UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) March 15, 2005
MDU Resources Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-3480 41-0423660
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
Schuchart Building
918 East Divide Avenue
P.O. Box 5650
Bismarck, North Dakota 58506-5650
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (701) 222-7900
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended
to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant
under any of the following provisions:
- Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the
Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
- Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
- Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
- Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8.01. Other Events.
In March 2005, MDU Resources Group, Inc. (Company) entered
into hedge agreements to manage a portion of the market risk
associated with fluctuations in the price of natural gas and oil on
its 2006 estimated natural gas and oil production.
- The Company has hedged approximately 10 percent to 15 percent
of its 2006 estimated annual natural gas production at various
indices with prices ranging from a low Ventura index of $6.00 to a
high Ventura index of $7.60 per Mcf. Ventura is an index pricing
point related to Northern Natural Gas Co.'s system.
- The Company has hedged approximately 10 percent to 15 percent
of its 2006 estimated annual oil production at NYMEX prices ranging
from a low of $43.00 and a high of $54.15 per barrel.
The information in this Form 8-K includes certain forward-
looking statements including estimated natural gas and oil
production, within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Although the Company believes that its
expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, actual results
may differ materially. Important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking
statements include environmental laws and regulations that may increase
costs of operations, impact or limit business plans, or expose the
Company to environmental liabilities. One of the Company's subsidiaries
is subject to litigation in connection with its coalbed natural gas
development activities. The ultimate outcome of the actions could
have a material effect on existing coalbed natural gas operations
and/or the future development of its coalbed natural gas
properties. For a discussion of other important factors, refer to
Part I and Part II, Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Risk Factors and
Cautionary Statements that May Affect Future Results in MDU
Resources' most recent Form 10-K.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
MDU RESOURCES GROUP, INC.
Date March 15, 2005 BY /s/ Warren L. Robinson
Warren L. Robinson
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer