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WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. - Quarter Report: 2020 June (Form 10-Q)



 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2020
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 1-4174

THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
73-0569878
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
One Williams Center
 
 
Tulsa
Oklahoma
 
74172-0172
    (Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (918573-2000
NO CHANGE
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1.00 par value
WMB
New York Stock Exchange
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 No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
 
Accelerated filer
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
Smaller reporting company
 
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.) Yes No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
 
Shares Outstanding at July 30, 2020
Common Stock, $1.00 par value
 
1,213,558,476
 




The Williams Companies, Inc.
Index


 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The reports, filings, and other public announcements of The Williams Companies, Inc. (Williams) may contain or incorporate by reference statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. Such statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). These forward-looking statements relate to anticipated financial performance, management’s plans and objectives for future operations, business prospects, outcomes of regulatory proceedings, market conditions, and other matters. We make these forward-looking statements in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this report that address activities, events, or developments that we expect, believe, or anticipate will exist or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by various forms of words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “continues,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “might,” “goals,” “objectives,” “targets,” “planned,” “potential,” “projects,” “scheduled,” “will,” “assumes,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “in-service date,” or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management and include, among others, statements regarding:

Levels of dividends to Williams stockholders;

Future credit ratings of Williams and its affiliates;

Amounts and nature of future capital expenditures;

Expansion and growth of our business and operations;

1




Expected in-service dates for capital projects;

Financial condition and liquidity;

Business strategy;

Cash flow from operations or results of operations;

Seasonality of certain business components;

Natural gas, natural gas liquids, and crude oil prices, supply, and demand;

Demand for our services;

The impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, uncertainties, and risks that could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in this report. Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

Availability of supplies, market demand, and volatility of prices;

Development and rate of adoption of alternative energy sources;

The impact of existing and future laws and regulations, the regulatory environment, environmental liabilities, and litigation, as well as our ability to obtain necessary permits and approvals, and achieve favorable rate proceeding outcomes;

Our exposure to the credit risk of our customers and counterparties;

Our ability to acquire new businesses and assets and successfully integrate those operations and assets into existing businesses as well as successfully expand our facilities, and to consummate asset sales on acceptable terms;

Whether we are able to successfully identify, evaluate, and timely execute our capital projects and investment opportunities;

The strength and financial resources of our competitors and the effects of competition;

The amount of cash distributions from and capital requirements of our investments and joint ventures in which we participate;

Whether we will be able to effectively execute our financing plan;

Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from stakeholders with respect to our environmental, social, and governance practices;

The physical and financial risks associated with climate change;

2




The impacts of operational and developmental hazards and unforeseen interruptions;

The risks resulting from outbreaks or other public health crises, including COVID-19;

Risks associated with weather and natural phenomena, including climate conditions and physical damage to our facilities;

Acts of terrorism, cybersecurity incidents, and related disruptions;

Our costs and funding obligations for defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans;

Changes in maintenance and construction costs, as well as our ability to obtain sufficient construction-related inputs, including skilled labor;

Inflation, interest rates, and general economic conditions (including future disruptions and volatility in the global credit markets and the impact of these events on customers and suppliers);

Risks related to financing, including restrictions stemming from debt agreements, future changes in credit ratings as determined by nationally recognized credit rating agencies, and the availability and cost of capital;

The ability of the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil exporting nations to agree to and maintain oil price and production controls and the impact on domestic production;

Changes in the current geopolitical situation;

Whether we are able to pay current and expected levels of dividends;

Additional risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Given the uncertainties and risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, we caution investors not to unduly rely on our forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligations to and do not intend to update the above list or announce publicly the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.

In addition to causing our actual results to differ, the factors listed above and referred to below may cause our intentions to change from those statements of intention set forth in this report. Such changes in our intentions may also cause our results to differ. We may change our intentions, at any time and without notice, based upon changes in such factors, our assumptions, or otherwise.

Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, we caution that there are important factors, in addition to those listed above, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. For a detailed discussion of those factors, see Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the SEC on February 24, 2020, as supplemented by the disclosures in Part II, Item 1A. in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.


3



DEFINITIONS

The following is a listing of certain abbreviations, acronyms, and other industry terminology that may be used throughout this Form 10-Q.

Measurements:
Barrel: One barrel of petroleum products that equals 42 U.S. gallons
Bcf: One billion cubic feet of natural gas
Bcf/d: One billion cubic feet of natural gas per day
British Thermal Unit (Btu): A unit of energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit
Dekatherms (Dth): A unit of energy equal to one million British thermal units
Mbbls/d: One thousand barrels per day
Mdth/d: One thousand dekatherms per day
MMcf/d: One million cubic feet per day
MMdth: One million dekatherms or approximately one trillion British thermal units
MMdth/d: One million dekatherms per day
Tbtu: One trillion British thermal units
Consolidated Entities:
Cardinal: Cardinal Gas Services, L.L.C.
Gulfstar One: Gulfstar One LLC
Northwest Pipeline: Northwest Pipeline LLC
Transco: Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC
UEOM: Utica East Ohio Midstream LLC, previously a Partially Owned Entity until acquiring remaining interest in March 2019
Northeast JV: Ohio Valley Midstream LLC, a partially owned venture that includes our Ohio Valley assets and UEOM
     
Partially Owned Entities: Entities in which we do not own a 100 percent ownership interest and which, as of June 30, 2020, we account for as an equity-method investment, including principally the following:
Aux Sable: Aux Sable Liquid Products LP
Caiman II: Caiman Energy II, LLC
Discovery: Discovery Producer Services LLC
Gulfstream: Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C.
Jackalope: Jackalope Gas Gathering Services, L.L.C., which was sold in April 2019
Laurel Mountain: Laurel Mountain Midstream, LLC
OPPL: Overland Pass Pipeline Company LLC
RMM: Rocky Mountain Midstream Holdings LLC
Government and Regulatory:
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
Exchange Act, the: Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
FERC: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

4



IRS: Internal Revenue Service
SEC: Securities and Exchange Commission
Other:
Fractionation: The process by which a mixed stream of natural gas liquids is separated into constituent products, such as ethane, propane, and butane
GAAP: U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
LNG: Liquefied natural gas; natural gas which has been liquefied at cryogenic temperatures
MVC: Minimum volume commitment
NGLs: Natural gas liquids; natural gas liquids result from natural gas processing and crude oil refining and are used as petrochemical feedstocks, heating fuels, and gasoline additives, among other applications
NGL margins: NGL revenues less any applicable Btu replacement cost, plant fuel, transportation, and fractionation
    



5



PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

The Williams Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Operations
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended 
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
June 30,
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Millions, except per-share amounts)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service revenues
$
1,446

 
$
1,489

 
$
2,920


$
2,929

Service revenues – commodity consideration
25

 
56

 
53

 
120

Product sales
310

 
496

 
721


1,046

Total revenues
1,781

 
2,041

 
3,694


4,095

Costs and expenses:
 
 

 



Product costs
271


483


667


1,008

Processing commodity expenses
15


24


28


64

Operating and maintenance expenses
320


387


657


727

Depreciation and amortization expenses
430


424


859


840

Selling, general, and administrative expenses
127


152


240


280

Impairment of certain assets (Note 12)

 
64

 

 
76

Impairment of goodwill (Note 12)




187



Other (income) expense – net
6


9


13


41

Total costs and expenses
1,169


1,543


2,651


3,036

Operating income (loss)
612


498


1,043


1,059

Equity earnings (losses) (Note 5)
108


87


130


167

Impairment of equity-method investments (Note 12)


2

 
(938
)
 
(72
)
Other investing income (loss) – net (Note 5)
1


124


4


125

Interest incurred
(299
)

(306
)

(600
)

(612
)
Interest capitalized
5


10


10


20

Other income (expense) – net
5


7


9


18

Income (loss) before income taxes
432


422


(342
)

705

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
117


98


(87
)

167

Net income (loss)
315


324


(255
)

538

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
12


14


(41
)

33

Net income (loss) attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc.
303


310


(214
)

505

Preferred stock dividends

 

 
1

 
1

Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
$
303

 
$
310

 
$
(215
)
 
$
504

Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
.25

 
$
.26

 
$
(.18
)
 
$
.42

Weighted-average shares (thousands)
1,213,601

 
1,212,045

 
1,213,310

 
1,211,769

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
.25

 
$
.26

 
$
(.18
)
 
$
.41

Weighted-average shares (thousands)
1,214,581

 
1,214,065

 
1,213,310

 
1,213,830


See accompanying notes.

6



The Williams Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended 
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
June 30,
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Millions)
Net income (loss)
$
315

 
$
324

 
$
(255
)
 
$
538

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and other postretirement benefits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial gain (loss) arising during the year, net of taxes of ($7) and ($3) in 2020
23

 

 
9

 

Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss and net actuarial loss from settlements included in net periodic benefit cost (credit), net of taxes of ($3) and ($5) in 2020 and ($2) and ($3) in 2019
6

 
2

 
14

 
5

Other comprehensive income (loss)
29

 
2

 
23

 
5

Comprehensive income (loss)
344

 
326

 
(232
)
 
543

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
12

 
14

 
(41
)
 
33

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc.
$
332

 
$
312

 
$
(191
)
 
$
510

See accompanying notes.


7



The Williams Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Unaudited)
 
 
June 30,
2020
 
December 31,
2019
 
 
(Millions, except per-share amounts)
ASSETS
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,133

 
$
289

Trade accounts and other receivables
 
917

 
1,002

Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
(10
)
 
(6
)
Trade accounts and other receivables – net
 
907

 
996

Inventories
 
134

 
125

Other current assets and deferred charges
 
164

 
170

Total current assets
 
2,338

 
1,580

Investments
 
5,155

 
6,235

Property, plant, and equipment
 
42,092

 
41,510

Accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
(12,955
)
 
(12,310
)
Property, plant, and equipment – net
 
29,137

 
29,200

Intangible assets – net of accumulated amortization
 
7,609

 
7,959

Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other
 
1,104

 
1,066

Total assets
 
$
45,343

 
$
46,040

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
769

 
$
552

Accrued liabilities
 
1,043

 
1,276

Long-term debt due within one year
 
626

 
2,140

Total current liabilities
 
2,438

 
3,968

Long-term debt
 
22,323

 
20,148

Deferred income tax liabilities
 
1,729

 
1,782

Regulatory liabilities, deferred income, and other
 
3,773

 
3,778

Contingent liabilities (Note 13)
 

 

Equity:
 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
 
35

 
35

Common stock ($1 par value; 1,470 million shares authorized at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019; 1,248 million shares issued at June 30, 2020 and 1,247 million shares issued at December 31, 2019)
 
1,248

 
1,247

Capital in excess of par value
 
24,343

 
24,323

Retained deficit
 
(12,197
)
 
(11,002
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(176
)
 
(199
)
Treasury stock, at cost (35 million shares of common stock)
 
(1,041
)
 
(1,041
)
Total stockholders’ equity
 
12,212

 
13,363

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries
 
2,868

 
3,001

Total equity
 
15,080

 
16,364

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
45,343

 
$
46,040


See accompanying notes.

8



The Williams Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
(Unaudited)

 
The Williams Companies, Inc. Stockholders
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock
 
Common Stock
 
Capital in Excess of Par Value
 
Retained Deficit
 
AOCI*
 
Treasury Stock
 
Total Stockholders’ Equity
 
Noncontrolling Interests
 
Total Equity
 
(Millions)
Balance – March 31, 2020
$
35

 
$
1,248

 
$
24,330

 
$
(12,013
)
 
$
(205
)
 
$
(1,041
)
 
$
12,354

 
$
2,905

 
$
15,259

Net income (loss)

 

 

 
303

 

 

 
303

 
12

 
315

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 
29

 

 
29

 

 
29

Cash dividends common stock ($0.40 per share)

 

 

 
(486
)
 

 

 
(486
)
 

 
(486
)
Dividends and distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(54
)
 
(54
)
Stock-based compensation and related common stock issuances, net of tax

 

 
13

 

 

 

 
13

 

 
13

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
2

 
2

Other

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(1
)
 
3

 
2

   Net increase (decrease) in equity

 

 
13

 
(184
)
 
29

 

 
(142
)
 
(37
)
 
(179
)
Balance – June 30, 2020
$
35

 
$
1,248

 
$
24,343

 
$
(12,197
)
 
$
(176
)
 
$
(1,041
)
 
$
12,212

 
$
2,868

 
$
15,080

Balance – March 31, 2019
$
35

 
$
1,246

 
$
24,703

 
$
(10,270
)
 
$
(267
)
 
$
(1,041
)
 
$
14,406

 
$
1,319

 
$
15,725

Net income (loss)

 

 

 
310

 

 

 
310

 
14

 
324

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 
2

 

 
2

 

 
2

Cash dividends common stock ($0.38 per share)

 

 

 
(461
)
 

 

 
(461
)
 

 
(461
)
Dividends and distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(27
)
 
(27
)
Stock-based compensation and related common stock issuances, net of tax

 

 
17

 

 

 

 
17

 

 
17

Sale of partial interest in consolidated subsidiary (Note 2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,333

 
1,333

Changes in ownership of consolidated subsidiaries, net (Note 2)

 

 
(425
)
 

 

 

 
(425
)
 
566

 
141

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
28

 
28

Other

 

 
1

 
(2
)
 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
   Net increase (decrease) in equity

 

 
(407
)
 
(153
)
 
2

 

 
(558
)
 
1,914

 
1,356

Balance – June 30, 2019
$
35

 
$
1,246

 
$
24,296

 
$
(10,423
)
 
$
(265
)
 
$
(1,041
)
 
$
13,848

 
$
3,233

 
$
17,081

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

See accompanying notes.


9




The Williams Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
The Williams Companies, Inc. Stockholders
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred
Stock
 
Common
Stock
 
Capital in
Excess of
Par Value
 
Retained
Deficit
 
AOCI*
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total Equity
 
(Millions)
Balance – December 31, 2019
$
35

 
$
1,247

 
$
24,323

 
$
(11,002
)
 
$
(199
)
 
$
(1,041
)
 
$
13,363

 
$
3,001

 
$
16,364

Net income (loss)

 

 

 
(214
)
 

 

 
(214
)
 
(41
)
 
(255
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 
23

 

 
23

 

 
23

Cash dividends – common stock ($0.80 per share)

 

 

 
(971
)
 

 

 
(971
)
 

 
(971
)
Dividends and distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(98
)
 
(98
)
Stock-based compensation and related common stock issuances, net of tax

 
1

 
20

 

 

 

 
21

 

 
21

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
4

 
4

Other

 

 

 
(10
)
 

 

 
(10
)
 
2

 
(8
)
   Net increase (decrease) in equity

 
1

 
20

 
(1,195
)
 
23

 

 
(1,151
)
 
(133
)
 
(1,284
)
Balance – June 30, 2020
$
35

 
$
1,248

 
$
24,343

 
$
(12,197
)
 
$
(176
)
 
$
(1,041
)
 
$
12,212

 
$
2,868

 
$
15,080

Balance – December 31, 2018
$
35

 
$
1,245

 
$
24,693

 
$
(10,002
)
 
$
(270
)
 
$
(1,041
)
 
$
14,660

 
$
1,337

 
$
15,997

Net income (loss)

 

 

 
505

 

 

 
505

 
33

 
538

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 
5

 

 
5

 

 
5

Cash dividends – common stock ($0.76 per share)

 

 

 
(921
)
 

 

 
(921
)
 

 
(921
)
Dividends and distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(68
)
 
(68
)
Stock-based compensation and related common stock issuances, net of tax

 
1

 
27

 

 

 

 
28

 

 
28

Sale of partial interest in consolidated subsidiary (Note 2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,333

 
1,333

Changes in ownership of consolidated subsidiaries, net (Note 2)

 

 
(425
)
 

 

 

 
(425
)
 
566

 
141

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
32

 
32

Other

 

 
1

 
(5
)
 

 

 
(4
)
 

 
(4
)
   Net increase (decrease) in equity

 
1

 
(397
)
 
(421
)
 
5

 

 
(812
)
 
1,896

 
1,084

Balance – June 30, 2019
$
35

 
$
1,246

 
$
24,296

 
$
(10,423
)
 
$
(265
)
 
$
(1,041
)
 
$
13,848

 
$
3,233

 
$
17,081

 
*
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
See accompanying notes.


10



The Williams Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
 
Six Months Ended 
June 30,
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Millions)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
Net income (loss)
$
(255
)
 
$
538

Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
859

 
840

Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes
(59
)
 
182

Equity (earnings) losses
(130
)
 
(167
)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates
323

 
327

Gain on disposition of equity-method investments (Note 5)

 
(122
)
Impairment of goodwill (Note 12)
187

 

Impairment of equity-method investments (Note 12)
938

 
72

Impairment of certain assets (Note 12)

 
76

Amortization of stock-based awards
24

 
30

Cash provided (used) by changes in current assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
85

 
149

Inventories
(9
)
 
4

Other current assets and deferred charges
(13
)
 
(16
)
Accounts payable
236

 
(98
)
Accrued liabilities
(236
)
 
70

Other, including changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities
(20
)
 
(41
)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
1,930

 
1,844

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Proceeds from (payments of) commercial paper – net

 
(4
)
Proceeds from long-term debt
3,896

 
720

Payments of long-term debt
(3,226
)
 
(868
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
6

 
6

Proceeds from sale of partial interest in consolidated subsidiary (Note 2)

 
1,330

Common dividends paid
(971
)
 
(921
)
Dividends and distributions paid to noncontrolling interests
(98
)
 
(68
)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests
4

 
32

Payments for debt issuance costs
(17
)
 

Other – net
(10
)
 
(9
)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
(416
)
 
218

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Property, plant, and equipment:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures (1)
(613
)
 
(919
)
Dispositions – net
(16
)
 
(15
)
Contributions in aid of construction
19

 
18

Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired (Note 2)

 
(727
)
Proceeds from dispositions of equity-method investments (Note 5)

 
485

Purchases of and contributions to equity-method investments
(66
)
 
(242
)
Other – net
6

 
(24
)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
(670
)
 
(1,424
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
844

 
638

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
289

 
168

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
1,133

 
$
806

_____________
 
 
 
(1) Increases to property, plant, and equipment
$
(581
)
 
$
(977
)
Changes in related accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(32
)
 
58

Capital expenditures
$
(613
)
 
$
(919
)

See accompanying notes.

11



The Williams Companies, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

Note 1 – General, Description of Business, and Basis of Presentation
General
Our accompanying interim consolidated financial statements do not include all the notes in our annual financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2019, in Exhibit 99.1 of our Form 8-K dated May 4, 2020. The accompanying unaudited financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments and others that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly our interim financial statements.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, references in this report to “Williams,” “we,” “our,” “us,” or like terms refer to The Williams Companies, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, references to “Williams,” “we,” “our,” and “us” include the operations in which we own interests accounted for as equity-method investments that are not consolidated in our financial statements. When we refer to our equity investees by name, we are referring exclusively to their businesses and operations.
Description of Business
We are a Delaware corporation whose common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Our operations are located in the United States. Effective January 1, 2020, following an organizational realignment, our interstate natural gas pipeline Northwest Pipeline LLC (Northwest Pipeline), which was reported within the West reporting segment throughout 2019, is now managed within the Transmission & Gulf of Mexico reporting segment (previously identified as the Atlantic-Gulf reporting segment). As a result, beginning with the reporting of first-quarter 2020, our operations are presented within the following reportable segments: Transmission & Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, and West, consistent with the manner in which our chief operating decision maker evaluates performance and allocates resources. All remaining business activities as well as corporate activities are included in Other. Prior period segment disclosures have been recast for the new segment presentation.
Transmission & Gulf of Mexico is comprised of our interstate natural gas pipelines, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco) and Northwest Pipeline, as well as natural gas gathering and processing and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region, including a 51 percent interest in Gulfstar One LLC (Gulfstar One) (a consolidated variable interest entity, or VIE), which is a proprietary floating production system, a 50 percent equity-method investment in Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C., and a 60 percent equity-method investment in Discovery Producer Services LLC (Discovery).
Northeast G&P is comprised of our midstream gathering, processing, and fractionation businesses in the Marcellus Shale region primarily in Pennsylvania and New York, and the Utica Shale region of eastern Ohio, as well as a 65 percent interest in Ohio Valley Midstream LLC (Northeast JV) (a consolidated VIE) which operates in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, a 66 percent interest in Cardinal Gas Services, L.L.C. (Cardinal) (a consolidated VIE) which operates in Ohio, a 69 percent equity-method investment in Laurel Mountain Midstream, LLC (Laurel Mountain), a 58 percent equity-method investment in Caiman Energy II, LLC (Caiman II), and Appalachia Midstream Services, LLC, which owns equity-method investments with an approximate average 66 percent interest in multiple gas gathering systems in the Marcellus Shale (Appalachia Midstream Investments).
West is comprised of our gas gathering, processing, and treating operations in the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado and Wyoming, the Barnett Shale region of north-central Texas, the Eagle Ford Shale region of south Texas,

12



Notes (Continued)


the Haynesville Shale region of northwest Louisiana, and the Mid-Continent region which includes the Anadarko, Arkoma, and Permian basins. This segment also includes our natural gas liquid (NGL) and natural gas marketing business, storage facilities, an undivided 50 percent interest in an NGL fractionator near Conway, Kansas, a 50 percent equity-method investment in Overland Pass Pipeline Company LLC, a 50 percent equity-method investment in Rocky Mountain Midstream Holdings LLC (RMM), and a 15 percent interest in Brazos Permian II, LLC (Brazos Permian II). West also included our former 50 percent equity-method investment in Jackalope Gas Gathering Services, L.L.C. (Jackalope), which was sold in April 2019.
Basis of Presentation
Significant risks and uncertainties
We believe that the carrying value of certain of our property, plant, and equipment and other identifiable intangible assets, notably certain acquired assets accounted for as business combinations between 2012 and 2014, may be in excess of current fair value. However, the carrying value of these assets, in our judgment, continues to be recoverable. It is reasonably possible that future strategic decisions, including transactions such as monetizing non-core assets or contributing assets to new ventures with third parties, as well as unfavorable changes in expected producer activities, including effects of financial distress caused by recent financial and commodity market declines or unfavorable developments in ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, could impact our assumptions and ultimately result in impairments of these assets. Such transactions or developments may also indicate that certain of our equity-method investments have experienced other-than-temporary declines in value, which could result in impairment.
Customer bankruptcy
In June 2020, our customer, Chesapeake Energy Corporation (Chesapeake), announced that it had voluntarily filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. We provide midstream services, including wellhead gathering, for the natural gas that Chesapeake and its joint interest owners produce primarily in the Eagle Ford Shale, Haynesville Shale, and Marcellus Shale regions (through our Appalachia Midstream Investments). In 2019, Chesapeake accounted for approximately 6 percent of our consolidated revenues. As of June 30, 2020, we have approximately $91 million of trade accounts receivable due from Chesapeake, (substantially all of which is current at June 30, 2020).
We have evaluated these receivables from Chesapeake and our related asset groups and investments involved in providing services to Chesapeake and determined that no expected credit losses or impairment charges are required to be recognized at this time. This evaluation considered the physical nature of our services in these basins, where we gather at the wellhead and are critical to Chesapeake’s ability to move product to market, along with an assessed low likelihood of contract rejection, noting that none of our contracts with Chesapeake were rejected in their initial bankruptcy filing. Chesapeake also received initial limited approval to continue paying for services such as those we provide. We also considered our prior experiences with customer bankruptcies, where receivables were ultimately collectible even if the timing of collections was impacted. Future developments in Chesapeake’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings could affect our assumptions and conclusions regarding credit losses and impairment charges.
Northeast Supply Enhancement
As of June 30, 2020, Property, plant, and equipment in our Consolidated Balance Sheet includes approximately $217 million of capitalized project development costs for the Northeast Supply Enhancement project. Approvals required for the project from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection have been denied and we have not refiled at this time. Beginning in May 2020, we discontinued capitalization of costs related to this project.
The customer precedent agreements remain in effect and the project’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) certificate remains active. As such, we do not believe this project is probable of abandonment at this time and consider the carrying amount to be recoverable; thus no impairment charge has been recognized. It is reasonably possible that further adverse developments in the near future could change this determination, resulting in a future impairment charge of a substantial portion of the capitalized costs.

13



Notes (Continued)


Accounting standards issued and adopted
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13 “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (ASU 2016-13). ASU 2016-13 changed the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans, and other instruments, entities are required to use a forward-looking “expected loss” model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. We adopted ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2020, which primarily applied to our short-term trade receivables. There was no cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption.
The majority of our trade receivable balances are due within 30 days. We monitor the credit quality of our counterparties through review of collection trends, credit ratings, and other analyses, such as bankruptcy monitoring. Financial assets from our natural gas transmission business and gathering and transportation business are segregated into separate pools for evaluation due to different counterparty risks inherent in each business. Changes in counterparty risk factors could lead to reassessment of the composition of our financial assets as separate pools or the need for additional pools. We calculate our allowance for credit losses incorporating an aging method. In estimating our expected credit losses, we utilized historical loss rates over many years, which included periods of both high and low commodity prices. Commodity prices could have a significant impact on a portion of our gathering and processing counterparties’ financial health and ability to satisfy current liabilities. Our expected credit loss estimate considered both internal and external forward-looking commodity price expectations, as well as counterparty credit ratings, and factors impacting their near-term liquidity. In addition, our expected credit loss estimate considered potential contractual, physical, and commercial protections and outcomes in the case of a counterparty bankruptcy. The physical location and nature of our services help to mitigate collectability concerns of our gathering and processing producer customers. Our gathering lines are physically connected to the wellhead and may be located in areas with limited service provider options, making it very costly to replicate by another provider. As such, our gathering assets play a critical role in our customers’ ability to generate operating cash flows. Commodity price movements generally do not impact the majority of our natural gas transmission businesses customers’ financial condition.
Past due accounts are generally written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts only after all collection attempts have been exhausted. We do not have a material amount of significantly aged receivables at June 30, 2020.
Note 2 – Acquisitions
UEOM
As of December 31, 2018, we owned a 62 percent interest in Utica East Ohio Midstream LLC (UEOM) which we accounted for as an equity-method investment. On March 18, 2019, we signed and closed the acquisition of the remaining 38 percent interest in UEOM. Total consideration paid, including post-closing adjustments, was $741 million in cash funded through credit facility borrowings and cash on hand, net of $13 million cash acquired. As a result of acquiring this additional interest, we obtained control of and consolidated UEOM.
The acquisition of UEOM was accounted for as a business combination, which requires, among other things, that identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their acquisition date fair values. In March 2019, based on the transaction price for our purchase of the remaining interest in UEOM as finalized just prior to the acquisition, we recognized a $74 million noncash impairment loss related to our existing 62 percent interest (see Note 12 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees). Thus, there was no gain or loss on remeasuring our existing equity-method investment to fair value due to the impairment recognized just prior to closing the acquisition of the additional interest.
Northeast JV
Concurrent with the UEOM acquisition, we executed an agreement whereby we contributed our consolidated interests in UEOM and our Ohio Valley midstream business to a newly formed partnership. In June 2019, our partner invested approximately $1.33 billion for a 35 percent ownership interest, and we retained 65 percent ownership of, as well as operate and consolidate, the Northeast JV business. The change in ownership due to this transaction increased Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries by $567 million, and decreased Capital in excess of par value by

14



Notes (Continued)


$426 million and Deferred income tax liabilities by $141 million in the Consolidated Balance Sheet for the year ended December 31, 2019.
The goodwill recognized in the UEOM acquisition of $187 million (includes a $1 million adjustment recorded in the first quarter of 2020) was impaired during the first quarter of 2020. Our partner’s $65 million share of this impairment is reflected within Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Statement of Operations (see Note 12 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees).


15



Notes (Continued)


Note 3 – Revenue Recognition
Revenue by Category
The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by major service line:
 
Transco
 
Northwest Pipeline
 
Gulf of Mexico Midstream
 
Northeast
Midstream
 
West Midstream
 
Other
 
Eliminations 
 
Total
 
(Millions)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues from contracts with customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulated interstate natural gas transportation and storage
$
592

 
$
110

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
701

Gathering, processing, transportation, fractionation, and storage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Monetary consideration

 

 
78

 
308

 
297

 

 
(19
)
 
664

Commodity consideration

 

 
3

 
1

 
21

 

 

 
25

Other
2

 

 
10

 
41

 
17

 

 
(4
)
 
66

Total service revenues
594

 
110

 
91

 
350

 
335

 

 
(24
)
 
1,456

Product Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGL and natural gas
20

 

 
17

 
1

 
303

 

 
(31
)
 
310

Total revenues from contracts with customers
614

 
110

 
108

 
351

 
638

 

 
(55
)
 
1,766

Other revenues (1)
2

 

 
1

 
5

 
2

 
9

 
(4
)
 
15

Total revenues
$
616

 
$
110

 
$
109

 
$
356

 
$
640

 
$
9

 
$
(59
)
 
$
1,781

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues from contracts with customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulated interstate natural gas transportation and storage
$
565

 
$
110

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(2
)
 
$
673

Gathering, processing, transportation, fractionation, and storage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Monetary consideration

 

 
121

 
291

 
355

 

 
(17
)
 
750

Commodity consideration

 

 
13

 
3

 
40

 

 

 
56

Other
1

 

 
9

 
34

 
9

 

 
(3
)
 
50

Total service revenues
566

 
110

 
143

 
328

 
404

 

 
(22
)
 
1,529

Product Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGL and natural gas
23

 

 
48

 
37

 
430

 

 
(46
)
 
492

Total revenues from contracts with customers
589

 
110

 
191

 
365

 
834

 

 
(68
)
 
2,021

Other revenues (1)
2

 

 

 
5

 
8

 
8

 
(3
)
 
20

Total revenues
$
591

 
$
110

 
$
191

 
$
370

 
$
842

 
$
8

 
$
(71
)
 
$
2,041


16



Notes (Continued)



 
Transco
 
Northwest Pipeline
 
Gulf of Mexico Midstream
 
Northeast
Midstream
 
West Midstream
 
Other
 
Eliminations 
 
Total
 
(Millions)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues from contracts with customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulated interstate natural gas transportation and storage
$
1,196

 
$
225

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(3
)
 
$
1,418

Gathering, processing, transportation, fractionation, and storage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Monetary consideration

 

 
177

 
620

 
596

 

 
(41
)
 
1,352

Commodity consideration

 

 
8

 
3

 
42

 

 

 
53

Other
5

 

 
16

 
82

 
26

 

 
(9
)
 
120

Total service revenues
1,201

 
225

 
201

 
705

 
664

 

 
(53
)
 
2,943

Product Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGL and natural gas
40

 

 
49

 
30

 
662

 

 
(60
)
 
721

Total revenues from contracts with customers
1,241

 
225

 
250

 
735

 
1,326

 

 
(113
)
 
3,664

Other revenues (1)
2

 

 
3

 
10

 
5

 
17

 
(7
)
 
30

Total revenues
$
1,243

 
$
225

 
$
253

 
$
745

 
$
1,331

 
$
17

 
$
(120
)
 
$
3,694

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues from contracts with customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulated interstate natural gas transportation and storage
$
1,135

 
$
224

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(2
)
 
$
1,357

Gathering, processing, transportation, fractionation, and storage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Monetary consideration

 

 
249

 
530

 
699

 

 
(35
)
 
1,443

Commodity consideration

 

 
26

 
8

 
86

 

 

 
120

Other
1

 

 
13

 
66

 
20

 

 
(7
)
 
93

Total service revenues
1,136

 
224

 
288

 
604

 
805

 

 
(44
)
 
3,013

Product Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGL and natural gas
47

 

 
106

 
84

 
909

 

 
(104
)
 
1,042

Total revenues from contracts with customers
1,183

 
224

 
394

 
688

 
1,714

 

 
(148
)
 
4,055

Other revenues (1)
5

 

 
4

 
10

 
12

 
15

 
(6
)
 
40

Total revenues
$
1,188

 
$
224

 
$
398

 
$
698

 
$
1,726

 
$
15

 
$
(154
)
 
$
4,095

______________________________
(1)
Revenues not within the scope of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” consist of leasing revenues associated with our headquarters building and management fees that we receive for certain services we provide to operated equity-method investments, which are reported in Service revenues in our Consolidated Statement of Operations, and amounts associated with our derivative contracts, which are reported in Product sales in our Consolidated Statement of Operations.

17



Notes (Continued)


Contract Assets
The following table presents a reconciliation of our contract assets:
 
Three Months Ended 
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
June 30,
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Millions)
Balance at beginning of period
$
18

 
$
22

 
$
8

 
$
4

Revenue recognized in excess of amounts invoiced
46

 
20

 
69

 
39

Minimum volume commitments invoiced
(34
)
 
(25
)
 
(47
)
 
(26
)
Balance at end of period
$
30

 
$
17

 
$
30

 
$
17


Contract Liabilities
The following table presents a reconciliation of our contract liabilities:
 
Three Months Ended 
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
June 30,
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Millions)
Balance at beginning of period
$
1,189

 
$
1,335

 
$
1,215

 
$
1,397

Payments received and deferred
74

 
93

 
102

 
126

Significant financing component
2

 
3

 
5

 
7

Recognized in revenue
(62
)
 
(100
)
 
(119
)
 
(199
)
Balance at end of period
$
1,203

 
$
1,331

 
$
1,203

 
$
1,331


Remaining Performance Obligations
Remaining performance obligations primarily include reservation charges on contracted capacity for our gas pipeline firm transportation contracts with customers, storage capacity contracts, long-term contracts containing minimum volume commitments associated with our midstream businesses, and fixed payments associated with offshore production handling. For our interstate natural gas pipeline businesses, remaining performance obligations reflect the rates for such services in our current FERC tariffs for the life of the related contracts; however, these rates may change based on future tariffs approved by the FERC and the amount and timing of these changes are not currently known.
Our remaining performance obligations exclude variable consideration, including contracts with variable consideration for which we have elected the practical expedient for consideration recognized in revenue as billed. Certain of our contracts contain evergreen and other renewal provisions for periods beyond the initial term of the contract. The remaining performance obligation amounts as of June 30, 2020, do not consider potential future performance obligations for which the renewal has not been exercised and excludes contracts with customers for which the underlying facilities have not received FERC authorization to be placed into service. Consideration received prior to June 30, 2020, that will be recognized in future periods is also excluded from our remaining performance obligations and is instead reflected in contract liabilities.

18



Notes (Continued)


The following table presents the amount of the contract liabilities balance expected to be recognized as revenue when performance obligations are satisfied and the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations under certain contracts as of June 30, 2020.
 
Contract Liabilities
 
Remaining Performance Obligations
 
(Millions)
2020 (remainder)
$
97

 
$
1,662

2021
81

 
3,266

2022
62

 
3,100

2023
56

 
2,682

2024
56

 
2,282

Thereafter
851

 
18,138

Total
$
1,203

 
$
31,130


Accounts Receivable
The following is a summary of our Trade accounts and other receivables net:
 
June 30, 2020
 
December 31, 2019
 
(Millions)
Accounts receivable related to revenues from contracts with customers
$
749

 
$
890

Other accounts receivable
158

 
106

Total reflected in Trade accounts and other receivables  net
$
907

 
$
996


Note 4 – Variable Interest Entities
Consolidated VIEs
As of June 30, 2020, we consolidate the following VIEs:
Northeast JV
We own a 65 percent interest in the Northeast JV, a subsidiary that is a VIE due to certain of our voting rights being disproportionate to our obligation to absorb losses and substantially all of the Northeast JV’s activities being performed on our behalf. We are the primary beneficiary because we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the Northeast JV’s economic performance. The Northeast JV provides midstream services for producers in the Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale regions. Future expansion activity is expected to be funded with capital contributions from us and the other equity partner on a proportional basis.
Gulfstar One
We own a 51 percent interest in Gulfstar One, a subsidiary that, due to certain risk-sharing provisions in its customer contracts, is a VIE. Gulfstar One includes a proprietary floating production system, Gulfstar FPS, and associated pipelines which provide production handling and gathering services in the eastern deepwater Gulf of Mexico. We are the primary beneficiary because we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Gulfstar One’s economic performance.
Cardinal
We own a 66 percent interest in Cardinal, a subsidiary that provides gathering services for the Utica Shale region and is a VIE due to certain risks shared with customers. We are the primary beneficiary because we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Cardinal’s economic performance. Future expansion activity is expected to be funded with capital contributions from us and the other equity partner on a proportional basis.

19



Notes (Continued)


The following table presents amounts included in our Consolidated Balance Sheet that are only for the use or obligation of our consolidated VIEs:

June 30,
2020

December 31,
2019

(Millions)
Assets (liabilities):



Cash and cash equivalents
$
91

 
$
102

Trade accounts and other receivables – net
143

 
167

Other current assets and deferred charges
8

 
5

Property, plant, and equipment – net
5,625

 
5,745

Intangible assets – net of accumulated amortization
2,427

 
2,669

Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other
12

 
13

Accounts payable
(27
)
 
(58
)
Accrued liabilities
(49
)
 
(66
)
Regulatory liabilities, deferred income, and other
(288
)
 
(283
)


Nonconsolidated VIEs
Brazos Permian II
We own a 15 percent interest in Brazos Permian II, which provides gathering and processing services in the Delaware basin and is a VIE due primarily to our limited participating rights as the minority equity holder. During the first quarter of 2020 we recorded an impairment of our equity-method investment in Brazos Permian II (see Note 12 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees). Our exposure to loss is limited to the carrying value of our investment.
Note 5 – Investing Activities
The following table presents certain items reflected in Other investing income (loss) – net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations:
 
Three Months Ended 
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
June 30,
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Millions)
Gain on disposition of equity-method investments (1)
$

 
$
122

 
$

 
$
122

Other
1

 
2

 
4

 
3

Other investing income (loss)  net
$
1

 
$
124

 
$
4

 
$
125

_______________
(1)
In April 2019, we sold our 50 percent equity-method interest in Jackalope for $485 million in cash, resulting in a gain on the disposition of $122 million.
Impairment of Equity-Method Investments
Impairment of equity-method investments for the six months ended June 30, 2020, includes $938 million associated with the first-quarter 2020 impairment of equity-method investments (see Note 12 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees).

20



Notes (Continued)


Impairment of RMM Goodwill
Equity earnings (losses) for the six months ended June 30, 2020, includes a $78 million loss associated with the first-quarter 2020 full impairment of goodwill recognized by our investee RMM, which was allocated entirely to our member interest per the terms of the membership agreement.
Note 6 – Other Accruals
The second quarter of 2019 reflects charges of $23 million within Operating and maintenance expenses and $20 million within Selling, general, and administrative expenses for estimated severance and related costs, primarily associated with a voluntary separation program. The severance and related costs by segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 are as follows:
 
(Millions)
Transmission & Gulf of Mexico
$
22

Northeast G&P
10

West
11

Total
$
43



Note 7 – Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
The Provision (benefit) for income taxes includes:
 
Three Months Ended 
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
June 30,
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Millions)
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$

 
$
(9
)
 
$
(28
)
 
$
(15
)
State
(1
)
 

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(9
)
 
(28
)
 
(15
)
Deferred:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
93

 
91

 
(41
)
 
152

State
25

 
16

 
(18
)
 
30

 
118

 
107

 
(59
)
 
182

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
$
117

 
$
98

 
$
(87
)
 
$
167


The effective income tax rate for the total provision (benefit) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 is greater than the federal statutory rate, primarily due to the effect of state income taxes.

During the next 12 months, we do not expect ultimate resolution of any unrecognized tax benefit associated with domestic or international matters to have a material impact on our unrecognized tax benefit position.

21



Notes (Continued)


Note 8 – Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
 
Three Months Ended 
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
June 30,
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Dollars in millions, except per-share
amounts; shares in thousands)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
$
303

 
$
310

 
$
(215
)
 
$
504

Basic weighted-average shares
1,213,601

 
1,212,045

 
1,213,310

 
1,211,769

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nonvested restricted stock units
980

 
1,792

 

 
1,818

Stock options

 
228

 

 
243

Diluted weighted-average shares (1)
1,214,581

 
1,214,065

 
1,213,310

 
1,213,830

Earnings (loss) per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
.25

 
$
.26

 
$
(.18
)
 
$
.42

Diluted
$
.25

 
$
.26

 
$
(.18
)
 
$
.41

__________
(1)
For the six months ended June 30, 2020, 1.1 million weighted-average nonvested restricted stock units have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per common share as their inclusion would be antidilutive due to our loss available to common stockholders.
Note 9 – Employee Benefit Plans
Net periodic benefit cost (credit) is as follows:

Pension Benefits

Three Months Ended 
June 30,

Six Months Ended 
June 30,

2020

2019

2020

2019

(Millions)
Components of net periodic benefit cost (credit):







Service cost
$
7


$
11


$
15


$
22

Interest cost
9


13


19


25

Expected return on plan assets
(14
)

(16
)

(27
)

(31
)
Amortization of net actuarial loss
7


4


11


8

Net actuarial loss from settlements
2




8



Net periodic benefit cost (credit)
$
11


$
12


$
26


$
24


 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Three Months Ended 
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
June 30,
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Millions)
Components of net periodic benefit cost (credit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest cost
$
1

 
$
2

 
$
3

 
$
4

Expected return on plan assets
(2
)
 
(3
)
 
(5
)
 
(5
)
Reclassification to regulatory liability

 
1

 
1

 
1

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$


The components of Net periodic benefit cost (credit) other than the Service cost component are included in Other income (expense) – net below Operating income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

22



Notes (Continued)


During the six months ended June 30, 2020, we contributed $11 million to our pension plans and $3 million to our other postretirement benefit plans. We presently anticipate making additional contributions of approximately $3 million to our pension plans and approximately $2 million to our other postretirement benefit plans in the remainder of 2020.
Note 10 – Debt and Banking Arrangements
Long-Term Debt
Issuances and retirements
On May 14, 2020, we completed a public offering of $1 billion of 3.5 percent senior unsecured notes due 2030.
On May 8, 2020, Transco issued $700 million of 3.25 percent senior unsecured notes due 2030 and $500 million of 3.95 percent senior unsecured noted due 2050 to investors in a private debt placement. As part of the issuance, Transco entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers of the unsecured notes. Transco is obligated to file and consummate a registration statement for an offer to exchange the notes for a new issue of substantially identical notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, within 365 days from closing and to use commercially reasonable efforts to complete the exchange offer. Transco is required to provide a shelf registration statement to cover resales of the notes under certain circumstances. If Transco fails to fulfill these obligations, additional interest will accrue on the affected securities. The rate of additional interest will be 0.25 percent per annum on the principal amount of the affected securities for the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of a registration default, increasing by an additional 0.25 percent per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period thereafter, up to a maximum amount for all such registration defaults of 0.5 percent annually. Following the cure of any registration defaults, the accrual of additional interest will cease.
We retired $1.5 billion of 5.25 percent senior unsecured notes that matured on March 15, 2020.
We retired $14 million of 8.75 percent senior unsecured notes that matured on January 15, 2020.
Commercial Paper Program
At June 30, 2020, no commercial paper was outstanding under our $4 billion commercial paper program.
Credit Facilities
 
June 30, 2020
 
Stated Capacity
 
Outstanding
 
(Millions)
 
 
 
 
Long-term credit facility (1)
$
4,500

 
$

Letters of credit under certain bilateral bank agreements
 
 
15

 
(1)
In managing our available liquidity, we do not expect a maximum outstanding amount in excess of the capacity of our credit facility inclusive of any outstanding amounts under our commercial paper program.

Note 11 – Stockholders’ Equity
Stockholder Rights Agreement
On March 19, 2020, our board of directors approved the adoption of a limited duration stockholder rights agreement (Rights Agreement) and declared a distribution of one preferred stock purchase right for each outstanding share of common stock. The Rights Agreement is intended to protect the interests of us and our stockholders by reducing the likelihood of another party gaining control of or significant influence over us without paying an appropriate premium considering recent volatile markets. Each preferred stock purchase right represents the right to purchase, upon certain terms and conditions, one one-thousandth of a share of Series C Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value per share. Each one-thousandth of a share of Series C Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, if issued, would

23



Notes (Continued)


have rights similar to one share of our common stock. The distribution of preferred stock purchase rights occurred on March 30, 2020, to holders of record as of the close of business on that date. The Rights Agreement expires on March 20, 2021. Please see our Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 20, 2020, for additional details of the Rights Agreement.
AOCI
The following table presents the changes in AOCI by component, net of income taxes:
 
Cash
Flow
Hedges
 
Foreign
Currency
Translation
 
Pension and
Other Postretirement
Benefits
 
Total
 
(Millions)
Balance at December 31, 2019
$
(2
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(196
)
 
$
(199
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

 
9

 
9

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 
14

 
14

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 
23

 
23

Balance at June 30, 2020
$
(2
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(173
)
 
$
(176
)

Reclassifications out of AOCI are presented in the following table by component for the six months ended June 30, 2020:
Component
 
Reclassifications
 
Classification
 
 
(Millions)
 
 
Pension and other postretirement benefits:
 
 
 
 
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss and net actuarial loss from settlements included in net periodic benefit cost (credit)
 
$
19

 
Other income (expense) – net below Operating income (loss)
Income tax benefit
 
(5
)
 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
Reclassifications during the period
 
$
14

 
 


24



Notes (Continued)


Note 12 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees
The following table presents, by level within the fair value hierarchy, certain of our financial assets and liabilities. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, margin deposits, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Therefore, these assets and liabilities are not presented in the following table.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Quoted
Prices In
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
 
(Millions)
Assets (liabilities) at June 30, 2020:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Measured on a recurring basis:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ARO Trust investments
 
$
214

 
$
214

 
$
214

 
$

 
$

Energy derivative assets designated as hedging instruments
 
2

 
2

 
2

 

 

Energy derivative assets not designated as hedging instruments
 
2

 
2

 
1

 
1

 

Energy derivative liabilities not designated as hedging instruments
 
(4
)
 
(4
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
Additional disclosures:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, including current portion
 
(22,949
)
 
(26,387
)
 

 
(26,387
)
 

Guarantees
 
(41
)
 
(27
)
 

 
(11
)
 
(16
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets (liabilities) at December 31, 2019:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Measured on a recurring basis:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ARO Trust investments
 
$
201

 
$
201

 
$
201

 
$

 
$

Energy derivative assets not designated as hedging instruments
 
1

 
1

 
1

 

 

Energy derivative liabilities not designated as hedging instruments
 
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(2
)
Additional disclosures:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, including current portion
 
(22,288
)
 
(25,319
)
 

 
(25,319
)
 

Guarantees
 
(41
)
 
(27
)
 

 
(11
)
 
(16
)

Fair Value Methods
We use the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of our financial instruments:
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
ARO Trust investments: Transco deposits a portion of its collected rates, pursuant to its rate case settlement, into an external trust (ARO Trust) that is specifically designated to fund future asset retirement obligations (ARO). The ARO Trust invests in a portfolio of actively traded mutual funds that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis based on quoted prices in an active market and is reported in Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Both realized and unrealized gains and losses are ultimately recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities.
Energy derivatives: Energy derivatives include commodity-based exchange-traded contracts and over-the-counter contracts, which consist of physical forwards, futures, and swaps that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

25



Notes (Continued)


The fair value amounts are presented on a gross basis and do not reflect the netting of asset and liability positions permitted under the terms of our master netting arrangements. Further, the amounts do not include cash held on deposit in margin accounts that we have received or remitted to collateralize certain derivative positions. Energy derivative assets are reported in Other current assets and deferred charges and Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Energy derivative liabilities are reported in Accrued liabilities and Regulatory liabilities, deferred income, and other in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Additional fair value disclosures
Long-term debt, including current portion: The disclosed fair value of our long-term debt is determined primarily by a market approach using broker quoted indicative period-end bond prices. The quoted prices are based on observable transactions in less active markets for our debt or similar instruments. The fair values of the financing obligations associated with our Dalton lateral and Atlantic Sunrise projects, which are included within long-term debt, were determined using an income approach.
Guarantees: Guarantees primarily consist of a guarantee we have provided in the event of nonpayment by our previously owned communications subsidiary, Williams Communications Group (WilTel), on a lease performance obligation that extends through 2042. Guarantees also include an indemnification related to a disposed operation.
To estimate the fair value of the WilTel guarantee, an estimated default rate is applied to the sum of the future contractual lease payments using an income approach. The estimated default rate is determined by obtaining the average cumulative issuer-weighted corporate default rate based on the credit rating of WilTel’s current owner and the term of the underlying obligation. The default rate is published by Moody’s Investors Service. The carrying value of the WilTel guarantee is reported in Accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The maximum potential undiscounted exposure is approximately $27 million at June 30, 2020. Our exposure declines systematically through the remaining term of WilTel’s obligation.
The fair value of the guarantee associated with the indemnification related to a disposed operation was estimated using an income approach that considered probability-weighted scenarios of potential levels of future performance. The terms of the indemnification do not limit the maximum potential future payments associated with the guarantee. The carrying value of this guarantee is reported in Regulatory liabilities, deferred income, and other in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
We are required by our revolving credit agreement to indemnify lenders for certain taxes required to be withheld from payments due to the lenders and for certain tax payments made by the lenders. The maximum potential amount of future payments under these indemnifications is based on the related borrowings and such future payments cannot currently be determined. These indemnifications generally continue indefinitely unless limited by the underlying tax regulations and have no carrying value. We have never been called upon to perform under these indemnifications and have no current expectation of a future claim.
Nonrecurring fair value measurements

During the first quarter of 2020, we observed a significant decline in the publicly traded price of our common stock (NYSE: WMB), which declined 40 percent during the quarter, including a 26 percent decline in the month of March. These changes were generally attributed to macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions, including significant declines in crude oil prices driven by both surplus supply and a decrease in demand caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As a result of these conditions, we performed an interim assessment of the goodwill associated with our Northeast G&P reporting unit as of March 31, 2020. This goodwill resulted from the March 2019 acquisition of UEOM (see Note 2 – Acquisitions).

The assessment considered the total fair value of the businesses within the Northeast G&P reporting unit, which were determined using income and market approaches. We utilized internally developed industry weighted-average discount rates and estimates of valuation multiples of comparable publicly traded gathering and processing companies. In assessing the fair value as of the March 31, 2020 measurement date, we were required to consider recent publicly available indications of value, which included lower observed publicly traded EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes,

26



Notes (Continued)


depreciation, and amortization) market multiples as compared with recent history and significantly higher industry weighted-average discount rates. The fair value of the reporting unit was further reconciled to our estimated total enterprise value as of March 31, 2020, which considered observable valuation multiples of comparable publicly traded companies applied to each distinct business including the Northeast G&P reporting unit. This assessment indicated that the estimated fair value of the Northeast G&P reporting unit was below its carrying value, including goodwill. As a result of this Level 3 measurement, we recognized a full impairment charge of $187 million as of March 31, 2020, in Impairment of goodwill in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Our partner’s $65 million share of this impairment is reflected within Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Statement of Operations (see Note 2 – Acquisitions).

The following table presents impairments of assets and equity-method investments associated with certain nonrecurring fair value measurements within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, except as specifically noted.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impairments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended 
June 30,
 
 
Segment
 
Date of Measurement
 
Fair Value
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Millions)
Impairment of certain assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certain gathering assets (1)
 
West
 
June 30, 2019
 
$
40

 

 
$
59

Certain idle gathering assets (2)
 
West
 
March 31, 2019
 

 

 
12

Other impairments and write-downs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5

Impairment of certain assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
$
76

Impairment of equity-method investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RMM (3)
 
West
 
March 31, 2020
 
$
557

 
$
243

 
 
Brazos Permian II (3)
 
West
 
March 31, 2020
 

 
193

 
 
Caiman II (4)
 
Northeast G&P
 
March 31, 2020
 
191

 
229

 
 
Appalachia Midstream Investments (4)
 
Northeast G&P
 
March 31, 2020
 
2,700

 
127

 
 
Aux Sable (4)
 
Northeast G&P
 
March 31, 2020
 
7

 
39

 
 
Laurel Mountain (4)
 
Northeast G&P
 
March 31, 2020
 
236

 
10

 
 
Discovery (4)
 
Transmission & Gulf of Mexico
 
March 31, 2020
 
367

 
97

 
 
UEOM (5)
 
Northeast G&P
 
March 17, 2019
 
1,210

 

 
$
74

Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
(2
)
Impairment of equity-method investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
938

 
$
72

_______________
(1)
Relates to a gas gathering system in the Eagle Ford Shale region with expected declines in asset utilization and possible idling of the gathering system. The estimated fair value of the Property, plant, and equipment – net was determined using a market approach which incorporated indications of interest from third parties.

(2)
Reflects impairment of Property, plant, and equipment – net that is no longer in use for which the fair value was determined to be lower than the carrying value.

(3)
Following the previously described declining market conditions during the first quarter of 2020, we evaluated these investments for other-than-temporary impairment. The fair value was measured using an income approach.

27



Notes (Continued)


Both investees operate in primarily oil-driven basins where significant expected reductions in producer activities led to reduced estimates of expected future cash flows. Our fair value estimates also reflected discount rates of approximately 17 percent for these investments. We also considered any debt held at the investee level, and its impact to fair value. The industry weighted-average discount rates utilized were significantly influenced by the recent market declines previously discussed.

(4)
Following the previously described declining market conditions during the first quarter of 2020, we evaluated these investments for other-than-temporary impairment. The impairments within our Northeast G&P segment are primarily associated with operations in wet-gas areas where producer drilling activities are influenced by NGL prices which historically trend with crude oil prices. The fair values of our investments in Caiman II and Aux Sable Liquid Products LP (Aux Sable) were estimated using a market approach, reflecting valuation multiples ranging from 5.0x to 6.2x EBITDA (weighted-average 6.0x). The fair values of the other investments were estimated using an income approach, with discount rates ranging from 9.7 percent to 13.5 percent (weighted-average 12.6 percent). We also considered any debt held at the investee level, and its impact to fair value. The assumed valuation multiples and industry weighted-average discount rates utilized were both significantly influenced by the recent market declines previously discussed.

(5)
The estimated fair value was determined by a market approach based on the transaction price for the purchase of the remaining interest in UEOM as finalized just prior to the signing and closing of the acquisition in March 2019 (see Note 2 – Acquisitions). These inputs resulted in a fair value measurement within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Note 13 – Contingent Liabilities
Reporting of Natural Gas-Related Information to Trade Publications
Direct and indirect purchasers of natural gas in various states filed individual and class actions against us, our former affiliate WPX Energy, Inc. (WPX) and its subsidiaries, and others alleging the manipulation of published gas price indices and seeking unspecified amounts of damages. Such actions were transferred to the Nevada federal district court for consolidation of discovery and pre-trial issues. We have agreed to indemnify WPX and its subsidiaries related to this matter.
In the individual action, filed by Farmland Industries Inc. (Farmland), the court issued an order on May 24, 2016, granting one of our co-defendant’s motion for summary judgment as to Farmland’s claims. On January 5, 2017, the court extended such ruling to us, entering final judgment in our favor. Farmland appealed. On March 27, 2018, the appellate court reversed the district court’s grant of summary judgment, and on April 10, 2018, the defendants filed a petition for rehearing with the appellate court, which was denied on May 9, 2018. The case was remanded to the Nevada federal district court and subsequently has been remanded to its originally filed court, the Kansas federal district court.
In the putative class actions, on March 30, 2017, the court issued an order denying the plaintiffs’ motions for class certification. On June 13, 2017, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit granted the plaintiffs’ petition for permission to appeal the order. On August 6, 2018, the Ninth Circuit reversed the order denying class certification and remanded the case to the Nevada federal district court.
We reached an agreement to settle two of the actions, and on April 22, 2019, the Nevada federal district court preliminarily approved the settlements, which are on behalf of Kansas and Missouri class members. The final fairness hearing on the settlement occurred August 5, 2019, and a final judgment of dismissal with prejudice was entered the same day.
Two putative class actions remain unresolved, and they have been remanded to their originally filed court, the Wisconsin federal district court. Trial is scheduled to begin June 14, 2021.
Because of the uncertainty around the remaining pending unresolved issues, we cannot reasonably estimate a range of potential exposure at this time. However, it is reasonably possible that the ultimate resolution of these actions and our related indemnification obligation could result in a potential loss that may be material to our results of operations.

28



Notes (Continued)


In connection with this indemnification, we have an accrued liability balance associated with this matter, and as a result, have exposure to future developments.
Alaska Refinery Contamination Litigation
We are involved in litigation arising from our ownership and operation of the North Pole Refinery in North Pole, Alaska, from 1980 until 2004, through our wholly owned subsidiaries, Williams Alaska Petroleum Inc. (WAPI) and MAPCO Inc. We sold the refinery to Flint Hills Resources Alaska, LLC (FHRA), a subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc., in 2004. The litigation involves three cases, with filing dates ranging from 2010 to 2014. The actions primarily arise from sulfolane contamination allegedly emanating from the refinery. A putative class action lawsuit was filed by James West in 2010 naming us, WAPI, and FHRA as defendants. We and FHRA filed claims against each other seeking, among other things, contractual indemnification alleging that the other party caused the sulfolane contamination. In 2011, we and FHRA settled the claim with James West. Certain claims by FHRA against us were resolved by the Alaska Supreme Court in our favor. FHRA’s claims against us for contractual indemnification and statutory claims for damages related to off-site sulfolane were remanded to the Alaska Superior Court. The State of Alaska filed its action in March 2014, seeking damages. The City of North Pole (North Pole) filed its lawsuit in November 2014, seeking past and future damages, as well as punitive damages. Both we and WAPI asserted counterclaims against the State of Alaska and North Pole, and cross-claims against FHRA. FHRA has also filed cross-claims against us.
The underlying factual basis and claims in the cases are similar and may duplicate exposure. As such, in February 2017, the three cases were consolidated into one action in state court containing the remaining claims from the James West case and those of the State of Alaska and North Pole. The State of Alaska later announced the discovery of additional contaminants per- and polyfluoralkyl (PFOS and PFOA) offsite of the refinery, and the Court permitted the State of Alaska to amend its complaint to add a claim for offsite PFOS/PFOA contamination. The Court subsequently remanded the offsite PFOS/PFOA claims to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation for investigation and stayed the claims pending their potential resolution at the administrative agency. Several trial dates encompassing all three cases have been scheduled and stricken. In the summer of 2019, the Court deconsolidated the cases for purposes of trial. A bench trial on all claims except North Pole’s claims began in October 2019.
In January 2020, the Alaska Superior Court issued its Memorandum of Decision finding in favor of the State of Alaska and FHRA, with the total incurred and potential future damages estimated to be $86 million. The Court found that FHRA is not entitled to contractual indemnification from us because FHRA contributed to the sulfolane contamination. On March 23, 2020, the Court entered final judgment in the case. Filing deadlines were stayed until May 1, 2020. However, on April 21, 2020, we filed a Notice of Appeal. We also filed post-judgment motions including a Motion for New Trial and a Motion to Alter or Amend the Judgment. These post-trial motions have now been resolved with the Court’s denial of the last motion on June 11, 2020. Our Statement of Points on Appeal was filed on July 13, 2020. On June 22, 2020, the Court stayed the North Pole’s case pending resolution of the appeal in the State of Alaska and FHRA case. We have recorded an accrued liability in the amount of our estimate of the probable loss. It is reasonably possible that we may not be successful on appeal and could ultimately pay up to the amount of judgment.
Royalty Matters
Certain of our customers, including Chesapeake, have been named in various lawsuits alleging underpayment of royalties and claiming, among other things, violations of anti-trust laws and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. We have also been named as a defendant in certain of these cases filed in Pennsylvania based on allegations that we improperly participated with Chesapeake in causing the alleged royalty underpayments. We believe that the claims asserted are subject to indemnity obligations owed to us by Chesapeake. Chesapeake has reached a tentative settlement to resolve substantially all Pennsylvania royalty cases pending, which settlement would apply to both Chesapeake and us. The settlement as reported would not require any contribution from us. On June 28, 2020, Chesapeake filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.

29



Notes (Continued)


Litigation Against Energy Transfer and Related Parties
On April 6, 2016, we filed suit in Delaware Chancery Court against Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (Energy Transfer) and LE GP, LLC (the general partner for Energy Transfer) alleging willful and material breaches of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (ETE Merger Agreement) with Energy Transfer resulting from the private offering by Energy Transfer on March 8, 2016, of Series A Convertible Preferred Units (Special Offering) to certain Energy Transfer insiders and other accredited investors. The suit seeks, among other things, an injunction ordering the defendants to unwind the Special Offering and to specifically perform their obligations under the ETE Merger Agreement. On April 19, 2016, we filed an amended complaint seeking the same relief. On May 3, 2016, Energy Transfer and LE GP, LLC filed an answer and counterclaims.
On May 13, 2016, we filed a separate complaint in Delaware Chancery Court against Energy Transfer, LE GP, LLC, and the other Energy Transfer affiliates that are parties to the ETE Merger Agreement, alleging material breaches of the ETE Merger Agreement for failing to cooperate and use necessary efforts to obtain a tax opinion required under the ETE Merger Agreement (Tax Opinion) and for otherwise failing to use necessary efforts to consummate the merger under the ETE Merger Agreement wherein we would be merged with and into the newly formed Energy Transfer Corp LP (ETC) (ETC Merger). The suit sought, among other things, a declaratory judgment and injunction preventing Energy Transfer from terminating or otherwise avoiding its obligations under the ETE Merger Agreement due to any failure to obtain the Tax Opinion.
The Court of Chancery coordinated the Special Offering and Tax Opinion suits. On May 20, 2016, the Energy Transfer defendants filed amended affirmative defenses and verified counterclaims in the Special Offering and Tax Opinion suits, alleging certain breaches of the ETE Merger Agreement by us and seeking, among other things, a declaration that we were not entitled to specific performance, that Energy Transfer could terminate the ETC Merger, and that Energy Transfer is entitled to a $1.48 billion termination fee. On June 24, 2016, following a two-day trial, the court issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order denying our requested relief in the Tax Opinion suit. The court did not rule on the substance of our claims related to the Special Offering or on the substance of Energy Transfer’s counterclaims. On June 27, 2016, we filed an appeal of the court’s decision with the Supreme Court of Delaware, seeking reversal and remand to pursue damages. On March 23, 2017, the Supreme Court of Delaware affirmed the Court of Chancery’s ruling. On March 30, 2017, we filed a motion for reargument with the Supreme Court of Delaware, which was denied on April 5, 2017.
On September 16, 2016, we filed an amended complaint with the Court of Chancery seeking damages for breaches of the ETE Merger Agreement by defendants. On September 23, 2016, Energy Transfer filed a second amended and supplemental affirmative defenses and verified counterclaim with the Court of Chancery seeking, among other things, payment of the $1.48 billion termination fee due to our alleged breaches of the ETE Merger Agreement. On December 1, 2017, the court granted our motion to dismiss certain of Energy Transfer’s counterclaims, including its claim seeking payment of the $1.48 billion termination fee. On December 8, 2017, Energy Transfer filed a motion for reargument, which the Court of Chancery denied on April 16, 2018. The Court of Chancery had scheduled trial for May 20 through May 24, 2019; the court struck this setting and reset the trial for June 8 through June 11, and June 15, 2020. Due to COVID-19, the court struck the June 2020 setting and re-scheduled the trial for August 31 through September 4, 2020; this setting was also struck as a result of COVID-19. We await a new trial setting.
Former Olefins Business
SABIC Petrochemicals, the other interest owner in our former Geismar, Louisiana, olefins facility we sold in July 2017, is seeking recovery from us for losses it allegedly suffered, including its share of personal injury settlements in which it was a co-defendant, as well as amounts related to lost income, defense costs, and property damage associated with an explosion and fire at the plant in June 2013. Due to the complexity of the various claims and available defenses, we are unable to reliably estimate any reasonably possible losses at this time. Trial began on October 14, 2019, as scheduled, but on October 21, 2019, the Court declared a mistrial due to the conduct of an officer of SABIC Petrochemicals and SABIC Petrochemicals’ expert witness. Trial is currently reset for November 4, 2020. We believe that certain losses incurred arising directly from the explosion and fire will be covered by our general liability policy and any uninsured losses are not expected to be material.

30



Notes (Continued)


Other
On August 31, 2018, Transco submitted to the FERC a general rate filing principally designed to recover increased costs and to comply with the terms of the settlement in its prior rate proceeding. The new rates became effective March 1, 2019, subject to refund and the outcome of a hearing. In October 2019, we reached an agreement on the terms of a settlement with the participants that would resolve all issues in the rate case without the need for a hearing, and on December 31, 2019, we filed a formal stipulation and agreement with the FERC setting forth such terms of settlement. On March 24, 2020, the FERC issued an order approving the uncontested rate case settlement, which became effective on June 1, 2020. As of June 30, 2020, we have provided a $284 million reserve for rate refunds related to increased rates collected since March 2019, reflected in Accounts payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The refunds were paid on July 1, 2020.
Environmental Matters
We are a participant in certain environmental activities in various stages including assessment studies, cleanup operations, and/or remedial processes at certain sites, some of which we currently do not own. We are monitoring these sites in a coordinated effort with other potentially responsible parties, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or other governmental authorities. We are jointly and severally liable along with unrelated third parties in some of these activities and solely responsible in others. Certain of our subsidiaries have been identified as potentially responsible parties at various Superfund and state waste disposal sites. In addition, these subsidiaries have incurred, or are alleged to have incurred, various other hazardous materials removal or remediation obligations under environmental laws. As of June 30, 2020, we have accrued liabilities totaling $30 million for these matters, as discussed below. Estimates of the most likely costs of cleanup are generally based on completed assessment studies, preliminary results of studies, or our experience with other similar cleanup operations. At June 30, 2020, certain assessment studies were still in process for which the ultimate outcome may yield different estimates of most likely costs. Therefore, the actual costs incurred will depend on the final amount, type, and extent of contamination discovered at these sites, the final cleanup standards mandated by the EPA or other governmental authorities, and other factors.
The EPA and various state regulatory agencies routinely promulgate and propose new rules and issue updated guidance to existing rules. These rulemakings include, but are not limited to, rules for reciprocating internal combustion engine and combustion turbine maximum achievable control technology, air quality standards for one-hour nitrogen dioxide emissions, and volatile organic compound and methane new source performance standards impacting design and operation of storage vessels, pressure valves, and compressors. The EPA previously issued its rule regarding National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone. We are monitoring the rule’s implementation as it will trigger additional federal and state regulatory actions that may impact our operations. Implementation of the regulations is expected to result in impacts to our operations and increase the cost of additions to Property, plant, and equipment – net in the Consolidated Balance Sheet for both new and existing facilities in affected areas. We are unable to reasonably estimate the cost of additions that may be required to meet the regulations at this time due to uncertainty created by various legal challenges to these regulations and the need for further specific regulatory guidance.
Continuing operations
Our interstate gas pipelines are involved in remediation activities related to certain facilities and locations for polychlorinated biphenyls, mercury, and other hazardous substances. These activities have involved the EPA and various state environmental authorities, resulting in our identification as a potentially responsible party at various Superfund waste sites. At June 30, 2020, we have accrued liabilities of $4 million for these costs. We expect that these costs will be recoverable through rates.
We also accrue environmental remediation costs for natural gas underground storage facilities, primarily related to soil and groundwater contamination. At June 30, 2020, we have accrued liabilities totaling $7 million for these costs.
Former operations
We have potential obligations in connection with assets and businesses we no longer operate. These potential obligations include remediation activities at the direction of federal and state environmental authorities and the indemnification of the purchasers of certain of these assets and businesses for environmental and other liabilities existing

31



Notes (Continued)


at the time the sale was consummated. Our responsibilities relate to the operations of the assets and businesses described below.
Former agricultural fertilizer and chemical operations and former retail petroleum and refining operations;
Former petroleum products and natural gas pipelines;
Former petroleum refining facilities;
Former exploration and production and mining operations;
Former electricity and natural gas marketing and trading operations.
At June 30, 2020, we have accrued environmental liabilities of $19 million related to these matters.
Other Divestiture Indemnifications
Pursuant to various purchase and sale agreements relating to divested businesses and assets, we have indemnified certain purchasers against liabilities that they may incur with respect to the businesses and assets acquired from us. The indemnities provided to the purchasers are customary in sale transactions and are contingent upon the purchasers incurring liabilities that are not otherwise recoverable from third parties. The indemnities generally relate to breach of warranties, tax, historic litigation, personal injury, property damage, environmental matters, right of way, and other representations that we have provided.
At June 30, 2020, other than as previously disclosed, we are not aware of any material claims against us involving the indemnities; thus, we do not expect any of the indemnities provided pursuant to the sales agreements to have a material impact on our future financial position. Any claim for indemnity brought against us in the future may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period in which the claim is made.
In addition to the foregoing, various other proceedings are pending against us which are incidental to our operations, none of which are expected to be material to our expected future annual results of operations, liquidity, and financial position.
Summary
We have disclosed our estimated range of reasonably possible losses for certain matters above, as well as all significant matters for which we are unable to reasonably estimate a range of possible loss. We estimate that for all other matters for which we are able to reasonably estimate a range of loss, our aggregate reasonably possible losses beyond amounts accrued are immaterial to our expected future annual results of operations, liquidity, and financial position. These calculations have been made without consideration of any potential recovery from third parties.
Note 14 – Segment Disclosures
Our reportable segments are Transmission & Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, and West. All remaining business activities are included in Other. (See Note 1 – General, Description of Business, and Basis of Presentation.)
Performance Measurement
We evaluate segment operating performance based upon Modified EBITDA. This measure represents the basis of our internal financial reporting and is the primary performance measure used by our chief operating decision maker in measuring performance and allocating resources among our reportable segments. Intersegment revenues primarily represent the sale of NGLs from our natural gas processing plants to our marketing business.

32



Notes (Continued)


We define Modified EBITDA as follows:
Net income (loss) before:
Provision (benefit) for income taxes;
Interest incurred, net of interest capitalized;
Equity earnings (losses);
Impairment of equity-method investments;
Other investing income (loss) net;
Impairment of goodwill;
Depreciation and amortization expenses;
Accretion expense associated with asset retirement obligations for nonregulated operations.
This measure is further adjusted to include our proportionate share (based on ownership interest) of Modified EBITDA from our equity-method investments calculated consistently with the definition described above.

33



Notes (Continued)


The following table reflects the reconciliation of Segment revenues to Total revenues as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Total assets by reportable segment.
 
Transmission & Gulf of Mexico
 
Northeast G&P
 
West
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
 
 
(Millions)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
Segment revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External
$
783

 
$
342

 
$
316

 
$
5

 
$

 
$
1,446

Internal
12

 
12

 

 
4

 
(28
)
 

Total service revenues
795

 
354

 
316

 
9

 
(28
)
 
1,446

Total service revenues – commodity consideration
3

 
1

 
21

 

 

 
25

Product sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External
29

 
(8
)
 
289

 

 

 
310

Internal
7

 
9

 
14

 

 
(30
)
 

Total product sales
36

 
1

 
303

 

 
(30
)
 
310

Total revenues
$
834

 
$
356

 
$
640

 
$
9

 
$
(58
)
 
$
1,781

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
Segment revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External
$
797

 
$
319

 
$
368

 
$
5

 
$

 
$
1,489

Internal
11

 
11

 

 
3

 
(25
)
 

Total service revenues
808

 
330

 
368

 
8

 
(25
)
 
1,489

Total service revenues – commodity consideration
13

 
3

 
40

 

 

 
56

Product sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External
51

 
29

 
416

 

 

 
496

Internal
17

 
8

 
18

 

 
(43
)
 

Total product sales
68

 
37

 
434

 

 
(43
)
 
496

Total revenues
$
889

 
$
370

 
$
842

 
$
8

 
$
(68
)
 
$
2,041

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
Segment revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External
$
1,597

 
$
686

 
$
627

 
$
10

 
$

 
$
2,920

Internal
27

 
26

 

 
7

 
(60
)
 

Total service revenues
1,624

 
712

 
627

 
17

 
(60
)
 
2,920

Total service revenues – commodity consideration
8

 
3

 
42

 

 

 
53

Product sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External
70

 
15

 
636

 

 

 
721

Internal
18

 
15

 
26

 

 
(59
)
 

Total product sales
88

 
30

 
662

 

 
(59
)
 
721

Total revenues
$
1,720

 
$
745

 
$
1,331

 
$
17

 
$
(119
)
 
$
3,694

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


34



Notes (Continued)


 
Transmission & Gulf of Mexico
 
Northeast G&P
 
West
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
 
 
(Millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
Segment revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External
$
1,608

 
$
585

 
$
727

 
$
9

 
$

 
$
2,929

Internal
23

 
21

 

 
6

 
(50
)
 

Total service revenues
1,631

 
606

 
727

 
15

 
(50
)
 
2,929

Total service revenues – commodity consideration
26

 
8

 
86

 

 

 
120

Product sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External
103

 
65

 
878

 

 

 
1,046

Internal
47

 
19

 
35

 

 
(101
)
 

Total product sales
150

 
84

 
913

 

 
(101
)
 
1,046

Total revenues
$
1,807

 
$
698

 
$
1,726

 
$
15

 
$
(151
)
 
$
4,095

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets (1)
$
19,569

 
$
14,609

 
$
10,647

 
$
1,797

 
$
(1,279
)
 
$
45,343

December 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
18,796

 
$
15,399

 
$
11,265

 
$
1,151

 
$
(571
)
 
$
46,040


_______________
(1)
Increase in Other Total assets is due primarily to increased cash balance.
The following table reflects the reconciliation of Modified EBITDA to Net income (loss) as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
 
Three Months Ended 
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
June 30,
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Millions)
Modified EBITDA by segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transmission & Gulf of Mexico
$
615

 
$
590

 
$
1,277

 
$
1,226

Northeast G&P
370

 
303

 
739

 
602

West
253

 
212

 
468

 
468

Other
8

 
7

 
15

 
3

 
1,246

 
1,112

 
2,499

 
2,299

Accretion expense associated with asset retirement obligations for nonregulated operations
(7
)
 
(8
)
 
(17
)
 
(17
)
Depreciation and amortization expenses
(430
)
 
(424
)
 
(859
)
 
(840
)
Impairment of goodwill

 

 
(187
)
 

Equity earnings (losses)
108

 
87

 
130

 
167

Impairment of equity-method investments

 
2

 
(938
)
 
(72
)
Other investing income (loss) – net
1

 
124

 
4

 
125

Proportional Modified EBITDA of equity-method investments
(192
)
 
(175
)
 
(384
)
 
(365
)
Interest expense
(294
)
 
(296
)
 
(590
)
 
(592
)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes
(117
)
 
(98
)
 
87

 
(167
)
Net income (loss)
$
315

 
$
324

 
$
(255
)
 
$
538



35



Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
General
We are an energy infrastructure company focused on connecting North America’s significant hydrocarbon resource plays to growing markets for natural gas and NGLs through our gas pipeline and midstream business. Our operations are located in the United States.
Our interstate natural gas pipeline strategy is to create value by maximizing the utilization of our pipeline capacity by providing high quality, low cost transportation of natural gas to large and growing markets. Our gas pipeline businesses’ interstate transmission and storage activities are subject to regulation by the FERC and as such, our rates and charges for the transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce, and the extension, expansion or abandonment of jurisdictional facilities and accounting, among other things, are subject to regulation. The rates are established through the FERC’s ratemaking process. Changes in commodity prices and volumes transported have limited near-term impact on these revenues because the majority of cost of service is recovered through firm capacity reservation charges in transportation rates.
The ongoing strategy of our midstream operations is to safely and reliably operate large-scale midstream infrastructure where our assets can be fully utilized and drive low per-unit costs. We focus on consistently attracting new business by providing highly reliable service to our customers. These services include natural gas gathering, processing, treating, and compression, NGL fractionation and transportation, crude oil production handling and transportation, marketing services for NGL, crude oil and natural gas, as well as storage facilities.
Effective January 1, 2020, following an organizational realignment, our interstate natural gas pipeline Northwest Pipeline, which was reported within the West reporting segment throughout 2019, is now managed within the Transmission & Gulf of Mexico reporting segment (previously identified as the Atlantic-Gulf reporting segment). Consistent with the manner in which our chief operating decision maker evaluates performance and allocates resources, our operations are conducted, managed, and presented within the following reportable segments: Transmission & Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, and West. All remaining business activities as well as corporate activities are included in Other. Our reportable segments are comprised of the following businesses:
Transmission & Gulf of Mexico is comprised of our interstate natural gas pipelines, Transco and Northwest Pipeline, as well as natural gas gathering and processing and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region, including a 51 percent interest in Gulfstar One (a consolidated variable interest entity), which is a proprietary floating production system, a 50 percent equity-method investment in Gulfstream, and a 60 percent equity-method investment in Discovery.
Northeast G&P is comprised of our midstream gathering, processing, and fractionation businesses in the Marcellus Shale region primarily in Pennsylvania, New York, and the Utica Shale region of eastern Ohio, as well as a 65 percent interest in our Northeast JV (a consolidated variable interest entity) which operates in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, a 66 percent interest in Cardinal (a consolidated variable interest entity) which operates in Ohio, a 69 percent equity-method investment in Laurel Mountain, a 58 percent equity-method investment in Caiman II, and Appalachia Midstream Services, LLC, which owns equity-method investments with an approximate average 66 percent interest in multiple gas gathering systems in the Marcellus Shale (Appalachia Midstream Investments).
West is comprised of our gas gathering, processing, and treating operations in the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado and Wyoming, the Barnett Shale region of north-central Texas, the Eagle Ford Shale region of south Texas, the Haynesville Shale region of northwest Louisiana, and the Mid-Continent region which includes the Anadarko, Arkoma, and Permian basins. This segment also includes our NGL and natural gas marketing business, storage facilities, an undivided 50 percent interest in an NGL fractionator near Conway, Kansas, a 50 percent equity-method investment in OPPL, a 50 percent equity-method investment in RMM, and a 15 percent interest in Brazos Permian II, LLC (Brazos Permian II). West also included our former 50 percent equity-method investment in Jackalope, which was sold in April 2019.
Other includes minor business activities that are not operating segments, as well as corporate operations.

36



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

Dividends
In June 2020, we paid a regular quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share.
Overview of Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
Net income (loss) attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc., for the six months ended June 30, 2020, decreased $719 million compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019, reflecting:
$866 million increase in Impairment of equity-method investments;
$187 million of Impairment of goodwill in 2020;
$122 million decrease due to the absence of a 2019 gain on the sale of our interest in Jackalope;
A $37 million decrease in equity earnings, primarily due to our share of an impairment of goodwill recorded by an equity-method investee in 2020;
$15 million of lower commodity margins.
These unfavorable changes were partially offset by:
A $254 million favorable change in provision for income taxes driven by lower pre-tax income;
$76 million increase due to the absence of 2019 Impairment of certain assets;
A $74 million favorable change in Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests primarily due to the noncontrolling interests’ share of the first-quarter 2020 goodwill impairment charge;
$70 million of lower Operating and maintenance expenses;
$40 million of lower Selling, general, and administrative expenses.
The following discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition and liquidity should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of this Form 10‑Q and our annual consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in Exhibit 99.1 of our Form 8-K dated May 4, 2020.
Recent Developments
Expansion Project Update
Transmission & Gulf of Mexico
Hillabee
In February 2016, the FERC issued a certificate order for the initial phases of Transco’s Hillabee Expansion Project. The project involves an expansion of Transco’s existing natural gas transmission system from Station 85 in west central Alabama to an interconnection with the Sabal Trail pipeline in east central Alabama. The project is being constructed in phases, and all of the project expansion capacity is dedicated to Sabal Trail pursuant to a capacity lease agreement. Phase I was completed in 2017 and it increased capacity by 818 Mdth/d. We placed Phase II into service on May 1, 2020. Together, the first two phases of the project increased capacity by 1,025 Mdth/d.

37



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

COVID-19
The outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has severely impacted global economic activity and caused significant volatility and negative pressure in financial markets. We are monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and have taken steps intended to protect the safety of our customers, employees and communities, and to support the continued delivery of safe and reliable service to our customers and the communities we serve. We are continuing to monitor developments with respect to the outbreak and note the following:
Our financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity have not been materially impacted by direct effects of COVID-19.
We believe we have the ability to access the debt market, if necessary, as evidenced by the successful completion of debt offerings during second-quarter 2020, and continue to have significant levels of unused capacity on our revolving credit facility.
We have implemented remote working arrangements where possible and restricted business-related travel. Implementation of these measures has not required material expenditures or significantly impacted our ability to operate our business.
Our remote working arrangements have not significantly impacted our internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures.
Customer Bankruptcies
In June 2020, our customer Chesapeake Energy Corporation (Chesapeake) announced that it had voluntarily filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. We provide midstream services, including wellhead gathering, for the natural gas that Chesapeake and its joint interest owners produce primarily in the Eagle Ford Shale, Haynesville Shale, and Marcellus Shale regions (through our Appalachia Midstream Investments). In 2019, Chesapeake accounted for approximately 6 percent of our consolidated revenues. As of June 30, 2020, we have approximately $91 million of trade accounts receivable due from Chesapeake, (substantially all of which is current at June 30, 2020).
We have evaluated these receivables from Chesapeake and our related asset groups and investments involved in providing services to Chesapeake and determined that no expected credit losses or impairment charges are required to be recognized at this time. This evaluation considered the physical nature of our services in these basins, where we gather at the wellhead and are critical to Chesapeake’s ability to move product to market, along with an assessed low likelihood of contract rejection, noting that none of our contracts with Chesapeake were rejected in their initial bankruptcy filing. Chesapeake also received initial limited approval to continue paying for services such as those we provide. We also considered our prior experiences with customer bankruptcies, where receivables were ultimately collectible even if the timing of collections was impacted. Future developments in Chesapeake’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings could affect our assumptions and conclusions regarding credit losses and impairment charges.
We have certain other customers of our consolidated operations and investees, which are less significant to our consolidated results of operations, that have also filed for bankruptcy protection. To date, based on considerations such as our review of those bankruptcy filings, our assessment of the likelihood of contract rejection, and/or ongoing collections of amounts invoiced, we have not recognized any significant credit losses or impairment charges related to these customers. For example, Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc., a customer of our RMM investee, has not rejected any contracts with RMM and has paid pre-petition amounts due to RMM. We continue to monitor these ongoing customer bankruptcy proceedings as it is reasonably possible that future developments could affect our assumptions and conclusions.
Crude Oil Price Decline
During the first several months of 2020, crude oil prices decreased as a result of surplus supply and weakened demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, in early March, Saudi Arabia announced that it would cut export prices and increase production, contributing to a sharp decline in crude oil prices. The significant decline in crude oil prices has also impacted NGL prices. While our businesses do not have direct exposure to crude oil prices,

38



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

the combined impacts of the crude oil price decline on our industry and the financial market declines driven by COVID-19 have impacted us as follows:
The publicly traded price for our common stock (NYSE: WMB) declined significantly in the first quarter of 2020. As a result, our board of directors approved a limited duration shareholder rights agreement. (See Note 11 – Stockholders’ Equity of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)
Driven by the decline in our market capitalization and the underlying decrease in fair value of our Northeast G&P reporting unit, we recognized a $187 million impairment of goodwill during the first quarter of 2020. (See Note 12 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)
The same economic conditions impacted the fair value of certain of our equity-method investments, resulting in $938 million of other-than-temporary impairments of these investments in the first quarter of 2020. (See Note 12 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)
Considering the decline in crude oil prices, we note the following about our businesses:
Our interstate natural gas transmission businesses are fully contracted under long-term firm reservation contracts with high credit quality customers and are not exposed to crude oil prices.
We believe counterparty credit concerns in our gathering and processing business are significantly mitigated by the physical nature of our services, where we gather at the wellhead and are therefore critical to a producer’s ability to move product to market.
Our on-shore natural gas gathering and processing businesses are substantially focused on gas-directed drilling basins rather than oil, with a broad diversity of basins and customers served. Further, a decline in oil drilling would be expected to result in less associated natural gas production, which could drive more demand for natural gas produced from gas-directed basins we serve.
Our deepwater transportation business is supported mostly by major oil producers with a long-cycle perspective.
NGL Margins
Per-unit non-ethane margins were approximately 40 percent lower in the first six months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to a 40 percent decrease in per-unit non-ethane sales prices, partially offset by 36 percent lower per-unit natural gas feedstock prices.
NGL margins are defined as NGL revenues less any applicable Btu replacement cost, plant fuel, and third-party transportation and fractionation. Per-unit NGL margins are calculated based on sales of our own equity volumes at the processing plants. Our equity volumes include NGLs where we own the rights to the value from NGLs recovered at our plants under both “keep-whole” processing agreements, where we have the obligation to replace the lost heating value with natural gas, and “percent-of-liquids” agreements whereby we receive a portion of the extracted liquids with no obligation to replace the lost heating value.
The potential impact of commodity prices on our business for the remainder of 2020 is further discussed in the following Company Outlook.
Filing of Rate Case
On August 31, 2018, Transco filed a general rate case with the FERC for an overall increase in rates. In September 2018, with the exception of certain rates that reflected a rate decrease, the FERC accepted and suspended our general rate filing to be effective March 1, 2019, subject to refund and the outcome of a hearing. The specific rates that reflected a rate decrease were accepted, without suspension, to be effective October 1, 2018, as requested by Transco, and were not subject to refund. In March 2019, the FERC accepted our motion to place the rates that were suspended by the September 2018 order into effect on March 1, 2019, subject to refund. In October 2019, we reached an agreement on

39



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

the terms of a settlement with the participants that would resolve all issues in the rate case without the need for a hearing, and on December 31, 2019, we filed a formal stipulation and agreement with the FERC setting forth such terms of settlement. On March 24, 2020, the FERC issued an order approving the uncontested rate case settlement, which became effective on June 1, 2020. As of June 30, 2020, we have provided a $284 million reserve for rate refunds related to increased rates collected since March 2019. The refunds were paid on July 1, 2020.
Company Outlook
Our strategy is to provide large-scale energy infrastructure designed to maximize the opportunities created by the vast supply of natural gas and natural gas products that exists in the United States. We accomplish this by connecting the growing demand for cleaner fuels and feedstocks with our major positions in the premier natural gas and natural gas products supply basins. We continue to maintain a strong commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction. We believe that accomplishing these goals will position us to deliver safe and reliable service to our customers and an attractive return to our shareholders.
Our business plan for 2020 includes a continued focus on earnings and cash flow growth, while continuing to improve leverage metrics and control operating costs. Many of our producer customers are impacted by extremely low energy commodity prices, which has resulted in a decrease in drilling activity and the temporary shut-in of existing production in certain oil-directed and liquids-rich areas. We are responding by reducing the pace of our capital growth spending in our gathering and processing business and remaining committed to operating cost discipline.
In the current environment, the credit profiles of certain of our producer customers are increasingly challenged, including some that have filed for bankruptcy protection. But as previously discussed, the physical nature of services we provide supports the success of these customers. In many cases, we have long-term acreage dedications with strong historical contractual conveyances that create real estate interests in unproduced gas. In exchange for such dedication of production, we invest capital to build gathering lines uniquely to serve a producer’s wells. Therefore, our gathering lines are physically connected to the customer’s wellheads and pads, conditioning and connecting the production to available markets. There may not be other gathering lines nearby. The construction of gathering systems is capital intensive and it would be very costly for others to replicate, especially considering the depletion to date of the associated reserves. As a result, we play a critical role in getting a customer’s production from the wellhead to a marketable condition and location. This tends to reduce collectability risk as our services enable producers to generate operating cash flows.
In 2020, our operating results are expected to include lower deferred revenue amortization related to the West’s Barnett Shale region and Gulfstar One in the Eastern Gulf region. We also expect lower NGL margins overall and lower fee revenues in the West and Eastern Gulf region primarily from a decrease in drilling activity associated with a significant reduction in crude oil prices. Northeast G&P results are expected to increase from higher gathering and processing volumes. If current market conditions persist, the temporary shut-in of existing onshore and offshore production in certain oil-directed and liquids-rich areas will continue to negatively impact our results. We expect increases from Transco’s and Northwest Pipeline’s recent expansion projects placed in-service and Transco’s rate settlement as well as a full year contribution from the Norphlet project in the Eastern Gulf region. Additionally, we expect operating results will benefit from lower expenses associated with our organizational realignment completed earlier this year.
Our growth capital and investment expenditures in 2020 are expected to be in a range from $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion. Growth capital spending in 2020 primarily includes Transco expansions, all of which are fully contracted with firm transportation agreements, and our Bluestem NGL pipeline project in the Mid-Continent region. In addition to growth capital and investment expenditures, we also remain committed to projects that maintain our assets for safe and reliable operations, as well as projects that meet legal, regulatory, and/or contractual commitments.
Potential risks and obstacles that could impact the execution of our plan include:
Continued negative impacts of COVID-19 driving a global recession, which could result in further downturns in financial markets and commodity prices, as well as impact demand for natural gas and related products;

40



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

Opposition to, and legal regulations affecting, our infrastructure projects, including the risk of delay or denial in permits and approvals needed for our projects;
Counterparty credit and performance risk, including unexpected developments in ongoing customer bankruptcy proceedings;
Unexpected significant increases in capital expenditures or delays in capital project execution;
Unexpected changes in customer drilling and production activities, which could negatively impact gathering and processing volumes;
Lower than anticipated demand for natural gas and natural gas products which could result in lower than expected volumes, energy commodity prices, and margins;
General economic, financial markets, or further industry downturn, including increased interest rates;
Physical damages to facilities, including damage to offshore facilities by named windstorms;
Other risks set forth under Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the SEC on February 24, 2020, as supplemented by the disclosures in Part II, Item 1A. in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.
We seek to maintain a strong financial position and liquidity, as well as manage a diversified portfolio of energy infrastructure assets which continue to serve key growth markets and supply basins in the United States.
Expansion Projects
Our ongoing major expansion projects include the following:
Transmission & Gulf of Mexico
Northeast Supply Enhancement
In May 2019, we received approval from the FERC to expand Transco’s existing natural gas transmission system to provide incremental firm transportation capacity from Station 195 in Pennsylvania to the Rockaway Delivery Lateral transfer point in New York. However, approvals required for the project from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection were denied in May 2020. We have not refiled our applications for those approvals. The project, which would increase capacity by 400 Mdth/d, was planned to be placed into service in the fall of 2021. See further discussion in Critical Accounting Estimates.
Southeastern Trail
In October 2019, we received approval from the FERC to expand Transco’s existing natural gas transmission system to provide incremental firm transportation capacity from the Pleasant Valley interconnect with Dominion’s Cove Point Pipeline in Virginia to the Station 65 pooling point in Louisiana. We plan to place up to 230 Mdth/d of capacity under the project into service in the fourth quarter of 2020, and the remainder of the project capacity into service in the first quarter of 2021. In total, the project is expected to increase capacity by 296 Mdth/d.
Leidy South
In July 2020, we received approval from the FERC for the project to expand Transco’s existing natural gas transmission system and also extend its system through a capacity lease with National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation that will enable us to provide incremental firm transportation from Clermont, Pennsylvania and from the Zick interconnection on Transco’s Leidy Line to the River Road regulating station in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

41



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

We plan to place the project into service as early as the fourth quarter of 2021, assuming timely receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. The project is expected to increase capacity by 582 Mdth/d.
West
Project Bluestem
We are expanding our presence in the Mid-Continent region through building a 188-mile NGL pipeline from our fractionator near Conway, Kansas to an interconnect with a third-party NGL pipeline system in Oklahoma, providing us with firm access to Mt. Belvieu pricing. As part of the project, the third-party is constructing a 110-mile pipeline extension of their existing NGL pipeline system that will have an initial capacity of 120 Mbbls/d. The pipeline and extension projects are expected to be placed into service during the first quarter of 2021. Further, during the first quarter of 2019, we exercised an option to purchase a 20 percent equity interest in a Mt. Belvieu fractionation train developed by the third party, which was placed into service in the first quarter of 2020.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Equity-Method Investments
We monitor our equity-method investments for any indications that the carrying value may have experienced an other-than-temporary decline in value.
In the first quarter of 2020, we observed a significant decline in the publicly traded price of our common stock (NYSE: WMB) as well as other industry peers and increases in equity yields within the midstream and overall energy industry, which served to increase our estimates of discount rates and weighted-average cost of capital. These changes were attributed to the swift, world-wide economic declines associated with actions to address the spread of COVID-19, coupled with the energy industry impact of significantly reduced energy commodity prices, which were further impacted by crude oil price declines associated with geopolitical actions during the quarter. These significant macroeconomic changes served as indications that the carrying amount of certain of our equity-method investments may have experienced an other-than temporary decline in fair value, determined in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 323, “Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures.”
As a result, we estimated the fair value of these equity-method investments in accordance with ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” as of the March 31, 2020, measurement date. In assessing the fair value, we were required to consider recent publicly available indications of value, which included lower observed publicly traded EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) market multiples as compared with recent history, and significantly higher industry weighted-average discount rates. As a result, we determined that there were other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of certain of our equity-method investments, resulting in recognized impairments during the first quarter of 2020 totaling $938 million. (See Note 12 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.) This included impairments of certain of our equity-method investments in our Northeast G&P segment totaling $405 million, primarily associated with operations in wet-gas areas where producer drilling activities are influenced by NGL prices, which historically trend with crude oil prices. This total was primarily comprised of impairments of our investment in Caiman II and predominantly wet-gas gathering systems that are part of the Appalachia Midstream Investments. We also recognized an impairment of $97 million related to Discovery within the Transmission & Gulf of Mexico segment. We estimated the fair value of these investments as of the March 31, 2020, measurement date utilizing income and market approaches, which were impacted by assumptions reflecting the significant recent market declines previously discussed, such as higher discount rates, ranging from 9.7 percent to 13.5 percent, and lower EBITDA multiples ranging from 5.0x to 6.2x. We also considered any debt held at the investee level, and its impact to fair value. We estimate that a one percentage point increase or decrease in the discount rates used would increase these recognized impairments by approximately $197 million or decrease the level of these recognized impairments by approximately $121 million and a 0.5x increase or decrease in the EBITDA multiples assumed would decrease or increase the level of impairments recognized by approximately $48 million.
During the first quarter of 2020 we also recognized $436 million of impairments within our West segment related to our investments in RMM and Brazos Permian II, measured using an income approach. Both investees operate in primarily crude oil-driven basins where our gathering volumes are driven by crude oil drilling. Our expectation of

42



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

continued lower crude oil prices and related expectation of significant reductions in current and future producer activities in these areas led to reduced estimates of expected future cash flows. Our fair value estimates also reflected increases in the discount rates to approximately 17 percent for these investments. We also considered any debt held at the investee level, and its impact to fair value. We estimate that a one percentage point increase in the discount rate would increase these recognized impairments by approximately $32 million, while a one percentage point decrease would decrease these impairments by approximately $43 million.
Judgments and assumptions are inherent in our estimates of future cash flows, discount rates, and market measures utilized and, as previously discussed, were significantly impacted by the recent unfavorable macroeconomic changes. The use of alternate judgments and assumptions could result in a different calculation of fair value, which could ultimately result in the recognition of a different impairment charge in the consolidated financial statements, potentially including impairments for investments which were evaluated but for which no impairments were recognized.
Property, Plant, and Equipment and Other Identifiable Intangible Assets
As a result of the previously described significant macroeconomic changes during the first quarter of 2020, we also evaluated certain of our property, plant, and equipment and other identifiable intangible assets for indicators of impairment as of March 31, 2020. In our assessments, we considered the impact of the then current market conditions on certain of our assets and did not identify any indicators that the carrying amounts of those assets may not be recoverable. The use of alternate judgments or changes in future conditions could result in a different conclusion regarding the occurrence and measurement of impairments affecting the consolidated financial statements.
As of June 30, 2020, Property, plant, and equipment in our Consolidated Balance Sheet includes approximately $217 million of capitalized project development costs for the Northeast Supply Enhancement project. As previously discussed, approvals required for the project from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection have been denied and we have not refiled at this time. Beginning in May 2020, we discontinued capitalization of costs related to this project.
The customer precedent agreements remain in effect and the project’s FERC certificate remains active. As such, we do not believe this project is probable of abandonment at this time and consider the carrying amount to be recoverable; thus no impairment charge has been recognized. It is reasonably possible that further adverse developments in the near future could change this determination, resulting in a future impairment charge of a substantial portion of the capitalized costs.






43



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)


Results of Operations
Consolidated Overview
The following table and discussion is a summary of our consolidated results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. The results of operations by segment are discussed in further detail following this consolidated overview discussion.
 
Three Months Ended 
June 30,
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended 
June 30,
 
 
 
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
$ Change*
 
% Change*
 
2020
 
2019
 
$ Change*
 
% Change*
 
(Millions)
 
 
 
 
 
(Millions)
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service revenues
$
1,446

 
$
1,489

 
-43

 
-3
 %
 
$
2,920

 
$
2,929

 
-9

 
 %
Service revenues – commodity consideration
25

 
56

 
-31

 
-55
 %
 
53

 
120

 
-67

 
-56
 %
Product sales
310

 
496

 
-186

 
-38
 %
 
721

 
1,046

 
-325

 
-31
 %
Total revenues
1,781

 
2,041

 
 
 
 
 
3,694

 
4,095

 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product costs
271

 
483

 
+212

 
+44
 %
 
667

 
1,008

 
+341

 
+34
 %
Processing commodity expenses
15

 
24

 
+9

 
+38
 %
 
28

 
64

 
+36

 
+56
 %
Operating and maintenance expenses
320

 
387

 
+67

 
+17
 %
 
657

 
727

 
+70

 
+10
 %
Depreciation and amortization expenses
430

 
424

 
-6

 
-1
 %
 
859

 
840

 
-19

 
-2
 %
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
127

 
152

 
+25

 
+16
 %
 
240

 
280

 
+40

 
+14
 %
Impairment of certain assets

 
64

 
+64

 
+100
 %
 

 
76

 
+76

 
+100
 %
Impairment of goodwill

 

 

 

 
187

 

 
-187

 
NM

Other (income) expense – net
6

 
9

 
+3

 
+33
 %
 
13

 
41

 
+28

 
+68
 %
Total costs and expenses
1,169

 
1,543

 
 
 
 
 
2,651

 
3,036

 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
612

 
498

 
 
 
 
 
1,043

 
1,059

 
 
 
 
Equity earnings (losses)
108

 
87

 
+21

 
+24
 %
 
130

 
167

 
-37

 
-22
 %
Impairment of equity-method investments

 
2

 
-2

 
-100
 %
 
(938
)
 
(72
)
 
-866

 
NM

Other investing income (loss) – net
1

 
124

 
-123

 
-99
 %
 
4

 
125

 
-121

 
-97
 %
Interest expense
(294
)
 
(296
)
 
+2

 
+1
 %
 
(590
)
 
(592
)
 
+2

 
 %
Other income (expense) – net
5

 
7

 
-2

 
-29
 %
 
9

 
18

 
-9

 
-50
 %
Income (loss) before income taxes
432

 
422

 
 
 
 
 
(342
)
 
705

 
 
 
 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
117

 
98

 
-19

 
-19
 %
 
(87
)
 
167

 
+254

 
NM

Net income (loss)
315

 
324

 
 
 
 
 
(255
)
 
538

 
 
 
 
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
12

 
14

 
+2

 
+14
 %
 
(41
)
 
33

 
+74

 
NM

Net income (loss) attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc.
$
303

 
$
310

 
 
 
 
 
$
(214
)
 
$
505

 
 
 
 

*
+ = Favorable change; - = Unfavorable change; NM = A percentage calculation is not meaningful due to a change in signs, a zero-value denominator, or a percentage change greater than 200.

44



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

Three months ended June 30, 2020 vs. three months ended June 30, 2019
Service revenues decreased primarily due to lower volumes in our West segment, the expiration of an MVC agreement in the Barnett Shale region, lower deferred revenue amortization at Gulfstar One, and temporary shut-ins at certain offshore Gulf of Mexico operations. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in the Eagle Ford Shale region primarily due to higher MVC revenue, higher transportation fee revenues at Transco primarily associated with expansion projects placed in service in 2019 and its rate case settlement, as well as higher Northeast JV revenues driven by higher volumes.
Service revenues – commodity consideration decreased primarily due to lower commodity prices, along with lower equity NGL processing volumes due to less producer drilling activity. These revenues represent consideration we receive in the form of commodities as full or partial payment for processing services provided. Most of these NGL volumes are sold within the month processed and therefore are offset in Product costs below.
Product sales decreased primarily due to lower NGL and natural gas prices associated with our marketing and equity NGL sales activities, as well as lower volumes associated with our equity NGL sales activities, partially offset by higher marketing volumes. This decrease also includes lower system management gas sales. Marketing revenues and system management gas sales are substantially offset in Product costs.
Product costs decreased primarily due to lower NGL and natural gas prices associated with our marketing and equity NGL production activities. This decrease also includes lower volumes acquired as commodity consideration for NGL processing services and lower system management gas costs, partially offset by higher volumes for marketing activities.
Operating and maintenance expenses decreased due to lower employee-related expenses driven by the absence of second-quarter 2019 severance and related costs (see Note 6 – Other Accruals of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) and the associated reduced costs in 2020, as well as lower maintenance costs primarily due to timing and scope of activities.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased primarily due to lower employee-related expenses, including the absence of second-quarter 2019 severance and related costs (see Note 6 – Other Accruals of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) and the associated reduced costs in 2020, as well as the absence of transaction costs associated with our 2019 formation of the Northeast JV.
The favorable change in Impairment of certain assets includes the absence of a 2019 impairment of certain Eagle Ford Shale gathering assets (see Note 12 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
The favorable change in Operating income (loss) includes the absence of the 2019 impairment of certain assets, as well as higher Northeast JV volumes, lower employee-related expenses, and the favorable impact from Transco's expansion projects and rate case. The favorable change was partially offset by the expiration of an MVC agreement in the Barnett Shale region, lower deferred revenue amortization at Gulfstar One, and the impact of various temporary shut-ins across the Gulf of Mexico.
Equity earnings (losses) increased primarily due to increases at Appalachia Midstream Investments and Caiman II.
The unfavorable change in Other investing income (loss) – net includes the absence of a 2019 gain on the sale of our equity-method investment in Jackalope (see Note 5 – Investing Activities of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
Provision (benefit) for income taxes changed unfavorably primarily due to the allocation of losses to nontaxable noncontrolling interest and higher pre-tax income. See Note 7 – Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the effective tax rate compared to the federal statutory rate for both periods.

45



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

Six months ended June 30, 2020 vs. six months ended June 30, 2019
Service revenues decreased primarily due to the expiration of an MVC agreement in the Barnett Shale region, lower deferred revenue amortization at Gulfstar One, lower volumes and rates in our West segment, and temporary shut-ins at certain Gulf of Mexico operations. This decrease was partially offset by higher Northeast JV revenues driven by higher volumes and the March 2019 consolidation of UEOM, higher transportation fee revenues at Transco primarily associated with its expansion projects placed in service in 2019 and rate case settlement, as well as higher MVC revenue in the Eagle Ford Shale region.
Service revenues – commodity consideration decreased primarily due to lower commodity prices, as well as lower equity NGL processing volumes due to less producer drilling activity and higher ethane rejection. These revenues represent consideration we receive in the form of commodities as full or partial payment for processing services provided. Most of these NGL volumes are sold within the month processed and therefore are offset in Product costs below.
Product sales decreased primarily due to lower NGL and natural gas prices associated with our marketing and equity NGL sales activities, as well as lower volumes associated with our equity NGL sales activities, partially offset by higher marketing volumes. This decrease also includes lower system management gas sales. Marketing revenues and system management gas sales are substantially offset in Product costs.
Product costs decreased primarily due to lower NGL and natural gas prices associated with our marketing and equity NGL production activities. This decrease also includes lower volumes acquired as commodity consideration for NGL processing services and lower system management gas costs, partially offset by higher volumes for marketing activities.
Processing commodity expenses decreased primarily due to lower natural gas purchases associated with equity NGL production primarily due to lower volumes and lower natural gas prices.
Operating and maintenance expenses decreased due to lower employee-related expenses, including the absence of second-quarter 2019 severance and related costs and the associated reduced costs in 2020, and lower maintenance primarily due to timing and scope of activities. This decrease was partially offset by higher expenses related to the consolidation of UEOM in March 2019.
Depreciation and amortization expenses increased primarily due to new assets placed in service and the March 2019 consolidation of UEOM, partially offset by lower expense related to assets that became fully depreciated in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased primarily due to lower employee-related expenses, including the absence of second-quarter 2019 severance and related costs and the associated reduced costs in 2020, as well as the absence of transaction costs associated with our 2019 acquisition of UEOM and the formation of the Northeast JV.
The favorable change in Impairment of certain assets includes the absence of 2019 impairments of certain Eagle Ford Shale gathering assets and certain idle gathering assets.
Impairment of goodwill reflects the goodwill impairment charge at Northeast G&P in 2020 (see Note 12 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
The favorable change in Other (income) expense – net within Operating income (loss) includes net favorable changes to charges and credits associated with regulatory assets and liabilities primarily associated with Transco’s rate case settlement and the absence of a 2019 unfavorable regulatory asset adjustment at Other.
The unfavorable change in Operating income (loss) includes the 2020 impairment of goodwill at Northeast G&P, the expiration of an MVC agreement in the Barnett Shale region, lower deferred revenue amortization at Gulfstar One, and unfavorable commodity margins primarily reflecting lower NGL sales prices. The unfavorable change was partially offset by higher Northeast JV volumes, the absence of the 2019 impairment of certain assets, lower employee-related

46



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

expenses, the favorable impacts of the consolidation of UEOM, and the favorable impact from Transco's expansion projects and rate case.
Equity earnings (losses) decreased primarily due to our share of the 2020 impairment of goodwill at RMM (see Note 5 – Investing Activities of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). This decrease was partially offset by increases at Appalachia Midstream Investments and Caiman II.
Impairment of equity-method investments includes impairments of various equity-method investments in 2020, partially offset by the absence of a 2019 impairment of UEOM (see Note 12 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
The unfavorable change in Other investing income (loss) – net is primarily due to the absence of a 2019 gain on the sale of our equity-method investment in Jackalope.
The unfavorable change in Other income (expense) – net below Operating income (loss) is primarily due to a 2020 pension plan settlement charge.
Provision (benefit) for income taxes changed favorably primarily due to lower pre-tax income. See Note 7 – Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the effective tax rate compared to the federal statutory rate for both periods.
The favorable change in Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests is primarily due to the noncontrolling interests’ share of the first-quarter 2020 goodwill impairment charge, and lower Gulfstar One results, partially offset by the impact from to the formation of the Northeast JV in June 2019.
Period-Over-Period Operating Results - Segments
We evaluate segment operating performance based upon Modified EBITDA. Note 14 – Segment Disclosures of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements includes a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to Net income (loss). Management uses Modified EBITDA because it is an accepted financial indicator used by investors to compare company performance. In addition, management believes that this measure provides investors an enhanced perspective of the operating performance of our assets. Modified EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for a measure of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Transmission & Gulf of Mexico
 
Three Months Ended 
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
June 30,
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Millions)
Service revenues
$
795

 
$
808

 
$
1,624

 
$
1,631

Service revenues  commodity consideration
3

 
13

 
8

 
26

Product sales
36

 
68

 
88

 
150

Segment revenues
834

 
889

 
1,720

 
1,807

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product costs
(37
)
 
(69
)
 
(89
)
 
(151
)
Processing commodity expenses
(1
)
 
(5
)
 
(3
)
 
(10
)
Other segment costs and expenses
(223
)
 
(269
)
 
(437
)
 
(506
)
Proportional Modified EBITDA of equity-method investments
42

 
44

 
86

 
86

Transmission & Gulf of Mexico Modified EBITDA
$
615

 
$
590

 
$
1,277

 
$
1,226

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity margins
$
1

 
$
7

 
$
4

 
$
15


47



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

Three months ended June 30, 2020 vs. three months ended June 30, 2019
Transmission & Gulf of Mexico Modified EBITDA increased primarily due to favorable changes to Other segment costs and expenses.
Service revenues decreased primarily due to:
A $31 million decrease due to lower deferred revenue amortization and the end of the exclusive use period at Gulfstar One;
A $21 million decrease due to temporary shut-ins primarily at Perdido and Gunflint related to pricing and scheduled maintenance.
These decreases were partially offset by:
A $26 million increase in Transco’s natural gas transportation revenues primarily driven by higher revenues from Transco’s expansion projects placed in service and rate case settlement in 2019;
An increase at Gulfstar One associated with higher volumes in the Tubular Bells field due to a new well and higher production.
The net sum of Service revenues commodity consideration, Product sales, Product costs, and Processing commodity expenses comprise our commodity margins. Our commodity margins associated with our equity NGLs decreased $4 million primarily driven by unfavorable NGL sales volumes and prices. Additionally, the decrease in Product sales includes a $21 million decrease in commodity marketing sales. Marketing sales are substantially offset in Product costs and therefore have little impact to Modified EBITDA.
Other segment costs and expenses decreased primarily due to lower employee-related expenses, including the absence of second-quarter 2019 severance and related costs and the associated reduced costs in 2020 (see Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) and the absence of $15 million of expense in 2019 related to the reversal of expenditures previously capitalized, as well as net favorable changes to charges and credits associated with regulatory assets and liabilities primarily driven by the terms of settlement in Transco’s general rate case. Additionally, expenses decreased due to lower maintenance costs.
Six months ended June 30, 2020 vs. six months ended June 30, 2019
Transmission & Gulf of Mexico Modified EBITDA increased primarily due to favorable changes to Other segment costs and expenses.
Service revenues decreased primarily due to:
A $61 million decrease due to lower deferred revenue amortization and the end of the exclusive use period at Gulfstar One;
A $21 million decrease due to temporary shut-ins primarily at Perdido and Gunflint related to pricing and scheduled maintenance.
These decreases were partially offset by:
A $58 million increase in Transco’s natural gas transportation revenues primarily driven by higher revenues from Transco’s expansion projects placed in service and rate case settlement in 2019;
A $13 million increase at Gulfstar One associated with higher volumes in the Tubular Bells field due to a new well and higher production;

48



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

An $11 million increase associated with higher Norphlet volumes.
The net sum of Service revenues commodity consideration, Product sales, Product costs, and Processing commodity expenses comprise our commodity margins. Our commodity margins associated with our equity NGLs decreased $8 million primarily driven by unfavorable NGL sales prices and volumes. Additionally, the decrease in Product sales includes a $36 million decrease in commodity marketing sales primarily due to lower NGL prices and $8 million lower system management gas sales. Marketing revenues and system management gas sales are substantially offset in Product costs and therefore have little impact to Modified EBITDA.
Other segment costs and expenses decreased primarily due to lower employee-related expenses, including the absence of second-quarter 2019 severance and related costs and the associated reduced costs in 2020, as well as net favorable changes to charges and credits associated with regulatory assets and liabilities primarily driven by the terms of settlement in Transco’s general rate case, and the absence of $15 million of expense in 2019 related to the reversal of expenditures previously capitalized. Additionally, expenses decreased due to lower contracted services mainly related to general maintenance and other testing at Transco. These decreases were partially offset by higher operating taxes and a 2020 pension plan settlement charge.
Northeast G&P
 
Three Months Ended 
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
June 30,
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Millions)
Service revenues
$
354

 
$
330

 
$
712

 
$
606

Service revenues  commodity consideration
1

 
3

 
3

 
8

Product sales
1

 
37

 
30

 
84

Segment revenues
356

 
370

 
745

 
698

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product costs

 
(38
)
 
(29
)
 
(85
)
Processing commodity expenses
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
(5
)
Other segment costs and expenses
(111
)
 
(130
)
 
(221
)
 
(231
)
Proportional Modified EBITDA of equity-method investments
126

 
103

 
246

 
225

Northeast G&P Modified EBITDA
$
370

 
$
303

 
$
739

 
$
602

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity margins
$
1

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
2

Three months ended June 30, 2020 vs. three months ended June 30, 2019
Northeast G&P Modified EBITDA increased primarily due to higher Service revenues, increased Proportional Modified EBITDA of equity-method investments, and lower Other segment costs and expenses.
Service revenues increased primarily due to:
A $23 million increase at the Northeast JV, related to higher gathering, processing, fractionation, and transportation revenues primarily associated with higher volumes, partially offset by
A $7 million decrease associated with lower gathering volumes at Susquehanna Supply Hub.
Product sales decreased primarily due to lower non-ethane prices within our marketing activities. The changes in marketing revenues are offset by similar changes in marketing purchases, reflected above as Product costs.
Other segment costs and expenses decreased primarily due to lower employee-related expenses driven by the absence of second-quarter 2019 severance and related costs (see Note 6 – Other Accruals of Notes to Consolidated

49



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

Financial Statements) and the associated reduced costs in 2020, and the absence of transaction costs associated with the formation of the Northeast JV. Additionally, maintenance and repairs expenses decreased primarily due to timing and scope of activities.
Proportional Modified EBITDA of equity-method investments increased at Appalachia Midstream Investments primarily due to higher volumes and at Caiman II driven by a gain on early debt retirement at Blue Racer Midstream, LLC.
Six months ended June 30, 2020 vs. six months ended June 30, 2019
Northeast G&P Modified EBITDA increased primarily due to higher Service revenues and the favorable impact of acquiring the additional interest of UEOM, which is a consolidated entity after the remaining ownership interest was purchased in March 2019, in addition to increased Proportional Modified EBITDA of equity-method investments from higher volumes at Appalachia Midstream Investments and Caiman II.
Service revenues increased primarily due to:
An $84 million increase at the Northeast JV, including $52 million higher gathering, processing, fractionation, and transportation revenues primarily due to higher volumes, and a $32 million increase associated with the consolidation of UEOM, as previously discussed;
An $11 million increase in reimbursable electricity expenses, which are offset by similar changes in electricity charges, reflected in Other segment costs and expenses;
A $6 million increase in gathering revenues at Cardinal primarily due to higher volumes.
Product sales decreased primarily due to lower NGL prices and lower non-ethane volumes within our marketing activities. The changes in marketing revenues are offset by similar changes in marketing purchases, reflected above as Product costs.
Other segment costs and expenses decreased primarily due to lower employee-related expenses, including the absence of second-quarter 2019 severance and related costs and the associated reduced costs in 2020, and the absence of transaction costs associated with our 2019 acquisition of UEOM and the formation of the Northeast JV. Additionally, maintenance and repair expenses and operating expenses decreased primarily due to timing and scope of activities. These decreases were partially offset by higher reimbursable electricity expenses in addition to increased expenses associated with the consolidation of UEOM.
Proportional Modified EBITDA of equity-method investments increased at Appalachia Midstream Investments driven by higher volumes and at Caiman II driven by higher volumes and a gain on early debt retirement. These increases were partially offset by a $16 million decrease as a result of the consolidation of UEOM, as previously discussed.

50



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

West
 
Three Months Ended 
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
June 30,
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Millions)
Service revenues
$
316

 
$
368

 
$
627

 
$
727

Service revenues  commodity consideration
21

 
40

 
42

 
86

Product sales
303

 
434

 
662

 
913

Segment revenues
640

 
842

 
1,331

 
1,726

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product costs
(281
)
 
(437
)
 
(649
)
 
(912
)
Processing commodity expenses
(13
)
 
(19
)
 
(23
)
 
(50
)
Other segment costs and expenses
(117
)
 
(138
)
 
(243
)
 
(274
)
Impairment of certain assets

 
(64
)
 

 
(76
)
Proportional Modified EBITDA of equity-method investments
24

 
28

 
52

 
54

West Modified EBITDA
$
253

 
$
212

 
$
468

 
$
468

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity margins
$
30

 
$
18

 
$
32

 
$
37

Three months ended June 30, 2020 vs. three months ended June 30, 2019
West Modified EBITDA increased primarily due to the absence of Impairment of certain assets, lower Other segment costs and expenses, and higher Commodity margins, partially offset by lower Service revenues.
Service revenues decreased primarily due to:
A $33 million decrease driven by lower deferred revenue amortization and MVC deficiency fee revenues associated with the second-quarter 2019 expiration of the MVC agreement in the Barnett Shale region;
A $22 million decrease associated with lower volumes, excluding the Eagle Ford Shale region;
A $17 million decrease associated with lower rates, excluding the Eagle Ford Shale region, driven by lower commodity pricing in the Barnett Shale region and the expiration of a cost-of-service period on a contract in the Mid-Continent region;
An $11 million decrease driven by the absence of a favorable 2019 cost-of-service agreement adjustment in the Mid-Continent region;
A $25 million increase in the Eagle Ford Shale region due to higher MVC revenue and higher rates, partially offset by lower volumes primarily due to decreased producer activity, including shut-ins on certain gathering systems;
A $9 million increase associated with a temporary volume deficiency fee from a customer.
The net sum of Service revenues commodity consideration, Product sales, Product costs, and Processing commodity expenses comprise our commodity margins, which we further segregate into product margins associated with our equity NGLs and marketing margins. Marketing margins increased by $25 million primarily due to favorable changes in net commodity prices. The decrease in Product sales includes a $107 million decrease in marketing sales, which is due to lower sales prices, partially offset by higher marketing sales volumes. These decreases are substantially offset in Product costs.
Additionally, product margins from our equity NGLs decreased $13 million primarily due to:

51



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

A $13 million decrease associated with lower sales prices primarily due to 48 percent lower average net realized per-unit non-ethane sales prices;
A $6 million decrease associated with lower sales volumes primarily due to 14 percent lower non-ethane sales volumes primarily due to less producer drilling activity;
A $6 million increase related to a decline in natural gas purchases associated with lower natural gas prices and lower equity NGL production volumes.
Other segment costs and expenses decreased primarily due to lower employee-related expenses driven by the absence of second-quarter 2019 severance and related costs and the associated reduced costs in 2020 (see Note 6 – Other Accruals of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements), lower maintenance costs primarily due to timing and scope of activities, and lower operating costs due to fewer leased compressors.
Impairment of certain assets decreased primarily due to the absence of a $59 million impairment of certain Eagle Ford Shale gathering assets in 2019 (see Note 12 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
Proportional Modified EBITDA of equity-method investments decreased primarily due to lower volumes at OPPL.
Six months ended June 30, 2020 vs. six months ended June 30, 2019
West Modified EBITDA includes lower Service revenues and lower Commodity margins, offset by the absence of Impairment of certain assets and lower Other segment costs and expenses.
Service revenues decreased primarily due to:
A $72 million decrease driven by lower deferred revenue amortization and MVC deficiency fee revenues associated with the second-quarter 2019 expiration of the MVC agreement in the Barnett Shale region;
A $40 million decrease associated with lower rates, excluding the Eagle Ford Shale region, driven by lower commodity pricing in the Barnett Shale region and the expiration of a cost-of-service period on a contract in the Mid-Continent region;
A $35 million decrease associated with lower volumes, excluding the Eagle Ford Shale region;
An $11 million decrease driven by the absence of a favorable 2019 cost-of-service agreement adjustment in the Mid-Continent region;
A $51 million increase in the Eagle Ford Shale region due to higher MVC revenue and higher rates, partially offset by lower volumes primarily due to decreased producer activity, including shut-ins on certain gathering systems;
A $9 million increase associated with a temporary volume deficiency fee from a customer.
The net sum of Service revenues commodity consideration, Product sales, Product costs, and Processing commodity expenses comprise our commodity margins, which we further segregate into product margins associated with our equity NGLs and marketing margins. Product margins from our equity NGLs decreased $17 million primarily due to:
A $24 million decrease associated with lower sales prices primarily due to 40 percent lower average net realized per-unit non-ethane sales prices;

52



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

A $19 million decrease associated with 16 percent lower non-ethane sales volumes primarily due to less producer drilling activity as well as lower sales volumes primarily due to 49 percent lower ethane sales volumes resulting from higher ethane rejection;
A $26 million increase related to a decrease in natural gas purchases associated with lower equity NGL production volumes and lower natural gas prices.
Additionally, marketing margins increased by $12 million primarily due to favorable changes in net commodity prices. The decrease in Product sales includes a $195 million decrease in marketing sales, which is due to lower sales prices, partially offset by higher marketing sales volumes. These decreases are substantially offset in Product costs.
Other segment costs and expenses decreased primarily due to lower employee-related expenses driven by the absence of second-quarter 2019 severance and related costs and the associated reduced costs in 2020, as well as lower maintenance costs primarily due to timing and scope of activities, and lower operating costs due to fewer leased compressors.
Impairment of certain assets decreased primarily due to the absence of a $59 million impairment of certain Eagle Ford Shale gathering assets and a $12 million impairment of certain idle gathering assets in 2019.
Proportional Modified EBITDA of equity-method investments decreased primarily due to lower volumes at OPPL and the absence of the Jackalope equity-method investment sold in April 2019, partially offset by growth at the RMM equity-method investment.
Other
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Millions)
Other Modified EBITDA
$
8

 
$
7

 
$
15

 
$
3

Six months ended June 30, 2020 vs. six months ended June 30, 2019
Other Modified EBITDA increased primarily due to the absence of a first-quarter 2019 $12 million unfavorable adjustment to a regulatory asset associated with an increase in Transco’s estimated deferred state income tax rate following the merger transaction wherein we acquired all of the outstanding common units held by others of our former publicly traded master limited partnership.


53



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Liquidity
Outlook
As previously discussed in Company Outlook, our growth capital and investment expenditures in 2020 are currently expected to be in a range from $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion. Growth capital spending in 2020 includes Transco expansions, all of which are fully contracted with firm transportation agreements, and our Bluestem NGL pipeline project in the Mid-Continent region. In addition to growth capital and investment expenditures, we also remain committed to projects that maintain our assets for safe and reliable operations, as well as projects that meet legal, regulatory, and/or contractual commitments. We intend to fund substantially all of our planned 2020 capital spending with cash available after paying dividends. We retain the flexibility to adjust planned levels of growth capital and investment expenditures in response to changes in economic conditions or business opportunities.
During the first half of 2020, we retired approximately $1.5 billion of long-term debt and issued approximately $2.2 billion of new long-term debt. In August 2020, we expect to early retire our $600 million of 4.125 percent senior unsecured notes that are scheduled to mature in November 2020. In July 2020, we paid $284 million for rate refunds related to Transco’s increased rates collected since the new rates became effective in March 2019. (See Note 13 – Contingent Liabilities of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)
Liquidity
Based on our forecasted levels of cash flow from operations and other sources of liquidity, we expect to have sufficient liquidity to manage our businesses in 2020. Our potential material internal and external sources and uses of liquidity are as follows:
Sources:
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents on hand
 
Cash generated from operations
 
Distributions from our equity-method investees
 
Utilization of our credit facility and/or commercial paper program
 
Cash proceeds from issuance of debt and/or equity securities
 
Proceeds from asset monetizations
 
 
Uses:
 
 
Working capital requirements
 
Capital and investment expenditures
 
Quarterly dividends to our shareholders
 
Debt service payments, including payments of long-term debt
 
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
Potential risks associated with our planned levels of liquidity discussed above include those previously discussed in Company Outlook.

54



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

As of June 30, 2020, we had a working capital deficit of $100 million, including cash and cash equivalents and long-term debt due within one year. Our available liquidity is as follows:
Available Liquidity
June 30, 2020
 
(Millions)
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,133

Capacity available under our $4.5 billion credit facility, less amounts outstanding under our $4 billion commercial paper program (1)
4,500

 
$
5,633

 
(1)
In managing our available liquidity, we do not expect a maximum outstanding amount in excess of the capacity of our credit facility inclusive of any outstanding amounts under our commercial paper program. We had no commercial paper outstanding as of June 30, 2020. Through June 30, 2020, the highest amount outstanding under our commercial paper program and credit facility during 2020 was $1.7 billion. At June 30, 2020, we were in compliance with the financial covenants associated with our credit facility.
Dividends
We increased our regular quarterly cash dividend to common stockholders by approximately 5 percent from the previous quarterly cash dividends of $0.38 per share paid in each quarter of 2019, to $0.40 per share for the quarterly cash dividends paid in March and June 2020.
Registrations
In February 2018, we filed a shelf registration statement as a well-known seasoned issuer. In August 2018, we filed a prospectus supplement for the offer and sale from time to time of shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $1 billion. These sales are to be made over a period of time and from time to time in transactions at then-current prices. Such sales are to be made pursuant to an equity distribution agreement between us and certain entities who may act as sales agents or purchase for their own accounts as principals at a price agreed upon at the time of the sale.
Distributions from Equity-Method Investees
The organizational documents of entities in which we have an equity-method investment generally require distribution of their available cash to their members on a quarterly basis. In each case, available cash is reduced, in part, by reserves appropriate for operating their respective businesses.
Credit Ratings
The interest rates at which we are able to borrow money are impacted by our credit ratings. The current ratings are as follows:
Rating Agency
 
Outlook
 
Senior Unsecured
Debt Rating
S&P Global Ratings
 
Stable
 
BBB
Moody’s Investors Service
 
Stable
 
Baa3
Fitch Ratings
 
Stable
 
BBB-
In May 2020, Fitch Ratings changed its Outlook from Rating Watch Positive to Stable.
These credit ratings are included for informational purposes and are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold our securities, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. No assurance can be given that the credit rating agencies will continue to assign us investment-grade ratings even if we meet or exceed their current criteria for investment-grade ratios. A downgrade of our credit ratings might increase our future cost of borrowing and would require us to provide additional collateral to third parties, negatively impacting our available liquidity.

55



Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

Sources (Uses) of Cash
The following table summarizes the sources (uses) of cash and cash equivalents for each of the periods presented (see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Notes referenced in the table):
 
Cash Flow
 
Six Months Ended 
June 30,
 
Category
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
(Millions)
Sources of cash and cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities – net
Operating
 
$
1,930

 
$
1,844

Proceeds from long-term debt
Financing
 
2,196

 
20

Proceeds from credit-facility borrowings
Financing
 
1,700

 
700

Proceeds from sale of partial interest in consolidated subsidiary (see Note 2)
Financing
 

 
1,330

Proceeds from dispositions of equity-method investments (see Note 5)
Investing
 

 
485

 
 
 
 
 
 
Uses of cash and cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
Payments on credit-facility borrowings
Financing
 
(1,700
)
 
(860
)
Payments of long-term debt
Financing
 
(1,526
)
 
(8
)
Common dividends paid
Financing
 
(971
)
 
(921
)
Capital expenditures
Investing
 
(613
)
 
(919
)
Dividends and distributions paid to noncontrolling interests
Financing
 
(98
)
 
(68
)
Purchases of and contributions to equity-method investments
Investing
 
(66
)
 
(242
)
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired (see Note 2)
Investing
 

 
(727
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other sources / (uses) – net
Financing and Investing
 
(8
)
 
4

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
 
$
844

 
$
638

Operating activities
The factors that determine operating activities are largely the same as those that affect Net income (loss), with the exception of noncash items such as Depreciation and amortization, Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes, Equity (earnings) losses, Gain on disposition of equity-method investments, Impairment of goodwill, Impairment of equity-method investments, and Impairment of certain assets. Our Net cash provided (used) by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2020, increased from the same period in 2019 primarily due to higher operating income (excluding noncash items as previously discussed) in 2020 partially offset by the absence of an income tax refund that was received in 2019.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Guarantees of Debt or Other Commitments
We have various other guarantees and commitments which are disclosed in Note 4 – Variable Interest Entities, Note 12 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees, and Note 13 – Contingent Liabilities of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. We do not believe these guarantees and commitments or the possible fulfillment of them will prevent us from meeting our liquidity needs.

56



Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
Our current interest rate risk exposure is related primarily to our debt portfolio and has not materially changed during the first six months of 2020.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(e) and 15d - 15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) (Disclosure Controls) or our internal control over financial reporting (Internal Controls) will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. We monitor our Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls and make modifications as necessary; our intent in this regard is that the Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls will be modified as systems change and conditions warrant.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our Disclosure Controls was performed as of the end of the period covered by this report. This evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these Disclosure Controls are effective at a reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes during the second quarter of 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Environmental
Certain reportable legal proceedings involving governmental authorities under federal, state, and local laws regulating the discharge of materials into the environment are described below. While it is not possible for us to predict the final outcome of the proceedings which are still pending, we do not anticipate a material effect on our consolidated financial position if we receive an unfavorable outcome in any one or more of such proceedings.
On June 13, 2013, an explosion and fire occurred at our formerly owned Geismar olefins plant and rendered the facility temporarily inoperable (Geismar Incident). On October 21, 2013, the EPA, Region 6, issued an Inspection Report pursuant to the Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Program following its inspection of the facility on June 24 through June 28, 2013. The report notes the EPA’s preliminary determinations about the facility’s documentation regarding process safety, process hazard analysis, as well as operating procedures, employee training, and other matters.

57



On June 16, 2014, we received a request for information related to the Geismar Incident from the EPA under Section 114 of the Clean Air Act to which we responded on August 13, 2014. We have worked with the agency to resolve these matters and in the second half of 2019, entered into a Stipulation of Settlement, which includes a penalty of $750,000 that will be due within thirty days of the Court’s entry of the settlement. The Court set a fairness hearing on the settlement for December 11, 2019. Prior to the scheduled hearing, the Court continued the hearing without setting a new date.
On May 5, 2017, we entered into a Consent Order with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division (GADNR) pertaining to alleged violations of the Georgia Water Quality Control Act and associated rules arising from a permit issued by GADNR for construction of Transco’s Dalton expansion project. Pursuant to the Consent Order, we paid a fine of $168,750 and agreed to a Corrective Action Plan. On March 26, 2020, the GADNR issued a closure letter to Transco approving the final Corrective Action Plan implementation and acknowledging that all conditions of the Consent Order have been achieved.
On January 19, 2016, we received a Notice of Noncompliance with certain Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) regulations under the Clean Air Act at our Moundsville Fractionator Facility from the EPA, Region 3. Subsequently, the EPA alleged similar violations of certain LDAR regulations at our Oak Grove Gas Plant. On March 19, 2018, we received a Notice of Violation of certain LDAR regulations at our former Ignacio Gas Plant from the EPA, Region 8, following an on-site inspection of the facility. On March 20, 2018, we also received a Notice of Violation of certain LDAR regulations at our Parachute Creek Gas Plant from the EPA, Region 8. All Notices were subsequently referred to a common attorney at the Department of Justice (DOJ). We are exploring global resolution of the claims at these facilities, as well as alleged violations at certain other facilities, with the DOJ. Global resolution would include both payment of a civil penalty and an injunctive relief component. We continue to work with the DOJ and the other agencies to resolve these claims, whether individually or globally, and negotiations are ongoing.
Other environmental matters called for by this Item are described under the caption “Environmental Matters” in Note 13 – Contingent Liabilities of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements of this report, which information is incorporated by reference into this Item.
Other litigation
The additional information called for by this Item is provided in Note 13 – Contingent Liabilities of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements of this report, which information is incorporated by reference into this Item.
Item 1A. Risk Factors

Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, includes risk factors that could materially affect our business, financial condition, or future results. Those Risk Factors have not materially changed, except as they were supplemented or modified pursuant to Part II, Item 1A. in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.



58



Item 6.  Exhibits
Exhibit
No.
 
 
 
Description
 
 
 
 
 
2.1
 
 
2.2
 
 
2.3
 
 
3.1
 
 
3.2
 

 
3.3
 

 
3.4
 
 
3.5
 
 
4.1
 
 
4.2
 
 
4.3
 
 
10.1
 
 
31.1*
 
 

59



Exhibit
No.
 
 
 
Description
 
 
 
 
 
31.2*
 
 
32**
 
 
101.INS*
 
 
XBRL Instance Document. The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL 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.
104*
 
 
Cover Page Interactive Data File. The cover page interactive data file does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document (contained in Exhibit 101).
 
*
Filed herewith.
**
Furnished herewith.
§
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.


60



SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC.
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
/s/ John D. Porter
 
John D. Porter
 
Vice President, Controller, and Chief Accounting Officer (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
August 3, 2020