
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders' equity	3,344,565		3,344,565		3,194,797
Long-term debt	2,455,559		2,455,559		2,455,388
Total capitalization	5,800,124		5,800,124		5,650,185
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	626,929		626,929		457,927
Liabilities from risk management activities	784		784		9,568
Other current liabilities	599,640		599,640		687,328
Intercompany payables	0		0		0
Total current liabilities	1,227,353		1,227,353		1,154,823
Deferred income taxes	1,557,790		1,557,790		1,411,315
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent	185,057		185,057		110,539
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	426,756		426,756		427,553
Pension and postretirement liabilities	294,377		294,377		287,373
Deferred credits and other liabilities	52,469		52,469		51,157
Total shareholders' equity and liabilities	9,543,926		9,543,926		9,092,945
Reportable Subsegments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues	1,132,293	1,540,068	2,038,514	2,798,833
Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Total operating revenues	849,685	1,130,613	1,488,287	1,977,385
Purchased gas cost	440,543	724,378	745,684	1,247,338
Gross profit	409,142	406,235	742,603	730,047
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	99,180	103,425	190,529	190,410
Depreciation and amortization	57,663	55,153	114,997	110,239
Taxes, other than income	54,686	62,939	99,947	106,583
Total operating expenses	211,529	221,517	405,473	407,232
Operating income	197,613	184,718	337,130	322,815
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(150)	(937)	(902)	(2,266)
Interest charges	18,717	19,313	39,422	40,953
Income (loss) before income taxes	178,746	164,468	296,806	279,596
Income tax expense (benefit)	64,434	62,615	109,239	106,356
Net income (loss)	114,312	101,853	187,567	173,240
Capital expenditures	176,080	145,990	342,624	312,237
ASSETS
Net property, plant and equipment	5,902,803		5,902,803		5,670,306
Investment in subsidiaries	948,346		948,346		1,038,670
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	38,464		38,464		23,863
Assets from risk management activities	637		637		378
Other current assets	430,759		430,759		421,591
Intercompany receivables	980,055		980,055		887,713
Total current assets	1,449,915		1,449,915		1,333,545
Goodwill	575,449		575,449		575,449
Noncurrent assets from risk management activities	0		0		368
Deferred charges and other assets	290,737		290,737		270,372
Total assets	9,167,250		9,167,250		8,888,710
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders' equity	3,344,565		3,344,565		3,194,797
Long-term debt	2,455,559		2,455,559		2,455,388
Total capitalization	5,800,124		5,800,124		5,650,185
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	822,929		822,929		782,927
Liabilities from risk management activities	784		784		9,568
Other current liabilities	492,645		492,645		569,273
Intercompany payables	0		0		0
Total current liabilities	1,316,358		1,316,358		1,361,768
Deferred income taxes	1,102,679		1,102,679		1,008,091
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent	185,057		185,057		110,539
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	426,756		426,756		427,553
Pension and postretirement liabilities	294,377		294,377		287,373
Deferred credits and other liabilities	41,899		41,899		43,201
Total shareholders' equity and liabilities	9,167,250		9,167,250		8,888,710
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues	847,487	1,128,473	1,484,654	1,973,877
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues	2,198	2,140	3,633	3,508
Regulated Pipeline Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Total operating revenues	95,703	91,730	190,380	175,297
Purchased gas cost	0	0	0	0
Gross profit	95,703	91,730	190,380	175,297
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	27,131	22,842	54,219	47,457
Depreciation and amortization	13,179	11,747	25,949	23,129
Taxes, other than income	6,738	5,238	12,309	10,103
Total operating expenses	47,048	39,827	92,477	80,689
Operating income	48,655	51,903	97,903	94,608
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(376)	(379)	(805)	(631)
Interest charges	9,145	8,391	18,292	16,715
Income (loss) before income taxes	39,134	43,133	78,806	77,262
Income tax expense (benefit)	13,949	15,451	28,035	27,545
Net income (loss)	25,185	27,682	50,771	49,717
Capital expenditures	70,136	34,360	195,419	129,114
ASSETS
Net property, plant and equipment	1,884,620		1,884,620		1,706,449
Investment in subsidiaries	0		0		0
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0		0
Assets from risk management activities	0		0		0
Other current assets	17,465		17,465		24,628
Intercompany receivables	0		0		0
Total current assets	17,465		17,465		24,628
Goodwill	132,542		132,542		132,542
Noncurrent assets from risk management activities	0		0		0
Deferred charges and other assets	17,742		17,742		17,288
Total assets	2,052,369		2,052,369		1,880,907
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders' equity	628,045		628,045		577,275
Long-term debt	0		0		0
Total capitalization	628,045		628,045		577,275
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	0		0		0
Liabilities from risk management activities	0		0		0
Other current liabilities	11,751		11,751		29,780
Intercompany payables	956,552		956,552		867,409
Total current liabilities	968,303		968,303		897,189
Deferred income taxes	455,277		455,277		406,254
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent	0		0		0
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	0		0		0
Pension and postretirement liabilities	0		0		0
Deferred credits and other liabilities	744		744		189
Total shareholders' equity and liabilities	2,052,369		2,052,369		1,880,907
Regulated Pipeline Segment [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues	23,419	24,477	46,826	45,028
Regulated Pipeline Segment [Member] | Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues	72,284	67,253	143,554	130,269
Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Total operating revenues	287,395	438,322	559,919	900,610
Purchased gas cost	274,296	415,416	531,062	861,665
Gross profit	13,099	22,906	28,857	38,945
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	7,488	7,326	14,032	14,441
Depreciation and amortization	1,130	1,122	2,265	2,247
Taxes, other than income	733	869	1,372	1,745
Total operating expenses	9,351	9,317	17,669	18,433
Operating income	3,748	13,589	11,188	20,512
Miscellaneous income (expense)	292	252	671	552
Interest charges	149	240	1,187	466
Income (loss) before income taxes	3,891	13,601	10,672	20,598
Income tax expense (benefit)	1,578	5,452	4,339	8,276
Net income (loss)	2,313	8,149	6,333	12,322
Capital expenditures	343	(19)	190	293
ASSETS
Net property, plant and equipment	51,990		51,990		53,825
Investment in subsidiaries	0		0		(2,096)
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	9,454		9,454		4,790
Assets from risk management activities	6,837		6,837		8,854
Other current assets	356,348		356,348		480,503
Intercompany receivables	0		0		0
Total current assets	372,639		372,639		494,147
Goodwill	34,711		34,711		34,711
Noncurrent assets from risk management activities	0		0		0
Deferred charges and other assets	420		420		5,329
Total assets	459,760		459,760		585,916
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders' equity	320,301		320,301		461,395
Long-term debt	0		0		0
Total capitalization	320,301		320,301		461,395
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	0		0		0
Liabilities from risk management activities	0		0		0
Other current liabilities	106,296		106,296		99,480
Intercompany payables	23,503		23,503		20,304
Total current liabilities	129,799		129,799		119,784
Deferred income taxes	(166)		(166)		(3,030)
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent	0		0		0
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	0		0		0
Pension and postretirement liabilities	0		0		0
Deferred credits and other liabilities	9,826		9,826		7,767
Total shareholders' equity and liabilities	459,760		459,760		585,916
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues	261,387	387,118	507,034	779,928
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues	26,008	51,204	52,885	120,682
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Total operating revenues	(100,490)	(120,597)	(200,072)	(254,459)
Purchased gas cost	(100,357)	(120,464)	(199,806)	(254,193)
Gross profit	(133)	(133)	(266)	(266)
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	(133)	(133)	(266)	(266)
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Taxes, other than income	0	0	0	0
Total operating expenses	(133)	(133)	(266)	(266)
Operating income	0	0	0	0
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(451)	(497)	(858)	(923)
Interest charges	(451)	(497)	(858)	(923)
Income (loss) before income taxes	0	0	0	0
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0	0	0
ASSETS
Net property, plant and equipment	0		0		0
Investment in subsidiaries	(948,346)		(948,346)		(1,036,574)
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0		0
Assets from risk management activities	0		0		0
Other current assets	(207,052)		(207,052)		(338,301)
Intercompany receivables	(980,055)		(980,055)		(887,713)
Total current assets	(1,187,107)		(1,187,107)		(1,226,014)
Goodwill	0		0		0
Noncurrent assets from risk management activities	0		0		0
Deferred charges and other assets	0		0		0
Total assets	(2,135,453)		(2,135,453)		(2,262,588)
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders' equity	(948,346)		(948,346)		(1,038,670)
Long-term debt	0		0		0
Total capitalization	(948,346)		(948,346)		(1,038,670)
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	(196,000)		(196,000)		(325,000)
Liabilities from risk management activities	0		0		0
Other current liabilities	(11,052)		(11,052)		(11,205)
Intercompany payables	(980,055)		(980,055)		(887,713)
Total current liabilities	(1,187,107)		(1,187,107)		(1,223,918)
Deferred income taxes	0		0		0
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent	0		0		0
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	0		0		0
Pension and postretirement liabilities	0		0		0
Deferred credits and other liabilities	0		0		0
Total shareholders' equity and liabilities	(2,135,453)		(2,135,453)		$ (2,262,588)
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues	$ (100,490)	$ (120,597)	$ (200,072)	$ (254,459)

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Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 141,810	$ 137,684	$ 244,671	$ 235,279
Income allocated to participating securities	231	296	405	520
Income available to common shareholders	$ 141,579	$ 137,388	$ 244,266	$ 234,759
Basic and diluted net income per share	$ 1.38	$ 1.35	$ 2.38	$ 2.31
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted	102,946	101,746	102,837	101,667

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Debt (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 15, 2014	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net Proceeds From Issuance Of Debt	$ 494,000,000
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount		$ 2,460,000,000	$ 2,460,000,000	$ 2,460,000,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount		4,441,000	4,612,000	4,441,000
Long-term debt		2,455,559,000	2,455,388,000	2,455,559,000
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	500,000,000
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity		1,300,000,000		1,300,000,000
Long Term Debt Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Commercial Paper		$ 626,900,000	457,900,000	$ 626,900,000
Required by Covenant [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Ratio of Total Debt to Total Capital		70.00%		70.00%
Actual [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Ratio of Total Debt to Total Capital		49.00%		49.00%
Regulated Operation [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 1,300,000,000		$ 1,300,000,000
Unregulated Operation [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity		36,900,000		36,900,000
Minimum [Member] | Required by Covenant [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Excess of Debt		15,000,000		15,000,000
Maximum [Member] | Required by Covenant [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Excess of Debt		100,000,000		100,000,000
Five Year Unsecured Revolving Credit Agreement [Member] | Regulated Operation [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity with Accordion Feature		1,500,000,000.0		1,500,000,000.0
Five Year Unsecured Revolving Credit Agreement [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member] | Regulated Operation [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity		1,250,000,000		1,250,000,000
Five Year Unsecured Revolving Credit Agreement [Member] | Uncommitted Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Regulated Operation [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity		1,250,000,000		1,250,000,000
$15 Million Revolving Credit Note [Member] | Unsecured Revolving Credit Note [Member] | Unregulated Operation [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity		15,000,000		15,000,000
$25 Million Bank Loan Agreement [Member] | Unsecured Loan Agreement [Member] | Regulated Operation [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity		25,000,000		25,000,000
$10 Million Revolving Credit Note [Member] | Unsecured Revolving Credit Note [Member] | Regulated Operation [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity		10,000,000		10,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity		4,100,000		4,100,000
Uncommitted Revolving Credit Facility and Promissory Note (AEH to AEC) [Member] | Uncommitted Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Regulated Operation [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity		500,000,000		500,000,000
Uncommitted Revolving Credit Facility and Promissory Note (AEC to AEH) [Member] | Uncommitted Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Unregulated Operation [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity		500,000,000		$ 500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate				3.00%
$25 Million Uncommitted Facility [Member] | Uncommitted Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Unregulated Operation [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity		25,000,000		$ 25,000,000
Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount		$ 250,000,000	$ 250,000,000	$ 250,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		6.35%	6.35%	6.35%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Jun. 15, 2017	Jun. 15, 2017
Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount		$ 450,000,000	$ 450,000,000	$ 450,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		8.50%	8.50%	8.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Mar. 15, 2019	Mar. 15, 2019
Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2034 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount		$ 200,000,000	$ 200,000,000	$ 200,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.95%	5.95%	5.95%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Oct. 15, 2034	Oct. 15, 2034
Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2041 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount		$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.50%	5.50%	5.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Jun. 15, 2041	Jun. 15, 2041
Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2043 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount		$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.15%	4.15%	4.15%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Jan. 15, 2043	Jan. 15, 2043
Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2044 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount	$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.125%	4.125%	4.125%	4.125%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Oct. 15, 2044	Oct. 15, 2044
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	4.086%
Medium Term Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount		$ 10,000,000	$ 10,000,000	$ 10,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		6.67%	6.67%	6.67%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Dec. 15, 2025	Dec. 15, 2025
Unsecured Debentures Due 2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount		$ 150,000,000	$ 150,000,000	$ 150,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		6.75%	6.75%	6.75%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Jul. 15, 2028	Jul. 15, 2028
Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount					$ 500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			4.95%

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Shareholders' Equity Components (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 28, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Shareholders' equity, beginning balance		$ 3,194,797,000
Shareholders' equity, ending balance	$ 3,344,565,000	$ 3,344,565,000
Shareholders' Equity Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Share Repurchase Program - Shares Purchased		0	0
Debt and Equity Securities Authorized for Issuance				$ 2,500,000,000
ATM Equity Distribution Offering Price, Maximum Amount				$ 200,000,000
ATM Equity Distribution, Shares Issued	0
ATM Agent Commission on Proceeds, percentage				1.00%
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Shareholders' equity, beginning balance		$ 4,949,000	$ 7,662,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(1,568,000)	(101,000)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(79,000)	(4,000)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(1,647,000)	(105,000)
Shareholders' equity, ending balance	$ 3,302,000	3,302,000	7,557,000
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Shareholders' equity, beginning balance		(88,842,000)	(18,381,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(49,008,000)	(84,824,000)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		173,000	368,000
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(48,835,000)	(84,456,000)
Shareholders' equity, ending balance	(137,677,000)	(137,677,000)	(102,837,000)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Shareholders' equity, beginning balance		(25,437,000)	(1,674,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(19,185,000)	(38,902,000)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		21,758,000	7,768,000
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		2,573,000	(31,134,000)
Shareholders' equity, ending balance	(22,864,000)	(22,864,000)	(32,808,000)
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Shareholders' equity, beginning balance		(109,330,000)	(12,393,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(69,761,000)	(123,827,000)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		21,852,000	8,132,000
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(47,909,000)	(115,695,000)
Shareholders' equity, ending balance	$ (157,239,000)	$ (157,239,000)	$ (128,088,000)

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Shareholders' Equity AOCI Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Operation and maintenance	$ (133,666)	$ (133,460)	$ (258,514)	$ (252,042)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	221,771	221,202	386,284	377,456
Income Tax Expense	(79,961)	(83,518)	(141,613)	(142,177)
Interest charges	(27,560)	(27,447)	(58,043)	(57,211)
Purchased gas cost	(614,482)	(1,019,330)	(1,076,940)	(1,854,810)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(7,756)	(8,064)	(21,852)	(8,132)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Operation and maintenance	124		124	6
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	124		124	6
Income Tax Expense	(45)		(45)	(2)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	79		79	4
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	(12,839)	(13,214)	(35,941)	(13,314)
Income Tax Expense	5,004	5,150	14,010	5,178
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(7,835)	(8,064)	(21,931)	(8,136)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Purchased gas cost	(12,703)	(13,078)	(35,668)	(12,734)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest charges	$ (136)	$ (136)	$ (273)	$ (580)

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Shareholders' Equity Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award (Details) - shares		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized	2,500,000.0	2,500,000.0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized			8,700,000.0

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Interim Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Pension Benefits [Member]
Components of net periodic pension cost [Abstract]
Service Cost	$ 4,697	$ 5,051	$ 9,395	$ 10,102
Interest Cost	7,094	6,698	14,189	13,397
Expected return on assets	(6,880)	(6,437)	(13,761)	(12,873)
Amortization of transition (asset)/obligation	0	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service (credit)/cost	(56)	(47)	(113)	(96)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss	3,320	3,916	6,640	7,833
Net periodic pension cost	$ 8,175	$ 9,181	$ 16,350	$ 18,363
Defined Benefit Plan Weighted Average Assumptions Used In Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost Abstract
Discount Rate	4.55%	4.43%	4.55%	4.43%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50%	3.50%	3.50%	3.50%
Expected return on plan assets	7.00%	7.25%	7.00%	7.25%
Other Benefits [Member]
Components of net periodic pension cost [Abstract]
Service Cost	$ 2,706	$ 3,896	$ 5,412	$ 7,792
Interest Cost	3,106	3,597	6,212	7,193
Expected return on assets	(1,566)	(1,608)	(3,132)	(3,216)
Amortization of transition (asset)/obligation	20	68	41	136
Amortization of prior service (credit)/cost	(411)	(411)	(822)	(822)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss	(542)	0	(1,084)	0
Net periodic pension cost	$ 3,313	$ 5,542	$ 6,627	$ 11,083
Defined Benefit Plan Weighted Average Assumptions Used In Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost Abstract
Discount Rate	4.55%	4.43%	4.55%	4.43%
Expected return on plan assets	4.45%	4.60%	4.45%	4.60%
Current Year Benefit Plan Contributions [Abstract]
Contributions Actual			$ 9,000
Other Benefits [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Current Year Benefit Plan Contributions [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Contributions in Current Fiscal Year			15,000
Other Benefits [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Current Year Benefit Plan Contributions [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Contributions in Current Fiscal Year			$ 25,000

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Financial Instruments Descriptions (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) MMcf	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)
General Discussion Of Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities [Abstract]
Minimum Hedge Percentage Of Anticipated Heating Season Gas			25.00%
Maximum Hedge Percentage Of Anticipated Heating Season Gas			50.00%
Hedge Percentage Of Actual Heating Season Gas			33.00%
Hedge Volume Of Actual Heating Season Gas | MMcf			23,000
Minimum Length Of Time Hedged In Cash Flow Hedge			1 month
Maximum Length Of Time Hedged In Cash Flow Hedge			57 months
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Interest Rate Agreements, Realized Gain (Loss), Net of Tax	$ (18.5)		$ (18.5)
Gain (Loss) On Hedge Ineffectiveness	(3.3)	$ (2.3)	$ 4.6	$ (4.5)
Regulated Segments Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate			37.00%	37.00%
Nonregulated Segment Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate			39.00%	39.00%
Gain (Loss) On Derivative Instruments Not Designated Hedges Net Pretax	(2.5)	$ 8.7	$ (4.7)	$ 9.6
Interest Rate Hedges, Senior Notes 2017 Issuance [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Derivatives	250.0		250.0
Anticipated Debt Issuance, Amount	$ 250.0		$ 250.0
Derivative, Average Forward Interest Rate	3.37%		3.37%
Interest Rate Hedges, Senior Notes 2019 Issuance [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Derivatives	$ 450.0		$ 450.0
Anticipated Debt Issuance, Amount	$ 450.0		$ 450.0
Derivative, Average Forward Interest Rate	3.78%		3.78%

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Financial Instruments Commodity Contract Volume (Details)	Mar. 31, 2016 MMcf
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Commodity Contract Outstanding Volumes [Line Items]
Investment Contract Volume	4,690
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Nondesignated [Member]
Commodity Contract Outstanding Volumes [Line Items]
Investment Contract Volume	4,690
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Commodity Contract Outstanding Volumes [Line Items]
Investment Contract Volume	0
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Commodity Contract Outstanding Volumes [Line Items]
Investment Contract Volume	0
Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Commodity Contract Outstanding Volumes [Line Items]
Investment Contract Volume	66,637
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Nondesignated [Member]
Commodity Contract Outstanding Volumes [Line Items]
Investment Contract Volume	55,854
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Commodity Contract Outstanding Volumes [Line Items]
Investment Contract Volume	(35,770)
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Commodity Contract Outstanding Volumes [Line Items]
Investment Contract Volume	46,553

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Financial Instruments Balance Sheet Location (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	$ 7,474	$ 9,600
Derivative Liability	(185,841)	(120,107)
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	637	746
Derivative Asset, Contract Netting	0	0
Derivative Asset, Net of Contract Netting	637	746
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash	0	0
Derivative Asset	637	746
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(188,501)	(120,107)
Derivative Liability, Contract Netting	0	0
Derivative Liability, Net of Contract Netting	(188,501)	(120,107)
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	2,660	0
Derivative Liability	(185,841)	(120,107)
Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	71,683	91,363
Derivative Asset, Contract Netting	(71,683)	(91,363)
Derivative Asset, Net of Contract Netting	0	0
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash	6,837	8,854
Derivative Asset	6,837	8,854
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(87,768)	(125,983)
Derivative Liability, Contract Netting	71,683	91,363
Derivative Liability, Net of Contract Netting	(16,085)	(34,620)
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	16,085	34,620
Derivative Liability	0	0
Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(187,717)	(110,539)
Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	0
Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Deferred Charges And Other Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	0
Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Deferred Charges And Other Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	0
Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0
Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(187,717)	(110,539)
Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0
Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	16,952	11,806
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(43,445)	(45,985)
Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	16,032	11,680
Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Deferred Charges And Other Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	0
Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Deferred Charges And Other Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	920	126
Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(37,251)	(36,067)
Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0
Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(6,194)	(9,918)
Nondesignated [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	637	746
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(784)	(9,568)
Nondesignated [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	637	378
Nondesignated [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Deferred Charges And Other Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	368
Nondesignated [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(784)	(9,568)
Nondesignated [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0
Nondesignated [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	54,731	79,557
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(44,323)	(79,998)
Nondesignated [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	39,964	65,239
Nondesignated [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Deferred Charges And Other Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	14,767	14,318
Nondesignated [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(33,248)	(65,780)
Nondesignated [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	$ (11,075)	$ (14,218)

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Financial Instruments Fair Value Hedges and Cash Flow Hedges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Effect of Fair Value Hedges on Results of Operations [Abstract]
Commodity contracts	$ 4,594	$ (7,622)	$ 10,338	$ 7,469
Fair value adjustment for natural gas inventory designated as the hedged item	(7,939)	5,142	(5,778)	(11,641)
Total (increase) decrease to purchased gas cost	(3,345)	(2,480)	4,560	(4,172)
Basis ineffectiveness	(2,095)	(678)	(806)	309
Timing ineffectiveness	(1,250)	(1,802)	5,366	(4,481)
Cash Flow Hedge [Line Items]
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into purchased gas cost for effective portion of commodity contracts	(12,703)	(13,078)	(35,668)	(12,734)
Gain (loss) arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	61	163	18	(327)
Total impact on purchased gas cost	(12,642)	(12,915)	(35,650)	(13,061)
Loss on settled Treasury Lock agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(136)	(136)	(273)	(580)
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	(12,778)	(13,051)	(35,923)	(13,641)
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Cash Flow Hedge [Line Items]
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into purchased gas cost for effective portion of commodity contracts	0	0	0	0
Gain (loss) arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	0	0	0	0
Total impact on purchased gas cost	0	0	0	0
Loss on settled Treasury Lock agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(136)	(136)	(273)	(580)
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	(136)	(136)	(273)	(580)
Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Cash Flow Hedge [Line Items]
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into purchased gas cost for effective portion of commodity contracts	(12,703)	(13,078)	(35,668)	(12,734)
Gain (loss) arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	61	163	18	(327)
Total impact on purchased gas cost	(12,642)	(12,915)	(35,650)	(13,061)
Loss on settled Treasury Lock agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	0	0	0	0
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	$ (12,642)	$ (12,915)	$ (35,650)	$ (13,061)

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Financial Instruments Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Interest rate agreements fair value	$ (53,704)	$ (32,755)	$ (49,008)	$ (84,824)
Forward commodity contracts fair value	(7,529)	(10,160)	(19,185)	(38,902)
Interest rate agreements	86	86	173	368
Forward commodity contracts	7,749	7,978	21,758	7,768
Total other comprehensive income (loss) from hedging, net of tax	$ (53,398)	$ (34,851)	(46,262)	$ (115,590)
Expected Earnings [Line Items]
Interest Rate Agreement Gain (Loss) Reclassified To Earnings			(18,477)
Commodity Contract Gain (Loss) Reclassified To Earnings			(22,864)
Total Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified To Earnings			(41,341)
Next Twelve Months [Member]
Expected Earnings [Line Items]
Interest Rate Agreement Gain (Loss) Reclassified To Earnings			(347)
Commodity Contract Gain (Loss) Reclassified To Earnings			(19,651)
Total Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified To Earnings			(19,998)
Thereafter [Member]
Expected Earnings [Line Items]
Interest Rate Agreement Gain (Loss) Reclassified To Earnings			(18,130)
Commodity Contract Gain (Loss) Reclassified To Earnings			(3,213)
Total Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified To Earnings			$ (21,343)

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Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability and Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	$ (64,846)	$ (82,509)
Derivative Asset	7,474	9,600
Hedged portion of gas stored underground	65,077	43,901
Available-for-sale Securities	74,547	74,200
Total assets	147,098	127,701
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset and Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	(90,428)	(125,983)
Derivative Liability	185,841	120,107
Additional Fair Value Elements [Abstract]
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount	2,460,000	2,460,000
Debt Instrument Fair Value	2,749,244	2,669,323
Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	4,400	1,072
Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	36,670	40,619
Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	33,477	32,509
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability and Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	0	0
Derivative Asset	637	746
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset and Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	(2,660)	0
Derivative Liability	185,841	120,107
Cash Held In Margin Accounts Classified Current Risk Management Asset	0	0
Cash Held In Margin Accounts Offset Current Risk Management Liabilities	2,660	0
Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability and Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	(64,846)	(82,509)
Derivative Asset	6,837	8,854
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset and Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	(87,768)	(125,983)
Derivative Liability	0	0
Derivative, Cash Collateral	22,900	43,500
Cash Held In Margin Accounts Classified Current Risk Management Asset	6,837	8,854
Cash Held In Margin Accounts Offset Current Risk Management Liabilities	16,085	34,620
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	0	0
Hedged portion of gas stored underground	65,077	43,901
Available-for-sale Securities	36,670	40,619
Total assets	101,747	84,520
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	36,670	40,619
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	72,320	92,109
Hedged portion of gas stored underground	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities	37,877	33,581
Total assets	110,197	125,690
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	276,269	246,090
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	4,400	1,072
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	33,477	32,509
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	637	746
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	188,501	120,107
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	71,683	91,363
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	87,768	125,983
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	0	0
Hedged portion of gas stored underground	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	$ 0	$ 0

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Fair Value Measurements Available-For-Sale Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]
Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost	$ 69,340	$ 66,399
Gross Unrealized Gain	6,332	8,343
Gross Unrealized Loss	(1,125)	(542)
Fair value	74,547	74,200
Available-for-sale Securities, Other Disclosure Items [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Supplemental Executive Benefit Plans	41,100	41,700
Equity Funds Domestic [Member]
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]
Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost	26,548	27,643
Gross Unrealized Gain	5,425	7,332
Gross Unrealized Loss	(1,115)	(456)
Fair value	30,858	34,519
Equity Funds Foreign [Member]
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]
Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost	5,037	5,261
Gross Unrealized Gain	775	905
Gross Unrealized Loss	0	(66)
Fair value	5,812	6,100
Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]
Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost	33,355	32,423
Gross Unrealized Gain	132	106
Gross Unrealized Loss	(10)	(20)
Fair value	33,477	32,509
Money Market Funds [Member]
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]
Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost	4,400	1,072
Gross Unrealized Gain	0	0
Gross Unrealized Loss	0	0
Fair value	$ 4,400	$ 1,072