EX-99.5 8 dex995.htm WESTERN GAS RESOURCES, INC. INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Western Gas Resources, Inc. interim financial statements

Exhibit 99.5

WESTERN GAS RESOURCES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

ASSETS

    
 
June 30,
2006
 
 
   
 
December 31,
2005
 
 

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 3,892     $ 27,198  

Trade accounts receivable, net

     286,206       413,004  

Margin deposits

     16,744       31,217  

Inventory

     115,779       136,968  

Assets from price risk management activities

     50,253       48,988  

Deferred tax asset

     —         4,808  

Other

     20,081       14,010  
                

Total current assets

     492,955       676,193  
                

Property and equipment:

    

Gas gathering, processing and transportation

     1,365,944       1,290,278  

Oil and gas properties and equipment (successful efforts method)

     825,305       666,306  

Construction in progress

     450,189       286,641  
                
     2,641,438       2,243,225  

Less: Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (751,235 )     (684,904 )
                

Total property and equipment, net

     1,890,203       1,558,321  
                

Other assets:

    

Gas purchase contracts (net of accumulated amortization of $43,458 and $42,583, respectively)

     30,450       32,071  

Assets from price risk management activities

     6,787       5,495  

Investments in joint ventures

     38,478       36,791  

Other

     28,730       25,763  
                

Total other assets

     104,445       100,120  
                

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 2,487,603     $ 2,334,634  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 350,064     $ 463,113  

Accrued expenses

     75,502       106,542  

Liabilities from price risk management activities

     24,111       34,343  

Deferred tax liability

     6,509       —    

Dividends payable

     5,699       5,660  
                

Total current liabilities

     461,885       609,658  

Long-term debt

     572,000       430,000  

Liabilities from price risk management activities

     3,080       —    

Other long-term liabilities

     67,682       66,427  

Deferred income taxes, net

     356,602       325,090  
                

Total liabilities

     1,461,249       1,431,175  
                

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, par value $0.10; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 76,297,417 and 75,375,134 shares issued, respectively

     7,628       7,565  

Treasury stock, at cost; 50,032 common shares in treasury

     (788 )     (788 )

Deferred compensation

     —         (9,244 )

Additional paid-in capital

     445,589       429,007  

Retained earnings

     564,699       471,860  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     9,226       5,059  
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     1,026,354       903,459  
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 2,487,603     $ 2,334,634  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

1


WESTERN GAS RESOURCES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2006     2005  

Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 104,231     $ 57,335  

Add income items that do not affect operating cash flows:

    

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     71,286       59,877  

Loss on sale of assets

     1,024       27  

Deferred income taxes

     44,900       19,775  

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment awards

     (2,379 )     —    

Non-cash change in fair value of derivatives

     (5,465 )     17,614  

Compensation expense from restricted stock and stock options

     11,637       926  

Other non-cash items, net

     (587 )     (1,532 )

Adjustments to working capital to arrive at net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Decrease in trade accounts receivable

     123,555       71,601  

(Increase) decrease in margin deposits

     3,957       (8,946 )

Decrease in product inventory

     22,457       1,933  

(Increase) in other current assets

     (18,267 )     (11,379 )

(Increase) in other assets and liabilities, net

     (962 )     (565 )

(Decrease) in accounts payable

     (84,504 )     (57,156 )

Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses

     (5,219 )     10,592  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     265,664       160,102  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases of property and equipment, including acquisitions

     (399,351 )     (193,112 )

Distributions from equity investees

     —         613  

Proceeds from the disposition of property and equipment

     1,255       1,411  
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (398,096 )     (191,088 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Net proceeds from exercise of common stock options

     10,321       2,735  

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment awards

     2,379       —    

Change in outstanding checks

     (34,207 )     6,335  

Borrowings on revolving credit facility

     2,415,700       1,789,015  

Payments on revolving credit facility

     (2,273,700 )     (1,754,015 )

Borrowings on long-term debt

     —         25,000  

Payments on long-term debt

     —         (25,000 )

Debt issue costs paid

     (14 )     (40 )

Dividends paid

     (11,353 )     (7,396 )
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     109,126       36,634  
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (23,306 )     5,648  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     27,198       390  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 3,892     $ 6,038  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

2


WESTERN GAS RESOURCES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2006     2005     2006     2005  

Revenues:

        

Sale of gas

   $ 576,716     $ 678,087     $ 1,348,377     $ 1,374,306  

Sale of natural gas liquids

     171,986       149,481       339,402       282,450  

Gathering, processing and transportation revenue

     27,573       27,823       54,273       51,703  

Price risk management activities

     9,233       11,205       30,213       (9,043 )

Other

     1,666       1,430       3,990       2,717  
                                

Total revenues

     787,174       868,026       1,776,255       1,702,133  
                                

Costs and expenses:

        

Product purchases

     592,861       707,516       1,368,993       1,414,870  

Plant and transportation operating expense

     29,963       26,831       62,179       54,530  

Oil and gas exploration and production expense

     35,909       24,059       64,427       48,955  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     35,924       30,799       71,286       59,877  

Selling and administrative expense

     21,296       17,536       41,144       30,096  

(Earnings) from equity investments

     (2,440 )     (2,246 )     (4,814 )     (4,380 )

Interest expense

     5,419       4,033       8,604       7,553  
                                

Total costs and expenses

     718,932       808,528       1,611,819       1,611,501  
                                

Income before taxes

     68,242       59,498       164,436       90,632  

Provision for income taxes:

        

Current

     3,018       6,172       15,305       13,522  

Deferred

     22,855       15,697       44,900       19,775  
                                

Total provision for income taxes

     25,873       21,869       60,205       33,297  
                                

Net income

   $ 42,369     $ 37,629     $ 104,231     $ 57,335  
                                

Earnings per share of common stock

   $ .56     $ .51     $ 1.38     $ .77  
                                

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

     75,459,422       74,234,424       75,269,376       74,191,346  
                                

Income attributable to common stock—assuming dilution

   $ 42,369     $ 37,629     $ 104,231     $ 57,335  
                                

Earnings per share of common stock—assuming dilution

   $ .55     $ .50     $ 1.36     $ .76  
                                

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding—assuming dilution

     76,718,838       75,678,389       76,509,330       75,603,310  
                                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

3


WESTERN GAS RESOURCES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

 

     Shares
of Common
Stock
  Shares
of Common
Stock
in Treasury
  Common
Stock
  Treasury
Stock
    Deferred
Compensation
    Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
Net of Tax
    Total
Stock-
holders’
Equity
 

Balance at December 31, 2005

  75,375,134   50,032   $ 7,565   $ (788 )   $ (9,244 )   $ 429,007     $ 471,860     $ 5,059     $ 903,459  

Comprehensive income:

                 

Net income, first six months of 2006

  —     —       —       —         —         —         104,231       —         104,231  

Translation adjustments

  —     —       —       —         —         —         —         848       848  

Other comprehensive income:

                 

From equity investees

  —     —       —       —         —         —         —         84       84  
                             

Reclassification adjustment for settled contracts

  —     —       —       —         —         —         —         (4,822 )     (4,822 )

Changes in fair value of outstanding hedge positions

  —     —       —       —         —         —         —         14,518       14,518  

Change in estimated ineffectiveness

  —     —       —       —         —         —         —         320       320  

Fair value of new hedge positions

  —     —       —       —         —         —         —         (6,781 )     (6,781 )
                             

Change in accumulated derivative comprehensive income

  —     —       —       —         —         —         —         3,235       3,235  
                             

Total comprehensive income, net of tax

  —     —       —       —         —         —         —         —         108,398  

Stock options exercised

  625,600   —       63     —         —         10,258       —         —         10,321  

Compensation expense from common stock options

  296,683   —       —       —         —         7,853       —         —         7,853  

Excess tax benefit related to stock options exercised

  —     —       —       —         —         3,931       —         —         3,931  

Effect of change in accounting principle

  —     —       —       —         9,244       (9,244 )     —         —         —    

Compensation expense from restricted stock

  —     —       —       —         —         3,784       —         —         3,784  

Dividends declared on common stock

  —     —       —       —         —         —         (11,392 )     —         (11,392 )
                                                             

Balance at June 30, 2006

  76,297,417   50,032   $ 7,628   $ (788 )   $ —       $ 445,589     $ 564,699     $ 9,226     $ 1,026,354  
                                                             

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

4


WESTERN GAS RESOURCES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1—GENERAL

We have prepared the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. As provided by such rules and regulations, we have condensed or omitted certain information and notes normally included in annual financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The interim consolidated financial statements presented herein should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. Reference is also made to our 2005 Form 10-K for definitions of terms used in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. The interim Consolidated Financial Statements as of June 30, 2006 and for the three-month and six month periods ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 included herein are unaudited but reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly state the results for such periods. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations expected for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Proposed Merger of our Company. On June 23, 2006, we announced that we had entered into a merger agreement with Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, or Anadarko, whereby it is proposed that we will be merged with a wholly owned subsidiary of Anadarko. Our stockholders will receive $61.00 per common share in cash in the merger. The merger agreement has been approved by each company’s Board of Directors and was filed with the SEC on Form 8-K. We have scheduled a special meeting of our stockholders for August 23, 2006 to vote on, adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger. The merger is also subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of necessary regulatory and governmental approvals. The merger will be completed as soon as practicable following satisfaction of these conditions, which could be as early as the end of August 2006. Should the merger be completed, our common stock will be de-listed with the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, and we will file a Form 15 with the SEC to deregister our common stock. Certain of our directors, officers and other stockholders, who collectively hold approximately 17.3 percent of Western’s outstanding shares, have entered into agreements to vote in favor of the merger.

The closing of our proposed merger would be an event of default under our revolving credit facility, which would entitle the lenders to terminate their commitments and demand payment of all outstanding and unpaid amounts there under. Further, our master shelf agreement contains cross default provisions, which would be triggered by the default under the revolving credit facility. Therefore, on or prior to the closing of the merger, the acquirer must renegotiate these agreements or repay all amounts due under them. Also, the closing of our proposed merger is also an event of default under some of our operating leases, which will entitle our counterparties to terminate their commitments and require a return of the related equipment. Therefore, upon the closing of the merger, the acquirer must renegotiate these agreements.

This Form 10-Q includes discussion regarding events that will or may trigger or occur upon completion of the merger. If the merger is not completed these events will not occur. In addition, the timing of the completion of the merger will affect the timing of these events. See also the first paragraph under Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for a discussion of the effect of the proposed merger on certain forward-looking statements included in this Form 10-Q.

Earnings Per Share of Common Stock. Earnings per share of common stock are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding. Earnings per share of common stock—assuming dilution is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding as adjusted for potential common shares.

The following table presents the dividends declared by us on our common stock (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

    

Quarter

Ended June 30,

  

Six Months

Ended June 30,

     2006    2005    2006    2005

Total dividends declared

   $ 5,750    $ 3,732    $ 11,392    $ 7,425

Dividends declared per share of common stock

   $ 0.075    $ 0.05    $ 0.15    $ 0.10

 

5


Common stock options granted are potential common shares. The following is a reconciliation of the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding to the weighted average common shares outstanding—assuming dilution.

 

    

Quarter Ended

June 30,

  

Six Months Ended

June 30,

     2006    2005    2006    2005

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

   75,459,422    74,234,424    75,269,376    74,191,346

Potential common shares from common stock options

   1,259,416    1,443,965    1,239,954    1,411,964
                   

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding—assuming dilution

   76,718,838    75,678,389    76,509,330    75,603,310

The calculation of fully diluted earnings per share reflects potential common shares, if dilutive.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. Included in Accumulated other comprehensive income at June 30, 2006 were unrealized gains of $5.9 million, which is net of $3.4 million of deferred taxes, from the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and unrealized gains of $848,000, which is net of $486,000 of deferred taxes, as a result of cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments.

The gains currently reflected in Accumulated other comprehensive income from the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges will be reclassified to earnings as the hedged gas or NGLs are sold. Based on the prices for our products on June 30, 2006, approximately $5.9 million of gains in Accumulated other comprehensive income will be reclassified to earnings, of which $1.4 million will be reclassified in the remainder of 2006.

Revenue Recognition. In the Gas Gathering, Processing and Treating segment, we recognize revenue for our services at the time the service is performed. We record revenue from our gas and NGL marketing activities, including sales of our equity production, upon transfer of title. In accordance with EITF 03-11, “Reporting Realized Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments That are Subject to FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and Not Held for Trading Purposes as Defined in Issue No. 02-3”, we record revenue on our physical gas and NGL marketing activities on a gross basis versus sales net of purchases basis because we obtain title to all the gas and NGLs that we buy including third-party purchases, bear the risk of loss and credit exposure on these transactions, and it is our intention upon entering these contracts to take physical delivery of the product. Gas imbalances on our production are accounted for using the sales method. Gas imbalances on our production at June 30, 2006 and 2005 were immaterial. For our marketing activities we utilize mark-to-market accounting for our derivatives. In the Transportation segment, we realize revenue on a monthly basis from firm capacity contracts under which the shipper pays for transport capacity whether or not the capacity is used and from interruptible contracts where a fee is charged based upon volumes received into the pipeline.

At its September 2005 meeting, the Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, of the FASB approved Issue No. 04-13, “Accounting for Purchases and Sales of Inventory with the Same Counterparty.” This Issue addresses the question of when it is appropriate to measure non-monetary purchases and sales of inventory at fair value and record them in cost of sales and revenues and when they should be recorded as an exchange measured at the book value of the item sold. EITF 04-13 requires that two or more exchange transactions involving inventory with the same counterparty that are entered into in contemplation of one another should be combined for the purposes of evaluating the effect of APB Opinion No. 29, “Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions”. This EITF is effective for transactions entered into or modified in the first interim or annual period beginning after March 15, 2006, which for us was the quarter ended June 30, 2006. To the extent transactions are required to be netted, this results in a reduction of revenues and costs by an equal amount, but the netting has no impact on net income or cash flows.

In order to minimize transportation costs or make product available at a location of our customer’s preference, from time to time, we will enter into arrangements to buy product from a party at one location and arrange to sell a like quantity of product to this same party at another location. In accordance with EITF 04-13, these transactions are required to be reported on a sales net of purchases basis. For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2006, we reduced revenues and product purchases by $31.2 million for transactions which were entered into concurrently and with the intent to buy and sell like quantities with the same counterparty at different locations and at market prices at those locations.

 

6


Supplementary Cash Flow Information. Interest paid was $14.6 million and $11.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. A total of $16.5 million and $11.0 million was paid in income taxes in the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Asset retirement obligation assets and liabilities of $3.4 million and $7.7 million were recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The asset retirement and associated obligations are non-cash transactions for presentation on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Property Acquisition. In March 2006, we acquired certain coal bed methane, or CBM, properties and related gathering assets in the Big George fairway of the Powder River Basin of Wyoming for an adjusted purchase price of $138.6 million. This acquisition was funded with amounts available under our revolving credit facility. The purchase price included the drilling rights on approximately 40,000 gross and net acres and 110 drilled wells. These properties had no production in the six months ended June 30, 2006 as approximately 70 of the drilled wells are currently dewatering and the remaining 40 wells are awaiting hookup.

NOTE 2—DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

A net gain was recognized in earnings through Sale of gas and Sale of natural gas liquids during the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 from hedging activities of $12.3 million and $20.8 million, respectively. A net loss was recognized in earnings through Sale of residue gas and Sale of natural gas liquids during the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 from hedging activities of $657,000 and $170,000, respectively.

In the second quarter of 2006, in order to properly align our hedged volumes of natural gas to our forecasted equity production, we discontinued hedge treatment on financial instruments for 30 MMcf per day of natural gas as the anticipated transaction is no longer probable. As a result, a pre-tax gain of $2.8 million was reclassified into earnings from Accumulated other comprehensive income.

NOTE 3—ADOPTION OF SFAS 123(R)

On January 1, 2006, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment”, or SFAS 123(R), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards (including stock options) made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values. SFAS 123(R) supersedes our previous accounting under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, or APB 25, for periods beginning in fiscal 2006. In March 2005, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, or SAB 107, relating to SFAS 123(R). We considered the guidance of SAB 107 in our adoption of SFAS 123(R).

We adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method, which requires the application of the accounting standard as of January 1, 2006. In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, our Consolidated Financial Statements for prior periods are not restated to reflect, and do not include, any impact of SFAS 123(R). We did not modify any outstanding stock options in anticipation of the adoption of SFAS 123(R). The effect of the change in accounting principle resulting from the adoption of SFAS 123(R) was recognized in our financial statements through the elimination of previously recognized deferred compensation costs, with offsetting amounts recorded in the Additional paid-in capital account within Stockholders’ equity.

Stock-based compensation expense recognized under SFAS 123(R) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 related to employee stock options, including compensation from our 2006 grants, is as presented in the following table.

 

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)   

Quarter

ended

June 30, 2006

   

Six Months
ended

June 30, 2006

 

Incremental stock-based compensation expense recognized through earnings

   $ 4,058     $ 6,900  

Related deferred income tax benefit

     (419 )     (958 )
                

Decrease in net income

     3,639       5,942  

Decrease in earnings per share of common stock

     0.05       0.08  

Decrease in earnings per share of common stock—assuming dilution

     0.05       0.08  

Stock-based compensation expense capitalized

   $ 536     $ 953  

SFAS 123(R) requires us to estimate the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), we accounted for stock-based awards to employees and directors using the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB 25 as then allowed under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, or SFAS 123. Under the intrinsic value method, with the exception of the options granted under the Chief Executive Officer and President’s Plan and our restricted stock, no stock-based compensation expense had been recognized in our Consolidated Statement of Operations, because the exercise price of our stock options granted to employees and directors equaled the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant.

 

7


Stock-based compensation expense to be recognized is based on the fair value of those share-based payment awards that are ultimately expected to vest during the period. Stock-based compensation expense recognized in our Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 includes compensation expense for share-based payment awards granted in 2006 and granted prior to, but not yet vested, as of January 1, 2006. Compensation expense for the awards granted prior to January 1, 2006 is based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the pro forma provisions of SFAS 123. Compensation expense for the share-based payment awards granted subsequent to December 31, 2005 was based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123(R). In conjunction with the adoption of SFAS 123(R), we continued our method of attributing the value of stock-based compensation using the straight-line single option method. As stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it is reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. At June 30, 2006, the compensation expense related to non-vested awards to be recognized in future periods totaled $23.0 million. The weighted average period over which this expense is expected to be recognized is 2.1 years; however, in connection with the proposed merger of Western with Anadarko, all outstanding options will fully vest and convert to the right to receive a cash payment from the acquirer at the closing of the transaction.

In accordance with the adoption of SFAS 123(R), we continue to use the Black-Scholes option pricing model for the valuation of share-based awards. Our determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding variables, including, but not limited to, our expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. In our estimate of the fair value of the share-based payment awards, we utilize historical volatility of our common stock over 250 weeks. In our opinion, the historical volatility and the Black-Scholes model provide an appropriate measure of the fair value of our employee stock options.

On November 10, 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, issued FASB Staff Position, or FSP, No. 123(R)-3, “Transition Election Related to Accounting for Tax Effects of Share-Based Payment Awards.” This FSP allows us to take up to one year from the later of our initial adoption of SFAS 123(R) or the effective date of the FSP to evaluate the available transition alternative related to the accounting for the tax effects of share-based payment awards that are partially or fully-vested as of the adoption date. We have not yet elected which transition method we will utilize.

NOTE 4—SHARE BASED COMPENSATION

In the first six months of 2006, we granted our employees and directors options to purchase approximately 733,000 shares of our common stock at the market (as defined in the plans) based on the average closing price for the ten days prior to grant, and approximately 297,000 shares of restricted common stock. In the first six months of 2005, we granted options to purchase 916,000 shares of our common stock at the market based on the average closing price for the ten days prior to grant and approximately 362,000 shares of restricted common stock to our employees and directors. In all cases, the grant date was the date on which the grants were approved by our board of directors, or the date on which an employee commenced employment. We realize an income tax benefit from the exercise of non-qualified stock options related to the amount by which the market price at the date of exercise exceeds the option price and on disqualifying dispositions of qualified stock options. For the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, we recognized a tax benefit from our stock options of $3.9 million and $900,000, respectively.

The following is a summary of the options granted to purchase our common stock and the weighted average fair value per share of the options granted during the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
2002 Plan    2006    2005    2006    2005

Options granted

     10,465      54,200      16,665      137,200

Weighted average fair value per share

   $ 15.62    $ 14.04    $ 15.41    $ 15.01

2005 Plan

           

Options granted

     —        746,726      660,026      746,726

Weighted average fair value per share

     —      $ 13.25    $ 19.17    $ 13.25

2002 Directors Plan

           

Options granted

     36,000      32,000      56,000      32,000

Weighted average fair value per share

   $ 19.80    $ 14.79    $ 19.68    $ 14.79

 

8


During the six months ended June 30, 2006, the values for the options granted were estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

     2002 Plan   2005 Plan   2002 Directors Plan

Risk-free interest rate

   5.26%   5.11%   5.34%

Expected life (in years)

   4.6   4.6   4.6

Expected volatility

   32%   32%   32%

Expected dividends (quarterly)

   $0.075   $0.075   $0.075

The following table summarizes the number of stock options exercisable and available for grant under our benefit plans at June 30, 2006:

 

    

Per Share

Price Range

   1997
Plan
  

1999

Plan

   1999
Directors
Plan
  

CEO

Plan

  

2002

Plan

   2002
Directors
Plan
  

2005

Plan

Exercisable:

                       

June 30, 2006

   $ 0.01–5.00    1,202    —      2,600    —      —      —      —  
   $ 5.01–10.00    1,800    —      —      —      —      —      —  
   $ 10.01-15.00    —      6,002    —      450,000    —      —      —  
   $ 15.01-20.00    —      286,384    —      —      441,008    56,000    —  
   $ 20.01-25.00    —      —      —      —      1,112    —      —  
   $ 25.01-30.00    —      30,366    —      —      175,587    18,667    —  
   $ 30.01-35.00    —      —      —      —      44,445    9,333    199,730
   $ 35.01-40.00    —      —      —      —      291    —      834
                                         
     TOTAL    3,002    322,752    2,600    450,000    662,443    84,000    200,564
                                         

Available for Grant:

                       

June 30, 2006

      745,204    22,056    —      —      65,262    36,000    1,135,608

The following table summarizes the stock option activity related to options outstanding under our benefit plans during the six months ended June 30, 2006:

 

     Per Share
Price Range
  

1997

Plan

   

1999

Plan

    1999
Directors
Plan
   

CEO

Plan

   

2002

Plan

   

2002

Directors

Plan

  

2005

Plan

 

Balance at 12/31/05

      6,002     550,815     6,600     495,000     1,817,154     112,000    744,726  
                                            

Granted

   $ 43.43-48.51    —       —       —       —       16,665     56,000    660,026  

Exercised

   $ 2.76-35.71    (3,000 )   (138,868 )   (4,000 )   (45,000 )   (280,614 )   —      (39,765 )

Forfeited or expired

   $ 16.48-50.05    —       (4,968 )   —       —       (51,426 )   —      (40,360 )
                                            

Balance at 6/30/06

      3,002     406,979     2,600     450,000     1,501,779     168,000    1,324,627  
                                            

Weighted-average remaining contractual life (years)

      1.6     4.8     0.8     3.3     5.0     5.2    6.0  

The following table summarizes the weighted average option exercise price information under our benefit plans during the six months ended June 30, 2006:

 

    

1997

Plan

   

1999

Plan

    1999
Directors
Plan
   

CEO

Plan

   

2002

Plan

   

2002

Directors
Plan

  

2005

Plan

 

Balance at December 31, 2005

   $ 5.11     $ 19.32     $ 2.76     $ 12.51     $ 24.31     $ 24.99    $ 31.86  
                                                       

Granted

     —         —         —         —         48.38       49.44      43.43  

Exercised

     (5.82 )     (17.19 )     (2.76 )     (12.51 )     (21.44 )     —        (31.85 )

Forfeited or expired

     —         (28.35 )     —         —         (26.30 )     —        (36.62 )
                                                       

Balance at June 30, 2006

   $ 4.41     $ 18.13     $ 2.76     $ 12.51     $ 25.05     $ 33.14    $ 37.48  
                                                       

The total aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised in the first six months of 2006 was approximately $15.1 million. The total aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable options at June 30, 2006 was approximately $68.8 million and the total aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options at June 30, 2006 was approximately $124.2 million.

The following table summarizes the status of the shares of outstanding restricted stock as of June 30, 2006 and changes during the six months ended June 30, 2006:

 

    

2005

Plan

 

Balance at 12/31/05

     377,565  
        

Granted

     296,683  

Vested

     (114,353 )

Forfeited or expired

     (28,773 )
        

Balance at 6/30/06

     531,122  
        

Weighted-average grant date fair value per share of restricted stock

   $ 41.74  
        

Weighted-average remaining contractual life (years)

     1.4  

 

9


As discussed in Note 3 above, prior to January 1, 2006, we were not required to record compensation expense for share-based payment awards. If we had recorded compensation expense in the second quarter and first six months of 2005 for grants under our stock-based compensation plans consistent with SFAS 123 (R), our Net income, Earnings per share of common stock and Earnings per share of common stock—assuming dilution would approximate the pro forma amounts below (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Quarter Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
     2005    2005    2005    2005
     As
Reported
   Pro
Forma
   As
Reported
   Pro
Forma

Net income

   $ 37,629    $ 35,062    $ 57,335    $ 53,089

Net income attributable to common stock

     37,629      35,062      57,335      53,089

Earnings per share of common stock

     0.51      0.47      0.77      0.71

Earnings per share of common stock—assuming dilution

     0.50      0.46      0.76      0.70

Stock-based employee compensation cost, net of related tax effects, included in net income

     412      —        585      —  

Stock-based employee compensation cost, net of related tax effects, includable in net income if the fair value based method had been applied

   $ —      $ 2,979    $ —      $ 4,831

NOTE 5—SEGMENT REPORTING

We operate in four principal business segments, as follows: Gathering, Processing and Treating; Exploration and Production; Marketing; and Transportation. Management separately monitors these segments for performance against our internal forecast, and these segments are consistent with our internal financial reporting package. These segments have been identified based upon the differing products and services, regulatory environment and the expertise required for these operations.

Gathering, Processing and Treating. In the Gathering, Processing and Treating segment, which collectively with the Marketing and Transportation segments are referred to as the midstream operations, we connect producers’ wells (including those of our Exploration and Production segment) to our gathering systems for delivery of natural gas to our processing or treating plants, process the natural gas to extract NGLs and treat the natural gas in order to meet pipeline specifications. In some areas, where no processing is required, we gather and compress producers’ gas and deliver it to pipelines for further delivery to market. Except for volumes taken in kind by our producers, the Marketing segment sells the gas and NGLs extracted at most of our facilities. In this segment, we recognize revenue for our services at the time the service is performed.

Substantially all gas flowing through our gathering, processing and treating facilities is supplied under three types of contracts providing for the purchase, gathering, treating or processing of natural gas for periods ranging from one month to 20 years or in some cases for the life of the oil and gas lease. Approximately 64% of our plant facilities’ gross margin, or revenues at the plant less product purchases, or 31% of our plant facilities’ throughput volume for the month of June 2006, was under percentage-of-proceeds agreements where we are typically responsible for the marketing of the gas and NGLs. Under these agreements, we pay producers a specified percentage of the net proceeds received from the sale of the gas and the NGLs. Revenue is recognized under these contracts when the gas or NGLs are sold and the related product purchases are recorded as a percentage of the sale of the product.

Approximately 25% of our plant facilities’ gross margin, or 54% of our plant facilities’ throughput volume, for the month of June 2006 was under contracts that are primarily fee-based from which we receive a set fee for each Mcf of gas gathered and/or processed. This type of contract provides us with a steady revenue stream that is not dependent on commodity prices, except to the extent that low prices may cause a producer to delay drilling or shut in production. Revenue is recognized under these contracts when the related services are rendered.

 

10


Approximately 11% of our plant facilities’ gross margin, or 15% of our plant facilities’ throughput volume, for the month of June 2006 was under contracts with keepwhole arrangements or wellhead purchase contracts. Under the keepwhole contracts, we retain the NGLs recovered by the processing facility and keep the producers whole by returning to the producers at the tailgate of the plant an amount of gas equal on a Btu basis to the natural gas received at the plant inlet. The keepwhole component of the contracts permits us to benefit when the value of the NGLs is greater as a liquid than as a portion of the residue gas stream. However, we are adversely affected when the value of the NGLs is lower as a liquid than as a portion of the residue gas stream. Revenue is recognized under these contracts when the product is sold.

Exploration and Production. The activities of the Exploration and Production segment, also referred to as upstream operations, primarily consist of the exploration and development of gas properties in the Rocky Mountain area, including those where our gathering and/or processing facilities are located. The Marketing segment sells the majority of the production from these properties and remits to the Exploration and Production segment all of the proceeds from the sales of gas and a proportional share of transportation charges. Also included in this segment are our Canadian exploration and development operations, which are conducted through our wholly owned subsidiary Western Gas Resources Canada Company and which are immaterial for separate presentation.

Exploratory lease rentals and geological and geophysical costs are charged to expense as incurred. Exploratory drilling costs are capitalized when incurred pending the determination of whether a well has found proved reserves. The determination of whether a well has found proved reserves is based on a process that relies on interpretations of available geological, geophysical, and engineering data. If an exploratory well is determined to be unsuccessful, the capitalized drilling costs will be charged to expense in the period the determination is made. If an exploratory well requires a major capital expenditure before production can begin, the cost of drilling the exploratory well will continue to be carried as an asset pending determination of whether proved reserves have been found only as long as: i) the well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify its completion as a producing well if the required capital expenditure is made, and ii) drilling of additional exploratory wells is under way or firmly planned for the near future. If the drilling of additional exploratory wells in the area is not under way or firmly planned, or if the well has not found a commercially producible quantity of reserves, the exploratory well is assumed to be impaired, and its costs are charged to expense.

The following table reflects the net changes in capitalized exploratory well costs during the six months ended June 30, 2006 (dollars in thousands).

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2006
 

Beginning balance at December 31, 2005

   $ 101,796  

Additions to capitalized exploratory well costs pending the determination of proved reserves

     68,216  

Reclassifications to wells, facilities, and equipment based on the determination of proved reserves

     (5,731 )

Capitalized exploratory well costs charged to expense

     (342 )
        

Ending balance at June 30, 2006

   $ 163,938  

Period end capitalized exploratory well costs (000s) and number of gross wells at June 30, 2006 are as follows:

 

     Exploratory
Well Costs
   Number
of wells

Exploratory well costs capitalized for a period of one year or less

   $ 107,588    645

Exploratory well costs capitalized for a period of greater than one year

     56,350    691
           

Total exploratory well costs capitalized at June 30, 2006

   $ 163,938    1,336

Substantially all of our exploratory wells that have been capitalized for a period greater than one year are located in the Powder River Basin. In this basin, we drill wells into various coal seams. After these wells are completed, lease-operating costs are incurred. In order to produce gas from the coal seams, a period of dewatering lasting from a few to thirty-six months, or in some cases longer, is required prior to obtaining sufficient gas production to justify capital expenditures for compression and gathering, and to classify the reserves as proved. In order to accelerate the dewatering time, we drill additional exploratory wells in these areas.

 

11


Marketing. Our Marketing segment markets gas and NGLs extracted at our gathering, processing and treating facilities and produced from our Exploration and Production segment and buys and sells gas and NGLs in the United States and Canada from and to a variety of customers. In this segment, revenues for sales of product are recognized at the time the gas or NGLs are delivered to the customer and title passes. Revenues in this segment are sensitive to changes in the market prices of the underlying commodities. The marketing of products purchased from third-parties typically results in low operating margins relative to the sales price. We sell our products under agreements with varying terms and conditions in order to match seasonal and other changes in demand. Also included in this segment are our Canadian marketing operations, which are conducted through our wholly owned subsidiary WGR Canada, Inc. and which are immaterial for separate presentation.

Transportation. The Transportation segment reflects the operations of our MIGC, Inc. and MGTC, Inc. pipelines. The revenue presented in this segment is derived from transportation of gas for our Marketing segment and third parties. In this segment, we realize revenue on a monthly basis from firm capacity contracts under which the shipper pays for transport capacity whether or not the capacity is used and from interruptible contracts where a fee is charged based upon volumes received into the pipeline. The Transportation segment’s capacity contracts range in duration from one month to five years.

Segment Information. The following tables set forth our segment information as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 (dollars in thousands). Due to our integrated operations, the use of allocations in the determination of business segment information is necessary. Inter-segment revenues are valued at prices comparable to those of unaffiliated customers.

Quarter Ended June 30, 2006:

 

    

Gas

Gathering and
Processing

    Exploration
and
Production
    Marketing    Trans-
portation
    Corporate     Eliminating
Entries
    Total  

Revenues from unaffiliated customers:

               

Sale of gas and NGLs

   $ 710     $ 3,232     $ 731,995    $ 460     $ —       $ —       $ 736,397  

Equity hedges

     952       11,353       —        —         —         —         12,305  

Gathering, processing and transportation revenue

     25,654       —         —        1,919       —         —         27,573  
                                                       

Total revenues from unaffiliated customers

     27,316       14,585       731,995      2,379       —         —         776,275  

Inter-segment revenues

     284,573       85,061       15,031      3,125       153       (387,943 )     —    

Price risk management activities

     (1,630 )     853       10,010      —         —         —         9,233  

Interest income and Other, net

     1,232       (13 )     10      1       20,112       (19,676 )     1,666  
                                                       

Total revenues

     311,491       100,486       757,046      5,505       20,265       (407,619 )     787,174  

Product purchases and operating expenses

     243,231       48,680       752,794      1,794       155       (387,921 )     658,733  

(Earnings) from joint ventures

     (2,440 )     —         —        —         —         —         (2,440 )
                                                       

Segment operating profit

     70,700       51,806       4,252      3,711       20,110       (19,698 )     130,881  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     13,472       19,745       2      454       2,251       —         35,924  

Selling and administrative expense

     (1 )     (46 )     —        27       21,325       (9 )     21,296  

Interest expense

     —         —         299      (397 )     25,194       (19,677 )     5,419  
                                                       

Income before income taxes

   $ 57,229     $ 32,107     $ 3,951    $ 3,627     $ (28,660 )   $ (12 )   $ 68,242  
                                                       

Identifiable assets:

               

Property and equipment and other allocated assets

   $ 917,601     $ 903,320     $ 215,951    $ 80,383     $ 428,081     $ (96,211 )   $ 2,449,125  

Investment in joint ventures

     32,073       —         —        1,221       1,128,509       (1,123,325 )     38,478  
                                                       

Total identifiable assets

   $ 949,674     $ 903,320     $ 215,951    $ 81,604     $ 1,556,590     $ (1,219,536 )   $ 2,487,603  
                                                       

 

12


Quarter ended June 30, 2005

 

    

Gas
Gathering

and

Processing

   

Exploration
and

Production

   Marketing    Trans-
portation
    Corporate     Eliminating
Entries
    Total  

Revenues from unaffiliated customers:

                

Sale of gas and NGLs

   $ 959     $ 3,040    $ 823,816    $ 409     $ —       $ —       $ 828,224  

Equity hedges

     (1,035 )     378      —        —         —         —         (657 )

Gathering, processing and transportation revenue

     26,154       —        —        1,669       —         —         27,823  
                                                      

Total revenues from unaffiliated customers

     26,078       3,418      823,816      2,078       —         —         855,390  

Inter-segment sales

     300,326       78,376      24,940      3,353       10       (407,005 )     —    

Price risk management activities

     (37 )     —        11,242      —         —         —         11,205  

Interest income and Other, net

     1,089       122      21      —         12,656       (12,457 )     1,431  
                                                      

Total revenues

     327,456       81,916      860,019      5,431       12,666       (419,462 )     868,026  

Product purchases and operating expenses

     278,758       34,403      849,780      2,429       —         (406,964 )     758,406  

(Earnings) from joint ventures

     (2,246 )     —        —        —         —         —         (2,246 )
                                                      

Segment operating profit

     50,944       47,513      10,239      3,002       12,666       (12,498 )     111,866  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     11,594       16,899      35      436       1,835       —         30,799  

Selling and administrative expense

     (213 )     61      —        151       17,546       (9 )     17,536  

Interest expense

     —         3      587      (194 )     16,094       (12,457 )     4,033  
                                                      

Income before income taxes

   $ 39,563     $ 30,550    $ 9,617    $ 2,609     $ (22,809 )   $ (32 )   $ 59,498  
                                                      

Identifiable assets:

                

Property and equipment and other allocated assets

   $ 763,801     $ 553,848    $ 150,722    $ 74,958     $ 399,644     $ (68,763 )   $ 1,874,210  

Investment in Joint Ventures

     32,675       —        —        1,150       857,160       (854,901 )     36,084  
                                                      

Total identifiable assets

   $ 796,476     $ 553,848    $ 150,722    $ 76,108     $ 1,256,804     $ (923,664 )   $ 1,910,294  
                                                      

Six months ended June 30, 2006

 

    

Gas
Gathering
and

Processing

   

Exploration
and

Production

    Marketing    Trans-
portation
    Corporate     Eliminating
Entries
    Total  

Revenues from unaffiliated customers:

               

Sale of gas and NGLs

   $ 1,009     $ 6,143     $ 1,658,341    $ 1,462     $ —       $ —       $ 1,666,955  

Equity hedges

     2,053       18,771       —        —             20,824  

Gathering, processing and transportation revenue

     50,516       —         —        3,757       —         —         54,273  
                                                       

Total revenues from unaffiliated customers

     53,578       24,914       1,658,341      5,219       —         —         1,742,052  

Inter-segment sales

     617,272       186,587       41,849      6,467       268       (852,443 )     —    

Price risk management activities

     (1,755 )     (2,604 )     34,572      —         —         —         30,213  

Interest income and Other, net

     2,874       82       13      1       37,770       (36,750 )     3,990  
                                                       

Total revenues

     671,969       208,979       1,734,775      11,687       38,038       (889,193 )     1,776,255  

Product purchases and operating expense

     549,850       89,036       1,705,265      3,930       273       (852,755 )     1,495,599  

(Earnings) from joint ventures

     (4,814 )     —         —        —         —         —         (4,814 )
                                                       

Segment operating profit (loss)

     126,933       119,943       29,510      7,757       37,765       (36,438 )     285,470  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     27,076       38,881       3      917       4,409       —         71,286  

Selling and administrative expense

     (4 )     740       —        292       40,133       (17 )     41,144  

Interest expense

     —         —         729      (709 )     45,333       (36,749 )     8,604  
                                                       

Income before income taxes

   $ 99,861     $ 80,322     $ 28,778    $ 7,257     $ (52,110 )   $ 328     $ 164,436  
                                                       

Identifiable assets:

               

Property and equipment and other allocated assets

   $ 917,601     $ 903,320     $ 215,951    $ 80,383     $ 428,081     $ (96,211 )   $ 2,449,125  

Investment in Joint Ventures

     32,073       —         —        1,221       1,128,509       (1,123,325 )     38,478  
                                                       

Total identifiable assets

   $ 949,674     $ 903,320     $ 215,951    $ 81,604     $ 1,556,590     $ (1,219,536 )   $ 2,487,603  
                                                       

 

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Six months ended June 30, 2005

 

    

Gas
Gathering
and

Processing

   

Exploration
and

Production

    Marketing     Trans-
portation
    Corporate     Eliminating
Entries
    Total  

Revenues from unaffiliated customers:

              

Sale of gas and NGLs

   $ 781     $ 7,075     $ 1,647,915     $ 1,154     $ —       $ —       $ 1,656,925  

Equity hedges

     (1,774 )     1,604       —         —         —         —         (170 )

Gathering, processing and transportation revenue

     48,446       (162 )     —         3,419       —         —         51,703  
                                                        

Total revenues from unaffiliated customers

     47,453       8,517       1,647,915       4,573       —         —         1,708,458  

Inter-segment sales

     576,179       147,643       42,644       6,795       20       (773,281 )     —    

Price risk management activities

     (125 )     —         (8,918 )     —         —         —         (9,043 )

Interest income and Other, net

     2,194       128       21       —         22,338       (21,963 )     2,718  
                                                        

Total revenues

     625,701       156,288       1,681,662       11,368       22,358       (795,244 )     1,702,133  

Product purchases and operating expenses

     526,849       69,826       1,689,826       5,098       —         (773,244 )     1,518,355  

(Earnings) from joint ventures

     (4,380 )     —         —         —         —         —         (4,380 )
                                                        

Segment operating profit (loss)

     103,232       86,462       (8,164 )     6,270       22,358       (22,000 )     188,158  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     22,872       32,528       71       839       3,567       —         59,877  

Selling and administrative expense

     (182 )     61       —         148       30,089       (20 )     30,096  

Interest expense

     5       4       589       (348 )     29,266       (21,963 )     7,553  
                                                        

Income before income taxes

   $ 80,537     $ 53,869     $ (8,824 )   $ 5,631     $ (40,564 )   $ (17 )   $ 90,632  
                                                        

Identifiable assets:

              

Property and equipment and other allocated assets

   $ 763,801     $ 553,848     $ 150,722     $ 74,958     $ 399,644     $ (68,763 )   $ 1,874,210  

Investment in Joint Ventures

     32,675       —         —         1,150       857,160       (854,901 )     36,084  
                                                        

Total identifiable assets

   $ 796,476     $ 553,848     $ 150,722     $ 76,108     $ 1,256,804     $ (923,664 )   $ 1,910,294  
                                                        

NOTE 6—LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Doyle and Margaret M. Hartman, et al. v. Questar Exploration and Production Company et al. In the District Court of Sublette County, Wyoming, Civil Action No. 2006-6843. On March 31, 2006, the plaintiffs filed a complaint against a group of ten defendants, including our subsidiary Lance Oil & Gas Company, Inc. The plaintiffs claim that they hold a five percent net profits interest which they allege was created in 1954 and burdened certain oil and gas leases in the original federal Pinedale Unit in the Pinedale Anticline. The relief sought by the plaintiffs includes a declaration that they hold a valid, continuing net profits interest applicable to certain identified leases, enforcement of the net profits interest, compensatory damages, an accounting of the status of the net profits interest, and interest and penalties under the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act.

United States of America and ex rel. Jack J. Grynberg v. Western Gas Resources, Inc., et al., United States District Court, District of Colorado, Civil Action No. 97-D-1427. We, along with over 300 other natural gas companies, are defendants in litigation filed on September 30, 1997, in 72 separate actions filed by Mr. Grynberg on behalf of the federal government. The allegations made by Mr. Grynberg are that established gas measurement and royalty calculation practices improperly deprived the federal government of appropriate natural gas royalties and violate 31U.S.C. 3729(a)(7) of the False Claims Act. The cases have been consolidated to the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming. Discovery on the jurisdictional issues is being completed to determine if this matter qualifies as a qui tam, or class, action. The defendants’ joint Motion to Dismiss was argued before a special master on March 17 and 18, 2005 and, as a result thereof, the special master has recommended to the court that claims against several of the defendants, including Western, be dismissed. The recommendation is pending before the court.

 

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Price, et al. v. Gas Pipelines, Western Gas Resources, Inc., et al., District Court, Stevens County, Kansas, Case No. 99-C-30. We are a defendant in litigation filed on September 23, 1999, along with numerous other natural gas companies, in which Mr. Price is claiming an under measurement of gas and Btu volumes throughout the country. We, along with other natural gas companies, filed a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim. The court denied these motions to dismiss. The court denied plaintiff’s motion for certification as a class and, in the third quarter of 2003, the plaintiff amended and refiled for certification as a class. On May 12, 2003, Mr. Price filed a further claim, Will Price et al v. Western Gas Resources, Inc. et al., District Court, Stevens County, Kansas, Case No. 03C23, relating to certain matters previously removed from the foregoing action.

In re: Western States Wholesale Natural Gas Antitrust Litigation, J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, in its Capacity as Trustee of FLI Liquidating Trust v. The Williams Companies, Inc., et al., United States District Court, District of Nevada, MDL 1566 CV-S-03-1431-PMP. On October 17, 2005, the plaintiff, in its capacity as the liquidating trustee of the successor in interest to Farmland Industries, Inc., filed an amended complaint, joining us and other defendants to this action, originally filed in the District Court of Wyandotte County, Kansas. The defendants removed the case to the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, following which the Judicial Panel on Multi District Litigation entered a transfer order centralizing the action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada for coordinated and consolidated pretrial proceedings. On April 21, 2006, the plaintiff’s motion to remand to Kansas state court was denied. The complaint claims that the defendants violated the Kansas Restraint of Trade Act by reporting allegedly “misleading or knowingly inaccurate reports concerning trade information” to trade publications that compile and publish indices of natural gas prices for natural gas trading hubs throughout the United States. The complaint asserts that these alleged activities had the effect of increasing prices charged by the defendants for natural gas and preventing full and free competition. The plaintiff seeks to recover damages in the amount of the full consideration of its purchases of natural gas during the time period from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2001, together with its costs of litigation including attorney’s fees.

Learjet, Inc., Cross Oil Refining & Marketing, Inc. Topeka Unified School District 501, on Behalf of Themselves and All Other Similarly Situated Direct Purchasers of Natural Gas in the State of Kansas v. Oneok, Inc. et al, In the District Court of Wyandotte County, Kansas, Civil Action No. 05-CV-1500. On November 4, 2005, the plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, filed an amended Petition for Damages, joining us and other defendants to this action. The Petition claims that the defendants violated the Kansas Restraint of Trade Act by reporting allegedly “misleading or knowingly inaccurate reports concerning trade information” to trade publications that compile and publish indices of natural gas prices for natural gas trading hubs throughout the United States. The complaint asserts that the allegedly anticompetitive effect of the defendant’s actions was to artificially inflate the prices paid by the plaintiffs for natural gas. The plaintiffs are bringing the action as a class action on behalf of all persons and entities in Kansas who made direct purchases of natural gas, for their own use and or consumption, during the time period from January 1, 2000 through October 31, 2002. The plaintiffs are seeking judgment for the full consideration of their purchases of natural gas purchased during such time period, together with costs of litigation including attorney’s fees.

In the Matter of the Notice of Violation, Docket Number 3852-06, Issued to Lance Oil & Gas Company, Inc., Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, State of Wyoming. On January 26, 2006, we received a Notice of Violation issued by the State of Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, for the un-permitted discharge of coal bed methane produced water at our Spotted Horse Facility in Campbell County. We have undertaken remedial steps to address the items contained in the Notice of Violation and, in May 2006, we paid a settlement in the amount of $100,000.

In the Matter of the Notice of Violation, WES-1252-0501, Environment Department, Air Quality Bureau, State of New Mexico. On March 6, 2006, we received a Notice of Violation pertaining to operations at our San Juan River Gas Plant located west of Farmington, New Mexico, containing two alleged violations. On April 4, 2006, we met with the Environment Department to discuss the notices and any potential monetary penalties. This matter is still pending.

In addition to the above claims, we are involved in various other litigation and administrative proceedings arising in the normal course of business. While the outcome of claims in litigation is inherently uncertain, and it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome, we intend to vigorously contest the allegations in the previously described matters. In the opinion of our management, any liabilities that may result from these claims will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

 

15


NOTE 7—RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

We continually monitor and revise our accounting policies as new rules are issued. At this time, there are several new accounting pronouncements that have recently been issued, but not yet adopted, which will have an impact on our accounting when they become effective.

SFAS No. 155. In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments, an Amendment of SFAS No. 133 and No. 140”. This statement resolves issues addressed in SFAS Implementation Issue D1, “Application of Statement 133 to Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets.” This statement is effective in the annual period commencing after September 15, 2006. We do not believe that the adoption of this statement will have a material impact on our results of operation, financial position or cash flows.

EITF No. 06-3. At its May 2006 meeting, the Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, of the FASB approved Issue No. 06-3, “How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation).” The scope of this issue includes any tax assessed by a governmental authority that is imposed on a revenue producing transaction between a seller and a customer. This EITF is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2006 and requires that the presentation of taxes on either a gross or net basis is an accounting policy decision that should be disclosed in the footnotes along with the amount of such taxes. The adoption of this EITF will not have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

FIN No. 48. In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.” This Interpretation provides guidance for recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions, as defined in SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN No. 48 prescribes a threshold condition that a tax position must meet for any of the benefit of the uncertain tax position to be recognized in the financial statements. Guidance is also provided regarding derecognition, classification and disclosure of these uncertain tax positions. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We do not expect that this Interpretation will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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