UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 8-K/A

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)  February 12, 2016

 

Black Hills Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

South Dakota

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

001-31303

 

46-0458824

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

625 Ninth Street

 

 

Rapid City, South Dakota

 

57709-1400

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

605-721-1700

(Registrants telephone number, indicating area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o                          Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o                          Soliciting materials pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o                          Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(d))

 

o                          Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-e(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)

 

 

 



 

EXPLANANTORY NOTE

 

On February 12, 2016, Black Hills Corporation (“the Company”, “the Registrant”) acquired SourceGas Holdings, LLC (“SourceGas”) from investment funds managed by Alinda Capital Partners and GE Energy Financial Services, a unit of General Electric Co., pursuant to the purchase and sale agreement executed on July 12, 2015 for approximately $1.89 billion.  This Amendment No. 1 on Form 8-K/A (the “Amendment”) is being filed by the Company to amend Item 9.01 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (“the Original 8-K”) filed by the Company on February 12, 2016.  Except as described above, all other information in, and the exhibits to, the Original 8-K, remain unchanged.  In response to Item 9.01 in the Original 8-K, the Company indicated that it would file the required information by amendment as set forth below.

 

Item 9.01                                        Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a)         Financial Statements of Business acquired

 

Filed herewith are the following financial statements of SourceGas:

 

Audited Financial Statements of SourceGas as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

(b)         Pro Forma Financial Information

 

Filed herewith is the following pro forma financial information:

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Statement of Income (Loss) for the year ended December 31, 2015 and Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015.

 

(d)         Exhibits

 

The following exhibits are filed herewith:

 

23.1                        Consent of KPMG LLP.

 

99.1                        Audited financial statements of SourceGas as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

99.2                        Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2015 and Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015.

 

2



 

SIGNATURES

 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard W. Kinzley

 

Richard W. Kinzley

 

Senior Vice President

 

and Chief Financial Officer

 

Date:  March 18, 2016

 

3



 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

 

99.1

 

Audited financial statements of SourceGas Holdings LLC as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

 

 

99.2

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2015 and Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 of Black Hills Corporation, and SourceGas Holdings LLC

 

4


Exhibit 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Auditors

 

The Board of Directors

Black Hills Corporation:

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (Nos. 333-197895 and 333-197894) on Form S-3 and (Nos. 333-61969, 333-170451, 333-125697, 333-170448 and 333-170452) on Form S-8 of Black Hills Corporation of our report dated March 18, 2016, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of SourceGas Holdings LLC as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for the two-year period ended December 31, 2015, which report appears in the Form 8-K/A of Black Hills Corporation dated March 18, 2016.

 

 

(Signed) KPMG LLP

 

Denver, Colorado

March 18, 2016

 


Exhibit 99.1

 

SOURCEGAS HOLDINGS LLC

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 and 2014

AND REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

 



 

 

Independent Auditors’ Report

 

The Board of Directors

SourceGas Holdings LLC:

 

Report on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of SourceGas Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries, which comprise the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements

 

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

 

Auditors’ Responsibility

 

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.

 

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors’ judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

 

Opinion

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of SourceGas Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

(signed) KPMG LLP

 

Denver, Colorado

March 18, 2016

 



 

SOURCEGAS HOLDINGS LLC

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

DECEMBER 31, 2015 and 2014

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

411

 

$

3,806

 

Trade accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,711 and $2,122, respectively)

 

84,423

 

103,062

 

Gas in underground storage

 

9,746

 

15,686

 

Regulatory assets

 

10,787

 

16,885

 

Inventories

 

10,546

 

6,423

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

4,924

 

8,948

 

Prepayments

 

3,740

 

4,321

 

Other current assets

 

9,135

 

6,196

 

Total current assets

 

133,712

 

165,327

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

1,012,578

 

840,189

 

Goodwill

 

382,396

 

384,229

 

Regulatory assets

 

31,133

 

28,639

 

Other assets

 

5,750

 

4,435

 

Total assets

 

$

1,565,569

 

$

1,422,819

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts payable

 

56,062

 

68,959

 

Interest accrued

 

6,243

 

6,221

 

Taxes accrued

 

6,240

 

4,745

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

21,296

 

5,010

 

Derivative instruments

 

9,528

 

13,213

 

Customer deposits

 

12,725

 

12,372

 

Deferred revenue

 

9,378

 

5,780

 

Other

 

29,439

 

23,026

 

Total current liabilities

 

150,911

 

139,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative instruments

 

562

 

3,651

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

41,056

 

44,012

 

Other liabilities

 

43,823

 

39,656

 

Long-term debt, net

 

957,371

 

858,869

 

Total liabilities

 

1,193,723

 

1,085,514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Members’ capital

 

377,122

 

345,458

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(5,276

)

(8,153

)

Total equity

 

371,846

 

337,305

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

1,565,569

 

$

1,422,819

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

2



 

SOURCEGAS HOLDINGS LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 and 2014

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Regulated natural gas sales

 

$

283,072

 

$

300,663

 

Regulated transportation and storage

 

94,375

 

88,821

 

Other regulated operating revenues

 

6,197

 

5,575

 

Unregulated and other revenues

 

75,652

 

97,069

 

Total operating revenues

 

459,296

 

492,128

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases and other costs of sales

 

199,258

 

252,940

 

Operation and maintenance

 

68,505

 

71,297

 

General and administrative

 

54,313

 

50,641

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

46,521

 

41,003

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

8,235

 

7,694

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

376,832

 

423,575

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

82,464

 

68,553

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

298

 

386

 

Interest expense and other financing costs

 

(34,378

)

(32,511

)

Other, net

 

3,043

 

1,375

 

Total other income (expense), net

 

(31,037

)

(30,750

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

51,427

 

37,803

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax provision

 

(9,763

)

(2,941

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

41,664

 

$

34,862

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

3



 

SOURCEGAS HOLDINGS LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 and 2014

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

41,664

 

$

34,862

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized losses on commodity derivatives, net of tax of $1,047 and $258, respectively

 

(1,601

)

(395

)

Reclassification of net realized losses (gains) on commodity derivatives into purchases and other costs of sales, net of tax of $(1,050) and $480, respectively

 

1,605

 

(733

)

Reclassification of net realized (gains) losses on commodity derivatives into unregulated revenues, net of tax of $107 and $(38), respectively

 

(164

)

57

 

Unrealized losses on interest rate swaps

 

(1,643

)

(2,130

)

Reclassification of net realized losses on interest rate swaps into net income

 

4,680

 

4,624

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

2,877

 

1,423

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

44,541

 

$

36,285

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

4



 

SOURCEGAS HOLDINGS LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 and 2014

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members’

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

Capital

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

Member

 

Members

 

Total

 

Loss

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2013

 

$

175,798

 

$

175,798

 

$

351,596

 

$

(9,576

)

$

342,020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

17,431

 

17,431

 

34,862

 

1,423

 

36,285

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions to members

 

(20,500

)

(20,500

)

(41,000

)

 

(41,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2014

 

172,729

 

172,729

 

345,458

 

(8,153

)

337,305

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

20,832

 

20,832

 

41,664

 

2,877

 

44,541

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contributions from members

 

16,000

 

16,000

 

32,000

 

 

32,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions to members

 

(21,000

)

(21,000

)

(42,000

)

 

(42,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2015

 

$

188,561

 

$

188,561

 

$

377,122

 

$

(5,276

)

$

371,846

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

5



 

SOURCEGAS HOLDINGS LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 and 2014

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

41,664

 

$

34,862

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

46,521

 

41,003

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

2,483

 

9,411

 

Unrealized derivative (gains) losses

 

(2,460

)

3,402

 

Other adjustments

 

3,929

 

4,131

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts receivable

 

16,411

 

(5,176

)

Gas in underground storage

 

4,465

 

(2,567

)

Regulatory assets and liabilities

 

26,415

 

(14,182

)

Other assets

 

(4,397

)

(1,204

)

Trade accounts payable

 

(7,359

)

(177

)

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

8,405

 

(961

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

136,077

 

68,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows for investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(199,287

)

(121,657

)

Acquisition of gas field

 

(24,911

)

 

Acquisition of customer list

 

(2,340

)

 

Other, net

 

(1,302

)

5,219

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(227,840

)

(116,438

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Payments on term loans

 

(190,000

)

(70,000

)

Net (payments) borrowings on revolving credit facility

 

(91,600

)

43,600

 

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

380,000

 

115,000

 

Payment of debt issuance costs

 

(32

)

(1,015

)

Contributions from members

 

32,000

 

 

Distributions to members

 

(42,000

)

(41,000

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

88,368

 

46,585

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash

 

(3,395

)

(1,311

)

Cash at beginning of year

 

3,806

 

5,117

 

Cash at end of year

 

$

411

 

$

3,806

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

34,220

 

$

31,882

 

Cash paid for income taxes, net

 

$

5,646

 

$

428

 

Capital expenditures included in trade accounts payable

 

$

5,699

 

$

11,225

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

6



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

1.     Organization and Business

 

SourceGas Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiary, SourceGas LLC, were formed as Delaware limited liability companies in September 2006 and acquired by General Electric Company and Alinda Investments LLC in March 2007.  As used herein, the terms “the Company” and “SourceGas” refer to SourceGas Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries, collectively.

 

SourceGas was acquired by Black Hills Utility Holdings, Inc. (“Black Hills”) on February 12, 2016 for $1.89 billion, which included an estimated $200.0 million in capital expenditures through closing and an assumption of $760.0 million in debt at the time of closing.  The acquisition was effected pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement among Alinda Gas Delaware LLC, Alinda Infrastructure Fund I, L.P. and Aircraft Services Corporation (“ASC”), as sellers, and Black Hills, as buyer in favor of the sellers.  Black Hills acquired 99.5% of the outstanding equity interests of SourceGas under the terms of the purchase and sale agreement, and received an option to acquire the remaining 0.5% interest in SourceGas from ASC.

 

SourceGas is a natural gas utility company providing distribution, transportation, storage and sales to a diverse mix of customers in the Rocky Mountains and Midwest United States.  The Company’s primary business is the operation of regulated natural gas local distribution companies located in Arkansas, Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming.  The Company is also engaged in the regulated transportation of natural gas for third parties through its intrastate pipeline systems.  In addition to its regulated activities, the Company (i) provides unbundled natural gas sales in Nebraska and Wyoming and (ii) sells, installs and services appliances and equipment.  The Company operates primarily through the four subsidiaries of SourceGas LLC as described below.

 

SourceGas Distribution LLC (“SGD”).  SGD is a regulated public utility consisting of retail natural gas distribution operations that serves approximately 266,000 customers in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming.  SGD also sells appliances and heating equipment and provides associated repair services and appliance protection plans.

 

SourceGas Arkansas (“SGA”).  SGA is a regulated public utility consisting of retail natural gas distribution operations that serves approximately 163,000 customers in Arkansas.  SGA also sells appliances and heating equipment and provides associated repair services and appliance protection plans.

 

Rocky Mountain Natural Gas LLC (“RMNG”).  RMNG is a regulated public utility that provides regulated transmission and wholesale natural gas service to SGD at town border stations in western Colorado and also provides intrastate transportation services for natural gas producers, shippers and industrial customers.  RMNG generates additional revenues from the processing and sale of natural gas liquids.

 

SourceGas Energy Services Co. (“SGES”).  SGES is an unregulated natural gas marketer providing retail distribution customers in Nebraska and Wyoming with unbundled natural gas commodity offerings under the regulatory-approved Choice Gas program.

 

7



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

2.     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

These consolidated financial statements are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of SourceGas Holdings and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned.  All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the related disclosures.  Estimates are based on historical experience and various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.  These estimates may involve complex situations requiring a high degree of judgment either in the application and interpretation of existing literature or in the development of estimates that impact the financial statements. The most significant estimates relate to the accounting for the unbilled revenue accrual, regulatory infrastructure program accruals, uncollectible accounts and other allowances for contingent losses, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, retirement plan benefit obligations, derivative and hedging activities and provisions for income taxes.  SourceGas evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis and actual results could differ from estimates.

 

Effects of Regulation

 

SourceGas’ natural gas utility operations are subject to regulation with respect to rates, service, maintenance of accounting records, pipeline integrity and various other matters by the respective regulatory authorities in the states in which the Company operates.  The Company’s accounting policies reflect the financial effects of the ratemaking and accounting practices and policies of those regulatory authorities, where appropriate.  As a result, SourceGas recognizes certain costs as regulatory assets that would otherwise be charged to expense and recognizes certain proceeds as regulatory liabilities that would otherwise be recorded as revenue.  The Company records regulatory assets when it is probable that costs will be recovered through rates charged to customers and records regulatory liabilities when it is probable that credits will be provided to customers as a result of the ratemaking process.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue from Regulated Operations. Regulated retail natural gas distribution revenues, derived primarily from the sale and transportation of natural gas, are recognized when gas is delivered to and received by the customer.  SourceGas bills customers of its regulated retail natural gas distribution businesses on a monthly billing cycle basis; however, the billing cycle periods for certain classes of customers do not necessarily coincide with accounting periods used for financial reporting purposes.  The Company estimates and accrues revenues applicable to gas delivered to customers, but not yet billed.  Estimated unbilled revenues were $44.1 million and $58.6 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Payments received from customers who participate in budget billing, whose balance represents the amount paid in excess of gas delivered, are included in deferred revenue.

 

SourceGas’ revenues for its regulated transmission operations are recognized in the period in which actual volumes are transported.  The Company also provides various types of natural gas transportation services to its customers in which the natural gas remains the property of these customers at all times.  The customer pays a two-part rate that includes a fixed fee and a per-unit rate

 

8



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

for volumes actually transported.  The fixed-fee component of the overall rate is recognized as revenue ratably over the contract period.  The per-unit charge is recognized as revenue when the volumes are transported.

 

Revenue from Unregulated Operations.  Revenue from unregulated natural gas marketing operations is recognized when gas is delivered to the customer.  The Company also offers a pricing option known as WinterGuard® under which the customer pays a fixed amount per month over a one- or two-year contract period from June to May for the customer’s gas consumption during the contract period.  The total contract fee is recognized as revenue over the contract period based on the delivered portion of the customer’s total estimated consumption.  Future consumption is estimated based on the customer’s historical gas consumption and normalized weather patterns.  Amounts billed to those customers in excess of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue.

 

In both regulated and unregulated operations, SourceGas bills and collects from its customers certain taxes based on revenues that are imposed by governmental authorities in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates.  SourceGas records revenues net of such taxes.

 

Trade Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

Trade accounts receivable arise primarily from natural gas sales to residential, commercial, industrial and other customers, as well as merchandise loans with maturities of less than one year relating to the sales of appliances and heating equipment.  These receivables are stated on the consolidated balance sheets net of a $1.7 million and $2.1 million allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects the Company’s estimate of probable losses in its receivable balance determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for high credit risk accounts and other currently available evidence.  When specific accounts are determined to be uncollectible, the allowance and receivable are relieved.

 

Gas in Underground Storage and Inventories

 

The Company uses underground gas storage facilities to help manage the seasonality of its business and to optimize the prices for which gas is purchased.  SourceGas’ natural gas inventories for unregulated operations are generally carried at the lower of cost or market value using the weighted average cost method.  The Company’s natural gas inventories for regulated utility operations are generally stated at the lower of average cost or net realizable value.  The regulatory treatment of utility gas inventories provides for cost recovery in customer rates.  Inventories, which represent materials and supplies are carried at the lower of cost or market and are accounted for using the average cost method.

 

9



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Property, plant and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas distribution

 

$

842,029

 

$

721,797

 

Natural gas transmission

 

351,967

 

288,686

 

Other property, plant and equipment in service

 

350,742

 

353,543

 

Construction work in progress

 

79,343

 

57,218

 

Total property, plant and equipment

 

1,624,081

 

1,421,244

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(611,503

)

(581,055

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

$

1,012,578

 

$

840,189

 

 

Property, plant and equipment are stated at original cost, net of contributions in aid of construction.  For constructed plant, original cost includes indirect costs from shared resource activities, allowance for funds used during construction (“AFUDC”) and other costs that clearly relate to plant construction.  AFUDC represents the estimated cost of funds used to finance the construction of major projects and is capitalized when the completed projects are placed in service.  AFUDC of $2.5 million and $1.4 million was capitalized in the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Expenditures that increase capacity, improve efficiency or extend service lives are capitalized.  Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.  The original cost of retirements of depreciable regulated property, plant and equipment, plus the cost of removal, less salvage, is recorded in accumulated depreciation with no effect on current period earnings.  Gains or losses are recognized upon retirement of unregulated and regulated property, plant and equipment constituting an operating unit or system when sold or abandoned.

 

Regulated plant depreciation is computed on the straight-line remaining life method at composite rates considered sufficient to amortize costs over estimated service lives.  Depreciation rates include components that compensate for nonlegal costs of removal (net of salvage value), and retirements, as approved by the appropriate regulatory agency.  The composite weighted average depreciation rates were 3.30% and 3.49% for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Depreciation on unregulated property, plant and equipment is generally computed on the straight-line method based upon estimated service lives ranging from 3 to 52 years.

 

Asset Retirement Obligations

 

The Company records a liability at fair value for an asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) and corresponding accretion expense when the legal obligation to retire the asset has been incurred with an offsetting increase to the carrying value of the related asset.  SourceGas has recorded an ARO in other liabilities of $0.2 million and $0.3 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

10



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

 

SourceGas reviews the carrying values of its long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such carrying values may not be recoverable.  For any assets with carrying values that are determined to be unrecoverable, the Company records an impairment charge to write down the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value.  SourceGas has not recorded any material asset impairments for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill is assigned to reporting units as of the date of the related business combination.  SourceGas’ reporting units include SGD, SGA, RMNG and SGES.  In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350 Intangibles — Goodwill and Other, goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, such as trademarks and trade names, are reviewed for impairment annually during the fourth fiscal quarter and whenever an event or a change in circumstances indicates that impairment may have occurred. Intangible assets with a finite life are amortized over their estimated useful lives. This standard provides companies the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount prior to performing the two-step goodwill impairment test.  If this is the case, the two-step goodwill impairment test is required.  An impairment loss is recorded when the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangibles exceeds their fair value.  For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company performed a qualitative assessment and determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting units were less than the carrying value; therefore, no impairment was recognized.  For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company completed step one of the two-step goodwill impairment test and determined that the Company’s reporting units’ fair value exceeded their carrying value; therefore, no impairment was recognized.

 

During 2015, the Company corrected an immaterial error in deferred tax liabilities related to the initial accounting of the 2007 acquisition of SourceGas.  The acquisition included an entry in which assets valued at $4.6 million were included in the computation of net book value but excluded from the computation of net tax value, resulting in an overstatement of deferred tax liabilities by $1.8 million. This prior period error is not considered material to previously issued financial statements; therefore, no retrospective adjustments were made.  The Company has corrected this error in its accompanying balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 through a reduction in deferred tax liabilities and a decrease in goodwill.

 

No adjustments were required to be made to the accompanying consolidated statements of income, equity, comprehensive income and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.  The Company evaluated the annual impairment testing performed from 2008 through 2015 and determined that this decrease in goodwill would not have changed the results of the impairment testing for those years.

 

Derivative Instruments

 

SourceGas utilizes derivative instruments for the purpose of mitigating risks resulting from changes in interest rates, energy commodity prices and volumetric load variances.  The objectives and strategies for using derivatives have been tailored to the Company’s regulated and unregulated businesses.

 

SourceGas records all derivative instruments at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets as either an asset or liability unless they qualify for certain exceptions, including the normal purchases and normal sales exception.  Changes in a derivative’s fair value are ultimately recognized in earnings.  The timing of when the changes in fair value are recorded in earnings depends on whether the

 

11



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

derivative has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship or if authoritative guidance for rate-regulated entities allows an alternative accounting treatment.  Changes in fair value for derivatives that do not meet one of these criteria are recognized in earnings as they occur.

 

Note 7 describes SourceGas’ use of derivative instruments and the related effect on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

Certain assets and liabilities are recognized or disclosed 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).  GAAP established a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  These levels are as follows:

 

·                  Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

·                  Level 2 — Pricing inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability as of the reporting date. These inputs are derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.

·                  Level 3 — Pricing based upon inputs that are generally unobservable, based on the best information available and reflect management’s assumptions on how market participants would price the asset or liability.

 

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, long-term debt and derivative instruments.  Except for the Senior Notes and the Senior Secured Notes, the fair values of SourceGas’ financial instruments approximate their respective carrying amounts in the consolidated balance sheets.  As a result of changes in market interest rates and other factors, the fair value of the Company’s fixed-rate Senior Notes was approximately $330.2 million and $351.0 million compared with a net carrying amount of approximately $324.9 million and $324.8 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The fair value of the fixed-rate Senior Secured Notes was approximately $98.0 million and $102.3 million compared to a net carrying value of $95.0 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  SourceGas determined the fair value of the Senior Notes and the Senior Secured Notes based on the mid-range market price as determined by the bond dealer, which is based on significant other observable inputs within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

See Note 7 for fair value measurements of the Company’s derivative instruments.

 

Income Taxes

 

SourceGas’ operations are conducted in the United States through limited liability companies and corporations.  The Company is treated as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes, with each partner taxed separately on its allocated share of the Company’s taxable income. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include a provision or liability for federal income taxes except for the Company’s corporate subsidiaries that are subject to federal or state income taxes.  These corporate subsidiaries are wholly owned by SourceGas Inc., which is a subsidiary of the Company.  SourceGas accounts for these income taxes using the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes.  The asset and liability method provides that deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are

 

12



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

measured using the currently enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that the change is enacted.  The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more likely than not to be realized.

 

The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained.  Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority.  The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheets along with any associated interest and penalties payable to the taxing authorities.

 

The Company records interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in general and administrative expenses.

 

See Note 8 for income tax disclosures and the tax effects of temporary differences that impact deferred tax assets and liabilities.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a customer fails to perform its contractual obligations.  SourceGas engages in transactions for the purchase and sale of products and services with companies in the natural gas industry and with industrial, commercial and residential natural gas consumers.  These transactions principally occur in the Rocky Mountain and Midwest regions of the United States.  SourceGas believes that this geographic concentration does not contribute significantly to its overall exposure to credit risk.  Credit risk associated with trade accounts receivable is mitigated by the large number of individual customers and the diversity in the Company’s customer base.

 

SourceGas also has credit risk exposure to counterparties with whom the Company has open derivative instruments in asset positions.  The Company’s over-the-counter financial commodity derivatives are with a number of counterparties each of which has an investment-grade credit rating.  SourceGas’ physical commodity derivatives with nonrated counterparties are reviewed in accordance with the Company’s credit risk policy.  SourceGas enters into interest rate swaps only with counterparties whose debt securities are rated investment-grade by the major rating agencies, and the Company actively monitors the counterparties’ credit ratings.  Based on the external credit rating and internal credit review of the counterparties, SourceGas believes the risk of default is remote.

 

New Accounting Standards

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes ASC 840, Leases.  This ASU requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all leases with terms of more than 12 months.  Lessees are permitted to make an accounting policy election to not recognize the asset and liability for leases with a term of 12 months or less. The ASU does not significantly change the lessees’ recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows from the previous accounting standard.  Lessors’ accounting under the ASC is largely unchanged from the previous accounting standard. In addition, the ASU expands the disclosure requirements of lease arrangements.  Lessees and lessors will use a modified retrospective transition approach, which includes a number of practical expedients.  The guidance is

 

13



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

effective for the Company beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted.  SourceGas is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17 Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which provides guidance on financial statement presentation for deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities. All deferred taxes are to be presented as non-current. FASB issued this guidance as part of its initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The guidance may be applied either prospectively, for all deferred tax assets and liabilities, or retrospectively by reclassifying the comparative balance sheets. Early adoption is permitted. SourceGas is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of ASU 2015-17 will have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-12, Plan Accounting: Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Topic 960), Defined Contribution Pension Plans (Topic 962), Health and Welfare Benefit Plans (Topic 965): Part I. Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contract; Part II. Plan Investment Disclosures; Part III. Measurement Date Practical Expedient” (“ASU 2015-12”).  ASU 2015-12 Part II simplifies the disclosure of plan assets by removing the requirement to disaggregate the fair value of assets disclosed by general type.  ASU 2015-12 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015, and early adoption is permitted.  SourceGas is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of ASU 2015-12 will have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. ASU 2015-11 requires an entity to measure inventory, other than inventory accounted for under last-in, first-out method or retail inventory method, at the lower of cost or net realizable value.  ASU 2015-11 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 on a prospective basis.  SourceGas is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of ASU 2015-11 will have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the associated debt liability.  In August 2015, ASU 2015-15, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) - Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements was issued to address the presentation and subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. The new requirements are effective beginning January 1, 2016.  Early adoption is permitted, and the new guidance will be applied on a retrospective basis.  SourceGas does not plan to adopt this standard early and is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of ASU 2015-03 will have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires entities to recognize revenue depicting the transfer of goods or services to customers at amounts expected to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.  The standard provides a five-step approach to revenue recognition: (1) identify the contract(s) with the customer; (2) identify the separate performance obligations in the contract;  (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to separate performance obligations; (5) recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied.  The new requirements are effective for nonpublic companies

 

14



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

beginning January 1, 2019, per ASU 2015-14, Deferral of Revenue Standard ASU 2014-09.  Adoption under the effective dates of ASU 2014-09 is permitted.  SourceGas is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

There were no other new significant accounting standards applicable to the Company that have been issued but not yet adopted by the Company as of December 31, 2015 and through the issuance of these financial statements.

 

3.     Regulatory Matters

 

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

 

The following regulatory assets and liabilities are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Regulatory Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased gas costs

 

$

9,284

 

$

21,876

 

Unrealized losses on derivative instruments

 

1,437

 

2,591

 

Pension plan

 

20,616

 

14,248

 

Postretirement medical plan

 

4,423

 

4,397

 

Rate Regulation and application costs

 

616

 

877

 

Other

 

5,544

 

1,535

 

Total regulatory assets

 

41,920

 

45,524

 

Less amount included in current assets

 

(10,787

)

(16,885

)

Regulatory assets, noncurrent

 

$

31,133

 

$

28,639

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased gas costs

 

$

14,808

 

$

1,457

 

Recoverable Demand Side Management expenses

 

4,430

 

2,273

 

Recovery from litigation settlement

 

1,621

 

 

Unrealized losses on derivative instruments

 

610

 

820

 

Other

 

1,495

 

1,262

 

Total regulatory liabilities

 

22,964

 

5,812

 

Less amount included in current liabilities

 

(21,296

)

(5,010

)

Regulatory liabilities, non-current

 

$

1,668

 

$

802

 

 

SourceGas defers purchased gas costs that otherwise would be charged to expense in accordance with gas cost adjustment mechanisms set forth in filings approved by the public utility commissions.  The Company is permitted to recover such costs through rates charged to customers.  The Company records an asset when purchased gas costs cumulatively exceed related billings and records a liability when billings cumulatively exceed related costs.

 

15



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

At December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, purchased gas costs in regulatory assets include $8.8 million and $13.1 million, respectively, in unrecovered gas costs related to the Litigated Settlement Special Rate Surcharge approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”).  RMNG is authorized to recover these amounts from customers through rate surcharges before November 1, 2017.  Other purchased gas costs included in regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities are being recovered or refunded in rates, or are deferred pending regulatory review and approval.  Generally, the applicable gas cost adjustment mechanisms provide for recovery or refund of deferred purchased gas costs over a 12-month period following the approval of a filing with the state public utility commissions with respect to such costs.

 

The following table presents the purchased gas costs by state in an under or (over) collected gas position:

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Arkansas

 

$

(7,186

)

$

4,673

 

Colorado

 

(7,061

)

3,253

 

Nebraska

 

397

 

(1,457

)

Wyoming

 

(470

)

900

 

RMNG (1)

 

 

 

Total purchased gas cost, net

 

$

(14,320

)

$

7,369

 

 


(1) Excludes the Litigated Settlement Special Rate Surcharge discussed above.

 

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, regulatory assets also include (i) unamortized costs incurred in connection with various regulatory applications that the Company is permitted to amortize and recover in its rates, (ii) unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments that are used to mitigate the volatility in purchased gas costs for regulated utility customers and (iii) uncollectible customer accounts that the Company is permitted to recover in its rates.  As discussed further in Note 6, SourceGas also has recorded regulatory assets for actuarial losses that have not yet been recognized in periodic benefit cost for the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans.  The amounts recorded as regulatory assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are not earning a rate of return.

 

Rate Filings and Other Matters

 

SourceGas Arkansas Inc.

 

Act 310 Surcharge

 

On August 1, 2013, SGA filed an “Act 310” Surcharge with the Arkansas Public Service Commission (“APSC”).  The purpose of the surcharge was to recover expenditures that SGA had reasonably incurred as a direct result of legislative or regulatory requirements relating to the protection of the public health, safety or the environment.  The surcharge, which was projected to recover annual expenses of approximately $1.4 million, became effective upon filing.  On January 14, 2014, an Administrative Law Judge issued an order approving SGA’s Act 310 Surcharge.  That order became the final order of the APSC on February 13, 2014.  Between August 1, 2013 and early July 2014, when SGA stopped billing its customers under its Act 310 Surcharge (see below), SGA recovered approximately $1.6 million under that surcharge.

 

16



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

On September 9, 2013, SGA made a general rate case filing with the APSC, seeking approval of revised rates.  On July 7, 2014, the APSC approved a settlement agreement that had been reached by all of the parties to the rate case, and the Company began billing new, increased, rates to its customers.  The increased rates provided SGA with, among other things, recovery of expenditures, which it had been recovering under its Act 310 Surcharge.  Therefore, SGA stopped billing customers under that surcharge when the rates went into effect.

 

Shortly after the APSC had approved SGA’s Act 310 Surcharge, the Arkansas Attorney General appealed the APSC’s order to the Arkansas Court of Appeals.  While that appeal was pending, the Arkansas Court of Appeals remanded to the APSC a case in which the APSC had approved Entergy’s Act 310 Surcharge, and directed the APSC to make additional findings regarding that surcharge.  As one of the issues in the Entergy case was the same issue raised by the Attorney General in SGA’s case, the parties requested the Court of Appeals to remand the SGA Act 310 case back to the APSC for additional findings.  The Court of Appeals did so, in May 2015.  Since that time, the APSC has taken no action on SGA’s Act 310 case.

 

Big River Steel

 

On March 11, 2014, SGA filed an application with the APSC seeking approval of a special rate contract between SGA and Big River Steel LLC, for natural gas transportation service at Big River Steel’s planned mini mill in Osceola, Arkansas.  On April 17, 2014, SGA filed an application with the APSC for approval to construct the pipeline needed to serve Big River Steel’s mini mill.  On June 20, 2014 and June 27, 2014, the APSC approved SGA’s special rate contract and the construction of the pipeline, respectively.  Under the special rate contract, Big River Steel is obligated to pay SGA a minimum amount for natural gas transportation service each year for a minimum of 20 years.  Also under that contract, Big River Steel paid SGA a $5.0 million construction deposit, which SGA will refund to Big River Steel when SGA first delivers natural gas to Big River Steel’s mini mill.   SGA expects the work on the pipeline and all appurtenances to be completed by the end of March 2016 and Big River Steel is expected to begin operations at the mini mill in the fall of 2016.

 

2015 Rate Case

 

On April 1, 2015 SGA made a general rate case filing with the APSC, seeking approval of revised rates, which would increase annual revenues by approximately $12.6 million.  In the rate case filing, SGA also sought approval of a new Infrastructure Program Rider (“IP Rider”), which would provide recovery to SGA for the costs it incurs in replacing bare steel mains, and certain other mains, as well as the costs of relocating meters susceptible to being struck by a motor vehicle.  SGA was recovering those costs through two different riders, its Main Replacement Program Rider (“MRP Rider”) and its At-Risk Meter Relocation Program Rider (“ARMRP Rider”).  The proposed IP Rider would, in effect, combine the current MRP Rider and ARMRP Rider, and would also eliminate the regulatory lag in the recovery of costs present in those two riders.  In its rate case filing, SGA also proposed to offer new services to its transportation customers, who purchase their natural gas from suppliers other than SGA, but pay SGA to deliver the natural gas to those customers.

 

On November 20, 2015, all of the parties to the rate case, other than the Arkansas Attorney General, filed a proposed settlement agreement with the APSC.  Following an evidentiary hearing at which the Attorney General opposed several provisions of the proposed settlement agreement, the APSC approved a revised version of the proposed settlement agreement on February 4, 2016.  Under the APSC’s order, SGA received an annual rate increase of $8.0 million.  While SGA agreed to drop its proposed IP Rider, the APSC’s order approved changes to the MRP Rider and to the ARMRP Rider which, among other things, eliminated the regulatory lag in the recovery of costs which had existed in

 

17



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

those riders.  The settlement agreement approved by the APSC also provided for SGA to offer Market Center Services to its transportation customers.

 

Stockton

 

On July 16, 2015, SGA filed with the APSC an application seeking approval of SGA’s purchase of the Stockton Storage Field (“Stockton”), located in Franklin County, Arkansas, from SWN Production (Arkansas), LLC, as well as a rider that would allow the Company to recover the costs of and earn a return on the purchase until the storage field can be included in SGA’s rate base in the Company’s next general rate case.  Following approval by the APSC, SGA purchased Stockton on October 21, 2015 for $25.0 million. The purchase of Stockton allowed SGA to reduce the increasingly costly upstream capacity it held on two interstate pipelines, resulting in a reduction of gas costs to SGA’s ratepayers.  SGA’s ownership of the storage field also increases the Company’s capacity to offer its Market Center Services (“MCS”) that were approved in SGA’s most recent rate case (see above).  Under the MCS tariff approved by the APSC in that rate case, SGA ratepayers will receive 60.0% of net MCS revenues for the first five years following the acquisition of Stockton and 50.0% thereafter.

 

SourceGas Distribution LLC

 

Wyoming

 

On September 9, 2013, SGD filed an application with the Wyoming Public Service Commission (“WPSC”) to construct major facilities consisting of a new compressor station (“Chokecherry”), natural gas transmission pipeline and other facilities that will interconnect SGD’s facilities with adjacent interstate pipelines.  SGD is also seeking authority to implement new unbundled storage services, market center services and a revenue sharing mechanism.  At its hearing on March 27, 2014, the WPSC approved the major elements of SGD’s application with revisions to the revenue sharing agreement and on August 14, 2014 issued its written order reflecting such approval.

 

Nebraska

 

SGD periodically files with the Nebraska Public Service Commission (“NPSC”) seeking approval of an infrastructure system replacement cost recovery charge (“ISR Charge”).  The purpose of the ISR Charge is to recover capital expenditures that SGD has incurred as a result of legislative or regulatory requirements relating to the protection of the public health, safety or the environment and is in addition to SGD’s currently effective base rates.  On June 25, 2013, the NPSC approved, and SGD implemented an ISR Charge, which generated annual revenues of $0.7 million effective July 1, 2013.  On May 1, 2014, SGD filed an application with the NPSC seeking approval of a second ISR Charge.  A hearing on the stipulation between SGD and the Public Advocate was held on July 30, 2014.  The NPSC approved the SGD’s second ISR Charge which was implemented September 1, 2014, and it is designed to generate annual revenues of $0.5 million.

 

On May 1, 2014, SGD filed an application with the NPSC seeking approval to put into effect a System Safety and Integrity Rider (“SSIR”) and initial SSIR charges designed to collect $1.5 million of revenue requirement for SSIR projects completed in 2014. The NPSC granted SGD’s SSIR application with certain conditions.

 

On November 10, 2014, SGD filed an application with the NPSC seeking approval to put into effect a 2015 SSIR to collect $1.4 million of revenue requirement for SSIR projects that will be completed in 2015.  The NPSC approved the application but reduced the amount to be recovered to $1.3 million.

 

18



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

On October 1, 2015, SGD filed an application with the NPSC seeking approval to put into effect a 2016 SSIR to collect $3.8 million of revenue requirement for SSIR projects that will be completed in 2016.  On January 12, 2016, the NPSC approved the application.

 

Colorado

 

On April 26, 2015, SGD filed an application with the CPUC requesting approval to implement a Choice Gas Program in Colorado for its North Eastern and Western Slope customers, effective June 1, 2016.  Choice Gas is the unbundling of natural gas service by allowing competitive commodity supply options.  The delivery of natural gas by SGD will still be regulated by the CPUC.  If approved by the CPUC, customers will have the opportunity to choose a natural gas supplier and pricing option that best suits their needs.   On July 17, 2015, SGD filed an Unopposed Motion to Vacate Hearing and Procedural Schedule, Waive Statutory Time limits, Hold Proceeding in Abeyance and Waive Response Time (Motion to Vacate) to hold the proceeding in abeyance for six months so SGD can determine how the Black Hills acquisition impacts the Choice Gas filing.  The CPUC granted this motion.  On January 18, 2016, SGD filed a Status Report and asked for an additional 60 days through March 18, 2016 to determine how the Black Hills acquisition impacts the Choice Gas filing.  The CPUC granted this request.

 

Due to the agreement entered on July 12, 2015 by Black Hills and SourceGas Holdings, on August 10, 2015, SGD, RMNG and Black Hills, filed with the other three state commissions Joint Applications, exhibits and attachments and supporting testimony, requesting from them a final order on or before February 1, 2016.   The NPSC granted the application on January 26, 2016 and the WPSC granted the application at the hearing on January 26, 2016.  The CPUC decision approving the application became effective by operation of law on February 11, 2016.  On February 12, 2016, the sale was closed and SourceGas Holdings became a subsidiary of Black Hills.

 

Rocky Mountain Natural Gas LLC

 

On March 31, 2014, RMNG filed an advice letter proposing an SSIR rate designed to collect $1.8 million of revenue requirement for SSIR projects to be completed in 2014.  The rate went into effect on June 1, 2014, on an interim basis, subject to refund.  On September 17, 2014, a settlement was reached and the CPUC approved most of the SSIR projects for inclusion in the SSIR rate.  RMNG issued a refund of $0.5 million to ratepayers on December 16, 2014.  On October 31, 2014, RMNG filed an advice letter proposing an SSIR rate to collect $0.4 million of revenue requirement for SSIR projects that will be completed in 2015.  This SSIR rate went into effect on a permanent basis on January 1, 2015.    On October 30, 2015, RMNG filed an advice letter proposing an SSIR rate to collect $0.8 million of revenue requirement for SSIR projects that will be completed in 2016.   This SSIR rate went into effect on a permanent basis on January 1, 2016.

 

Sale of SourceGas Companies to Black Hills

 

On July 12, 2015, Black Hills entered into an agreement to purchase SourceGas Holdings and its subsidiaries from its then current owners.  This acquisition constituted a change in control for the SourceGas subsidiaries and, therefore, approvals from the respective state commissions were needed to close the transaction.

 

On August 10, 2015, SGA, SGD, RMNG and Black Hills filed with the four state commissions an application requesting approval of the transaction.  On January 15, 2016, the APSC issued an order approving the transaction.  The NPSC granted the application on January 26, 2016 and the WPSC granted the application at the hearing on January 26, 2016.  The ALJ’S Recommended Decision

 

19



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

became the decision of the CPUC by operation of law on February 11, 2016.  On February 12, 2016, the sale was closed and SourceGas Holdings became a subsidiary of Black Hills.

 

Various other matters affecting SourceGas’ regulated utility operations are subject to proceedings before the state public utility regulatory commissions in Arkansas, Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming, as well as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

 

4.     Debt

 

Long-term Debt

 

Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

Year

 

 

 

Weighted 
average

 

 

 

Weighted 
average

 

 

 

 

 

Due

 

Interest

 

Interest Rate

 

Outstanding

 

Interest Rate

 

Outstanding

 

Senior Notes, unsecured

 

2017

 

Fixed

 

5.90

%

$

325,000

 

5.90

%

$

325,000

 

Senior Secured Notes

 

2019

 

Fixed

 

3.98

%

95,000

 

3.98

%

95,000

 

Term loan, secured by substantially all assets of SourceGas Holdings LLC by substantially all assets of SourceGas LLC

 

2018

 

Variable(1)

 

2.09

%

150,000

 

1.92

%

150,000

 

Term loan, unsecured

 

2016

 

Variable(1)

 

 

 

1.41

%

150,000

 

Term loan, unsecured

 

2017

 

Variable(1)

 

1.12

%

340,000

 

 

 

Revolving credit agreement, unsecured

 

2017

 

Variable(1)

 

1.66

%

47,500

 

1.42

%

139,100

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

957,500

 

 

 

859,100

 

Less: Unamortized original issue discount on Senior Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(129

)

 

 

(231

)

Current maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

957,371

 

 

 

$

858,869

 

 


(1) Variable rate based on one, two, three, or six-month LIBOR

 

Senior Notes, Unsecured

 

On April 16, 2007, SourceGas LLC issued the 5.90% Senior Notes due 2017 with an aggregate principal amount of $325.0 million in exchange for cash proceeds totaling approximately $324.0 million, net of a 0.32% original issue discount.  The Senior Notes are unsecured, bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.90% payable quarterly and mature in April 2017.

 

Senior Notes, Secured

 

On September 29, 2014, SourceGas Holdings issued the 3.98% Senior Secured Notes (the “Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $95.0 million due in September 2019.  The Notes are secured by substantially all assets of SourceGas Holdings.  The interest payments are payable semi-annually,

 

20



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

beginning March 29, 2015.  SourceGas Holdings used $70.0 million of the proceeds to pay down the $220.0 million term loan at SourceGas Holdings and the remainder paid down the revolving credit agreement held at SourceGas LLC.

 

Term Loan, Secured

 

In June 2013, SourceGas Holdings entered into a new syndicated term loan of $200.0 million, which is scheduled to mature in June 2018.  On June 30, 2014, SourceGas Holdings borrowed additional funds on its existing $200.0 million term loan in the amount of $20.0 million.  The borrowings under this term loan bear interest at a variable rate based on one, two, three, or six-month LIBOR plus a margin dependent upon the Senior Notes’ rating.  Upon closing the applicable margin was 1.75%.  SourceGas Holdings received proceeds totaling $20.0 million from the majority of its existing lenders.  All proceeds were used to pay down a portion of the revolving credit agreement held at SourceGas LLC. In September 2014, the balance of this term loan was reduced to $150.0 million using $70.0 million in proceeds from the $95.0 million Notes.

 

Included in the consideration paid as part of the closing of the acquisition was the retirement of this $150.0 million term loan on February 12, 2016.

 

Term Loans, Unsecured

 

On January 15, 2015, SourceGas LLC entered into a term loan with an aggregate principal amount of  $275.0 million due July 2016, which bears interest at a variable rate based on one, two, three, or six-month LIBOR plus a margin dependent upon the Senior Notes’ rating.  Upon closing, the applicable margin rate was 0.75%.  The interest payments are payable monthly, beginning February 17, 2015.  Initial proceeds were used to pay down the $150.0 million term loan and the remainder was used to pay down a portion of the revolving credit agreement, both held at SourceGas LLC.

 

On September 18, 2015, SourceGas LLC amended and restated the $275.0 million term loan which had a balance of $235.0 million prior to the amendment.  The amended and restated agreement increased the aggregate principal amount to $280.0 million and the applicable margin rate to 0.88%, and extended the maturity date to June 30, 2017.  The interest payments are payable monthly, beginning October 1, 2015.  The proceeds were used to pay down a portion of the revolving credit agreement.

 

On December 1, 2015, SourceGas LLC amended and restated the term loan agreement which increased the aggregate principal amount to $340.0 million, with no other change in terms. The proceeds were used to pay down a portion of the revolving credit agreement.

 

Revolving Credit Agreement

 

On September 18, 2015, SourceGas LLC amended the $175.0 million revolving credit agreement.  The amended agreement decreased the borrowing capacity to $100.0 million and has extended the maturity date to June 30, 2017.  Included in the consideration paid as part of the closing of the acquisition was the retirement of the revolving credit agreement on February 12, 2016.

 

The Notes, term loans and revolving credit agreement contain certain covenants, including financial covenants that require SourceGas Holdings to maintain ratios of consolidated indebtedness to total capitalization below specified levels and an interest coverage ratio above a specified level.  As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

 

21



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

At December 31, 2015, the aggregate maturities of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands):

 

Year ending December 31:

 

 

 

2016

 

$

 

2017 (1)

 

712,500

 

2018 (1)

 

150,000

 

2019

 

95,000

 

2020

 

 

 

 

$

957,500

 

 


(1) Due to the Black Hills acquisition of SourceGas Holdings, the revolving credit agreement and the $150.0 million term loan due in 2017 and 2018, respectively, were paid off and terminated on February 12, 2016.

 

5.     Commitments and Contingencies

 

Lease and Purchase Commitments

 

SourceGas leases certain property, plant and equipment under operating leases.  Rent expense related to these leases totaled $2.3 million and $2.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases are as follows (in thousands):

 

Year ending December 31:

 

 

 

2016

 

$

2,350

 

2017

 

2,226

 

2018

 

2,212

 

2019

 

1,676

 

2020

 

1,359

 

Thereafter

 

3,326

 

 

 

$

13,149

 

 

SourceGas assumed agreements, executed under previous ownership, that require the Company to purchase all of the natural gas produced over the productive life of specific leaseholds in the Bowdoin  field in Montana.  The majority of these purchases are committed to distribution customers of the Company’s regulated utility companies in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming, which are subject to regulatory cost recovery mechanisms.  The prices to be paid under these agreements vary and currently exceed market prices in certain instances.  For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, SourceGas’ purchases under these agreements totaled $10.9 million and $11.9 million, respectively.  Based on estimated production and forecasted prices, the Company estimates that purchases under these agreements will range from $5.7 million to $9.1 million for each of the next five years.  However, the volumes and cost of purchases under these agreements after five years cannot be reasonably estimated.

 

SourceGas has signed agreements providing for the reservation of firm pipeline capacity under which the Company is required to make fixed monthly payments for contracted capacity. SourceGas enters

 

22



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

into short-term sale agreements to release certain firm pipeline capacity on an annual basis to natural gas marketers in conjunction with the Choice Gas program.  However, as the release agreements are of a short-term nature, they are not reflected on the following schedule.

 

At December 31, 2015, the Company’s commitments for the reservation of firm pipeline capacity are as follows (in thousands):

 

Year ending December 31:

 

 

 

2016

 

$

37,418

 

2017

 

45,248

 

2018

 

44,434

 

2019

 

40,636

 

2020

 

40,636

 

Thereafter

 

192,651

 

 

 

$

401,023

 

 

SourceGas’ total obligations of fixed charges under the Company’s pipeline capacity purchase agreements were $17.4 million and $34.4 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and amounts paid during the year for these contracts were $16.4 million and $17.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

SourceGas also enters into gas purchase agreements, which are short-term or long-term in nature.  At December 31, 2015, the long-term commitments to purchase physical quantities of natural gas under contracts indexed to the forward Colorado Interstate Gas (“CIG”), Panhandle Eastern Pipeline (“PEPL”) and Northwest Wyoming Pool (“NWWY Pool”) Natural Gas indices are as follows:

 

 

 

Million Metric British Thermal
Units (“Mmbtu”) (in thousands)

 

Year ending December 31:

 

CIG

 

PEPL

 

NW WY Pool

 

2016

 

1,519

 

1,680

 

1,216

 

2017

 

 

 

1,208

 

2018

 

 

 

1,208

 

2019

 

 

 

968

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,519

 

1,680

 

4,600

 

 

SourceGas’ total payments under long-term gas purchase agreements were $8.3 million and $16.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Litigation

 

SGD and WBI Midstream (formerly known as Bitter Creek Pipelines LLC) were in a dispute regarding a Gas Gathering Agreement between the parties for the Bowdoin field in Montana.  SGD purchases gas in the Bowdoin field from Noble Energy pursuant to a Gas Purchase Contract known as the P-802 Contract.  Under the terms of the P-802 Contract, SGD is required to purchase all natural gas produced pursuant to specified pressures.  Through its investigations, SGD learned that Noble Energy and WBI Midstream employed a variety of schemes to over-deliver natural gas to SGD under the P-802 and Gas Gathering Agreement.

 

23



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

In September 2009, SGD initiated arbitration against WBI Midstream pursuant to the Gas Gathering Agreement for breach of contract (referred to herein as SGD v. WBI Energy).  On October 14, 2010 the arbitration panel concluded that WBI Midstream had breached the Agreement.  The arbitrators awarded SGD damages in the amount of approximately $26.0 million, plus attorney’s fees of approximately $0.6 million.  WBI Midstream filed a Motion to Vacate the Arbitration Award which was denied.  WBI Midstream appealed this decision and the Colorado Court of Appeals reversed the trial court’s order and remanded the matter for trial. SGD’s Petition for Certiorari was denied.

 

On January 19, 2015, SGD submitted a written offer to Noble Energy to terminate the P-802 contract.  In December 2015, Noble Energy and SGD reached an agreement to terminate the P-802 Contract.  The terms of the agreement remain undisclosed as there was a provision to the agreement whereby SGD would file applications with the Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska Public Service Commissions for the creation of a regulatory asset on SGD’s books and records comprised of the net buyout costs that SGD would incur to terminate the P-802 Contract.  The P-802 Contract will not be terminated until these applications are approved.  Colorado approved the application on January 27, 2016.  SGD anticipates approval by the Wyoming and Nebraska commissions by the end of April 2016.

 

In December 2015, WBI Energy and SGD reached an agreement to settle the SGD v WBI Energy litigation and to terminate the Gas Gathering Agreement simultaneous with the termination of the P-802 Contract.  SGD received $2.5 million from this settlement and $1.9 million is currently in regulatory liabilities, offset by deferred legal fees of $0.3 million.  The remainder of $0.6 million was a decrease to operating expenses.

 

SourceGas is involved in other litigation and claims arising from the day-to-day operations of the Company’s business.  SourceGas believes that the ultimate resolution of those matters will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, consolidated balance sheets, cash flows or results of operations.

 

Environmental Matters

 

SourceGas is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing environmental quality. RMNG is in the process of upgrading facilities at its Wolf Creek Storage Field.  Soil and water sampling was requested by the United States Forest Service (“USFS”) and the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) in response to discolored soil found onsite.  Small levels of contaminants were found in the immediate area around three of the well pads sampled.  RMNG remediated the contamination; however, subsequent samplings requested by the USFS and BLM demonstrated low levels of contamination which were remediated in the summer of 2015.  RMNG continues monitoring efforts and will be meeting with USFS and BLM in the spring of 2016 to reassess the need for additional monitoring.  SourceGas accrues liabilities related to these efforts when it is reasonable to estimate the amount, or range of amounts, of probable costs related to these efforts.  Management does not believe that it is reasonably possible that there will be a material change in the Company’s estimated liability in the near term and does not currently anticipate the disposition of any known efforts to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

24



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

6.     Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

 

Retirement Savings Plan

 

The SourceGas LLC Retirement Savings Plan (“Savings Plan”) is a defined contribution retirement plan qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code and covers substantially all of SourceGas’ employees.  Savings Plan participants may contribute a portion of their pretax compensation to the plan, subject to limitations as defined in the Savings Plan or by the Internal Revenue Service.  The Company made nonelective and elective employer contributions to the Savings Plan that totaled $4.8 million and $4.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

 

The SourceGas LLC Retirement Plan (“Retirement Plan”) covers only employees that were eligible for benefits under similar plans sponsored by previous ownership prior to acquisition by SourceGas.

 

The Retirement Plan provides for defined pension benefits based on employment group.  Employment groups are determined based on the acquisition that brought the eligible employees to the Company.  As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, SourceGas has the following employment groups: SG Participants (March 2007 acquisition) and SGA Participants (July 2008 acquisition).  The benefits for these groups are based on the participant’s compensation rate and years of participation.

 

SourceGas established a trust that accumulates assets to pay benefits under the Retirement Plan.  The Company’s funding policy is to contribute annually at least the minimum required contribution under federal law using the actuarial cost method and assumptions used for determining annual funding requirements.

 

Assets in the trust are invested in cash, fixed income and equity investments in accordance with a written investment policy, which may be revised based on the actions of the SourceGas LLC Retirement Plan Committee (the “Committee”).  The Committee monitors actual performance against target allocations and adjusts actual allocations and targets in accordance with the investment policy.  The Committee uses outside consultants and investment managers to aid in the determination of asset allocation and the management of actual plan assets.  The Retirement Plan seeks to match the long-term nature of its funding obligations with investment objectives for long-term growth and income.

 

The asset allocation strategy reflects the Retirement Plan’s return objectives and risk tolerance.  Asset allocations, target and actual, expressed as a percentage of the market value of the Retirement Plan are as follows:

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Target Range

 

Asset category:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

58

%

60

%

45% – 75%

 

Fixed-income securities

 

38

%

39

%

25% – 55%

 

Cash

 

4

%

1

%

0% – 5%

 

 

 

100

%

100

%

 

 

 

The Company’s pension liability balance (the unfunded status) represents the difference between the projected benefit obligation for pensions and the market value of the pension assets.  This difference is made up of the unamortized actuarial gain or loss that arises during the period but is not recognized

 

25



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

as a component of net periodic pension cost and would typically be recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”).  SourceGas’ regulated utility subsidiaries recover pension costs in rates; therefore, the Company has reported the unamortized actuarial loss in regulatory assets (see Note 3).

 

Postretirement Medical Plan

 

The SourceGas Employee Benefits Plan (“Medical Plan”) provides for subsidized healthcare benefits for certain retirees that were covered by similar plans under previous ownership prior to acquisition by SourceGas.

 

The Medical Plan provides for subsidized healthcare benefits to eligible participants based on two employment groups, SG Participants and SGA Participants.  Based on the employment group, the Company has varied levels of discretion in determining (i) the specific benefits to be provided, (ii) the required participant contributions and (iii) other variables that affect the net cost of its Medical Plan benefits.

 

Various trusts hold assets for postretirement benefits for the SGA Participants.  Assets in the trusts are invested in cash, fixed-income and equity investments in accordance with a written investment policy. This allocation may be revised based on the actions of the Committee.

 

The SGA Participants of the Medical Plan qualify to receive the federal subsidy under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (“Medicare Act”).  The effect of the Medicare Act is reflected assuming (i) the Medical Plan will continue to provide prescription drug benefits to SGA Participants that are at least actuarially equivalent to the Medicare Act and (ii) the Medical Plan will continue to receive the federal subsidy.

 

SourceGas’ liability (the unfunded status) for the Medical Plan represents the difference between the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and the market value of other postretirement assets. This difference is made up of the unamortized actuarial gain or loss that arises during the period but is not recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost and would typically be recognized as a component of AOCI.  SourceGas’ regulated utility subsidiaries recover postretirement costs in rates; therefore, the Company has reported the unamortized actuarial loss in regulatory assets (see Note 3).

 

Actuarial Assumptions

 

SourceGas determines periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs using certain actuarial assumptions and methods.  These assumptions include demographic and economic assumptions.  In determining the discount rate, which is used to determine the actuarial present value of plan benefits, SourceGas considers the yields of high-quality fixed-income investments with maturities corresponding to the timing of expected benefit payments.  The Company’s assumptions about the long-term rate of return on plan assets are based on historical and projected rates of return for current and planned asset classes in the investment portfolio.  Assumed projected rates of return for each asset class were selected after analyzing historical experience and future expectations of the returns.  The overall expected rate of return for the portfolio was developed based on the target allocation for each asset class.  In determining the rate of increase in healthcare costs, the Company considers historical and projected healthcare costs and also the effects of plan provisions that enable SourceGas to limit increases in the net cost of benefits to the general inflation rate by adjusting participant contributions, deductibles and copayments.

 

26



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

The measurement dates used to determine pension and other postretirement benefit measurements for the Retirement Plan and Medical Plan are December 31, 2015 and 2014.  The actuarial assumptions used to compute the net periodic pension cost and postretirement benefit cost are based upon information available as of the beginning of the year.  Changes in these assumptions may impact future benefit costs and obligations.

 

The following actuarial assumptions were used to determine the benefit obligations and the net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

 

 

Retirement Plan

 

Medical Plan

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2015

 

2014

 

Actuarial assumptions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

 

4.1

%

3.8

%

4.1

%

3.8

%

Rate of compensation increase

 

3.0

%

3.0

%

N/A

 

N/A

 

Net periodic benefit cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

 

3.8

%

4.7

%

3.8

%

4.7

%

Rate of compensation increase

 

3.0

%

3.0

%

N/A

 

N/A

 

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

 

8.0

%

8.0

%

5.0

%

5.0

%

Healthcare cost trend rate:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SG Participants

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

3.0

%

3.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SGA Participants

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

5.8

%

5.0

%

 

27



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

Benefit Obligation and Funded Status

 

The following is a reconciliation of the changes in the benefit obligation and fair value and a statement of the funded status of the Retirement Plan and Medical Plan (in thousands):

 

 

 

Retirement Plan

 

Medical Plan

 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2015

 

2014

 

Change in benefit obligation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

$

72,064

 

$

61,591

 

$

15,413

 

$

13,445

 

Service cost

 

3,219

 

3,127

 

150

 

152

 

Interest cost

 

2,729

 

2,849

 

564

 

641

 

Contributions by retirees

 

 

 

532

 

402

 

Benefits paid / payable

 

(2,341

)

(3,241

)

(1,471

)

(1,022

)

Actuarial loss/(gain)

 

2,062

 

7,738

 

351

 

1,795

 

Federal subsidy received / receivable

 

 

 

17

 

 

Benefit obligation at end of year

 

77,733

 

72,064

 

15,556

 

15,413

 

Change in plan assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

56,309

 

53,013

 

3,307

 

3,011

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

(762

)

2,637

 

35

 

198

 

Contributions by employer

 

3,900

 

3,900

 

1,017

 

778

 

Contributions by retirees

 

 

 

532

 

401

 

Benefits paid / payable

 

(2,386

)

(3,241

)

(1,516

)

(1,022

)

Federal subsidy received / receivable

 

 

 

17

 

 

Other expenses

 

 

 

 

(59

)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

57,061

 

56,309

 

3,392

 

3,307

 

Unfunded status at end of year

 

$

(20,672

)

$

(15,755

)

$

(12,164

)

$

(12,106

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

 

$

 

$

(624

)

$

(555

)

Other liabilities

 

(20,672

)

(15,755

)

(11,540

)

(11,551

)

Total liabilities

 

$

(20,672

)

$

(15,755

)

$

(12,164

)

$

(12,106

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”) (1)

 

$

72,026

 

$

66,205

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in regulatory assets consist of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net actuarial loss

 

$

(20,616

)

$

(14,248

)

$

(4,423

)

$

(4,397

)

 


(1) ABO differs from the projected benefit obligation in that the ABO excludes the effect of salary and wage increases.

 

28



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Retirement Plan and Medical Plan are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Retirement Plan

 

Medical Plan

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2015

 

2014

 

Service cost

 

$

3,219

 

$

3,127

 

$

150

 

$

152

 

Interest cost

 

2,729

 

2,849

 

564

 

641

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(4,515

)

(4,262

)

(167

)

(153

)

Amortization of loss

 

970

 

 

502

 

342

 

Other

 

46

 

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

2,449

 

$

1,714

 

$

1,049

 

$

982

 

 

SourceGas estimates that a total of $2.0 million will be amortized from regulatory assets into net periodic benefit cost during 2016 for the Retirement Plan and the Medical Plan.

 

Expected Contributions and Benefit Payments

 

SourceGas expects to contribute $3.9 million to the Retirement Plan and $1.0 million to the Medical Plan in 2016.

 

Retirement Plan benefits for all participants and Medical Plan benefits for SGA Participants are distributed from the related trusts.  For SG Participants, the Company pays benefits under the Medical Plan directly to participants and receives related contributions directly from participants.  Estimated future benefit payments, net of estimated contributions from participants, excluding the effect of applicable Medicare Act federal subsidy receipts and gross amount of federal subsidy receipts are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Retirement
Plan

 

Medical
Plan

 

Federal
Subsidy
Receipts

 

Year ending December 31:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

$

2,357

 

$

950

 

$

(25

)

2017

 

2,920

 

992

 

(27

)

2018

 

3,858

 

1,086

 

(31

)

2019

 

4,482

 

1,231

 

(40

)

2020

 

5,235

 

1,312

 

(47

)

2021 – 2025

 

31,220

 

7,114

 

(316

)

 

Investment Valuation

 

The Retirement Plan and Medical Plan assets are valued under the current fair value framework.  See Note 2 for further discussion regarding the definition and levels of the fair value hierarchy established by authoritative guidance.

 

29



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

Below is a listing of the market value of the major categories of plan assets held as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, as well as the associated level within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

December 31, 2014

 

Asset category

 

 

 

Retirement
Plan

 

Medical
Plan

 

Retirement
Plan

 

Medical
Plan

 

Level 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

$

2,322

 

$

162

 

$

724

 

$

193

 

Equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. small cap value

 

(1)

 

3,204

 

 

3,342

 

 

U.S. small cap blend

 

(1)

 

 

100

 

 

113

 

U.S. mid cap blend

 

 

 

 

201

 

 

172

 

U.S. mid cap growth

 

(1)

 

3,231

 

 

3,489

 

 

U.S. large cap value

 

(1)

 

8,700

 

 

8,994

 

 

U.S. large cap blend

 

 

 

 

475

 

 

498

 

U.S. large cap growth

 

(1)

 

9,587

 

 

8,998

 

 

International companies

 

(2)

 

8,425

 

203

 

8,955

 

172

 

Fixed-income securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intermediate-term bond

 

(3)

 

8,558

 

 

8,787

 

 

High-yield bond

 

(4)

 

2,661

 

 

2,683

 

 

Short-term bond

 

(5)

 

7,675

 

 

7,617

 

 

Inflation-protected bond

 

(5)

 

2,698

 

 

2,720

 

 

Real estate

 

(6)

 

 

79

 

 

81

 

Total Level 1

 

 

 

57,061

 

1,220

 

56,309

 

1,229

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intermediate-term bond

 

(7)

 

 

2,172

 

 

1,969

 

High-yield bond

 

(8)

 

 

 

 

109

 

Total Level 2

 

 

 

 

2,172

 

 

2,078

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

 

 

$

57,061

 

$

3,392

 

$

56,309

 

$

3,307

 

 


(1) Includes funds that invest primarily in U.S. common stocks

(2) Includes funds that invest primarily in foreign equity securities

(3) Includes funds that invest in a blend of U.S. government securities, mortgage-backed securities, U.S. corporate bonds,and foreign bonds

(4) Includes funds that invest primarily U.S. corporate bonds

(5) Includes funds that invest only in U.S. government securities

(6) Includes funds that invest only in real estate investment trusts

(7) Includes funds that invest primarily in state and municipal bonds

(8) Includes funds that invest only in international bonds

 

30



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

The Retirement Plan funds have been determined to be Level 1 investments within the fair value hierarchy and are valued on the basis of available market quotations in active markets.  The Medical Plan fixed-income securities have been determined to be Level 2 investments within the fair value hierarchy and are valued on significant other observable outputs other than quoted market prices.  The remaining Medical Plan funds have been determined to be Level 1 investments.

 

7.     Derivatives and Fair Value Measurement

 

Derivatives

 

In managing its natural gas supply portfolios, the Company has historically entered into physical fixed- and variable-priced contracts, which qualify as derivatives.  Additionally, the Company purchased over-the-counter financial natural gas swap contracts and options to mitigate risks associated with changes in the market price.  Gas contracts that have firm commitments to purchase a fixed amount of gas in the future at market price, qualify for the normal purchases and normal sales exception that is allowed for contracts that are probable of delivery in the normal course of business and are exempt from fair value reporting.  The Company’s natural gas purchases with volumetric swing in their contracts do not qualify for the normal purchases and normal sales exception.  These purchase deals and swap contracts are recorded at fair value.

 

Pursuant to regulatory deferral accounting treatment for rate-regulated entities, the costs associated with gains and losses from the use of financial and physical derivative instruments are included in the Company’s purchased gas adjustment mechanisms.  The changes in fair value and the settled amounts of these derivative instruments do not have a direct effect on earnings or other comprehensive income.

 

The Company has designated a certain number of its commodity derivative instruments as cash flow hedges.  The effective portion of the unrealized gains and losses arising from the use of the cash flow hedges is deferred in AOCI and will be recognized in operating results when the forecasted transaction affects earnings.  Hedge ineffectiveness, to the extent incurred, is currently recognized in the Company’s operating results.

 

In December 2014, SourceGas purchased over-the-counter gasoline swaps to help stabilize operating costs associated with forecasted purchases of gasoline fuels used to power vehicles and equipment used in the course of business.  These contracts extend through December 2015 and are not designated as cash flow hedges.  SourceGas recognizes unrealized gains and losses related to these derivative instruments in the operating results; they are not recorded as a component of deferred gas costs.

 

31



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

The commodity options and swaps are utilized to effectively fix the price on a portion of the Company’s natural gas supply portfolios.  These financial derivatives are purchased in anticipation of the forecasted purchases and/or sales of natural gas, during time frames ranging from January 2016 through December 2017.  Under these contracts, the Company pays the counterparty at a fixed rate and receives a floating rate per Million Metric British Thermal Units (“Mmbtu”) of natural gas.  Volumes below exclude contracts that qualify for normal purchase and normal sales.  As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had net long natural gas contracts outstanding in the following quantities:

 

 

 

December 31,

 

Mmbtu (in thousands)

 

2015

 

2014

 

Hedge designation:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow hedges

 

1,948

 

1,282

 

Not designated as hedges

 

12,009

 

13,347

 

Total hedges

 

13,957

 

14,629

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedge position:

 

 

 

 

 

Short position

 

(3,899

)

(5,077

)

Long position

 

17,856

 

19,706

 

Net long position

 

13,957

 

14,629

 

 

Interest Rate Swaps

 

In April 2013, SourceGas LLC entered into forward starting interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $150.0 million as a means of fixing the interest on the $150.0 million term loan, which became effective in July 2013.  Under these swaps, SourceGas LLC pays a weighted average fixed rate of 0.39%. These swaps receive a variable one-month LIBOR rate on the notional principal amounts over a two year, seven month term ending in February 2016.  These swaps were designated as cash flow hedges upon inception.

 

On February 12, 2016, SourceGas Holdings early settled its $150.0 million notional interest rate swaps that were originally designated as cash flow hedges in December 2010 at a loss of approximately $4.1 million.  Under these swaps, SourceGas Holdings paid a weighted average fixed rate of 2.96% and received a variable one-month LIBOR rate on the notional principal amounts. These swaps had an original maturity date ending in February 2017.

 

32



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

The fair value and balance sheet classification of the Company’s derivative instruments are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Balance Sheet

 

December 31,

 

 

 

Location

 

2015

 

2014

 

Designated as cash flow hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset derivative instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current commodity contracts

 

Other current assets

 

$

190

 

$

207

 

Current interest rate swaps

 

Other current assets

 

4

 

89

 

Noncurrent commodity contracts

 

Other assets

 

12

 

60

 

Noncurrent interest rate swaps

 

Other assets

 

 

49

 

Liability derivative instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current commodity contracts

 

Derivative instruments

 

(1,950

)

(1,719

)

Current interest rate swaps

 

Derivative instruments

 

(3,632

)

(4,362

)

Noncurrent commodity contracts

 

Derivative instruments

 

(151

)

(289

)

Noncurrent interest rate swaps

 

Derivative instruments

 

(357

)

(2,742

)

Total

 

 

 

(5,884

)

(8,707

)

Not designated as hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset derivative instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current commodity contracts

 

Other current assets

 

1,923

 

2,013

 

Noncurrent commodity contracts

 

Other assets

 

93

 

320

 

Liability derivative instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current commodity contracts

 

Derivative instruments

 

(3,946

)

(7,132

)

Noncurrent commodity contracts

 

Derivative instruments

 

(54

)

(620

)

Total

 

 

 

(1,984

)

(5,419

)

Total derivative instruments on balance sheet

 

 

 

$

(7,868

)

$

(14,126

)

 

33



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

The changes in fair value and income statement location of the Company’s derivative instruments are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Designated as cash flow hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas sales:

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI

 

$

271

 

$

(95

)

Ineffectiveness gain

 

 

26

 

Purchases and other costs of sales:

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized (loss) gain reclassified from AOCI

 

(2,656

)

1,213

 

Ineffectiveness loss

 

(26

)

(45

)

Interest expense:

 

 

 

 

 

Ineffectiveness loss

 

(4

)

(41

)

Net realized loss reclassified from AOCI

 

(4,680

)

(4,624

)

Not designated as hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas sales:

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized (loss) gain

 

(25

)

3

 

Net unrealized gain

 

25

 

26

 

Purchases and other costs of sales:

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized loss

 

(4,293

)

(1,303

)

Net unrealized gain (loss)

 

2,409

 

(3,292

)

Operation and maintenance:

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized loss

 

(52

)

 

Net unrealized gain (loss)

 

56

 

(76

)

Total impact of derivative instruments on earnings

 

$

(8,975

)

$

(8,208

)

 

34



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

In accordance with ASC 220 Comprehensive Income, presentation of the Company’s derivative instruments included in AOCI is as follows, net of tax where applicable (in thousands):

 

 

 

Interest Rate

 

Commodity

 

 

 

 

 

Swaps

 

Derivatives

 

AOCI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2013

 

$

(9,662

)

$

86

 

$

(9,576

)

Decrease in fair value, net of tax

 

(2,258

)

(395

)

(2,653

)

Recognition of losses (gains) in earnings settlements, net of tax

 

4,624

 

(676

)

3,948

 

Recognition of losses in earnings due to amortization

 

128

 

 

128

 

Balance, December 31, 2014

 

(7,168

)

(985

)

(8,153

)

Decrease in fair value, net of tax

 

(1,643

)

(1,601

)

(3,244

)

Recognition of losses in earnings due to settlements, net of tax

 

4,552

 

1,441

 

5,993

 

Recognition of losses in earnings due to amortization

 

128

 

 

128

 

Balance, December 31, 2015

 

$

(4,131

)

$

(1,145

)

$

(5,276

)

 

The Company expects to reclassify $1.1 million of deferred losses, net of tax, to purchases and other costs of sales relating to commodity derivative instruments and $3.6 million of deferred losses to interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2016, as forecasted transactions occur.  If it becomes probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur, then the Company will discontinue the use of hedge accounting and recognize the unrealized gains or losses that were previously recorded in AOCI in net income.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

SourceGas reports 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 (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

 

35



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

The following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy SourceGas’ derivative assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)

 

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

 

Total Fair
Value

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity derivative instruments

 

$

 

$

2,218

 

$

 

$

2,218

 

Interest rate swaps

 

 

4

 

 

4

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity derivative instruments

 

 

(6,101

)

 

(6,101

)

Interest rate swaps

 

 

(3,989

)

 

(3,989

)

Net derivative liability

 

$

 

$

(7,868

)

$

 

$

(7,868

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity derivative instruments

 

$

 

$

2,600

 

$

 

$

2,600

 

Interest rate swaps

 

 

138

 

 

138

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity derivative instruments

 

 

(9,760

)

 

(9,760

)

Interest rate swaps

 

 

(7,104

)

 

(7,104

)

Net derivative liability

 

$

 

$

(14,126

)

$

 

$

(14,126

)

 

In accordance with fair value accounting, the Company includes nonperformance risk in calculating fair value adjustments.  This includes a credit risk adjustment based on the credit spreads of the counterparties when SourceGas is in an unrealized gain position, or on SourceGas’ own credit spread when it is in an unrealized loss position.  The inputs in the Company’s valuation techniques on the financial derivatives include natural gas futures, credit default swap spreads and interest rates.  These are also known as significant other observable, or Level 2, inputs.  The Company has not used any Level 3 inputs in fair value valuations and there were no transfers between Level 1 or 2 during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

Certain of SourceGas’ master agreements for derivative instruments contain a reference to the Company’s Senior Notes rating as determined by one or more of the major credit rating agencies.  The current rating determines the available amount of unsecured credit.  Any counterparty exposure in excess of a negotiated line of unsecured credit may result in the requirement for the Company to post collateral.  The Company did not post collateral as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.  Should a change in the Senior Notes rating trigger a change in available unsecured credit, SourceGas may be required to post additional collateral to cover counterparty exposure.  No additional collateral was posted at December 31, 2015 or 2014.

 

36



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

The following table presents the fair value of the derivative instruments that are in a liability position, along with the Company’s exposure to collateral calls if the credit risk contingent features were triggered (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

Potential
Collateral
Call

 

Interest rate swaps

 

$

(2,052

)

$

2,078

 

Commodity derivatives

 

(1,962

)

2,026

 

 

 

$

(4,014

)

$

4,104

 

 

The fair value of the liability may differ from the potential collateral call amount due to the consideration of credit risk in its fair value measurements.

 

8.     Income Taxes

 

SourceGas’ income tax expense (benefit) consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

5,427

 

$

(4,034

)

State and local

 

2,138

 

(598

)

Total current

 

7,565

 

(4,632

)

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

2,307

 

6,309

 

State and local

 

(109

)

1,264

 

Total deferred

 

2,198

 

7,573

 

Total income tax expense

 

$

9,763

 

$

2,941

 

 

A reconciliation of the expense for income taxes to the expense that would result from applying the federal corporate income tax rate of 35.00% (“expected” rate) to SourceGas’ pretax income is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Computed “expected” tax expense

 

$

18,000

 

$

13,231

 

Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:

 

 

 

 

 

Limited liability company income not subject to tax

 

(8,540

)

(10,066

)

State and local income taxes (net of federal benefit)

 

1,195

 

411

 

Other

 

(892

)

(635

)

Total expense for income taxes

 

$

9,763

 

$

2,941

 

 

37



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented below in total (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Deferred short-term tax assets (liabilities):

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

$

 

$

2,431

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

285

 

1,204

 

Gas costs and inventory

 

576

 

(127

)

Employee expenses

 

758

 

532

 

AOCI - hedging

 

749

 

645

 

Bad debt reserve

 

111

 

388

 

Other

 

2,445

 

3,875

 

Total deferred short-term tax assets

 

4,924

 

8,948

 

Valuation allowance

 

 

 

Net deferred short-term tax assets

 

4,924

 

8,948

 

Deferred long-term tax assets (liabilities):

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

55

 

652

 

Pension and other postretirement benefits

 

423

 

748

 

Contributions in aid of construction

 

8,376

 

6,956

 

Capital loss carryforward

 

 

83

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

(47,356

)

(48,544

)

Deferred investment tax credit - ITC

 

(29

)

(49

)

Trademarks and trade names

 

(160

)

(160

)

Other

 

(2,281

)

(3,615

)

Total deferred long-term tax liabilities

 

(40,972

)

(43,929

)

Valuation allowance

 

(84

)

(83

)

Net deferred long-term tax liabilities

 

(41,056

)

(44,012

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred tax liabilities

 

$

(36,132

)

$

(35,064

)

 

When assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends on the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences are deductible.  SourceGas considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of available carryback and carryforward periods) and projected taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.  In order to fully realize a deferred tax asset, the Company would need to generate future taxable income of a certain nature, ordinary or capital, before expiration of the respective deferred tax assets.  Also during 2015, the Company changed its estimate of the amount of certain other deferred tax assets and liabilities, resulting in an immaterial benefit to tax expense.

 

38



 

SourceGas Holdings LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

SourceGas is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as state income tax filing obligations in a number of jurisdictions.  The statute of limitations remains open for tax years 2013 and 2014, and until September 15, 2016 for tax year 2012.  In 2014 SourceGas, Inc. completed an IRS examination of tax year 2011 with no material adjustments that were not proposed by the taxpayer.

 

In September 2013, the IRS and U.S. Treasury Department released final regulations on the deduction and capitalization of expenditures related to tangible property.  In January 2014, the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2015-16, which provided the procedural guidance with respect to compliance with these regulations.  However, the procedural guidance did not include guidance specific to natural gas pipeline network assets.  To comply with the mandatory tangible property regulations effective January 1, 2014, the Company reported several accounting method changes on Form 3115, Application for Change in Accounting Method, in its federal corporate income tax return for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Based on the projections of future taxable income over the periods for which the deferred tax assets may be utilized, the Company believes that it is more likely than not it will realize the benefits of its deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances, at December 31, 2015 and 2014.  At December 31, 2014 the Company had a capital loss carryforward in the amount of $83.4 thousand with a full valuation allowance.  This capital loss carryforward was utilized in the 2015 income tax provision.  Another capital loss carryforward in the amount of $6.8 million expired on December 31, 2014.  The associated deferred tax asset and related valuation allowance were removed from the balance sheet with no impact on tax expense.

 

In accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, during the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company recognized a reserve for uncertain tax positions related to pension, vacation and other post retirement deductions that were related to liabilities assumed by the Company as part of the acquisition of SGA on July 1, 2008.  In 2014, the Company released $2.4 million of a $3.6 million reserve as a result of completion of IRS audits of tax years 2008 and 2011.  The remaining reserve for uncertain tax positions amounts to $1.2 million for tax benefits originally claimed in tax years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2010.  These deductions contributed to a net operating loss carryforward utilized in the tax year ended December 31, 2012, for which the statute remains open until September 15, 2016.  Accrued interest related to the reserve is included in interest payable.

 

9.     Related Party Transactions

 

Agreements have been executed with the owners of the Company to provide certain administrative and operating services. These agreements require SourceGas to pay service fees totaling $1.0 million per year and reimburse out-of-pocket expenses.  Fees incurred under these agreements totaled $1.1 million and $1.0 million for years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

There were no amounts payable to these related parties for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

10.  Subsequent Events

 

SourceGas has evaluated events subsequent to December 31, 2015 through March 18, 2016, which is the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements, in order to determine the impacts, if any, of these events on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  Except as discussed in Notes 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7, there are no material subsequent events to report.

 

39


Exhibit 99.2

 

 

BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

 

On February 12, 2016, Black Hills Corporation (“the Company”, “Black Hills”) acquired SourceGas Holdings, LLC (“SourceGas”) from investment funds managed by Alinda Capital Partners and GE Energy Financial Services, a unit of General Electric Co., pursuant to the purchase and sale agreement executed on July 12, 2015 for approximately $1.89 billion, which included an estimated $200 million in capital expenditures through closing and the assumption of $760 million in debt at closing (“SourceGas Acquisition”).  The following Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements (“pro forma financial statements”) give effect to the acquisition of SourceGas by Black Hills and the corresponding common stock issuance and corporate units issuance reflected in the prospectus supplements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Black Hills on November 23, 2015, and the public debt issuances reflected in the prospectus supplement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Black Hills on January 13, 2016.  The pro forma financial statements have been prepared for illustrative purposes only.  The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of what the combined company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations actually would have been had the acquisition been completed as of the dates indicated.  In addition, the unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information does not purport to project the future financial position or operating results of the combined company.  The pro forma adjustments are based on the information available at the time of the preparation of these pro forma financial statements.

 

The pro forma financial information should be read in conjunction with the following historical consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes of Black Hills and SourceGas, referenced below.  The pro forma financial statements of Black Hills have been derived from:

 

·                  the audited consolidated financial statements of Black Hills as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015 included in Black Hills Corporation’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year then ended;

 

·                  the audited consolidated financial statements of SourceGas as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

Black Hills’ acquisition of SourceGas was accounted for in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting and the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Statement of Income (“pro forma statement of income”) for the year ended December 31, 2015 gives effect to the SourceGas Acquisition and related financing as if they were completed on January 1, 2015 (the first day of the most recently completed fiscal year).  The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Balance Sheet (“pro forma balance sheet”) was prepared as if the SourceGas Acquisition and related financing were completed on December 31, 2015 (the latest balance sheet date).  The unaudited pro forma statement of income and balance sheet are based on certain assumptions, described in the accompanying notes, which management believes are reasonable.  These unaudited pro forma financial statements should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Pro Forma Financial Statements.

 

The historical consolidated financial information has been adjusted in the pro forma financial statements to give effect to pro forma events that are:

 

·                  directly attributable to the SourceGas Acquisition and related financing transactions;

 

·                  factually supportable; and

 

·                  with respect to the pro forma statement of income, expected to have a continuing impact on the combined results of Black Hills and SourceGas.

 

The pro forma financial statements do not reflect any cost savings (or associated costs to achieve such savings) from operating efficiencies or restructuring that could result from the SourceGas Acquisition.  The pro forma statement of income reflects adjustments to remove the effect of transaction costs associated with the SourceGas Acquisition that have been incurred by Black Hills and are included in its historical financial statements.

 

1



 

The pro forma financial statements have been presented for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of results of operations and financial position that would have been achieved had the pro forma events taken place on the dates indicated, or the future consolidated results of operations or financial position of the combined company.  Assumptions and estimates underlying the pro forma adjustments are described in the accompanying notes, which should be read in connection with the pro forma financial statements.  The pro forma financial statements have been prepared based upon financial information available and certain assumptions that management believes are factually supportable as of the date of this document.  The actual adjustments to the combined financial information will depend on a number of factors, including additional information available, working capital adjustments and completion of the asset and liability valuations.  Any such adjustments to the preliminary estimates could be material.

 

Black Hills’ management believes that its assumptions provide a reasonable basis for presenting all of the significant effects of the SourceGas Acquisition and related financing transactions and that the pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions that are applied in the pro forma financial statements.  Certain amounts in SourceGas’ historical balance sheet as of December 31, 2015, have been reclassified to conform to Black Hills’ presentation in these pro forma financial statements.  These reclassifications are presented within the “Presentation Reclass” column in the pro forma balance sheet as of December 31, 2015.

 

2



 

BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME (LOSS)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Black Hills
Corporation
Historical

 

SourceGas
Historical

 

Pro Forma
Adjustments
Relating to
the
SourceGas
Acquisition

 

Pro Forma
Adjustments
Relating to
Debt
Issuance and
Revolver
Borrowings

 

Note

 

Combined
Pro Forma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

1,304,605

 

$

459,296

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

$

1,763,901

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utilities -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold

 

456,887

 

199,258

 

 

 

 

 

656,145

 

Operations and maintenance

 

272,407

 

122,818

 

 

 

 

 

395,225

 

Non-regulated energy operations and maintenance

 

88,702

 

 

 

 

 

 

88,702

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

155,370

 

46,521

 

 

 

 

 

201,891

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

249,608

 

 

 

 

 

 

249,608

 

Taxes - property, production and severance

 

44,353

 

8,235

 

 

 

 

 

52,588

 

Other operating expenses

 

7,483

 

 

(3,427

)

 

5(A)

 

4,056

 

Total operating expenses

 

1,274,810

 

376,832

 

(3,427

)

 

 

 

1,648,215

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

29,795

 

82,464

 

3,427

 

 

 

 

115,686

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest charges -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense incurred (including amortization of debt issuance costs, premiums and discounts and realized settlements on interest rate swaps)

 

(86,278

)

(34,378

)

6,665

 

(32,656

)

5(B) (C)

 

(146,647

)

Allowance for funds used during construction - borrowed

 

1,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,250

 

Capitalized interest

 

1,309

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,309

 

Interest income

 

1,621

 

298

 

 

 

 

 

1,919

 

Allowance for funds used during construction - equity

 

897

 

 

 

 

 

 

897

 

Other income (expense), net

 

1,884

 

3,043

 

 

 

 

 

4,927

 

Total other income (expense), net

 

(79,317

)

(31,037

)

6,665

 

(32,656

)

 

 

(136,345

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries and income taxes

 

(49,522

)

51,427

 

10,092

 

(32,656

)

 

 

(20,659

)

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries

 

(344

)

 

 

 

 

 

(344

)

Impairment of equity investments

 

(4,405

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,405

)

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

22,160

 

(9,763

)

(12,274

)

12,083

 

5(D)

 

12,206

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available for common stock

 

$

(32,111

)

$

41,664

 

$

(2,182

)

$

(20,573

)

 

 

$

(13,202

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share of common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share, Basic

 

$

(0.71

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(0.26

)

Earnings (loss) per share, Diluted

 

$

(0.71

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(0.26

)

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

45,288

 

 

 

 

 

5,635

 

3, 6

 

50,923

 

Diluted

 

45,288

 

 

 

 

 

5,635

 

3, 6

 

50,923

 

 

The accompanying Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Pro Forma Financial Statements are an integral part of these Combined Condensed Pro Forma Financial Statements.

 

3



 

BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2015

 

(in thousands)

 

Black Hills
Corporation
Historical

 

SourceGas
Historical

 

Presentation
Reclass

 

Pro Forma
Adjustments
Relating to
the
SourceGas
Acquisition

 

Pro Forma
Adjustments
Relating to
Debt
Issuance and
Revolver
Borrowings

 

Note

 

Combined
Pro Forma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

456,535

 

$

411

 

$

 

$

(1,134,882

)

$

688,034

 

5(F) (G)

 

$

10,098

 

Restricted cash and equivalents

 

1,697

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,697

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

147,486

 

84,423

 

 

 

 

 

 

231,909

 

Materials, supplies and fuel

 

86,943

 

10,546

 

9,746

 

 

 

 

 

107,235

 

Gas in underground storage

 

 

9,746

 

(9,746

)

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative assets, current

 

 

 

2,117

 

 

 

 

 

2,117

 

Income tax receivable, net

 

368

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

368

 

Deferred income tax assets, net, current

 

 

4,924

 

(4,924

)

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory assets, current

 

57,359

 

10,787

 

 

 

 

 

 

68,146

 

Prepayments

 

 

3,740

 

(3,740

)

 

 

 

 

 

Other current assets

 

71,763

 

9,135

 

1,623

 

 

 

 

 

82,521

 

Total current assets

 

822,151

 

133,712

 

(4,924

)

(1,134,882

)

688,034

 

 

 

504,091

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

11,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

4,976,778

 

1,624,081

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,600,859

 

Less: accumulated depreciation and depletion

 

(1,717,684

)

(611,503

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,329,187

)

Total property, plant and equipment, net

 

3,259,094

 

1,012,578

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,271,672

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

359,759

 

382,396

 

 

572,588

 

 

4, 5(E)

 

1,314,743

 

Intangible assets, net

 

3,380

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,380

 

Regulatory assets, non-current

 

175,125

 

31,133

 

 

 

 

 

 

206,258

 

Derivative assets, non-current

 

3,441

 

 

105

 

 

 

 

 

3,546

 

Deferred income taxes, non-current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets, non-current

 

20,566

 

5,750

 

(105

)

 

3,750

 

5(H)

 

29,961

 

Total other assets, non-current

 

562,271

 

419,279

 

 

572,588

 

3,750

 

 

 

1,557,888

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

4,655,501

 

$

1,565,569

 

$

(4,924

)

$

(562,294

)

$

691,784

 

 

 

$

6,345,636

 

 

4



 

BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2015

 

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

Black Hills
Corporation
Historical

 

SourceGas
Historical

 

Presentation
Reclass

 

Pro Forma
Adjustments
Relating to
the
SourceGas
Acquisition

 

Pro Forma
Adjustments
Relating to
Debt
Issuance
and
Revolver
Borrowings

 

Note

 

Combined
Pro Forma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

105,468

 

$

56,062

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

$

161,530

 

Interest accrued

 

 

6,243

 

(6,243

)

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued liabilities

 

232,061

 

 

57,785

 

 

 

 

 

289,846

 

Income taxes accrued

 

 

6,240

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,240

 

Derivative liabilities, current

 

2,835

 

9,528

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,363

 

Deferred income taxes, current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer deposits

 

 

12,725

 

(12,725

)

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

9,378

 

(9,378

)

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory liabilities, current

 

4,865

 

21,296

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,161

 

Notes payable

 

76,800

 

 

 

 

156,000

 

5(G)

 

232,800

 

Other

 

 

29,439

 

(29,439

)

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

422,029

 

150,911

 

 

 

156,000

 

 

 

728,940

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

 

1,866,866

 

957,371

 

 

(197,371

)

548,784

 

4, 5(G)

 

3,175,650

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred credits and other liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax liabilities, net, non-current

 

450,579

 

41,056

 

(4,924

)

(3,077

)

 

5(I)

 

483,634

 

Derivative liabilities, non-current

 

156

 

562

 

 

 

 

 

 

718

 

Regulatory liabilities, non-current

 

148,176

 

 

1,668

 

 

 

 

 

149,844

 

Benefit plan liabilities

 

146,459

 

 

32,212

 

 

 

 

 

178,671

 

Other deferred credits and other liabilities

 

155,369

 

43,823

 

(33,880

)

10,000

 

 

5(J)

 

175,312

 

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

 

900,739

 

85,441

 

(4,924

)

6,923

 

 

 

 

988,179

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock equity —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock $1 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; issued 51,231,861

 

51,232

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

51,232

 

Members capital

 

 

377,122

 

(377,122

)

 

 

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

953,044

 

 

169,962

 

(169,962

)

 

5(K)

 

953,044

 

Retained earnings

 

472,534

 

 

207,160

 

(207,160

)

(13,000

)

5(K) (L)

 

459,534

 

Treasury stock, at cost — 39,720

 

(1,888

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,888

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(9,055

)

(5,276

)

 

5,276

 

 

5(K)

 

(9,055

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

1,465,867

 

371,846

 

 

(371,846

)

(13,000

)

 

 

1,452,867

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

4,655,501

 

$

1,565,569

 

$

(4,924

)

$

(562,294

)

$

691,784

 

 

 

$

6,345,636

 

 

The accompanying Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Pro Forma Financial Statements are an integral part of these Combined Condensed Pro Forma Financial Statements.

 

5



 

BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED COMBINED CONDENSED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015

 

(1)                                 DESCRIPTION OF THE SOURCEGAS ACQUISITION

 

On February 12, 2016, Black Hills Corporation acquired SourceGas from investment funds managed by Alinda Capital Partners and GE Energy Financial Services, a unit of General Electric Co., pursuant to the purchase and sale agreement executed on July 12, 2015 for approximately $1.89 billion, which included an estimated $200 million in capital expenditures through closing and the assumption of $760 million in debt at closing.  The purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustments for capital expenditures, indebtedness and working capital.  The purchase price adjustment will be determined and agreed to, subject to a review period.  Accordingly, no purchase price adjustment has been reflected in these pro forma financial statements.  SourceGas is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Utility Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Corporation.

 

SourceGas primarily operates four regulated natural gas utilities serving approximately 429,000 customers in Arkansas, Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming, and a 512 mile regulated intrastate natural gas transmission pipeline in Colorado.

 

To fund the SourceGas Acquisition, we have put in place the following permanent financing:

 

·                  On January 13, 2016, we completed a public debt offering of $550 million in senior unsecured notes.  The debt offering consists of $300 million of 3.95%, 10-year senior notes due 2026, and $250 million of 2.5%, 3-year senior notes due 2019.  Net proceeds from the offering were $546 million;

 

·                  On November 23, 2015, we completed the offerings of common stock and equity units.  We issued 6.325 million shares of common stock for net proceeds of $246 million and 5.98 million equity units for net proceeds of $290 million.

 

We funded the cash consideration and out-of-pocket expenses payable in connection with the SourceGas Acquisition using the proceeds from the above offerings, other cash on hand and draws under our revolving credit facility.  Our $1.17 billion bridge commitment signed on July 12, 2015 was terminated on February 12, 2016 upon closing of the SourceGas Acquisition.

 

(2)                                 BASIS OF PRESENTATION OF THE COMBINED CONDENSED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Black Hills Corporation Historical represents Black Hills Corporation’s historical audited consolidated statement of income (loss) and consolidated balance sheet derived from the audited financial statements included in the Black Hills’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

SourceGas Historical represents SourceGas Holdings LLC’s historical audited consolidated statement of income and consolidated balance sheet for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Certain reclassifications have been made to SourceGas’ historical presentation in order to conform to Black Hills Corporation’s historical presentation, as presented within the column titled “Presentation Reclass” in the pro forma balance sheet.

 

The unaudited pro forma combined condensed statement of income and balance sheet have been prepared to reflect the acquisition of SourceGas and the related financing transactions.  The unaudited pro forma combined condensed statement of income combines the Black Hills Corporation and SourceGas historical consolidated income statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, giving effect to the acquisition and related financing transactions as if they had occurred on January 1, 2015.  The unaudited pro forma combined condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 gives effect to the acquisition and financing as if they had occurred on that date.  The historical financial information has been adjusted in the unaudited pro forma financial statements to give effect to pro forma events that are:

 

·                  directly attributable to the SourceGas Acquisition and related financing transactions;

 

·                  factually supportable; and

 

6



 

·                  with respect to the statement of income, expected to have a continuing impact on the combined results of Black Hills Corporation and SourceGas.

 

The unaudited pro forma financial statements are presented for illustration only and do not reflect any cost savings (or associated costs to achieve such savings) from operating efficiencies or restructuring that could result from the SourceGas Acquisition.  The pro forma statement of income reflects adjustments to remove the effect of transaction costs associated with the SourceGas Acquisition that have been incurred by Black Hills and are included in its historical financial statements.

 

(3)                                       FINANCING THE SOURCEGAS ACQUISITION

 

For purposes of the pro forma financial statements, the actual financing of the SourceGas Acquisition is assumed to have occurred on January 1, 2015 for the pro forma combined condensed statement of income and on December 31, 2015 for the pro forma combined condensed balance sheet.  The financing consists of the following:

 

·                  On February 12, 2016, aggregate principal amount of $156 million of short-term borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility at an interest rate of 1.55% for the year ended December 31, 2015 (see Note 5);

 

·                  On January 13, 2016, we completed a public debt offering of $550 million in senior unsecured notes.  The debt offering consists of $300 million of 3.95%, 10-year senior notes due 2026, and $250 million of 2.5%, 3-year senior notes due 2019.  Net proceeds after discounts and fees were approximately $546 million; and

 

·                  On November 23, 2015, we completed the offerings of common stock and corporate units.  We issued 6.325 million shares of common stock for net proceeds of $246 million and 5.98 million corporate units for net proceeds of $290 million.  Each corporate unit has a stated amount of $50 and consists of a contract to (i) purchase Company common stock and (ii) a 1/20, or 5%, undivided beneficial ownership interest in $1,000 principal amount of remarketable junior subordinated notes (“RSNs”) due 2028.  Pursuant to the purchase contracts, holders are required to purchase Company common stock no later than November 1, 2018.  Black Hills Corporation makes semi-annual payments on the RSNs and quarterly contract adjustment payments on the stock purchase contracts at the rates of 3.5% and 4.25%, respectively.

 

Cash consideration of $1.135 billion paid on February 12, 2016 to close the SourceGas Acquisition included $536 million of net proceeds from the November 2015 issuances of common stock and corporate units, $546 million of net proceeds from the January 2016 public debt issuance and $156 million of borrowings on February 12, 2016 on the Revolving Credit Facility, less approximately $103 million of the debt and equity issuance proceeds that was used to temporarily pay down borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility and for other corporate purposes, prior to the February 12, 2016 closing of the SourceGas Acquisition.

 

Adjustments have been made to the pro forma combined condensed balance sheet to reflect the net proceeds of $546 million from the January 13, 2016 public debt offering and the $156 million of borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility on February 12, 2016.  Black Hills balance sheet at December 31, 2015, reflects the $536 million of net proceeds from the November 23, 2015 issuances of common stock and corporate units.

 

(4)                                 PRO FORMA ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PRICE

 

The consideration paid by Black Hills for SourceGas’ identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed reflects the actual cash paid on February 12, 2016 for the purpose of preparing the pro forma financial information. The purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustments for capital expenditures, indebtedness and working capital.

 

The historical book value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed approximates fair value given the regulatory environment under which SourceGas operates, with the exception of asset retirement obligations, pension obligations and non-controlling interests which are subject to valuation adjustments that have not been made at this time, a long-term gas purchase obligation held at SourceGas’ non-regulated subsidiary that has been adjusted to approximate fair value within these pro forma financial statements, and adjustments associated with income taxes which are reflected within these pro forma financial statements.

 

The fair values are estimated as of December 31, 2015, and do not reflect the effect of any anticipated future activity.  The estimated purchase price is allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values with the excess of the purchase price over the fair value recorded as goodwill.  The following table shows the pro forma

 

7


 


 

allocation of the consideration paid for SourceGas’ identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and the pro forma goodwill generated from the acquisition.

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preliminary Purchase Price

 

 

 

$

1,894,882

 

Less: Long-term debt assumed

 

 

 

(760,000

)

Consideration Paid

 

 

 

$

1,134,882

 

Fair value of assets acquired:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

411

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

84,423

 

 

 

Materials, supplies and fuel

 

20,292

 

 

 

Derivative assets, current

 

2,117

 

 

 

Deferred income tax assets, net, current

 

 

 

 

Regulatory assets, current

 

10,787

 

 

 

Other current assets

 

10,758

 

 

 

Property, plant & equipment, net

 

1,012,578

 

 

 

Regulatory assets, non-current

 

31,133

 

 

 

Derivative assets, non-current

 

105

 

 

 

Other assets, non-current

 

5,645

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

1,178,249

 

 

 

Fair Value of liabilities assumed:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

56,062

 

 

 

Accrued liabilities

 

57,785

 

 

 

Income taxes accrued

 

6,240

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities, current

 

9,528

 

 

 

Regulatory liabilities, current

 

21,296

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

 

760,000

 

 

 

Deferred income tax liabilities, net, non-current

 

33,055

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities, non-current

 

562

 

 

 

Regulatory liabilities, non-current

 

1,668

 

 

 

Benefit plan liabilities

 

32,212

 

 

 

Other deferred credits and other liabilities

 

19,943

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

$

998,351

 

 

 

Net assets (liabilities) acquired

 

 

 

$

179,898

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preliminary pro forma goodwill generated from the acquisition

 

 

 

$

954,984

 

 

SourceGas historical long-term debt at December 31, 2015 was approximately $957 million.  Included in the consideration paid was the retirement of $197 million of SourceGas debt composed of a $150 million SourceGas term-loan and approximately $47 million outstanding under the SourceGas revolving credit facility.  The remaining $760 million of long-term debt was assumed by Black Hills at closing.

 

The SourceGas Acquisition enhances Black Hills’ utilities, providing greater operating scale, driving more efficient delivery of services and benefiting customers.  Goodwill generated from the acquisition reflects the benefits of increased operating scale and organic growth opportunities.

 

This is a preliminary calculation of goodwill.  The purchase price is subject to post closing adjustments for capital expenditures, indebtedness and working capital, and completion of final asset and liability valuations. The valuations will be completed within a year from the acquisition date.  Any such adjustments to the preliminary estimates could be materially different than the estimates provided herein.

 

8



 

(5)                                 PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS

 

The pro forma adjustments included in the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Statement of Income (Loss) and the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Balance Sheet are as follows:

 

(A)                   Other operating expenses - reflects pro forma adjustment to remove SourceGas Acquisition transaction costs of $3.4 million incurred by Black Hills Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

(B)                   Interest expense - reflects pro forma adjustment to remove approximately $6.7 million of actual costs associated with fees from the Black Hills’ Bridge Term Loan Agreement in 2015.  There were no draws under the the Bridge Term Agreement, and the commitment terminated on February 12, 2016 upon closing of the SourceGas Acquisition.

 

(C)                   Interest expense - reflects pro forma adjustments from our January 13, 2016 long-term debt issuances of $300 million and $250 million, our $299 million of corporate units issued on November 23, 2015, and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility as shown in the tables below.  The tables below also include an adjustment for amortization of deferred financing costs which is included in interest expense in 2015.

 

Interest expense on the corporate units is composed of an interest rate of 3.5% on the RSNs and accretion of the associated contract adjustment payment liability on the purchase contracts that are a component of the corporate units over the estimated contract life of three years (See Note 3).  As of December 31, 2015, the approximate present value of contract adjustment payment liability is $33 million, which is reflected in Black Hills’ historical balance sheet.

 

Interest expense on our Revolving Credit Facility is at LIBOR plus a margin of 112.5 basis points reflective of our current corporate credit rating.

 

The combined effective interest rate for the corporate units, the long-term debt and the Revolving Credit Facility is 3.25% for the year ended December 31, 2015, and is based on the pricing assumptions shown in the tables below:

 

9



 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015

 

CORPORATE UNITS

 

 

 

(in thousands,
except rates)

 

Principal on the RSNs

 

$

299,000

 

Interest Rate

 

3.50

%

Pro forma Interest Expense on RSNs

 

$

10,465

 

Accretion of Contract Adjustment Payment Liability on the Purchase Contracts that are a Component of the Corporate Units

 

2,148

 

Pro forma Interest Expense on Corporate Units

 

$

12,613

 

Less interest and accretion included in Black Hills historical income statement (1)

 

(1,346

)

Total Pro forma Interest Expense on Corporate Units

 

$

11,267

 

 

LONG-TERM DEBT 10 YEAR $300M TRANCHE

 

 

 

(in thousands,
except rates)

 

Long-term debt proceeds

 

$

300,000

 

Interest Rate

 

3.95

%

Pro Forma Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt

 

$

11,850

 

Amortization of Debt discount

 

91

 

Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs

 

245

 

Pro Forma Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt

 

$

12,186

 

 

LONG-TERM DEBT 3 YEAR $250M TRANCHE

 

 

 

(in thousands,
except rates)

 

Long-term debt proceeds

 

$

250,000

 

Interest Rate

 

2.50

%

Pro Forma Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt

 

$

6,250

 

Amortization of Debt discount

 

103

 

Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs

 

432

 

Pro Forma Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt

 

$

6,785

 

 

REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

 

 

 

(in thousands,
except rates)

 

Incremental Revolving Credit Facility borrowings

 

$

156,000

 

Interest Rate

 

1.55

%

Pro Forma Interest Expense on Revolving Credit Facility

 

$

2,418

 

 

 

 

 

Pro Forma Adjustment Total Interest Expense

 

$

32,656

 

 

 

 

 

Pro Forma Combined Effective Interest Rate

 

3.25

%

 


(1)         Black Hills historical income statement for the year ended December 31, 2015, includes interest costs and accretion of the contract adjustment payment liability totaling approximately $1.4 million.  The pro forma income statement assumes issuance of the corporate units as of January 1, 2015.  To reflect the appropriate pro forma interest and amortization expense on the pro forma income statement, these adjustments are necessary to appropriately account for what is already recorded in the historical Black Hills income statement.

 

10



 

(D)      Income tax expense - reflects the pro forma tax effect of the other pro forma adjustments based on a combined federal and state income tax rate estimated at 37%.

 

Pro forma adjustments reflect the impact of income tax expense recognized on the SourceGas historical financial statements as SourceGas has subsidiaries that are not subject to income taxes at the entity level.  Additional pro forma federal and state income tax expense was approximately $8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Pro forma adjustments for income taxes are calculated shown in the table below (in thousands, except tax rate):

 

 

 

Pro Forma Adjustments
Relating to the SourceGas
Acquisition

 

Pro Forma Adjustments
Relating to Debt Issuance
and Revolver Borrowings

 

Income (loss) before earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries and income taxes

 

$

10,092

 

$

(32,656

)

Combined federal and state tax rate

 

37

%

37

%

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

(3,734

)

12,083

 

Additional tax (expense) recorded on SourceGas subsidiaries

 

(8,540

)

 

Pro Forma Adjustments to Income tax benefit (expense)

 

$

(12,274

)

$

12,083

 

 

(E)                    Goodwill - the pro forma adjustment of $573 million reflects the elimination of SourceGas’ $382 million of goodwill and $955 million of goodwill generated from the acquisition.  As further described in Footnote 4, goodwill generated from the acquisition of $955 million is calculated as the difference between the preliminary purchase price and the estimated fair value of the identifiable SourceGas assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

 

(F)                     Reflects the net change to cash from the acquisition (in thousands):

 

Preliminary Purchase Price

 

$

(1,894,882

)

Adjusted by:

 

 

 

Assumption of debt

 

760,000

 

Cash consideration paid

 

$

(1,134,882

)

 

(G)                   Reflects the effect of the public debt offerings on January 13, 2016, incremental borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility, and payments associated with the acquisition financing (in thousands):

 

Proceeds from incremental borrowings on our revolving credit facility (1)

 

$

156,000

 

Pro forma adjustment to Notes payable

 

$

156,000

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from the issuance of public debt (2)

 

$

548,784

 

Pro forma adjustment to Long-term debt

 

$

548,784

 

 

 

 

 

Less: underwriter’s fees and other fees associated the acquisition

 

$

(16,750

)

 

 

 

 

Total pro forma net proceeds from Notes payable and Long-term debt

 

$

688,034

 

 


(1)         On February 12, 2016, Black Hills Electric Generation, our subsidiary entered into a definitive agreement to sell a 49.9%, non-controlling interest in Black Hills Colorado IPP for $215 million.  The sale is expected to close by the end of April 2016, pending receipt of regulatory approval from FERC. We intend to use the $215 million in proceeds to pay down short term debt.

 

(2)         Represents gross proceeds net of discounts.  See Note 3.

 

11



 

(H)                  Other assets, non-current - reflects pro forma adjustments to record deferred financing costs as of December 31, 2015 as if the transaction occurred on that date.  The adjustment reflects $3.8 million of deferred financing fees associated with the long-term debt offerings on January 13, 2016.

 

(I)                       The deferred income taxes associated with the acquisition will be accounted for under the guidance prescribed in ASC 740.  A SourceGas subsidiary, which is an LLC taxed as a partnership, has no deferred income taxes recorded on its balance sheet.  When Black Hills acquired SourceGas, appropriate deferred income taxes were recorded on the opening balance sheet and estimates are reflected in these pro forma financial statements, including adjustments related to a step up in tax basis.  The following table summarizes the pro forma adjustments to deferred income taxes (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax liabilities, net, non-current

 

$

(3,077

)

 

(J)                       Other deferred credits reflect a pro forma adjustment of $10 million to estimate the approximate fair value of a long-term gas supply obligation held by SourceGas’ non-regulated subsidiary.

 

(K)                   Reflects pro forma adjustments eliminating SourceGas historical equity balances.

 

(L)                    Reflects a pro forma adjustment to Retained Earnings for a one-time, non-recurring expense associated with the acquisition which is included in Black Hills’ 2016 expenses, subsequent to the closing of the acquisition.  This adjustment does not reflect any tax impacts that may be applicable.  This expense is not included in the pro forma combined condensed income statement for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

(6)                                 EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

The pro forma earnings per share calculation for Black Hills in the pro forma income statement for the year ended December 31, 2015 reflects the November 23, 2015 issuance of 6.325 million common shares as if the shares were issued and outstanding on January 1, 2015. The 5.635 million share adjustment is the difference between the historical Black Hills weighted shares outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and the pro forma December 31, 2015 outstanding shares, calculated as if the shares were issued on January 1, 2015, resulting in total pro forma outstanding shares of 50.9 million shares.

 

12



 

BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

NON-GAAP MEASURES FROM THE UNAUDITED COMBINED CONDENSED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015

 

In addition to presenting pro forma information in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Black Hills is providing non-GAAP financial information in the form of Earnings before Interest Taxes Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA).  Black Hills’ management believes EBITDA (non-GAAP) is an important supplemental measure of operating performance which when considered with measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, gives a more complete understanding of operating results.

 

A reconciliation of pro forma EBITDA to pro forma Net Income (Loss) determined in accordance with GAAP is provided below:

 

PRO FORMA COMBINED EBITDA

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015

(in millions)

 

 

 

Black Hills
Historical

 

SourceGas
Historical

 

Pro Forma
Adjustments
Relating to
the
SourceGas
Acquisition

 

Pro Forma
Adjustments
Relating to
Debt
Issuance and
Revolver
Borrowings

 

Note

 

Combined
Pro Forma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) (GAAP)

 

$

(32.1

)

$

41.7

 

$

(2.2

)

$

(20.6

)

 

 

$

(13.2

)

Interest expense, net

 

82.1

 

34.1

 

(6.7

)

32.7

 

5(B) (C)

 

142.2

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

(22.2

)

9.8

 

12.3

 

(12.1

)

5(D)

 

(12.2

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

155.4

 

46.5

 

 

 

 

 

201.9

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

249.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

249.6

 

EBITDA (non-GAAP)

 

$

432.8

 

$

132.0

 

$

3.4

 

$

 

 

 

$

568.3

 

 

13