EX-99.E 7 exhibit99_e.htm SOUTHERN UNION COMPANY EXHIBIT 99.E Southern Union Company Exhibit 99.e

EXHIBIT 99.e
CITRUS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(In Thousands)
 
                                                                                                                                                      (Unaudited)          
           
   
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
   
2004
 
2003
 
         
               
ASSETS
             
               
Current Assets
             
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
260,685
 
$
125,226
 
Accounts receivable - trade and other, net of allowance of $74 and $77
   
53,733
   
39,713
 
Price risk management assets
   
4,287
   
15,024
 
Materials and supplies
   
2,991
   
2,915
 
Other
   
1,959
   
4,294
 
               
Total Current Assets
   
323,655
   
187,172
 
               
Property, Plant and Equipment, at Cost
             
Completed plant
   
4,079,643
   
4,023,762
 
Construction work-in-progress
   
5,645
   
35,638
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, at Cost
   
4,085,288
   
4,059,400
 
Less - Accumulated depreciation and amortization
   
(1,117,318
)
 
(1,072,072
)
               
Property, Plant and Equipment, net
   
2,967,970
   
2,987,328
 
               
Deferred Charges
             
Unamortized debt expense
   
7,863
   
9,051
 
Price risk management assets
   
30,459
   
58,492
 
Other
   
109,245
   
108,380
 
               
Total Deferred Charges
   
147,567
   
175,923
 
               
Total Assets
 
$
3,439,192
 
$
3,350,423
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


     

 


CITRUS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)
 
(Unaudited)
 
   
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
   
2004
 
2003
 
   
 
     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
         
               
Current Liabilities
             
Accounts payable
             
Trade and other
 
$
11,666
 
$
30,396
 
Affiliated companies
   
18,326
   
20,086
 
Accrued interest
   
33,869
   
19,054
 
Accrued Income taxes
   
23,040
   
1,148
 
Accrued taxes, other than income
   
25,686
   
10,349
 
Price risk management liabilities
   
3,603
   
25,136
 
Exchange gas imbalances, net
   
13,779
   
12,320
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
   
256,159
   
256,159
 
Other
   
121
   
283
 
               
Total Current Liabilities
   
386,249
   
374,931
 
               
Long-term Debt, net of current maturities
   
902,727
   
908,972
 
 
             
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
             
Deferred income taxes
   
714,914
   
676,341
 
Price risk management liabilities
   
25,086
   
80,446
 
Other
   
20,205
   
13,618
 
               
Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
   
760,205
   
770,405
 
               
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 7 and 9)
   
-
   
-
 
               
Stockholders’ Equity
             
Common stock ($1 par value; 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding)
   
1
   
1
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
634,271
   
634,271
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
(16,341
)
 
(17,247
)
Retained earnings
   
772,080
   
679,090
 
               
Total Stockholders’ Equity
   
1,390,011
   
1,296,115
 
               
               
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
$
3,439,192
 
$
3,350,423
 
 


            The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 


CITRUS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
(In Thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
   
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2004
 
2003
 
Revenues
         
Gas transportation, net
 
$
355,285
 
$
332,914
 
Gas sales
   
40,130
   
91,570
 
               
Total Revenues
   
395,415
   
424,484
 
               
               
Costs and Expenses
             
Natural gas purchased
   
44,499
   
84,843
 
Operations and maintenance
   
67,875
   
77,278
 
Depreciation
   
35,888
   
32,604
 
 Amortization
   
15,048
   
15,048
 
Taxes, other than income taxes
   
23,147
   
21,336
 
               
Total Costs and Expenses
   
186,457
   
231,109
 
               
               
Operating Income
   
208,958
   
193,375
 
               
Other Income (Expense)
             
Interest expense, net
   
(73,494
)
 
(79,236
)
Allowance for funds used during construction
   
834
   
5,419
 
Other, net
   
14,776
   
(24,308
)
               
Total Other Income (Expense)
   
(57,884
)
 
(98,125
)
               
Income Before Income Taxes
   
151,074
   
95,250
 
               
Income Taxes
   
58,084
   
37,154
 
               
Net Income
 
$
92,990
 
$
58,096
 

 
 

 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


     

 


CITRUS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
(In Thousands)
 
 (Unaudited)  
           
           
           
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2004
 
2003
 
   
 
     
Common Stock
         
Balance, beginning and end of period
 
$
1
 
$
1
 
               
Additional Paid-in Capital
             
Balance, beginning and end of period
   
634,271
   
634,271
 
               
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
             
Balance, beginning of period
   
(17,247
)
 
(18,453
)
Recognition in earnings of previously deferred losses related to derivative instruments used as cash flow hedges
   
906
   
1,206
 
Balance, end of period
   
(16,341
)
 
(17,247
)
               
Retained Earnings
             
Balance, beginning of period
   
679,090
   
602,874
 
Net income
   
92,990
   
76,216
 
Balance, end of period
   
772,080
   
679,090
 
               
               
Total Stockholders’ Equity
 
$
1,390,011
 
$
1,296,115
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


     

 


CITRUS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(In Thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
           
   
        Nine Months Ended
 
   
             September 30,
 
   
2004
 
2003
 
           
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
 
$
173,834
 
$
204,273
 
               
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
             
Additions to property, plant and equipment, net
   
(32,708
)
 
(116,867
)
Allowance for funds used during construction
   
833
   
5,418
 
               
Cash Used in Investing Activities
   
(31,875
)
 
(111,449
)
               
               
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
             
Repayment of long-term debt
   
(6,500
)
 
(6,500
)
               
               
Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
   
135,459
   
86,324
 
               
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period
   
125,226
   
114,674
 
               
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period
 
$
260,685
 
$
200,998
 
               
               
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
             
Interest
 
$
56,533
 
$
62,127
 
Income taxes (refunded) paid
   
(2,382
)
 
16,385
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 




 
     

 
 
 
CITRUS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

(1)    Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

At September 30, 2004, the stock of Citrus Corp. was owned 50 percent by CrossCountry Citrus Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of CrossCountry Energy, LLC (CrossCountry), and 50 percent by El Paso Citrus Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Natural Gas Company. CrossCountry was a wholly owned subsidiary of Enron Corp. (Enron) and certain of its subsidiary companies. Effective November 17, 2004, CrossCountry became a wholly owned subsidiary of CCE Holdings, LLC (CCE Holdings), which is a joint venture owned by subsidiaries of Southern Union Company (Southern Union)(50 percent), GE Commercial Finance Energy Financial Services (GE)(30 percent) and four minority interest owners (20 percent in the aggregate)(see Note 11). All of the voting interests in CCE Holdings are owned by Southern Union and GE.

The accompanying interim financial statements include Citrus Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Florida Gas Transmission Company (Transmission), Citrus Trading Corp. (Trading) and Citrus Energy Services, Inc. (CESI)(collectively, the Company), and are unaudited. These statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. Certain information and notes normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to prevent the information presented from being misleading. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2003.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2004, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an industry-wide Proposed Accounting Release that, if enacted as written, would require pipeline companies to expense rather than capitalize certain costs related to mandated pipeline integrity programs. The accounting release is proposed to be effective January 2005 following a period of public comment on the release. The Company is currently reviewing the release and has not determined what impact this release will have on its consolidated financial statements.

On October 22, 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the Act) was signed. The Act raises a number of issues with respect to accounting for income taxes. On December 21, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a FASB Staff Positions (FSP) regarding the accounting implications of the Act related to the deduction for qualified domestic production activities (FSP FAS 109-1). The guidance in the FSP applies to financial statements for periods ending after the date the Act was enacted.

In FSP FAS 109-1, “Application of FASB Statement No. 109, ‘Accounting for Income Taxes,’ to the Tax Deduction on Qualified Production Activities Provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004,” the FASB decided that the deduction for qualified domestic production activities should be accounted for as a special deduction under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” and rejected an alternative view to treat it as a rate reduction. Accordingly, any benefit from the deduction should be reported in the period in which the deduction is claimed on the tax return. In most cases, a company’s existing deferred tax balances will not be impacted at the date of enactment. For some companies, the deduction could have an impact on their effective tax rate and, therefore, should be considered when determining the estimated annual rate used for interim financial reporting. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of this FSP on its consolidated financial statements.

In Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 153, the FASB modified the existing guidance on accounting for nonmonetary transactions in Accounting Principals Board Opinion No. 29, “Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions,” to eliminate an exception under which certain exchanges of similar productive nonmonetary assets were not accounted for at fair value. SFAS No. 153 instead provides a general exception for exchanges of nonmoneary assets that do not have commercial substance. This statement must be applied to nonmonetary assets exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of this statement on its consolidated financial statements.

(2)    Long-Term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements

On April 1, 2004, Transmission paid $6.5 million due annually under its 9.75 percent Notes. On November 1, 2004, Transmission paid the $250.0 million principal and accrued but unpaid interest related to its 8.63 percent Notes due 2004, which was classified as a current obligation in the accompanying balance sheet at September 30, 2004. This $256.5 million in current maturities was funded primarily from working capital. Under the terms of its debt agreements, Transmission may incur additional debt to refinance maturing obligations if the refinancing does not increase aggregate indebtedness, and thereafter, if Transmission and the Company’s consolidated debt does not exceed specific debt to total capitalization ratios, as defined in certain debt instruments.

On August 13, 2004, Transmission replaced the 2001 Revolver with a 3-year $50.0 million revolving credit facility (the 2004 Revolver). The 2004 Revolver has a lower LIBOR margin and fewer restrictive covenants than the 2001 Revolver, but contains restrictions that, among other things, limit the incurrence of additional debt and the sale of assets. The committed amount under this agreement was increased on November 15, 2004 to $175.0 million, and Transmission drew $135.0 million on November 17, 2004 to help fund a $140.0 million dividend by the Company to its equity owners (see Note 11). On December 31, 2004, the amount drawn under the 2004 Revolver was $117.0 million with a weighted average interest rate of 3.24 percent (based on LIBOR plus 0.95 percent).

Transmission had an aggregate $0.6 million in letters of credit under the 2001 revolving credit agreement (2001 Revolver) outstanding at December 31, 2003. During May 2004, approximately $0.5 million was released and the remainder was converted into surety bonds. There were no outstanding letters of credit at September 30, 2004.

(3)            Derivative Instruments

At September 30, 2004, the fair value of price risk management assets and liabilities was $34.8 million and $28.7 million, respectively. At December 31, 2003, the fair value of price risk management assets and liabilities was $73.5 million and $105.6 million, respectively. The Company performs a quarterly revaluation on the carrying balances, based on management’s best estimate of the value of the underlying contracts, that is reflected in current earnings. The impact to earnings from revaluation, mostly due to price fluctuations and contract status, was a loss of $11.0 million and $16.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and included in other income (expense), net in the accompanying statement of operations.
 
Prior to the Enron bankruptcy, Enron North America Corp. (ENA) was a principal counterparty to Trading’s gas purchase and sale agreements (including swaps). ENA has rejected these contracts in bankruptcy. A pre-petition gas purchase payable to ENA of $12.4 million was reversed in December 2003 when it was determined that the Company had a right of offset against claims for pre-petition receivables. Pursuant to an existing operating agreement, which was rejected by ENA in 2003 but under which an El Paso Corporation (El Paso) affiliate is still performing, an affiliate of El Paso was required to buy gas, purchased from a significant third party, that exceeded the requirements of Trading’s existing sales contracts. Under this third-party contract, gas was purchased primarily at rates based upon an indexed oil price formula. This gas was then sold primarily at market rates for gas. On April 16, 2003, the significant third-party supplier terminated the supply contract. Trading currently only purchases, from third parties at market rates, the requirements to fulfill existing sales contracts. As a result of these developments, the cash flow stream became dependent on variable pricing, whereas before Enron’s bankruptcy, the cash flow stream was fixed (under certain swaps). During the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company liquidated its remaining derivative contract without a material impact on the consolidated statement of operations.

Due to a dispute (see Note 9) during 2003, Duke Energy LNG Sales, Inc. (Duke) purported to terminate and discontinued performance under a natural gas purchase and supply contract between it and Trading, and Trading subsequently terminated the contract. As a result of this contract termination during 2003, Trading discontinued the application of fair market value accounting for this contract, and wrote off the value of the related price risk management assets as a charge to Other Income (Expense), net in the accompanying statement of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. Pursuant to the terms of the contract, Trading issued to Duke, the counterparty, a termination invoice for approximately $187.0 million during the 2003 period. As a result of the ongoing litigation regarding this matter, the termination invoice amount was recognized, net of appropriate reserves and certain related matters, including bankruptcy claims held by Trading against ENA, as an offsetting gain to Other Income (Expense), net and is presented as a net long term receivable in Other Deferred Charges of $66.9 million and $72.5 million at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively (see Note 9).

(4)    Employee Benefit Plans

During 2003, the employees of the Company were covered under Enron’s employee benefit plans. The Company’s participation in the Enron benefit plans terminated during November 2004.

Enron maintained a pension plan that was a noncontributory defined benefit plan, the Enron Corp. Cash Balance Plan (the Cash Balance Plan), covering certain Enron employees in the United States and certain employees in foreign countries. The basic benefit accrual was 5 percent of eligible annual base pay. Pension expense charged to the Company by Enron for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 was $0.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

In June 2004, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas to terminate the Cash Balance Plan and other pension plans of Enron debtor companies and affiliates (the Plans). Because the Company is not a part of an Enron “controlled group of corporations” within the meaning of Section 414 of the Tax Code, if the Plans were to be terminated pursuant to the PBGC action or in other than standard terminations, the Company would be liable for only its proportionate share of any underfunding that may exist in the Cash Balance Plan at the time of such termination, though there can be no assurance that the PBGC might not take a different position. In addition, Transmission, as a former participating employer in certain Enron benefit plans, may have indemnity obligations in favor of committee members and others under certain Enron benefit plans that are the subject of litigation asserting, among other claims, breaches of fiduciary duty. Under certain circumstances, the PBGC may enforce ERISA Title IV liability through the imposition of liens. On September 10, 2004, Enron agreed to put $321.8 million in an escrow account to cover, among other things, the unfunded benefit liabilities related to the Plans. The escrow account was funded with a portion of the proceeds from Enron’s sale of CrossCountry. Based on the current status of the Cash Balance Plan termination cost and the amount expected to be allocated to the Company as its proportionate share of the plan’s termination liability, the Company continues to believe its accruals related to this matter are adequate but not excessive. Although there can be no assurance that amounts ultimately allocated to and paid by the Company will not be materially different, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or cash flows, but it could have significant impact on the results of operations in future periods.

Enron provides certain post-retirement medical, life insurance and dental benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. The net periodic post-retirement benefit cost charged to the Company by Enron for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 was $0.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively. Substantially all of these amounts relate to Transmission and are being recovered through rates.

Certain retirees of Transmission were covered under a deferred compensation plan managed and funded by Enron subsidiaries, one previously sold and the other now in bankruptcy. This matter has been included as part of the claim filed by Transmission in bankruptcy against Enron and other affiliated bankrupt companies. At December 31, 2004, Transmission had not conceded that it had a legal responsibility to fund the obligations to these certain retirees, but had approved certain payments in the past in order to avoid litigation. If such obligation were deemed to be a liability to Transmission, the range of exposure is between $0 and approximately $2.1 million at September 30, 2004. Transmission and Enron agreed in principle to a settlement with regard to Transmission’s claims, resulting in an allowed claim by Transmission of approximately $3.4 million against Enron. Documents are currently being prepared, however, due to the preliminary status of this matter, management cannot estimate the likelihood of the ultimate outcome of this matter.

Transmission is a participating employer in the Enron Gas Pipelines Employee Benefit Trust (the Trust), a voluntary employees’ beneficiary association under Section 501(c)(9) of the Tax Code, which provides benefits to former employees of Transmission and certain other Enron affiliates pursuant to the Enron Corp. Medical Plan and the Enron Corp. Medical Plan for Inactive Participants. Enron has made the determination that it will partition the Trust and distribute the assets and liabilities of the Trust among the participating employers of the Trust on a pro rata basis according to the contributions and liabilities associated with each participating employer. The Trust Committee has final approval on allocation methodology for the Trust assets. Enron filed a motion, which has been stayed, which provides that each participating employer expressly assumes liability for its allocable portion of retiree benefits and releases Enron from any liability with respect to the Trust in order to receive the assets of the Trust.  Management believes that an adverse outcome with respect to this matter is remote. 

(5)    Major Customers

Approximate revenues from individual customers exceeding 10 percent of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 were as listed below (in millions):

   
Nine Months Ended
 
Customers
 
September 30,
2004
 
September 30,
2003
 
           
      Florida Power & Light Company
 
$
142.1
 
$
139.4
 

At September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 the Company had receivables of approximately $16.1 million and $15.1 million, respectively, from Florida Power & Light Company.

(6)    Related Party Transactions

In December 2001, Enron and certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. The Company was not included in the bankruptcy filing, and Management believes that the Company will continue to be able to meet its own operational and administrative service obligations. At December 31, 2003, Transmission and Trading had aggregate outstanding claims with the Bankruptcy Court against Enron and affiliated bankrupt companies of $220.6 million. Of these claims, Transmission and Trading filed claims totaling $68.1 million and $152.5 million, respectively. Transmission and Trading claims pertaining to contracts rejected by ENA were $21.4 million and $152.3 million, respectively (see Note 9). Transmission’s claims against ENA were reduced by approximately $21.2 million when a third party took assignment of ENA’s transportation contracts.

During the periods presented, the Company reimbursed certain corporate administrative expenses to Enron and its affiliates, including administrative, legal, compliance, and pipeline operations emergency services, under an operating agreement between an Enron affiliate and the Company. The agreement expired on June 30, 2001 and has not been extended; however, Enron subsidiaries continued to provide services under the terms of the original operating agreement. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company charged operations and maintenance expenses of approximately $10.7 million and $10.2 million, respectively, for such operating expenses.

Services provided by bankrupt Enron affiliates were allocated to the Company during the periods presented pursuant to a Bankruptcy Court ordered allocation methodology. Under that methodology, the Company was obligated to pay allocated amounts, subject to certain terms and conditions. Consistent with these terms and conditions, the Company accrued and paid the full amount for services it received directly from the bankrupt Enron affiliates. Indirect Enron service allocations were capped commensurate with 2001 levels. Effective April 1, 2004, services previously provided by bankrupt Enron affiliates to the Company pursuant to an allocation methodology ordered by the Bankruptcy Court are now covered by and charged under the terms of the Transition Services Supplemental Agreement (TSSA). The total costs are not materially different than those previously charged. During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company recognized $1.3 million for indirect services and $6.3 million for direct services. During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Company recognized $1.6 million for indirect services and $6.8 million for direct services.

During the periods presented, Trading sold natural gas and Transmission provided natural gas transportation services to El Paso affiliates at rates equal to rates charged to non-affiliated customers in the same class of service. Revenues related to these gas sales and transportation services were approximately $0.1 and $2.9 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Revenues related to these gas sales and transportation services were approximately $9.2 and $4.8 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

The Company purchased gas from affiliates of Enron of approximately $4.7 million and $2.3 million, and from affiliates of El Paso of approximately $17.6 million and $21.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Transmission also purchased transportation services from Southern in connection with its Phase III Expansion completed in early 1995. Transmission contracted for firm capacity of 100,000 Mcf per day on Southern’s system for a primary term of 10 years, to be continued for successive terms of one year each year thereafter unless cancelled by either party, by giving 180 days notice to the other party prior to the end of the primary term or any yearly extension thereof. The amount expensed for these services totaled $4.9 million and $4.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Effective the fourth quarter of 1997, the operation of the contracts held by Trading was divided between affiliates of Enron and El Paso. The fee charged, for services such as scheduling, billing, and other back office support, is based on a volumetric payment of $.005 per MMBtu, or approximately 50 percent of the prior arrangement. Trading accrued and paid $0.012 million and $.015 million to El Paso Merchant Energy for administrative fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Trading accrued $0.079 million, and paid $0.243 million (for all post-petition items) to ENA, for administrative fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. Under this agreement, Trading was guaranteed an earnings stream based on all firm long-term contracts in place at November 1, 1997. The earnings stream thereafter fluctuated due to the variable pricing in effect, the result of ENA rejecting all aspects of certain agreements in bankruptcy proceedings. As of September 8, 2003, Trading assumed operating responsibility relating to securing all supply not provided by El Paso Merchant Energy and scheduling of volumes (see Note 3).

The Company either jointly owns or licenses with other Enron affiliates certain computer and telecommunications equipment and software that is critical to conducting its business. In other cases, such equipment or software is wholly owned by such affiliates, and the Company has no ownership interest or license in or to such equipment or software. Transmission participated in business applications that are shared among the Enron pipelines. All participating pipelines use the same common base system and also have a custom pipeline-specific component. Each pipeline pays for its custom development component and shares in the common base system development costs. There are specific software licenses that were entered into by an Enron affiliate that entitle Transmission to use the software licenses. Fees for this arrangement are included in the amounts paid for corporate administrative expenses.

Transmission is a party to a Participation Agreement, effective November 1, 2002, with Enron and Enron Net Works to provide Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) services through an outsourcing arrangement with EC Outlook. Enron renegotiated an existing agreement with EC Outlook that lowered the cost of EDI services and that also provided the means for Transmission to be compliant with the most recent North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) EDI standards. The contract has a termination date of November 30, 2005. Fees for this arrangement are included in the amounts paid for corporate administrative expenses.

Transmission has a construction reimbursement agreement with ENA under which amounts owed to Transmission are delinquent. These obligations (including post-petition interest which generally cannot be collected in bankruptcy) total approximately $7.4 million and are included in Transmission’s filed bankruptcy claims. These receivables were fully reserved by Transmission prior to 2003. Transmission has also filed proofs of claims regarding other claims against ENA in the bankruptcy proceeding (see Note 9). In its rate case filed with the FERC (see Note 7), Transmission proposed to recover the estimated under-recovery on this reimbursement obligation by rolling the costs of the facilities constructed, less the estimated recovery from ENA, into its rates. Under the Settlement filed by Transmission on August 13, 2004, Transmission will recover the difference (see Notes 7 and 9).

Transmission entered into a 20-year compression service agreement with Enron Compression Services Company (ECS) in March 2000. This agreement requires Transmission to pay ECS to provide electric horsepower capacity and related horsepower hours to be used to operate Compressor Station No. 13A, which consists of an electric compressor unit. Amounts paid to ECS under this agreement totaled $1.8 million and $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003. Under related agreements, ECS is required to pay Transmission an annual lease fee and monthly fees to operate and maintain the facilities. Amounts received from ECS during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 for these services were $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively. A Netting Agreement, dated effective November 1, 2002, was executed with ECS, providing for the netting of payments due under each of the O&M, lease, and compression service agreements with ECS. Effective December 1, 2004, ECS assigned all of its interest in the compression services and related agreements to Paragon ECS Holdings, LLC, a non-affiliated entity.

(7) Regulatory Matters

Transmission’s currently effective rates were established pursuant to a Stipulation and Agreement (Rate Case Settlement) which resolved all issues in Transmission’s Natural Gas Act (NGA) Section 4 rate filing in FERC Docket No. RP96-366. The Rate Case Settlement, approved by FERC Order issued September 24, 1997, provided that Transmission could not file a general rate case to increase its base tariff rates prior to October 1, 2000 (except in certain limited circumstances), and was required to file no later than October 1, 2001 (since extended to October 1, 2003 pursuant to the Phase IV settlement discussed below). The Rate Case Settlement also provided that the rates charged pursuant to Transmission’s Firm Transportation Service (FTS) rate schedule FTS-2 would decrease effective March 1, 1999 and March 1, 2000.

On October 1, 2003, Transmission filed a general rate case, proposing rate increases for all services, based upon a cost of service of approximately $167.0 million for the pre-expansion system and approximately $342.0 million for the incremental system. Prospective changes proposed include the change to a traditional cost-of-service rate design (with straight-line depreciation, as opposed to variable depreciation under the currently-effective levelized rates) for the expansion system, a tracker for certain types of significant capital costs, and compliance with Order No. 637. A number of parties protested the rates. By order dated October 31, 2003, FERC suspended the proposed rates until April 1, 2004; set certain tariff revisions for a technical conference; set all other issues for hearing and accepted a tariff change with regard to limiting reservation charge credits. Transmission made the required compliance filing and several customers protested, to which Transmission filed an answer in opposition. On April 20, 2004, FERC issued an order which accepted certain tariff changes and denied rehearing requests with regard to the reservation charge credits but required further changes. On May 20, 2004, Transmission sought rehearing of this order. On August 13, 2004, Transmission filed a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement (Settlement), which resolves all issues set for hearing in Docket No. RP04-12, rehearing on the April 20 order, and all pending appeals of orders issued in Docket No. RP00-387. On December 21, 2004 FERC issued an order conditionally approving the Settlement and directing a further compliance filing to place new rates into effect, and to incorporate certain settlement provisions. No rehearing request was filed; thus, the settlement will become effective on March 1, 2005.

On November 15, 2001, Transmission filed an NGA Section 7 certificate application with the FERC in Docket No. CP02-27-000 to construct 33 miles of pipeline and 18,600 horsepower of compression in order to expand the system to provide incremental firm service to several new and existing customers of 85,000 MMBtu on an average day (Phase VI Expansion). Expansion costs were estimated at $105.0 million. Transmission requested the expansion costs be rolled into rates applicable to FTS-2 (Incremental) service. The application was approved by FERC Order issued on June 13, 2002, and accepted by Transmission on July 19, 2002. Clarification was granted and a rehearing request of a landowner was denied by FERC Order of September 3, 2002. The Phase VI Expansion was completed and placed in service during 2003 with the exception of the compressor station modifications at stations 12, 15, and 24, which were completed and placed in-service on January 31, 2004, February 1, 2004 and April 3, 2004, respectively. Total costs through September 30, 2004 were $76.5 million.

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. On July 25, 2003, the FERC issued its “Modification of Negotiated Rate Policy”, in which it determined that it “will no longer permit the use of gas basis differentials to price negotiated rate transactions.” On August 25, 2003, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) filed a request for rehearing of this ruling. On September 12, 2003, the Commission issued an order granting rehearing for the purposes of further consideration, thus, tolling the statutory time in which the FERC is required to act. On December 18, 2003, the Commission issued orders in two cases, essentially reversing this ruling for rates that will remain between the minimum and maximum tariff rates. Transmission has only two negotiated rate agreements, and both of these are at or below Transmission’s currently effective maximum tariff rates as well as the proposed rates in the 2003 rate case (see note on rate case above). Thus, Transmission does not anticipate its negotiated rate transactions being impacted by this rulemaking. At this time, Transmission cannot predict the outcome of this NOI.

In 2002, Transmission was subject to an industry-wide nonpublic investigation of the FERC Form 2 (FERC’s annual report) focusing on cash management or transfers between Transmission and Enron or affiliated companies. By order issued September 8, 2003, the FERC determined that Transmission was generally in compliance. However, the FERC found that because Transmission was in a cash management pool during the time of the audit and because best management practices require a written cash management plan, Transmission should have a written cash management plan. On October 8, 2003, Transmission sought clarification or, in the alternative, rehearing of the order that Transmission did not have to have a written cash management plan at this time because Transmission was not now participating in a cash management pool. On December 4, 2003, the FERC issued an order granting Transmission’s request for clarification.

On November 25, 2003, the FERC issued Order No. 2004 making significant changes in the Standards of Conduct (“SOC”) governing the relationships between pipelines and Energy Affiliates. The new SOC applies to a greater number of affiliates, requires more reporting, and requires appointment of a compliance officer. On December 24, 2003, INGAA filed a request for rehearing. On January 20, 2004, the Commission issued an order granting rehearing for the purposes of further consideration, thus tolling the statutory time in which the FERC is required to act. At this time, Transmission cannot predict the final outcome of the proceeding. On February 9, 2004, Transmission made the required informational filing with regard to compliance by June 1. Certain companies plan to seek delay of the implementation to September 2004, in view of the number of pending rehearing and clarification requests. The FERC granted rehearing in part, and Transmission has fully complied with all training, posting and other requirements of the order.

On December 15, 2003, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a Final 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 regulation defines as “high consequence areas” (HCA). This rule resulted from the enactment of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002, a bill signed into law on December 17, 2002. The rule requires operators to identify HCAs along their pipelines by December 2004, to have begun baseline integrity assessments, comprised of in-line inspection (smart pigging), hydrostatic testing, or direct assessment, by June 2004. Operators must risk rank their pipeline segments containing HCAs, and have the highest 50 percent assessed using one or more of these methods by December 2007. The balance must be completed by December 2012. The costs of utilizing these methods typically range from a few thousand dollars per mile to well over $15,000 per mile. In addition, some system modifications will be necessary to accommodate the inspections. Because identification and location of all the HCAs has not been completed, and because it is impossible to determine the scope of required remediation activities prior to completion of the assessments and inspections, the cost of implementing the requirements of this regulation is impossible to determine at this time. The required modifications and inspections are estimated to range from approximately $12.0 - $15.0 million per year, with remediation costs in addition to these amounts. A provision in the Settlement described above provides for recovery of some added assessment and repair/replacement capital costs via a special capital surcharge, if certain conditions are met.

On February 6, 2004, Enron filed two form U1’s with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposing a set of conditions under which Enron would register as a holding company under PUHCA. Among other things, Enron sought an exemption for the Company under Rule 16 of the SEC’s PUHCA Rules and Regulations (17 CFR§ 250.16, “Exemption of Non-Utility Subsidiaries and Affiliates”) (The Exemption). On March 9, 2004, Enron amended its form U1 application filings, withdrew its application for exemption filed on December 31, 2003, and filed a form U5A, registering as a public utility holding company under PUHCA. Also on March 9, 2004, the SEC issued orders approving the applications made on the amended form U1’s and the U5A, including approval of the application for the Exemption. The result of these proceedings has reconfirmed the Company’s exemption.

(8)    Property, Plant and Equipment

The principal components of the Company's Property, Plant and Equipment are as follows (in thousands):

   
September 30,
2004
 
December 31,
2003
 
      Transmission Plant
 
$
2,778,907
 
$
2,725,065
 
          General Plant
   
24,531
   
25,619
 
          Intangible Plant
   
23,739
   
20,612
 
                  Construction Work-in-progress
   
5,645
   
35,638
 
                  Acquisition Adjustment
   
1,252,466
   
1,252,466
 
     
4,085,288
   
4,059,400
 
                  Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
   
(1,117,318
)
 
(1,072,072
)
                  Net Property, Plant and Equipment
 
$
2,967,970
 
$
2,987,328
 


 
 

Intangible assets from above includes the following (in thousands):

   
September 30,
2004
 
December 31,
2003
 
Weighted average
amortization
period (in years)
 
Intangible Assets:
             
Software licenses
 
$
22,239
 
$
19,112
   
4
 
Contribution in aid of construction
   
1,500
   
1,500
   
6
 
Intangible Assets, at Cost
   
23,739
   
20,612
       
Less - Accumulated depreciation and amortization
   
(15,595
)
 
(13,012
)
     
Intangible Assets - Net
 
$
8,144
 
$
7,600
       

Amortization of intangible assets over the next five years is estimated to be recognized as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal year:
 
Amount
 
2004 (remaining 3 months)
   
434
 
2005
   
1,782
 
2006
   
1,546
 
2007
   
1,296
 
2008
   
1,084
 

(9)    Commitments and Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company is involved in litigation, claims or assessments that may result in future economic detriment. The Company evaluates each of these matters and determines if loss accruals are necessary as required by SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.” The Company does not expect to experience losses that would be materially in excess of the amount accrued at September 30, 2004.

Transmission and Trading have filed bankruptcy related claims against Enron and other affiliated bankrupt companies totaling $220.6 million. Transmission’s claims include rejection damages and delinquent amounts owed under certain transportation agreements, an unpaid promissory note, and other fees for services and imbalances. Subsequent to Transmission’s filing its claims, ENA’s firm transportation agreements were permanently relinquished to a creditworthy party, which significantly reduced Transmission’s rejection damages (see Note 6). Trading’s claim is for rejection damages on two physical/financial swaps and a gas sales contract, as well as certain delinquent amounts owed pre-petition. Transmission and Enron resolved all claims except for the deferred compensation claim, for which settlement documents are being drafted (see Note 4).

On March 7, 2003, Trading filed a declaratory order action, involving a contract between it and Duke. Trading requested that the court declare that Duke was required to furnish certain “optional volumes” and that Duke has not suffered a “loss of supply” under the parties’ contract, which could, if it continued, have given rise to the right of Duke to terminate the contract at a point in the future. On April 14, 2003, Duke sent Trading a notice that the contract was terminated as of April 16, 2003 (due to Trading’s alleged failure to timely increase the amount of a letter of credit); although it disagreed with Duke’s position, Trading increased the letter of credit on April 15. Duke has answered and filed a counterclaim, arguing that Trading failed to timely increase the amount of a letter of credit, and that it has breached a “resale restriction” on the gas. Trading disputes that it has breached the agreement, or that any event has given rise to a right to terminate by Duke. On May 1, 2003, Trading notified Duke that it was in default under the Agreement, for failure to deliver the base volumes beginning April 17, 2003. However, Duke continued to refuse to perform under the contract. On June 2, 2003, Trading notified Duke that, because Duke had not cured its default, Trading terminated the agreement effective as of June 5, 2003. On August 8, 2003, Trading sent its final “termination payment” invoice to Duke in the amount of $187.0 million. On October 6, 2003, Trading filed its Amended Petition, alleging wrongful termination and containing the termination damages. On November 25, 2003, Trading filed its Second Amended Complaint, alleging, among other things, that Duke was required to give reasonable notice to Trading to upgrade the letter of credit, before terminating the contract. On December 5, 2003, Duke filed its answer. On March 23, 2004, Trading filed a motion for Summary Judgment against Duke, seeking a ruling that Duke was required to provide Trading with notice before terminating the agreements. On July 28, 2004 Trading filed its amended Motion for Partial Summary Judgment; Duke’s response and Cross Motion for Partial Summary Judgment was filed on August 19, 2004. Trading’s reply to Duke’s cross motion was filed September 3, 2004 to which Duke replied on September 17, 2004 to which Trading replied on September 29, 2004. These motions are pending before the judge; no oral argument has been scheduled. This is a disputed matter, and there can be no assurance as to what amounts, if any, Trading will ultimately recover. Management believes that the amount ultimately recovered will not be materially different than the amount recognized through September 30, 2004, and that the ultimate resolution of this matter will not have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Management further believes that claims made by Duke against the Company with regard to this matter are without merit and do not constitute a liability which would require adjustment to or disclosure in the Company’s September 30, 2004, consolidated financial statements as management has deemed the likelihood of an adverse outcome to be remote.

In 1999, Transmission entered into an agreement which obligated it to various natural gas and construction projects includable in its rate base. At December 31, 2003, Transmission expected to incur an additional $1.1 million of potentially capitalizable costs prior to contract expiration; however, this obligation was terminated during the nine months ended September 30, 2004.

The Florida Department of Transportation, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FDOT/FTE) has various turnpike widening projects in the planning stages, which may, over the next ten years, impact one or more of Transmission’s mainline pipelines that are co-located in FDOT/FTE rights-of-way. Transmission is currently aware of seven projects with a total of approximately 35 miles that are scheduled for construction between 2005 and 2008 that could potentially impact Transmission’s mainlines along the Beeline Expressway and the Sunshine State Parkway. The FDOT/FTE and Transmission are currently in discussions with respect to widening projects covering approximately 13 miles that are currently scheduled for construction during 2005 and which will impact Transmission’s 18” and 24” pipelines in Broward County. Two other FDOT/FTE projects, covering approximately 8.1 miles in Broward County and scheduled for construction during 2006 or 2007 will also impact Transmission’s 18” and 24” pipelines. An additional FDOT/FTE project to install a new toll plaza in Broward County is scheduled for 2008 construction. The FDOT/FTE has informed Transmission that the plan is to complete the widening projects through Broward County and later, also through Palm Beach County, by 2010.
 
Under certain conditions, the existing agreements between Transmission and the FDOT/FTE require the FDOT/FTE to provide any new right-of-way needed for relocation of the pipelines and for Transmission to pay for rearrangement or relocation costs. Under certain other conditions, Transmission may be entitled to reimbursement for the costs associated with relocation, including construction and right of way costs. Transmission has presented the FDOT/FTE with an invoice for reimbursement of the costs incurred by Transmission in connection with a previous relocation project, and the FDOT/FTE has denied liability for such costs under the provisions of the existing easements. The total miles of pipe to be impacted ultimately for all of the FDOT/FTE widening projects, and the associated relocation and/or right-of-way costs, cannot be determined at this time.
 
(10)    Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes the following (in thousands):
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
2004
 
September 30,
2003
 
Net income
 
$
92,990
 
$
58,096
 
Other comprehensive income:
             
Derivative instruments - Recognition in earnings of previously deferred (gains) and losses related to derivative instruments used as cash flow hedges    
   
906
   
905
 
Total comprehensive income    
 
$
93,896
 
$
59,001
 

(11)    Subsequent Events

Pursuant to its Plan of Reorganization filed with the U.S Bankruptcy Court, Enron formed CrossCountry and contributed its interest in the Company to CrossCountry Citrus, LLC, effective March 31, 2004. Effective November 17, 2004, CrossCountry became a wholly owned subsidiary of CCE Holdings, LLC, which is a joint venture currently owned by subsidiaries of Southern Union (50 percent), GE (30 percent) and four minority interest owners (20 percent in the aggregate). All of the voting interests of CCE Holdings are owned by Southern Union and GE. At or around the time of the acquisition, certain of the entities were converted to limited liability companies. On November 17, 2004, Transmission drew $135.0 million on the 2004 Revolver, allowing the Company to pay a dividend of $140.0 million to its equity owners.