0000068589-95-000009.txt : 19950815 0000068589-95-000009.hdr.sgml : 19950815 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000068589-95-000009 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19941231 FILED AS OF DATE: 19950328 SROS: NONE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MOUNTAIN FUEL SUPPLY CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000068589 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: 4923 IRS NUMBER: 870155877 STATE OF INCORPORATION: UT FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-00935 FILM NUMBER: 95524106 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 180 E FIRST SOUTH STREET 2: PO BOX 11368 CITY: SALT LAKE CITY STATE: UT ZIP: 84147 BUSINESS PHONE: 8015345555 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 180 EAST FIRST SOUTH ST STREET 2: P O BOX 11150 CITY: SALT LAKE CITY STATE: UT ZIP: 84147 10-K 1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) X ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 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 No. 1-935 MOUNTAIN FUEL SUPPLY COMPANY (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) State of Utah 87-0155877 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 180 East 1st South, PO Box 45360, Salt Lake City, Utah 84145-0360 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (801)534-5555 SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT: None SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: None SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933: Notes: Medium Term Notes, 7.19% to 8.43%, due 2007 to 2024 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 [ ] State the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant as of March 20, 1995: $0. Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of March 20, 1995: 9,189,626 shares of Common Stock, $2.50 par value. (All shares are owned by Questar Corporation.) TABLE OF CONTENTS Heading Page PART I Items 1. and 2. BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES 1 General 1 Gas Distribution 1 Gas Supply 3 Competition and Growth 4 Regulation 7 Relationships with Affiliates 9 Employees 11 Environmental Matters 12 Research and Development 12 Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 12 Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS 13 PART II Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 13 Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 14 Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION 15 Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA 19 Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE 19 PART III Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT 19 Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 20 Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT 26 Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS 28 PART IV Item 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K 29 SIGNATURES 59 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT, 1994 PART I ITEMS 1. and 2. BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES General Mountain Fuel Supply Company (Mountain Fuel or the Company) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Questar Corporation (Questar), with headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah, that distributes natural gas to more than 572,000 sales and transportation customers in Utah, southwestern Wyoming, and a small section in southeastern Idaho. The Company, through a predecessor, began distributing natural gas in 1929 when a pipeline was built to transport natural gas from southwestern Wyoming to Salt Lake City, Utah. Between 1929 and the present time, Mountain Fuel gradually expanded the boundaries of its distribution system to include over 90 percent of Utah's population and to capture a market share of 85-95 percent for furnaces and water heaters. During 1994, Mountain Fuel added a record number of customers, expanded its market share for natural gas dryers, fireplaces, and ranges in new construction, managed its gas supply costs to decrease its natural gas rates, and renewed its commitment to customer service. The Company continued to capitalize on its two primary competitive advantages--owning natural gas reserves and offering a full range of services to customers. Gas Distribution As of December 31, 1994, Mountain Fuel was serving 572,174 residential, commercial, and industrial customers, a four percent increase from the 550,184 customers served as of the end of 1993. (Customers are defined in terms of active meters.) Mountain Fuel distributes gas to customers in the major populated area of Utah, commonly referred to as the Wasatch Front, in which the Salt Lake metropolitan area, Provo, Ogden, and Logan are located. It also serves customers in eastern, central, and southwestern Utah with Price, Roosevelt, Fillmore, Richfield, Cedar City, and St. George as the primary cities. Approximately 96 percent of Mountain Fuel's customers are in Utah. The Company also serves the communities of Rock Springs, Green River, and Evanston in southwestern Wyoming and the community of Preston in southeastern Idaho. Mountain Fuel has been granted the necessary regulatory approvals by the Public Service Commission of Utah (PSCU), the Public Service Commission of Wyoming (PSCW), and the Public Utilities Commission of Idaho (PUCI) to serve these areas. It also has long-term franchises granted by communities and counties within its service area. The Company's customer growth in 1994 resulted from new housing, the addition of new customers in central and southwestern Utah, and conversions. The population of Mountain Fuel's service area in Utah continues to grow faster than the national average. Although the Company does not believe that it will duplicate 1994 in terms of customer growth, it does expect to add 15,000 to 18,000 customers per year for the next several years. Mountain Fuel's sales to residential and commercial customers are seasonal, with a substantial portion of such sales made during the heating season. The typical residential customer in Utah (defined as a customer using 115 decatherms (Dth) per year) uses more than 75 percent of his total gas requirements in the coldest six months of the year. The Company's revenue forecasts used to set rates are based on normal temperatures. Consequently, Mountain Fuel's revenues and resulting net income may be affected by temperature patterns that are below or above normal. As measured in degree days, temperatures in the Company's service area were nine percent warmer than normal in 1994, after being five percent colder than normal in 1993. (See "Regulation" for a discussion of the Company's proposed "weather normalization adjustment.") During 1994, Mountain Fuel sold 74,233,000 decatherms (Dth) of natural gas to residential and commercial customers, compared to 79,369,000 Dth in 1993. (A Dth is an amount of heat energy equal to 10 therms or 1 million Btu. In the Company's system, each thousand cubic feet (Mcf) of gas equals approximately 1.07 Dth.) The decrease was attributable to warmer than normal weather, which was not offset by an expanded customer base. General service sales to residential and commercial customers were responsible for 87 percent of Mountain Fuel's total revenues in 1994. Mountain Fuel has designed its distribution system and annual gas supply plan to handle peak-day demand requirements. The Company periodically updates its design-day demand, which is the volume of gas that firm customers could use during extremely cold weather. For the 1994-95 heating season, Mountain Fuel is using a design-day demand of approximately 839,500 Dth. Mountain Fuel's management believes that the distribution system is adequate to meet the demands of its firm customers. Mountain Fuel's total industrial deliveries, including both sales and transportation, continued to increase during 1994, expanding from 59,619,000 Dth in 1993 to 60,264,000 Dth in 1994. Sales to industrial users increased for the second year in a row and expanded from 6,514,000 Dth in 1993 to 8,882,000 in 1994. The increase in total industrial deliveries reflects Utah's economic revitalization and the strength of several major industries as well as the success of the Company's marketing efforts. The Company's industrial sales increased as some smaller industrial customers moved from interruptible transportation to interruptible sales service on Mountain Fuel's system. The majority of these interruptible sales service customers pay rates based on the Company's weighted average cost of purchased gas, which is periodically lower for some customers than the cost of purchasing volumes directly from producers and paying transportation rates. The Company also has an interruptible sales rate utilizing a dedicated gas portfolio. Mountain Fuel's tariff permits industrial customers to make annual elections for interruptible sales or transportation service. Mountain Fuel has been providing transportation service since 1986. The Company has worked diligently to retain its transportation customers and to offer them cost-based rates. Transportation service has been attractive to customers that can buy volumes of gas directly from producers and have such volumes transported at aggregate prices lower than the Company's sales rates. Under Mountain Fuel's current rate schedules, a typical interruptible transportation customer pays block rates ranging from $.12 to $.02 per Dth. Mountain Fuel receives demand cost credits from Questar Pipeline Company (Questar Pipeline) for transportation customers who use the Company's released capacity. These credits totaled $9.8 million for the 12-month period ending August 31, 1994. During 1994, the Company obtained regulatory approval to offer a firm transportation rate schedule available to industrial customers that transport or are obligated to pay for the transportation of at least 120,000 Dth per year and have firm transportation service on an upstream pipeline. Mountain Fuel currently has 10 firm transportation customers on this schedule. Mountain Fuel's largest transportation customers, as measured by revenue contributions, are the Geneva Steel plant in Orem, Utah; Utah Power, an electric utility that uses gas for an electric generating plant in Salt Lake City; the Kennecott copper processing operations, located in Salt Lake County; and the mineral extraction operations of Magnesium Corporation of America in Tooele County west of Salt Lake. Mountain Fuel owns and operates distribution systems throughout its Utah, Wyoming and Idaho service areas and has a total of 17,468 miles of street mains, service lines, and interconnecting pipelines. The Company owns a new office building adjacent to its warehouse, garage, and operations center in Salt Lake City, Utah. It also owns operations centers, field offices, and service center facilities throughout other parts of its service area. The mains and lines are constructed pursuant to franchise agreements or rights-of-way. The Company has fee title to the properties on which its office building and operation and service centers are constructed. Gas Supply Mountain Fuel owns natural gas producing properties in Wyoming, Utah and Colorado that are operated by Wexpro. The Company's investment in these properties is included in its rate base. Mountain Fuel, as part of its 1993 general rate case, received regulatory approval to reserve "cost-of-service" gas for firm sales customers. During 1994, approximately 53 percent of the Company's total system requirement was satisfied with cost- of-service gas produced from such properties. (As defined, cost- of-service gas includes related royalty gas.) The volumes produced from such properties are transported for Mountain Fuel by Questar Pipeline. See "Relationships with Affiliates." During 1994, 44,413,000 Dth were delivered from such properties compared to 47,120,000 Dth in 1993. Mountain Fuel estimates that it had reserves of 416,312 million cubic feet (MMcf) as of year- end 1994 compared to 428,238 MMcf as of year-end 1993. (These reserve numbers do not include gas attributed to royalty interest owners.) The average wellhead cost associated with gas volumes produced from Mountain Fuel's cost-of-service reserves was $1.37 per Dth in 1994. Some of the wells on Mountain Fuel's producing properties qualify for special tax credits, commonly referred to as "Section 29" or "tight sands" tax credits. During 1994, Mountain Fuel, as the party with the economic interest in the gas produced from such wells, earned $4.7 million in Section 29 tax credits. To qualify for the special tax credits, production must flow from wells that meet specified tight sands criteria and that commenced drilling prior to January 1, 1993. Only gas volumes produced prior to January 1, 2003, qualify for the special tax credit. The Company has been directly responsible for its gas acquisition activities since September 1, 1993. Mountain Fuel has a balanced and diversified portfolio of gas supply contracts with field producers located in the Rocky Mountain states of Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah. The Company purchases gas on the spot market and under contracts. The Company's gas purchase contracts have market-based provisions and are either of short- duration or renewable on an annual basis upon agreement of the parties. Mountain Fuel's gas acquisition objective is to obtain reliable, diversified sources of gas supply at competitive prices. In the Company's last semi-annual purchased gas cost filing, Mountain Fuel estimated that its 1995 average wellhead cost of field purchased gas would be $1.83 per Dth. (The actual cost of purchased gas will be below this estimate if current market prices continue.) Although Mountain Fuel has contracts with take-or-pay provisions, it currently has no material take- or-pay liabilities. Competition and Growth Mountain Fuel has historically enjoyed a favorable price comparison with all energy sources used by residential and commercial customers except coal and occasionally fuel oil. This historic price advantage, together with the convenience and handling advantages associated with natural gas, has permitted the Company to retain 85-95 percent of the residential space heating and water heating markets in its service area and to distribute more energy, in terms of Btu content, than any other energy supplier to residential and commercial markets in Utah. These competitive advantages are responsible for the Company's ability to attract residential users of alternate energy sources to gas in its service areas in central and southwestern Utah even though such users are temporarily required to pay higher rates than their counterparts in the more populated areas of Utah. (The first group of these customers will begin paying standard rates in 1997.) During 1994, the Company added over 4,400 customers in this area, making a total of approximately 30,360 customers. Mountain Fuel, during 1994, continued to expand the size of its customer base in new and existing service areas as Utah's growth rate exceeded the national average. The Company is also focusing marketing efforts to develop incremental load in existing homes and new construction. Most households in Mountain Fuel's service area already use natural gas for space heating and water heating. The Company's market share for other secondary appliances, e.g., ranges and dryers, has historically been less than 20 percent, which is significantly lower than its 85-95 percent market share for furnaces and water heaters. Mountain Fuel has marketing campaigns to convince existing customers to take advantage of natural gas's lower prices, favorable environmental qualities, and greater efficiency by converting other appliances to natural gas. The Company also has marketing campaigns to convince contractors to install the necessary lines for gas fireplaces, ranges, and dryers in new homes. Mountain Fuel estimates that approximately 60 percent of the new homes constructed in its service area during 1994 included piping for gas fireplaces and approximately 40 percent of such homes had piping for gas dryers or ranges. As a result of its contacts with appliance dealers, the Company receives information about the sales of gas appliances and has been pleased with the growth of sales for fireplaces, ranges and dryers. The Company's average temperature-adjusted sales to residential customers continue to decrease as more efficient furnaces are used in new homes and replace less efficient furnaces in existing homes. The average residential customer used 122 decatherms in 1985, compared to 110 decatherms in 1994 (on a temperature-adjusted basis). This decreased usage makes it even more important for Mountain Fuel to market the advantages of other appliances. The Company believes that it must maintain a competitive price advantage in order to retain its residential and commercial customers and to build incremental load by convincing current customers to convert additional secondary appliances to natural gas. Mountain Fuel's rates for general service customers in Utah continue to be lower than they were ten years ago. Using rates in effect as of January 1, 1995, the typical residential customer in Utah would have an annual bill of $506.28, compared to an annual bill of $607.07, using rates in effect as of January 1, 1985. Historically, Mountain Fuel's competitive position has been strengthened as a result of owning natural gas producing properties and satisfying as much as approximately 50 percent of its system requirements with the cost-of-service gas produced from such properties. Mountain Fuel has developed an annual gas supply plan that provides for a judicious balance between cost- of-service gas and purchased gas. Mountain Fuel believes that it is important to continue owning gas reserves, producing them in a manner that will serve the best short- and long-term interests of its customers, and satisfying a significant portion of its supply requirements with gas produced from such properties. The Company reserves cost-of-service gas for firm sales customers. No other distributor markets natural gas sales service in direct competition with the Company in its service area, but marketing firms are arranging direct purchase contracts between large users in the Company's service area and producers. With the Kern River pipeline in place, Questar Pipeline's transmission system is no longer the only pipeline transporting gas to or through the more populated areas of Utah. Both pipelines systems are required to be "open-access" systems. Mountain Fuel's sales rates are competitive when compared to other energy sources, but are periodically higher than the delivered price of spot-market gas volumes transported through the Company's system to large customers. The Kern River pipeline, which was built to transport gas from southwestern Wyoming to Kern County, California, runs through portions of the Company's service area and could provide an alternative delivery source to Mountain Fuel's transportation customers. As of the date of this report, Mountain Fuel has lost no industrial load as a result of the Kern River line. The existence of the Kern River pipeline, however, coupled with the open-access status of Questar Pipeline's transmission system, have changed the nature of market conditions for the Company. Large industrial customers in Utah's Wasatch Front area could acquire taps on Kern River's system or could take delivery of gas through a new tap that Mountain Fuel obtained in 1994. This new tap near the Hunter Park in Salt Lake County enables the Company to obtain delivery of additional peak-day supplies to meet increasing demand. The existence and location of the Kern River pipeline system also made it possible for the Company to extend service into new areas in rural Utah and to develop a second source of supply for its central and southern Utah system. Within the last several years, the Company has increased its activities to encourage the use of natural gas as a fuel in automobiles, trucks, and buses. Mountain Fuel has expanded the number of its service vehicles using natural gas and has helped convert fleet vehicles owned by several state agencies, municipalities, commercial businesses and others. There are a total of 74 natural gas refueling stations within the Company's service area, including 23 that are open to the public. Vehicles using natural gas emit less carbon monoxide and other harmful pollutants. Consequently, the Company actively supports federal and state legislation promoting the use of natural gas in vehicles such as the provisions in the Energy Policy Act that provide tax advantages for natural gas vehicles. Mountain Fuel is actively promoting the environmental advantages of natural gas, particularly in the portions of its service area that do not satisfy the ambient air quality standards set by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Although Mountain Fuel is a public utility and has no direct competition from other distributors of natural gas sales for residential and commercial customers, the Company competes with other energy sources. Mountain Fuel continues to monitor its competitive position, in terms of commodity costs and efficiency of usage, with other energy sources on a short-term and long-term basis. PacifiCorp (using the name Utah Power in Utah) is the primary electric utility in the Company's service area. Although its current rates for residential space heating and water heating are more than twice as high on a Btu basis as Mountain Fuel's rates for such service, PacifiCorp provides an ongoing source of competition. Mountain Fuel has adopted innovative and cost-cutting measures to deal with competitive pressures during the last several years. One measure of improved efficiency is the number of customers served per employee. In 1988, the Company's ratio of year-end customers to employees was 319 to 1; in 1994, the ratio was 383 to 1. Mountain Fuel's 1995 goal is to increase this ratio to greater than 400 to 1. In early 1995, Mountain Fuel announced immediate plans to consolidate some customer service functions such as dispatching, telephone service, engineering and to phase out or significantly reduce the size of 10 customer service offices in Utah and Wyoming. The Company also determined to increase the productivity of service technicians through technological advances such as installing personal computers in vehicles or providing them with paging equipment, thereby eliminating the need to retrieve orders from a central location. The Company also announced a special retirement window for 169 employees who will be at least 52 years of age and have five years of credited service as of April 30, 1995. The election period ends April 17, 1995; Mountain Fuel cannot forecast the number of employees that will take advantage of the special program. The Company does expect that the cost associated with offering retirement incentives will be more than offset by expected labor savings. Mountain Fuel does not expect to hire new employees to replace the employees who elect to take advantage of the offer. Mountain Fuel intends to maintain a competitive position in an energy marketplace in which there is more gas-on- gas competition and in which some traditional "utility" and "monopoly" services are deregulated. The Company anticipates that the "deregulation" in interstate pipelines, electrical generation and transmission, and telecommunications may be followed by deregulation of some local distribution activities. Mountain Fuel is committed to keeping its costs as low as possible, increasing the productivity of its employees, and emphasizing the importance of providing high quality natural gas service. Regulation As a public utility, Mountain Fuel is subject to the jurisdiction of the PSCU and PSCW. (The Company's customers in Idaho are served under the provisions of its Utah tariff. Pursuant to a special contract between the PUCI and the PSCU, Mountain Fuel's Idaho customers are regulated by the PSCU.) Mountain Fuel's natural gas sales and transportation services are provided under rate schedules approved by the two regulatory commissions. On March 3, 1995, the Company filed a general rate case application in Utah. In the rate case, Mountain Fuel requested a return on equity of 12.5 percent, regulatory approval of a new weather normalization adjustment mechanism, and regulatory approval of new rate schedules to collect an annualized revenue deficiency of $9,559,000. The Company based its revenue deficiency on a test year ending December 31, 1995, and estimated that its year-end rate base in Utah would be $372,134,000. This number is approximately $41 million more than its rate base as of September 30, 1993, which was the date used in its last general rate case. Under existing Utah law, the PSCU has 240 days from March 3, 1995, to enter an order in the Company's rate case application. Mountain Fuel is currently authorized a return on equity of 11.0 percent and expects return on equity to be one of the primary issues in the case. Other major issues will be the use of a future test year, rather than a historic test year; the growth in rate base; and the requested weather normalization procedure. The Company's proposed weather normalization adjustment would adjust the non-gas cost portion of a customer's monthly bill as the actual degree days in the billing cycle are warmer or colder than "normal." Mountain Fuel believes that the proposed adjustment would benefit customers, whose bills would be less variable, and the Company, which would have more stability in its revenues. The Company's last general rate case before the PSCU resulted in an authorized return on equity of 11.0 percent and an annualized decrease of $1.6 million in rates. As a result of a stipulation reached by the parties, however, approximately $2.1 million of costs reflected in Mountain Fuel's general rate case were added to its gas balancing account. These rates became effective on January 10, 1994. At the current time, the Company does not expect to file a general rate case application with the PSCW in 1995. Mountain Fuel's last Wyoming rate case was settled, with rates that went into effect on August 1, 1993. The stipulation approved by the PSCW included a 10.4 percent return on rate base, but did not specify an authorized return on equity. Both the PSCU and the PSCW have authorized the Company to use a balancing account procedure for changes in the cost of natural gas, including supplier non-gas costs, and to reflect changes on a semi-annual basis. Mountain Fuel's latest semi- annual balancing account applications were approved effective January 1, 1995. The Company's base rates for natural gas service in both Utah and Wyoming were decreased as a result of an overall decrease in the cost of gas and an adjustment to offset the overcollection in its gas balancing account. In connection with its last gas-cost application in Utah, Mountain Fuel also obtained regulatory approval to remove approximately $5.6 million of gas costs associated with "unbilled revenues" from the gas balancing account. This accounting adjustment resulted from the PSCU's requirement that the Company recognize revenues on an "as delivered" rather than an "as billed" basis. Making this adjustment had a positive impact on the Company's 1994 net income of approximately $3.5 million. Mountain Fuel's responsibility for gas acquisition activities involves inherent risks of regulatory scrutiny. In the past, the Company has been involved in regulatory proceedings in which the prudence of its gas supply activities has been challenged. Under Utah law, Mountain Fuel must report its common stock dividends to the PSCU and must allow at least 30 days between declaring and paying dividends. The PSCU can investigate any dividend declared by the Company to determine if payment of such dividend would impair the Company's capital or service obligations. The PSCW and the PUCI, but not the PSCU, have jurisdiction to review the issuance of long-term securities by the Company. The Company has significant relationships with its affiliates. The PSCU and PSCW have jurisdiction to examine these relationships and the costs paid by the Company for services rendered by or goods purchased from its affiliates. A settlement agreement involving Mountain Fuel's cost-of-service gas and defining certain contractual obligations between Mountain Fuel and Wexpro is monitored by the Utah Division of Public Utilities. The PSCU and PSCW have adopted regulations or issued orders that affect the Company's business practices in such areas as main extensions, credit and collection activities, and termination of service standards. Relationships with Affiliates The Company has significant business relationships with affiliated companies, particularly Questar Pipeline and Wexpro. The following diagram shows the corporate structure of the Company and its primary affiliates: Questar Corporation Questar InfoComm, Inc. Entrada Industries, Inc. Wexpro Company Celsius Energy Company MOUNTAIN FUEL SUPPLY COMPANY Questar Pipeline Company Universal Resources Corporation Questar Development Corporation The Company's relationships with its primary affiliates are described below. Questar Pipeline Company. Questar Pipeline owns a two- pronged transmission system running from southwestern Wyoming into Mountain Fuel's Utah service area. Between July of 1984 and August of 1993, Questar Pipeline was the Company's primary supplier of natural gas. Questar Pipeline's gas purchase contracts were transferred to Mountain Fuel effective September 1, 1993. Mountain Fuel also acquired storage capacity at Clay Basin, Questar Pipeline's largest storage reservoir, and Questar Pipeline's peaking storage reservoirs. Effective September 1, 1993, the Company converted its firm capacity entitlements on Questar Pipeline's system to firm transportation service and has reserved approximately 800,000 Dth per day, or approximately 85 percent, of Questar Pipeline's total transmission capacity. Mountain Fuel transports cost-of-service gas and purchased gas on Questar Pipeline's transmission system. (The Company also transports gas volumes on the transmission systems owned by Northwest Pipeline Company and Colorado Interstate Gas Company. As previously mentioned, Mountain Fuel also purchases "city gate" gas supplies from transportation customers on Kern River's system.) The Company also releases its firm transportation capacity, pursuant to capacity release procedures adopted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), when it does not need such service for its sales customers. Because Mountain Fuel has sufficient capacity on the system to meet peak demand periods, it has unused capacity for the balance of the year. During the 12-month period ending August 31, 1994, Mountain Fuel released an average of 457,395 Dth per day. When the released capacity is coupled with the Company's average sales volume of 255,255 Dth during this same period, Mountain Fuel "used" approximately 61 percent of its reserved capacity on Questar Pipeline's system. During 1994, Questar Pipeline transported 75,941,000 Dth of gas for Mountain Fuel. Under Questar Pipeline's "straight fixed-variable" rate schedules, Mountain Fuel is obligated to pay demand charges for firm capacity, regardless of the volumes actually transported. The Company paid approximately $46.3 million in demand charges to Questar Pipeline in 1994 for firm transportation capacity and "no notice" transportation. Questar Pipeline also credits Mountain Fuel with revenues it receives from transportation customers that use the Company's released capacity. During the 12-month period ending August 31, 1994, Mountain Fuel received $9.8 million in revenue credits from Questar Pipeline. Questar Pipeline also provides the Company with gathering services under a new gathering agreement that became effective on September 1, 1993, after the FERC approved a joint settlement filed by the parties. Questar Pipeline gathered 32,098,000 Dth for Mountain Fuel during 1994. Wexpro Company. Wexpro operates certain properties owned by Mountain Fuel. Under the terms of a settlement agreement, which was approved by the PSCU and PSCW and upheld by the Utah Supreme Court, Mountain Fuel owns gas produced from specified properties that were productive as of August 1, 1981 (the effective date of the settlement agreement). Such gas is reflected in rates at cost-of-service prices based on rates of return established by the settlement agreement. In addition, Wexpro conducts development gas drilling for Mountain Fuel on specified properties and is reimbursed for its costs plus a current rate of return of 22.0 percent (adjusted annually using a specified formula) on its net investment in such properties, adjusted for working capital and deferred taxes, if the wells are successful. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the costs of unsuccessful wells are borne by Wexpro. The settlement agreement also permits Mountain Fuel to share income from hydrocarbon liquids produced from certain properties operated by Wexpro after Wexpro recovers its expenses and a specified rate of return. The income received by Mountain Fuel from Wexpro is used to reduce natural gas costs to its customers. During 1994, Wexpro, in response to demands from other working interest owners, maintained a drilling program in southwestern Wyoming. A total 26,085 MMcf in proved developed reserves were added to Mountain Fuel's net reserves as a result of drilling activities and estimate revisions, but the additional reserves did not offset production. Wexpro's drilling activities decreased significantly during 1994. As a result of the decline in natural gas prices, Wexpro is not currently drilling any wells. Other Affiliates. Other significant affiliates of Mountain Fuel include Questar InfoComm, Inc., formerly Questar Service Corporation (Questar InfoComm), Questar Development Corporation (Questar Development), Celsius Energy Company (Celsius), and Universal Resources Corporation (Universal Resources). Questar InfoComm provides data processing and telecommunication services for the Company and other affiliates. It owns and operates a network of microwave facilities, all of which are located in Mountain Fuel's service area or near Questar Pipeline's transmission system. Services are priced to recover operating expenses and a return on investment. Questar InfoComm personnel are currently assisting Mountain Fuel in a major project to develop new customer information systems. During 1994, Mountain Fuel sold an office building in Salt Lake City to Interstate Land Corporation, a subsidiary of Questar Development. The Company, however, continues to lease space in this office building for its general headquarters. Questar Development is also a one-third owner of FuelMaker Corporation, a Canadian corporation that designs, manufactures, and markets small compressors to be used when refueling natural gas vehicles at residences or at remote locations. Celsius conducts oil and gas exploration and related development activities in the Rocky Mountain area. Universal Resources conducts oil and gas exploration and related development activities primarily in the Midcontinent region outside the Company's service area. It also markets gas volumes, including the majority of volumes produced by Celsius, and is responsible for some of the contracts providing gas to the Company's transportation customers. Entrada Industries, Inc. (Entrada), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Questar and is the direct parent of Celsius and Wexpro. While Mountain Fuel and Entrada are subject to common control by Questar, there is no direct control of Entrada by the Company or of the Company by Entrada. See "Legal Proceedings." Questar, Mountain Fuel's parent, provides certain administrative services, e.g., personnel, legal, public relations, financial, tax, and audit, to the Company and other members of the consolidated group. Questar also sponsors the qualified and welfare plans in which the Company's employees participate. Mountain Fuel is responsible for a proportionate share of the costs associated with these services and benefit plans. Employees As of December 31, 1994, the Company had 1,486 employees. None of these employees is represented under collective bargaining agreements. Mountain Fuel participates in Questar's comprehensive employee benefit plans and pays the share of costs attributable to its employees covered by such plans. Employee relations are generally deemed to be satisfactory. The Company offered enhanced retirement benefits to 169 employees under a special retirement program announced on March 1, 1995. To take full advantage of the special offer, employees must retire by April 30, 1995. Environmental Matters The Company is subject to the National Environmental Policy Act and other federal and state legislation regulating the environmental aspects of its operations. Although Mountain Fuel does not believe that environmental protection laws and regulations will have any material effect on its competitive position, it does believe that such provisions have added and will continue to add to the Company's expenditures and annual maintenance and operating expenses. See "Legal Proceedings" for a discussion of litigation concerning liability for contamination on property owned by a former subsidiary of the Company. Mountain Fuel has an obligation to treat waste water and monitor the effectiveness of an underground slurry wall that was constructed in 1988 at its operations center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The slurry wall was built to contain contaminants from an abandoned coal gasification plant that operated on the site from 1908 to 1929. As previously noted, Mountain Fuel is emphasizing the environmental advantages of natural gas. Several industrial customers have converted to natural gas or plan to increase their use of natural gas in order to lower emissions. The Company's marketing campaigns feature the clean-burning characteristics of natural gas fireplaces. Natural gas vehicles are also being encouraged on the basis of environmental considerations. Research and Development The Company conducts studies of gas conversion equipment, gas piping, and engines using natural gas and has funded demonstration projects using such equipment. The total dollar amount spent by the Company on research activities is not material. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS There are various legal and regulatory proceedings pending that involve the Company and its affiliates. While it is not feasible to predict or determine the outcome of these proceedings, the Company's management believes that the outcome will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position. Mountain Fuel, as a result of acquiring Questar Pipeline's gas purchase contracts, is responsible for any judgment rendered against Questar Pipeline in a lawsuit that was tried before a jury in 1994. The jury awarded an independent producer compensatory damages of approximately $6,100,000 and punitive damages of $200,000 on his claims involving take-or-pay, tax reimbursement, contract breach, and tortious interference with a contract. A judgment has not be entered because the presiding judge has not issued a decision concerning the competing forms of judgment entered by the opposing parties. The producer's counterclaims originally exceeded $57,000,000, but were reduced to less than $10,000,000, when the presiding judge dismissed with prejudice some of the claims prior to the jury trial. Mountain Fuel expects that any amounts arising from the breach of contract claims will be included in its gas balancing account and recovered in its rates for natural gas sales service. As a result of its former ownership of Entrada and Wasatch Chemical Company, Mountain Fuel has been named as a "potentially responsible party" for contaminants located on property owned by Entrada in Salt Lake City, Utah. Questar and Entrada have also been named as potentially responsible parties. (Entrada and the Company are both direct, wholly owned subsidiaries of Questar; prior to October 2, 1984, Mountain Fuel was the parent of Entrada.) The property, known as the Wasatch Chemical property, was the location of chemical operations conducted by Entrada's Wasatch Chemical division, which ceased operation in 1978. A portion of the property is included on the national priorities list, commonly known as the "Superfund" list. In September of 1992, a consent order governing clean- up activities was formally entered by the federal district court judge presiding over the underlying litigation involving the property. This consent order was agreed to by Questar, Entrada, the Company, the Utah Department of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA). Entrada has obtained approval for a specific design using an in situ vitrification procedure to clean up the Wasatch Chemical property and began remediation activities during 1994. The clean-up procedure may take as long as three years. Entrada has accounted for all costs spent on the environmental claims and has also accounted for all settlement proceeds, accruals and insurance claims. It has received cash settlements, which together with accruals and insurance receivables, should be sufficient for future clean-up costs. Mountain Fuel has consistently maintained that Entrada should be responsible for any liability imposed on the Questar group as a result of actions involving Wasatch Chemical. The Company has not paid any and does not expect to pay any costs associated with the clean-up activities for the property. Utah Power recently filed a lawsuit against Mountain Fuel claiming that the Company is responsible for contamination located on property adjacent to Mountain Fuel's operations center in Salt Lake City. The operations center was the site of an abandoned coal gasification plant. The Company (in its own name or through a predecessor) did not own the property that is the subject of the lawsuit and does not believe that it is responsible for the coal tar found on the property. Cleanup activities on the property are monitored by the EPA, but the property is not a listed "Superfund" site. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS During the fourth quarter of 1994, Mountain Fuel did not submit any matters to a vote of security holders. PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS The Company's outstanding shares of common stock, $2.50 par value, are owned by Questar. Information concerning the dividends paid on such stock and the ability to pay dividends is reported in the Statements of Common Shareholder's Equity and the Notes to Financial Statements included in Item 8. ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Year Ended December 31, 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 (In Thousands) Revenues $378,260 $402,391 $373,047 $416,759 $364,747 Operating expenses Natural gas purchases 210,507 230,139 218,123 253,111 216,396 Other expenses 128,432 125,743 110,527 108,761 103,339 Total operating expenses 338,939 355,882 328,650 361,872 319,735 Operating income $39,321 $46,509 $44,397 $54,887 $45,012 Net income $23,352 $25,069 $23,395 $25,074 $21,713 Cash dividends paid on common stock 19,500 18,000 18,000 19,000 18,000 Total assets 590,275 581,027 490,614 452,139 447,486 Capital expenditures 53,816 50,658 55,721 36,984 28,809 Capitalization Long-term debt $175,000 $158,000 $150,126 $148,953 $148,872 Redeemable cumulative preferred stoc 6,324 7,525 8,726 9,955 11,155 Common shareholder's equity 205,461 182,200 175,826 171,231 166,061 $386,785 $347,725 $334,678 $330,139 $326,088
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Following is a summary of revenues and operating information for the Company's operations:
Year Ended December 31, 1994 1993 1992 (Dollars In Thousands) OPERATING INCOME Revenues Residential and commercial sales $329,576 $360,210 $330,920 Industrial sales 24,395 21,678 19,878 Industrial transportation 5,665 5,898 6,252 Other 18,624 14,605 15,997 Total revenues 378,260 402,391 373,047 Operating expenses Natural gas purchases 210,507 230,139 218,123 Operating and maintenance 94,094 92,486 79,975 Depreciation and amortization 24,749 23,244 20,713 Other taxes 9,589 10,013 9,839 Total expenses 338,939 355,882 328,650 Operating income $39,321 $46,509 $44,397 OPERATING STATISTICS Natural gas volumes (in Mdth) Residential and commercial sales 74,233 79,369 68,635 Industrial deliveries Sales 8,882 6,514 5,338 Transportation 51,382 53,105 51,621 Total industrial 60,264 59,619 56,959 Total deliveries 134,497 138,988 125,594 Natural gas revenue (per dth) Residential and commercial $4.44 $4.54 $4.82 Industrial sales 2.75 3.33 3.72 Transportation for industrial customers 0.11 0.11 0.12 Natural gas purchase price (per dth) $2.40 $2.52 $2.83 Heating degree days (normal 5,801) 5,290 6,073 5,235 Colder (warmer) than normal (9%) 5% (10%) Number of customers at end of period 572,174 550,184 532,109
Natural gas deliveries to residential and commercial customers dropped 6% in 1994 after increasing 16% in 1993. These changes parallel temperatures in Mountain Fuel's service area which were 9% warmer than normal in 1994 after being 5% colder than normal in 1993. Temperatures for the first two months of 1995 have been 23% warmer that normal and 8% warmer than during the same two months of 1994. The number of customers increased by 4.0% in 1994, 3.4% in 1993 and 3.2% in 1992 reflecting record setting growth. Gas deliveries to industrial customers improved by 1% in 1994 and 5% in 1993. Mountain Fuel's service area has experienced strong economic growth for several successive years. The Company has benefitted from a demand for gas for expanded operations and environmental concerns, especially for electricity generation. Mountain Fuel's allowed return on equity for Utah operations was reduced from 12.1% to 11% effective January 1, 1994, in a general rate case order from the Public Service Commission of Utah (PSCU). In addition, the Company also changed the accounting for revenues for residential and commercial customers from an "as billed" to an "as delivered" basis. Mountain Fuel began accruing gas-distribution revenues for gas delivered to residential and commercial customers but not billed at the end of the reporting period starting in 1993. The impact of these accruals on the income statement has been deferred and is being recognized at the rate of $2,011,000 per year over a five-year period beginning in 1994 in accordance with a PSCU rate order. This rate order also reduces customer rates by $2,011,000 per year over the same five-year period. In addition Mountain Fuel recorded other income of $5,589,000 for a one-time reduction in gas costs associated with these unbilled revenues. This transaction added about $3.5 million to net income in 1994. Mountain Fuel filed a general rate case in the State of Utah on March 3, 1995 requesting a $9.6 million increase in revenues, a 12.5% return on equity and a weather normalization adjustment mechanism. Management believes the rate increase is necessary to secure an appropriate allowed rate of return and to recover the costs of record customer growth. Mountain Fuel believes the proposed weather adjustment mechanism would benefit customers, whose bills would be less variable, and the Company, which would have more stability in its revenues. Mountain Fuel announced plans in early 1995 to reorganize and consolidate several functions in an effort to reduce costs. In March 1995 Mountain Fuel offered an early retirement opportunity to 169 employees resulting from consolidation of customer service jobs. This restructuring reflects the substantial gains in efficiency the Company is starting to realize from its investment in customer service system technology. Mountain Fuel expects labor cost savings will exceed the cost of the early retirement program. Mountain Fuel also intends to phase out four service centers beginning in 1995, while reorganizing six others. The restructuring and consolidation is intended to improve service to customers while maintaining the Company's position as a low-cost energy provider. Consolidation of sales and marketing activities was also part of the announced restructuring. Natural gas purchases decreased 9% in 1994 and increased 6% in 1993. These changes were consistent with changes in volumes sold to residential and commercial customers, which were primarily weather related. Operating and maintenance expenses increased 2% in 1994 and 16% in 1993 primarily because of the costs associated with more customers and an expanded service territory. Depreciation and amortization expense increased 6% in 1994 and 12% in 1993 due to capital expenditure programs and higher levels of natural gas production. The Company adopted SFAS No.112, Accounting for Postemployment Benefits, on January 1, 1994, by establishing a liability of $1,538,000 offset by a regulatory asset. This statement requires the Company to recognize the net present value of the liability for postemployment benefits, such as long-term disability benefits and health care and life insurance costs, when employees become eligible for such benefits. Postemployment benefits are paid to former employees after employment has been terminated but before retirement benefits are paid. SFAS No.112 requires the Company to accrue both current and future costs which formerly had been recorded when cash was paid. By December 1994 the total liability had dropped from $1,538,000 to $1,039,000 as a result of designating Medicare as the primary health care provider and increasing the discount rate from 7% to 8.5%. At year-end 1994, Mountain Fuel expensed SFAS No. 112 costs, previously recorded as a regulatory asset, in other income deductions. The effective income tax rate was 25.3% in 1994, 23.5% in 1993 and 24.2% in 1992. Section 29 income tax credits received from production of gas from certain properties reduced the effective income tax rate. Credits amounted to $4,670,000 in 1994, $5,463,000 in 1993 and $4,281,000 in 1992. The three years include credits recognized for prior years' gas production of $1,742,000 in 1994, $1,174,000 in 1993 and $1,116,000 in 1992. The 1993 federal income tax rate increased to 35% and the effect of the higher tax rate on deferred income taxes was recorded as income taxes recoverable from customers. The Company has adopted procedures with its regulatory commissions to include under-provided deferred taxes in customer rates on a systematic basis. Mountain Fuel is responsible for a judgment in a lawsuit involving the Company, Questar Pipeline and a gas producer. In March 1994, a jury awarded the gas producer damages of approximately $6.3 million on claims involving take-or-pay, tax reimbursement and breach of contract. Mountain Fuel expects that the judgment will be included in its gas balancing account and recovered through customer rates. The judgment is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Operating Activities Net cash provided from operating activities decreased 11% in 1994. Net cash provided from operating activities was $33,143,000 in 1994, $37,139,000 in 1993 and $50,600,000 in 1992. Accounts payable and accrued expenses decreased $16,141,000 in 1994, primarily because of lower gas purchases. Mountain Fuel purchased gas for storage purposes in the last quarter of 1993 when it assumed the gas-purchase function from Questar Pipeline in response to FERC Order No. 636. Inventories increased by $20,869,000 in 1993, primarily for gas stored underground. Changes in the purchased-gas adjustment account used cash of $8,656,000 in 1994 after providing cash of $4,686,000 in 1993 and $4,586,000 in 1992. The assumption of gas-purchase contracts and the gas-supply purchase activity resulted in several changes to Mountain Fuel's working capital. Mountain Fuel acquired an inventory of gas stored underground to meet customer requirements. Accounts payable to unaffiliated parties increased while accounts payable to affiliates decreased because of direct purchases from gas producers. Investing Activities Following is a summary of capital expenditures for 1994 and 1993, and a forecast of 1995 expenditures.
1995 Estimated 1994 1993 (In Thousands) New-customer service equipment $23,200 $22,343 $16,749 Distribution system 12,100 7,085 9,295 Buildings 2,800 7,193 10,993 Computer software and hardware 7,200 5,849 4,702 General and other 4,700 11,346 8,919 $50,000 $53,816 $50,658
Mountain Fuel's capital spending is primarily in response to a record increase in the number of customers, amounting to 21,990 in 1994, 18,075 in 1993 and 16,284 in 1992, due to population growth and construction activity in its service area. Mountain Fuel extended its system by 539 miles of main, feeder and service lines in 1994. The 1995 capital expenditures anticipate a slightly lower level of customer growth. Mountain Fuel transferred a building with a net book value of $8,915,000 to an affiliate in the third quarter of 1994. Financing Activities The Company funded 1994 capital expenditures with cash provided from operations, a capital contribution and borrowings under a medium-term note program. The 1995 capital expenditures are expected to be financed with cash provided from operations and borrowings from Questar. The Company has a short-term line-of-credit arrangement with a bank under which it may borrow up to $500,000, below the prime interest rate. The arrangement is renewable on an annual basis. At December 31, 1994, no amounts were borrowed under this arrangement. Questar loans funds to the Company under a short-term borrowing arrangement. Outstanding short-term notes payable to Questar totaled $53,500,000 with an interest rate of 6.11% at December 31, 1994. During the second quarter of 1994 Mountain Fuel issued $17 million of 30-year notes at an 8.12% interest rate. Mountain Fuel used proceeds from these notes for capital expenditures and operations. On July 1, 1994, Mountain Fuel received a $20,000,000 capital contribution from Questar. The Company typically has negative net working capital at the end of the year because of short-term borrowings. These borrowings are seasonal and generally peak at the end of December because of cold-weather gas purchases. Mountain Fuel has a capital structure of 45% long-term debt, 2% preferred stock and 53% common equity. Moody's and Standard and Poors have rated Mountain Fuel's long-term debt A1 and A+. ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA The Company's financial statements are included in Part IV, Item 14, herein. ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE Mountain Fuel has not changed its independent auditors or had any disagreements with them concerning accounting matters and financial statement disclosures within the last 24 months. PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT Information concerning the Company's directors and executive officers is located in the following chart: Business Experience and Positions Held Name Age With the Company and Affiliates M. E. Benefield 55 Vice President, Gas Supply, May 1992; Vice President, Planning and Corporate Development, Questar (March 1989 to May 1992.) R. D. Cash 52 Director, May 1977; Chairman of the Board, May 1985; Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, Questar, May 1984; Chairman of the Board, Questar, May 1985. Director, Zions First National Bank and Zions Bancorporation and Associated Electric and Gas Insurance Servicing Limited; Trustee, Southern Utah University. W. F. Edwards 49 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, May 1984; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Questar, February 1989; Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Questar, May 1984 to February 1989. Susan Glasmann 47 Vice President, Marketing, February 1994; General Manager, Marketing, April 1991 to February 1994; Manager, Corporate Communications, Questar, October 1989 to April 1991. Robert E. Kadlec 61 Director, March 1987; Director, Questar, March 1987; President and Chief Executive Officer, BC Gas Inc. (Vancouver, British Columbia); Director, BC Gas Inc., Trans Mountain Pipe Line Company Ltd., Bank of Montreal, British Pacific Properties Ltd.; and International Forest Products Limited. Dixie L. Leavitt 65 Director, May 1987; Director, Questar, May 1987; Chairman of the Board, Leavitt Group Agency Association (a group of approximately 45 separate insurance agencies); President and Chairman of entities engaged in dairy, cattle, agriculture, and real estate operations in Utah and southern Nevada; Director, Zions First National Bank. Gary G. Michael 54 Director, February 1994; Director, Questar, February 1994; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Albertson's; Director, Albertson's and member of Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. D. N. Rose 50 President and Chief Executive Officer, October 1984; Director, May 1984; Director, Questar, May 1984; Director, Key Bank of Utah; Trustee, Westminster College. G. H. Robinson 44 Vice President and Controller, April 1991; Vice President, Marketing, March 1985 to April 1991. Roy W. Simmons 79 Director, May 1968; Senior Director, Questar, May 1992; Director, Questar, May 1984 to May 1992; Chairman, Zions Bancorporation (commercial bank holding company) and Chairman, Zions First National Bank (commercial bank); Chief Executive Officer, Zions First National Bank to January 1989; Chief Executive Officer, Zions Bancorporation to January 1991; Director, Beneficial Life Insurance Company and Ellison Ranching Company. S. C. Yeager 47 Vice President, Customer Service, April 1991; Vice President, Retail Operations, March 1985 to April 1991. Except as otherwise indicated, the executive officers and directors have held the principal occupations described above for more than the past five years. There are no family relationships among the directors and executive officers of the Company. Directors of the Company are elected to serve three-year terms. Executive officers of the Company serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The following Summary Compensation Table lists annual and long-term compensation earned by Mr. D. N. Rose, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, and the other four most highly compensated officers during 1992, 1993, and 1994: Summary Compensation Table
Annual Compensation Long-Term Compensation Name and Restricted Principal Base Stock All Other Position Year Salary(4) Bonus($) Awards(4)2 Options(#)3 Comp.($)4 D. N. Rose 1994 $209,500 $36,061 36,053 19,000 21,713 President 1993 200,417 38,572 38,525 19,000 18,786 Chief 1992 190,833 31,388 31,358 19,000 17,002 Executive Officer R. D. Cash5 1994 138,337 38,770 38,767 30,000 17,467 Chairman 1993 128,835 37,406 37,406 30,000 14,946 of the 1992 123,553 35,883 35,870 30,000 13,587 Board M. E. 1994 139,500 15,862 15,850 9,000 9,888 Benefield 1993 134,050 17,163 17,136 9,000 8,743 VP, Gas 1992 98,153 17,415 17,412 8,500 5,187 Supply G. H. 1994 133,083 15,114 15,084 9,000 9,118 Robinson 1993 127,533 16,223 16,223 9,000 8,107 VP and 1992 121,667 14,426 12,878 8,500 6,794 Controller S. C. Yeager 1994 133,083 15,114 15,084 9,000 9,118 VP, Customer 1993 127,533 16,223 16,223 9,000 8,031 Service 1992 121,667 12,926 12,878 9,000 6,794
1/Amounts listed under this heading are cash payments earned under the Annual Management Incentive Plans (AMIPs) for the Company and Questar (for Mr. Cash). The amounts listed for Mr. Cash are the amounts allocated to Mountain Fuel. 2/Amounts under this heading include the value (as of the grant date) of any restricted shares of Questar's common stock used in 1993, 1994 and 1995, in lieu of cash, as partial payment of bonuses earned under the Company's Annual Management Incentive Plans and the Company's allocated portion of the value of restricted shares granted to Mr. Cash under Questar's AMIP. All shares of restricted stock vest in two equal, annual installments with the first installment occurring on the first anniversary of the grant date. Dividends are paid on the restricted shares at the same rate dividends are paid on other shares of Questar's common stock. As of year-end 1994, Mr. Rose had 1,766 shares of restricted stock having a market value of $48,565; Mr. Cash had 4,279 shares worth $117,673; Mr. Benefield had 845 shares worth $23,238; Messrs. Robinson and Yeager each had 738 shares worth $20,295. 3/Mountain Fuel's executive officers are granted nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of Questar's common stock under Questar's Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan. 4/Amounts listed under this heading include employer matching and nonmatching contributions, matching "contributions" to the Deferred Share Plan, and directors' fees paid by the Company. The figures opposite Mr. Rose's name include $8,435 in contributions to the Employee Investment Plan for 1994, $12,228 in contributions to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan for 1993, and $10,499 for 1992. They also include directors' fees amounting to $6,100 for 1994, $5,200 for 1993, and $5,600 for 1992, and "contributions" to the Deferred Share Plan of $7,268 for 1994, $1,358 for 1993, and $903 for 1992. The figures opposite Mr. Cash's name include the Company's allocated portion of the matching and nonmatching contributions to the Employee Investment Plan of $3,057 for 1994, $4,334 for 1993, and $3,728 for 1992. They also include directors' fees amounting to $6,200 for 1994, $5,200 for 1993, and $5,600 for 1992, and the Company's allocated portion of "contributions" to the Deferred Share Plan of $8,310 for 1994, $5,412 for 1993, and $4,259 for 1992. The 1994 figure listed opposite Mr. Benefield includes $8,345 in contributions to the Employee Investment Plan and matching "contributions" of $1,543 to the Deferred Share Plan. The 1994 figures for Messrs. Robinson and Yeager include $8,345 in contributions to the Employee Investment Plan and $773 in "matching" contributions to the Deferred Share Plan. The 1992 and 1993 figures opposite the names of Messrs. Benefield, Robinson and Yeager include only the contributions made by (or allocated to) the Company to the Employee Investment Plan (formerly the Employee Stock Purchase Plan) for their respective accounts. 5/Mr. Cash also serves as an executive officer of Questar and other affiliated companies. The base salary shown for Mr. Cash is the combination of the amount directly paid by the Company and the amount allocated to the Company. 6/Mr. Benefield did not become an executive officer of the Company until May 19, 1992. The base salary and the "other compensation" information reported for him for 1992 include the amount that the Company paid directly and the amount allocated to the Company when Mr. Benefield served as an officer of Questar. The following table lists information concerning the incentive stock options to purchase shares of Questar's common stock that were granted to Mountain Fuel's five highest paid officers during 1994 under Questar's Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan. No stock appreciation rights were granted during 1994. Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
% of Total Options Granted Options to Employee Exercise Expiration Name Granted#1 in Last Fiscal or Base Date Grant Date Year Price($) Value ($)2 D. N. Rose 19,000 5.0 31.50 2/08/2004 128,678 R. D. Cash 30,000 8.0 31.50 2/08/2004 203,175 M. E. Benefield 9,000 2.4 31.50 2/08/2004 60,953 G. H. Robinson 9,000 2.4 31.50 2/08/2004 60,953 S. C. Yeager 9,000 2.4 31.50 2/08/2004 60,953
1/These incentive stock options vest in four annual, equal installments, with the first installment exercisable as of August 8, 1994. Participants can use cash or previously-owned shares as consideration for option shares. Options expire when a participant terminates his employment, unless termination is caused by an approved retirement, death, or disability. Options can be exercised for three months following a participant's approved retirement and 12 months following a participant's death or disability. 2/When calculating the present value of options granted in 1994, Questar used the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Questar assumed a volatility of 22.27 percent, a risk free interest rate of 6.5 percent, a dividend yield of 4.4 percent and a vesting discount of 5.7 percent. The real value of the listed options depends upon the actual performance of Questar stock. There can be no assurance that the values shown in this table will be achieved. The following table lists information concerning the incentive stock options to purchase shares of Questar's common stock that were exercised by the officers named above during 1994 and the total options and their value held by each at year-end 1994: Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Options/SAR Values
Number of Value of Unexercised, Options/SARS in-the-Money Shares at Year-End Options/SARs at Year-End Acquired Value (#)2 ($)2 or exercised Realized1 Name (#) ($) Exer. Unexer. Exer. Unexerc. D. N. Rose 0 0 26,950 28,500 100,213 37,406 R. D. Cash 0 0 39,373 45,000 132,875 59,063 M. E. Benefield 0 0 6,625 13,375 16,734 16,734 G. H. Robinson 0 0 6,625 13,375 16,734 16,734 S. C. Yeager 0 0 9,000 13,500 17,719 17,719
1/The "value" is calculated by subtracting the fair market value of the shares purchased on the date of exercise minus the option price. The value is equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by each officer. The current value of the shares may be higher or lower than the aggregate value reported in the table. 2/Stock appreciation rights (SARs) have not been granted since February of 1989. At year-end 1994, there were no SARs outstanding. Retirement Plan Company employees (including executive officers) participate in the employee benefit plans of Questar. The Company has agreed to pay its share of the costs associated with the plans that are described below. Questar maintains a noncontributory Retirement Plan that is funded actuarially and does not involve specific contributions for any one individual. The following table lists the estimated annual benefits payable under the Retirement Plan as of December 31, 1994, and, if necessary, the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (described below). The benefits shown are based on earnings and years of service reaching normal retirement age of 65 in 1994 and do not include Social Security benefits. Benefits under the Retirement Plan are not reduced or offset by Social Security benefits. PENSION PLAN TABLE
Highest Consecutive Years of Service Three-Year Average Annual Compensation 15 20 25 30 35 $125,000 $33,581 $44,774 $55,968 $59,093 $62,218 150,000 40,706 54,274 67,843 71,593 75,343 175,000 47,831 63,774 79,718 84,093 88,468 200,000 54,956 73,274 91,593 96,593 101,593 225,000 62,081 82,774 103,468 109,093 114,718 250,000 69,206 92,274 115,343 121,593 127,843 275,000 76,331 101,774 127,218 134,093 140,968
Questar's Retirement Plan, as of January 1, 1989, has a "step rate/excess" benefit formula. The formula provides for a basic benefit that is calculated by multiplying the employee's final average earnings by a specified base benefit factor and by subsequently multiplying such sum by the employee's years of service (up to a maximum of 25). This basic benefit is increased for each year of service in excess of 25 and is reduced for retirement prior to age 62. Employees also receive a supplemental benefit calculated by multiplying the difference between the employee's final average earnings and his "covered compensation" by a supplemental factor that varies by age. (The term covered compensation refers to the 35-year average Social Security wage base tied to year of an employee's birth.) Employees who retire prior to age 62 also receive a temporary supplement that is tied to years of service until they are eligible to receive Social Security benefits. Effective March 1, 1995, the Retirement Plan was amended to provide an enhanced retirement benefit for Company employees who were at least 52 years of age and had at least five years of service as of April 30, 1995. The enhanced benefits were calculated by adding five years of service and five years of age and increasing the basic benefit factor from 1.30 percent to 1.35 percent. Employees who elect to retire during the window period will also receive a benefit that is not reduced from age 62 for early retirement and have an option to receive the benefits in a lump sum. Mr. Benefield was in the group of eligible employees, but has elected not to retire. The "final average earnings" (average annual earnings for the last three years) for purposes of calculating retirement benefits for the executive officers named above in the table as of December 31, 1994, is as follows: $265,082 for Mr. Rose; $165,910 for Mr. Benefield; $155,270 for Mr. Robinson; and $154,770 for Mr. Yeager. (No figure is given for Mr. Cash because his final average earnings for purposes of the Retirement Plan would include compensation paid by the Company's affiliates.) The officer's base salary, cash bonus payments, and value of restricted stock (paid in lieu of cash) reported in the Summary Compensation Table would be included in the calculation of the officer's final average earnings. The amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table are somewhat different than the final average earnings because the latter figures include cash payments when made, not when earned, and the value of restricted stock when granted, not distributed. Dividends on the restricted shares are also included in the officer's final average earnings, but are not reported in the table. The years of credited service for the individuals listed in the compensation table are: 19 years for Mr. Cash; 26 years for Mr. Rose; 17 years for Mr. Benefield; 21 years for Mr. Robinson; and 19 years for Mr. Yeager. The Company also participates in Questar's Executive Incentive Retirement Plan (the EIRP). Under the terms of this nonqualified plan, a participant will receive monthly payments upon retirement until death equal to 10 percent of the highest average monthly compensation (excluding incentive compensation) paid to the officer during any period of 36 consecutive months of employment. The plan also provides for a family benefit in the event of the death of an officer. Although not required to do so, Questar and its affiliates have purchased life insurance on the life of each participant, with Questar named as owner and beneficiary. The covered officers have no rights under or to such insurance policies. All of the Company's officers listed in the compensation table have been nominated to participate in the plan, have satisfied the 15 years of service requirement and have a vested right to receive benefits under the EIRP. The annual benefits payable to the named officers under this plan as of December 31, 1994, are as follows: Mr. Rose, $20,025; Mr. Benefield, $13,396 and Messrs. Robinson and Yeager, $12,743. (No figure is given for Mr. Cash because his compensation for purposes of calculating benefits under the EIRP would include compensation paid by the Company's affiliates.) Any benefits payable under the SERP are offset against payments for the EIRP. Consequently, an officer would not receive any benefits for the SERP unless his benefit under the EIRP was less than the difference between what he could be paid under Questar's Retirement Plan at the date of retirement and what he had earned under such plan absent federal tax limitations. Given this relationship between the two nonqualified plans, the amounts listed in the table above do not include benefits payable under the EIRP. Executive Severance Compensation Plan Questar has an Executive Severance Compensation Plan that covers the Company's executive officers. Under this plan, participants, following a change in control of Questar, are eligible to receive compensation equal to up to two years' salary and miscellaneous benefits upon a voluntary or involuntary termination of their employment, provided that they have continued working or agree to continue working for six months following a potential change in control of Questar. This plan was adopted in 1983 by Mountain Fuel, was assumed by Questar as of October 2, 1984, and was amended and restated effective January 1, 1986. The amended plan also contains a provision that limits compensation and benefits payable under the plan to amounts that can be deducted under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The dollar amounts payable to the Company's executive officers (based on current salaries paid by the Company) in the event of termination of employment following a change in control of Questar are as follows: $480,000 to Mr. Rose; $293,000 to Mr. Benefield; and $268,000 each to Messrs. Yeager and Robinson. (The amount payable to Mr. Cash is not given since such amount is based on each officer's total salary.) The Company's executive officers would also receive certain supplemental retirement benefits, welfare benefits, and cash bonuses. Under the plan, a change in control is defined to include any change in control required to be reported under Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A change in control is also deemed to occur once any person becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities representing 20 percent or more of Questar's outstanding shares of common stock. Directors' Fees All directors receive an annual fee of $4,800 payable in 12 monthly installments and fees of $500 for each meeting of the Board of Directors that they attend. (The annual fee paid to directors was increased from $3,600 as of June 1, 1994, and the meeting fee was increased from $400 per meeting as of the same date.) The Company has a Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors under which directors can elect to defer all or any portion of the fees received for service as directors until their retirement from such service and can choose to have the deferred amounts earn interest as if invested in long-term certificates of deposit or be accounted for with "phantom shares" of Questar's common stock. Upon retirement, the phantom shares of stock are "converted" to their fair market cash equivalent. During 1994, several directors of the Company chose to defer receipt of all or a portion of the compensation earned by them for their service. (Any shares of phantom stock credited to directors are not included in the number of shares listed opposite their names below.) ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The Company is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Questar. The following table sets forth information, as of December 31, 1994, with respect to each person known or believed by Questar to be the beneficial owner of 5 percent or more of its common stock: Shares and Name and Nature of Address of Beneficial Percent Beneficial Owner Ownership of Class First Security Bank of Utah 4,232,694 10.5 N.A., 79 South Main Street Trustee for Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 Company Employee Benefit Plans and Bank/1 Delaware Management Company, Inc. 2,441,300 6.0 1818 Market Street Investment Advisor/2 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 1/Of this total, First Security beneficially owns 4,122,159 shares in its role as trustee of employee benefit plans sponsored by Questar. Participating employees control the voting of such shares. 2/In an initial Schedule 13G dated as of December 31, 1994, Delaware Management Company reported sole voting power for 2,322,500 shares, shared voting power for 30,800 shares, and sole dispositive power for 2,341,300 shares and shared dispositive power for 100,000 shares. The following table sets forth information, as of March 1, 1995, concerning the shares of Questar's common stock beneficially owned by each of the Company's named executive officers and directors and by the Company's executive officers and directors as a group: Shares Owned Percent of Name of Beneficial Owner Beneficially Outstanding Shares Directors Robert H. Bischoff 8,729 *1 R. D. Cash2,3,4,5,6 205,279 .51% W. Whitley Hawkins7 5,120 *1 Robert E. Kadlec7,8 15,350 *1 Dixie L. Leavitt6,7 16,503 *1 Gary G. Michael7 1,400 *1 D. N. Rose2,3,4 60,865 .15% Roy W. Simmons 14,800 *1 Nondirector Executive Officers M. E. Benefield2,3,4 31,307 *1 G. H. Robinson2,3,4 21,331 *1 S. C. Yeager2,3,4 23,965 *1 All directors and executive 487,904 1.2%1 officers (13 individuals)/9 1/Unless otherwise listed, the percentage of shares owned is less than .1 percent. The percentages of beneficial ownership have been calculated in accordance with Rule 13d-3(d)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 2/The Company's executive officers own shares through their participation in Questar's Employee Investment Plan. The number of shares owned through this plan as of December 31, 1994, is as follows for the named officers: Mr. Benefield, 3,916 shares; Mr. Cash, 27,855 shares; Mr. Robinson, 6,887 shares; Mr. Rose, 14,850 shares; and Mr. Yeager, 7,649 shares. 3/The Company's executive officers have been granted nonqualified stock options under Questar's Stock Option Plan and Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan. The number of shares listed opposite the named officers attributable to vested options as of March 1, 1995, is as follows: Mr. Benefield, 6,625; Mr. Cash, 39,373 shares; Mr. Robinson, 6,625; Mr. Rose, 26,950 shares; and Mr. Yeager, 9,000 shares. 4/The Company's executive officers acquired restricted shares of Questar's common stock in partial payment of bonuses earned in the 1993 and 1994 bonus plans. The number of restricted shares beneficially owned by each of the named officers as of March 1, 1995, is as follows: Mr. Benefield, 851 shares; Mr. Cash, 4,683 shares; Mr. Robinson, 808 shares; Mr. Rose, 1,928 shares; and Mr. Yeager, 808 shares. 5/Mr. Cash is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Questar Corporation Educational Foundation and the Questar Corporation Arts Foundation, two nonprofit corporations that own an aggregate of 55,776 shares of Questar's common stock. As the Chairman, Mr. Cash has voting control for such shares, but disclaims any beneficial ownership of them. 6/Of the total shares reported for Mr. Cash, 3,270 shares are owned jointly with his wife and 4,720 are controlled by him as custodian for his son. Messrs. Leavitt and Yeager own their shares of record with their respective wives. 7/Messrs. Hawkins, Kadlec, Leavitt, and Michael, as nonemployee voting directors of Questar, have been granted nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of Questar's common stock as follows: Mr. Hawkins, 4,900 shares; Mr. Kadlec, 11,550 shares; Mr. Leavitt, 10,500 shares, and Mr. Michael, 700 shares. These shares are included in the numbers listed opposite their respective names. 8/Mr. Kadlec's wife owns 200 shares of common stock. Mr. Kadlec has voting control and investment control over such shares. Such shares are included in the shares listed opposite his name. 9/The total number of shares reported for this group includes vested options to purchase 171,473 shares of Questar's common stock. Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation The Company itself has no formal "Compensation Committee." Questar's Board of Directors has a Management Performance Committee that makes recommendations to the Company's Board of Directors concerning base salary and bonus payments. (Questar's Board approves all stock options.) Messrs. Cash and Rose, as directors and officers of the Company, are formally excused from all discussions by the Company's Board involving their compensation. ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS There are no relationships or transactions involving the Company's directors and executive officers. As described above, there are significant business relationships between the Company and its affiliates, particularly Wexpro and Questar Pipeline. Questar, the Company's parent, also provides certain administrative services, e.g., personnel, legal, public relations, financial, tax, and audit to the Company and other members of the consolidated group. The costs of performing such services are allocated to the Company. Questar InfoComm, another affiliate, provides data processing and communication services for the Company; the charges for such services are based on cost of service plus a specified return on assets. See Note I to the financial statements for additional information concerning transactions between the Company and its affiliates. PART IV ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a)(1)(2) Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules. The financial statements identified in the List of Financial Statements are filed as part of this report. (3) Exhibits. The following is a list of exhibits required to be filed as a part of this report in Item 14(c). Exhibit No. Exhibit 3.1.* Restated Consolidated Articles of Incorporation dated August 15, 1980. (Exhibit No. 4(a) to Registration Statement No. 2-70087, filed December 1, 1980.) 3.2.* Certificate of Amendment to Restated Consolidated Articles of Incorporation dated May 13, 1982. (Exhibit No. 3(b) to Form 10-K Annual Report for 1982.) 3.3.* Certificate of Amendment to Restated Consolidated Articles of Incorporation dated May 10, 1983. (Included in Exhibit No. 4.1. to Registration Statement No. 2-84713, filed June 23, 1983.) 3.4.* Certificate of Amendment to Restated Consolidated Articles of Incorporation dated August 16, 1983. (Exhibit No. 3(a) to Form 8 Report amending the Company's Form 10-Q Report for Quarter Ended September 30, 1983.) 3.5.* Certificate of Amendment to Restated Consolidated Articles of Incorporation dated October 26, 1984. (Exhibit No. 3.5. to Form 10-K Annual Report for 1984.) 3.6.* Certificate of Amendment to Restated Consolidated Articles of Incorporation dated May 13, 1985. (Exhibit No. 3.1. to Form 10-Q Report for Quarter Ended June 30, 1985.) 3.7.* Articles of Amendment to Restated Consolidated Articles of Incorporation dated February 10, 1988. (Exhibit No. 3.7. to Form 10-K Annual Report for 1987.) 3.8.* Bylaws (as amended effective August 11, 1992). (Exhibit No. 3.8. to Form 10-K Annual Report for 1992.) 4.* Indenture dated as of May 1, 1992, between the Company and Citibank, as trustee, for the Company's Debt Securities. (Exhibit No. 4. to Form 10-Q Report for Quarter Ended June 30, 1992.) 10.1.* Stipulations and Agreement, dated October 14, 1981, executed by Mountain Fuel Supply Company; Wexpro Company; the Utah Department of Business Regulations, Division of Public Utilities; the Utah Committee of Consumer Services; and the staff of the Public Service Commission of Wyoming. (Exhibit No. 10(a) to Form 10-K Annual Report for 1981.) 10.7.* Data Processing Services Agreement effective July 1, 1985, between Questar Service Corporation and Mountain Fuel Supply Company. (Exhibit 10.7. to Form 10-K Annual Report for 1988.) 10.8. 1 Mountain Fuel Supply Company Annual Management Incentive Plan as amended and restated effective February 14, 1995. 10.9.*1 Mountain Fuel Supply Company Window Period Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan effective January 24, 1991. (Exhibit No. 10.9. to Form 10-K Annual Report for 1990.) 10.10.1 Mountain Fuel Supply Company Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors as amended and restated effective April 30, 1991. 10.11. Gas Gathering Agreement between Mountain Fuel Supply Company and Questar Pipeline Company effective September 1, 1993. 25. Power of Attorney. 27. Financial Data Schedule. *Exhibits so marked have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the referenced filing and are incorporated herein by reference. 1 Exhibits so marked are management contracts or compensation plans or arrangements. (b) Mountain Fuel did not file any Current Reports on Form 8-K during the last quarter of 1994. ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K ITEM 8. ITEM 14 (a) (1) and (2), (c) and (d) LIST OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 MOUNTAIN FUEL SUPPLY COMPANY SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH FORM 10-K--ITEM 14 (a) (1) and (2) MOUNTAIN FUEL SUPPLY COMPANY LIST OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES The following financial statements of Mountain Fuel Supply Company are included in Item 8: Statements of income -- Years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992 Balance sheets -- December 31, 1994 and 1993 Statements of common shareholder's equity -- Years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992 Statements of cash flows -- Years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992 Notes to financial statements Financial schedules, for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted. Report of Independent Auditors Board of Directors Mountain Fuel Supply Company We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Mountain Fuel Supply Company as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the related statements of income, common shareholder's equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1994. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Mountain Fuel Supply Company at December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1994, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. As discussed in Note H to the financial statements, Mountain Fuel Supply Company changed its method of accounting for postemployment benefits. ERNST & YOUNG LLP Salt Lake City, Utah February 10, 1995, except for Note G as to which the date is March 5, 1995 MOUNTAIN FUEL SUPPLY COMPANY STATEMENTS OF INCOME Year Ended December 31, 1994 1993 1992 (In Thousands) REVENUES - Note I $378,260 $402,391 $373,047 OPERATING EXPENSES Natural gas purchases From affiliates - Note I 132,889 174,401 210,911 From unaffiliated parties 77,618 55,738 7,212 Total natural gas purchases 210,507 230,139 218,123 Operating and maintenance - Note I 94,094 92,486 79,975 Depreciation and amortization 24,749 23,244 20,713 Other taxes 9,589 10,013 9,839 TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 338,939 355,882 328,650 OPERATING INCOME 39,321 46,509 44,397 INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME 7,820 1,692 1,703 DEBT EXPENSE (15,886) (15,423) (15,254) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 31,255 32,778 30,846 INCOME TAXES - Note E 7,903 7,709 7,451 NET INCOME $23,352 $25,069 $23,395
See notes to financial statements. MOUNTAIN FUEL SUPPLY COMPANY BALANCE SHEETS ASSETS LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
December 31, 1994 1993 (In Thousands) CURRENT LIABILITIES Notes payable to Questar - Notes B and D $53,500 $57,800 Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts payable 22,566 27,207 Accounts payable to affiliates 11,677 19,010 Federal income taxes payable 1,649 1,186 Other taxes 36 5,684 Accrued interest 3,730 3,377 Other 9,412 8,284 Total accounts payable and accrued expenses 49,070 64,748 Purchased-gas adjustments 17,071 25,727 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 119,641 148,275 LONG-TERM DEBT - Notes B and D 175,000 158,000 OTHER LIABILITIES Unbilled gas revenues - Note F 20,721 26,489 Other 562 674 TOTAL OTHER LIABILITIES 21,283 27,163 DEFERRED INVESTMENT TAX CREDITS 7,541 7,941 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES - Note E 55,025 49,923 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Note F REDEEMABLE CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK - Notes C and D 6,324 7,525 COMMON SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY Common stock - par value $2.50 per share; authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 9,189,626 shares 22,974 22,974 Additional paid-in capital 41,875 21,875 Retained earnings 140,612 137,351 TOTAL COMMON SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY 205,461 182,200 $590,275 $581,027
See notes to financial statements. MOUNTAIN FUEL SUPPLY COMPANY STATEMENTS OF COMMON SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
Additional Common Paid-in Retained Stock Capital Earnings (In Thousands) Balances at January 1, 1992 $22,974 $21,875 $126,382 1992 net income 23,395 Payment of dividends Preferred stock (800) Common stock (18,000) Balances at December 31, 1992 22,974 21,875 130,977 1993 net income 25,069 Payment of dividends Preferred stock (695) Common stock (18,000) Balances at December 31, 1993 22,974 21,875 137,351 Capital contribution 20,000 1994 net income 23,352 Payment of dividends Preferred stock (591) Common stock (19,500) Balances at December 31, 1994 $22,974 $41,875 $140,612
See notes to financial statements. MOUNTAIN FUEL SUPPLY COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31, 1994 1993 1992 (In Thousand) OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $23,352 $25,069 $23,395 Depreciation and amortization 27,337 25,492 22,922 Deferred income taxes 5,102 (1,906) 2,973 Deferred investment tax credits (400) (412) (453) 55,391 48,243 48,837 Changes in operating assets and liabilities Accounts receivable 7,448 38 5,045 Inventories (969) (20,869) 903 Prepaid expenses and deposits 460 336 (888) Accounts payable and accrued expenses (16,141) 10,668 (5,581) Federal income taxes 463 1,706 525 Purchased-gas adjustments (8,656) 4,686 4,586 Other (4,853) (7,669) (2,827) Net cash provided from operating activities 33,143 37,139 50,600 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures (53,816) (50,658) (55,721) Proceeds from disposition and transfer of property, plant and equipment 9,482 991 915 Cash used in investing activities (44,334) (49,667) (54,806) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Capital contribution 20,000 Redemption of preferred stock (1,201) (1,201) (1,229) Issuance of long-term debt 17,000 91,000 67,000 Redemption of long-term debt (99,126) (49,827) Change in notes payable to Questar (4,300) 38,900 5,900 Payment of dividends (20,091) (18,695) (18,800) Cash provided from financing activities 11,408 10,878 3,044 Change in cash and short-term investments 217 (1,650) (1,162) Beginning cash and short-term investments 2,312 3,962 5,124 Ending cash and short-term investments $2,529 $2,312 $3,962 NONCASH TRANSACTION Recording of unbilled revenues $27,313
See notes to financial statements. MOUNTAIN FUEL SUPPLY COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note A - Summary of Accounting Policies Mountain Fuel Supply Company (the Company or Mountain Fuel) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Questar Corporation (Questar). Business and Regulation: The Company's business consists of natural gas distribution operations for industrial, residential and commercial customers. Mountain Fuel is regulated by the Public Service Commission of Utah (PSCU) and the Public Service Commission of Wyoming (PSCW). These regulatory agencies establish rates for the sale and transportation of natural gas. The regulatory agencies also regulate, among other things, the extension and enlargement or abandonment of jurisdictional natural gas facilities. Regulation is intended to permit the recovery, through rates, of the cost of service including, a rate of return on investment. The financial statements are presented in accordance with regulatory requirements. Methods of allocating costs to time periods, in order to match revenues and expenses, may differ from those of nonregulated businesses because of cost allocation methods used in establishing rates. Revenue Recognition: Revenues are recognized in the period that services are provided or products are delivered. In 1993, Mountain Fuel began accruing gas distribution revenues for gas delivered to residential and commercial customers but not billed at the end of the accounting period. Mountain Fuel periodically collect revenues subject to possible refunds pending final orders from regulatory agencies. In these situations the Company establishes reserves for revenues collected subject to refund. Purchased-Gas Adjustments: Mountain Fuel accounts for purchased-gas costs in accordance with procedures authorized by the PSCU and PSCW whereby purchased-gas costs that are different from those provided for in the present rates are accumulated and recovered or credited through future rate changes. Credit Risk: The Company's primary market area is the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. The Company's exposure to credit risk may be impacted by the concentration of customers in this region due to changes in economic or other conditions. The Company's customers include individuals and numerous industries that may be affected differently by changing conditions. The Company believes that it has adequately reserved for expected credit-related losses and that the carrying amount of trade receivables approximates fair value. Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. The provision for depreciation and amortization is based upon rates which will amortize costs of assets over their estimated useful lives. The costs of natural gas distribution property, plant and equipment, excluding gas wells, are amortized using the straight-line method. The costs of gas wells were amortized using the unit-of-production method at $.17 per Mcf of natural gas production during 1994. Income Taxes: On January 1, 1992, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 109. The deferred tax balances represent the temporary differences between book and taxable income multiplied by the effective income tax rates. These temporary differences relate primarily to depreciation, unbilled revenues and purchased-gas adjustments. The Company uses the deferral method to account for investment tax credits as required by regulatory commissions. Reacquisition of Debt: Gains and losses on the reacquisition of debt are deferred and amortized as debt expense over the life of the replacement debt in order to match regulatory treatment. Allowance for Funds Used During Construction: The Company capitalizes the cost of capital during the construction period of plant and equipment using a method required by regulatory authorities. This amounted to $397,000 in 1994, $528,000 in 1993 and $588,000 in 1992. Cash and Short-Term Investments: Short-term investments consist principally of Euro-time deposits and repurchase agreements with maturities of three months or less. Note B - Debt The Company has a short-term line-of-credit arrangement with a bank under which it may borrow up to $500,000, below the prime interest rate. The arrangements are renewable on an annual basis. At December 31, 1994, no amounts were borrowed under this arrangement. Questar loans funds to the Company under a short-term borrowing arrangement. Outstanding short-term notes payable to Questar totaled $53,500,000 with an interest rate of 6.11% at December 31, 1994. Outstanding short-term notes payable to Questar totaled $57,800,000 with an interest rate of 3.59% at December 31, 1993. Mountain Fuel's long-term debt consists of medium-term notes with interest rates ranging from 7.19% to 8.43%, due 2007 to 2024. The balances at December 31 were $175 million in 1994 and $158 million in 1993. During the second quarter of 1994 Mountain Fuel issued $17 million of 30-year notes at an 8.12% interest rate. Mountain Fuel used proceeds from these notes for capital expenditures and operations. There are no maturities of long-term debt for the five years following December 31, 1994 nor long-term debt provisions restricting the payment of dividends. Cash paid for interest was $15,290,000 in 1994, $14,698,000 in 1993 and $15,970,000 in 1992. Note C - Redeemable Cumulative Preferred Stock Mountain Fuel has authorized 4,000,000 shares of nonvoting redeemable cumulative preferred stock with no par value. The two current outstanding issues of stock have a stated and redemption value of $100 per share.
8% Series $8.625 Series (In Thousands) Balance at January 1, 1992 $5,155 $4,800 1992 redemption of stock (29) (1,200) 1993 redemption of stock (1) (1,200) 1994 redemption of stock (1) (1,200) Balance at December 31, 1994 $5,124 $1,200
Redemption requirements for the five years following December 31, 1994, are as follows: (In Thousands) 1995 $685 1996 780 1997 180 1998 180 1999 180 Note D - Financial Instruments The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments were as follows:
December 31, 1994 December 31, 1993 Carrying Estimated Carrying Estimated Amount Fair Value Amount Fair Value (In Thousands) Financial assets Cash and short-term investments $2,529 $2,529 $2,312 $2,312 Financial liabilities Short-term loans 53,500 53,500 57,800 57,800 Long-term-debt 175,000 163,952 158,000 175,825 Redeemable cumulative preferred stock 6,324 6,377 7,525 7,654
The Company used the following methods and assumptions in estimating fair values: (1) Cash and short-term investments - the carrying amount approximates fair value; (2) Short-term loans - the carrying amount approximates fair value; (3) Long-term debt - the fair value of the medium-term notes is based on the discounted present value of cash flows using the Company's current borrowing rates; (4) Redeemable cumulative preferred stock - the fair value is based on the discounted present value of cash flows using current preferred stock rates. Fair value is calculated at a point in time and does not represent what the Company would pay to retire the debt securities. Note E - Income Taxes The Company's operations are consolidated with those of Questar and its subsidiaries for income tax purposes. The income tax arrangement between Mountain Fuel and Questar provides that amounts paid to or received from Questar are substantially the same as would be paid or received by the Company if it filed a separate return. Mountain Fuel also receives payment for tax benefits used in the consolidated tax return even if such benefits would not have been usable had the Company filed a separate return. Mountain Fuel records cumulative increases in deferred taxes as income taxes recoverable from customers. The Company has adopted procedures with its regulatory commissions to include under-provided deferred taxes in customer rates on a systematic basis. The components of income taxes were as follows: Year Ended December 31, 1994 1993 1992 (In Thousands) Federal Current $2,717 $9,301 $4,037 Deferred 4,527 (2,739) 2,581 State Current 484 1,428 894 Deferred 575 131 392 Deferred investment tax credits (400) (412) (453) $7,903 $7,709 $7,451
The difference between income tax expense and the tax computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes is explained as follows:
Year Ended December 31, 1994 1993 1992 (In Thousands) Income before income taxes $31,255 $32,778 $30,846 Federal income taxes at statutory rate $10,939 $11,472 $10,488 State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 890 1,059 849 Tight-sands gas production credits (4,670) (5,463) (4,281) Investment tax credits (400) (412) (453) Deferred taxes related to regulated assets for which deferred taxes were not provided in prior years 921 921 921 Other 223 132 (73) Income tax expense $7,903 $7,709 $7,451 Effective income tax rate 25.3% 23.5% 24.2%
Significant components of the Company's deferred tax liabilities and assets were as follows:
December 31, 1994 1993 (In Thousands) Deferred tax liabilities Property, plant and equipment $70,496 $67,530 Unamortized debt reacquisition costs 4,022 4,211 Pension costs 360 1,242 Income taxes recoverable from customers 3,430 4,428 Other 3,023 3,347 Total deferred tax liabilities 81,331 80,758 Deferred tax assets Purchased-gas adjustments 8,486 11,477 Unbilled revenues 7,574 9,780 Deferred investment tax credits 2,874 3,274 Alternative minimum tax and production credit carryovers 5,701 4,035 Other 1,671 2,269 Total deferred tax assets 26,306 30,835 Net deferred tax liabilities $55,025 $49,923
Cash paid for income taxes was $6,404,000 in 1994, $8,631,000 in 1993 and $6,805,000 in 1992. Note F - Rate Matters, Litigation and Commitments The PSCU issued a rate order in January 1994 granting Mountain Fuel a $1.6 million decrease in general rates and a $2.1 million increase in costs allowed through the purchase-gas adjustment account for a net increase in rates of $500,000. The PSCU allowed a return on equity of 11%, required Mountain Fuel to reduce rates over a five-year period for unbilled revenues, and disallowed rate coverage for certain incentive compensation and advertising costs. Mountain Fuel requested rehearing of the PSCU's decision regarding return on equity and unbilled revenues. In a ruling issued December 1, 1994, the PSCU reaffirmed its position on the allowed return on equity and the treatment of unbilled revenues. In 1993 Mountain Fuel began accruing revenues for gas delivered to residential and commercial customers but not billed at the end of the year. The impact of these accruals on the income statement has been deferred and is being recognized at the rate of $2,011,000 per year over a five-year period beginning in 1994 in accordance with a rate order received from the PSCU. This rate order also reduces customer rates by $2,011,000 per year over the same five-year period. In addition, Mountain Fuel recorded other income of $5,589,000 for a one-time reduction of gas costs associated with these unbilled revenues. This transaction added about $3.5 million to net income in 1994. Each year Mountain Fuel purchases significant quantities of natural gas under numerous gas- purchase contracts with varying terms and conditions. Purchases under these agreements totalled $73,682,000 in 1994, $85,909,000 in 1993 and $104,032,000 in 1992. Some of the agreements have terms that obligate Mountain Fuel to purchase specific quantities on a periodic basis into the future, while a few contracts have take-or-pay provisions that obligate Mountain Fuel to take delivery of a minimum amount of gas on an annual basis. Projected natural gas purchase commitments for the next five years are reported in the table below. These commitments are based upon current market conditions. Future changes will occur as a result of negotiations with suppliers and changes in market conditions. (In Millions) 1995 $24.4 1996 9.6 1997 5.4 1998 3.3 1999 3.1 The Company has received notice that it may be partially liable in several environmental clean-up actions on sites that involve numerous other parties. Management believes that the Company's responsibility for remediation will be minor and that any potential liability will not be significant to the results of operations or its financial position. Mountain Fuel is responsible for a judgment in a lawsuit involving the Company, Questar Pipeline and a gas producer. In March 1994, a jury awarded the gas producer damages of approximately $6.3 million on claims involving take-or-pay, tax reimbursement and breach of contract. Mountain Fuel expects that the judgment will be included in its gas balancing account and recovered through customer rates. The judgment is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity. There are various legal proceedings against the Company. While it is not currently possible to predict or determine the outcome of these proceedings, it is the opinion of management that the outcome will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity. Note G - Subsequent Event Mountain Fuel filed a general rate case in the State of Utah on March 3, 1995 requesting a $9.6 million increase in revenues, a 12.5% return on equity and a weather normalization adjustment mechanism. Management believes the rate increase is necessary to secure an appropriate allowed rate of return and to recover the costs of record customer growth. Mountain Fuel believes the proposed weather adjustment mechanism would benefit customers, whose bills would be less variable, and the Company, which would have more stability in its revenues. Note H - Employee Benefits Substantially all Company employees are covered by Questar's defined benefit pension plan. Benefits are generally based on years of service and the employee's 36-month period of highest earnings during the ten years preceding retirement. It is Questar's policy to make contributions to the plan at least sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements of applicable laws and regulations. Plan assets consist principally of equity securities and corporate and U.S. government debt obligations. Pension cost was $2,962,000 in 1994, $3,251,000 in 1993 and $2,991,000 in 1992. Mountain Fuel's portion of plan assets and benefit obligations is not determinable because the plan assets are not segregated or restricted to meet the Company's pension obligations. If the Company were to withdraw from the pension plan, the pension obligation for the Company's employees would be retained by the pension plan. At December 31, 1994, Questar's fair value of plan assets exceeded the accumulated benefit obligation. The Company participates in Questar's Employee Investment Plan, which allows the majority of employees to purchase Questar stock or other investments with payroll deductions. The Company makes contributions to the plan of approximately 75% of the employee's purchases. The Company's expense and contribution to the plan was $1,274,000 in 1994, $1,167,000 in 1993 and $1,194,000 in 1992. The Company participates in a Questar program that pays a portion of the health-care costs and all the life insurance costs for retired employees. Questar's policy is to fund amounts allowable for tax deduction under the Internal Revenue Code. Plan assets consist of equity securities, corporate and U.S. government debt obligations, and insurance company general accounts. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 106 on Employer's Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions effective January 1, 1993. This statement requires the Company to expense the costs of postretirement benefits, principally health-care benefits, over the service life of employees using an accrual method. Questar is amortizing the transition obligation over a 20-year period. Total costs of postretirement benefits other than pensions under SFAS No. 106 was $3,584,000 in 1994 and $3,350,000 in 1993 compared with the cost based on cash payments to retirees totaling $876,000 in 1992. The impact of SFAS No. 106 on the Company's future net income will be mitigated by recovery of these costs from customers. Both the PSCU and the PSCW allowed Mountain Fuel to recover future SFAS No. 106 costs in the 1993 rate cases if the amounts are funded in an external trust. The Company's portion of plan assets and benefit obligations related to postretirement medical and life insurance benefits is not determinable because the plan assets are not segregated or restricted to meet the Company's obligations. The Company adopted SFAS No.112, Accounting for Postemployment Benefits, on January 1, 1994, by establishing a liability of $1,538,000 offset by a regulatory asset. This statement requires the Company to recognize the net present value of the liability for postemployment benefits, such as long-term disability benefits and health care and life insurance costs, when employees become eligible for such benefits. Postemployment benefits are paid to former employees after employment has been terminated but before retirement benefits are paid. SFAS No.112 requires the Company to accrue both current and future costs which formerly had been recorded when cash was paid. By December 1994 the total liability had dropped from $1,538,000 to $1,039,000 as a result of designating Medicare as the primary health care provider and increasing the discount rate from 7% to 8.5%. At year-end 1994, Mountain Fuel expensed SFAS No. 112 costs previously recorded as a regulatory asset. Note I - Related Party Transactions The Company receives a portion of Wexpro's income from oil operations after recovery of Wexpro's operating expenses and a return on investment. This amount, which is included in revenues, was $3,391,000 in 1994, $1,028,000 in 1993 and $3,389,000 in 1992. The Company paid Wexpro for the operation of Company-owned gas properties. These costs are included in natural gas purchases and amounted to $57,870,000 in 1994, $49,595,000 in 1993 and $43,324,000 in 1992. Mountain Fuel purchased gas from Questar Pipeline amounting to $81,813,000 in 1993 and $135,779,000 in 1992. The Company did not purchase gas from Questar Pipeline subsequent to September 1, 1993 when Questar Pipeline began operating in accordance with FERC Order No. 636. Also included in natural gas purchases are amounts paid to Questar Pipeline for the transportation, storage and gathering of Company-owned gas and purchased gas. These costs were $70,945,000 in 1994, $38,862,000 in 1993 and $31,808,000 in 1992. Mountain Fuel began paying for storage as a separate service subsequent to the implementation of FERC Order No. 636. Mountain Fuel has reserved transportation capacity on Questar Pipeline's system of approximately 800,000 decatherms per day and pays an annual demand charge of approximately $46.3 million for this reservation. Mountain Fuel releases excess capacity to its industrial transportation or other customers and receives a credit from Questar Pipeline for the released-capacity revenues and a portion of Questar Pipeline's interruptible-transportation revenues. Questar InfoComm Inc. is an affiliated company that provides data processing and communication services to Mountain Fuel. The Company paid Questar InfoComm $15,996,000 in 1994, $14,847,000 in 1993 and $12,437,000 in 1992. Questar charges Mountain Fuel for certain administrative functions amounting to $5,814,000 in 1994, $5,609,000 in 1993 and $5,517,000 in 1992. These costs are included in operating and maintenance expenses and are allocated based on each affiliated company's proportional share of revenues less gas costs; property, plant and equipment; and labor costs. Management believes that the allocation method is reasonable. The Company received interest income from affiliated companies of $225,000 in 1994, $327,000 in 1993, and $740,000 in 1992. The Company had debt expense to affiliated companies of $134,000 in 1994, $21,000 in 1993, and $39,000 in 1992. Note J - Oil and Gas Producing Activities (Unaudited) The following information discusses the Company's oil and gas producing activities. All of the properties are cost-of-service properties with the return on investment established by state regulatory agencies. Mountain Fuel has not incurred any costs for oil and gas producing activities for the three years ended December 31, 1993. Wexpro develops and produces gas reserves owned by the Company. See Note I for the amounts paid by Mountain Fuel to Wexpro. Estimated Quantities of Proved Oil and Gas Reserves: The following estimates were made by Questar's reservoir engineers. Reserve estimates are based on a complex and highly interpretive process which is subject to continuous revision as additional production and development drilling information becomes available. The quantities are based on existing economic and operating conditions using current prices and operating costs. All oil and gas reserves reported are located in the United States. Mountain Fuel does not have any long-term supply contracts with foreign governments or reserves of equity investees. No estimates are available for proved undeveloped reserves that may exist.
Natural Gas Oil (In Million (In Thousands Cubic Feet) of Barrels) Proved Developed Reserves Balance at January 1, 1992 379,771 814 Revisions of estimates 5,891 68 Extensions and discoveries 43,682 5 Sale of reserves in place (34) Production (29,699) (100) Balance at December 31, 1992 399,611 787 Revisions of estimates (1,158) 57 Extensions and discoveries 65,293 9 Production (35,508) (81) Balance at December 31, 1993 428,238 772 Revisions of estimates (576) (13) Extensions and discoveries 26,085 13 Production (37,435) (65) Balance at December 31, 1994 416,312 707
SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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, on the 28th day of March, 1995. MOUNTAIN FUEL SUPPLY COMPANY (Registrant) By /s/ D. N. Rose D. N. Rose President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated. /s/ D. N. Rose President and Chief Executive D. N. Rose Officer; Director (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ W. F. Edwards Vice President and Chief W. F. Edwards Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) /s/ G. H. Robinson Vice President and Controller G. H. Robinson (Principal Accounting Officer) *Robert H. Bischoff Director *R. D. Cash Chairman of the Board *W. Whitley Hawkins Director *Robert E. Kadlec Director *Dixie L. Leavitt Director *Gary G. Michael Director *D. N. Rose Director March 28, 1995 *By /s/ D. N. Rose Date D. N. Rose, Attorney in Fact EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number Exhibit 3.1.* Restated Consolidated Articles of Incorporation dated August 15, 1980. (Exhibit No. 4(a) to Registration Statement No. 2-70087, filed December 1, 1980.) 3.2.* Certificate of Amendment to Restated Consolidated Articles of Incorporation dated May 13, 1982. (Exhibit No. 3(b) to Form 10-K Annual Report for 1982.) 3.3.* Certificate of Amendment to Restated Consolidated Articles of Incorporation dated May 10, 1983. (Included in Exhibit No. 4.1. to Registration Statement No. 2-84713, filed June 23, 1983.) 3.4.* Certificate of Amendment to Restated Consolidated Articles of Incorporation dated August 16, 1983. (Exhibit No. 3(a) to Form 8 Report amending the Company's Form 10-Q Report for Quarter Ended September 30, 1983.) 3.5.* Certificate of Amendment to Restated Consolidated Articles of Incorporation dated October 26, 1984. (Exhibit No. 3.5. to Form 10-K Annual Report for 1984.) 3.6.* Certificate of Amendment to Restated Consolidated Articles of Incorporation dated May 13, 1985. (Exhibit No. 3.1. to Form 10-Q Report for Quarter Ended June 30, 1985.) 3.7.* Articles of Amendment to Restated Consolidated Articles of Incorporation dated February 10, 1988. (Exhibit No. 3.7. to Form 10-K Annual Report for 1987.) 3.8.* Bylaws (as amended effective August 11, 1992). (Exhibit No. 3.8. to Form 10-K Annual Report for 1992.) 4.* Indenture dated as of May 1, 1992, between the Company and Citibank, as trustee, for the Company's Debt Securities. (Exhibit No. 4. to Form 10-Q Report for Quarter Ended June 30, 1992.) 10.1.* Stipulations and Agreement, dated October 14, 1981, executed by Mountain Fuel Supply Company; Wexpro Company; the Utah Department of Business Regulations, Division of Public Utilities; the Utah Committee of Consumer Services; and the staff of the Public Service Commission of Wyoming. (Exhibit No. 10(a) to Form 10-K Annual Report for 1981.) 10.7.* Data Processing Services Agreement effective July 1, 1985, between Questar Service Corporation and Mountain Fuel Supply Company. (Exhibit 10.7. to Form 10-K Annual Report for 1988.) 10.8. 1 Mountain Fuel Supply Company Annual Management Incentive Plan as amended and restated effective February 14, 1995. 10.9.* 1 Mountain Fuel Supply Company Window Period Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan effective January 24, 1991. (Exhibit No. 10.9. to Form 10-K Annual Report for 1990.) 10.10. 1 Mountain Fuel Supply Company Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors as amended and restated effective April 30, 1991. 10.11. Gas Gathering Agreement between Mountain Fuel Supply Company and Questar Pipeline Company effective September 1, 1993. 25. Power of Attorney. 27. Financial Data Schedule. *Exhibits so marked have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the referenced filing and are incorporated herein by reference. 1 Exhibits so marked are management contracts or compensation plans or arrangements.
EX-10.8 2 EXHIBIT-10.8 MOUNTAIN FUEL SUPPLY COMPANY ANNUAL MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN (As amended effective February 14, 1995) Paragraph 1. Name. The name of this Plan is the Mountain Fuel Supply Company Annual Management Incentive Plan (the Plan). Paragraph 2. Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to provide an incentive to officers and key employees of Mountain Fuel Supply Company (the Company) for the accomplishment of major organizational and individual objectives designed to further the efficiency, profitability, and growth of the Company. Paragraph 3. Administration. The Management Performance Committee (Committee) of the Board of Directors shall have full power and authority to interpret and administer the Plan. Such Committee shall consist of no less than three disinterested members of the Board of Directors. Paragraph 4. Participation. Within 60 days after the beginning of each year, the Committee shall nominate Participants from the officers and key employees for such year. The Committee shall also establish a target bonus for the year for each Participant expressed as a percentage of base salary. Participants shall be notified of their selection and their target bonus as soon as practicable. Paragraph 5. Determination of Performance Objectives. Within 60 days after the beginning of each year, the Committee shall establish target, minimum, and maximum performance objectives for the Company and for its operating subsidiaries and shall determine the manner in which the target bonus is allocated among the performance objectives. The Committee shall also recommend a dollar maximum for payments to Participants for any Plan year. The Board of Directors shall take action concerning the recommended dollar maximum within 60 days after the beginning of the Plan year. Participants shall be notified of the performance objectives as soon as practicable once such objectives have been established. Paragraph 6. Determination and Distribution of Awards. As soon as practicable, but in no event more than 90 days after the close of each year during which the Plan is in effect, the Committee shall compute incentive awards for eligible participants in such amounts as the members deem fair and equitable, giving consideration to the degree to which the Participant's performance has contributed to the performance of the Company and its affiliated companies and using the target bonuses and performance objectives previously specified. Aggregate awards calculated under the Plan shall not exceed the maximum limits approved by the Board of Directors for the year involved. To be eligible to receive a payment, the Participant must be actively employed by the Company or an affiliate as of the date of distribution except as provided in Paragraph 8. Beginning with the 1995 plan year, an assessment of individual performance will be formally included in determining the bonus awarded to any eligible Participant. Eligible Participants are only entitled to receive 80 percent of the bonus amounts calculated on the basis of performance objectives The remaining 20 percent of such bonus amounts will be aggregated together in a pool and be available for allocation among such Participants on the basis of their individual performance. Amounts shall be paid (less appropriate withholding taxes and FICA deductions) according to the following schedule: Award Distribution Schedule Percent of Award Date Initial Award 75% As soon as possible after (First Year of initial award is determined Participation) 25 One year after initial award is determined 100% Subsequent Awards 50% As soon as possible after award is determined 25 One year after award is determined 25 Two years after award is determined 100% Paragraph 7. Restricted Stock in Lieu of Cash. For 1992 and subsequent years, participants who have a target bonus of $10,000 or higher shall be paid all deferred portions of such bonus with restricted shares of the Company's common stock under the Company's Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan. Such stock shall be granted to the participant when the initial award is determined, but shall vest free of restrictions according to the schedule specified above in Paragraph 6. Paragraph 8. Termination of Employment. (a) In the event a Participant ceases to be an employee during a year by reason of death, disability or approved retirement, an award, if any, determined in accordance with Paragraph 6 for the year of such event, shall be reduced to reflect partial participation by multiplying the award by a fraction equal to the months of participation during the applicable year through the date of termination rounded up to whole months divided by 12. For the purpose of this Plan, approved retirement shall mean any termination of service on or after age 60, or, with approval of the Board of Directors, early retirement under the Company's qualified retirement plan. For the purpose of this Plan, disability shall mean any termination of service that results in payments under the Company's long-term disability plan. The entire amount of any award that is determined after the death of a Participant shall be paid in accordance with the terms of Paragraph 11. In the event of termination of employment due to disability or approved retirement, a Participant shall be paid the undistributed portion of any prior awards in his final paycheck or in accordance with the terms of elections to voluntarily defer receipt of awards earned prior to February 12, 1991, or deferred under the terms of the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan. In the event of termination due to disability or approved retirement, any shares of common stock previously credited to a Participant shall be distributed free of restrictions as of the final date of employment. The current market value (defined as the closing price for the stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date in question) of such shares shall be included in the Participant's final paycheck. Such Participant shall be paid the full amount of any award (adjusted for partial participation) declared subsequent to the date of such termination within 30 days of the date of declaration. Any partial payments shall be made in cash. (b) In the event a Participant ceases to be an employee during a year by reason of a change of control, he shall be entitled to receive all amounts deferred by him prior to February 12, 1991, or under the terms of the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan, and all undistributed portions for prior Plan years. He shall also be entitled to an award for the year of such event as if he had been an employee throughout such year. The entire amount of any award for such year shall be paid in a lump sum within 60 days after the end of the year in question. Such amounts shall be paid in cash. For the purpose of this Plan, a "change of control" shall be defined as (i) any person (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Act is or becomes the beneficial owner (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 under the Act) of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company, or (ii) the stockholders of the Company approve (A) a plan of merger or consolidation of the Company (unless, immediately following consummation of such merger or consolidation, the persons who held the Company's voting securities immediately prior to consummation thereof will hold at least a majority of the total voting power of the surviving or new company), or (B) a sale or disposition of all or substantially all assets of the Company, or (C) plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Company. A change of control shall also include any act or event that, with the passage of time, would result in a Distribution Date, within the meaning of the Rights Agreement dated as of March 14, 1986, and as amended on May 16, 1989, between the Company and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York. Paragraph 9. Interest on Previously Deferred Amounts. Amounts voluntarily deferred prior to February 12, 1991, shall be credited with interest from the date the payment was first available in cash to the date of actual payment. Such interest shall be calculated at a monthly rate using the typical rates paid by major banks on new issues of negotiable Certificates of Deposit in the amounts of $1,000,000 or more for one year as quoted in The Wall Street Journal on the first day of the relevant calendar month or the next preceding business day if the first day of the month is a non-business day. Paragraph 10. Coordination with Deferred Compensation Plan. Some Participants are entitled to defer the receipt of their cash bonuses under the terms of the Questar Corporation's Deferred Compensation Plan, which became effective November 1, 1993. Any cash bonuses deferred pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan shall be accounted for and distributed according to the terms of such plan and the choices made by the Participant. Paragraph 11. Death and Beneficiary Designation. In the event of the death of a Participant, any undistributed portions of prior awards shall become payable. Amounts previously deferred by the Participant, together with credited interest to the date of death, shall also become payable. Each Participant shall designate a beneficiary to receive any amounts that become payable after death under this Paragraph or Paragraph 8. In the event that no valid beneficiary designation exists at death, all amounts due shall be paid as a lump sum to the estate of the Participant. Any shares of restricted stock previously credited to the Participant shall be distributed to the Participant's beneficiary or, in the absence of a valid beneficiary designation, to the Participant's estate, at the same time any cash is paid. Paragraph 12. Amendment of Plan. The Company's Board of Directors, at any time, may amend, modify, suspend, or terminate the Plan, but such action shall not affect the awards and the payment of such awards for any prior years. The Company's Board of Directors cannot terminate the Plan in any year in which a change of control has occurred without the written consent of the Participants. The Plan shall be deemed suspended for any year for which the Board of Directors has not fixed a maximum dollar amount available for award. Paragraph 13. Nonassignability. No right or interest of any Participant under this Plan shall be assignable or transferable in whole or in part, either directly or by operation of law or otherwise, including, but not by way of limitation, execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge, bankruptcy, or in any other manner, and no right or interest of any Participant under the Plan shall be liable for, or subject to, any obligation or liability of such Participant. Any assignment, transfer, or other act in violation of this provision shall be void. Paragraph 14. Effective Date of the Plan. The Plan shall be effective with respect to the fiscal year beginning January 1, 1984, and shall remain in effect until it is suspended or terminated as provided by Paragraph 12. EX-10.10 3 EXHIBIT - 10.10. MOUNTAIN FUEL SUPPLY COMPANY DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR DIRECTORS (As Amended and Restated April 30, 1991) 1. Purpose of Plan. The purpose of the Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors ("Plan") is to provide Directors of Mountain Fuel Supply Company (the "Company") with an opportunity to defer compensation paid to them for their services as Directors of the Company and to maintain a Deferred Account Balance until they cease to serve as Directors of the Company or its affiliates. 2. Eligibility. Subject to the conditions specified in this Plan or otherwise set by the Company's Board of Directors, all voting Directors of the Company who receive compensation for their service as Directors are eligible to participate in the Plan. Eligible Directors are referred to as "Directors." Directors who elect to defer receipt of fees or who have account balances are referred to as "Participants" in this Plan. 3. Administration. The Company's Board of Directors shall administer the Plan and shall have full authority to make such rules and regulations deemed necessary or desirable to administer the Plan and to interpret its provisions. 4. Election to Defer Compensation. (a) Time of Election. A Director can elect to defer future compensation or to change the nature of his election for future compensation by submitting a notice prior to the beginning of the calendar year. A newly elected Director is entitled to make a choice within five days of the date of his election or appointment to serve as a Director to defer payment of compensation for future service. An election shall continue in effect until the termination of the Participant's service as a Director or until the end of the calendar year during which the Director serves written notice of the discontinuance of his election. All notices of election, change of election, or discontinuance of election shall be made on forms prepared by the Corporate Secretary and shall be dated, signed, and filed with the Corporate Secretary. A notice of change of election or discontinuance of election shall operate prospectively from the beginning of the calendar year, but any compensation deferred shall continue to be held and shall be paid in accordance with the notice of election under which it was withheld. (b) Amount of Deferral. A Participant may elect to defer receipt of all or a specified portion of the compensation payable to him for serving as a Director and attending Board and Committee Meetings as a Director. For purposes of this Plan, compensation does not include any funds paid to a Director to reimburse him for ex (c) Period of Deferral. When making an election to defer all or a specified percentage of his compensation, a Participant shall elect to receive the deferred compensation in a lump sum payment within 45 days following the end of his service as a Director or in a number of annual installments (not to exceed four), the first of which would be payable within 45 days following the end of his service as a Director with each subsequent payment payable one year thereafter. Under an installment payout, the Participant's first installment shall be equal to a fraction of the balance in his Deferred Compensation Account as of the last day of the calendar month preceding such payment, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the total number of installments selected. The amount of each subsequent payment shall be a fraction of the balance in the Participant's Account as of the last day of the calendar month preceding each subsequent payment, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the total number of installments elected minus the number of installments previously paid. The term "balance," as used herein, refers to the amount credited to a Participant's Account or to the Fair Market Value (as defined in Section 5 (a)) of the Phantom Shares of Questar Corporation's common stock ("Common Stock") credited to his Account. (d) Phantom Stock Option and Certificates of Deposit Option. When making an election to defer all or a specified percentage of his compensation, a Participant shall choose between two methods of determining earnings on the deferred compensation. He may choose to have such earnings calculated as if the deferred compensation had been invested in Common Stock at the Fair Market Value (as defined in Section 5 (a)) of such stock as of the date such compensation amount would have otherwise been payable to him ("Phantom Stock Option"). Or he may choose to have earnings calculated as if the deferred compensation had been invested in negotiable certificates of deposit at the time such compensation would otherwise be payable to him ("Certificates of Deposit Option"). The Participant must choose between the two options for all of the compensation he elects to defer in any given year. He may change the option for future compensation by filing the appropriate notice with the Corporate Secretary before the first day of each calendar year, but such change shall not affect the method of determining earnings for any compensation deferred in a prior year. 5. Deferred Compensation Account. A Deferred Compensation Account ("Account") shall be established for each Participant. (a) Phantom Stock Option Account. If a Participant elects the Phantom Stock Option, his Account will include the number of shares and partial shares of Common Stock (to four decimals) that could have been purchased on the date such compensation would have otherwise been payable to him. The purchase price for such stock is the Fair Market Value of such stock, i.e., the closing price of such stock as reported on the Composite Tape of the New York Stock Exchange for such date or the next preceding day on which sales took place if no sales occurred on the actual payable date. The Participant's Account shall also include the dividends that would have become payable during the deferral period if actual purchases of Common Stock had been made, with such dividends treated as if invested in Common Stock as of the payable date for such dividends. (b) Certificates of Deposit Option Account. If a Participant elects the Certificates of Deposit Option, his Account will be credited with any compensation deferred by the Participant at the time such compensation would otherwise be payable and with interest calculated at a monthly rate using the typical rates paid by major banks on new issues of negotiable Certificates of Deposit on amounts of $1,000,000 or more for one year as quoted in The Wall Street Journal under "Money Rates" on the first day of the relevant calendar month or the next preceding business day if the first day of the month is a non-business day. The interest credited to each Account shall be based on the amount held in the Account at the beginning of each particular month. 6. Statement of Deferred Compensation Account. Within 45 days after the end of the calendar year, a statement will be sent to each Participant listing the balance in his Account as of the end of the year. 7. Retirement Upon retirement or resignation as a Director from the Board of Directors, a Participant shall receive payment of the balance in his Account in accordance with the terms of his prior instructions and the terms of the Plan unless he is still serving as a voting director of Questar Corporation ("Questar"). Upon retirement or resignation as a Director of Questar or upon appointment as a non-voting Senior Director of Questar, a Participant shall receive payment of the balance in his Account in accordance with the terms of his prior instructions and the terms of the Plan unless he is currently serving as a Director of the Company. 8. Payment of Deferred Compensation. (a) Phantom Stock Option. The amount payable to the Participant choosing the Phantom Stock Option shall be the cash equivalent of the stock using the Fair Market Value of such stock on the date of withdrawal. (b) Certificates of Deposit Option. The amount payable to the Participant choosing the Certificate of Deposit Option shall include the interest on all sums credited to the Account, with such interest credited to the date of withdrawal. (c) The date of withdrawal for both the Phantom Stock Option Account and the Certificates of Deposit Option Account shall be the last day of the calendar month preceding payment or if payment is made because of death, the date of death. (d) The payment shall be made in the manner (lump sum or installment) chosen by the Participant. In the event of a Participant's death, payment shall be made within 45 days of the Participant's death to the beneficiary designated by the Participant or, in the absence of such designation, to the Participant's estate. 9. Hardship Withdrawal. Upon petition to and approval by the Company's Board of Directors, a Participant may withdraw all or a portion of the balance in his Account in the case of financial hardship in the nature of an emergency, provided that the amount of such withdrawal cannot exceed the amount reasonable necessary to meet the financial hardship. The Board of Directors shall have sole discretion to determine the circumstances under which such withdrawals are permitted. 10. Amendment and Termination of Plan The Plan may be amended, modified or terminated by the Company's Board of Directors. No amendment, modification, or termination shall adversely affect a Participant's rights with respect to amounts accrued in his Account. In the event that the Plan is terminated, the Board has the right to make lump sum payments of all Account balances on such date as it may determine. 11. Nonassignability of Plan. The right of a Participant to receive any unpaid portion of his Account shall not be assigned, transferred, pledged or encumbered or be subject in any manner to alienation or attachment. 12. No Creation of Rights. Nothing in this Plan shall confer upon any Participant the right to continue as a Director. The right of a Participant to receive any unpaid portion of his Account shall be an unsecured claim against the general assets and will be subordinated to the general obligations of the Company. 13. Effective Date. The Plan was effective on June 1, 1982, and shall remain in effect until it is discontinued by action of the Company's Board of Directors. The effective date of the amendment to the Plan establishing a Phantom Stock Option is January 1, 1983. The effective date of the amended and restated Plan is April 30, 1991. EX-10.11 4 EXHIBIT - 10.11. GAS GATHERING AGREEMENT This Agreement is entered into on this 11th day of October 1993, between Mountain Fuel Supply Company (Mountain Fuel), 180 East First South Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111, and Questar Pipeline Company (Questar), 79 South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111. Mountain Fuel and Questar are collectively referred to as the Parties. The Parties represent that: On October 14, 1982, Mountain Fuel, Wexpro Company, the Utah Divi- sion of Public Utilities, the Utah Committee of Consumer Services and the Staff of the Public Service Commission of Wyoming entered into an agree- ment (the Wexpro Agreement) that provides for the operation and develop- ment of certain oil-and-gas properties previously owned by Mountain Fuel and Wexpro Company. Pursuant to the provisions of the Wexpro Agreement, Mountain Fuel owns or has the right to purchase certain supplies of natural gas that are produced by Wexpro Company. Mountain Fuel requires that certain of this Wexpro Agreement produc- tion be gathered and transported from points at which it is made available or produced to Mountain Fuel's retail distribution facilities. Questar currently provides gas-gathering services for Mountain Fuel for certain Wexpro Agreement gas in part pursuant to a Gas Gathering Agreement, dated July 1, 1984. Up through August 31, 1993, Mountain Fuel purchased gas from Questar under Questar's FERC firm sales Rate Schedule CD-1. This service incorpo- rated, among other things, the field gathering of certain gas supplies by Questar that were necessary to support firm sales service to Mountain Fuel. In partial support of its contractual obligation to provide CD-1 sales service, Questar has built or acquired, and maintains and operates, a gathering system that is contiguous to its interstate transmission system. Pursuant to Questar's FERC gas tariff, firm sales service was pro- vided to Mountain Fuel under two Rate Schedule CD-1 service agreements executed by Mountain Fuel and Questar on March 1, 1991, and amended as of December 1, 1992, with a primary term that was to expire on June 30, 1999. Pursuant to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order No. 636 and related FERC orders, Questar submitted a comprehensive restructur- ing of its transportation, storage and gathering operations in FERC Docket No. RS92-9. Under the restructuring, approved by the FERC in Docket No. RS92-9, Questar has (a) restructured its various services, and (b) termi- nated its sales function by assigning to Mountain Fuel all the gas pur- chase agreements that supported Rate Schedule CD-1 sales service. 64 FERC 61,157 (Aug. 2, 1993). As a result of Questar's restructuring, described above, Mountain Fuel requires gathering services to transport gas purchased by Mountain Fuel from its purchase points to points on Questar's transmission system. Pursuant to the Docket No. RS92-9 restructuring, Questar transports Mountain Fuel's gas on its transmission system under its FERC Gas Tariff. Questar and Mountain Fuel wish to enter into a new agreement, under which Questar will gather designated Wexpro Agreement gas and Mountain Fuel-purchased gas, including certain gas that formerly supported the Rate Schedule CD-1 sales service. This Agreement is intended to replace the July 1, 1984, Gas Gathering Agreement and the gathering services formerly provided under Rate Schedule CD-1. Therefore, the Parties agree as follows: Article I Dedication Except as limited in I(b) and I(d), the following categories of gas are dedicated under this Agreement, up to a combined maximum daily quantity (MDQ) of 322,812 Dth: gas purchased by or produced for Mountain Fuel pursuant to the Wexpro Agreement, and gas purchased by Mountain Fuel at the wellhead or any other point on or near Questar's gathering system that is upstream from the interstate transmission system into which the gas will be delivered for Mountain Fuel's account. The Parties acknowledge that Questar does not provide exclusive service to Mountain Fuel in certain fields. Excluded from dedication under this Agreement, at Mountain Fuel's discretion, is gas from (i) wells, producing at the initial effective date [defined in IV(a)] and gathered exclusively through facilities not owned by Questar, or (ii) wells completed in the future that would require reimbursement when evalu- ated under the criteria described in III(c) of this Agreement. Subject to the physical and contractual limitations of Questar's system, Mountain Fuel may adjust its MDQ to reflect its anticipated 12- month service requirement upon at least 180 days' advanced written notice to Questar to be effective the next September 1. Any reduction under this provision will be effective no sooner than September 1, 1997. After August 31, 1997, gas produced for or purchased by Mountain Fuel under the Wexpro Agreement will remain subject to the terms of this Agreement. In addition, any gas being purchased by Mountain Fuel from a third party and dedicated to this Agreement under I(a)(2) on August 31, 1997, may, at Mountain Fuel's option, continue to be dedicated under this Agreement from year to year (September 1 through August 31) until Mountain Fuel's underlying gas-purchase agreement expires or until Mountain Fuel, on 180 days' prior written notice, terminates dedication on the next August 31. The MDQ for use under this Agreement shall be accordingly modified to reflect the demonstrated deliverability of Wexpro Agreement gas and such third-party purchases. Article II Gathering Service, Receipts and Deliveries Questar shall gather up to the MDQ of 322,812 Dth/day of gas dedi- cated under this Agreement on a firm basis for delivery for Mountain Fuel's account into Questar's transmission system or the pipelines of others connected to Questar's gathering facilities. The gathering service shall include essential wellhead gas condi- tioning, collection and measurement through Questar's gathering laterals, and field compression to enable delivery into connected pipelines. At the request of Mountain Fuel, Questar shall install all necessary facilities to connect any new well to Questar's then-existing gathering system. If requested, Questar shall provide an estimate of the costs to connect any new well under this Agreement. Reimbursement of Questar's costs, if any, shall be determined under III(c). A new well is one that was not identified on Appendix A on the initial effective date. Except when prevented by a force majeure event, Questar shall connect each new well from which gas is to be gathered under this Agreement within 30 days of the later of: Authorization from Mountain Fuel to connect the well, or Receipt of all rights of way, permits and necessary authoriza- tions. Mountain Fuel shall be permitted to change or add new receipt and delivery points, within its MDQ, upon 10 days' advance written notifica- tion to Questar, subject to available capacity at the desired points. Questar shall receive gas from Mountain Fuel at the receipt points listed on Appendix A. So long as Mountain Fuel does not exceed the MDQ under II(a), Moun- tain Fuel may use any gathering receipt or delivery point on an interruptible basis at any time. Mountain Fuel shall tender gas at pressures sufficient for delivery into Questar's facilities against the existing pressures, but not exceed- ing the maximum allowable operating pressures (MAOPs) of Questar's facili- ties. Questar shall deliver equivalent quantities of gas for Mountain Fuel's account, less fuel and lost-and-unaccounted-for gas under 6 of the General Terms and Conditions of this Agreement. Delivery for Mountain Fuel's account by Questar shall take place at the delivery points listed on Appendix A. Questar shall deliver these volumes of gas at the existing pressures, but not exceeding the MAOP in Questar's facilities at the delivery points. Article III Gathering Charges, Reimbursements and Credits (a) Gathering Rates. (1) Through August 31, 1995. From the initial effective date of this Agreement until August 31, 1995, rates for gathering services and their derivation are set forth in Appendix B and were calculated on the basis of: The annual cost of service assigned to Questar's gathering function for calendar year 1992, as ad- justed to establish rates in FERC Docket No. RS92- 9, and reduced by $2.5 million, which is represen- tative of the value of gathering service rendered by Questar to third parties. An assignment of 60% of the resultant annual gath- ering cost of service to reservation charges and 40% to usage charges. Billing determinants. Reservation charges: 322,812 Dth/day. Usage charges: 30,336,677 Dth (annual). (2) September 1, 1995 - August 31, 1997. For the period from September 1, 1995, through August 31, 1997, rates will be determined by an application of the methodology shown in Appendix B and will be based on: The annual cost of service attributable to Questar's gathering function for calendar year 1994, reduced by the actual revenues received by Questar for providing gathering services to third parties during 1994, and adjusted in accordance with 1 of Appendix B. An assignment of 60% of the resultant annual gath- ering cost of service to reservation charges and 40% to usage charges. Billing determinants. Reservation charge: 322,812 Dth/day, unless adjusted under I(c). Us- age charge: the actual quantity gathered under this Agreement during calendar 1994. (3) After August 31, 1997. From September 1, 1997, until the termination of this Agreement, rates will be redetermined each year, to be effective from September 1 through the following August 31, and will be based on: An allocated portion of the annual cost of service for the prior calendar year that is attributable to Questar's gathering function through which any gas dedicated under I(d) flows during that year, in accordance with the methodology shown in Appen- dix B. The allocation under this subparagraph shall be the ratio of the annual deliverability of the volumes dedicated and flowing under I(d) to total deliverability of volumes flowing through the same facilities. An assignment of 60% of the resultant annual gath- ering cost of service to reservation charges and 40% to usage charges. Billing determinants. Reservation charge: ac- cording to the MDQ established under I(d). Usage charge: the actual quantity gathered under this Agreement during the prior calendar year. (b) Independent Facilities. Questar may construct new gathering facili- ties that will be operated independently of systems in operation on the initial effective date (i.e., facilities through which gas will flow that do not require the use of any part of Questar's gathering system as it existed on the initial effective date). To the extent these facilities are not operated to provide service for Mountain Fuel, the costs and revenues associated with or derived from these systems shall be excluded when determining Mountain Fuel's gathering rates under this Agreement. (c) New Well Connection Reimbursement. For any new well to be connected to Questar's gathering system at Mountain Fuel's request under this Agree- ment that was not subject to this Agreement on the initial effective date, Mountain Fuel shall reimburse Questar according to the formula set forth in Appendix C of this Agreement. Article IV Effective Date and Term For all purposes in this Agreement, the initial effective date is September 1, 1993, the date of implementation of Questar's restructuring in FERC Docket No. RS92-9. This Agreement will become effective on the initial effective date and will remain in full force and effect so long as Mountain Fuel is producing or purchasing gas pursuant to the Wexpro Agreement. Upon termination of this Agreement, deliveries and receipts shall continue for as long as necessary to eliminate any imbalance in quantities of gas owed by either Party to the other. Article V 1984 Gas Gathering Agreement Upon implementation of the terms of this Agreement on the initial effective date, the July 1, 1984, Gas Gathering Agreement shall be termi- nated and superseded by this Agreement. Article VI Government Authorization The Parties shall cooperate to obtain any necessary governmental authorization to implement this Agreement. To the extent that a govern- mental agency with jurisdiction over the rates, facilities or services addressed by this Agreement imposes terms or conditions on this Agreement that materially alter the rights or obligations of either party, this Agreement may be terminated or rescinded, as appropriate, by either party upon 15 days' written notice to the other party. The Parties have entered into this Agreement with the expectation that the facilities, services and rates that are the subject of this Agreement do not come within the jurisdiction of the FERC. The Parties may, however, seek FERC approval of all or part of the Agreement to expe- dite its implementation. Any such action by the Parties will not be construed as a concession, acquiescence or waiver by either party of any legal position concerning the regulation of gathering facilities, service or rates. If the rates for Questar's gathering services are deemed to be subject to regulation by an administrative agency that prescribes rates other than those specified in this Agreement for any period governed by this Agreement, the rates so specified shall be substituted for the rates provided for in Article III. Any substitution under this provision will apply only to the extent that, and for the period during which, the admin- istrative agency lawfully exercises rate regulation over the services. Nothing in this provision will preclude either party from exercising its termination rights under VI(a). Article VII Notices All notices required in this agreement shall be in writing and shall be considered as having been given if delivered personally, by mail or facsimile transmission to either Questar or Mountain Fuel at the designat- ed address. Normal operating instructions can be delivered by telephone or any electronic means. Notice of events of force majeure may be made by any electronic means and confirmed in writing. Monthly statements, pay- ments, and any communications will be considered as delivered when mailed to the addresses listed below or to such other address as either Party designates in writing: Questar: Mountain Fuel: Contract Administrator Vice President, Gas Supply Gathering Division Mountain Fuel Supply Company Questar Pipeline Company 141 East First South Street 79 South State Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 This Agreement is entered into by the authorized representatives of the Parties, whose signatures appear below. Questar Pipeline Company: Mountain Fuel Supply Company: /s/ J. B. Carricaburu /s/ M. E. Benefield J. B. Carricaburu M. E. Benefield Vice President, Gas Supply Vice President, Gas Supply and Marketing Signature date: Oct. 12, 1993 Signature date: Oct. 12, 1993 General Terms and Conditions OF Gas Gathering Agreement 1 Definitions Firm, as applied to service under this Agreement, refers to Questar's contractual obligation to render the specified service unless the obliga- tion is otherwise waived, reduced, modified or terminated by force-majeure events. Interruptible means subject to reduction, suspension or termination of the receipt or delivery of gas. Questar's gathering system refers to all facilities owned or operated by Questar for the purposes of conveying natural gas on all or a portion of its movement from the production of the gas at the wellhead to the delivery of the gas into a pipeline that provides transportation of the gas in interstate commerce, as defined under 1 of the Natural Gas Act. Questar's FERC Gas Tariff Vol. No. 1, as amended and revised from time to time, will be used to define terms that are otherwise not defined in this Agreement. 2 Scheduling of Gas Receipts and Deliveries Scheduling. (All times are Mountain Standard or Daylight Time, as applicable.) If Mountain Fuel desires to have gas gathered on gas day one of each month, Mountain Fuel must notify Questar's nomination department no later than 10:00 a.m. three working days prior to the commencement of service. For all succeeding days of the month, Mountain Fuel shall notify Questar's nomination department no later than 10:00 a.m. each day of the quantity of natural gas it desires to have gathered from specific sources and receipt points commencing at 12:00 noon on the succeeding calendar day. By electronic means or in writing by 12:00 noon of the nomination day, Questar shall then notify Mountain Fuel of the quantity that it can re- ceive and deliver. Starting no later than 12:00 noon on the day following the calendar day of receipt of Mountain Fuel's nomination, Questar shall commence to deliver an equivalent volume of natural gas. All scheduling of deliveries of gas between Mountain Fuel and Questar shall take this scheduled timing difference into account. Upon written agreement or telephone agreement (to be confirmed in writing) between Questar and Mountain Fuel, receipts and deliveries may commence earlier than provided by this schedule. In connection with service provided to Mountain Fuel under Questar's FERC Rate Schedule NNT (no-notice service), Mountain Fuel may modify its nominations under this 2 at any time. Operating Information and Estimates. Upon request of Questar, Mountain Fuel shall from time to time submit its best estimates of the daily, monthly and annual quantities of gas it expects to be gathered, together with such other operating data as Questar may require in order to schedule its operations. Operating Requirements. Mountain Fuel shall use reasonable efforts to deliver and receive gas at uniform hourly and daily rates of flow. Mountain Fuel shall deliver gas to Questar at the receipt points at a pressure sufficient to allow the gas to enter Questar's gathering sys- tem. Questar shall not be required to compress natural gas into its system. If requested by Questar, Mountain Fuel shall provide equipment acceptable to Questar at each receipt point to prevent overpressuring Questar's system. Questar shall deliver gas at each transfer point to the receiving party at the pressure in Questar's system after required measurement, flow control or regulation. Limitations On Questar's Gathering Obligations. On any day, Questar shall not be obligated to deliver to Mountain Fuel a quantity of gas different from the equivalent volume received from Mountain Fuel during the same day, as adjusted under 6 below. For gathering service provided under this Agreement, Questar shall not be obligated to receive from or deliver to Mountain Fuel a quantity of gas in excess of the MDQ, unless Mountain Fuel has requested and Questar has agreed to provide overrun service. 3 Warranty Mountain Fuel warrants title to and the right to deliver and use the gas shipped or committed to use under this Agreement and further warrants that the gas is free from all liens and adverse claims, including tax liens. Mountain Fuel will have the obligation to make settlements for all royalties due and payments owed to Mountain Fuel's mineral and royalty owners. Mountain Fuel agrees to indemnify Questar and save it harmless from all suits, actions, claims, debts, accounts, damages, costs, losses, liens, license fees, and expenses which arise from Mountain Fuel's owner- ship or control of the gas. 4 Quality Questar may refuse to receive gas from Mountain Fuel if the gas does not meet the quality specifications of the party to whom the gas is to be delivered (including the interstate transmission facilities of Questar) for the following: hydrogen sulfide and other forms of sulfur; inert substances; liquids; dust, gums, gum-forming constituents, dirt, impuri- ties or other solid or liquid matter that might interfere with the mer- chantability of the gas; oxygen; or water vapor. The gas tendered to Questar at each receipt point shall contain a gross heating value of at least 950 Btu per cubic foot. The gas tendered to Questar at each receipt point shall be at a temper- ature between 35 degrees F. and 120 degrees F. If the gas tendered to Questar under this Agreement fails to meet the specifications, as described in 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3, Questar shall notify Mountain Fuel and may, at its option, refuse to accept further receipt of gas pending correction. Mountain Fuel shall indemnify Questar and hold it harmless from all suits, actions, regulatory proceedings, damages, costs, losses and expens- es (including reasonable attorney fees) arising out of the failure of the gas tendered by Mountain Fuel to conform to the quality specifications, including any injury or damage done to Questar's facilities. Acceptance of gas that does not meet quality specifications is at Questar's option. Acceptance of the gas does not constitute any waiver of Questar's right to refuse to accept similarly nonconforming gas. 5 Measurement The volumes of gas delivered to Questar by Mountain Fuel shall be measured by Questar according to its current FERC tariff. The meters shall be installed and tested and any discrepancies in the volumes mea- sured shall be resolved according to Questar's current FERC tariff. All claims of any party as to the quantity of gas tendered and deliv- ered must be submitted in writing by the party within 180 days from the date of commencement of the claimed discrepancy. Either party may, at its option and expense, install and operate check measuring equipment, provided that the equipment is installed in a way that does not interfere with the operations of the other party. However, measurement of gas for the purpose of this Agreement shall be measured under 5.1. Either party's check meters will be subject at all reasonable times to inspection and examination by a representative of the other party, but the reading, calibration, adjustment, and changing of charts will be done only by the party installing the check meters. Each party shall, upon request, furnish to the other party at the earliest possible time all charts upon which it has based any statement. Each party shall return to the other party all charts after a 30-day period. Each party shall have access to the other party's records and books at all reasonable business hours so far as they affect measurement and settlement for the gas received or delivered. Questar shall integrate the charts and data obtained by the metering and measurement of the gas gathered under this Agreement. Upon written request, Questar shall furnish Mountain Fuel copies of measurement charts used in compiling any monthly statements. Mountain Fuel may compute the volume of gas from Questar's charts and data. If Mountain Fuel's computa- tion of the volume of gas varies from Questar's computation by less than the greater of 2% or 50 Dth, Questar's computation will be deemed correct. If Mountain Fuel's computation differs from Questar's by more than the greater of 2% or 50 Dth, then Questar shall reintegrate and redetermine the volume of gas purchased. If Questar's second computation varies from Mountain Fuel's computation by less than the greater of 2% or 50 Dth, Mountain Fuel's computation will be deemed correct. However, if Questar's second computation still varies from Mountain Fuel's computation by more than the greater of 2% or 50 Dth, then Questar's initial computation will be deemed correct. 6 Fuel Gas Reimbursement Fuel Reimbursement. For all gas tendered by Mountain Fuel under this Agreement, Mountain Fuel shall reimburse Questar with gas provided in-kind for: The actual fuel used to treat or condition the gas to permit compliance with any quality requirements under 4 and compressor fuel required to effect receipt or delivery of the gas, and Mountain Fuel's proportionate share of lost-and-unaccounted- for gas on Questar's gathering system. Nomination Adjustment. Mountain Fuel's total nominations into Questar's gathering system must include the amount of gas required to reimburse Questar for fuel use and lost-and-unaccounted-for gas. 7 Billing and Payment Monthly Bill. On the 20th day of each month, Questar shall bill Mountain Fuel any applicable reservation charges for the current month. By the 25th day of each month, Questar shall bill Mountain Fuel usage charges for all volumes of gas gathered for delivery during the immediately previous month as well as any other applicable charges. If actual quantities are not reasonably available, Questar may use estimates of the quantity of gas gathered for Mountain Fuel in computing the amounts due. Any necessary adjustment shall be made in later billings for differ- ences between the estimated and actual quantities. Access to Billing Data. Both Parties will have the right to examine at reasonable times books, records and charts of the other to the extent necessary to verify the accuracy of any statement, charge or computation made under or pursuant to any of the provisions of such statement. Payment. Mountain Fuel shall pay Questar on or before the last day of each month or within 10 days of the date the bill is received by Mountain Fuel under this section, whichever is later. Late Payments. Should Mountain Fuel fail to make timely payment of any part of the amount of any bill, the unpaid amount will be deemed late, and Questar shall charge interest from the date payment is due until the actual date of receipt of payment. The interest will be compounded quarterly until paid. Interest will be calculated at the rate prescribed for the applica- ble period by 18 C.F.R. 154.67(c). Questar shall bill Mountain Fuel for any interest due in its next billing to Mountain Fuel, and Mountain Fuel shall pay the amount due according to this section. Questar may waive the interest on late payment made within five days of the due date. If an uncontested bill remains unpaid for 30 days or more after payment is due, Questar, in addition to any other remedy it may have, may, after giving Mountain Fuel 15 days' written notice, suspend further receipt and delivery of gas for Mountain Fuel until full payment for all service rendered to date is made. Contested Bills. Any billing or statement may be contested within 180 days from its receipt by Mountain Fuel. If Mountain Fuel (i) contests all or any part of a bill in good faith, (ii) pays to Questar the amounts it concedes to be correct, and (iii) within 30 days of a demand made by Questar furnishes a surety bond guaranteeing payment in the amount of the disputed portion of the bill, then Questar may not suspend further deliv- ery of gas unless default has occurred under the conditions of the bond. No payment by Mountain Fuel of the amount of a disputed bill will preju- dice its right to claim an adjustment of the disputed bill. Mountain Fuel shall pay interest on disputed portions of a bill for which it has with- held payment, and which ultimately are found due. Billing Errors. If an error is discovered in the amount of any bill, the error shall be adjusted within 30 days of the determination that an adjustment is required, provided that the claim for adjustment will have been made within 180 days from the date of the bill. If it is determined that Mountain Fuel has been overcharged and has paid the statement con- taining the overcharge, then, within 30 days after the final determina- tion, Questar shall refund the amount overcharged with interest. If it is determined that Mountain Fuel has been undercharged, Mountain Fuel shall pay the amount undercharged with interest. The rate of any interest to be paid by either party under this provision will be governed by 18 C.F.R. 154.67(c). In the event that any portion of a statement is in dispute, payment of the disputed portion will not be deemed a waiver of the right to contest such disputed portion in any forum having jurisdiction. 8 Liability Each party assumes full responsibility and liability arising from the operation of the facilities it owns and agrees to hold the other party harmless from any liability whatever arising from the owning party's installation, ownership or operation of its facilities. 9 Force Majeure Definition. The term force majeure as employed in this agreement will mean acts of God, strikes, lockouts or other labor or industrial distur- bances, acts of the public enemy, wars, blockades, insurrections, riots, epidemics, landslides, lightning, earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, severe weather, storms floods, washouts, arrest and restraint from rulers of people, necessity for compliance with any court order, law ordinance or regulations promulgated by a governmental authority having jurisdiction, civil disturbances, explosions, breakage or accident to machinery, instru- mentation, or lines of pipe, sudden partial or sudden entire failure of wells, freezing of wells or pipelines, inability to secure right-of-way, materials, supplies or labor, including inability or failure to obtain materials and supplies due to governmental regulations, and causes of like or different kind, whether enumerated in this agreement or not, and not within the control of the party claiming force majeure, and which by the exercise of due diligence such party is unable to overcome. Notice. If either party is rendered wholly or partially unable to carry out its obligations under this Agreement due to force majeure, the party shall give written notice describing the event of force majeure as soon as is reasonably possible after the occurrence. The obligations of the Parties, other than to make payments of amounts due so far as they are affected by such force majeure, will be suspended during the continuance of the event of force majeure, but for no longer period. The affected party shall remedy the event of force majeure in a commercially reasonable manner. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to require either party to settle a strike or labor dispute againstits better judgment. 10 Assignment All rights and duties under this Agreement shall inure to and be bind- ing upon the successors and assignees of the Parties. No conveyance or transfer of any interest of either party, except a transfer to an affili- ate, will be binding upon the other party until the other party has been furnished with notice and a true copy of the conveyance or transfer. The successor or assignee agrees in writing to be bound by all the terms and conditions of the agreement and that the successor or assignee assumes all the obligations under this Agreement. Miscellaneous A waiver by either party of any one or more defaults by the other party shall not operate as a waiver of any future default. This Agreement, including any appendices and these General Terms and Conditions, contains the entire understanding of the Parties and may only be amended by an instrument in writing signed by the Parties. In interpreting this Agreement, the recitals will be considered as part of this Agreement and not as surplusage. This Agreement shall be construed under the laws of Utah. EX-25 5 EXHIBIT - 25 POWER OF ATTORNEY We, the undersigned directors of Mountain Fuel Supply Company, hereby severally constitute D. N. Rose and W. F. Edwards, and each of them acting alone, our true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and each of them to sign for us, and in our names in the capacities indicated below, the Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1994 and any and all amendments to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Mountain Fuel Supply Company, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by the attorneys appointed herein to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1994 and any and all amendments to such Report. Witness our hands on the respective dates set forth below. Signature Title Date /s/ R. D. Cash Chairman of the Board 2-14-95 R. D. Cash /s/ D. N. Rose President & Chief 2-14-95 D. N. Rose Executive Officer /s/ R. H. Bischoff Director 2-14-95 R. H. Bischoff /s/ W. W. Hawkins Director 2-14-95 W. W. Hawkins /s/ R. E. Kadlec Director 2-14-95 R. E. Kadlec /s/ Dixie L. Leavitt Director 2-14-95 Dixie L. Leavitt /s/ Gary G. Michael Director 2-14-95 Gary G. Michael /s/ Roy W. Simmons Director 2-14-95 Roy W. Simmons EX-27 6
5 This schedule contains summarized financial information extracted from the Mountain Fuel Supply Company Statements of Income and Balance Sheets for the period ended December 31, 1994, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such audited financial statements. 1,000 YEAR DEC-31-1994 JAN-01-1994 DEC-31-1994 2,529 0 74,220 0 24,941 105,969 739,945 280,162 590,275 119,641 175,000 22,974 6,324 0 182,487 590,275 0 378,260 0 304,601 34,338 0 15,886 31,255 7,903 23,352 0 0 0 23,352 0 0