| In the Matter of NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY NATIONAL FUEL GAS DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION NATIONAL FUEL GAS SUPPLY CORPORATION HORIZON ENERGY DEVELOPMENT, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES HIGHLAND FOREST RESOURCES, INC. LEIDY HUB, INC. DATA-TRACK ACCOUNT SERVICES, INC. SENECA INDEPENDENCE PIPELINE COMPANY SENECA RESOURCES CORPORATION AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES UPSTATE ENERGY INC. NIAGARA INDEPENDENCE MARKETING COMPANY NATIONAL FUEL RESOURCES, INC. HORIZON POWER, INC. File No. 70-10074 (Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935) |
FOURTH CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO RULE 24 |
THIS IS TO CERTIFY, pursuant to Rule 24, that certain transactions proposed by National Fuel Gas Company (“National”) and its subsidiaries, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (“Distribution Corporation”), National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation (“Supply Corporation”), Horizon Energy Development, Inc. (“Horizon Energy”) and its subsidiaries, Highland Forest Resources, Inc. (“Highland”), Leidy Hub, Inc. (“Leidy”), Data-Track Account Services, Inc. (“Data-Track”), Seneca Independence Pipeline Company (“SIP”), Seneca Resources Corporation (“Seneca”) and its subsidiaries, Upstate Energy Inc. (“Upstate”), Niagara Independence Marketing Company (“NIM”), National Fuel Resources, Inc. (“NFR”) and Horizon Power, Inc. (“Power”) (collectively, the “Subsidiaries”), in their Application-Declaration on Form U-1, as amended (“Application-Declaration”), in SEC File No. 70-10074, have been carried out in accordance with the terms and conditions of, and for the purposes as represented by, said Application-Declaration and the Order of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) (HCAR No. 35-27600, dated November 12, 2002) with respect thereto.
1. EXTERNAL FINANCING BY NATIONAL
| a. Common Stock |
During the quarter ended December 31, 2003 (the “Quarter”), National issued the following shares of common stock through the following plans:
| Name Of Plan |
Number of Newly Issued Shares |
Number of Shares Purchased in Open Market |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan Tax Deferred Savings Plans (401(k)) Employee Stock Ownership Plan 1997 Award & Option Plan 1993 Award & Option Plan 1984 Stock Plan 1983 Incentive Stock Option Plan Retainer Policy for Outside Directors Total |
116,435 76,710 -0- 5,400 20,676 -0- -0- 2,400 221,621 |
-0- -0- 10,853 -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- 10,853 |
Aggregate gross consideration received upon issuance of shares: $5,046,908.
Other than as set forth above, National did not issue or sell any common stock during the Quarter. National did not issue any common stock as consideration in connection with any acquisition during the Quarter.
During the Quarter, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of National did not award any stock appreciation rights, stock options, restricted stock, performance units, performance shares or other common stock-based awards.
| b. Preferred Securities |
| National has no preferred securities outstanding. |
| c. Long-term Debt |
| National did not issue or redeem any long-term debt during the Quarter. |
| d. Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units |
| National did not issue any stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units during the Quarter. |
| e. Short-term Debt |
| (1) Short-term Notes |
National issued short-term notes (in all cases having maturities of no more than 270 days) to banks or other financial institutions during the Quarter. The maximum amount of such notes outstanding at any time during the Quarter was $83,200,000.
| (2) Commercial Paper |
National sold commercial paper during the Quarter through Merrill Lynch Money Markets, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and/or Goldman, Sachs & Co. The maximum amount of commercial paper outstanding at any time during the Quarter was $96,800,000.
| (3) Total Short-term Debt |
The maximum aggregate amount of short-term debt securities of National outstanding at any time during the Quarter was $149,500,000.
2. FINANCING SUBSIDIARIES AND SPECIAL PURPOSE SUBSIDIARIES
National did not organize any new Financing Subsidiaries or Special Purpose Subsidiaries during the Quarter.
National’s Financing Subsidiaries and Special Purpose Subsidiaries are as follows:
| Seneca Player Corp. | 3062782 Nova Scotia Co. | 3062783 Nova Scotia Co. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balance sheet account where investment and cost booked Form of organization Percentage owned by National or a Nonutility Subsidiary Identification of other owners if not 100% owned Purpose of investment in subsidiary Securities authorized to be issued |
fully consolidated into National corporation 100% N/A increase tax efficiencies 1,000 shares of common stock |
fully consolidated into National unlimited liability company 100% N/A increase tax efficiencies 1,000,000 shares, in such classes, and with such rights and conditions, as directors may determine |
fully consolidated into National unlimited liability company 100% N/A increase tax efficiencies 1,000,000 shares, in such classes, and with such rights and conditions, as directors may determine |
Information regarding National’s investments in these subsidiaries is filed confidentially pursuant to Rule 104(b).
Distribution Corporation issued short-term debt securities through the system money pool (“Money Pool”) as set forth below under Section 4. The Nonutility Subsidiaries did not engage in financing transactions other than exempt transactions.
During the Quarter, National coordinated the borrowing requirements of certain Subsidiaries through the money pool. For each participant in the Money Pool, the following
table lists the maximum amount of borrowings through, and the maximum amount of investments made in, the Money Pool during the Quarter:
| Maximum Borrowings Through Money Pool ($) |
Maximum Investments in Money Pool ($) | |
|---|---|---|
| National | n/a | 45,200,000 |
| Distribution Corporation | 121,500,000 | 0 |
| Supply Corporation | 0 | 38,500,000 |
| Horizon Energy | n/a | 700,000 |
| Highland | 20,700,000 | 0 |
| Leidy | 0 | 800,000 |
| Data-Track | 0 | 500,000 |
| SIP | 14,400,000 | 0 |
| Seneca | 0 | 25,000,000 |
| Upstate | 48,300,000 | 0 |
| NIM | 0 | 0 |
| NFR | 0 | 37,000,000 |
| Power | n/a | 0 |
The interest rates applied to Money Pool borrowings and investments during the Quarter are set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference.
During the Quarter, National issued one guarantee on behalf of Distribution Corporation in the amount of $27,000,000, one guaranty on behalf of Seneca Energy II, LLC in the amount of $1,312,500, and four guarantees on behalf of NFR, in the following amounts: $2,000,000, $8,000,000, $50,000,000 and $4,000,000.
The maximum amount of guarantees and credit support that National had outstanding on behalf of its Subsidiaries at any time during the Quarter was $613,135,754. The guarantees and credit support relate primarily to: (i) obligations under derivative financial instruments, which are included on the consolidated balance sheet in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133; (ii) NFR obligations to purchase gas or to purchase gas transportation/storage services where the amounts due on those obligations each month are included on National’s consolidated balance sheet as a current liability; and (iii) other obligations which are reflected on National’s consolidated balance sheet. National believes that the likelihood it would be required to make payments under the guarantees is remote.
During the Quarter, National did not enter into any Interest Rate Hedges or Anticipatory Hedges.
| None. |
| None. |
National filed a Form U-6B-2 on October 9, 2003 and on November 26, 2003.
National’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2003 is included in National’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2003 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Distribution Corporation’s balance sheet as of December 31, 2003 is set forth in Exhibit 2 hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference and filed confidentially pursuant to Rule 104(b).
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the undersigned companies have duly caused this First Certificate Pursuant to Rule 24 to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY By: /s/ P. C. Ackerman P. C. Ackerman Chairman, President & CEO NATIONAL FUEL GAS DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION By: /s/ D. F. Smith D. F. Smith President NATIONAL FUEL GAS SUPPLY CORPORATION By: /s/ D. J. Seeley D. J. Seeley President HORIZON ENERGY DEVELOPMENT, INC. By: /s/ P. C. Ackerman P. C. Ackerman President HIGHLAND FOREST RESOURCES, INC. By: /s/ J. A. Beck J. A. Beck President LEIDY HUB, INC. By: /s/ W. E. DeForest W. E. DeForest President DATA-TRACK ACCOUNT SERVICES, INC. By: /s/ P. C. Ackerman P. C. Ackerman President SENECA INDEPENDENCE PIPELINE COMPANY By: /s/ W. E. DeForest W. E. DeForest President, Secretary & Treasurer SENECA RESOURCES CORPORATION By: /s/ J. A. Beck J. A. Beck President UPSTATE ENERGY INC. By: /s/ B. H. Hale B. H. Hale President NIAGARA INDEPENDENCE MARKETING COMPANY By: /s/ T. L. Atkins T. L. Atkins Treasurer NATIONAL FUEL RESOURCES, INC. By: /s/ D. L. DeCarolis D. L. DeCarolis Vice President and Secretary HORIZON POWER, INC. By: /s/ B. H. Hale B. H. Hale President |
Dated: March 1, 2004
The interest rate applied to Money Pool borrowings is the same for all participants that borrow through the Money Pool. The interest rate applied to Money Pool investments is the same for all participants that invest in the Money Pool.
| Date |
Interest Rate Applied to Borrowings |
Interest Rate Applied to Investments |
|---|---|---|
| 10/01/2003 | 1.18% | 1.18% |
| 10/02/2003 | 1.18% | 1.18% |
| 10/03/2003 | 1.16% | 1.16% |
| 10/04/2003 | 1.16% | 1.16% |
| 10/05/2003 | 1.16% | 1.16% |
| 10/06/2003 | 1.16% | 1.16% |
| 10/07/2003 | 1.17% | 1.17% |
| 10/08/2003 | 1.17% | 1.17% |
| 10/09/2003 | 1.16% | 1.16% |
| 10/10/2003 | 1.16% | 1.16% |
| 10/11/2003 | 1.16% | 1.16% |
| 10/12/2003 | 1.16% | 1.16% |
| 10/13/2003 | 1.16% | 1.16% |
| 10/14/2003 | 1.17% | 1.17% |
| 10/15/2003 | 1.20% | 1.20% |
| 10/16/2003 | 1.22% | 1.22% |
| 10/17/2003 | 1.21% | 1.21% |
| 10/18/2003 | 1.21% | 1.21% |
| 10/19/2003 | 1.21% | 1.21% |
| 10/20/2003 | 1.15% | 1.15% |
| 10/21/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 10/22/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 10/23/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 10/24/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 10/25/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 10/26/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 10/27/2003 | 1.19% | 1.19% |
| 10/28/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 10/29/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 10/30/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 10/31/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
Date |
Interest Rate Applied to Borrowings |
Interest Rate Applied to Investments |
|---|---|---|
| 11/01/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/02/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/03/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/04/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 11/05/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/06/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 11/07/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/08/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/09/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/10/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/11/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/12/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/13/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/14/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/15/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/16/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/17/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 11/18/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 11/19/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 11/20/2003 | 1.15% | 1.15% |
| 11/21/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/22/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/23/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/24/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/25/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 11/26/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 11/27/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 11/28/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 11/29/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 11/30/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
Date |
Interest Rate Applied to Borrowings |
Interest Rate Applied to Investments |
|---|---|---|
| 12/01/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 12/02/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 12/03/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 12/04/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 12/05/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 12/06/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 12/07/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 12/08/2003 | 1.12% | 1.12% |
| 12/09/2003 | 1.11% | 1.11% |
| 12/10/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 12/11/2003 | 1.11% | 1.11% |
| 12/12/2003 | 1.12% | 1.12% |
| 12/13/2003 | 1.12% | 1.12% |
| 12/14/2003 | 1.12% | 1.12% |
| 12/15/2003 | 1.13% | 1.13% |
| 12/16/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 12/17/2003 | 1.14% | 1.14% |
| 12/18/2003 | 1.15% | 1.15% |
| 12/19/2003 | 1.15% | 1.15% |
| 12/20/2003 | 1.15% | 1.15% |
| 12/21/2003 | 1.15% | 1.15% |
| 12/22/2003 | 1.17% | 1.17% |
| 12/23/2003 | 1.20% | 1.20% |
| 12/24/2003 | 1.20% | 1.20% |
| 12/25/2003 | 1.20% | 1.20% |
| 12/26/2003 | 1.23% | 1.23% |
| 12/27/2003 | 1.23% | 1.23% |
| 12/28/2003 | 1.23% | 1.23% |
| 12/29/2003 | 1.21% | 1.21% |
| 12/30/2003 | 1.21% | 1.21% |
| 12/31/2003 | 1.21% | 1.21% |