ONEOK INC /NEW/
424B2, 1998-09-28
NATURAL GAS TRANSMISISON & DISTRIBUTION
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<PAGE>
                                                     RULE NO. 424(b)(2)
                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-62279
 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED SEPTEMBER 4, 1998)
 
                                 $100,000,000
 
                                 [LOGO] ONEOK
 
                                  ONEOK, INC.
                          6 7/8% DEBENTURES DUE 2028
 
                             ---------------------
 
  Interest on the Debentures is payable semiannually on April 1 and October 1
of each year, commencing April 1, 1999. The Debentures may be redeemed at any
time at the option of ONEOK, Inc. (ONEOK, Inc. and, where the context so
requires, ONEOK, Inc. together with its subsidiaries, the "Company"), in whole
or in part, at a Redemption Price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the
principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed or (ii) as determined by a
Quotation Agent, the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled
payments of principal and interest discounted to the date of redemption on a
semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months)
at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus, in each case, accrued but unpaid interest
to the date of redemption. See "Description of Debentures."
 
  The Debentures initially will be represented by a single global security
registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), or its
nominee. Except under the limited circumstances described herein, beneficial
interests in the Debentures will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be
effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its participants. Except
as described herein, Debentures in definitive form will not be issued. See
"Description of Debentures--Book-Entry Only Issuance--The Depository Trust
Company."
 
                             ---------------------
 NEITHER THE  SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION NOR  ANY  STATE SECURITIES
  COMMISSION HAS APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED  OF THE SECURITIES  OR PASSED UPON
   THE   ADEQUACY  OR   ACCURACY   OF  THIS   PROSPECTUS   SUPPLEMENT.  ANY
    REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           PRICE TO   UNDERWRITING  PROCEEDS TO
                                           PUBLIC(1)  DISCOUNT(2)  COMPANY(1)(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>          <C>
Per Debenture...........................    99.634%      0.875%       98.759%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total...................................  $99,634,000   $875,000    $98,759,000
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from September 30, 1998.
(2) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
    liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
    amended. See "Underwriting."
(3) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $420,000.
                               ----------------
 
  The Debentures are offered by the several Underwriters, subject to prior
sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by the Underwriters, subject to
approval of certain legal matters by counsel for the Underwriters and certain
other conditions. The Underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or
modify such offer, and to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected
that delivery of the Debentures will be made through the book-entry facilities
of DTC on or about September 30, 1998.
 
BANCAMERICA SECURITIES, INC.                                MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
 
         The date of this Prospectus Supplement is September 25, 1998.
<PAGE>
 
  CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE DEBENTURES. SUCH
TRANSACTIONS MAY INCLUDE OVERALLOTMENT, STABILIZING AND THE PURCHASE OF THE
DEBENTURES TO COVER SYNDICATE SHORT POSITIONS. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE
ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING."
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  The Company engages in several aspects of the energy business providing
environmentally clean fuels and products. The Company purchases, gathers,
compresses, transports, and stores natural gas for distribution to consumers.
It transports gas for others and leases pipeline capacity to others for their
use in transportation. The Company drills for and produces oil and gas,
extracts and sells natural gas liquids, and is engaged in the gas marketing
business. In addition, it leases and operates a headquarters office building
(leasing excess space to others) and owns and operates a related parking
facility. As a regulated natural gas utility, the Company distributes natural
gas to approximately 1.4 million customers in the states of Oklahoma and
Kansas. The Company's business units are characterized as operating within
either a rate regulated environment (regulated operations) or a nonregulated
environment (nonregulated operations).
 
  The regulated business unit provides natural gas distribution,
transportation, gas supply, and storage services in Oklahoma and Kansas. The
Company's operations in Oklahoma are conducted through Oklahoma Natural Gas
Company Division, ONEOK Gas Transportation Company Division and three wholly-
owned subsidiaries, ONG Transmission Company, ONEOK Gas Transportation,
L.L.C., and ONG Sayre Storage Company (such companies collectively, "ONG") The
Company's operations in Kansas are conducted through Kansas Gas Service
Company Division and Mid Continent Market Center, a wholly owned
transportation company (together, "KGS"). KGS's regulated gas operations are
primarily engaged in distribution and intrastate gas transportation, as well
as gas wheeling, parking, balancing and storage services. KGS serves
residential, commercial, and industrial customers in about 67 percent of
Kansas. KGS also conducts regulated gas distribution operations in
northeastern Oklahoma.
 
  The nonregulated business unit includes the following core business
segments: natural gas marketing activities conducted primarily by ONEOK Gas
Marketing Company; gas processing and gas gathering activities conducted
primarily by ONEOK Gas Processing, L.L.C. and ONEOK Producer Services, L.L.C.;
and production activities conducted by ONEOK Resources Company. Other
businesses include ONEOK Leasing Company, who leases and operates a
headquarters building, and ONEOK Parking Company, who owns and operates a
parking garage. ONEOK Power Marketing Company has been formed for the purpose
of the wholesale marketing of electricity but has not yet begun operations.
 
RECENT REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
 
  The Oklahoma Corporation Commission recently promulgated rules to
restructure Oklahoma's natural gas utility industry which require gas utility
companies to "unbundle" their natural gas utility services in the State of
Oklahoma. In compliance with such rules, the Company filed an application to
unbundle its services upstream of the city gates of its distribution systems.
On July 31, 1998, the Commission issued an interim Order separating ONG's
utility services into distribution, transportation, gas supply, storage and
gathering services. The interim Order directed that services upstream of the
city gate for distribution systems (i.e., transportation, gas supply, storage
and gathering services) be obtained through a competitive bid process. The
interim Order also established the cost of service to be allocated to the
various services. The Company filed a motion with the Oklahoma Supreme Court
appealing the interim Order. The matter remains on appeal.
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The proceeds from the sale of the Debentures will be used by the Company to
repay borrowings incurred under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
dated as of August 12, 1998, and for general corporate purposes. Borrowings
under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement were used for general working
capital requirements and to finance the acquisition of certain natural gas and
oil reserves during fiscal 1998. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
provides for a fluctuating interest rate for outstanding borrowings, which was
5.832% as of August 31, 1998.
 
                                CAPITALIZATION
 
  The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company as of
August 31, 1998, the pro forma capitalization of the Company to reflect the
Company's proposed issuance of Senior Insured Quarterly Notes due 2028, for
which a prospectus supplement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), and the pro forma capitalization, as adjusted,
of the Company to reflect the issuance of the Debentures. The following data
is qualified in its entirety by reference to and, therefore, should be read
together with, the detailed information and financial statements appearing in
the documents incorporated herein and in the Prospectus by reference.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         AS OF AUGUST 31, 1998
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                             ACTUAL      PRO FORMA      PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED
                           ---------- ----------------  ------------------------
                                     (THOUSANDS EXCEPT PERCENTAGES)
<S>                        <C>        <C>        <C>    <C>           <C>
Debentures................ $      --  $      --    -- % $     100,000      6.0%
Senior Insured Quarterly
 Notes....................        --     100,000   6.3        100,000      6.0
Other Long-Term Debt
 (Excluding Current
 Portion).................    312,355    312,355  19.8        312,355     18.5
Convertible Preferred
 Stock....................    568,322    568,322  35.9        568,322     33.8
Common Shareholders'
 Equity...................    600,549    600,549  38.0        600,549     35.7
                           ---------- ---------- -----  ------------- --------
  Total Capitalization.... $1,481,226 $1,581,226 100.0% $   1,681,226    100.0%
                           ========== ========== =====  ============= ========
Short-Term Notes Payable.. $  212,000 $  112,000        $      12,000
                           ========== ==========        =============
</TABLE>
 
                      RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
  The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and
the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividend
requirements for the Company for the periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    FOR THE YEARS ENDED
                                                         AUGUST 31,
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                  1998  1997  1996  1995  1994
                                                  ----  ----  ----  ----  ----
<S>                                               <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (a)........... 5.50x 3.51x 3.28x 2.70x 2.52x
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and
 preferred stock dividend requirements (b)....... 3.20x 3.48x 3.24x 2.67x 2.49x
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
    "earnings" consists of net income plus fixed charges and income taxes.
    "Fixed charges" consists of interest charges, the representative interest
    portion of operating leases and the amortization of debt issue costs.
(b) For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges
    and preferred dividend requirements, "earnings" consists of net income
    plus fixed charges and income taxes. "Fixed charges" consists of interest
    charges, the amortization of debt issue costs and the representative
    interest portion of operating leases. "Preferred dividend requirements"
    consists of the pre-tax preferred dividend requirement.
 
                                      S-3
<PAGE>
 
                       SUMMARY SELECTED HISTORICAL DATA
 
  The summary selected historical financial data presented below for each of
the years in the five-year period ended August 31, 1998 has been derived from
the consolidated financial statements of ONEOK, Inc. and subsidiaries. The
consolidated financial statements as of August 31, 1998 and 1997 and for each
of the three years in the period ended August 31, 1998 are included in the
Company's 1998 Form 10-K.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31,
                                   --------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
                                     1998     1997     1996     1995     1994
                                   -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
                                       (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
Statement of Income Data:
  Operating revenues.............. $1,835.4 $1,161.9 $1,224.3 $  954.2 $  784.1
  Income before interest and in-
   come taxes.....................    203.5    128.8    121.0    105.5     92.0
  Net income......................    101.8     59.3     52.8     42.8     36.2
  Preferred stock dividends.......     27.0      0.3      0.4      0.4      0.4
  Income available for common
   stock..........................     74.8     59.0     52.4     42.4     35.8
Earnings per share
  Basic........................... $   2.44 $   2.13 $   1.93 $   1.58 $   1.34
  Diluted.........................     2.23     2.13     1.93     1.58     1.34
Cash dividends paid per common
 share............................ $   1.20 $   1.20 $   1.18 $   1.12 $   1.11
Balance sheet data:
  Total assets.................... $2,422.5 $1,237.4 $1,219.9 $1,181.2 $1,148.1
  Long-term debt (a)..............    329.3    347.1    351.9    363.9    376.9
  Preferred stock.................    568.3      --       9.0      9.0      9.0
  Total common equity.............    600.5    462.6    414.7    388.6    370.5
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) Includes the current portion of long-term debt.
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
 
                           DESCRIPTION OF DEBENTURES
 
  The Debentures are to be issued under the Indenture dated as of September
24, 1998, as amended and supplemented (the "Indenture"), between the Company
and Chase Bank of Texas, National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"),
which Indenture is more fully described in the Prospectus. The following
description of the particular terms of the Debentures offered hereby
supplements, and to the extent inconsistent therewith replaces, the
description of the general terms and provisions of Securities set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption "Description of Securities." Whenever particular
defined terms of the Indenture are referred to, such defined terms are
incorporated herein by reference.
 
  The Debentures will be issued only in fully registered form, without
coupons, in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. The
Debentures will be represented by a single permanent global Debenture
registered in the name of DTC, or its nominee, and payment of principal of,
and interest on, the Debentures will be made in immediately available funds to
DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder thereof.
 
  The Debentures will mature on September 30, 2028. The Company shall have the
right to issue additional Debentures at any time. Each Debenture will bear
interest at the rate per annum stated on the cover page hereof from September
30, 1998, payable on each April 1 and October 1, commencing April 1, 1998, to
the person in whose name the Debenture is registered at the close of business
on March 15 or September 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may
be. The Debentures will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the
Company.
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
  The Debentures will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time at the
option of the Company at a redemption price (the "Redemption Price") equal to
the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of such Debentures or (ii) as
determined by a Quotation Agent, the sum of the present values of the
remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest discounted to the date
of redemption (the "Redemption Date") on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-
day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate,
plus, in each case, accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date.
 
  Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the Redemption Date to each holder of the Debentures to be
redeemed. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price,
interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for
redemption on and after the Redemption Date.
 
  "Adjusted Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the
rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the
Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable
Treasury Price for such Redemption Date, plus 0.200%.
 
  "Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by a Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining
term of the Debentures to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of
selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new
issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining
term of such Debentures.
 
  "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (i)
the average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third
Business Day preceding such Redemption Date, as set forth in the daily
statistical release (or any successor release) published by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for
U.S. Government Securities" or (ii) if such release (or any successor release)
is not published or does not contain such prices on such Business Day, (a) the
average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date
or (b) if the Company obtains only one Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation,
the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation.
 
                                      S-5
<PAGE>
 
  "Quotation Agent" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by
the Company and certified to the Trustee by the Company.
 
  "Reference Treasury Dealer" means each of BancAmerica Securities, Inc. and
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and their respective
successors; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be
a primary U.S. Government Securities dealer in New York City (a "Primary
Treasury Dealer"), the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary
Treasury Dealer and certify same to the Trustee.
 
  "Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each Reference
Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the
Company and certified to the Trustee by the Company, of the bid and asked
prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a
percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Company by such
Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m. on the third Business Day preceding
such Redemption Date.
 
BOOK-ENTRY ONLY ISSUANCE--THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY
 
  DTC will act as the initial securities depositary for the Debentures. The
Debentures will be issued only as fully registered securities registered in
the name of Cede & Co., DTC's nominee. One or more fully registered global
Debenture certificates will be issued, representing in the aggregate the total
principal amount of Debentures, and will be deposited with DTC.
 
  DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking
Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law,
a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. DTC holds securities that its participants
("Participants") deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among
Participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in
deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in
Participant's accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of
securities certificates. Direct Participants include securities brokers and
dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations ("Direct Participants"). DTC is owned by a number of its Direct
Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock
Exchange, Inc., and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as securities
brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain
a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or
indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). The rules applicable to DTC and its
Participants are on file with the Commission.
 
  Purchases of Debentures within the DTC system must be made by or through
Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Debentures on DTC's
records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of Debentures (such
purchaser, or the person to whom such purchaser conveys his or her ownership
interest, a "Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and
Indirect Participants' records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written
confirmation from DTC of their purchases, but Beneficial Owners are expected
to receive written confirmations providing details of the transactions, as
well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect
Participants through which the Beneficial Owners purchased Debentures.
Transfers of ownership interests in the Debentures are to be accomplished by
entries made on the books of Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial
Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their
ownership interests in Debentures, except in the event that use of the book-
entry system for the Debentures is discontinued, the Company determines that
Beneficial Owners may exchange their ownership interests for such certificates
or there shall have occurred an Event of Default.
 
  DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Debentures.
DTC's records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose
accounts such Debentures are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial
Owners. The Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their
holdings on behalf of their customers.
 
                                      S-6
<PAGE>
 
  Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct
Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct
Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed
by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
 
  Redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of the Debentures
are being redeemed, DTC will reduce the amount of the interest of each Direct
Participant in the Debentures in accordance with its procedures.
 
  Although voting with respect to the Debentures is limited, in those cases
where a vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or
vote with respect to Debentures. Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an
Omnibus Proxy to the Company as soon as possible after the record date. The
Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct
Participants to whose accounts the Debentures are credited on the record date
(identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).
 
  Payments on the Debentures will be made to DTC. DTC's practice is to credit
Direct Participants' accounts on the relevant payment date in accordance with
their respective holdings shown on DTC's records unless DTC has reason to
believe that it will not receive payments on such payment date. Payments by
Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions
and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account
of customers registered in "street name," and will be the responsibility of
such Participant and not of DTC or the Company, subject to any statutory or
regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment to DTC
is the responsibility of the Company, disbursement of such payments to Direct
Participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments
to the Beneficial Owners is the responsibility of Direct and Indirect
Participants.
 
  Except as provided herein, a Beneficial Owner of an interest in a global
Debenture will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Debentures.
Accordingly, each Beneficial Owner must rely on the procedures of DTC to
exercise any rights under the Debentures. The laws of some jurisdictions
require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of
securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability to transfer
beneficial interests in a global Debenture.
 
  DTC may discontinue providing its services as security depositary with
respect to the Debentures at any time by giving reasonable notice to the
Company. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities
depositary is not obtained, Debentures certificates will be printed and
delivered to the holders of record. Additionally, the Company may decide to
discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a
successor depositary) with respect to the Debentures. In that event,
certificates for the Debentures will be printed and delivered to the holders
of record.
 
  The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that the Company believes to be reliable, but
the Company takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof. The Company has
no responsibility for the performance by DTC or its Participants of their
respective obligations as described herein or under the rules and procedures
governing their respective operations.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries as
of August 31, 1998 and 1997, and for each of the three years in the three-year
period ended August 31, 1998 are incorporated by reference herein and in the
registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
independent certified public accountants, incorporated by reference herein,
and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                      S-7
<PAGE>
 
                                 UNDERWRITING
 
  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an Underwriting Agreement,
the Company has agreed to sell to each of the Underwriters named below (the
"Underwriters"), and each of the Underwriters has severally agreed to
purchase, the respective principal amount of the Debentures set forth opposite
its name below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    PRINCIPAL
                                                                    AMOUNT OF
   UNDERWRITERS                                                     DEBENTURES
   ------------                                                    ------------
   <S>                                                             <C>
   BancAmerica Securities, Inc. .................................. $ 50,000,000
   Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.............   50,000,000
                                                                   ------------
        Total..................................................... $100,000,000
                                                                   ============
</TABLE>
 
  In the Underwriting Agreement, the Underwriters have agreed, subject to
terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all of the Debentures
offered hereby, if any Debentures are purchased. The Underwriters have advised
the Company that they propose initially to offer the Debentures to the public
at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus Supplement and to certain securities dealers at such price less a
concession not in excess of 0.500% of the principal amount of each Debenture.
The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in
excess of 0.250% of the principal amount of each Debenture to certain brokers
and dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering price,
concession and discount may be changed.
 
  In connection with the offering of the Debentures, the Underwriters may
engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering
transactions in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering
size, which creates a short position for the Underwriters. Stabilizing
transactions involve bids to purchase the Debentures in the open market for
the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the Debentures.
Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the Debentures in the
open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short
positions. These activities may cause the price of the Debentures to be higher
than it would otherwise be in the absence of such transactions. Such
activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
 
  The Debentures are a new issue of securities with no established trading
market. The Company has been advised by the Underwriters that the Underwriters
intend to make a market in the Debentures, but they are not obligated to do so
and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. No assurance can
be given as to the liquidity of the trading market of the Debentures.
 
  The Company has agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and to contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required to
make in respect thereof.
 
  The Underwriters and their affiliates have provided from time to time, and
expect to provide in the future, investment or commercial banking services to
the Company and its affiliates for which they have received or will receive
customary fees and commissions. Because more than 10% of the net proceeds of
this offering will be paid to affiliates of the Underwriters, the offering
will be conducted in accordance with National Association of Securities
Dealers Conduct Rule 2710(c)(8).
 
                                      S-8
<PAGE>
 
                                  ONEOK, INC.
 
                                 $400,000,000
 
                                DEBT SECURITIES
 
                             ---------------------
 
  ONEOK, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (and together with its subsidiaries and
its predecessor, ONEOK Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries, the
"Company"), may offer from time to time, together or separately, its debt
securities ("Securities") on terms to be determined at the time of offering.
Securities with an aggregate issue price of up to $400,000,000 may be issued,
in one or more series, under this Prospectus. The Securities will be unsecured
and will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness
of the Company.
 
  The prospectus supplement ("Prospectus Supplement") accompanying this
Prospectus sets forth, with respect to the particular series or issue of
Securities for which this Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement are being
delivered ("Offered Securities"): the terms of the Securities offered,
including, where applicable, their title, aggregate principal amount,
maturity, rate of any interest (or the manner of calculation and time of
payment thereof), any redemption or repayment terms, any index, formula or
other method pursuant to which principal, premium or interest may be
determined and the form of such Securities (which may be in registered or
global form), any initial public offering price, the purchase price and net
proceeds to the Company and the other specific terms of such offering.
 
                             ---------------------
 
  NEITHER THE SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION NOR  ANY STATE SECURITIES
    COMMISSION HAS  APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED OF  THE SECURITIES  OR PASSED
      UPON  THE   ADEQUACY   OR   ACCURACY  OF   THIS   PROSPECTUS.  ANY
        REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                             ---------------------
 
  Offered Securities may be sold directly to purchasers or to or through
underwriters, dealers or agents. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are
involved in the offering of any Offered Securities, their names and any
applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements will be set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
                             ---------------------
 
               The date of this Prospectus is September 4, 1998.
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), which may be inspected
and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549,
and at the following regional offices of the Commission: New York Office
(Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048) and Chicago
Office (500 W. Madison St., Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60621-2511). Copies
of such materials also can be obtained upon request from the Public Reference
Section of the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room
1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. In addition, such materials
may also be inspected and copied at the offices of the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, on which exchange
the Company's common stock is listed. Finally, copies of reports, proxy
statements and other information filed with the Commission electronically by
the Company may be inspected by accessing the Commission's Internet site at
http://www.sec.gov.
 
  The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"). This Prospectus does not contain all the information set
forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further
information, reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement. Such
additional information may be obtained from the Commission's principal office
in Washington, D.C. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents
of any contract or other document referred to herein or therein are not
necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of
such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement or such other document. A copy of the Registration Statement and the
exhibits and schedules thereto may be examined without charge at the
Commission's principal offices at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of such materials can be
obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at prescribed
rates.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
  The following documents, which have heretofore been filed by the Company
with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, are incorporated herein by
reference and are deemed to be a part hereof:
 
    (a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1997;
 
    (b) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended November 30,
  1997; February 28, 1998 and May 31, 1998; and
 
    (c) Current Reports on Form 8-K dated August 25, 1998, July 23, 1998; May
  26, 1998; March 11, 1998; February 10, 1998; December 12, 1997, November
  26, 1997 and November 14, 1997.
 
  All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination of the offering of the Securities offered hereby also shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing of such documents.
 
  The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom this
Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of any such person,
a copy of any or all of the foregoing documents incorporated herein by
reference, other than exhibits to such documents (unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference into such documents). Such requests
should be directed to: ONEOK, Inc., 100 West Fifth Street, P.O. Box 871,
Tulsa, OK 74102-0871, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  Any statement contained in a document all or a portion of which is
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed
to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent
that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document
which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified shall not be deemed to
constitute a part of this Prospectus except as so modified, and any statement
so superseded shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Prospectus.
 
                DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
  Statements contained in this Prospectus, including the documents that are
incorporated by reference as set forth in "Incorporation of Certain Documents
by Reference," that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-
looking statements are based on management's beliefs as well as assumptions
made by and information currently available to management. Because such
statements are based on expectations as to future economic performance and are
not statements of fact, actual results may differ materially from those
projected. Important factors that could cause future results to differ
include, but are not limited to, national, regional and local economic
competitive conditions, regulatory and business trends and decisions,
technological developments, Year 2000 issues, inflation rates, weather
conditions, and other factors discussed in this and other filings by the
Company with the Commission, all of which are difficult to predict and many of
which are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, while the Company
believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, there can be no
assurance that they will approximate actual experience or that the
expectations derived from them will be realized. When used in the Company's
documents or oral presentations, the words "anticipate," "estimate," "expect,"
"objective," "projection," "forecast," "goal" or similar words are intended to
identify forward- looking statements.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  The Company engages in several aspects of the energy business. The Company
purchases, gathers, compresses, transports, and stores natural gas for
distribution to consumers. It transports gas for others and leases pipeline
capacity to others for their use in transporting gas. The Company drills for
and produces oil and gas, extracts and sells natural gas liquids, and is
engaged in the gas marketing business. In addition, it leases and operates a
headquarters office building (leasing excess space to others) and owns and
operates a related parking facility. As a regulated natural gas utility the
Company distributes natural gas to approximately 1.4 million customers in the
states of Oklahoma and Kansas.
 
  The Company's principal executive offices are located at 100 West Fifth
Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103 and its telephone number is (918) 588-7000.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The net proceeds from the sale of the Securities will be added to the
Company's general funds and are expected to be used to retire existing
indebtedness and for general corporate purposes, except as may be stated in a
Prospectus Supplement.
 
                           DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
 
  The Securities will be issued under an Indenture ("Indenture") between the
Company and the ("Trustee"). The form of the Indenture has been filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement. The Indenture is subject to
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended ("TIA"). The
following summary of certain provisions of the Indenture does not purport to
be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to,
the Indenture, including the definitions of certain terms therein. Whenever
particular sections or defined terms of the Indenture are referred to, such
sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference herein as part of the
statement made, and the statement is qualified in its entirety by such
reference.
 
GENERAL
 
  The Indenture provides that any Offered Securities may be issued in one or
more series, in each case as authorized from time to time by the Company; the
Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities
that may be issued thereunder. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement
relating to the Offered Securities for the following:
 
    (1) The title of such Securities.
 
    (2) The aggregate principal amount of such Securities, the percentage of
  their principal amount at which such Securities will be issued and the date
  or dates on which the principal of such Securities will be payable or the
  method by which such date or dates will be determined or extended.
 
    (3) The rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which such
  Securities will bear interest, if any, and, if variable, the method by
  which such rate or rates will be determined.
 
    (4) The date or dates from which any interest will accrue or the method
  by which such date or dates will be determined, the date or dates on which
  any interest will be payable (including the Regular Record Dates for such
  Interest Payment Dates) and the basis on which any interest will be
  calculated if other than on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
  months.
 
    (5) The place or places, if any, other than or in addition to New York
  City, where the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if
  any, on such Securities will be payable, where any Securities may be
  surrendered for registration of transfer, where such Securities may be
  surrendered for exchange and where notices or demands to or upon the
  Company in respect of such Securities may be served.
 
    (6) The period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and
  the other terms and conditions upon which, such Securities may be redeemed,
  in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to
  have that option.
 
    (7) The obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay
  such Securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to any sinking fund or
  analogous provision or at the option of a holder thereof, and the period or
  periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and
  conditions upon which, such Securities will be so redeemed, purchased or
  repaid.
 
    (8) Whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any,
  on) and interest, if any, on such Securities may be determined with
  reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or
  method may, without limitation, be based on one or more commodities, equity
  indices or other indices) and the manner in which such amounts will be
  determined.
 
    (9) Any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of
  Default or covenants of the Company with respect to such Securities (which
  Events of Default or covenants may not be consistent with the Events of
  Default or covenants set forth in the general provisions of the Indenture).
 
    (10) If other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of
  the principal amount of such Securities that will be payable upon
  declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or the method by which
  such portion will be determined.
 
    (11) Any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any
  of the provisions concerning defeasance and covenant defeasance contained
  in the Indenture that will be applicable to such Securities.
 
    (12) Any provisions granting special rights to the holders of such
  Securities upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified.
 
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
    (13) If other than the Trustee, the designation of any Paying Agent or
  Security Registrar for such Securities, and the designation of any transfer
  or other agents or depositories for such Securities.
 
    (14) Whether such Securities will be issuable initially in temporary
  global form, whether any such Security is to be issuable in permanent
  global form (a "Global Security") and, if so, whether beneficial owners of
  interests in any Global Security may exchange such interests for Securities
  of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances
  under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner
  provided in the Indenture, and, if such Securities are to be issuable as a
  Global Security, the identity of the depository for such Securities.
 
    (15) The person to whom any interest on any Security will be payable, if
  other than the person in whose name such Security (or one or more
  Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the
  Regular Record Date for such interest, or the manner in which any interest
  payable on a temporary Security issued in global form will be paid (if
  other than as described in "Book-Entry Securities" below).
 
    (16) The denomination or denominations in which such Securities will be
  issuable, if other than $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof.
 
    (17) Whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay Additional
  Amounts, as contemplated by Section 1008 of the Indenture, on such
  Securities to any holder who is not a United States person (including any
  modification of the definition of such term as contained in the Indenture)
  in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so,
  whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather
  than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option).
 
    (18) Any other, terms, conditions, rights and preferences (or limitations
  on such rights and preferences) of such Securities not inconsistent with
  the provisions of the Indenture (Section 301).
 
  If the terms of any series of Securities provide that the Company may be
required to pay Additional Amounts in respect thereof, for purposes of this
Prospectus, any reference to the payment of the principal of (and premium, if
any, on) or interest, if any, on such Securities will be deemed to include
mention of the payment of the Additional Amounts provided for by the terms of
such Securities.
 
  The Securities referred to on the cover page of this Prospectus, and any
additional debt securities issued under the Indenture, are herein collectively
referred to, while a single Trustee is acting with respect to all debt
securities issued thereunder, as the "Indenture Securities". The Indenture
provides that there may be more than one Trustee thereunder, each with respect
to one or more series of Indenture Securities. At a time when two or more
Trustees are acting under the Indenture, each with respect to only certain
series, the term "Indenture Securities" as used herein will mean the series
with respect to which each respective Trustee is acting. In the event that
there is more than one Trustee under the Indenture, the powers and trust
obligations of each Trustee as described herein will extend only to the series
of Indenture Securities for which it is the Trustee. If two or more Trustees
are acting under the Indenture, then the Indenture Securities for which each
Trustee is acting would in effect be treated as if issued under separate
indentures.
 
  The Securities may provide for less than the entire principal amount thereof
to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity
thereof. A discussion of the federal income tax and other considerations
applicable to Original Issue Discount Securities will be set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
  The Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company and will rank on
a parity with all other unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of the
Company.
 
  The general provisions of the Indenture do not limit the ability of the
Company to incur Indebtedness and do not afford holders of Securities
protection in the event of highly leveraged or similar transactions involving
the Company. However, the general provisions of the Indenture do provide that
neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary will subject certain of its
properties or assets to any mortgage or other encumbrance unless
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
the Indenture Securities outstanding thereunder are secured equally and
ratably with or prior to such other Indebtedness thereby secured. See
"Limitations on Liens" and "Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions"
under the heading "Certain Covenants". Reference is made to the Prospectus
Supplement for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications
of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company that are
described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision
providing event risk or similar protection.
 
  Under the Indenture, the Company has the ability to issue Indenture
Securities with terms different from those of Indenture Securities previously
issued thereunder and, without the consent of the holders, to reopen a
previous issue of a series of Indenture Securities and issue additional
Indenture Securities of such series (unless such reopening was restricted when
such series was created) in an aggregate principal amount determined by the
Company (Section 301).
 
  There is no requirement that future issues of debt securities of the Company
be issued under the Indenture, and the Company will be free to employ other
indentures or documentation, possibly containing provisions different from
those included in the Indenture or applicable to one or more issues of
Indenture Securities, in connection with such future issues.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
LIMITATIONS ON LIENS
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, issue or assume any Indebtedness
secured by any Lien on any Principal Property, or on shares of stock or
Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary ("Restricted Securities"), without
making effective provision for the Outstanding Indenture Securities (other
than any Outstanding Indenture Securities not entitled to this covenant) to be
secured by the Lien equally and ratably with (or prior to) any and all
Indebtedness and obligations secured or to be secured thereby for so long as
such Indebtedness is so secured, except that the foregoing restriction will
not apply to:
 
    (1) Any Lien existing on the date of the first issuance of Indenture
  Securities.
 
    (2) Any Lien on any Principal Property or Restricted Securities of any
  Person existing at the time such Person is merged or consolidated with or
  into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or such Person becomes a
  Restricted Subsidiary.
 
    (3) Any Lien on any Principal Property existing at the time of
  acquisition of such Principal Property by the Company or a Restricted
  Subsidiary, whether or not assumed by the Company or such Restricted
  Subsidiary, provided that no such Lien may extend to any other Principal
  Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.
 
    (4) Any Lien on any Principal Property (including any improvements on an
  existing Principal Property) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary,
  and any Lien on the shares of stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that was
  formed or is held for the purpose of acquiring and holding such Principal
  Property, in each case to secure all or any part of the cost of
  acquisition, development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or
  improvement of all or any part of such Principal Property (or to secure
  Indebtedness incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary for the
  purpose of financing all or any part of such cost); provided that such Lien
  is created prior to, at the time of, or within 12 months after the latest
  of, the acquisition, completion of construction or improvement or
  commencement of commercial operation of such Principal Property and
  provided, further, that no such Lien may extend to any other Principal
  Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than any
  theretofore unimproved real property on which the Principal Property is so
  constructed or developed or the improvement is located.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
    (5) Any Lien on any Principal Property or Restricted Securities to secure
  Indebtedness owing to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary.
 
    (6) Any Lien in favor of governmental bodies to secure advances or other
  payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure Indebtedness
  incurred to finance the purchase price or cost of constructing or improving
  the property subject to such Lien.
 
    (7) Any Lien created in connection with a project financed with, and
  created to secure, Non-Recourse Indebtedness.
 
    (8) Carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', landlords', materialmen's,
  repairmen's or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of
  business which are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty or
  which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings.
 
    (9) Liens (other than Liens imposed by ERISA) on the property of the
  Company or any of its Subsidiaries incurred, or pledges or deposits
  required, in connection with workmen's compensation, unemployment insurance
  and other social security legislation.
 
    (10) Liens securing taxes that remain payable without penalty or which
  are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings where
  collection thereof is stayed; provided that the Company has set aside on
  its books reserves with respect to such taxes (segregated to the extent
  required by GAAP) deemed by it to be adequate.
 
    (11) Any right which any municipal or governmental body or agency may
  have by virtue of any franchise, license or contract to purchase or
  designate a purchaser of, or order the sale of, any property of the Company
  upon payment of reasonable compensation therefor or to terminate any
  franchise, license or other rights or to regulate the property and business
  of the Company.
 
    (12) Any Liens, neither assumed by the Company nor on which it
  customarily pays interest, existing upon real estate or rights in or
  relating to real estate acquired by the Company for sub-station, measuring
  station, regulating station, gas purification station, compressor station,
  transmission line, distribution line or right-of-way purposes.
 
    (13) Easements or reservations in any property of the Company for the
  purpose of roads, pipe lines, gas transmission and distribution lines,
  electric light and power transmission and distribution lines, water mains
  and other like purposes, and zoning ordinances, regulations and
  restrictions which do not impair the use of such property in the operation
  of the business of the Company.
 
    (14) Any extension, renewal, substitution or replacement (or successive
  extensions, renewals, substitutions or replacements), in whole or in part,
  of any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (1) through (13), provided
  that the Indebtedness secured thereby may not exceed the principal amount
  of Indebtedness so secured at the time of such renewal or refunding, and
  that such renewal or refunding Lien must be limited to all or any part of
  the same property and improvements thereon, shares of stock or Indebtedness
  that secured the Lien renewed or refunded.
 
    (15) Any Lien not permitted above securing Indebtedness that, together
  with the aggregate outstanding principal amount of other secured
  Indebtedness that would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions
  (excluding Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted under the foregoing
  exceptions) and the Attributable Debt in respect of all Sale and Leaseback
  Transactions (not including Attributable Debt in respect of any such Sale
  and Leaseback Transactions described in clause (iii) or (iv) of the next
  succeeding paragraph) would not then exceed 15% of Consolidated Net
  Tangible Assets (Section 1006).
 
LIMITATION ON SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless
(i) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled, without securing
the Outstanding Indenture Securities, to incur Indebtedness secured by a Lien
on the Principal Property that is the subject of such Sale and Leaseback
Transaction; (ii) the Attributable Debt associated
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
therewith would be in an amount permitted under clause (15) of the preceding
paragraph; (iii) the proceeds received in respect of the Principal Property so
sold and leased back at the time of entering into such Sale and Leaseback
Transaction are used for the business and operations of the Company or any
Subsidiary; or (iv) within 12 months after the sale or transfer, an amount
equal to the proceeds received in respect of the Principal Property so sold
and leased back at the time of entering into such Sale and Leaseback
Transaction is applied to the prepayment (other than mandatory prepayment) of
any Outstanding Indenture Securities or Funded Indebtedness of the Company or
a Restricted Subsidiary (other than Funded Indebtedness that is held by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or Funded Indebtedness of the Company
that is subordinate in right of payment to any Outstanding Indenture
Securities) (Section 1007).
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
  "Attributable Debt" means, as to any particular lease under which any Person
is at the time liable, at any date as of which the amount thereof is to be
determined, the total net amount of rent required to be paid by such Person
under such lease during the remaining term thereof (excluding amounts required
to be paid on account of maintenance and repairs, services, insurance, taxes,
assessments, water rates and similar charges and contingent rents), discounted
from the respective due dates thereof at the weighted average of the rates of
interest (or Yield to Maturity, in the case of Original Issue Discount
Securities) borne by the Indenture Securities then outstanding under the
Indenture, compounded annually.
 
  "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any corporation, any and all shares,
interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other
equivalents of or interests (however designated) in stock issued by that
corporation.
 
  "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means (i) the total amount of assets
(less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) which under
GAAP would be included on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
Subsidiaries after deducting therefrom (a) all current liabilities, provided,
however, that there shall not be deducted billings recorded as revenues
deferred pending the outcome of rate proceedings (less applicable income taxes
thereon), if and to the extent the obligation to refund the same shall not
have been finally determined, (b) appropriate allowance for minority interests
in common stocks of Subsidiaries and (c) all goodwill, trade names,
trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like
intangibles, which in each case under GAAP would be included on such
consolidated balance sheet, less (ii) the amount which would be so included on
such consolidated balance sheet for investments (less applicable reserves)
made in Subsidiaries.
 
  "Funded Indebtedness" as applied to any Person, means all Indebtedness of
such Person maturing after, or renewable or extendible at the option of such
Person beyond, 12 months from the date of determination.
 
  "Indebtedness" means obligations for money borrowed, evidenced by notes,
bonds, debentures or other similar evidences of indebtedness.
 
  "Lien" means any lien, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, charge or security
interest securing Indebtedness; provided, however, that the following types of
transactions will not be considered for purposes of this definition to result
in a Lien: (i) any acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
any property or assets subject to any reservation or exception under the terms
of which any vendor, lessor or assignor creates, reserves or excepts or has
created, reserved or excepted an interest in oil, gas or any other mineral in
place or the proceeds thereof, (ii) any conveyance or assignment whereby the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary conveys or assigns to any Person or
Persons an interest in oil, gas or any other mineral in place or the proceeds
thereof, (iii) any Lien upon any property or assets either owned or leased by
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in which the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary owns an interest that secures for the benefit of the
Person or Persons paying the expenses of developing or conducting operations
for the recovery, storage, transportation or sale of the mineral resources of
such property or assets (or property or assets with which it is unitized) the
payment to such Person or Persons of the Company's or the Restricted
Subsidiary's proportionate part of such
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
development or operating expenses or (iv) any hedging arrangements entered
into in the ordinary course of business, including any obligation to deliver
any mineral, commodity or asset in connection therewith.
 
  "Non-Recourse Indebtedness" means, at any time, Indebtedness incurred after
the date of the Indenture by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in
connection with the acquisition of property or assets by the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary or the financing of the construction of or improvements
on property, whenever acquired, provided that, under the terms of such
Indebtedness and pursuant to applicable law, the recourse at such time and
thereafter of the lenders with respect to such Indebtedness is limited to the
property or assets so acquired, or such construction or improvements,
including Indebtedness as to which a performance or completion guarantee or
similar undertaking was initially applicable to such Indebtedness or the
related property or assets if such guarantee or similar undertaking has been
satisfied and is no longer in effect.
 
  "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.
 
  "Principal Property" means any property located in the United States, except
any such property that in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company
is not of material importance to the total business conducted by the Company
and its consolidated Subsidiaries.
 
  "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that owns or leases a Principal
Property.
 
  "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means any arrangement with any Person
pursuant to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary leases any
Principal Property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by the
Company or the Restricted Subsidiary to such Person, other than (i) a lease
for a term, including renewals at the option of the lessee, of not more than
three years or classified as an operating lease under generally accepted
accounting principles, (ii) leases between the Company and a Restricted
Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries and (iii) leases of a Principal
Property executed by the time of, or within 12 months after the latest of, the
acquisition, the completion of construction or improvement, or the
commencement of commercial operation, of the Principal Property.
 
  "Subsidiary" of the Company means (i) a corporation, of which a majority of
the Capital Stock with voting power, under ordinary circumstances, to elect
directors is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by
the Company, by one or more Subsidiaries or by the Company and one or more
Subsidiaries or (ii) any other Person (other than a corporation) in which at
the date of determination the Company, one or more Subsidiaries or the Company
and one or more Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, has at least a majority
ownership and power to direct the policies, management and affairs thereof.
 
DENOMINATIONS
 
  Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
Securities in fully registered form shall be issued in denominations of $1,000
and integral multiples of $1,000. Securities issued in global form shall be in
denominations set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Sections
201, 301 and 302).
 
PAYMENT, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
 
  The Company will be required to maintain an office or agency in each Place
of Payment for such series, and may from time to time designate additional
offices or agencies, at which the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and
interest, if any, on such series will be payable (Sections 301 and 1002).
Unless otherwise provided in the
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
Prospectus Supplement, the Place of Payment will be New York City, and the
Company will initially designate the office of the agent of the Trustee in New
York City as an office where such principal, premium and interest will be
payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the option of the Company,
interest, if any, may be paid on Securities (i) by check mailed to the person
entitled thereto at such person's address appearing in the Security Register
or (ii) by wire transfer to an account located inside the United States
maintained by the person entitled thereto as specified in the Security
Register (Sections 308 and 1002). Unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus
Supplement, payment of any installment of interest on Securities will be made
to the person in whose name such Security is registered at the close of
business on the Regular Record Date for such interest (Section 308).
 
  The Company may from time to time designate additional offices or agencies,
approve a change in the location of any office or agency and, except as
provided above, rescind the designation of any office or agency.
 
  All moneys paid by the Company to the Trustee or a Paying Agent for the
payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on any
Security that remains unclaimed for the lesser of the time period specified in
applicable abandoned property or similar laws and two years after such
principal, premium or interest becomes due and payable will be repaid to the
Company, and the holder of such Security will (subject to applicable abandoned
property or similar laws) thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look
only to the Company for payment thereof (Section 1003).
 
  Subject to the terms of the Indenture and the limitations applicable to
Global Securities, Securities of any series will be exchangeable for other
Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like
aggregate principal amount (Section 306).
 
  Subject to the terms of the Indenture and the limitations applicable to
Global Securities, Securities of a series may be presented for registration of
transfer and for exchange (i) at each office or agency required to be
maintained by the Company for payment of such series, as described above, and
(ii) at each other office or agency that the Company may designate from time
to time for such purposes. Registration of transfers and exchanges will be
effected if the transfer agent is satisfied with the evidence of ownership and
identity of the person making the request and if the transfer form thereon is
duly executed. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer
or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of any tax or
other governmental charge payable in connection therewith (Section 306).
 
  In the event of any redemption in part, the Company will not be required (i)
to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series during a
period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of
Securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business
on the date the relevant notice of redemption is mailed, (ii) to register the
transfer of or exchange any Security or portion thereof called for redemption,
except the unredeemed portion, if any, of a Security being redeemed in part or
(iii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security that has been
surrendered for repayment at the option of the holder, except the portion, if
any, of such Security not to be so repaid (Section 306).
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
 
  The Company may not consolidate with or merge into, or sell, assign,
transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of
its assets to, any Person, unless each of the following conditions is
satisfied:
 
    (1) Immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of
  Default (or event that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would be
  such) with respect to the Indenture Securities will have happened and be
  continuing.
 
    (2) The corporation or other entity formed by such consolidation or into
  which the Company is merged, or the Person to which such properties and
  assets will have been conveyed, transferred or leased, assumes the
  Company's obligation as to the due and punctual payment of the principal of
  (and premium, if any, on)
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
  and interest, if any, on the Indenture Securities and the performance and
  observance of every covenant to be performed by the Company under the
  Indenture, and will be organized under the laws of the United States, one
  of the States thereof or the District of Columbia.
 
    (3) The Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and
  Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the transaction complies with these
  conditions (Section 801).
 
  In the event that any transaction described in and complying with the
conditions listed in the immediately preceding paragraph occurs, the Company
would be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and
all obligations under the Indenture Securities, with the successor corporation
or Person succeeding to such obligations and covenants of the Company (Section
802).
 
  In the event of any such transaction, the Indenture provides that, if any
Principal Property or Restricted Securities would thereupon become subject to
any Lien, the Indenture Securities (other than any Indenture Securities not
entitled to the benefit of the "Limitation of Liens" covenant) will be
secured, as to such Principal Property or Restricted Securities, equally and
ratably with (or prior to) the Indebtedness that upon the occurrence of such
transaction would become secured by such Lien, unless such Lien could be
created under the Indenture without equally and ratably securing such
Indenture Securities (Section 803).
 
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
 
  The Indenture permits the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the
holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of
Outstanding Indenture Securities affected thereby, to execute supplemental
indentures adding any provisions to or changing or eliminating any provisions
of the Indenture or modifying the rights of such holders, except that no such
supplemental indenture may, without the consent of the holder of each
Outstanding Indenture Security affected thereby:
 
    (1) Change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium, if any,
  on) or any installment of interest on any Indenture Security, or reduce the
  principal amount thereof (or any premium, if any, thereon) or the rate of
  interest, if any, thereon, or change any obligation of the Company to pay
  Additional Amounts on any Indenture Security as contemplated by Section
  1008 of the Indenture, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Indexed
  Security or an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and
  payable upon an acceleration of maturity thereof or the amount thereof
  provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect the right of repayment, if any,
  at the option of the holder, or change any Place of Payment where any
  Indenture Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair
  the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or
  after the Stated Maturity thereof (or on or after any Redemption Date or
  Repayment Date), or adversely affect any right to convert or exchange any
  Indenture Security.
 
    (2) Reduce the aforesaid percentage in principal amount of Outstanding
  Indenture Securities, the consent of the holders of which is required for
  any such supplemental indenture.
 
    (3) Reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding Indenture
  Securities, the consent of the holders of which is necessary to modify or
  waive any default under the Indenture (Section 902).
 
  The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding
Indenture Securities have the right to waive compliance by the Company with
certain covenants contained in the Indenture (Section 1009).
 
  Modification and amendment of the Indenture may be made by the Company and
the Trustee without the consent of any holder, for any of the following
purposes: (i) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company as
obligor under the Indenture; (ii) to add to the covenants of the Company for
the benefit of the holders of any series of Indenture Securities; (iii) to add
Events of Default for the benefit of the holders of any
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
such series; (iv) to change or eliminate any provisions of the Indenture,
provided that any such change or elimination will become effective only when
there is no Indenture Security Outstanding thereunder of any series that is
entitled to the benefit of such provisions; (v) to secure the Indenture
Securities Outstanding under the Indenture pursuant to the requirements of
Section 803 or 1006 of the Indenture, or otherwise; (vi) to establish the form
or terms of Indenture Securities of any series, as permitted by Sections 201
and 301 of the Indenture; (vii) to provide for the acceptance of appointment
by a successor Trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under
the Indenture by more than one Trustee; (viii) to close the Indenture with
respect to the authentication and delivery of additional series of Indenture
Securities; (ix) to cure any ambiguity or inconsistency in the Indenture,
provided such action does not adversely affect in any material respect the
interests of holders of Indenture Securities of any series thereunder; (x) to
supplement any of the provisions of the Indenture to the extent necessary to
permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any series of Indenture
Securities, provided that such action does not adversely affect in any
material respect the interests of the holders of the Indenture Securities; or
(xi) to make any other change that does not affect the rights of any holder
(Section 901).
 
  The Indenture provides that in determining whether the holders of the
requisite principal amount of Indenture Securities of a series then
outstanding have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent or waiver thereunder or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of
holders of such Indenture Securities, (i) the principal amount of an Original
Issue Discount Security that will be deemed to be outstanding will be the
amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date
of such determination upon acceleration of the maturity thereof and (ii) the
principal amount of an Indexed Security that may be counted in making such
determination or calculation and that will be deemed outstanding for such
purpose will be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at
original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Indenture
Security pursuant to Section 301 (Section 101).
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
  The following are Events of Default with respect to any series of Indenture
Securities: (i) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any
Indenture Security of such series when it becomes due and payable, continued
for 30 days; (ii) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if
any, on) any Indenture Security of such series at its Maturity; (iii) failure
on the part of the Company to observe or perform any other covenant or
agreement contained in the Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement
included in the Indenture solely for the benefit of less than all series of
Indenture Securities or a covenant the default in the performance of which
would be covered by clause (vi) below) for 60 days after written notice of
such failure, requiring the Company to remedy the same, has been given to the
Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at
least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Indenture Securities of
such series; (iv) default under any indenture or instrument under which the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has at the time outstanding Indebtedness
for borrowed money or guarantees thereof in any individual instance in excess
of $15,000,000 and, if not already matured in accordance with its terms, such
Indebtedness has been accelerated and such acceleration is not rescinded or
annulled within 30 days after notice thereof has been given to the Company by
the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25%
in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Indenture Securities of such
series; provided that, if, prior to the entry of judgment in favor of the
Trustee for payment of the Indenture Securities of such series, the default
under such indenture or instrument has been remedied or cured by the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary, or waived by the holders of such Indebtedness,
then the Event of Default under the Indenture will be deemed likewise to have
been remedied, cured or waived; (v) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency
or reorganization affecting the Company; and (vi) any other Event of Default
included in the Indenture for the benefit of Indenture Securities of such
series (Section 501).
 
  If an Event of Default with respect to Indenture Securities of any series at
the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, either the Trustee or the
holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of that series (or, if the Indenture Securities of that series are
Original Issue Discount Securities or
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified
in the terms of that series) by notice as provided in the Indenture may
declare the principal amount of all the Indenture Securities of that series
and the accrued interest thereon to be due and payable immediately. At any
time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to Indenture Securities
of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of
money has been obtained by the Trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may, under
certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration (Section 502).
 
  The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding
Indenture Securities of any series have the right to waive certain past
defaults under the Indenture (Section 513).
 
  The Indenture provides that, subject to the duty of the Trustee during
default to act with the required standard of care, the Trustee will be under
no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at
the request or direction of any of the holders, unless such holders shall have
offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity (Section 602). Subject to such
provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee, the holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series will
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or
power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Indenture Securities of
that series unless the Trustee shall determine that the action specified would
be in conflict with any rule or law (Section 512).
 
  The Company will be required to furnish the Trustee annually a certificate
stating whether or not the Company is in default under the Indenture and, if
so, specifying all such defaults and the nature thereof (Section 1004).
 
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company may elect either (i) to defease and
be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to all or a portion of
the Indenture Securities of any series (except for the obligations (a) to pay
Additional Amounts, if any; (b) to register the transfer of or exchange such
Indenture Securities; (c) to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost
or stolen Indenture Securities of such series; (d) to maintain an office or
agency in respect of such Indenture Securities; and (e) to hold moneys for
payment in trust) ("defeasance"); or (ii) to be released from its obligations
with respect to such outstanding Indenture Securities under Sections 1006 and
1007 of the Indenture (being the restrictions described above under
"Limitations on Liens" and "Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions",
respectively, under the heading "Certain Covenants") or, if so provided
pursuant to the Indenture, its obligations with respect to any other covenant,
and any omission to comply with such obligations will not constitute a default
or an Event of Default with respect to such Indenture Securities ("covenant
defeasance"), in either case upon the irrevocable deposit by the Company with
the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee), in trust, of (i) an amount in cash;
(ii) Government Obligations (as defined below) that, through the payment of
principal and interest in accordance with their terms, will provide money in
an amount; or (iii) a combination thereof in an amount, sufficient to pay the
principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, to Stated
Maturity (or redemption) on such Indenture Securities and any mandatory
sinking fund or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates
therefor (Article 14).
 
  Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, the Company has
delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the holders
of such Indenture Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for
United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or
covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on
the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been
the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred, and such
opinion, in the case of defeasance under clause (i) above, must refer to and
be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in
applicable United States federal income tax law occurring after the date of
the Indenture (Section 1404).
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
  The Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions, if any,
permitting such defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any modifications
to the provisions described above, with respect to the Indenture Securities of
or within a particular series.
 
                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  The Company may sell the Offered Securities to one or more underwriters for
public offering and sale by them or may sell the Offered Securities to
investors directly or through agents. Any such underwriter or agent involved
in the offer and sale of the Offered Securities will be named in the related
Prospectus Supplement. The Company has reserved the right to sell the Offered
Securities directly to investors on its own behalf in those jurisdictions
where it is authorized to do so.
 
  Underwriters may offer and sell the Offered Securities at a fixed price or
prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale,
at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
The Company also may, from time to time, authorize dealers, acting as the
Company's agents, to offer and sell the Offered Securities upon such terms and
conditions as set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. In connection
with the sale of the Offered Securities, underwriters may receive compensation
from the Company in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may
also receive commissions from purchasers of the Offered Securities for whom
they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell the Offered Securities to or
through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions
(which may be changed from time to time) from the purchaser for whom they may
act as agents.
 
  Any underwriting compensation paid by the Company to underwriters or agents
in connection with the offering of the Offered Securities, and any discounts,
concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers,
will be set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. Dealers and agents
participating in the distribution of the Offered Securities may be deemed to
be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any
profit realized by them on resale of the Offered Securities may be deemed to
be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered
into with the Company, to indemnification against and contribution towards
certain civil liabilities, including any liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
  Until the distribution of the Offered Securities is completed, rules of the
Commission may limit the ability of underwriters to bid for and purchase the
Offered Securities. As an exception to these rules, underwriters are permitted
to engage in certain transactions that stabilize the price of the Offered
Securities. Such transactions consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of
pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the Offered Securities. If
underwriters create a short position in the Offered Securities in connection
with the offering, i.e., if they sell more Offered Securities than are set
forth on the cover page of the applicable Prospectus Supplement, underwriters
may reduce that short position by purchasing Offered Securities in the open
market. In general, purchase of a security for the purpose of stabilization or
to reduce a short position could cause the price of the security to be higher
than it might be in the absence of such purchases. Such activities, if
commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
 
  If so indicated in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Company will
authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain
institutions to purchase such Offered Securities from the Company pursuant to
delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery at a future
date. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the
related Prospectus Supplement, and the Prospectus Supplement will set forth
the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.
 
  Offered Securities issued hereunder will be new issues of securities with no
established trading market. Any underwriters or agents to or through whom such
Offered Securities are sold by the Company for public offering and sale may
make a market in such Offered Securities, but such underwriters or agents will
not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market at any time without
notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market
for any such Offered Securities.
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
  Certain of the underwriters, dealers or agents and their associates may
engage in transactions with, and perform services for, the Company and certain
of its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  Certain legal matters relating to the Securities will be passed upon for the
Company by Gable & Gotwals, Tulsa, Oklahoma. The validity of the Offered
Securities will be passed upon for any underwriters, dealers or agents by
Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, New York, New York.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries as
of August 31, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the years in the three-year
period ended August 31, 1997, have been incorporated by reference herein in
reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified
public accountants, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority
of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The report of KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP covering the August 31, 1997 financial statements refers to the
adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting
for the Impairment of Long-lived Assets and for Long-lived Assets to be
Disposed Of, in 1996.
 
  The audited financial statements of the Gas Business, a business unit of
WRI, as of August 31, 1996 and 1995 and for each of the years in the three-
year period ended August 31, 1996, incorporated by reference herein, have been
audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated
in their report with respect thereto, and are incorporated by reference herein
in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said report.
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
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  NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR IN-
CORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE ACCOMPANYING PRO-
SPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING COVERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
AND THE PROSPECTUS. IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST
NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR BY THE UNDER-
WRITERS. NEITHER THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS
CONSTITUTES AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, THE DEBEN-
TURES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO
MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUP-
PLEMENT OR THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER OR THEREUN-
DER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN
NO CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPEC-
TUS OR IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                             ---------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
<S>                                                                         <C>
The Company................................................................ S-2
Use of Proceeds............................................................ S-3
Capitalization............................................................. S-3
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges......................................... S-3
Summary Selected Historical Data........................................... S-4
Description of Debentures.................................................. S-5
Experts.................................................................... S-7
Underwriting............................................................... S-8
                                  PROSPECTUS
 
Available Information......................................................   2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............................   2
Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements............................   3
The Company................................................................   3
Use of Proceeds............................................................   3
Description of Securities..................................................   3
Plan of Distribution.......................................................  14
Legal Matters..............................................................  15
Experts....................................................................  15
</TABLE>
 
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                                 [LOGO] ONEOK
 
                                  ONEOK, INC.
 
                                 $100,000,000
 
                          6 7/8% DEBENTURES DUE 2028
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                  PROSPECTUS
                                  SUPPLEMENT
                              SEPTEMBER 25, 1998
 
                             ---------------------
 
                         BANCAMERICA SECURITIES, INC.
 
                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
 
 
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