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FORM 10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

x

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004
or

o

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

For the transition period from _____________to_____________

Commission file number 1-06446

kminc.gif (5069 bytes)
Kinder Morgan, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Kansas

  

48-0290000

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

  

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

  

500 Dallas Street, Suite 1000, Houston, Texas 77002

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

  

(713) 369-9000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

  

    

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes x  No o

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock, $5 par value, as of October 29, 2004 was 123,879,969 shares.


KINDER MORGAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-Q
QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004


Contents

  

Page
Number

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
  

   Consolidated Balance Sheets

3-4

   Consolidated Statements of Operations

5

   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

6

   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

7-24

  
Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial

   Condition and Results of Operations

25-42

  
Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

42

  
Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

42

  
PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

  
Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

43

  
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

43

  
Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

43

  
Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

43

  
Item 5.

Other Information

43

  
Item 6.

Exhibits

44

  
SIGNATURE

45

2


PART I. - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
Kinder Morgan, Inc. and Subsidiaries

September 30,

December 31,

2004

2003

(In thousands)

ASSETS:
Current Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents

$    12,174 

$    11,076 

Restricted Deposits

     28,145 

     17,158 

Accounts Receivable, Net:
   Trade

     63,039 

     75,903 

   Related Parties

      8,031 

      1,584 

Note Receivable

      5,046 

          - 

Inventories

     50,410 

     22,096 

Gas Imbalances

      5,805 

     33,320 

Other

     70,450 

    115,183 

    243,100 

    276,320 

   
Investments:
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners

  2,090,196 

  2,106,312 

Goodwill

    947,730 

    972,380 

Other

    203,949 

    208,860 

  3,241,875 

  3,287,552 

   
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

  6,101,763 

  6,083,937 

  
Deferred Charges and Other Assets

    383,925 

    388,902 

  
Total Assets

$ 9,970,663 

$10,036,711 

=========== 

=========== 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

3


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
Kinder Morgan, Inc. and Subsidiaries

September 30,

December 31,

2004

2003

(In thousands except shares)

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Current Liabilities:
Current Maturities of Long-term Debt

$   580,000 

$     5,000 

Notes Payable

     37,600 

    127,900 

Accounts Payable:
   Trade

     35,631 

     61,385 

   Related Parties

          - 

     10,632 

Accrued Interest

     33,662 

     68,596 

Accrued Taxes

     58,813 

     35,795 

Gas Imbalances

     18,156 

     38,494 

Other

    130,507 

    128,559 

    894,369 

    476,361 

  
Other Liabilities and Deferred Credits:
Deferred Income Taxes

  2,500,945 

  2,477,329 

Other

    156,126 

    197,435 

  2,657,071 

  2,674,764 

  
Long-term Debt:
  Outstanding Notes and Debentures

  2,257,557 

  2,837,487 

  Deferrable Interest Debentures Issued to Subsidiary Trusts

    283,600 

    283,600 

  Value of Interest Rate Swaps

     85,659 

     88,242 

  

  2,626,816 

  3,209,329 

  
Minority Interests in Equity of Subsidiaries

  1,034,333 

  1,010,140 

  
Stockholders' Equity:
Common Stock-
  Authorized - 150,000,000 Shares, Par Value $5 Per Share
  Outstanding - 133,589,131 and 132,229,622 Shares,
    Respectively, Before Deducting 9,901,351 and 8,912,660
    Shares Held in Treasury

    667,946 

    661,148 

Additional Paid-in Capital

  1,836,288 

  1,780,761 

Retained Earnings

    866,873 

    732,492 

Treasury Stock

   (505,337)

   (446,095)

Deferred Compensation

    (34,956)

    (36,506)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

    (72,740)

    (25,683)

Total Stockholders' Equity

  2,758,074 

  2,666,117 

  
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

$ 9,970,663 

$10,036,711 

=========== 

=========== 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

4


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
Kinder Morgan, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2004

2003

2004

2003

(In thousands except per share amounts)

Operating Revenues:
Natural Gas Transportation and Storage

$ 171,468 

$ 163,377 

$ 542,207 

$ 509,204 

Natural Gas Sales

   51,834 

   70,619 

  231,877 

  264,108 

Other

   26,340 

   12,987 

   65,011 

   44,404 

    Total Operating Revenues

  249,642 

  246,983 

  839,095 

  817,716 

  
Operating Costs and Expenses:
Gas Purchases and Other Costs of Sales

   55,821 

   72,515 

  241,502 

  265,322 

Operations and Maintenance

   42,650 

   30,754 

  116,778 

   92,204 

General and Administrative

   18,334 

   18,761 

   60,501 

   53,955 

Depreciation and Amortization

   29,949 

   29,225 

   89,137 

   87,897 

Taxes, Other Than Income Taxes

    6,953 

    8,148 

   23,785 

   22,705 

    Total Operating Costs and Expenses

  153,707 

  159,403 

  531,703 

  522,083 

  
Operating Income

   95,935 

   87,580 

  307,392 

  295,633 

  
Other Income and (Expenses):
Equity in Earnings of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners

  143,979 

  116,659 

  405,548 

  341,886 

Equity in Earnings of Other Equity Investments

    2,965 

    3,058 

    8,467 

    8,260 

Interest Expense, Net

  (33,990)

  (34,751)

  (98,785)

 (106,039)

Interest Expense - Deferrable Interest Debentures

   (5,478)

        - 

  (16,434)

        - 

Interest Expense - Capital Trust Securities

        - 

   (5,478)

        - 

   (5,478)

Minority Interests

  (21,114)

  (10,183)

  (45,511)

  (41,580)

Other, Net

    1,756 

       18 

    3,277 

      140 

    Total Other Income and (Expenses)

   88,118 

   69,323 

  256,562 

  197,189 

  
Income Before Income Taxes

  184,053 

  156,903 

  563,954 

  492,822 

Income Taxes

   72,123 

   61,273 

  220,592 

  191,928 

  
Net Income

$ 111,930 

$  95,630 

$ 343,362 

$ 300,894 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

  
Basic Earnings Per Common Share

$    0.91 

$    0.78 

$    2.77 

$    2.46 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

Number of Shares Used in Computing Basic
    Earnings Per Common Share (Thousands)

  123,673 

  123,109 

  123,756 

  122,406 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

  
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

$    0.90 

$    0.77 

$    2.75 

$    2.43 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

Number of Shares Used in Computing Diluted
    Earnings Per Common Share (Thousands)

  124,683 

  124,345 

  124,852 

  123,640 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

  
Dividends Per Common Share

$  0.5625 

$  0.4000 

$  1.6875 

$  0.7000 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

5


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
Kinder Morgan, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2004

2003

(In thousands)

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net Income

$ 343,362 

$ 300,894 

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
    Depreciation and Amortization

   89,137 

   87,897 

    Deferred Income Taxes

   79,931 

   81,199 

    Equity in Earnings of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners

 (405,548)

 (341,886)

    Distributions from Kinder Morgan Energy Partners

  319,271 

  272,115 

    Equity in Earnings of Other Investments

   (8,467)

   (8,260)

    Minority Interests in Income of Consolidated Subsidiaries

   45,511 

   30,624 

    Deferred Purchased Gas Costs

    4,343 

  (14,829)

    Net (Gains) Losses on Sales of Facilities

   (2,055)

    4,610 

    Gain from Settlement of Orcom Note

        - 

   (2,917)

    Pension Contribution in Excess of Expense

     (116)

   (6,486)

    Changes in Gas in Underground Storage

  (10,397)

   52,476 

    Changes in Working Capital Items

  (18,687)

  (42,653)

    Proceeds from Termination of Interest Rate Swap

        - 

   28,147 

    Other, Net

  (16,877)

  (17,696)

Net Cash Flows Provided by Continuing Operations

  419,408 

  423,235 

Net Cash Flows Used in Discontinued Operations

     (487)

   (1,251)

Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities

  418,921 

  421,984 

  
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital Expenditures

 (110,306)

  (86,560)

Investment in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (Note 7)

  (17,504)

   (1,764)

Net (Investments in) Proceeds from Restricted Deposits

  (10,987)

        4 

Other Investments

        - 

  (16,036)

Proceeds from Sales of Turbines

  40,809 

      - 

Proceeds from Settlement of Orcom Note

        - 

    2,727 

Net (Cost of Removal) Proceeds from Sales of Other Assets

     (440)

    6,378 

Net Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities

  (98,428)

  (95,251)

  
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Short-term Debt, Net

  (90,300)

  191,100 

Long-term Debt Retired

   (5,000)

 (511,083)

Issuance of Shares by Kinder Morgan Management

   15,000 

        - 

Common Stock Issued

   40,051 

   33,623 

Short-term Advances (To) From Unconsolidated Affiliates

  (14,354)

   45,854 

Repurchase of Kinder Morgan Management, LLC Shares

        - 

     (928)

Treasury Stock Acquired

  (55,109)

  (28,038)

Cash Dividends, Common Stock

 (208,981)

  (85,955)

Minority Interests, Net

     (627)

     (358)

Securities Issuance Costs

      (75)

        - 

Net Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities

 (319,395)

 (355,785)

  
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

    1,098 

  (29,052)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

   11,076 

   35,653 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

$  12,174 

$   6,601 

========= 

========= 

For supplemental cash flow information, see Note 4.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

6


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

We are an energy transportation, storage and related services provider that has operations in the Rocky Mountain and mid-continent regions of the United States, with principal operations in Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming. Our business activities include: (i) storing, transporting and selling natural gas, (ii) providing retail natural gas distribution services and (iii) operating and, in previous periods, constructing electric generation facilities. We have both regulated and nonregulated operations. In addition, we own the general partner interest, as well as significant limited partner interests, in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P., a publicly traded pipeline master limited partnership, referred to in these Notes as "Kinder Morgan Energy Partners," and receive a substantial portion of our earnings from returns on these investments. Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "KMI."

We have prepared the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under such rules and regulations, we have condensed or omitted certain information and notes normally included in financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. We believe, however, that our disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of our financial results for the interim periods presented. You should read these interim consolidated financial statements in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 ("2003 Form 10-K"). Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to "we," "us," "our," or the "Company" are intended to mean Kinder Morgan, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

1.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

For a complete discussion of our significant accounting policies, see Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2003 Form 10-K.

Stock-Based Compensation

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, encourages, but does not require, entities to adopt the fair value method of accounting for stock-based compensation plans. As allowed under SFAS No. 123, we continue to apply Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Accordingly, compensation expense would not be recognized for stock options unless the options were granted at an exercise price lower than the market price on the grant date, which we have not done. Had compensation cost for these plans been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123, net income and diluted earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts shown in the table below. Because the SFAS No. 123 method of accounting has not been applied to options granted prior to January 1, 1995, among other factors, the resulting pro forma compensation cost may not be representative of that to be expected in future years. Additionally, the pro forma amounts include approximately $218,000 and $206,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively and $726,000 and $706,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, related to the purchase discount offered under the employee stock purchase plan.

7


  

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2004

2003

2004

2003

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Net Income, As Reported

$ 111,930 

$  95,630 

$ 343,362 

$ 300,894 

  Add: Stock-based Employee Compensation Expense
    Included in Reported Net Income, Net of Related Tax
    Effects

      671 

    1,147 

    2,221 

    1,621 

  Deduct: Total Stock-based Employee Compensation
    Expense Determined under the Fair Value Method for
    All Awards, Net of Related Tax Effects

   (3,644)

   (4,803)

  (11,737)

  (12,684)

Net Income, Pro Forma

$ 108,957 

$  91,974 

$ 333,846 

$ 289,831 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

  
Basic Earnings Per Common Share:
  As Reported

$    0.91 

$    0.78 

$    2.77 

$    2.46 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

  Pro Forma

$    0.88 

$    0.75 

$    2.70 

$    2.37 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

  
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:
  As Reported

$    0.90 

$    0.77 

$    2.75 

$    2.43 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

  Pro Forma

$    0.87 

$    0.74 

$    2.67 

$    2.34 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

2.   Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. In recent periods, we have repurchased a significant number of our outstanding shares, see Note 11. Diluted earnings per common share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period, increased by the assumed exercise or conversion of securities (stock options are currently the only such securities outstanding) convertible into common stock, for which the effect of conversion or exercise using the treasury stock method would be dilutive.

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2004

2003

2004

2003

(In thousands)

Weighted-average Common Shares Outstanding

 123,673 

 123,109 

 123,756 

 122,406 

Dilutive Common Stock Options

   1,010 

   1,236 

   1,096 

   1,234 

Shares Used to Compute Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

 124,683 

 124,345 

 124,852 

 123,640 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

Weighted-average stock options outstanding totaling 0.3 million and 1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and 0.2 million and 2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, were excluded from the diluted earnings per common share calculation because the effect of including them would have been antidilutive.

3.   Interest Expense, Net

"Interest Expense, Net" as presented in the accompanying interim Consolidated Statements of Operations is net of the debt component of the allowance for funds used during construction, which was $0.3 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $0.7 million and $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

8


4.   Cash Flow Information

We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Changes in Working Capital Items:
(Net of Effects of Acquisitions and Sales)
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents  

  

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2004

     

2003

(In thousands)

Accounts Receivable

$  12,864 

     

$  25,402 

Materials and Supplies Inventory

     (252)

     (411)

Other Current Assets

    8,839 

   29,948 

Accounts Payable

  (25,754)

  (38,938)

Other Current Liabilities

  (14,384)

  (58,654)

$ (18,687)

$ (42,653)

========= 

========= 

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:  

Cash Paid During the Period for:      
Interest (Net of Amount Capitalized)

$ 142,048 

$ 150,295 

========= 

========= 

Distributions on Capital Trust Securities1

$       - 

$  10,956 

========= 

========= 

Income Taxes Paid, Net of Refunds

$ 119,526 

$ 115,656 

========= 

========= 

  

1These distributions are included in "Interest" for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.

Distributions received by our Kinder Morgan Management subsidiary from its investment in i-units of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners are in the form of additional i-units, while distributions made by Kinder Morgan Management to its shareholders are in the form of additional Kinder Morgan Management shares, see Note 6. "Other, Net" as presented in the accompanying interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows principally consists of other non-cash increases and decreases to earnings, including amortization of deferred revenue, amortization of debt discount and expense and amortization of interest rate swap proceeds previously received upon termination of the swap.

9


5.   Comprehensive Income

Our comprehensive income is as follows:

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2004

2003

2004

2003

(In thousands)

Net Income:

$ 111,930 

$  95,630 

$ 343,362 

$ 300,894 

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
  Change in Fair Value of Derivatives Utilized for
     Hedging Purposes

   (2,539)

    5,726 

  (15,165)

  (24,808)

  Reclassification of Change in Fair Value of Derivatives
     to Net Income

    3,323 

    8,238 

   12,077 

   38,243 

  Equity in Other Comprehensive Loss of Equity Method
     Investees

  (51,697)

   (4,239)

  (88,401)

   (9,989)

  Minority Interest in Other Comprehensive Loss of
     Equity Method Investees

   25,861 

    2,064 

   44,432 

    5,754 

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

  (25,052)

   11,789 

  (47,057)

    9,200 

  
Comprehensive Income

$  86,878 

$ 107,419 

$ 296,305 

$ 310,094 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

The Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss of $72.7 million at September 30, 2004 consisted of (i) $62.4 million representing our pro rata share of the accumulated other comprehensive loss of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners and (ii) $10.3 million representing unrecognized net losses on hedging activities.

6.   Kinder Morgan Management, LLC

On August 13, 2004, Kinder Morgan Management made a distribution of 0.018039 of its shares per outstanding share (920,140 total shares) to shareholders of record as of July 30, 2004, based on the $0.71 per common unit distribution declared by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners for the second quarter of 2004. On November 12, 2004, Kinder Morgan Management will make a distribution of 0.017892 of its shares per outstanding share (929,105 total shares) to shareholders of record as of October 29, 2004, based on the $0.73 per common unit distribution declared by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners for the third quarter of 2004. These distributions are paid in the form of additional Kinder Morgan Management shares or fractions thereof calculated by dividing Kinder Morgan Energy Partners' cash distribution per common unit by the average market price of a Kinder Morgan Management share determined for a ten-trading day period ending on the trading day immediately prior to the ex-dividend date for the shares.

7.   Investments and Sales

In July 2004, we sold our remaining surplus LM6000 gas-fired turbine for consideration of $8.3 million (net of marketing fees), which consideration consisted of $2.0 million in cash, a note receivable of $6.5 million and a payable for marketing fees of $0.2 million. The $5.0 million current portion of this note receivable is recorded in the caption "Note Receivable" in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2004.

In April 2004, we sold two surplus LM6000 gas-fired turbines for consideration of $16.5 million (net of marketing fees), which consideration consisted of $2.4 million in cash, a note receivable of $14.5 million and a payable for marketing fees of $0.4 million. During September 2004, the remaining balance of this receivable was collected. In June 2004, we sold two surplus LM6000 turbines and two boilers to Kinder Morgan Production Company, L.P., a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, for their

10


estimated fair market value of $21.1 million, which we received in cash. This equipment was a portion of the equipment that became surplus as a result of our decision to exit the power development business. The book value of the remaining surplus power generation equipment available for sale at September 30, 2004 was $26.9 million.

In February 2004, Kinder Morgan Energy Partners issued 5.3 million common units in a public offering at a price of $46.80 per common unit, receiving total net proceeds (after underwriting discount) of $237.8 million. We did not acquire any of these common units. This transaction reduced our percentage ownership of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (at the time of the transaction) from approximately 19.0% to approximately 18.5% and had the associated effects of increasing (i) our investment in the net assets of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners by $23.2 million, (ii) associated accumulated deferred income taxes by $24,000 and (iii) paid-in capital by $40,000 and, in addition, reduced our equity method goodwill in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners by $23.1 million. In addition, in February 2004, in order to maintain our one percent general partner interest in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners' operating partnerships, we made a contribution of approximately $2.6 million.

On March 25, 2004, Kinder Morgan Management closed the issuance and sale of 360,664 listed shares in a limited registered offering. None of the shares in the offering were purchased by Kinder Morgan, Inc. Kinder Morgan Management used the net proceeds of approximately $14.9 million from the offering to buy additional i-units from Kinder Morgan Energy Partners.

8.   Summarized Income Statement Information for Kinder Morgan Energy Partners

Following is summarized income statement information for Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, a publicly traded master limited partnership in which we own the general partner interest, in addition to limited partner interests in the form of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners common units, i-units and Class B limited partner units. This investment, which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting, is described in more detail in our 2003 Form 10-K. Additional information on Kinder Morgan Energy Partners' results of operations and financial position are contained in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

Three Months Ended
September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2004

  

2003

2004

  

2003

(In thousands)

Operating Revenues

$ 2,014,659

$ 1,650,842

$ 5,794,097

$ 5,104,127

Operating Expenses

  1,761,823

  1,445,877

  5,084,755

  4,504,448

Operating Income

$   252,836

$   204,965

$   709,342

$   599,679

===========

===========

===========

===========

Income Before Cumulative Effect of a Change in
    Accounting Principle

$   217,342

$   174,176

$   604,314

$   510,146

===========

===========

===========

===========

Net Income

$   217,342

$   174,176

$   604,314

$   513,611

===========

===========

===========

===========

9.   Discontinued Operations

During 1999, we adopted and implemented a plan to discontinue a number of lines of business. During 2000, we essentially completed the disposition of these discontinued operations. The cash flows attributable to discontinued operations included in the accompanying interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows under the caption "Net Cash Flows Used in Discontinued Operations" result from cash activity attributable to retained liabilities associated with these discontinued operations. Note 7 of Notes

11


to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2003 Form 10-K contains additional information on these matters.

10.  Financing

At September 30, 2004, we had available an $800 million five-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility dated August 18, 2004. This credit facility replaced a $445 million 364-day credit facility dated October 14, 2003 and a $355 million three-year revolving credit agreement dated October 15, 2002, and includes covenants and requires payment of facility fees that are similar in nature to the covenants and facility fees required by the revolving bank facilities it replaces, which are discussed in our 2003 Form 10-K. This credit facility can be used for general corporate purposes, including serving as support for our commercial paper program. Under this bank facility, we are required to pay a facility fee based on the total commitment, whether used or unused, at a rate that varies based on our senior debt rating. We had no borrowings under our bank facility at September 30, 2004.

The commercial paper we issue, which is supported by the credit facility described above, is comprised of unsecured short-term notes with maturities not to exceed 270 days from the date of issue. Commercial paper outstanding at September 30, 2004 was $37.6 million, representing a reduction of $90.3 million from the $127.9 million outstanding at December 31, 2003. Our weighted-average interest rate on short-term borrowings outstanding at September 30, 2004 was 1.85 percent. Average short-term borrowings outstanding during the third quarter of 2004 were $87.5 million and the weighted-average interest rate was 1.53 percent. Average short-term borrowings outstanding during the first nine months of 2004 were $115.1 million and the weighted-average interest rate was 1.23 percent.

On March 3, 2003, our $500 million 6.45% Senior Notes matured, and we paid the holders of the notes, utilizing a combination of cash on hand and incremental short-term borrowing. Our current maturities of long-term debt of $580 million at September 30, 2004 consisted of (i) $5 million of current maturities of our 6.50% Series Debentures due September 1, 2013, (ii) $500 million of 6.65% Series Senior Notes due March 1, 2005 and (iii) $75 million of 8.75% Series Debentures due October 15, 2024, which we redeemed on October 21, 2004. Our $150 million of 6.67% Series Debentures due November 1, 2027, which had been redeemable at par through a one-time option by the holders on November 1, 2004, are reflected in "Long-term Debt" on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2004 since the holders did not elect to require us to redeem the debentures.

On August 13, 2004, we paid a cash dividend on our common stock of $0.5625 per share to shareholders of record as of July 30, 2004. On October 20, 2004, our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $0.5625 per common share payable on November 12, 2004 to shareholders of record as of October 29, 2004.

11.  Common Stock Repurchase Plan

On August 14, 2001, we announced a program to repurchase up to $300 million of our outstanding common stock, which program was increased to $400 million, $450 million, $500 million and $550 million in February 2002, July 2002, November 2003 and April 2004, respectively. As of September 30, 2004, we had repurchased a total of approximately $507.8 million (9,963,900 shares) of our outstanding common stock under the program, of which $15.8 million (264,900 shares) and $55.1 million (931,100 shares) were repurchased in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively. We repurchased $25.6 million (484,200 shares) and $28.0 million (537,800 shares) of our common stock in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2003, respectively. (See the table included under Part II, Item 2 elsewhere in this report.)

12


12.  Business Segments

In accordance with the manner in which we manage our businesses, including the allocation of capital and evaluation of business segment performance, we report our operations in the following segments: (1) Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America and certain affiliates, referred to as Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America, a major interstate natural gas pipeline and storage system; (2) TransColorado Gas Transmission Company, referred to as TransColorado, an interstate natural gas pipeline located in western Colorado and northwest New Mexico; (3) Kinder Morgan Retail, the regulated sale and transportation of natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers (including a small distribution system in Hermosillo, Mexico), and the sale of natural gas to certain utility customers under the Choice Gas Program and (4) Power, the operation and, in previous periods, construction of natural gas-fired electric generation facilities.

The accounting policies we apply in the generation of business segment information are generally the same as those applied to our consolidated operations and described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2003 Form 10-K, except that (i) certain items below the "Operating Income" line are either not allocated to business segments or are not considered by management in its evaluation of business segment performance and (ii) equity in earnings of equity method investees, other than Kinder Morgan Energy Partners and certain insignificant international investees, are included in segment results. These equity method earnings are included in "Other Income and (Expenses)" in the accompanying interim Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, (i) certain items included in operating income (such as general and administrative expenses) are not allocated to individual business segments and (ii) gains and losses from incidental sales of assets are included in segment earnings. With adjustment for these items, we currently evaluate business segment performance primarily based on operating income in relation to the level of capital employed. We account for intersegment sales at market prices, while we account for asset transfers at either market value or, in some instances, book value.

 

13


BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

Three Months Ended September 30, 2004

September 30,
2004

Segment Earnings

Revenues From
External
Customers1

Depreciation
And
Amortization


Capital
Expenditures

Segment
Assets

(In thousands)

Natural Gas Pipeline Company
  of America

$   94,775 

$  174,943 

$   23,735 

$   23,197 

$ 5,528,912

TransColorado

     7,128 

     9,663 

     1,096 

     9,095 

    279,529

Kinder Morgan Retail

     4,839 

    46,210 

     4,245 

    16,633 

    435,935

Power

     4,113 

    18,826 

       873 

         - 

    413,856

   Segment Totals

  110,855 

$  249,642 

$   29,949 

$   48,925 

  6,658,232

========== 

========== 

========== 

Earnings from Investment in
  Kinder Morgan Energy
  Partners

   143,979 

   Investment in Kinder Morgan
  Energy Partners
Goodwill

  2,090,196
    947,730

General and Administrative
  Expenses

   (18,334)

Other2
   Consolidated

    274,505
$ 9,970,663

===========

Other Income and (Expenses)

   (52,447)

Income Before Income Taxes

$  184,053 

========== 

  

Three Months Ended September 30, 2003

Segment Earnings

Revenues From
External
Customers1

Depreciation
And
Amortization


Capital
Expenditures

  

(In thousands)

  

Natural Gas Pipeline Company
  of America

$  92,205  

$  187,322 

$   23,229 

$   31,639 

  

TransColorado

    4,919  

     7,308 

     1,112 

       155 

Kinder Morgan Retail

    6,962  

    45,367 

     4,022 

     7,212 

Power

    5,313  

     6,986 

       862 

       231 

   Segment Totals

  109,399  

$  246,983 

$   29,225 

$   39,237 

========== 

========== 

========== 

Earnings from Investment in
  Kinder Morgan Energy
  Partners

  116,659  

     
General and Administrative
  Expenses

  (18,761) 

  

Other Income and (Expenses)

  (50,394) 

Income Before Income Taxes

$ 156,903  

=========  

  
1

There were no intersegment revenues during the periods presented.

2

Includes market value of derivative instruments (including interest rate swaps) and miscellaneous corporate assets (such as information technology and telecommunications equipment) not allocated to individual segments.

14


  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

Segment Earnings

Revenues From
External
Customers1

Depreciation
And
Amortization


Capital
Expenditures

  

(In thousands)

  

Natural Gas Pipeline Company
  of America

$  294,948 

$  570,627 

$   70,679 

$   56,395 

  

TransColorado

    18,139 

    25,344 

     3,217 

    14,506 

Kinder Morgan Retail

    43,491 

   200,299 

    12,623 

    39,405 

Power

    11,744 

    42,825 

     2,618 

         - 

   Segment Totals

  368,322 

$  839,095 

$   89,137 

$  110,306 

========== 

========== 

========== 

Earnings from Investment in
  Kinder Morgan Energy
  Partners

   405,548 

     
General and Administrative
  Expenses

   (60,501)

  

Other Income and (Expenses)

  (149,415)

Income Before Income Taxes

$  563,954 

========== 

  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003

Segment Earnings

Revenues From
External
Customers1

Depreciation
And
Amortization


Capital
Expenditures

  

(In thousands)

Natural Gas Pipeline Company
  of America

$ 276,6162 

$  589,578 

$   68,684

$   68,580 

  

TransColorado

   17,476  

    24,422 

     3,213

       736 

Kinder Morgan Retail

   44,752  

   177,679 

    11,949

    14,656 

Power

   19,011  

    26,037 

     4,051

     2,588 

   Segment Totals

  357,855  

$  817,716 

$   87,897

$   86,560 

========== 

========== 

========== 

Earnings from Investment in
  Kinder Morgan Energy
  Partners

  341,886  

     
General and Administrative
  Expenses

  (53,955) 

  

Other Income and (Expenses)

 (152,964)2

Income Before Income Taxes

$ 492,822  

=========  

  
1

There were no intersegment revenues during the periods presented.

2

Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America's segment results for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 do not include a reduction of $4.1 million in interest expense attributable to the final settlement of a regulatory matter, which amount is included in "Other Income and (Expenses)."

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

All but an insignificant amount of our assets and operations are located in the continental United States of America.

13.  Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Our normal business activities expose us to risks associated with changes in the market price of natural gas and associated transportation. We engage in derivative transactions for the purpose of mitigating these risks, which transactions are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities and associated amendments. During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, our derivative activities relating to the mitigation of

15


these risks were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges, and the impact of hedge ineffectiveness, while included in our net income, was immaterial. As the hedged sales and purchases take place and we record them into earnings, we also reclassify the gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings. We expect to reclassify into earnings, during the next twelve months, substantially all of our accumulated other comprehensive loss balance related to these derivatives of $10.3 million, representing unrecognized net losses on derivative activities at September 30, 2004. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, we reclassified no gains or losses into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedges due to a determination that the forecasted transactions would no longer occur by the end of the originally specified time period. In conjunction with these activities, we are required to place funds in margin accounts (included with "Restricted Deposits" in the accompanying interim Consolidated Balance Sheets) when the market value of these derivatives with specific counterparties exceeds established limits, or in conjunction with the purchase of exchange-traded derivatives.

We had outstanding fixed-to-floating interest rate swap agreements with a notional principal amount of $1.5 billion at September 30, 2004. These agreements effectively convert the interest expense associated with our 7.25% Debentures due in 2028 and our 6.50% Senior Notes due in 2012 from fixed rates to floating rates based on the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus a credit spread. These swaps have been designated as fair value hedges, and we have accounted for them utilizing the "shortcut" method prescribed for qualifying fair value hedges under SFAS No. 133. Accordingly, the carrying value of the swap is adjusted to its fair value as of the end of each reporting period, and an offsetting entry is made to adjust the carrying value of the debt securities whose fair value is being hedged. The fair value of the outstanding swaps of $79.8 million at September 30, 2004 is included in the caption "Deferred Charges and Other Assets" in the accompanying interim Consolidated Balance Sheet. We record interest expense equal to the floating rate payments, which is accrued monthly and paid semi-annually.

On March 3, 2003, we terminated the interest rate swap agreements associated with our 6.65% Senior Notes due in 2005 and received $28.1 million in cash. We are amortizing this amount (reducing interest expense) over the remaining period the 6.65% Senior Notes are outstanding. The unamortized balance of $5.9 million at September 30, 2004 is included in the caption "Value of Interest Rate Swaps" under the heading "Long-term Debt" in the accompanying interim Consolidated Balance Sheet.

14.  Employee Benefits

(A)    Retirement Plans

The components of net periodic pension cost for our retirement plans are as follows:

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2004

2003

2004

2003

(In thousands)

Service Cost

$   2,148 

$   1,968 

$   6,445 

$   5,906 

Interest Cost

    2,858 

    2,753 

    8,575 

    8,261 

Expected Return on Assets

   (4,111)

   (3,221)

  (12,252)

   (9,664)

Amortization of:

  Transition Asset

      (41)

      (41)

     (122)

     (122)

  Prior Service Cost

       44 

       44 

      133 

      133 

  Loss

       70 

    2,548 

      214 

      587 

Net Periodic Pension Cost

$     968 

$   4,051 

$   2,993 

$   5,101 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

16


During the third quarter of 2004, we contributed $1.8 million to our retirement plans. We do not expect to make a contribution to our retirement plans during the fourth quarter of 2004.

(B)    Other Postretirement Employee Benefits

The components of net periodic benefit cost for our postretirement benefit plan are as follows:

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2004

2003

2004

2003

(In thousands)

Service Cost

$     (10)

$     112 

$     219 

$     337 

Interest Cost

      760 

    1,749 

    4,066 

    5,247 

Expected Return on Assets

   (1,407)

   (1,345)

   (3,880)

   (4,034)

Amortization of:
  Transition Obligation

      232 

      232 

      697 

      697 

  Prior Service Cost

   (1,042)

       60 

     (923)

      179 

  Loss

    1,286 

      609 

    2,808 

    1,891 

Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost

$    (181)

$   1,417 

$   2,987 

$   4,317 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

We previously disclosed in our 2003 Form 10-K that we did not expect to make any significant contributions to our postretirement benefit plan during 2004 and, as of September 30, 2004, we continue to expect that total contributions to our postretirement benefit plan during 2004 will not be significant.

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 ("the Act") was signed into law. In January 2004, the FASB issued Staff Position FAS 106-1 to provide guidance on accounting and disclosure for the Act as it pertains to postretirement benefit plans, and in May 2004, the FASB issued Staff Position FAS 106-2, effective July 1, 2004, which provides specific authoritative guidance on the accounting for the federal subsidy included in the Act. In the third quarter of 2004, our board approved a resolution to amend our postretirement benefit plan to eliminate prescription drug benefits for Medicare eligible retirees effective January 1, 2006, which eliminates any potential effects on our periodic postretirement benefit costs due to the federal subsidy included in the Act.

15.  Regulatory Matters

On November 25, 2003, the FERC issued Order No. 2004, adopting new Standards of Conduct to become effective February 9, 2004. Every interstate natural gas pipeline was required to file a compliance plan by that date and was required to be in full compliance with the Standards of Conduct by June 1, 2004. The primary change from existing regulation is to make such standards applicable to an interstate pipeline's interaction with many more affiliates (termed "Energy Affiliates"), including intrastate/Hinshaw pipelines (in general, a Hinshaw pipeline is a pipeline that receives gas at or within a state boundary, is regulated by an agency of that state, and all the gas it transports is consumed within that state), processors and gatherers and any company involved in gas or electric markets (such as electric generators and electric or gas marketers) even if they do not ship on the affiliated interstate pipeline. Local distribution companies ("LDCs") are excluded, however, if they do not make any off-system sales. The Standards of Conduct require, inter alia, separate staffing of interstate pipelines and their Energy Affiliates (but certain support functions and senior management at the central corporate level may be shared) and strict limitations on communications from an interstate pipeline to an Energy Affiliate. Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America and Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas Transmission LLC, a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, filed for clarification and rehearing of Order No. 2004 on December 29, 2003, and numerous other rehearing requests have been submitted. In the request for rehearing, Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America and Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas

17


Transmission LLC asked that intrastate/Hinshaw pipeline affiliates not be included in the definition of Energy Affiliates. On February 9, 2004, Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America, TransColorado Gas Transmission Company, Canyon Creek Compression Company and Horizon Pipeline Company filed their compliance plans under Order No. 2004. In addition, on February 19, 2004, all of these interstate pipelines filed a joint request with the interstate pipelines owned by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners asking that their interaction with intrastate/Hinshaw pipeline affiliates be exempted from the Standards of Conduct. Separation from these entities would be the most burdensome requirement of the new rules for us.

On April 16, 2004, the FERC issued Order No. 2004-A. The FERC extended the effective date of the new Standards of Conduct from June 1, 2004, to September 1, 2004. Otherwise, the FERC largely denied rehearing of Order No. 2004, but provided further clarification or adjustment in several areas. The FERC continued the exemption for LDCs that do not make off-system sales and clarified that the LDC exemption applies if the LDC is also a Hinshaw pipeline. The FERC also clarified that an LDC can engage in certain sales and other Energy Affiliate activities to the limited extent necessary to support sales to customers located on its distribution system, and sales necessary to remain in balance under pipeline tariffs, without becoming an Energy Affiliate. The FERC declined to exempt natural gas producers from the definition of Energy Affiliate. The FERC also declined to exempt natural gas intrastate and Hinshaw pipelines, processors and gatherers from the definition of Energy Affiliate, but did clarify that such entities will not be Energy Affiliates if they do not participate in gas or electric commodity markets or interstate capacity markets (as capacity holder, agent or manager) or in financial transactions related to such markets. The FERC also clarified further the personnel and functions that can be shared by interstate natural gas pipelines and their Energy Affiliates, including senior officers and risk management personnel and the permissible role of holding or parent companies and service companies. The FERC also clarified that day-to-day operating information can be shared by interconnecting entities. Finally, the FERC clarified that an interstate natural gas pipeline and its Energy Affiliate can discuss potential new interconnects to serve the Energy Affiliate, but subject to very onerous posting and record-keeping requirements. The Kinder Morgan interstate natural gas pipelines have sought rehearing to clarify the applicability of the LDC and Parent Company exemptions to them.

On July 21, 2004, Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America, TransColorado Gas Transmission Company, Canyon Creek Compression Company and Horizon Pipeline Company filed additional joint requests with Trailblazer Pipeline Company and Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas Transmission LLC, subsidiaries of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, asking for limited exemptions from certain requirements of FERC Order 2004 and asking for an extension of the deadline for full compliance with Order 2004 until 90 days after the FERC has completed action on the pipelines' various rehearing and exemption requests. The pipelines also requested that Rocky Mountain Natural Gas Company, one of our wholly owned subsidiaries, be classified as an exempt LDC for purposes of Order 2004. These exemptions request relief from the independent functioning and information disclosure requirements of Order 2004. The exemption requests propose to treat as Energy Affiliates within the meaning of Order 2004 two groups of employees, (i) individuals in the Choice Gas Commodity Group within our Retail operations and (ii) commodity sales and purchase personnel within Kinder Morgan Energy Partners' Texas Intrastate operations. Order 2004 regulations governing relationships between interstate pipelines and their Energy Affiliates would apply to relationships with these two groups. Under these proposals, certain critical operating functions could continue to be shared.

On August 2, 2004, the FERC issued Order No. 2004-B. In this order, the FERC extended the effective date of the new Standards of Conduct from September 1, 2004 to September 22, 2004. Also in this order, among other actions, the FERC denied the request for rehearing made by the Kinder Morgan

18


interstate natural gas pipelines to clarify the applicability of the LDC and Parent Company exemptions to them.

On September 20, 2004, the FERC issued an order that conditionally granted the July 21, 2004 joint requests for limited exemptions from the requirements of the Standards of Conduct described above. In that order, the FERC directed Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America, TransColorado Gas Transmission Company, Canyon Creek Compression Company, Horizon Pipeline Company and the affiliated interstate natural gas pipelines owned by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners to submit compliance plans regarding these exemptions within 30 days. These compliance plans were filed on October 19, 2004 and set out certain steps taken by our interstate pipelines to assure that employees in the Choice Gas Commodity Group within our Retail operations and the commodity sales and purchasing personnel of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners' Texas intrastate operations do not have access to restricted interstate pipeline information or receive preferential treatment as to interstate pipeline services. The FERC will not enforce compliance with the independent functioning requirement of the Standards of Conduct as to these employees until 30 days after it acts on these compliance filings. In all other respects, our interstate natural gas pipelines were required to comply with the Standards of Conduct as of September 22, 2004.

Our interstate natural gas pipelines have implemented compliance with the Standards of Conduct as of September 22, 2004, subject to the exemptions described in the prior paragraph. Compliance includes, inter alia, the posting of compliance procedures and organizational information for each interstate pipeline on its internet website, the posting of discount and tariff discretion information and the implementation of independent functioning for Energy Affiliates not covered by the prior paragraph (electric and gas gathering, processing or production affiliates).

On July 25, 2003, the FERC issued a Modification to Policy Statement stating that FERC-regulated natural gas pipelines will, on a prospective basis, no longer be permitted to use gas basis differentials to price negotiated rate transactions. Effectively, we will no longer be permitted to use commodity price indices to structure transactions on our FERC-regulated natural gas pipelines. Negotiated rates based on commodity price indices in existing contracts will be permitted to remain in effect until the end of the contract period for which such rates were negotiated. Price indexed contracts currently constitute an insignificant portion of the contracts on our FERC-regulated natural gas pipelines. Moreover, in subsequent orders in individual pipeline cases, the FERC has allowed negotiated rate transactions using pricing indices so long as revenue is capped by the applicable maximum rate(s). Rehearing on this aspect of the Modification to Policy Statement has been sought by Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America and others, but the FERC has not yet acted on rehearing.

On February 20, 2004, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia remanded back to the FERC a Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline proceeding in which the Court ruled that the FERC did not explain how the selective discounting policy adopted by the FERC in the Colorado Interstate Gas Co. and Granite State Gas Transmission cases would not compromise the pipelines' ability to target discounts at particular receipt/delivery points, subsystems or other defined geographic areas. On June 1, 2004, the FERC issued a Notice of Request for Comments, in the Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline proceeding, on issues pertaining to discounting policy adopted in the Colorado Interstate Gas Co. and Granite State Gas Transmission cases. Comments were due on August 9, 2004. Numerous parties filed comments, including Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America as part of the Kinder Morgan Interstate Pipeline filing. The FERC's decision in this case will affect the extent to which interstate pipelines such as Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America and their customers can specify rates at secondary points, which are binding on both parties as part of the service contract.

19


Currently, there are no material proceedings challenging the base rates on any of our pipeline systems. Nonetheless, shippers on our pipelines do have rights to challenge the rates we charge under certain circumstances prescribed by applicable statutes and regulations. There can be no assurance that we will not face challenges to the rates we receive for services on our pipeline systems in the future. In addition, since many of our assets are subject to regulation, we are subject to potential future changes in applicable rules and regulations that may have an adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.

See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2003 Form 10-K for additional information regarding regulatory matters.

16.  Environmental and Legal Matters

(A)    Environmental Matters

We are subject to a variety of federal, state and local laws that regulate permitted activities relating to air and water quality, waste disposal, and other environmental matters. Additionally, we have established reserves to address known environmental remediation sites. After consideration of reserves established, we believe that costs for environmental remediation and ongoing compliance with these regulations will not have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, financial position or results of operations or diminish our ability to operate our businesses. However, there can be no assurances that future events, such as changes in existing laws, the promulgation of new laws, or the development of new facts or conditions will not cause us to incur significant costs.

See Note 9(A) of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2003 Form 10-K for additional information regarding environmental matters.

(B)    Litigation Matters

United States of America, ex rel., Jack J. Grynberg v. K N Energy, Civil Action No. 97-D-1233, filed in the U.S. District Court, District of Colorado. This action was filed on June 9, 1997 pursuant to the federal False Claims Act and involves allegations of mismeasurement of natural gas produced from federal and Indian lands. The complaint asks to recover all royalties the Government allegedly should have received had the volume and heating content of the natural gas been valued properly, along with treble damages and civil penalties as provided for in the False Claims Act. Mr. Grynberg, as relator, seeks his statutory share of any recovery, plus expenses and attorney fees and costs. The Department of Justice has decided not to intervene in support of the action. The complaint is part of a larger series of similar complaints filed by Mr. Grynberg against 77 natural gas pipelines (approximately 330 other defendants). An earlier single action making substantially similar allegations against the pipeline industry was dismissed by Judge Hogan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on grounds of improper joinder and lack of jurisdiction. As a result, Mr. Grynberg filed individual complaints in various courts throughout the country. In 1999, these cases were consolidated by the Judicial Panel for Multidistrict Litigation, and transferred to the District of Wyoming. The MDL case is called In Re Natural Gas Royalties Qui Tam Litigation, Docket No. 1293. Motions to dismiss were filed and an oral argument on the motion to dismiss occurred on March 17, 2000. On July 20, 2000, the United States of America filed a motion to dismiss those claims by Grynberg that deal with the manner in which defendants valued gas produced from federal leases (referred to as valuation claims). Judge Downes denied the defendant's motion to dismiss on May 18, 2001. The United States' motion to dismiss most of the plaintiff's valuation claims has been granted by the Court. Mr. Grynberg has appealed that dismissal to the 10th Circuit, which has requested briefing regarding its jurisdiction over

20


that appeal. Discovery to determine issues related to the Court's subject matter jurisdiction, arising out of the False Claims Act, is complete, and briefing is underway. On May 7, 2003, Grynberg sought leave to file a Third Amended Complaint, which adds allegations of undermeasurement related to CO2 production. Defendants have filed briefs opposing leave to amend.

Lamb v. Kinder Morgan, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 00-M-516, (formerly Adams v. Kinder Morgan, Inc. et al.) filed in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. The case was originally filed on March 8, 2000 and is a purported class action. As of this date no class has been certified. Plaintiffs seek compensatory damages against all defendants jointly and severally, together with interest, attorney fees and expenses. The plaintiffs brought claims alleging securities fraud under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of all people who purchased the common stock of Kinder Morgan during the class period from October 30, 1997 to June 21, 1999. The class period occurred prior to the installation of our current management team in October 1999. The complaint centers on allegations of misleading statements concerning operations of the Bushton Processing Plant and certain contracts, as well as allegations of overstatement of income in violation of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America during the class period. On February 23, 2001, the federal district court dismissed several claims raised by the plaintiff, with prejudice, and dismissed the remaining claims, without prejudice. On April 27, 2001, the Adams plaintiffs filed their second amended complaint. On March 29, 2002, the federal district court dismissed the Adams plaintiffs' second amended complaint with prejudice. On May 2, 2002, the Adams plaintiffs appealed the dismissal to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. In a published decision, on August 11, 2003, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the district court's dismissal, but upheld the dismissal of Mr. Kinder, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, from this action. The mandate from the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals was issued on October 17, 2003. Briefing regarding class certification is complete and a decision is pending. Merits discovery commenced on June 7, 2004. The Court granted Mr. Adam's motion to withdraw as a lead plaintiff. As a result, the case is now styled as Lamb v. Kinder Morgan, Inc. et al. A settlement conference occurred on August 2, 2004. No settlement was reached. Discovery is proceeding.

Darrell Sargent d/b/a Double D Production v. Parker & Parsley Gas Processing Co., American Processing, L.P. and Cesell B. Cheatham, et al., Cause No. 878, filed in the 100th Judicial District Court, Carson County, Texas. The plaintiff filed a purported class action suit in 1999 and amended its petition in late 2002 to assert claims on behalf of over 1,000 producers who process gas through as many as ten gas processing plants formerly owned by American Processing, L.P. ("American Processing"), a former wholly owned subsidiary of Kinder Morgan, Inc. in Carson and Gray counties and other surrounding Texas counties. The plaintiff claims that American Processing (and subsequently, ONEOK, Inc. ("ONEOK"), which purchased American Processing from us in 2000) improperly allocated liquids and gas proceeds to the producers. In particular, among other claims, the plaintiff challenges the methods and assumptions used at the plants to allocate liquids and gas proceeds among the producers and processors. The petition asserts claims for breach of contract and Natural Resources Code violations relating to the period from 1994 to the present. To date, the plaintiff has not made a specific monetary demand nor produced a specific calculation of alleged damages. The plaintiff has alleged generally in the petition that damages are "not to exceed $200 million" plus attorney's fees, costs and interest. The defendants have filed a counterclaim for overpayments made to producers.

Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc., formerly known as Parker & Parsley Gas Processing Company ("Parker & Parsley"), is a co-defendant. Parker & Parsley has claimed indemnity from American Processing based on its sale of assets to American Processing on October 4, 1995. We have accepted indemnity and defense subject to a reservation of rights pending resolution of the suit. The plaintiff has also named ONEOK as a defendant. We and ONEOK are defending the case pursuant to an agreement

21


whereby ONEOK is responsible for any damages that may be attributable to the period following ONEOK's acquisition of American Processing from us in 2000.

The purported class has not been certified. Class discovery is proceeding. The defendants expect to assert objections to class certification upon the completion of class discovery.

Manna Petroleum Services, L.P. et al. v. American Processing, L.P. and Cesell B. Cheatham, et al., Cause No. 31,485, filed in the 223rd Judicial District Court of Gray County, Texas. Plaintiff filed suit in late 1999 and alleged that American Processing, L.P., a former wholly owned subsidiary of Kinder Morgan, Inc., and subsequently ONEOK, which purchased American Processing from us in 2000, misallocated proceeds from the sale of compression liquids at a gas processing plant in Pampa, Texas. On March 17, 2004, following a bench trial, the Court issued a letter ruling which stated that plaintiff Manna Petroleum Services is entitled to recover damages in the principal sum of $556,932. The letter ruling also stated that the plaintiff may seek attorney's fees and costs and instructed the plaintiff to file proposed findings of fact and rulings of law before final judgment is entered. On April 28, 2004, defendants filed a motion for reconsideration of the Court's letter ruling and this motion is pending. Plaintiffs filed an application to recover $534,172 in attorney's fees and defendants have opposed this application. Plaintiff has not filed proposed findings of facts and rulings of law, and the trial court's judgment shall not be entered until a ruling on defendants' motion for reconsideration.

Energas Company, a Division of Atmos Energy Company v. ONEOK Energy Marketing and Trading Company, L.P., et al., Cause No. 2001-516,386, filed in the 72nd District Court of Lubbock County, Texas. The plaintiff is suing several ONEOK entities for alleged overcharges in connection with gas sales, transportation, and other services, and alleged misallocations and meter errors, in and around Lubbock, under three different gas contracts. While the petition is vague, it is broad enough to include claims for the period before and after March 1, 2000 when the assets in question were conveyed by us to ONEOK. We have been defending the case pursuant to an agreement whereby ONEOK is responsible for any damages that may be attributable to the period following ONEOK's acquisition of the pertinent assets on March 1, 2000. On or about October 1, 2003, the plaintiff and ONEOK settled claims that relate to the period after March 1, 2000. Notwithstanding such settlement, the plaintiff continues to assert and we continue to defend against claims that relate to the period before March 1, 2000. In an amended petition filed in mid-2002, the plaintiff alleged damages in excess of $12 million. The defendants have filed a counterclaim for offsetting damages and accounting corrections under the contracts with the plaintiff. The parties are engaged in fact discovery and trial is expected to occur in 2005 upon a date to be determined. Based on discovery obtained to date, we believe that resolution of the plaintiff's claims will be for amounts substantially less than the amounts sought.

We believe that we have meritorious defenses to all lawsuits and legal proceedings in which we are defendants and will vigorously defend against them. Based on our evaluation of the above matters, and after consideration of reserves established, we believe that the resolution of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial position or results of operations.

In addition, we are a defendant in various lawsuits arising from the day-to-day operations of our businesses. Although no assurance can be given, we believe, based on our investigation and experience to date, that the ultimate resolution of such items will not have a material adverse impact on our business, cash flows, financial position or results of operations.

17.  Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position ("FSP") FAS 106-1, Accounting and Disclosure

22


Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the "Act"). This FSP permits a sponsor of a postretirement health care plan that provides a prescription drug benefit to make a one-time election to postpone accounting for the effects of the Act. Regardless of whether a company elects that deferral, the FSP requires certain disclosures pending further consideration of the underlying accounting issues. In May 2004, the FASB issued FSP FAS 106-2, Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, which supersedes FSP FAS 106-1 effective July 1, 2004. FSP FAS 106-2 provides transitional guidance for accounting for the effects of the Act on the accumulated projected benefit obligation and periodic postretirement health care benefit expense. In the third quarter of 2004, our board approved a resolution to amend our postretirement benefit plan to eliminate prescription drug benefits for Medicare eligible retirees effective January 1, 2006, which eliminates any potential effects on our periodic postretirement benefit costs due to the federal subsidy included in the Act.

In December 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. This interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements, addresses consolidation by business enterprises of certain variable interest entities.

This interpretation explains how to identify variable interest entities and how an enterprise assesses its interests in a variable interest entity to decide whether to consolidate that entity. It requires existing unconsolidated variable interest entities to be consolidated by their primary beneficiaries if the entities do not effectively disperse risks among parties involved. Variable interest entities that effectively disperse risks will not be consolidated unless a single party holds an interest or combination of interests that effectively recombines risks that were previously dispersed.

An enterprise that consolidates a variable interest entity is the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity. The primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity is the party that absorbs a majority of the entity's expected losses, receives a majority of its expected residual returns, or both, as a result of holding variable interests, which are the ownership, contractual, or other monetary interests in an entity that change with changes in the fair value of the entity's net assets excluding variable interests. This interpretation requires the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, and an enterprise that holds significant variable interests in a variable interest entity but is not the primary beneficiary, to make certain disclosures about the variable interest entity.

Application of this interpretation is required in financial statements of public entities that have interests in variable interest entities or potential variable interest entities commonly referred to as special-purpose entities for periods ending after December 15, 2003. Application by public entities (other than small business issuers) for all other types of entities is required in financial statements for periods ending after March 15, 2004.

The principal impact of this interpretation on us is that, effective December 31, 2003, we began consolidation of Triton Power Company LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiary Triton Power Michigan LLC, which is the lessee of the Jackson, Michigan power generation facility. We operate and have a preferred interest in this entity in which the common interest is owned by others. Triton Power Company LLC has no debt but, as a result of this consolidation, we are including the lease obligation on the Jackson plant in our consolidated financial statements. The difference between the earnings impact under consolidation and under the previously applied equity method is not material.

In addition, as a result of the implementation of this interpretation, effective December 31, 2003, we (i) no longer include the transactions and balances of our business trusts, K N Capital Trust I and K N

23


Capital Trust III, in our consolidated financial statements and (ii) began including our Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures issued to the Capital Trusts in a separate caption under the heading "Long-term Debt" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In December 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 132 (revised 2003), Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits. The statement revises employers' financial statement disclosures about defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans. The statement does not change the measurement or recognition of those plans and retains the disclosures required by the original SFAS No. 132, which standardized the disclosure requirements for pensions and other postretirement benefits to the extent practicable and required additional information on changes in the benefit obligations and fair values of plans assets.

The revised statement requires additional disclosures to those in the original SFAS No. 132 about the assets, obligations, cash flows, and net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit pension plans and other defined benefit postretirement plans. The revised statement also requires interim disclosures; see Note 14.

This revised statement is effective for financial statements with fiscal years ending after December 15, 2003. The interim period disclosures required by this statement are effective for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2003. Disclosure of estimated future benefit payments required by portions of this revised statement is effective for fiscal years ending after June 15, 2004. We adopted SFAS No. 132 (revised 2003) effective December 31, 2003.

 

24


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

General

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with (i) the accompanying interim Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes and (ii) our 2003 Form 10-K, including the Consolidated Financial Statements, related Notes and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The following interim results may not be indicative of the results to be expected over the course of an entire year. In this report, Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P., a publicly traded pipeline master limited partnership in which we own the general partner interest and significant limited partner interests, is referred to as "Kinder Morgan Energy Partners." Additional information on Kinder Morgan Energy Partners is contained in its report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and in its report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based on our interim consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America as applicable to interim financial statements to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and contained within this report. Certain amounts included in or affecting our financial statements and related disclosure must be estimated, requiring us to make certain assumptions with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty at the time the financial statements are prepared. The reported amounts of our assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and associated disclosures with respect to contingent assets and obligations are necessarily affected by these estimates. We evaluate these estimates on an ongoing basis, utilizing historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods we consider reasonable in the particular circumstances. Nevertheless, actual results may differ significantly from our estimates.

In preparing our financial statements and related disclosures, we must use estimates in determining the economic useful lives of our assets, obligations under our employee benefit plans, provisions for uncollectible accounts receivable, unbilled revenues for our natural gas distribution deliveries for which meters have not yet been read, exposures under contractual indemnifications and various other recorded or disclosed amounts. Certain of these accounting estimates are of more significance in our financial statement preparation process than others. Information regarding our accounting policies and estimates that we consider to be "critical" can be found in our 2003 Form 10-K. There have not been any significant changes in these policies and estimates during the first nine months of 2004.

  

25


Consolidated Financial Results

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Earnings
Increase

2004

2003

(Decrease)

(In thousands except per share amounts)

  
Operating Revenues

$  249,642 

$  246,983 

$    2,659 

Gas Purchases and Other Costs of Sales

   (55,821)

   (72,515)

    16,694 

General and Administrative Expenses

   (18,334)

   (18,761)

       427 

Other Operating Expenses

   (79,552)

   (68,127)

   (11,425)

Operating Income

    95,935 

    87,580 

     8,355 

Other Income and (Expenses)

    88,118 

    69,323 

    18,795 

Income Taxes

   (72,123)

   (61,273)

   (10,850)

Net Income

$  111,930 

$   95,630 

$   16,300 

========== 

========== 

========== 

  
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

$     0.90 

$     0.77 

$     0.13 

========== 

========== 

========== 

  
Number of Shares Used in Computing Diluted
  Earnings Per Common Share

   124,683 

   124,345 

       338 

========== 

========== 

========== 

  

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

Earnings
Increase

2004

2003

(Decrease)

(In thousands except per share amounts)

  
Operating Revenues

$  839,095 

$  817,716 

$   21,379 

Gas Purchases and Other Costs of Sales

  (241,502)

  (265,322)

    23,820 

General and Administrative Expenses

   (60,501)

   (53,955)

    (6,546)

Other Operating Expenses

  (229,700)

  (202,806)

   (26,894)

Operating Income

   307,392 

   295,633 

    11,759 

Other Income and (Expenses)

   256,562 

   197,189 

    59,373 

Income Taxes

  (220,592)

  (191,928)

   (28,664)

Net Income

$  343,362 

$  300,894 

$   42,468 

========== 

========== 

========== 

  
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

$     2.75 

$     2.43 

$     0.32 

========== 

========== 

========== 

  
Number of Shares Used in Computing Diluted
  Earnings Per Common Share

   124,852 

   123,640 

     1,212 

========== 

========== 

========== 

Our net income increased from $95.6 million in the third quarter of 2003 to $111.9 million in the third quarter of 2004, an increase of 17 percent. This increase is comprised of an $8.4 million increase in operating income and an $18.8 million increase in "Other Income and (Expenses)," partially offset by a $10.9 million increase in income tax expense. Our net income increased from $300.9 million in the first nine months of 2003 to $343.4 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of 14 percent. This increase is comprised of an $11.8 million increase in operating income and a $59.4 million increase in "Other Income and (Expenses)," partially offset by a $28.7 million increase in income tax expense. Following is a discussion of items affecting operating income and other income and expenses. Refer to the headings "Other Income and (Expenses)" and "Income Taxes" included elsewhere herein for additional information regarding these items.

Our results for the third quarter of 2004, in comparison to 2003, reflect an increase of $2.7 million (1%) in operating revenues and an increase of $8.4 million (10%) in operating income. The increase in operating revenues was attributable to the inclusion of our Triton Power affiliates in our consolidated

26


operating results during 2004 and increased 2004 revenues in our TransColorado and Kinder Morgan Retail business segments, partially offset by decreased revenues in our Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America business segment (see the individual business segment discussions following for additional information). Operating income was positively impacted in the third quarter of 2004, relative to 2003, by increased earnings from our Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America and TransColorado business segments and the inclusion of the results of operations of our Triton Power affiliates in our 2004 consolidated operating results due to our adoption of a recent accounting pronouncement. Triton's third quarter $7.7 million contribution to our consolidated operating income is entirely offset by minority interests. These positive impacts were partially offset by decreased earnings from our Kinder Morgan Retail and Power business segments.

Our results for the first nine months of 2004, in comparison to 2003, reflect increases of $21.4 million (3%) in operating revenues and $11.8 million (4%) in operating income. The increase in operating revenues was principally attributable to increased 2004 revenues in our Kinder Morgan Retail and Power business segments, partially offset by decreased 2004 revenues in our Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America business segment. Operating income was positively impacted in the first nine months of 2004, relative to 2003, by increased earnings from our Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America business segment and the consolidation of the results of operations of our Triton Power affiliates in our 2004 consolidated results. Triton's $9.7 million contribution to our consolidated operating income for the first nine months of 2004 is entirely offset by minority interests. These positive impacts were offset by (i) decreased earnings from our Power and Kinder Morgan Retail business segments and (ii) increased general and administrative expenses due principally to increased legal, accounting and employee benefit expenses. Please refer to the individual business segment discussions included elsewhere herein for additional information regarding business segment results.

"Other Income and (Expenses)" increased from $69.3 million in the third quarter of 2003 to $88.1 million in the third quarter of 2004, an increase of 27 percent. This increase reflected increased equity in earnings of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners in the third quarter of 2004, due principally to the improved performance from the assets held by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, partially offset by the inclusion of the minority interests in Triton Power, as discussed previously, and by an increase of $3.4 million in minority interest expense attributable to the minority interests in Kinder Morgan Management, LLC.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, "Other Income and (Expenses)" increased from $197.2 million in 2003 to $256.6 million in 2004, an increase of 30 percent. This increase reflected increased equity in earnings of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners in 2004, due principally to the improved performance from the assets held by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, and decreased 2004 interest expense resulting from our lower weighted-average interest rates and our lower debt balances. These positive impacts were partially offset by the inclusion of the minority interests in Triton Power, as discussed previously, and by an increase of $5.8 million in minority interest expense attributable to the minority interests in Kinder Morgan Management, LLC.

Diluted earnings per common share increased from $0.77 in the third quarter of 2003 to $0.90 in the third quarter of 2004, an increase of 17 percent. This increase reflected, in addition to the increase attributable to financial and operating impacts discussed preceding, a partially offsetting decrease attributable to an increase of 0.3 million (0.3%) in average shares outstanding. The increase in average shares outstanding resulted from (i) newly-issued shares due to (1) the employee stock purchase plan, (2) the issuance of restricted stock and (3) exercise of stock options by employees and (ii) the increased dilutive effect of stock options resulting from the increase in the market price of our shares, partially offset by our share repurchases (see Notes 2 and 11 of the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

27


Diluted earnings per common share increased from $2.43 in the first nine months of 2003 to $2.75 in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of 13 percent. This increase reflected, in addition to the increase attributable to financial and operating impacts discussed preceding, a partially offsetting decrease attributable to an increase of 1.2 million (1%) in average shares outstanding. Average shares outstanding increased for the first nine months of 2004 for principally the same reasons as it increased in the third quarter as discussed previously.

Results of Operations

The following comparative discussion of our results of operations is by segment for factors affecting segment earnings, and on a consolidated basis for other factors.

We manage our various businesses by, among other things, allocating capital and monitoring operating performance. This management process includes dividing the Company into business segments so that performance can be effectively monitored and reported for a limited number of discrete businesses. Currently, we manage and report our operations in four business segments. In addition, we derive a substantial portion of earnings from our investment in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, which is discussed under "Earnings from Investment in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners" following.

Business Segment Business Conducted Referred to As:
  
Natural Gas Pipeline Company of
  America and certain affiliates
  
  
The ownership and operation of a major interstate natural gas pipeline and storage system
  
Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America
TransColorado Gas Transmission
  Company


  

The ownership and operation of an interstate natural gas pipeline system in Colorado and New Mexico

TransColorado


Retail Natural Gas Distribution




The regulated sale and transportation of natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers (including a small distribution system in Hermosillo, Mexico) and the sale of natural gas to certain utility customers under the Choice Gas program
  
Kinder Morgan Retail




Power Generation

The operation and, in previous periods, construction of natural gas-fired electric generation facilities Power

The accounting policies we apply in the generation of business segment earnings are generally the same as those applied to our consolidated operations and described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2003 Form 10-K, except that (i) certain items below the "Operating Income" line (such as interest expense) are either not allocated to business segments or are not considered by management in its evaluation of business segment performance and (ii) equity in earnings of equity method investees, other than Kinder Morgan Energy Partners and certain insignificant international investees, are included in segment results. These equity method earnings are included in

28


"Other Income and (Expenses)" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, (i) certain items included in operating income (such as general and administrative expenses) are not allocated to individual business segments and (ii) gains and losses from incidental sales of assets are included in segment earnings. We account for intersegment sales at market prices, while we account for asset transfers at either market value or, in some instances, book value.

Following are operating results by individual business segment (before intersegment eliminations), including explanations of significant variances between the periods presented.

Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Increase

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

Increase

2004

2003

(Decrease)

2004

2003

(Decrease)

(In thousands except systems throughput)

Operating Revenues

$174,943 

$187,322 

$(12,379)

$570,627 

$589,578 

$(18,951)

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

  
Gas Purchases and Other
   Costs of Sales

$ 29,037 

$ 48,257 

$(19,220)

$128,955 

$174,567 

$(45,612)

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

  
Segment Earnings

$ 94,775 

$ 92,205 

$  2,570 

$294,948 

$276,616 

$ 18,332 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

  
  
Systems Throughput (Trillion
   Btus)

   336.3 

   312.8 

    23.5 

 1,123.7 

 1,099.5 

    24.2 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America's segment earnings increased by $2.6 million (3%) from the third quarter of 2003 to the third quarter of 2004. Segment earnings for the third quarter of 2004 were positively impacted, relative to 2003, by (i) increased transportation and storage service revenues in 2004 resulting, in part, from successful re-contracting of transportation capacity and the recent expansion of our storage system, (ii) increased margins from operational gas sales largely due to higher market prices, (iii) $1.4 million in pre-tax gains in 2004 from the sale of certain land parcels in Illinois, and (iv) reduced 2004 property tax expenses. These favorable impacts were partially offset by (i) the fact that 2003 results included increased margin associated with the favorable conclusion of a regulatory matter, (ii) increased operations and maintenance expenses in 2004 resulting from increased hydrostatic testing and electric compression costs and (iii) increased depreciation expense. The decrease in overall operating revenues in the third quarter of 2004, relative to 2003, was largely the result of (i) decreased operational gas sales volumes and (ii) 2003 revenue recorded in conjunction with the conclusion of a regulatory matter. These negative impacts on revenue were partially offset by the increase in transportation and storage service revenues, as discussed above.

Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America's segment earnings increased by $18.3 million (7%) from the first nine months of 2003 to the first nine months of 2004. Segment results for the first nine months of 2004 were impacted, relative to 2003, by principally the same factors affecting third quarter results, as discussed above, except that on a year-to-date basis property tax expenses increased in 2004. In addition, on a year-to-date basis, 2004 results were positively impacted by $4.0 million in contractual customer penalty charges. These charges were billed prior to December 1, 2003, the effective date for Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America's Order 637 provisions, but had been reserved pending the final outcome of its Order 637 filings (see Note 15 of the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). The decrease in operating revenues in the first nine months of 2004, relative to 2003, was also largely the result of decreased operational gas sales volumes, partially offset by an increase in transportation and storage and penalty revenues. The increases in systems throughput for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2004, relative to 2003, did not have a significant direct impact on

29


revenues or segment earnings due to the fact that transportation revenues are derived primarily from "demand" contracts in which shippers pay a fee to reserve a set amount of system capacity for their use.

In October 2004, we announced that we will spend approximately $52 million on acquisitions and expansions to Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America's pipeline and storage systems. Included in this amount are (i) the acquisition of the Black Marlin Pipeline, completed on September 1, 2004, which will add 38,000 dekatherms per day ("dth/day") of incremental capacity to the Amarillo to Gulf Coast line, (ii) the addition of 51,000 dth/day of cross haul capacity to the Amarillo to Gulf Coast line and 20,000 dth/day of incremental capacity to the Oklahoma Extension (also known as Segment One) by adding additional compressor horsepower and modifying certain existing compressor facilities and (iii) a 10 Bcf expansion of the Sayre storage facilities in Beckham County, Oklahoma. During the second quarter of 2004, Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America completed construction of its previously announced 10.7 Bcf storage service expansion at its existing North Lansing storage facility in east Texas, all of which is fully subscribed under long-term contracts. Please refer to our 2003 Form 10-K for additional information regarding Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America.

TransColorado

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2004

2003

Increase

2004

2003

Increase

(In thousands except systems throughput)

Total Operating Revenues

$  9,663 

$  7,308 

$  2,355 

$ 25,344 

$ 24,422 

$    922 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

  
Segment Earnings

$  7,128 

$  4,919 

$  2,209 

$ 18,139 

$ 17,476 

$    663 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

  
  
Systems Throughput (Trillion
   Btus)

    50.8 

    40.1 

    10.7 

   139.2 

   128.8 

    10.4 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

TransColorado's segment earnings increased by $2.2 million (45%) from the third quarter of 2003 to the third quarter of 2004. Segment results for the third quarter of 2004, relative to 2003, were impacted primarily by increased natural gas transportation revenues. The increases in TransColorado's natural gas transportation revenues and systems throughput volumes reflect, primarily, the expansion of TransColorado's system that was completed and placed into service in August 2004 (see the discussion below).

TransColorado's segment earnings increased by $0.7 million (4%) from the first nine months of 2003 to the first nine months of 2004. Segment results for the first nine months of 2004 were impacted, relative to 2003, by increased natural gas transportation revenues in the third quarter of 2004, as discussed above, partially offset by decreased natural gas transportation revenues during the first two quarters of 2004 resulting principally from lower basis differentials in 2004, and the fact that in 2003 a larger proportion of natural gas transportation contracts were tied to the basis differential. "Basis differential" is a term that refers to the difference in natural gas prices between two locations or two points in time. These price differences can be affected by, among other things, natural gas supply and demand, available transportation capacity, storage inventories and deliverability, prices of alternative fuels and weather conditions. As a result of recent contracting activities, in which we entered into long-term, fixed price contracts for most of TransColorado's long haul capacity, and the expansion of TransColorado's system capacity, the volume of activity that is subject to changes in basis differentials has decreased to 8% of its long haul capacity as of September 30, 2004.

30


On September 25, 2003, we announced that we had signed a 10-year, firm natural gas transportation contract with an undisclosed shipper that would allow us to construct facilities resulting in a 125,000 dth/day expansion of capacity on the TransColorado system. The facilities consist of three new compressor stations and modifications at two existing compressor stations, which increase compression by 20,000 horsepower. In March 2004, we received FERC approval to construct the facilities and place them into service. In August 2004, the facilities were completed and placed into service.

In October 2004, we announced plans to expand TransColorado's system to provide for an additional 300,000 dth/day of primarily backhaul capacity. This expansion project, which will cost less than $20 million, is supported by commitments from an undisclosed shipper for up to 280,000 dth/day of capacity through 2015, with an option for a five-year extension. To accommodate the increased volumes on the northern part of the system, TransColorado will be reversing the flow of natural gas on the 46-mile portion of the system between DeBeque, Colorado and the Greasewood Hub in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, modifying existing interconnect facilities and installing a new north-end compressor station. This project will enhance the flexibility of TransColorado's system by allowing gas on the northern end of the pipeline to flow both northward and southward. Following completion of the project, current and future shippers will still have the ability to schedule natural gas for delivery from the far north end of the TransColorado system southward to San Juan Basin delivery points. In addition, the expanded system features an interconnect with the Wyoming Interstate Company pipeline at the Greasewood Hub. Subject to regulatory approvals, the additional capacity is expected to be available in January 2006. Please refer to our 2003 Form 10-K for additional information regarding TransColorado.

Kinder Morgan Retail

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Increase

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

Increase

2004

2003

(Decrease)

2004

2003

(Decrease)

(In thousands except systems throughput)

Total Operating Revenues

$ 46,210 

$ 45,367 

$    843 

$200,299 

$177,679 

$ 22,620 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

  
Gas Purchases and Other
   Costs of Sales

$ 25,452 

$ 23,044 

$  2,408 

$108,750 

$ 86,699 

$ 22,051 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

  
Segment Earnings

$  4,839 

$  6,962 

$ (2,123)

$ 43,491 

$ 44,752 

$ (1,261)

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

  
  
Systems Throughput (Trillion
   Btus)1

     7.6 

    10.3 

    (2.7)

    32.2 

    33.6 

    (1.4)

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

1 Excludes transport volumes of intrastate pipelines.

Kinder Morgan Retail's segment earnings decreased by $2.1 million (30%) from the third quarter of 2003 to the third quarter of 2004. This decrease was due principally to (i) reduced irrigation demand in 2004 resulting from wetter and cooler conditions in our service area in 2004 and (ii) increased operations and maintenance and depreciation expenses in 2004 due, in part, to system expansion. These negative impacts were partially offset by continued customer growth in Colorado. The increase in operating revenues in the third quarter of 2004, relative to 2003, primarily resulted from higher natural gas prices in 2004 largely offset by corresponding higher gas purchase costs, and continued customer growth in Colorado, partially offset by reduced 2004 irrigation volumes.

Kinder Morgan Retail's segment earnings decreased by $1.3 million (3%) from the first nine months of 2003 to the first nine months of 2004. This decrease was due principally to (i) reduced irrigation demand in the second and third quarters of 2004 and (ii) increased operations and maintenance and depreciation

31


expenses in 2004 due, in part, to system expansion. These negative impacts were partially offset by (i) increased space heating demand in the first quarter of 2004 and (ii) continued customer growth in Colorado. The increase in operating revenues in the first nine months of 2004, relative to 2003, which was largely offset by an increase in gas purchases and other costs of sales, was principally due to (i) higher natural gas prices in 2004, (ii) the fact that a higher percentage of our Wyoming customers chose us as their natural gas supplier in 2004, either through regulated rates that pass-through the cost of gas to the customer, or through our Choice Gas commodity program that allows customers connected to our natural gas distribution system to choose from among several natural gas commodity suppliers, (iii) increased revenues from non-regulated merchandise sales and (iv) continued customer growth in Colorado. These positive impacts to 2004 revenues were partially offset by reduced irrigation demand in the second and third quarters of 2004. Our weather hedging program continued to contribute to stability in Kinder Morgan Retail's earnings pattern by reducing the impact of weather-related demand fluctuations. Our hedging strategy is discussed in our 2003 Form 10-K.

During the second quarter of 2004, Kinder Morgan Retail completed and placed into service its $20 million, 58-mile natural gas transmission pipeline from Montrose to Ouray, Colorado. We expect to add about 3,000 Western Slope customers via this pipeline over the next five years. Please refer to our 2003 Form 10-K for additional information regarding Kinder Morgan Retail.

Power

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Increase

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

Increase

2004

2003

(Decrease)

2004

2003

(Decrease)

(In thousands)

Total Operating Revenues

$ 18,826 

$  6,986 

$ 11,840 

$ 42,825 

$ 26,037 

$ 16,788 

  

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

Gas Purchases and Other
   Costs of Sales

$  1,199 

$  1,139 

$     60 

$  3,585 

$  3,448 

$    137 

  

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

  
Segment Earnings

$  4,113 

$  5,313 

$ (1,200)

$ 11,744 

$ 19,011 

$ (7,267)

  

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

======== 

Due to the adoption of a recently issued accounting standard, the results of operations of our Triton Power affiliates are included in our consolidated operating results and in the results of our Power segment beginning with the first quarter of 2004. Although the results of Triton have an impact on the total operating revenues and expenses of the Power business segment, after taking into account the associated minority interests, the consolidation of Triton had no effect on Power's segment earnings.

Power's segment earnings decreased by $1.2 million (23%) from the third quarter of 2003 to the third quarter of 2004. Segment earnings for the third quarter of 2004 were negatively impacted, relative to 2003, by (i) reduced power generation revenues and operating fees due to milder summer weather and (ii) reduced earnings from Thermo Cogeneration Partnership, largely due to higher maintenance costs.

Power's segment earnings decreased by $7.3 million (38%) from the first nine months of 2003 to the first nine months of 2004. Segment earnings for the first nine months of 2004 were negatively impacted, relative to 2003, primarily by the fact that 2003 results included $6.8 million in development fees for the Jackson, Michigan power plant. Please refer to our 2003 Form 10-K for additional information regarding Power.

Certain surplus power generation equipment was sold during 2004. See Note 7 of the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

32


Earnings from Investment in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners

The impact on our pre-tax earnings from our investment in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners was as follows:

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Earnings
Increase

2004

2003

(Decrease)

(In thousands)

General Partner Interest, Including Minority Interest in the Operating
   Limited Partnerships

$102,535 

$ 84,489 

$ 18,046 

Limited Partner Units (Kinder Morgan Energy Partners)

  10,853 

   8,908 

   1,945 

Limited Partner i-units (Kinder Morgan Management)

  30,591 

  23,262 

   7,329 

 143,979 

 116,659 

  27,320 

Pre-tax Minority Interest in Kinder Morgan Management

 (21,832)

 (16,363)

  (5,469)

    Pre-tax Earnings from Investment in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners

$122,147 

$100,296 

$ 21,851 

======== 

======== 

======== 

  

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

Earnings
Increase

2004

2003

(Decrease)

(In thousands)

General Partner Interest, Including Minority Interest in the Operating
   Limited Partnerships

$293,962 

$244,901 

$ 49,061 

Limited Partner Units (Kinder Morgan Energy Partners)

  29,680 

  27,220 

   2,460 

Limited Partner i-units (Kinder Morgan Management)

  81,906 

  69,765 

  12,141 

 405,548 

 341,886 

  63,662 

Pre-tax Minority Interest in Kinder Morgan Management

 (58,399)

 (49,078)

  (9,321)

    Pre-tax Earnings from Investment in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners

$347,149 

$292,808 

$ 54,341 

======== 

======== 

======== 

The increase in our earnings from this investment in 2004, relative to 2003, is principally due to improved operating results from Kinder Morgan Energy Partners' various businesses, which drove higher distributions to Kinder Morgan Energy Partners' unitholders and general partner. Additional information regarding Kinder Morgan Energy Partners is contained in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

33


Other Income and (Expenses)

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Earnings
Increase

2004

2003

(Decrease)

(In thousands)

  
Interest Expense, Net

$(33,990)

$ (34,751)

$    761 

Interest Expense - Deferrable Interest Debentures1

  (5,478)

        - 

  (5,478)

Interest Expense - Capital Trust Securities1

       - 

   (5,478)

   5,478 

Equity in Earnings of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners

 143,979 

  116,659 

  27,320 

Equity in Earnings of Power Segment2

   2,523 

    2,686 

    (163)

Equity in Earnings of Horizon Pipeline3

     442 

      372 

       70 

Minority Interests1

 (21,114)

  (10,183)

 (10,931)

Other, Net

   1,756 

       18 

   1,738 

    

$ 88,118 

$  69,323 

$ 18,795 

======== 

========= 

======== 

  

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

Earnings
Increase

2004

2003

(Decrease)

(In thousands)

  
Interest Expense, Net

$(98,785)

$(106,039)

$  7,254 

Interest Expense - Deferrable Interest Debentures1

 (16,434)

        - 

 (16,434)

Interest Expense - Capital Trust Securities1

       - 

   (5,478)

   5,478 

Equity in Earnings of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners

 405,548 

  341,886 

  63,662 

Equity in Earnings of Power Segment2

   7,196 

    7,164 

      32 

Equity in Earnings of Horizon Pipeline3

   1,271 

    1,103 

     168 

Equity in Losses of Other Equity Investments

       - 

       (7)

       7 

Minority Interests1

 (45,511)

  (41,580)

  (3,931)

Other, Net

   3,277 

      140 

   3,137 

    

$256,562 

$ 197,189 

$ 59,373 

======== 

========= 

======== 

___________________

1

The expense associated with our capital trust securities was included in "Minority Interests" prior to the third quarter of 2003 ($10,956 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003). Due to our adoption of a recently issued accounting standard, the expense associated with these securities was included in "Interest Expense - Capital Trust Securities" beginning with the third quarter of 2003. Due to our adoption of another recently issued accounting standard, the trusts associated with these securities are no longer consolidated, effective December 31, 2003. The associated expense is included in "Interest Expense - Deferrable Interest Debentures" for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2004.

2

Included in Power segment earnings.

3

Included in Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America segment earnings.

"Other Income and (Expenses)" increased from income of $69.3 million in the third quarter of 2003 to income of $88.1 million in the third quarter of 2004, an increase of $18.8 million (27%). This increase was principally due to (i) an increase of $27.3 million in equity in the earnings of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners due, in part, to the strong performance from the assets held by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (which was partially offset by an increase in expense of $3.4 million due to additional minority interest in Kinder Morgan Management) and (ii) $1.4 million of pre-tax gains in 2004 from the sale of certain land parcels in Illinois, which gain is included in segment earnings of the Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America business segment. These positive impacts were partially offset by $7.5 million of 2004 minority interest expense associated with our Triton Power affiliates (which is offset by Triton Power's operating income in our consolidated statement of operations).

34


"Other Income and (Expenses)" increased from income of $197.2 million in the first nine months of 2003 to income of $256.6 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of $59.4 million (30%). This increase was principally due to (i) an increase of $63.7 million in equity in the earnings of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners due, in part, to the strong performance from the assets held by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (which was partially offset by an increase in expense of $5.8 million due to additional minority interest in Kinder Morgan Management), (ii) a net decrease of approximately $7.3 million in 2004 interest expense, which was the net result of (1) a $11.4 million decrease in interest expense in 2004 due to lower weighted average interest rates and lower average debt balances and (2) the inclusion in 2003 results of a $4.1 million reduction in interest expense recorded in conjunction with the final settlement of a regulatory matter at Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America, (iii) the inclusion in 2003 results of a $4.3 million pre-tax loss due to the sale of our interest in the Igasamex joint venture and (iv) $1.7 million of pre-tax gains in 2004 from the sale of certain land parcels in Illinois. These positive impacts were partially offset by (i) the inclusion in 2003 results of a $2.9 million pre-tax gain from receipt of loan principal in excess of our carrying value and (ii) $9.1 million of 2004 minority interest expense associated with our Triton Power affiliates (which is offset by Triton Power's operating income in our consolidated statement of operations).

Income Taxes

The income tax provision increased from $61.3 million in the third quarter of 2003 to $72.1 million in the third quarter of 2004, an increase of $10.8 million (18%) due principally to an increase of $27.2 million in pre-tax income. The income tax provision increased from $191.9 million in the first nine months of 2003 to $220.6 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of $28.7 million (15%) due principally to an increase of $71.1 million in pre-tax income.

Discontinued Operations

During 1999, we adopted and implemented a plan to discontinue a number of lines of business. During 2000, we essentially completed the disposition of these discontinued operations. The cash flow impacts associated with discontinued operations, if significant for the periods presented, are discussed under "Cash Flows" following. Note 9 of the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contains additional information on these matters.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Primary Cash Requirements

Our primary cash requirements, in addition to normal operating, general and administrative expenses, are for debt service, capital expenditures, common stock repurchases and quarterly cash dividends to our common shareholders. Our capital expenditures (other than sustaining capital expenditures), our common stock repurchases and our quarterly cash dividends to our common shareholders are discretionary. We expect to fund these expenditures with existing cash and cash flows from operating activities. In addition to utilizing cash generated from operations, we could meet these cash requirements through borrowings under our credit facilities or by issuing short-term commercial paper, long-term notes or additional shares of common stock.

35


Invested Capital

The following table illustrates the sources of our invested capital. The balances at December 31, 2002 and thereafter reflect the impact of Kinder Morgan Management's August 2002 public sale of its shares. Our ratio of total debt to total capital has declined significantly since 2001. This decline has resulted from a number of factors, including our increased cash flows from operations as discussed under "Cash Flows" following. In recent periods, we have significantly increased our dividends per common share and have announced our intention to consider further increases on an annual basis, and we maintain an ongoing program to repurchase outstanding shares of our common stock. For these reasons, among others, any declines in our ratio of total debt to total capital in the future are expected to be smaller.

In addition to the direct sources of debt and equity financing shown in the following table, we obtain financing indirectly through our ownership interests in unconsolidated entities as shown under "Significant Financing Transactions" following. Our largest such unconsolidated investment is in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners. See "Investment in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners" following.

September 30,

December 31,

2004

   

2003

   

2002

   

2001

(Dollars in thousands)

Long-term Debt:
     Outstanding Notes and Debentures

$2,257,557 

$2,837,487 

$2,852,181 

$2,409,798 

     Deferrable Interest Debentures Issued to
       Subsidiary Trusts1

   283,600 

   283,600 

         - 

         - 

     Value of Interest Rate Swaps2

    85,659 

    88,242 

   139,589 

    (4,831)

2,626,816 

3,209,329 

2,991,770 

2,404,967 

Minority Interests

 1,034,333 

 1,010,140 

   967,802 

   817,513 

Common Equity

 2,758,074 

 2,666,117 

 2,354,997 

 2,259,997 

Capital Trust Securities1

         - 

         - 

   275,000 

   275,000 

 6,419,223 

 6,885,586 

 6,589,569 

 5,757,477 

Less Value of Interest Rate Swaps

   (85,659)

   (88,242)

  (139,589)

     4,831 

     Capitalization

 6,333,564 

 6,797,344 

 6,449,980 

 5,762,308 

Short-term Debt, Less Cash and Cash Equivalents3

   605,426 

   121,824 

   465,614 

   613,918 

     Invested Capital

$6,938,990 

$6,919,168 

$6,915,594 

$6,376,226 

========== 

========== 

========== 

========== 

  
Capitalization:
     Outstanding Notes and Debentures

35.6%

41.7%

44.2%

41.8%

     Minority Interests

16.3%

14.9%

15.0%

14.2%

     Common Equity

43.6%

39.2%

36.5%

39.2%

     Deferrable Interest Debentures Issued to
       Subsidiary Trusts

 4.5%

 4.2%

   - 

   - 

     Capital Trust Securities

   - 

   - 

 4.3%

 4.8%

  
Invested Capital:
     Total Debt4

41.3%

42.8%

48.0%

47.4%

     Equity, Including Capital Trust Securities,
       Deferrable Interest Debentures Issued to
       Subsidiary Trusts and Minority Interests

58.7%

57.2%

52.0%

52.6%

  
  
1

As a result of a change in accounting standards effective December 31, 2003, the subsidiary trusts associated with these securities are no longer consolidated. See Note 17 of the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

2 See "Significant Financing Transactions" following.
3

Cash and cash equivalents netted against short-term debt were $12,174, $11,076, $35,653 and $16,134 for September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

4

Outstanding notes and debentures plus short-term debt, less cash and cash equivalents.

36


The discussion under the heading "Liquidity and Capital Resources" in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our 2003 Form 10-K includes a comprehensive discussion of (i) our investments in and obligations to unconsolidated entities, (ii) our contractual obligations and (iii) our contingent liabilities. These disclosures, which reflected balances and contractual arrangements existing as of December 31, 2003, also reflect current balances and contractual arrangements except for changes discussed following. Changes in our long-term debt and commercial paper are discussed under "Net Cash Flows from Financing Activities" following and in Note 10 of the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Short-term Liquidity

Our principal sources of short-term liquidity are our revolving credit facility, our commercial paper program (which is supported by our revolving credit facility) and cash provided by operations. As of September 30, 2004, we had available an $800 million five-year credit facility dated August 18, 2004. This credit facility replaced a $445 million 364-day credit facility dated October 14, 2003 and a $355 million three-year revolving credit agreement dated October 15, 2002 and can be used for general corporate purposes, including as backup for our commercial paper program. At September 30, 2004 and October 29, 2004, we had $37.6 million and $189.0 million, respectively, of commercial paper issued and outstanding. After inclusion of applicable letters of credit, the remaining available borrowing capacity under the credit facility was $730.9 million and $579.5 million at September 30, 2004 and October 29, 2004, respectively.

Our current maturities of long-term debt of $580 million at September 30, 2004 consisted of (i) $5 million of current maturities of our 6.50% Series Debentures due September 1, 2013, (ii) $500 million of 6.65% Series Senior Notes due March 1, 2005 and (iii) $75 million of 8.75% Series Debentures due October 15, 2024, which we redeemed on October 21, 2004. Our $150 million of 6.67% Series Debentures due November 1, 2027, which had been redeemable at par through a one-time option of the holders on November 1, 2004, are reflected in "Long-term Debt" on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2004 since the holders did not elect to require us to redeem the debentures. Apart from our notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt, our current liabilities, net of our current assets, represent an additional short-term obligation of approximately $33.7 million at September 30, 2004. Given our expected cash flows from operations and our unused debt capacity as discussed preceding, including our five-year revolving credit facility, and based on our projected cash needs in the near term, we do not expect any liquidity issues to arise. Our next significant debt maturity, apart from our 6.65% Senior Notes in 2005 mentioned above, is our $300 million of 6.80% Senior Notes in 2008.

Significant Financing Transactions

On August 14, 2001, we announced a program to repurchase $300 million of our outstanding common stock, which program was increased to $400 million, $450 million, $500 million and $550 million in February 2002, July 2002, November 2003 and April 2004, respectively. As of September 30, 2004, we had repurchased a total of approximately $507.8 million (9,963,900 shares) of our outstanding common stock under the program, of which $15.8 million (264,900 shares) and $55.1 million (931,100 shares) were repurchased in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively. We repurchased $25.6 million (484,200 shares) and $28.0 million (537,800 shares) of our common stock in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2003, respectively. In January 2003, our board of directors approved a plan to purchase shares of Kinder Morgan Management on the open market. During the three months ended March 31, 2003, we purchased $0.9 million (29,000 shares) of Kinder

37


Morgan Management shares on the open market.

As further described under "Risk Management" in Item 7A of our 2003 Form 10-K, we have outstanding fixed-to-floating interest rate swap agreements. These agreements had a notional principal amount of $1.5 billion at September 30, 2004. These agreements, entered into in August 2001, September 2002 and November 2003, effectively convert the interest expense associated with our 7.25% Debentures due in 2028 and our 6.50% Senior Notes due in 2012 from fixed to floating rates based on the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus a credit spread. These swaps are accounted for as fair value hedges under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

On March 25, 2004, Kinder Morgan Management closed the issuance and sale of 360,664 listed shares in a limited registered offering. None of the shares in the offering were purchased by us. Kinder Morgan Management used the net proceeds of approximately $14.9 million from the offering to buy additional i-units from Kinder Morgan Energy Partners.

On March 3, 2003, we terminated the interest rate swap agreements associated with our 6.65% Senior Notes due in 2005 and received $28.1 million. We are amortizing this amount (as a reduction to interest expense) over the remaining period the 6.65% Senior Notes are outstanding. The unamortized balance of $5.9 million at September 30, 2004 is included in the caption "Value of Interest Rate Swaps" under the heading "Long-term Debt" in the accompanying interim Consolidated Balance Sheet.

On March 3, 2003, our $500 million of 6.45% Senior Notes matured, and we paid the holders of the notes, utilizing a combination of cash on hand and incremental short-term borrowing.

Certain of our and Kinder Morgan Energy Partners' customers are experiencing financial problems that have had a significant impact on their creditworthiness. We are working to implement, to the extent allowable under applicable laws, tariffs and regulations, prepayments and other security requirements such as letters of credit to enhance our credit position relating to amounts owed from these customers. We cannot assure that one or more financially distressed customers will not default on their obligations to us or to Kinder Morgan Energy Partners or that such a default or defaults will not have a material adverse effect on our business.

Investment in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners

At September 30, 2004, we owned, directly, and indirectly in the form of i-units corresponding to the number of shares of Kinder Morgan Management, LLC we owned, approximately 33.1 million limited partner units of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners. These units, which consist of 13.0 million common units, 5.3 million Class B units and 14.8 million i-units, represent approximately 16.8 percent of the total limited partner interests of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners. In addition, we are the sole stockholder of the general partner of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, which holds an effective 2 percent interest in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners and its operating partnerships. Together, our limited partner and general partner interests represented approximately 18.5 percent of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners' total equity interests at September 30, 2004. We receive quarterly distributions on the i-units owned by Kinder Morgan Management in additional i-units, while distributions on our other units are received in cash.

In addition to distributions received on our limited partner interests as discussed above, we also receive an incentive distribution from Kinder Morgan Energy Partners as a result of our ownership of the general partner interest in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners. This incentive distribution is calculated in increments based on the amount by which quarterly distributions to unit holders exceed specified target

38


levels as set forth in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners' partnership agreement, reaching a maximum of 50% of distributions allocated to the general partner for distributions above $0.23375 per limited partner unit.

We reflect our investment in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners under the equity method of accounting and, accordingly, report our share of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners' earnings as "Equity in Earnings" in our interim Consolidated Statement of Operations in the period in which such earnings are reported by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners. See Notes 7 and 8 of the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our investment in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners.

CASH FLOWS

The following discussion of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and related supplemental disclosures, and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and related supplemental disclosures included in our 2003 Form 10-K.

Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities

"Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities" decreased from $422.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $418.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, a decrease of $3.1 million (0.7%). This negative variance is principally due to (i) a $3.9 million increase in cash paid for income taxes during 2004, (ii) a decrease of $62.9 million in cash inflows for gas in underground storage during 2004 and (iii) the fact that 2003 included $28.1 million of cash proceeds received from termination of an interest rate swap (see "Significant Financing Transactions" for further information regarding this transaction). Significant period-to-period variations in cash used or generated from gas in storage transactions are due to changes in injection and withdrawal volumes as well as fluctuations in natural gas prices. These negative impacts were partially offset by, in addition to increased cash earnings in 2004, (i) a $47.2 million increase in cash distributions received in 2004 attributable to our interest in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, (ii) a $19.2 million reduction in cash paid for interest during 2004 and (iii) an increase of $19.2 million in 2004 cash attributable to deferred purchased gas costs. Cash flows attributable to deferred purchased gas costs vary with the relationship between the amount actually paid for natural gas and the amount currently included in regulated rates. This difference is recovered or refunded through subsequent rate adjustments.

Net Cash Flows from Investing Activities

"Net Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities" increased from $95.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $98.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of $3.1 million (3.3%). This increased use of cash is principally due to (i) an additional $15.7 million investment in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners during 2004, which primarily consisted of Kinder Morgan Management's purchase of additional i-units from Kinder Morgan Energy Partners with the proceeds of an issuance of its shares as discussed under "Net Cash Flows from Financing Activities" following, (ii) additional capital expenditures of $23.7 million during 2004 and (iii) an increase of $11.0 million in 2004 investments in margin deposits associated with hedging activities utilizing energy derivative instruments, partially offset by (i) $40.8 million of proceeds received for sales of surplus natural gas-fired turbines in 2004 and (ii) the fact that 2003 included $16.0 million of expenditures for other investments.

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Net Cash Flows from Financing Activities

"Net Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities" decreased from $355.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $319.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, a decrease of $36.4 million (10.2%). This decrease is principally due to (i) the fact that 2003 included $500 million of cash used to retire our $500 million 6.45% Senior Notes, (ii) $14.9 million of proceeds, net of issuance costs, from the issuance of Kinder Morgan Management shares in March 2004 and (iii) an increase of $6.4 million received in 2004 for issuance of our common stock, principally as a result of the exercise of employee stock options. Partially offsetting these factors were (i) a $90.3 million reduction in short-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to incremental short-term borrowings of $191.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2003, (ii) a $123.0 million increase in cash paid for dividends in 2004, principally due to the increased dividends declared per share, (iii) a $60.2 million decreased source of cash from short-term advances to unconsolidated affiliates during 2004 and (iv) a $27.1 million increase in cash paid during 2004 to repurchase shares.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 17 of the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements.

Information Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This filing includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "plan," "projection," "forecast," "strategy," "position," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "may," "will," or the negative of those terms or other variations of them or by comparable terminology. In particular, statements, express or implied, concerning future actions, conditions or events, future operating results or the ability to generate sales, income or cash flow or to pay dividends are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Future actions, conditions or events and future results of operations may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict. Specific factors which could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following:

price trends and overall demand for natural gas liquids, refined petroleum products, oil, carbon dioxide, natural gas, electricity, coal and other bulk materials and chemicals in the United States;

  

economic activity, weather, alternative energy sources, conservation and technological advances that may affect price trends and demand;

  

changes in our tariff rates or those of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners implemented by the FERC or another regulatory agency or, with respect to Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, the California Public Utilities Commission;

  

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners' ability and our ability to acquire new businesses and assets and integrate those operations into existing operations, as well as the ability to make expansions to our respective facilities;

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difficulties or delays experienced by railroads, barges, trucks, ships or pipelines in delivering products to or from Kinder Morgan Energy Partners' terminals or pipelines or our pipelines;

  

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners' ability and our ability to successfully identify and close acquisitions and make cost-saving changes in operations;

  

shut-downs or cutbacks at major refineries, petrochemical or chemical plants, ports, utilities, military bases or other businesses that use Kinder Morgan Energy Partners' or our services or provide services or products to Kinder Morgan Energy Partners or us;

  

changes in laws or regulations, third-party relations and approvals, decisions of courts, regulators and governmental bodies that may adversely affect our business or our ability to compete;

  

our ability to offer and sell equity securities and debt securities or obtain debt financing in sufficient amounts to implement that portion of our business plan that contemplates growth through acquisitions of operating businesses and assets and expansions of our facilities;

  

our indebtedness could make us vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions, limit our ability to borrow additional funds and/or place us at competitive disadvantages compared to our competitors that have less debt or have other adverse consequences;

  

interruptions of electric power supply to our facilities due to natural disasters, power shortages, strikes, riots, terrorism, war or other causes;

  

acts of nature, sabotage, terrorism or other acts causing damage greater than our insurance coverage limits;

  

capital market conditions;

  

the political and economic stability of the oil producing nations of the world;

  

national, international, regional and local economic, competitive and regulatory conditions and developments;

  

the ability to achieve cost savings and revenue growth;

  

inflation;

  

interest rates;

  

the pace of deregulation of retail natural gas and electricity;

  

foreign exchange fluctuations;

  

the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices for oil, natural gas, electricity and certain agricultural products;

  

the timing and success of business development efforts; and

  

unfavorable results of litigation involving Kinder Morgan Energy Partners and the fruition of contingencies referred to in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.

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You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

See Items 1 and 2 "Business and Properties - Risk Factors" of our 2003 Form 10-K for a more detailed description of these and other factors that may affect the forward-looking statements. The risk factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. We disclaim any obligation to update the above list or to announce publicly the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments. Our future results also could be adversely impacted by unfavorable results of litigation and the fruition of contingencies referred to in Notes 15 and 16 of the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

There have been no material changes in market risk exposures that would affect the quantitative and qualitative disclosures presented as of December 31, 2003, in Item 7A "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" contained in our 2003 Form 10-K. See also Note 13 of the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.

As of September 30, 2004, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon and as of the date of the evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in all material respects to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file and submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required. There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2004 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.

The reader is directed to Note 16 of the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2004, we did not sell any equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Our Purchases of Our Common Stock

Period

Total Number of
Shares Purchased1

Average Price
Paid per Share

Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced Plans
or Programs1

Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar Value)
of Shares that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs

July 1 to
  July 31, 2004

115,000    

$ 59.58   

   115,000   

$51,169,026    

=======   

===========    

August 1 to
  August 31, 2004

149,900    

$ 59.66   

   149,900   

$42,223,515    

=======   

===========    

September 1 to
  September 30, 2004

      -    

$     -   

         -   

$42,223,515    

=======   

===========    

  
Total

264,900    

$ 59.62   

   264,900   

$42,223,515    

=======    

=======   

 =========   

===========    

  
1

All purchases were made pursuant to our publicly announced repurchase plan. On August 14, 2001, we announced a plan to repurchase $300 million of our outstanding common stock, which program was increased to $400 million, $450 million, $500 million and $550 million in February 2002, July 2002, November 2003, and April 2004, respectively.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

None.

Item 5.  Other Information.

As previously disclosed, on July 21, 2004, Michael C. Morgan resigned as our President. Mr. Morgan continues to serve on our Board of Directors. In connection with his resignation, Mr. Morgan and we executed a Resignation and Non-Compete Agreement pursuant to which Mr. Morgan resigned as our President, agreed not to compete with us or our affiliates through July 21, 2008 and forfeited 76,667 shares of our restricted stock granted in July 2003 that would have vested in July 2006 and July 2008.

On August 26, 2004, we announced that C. Park Shaper has been elected Executive Vice President of Kinder Morgan, Inc., Kinder Morgan Management, LLC and Kinder Morgan G.P., Inc. Mr. Shaper also retains his titles as Director and Chief Financial Officer of Kinder Morgan Management, LLC and Kinder Morgan G.P., Inc. and Chief Financial Officer of Kinder Morgan, Inc.

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Item 6.  Exhibits.

10.1 5-Year Credit Agreement dated as of August 18, 2004, among Kinder Morgan, Inc., the lenders party thereto and Wachovia Bank, National Association as Administrative Agent.
  
10.2* Resignation and Non-Compete Agreement, dated as of July 21, 2004, between KMGP Services, Inc. and Michael C. Morgan (Exhibit 10.12 to Kinder Morgan, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004).
  
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

___________
* Asterisk indicates exhibits incorporated by reference as indicated; all other exhibits are filed herewith,
  except as noted otherwise.

 

44


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

  

   KINDER MORGAN, INC.
(Registrant)
  
  
November 2, 2004 /s/ C. Park Shaper
C. Park Shaper
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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