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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2003
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-2745
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SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
DELAWARE 63-0196650
(State or Other Jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
EL PASO BUILDING
1001 LOUISIANA STREET 77002
HOUSTON, TEXAS (Zip Code)
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Telephone Number: (713) 420-2600
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 [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common stock, par value $1 per share. Shares outstanding on May 14, 2003:
1,000
SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY MEETS THE CONDITIONS OF GENERAL INSTRUCTION
H(1)(a) AND (b) OF FORM 10-Q AND IS THEREFORE FILING THIS REPORT WITH A REDUCED
DISCLOSURE FORMAT AS PERMITTED BY SUCH INSTRUCTION.
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PART I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(IN MILLIONS)
(UNAUDITED)
QUARTER ENDED
MARCH 31,
--------------
2003 2002
---- ----
Operating revenues.......................................... $120 $103
---- ----
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance................................. 45 37
Depreciation, depletion and amortization.................. 12 11
Taxes, other than income taxes............................ 5 5
---- ----
62 53
---- ----
Operating income............................................ 58 50
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates..................... 19 6
Other income................................................ 3 2
Interest and debt expense................................... (16) (13)
Affiliated interest income.................................. 2 1
---- ----
Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of
accounting change......................................... 66 46
Income taxes................................................ 22 16
---- ----
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change........ 44 30
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income
taxes..................................................... -- 57
---- ----
Net income.................................................. $ 44 $ 87
---- ----
Comprehensive income........................................ $ 44 $ 87
==== ====
See accompanying notes.
1
SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
(UNAUDITED)
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
2003 2002
------------- ------------
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents................................. $ 95 $ --
Accounts and notes receivable
Customer, net of allowance of $3 in 2003 and 2002...... 53 71
Affiliates............................................. 48 61
Other.................................................. 3 3
Materials and supplies.................................... 13 14
Other..................................................... 9 10
------ ------
Total current assets.............................. 221 159
------ ------
Property, plant and equipment, at cost...................... 2,891 2,846
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and
amortization........................................... 1,327 1,319
------ ------
Total property, plant and equipment, net.......... 1,564 1,527
------ ------
Other assets
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates.................. 751 734
Note receivable from affiliate............................ 93 369
Regulatory assets......................................... 38 34
Other..................................................... 17 7
------ ------
899 1,144
------ ------
Total assets...................................... $2,684 $2,830
====== ======
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable
Trade.................................................. $ 49 $ 36
Affiliates............................................. 8 9
Other.................................................. -- 1
Taxes payable............................................. 51 49
Accrued interest.......................................... 7 20
Deposits on transportation contracts...................... 14 13
Other..................................................... 4 4
------ ------
Total current liabilities......................... 133 132
------ ------
Long-term debt.............................................. 1,193 798
------ ------
Other liabilities
Deferred income taxes..................................... 275 260
Other..................................................... 35 37
------ ------
310 297
------ ------
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholder's equity
Common stock, par value $1 per share; 1,000 shares
authorized, issued and outstanding..................... -- --
Additional paid-in capital................................ 341 341
Retained earnings......................................... 715 1,270
Accumulated other comprehensive loss...................... (8) (8)
------ ------
Total stockholder's equity........................ 1,048 1,603
------ ------
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity........ $2,684 $2,830
====== ======
See accompanying notes.
2
SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN MILLIONS)
(UNAUDITED)
QUARTER ENDED
MARCH 31,
-----------------
2003 2002
----- -----
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income................................................ $ 44 $ 87
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from
operating activities
Depreciation, depletion and amortization............... 12 11
Deferred income tax expense............................ 16 4
Undistributed earnings of unconsolidated affiliates.... (17) (6)
Cumulative effect of accounting change................. -- (57)
Other adjustments to net income........................ (1) --
Working capital changes................................... 12 22
Non-working capital changes............................... (1) --
----- -----
Net cash provided by operating activities......... 65 61
----- -----
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment................ (45) (37)
Net change in affiliated advances receivable.............. (21) (222)
Net proceeds from the sale of assets...................... 1 1
----- -----
Net cash used in investing activities............. (65) (258)
----- -----
Cash flows from financing activities
Payments to retire long-term debt......................... -- (100)
Net proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt.......... 385 297
Dividends paid............................................ (290) --
----- -----
Net cash provided by financing activities......... 95 197
----- -----
Net change in cash and cash equivalents..................... 95 --
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period....................................... -- --
----- -----
End of period............................................. $ 95 $ --
===== =====
Significant non-cash transaction
Dividend to parent of affiliated receivables.............. $ 310 $ -
===== =====
See accompanying notes.
3
SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
We prepared this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the rules and
regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Because this is an interim period filing presented using a condensed format, it
does not include all of the disclosures required by generally accepted
accounting principles. You should read it along with our 2002 Annual Report on
Form 10-K, which includes a summary of our significant accounting policies and
other disclosures. The financial statements as of March 31, 2003, and for the
quarters ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, are unaudited. We derived the balance
sheet as of December 31, 2002, from the audited balance sheet filed in our 2002
Form 10-K. As discussed below, our historical financial information has been
presented to reflect the contribution of Citrus Corp. (Citrus) to us by El Paso
Corporation (El Paso) for all periods presented in a manner similar to a pooling
of interests. In our opinion, we have made all adjustments, all of which are of
a normal, recurring nature (except for a cumulative effect of accounting change,
which is discussed in Note 2), to fairly present our interim period results. Due
to the seasonal nature of our business, information for interim periods may not
indicate the results of operations for the entire year. In addition, prior
period information presented in these financial statements includes
reclassifications which were made to conform to the current period presentation.
These reclassifications have no effect on our previously reported net income or
stockholder's equity.
Investment in Citrus
In March 2003, El Paso contributed to us all of its 50 percent ownership
interest in Citrus, a Delaware corporation with a net book value at the time of
acquisition of approximately $578 million. Since both the investment in Citrus,
which is accounted for as an equity investment, and our common stock were owned
by El Paso at the time of the contribution, we were required to reflect the
investment in Citrus at its historical cost and its operating results in our
financial statements for all periods presented, in a manner similar to a pooling
of interests. Our financial statements reflect our ownership of Citrus in the
earliest period presented combined with our results. Our combined income before
cumulative effect of accounting change and net income for the quarters ended
March 31, 2003 and 2002 is presented below.
QUARTERS
ENDED
MARCH 31,
-------------
2003 2002
----- -----
(IN MILLIONS)
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change
Historical................................................ $29 $27
Citrus(1)................................................. 15 3
--- ---
Combined income before cumulative effect of accounting
change................................................ $44 $30
=== ===
Net income
Historical................................................ $29 $27
Citrus(1)................................................. 15 60
--- ---
Combined net income.................................... $44 $87
=== ===
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(1) Includes a $5 million difference between the estimated equity earnings
recorded for 2002 and Citrus' actual equity earnings.
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Significant Accounting Policies
Our accounting policies are consistent with those discussed in our Form
10-K, except as discussed below:
Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities. As of
January 1, 2003, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS)
No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities. SFAS
No. 146 requires that we recognize costs associated with exit or disposal
activities when they are incurred rather than when we commit to an exit or
disposal plan. There was no initial financial statement impact of adopting this
standard.
Accounting for Guarantees. On January 1, 2003, we adopted Financial
Accounting Standards Board Interpretation (FIN) No. 45, Guarantor's Accounting
and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of
Indebtedness of Others. FIN No. 45 requires that we record a liability for all
guarantees, including financial performance and fair value guarantees, issued
after December 31, 2002, at fair value when they are issued. There was no
initial financial statement impact of adopting this standard.
Accounting for Regulated Operations. We continue to evaluate the
application of SFAS No. 71, Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of
Regulation, for changes in the competitive environment and our operating cost
structures. See a further discussion of our accounting for regulated operations
in our 10-K.
2. CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE
On January 1, 2002, we adopted SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, and
SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. SFAS No. 141 requires that
once SFAS No. 142 is adopted, negative goodwill should be written off as a
cumulative effect of an accounting change. In March 2003, El Paso contributed
its investment in Citrus to us. See Note 1 for a discussion of the accounting
treatment for this transaction. As a result of our ownership in Citrus and upon
adoption of SFAS No. 141, we recorded a pre-tax and after-tax gain of $57
million as a cumulative effect of an accounting change in our 2002 income
statement related to negative goodwill associated with the original investment
in Citrus.
3. ACCOUNTING FOR HEDGING ACTIVITIES
Citrus uses derivatives to mitigate, or hedge, cash flow risk associated
with its variable interest rates on long-term debt. Citrus accounts for these
derivatives under the provisions of SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivatives and
Hedging Activities, and records changes in the fair value of these derivatives
in other comprehensive income. We have reflected our proportionate share of the
impact that these derivative instruments have on Citrus' financial statements as
adjustments to our other comprehensive income and our investment in
unconsolidated affiliates.
As of March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, the value of cash flow hedges
included in accumulated other comprehensive income was an unrealized loss of $8
million, net of income taxes. This amount will be reclassified to earnings over
the terms of the outstanding debt. We estimate that $1 million of this
unrealized loss will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
over the next twelve months. For the quarters ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, no
ineffectiveness was recorded in earnings on these cash flow hedges.
4. DEBT AND OTHER CREDIT FACILITIES
In March 2003, we issued $400 million of senior unsecured notes with an
annual interest rate of 8.875%. The notes mature in 2010. Net proceeds of $385
million were used to pay a cash dividend to our parent of approximately $290
million, while $95 million was retained for future capital expenditures.
Also in March 2003, El Paso entered into a $1.2 billion two-year term loan
and the proceeds were used to retire the outstanding balance under the Trinity
River financing agreement, which was collateralized by various assets of El
Paso, including our equity in Bear Creek Storage.
In April 2003, El Paso entered into a new $3 billion revolving credit
facility, with a $1.5 billion letter of credit sublimit, which matures in June
2005. This facility, which matures in August 2003, and approximately
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$1 billion of other financing arrangements (including leases, letters of credit
and other facilities) were also amended to conform El Paso's obligations to the
new $3 billion revolving credit facility. El Paso's equity in several of it
subsidiaries, including our equity in Bear Creek, collateralizes the revolving
credit facilities and the other financing arrangements.
5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Proceedings
Grynberg. In 1997, we and a number of our affiliates were named defendants
in actions brought by Jack Grynberg on behalf of the U.S. Government under the
False Claims Act. Generally, these complaints allege an industry-wide conspiracy
to underreport the heating value as well as the volumes of the natural gas
produced from federal and Native American lands, which deprived the U.S.
Government of royalties. The plaintiff in this case seeks royalties that he
contends the government should have received had the volume and heating value of
natural gas produced from royalty properties been differently measured,
analyzed, calculated and reported, together with interest, treble damages, civil
penalties, expenses and future injunctive relief to require the defendants to
adopt allegedly appropriate gas measurement practices. No monetary relief has
been specified in this case. These matters have been consolidated for pretrial
purposes (In re: Natural Gas Royalties Qui Tam Litigation, U.S. District Court
for the District of Wyoming, filed June 1997). In May 2001, the court denied the
defendants' motions to dismiss. Discovery is proceeding. Our costs and legal
exposure related to these lawsuits and claims are not currently determinable.
Will Price (formerly Quinque). We and a number of our affiliates were
named defendants in Quinque Operating Company, et al v. Gas Pipelines and Their
Predecessors, et al, filed in 1999 in the District Court of Stevens County,
Kansas. Quinque has been dropped as a plaintiff and Will Price has been added.
This class action complaint alleges that the defendants mismeasured natural gas
volumes and heating content of natural gas on non-federal and non-Native
American lands. The plaintiff in this case seeks certification of a nationwide
class of natural gas working interest owners and natural gas royalty owners to
recover royalties that the plaintiff contends these owners should have received
had the volume and heating value of natural gas produced from their properties
been differently measured, analyzed, calculated and reported, together with
prejudgment and postjudgment interest, punitive damages, treble damages,
attorney's fees, costs and expenses, and future injunctive relief to require the
defendants to adopt allegedly appropriate gas measurement practices. No monetary
relief has been specified in this case. Plaintiff's motion for class
certification was denied on April 10, 2003. Our costs and legal exposure related
to this lawsuit and claims are not currently determinable.
Key. We were named as a defendant in Randall Key v. LAI Contractors, Inc.,
et al., filed in 2002 in the Jefferson County Circuit Court in Jefferson County,
Alabama. The plaintiff, an employee of a contractor, suffered paralysis as a
result of a coupling failure during a pipeline repressuration in May 2002. The
plaintiff is seeking compensatory and punitive damages against us and two other
defendants. We are pursuing contribution and indemnity from the contractor or
its insurers. The matter is set for trial in February, 2004. Our costs and legal
exposure related to this lawsuit and claims are not currently determinable.
In addition to the above matters, we are also a named defendant in numerous
lawsuits and governmental proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our
business.
For each of our outstanding legal matters, we evaluate the merits of the
case, our exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies and
the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. If we determine that an unfavorable
outcome is probable and can be estimated, we establish the necessary accruals.
As of March 31, 2003, we had no accruals for our outstanding legal matters.
Environmental Matters
We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing
environmental quality and pollution control. These laws and regulations require
us to remove or remedy the effect on the environment of the disposal or release
of specified substances at current and former operating sites. As of March 31,
2003, we
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had accrued approximately $3 million for expected remediation costs and
associated onsite, offsite and groundwater technical studies, which we
anticipate incurring through 2027. Our reserve estimates range from
approximately $8 million to approximately $3 million. Our accrual was based on
the most likely probable outcome. Below is a reconciliation of our environmental
remediation liabilities as of March 31, 2003 (in millions):
Balance as of January 1..................................... $ 4
Payments for remediation activities......................... (1)
---
Balance as of March 31...................................... $ 3
===
In addition, we expect to make capital expenditures for environmental
matters of approximately $6 million in the aggregate for the years 2003 through
2008. These expenditures primarily relate to compliance with clean air
regulations. For 2003, we estimate that our total remediation expenditures will
be approximately $3 million, which primarily will be expended under government
directed clean-up plans.
CERCLA Matters. We have received notice that we could be designated, or
have been asked for information to determine whether we could be designated, as
a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) with respect to one active site under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) or
state equivalents. We are currently evaluating our potential share, if any, of
the remediation costs.
It is possible that new information or future developments could require us
to reassess our potential exposure related to environmental matters. We may
incur significant costs and liabilities in order to comply with existing
environmental laws and regulations. It is also possible that other developments,
such as increasingly strict environmental laws and regulations and claims for
damages to property, employees, other persons and the environment resulting from
our current or past operations, could result in substantial costs and
liabilities in the future. As this information becomes available, or other
relevant developments occur, we will adjust our accrual amounts accordingly.
While there are still uncertainties relating to the ultimate costs we may incur,
based upon our evaluation and experience to date, we believe the reserves are
adequate.
Rates and Regulatory Matters
Order No. 637. In February 2000, the FERC issued Order No. 637. Order 637
impacts the way pipelines conduct their operational activities, including how
they release capacity, segment capacity and manage imbalance services,
operational flow orders and pipeline penalties. In July 2001, we filed a
settlement addressing our compliance with Order No. 637 and we received an order
on the settlement from the FERC in April 2002. The FERC approved our settlement,
subject to modifications related to our capacity segmentation proposal, and
rejected our proposed changes to our cash-out mechanism. In response, we sought
a rehearing and have made another compliance filing. We cannot predict the
outcome of the compliance filing or the request for rehearing.
Elba Island LNG Expansion. On May 31, 2002, we applied to expand our Elba
Island LNG terminal based on a precedent agreement for new firm terminalling
service that we entered into with Shell NA LNG in December 2001. This expansion
adds a new marine slip, a fourth storage tank with a capacity of 3.3 Bcfe, and
new pumps and vaporizers that increase the design sendout rate from 446 MMcf/d
to 806 MMcf/d and the maximum sendout rate from 675 MMcf/d to 1,215 MMcf/d. On
November 20, 2002, the FERC issued a Preliminary Determination on
Nonenvironmental Issues authorizing the proposed expansion, subject to
completion of a favorable environmental assessment. Marathon Oil Company filed a
request for rehearing on December 18, 2002, which raised issues concerning the
potential adverse impact of the proposed expansion on existing customers. On
April 10, 2003, the FERC issued a final order authorizing the proposed expansion
and denying Marathon's request for rehearing. On April 25, 2003, we agreed to
extend until May 23, 2003, the period of time in which Shell may exercise
termination rights under the precedent agreement. If Shell seeks to terminate
the agreement, we will assert damage claims against Shell.
7
South System II Expansion. In October 2001, we applied with the FERC to
expand our south system by 360 MMcf/d at an estimated cost of $246 million, to
serve existing, new and expanded gas-fired electric generation facilities. Two
shippers requested a delay in the commencement of their services and one shipper
requested to reduce service quantity. As a result, in April 2002, we filed an
amendment to the certificate application to reflect these changes. On September
20, 2002, the FERC issued a certificate authorizing the project, as modified.
On November 18, 2002, we filed a petition to amend the September 20 order
to change the construction schedule to three phases and to provide for the joint
ownership of the Port Wentworth meter station. On February 5, 2003, the FERC
denied a request for rehearing of the September 20 order. On February 28, 2003,
the FERC granted our requested amendment. Construction will now be completed in
three phases for this expansion.
On March 26, 2003, one of the expansion shippers that had been determined
to be non-creditworthy filed a complaint with the FERC requesting a finding that
a $21 million security bond that it had been required to provide, representing
an amount equivalent to approximately 30 months of reservation charges, violates
provisions in our effective tariff, our firm transportation agreement and FERC's
policy on security requirements for non-creditworthy parties. We filed our
answer with the FERC on April 10, 2003, stating that our creditworthiness policy
is consistent with both our effective tariff and our service agreement and has
been consistently applied to all similarly situated shippers. We further stated
that our actions in requiring the posting of 30 months of security by
non-creditworthy shippers that desired to participate in the expansion project
was consistent with FERC policy, which states that pipelines cannot be required
to construct facilities, on other than mutually agreeable terms, for the benefit
of new shippers. This matter remains pending before the FERC.
Termination of Blanket Marketing Authority. Contemporaneously with our
issuance of notes in March 2003, El Paso contributed its 50% interest in Citrus
Corporation to us. Enron owns the other 50% interest. On March 26, 2003, the
FERC issued an order directing Citrus Trading Corporation (CTC), a direct
subsidiary of Citrus Corporation, to show cause, in a proceeding initiated by
the order against various Enron affiliates, why the FERC should not terminate
CTC's blanket marketing certificates by which CTC is authorized to make sales
for resale at negotiated rates in interstate commerce of natural gas subject to
the Natural Gas Act of 1938. On April 16, 2003, CTC filed its answer to the show
cause order, denying that it had engaged in any of the activities cited by the
FERC as justifying the revocation of its blanket marketing certificate.
Marketing Affiliate NOPR. In September 2001, the FERC issued a Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR). The NOPR proposes to apply the standards of conduct
governing the relationship between interstate pipelines and marketing affiliates
to all energy affiliates. The proposed regulations, if adopted by the FERC,
would dictate how we conduct business and interact with our energy affiliates.
In December 2001, we filed comments with the FERC addressing our concerns with
the proposed rules. A public hearing was held on May 21, 2002, providing an
opportunity to comment further on the NOPR. Following the conference, additional
comments were filed by El Paso's pipelines and others. At this time, we cannot
predict the outcome of the NOPR, but adoption of the regulations in their
proposed form would, at a minimum, place additional administrative and
operational burdens on us.
Negotiated Rate NOI. In July 2002, the FERC issued a Notice of Inquiry
(NOI) that seeks comments regarding its 1996 policy of permitting pipelines to
enter into negotiated rate transactions. We have entered into these transactions
over the years, and the FERC is now reviewing whether negotiated rates should be
capped, whether or not the "recourse rate" (a cost-of-service based rate)
continues to safeguard against a pipeline exercising market power, and other
issues related to negotiated rate programs. On September 25, 2002, El Paso's
pipelines and others filed comments. Reply comments were filed on October 25,
2002. At this time, we cannot predict the outcome of this NOI.
Cash Management NOPR. On August 1, 2002, the FERC issued a NOPR requiring
that all cash management or money pool arrangements between a FERC regulated
subsidiary and a non-FERC regulated parent must be in writing, and set forth the
duties and responsibilities of cash management participants and administrators;
the methods of calculating interest and for allocating interest income and
expenses; and the
8
restrictions on deposits or borrowings by money pool members. The NOPR also
requires specified documentation for all deposits into, borrowings from,
interest income from, and interest expenses related to, these arrangements.
Finally, the NOPR proposed that as a condition of participating in a cash
management or money pool arrangement, the FERC regulated entity maintain a
minimum proprietary capital balance of 30 percent, and the FERC regulated entity
and its parent maintain investment grade credit ratings. On August 28, 2002,
comments were filed. The FERC held a public conference on September 25, 2002 to
discuss the issues raised in the comments. Representatives of companies from the
gas and electric industries participated on a panel and uniformly agreed that
the proposed regulations should be revised substantially and that the proposed
capital balance and investment grade credit rating requirements would be
excessive. At this time, we cannot predict the outcome of this NOPR.
Also on August 1, 2002, the FERC's Chief Accountant issued an Accounting
Release, which was effective immediately. The Accounting Release provides
guidance on how companies should account for money pool arrangements and the
types of documentation that should be maintained for these arrangements.
However, it did not address the proposed requirements that the FERC regulated
entity maintain a minimum proprietary capital balance of 30 percent and that the
entity and its parent have investment grade credit ratings. Requests for
rehearing were filed on August 30, 2002. The FERC has not yet acted on the
rehearing requests.
Emergency Reconstruction of Interstate Natural Gas Facilities NOPR. On
January 17, 2003, FERC issued a NOPR proposing, in emergency situations, to (1)
expand the scope of construction activities authorized under a pipeline's
blanket certificate to allow replacement of mainline facilities; (2) authorize a
pipeline to commence reconstruction of the affected system without a waiting
period; and (3) authorize automatic approval of construction that would be above
the normal cost ceiling. Comments on the NOPR were filed on February 27, 2003.
At this time, we cannot predict the outcome of this rulemaking.
Pipeline Safety Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. On January 28, 2003, the
U.S. Department of Transportation issued a NOPR proposing to establish a rule
requiring pipeline operators to develop integrity management programs to
comprehensively evaluate their pipelines, and take measures to protect pipeline
segments located in what the notice refers to as "high consequence areas." The
proposed rule resulted from the enactment of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act
of 2002, a new bill signed into law in December 2002. Comments on the NOPR were
filed on April 30, 2003. At this time, we cannot predict the outcome of this
rulemaking.
FERC Inquiry. On February 26, 2003, El Paso received a letter from the
Office of the Chief Accountant at the FERC requesting details of its
announcement of 2003 asset sales and plans for ANR Pipeline Company (an El Paso
subsidiary) and us to issue a combined $700 million of long-term notes. The
letter requested that El Paso explain how it intended to use the proceeds from
the issuance of the notes and if the notes will be included in the two regulated
companies' capital structure for rate-setting purposes. Our response to the FERC
was filed on March 12, 2003. On April 2, 2003, we received an additional request
for information, to which we fully responded on April 15, 2003.
Other Matters
Duke. Contemporaneously with our issuance of notes in March 2003, El Paso
contributed to us its 50 percent interest in Citrus. On March 7, 2003, Citrus
Trading Corp. (CTC), a direct subsidiary of Citrus, filed suit against Duke
Energy LNG Sales, Inc. titled Citrus Trading Corp. v. Duke Energy LNG Sales,
Inc. in the District Court of Harris County, Texas seeking damages for breach of
a gas supply contract pursuant to which CTC was entitled to purchase, through
August 2005, up to 30.4 billion cubic feet per year of regasified liquefied
natural gas (LNG). On April 14, 2003, Duke forwarded to CTC a letter purporting
to terminate the gas supply contract effective April 16, 2003, due to the
alleged failure of CTC to increase the amount of an outstanding letter of credit
backstopping its purchase obligations. On April 16, 2003, Duke filed an answer
to the complaint, averring variously that (1) CTC had triggered the early
termination of the gas supply agreement by allegedly failing to provide an
adequate letter of credit to Duke; (2) CTC had breached the gas supply contract
by allegedly violating certain use restrictions that required volumes equivalent
to those purchased by CTC from Duke to be sold by CTC into the power generation
market in the State of Florida;
9
and (3) Duke was partially excused from performance under the gas supply
agreement by reason of an alleged loss of supply of LNG on January 15, 2002 and
would be fully excused from providing replacement gas upon the earlier of (i)
730 days or (ii) the incurrence of replacement costs equal to $60 million,
escalated by the GNP implicit price deflator commencing January 1990
(approximately $79.2 million as of December 31, 2002). On April 29, 2003, Duke
removed the pending litigation to federal court, based on the existence of
foreign arbitration with its supplier of LNG, Sonatrading Amsterdam B.V., which
had allegedly repudiated its supply contract as of January 27, 2003. On May 1,
2003, CTC notified Duke that it was in default under the gas supply contract,
demanding cover damages of $2.7 million for alternate supplies obtained by CTC
beginning April 17, 2003. The outcome of this litigation is not currently
determinable. However, using forward pricing as of March 31, 2003, the impact of
contract termination, based on one or more of the allegations put forward by
Duke, would be a reduction in value of approximately $50 million to $85 million
in CTC's mark-to-market portfolio. Also, the termination of the gas supply
contract by Duke could jeopardize the ability of CTC to continue to perform
under certain long-term gas sales contracts in the State of Florida.
While the outcome of our outstanding legal matters, environmental matters
and rates and regulatory matters cannot be predicted with certainty, based on
current information and our existing accruals, we do not expect the ultimate
resolution of these matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial
position, operating results or cash flows. However, it is possible that new
information or future developments could require us to reassess our potential
exposure related to these matters. It is also possible that the outcome of these
matters could impair our debt rating and the credit rating of our parent.
Further, for environmental matters it is also possible that other developments,
such as increasingly strict environmental laws and regulations and claims for
damages to property, employees, other persons and the environment resulting from
our current or past operations, could result in substantial costs and
liabilities in the future. As new information for our outstanding legal matters,
environmental matters and rates and regulatory matters becomes available, or
relevant developments occur, we will review our accruals and make any
appropriate adjustments. The impact of these changes may have a material effect
on our results of operations, our financial position, and on our cash flows in
the period the event occurs.
6. INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates
Our investments in unconsolidated affiliates consist of our equity
ownership interests in Citrus and in Bear Creek Storage. Earnings from our
unconsolidated affiliates for the quarters ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 are as
follows:
QUARTER ENDED
MARCH 31,
--------------
2003 2002
----- -----
(IN MILLIONS)
Operating results data:
Operating revenues........................................ $80 $35
Operating expenses........................................ 42 15
Net income................................................ 14 6
In March 2003, El Paso contributed its 50 percent ownership interest in
Citrus to us. Enron Corp. owns the other 50 percent. Citrus owns and operates
Florida Gas Transmission, a 4,804 mile regulated pipeline system that extends
from producing regions in Texas to markets in Florida. Our investment in Citrus
is limited to our ownership of the voting stock of Citrus, and we have no
financial obligations, commitments or guarantees, either written or oral, to
support Citrus.
The ownership agreements of Citrus provide each partner with a right of
first refusal to purchase the ownership interest of the other partner. We have
no obligations, either written or oral, to acquire Enron's ownership interest in
Citrus in the event Enron must sell its interest as a result of its current
bankruptcy proceedings.
10
Enron serves as the operator for Citrus. Although Enron filed for
bankruptcy, there have been minimal changes in the operations and management of
Citrus as a result of their bankruptcy. Accordingly, Citrus has continued to
operate as a jointly owned investment, over which we have significant influence,
but not the ability to control.
Summarized income statement information of our proportionate share of
Citrus for the quarters ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:
QUARTERS ENDED
MARCH 31,
--------------
2003 2002
----- -----
(IN MILLIONS)
Operating results data:
Operating revenues........................................ $75 $31
Operating expenses........................................ 41 14
Income from continuing operations......................... 11 2
Net income................................................ 11 2
Transactions with Affiliates
We participate in El Paso's cash management program which matches
short-term cash surpluses and needs of participating affiliates, thus minimizing
total borrowing from outside sources. Our continued participation in the program
may be dependent on any final rule issued by the FERC in connection with its
cash management notice of proposed rulemaking discussed in Note 5. As of March
31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, we had advanced to El Paso $141 million and $430
million. The market rate of interest at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002 was
1.3% and 1.5%. As of March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, we have classified
$93 million and $369 million of these advances as non-current notes receivables
from affiliates. These receivables were due upon demand, however, we do not
anticipate settlement within the next twelve months. In March 2003, we
distributed dividends totaling approximately $600 million to our parent
including approximately $310 million of outstanding affiliated receivables and
approximately $290 million in cash.
We had accounts payable to affiliates of $8 million and $9 million at March
31, 2003 and December 31, 2002. These balances arose in the normal course of
business.
The following table shows revenues and charges from our affiliates for the
quarters ended March 31:
2003 2002
----- -----
(IN MILLIONS)
Revenues from affiliates.................................... $11 $10
Operations and maintenance from affiliates.................. 13 13
11
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
The information contained in Item 2 updates, and should be read in
conjunction with, the information disclosed in our 2002 Form 10-K in addition to
the financial statements and notes presented in Item 1, Financial Statements, of
this Form 10-Q.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We use earnings before interest and income taxes (EBIT) to assess the
operating results and effectiveness of our business. EBIT is operating income,
adjusted to include earnings from unconsolidated affiliates and other
miscellaneous non-operating income. Items that are not included in this measure
are financing costs, including interest and debt expense and income taxes. We
believe this measurement is useful to our investors because it allows them to
evaluate the effectiveness of our businesses and operations and our investments
from an operational perspective, exclusive of the costs to finance those
activities and exclusive of income taxes. This measurement may not be comparable
to measurements used by other companies and should not be used as a substitute
for net income or other performance measures such as operating income or
operating cash flow. As discussed in Item 1, Note 1, in March 2003 El Paso
contributed its 50 percent equity interest in Citrus to us. Our historical
financial statements have been restated to reflect this transaction in the
earliest period presented in this filing. Presented below is a reconciliation of
our operating income to EBIT and EBIT to net income, and a discussion of the
operating results for the quarters ended March 31:
2003 2002
------- -------
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT
VOLUME AMOUNTS)
Operating revenues.......................................... $ 120 $ 103
Operating expenses.......................................... (62) (53)
------ ------
Operating income.......................................... 58 50
------ ------
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates..................... 19 6
Other income................................................ 3 2
------ ------
Other..................................................... 22 8
------ ------
EBIT................................................... 80 58
Interest and debt expense................................... (16) (13)
Affiliated interest income.................................. 2 1
Income taxes................................................ (22) (16)
------ ------
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change... 44 30
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income
taxes..................................................... -- 57
------ ------
Net income............................................. $ 44 $ 87
====== ======
Throughput volumes (BBtu/d)(1).............................. 3,368 3,258
====== ======
- ---------------
(1) BBtu/d means billion British thermal units per day. Throughput volumes
include volumes associated with our Citrus investment. Prior period volumes
have been restated to reflect our current year presentation which includes
billable transportation throughput volume for storage injection.
First Quarter 2003 Compared to First Quarter 2002
Operating revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, were $17 million
higher than the same period in 2002. The increase was primarily due to higher
natural gas sales under natural gas purchase contracts of $8 million. During
2003, our average realized price on sales under natural gas purchase contracts
was $6.68/Bcf versus $2.27/Bcf in 2002. These gas sales are a result of a
remaining gas purchase contract that the FERC allows us to market at cost.
Therefore, these gas sales have no significant effect on our net results of
operations. Also contributing to the increase in 2003 were increased revenues of
$4 million from our South System I (Phase I) expansion, which was placed in
service in June 2002, revenues of $4 million from sales of excess natural gas
and higher revenues of $2 million at our Elba Island facility.
12
Operating expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, were $9 million
higher than the same period in 2002. The increase was primarily due to higher
purchased natural gas costs of $7 million due to higher prices in 2003. During
2003, our average gas cost on these purchases was $6.63/Bcf versus $2.27/Bcf in
2002. Also contributing to the increase were higher operating expenses of $1
million at our Elba Island facility.
Other income for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, was $14 million higher
than the same period in 2002 primarily due to $13 million in higher equity
earnings on our investment in Citrus and higher allowance for funds used during
construction in 2003 of $1 million due to higher levels of construction work in
process in 2003.
INTEREST AND DEBT EXPENSE
Below is the analysis of our interest expense for the quarter ended March
31 (in millions):
2003 2002
----- -----
(IN MILLIONS)
Long term debt.............................................. $17 $14
Less: capitalized interest.................................. (1) (1)
--- ---
Total interest expense............................ $16 $13
=== ===
Interest and debt expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, was $3
million higher than the same period in 2002 due to the issuance of $400 million
of senior unsecured notes in March 2003.
INCOME TAXES
The income tax expense for the quarters ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, was
$22 million and $16 million, resulting in effective tax rates of 33 percent and
35 percent. Our effective tax rate in 2003 was different than the statutory rate
of 35 percent due to state income taxes and earnings from unconsolidated
affiliates where we anticipate receiving dividends.
OTHER
In the third quarter of 2002, the FERC approved our South System II project
and related compressor facilities. This expansion has a design capacity of 330
million cubic feet per day. The construction will be undertaken in three phases,
with a target in-service date for Phases I, II and III facilities of June 1,
2003, November 1, 2003 and May 1, 2004. The South System II project will
increase our firm transportation capacity along our south mainline to Alabama,
Georgia and South Carolina.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
See Item 1, Financial Statements, Note 5, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
13
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE
SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This report contains or incorporates by reference forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Where any forward-looking statement includes a statement of the
assumptions or bases underlying the forward-looking statement, we caution that,
while we believe these assumptions or bases to be reasonable and to be made in
good faith, assumed facts or bases almost always vary from the actual results,
and the differences between assumed facts or bases and actual results can be
material, depending upon the circumstances. Where, in any forward-looking
statement, we or our management express an expectation or belief as to future
results, that expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and is believed
to have a reasonable basis. We cannot assure you, however, that the statement of
expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. The words
"believe," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate" and similar expressions will
generally identify forward-looking statements.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
This information updates, and you should read it in conjunction with,
information disclosed in Part II, Item 7A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2002, in addition to the information presented in
Items 1 and 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
There are no material changes in our quantitative and qualitative
disclosures about market risks from those reported in our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Controls and Procedures. Under the supervision and with the
participation of management, including our principal executive officer and
principal financial officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design
and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (Disclosure Controls)
and internal controls (Internal Controls) within 90 days of the filing date of
this Quarterly Report pursuant to Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act).
Definition of Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls. Disclosure
Controls are our controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that
information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit
under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within
the time periods specified under the Exchange Act. Disclosure Controls include,
without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file under the Exchange
Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal
executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow
timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Internal Controls are procedures
which are designed with the objective of providing reasonable assurance that (1)
our transactions are properly authorized; (2) our assets are safeguarded against
unauthorized or improper use; and (3) our transactions are properly recorded and
reported, all to permit the preparation of our financial statements in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls. Southern Natural Gas'
management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial
officer, does not expect that our Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls will
prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived
and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the
objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control
system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the
benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the
inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can
provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if
any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include
the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that
breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. Additionally,
controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by
collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The
design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions
about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any
design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future
conditions. Over time, controls may become
14
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with
the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations
in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may
occur and not be detected.
No Significant Changes in Internal Controls. We have sought to determine
whether there were any "significant deficiencies" or "material weaknesses" in
Southern Natural Gas' Internal Controls, or whether Southern Natural Gas had
identified any acts of fraud involving personnel who have a significant role in
Southern Natural Gas' Internal Controls. This information was important both for
the controls evaluation generally and because the principal executive officer
and principal financial officer are required to disclose that information to our
Board and our independent accountants and to report on related matters in this
section of the Quarterly Report. The principal executive officer and principal
financial officer note that, from the date of the controls evaluation to the
date of this Quarterly Report, there have been no significant changes in
Internal Controls or in other factors that could significantly affect Internal
Controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant
deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls. Based on the controls evaluation,
our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded
that, subject to the limitations discussed above, the Disclosure Controls are
effective to ensure that material information relating to Southern Natural Gas
and its consolidated subsidiaries is made known to management, including the
principal executive officer and principal financial officer, particularly during
the period when our periodic reports are being prepared.
Officer Certificates. The certifications from the principal executive
officer and principal financial officer required under Sections 302 and 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 have been included herein, or as Exhibits to this
Quarterly Report, as appropriate.
15
PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements, Note 5, which is incorporated
herein by reference.
ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY-HOLDERS
None.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
a. Exhibits
Each exhibit identified below is filed as a part of this report. Exhibits
not incorporated by reference to a prior filing are designated by an "*"; all
exhibits not so designated are incorporated herein by reference to a prior
filing as indicated.
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------- -----------
*99.A Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18
U.S.C. sec. 1350 as adopted pursuant to sec. 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*99.B Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18
U.S.C. sec. 1350 as adopted pursuant to sec. 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Undertaking
We hereby undertake, pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 601(b),
paragraph (4)(iii), to furnish to the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission, upon request, all constituent instruments defining the rights
of holders of our long-term debt not filed herewith for the reason that the
total amount of securities authorized under any of such instruments does
not exceed 10 percent of our total consolidated assets.
b. Reports on Form 8-K
We filed a Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 5, 2003 reporting the
sale of $400 million of notes.
We filed a Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 14, 2003 reporting our
acquisition of an investment in Citrus Corp.
We also furnished information to the SEC in an Item 9 Current Report on
Form 8-K on January 25, 2003. Item 9 Current Reports on Form 8-K are not
considered to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934 and are not subject to the liabilities of that section, but
are furnished to comply with Regulation FD.
16
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY
Date: May 14, 2003 /s/ JOHN W. SOMERHALDER II
------------------------------------
John W. Somerhalder II
Chairman of the Board and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: May 14, 2003 /s/ GREG G. GRUBER
------------------------------------
Greg G. Gruber
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)
17
CERTIFICATION
I, John W. Somerhalder II, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Southern
Natural Gas Company;
2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under
which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period
covered by this quarterly report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other
financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in
all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this
quarterly report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible
for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we
have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
material information relating to the registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report
is being prepared;
b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing
date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed,
based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the
audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing
the equivalent function):
a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability
to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have
identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in
internal controls; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
controls; and
6. The registrants's other certifying officers and I have indicated in
this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in
internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect
internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation,
including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies
and material weaknesses.
Date: May 14, 2003
/s/ JOHN W. SOMERHALDER II
--------------------------------------
John W. Somerhalder II
Chairman of the Board
(Principal Executive Officer)
Southern Natural Gas Company
18
CERTIFICATION
I, Greg G. Gruber, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Southern
Natural Gas Company;
2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under
which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period
covered by this quarterly report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other
financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in
all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this
quarterly report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible
for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we
have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
material information relating to the registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report
is being prepared;
b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing
date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed,
based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the
audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing
the equivalent function):
a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability
to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have
identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in
internal controls; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
controls; and
6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in
this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in
internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect
internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation,
including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies
and material weaknesses.
Date: May 14, 2003
/s/ GREG G. GRUBER
--------------------------------------
Greg G. Gruber
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Southern Natural Gas Company
19
EXHIBIT INDEX
Each exhibit identified below is filed as a part of this report. Exhibits
not incorporated by reference to a prior filing are designated by an "*"; all
exhibits not so designated are incorporated herein by reference to a prior
filing as indicated.
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------- -----------
*99.A Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18
U.S.C. sec. 1350 as adopted pursuant to sec. 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*99.B Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18
U.S.C. sec. 1350 as adopted pursuant to sec. 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.