Form 10-Q for quarterly period ended March 31, 2012
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012

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 number 1-33007

 

 

 

LOGO

SPECTRA ENERGY CORP

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   20-5413139
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

5400 Westheimer Court

Houston, Texas 77056

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

713-627-5400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

Number of shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding as of March 31, 2012: 652,738,453

 

 

 


Table of Contents

SPECTRA ENERGY CORP

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED

March 31, 2012

INDEX

 

          Page  

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     4   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

     4   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

     5   
  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

     6   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

     8   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

     9   
  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     10   

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     31   

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     40   

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

     40   

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

     41   

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

     41   

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

     41   
  

Signatures

     42   

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This document includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by terms and phrases such as: anticipate, believe, intend, estimate, expect, continue, should, could, may, plan, project, predict, will, potential, forecast, and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from the results predicted. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to:

 

   

state, federal and foreign legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect cost and investment recovery, have an effect on rate structure, and affect the speed at and degree to which competition enters the natural gas industries;

 

   

outcomes of litigation and regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries;

 

   

weather and other natural phenomena, including the economic, operational and other effects of hurricanes and storms;

 

   

the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates;

 

   

general economic conditions, including the risk of a prolonged economic slowdown or decline, or the risk of delay in a recovery, which can affect the long-term demand for natural gas and related services;

 

   

potential effects arising from terrorist attacks and any consequential or other hostilities;

 

   

changes in environmental, safety and other laws and regulations;

 

   

the development of alternative energy resources;

 

   

results of financing efforts, including the ability to obtain financing on favorable terms, which can be affected by various factors, including credit ratings and general market and economic conditions;

 

   

increases in the cost of goods and services required to complete capital projects;

 

   

declines in the market prices of equity and debt securities and resulting funding requirements for defined benefit pension plans;

 

   

growth in opportunities, including the timing and success of efforts to develop U.S. and Canadian pipeline, storage, gathering, processing and other related infrastructure projects and the effects of competition;

 

   

the performance of natural gas transmission and storage, distribution, and gathering and processing facilities;

 

   

the extent of success in connecting natural gas supplies to gathering, processing and transmission systems and in connecting to expanding gas markets;

 

   

the effects of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by accounting standard-setting bodies;

 

   

conditions of the capital markets during the periods covered by these forward-looking statements; and

 

   

the ability to successfully complete merger, acquisition or divestiture plans; regulatory or other limitations imposed as a result of a merger, acquisition or divestiture; and the success of the business following a merger, acquisition or divestiture.

In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events described in the forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a different extent or at a different time than Spectra Energy Corp has described. Spectra Energy Corp undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

SPECTRA ENERGY CORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In millions, except per-share amounts)

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
         2012              2011      

Operating Revenues

     

Transportation, storage and processing of natural gas

   $ 831       $ 791   

Distribution of natural gas

     505         607   

Sales of natural gas liquids

     149         177   

Other

     59         37   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

     1,544         1,612   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

     

Natural gas and petroleum products purchased

     433         485   

Operating, maintenance and other

     321         314   

Depreciation and amortization

     184         175   

Property and other taxes

     88         85   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     1,026         1,059   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gains on Sales of Other Assets and Other, net

     1         4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating Income

     519         557   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other Income and Expenses

     

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

     118         106   

Other income and expenses, net

     16         6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other income and expenses

     134         112   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest Expense

     157         155   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes

     496         514   

Income Tax Expense From Continuing Operations

     137         139   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income From Continuing Operations

     359         375   

Income From Discontinued Operations, net of tax

     2         7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Income

     361         382   

Net Income—Noncontrolling Interests

     28         25   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Income—Controlling Interests

   $ 333       $ 357   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Common Stock Data

     

Weighted-average shares outstanding

     

Basic

     652         649   

Diluted

     655         651   

Earnings per share from continuing operations

     

Basic and Diluted

   $ 0.51       $ 0.54   

Earnings per share

     

Basic and Diluted

   $ 0.51       $ 0.55   

Dividends per share

   $ 0.28       $ 0.26   

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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SPECTRA ENERGY CORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
         2012              2011      

Net Income

   $ 361       $ 382   

Other comprehensive income

     

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     162         191   

Unrealized mark-to-market net gain on hedges

     —           1   

Reclassification of cash flow hedges into earnings

     2         3   

Pension and benefits impact

     5         8   

Other

     —           8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Comprehensive Income, net of tax

     530         593   

Less: Comprehensive Income—Noncontrolling Interests

     30         28   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income—Controlling Interests

   $ 500       $ 565   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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SPECTRA ENERGY CORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

     March 31,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 

ASSETS

     

Current Assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 105       $ 174   

Receivables, net

     816         962   

Inventory

     258         393   

Other

     258         235   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,437         1,764   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments and Other Assets

     

Investments in and loans to unconsolidated affiliates

     2,090         2,064   

Goodwill

     4,492         4,420   

Other

     519         530   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments and other assets

     7,101         7,014   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

     

Cost

     24,575         23,932   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     5,897         5,674   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net property, plant and equipment

     18,678         18,258   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Regulatory Assets and Deferred Debits

     1,143         1,102   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 28,359       $ 28,138   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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SPECTRA ENERGY CORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In millions, except per-share amounts)

 

     March 31,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

     

Current Liabilities

     

Accounts payable

   $ 408       $ 498   

Short-term borrowings and commercial paper

     1,031         1,052   

Taxes accrued

     87         82   

Interest accrued

     165         178   

Current maturities of long-term debt

     1,021         525   

Other

     557         766   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     3,269         3,101   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term Debt

     9,749         10,146   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

     

Deferred income taxes

     4,062         3,940   

Regulatory and other

     1,797         1,797   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

     5,859         5,737   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

     

Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries

     258         258   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity

     

Preferred stock, $0.001 par, 22 million shares authorized, no shares outstanding

     —           —     

Common stock, $0.001 par, 1 billion shares authorized, 653 million and 651 million shares outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively

     1         1   

Additional paid-in capital

     4,822         4,814   

Retained earnings

     2,125         1,977   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     1,440         1,273   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total controlling interests

     8,388         8,065   

Noncontrolling interests

     836         831   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

     9,224         8,896   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Equity

   $ 28,359       $ 28,138   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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SPECTRA ENERGY CORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
         2012             2011      

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income

   $ 361      $ 382   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     187        178   

Deferred income tax expense

     74        109   

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

     (118     (106

Distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates

     114        104   

Other

     (72     55   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     546        722   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Capital expenditures

     (343     (329

Investments in and loans to unconsolidated affiliates

     —          (4

Acquisitions

     (30     —     

Purchases of held-to-maturity securities

     (861     (214

Proceeds from sales and maturities of held-to-maturity securities

     734        186   

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

     —          (548

Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities

     14        576   

Distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates

     5        —     

Other changes in restricted funds

     79        (10

Other

     —          11   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (402     (332
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Payments for the redemption of long-term debt

     —          (36

Net decrease in short-term borrowings and commercial paper

     (26     (182

Net increase in revolving credit facilities borrowings

     —          13   

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     (27     (23

Dividends paid on common stock

     (185     (170

Other

     24        16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (214     (382
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     1        2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (69     10   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     174        130   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 105      $ 140   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosures

    

Property, plant and equipment noncash accruals

   $ 157      $ 112   

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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SPECTRA ENERGY CORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

     Common
Stock
     Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income
             
          Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
     Other     Noncontrolling
Interests
    Total  

December 31, 2011

   $ 1       $ 4,814      $ 1,977      $ 1,832       $ (559   $ 831      $ 8,896   

Net income

     —           —          333        —           —          28        361   

Other comprehensive income

     —           —          —          160         7        2        169   

Dividends on common stock

     —           —          (185 )     —           —          —          (185

Stock-based compensation

     —           (1 )     —          —           —          —          (1

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     —           —          —          —           —          (25 )     (25

Spectra Energy common stock issued

     —           9       —          —           —          —          9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

   $ 1       $ 4,822      $ 2,125      $ 1,992       $ (552   $ 836      $ 9,224   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

   $ 1       $ 4,726      $ 1,487      $ 2,010       $ (415   $ 678      $ 8,487   

Net income

     —           —          357        —           —          25        382   

Other comprehensive income

     —           —          —          188        20        3        211   

Dividends on common stock

     —           —          (170     —           —          —          (170

Stock-based compensation

     —           14        —          —           —          —          14   

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     —           —          —          —           —          (23     (23
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

March 31, 2011

   $ 1       $ 4,740      $ 1,674      $ 2,198       $ (395   $ 683      $ 8,901   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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SPECTRA ENERGY CORP

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. General

The terms “we,” “our,” “us” and “Spectra Energy” as used in this report refer collectively to Spectra Energy Corp and its subsidiaries unless the context suggests otherwise. These terms are used for convenience only and are not intended as a precise description of any separate legal entity within Spectra Energy.

Nature of Operations. Spectra Energy Corp, through its subsidiaries and equity affiliates, owns and operates a large and diversified portfolio of complementary natural gas-related energy assets, operating in three key areas of the natural gas industry: gathering and processing, transmission and storage, and distribution. We provide transportation and storage of natural gas to customers in various regions of the northeastern and southeastern United States, the Maritime Provinces in Canada and the Pacific Northwest in the United States and Canada, and in the province of Ontario, Canada. We also provide natural gas sales and distribution services to retail customers in Ontario, and natural gas gathering and processing services to customers in western Canada. In addition, we own a 50% interest in DCP Midstream, LLC (DCP Midstream), one of the largest natural gas gatherers and processors in the United States.

Basis of Presentation. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include our accounts and the accounts of our majority-owned subsidiaries. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in our opinion, necessary to fairly present our results of operations and financial position. Amounts reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations are not necessarily indicative of amounts expected for the respective annual periods due to the effects of seasonal temperature variations on energy consumption, primarily in our gas distribution operations, as well as changing commodity prices on certain of our processing operations and other factors.

During the third quarter of 2011, we identified errors in our previously issued Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows related to the accounting for rollovers of outstanding borrowings under our revolving bank credit facilities. These rollovers, which are extensions of borrowings beyond their scheduled due dates that did not involve the exchange of cash, were previously accounted for as cash activities and resulted in the overstatement of both Proceeds from the Issuance of Long-Term Debt and Payments for the Redemption of Long-Term Debt for the three months ended March 31, 2011. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Net Cash Used In Financing Activities as previously reported are not affected by the errors. We evaluated materiality from both a qualitative and a quantitative perspective and concluded that the errors are immaterial to our previously issued Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

In addition to making this correction, effective the third quarter of 2011, we elected to present cash borrowings and repayments under our revolving bank credit facilities on a net basis for all periods presented as Net Increase in Revolving Credit Facilities Borrowings. As these periodic borrowings and repayments are generally of significant amounts and had terms of 90 days or less, we believe our current presentation provides users with more meaningful and relevant information about our long-term debt financing activities.

 

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The correction and change in presentation reflected on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows are as follows:

 

     Proceeds From the
Issuance of

Long-Term Debt
    Payments For the
Redemption of
Long-Term Debt
 
     (in millions)  

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

    

As previously reported

   $ 919      $ (942

Less non-cash activity

     (896     896   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As corrected

     23        (46

Less revolving credit facility activity

     (23     10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt activity

   $ —        $ (36
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Use of Estimates. To conform with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States, we make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Although these estimates are based on our best available knowledge at the time, actual results could differ.

2. Business Segments

We manage our business in four reportable segments: U.S. Transmission, Distribution, Western Canada Transmission & Processing and Field Services. The remainder of our business operations is presented as “Other,” and consists of unallocated corporate costs, 100%-owned captive insurance subsidiaries, employee benefit plan assets and liabilities, and other miscellaneous activities.

Our chief operating decision maker regularly reviews financial information about each of these segments in deciding how to allocate resources and evaluate performance. There is no aggregation of segments within our reportable business segments.

U.S. Transmission provides transportation and storage of natural gas for customers in various regions of the northeastern and southeastern United States and the Maritime Provinces in Canada. The natural gas transmission and storage operations in the U.S. are primarily subject to the rules and regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Spectra Energy Partners, LP (Spectra Energy Partners), a master limited partnership, is part of the U.S. Transmission segment.

Distribution provides retail natural gas distribution service in Ontario, Canada, as well as natural gas transportation and storage services to other utilities and energy market participants. These services are provided by Union Gas Limited (Union Gas), and are primarily subject to the rules and regulations of the Ontario Energy Board (OEB).

Western Canada Transmission & Processing provides transportation of natural gas, natural gas gathering and processing services, and natural gas liquids (NGLs) extraction, fractionation, transportation, storage and marketing to customers in western Canada and the northern tier of the United States. This segment conducts business mostly through BC Pipeline, BC Field Services, and the NGL marketing and Canadian Midstream businesses. BC Pipeline and BC Field Services operations are primarily subject to the rules and regulations of Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB).

Field Services gathers, processes, treats, compresses, transports and stores natural gas. In addition, this segment also fractionates, transports, gathers, treats, processes, stores, markets and trades NGLs. It conducts operations through DCP Midstream, which is owned 50% by us and 50% by Phillips 66. DCP Midstream gathers raw natural gas through gathering systems located in nine major conventional and non-conventional natural gas

 

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producing regions: Mid-Continent, Rocky Mountain, East Texas-North Louisiana, Barnett Shale, Gulf Coast, South Texas, Central Texas, Antrim Shale and Permian Basin. DCP Midstream has a 27% ownership interest in DCP Midstream Partners, LP (DCP Partners), a master limited partnership.

During the third quarter of 2011, ConocoPhillips announced plans to separate its business into two stand-alone publicly traded companies. ConocoPhillips’ 50% ownership interest in DCP Midstream was transferred to the new downstream company, Phillips 66, on May 1, 2012. DCP Midstream does not anticipate that the change in ownership will have a material impact on its operations.

Our reportable segments offer different products and services and are managed separately as business units. Management evaluates segment performance based on earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), which represents earnings from continuing operations (both operating and non-operating) before interest and taxes, net of noncontrolling interests related to those earnings. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are managed centrally, so the associated realized and unrealized gains and losses from foreign currency transactions and interest and dividend income on those balances are excluded from the segments’ EBIT. Transactions between reportable segments are accounted for on the same basis as transactions with unaffiliated third parties.

Business Segment Data

 

     Unaffiliated
Revenues
     Intersegment
Revenues
    Total
Operating
Revenues (a)
    Segment EBIT/
Consolidated
Earnings
from Continuing
Operations before
Income Taxes (a)
 
            (in millions)        

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

         

U.S. Transmission

   $ 493       $ 2      $ 495      $ 271   

Distribution

     597         —          597        151   

Western Canada Transmission & Processing

     453         13        466        138   

Field Services

     —           —          —          93   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total reportable segments

     1,543         15        1,558        653   

Other

     1         20        21        (29

Eliminations

     —           (35     (35     —     

Interest expense

     —           —          —          157   

Interest income and other (b)

     —           —          —          29   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total consolidated

   $ 1,544       $ —        $ 1,544      $ 496   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

         

U.S. Transmission

   $ 481       $ 2      $ 483      $ 279   

Distribution

     696         —          696        167   

Western Canada Transmission & Processing

     433         6        439        141   

Field Services

     —           —          —          81   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total reportable segments

     1,610         8        1,618        668   

Other

     2         15        17        (24

Eliminations

     —           (23     (23     —     

Interest expense

     —           —          —          155   

Interest income and other (b)

     —           —          —          25   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total consolidated

   $ 1,612       $ —        $ 1,612      $ 514   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Excludes amounts associated with entities included in discontinued operations.
(b) Includes foreign currency transaction gains and losses and the add-back of noncontrolling interests related to segment EBIT.

 

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3. Regulatory Matters

Union Gas. Since 2012 is the final year in Union Gas’ current multi-year incentive regulation framework, Union Gas filed an application with the OEB in November 2011 to set their distribution rates effective January 1, 2013. Union Gas plans to file their application for a new multi-year incentive regulation framework after receiving the OEB decision on their 2013 rate application. The OEB decision on Union Gas’ rate application is expected in late 2012.

4. Income Taxes

Income tax expense from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $137 million, compared to $139 million for the same period in 2011. The lower income tax expense resulted from lower earnings from continuing operations and a lower Canadian effective tax rate, substantially offset by favorable tax adjustments in the first quarter of 2011.

The effective tax rate for income from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was 28%, compared to 27% for the same period in 2011. The lower effective tax rate in the first quarter of 2011 was primarily due to favorable tax adjustments.

No material net change in uncertain tax benefits was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2012. No material increases or decreases in uncertain tax benefits are expected to occur in the next 12 months.

5. Discontinued Operations

Discontinued operations is mostly comprised of the net effects of a settlement arrangement related to prior liquefied natural gas contracts. See Note 8 for further discussion.

The following table summarizes results classified as Income From Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:

 

     Revenues      Pre-tax
Earnings
     Income
Tax
Expense
     Income From
Discontinued
Operations,
Net of Tax
 
     (in millions)  

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

           

Other

   $ 57       $ 3       $ 1       $ 2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total consolidated

   $ 57       $ 3       $ 1       $ 2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

           

Other

   $ 84       $ 10       $ 3       $ 7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total consolidated

   $ 84       $ 10       $ 3       $ 7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

6. Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share (EPS) is computed by dividing net income from controlling interests by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income from controlling interests by the diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other agreements to issue common stock, such as stock options, stock-based performance unit awards and phantom stock awards, were exercised, settled or converted into common stock.

Weighted-average shares used to calculate diluted EPS includes the effect of certain options and restricted stock awards. Certain other options related to approximately five million shares for the three months ended March 31, 2011 were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the shares during these periods.

 

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The following table presents our basic and diluted EPS calculations:

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
         2012              2011      
     (in millions, except
per-share amounts)
 

Income from continuing operations, net of tax—controlling interests

   $ 331       $ 350   

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax—controlling interests

     2         7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income—controlling interests

   $ 333       $ 357   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares, outstanding

     

Basic

     652         649   

Diluted

     655         651   

Basic and diluted earnings per common share (a)

     

Continuing operations

   $ 0.51       $ 0.54   

Discontinued operations, net of tax

     —           0.01   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total basic and diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.51       $ 0.55   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) Quarterly earnings-per-share amounts are stand-alone calculations and may not be additive to full-year amounts due to rounding.

7. Inventory

Inventory consists of natural gas and NGLs held in storage for transmission and processing, and also includes materials and supplies. Natural gas inventories primarily relate to the Distribution segment in Canada and are valued at costs approved by the OEB. The difference between the approved price and the actual cost of gas purchased is recorded in either accounts receivable or other current liabilities, as appropriate, for future disposition with customers, subject to approval by the OEB. The remaining inventory is recorded at cost, primarily using average cost. The components of inventory are as follows:

 

     March 31,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 
     (in millions)  

Natural gas

   $ 137       $ 263   

NGLs

     46         58   

Materials and supplies

     75         72   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total inventory

   $ 258       $ 393   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

8. Investments in and Loans to Unconsolidated Affiliates

Our most significant investment in unconsolidated affiliates is our 50% investment in DCP Midstream, which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The following represents summary financial information for DCP Midstream, presented at 100%:

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
         2012              2011      
     (in millions)  

Operating revenues

   $ 2,902       $ 2,929   

Operating expenses

     2,694         2,755   

Operating income

     208         174   

Net income

     155         125   

Net income attributable to members’ interests

     144         133   

 

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DCP Midstream recorded gains on sales of common units of DCP Partners to equity in the first quarters of 2012 and 2011. Our proportionate 50% share, totaling $21 million and $14 million, respectively, was recorded in Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Related Party Transactions. In 2008, we entered into a settlement agreement related to certain liquefied natural gas transportation contracts under which one of our subsidiaries’ claims were satisfied pursuant to commercial transactions involving the purchase of propane from certain parties. We subsequently entered into associated agreements with affiliates of DCP Midstream for the sale of these propane volumes. Net purchases and sales of propane under these arrangements are reflected as discontinued operations.

Sales of propane to affiliates of DCP Midstream are as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
         2012              2011      
     (in millions)  

Sales of propane

   $ 57       $ 84   

9. Marketable Securities and Restricted Funds

We routinely invest excess cash and various restricted balances in securities such as commercial paper, bankers acceptances, corporate debt securities, treasury bills and money market funds in the United States and Canada. We do not purchase marketable securities for speculative purposes, nor do we routinely sell marketable securities prior to their scheduled maturity dates. Therefore, we do not have any securities classified as trading securities. A portion of our investments of restricted funds, primarily insurance-related funds, are classified as available-for-sale marketable securities as they may occasionally be sold prior to their scheduled maturity dates due to unexpected cash needs. Initial investments in securities are classified as purchases of the respective type of securities (available-for-sale (AFS) marketable securities or held-to-maturity (HTM) marketable securities). Maturities of securities are classified within proceeds from sales and maturities of securities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

AFS Securities. We had no restricted AFS securities classified as Current Assets—Other as of March 31, 2012 and $14 million as of December 31, 2011, and $3 million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 classified as Investments and Other Assets—Other. These restricted funds are related to insurance.

During 2010, we invested a portion of the proceeds from Spectra Energy Partners’ issuance of common units to the public in AFS marketable securities. These investments were pledged as collateral against Spectra Energy Partners’ term loan. Spectra Energy Partners’ term loan was repaid in June 2011 and the related investments were liquidated.

At March 31, 2012, the weighted-average contractual maturity of outstanding AFS securities was less than one year.

There were no gross unrealized holding gains or losses associated with investments in AFS securities at March 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011. Estimated fair values of AFS securities follow:

 

     Estimated Fair Value  
     March 31,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 
     (in millions)  

Corporate debt securities

   $ 18       $ 18   

Canadian government securities

     —           14   

Money market funds

     3         3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale investments

   $ 21       $ 35   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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HTM Securities. HTM marketable securities, totaling $266 million as of March 31, 2012 and $162 million as of December 31, 2011, are classified as Investments and Other Assets—Other, and $28 million as of March 31, 2012 are classified as Current Assets—Other. These securities are restricted funds pursuant to certain Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline Limited Partnership (M&N LP) debt agreements. These funds, plus future cash from operations that would otherwise be available for distribution to the partners of M&N LP, are placed in escrow until the balance in escrow is sufficient to fund all future debt service on the M&N LP notes. The notes payable, totaling $208 million as of March 31, 2012, have semi-annual interest and principal payments and are due in 2019.

At March 31, 2012, the weighted-average contractual maturity of outstanding HTM securities was less than one year.

There were no gross unrecognized holding gains or losses associated with investments in HTM securities at March 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011. Estimated fair values of HTM securities follow:

 

     Estimated Fair Value  
     March 31,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 
     (in millions)  

Canadian government securities

   $ 143       $ 107   

Bankers acceptance notes

     151         55   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total held-to-maturity investments

   $ 294       $ 162   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other Restricted Funds. In addition to the AFS and HTM securities described above, we had restricted funds totaling $37 million at March 31, 2012 and $35 million at December 31, 2011 classified as Current Assets—Other, and $79 million at December 31, 2011 classified as Investments and Other Assets—Other. These restricted funds are primarily related to additional amounts for the M&N LP debt service requirements.

Changes in restricted balances are presented with Cash Flows from Investing Activities on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

10. Debt and Credit Facilities

Available Credit Facilities and Restrictive Debt Covenants

 

     Expiration
Date
   Total
Credit
Facilities
Capacity
     Outstanding at March 31, 2012      Available
Credit
Facilities
Capacity
 
           Commercial
Paper
     Letters of
Credit
     Total     
          (in millions)  

Spectra Energy Capital, LLC (a)

                 

Multi-year syndicated

   2016    $ 1,500       $ 836       $ 6       $ 842       $ 658   

Westcoast Energy Inc. (b)

                 

Multi-year syndicated

   2016      300         —           —           —           300   

Union Gas (c)

                 

Multi-year syndicated

   2016      401         155         —           155         246   

Spectra Energy Partners (d)

                 

Multi-year syndicated

   2016      700         40        —           40         660   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

      $ 2,901       $ 1,031       $ 6       $ 1,037       $ 1,864   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Credit facility contains a covenant requiring our consolidated debt-to-total capitalization ratio, as defined in the agreement, to not exceed 65%. This ratio was 58% at March 31, 2012.

 

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(b) U.S. dollar equivalent at March 31, 2012. The credit facility is 300 million Canadian dollars and contains a covenant that requires the Westcoast non-consolidated debt-to-total capitalization ratio to not exceed 75%. The ratio was 45% at March 31, 2012.
(c) U.S. dollar equivalent at March 31, 2012. The credit facility is 400 million Canadian dollars and contains a covenant that requires the Union Gas debt-to-total capitalization ratio to not exceed 75% and a provision which requires Union Gas to repay all borrowings under the facility for a period of two days during the second quarter of each year. The ratio was 66% at March 31, 2012.
(d) Credit facility contains a covenant that requires Spectra Energy Partners to maintain a ratio of total Debt-to-Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA), as defined in the credit agreement, of 5.0 of less. As of March 31, 2012, this ratio was 2.7. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. Because Adjusted EBITDA excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income and is defined differently by companies in our industry, Spectra Energy Partners’ definition of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income, operating income, cash from operations or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP.

The issuances of commercial paper, letters of credit and revolving borrowings reduce the amounts available under the credit facilities. As of March 31, 2012, there were no revolving borrowings outstanding.

Our credit agreements contain various covenants, including the maintenance of certain financial ratios. Failure to meet those covenants beyond applicable grace periods could result in accelerated due dates and/or termination of the agreements. As of March 31, 2012, we were in compliance with those covenants. In addition, our credit agreements allow for acceleration of payments or termination of the agreements due to nonpayment, or in some cases, due to the acceleration of other significant indebtedness of the borrower or some of its subsidiaries. Our debt and credit agreements do not contain provisions that trigger an acceleration of indebtedness based solely on the occurrence of a material adverse change in our financial condition or results of operations.

As noted above, the terms of our Spectra Energy Capital, LLC (Spectra Capital) credit agreement require our consolidated debt-to-total capitalization ratio, as defined in the agreement, to be 65% or lower. Per the terms of the new agreement, collateralized debt and Spectra Energy Partners’ debt and equity are excluded in the calculation of the ratio. This ratio was 58% at March 31, 2012.

 

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11. Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents, for each of the fair value hierarchy levels, assets and liabilities that are measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

Description

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Caption

   March 31, 2012  
      Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  
          (in millions)  

Corporate debt securities

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 61       $ —         $ 61       $ —     

Corporate debt securities

  

Current assets—other

     12         —           12         —     

Derivative assets—interest rate swaps

  

Current assets—other

     10         —           10         —     

Corporate debt securities

  

Investments and other assets—other

     6         —           6         —     

Derivative assets—interest rate swaps

  

Investments and other assets—other

     45         —           45         —     

Money market funds

  

Investments and other assets—other

     3         3         —           —     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 137       $ 3       $ 134       $ —     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities—natural gas purchase contracts

  

Current liabilities— other

   $ 1       $ —         $ —         $ 1   

Derivative liabilities—natural gas purchase contracts

  

Deferred credits and other liabilities—regulatory and other

     14         —           —           14   

Derivative liabilities—interest rate swaps

  

Deferred credits and other liabilities—regulatory and other

     16         —           16         —     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ 31       $ —         $ 16       $ 15   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Description

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Caption

   December 31, 2011  
      Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  
          (in millions)  

Corporate debt securities

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 49       $ —         $ 49       $ —     

Canadian government securities

  

Current assets—other

     14         14         —           —     

Corporate debt securities

  

Current assets—other

     2         —           2         —     

Corporate debt securities

  

Investments and other assets—other

     16         —           16         —     

Derivative assets—interest rate swaps

  

Investments and other assets—other

     66         —           66         —     

Money market funds

  

Investments and other assets—other

     3         3         —           —     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 150       $ 17       $ 133       $ —     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities—natural gas purchase contracts

  

Current liabilities—other

   $ 1       $ —         $ —         $ 1   

Derivative liabilities—natural gas purchase contracts

  

Deferred credits and other liabilities—regulatory and other

     13         —           —           13   

Derivative liabilities—interest rate swaps

  

Deferred credits and other liabilities—regulatory and other

     16         —           16         —     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ 30       $ —         $ 16       $ 14   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The following table presents changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs:

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
         2012             2011      
     (in millions)  

Long-term derivative assets (liabilities)

    

Fair value, beginning of period

   $ (14   $ (6

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses):

    

Included in earnings

     1        (1

Included in other comprehensive income

     (2     1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value, end of period

   $ (15   $ (6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gains for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets/liabilities held at the end of the period

   $ 1      $ 3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Level 1

Level 1 valuations represent quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2 Valuation Techniques

Fair values of our financial instruments that are actively traded in the secondary market, including our long-term debt, are determined based on market-based prices. These valuations may include inputs such as quoted market prices of the exact or similar instruments, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources that may include models or matrix pricing tools, with reasonable levels of price transparency.

For interest rate swaps, we utilize data obtained from a third-party source for the determination of fair value. Both the future cash flows for the fixed-leg and floating-leg of our swaps are discounted to present value. In addition, credit default swap rates are used to develop the adjustment for credit risk embedded in our positions. We believe that since some of the inputs and assumptions for the calculations of fair value are derived from observable market data, a Level 2 classification is appropriate.

Level 3 Valuation Techniques

We do not have significant amounts of assets or liabilities measured and reported using Level 3 valuation techniques, which include the use of pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar techniques where at least one significant model assumption or input is unobservable. Level 3 financial instruments also include those for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

Financial Instruments

The fair values of financial instruments that are recorded and carried at book value are summarized in the following table. Judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. These estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts we could have realized in current markets.

 

     March 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Book
Value
     Approximate
Fair Value
     Book
Value
     Approximate
Fair Value
 
     (in millions)  

Note receivable, noncurrent (a)

   $ 71       $ 71       $ 71       $ 71   

Long-term debt, including current maturities (b)

     10,709         12,470         10,600         12,398   

 

(a) Included within Investments in and Loans to Unconsolidated Affiliates.
(b) Excludes unamortized items and a fair value hedge carrying value adjustment.

 

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The fair values of our note receivable-noncurrent and long-term debt are determined based on market-based prices as described in the Level 2 valuation technique described above.

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable, short-term borrowings and commercial paper are not materially different from their carrying amounts because of the short-term nature of these instruments or because the stated rates approximate market rates.

During the 2012 and 2011 periods, there were no material adjustments to assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

12. Risk Management and Hedging Activities

We are exposed to the impact of market fluctuations in the prices of NGLs and natural gas purchased as a result of our investment in DCP Midstream, and the ownership of NGL marketing operations in western Canada and the processing plants associated with our U.S. pipeline assets. Exposure to interest rate risk exists as a result of the issuance of variable and fixed-rate debt and commercial paper. We are exposed to foreign currency risk from our Canadian operations. We employ established policies and procedures to manage our risks associated with these market fluctuations, which may include the use of derivatives, primarily around interest rate exposures.

DCP Midstream manages their direct exposure to market prices separate from Spectra Energy, and utilizes various risk management strategies, including the use of commodity derivatives.

At March 31, 2012, we had “pay floating—receive fixed” interest rate swaps outstanding with a total notional principal amount of $2,100 million to hedge against changes in the fair value of our fixed-rate debt that arise as a result of changes in market interest rates. These swaps also allow us to transform a portion of the underlying interest payments related to our long-term fixed-rate debt securities into variable-rate interest payments in order to achieve our desired mix of fixed and variable-rate debt.

Other than interest rate swaps described above, we did not have any significant derivatives outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

13. Commitments and Contingencies

Environmental

We are subject to various U.S. federal, state and local laws and regulations, as well as Canadian federal and provincial laws, regarding air and water quality, hazardous and solid waste disposal and other environmental matters. These laws and regulations can change from time to time, imposing new obligations on us.

Like others in the energy industry, we and our affiliates are responsible for environmental remediation at various contaminated sites. These include some properties that are part of our ongoing operations, sites formerly owned or used by us, and sites owned by third parties. Remediation typically involves management of contaminated soils and may involve groundwater remediation. Managed in conjunction with relevant federal, state/provincial and local agencies, activities vary with site conditions and locations, remedial requirements, complexity and sharing of responsibility. If remediation activities involve statutory joint and several liability provisions, strict liability, or cost recovery or contribution actions, we or our affiliates could potentially be held responsible for contamination caused by other parties. In some instances, we may share liability associated with contamination with other potentially responsible parties, and may also benefit from insurance policies or contractual indemnities that cover some or all cleanup costs. All of these sites generally are managed in the normal course of business or affiliated operations.

 

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Included in Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities—Regulatory and Other on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are undiscounted liabilities related to extended environmental-related activities totaling $15 million at March 31, 2012 and $16 million as of December 31, 2011. These liabilities represent provisions for costs associated with remediation activities at some of our current and former sites, as well as other environmental contingent liabilities.

Litigation

Litigation and Legal Proceedings. We are involved in legal, tax and regulatory proceedings in various forums arising in the ordinary course of business, including matters regarding contract and payment claims, some of which involve substantial monetary amounts. We have insurance coverage for certain of these losses should they be incurred. We believe that the final disposition of these proceedings will not have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Legal costs related to the defense of loss contingencies are expensed as incurred. We had no material reserves recorded as of March 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011 related to litigation.

Other Commitments and Contingencies

See Note 14 for a discussion of guarantees and indemnifications.

14. Guarantees and Indemnifications

We have various financial guarantees and indemnifications which are issued in the normal course of business. As discussed below, these contracts include financial guarantees, stand-by letters of credit, debt guarantees, surety bonds and indemnifications. We enter into these arrangements to facilitate a commercial transaction with a third party by enhancing the value of the transaction to the third party. To varying degrees, these guarantees involve elements of performance and credit risk, which are not included on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The possibility of having to perform under these guarantees and indemnifications is largely dependent upon future operations of various subsidiaries, investees and other third parties, or the occurrence of certain future events.

We have issued performance guarantees to customers and other third parties that guarantee the payment and performance of other parties, including certain non-100%-owned entities. In connection with our spin-off from Duke Energy Corporation (Duke Energy) in 2007, certain guarantees that were previously issued by us were assigned to, or replaced by, Duke Energy as guarantor in 2006. For any remaining guarantees of other Duke Energy obligations, Duke Energy has indemnified us against any losses incurred under these guarantee arrangements. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could have been required to make under these performance guarantees as of March 31, 2012 was approximately $406 million, which has been indemnified by Duke Energy as discussed above. One of these outstanding performance guarantees, which has a maximum potential amount of future payment of $201 million, expires in 2028. The remaining guarantees have no contractual expirations.

We have also issued joint and several guarantees to some of the Duke/Fluor Daniel (D/FD) project owners, guaranteeing the performance of D/FD under its engineering, procurement and construction contracts and other contractual commitments in place at the time of our spin-off from Duke Energy. D/FD is one of the entities transferred to Duke Energy in connection with our spin-off. Substantially all of these guarantees have no contractual expiration and no stated maximum amount of future payments that we could be required to make. Fluor Enterprises Inc., as 50% owner in D/FD, has issued similar joint and several guarantees to the same D/FD project owners.

Westcoast Energy Inc. (Westcoast), a 100%-owned subsidiary, has issued performance guarantees to third parties guaranteeing the performance of unconsolidated entities, such as equity method investments, and of entities previously sold by Westcoast to third parties. Those guarantees require Westcoast to make payment to the guaranteed third party upon the failure of such unconsolidated or sold entity to make payment under some of

 

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its contractual obligations, such as debt agreements, purchase contracts and leases. Certain guarantees that were previously issued by Westcoast for obligations of entities that remained a part of Duke Energy are considered guarantees of third party performance; however, Duke Energy has indemnified us against any losses incurred under these guarantee arrangements.

We have entered into various indemnification agreements related to purchase and sale agreements and other types of contractual agreements with vendors and other third parties. These agreements typically cover environmental, tax, litigation and other matters, as well as breaches of representations, warranties and covenants. Typically, claims may be made by third parties for various periods of time depending on the nature of the claim. Our potential exposure under these indemnification agreements can range from a specified amount, such as the purchase price, to an unlimited dollar amount, depending on the nature of the claim and the particular transaction. We are unable to estimate the total potential amount of future payments under these indemnification agreements due to several factors, such as the unlimited exposure under certain guarantees.

As of March 31, 2012, the amounts recorded for the guarantees and indemnifications, described above, including the indemnifications by Duke Energy to us, are not material, both individually and in the aggregate.

15. Employee Benefit Plans

Retirement Plans. We have a qualified non-contributory defined benefit (DB) retirement plan for U.S. employees and non-qualified, non-contributory, unfunded defined benefit plans which cover certain current and former U.S. executives. Our Westcoast subsidiary maintains qualified and non-qualified, contributory and non-contributory, DB and defined contribution (DC) retirement plans covering substantially all employees of our Canadian operations.

Our policy is to fund our retirement plans, where applicable, on an actuarial basis to provide assets sufficient to meet benefits to be paid to plan participants or as required by legislation or plan terms. We made contributions of $6 million to our U.S. retirement plans in the three-month period ended March 31, 2012 and $5 million for the same period in 2011. We made total contributions to the Canadian DC and qualified DB plans of $17 million during both of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. We anticipate that we will make total contributions of approximately $25 million to the U.S. plans and approximately $105 million to the Canadian plans in 2012.

Qualified and Non-Qualified Pension Plans—Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
         2012             2011      
     (in millions)  

U.S.

    

Service cost benefit earned

   $ 3      $ 3   

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

     6        6   

Expected return on plan assets

     (8     (8

Amortization of loss

     4        3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic pension cost

   $ 5      $ 4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Canada

    

Service cost benefit earned

   $ 7      $ 5   

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

     13        14   

Expected return on plan assets

     (15     (12

Amortization of loss

     9        6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic pension cost

   $ 14      $ 13   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans. We provide certain health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees on a contributory and non-contributory basis. Employees are eligible for these benefits if they have met age and service requirements at retirement, as defined in the plans.

Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans—Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
         2012             2011      
     (in millions)  

U.S.

    

Interest cost on accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation

   $ 3      $ 3   

Expected return on plan assets

     (1     (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic other post-retirement benefit cost

   $ 2      $ 2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Canada

    

Service cost benefit earned

   $ 2      $ 1   

Interest cost on accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation

     2        2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic other post-retirement benefit cost

   $ 4      $ 3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Retirement/Savings Plan

We have employee savings plans available to both U.S. and Canadian employees. Employees may participate in a matching contribution formula where we provide a matching contribution up to 100% of before tax employee contributions, of up to 6% of eligible pay per pay period for U.S. employees and up to 5% of eligible pay per pay period for Canadian employees. We expensed pre-tax employer matching contributions of $4 million in both of the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 for U.S employees, and $3 million in both of the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 for Canadian employees.

16. Consolidating Financial Information

Spectra Energy Corp has agreed to fully and unconditionally guarantee the payment of principal and interest under all series of notes outstanding under the Senior Indenture of Spectra Capital, a 100%-owned, consolidated subsidiary. In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules, the following condensed consolidating financial information is presented. The information shown for Spectra Energy Corp and Spectra Capital is presented utilizing the equity method of accounting for investments in subsidiaries, as required. The non-guarantor subsidiaries column represents all consolidated subsidiaries of Spectra Capital. This information should be read in conjunction with our accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto.

 

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Spectra Energy Corp

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

(Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

     Spectra
Energy
Corp
    Spectra
Capital
     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Consolidated  

Total operating revenues

   $ —        $ —         $ 1,545       $ (1   $ 1,544   

Total operating expenses

     2        —           1,025         (1     1,026   

Gains on sales of other assets and other, net

     —          —           1         —          1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     (2     —           521         —          519   

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

     —          —           118         —          118   

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

     329        486         —           (815     —     

Other income and expenses, net

     (1     —           17         —          16   

Interest expense

     —          48         109         —          157   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

     326        438         547         (815     496   

Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations

     (7     109         35         —          137   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     333        329         512         (815     359   

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —          —           2         —          2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     333        329         514         (815     361   

Net income—noncontrolling interests

     —          —           28         —          28   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income—controlling interests

   $ 333      $ 329       $ 486       $ (815   $ 333   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Spectra Energy Corp

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

(Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

     Spectra
Energy
Corp
    Spectra
Capital
     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Consolidated  

Total operating revenues

   $ —        $ —         $ 1,612       $ —        $ 1,612   

Total operating expenses

     3        —           1,056         —          1,059   

Gains on sales of other assets and other, net

     —          —           4         —          4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     (3     —           560         —          557   

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

     —          —           106         —          106   

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

     359        510         —           (869     —     

Other income and expenses, net

     —          —           6         —          6   

Interest expense

     —          48         107         —          155   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

     356        462         565         (869     514   

Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations

     (1     103         37         —          139   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     357        359         528         (869     375   

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —          —           7         —          7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     357        359         535         (869     382   

Net income—noncontrolling interests

     —          —           25         —          25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income—controlling interests

   $ 357      $ 359       $ 510       $ (869   $ 357   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Spectra Energy Corp

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

(Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

     Spectra
Energy
Corp
     Spectra
Capital
     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Consolidated  

Net income

   $ 333       $ 329       $ 514       $ (815   $ 361   

Other comprehensive income

             

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     —           —           162         —          162   

Reclassification of cash flow hedges into earnings

     —           1         1         —          2   

Pension and benefits impact

     4         —           1         —          5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Comprehensive income, net of tax

     337         330         678         (815     530   

Less: Comprehensive income—noncontrolling interests

     —           —           30         —          30   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income—controlling interests

   $ 337       $ 330       $ 648       $ (815   $ 500   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Spectra Energy Corp

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

(Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

     Spectra
Energy
Corp
     Spectra
Capital
     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Consolidated  

Net income

   $ 357       $ 359       $ 535       $ (869   $ 382   

Other comprehensive income

             

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     —           —           191         —          191   

Unrealized mark-to-market net gain

     —           —           1         —          1   

Reclassification of cash flow hedges into earnings

     —           —           3         —          3   

Pension and benefits impact

     2         —           6         —          8   

Other

     —           —           8         —          8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Comprehensive income, net of tax

     359         359         744         (869     593   

Less: Comprehensive income—noncontrolling interests

     —           —           28         —          28   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income—controlling interests

   $ 359       $ 359       $ 716       $ (869   $ 565   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Spectra Energy Corp

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

March 31, 2012

(Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

     Spectra
Energy
Corp
    Spectra
Capital
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Consolidated  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —        $ 2      $ 103       $ —        $ 105   

Receivables (payables)—consolidated subsidiaries

     17        (21     4         —          —     

Receivables—other

     2        2        812         —          816   

Other current assets

     35        12        469         —          516   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     54        (5     1,388         —          1,437   

Investments in and loans to unconsolidated affiliates

     —          71        2,019         —          2,090   

Investments in consolidated subsidiaries

     12,242        15,475        —           (27,717     —     

Advances receivable (payable)—consolidated subsidiaries

     (3,742     4,238        94         (590     —     

Goodwill

     —          —          4,492         —          4,492   

Other assets

     36        84        399         —          519   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     —          —          18,678         —          18,678   

Regulatory assets and deferred debits

     1        15        1,127         —          1,143   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 8,591      $ 19,878      $ 28,197       $ (28,307   $ 28,359   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accounts payable—other

   $ 7      $ 80      $ 321       $ —        $ 408   

Short-term borrowings and commercial paper

     —          1,426        195         (590     1,031   

Accrued taxes payable (receivable)

     (29     27        89         —          87   

Current maturities of long-term debt

     —          495        526         —          1,021   

Other current liabilities

     40        61        621         —          722   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     18        2,089        1,752         (590     3,269   

Long-term debt

     —          2,804        6,945         —          9,749   

Deferred credits and other liabilities

     185        2,743        2,931         —          5,859   

Preferred stock of subsidiaries

     —          —          258         —          258   

Equity

           

Controlling interests

     8,388        12,242        15,475         (27,717     8,388   

Noncontrolling interests

     —          —          836         —          836   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     8,388        12,242        16,311         (27,717     9,224   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Equity

   $ 8,591      $ 19,878      $ 28,197       $ (28,307   $ 28,359   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Spectra Energy Corp

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

December 31, 2011

(Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

     Spectra
Energy
Corp
    Spectra
Capital
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Consolidated  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —        $ 2      $ 172       $ —        $ 174   

Receivables (payables)—consolidated subsidiaries

     —          (1     1         —          —     

Receivables—other

     —          —          962         —          962   

Other current assets

     57        5        566         —          628   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     57        6        1,701         —          1,764   

Investments in and loans to unconsolidated affiliates

     —          70        1,994         —          2,064   

Investments in consolidated subsidiaries

     11,720        14,884        —           (26,604     —     

Advances receivable (payable)—consolidated subsidiaries

     (3,534     4,116        10         (592     —     

Goodwill

     —          —          4,420         —          4,420   

Other assets

     42        105        383         —          530   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     —          —          18,258         —          18,258   

Regulatory assets and deferred debits

     1       15        1,086         —          1,102   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 8,286      $ 19,196      $ 27,852       $ (27,196   $ 28,138   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accounts payable—other

   $ 3      $ 62      $ 433       $ —        $ 498   

Short-term borrowings and commercial paper

     —          1,343        301         (592     1,052   

Accrued taxes payable (receivable)

     (46     2        126         —          82   

Current maturities of long-term debt

     —          —          525         —          525   

Other current liabilities

     76        75        793         —          944   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     33        1,482        2,178         (592     3,101   

Long-term debt

     —          3,311        6,835         —          10,146   

Deferred credits and other liabilities

     188        2,683        2,866         —          5,737   

Preferred stock of subsidiaries

     —          —          258         —          258   

Equity

           

Controlling interests

     8,065        11,720        14,884         (26,604     8,065   

Noncontrolling interests

     —          —          831         —          831   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     8,065        11,720        15,715         (26,604     8,896   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Equity

   $ 8,286      $ 19,196      $ 27,852       $ (27,196   $ 28,138   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Spectra Energy Corp

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

(Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

    Spectra
Energy
Corp
    Spectra
Capital
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

         

Net income

  $ 333      $ 329      $ 514      $ (815   $ 361   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

         

Depreciation and amortization

    —          —          187        —          187   

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

    —          —          (118     —          (118

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

    (329     (486     —          815        —     

Distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates

    —          —          114        —          114   

Other

    (55     94        (37     —          2   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    (51     (63     660        —          546   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

         

Capital expenditures

    —          —          (343     —          (343

Acquisitions

    —          —          (30     —          (30

Purchases of held-to-maturity securities

    —          —          (861     —          (861

Proceeds from sales and maturities of held-to-maturity securities

    —          —          734        —          734   

Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities

    —          —          14        —          14   

Distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates

    —          —          5        —          5   

Other changes in restricted funds

    —          —          79        —          79   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

    —          —          (402     —          (402
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

         

Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings and commercial paper

    —          85        (111     —          (26

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

    —          —          (27     —          (27

Dividends paid on common stock

    (185     —          —          —          (185

Distributions and advances from (to) affiliates

    213        (22     (191     —          —     

Other

    23        —          1        —          24   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    51        63        (328     —          (214
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    —          —          1        —          1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

    —          —          (69     —          (69

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    —          2        172        —          174   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ —        $ 2      $ 103      $ —        $ 105   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Spectra Energy Corp

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

(Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

    Spectra
Energy
Corp
    Spectra
Capital
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

         

Net income

  $ 357      $ 359      $ 535      $ (869   $ 382   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

         

Depreciation and amortization

    —          —          178        —          178   

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

    —          —          (106     —          (106

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

    (359     (510     —          869        —     

Distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates

    —          —          104        —          104   

Other

    (13     129        48        —          164   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    (15     (22     759        —          722   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

         

Capital expenditures

    —          —          (329     —          (329

Investments in and loans to unconsolidated affiliates

    —          —          (4     —          (4

Purchases of held-to-maturity securities

    —          —          (214     —          (214

Proceeds from sales and maturities of held-to-maturity securities

    —          —          186        —          186   

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

    —          —          (548     —          (548

Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities

    —          —          576        —          576   

Other changes in restricted funds

    —          —          (10     —          (10

Other

    —          —          11        —          11   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

    —          —          (332     —          (332
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

         

Payments for the redemption of long-term debt

    —          —          (36     —          (36

Net decrease in short-term borrowings and commercial paper

    —          (51     (131     —          (182

Net increase in revolving credit facilities borrowings

    —          —          13        —          13   

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

    —          —          (23     —          (23

Dividends paid on common stock

    (170     —          —          —          (170

Distributions and advances from (to) affiliates

    168        79        (247     —          —     

Other

    17        —          (1     —          16   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    15        28        (425     —          (382
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    —          —          2        —          2  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

    —          6        4        —          10   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    —          —          130        —          130   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ —        $ 6      $ 134      $ —        $ 140   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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17. New Accounting Pronouncements

There were no significant accounting pronouncements adopted during the three months ended March 31, 2012 that had a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

INTRODUCTION

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Executive Overview

During the first quarter of 2012, our gathering and processing businesses at Field Services generated higher earnings and our fee-based businesses at U.S. Transmission and Western Canada Transmission & Processing continued to perform well by meeting the needs of our customers and generating strong earnings and operating cash flows from expansion projects. These results were offset by extraordinarily warmer weather at Distribution, lower commodity prices at Field Services, and higher NGL extraction premiums and lower NGL sales prices related to the Empress operations at Western Canada Transmission & Processing.

For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, we reported net income from controlling interests of $333 million and $357 million, respectively.

The highlights for the three months ended March 31, 2012 include the following:

 

   

U.S. Transmission’s earnings reflected lower interruptible transportation revenue and the effects of expected contract reductions at Ozark Gas Transmission, L.L.C. (Ozark Gas Transmission), partially offset by higher earnings from expansion projects,

 

   

Distribution’s earnings decreased mainly due to lower customer usage of natural gas due to weather that was more than 23% warmer than in 2011, partially offset by lower operating fuel costs,

 

   

Western Canada Transmission & Processing earnings were lower mainly as a result of higher NGL extraction premiums and lower NGL sales prices, substantially offset by higher gathering and processing earnings from expansions, and

 

   

Field Services earnings benefited from higher gathering and processing volumes from expansion projects and the absence of severe weather which restricted volumes in the first quarter of 2011, partially offset by lower commodity prices.

In the first quarter of 2012, we had $343 million of capital and investment expenditures excluding the payment of $30 million of the purchase price previously withheld in connection with the acquisition of Bobcat Gas Storage (Bobcat) in 2010, which we have classified as acquisition expenditures. We continue to project approximately $2.0 billion of capital and investment expenditures for the full year, including expansion capital of approximately $1.3 billion. Expansion projects for 2012 are on track and we expect that our capital spending will be significantly higher throughout the remainder of the year.

We are committed to an investment-grade balance sheet and continued prudent financial management of our capitalization structure. Therefore, financing these growth activities will continue to be based on our strong and growing fee-based earnings and cash flows as well as the issuance of long-term debt. In 2012, we plan to issue approximately $1.3 billion of combined long-term debt and commercial paper, including the refinancing of approximately $500 million of long-term debt maturities. We have ongoing access to approximately $1.9 billion under our credit facilities as of March 31, 2012, to be utilized as needed for effective working capital management.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
         2012              2011      
     (in millions)  

Operating revenues

   $ 1,544       $ 1,612   

Operating expenses

     1,026         1,059   

Gains on sales of other assets and other, net

     1         4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

     519         557   

Other income and expenses

     134         112   

Interest expense

     157         155   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

     496         514   

Income tax expense from continuing operations

     137         139   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     359         375   

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     2         7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

     361         382   

Net income—noncontrolling interests

     28         25   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income—controlling interests

   $ 333       $ 357   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating Revenues. The $68 million, or 4%, decrease was driven mainly by:

 

   

a decrease in customer usage of natural gas primarily due to weather that was more than 23% warmer than in 2011 and lower natural gas prices passed through to customers at Distribution,

 

   

lower NGL sales volumes primarily as a result of warmer weather and lower NGL sales prices associated with the Empress operations at Western Canada Transmission & Processing, and

 

   

the effects of a weaker Canadian dollar on revenues at Distribution and Western Canada Transmission & Processing, partially offset by

 

   

higher earnings from expansion projects at Western Canada Transmission & Processing and U.S. Transmission, and

 

   

increased sales volumes of residual natural gas related to the Empress operations at Western Canada Transmission & Processing.

Operating Expenses. The $33 million, or 3%, decrease was driven mainly by:

 

   

a decrease in volumes of natural gas sold primarily due to warmer weather and lower natural gas prices passed through to customers at Distribution, partially offset by

 

   

higher volumes of natural gas purchases for extraction and higher costs of natural gas purchased caused primarily by higher extraction premiums, net of lower volumes of make-up gas purchases as a result of lower NGL production due to warmer weather from the Empress operations at Western Canada Transmission & Processing.

Operating Income. The $38 million decrease was mainly driven by lower customer usage of natural gas due to warmer weather at Distribution and lower NGL earnings primarily due to higher NGL extraction premiums and lower NGL sales prices at Western Canada Transmission & Processing, partially offset by expansion projects at Western Canada Transmission & Processing and U.S. Transmission.

Other Income and Expenses. The $22 million increase was attributable to higher equity earnings from Field Services mainly due to an increase in gathering and processing margins as a result of the impact of severe weather in the first quarter of 2011, higher volumes due to expansions in 2012 and increased gains associated

 

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with the issuance of partnership units by DCP Partners, substantially offset by lower commodity prices. In addition, higher allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC) due to higher capital spending on expansion projects at Western Canada Transmission & Processing contributed to higher other income and expenses.

Income Tax Expense from Continuing Operations. The $2 million decrease was a result of lower earnings from continuing operations and a lower Canadian effective tax rate, substantially offset by favorable tax adjustments in the first quarter of 2011. The effective tax rate for income from continuing operations was 28% in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 27% in the first quarter of 2011.

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax. The $5 million decrease was attributable to lower income from propane deliveries in 2012.

Net IncomeNoncontrolling Interests. The $3 million increase was driven by an increase in noncontrolling ownership interests resulting from the Spectra Energy Partners public sales of additional partner units in June 2011 and higher earnings from Spectra Energy Partners, primarily as a result of the acquisition of Big Sandy Pipeline, LLC (Big Sandy) in July 2011.

For a more detailed discussion of earnings drivers, see the segment discussions that follow.

Segment Results

Management evaluates segment performance based on EBIT, which represents earnings from continuing operations (both operating and non-operating) before interest and taxes, net of noncontrolling interests related to those earnings. Cash, cash equivalents and investments are managed centrally, so the gains and losses on foreign currency remeasurement, and interest and dividend income on those balances, are excluded from the segments’ EBIT. We consider segment EBIT to be a good indicator of each segment’s operating performance from its continuing operations, as it represents the results of our ownership interest in operations without regard to financing methods or capital structures.

Our segment EBIT may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies because other companies may not calculate EBIT in the same manner. Segment EBIT is summarized in the following table and detailed discussions follow:

EBIT by Business Segment

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
         2012             2011      
     (in millions)  

U.S. Transmission

   $ 271      $ 279   

Distribution

     151        167   

Western Canada Transmission & Processing

     138        141   

Field Services

     93        81   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total reportable segment EBIT

     653        668   

Other

     (29     (24
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total reportable segment and other EBIT

     624        644   

Interest expense

     157        155   

Interest income and other (a)

     29        25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ 496      $ 514   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) Includes foreign currency transaction gains and losses and the add-back of noncontrolling interests related to segment EBIT.

 

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Noncontrolling interests as presented in the following segment-level discussions includes only noncontrolling interests related to EBIT of non-100%- owned subsidiaries. It does not include noncontrolling interests related to interest and taxes of those operations. The amounts discussed below include intercompany transactions that are eliminated in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

U.S. Transmission

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2012      2011      Increase
(Decrease)
 
     (in millions, except where noted)  

Operating revenues

   $ 495       $ 483       $ 12   

Operating expenses

        

Operating, maintenance and other

     157         146         11   

Depreciation and amortization

     70         67         3   

Gains on sales of other assets and other, net

     1         4         (3
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

     269         274         (5

Other income and expenses

     31         31         —     

Noncontrolling interests

     29         26         3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBIT

   $ 271       $ 279       $ (8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Proportional throughput, TBtu (a)

     763         804         (41

 

(a) Trillion British thermal units. Revenues are not significantly affected by pipeline throughput fluctuations, since revenues are primarily composed of demand charges.

Operating Revenues. The $12 million increase was driven by:

 

   

a $19 million increase from expansion projects and the acquisition of Big Sandy in July 2011, and

 

   

a $7 million increase in recoveries of electric power and other costs passed through to customers, partially offset by

 

   

an $11 million decrease from lower interruptible transportation revenue and the effects of expected contract reductions at Ozark Gas Transmission.

Operating, Maintenance and Other. The $11 million increase was driven by:

 

   

a $6 million increase from electric power and other costs passed through to customers, and

 

   

a $6 million increase primarily due to software costs.

Depreciation and Amortization. The $3 million increase was mainly driven by expansion projects and the acquisition of Big Sandy.

Noncontrolling Interests. The $3 million increase was driven by an increase in noncontrolling ownership interests resulting from the Spectra Energy Partners public sales of additional partner units in June 2011, and higher earnings from Spectra Energy Partners, primarily as a result of the acquisition of Big Sandy in July 2011.

EBIT. The $8 million decrease was mainly due to lower interruptible transportation revenues, the effects of expected contract reductions at Ozark Gas Transmission and accelerated software amortization costs. These results were partially offset by expansion projects previously placed into service.

 

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Distribution

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2012      2011      Increase
(Decrease)
 
     (in millions, except where noted)  

Operating revenues

   $ 597       $ 696       $ (99

Operating expenses

        

Natural gas purchased

     286         369         (83

Operating, maintenance and other

     107         107         —     

Depreciation and amortization

     53         53         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBIT

   $ 151       $ 167       $ (16
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Number of customers, thousands

     1,363         1,345         18   

Heating degree days, Fahrenheit

     2,893         3,772         (879

Pipeline throughput, TBtu

     267         331         (64

Canadian dollar exchange rate, average

     1.00         0.99         0.01   

Operating Revenues. The $99 million decrease was driven mainly by:

 

   

an $85 million decrease in customer usage of natural gas primarily due to weather that was more than 23% warmer than in 2011,

 

   

a $15 million decrease from lower natural gas prices passed through to customers. Prices charged to customers are adjusted quarterly based on the 12 month New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) forecast, and

 

   

a $9 million decrease resulting from a weaker Canadian dollar, partially offset by

 

   

a $6 million increase from growth in the number of customers.

Natural Gas Purchased. The $83 million decrease was driven mainly by:

 

   

a $59 million decrease due to lower volumes of natural gas sold primarily due to warmer weather,

 

   

a $15 million decrease from lower natural gas prices passed through to customers,

 

   

an $8 million decrease in operating fuel costs, and

 

   

a $4 million decrease resulting from a weaker Canadian dollar, partially offset by

 

   

a $4 million increase from growth in the number of customers.

EBIT. The $16 million decrease was primarily a result of lower customer usage due to warmer weather, partially offset by lower operating fuel costs.

 

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Western Canada Transmission & Processing

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2012      2011      Increase
(Decrease)
 
     (in millions, except where noted)  

Operating revenues

   $ 466       $ 439       $ 27   

Operating expenses

        

Natural gas and petroleum products purchased

     161         122         39   

Operating, maintenance and other

     131         133         (2

Depreciation and amortization

     47         46         1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

     127         138         (11

Other income and expenses

     11         3         8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBIT

   $ 138       $ 141       $ (3
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pipeline throughput, TBtu

     177         183         (6

Volumes processed, TBtu

     179         176         3   

Empress inlet volumes, TBtu

     171         181         (10

Canadian dollar exchange rate, average

     1.00         0.99         0.01   

Operating Revenues. The $27 million increase was driven by:

 

   

a $31 million increase primarily due to higher sales volumes of residual natural gas at the Empress operations,

 

   

a $20 million increase in gathering and processing revenues due to contracted volumes from expansions associated with non-conventional supply in the Fort Nelson area, and

 

   

an $8 million increase due to higher transmission revenue, partially offset by

 

   

a $13 million decrease due to lower NGL sales volumes associated with the Empress operations primarily as a result of warmer weather,

 

   

a $13 million decrease due to lower NGL sales prices associated with the Empress operations, and

 

   

a $7 million decrease as a result of a weaker Canadian dollar.

Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Purchased. The $39 million increase was driven by:

 

   

a $36 million increase in natural gas purchases for extraction at Empress primarily due to increased volumes, and

 

   

a $13 million increase as a result of higher costs of natural gas purchased for the Empress facility caused primarily by higher extraction premiums, partially offset by

 

   

a $9 million decrease in volumes of make-up gas purchases at Empress primarily as a result of lower NGL production due to warmer weather.

Other Income and Expenses. The $8 million increase was primarily due to higher AFUDC resulting from higher capital spending on expansion projects.

EBIT. The $3 million decrease was driven mainly by higher NGL extraction premiums and lower NGL sales prices at Empress, substantially offset by higher gathering and processing earnings from expansions.

 

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Field Services

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2012      2011      Increase
(Decrease)
 
     (in millions, except where noted)  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

   $ 93       $ 81       $ 12   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBIT

   $ 93       $ 81       $ 12   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Natural gas gathered and processed/transported, TBtu/d (a,b)

     7.2         6.7         0.5   

NGL production, MBbl/d (a,c)

     412         358         54   

Average natural gas price per MMBtu (d)

   $ 2.74       $ 4.11       $ (1.37

Average NGL price per gallon (e)

   $ 1.00       $ 1.13       $ (0.13

Average crude oil price per barrel (f)

   $ 102.84       $ 94.10       $ 8.74   

 

(a) Reflects 100% of volumes.
(b) Trillion British thermal units per day.
(c) Thousand barrels per day.
(d) Million British thermal units. Average price based on NYMEX Henry Hub.
(e) Does not reflect results of commodity hedges.
(f) Average price based on NYMEX calendar month.

EBIT. Higher equity earnings of $12 million were mainly the result of the following variances, each representing our 50% ownership portion of the earnings drivers at DCP Midstream:

 

   

a $28 million increase in gathering and processing volumes from expansion projects across certain geographic regions and the absence of severe weather which restricted volumes in the first quarter of 2011,

 

   

a $7 million increase in gains associated with the issuance of partnership units by DCP Partners, and

 

   

a $5 million increase in earnings from DCP Partners as a result of growth and mark-to-market gains on derivative instruments used to protect distributable cash flows, partially offset by

 

   

a $24 million decrease from commodity-sensitive processing arrangements due to decreased NGL and natural gas prices, net of increased crude oil prices, and

 

   

a $6 million decrease due to higher operating expenses largely resulting from increased depreciation expense due to growth.

Other

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2012     2011     Increase
(Decrease)
 
     (in millions)  

Operating revenues

   $ 21      $ 17      $ 4   

Operating expenses

     49        39        10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating loss

     (28     (22     (6

Other income and expenses

     (1     (2     1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBIT

   $ (29   $ (24   $ (5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBIT. The $5 million decrease in EBIT reflects higher corporate costs, primarily employee and retiree benefit costs.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As of March 31, 2012, we had negative working capital of $1,832 million. This balance includes short-term borrowings and commercial paper totaling $1,031 million and current maturities of long-term debt of $1,021 million. We will rely upon cash flows from operations and various financing transactions, which may include issuances of short-term and long-term debt, to fund our liquidity and capital requirements for the next 12 months. We have access to four revolving credit facilities, with total combined capital commitments of approximately $2.9 billion, with approximately $1.9 billion available at March 31, 2012. These facilities are used principally as back-stops for commercial paper programs or for the issuance of letters of credit. At Union Gas, we primarily use commercial paper to support our short-term working capital fluctuations. At Spectra Capital, Spectra Energy Partners and Westcoast, we primarily use commercial paper for temporary funding of our capital expenditures. We also utilize commercial paper, other variable-rate debt and interest rate swaps to achieve our desired mix of fixed and variable-rate debt. See Note 10 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of available credit facilities and Financing Cash Flows and Liquidity for a discussion of effective shelf registrations.

Operating Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $176 million to $546 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, driven mainly by working capital changes, including lower accounts payable and higher tax payments in 2012, and lower earnings in 2012.

Investing Cash Flows

Net cash used in investing activities increased $70 million to $402 million in the first three months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. This change was driven by net sales of Spectra Energy Partners’ AFS marketable securities in 2011 and payment in 2012 of $30 million previously withheld from the purchase price consideration of the acquisition of Bobcat in 2010.

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
         2012              2011      
     (in millions)  

Capital and Investment Expenditures

     

U.S. Transmission (a)

   $ 117       $ 132   

Distribution

     38         52   

Western Canada Transmission & Processing

     174         140   

Other

     14         9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 343       $ 333   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) Excludes $30 million paid in 2012 for amounts previously withheld from the purchase price consideration of the acquisition of Bobcat in 2010.

Capital and investment expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2012 consisted of $233 million for expansion projects and $110 million for maintenance and other projects.

We project 2012 capital and investment expenditures of approximately $2.0 billion, consisting of approximately $1.1 billion for U.S. Transmission, $0.3 billion for Distribution and $0.6 billion for Western Canada Transmission & Processing. Total projected 2012 capital and investment expenditures include approximately $1.3 billion of expansion capital expenditures and $0.7 billion for maintenance and upgrades of existing plants, pipelines and infrastructure to serve growth. We continue to assess short and long-term market requirements and adjust our capital plans as required.

 

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Financing Cash Flows and Liquidity

During 2011, we identified certain immaterial errors in our previously issued Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows related to the accounting for rollovers of outstanding borrowings under our revolving bank credit facilities. The following discussion reflects the correction of these immaterial errors and also a change in the presentation of cash borrowings and repayments under these facilities. See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Net cash used in financing activities totaled $214 million in the first three months of 2012 compared to $382 million used in the first three months of 2011. This change was driven mainly by:

 

   

a $26 million decrease in short-term borrowings and commercial paper outstanding in 2012 compared to a $182 million decrease in the 2011 period, and

 

   

$23 million of net debt retirements, including net revolving credit facility borrowings, in 2011.

Available Credit Facilities and Restrictive Debt Covenants. See Note 10 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of available credit facilities and related financial and other covenants.

The terms of our Spectra Capital credit agreement require our consolidated debt-to-total-capitalization ratio, as defined in the agreement, to be 65% or lower. Per the terms of the agreement, collateralized debt and Spectra Energy Partners’ debt and equity are excluded in the calculation of the ratio. As of March 31, 2012, this ratio was 58%. Our equity and, as a result, this ratio, are sensitive to significant movements of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar due to the significance of our Canadian operations. Based on the strength of our total capitalization as of March 31, 2012, it is unlikely that a material adverse effect would occur as a result of a weakened Canadian dollar.

Credit Ratings

 

     Standard
&

Poor’s
   Moody’s
Investors
Service
   Fitch
Ratings
   DBRS

As of May 8, 2012

           

Spectra Capital (a)

   BBB    Baa2    BBB    n/a

Texas Eastern Transmission, LP (a)

   BBB+    Baa1    BBB+    n/a

Westcoast (a)

   BBB+    n/a    n/a    A (low)

Union Gas (a)

   BBB+    n/a    n/a    A

Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C. (a)

   BBB-    Baa3    n/a    n/a

M&N LP (b)

   A    A2/A3    n/a    A

Spectra Energy Partners (a)

   BBB    Baa3    BBB    n/a

 

(a) Represents senior unsecured credit rating.
(b) Represents senior secured credit rating. The A2 rating applies to M&N LP’s 6.9% notes due 2019 and the A3 rating applies to its 4.34% notes due 2019.
n/a Indicates not applicable.

The above credit ratings are dependent upon, among other factors, the ability to generate sufficient cash to fund capital and investment expenditures, our results of operations, market conditions and other factors. Our credit ratings could impact our ability to raise capital in the future, impact the cost of our capital and, as a result, have an impact on our liquidity.

Dividends. Our near-term objective is to increase our dividend by at least $0.08 per year and to continue paying cash dividends in the future. In the long-term, we anticipate paying dividends at an average payout ratio level of between 60%-65% of our net income from controlling interests per share of common stock. The actual

 

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payout ratio, however, may vary from year to year depending on earnings levels. We expect to continue our policy of paying regular cash dividends. The declaration and payment of dividends are subject to the sole discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including the financial condition, earnings and capital requirements of our operating subsidiaries, covenants associated with certain debt obligations, legal requirements, regulatory constraints and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors. A dividend of $0.28 per common share was declared on April 30, 2012 and will be paid on June 11, 2012.

Other Financing Matters. Spectra Energy Corp and Spectra Capital have an effective shelf registration statement on file with the SEC to register the issuance of unspecified amounts of various equity and debt securities, respectively. Spectra Energy Partners also has an effective shelf registration statement on file with the SEC to register the issuance of limited partner common units and various debt securities. In addition, as of March 31, 2012, certain of our subsidiaries in Canada have 1.2 billion Canadian dollars (approximately $1.1 billion) available for issuance in the Canadian market under debt shelf prospectuses that expire in October 2012.

OTHER ISSUES

New Accounting Pronouncements. See Note 17 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

Our exposure to market risk is described in Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. We believe our exposure to market risk has not changed materially since then.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2012, and, based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, we implemented several modules of a new enterprise resource planning system, Systems Applications and Products (SAP), the most significant of which was the general ledger module in our U.S. operations. The internal controls over financial reporting affected by this implementation were evaluated for design and found to be effective. Prior to implementation of the modules, user acceptance testing was performed to ensure the system was functioning as designed. Post-implementation reviews have been and will continue to be conducted by management to ensure that the internal controls surrounding the system implementation processes, key applications and the financial close process are properly designed and are operating effectively. We expect to implement additional SAP modules during the remainder of 2012 and will apply the same methodology to their implementation.

 

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Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated changes in internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2012 and found no change, other than described above, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

We have no material pending legal proceedings that are required to be disclosed hereunder. For information regarding other legal proceedings, including regulatory and environmental matters, see Notes 3 and 13 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which information is incorporated by reference into this Part II.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, careful consideration should be given to the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, which could materially affect our financial condition or future results. There have been no material changes to those risk factors.

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

Any agreements included as exhibits to this Form 10-Q may contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and:

 

   

were not intended to be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate;

 

   

may have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement;

 

   

may apply contract standards of “materiality” that are different from “materiality” under the applicable securities laws; and

 

   

were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement.

We acknowledge that, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing cautionary statements, we are responsible for considering whether additional specific disclosures of material information regarding material contractual provisions are required to make the statements in this Form 10-Q not misleading.

 

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(a) Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

   
  *+10.1   Form of Phantom Stock Award Agreement (2012) pursuant to the Spectra Energy Corp 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
  *+10.2   Form of Performance Award Agreement (cash) (2012) pursuant to the Spectra Energy Corp 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
  *+10.3   Form of Performance Award Agreement (stock) (2012) pursuant to the Spectra Energy Corp 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
  *31.1   Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  *31.2   Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  *32.1   Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  *32.2   Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*101.INS   XBRL Instance Document.
*101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
*101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
*101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.
*101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
*101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.

 

* Filed herewith.
+ Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

The total amount of securities of the registrant or its subsidiaries authorized under any instrument with respect to long-term debt not filed as an exhibit does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The registrant agrees, upon request of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to furnish copies of any or all of such instruments to it.

SIGNATURES

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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

    SPECTRA ENERGY CORP

Date: May 9, 2012

   

/s/    GREGORY L. EBEL        

    Gregory L. Ebel
    President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: May 9, 2012

   

/s/    J. PATRICK REDDY        

    J. Patrick Reddy
    Chief Financial Officer

 

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