File No. 70-10074, Rule 24 Cert--4q05

 

 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

 

Before the

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

____________________________________________

 

 

In the Matter of

 

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY

ELEVENTH

 

NATIONAL FUEL GAS DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION

CERTIFICATE

 

NATIONAL FUEL GAS SUPPLY CORPORATION

PURSUANT TO

HORIZON ENERGY DEVELOPMENT, INC.

RULE 24

 

 

AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

 

HIGHLAND FOREST RESOURCES, INC.

LEIDY HUB, INC.

DATA-TRACK ACCOUNT SERVICES, INC.

SENECA RESOURCES CORPORATION

 

AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

HORIZON LFG, INC.

NATIONAL FUEL RESOURCES, INC.

HORIZON POWER, INC.

 

File No. 70-10074

(Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935)

____________________________________________

 

THIS IS TO CERTIFY, pursuant to Rule 24, that certain transactions proposed by National Fuel Gas Company (“National”) and its subsidiaries, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (“Distribution Corporation”), National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation (“Supply Corporation”), Horizon Energy Development, Inc. (“Horizon Energy”) and its subsidiaries, Highland Forest Resources, Inc. (“Highland”), Leidy Hub, Inc. (“Leidy”), Data-Track Account Services, Inc. (“Data-Track”), Seneca Resources Corporation (“Seneca”) and its subsidiaries, Horizon LFG, Inc. (“Horizon LFG”), National Fuel Resources, Inc. (“NFR”) and Horizon Power, Inc. (“Power”) (collectively, the “Subsidiaries”), in their Application-Declaration on Form U-1, as amended (“Application-Declaration”), in SEC File No. 70-10074, have been carried out in accordance with the terms and conditions of, and for the purposes as represented by, said Application-Declaration and the Order of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) (HCAR No. 35-27600, dated November 12, 2002) with respect thereto.

 

 



 

 

1.       EXTERNAL FINANCING BY NATIONAL

 

 

a.

Common Stock

 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2005 (the “Quarter”), National issued the following shares of common stock through the following plans:

 

 

Name Of Plan

Number of Newly Issued Shares

Number of Shares Purchased in Open Market

 

 

 

Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan

-0-

70,124

 

 

 

Tax Deferred Savings

Plans (401(k))

-0-

93,416

 

 

 

 

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

-0-

8,038

 

 

 

1997 Award & Option Plan

548,286

-0-

 

 

 

1993 Award & Option Plan

159,466

-0-

 

 

 

1984 Stock Plan

-0-

-0-

 

 

 

1983 Incentive Stock Option Plan

-0-

-0-

 

 

 

Retainer Policy for

Outside Directors

2,100

-0-

 

 

 

Total

709,852

171,578

 

 

 

 

Aggregate gross consideration received upon issuance of shares: $15,599,684.

 

Other than as set forth above, National did not issue or sell any common stock during the Quarter. National did not issue any common stock as consideration in connection with any acquisition during the Quarter.

 

During the Quarter, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of National did not award any stock appreciation rights, stock options, restricted stock, performance units, performance shares or other common stock-based awards.

 

 

b.

Preferred Securities  

 

 

National has no preferred securities outstanding.

 

 



 

 

c.       Long-term Debt

 

 

National did not issue any long-term debt during the Quarter.

 

 

d.

Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units

 

National did not issue any stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units during the Quarter.

 

 

e.

Short-term Debt

 

 

(1)

Short-term Notes

 

National issued short-term notes (in all cases having maturities of no more than 270 days) to banks or other financial institutions during the Quarter. The maximum amount of such notes outstanding at any time during the Quarter was $5,800,000.

 

 

(2)

Commercial Paper

 

National sold commercial paper during the Quarter through Merrill Lynch Money Markets, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and/or Goldman, Sachs & Co. The maximum amount of commercial paper outstanding at any time during the Quarter was $0.00.

 

 

(3)

Total Short-term Debt

 

The maximum aggregate amount of short-term debt securities of National outstanding at any time during the Quarter was $5,800,000.

 

2.

FINANCING SUBSIDIARIES AND SPECIAL PURPOSE SUBSIDIARIES

 

National did not organize any new Financing Subsidiaries or Special Purpose Subsidiaries during the Quarter. National’s Financing Subsidiaries and Special Purpose Subsidiaries are as follows:

 

 

 

Seneca Player Corp.

3062782 Nova Scotia Co.

 

3062783 Nova Scotia Co.

Balance sheet account where investment and cost booked

fully consolidated into National

fully consolidated into National

fully consolidated into National

Form of organization

corporation

unlimited liability company

unlimited liability company

Percentage owned by National or a Nonutility Subsidiary

100%

100%

100%

Identification of other owners if not 100% owned

N/A

N/A

N/A

Purpose of investment in subsidiary

increase tax efficiencies

increase tax efficiencies

increase tax efficiencies

 

 

 



 

 

 

Securities authorized to be issued

1,000 shares of common stock

1,000,000 shares, in such classes, and with such rights and conditions, as directors may determine

1,000,000 shares, in such classes, and with such rights and conditions, as directors may determine

 

Information regarding National’s investments in these subsidiaries is filed confidentially pursuant to Rule 104(b).

 

3.

FINANCING BY SUBSIDIARIES

 

Distribution Corporation issued short-term debt securities through the system money pool (“Money Pool”) as set forth below under Section 4. The Nonutility Subsidiaries did not engage in financing transactions other than exempt transactions.

 

4.

MONEY POOL

 

During the Quarter, National coordinated the borrowing requirements of certain Subsidiaries through the money pool. For each participant in the Money Pool, the following table lists the maximum amount of borrowings through, and the maximum amount of investments made in, the Money Pool during the Quarter:

 

 

Maximum Borrowings Through Money Pool ($)

Maximum Investments in Money Pool ($)

National

n/a

36,200,000

Distribution Corporation

142,300,000

0

Supply Corporation

30,200,000

0

Horizon Energy

n/a

143,500,000

Highland

31,800,000

0

Leidy

0

100,000

Data-Track

0

500,000

Seneca

0

78,000,000

Horizon LFG

39,900,000

0

NFR

3,600,000

30,900,000

Power

n/a

0

 

The annual interest rates applied to Money Pool borrowings and investments during the Quarter are set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

5.

GUARANTEES

 

During the Quarter, National renewed one guarantee at an increased amount of $8,000,000 on behalf of NFR. National also renewed two letters of credit, each with respect to the obligations of Distribution Corporation and Supply Corporation, in the amounts of $7,335,110 and $2,700,000

 

The maximum amount of guarantees and credit support that National had outstanding on behalf of its Subsidiaries at any time during the Quarter was $610,077,466. The guarantees and

 



 

credit support relate primarily to: (i) obligations under derivative financial instruments, which are included on the consolidated balance sheet in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133; (ii) NFR obligations to purchase gas or to purchase gas transportation/storage services where the amounts due on those obligations each month are included on National’s consolidated balance sheet as a current liability; and (iii) other obligations which are reflected on National’s consolidated balance sheet. National believes that the likelihood it would be required to make payments under the guarantees is remote.

 

6.

HEDGING TRANSACTIONS

 

During the Quarter, National did not enter into any Interest Rate Hedges or Anticipatory Hedges.

 

7.

CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE OF MAJORITY-OWNED NONUTILITY SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

None.

 

8.

NONUTILITY SUBSIDIARY REORGANIZATIONS

 

 

None.

 

9.

OTHER ITEMS

 

 

National filed a Form U-6B-2 on August 29, 2005.

 

National’s consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2005 will be included in National’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Distribution Corporation’s balance sheet as of September 30, 2005 is set forth in Exhibit 2 hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference and filed confidentially pursuant to Rule 104(b).

 

 



 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the undersigned companies have duly caused this Certificate pursuant to Rule 24 to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY

 

By:       /s/ P. C. Ackerman                  

 

P. C. Ackerman

 

 

Chairman, President & CEO

 

NATIONAL FUEL GAS DISTRIBUTION

CORPORATION

 

By:       /s/ D. J. Seeley                                    

 

D. J. Seeley

 

President

 

 

NATIONAL FUEL GAS SUPPLY CORPORATION

 

By:       /s/ D. F. Smith                                    

 

D. F. Smith

 

President

 

 

HORIZON ENERGY DEVELOPMENT, INC.

 

By:       /s/ P. C. Ackerman                  

 

P. C. Ackerman

 

President

 

 

HIGHLAND FOREST RESOURCES, INC.

 

By:       /s/ J. A. Beck                          

 

J. A. Beck

 

President

 

 

 



 

 

LEIDY HUB, INC.

 

By:       /s/ P. C. Ackerman                  

 

P. C. Ackerman

 

Chairman

 

 

DATA-TRACK ACCOUNT SERVICES, INC.

 

By:       /s/ P. C. Ackerman                  

 

P. C. Ackerman

 

President

 

 

SENECA RESOURCES CORPORATION

 

By:       /s/ J. A Beck                            

 

J. A. Beck

 

President

 

 

HORIZON LFG, INC.

 

By:       /s/ D. A. Wassum                    

 

D. A. Wassum

 

 

Assistant Vice President

 

NATIONAL FUEL RESOURCES, INC.

 

By:       /s/ D. L. DeCarolis                  

 

D. L. DeCarolis

 

 

President and Secretary

 

HORIZON POWER, INC.

 

By:       /s/ D. A. Wassum                    

 

D. A. Wassum

 

 

Assistant Vice President

 

 

Dated: November 28, 2005

 

 



 

 

EXHIBIT 1

 

Money Pool Interest Rates

 

The interest rate applied to Money Pool borrowings is the same for all participants that borrow through the Money Pool. The interest rate applied to Money Pool investments is the same for all participants that invest in the Money Pool.

 

Money Pool Daily Interest Rates

 

 

 

Interest Rate

Interest Rate

Date

 

Applied to

Applied to

 

 

Borrowings

Investments

 

 

 

 

7/1/2005

 

3.60%

3.60%

7/2/2005

 

3.60%

3.60%

7/3/2005

 

3.60%

3.60%

7/4/2005

 

3.60%

3.60%

7/5/2005

 

3.60%

3.60%

7/6/2005

 

3.32%

3.32%

7/7/2005

 

3.32%

3.32%

7/8/2005

 

3.37%

3.37%

7/9/2005

 

3.37%

3.37%

7/10/2005

 

3.37%

3.37%

7/11/2005

 

3.39%

3.39%

7/12/2005

 

3.30%

3.30%

7/13/2005

 

3.30%

3.30%

7/14/2005

 

3.33%

3.33%

7/15/2005

 

3.42%

3.42%

7/16/2005

 

3.42%

3.42%

7/17/2005

 

3.42%

3.42%

7/18/2005

 

3.37%

3.37%

7/19/2005

 

3.37%

3.37%

7/20/2005

 

3.37%

3.37%

7/21/2005

 

3.37%

3.37%

7/22/2005

 

3.39%

3.39%

7/23/2005

 

3.39%

3.39%

7/24/2005

 

3.39%

3.39%

7/25/2005

 

3.40%

3.40%

7/26/2005

 

3.40%

3.40%

7/27/2005

 

3.40%

3.40%

7/28/2005

 

3.43%

3.43%

7/29/2005

 

3.43%

3.43%

7/30/2005

 

3.43%

3.43%

7/31/2005

 

3.43%

3.43%

 

 

 



 

 

Money Pool Daily Interest Rates

 

 

 

Interest Rate

Interest Rate

Date

 

Applied to

Applied to

 

 

Borrowings

Investments

 

 

 

 

8/1/2005

 

3.43%

3.43%

8/2/2005

 

3.48%

3.48%

8/3/2005

 

3.48%

3.48%

8/4/2005

 

3.48%

3.48%

8/5/2005

 

3.48%

3.48%

8/6/2005

 

3.48%

3.48%

8/7/2005

 

3.48%

3.48%

8/8/2005

 

3.52%

3.52%

8/9/2005

 

3.52%

3.52%

8/10/2005

 

3.52%

3.52%

8/11/2005

 

3.53%

3.53%

8/12/2005

 

3.53%

3.53%

8/13/2005

 

3.53%

3.53%

8/14/2005

 

3.53%

3.53%

8/15/2005

 

3.50%

3.50%

8/16/2005

 

3.50%

3.50%

8/17/2005

 

3.50%

3.50%

8/18/2005

 

3.50%

3.50%

8/19/2005

 

3.50%

3.50%

8/20/2005

 

3.50%

3.50%

8/21/2005

 

3.50%

3.50%

8/22/2005

 

3.56%

3.56%

8/23/2005

 

3.55%

3.55%

8/24/2005

 

3.55%

3.55%

8/25/2005

 

3.55%

3.55%

8/26/2005

 

3.60%

3.60%

8/27/2005

 

3.60%

3.60%

8/28/2005

 

3.60%

3.60%

8/29/2005

 

3.60%

3.60%

8/30/2005

 

3.60%

3.60%

8/31/2005

 

3.61%

3.61%

 

 

 



 

 

Money Pool Daily Interest Rates

 

 

 

Interest Rate

Interest Rate

Date

 

Applied to

Applied to

 

 

Borrowings

Investments

 

 

 

 

9/1/2005

 

3.64%

3.64%

9/2/2005

 

3.64%

3.64%

9/3/2005

 

3.64%

3.64%

9/4/2005

 

3.64%

3.64%

9/5/2005

 

3.64%

3.64%

9/6/2005

 

3.64%

3.64%

9/7/2005

 

3.63%

3.63%

9/8/2005

 

3.63%

3.63%

9/9/2005

 

3.62%

3.62%

9/10/2005

 

3.62%

3.62%

9/11/2005

 

3.62%

3.62%

9/12/2005

 

3.65%

3.65%

9/13/2005

 

3.65%

3.65%

9/14/2005

 

3.65%

3.65%

9/15/2005

 

3.70%

3.70%

9/16/2005

 

3.70%

3.70%

9/17/2005

 

3.70%

3.70%

9/18/2005

 

3.70%

3.70%

9/19/2005

 

3.73%

3.73%

9/20/2005

 

3.75%

3.75%

9/21/2005

 

3.75%

3.75%

9/22/2005

 

3.74%

3.74%

9/23/2005

 

3.74%

3.74%

9/24/2005

 

3.74%

3.74%

9/25/2005

 

3.74%

3.74%

9/26/2005

 

3.75%

3.75%

9/27/2005

 

3.78%

3.78%

9/28/2005

 

3.77%

3.77%

9/29/2005

 

3.77%

3.77%

9/30/2005

 

3.80%

3.80%