Nature of Operations

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Nature of Operations [Abstract]

Nature of Operations

Note 1 — Nature of Operations

UGI Corporation (“UGI”) is a holding company that, through subsidiaries and affiliates, distributes and markets energy products and related services. In the United States, we own and operate (1) a retail propane marketing and distribution business; (2) natural gas and electric distribution utilities; (3) electricity generation facilities; and (4) an energy marketing, midstream infrastructure, storage and energy services business. Internationally, we market and distribute propane and other liquefied petroleum gases (“LPG”) in Europe and China. We refer to UGI and its consolidated subsidiaries collectively as “the Company” or “we.”

We conduct a domestic propane marketing and distribution business through AmeriGas Partners, L.P. (“AmeriGas Partners”), a publicly traded limited partnership, and its principal operating subsidiaries, AmeriGas Propane, L.P. (“AmeriGas OLP”) and, prior to its October 1, 2010 merger with AmeriGas OLP, AmeriGas OLP’s subsidiary, AmeriGas Eagle Propane, L.P. (together with AmeriGas OLP, the “Operating Partnership”). AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP are Delaware limited partnerships. UGI’s wholly owned second-tier subsidiary AmeriGas Propane, Inc. (the “General Partner”) serves as the general partner of AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP. We refer to AmeriGas Partners and its subsidiaries together as “the Partnership” and the General Partner and its subsidiaries, including the Partnership, as “AmeriGas Propane.” At September 30, 2011, the General Partner held a 1% general partner interest and 42.8% limited partner interest in AmeriGas Partners and an effective 44.4% ownership interest in AmeriGas OLP. Our limited partnership interest in AmeriGas Partners comprises 24,691,209 AmeriGas Partners Common Units (“Common Units”). The remaining 56.2% interest in AmeriGas Partners comprises 32,433,087 Common Units held by the general public as limited partner interests.

Our wholly owned subsidiary, UGI Enterprises, Inc. (“Enterprises”), through subsidiaries (1) conducts an LPG distribution business in France (“Antargaz”); (2) conducts an LPG distribution business in central and eastern Europe (“Flaga”); and (3) conducts an LPG distribution business in the Nantong region of China. We refer to our foreign operations collectively as “International Propane.” Enterprises, through Energy Services, Inc. (“Energy Services”) and its subsidiaries, conducts an energy marketing, midstream infrastructure, storage and energy services business primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. In addition, Energy Services’ wholly owned subsidiary, UGI Development Company (“UGID”), owns all or a portion of electric generation facilities located in Pennsylvania. The businesses of Energy Services and its subsidiaries, including UGID, are referred to herein collectively as “Midstream & Marketing.” Enterprises also conducts heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, refrigeration and electrical contracting businesses in the Mid-Atlantic region through first-tier subsidiaries.

Our natural gas and electric distribution utility businesses are conducted through our wholly owned subsidiary UGI Utilities, Inc. (“UGI Utilities”) and its subsidiaries UGI Penn Natural Gas, Inc. (“PNG”) and UGI Central Penn Gas, Inc. (“CPG”). UGI Utilities, PNG and CPG own and operate natural gas distribution utilities in eastern, northeastern and central Pennsylvania and in a portion of one Maryland county. UGI Utilities also owns and operates an electric distribution utility in northeastern Pennsylvania (“Electric Utility”). UGI Utilities’ natural gas distribution utility is referred to as “UGI Gas;” PNG’s natural gas distribution utility is referred to as “PNG Gas;” and CPG’s natural gas distribution utility is referred to as “CPG Gas.” UGI Gas, PNG Gas and CPG Gas are collectively referred to as “Gas Utility.” Gas Utility is subject to regulation by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (“PUC”) and, with respect to a small service territory in one Maryland county, the Maryland Public Service Commission, and Electric Utility is subject to regulation by the PUC. Gas Utility and Electric Utility are collectively referred to as “Utilities.”