<PAGE> 1
FORM 8-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
CURRENT REPORT
--------------
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event Reported) January 25, 2000
------------------
COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP
------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-1098 13--1594808
- ---------------------------- ------------ -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
13880 Dulles Corner Lane, Herndon, VA 20171-4600
------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (703) 561-6000
------------------
<PAGE> 2
Item 5. Other Events
Information contained in a News Release dated January 25, 2000 is
incorporated herein by reference.
<PAGE> 3
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Columbia Energy Group
------------------------------
(Registrant)
By /s/ J. W. Grossman
---------------------------
Vice President & Controller
Date: January 27, 2000
<PAGE> 4
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts:
---------
January 25, 2000 News Media: R.A. Rankin, Jr. (703) 561-6044
Michael J. McGarry (703) 561-6063
Financial Community: Thomas L. Hughes (703) 561-6001
Melissa E. Bockelmann (703) 561-6011
COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP
REPORTS 1999 RESULTS
HERNDON, Va., Jan. 25--Columbia Energy Group today reported an 18
percent increase in income from continuing operations to $355 million for 1999
compared to $300.3 million last year. On a diluted basis, this was $4.29 per
share in 1999, versus $3.58 in 1998.
Oliver G. Richard III, chairman, president and CEO of Columbia Energy
Group, said, "1999 was an eventful year as we continued to reposition for the
future. We made some hard decisions regarding the direction of Columbia's
marketing business, while delivering record consolidated operating income of
$648.4 million--a 12 percent increase over last year's previous record. Four of
Columbia's five business segments reported record operating income. Columbia's
core businesses--transmission and storage, distribution and exploration and
production operations--completed three straight years of improved annual
results."
Also affecting results from continuing operations in 1999 were a $49
million after-tax gain recorded in connection with the termination of a
customer's long-term power purchase contract, a $20.6 million after-tax gain on
the final producer claim stemming from bankruptcy proceedings concluded in 1995,
and an after-tax gain of $7.8 million on the sale of Columbia's interest in the
Trailblazer pipeline partnership.
These improvements were partially offset by losses on Columbia's
retail marketing operations of an additional $32.9 million, higher interest
expense, and professional fees primarily related to Columbia's response to an
unsolicited tender offer. Increasing 1998 results was a $16.5 million after-tax
settlement gain related to postretirement benefit costs that reflected the
purchase of insurance for a portion of those liabilities. Weather in both years
continued to be warmer than normal, but 1999 was colder than 1998.
"Our regulated businesses had several significant achievements in
1999," said Richard. "These included: Columbia Gas Transmission completed the
final phase of its largest ever market expansion project, adding about 500,000
Mcf (thousand cubic feet) per day of firm transportation service. Moreover the
transmission and storage, and distribution segments continued to develop
innovative programs aimed at improving efficiencies while minimizing costs.
Also, Columbia Gas of Ohio's regulatory settlement provides opportunities to
generate new sources of revenues with no increase in customer rates.
- more -
<PAGE> 5
"In 1999, we also made substantial progress to enhance future growth in
Columbia's non-regulated businesses," said Richard. "Operating income within our
exploration and production business rose about 19 percent, aided by benefits
from recent acquisitions and an expanded drilling program, resulting in a 21
percent increase in proven reserves to approximately 966 billion cubic feet
equivalent at year-end. A record drilling program of 253 wells, with an 85
percent success rate, and successful completion of two deep wells in West
Virginia that could redefine the Appalachian Basin contributed to this
achievement.
"We made a number of other strategic acquisitions and investments in
nonregulated businesses, Richard added. "We tripled our propane operations, and
are building the first leg of a fiber network for telecommunications from
Washington, D.C. to New York City that is due to be completed in the first
quarter of 2000. Since the beginning of 2000, Columbia subsidiaries have gained
full ownership of Cove Point LNG operations, and Columbia Electric has increased
power generation capacity under construction and development to approximately
3,550 megawatts.
"In addition," he stated, "we took aggressive steps to realign our
energy marketing segment. We have exited the wholesale and trading business, and
have decided to exit major accounts. In conjunction with management's ongoing
assessment of the opportunities and challenges facing Columbia's marketing
operations, a letter of intent with Metromedia Energy for a joint venture to
market retail energy and related services has expired and will not be renewed.
Columbia Energy Services is focusing its efforts on the retail gas and electric
power markets primarily in and around our existing operating region."
For 1999, Columbia's energy marketing segment reported disappointing
results with higher costs that included the write-down of certain assets in
retail marketing, and reflected the ongoing process of integrating recent
propane and petroleum acquisitions into Columbia Propane's operations.
Discontinued operations include the wholesale and trading and major
accounts businesses of Columbia Energy Services and reflected an after-tax loss
of $105.8 million or $1.28 per share, compared to an after-tax loss of $31.1
million, or $0.37 per share in 1998.
Taking into account income from continuing operations and the loss from
discontinued operations, Columbia reported net income of $249.2 million, or
$3.01 per share on a diluted basis in 1999, versus $269.2 million or $3.21 per
share for the prior year. The company repurchased 2.5 million shares under a
program begun in February 1999 that was suspended in October pending
consideration of strategic alternatives.
Total revenues were $3.2 billion in 1999, compared to $2.6 billion in
1998, after elimination of discontinued operations.
Overall, Richard said, Columbia is in an excellent position going into
2000 to capture growing opportunities from its mix of valuable, strategically
located assets. He also reported that the process continues to move forward
expeditiously for exploring strategic alternatives to generate value in excess
of that which could be created by Columbia's existing business plan or the
unsolicited proposal from NiSource Inc. He noted that, as disclosed in late
December, Columbia and its financial advisors received preliminary indications
of interest from numerous companies, and have invited a number of these
companies--including NiSource--into a second round of the process.
- more -
<PAGE> 6
"We continue to consider a variety of possible transactions, including
a merger, reorganization or the disposition of a material amount of stock or
assets," the Columbia chairman said. "At this stage, we cannot comment on the
expected timing of any decision or the names of the second round participants.
We will make all necessary public disclosures in a timely fashion. As we have
previously stated, however, there can be no assurance that any discussions will
result in a transaction or other action."
1999 RESULTS BY SEGMENT
- -----------------------
TRANSMISSION AND STORAGE reported operating income of $350.1 million,
up $24 million over 1998. The increase primarily reflected the pre-tax effect of
a producer settlement and additional revenues primarily driven by Columbia Gas
Transmission's market expansion project. The 1998 results benefited from reduced
postretirement benefit costs and Columbia Gulf's regulatory settlement. Both
periods included base gas sales, $14.7 million in 1999 and $13.9 million in
1998.
DISTRIBUTION'S operating income of $254.6 million was up $28.8 million,
primarily due to the weather-related improvement mentioned previously. Weather
was 12 percent colder than in 1998, but both years were still warmer than
normal. Results for 1999 also improved due to lower gross receipts and property
taxes as well as new regulatory settlements for Columbia Gas of Ohio and
Columbia Gas of Virginia. Tempering these improvements was a reduction in
retained income by Columbia Gas of Ohio resulting from the 1998 expiration of
its 1996 regulatory settlement, as well as higher operation and maintenance
expense. Lower postretirement benefit costs added approximately $16 million to
1998 operating income.
EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION'S operating income of $44.2 million rose $7
million over 1998 due to higher gas production resulting from an expanded
drilling program, acquisitions, and $6 million of income from the termination of
two cogeneration sales contracts, partially offset by lower natural gas prices.
Gas production of 45.8 billion cubic feet (Bcf) was up 6.7 Bcf over 1998, while
natural gas prices averaged $2.66 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) for 1999
compared to $2.91 per Mcf in 1998. Due in part to hedging and gas prepayment
activities, Columbia Energy Resources expects the average gas price for its
first quarter 2000 production to be approximately $3.34 per Mcf.
ENERGY MARKETING, which consists of the retail marketing, propane and
petroleum operations, reported an operating loss of $54.5 million or $40.9
million greater than the operating loss in 1998. Approximately $33 million of
the increased loss was attributable to retail marketing operations, and was
primarily due to higher operating costs and the write-down of certain software
and uncollectible accounts. Other factors contributing to this segment's loss
include additional costs associated with the ongoing process of integrating
recent acquisitions made by Columbia Propane that substantially expanded its
operations, and lower propane margins. Propane sales in 1999 were 178.3 million
gallons, up 111.8 million gallons, or about 168 percent over 1998, and sales of
petroleum products totaled 202.4 million gallons in 1999.
The POWER GENERATION, LNG AND OTHER segment's 1999 operating income of
$71.5 million reflected a $71 million benefit recorded by Columbia Electric
related to the termination of a customer power purchase contract. Operating
income for this segment in 1998 was $6.6 million. Revenues from Columbia's LNG
partnership were down slightly.
- more -
<PAGE> 7
The CORPORATE segment posted an operating loss of $17.5 million versus
an $800,000 loss in 1998. The additional loss resulted from expenses incurred
for consulting and related services, primarily those required to respond to the
unsolicited tender offer.
OTHER INCOME, INTEREST EXPENSE AND TAXES
Other income of $29.2 million for 1999 was up $16.9 million, due
largely to gains of $12.1 million on the sale of Columbia's interest in a
pipeline partnership and $2.9 million from the sale of coal properties. Interest
expense of $164.4 million increased $19.9 million over 1998 due largely to
higher short-term borrowings to finance recent acquisitions and to fund
Columbia's stock repurchase program.
Income tax expense for 1999 of $158.2 million rose $9.4 million,
primarily due to higher income from continuing operations. Income benefited from
tax planning initiatives in both 1999 and 1998.
FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS
Columbia reported income from continuing operations of $155.3 million,
or $1.89 per share on a diluted basis, for the fourth quarter of 1999, up $47
million, or $0.60 per share over 1998. The gain recorded from terminating a
customer power purchase contract, a gain on the sale of Columbia's interest in a
pipeline partnership and four percent colder weather were tempered by higher
costs for the energy marketing operations and higher professional fees primarily
related to Columbia's response to an unsolicited tender offer. Total revenues
were $960 million in the fourth quarter of 1999, an increase of $195.5 million
over 1998.
TRANSMISSION AND STORAGE operating income for the 1999 fourth quarter
was $94.6 million, essentially unchanged from the same period in 1998.
Operating income for the DISTRIBUTION OPERATIONS was $106.5 million, up
$15.8 million over the 1998 fourth quarter due in large part to colder weather
in 1999 and improved income from Columbia Gas of Ohio's 1999 regulatory
settlement.
Operating income of $20.1 million for EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION rose
$11.3 million above the 1998 quarter, reflecting increased gas production from
new production coming on-line and acquisitions, as well as 19 percent higher gas
prices and $6 million of income from the termination of two cogeneration sales
contracts. Fourth quarter 1999 production of 11.7 Bcf rose 1.3 Bcf, or 13
percent, while prices received for natural gas production averaged $3.14 per
Mcf, up 51 cents per Mcf from the 1998 period.
ENERGY MARKETING, which consists of the retail marketing, propane and
petroleum operations, reported an operating loss of $29.3 million compared to an
operating loss of $6 million in the 1998 fourth quarter. A portion of the
increased loss related to one-time charges connected with the write-off of
certain assets of Columbia Energy Services. Other factors reducing Columbia
Energy Services' retail marketing results included higher other costs and lower
margins. Also contributing to the segment's increased loss were lower propane
margins and higher operating expenses associated with the expanded operations of
Columbia Propane.
Operating income for the POWER GENERATION, LNG AND OTHER segment was
$69 million in the 1999 fourth quarter and $900,000 in the 1998 period. The
increase was due to a $71 million benefit recorded by Columbia Electric related
to the termination of a customer power purchase contract.
- more -
<PAGE> 8
The CORPORATE segment reflected an operating loss of $7.1 million
versus operating income of $1.5 million in the 1998 fourth quarter. The loss
resulted from expenses incurred for consulting and related services, primarily
those required to respond to the unsolicited tender offer.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS had an after-tax loss of $59.9 million for the
1999 fourth quarter compared to an after-tax loss of $20.6 million in the 1998
period. The loss was primarily due to recording a loss on disposal for the major
accounts business, costs related to exiting the wholesale and trading and major
accounts businesses, plus lower margins and higher operation and maintenance
costs.
Columbia Energy Group, based in Herndon, Va., is one of the nation's
leading energy services companies, with assets of approximately $7 billion. Its
operating companies engage in all phases of the natural gas business, including
exploration and production, transmission, storage and distribution, as well as
propane and petroleum product sales, electric power generation and retail energy
marketing. Information about Columbia Energy Group (NYSE:CG) is available on the
Internet at www.columbiaenergygroup.com.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Federal securities laws, including statements concerning, on a
consolidated, segment or subsidiary basis, Columbia's plans, objectives and
expected performance. There can be no assurance that actual results will not
differ materially due to various factors, many of which are beyond the control
of Columbia, including, but not limited to, competition, the regulatory approval
process, weather, supply and demand for natural gas, propane and petroleum
product sales, electric power generation, retail energy marketing, plans to
acquire or dispose of assets and changes in general economic conditions.
The quarterly conference call between Oliver G. Richard III, Columbia's
chairman, president and CEO, Michael W. O'Donnell, Columbia's chief financial
officer, and security analysts will be available, in a listen-only mode, via the
Internet at http://www.columbiaenergygroup.com for investors, the press and
other members of the public. Due to today's blizzard, the discussion, including
statements by Richard and O'Donnell, will begin tomorrow, January 26, at 11:00
a.m. Eastern time.
To connect via the Internet, access our web site at
www.columbiaenergygroup.com and go to the Investor Information section of the
site. Next, access the `Pre-event' page and connect to the conference call. From
this site you will be able to listen to the call as well as test your browser
and/or download the required RealPlayer(TM) plug-in. A playback of the call will
also be available later that afternoon from the audio archive section of our web
site.
- tables to follow -
<PAGE> 9
COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP
Summary of Financial and Operating Data
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TWELVE MONTHS THREE MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------- --------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ----
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
- ---------------------
($ in millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Revenues
Energy sales ........................................... 2,085.5 1,785.7 538.0 520.3
Less: Products purchased................................ 1,194.4 766.1 342.3 224.6
------- ------- ----- -----
Gross Margin............................................ 891.1 1,019.6 195.7 295.7
Transportation.......................................... 706.3 577.2 209.1 170.9
Production gas sales.................................... 120.2 51.6 94.7 9.7
Other................................................... 277.2 213.5 109.8 59.1
------- ------- ----- -----
Total Net Revenues......................................... 1,994.8 1,861.9 609.3 535.4
------- ------- ----- -----
Operating Expenses
Operation and maintenance............................... 937.5 829.2 264.2 233.0
Settlement of gas supply charges........................ (31.7) -- (1.9) -
Depreciation and depletion.............................. 229.0 231.9 43.4 58.5
Other taxes............................................. 211.6 219.5 49.8 53.2
------- ------- ----- -----
Total Operating Expenses................................... 1,346.4 1,280.6 355.5 344.7
------- ------- ----- -----
Operating Income........................................... 648.4 581.3 253.8 190.7
------- ------- ----- -----
Other Income (Deductions)
Interest income and other, net.......................... 29.2 12.3 14.6 3.5
Interest expense and related charges.................... (164.4) (144.5) (48.7) (29.1)
------- ------- ----- -----
Total Other Income (Deductions)............................ (135.2) (132.2) (34.1) (25.6)
------- ------- ----- -----
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
before Income Taxes .................................. 513.2 449.1 219.7 165.1
Income Taxes............................................... 158.2 148.8 64.4 56.8
------- ------- ----- -----
Income from Continuing Operations ......................... 355.0 300.3 155.3 108.3
------- ------- ----- -----
Discontinued Operations - net of taxes
(Loss) from operations.................................. (80.0) (31.1) (47.1) (20.6)
Estimated (loss) on disposal............................ (25.8) -- (12.8) --
------- ------- ----- -----
(Loss) from Discontinued Operations - net of taxes...... (105.8) (31.1) (59.9) (20.6)
------- ------- ----- -----
Net Income................................................. 249.2 269.2 95.4 87.7
======= ======= ===== =====
PER SHARE DATA
- --------------
Basic Earnings Per Share of Common Stock ($)
Continuing operations................................... 4.31 3.60 1.91 1.30
(Loss) from discontinued operations..................... (0.97) (0.37) (0.58) (0.25)
Estimated (loss) on disposal............................ (0.31) -- (0.16) --
------- ------- ----- -----
Basic Earnings Per Share................................ 3.03 3.23 1.17 1.05
======= ======= ===== =====
Diluted Earnings Per Share of Common Stock ($)
Continuing operations................................... 4.29 3.58 1.89 1.29
(Loss) from discontinued operations..................... (0.97) (0.37) (0.57) (0.24)
Estimated (loss) on disposal............................ (0.31) -- (0.16) --
------- ------- ----- -----
Diluted Earnings Per Share.............................. 3.01 3.21 1.16 1.05
======= ======= ===== =====
Basic Average Common Shares Outstanding (millions)...... 82.2 83.4 81.3 83.5
Diluted Average Common Shares (millions)................ 82.7 83.7 82.0 83.9
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 10
COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP
Summary of Financial and Operating Data (continued)
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) BY SEGMENT
- ----------------------------------
($ in millions)
TRANSMISSION AND STORAGE OPERATIONS
-----------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TWELVE MONTHS THREE MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------ ------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING REVENUES
Transportation revenues ........ 615.0 620.4 172.8 175.2
Storage revenues ............... 182.4 186.0 43.9 48.3
Other revenues ................. 39.0 32.3 9.0 5.2
----- ----- ----- -----
Total Operating Revenues .......... 836.4 838.7 225.7 228.7
----- ----- ----- -----
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operation and maintenance ...... 358.9 358.9 94.5 96.9
Settlement of gas supply charges (31.7) -- (1.9) --
Depreciation ................... 106.2 101.8 26.4 26.0
Other taxes .................... 52.9 51.9 12.1 11.0
----- ----- ----- -----
Total Operating Expenses .......... 486.3 512.6 131.1 133.9
----- ----- ----- -----
OPERATING INCOME .................. 350.1 326.1 94.6 94.8
===== ===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
DISTRIBUTION OPERATIONS
-----------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TWELVE MONTHS THREE MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------- --------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ----
NET REVENUES
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales revenues ................................... 1,705.5 1,686.3 421.6 487.2
Less: Cost of gas sold............................ 1,137.6 1,005.4 272.6 282.3
------- ------- ----- -----
Net Sales Revenues................................ 567.9 680.9 149.0 204.9
------- ------- ----- -----
Transportation revenues........................... 317.3 183.2 95.8 60.6
Less: Associated gas costs....................... 32.6 17.1 8.5 4.6
------- ------- ----- -----
Net Transportation Revenues....................... 284.7 166.1 87.3 56.0
------- ------- ----- -----
Net Revenues......................................... 852.6 847.0 236.3 260.9
------- ------- ----- -----
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operation and maintenance......................... 406.9 386.7 107.7 111.0
Depreciation...................................... 54.5 82.2 (10.1) 20.3
Other taxes....................................... 136.6 152.3 32.2 38.9
------- ------- ----- -----
Total Operating Expenses............................. 598.0 621.2 129.8 170.2
------- ------- ----- -----
OPERATING INCOME..................................... 254.6 225.8 106.5 90.7
======= ======= ===== =====
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 11
COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP
Summary of Financial and Operating Data (continued)
EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION OPERATIONS
-------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TWELVE MONTHS THREE MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------- --------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING REVENUES
Gas revenues ..................................... 123.1 113.9 36.9 27.4
Other revenues.................................... 21.7 13.6 10.1 3.5
----- ----- ---- ----
Total Operating Revenues............................. 144.8 127.5 47.0 30.9
----- ----- ---- ----
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operation and maintenance......................... 53.9 44.6 13.9 11.4
Depreciation and depletion........................ 36.9 36.5 11.0 9.0
Other taxes....................................... 9.8 9.2 2.0 1.7
----- ----- ---- ----
Total Operating Expenses............................. 100.6 90.3 26.9 22.1
----- ----- ---- ----
OPERATING INCOME..................................... 44.2 37.2 20.1 8.8
===== ===== ==== ====
</TABLE>
ENERGY MARKETING OPERATIONS
---------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TWELVE MONTHS THREE MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------- --------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET REVENUES
Propane........................................... 152.9 63.1 74.4 20.1
Gas............................................... 88.9 21.6 23.4 17.2
Petroleum......................................... 127.7 -- 56.9 --
----- ----- ----- ----
Total................................................ 369.5 84.7 154.7 37.3
Less: Products purchased............................. 306.6 54.0 135.3 27.0
----- ----- ----- ----
Gross Margin......................................... 62.9 30.7 19.4 10.3
Other revenues....................................... 27.2 11.5 12.0 4.2
----- ----- ----- ----
Net Revenues......................................... 90.1 42.2 31.4 14.5
----- ----- ----- ----
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operation and maintenance......................... 109.5 47.0 43.3 17.7
Depreciation...................................... 26.6 5.8 14.9 2.0
Other taxes....................................... 8.5 3.0 2.5 0.8
----- ----- ----- ----
Total Operating Expenses............................. 144.6 55.8 60.7 20.5
----- ----- ----- ----
OPERATING (LOSS)..................................... (54.5) (13.6) (29.3) (6.0)
===== ===== ===== ====
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 12
COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP
Summary of Financial and Operating Data (continued)
POWER GENERATION, LNG AND OTHER OPERATIONS
------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TWELVE MONTHS THREE MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------- ---------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING REVENUES
Power generation.................................. 78.5 8.3 72.5 1.9
LNG............................................... 9.3 10.3 2.6 2.6
Other............................................. 0.9 0.5 0.5 0.1
---- ---- ---- ---
Total Operating Revenues............................. 88.7 19.1 75.6 4.6
---- ---- ---- ---
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operation and maintenance......................... 16.7 12.2 6.5 3.6
Depreciation...................................... 0.1 0.1 -- 0.1
Other taxes....................................... 0.4 0.2 0.1 --
---- ---- ---- ---
Total Operating Expenses............................. 17.2 12.5 6.6 3.7
---- ---- ---- ---
OPERATING INCOME..................................... 71.5 6.6 69.0 0.9
==== ==== ==== ===
</TABLE>
CORPORATE
---------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TWELVE MONTHS THREE MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------- --------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS).............................. (17.5) (0.8) (7.1) 1.5
===== ==== ==== ===
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 13
COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP
Summary of Financial and Operating Data (continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1999 DECEMBER 31, 1998
----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
CAPITALIZATION
- --------------
($ in millions)
Common Stock Equity
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized
200,000,000 shares, issued 83,786,942
and 83,511,878 shares, respectively*................. 0.8 835.1
Additional paid in capital*.......................... 1,611.6 761.8
Retained earnings.................................... 586.9 409.5
Unearned employee compensation....................... (0.6) (0.9)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment............ 0.3 (0.2)
Treasury stock, at cost (2,478,500 shares held as of
December 31, 1999)................................. (135.0) --
------- -------
Total Common Stock Equity................................. 2,064.0 2,005.3
Long-Term Debt............................................ 1,639.7 2,003.1
------- -------
Total Capitalization...................................... 3,703.7 4,008.4
======= =======
Short-Term Debt........................................... 465.5 144.8
======= ========
</TABLE>
* The par value of the common stock was reduced from $10 to $.01 per share and
the number of authorized shares of common stock increased from 100 million
to 200 million effective May 19, 1999. During the second quarter of 1999,
this change resulted in a transfer of $834.3 million from the common stock
account to the additional paid in capital account.
<PAGE> 14
COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP
Summary of Financial and Operating Data (continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TWELVE MONTHS THREE MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------- ---------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
TOTAL REVENUES ($ IN MILLIONS)....................... 3,221.8 2,645.1 960.0 764.5
AVERAGE PRICE OF GAS PRODUCTION ($ PER MCF)
U.S............................................. 2.66 2.91 3.14 2.63
Canada.......................................... 2.25 2.61 2.06 2.25
OPERATING DATA
Gas Production (billion cubic feet):
U.S............................................. 45.6 39.0 11.6 10.4
Canada.......................................... 0.2 0.1 0.1 --
------- ------- ------ ------
Total........................................... 45.8 39.1 11.7 10.4
======= ======= ====== ======
Energy Marketing sales:
Propane (millions of gallons)................... 178.3 66.5 82.5 22.0
Gas (billion cubic feet)........................ 28.4 6.1 9.3 3.0
Petroleum (millions of gallons)................. 202.4 -- 79.9 --
THROUGHPUT
Transmission (billion cubic feet):
Transportation
Columbia Transmission
Market area.................................. 1,005.7 947.8 298.0 273.2
Columbia Gulf
Mainline..................................... 594.2 563.3 152.8 142.7
Short-haul................................... 220.2 231.2 54.1 52.9
Intrasegment eliminations.................... (569.3) (544.8) (149.2) (138.0)
------- ------- ------ ------
Total Throughput................................... 1,250.8 1,197.5 355.7 330.8
======= ======= ====== ======
Distribution (billion cubic feet):
Gas sales......................................... 179.7 207.6 54.3 63.9
Transportation.................................... 346.2 287.7 95.6 80.9
------- ------- ------ ------
Total Throughput................................... 525.9 495.3 149.9 144.8
Off-System Sales................................... 170.9 62.9 3.8 2.6
------- ------- ------ ------
Total Sold and Transported......................... 696.8 558.2 153.7 147.4
======= ======= ====== ======
DEGREE DAYS (DISTRIBUTION SERVICE TERRITORY)
Actual........................................... 5,171 4,635 1,830 1,757
Normal........................................... 5,600 5,600 2,032 2,032
% Colder (warmer) than normal.................... (8) (17) (10) (14)
% Colder (warmer) than prior period.............. 12 (19) 4 (16)
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