Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation and Environmental Matters

In the normal course of business, we are subject to various legal and regulatory proceedings. For such matters, we record liabilities when they are considered probable and estimable, based on currently available facts, our historical experience, and our estimates of the ultimate outcome or resolution of the liability in the future. While the outcome of these proceedings is uncertain and a loss in excess of the amount we have accrued is possible though not reasonably estimable, it is the opinion of management that any amounts exceeding the accruals will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a Preliminary Report on February 14, 2024 relating to its investigation of two incidents that occurred in Jackson, Mississippi on January 24 and 27, 2024 that resulted in one fatality. Atmos Energy is working closely with the NTSB and other state and federal regulators to help determine causal factors.

We are a party to various other 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 distribution divisions 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 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 under contracts indexed to natural gas trading hubs or fixed price contracts. At September 30, 2024, we were committed to purchase 25.9 Bcf within one year and 38.7 Bcf within two to three years under indexed contracts. At September 30, 2024, we were committed to purchase 6.8 Bcf within one year under fixed price contracts with a weighted average price of $3.10 per Mcf. Purchases under these contracts totaled $105.7 million, $182.0 million, and $352.6 million for 2024, 2023, and 2022.

Rate Regulatory Proceedings

As of September 30, 2024, routine rate regulatory proceedings were in progress in some of our service areas, which are discussed in further detail above in the Business — Ratemaking Activity section.