FOR
IMMEDIATE
RELEASE                                                                                                                                                                                  FOR MORE
INFORMATION
 July 31,
2009                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Contact:  Kary Brunner, re: N-1016
 630 388-2529
 Media Contact:  Richard Caragol
 630 388-2686
 
 
 NICOR
ANNOUNCES 2009 PRELIMINARY SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS AND AFFIRMS 2009 ANNUAL
OUTLOOK
 
 Naperville,
IL – Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) today reported second quarter 2009 preliminary net
income, operating income and diluted earnings per common share were $22.9
million, $39.5 million and $.50, respectively.  This compares to net
income, operating income and diluted earnings per common share for the same
period in 2008 of $28.9 million, $40.6 million and $.64,
respectively.
 
 Earnings
for the second quarter 2009, compared to the same period in 2008, reflect
improved operating income in the company’s gas distribution and other
energy-related businesses, more than offset by lower operating income in the
company’s shipping business, as well as lower corporate operating
results.  The second quarter comparisons also reflect lower interest
income and pretax equity investment income as well as a higher effective income
tax rate in 2009.
 
 For the
six months ended June 30, 2009, preliminary net income, operating income and
diluted earnings per common share were $66.7 million, $99.4 million and $1.47,
respectively.  This compares to net income, operating income and
diluted earnings per common share for the same period in 2008 of $70.3 million,
$103.8 million and $1.55, respectively.
 
 Earnings
for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to 2008, reflect lower
operating income in the company’s gas distribution and shipping businesses, and
lower corporate operating results, partially offset by higher operating income
in the company’s other energy-related businesses.  The six-month-ended
comparisons also reflect higher pretax equity investment income, partially
offset by a higher effective income tax rate and lower interest income in
2009.
  - MORE
-
 
 
 Page
2
 
 “Our
consolidated year-to-date results are solid, particularly given the challenging
economic environment,” said Russ Strobel, Nicor’s Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer.  “As expected, we’re now seeing the positive impacts of
rate relief begin to offset the increased operating costs of our gas
distribution business.  Our shipping business faced continued pressure
on volumes due to the economic slowdown, but still delivered year-to-date
results that were approximately consistent with 2008.  Our other
energy-related ventures produced results that were near our
expectations.”
 
 Details
regarding the second quarter 2009 and six months ended June 30, 2009 preliminary
financial results compared to 2008 follow:
 
 ·
              Gas
      distribution operating income increased $4.4 million for the second
      quarter 2009 compared to the prior-year period.  The three-month
      results reflected:
 -
              Higher
      gas distribution margin due to the recent base rate increase
      (approximately $20 million) partially offset by lower demand unrelated to
      weather (approximately $2 million).
 -
              Higher
      operating and maintenance costs ($9.4 million) due in large part to higher
      payroll and benefit-related costs (primarily attributable to increased
      pension expense), and the absence of prior year legal
      recoveries.
 -
              Higher
      depreciation expense ($1.7
million).
 
 - MORE
-
 
 
 Page
3
 
 ·
              Gas
      distribution operating income decreased $4.1 million for the six months
      ended June 30, 2009 compared to the prior-year period.  The
      six-month results reflected:
 -
              Higher
      gas distribution margin due to the base rate increase (approximately $20
      million) partially offset by lower demand unrelated to weather
      (approximately $6 million) and lower natural gas deliveries due to warmer
      weather in 2009 (approximately $2
million).
 -
              Higher
      operating and maintenance costs ($11.4 million) due primarily to higher
      payroll and benefit-related costs (primarily attributable to increased
      pension expense); the absence of the aforementioned prior year legal
      recoveries recorded in the second quarter of 2008; and higher company use
      and storage-related gas costs.  These increases were partially
      offset by lower franchise gas costs and lower bad debt expense
      attributable principally to lower natural gas
  prices.
 -
              Higher
      depreciation expense ($3.3
million).
 
 ·
              Shipping
      operating income decreased $3.2 million and $0.5 million for the second
      quarter 2009 and the six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively,
      compared to the prior-year periods.  Declines in both periods
      were due to lower operating revenues partially offset by lower
      operating costs.  Decreased operating revenues for both 2009
      periods, compared to 2008, were attributable to lower volumes shipped and
      lower average rates (resulting principally from lower surcharges for
      fuel).  Decreased operating costs for both 2009 periods,
      compared to 2008, were primarily attributable to lower
      transportation-related costs, due in large part to lower fuel prices and
      lower volumes shipped; and lower charter
costs.
 
 - MORE
-
 
 
 Page
4
 
 ·
              Other
      energy ventures operating income increased $1.7 million for the second
      quarter 2009 compared to the prior-year period due primarily to higher
      operating income in the company’s retail energy-related products and
      services businesses; and wholesale natural gas marketing
      business.  Other energy ventures operating income increased $3.3
      million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to the prior-year
      period, due to higher operating income in the company’s wholesale natural
      gas marketing business partially offset by lower operating income in the
      company’s retail energy-related products and services
      businesses.
 
 Higher
operating results for the second quarter 2009, as compared to 2008, in the
company’s retail energy-related products and services businesses were due to
lower operating expenses, partially offset by lower operating
revenues.  Lower operating expenses were due primarily to lower
average cost per utility-bill management contract partially offset by higher
average contract volumes.  Lower operating revenues were due to lower
average revenue per utility-bill management contract attributable, in part, to
product mix, partially offset by higher average contract
volumes.  Lower operating results for the six months ended June 30,
2009, as compared to 2008, in the company’s retail energy-related products and
services businesses were due to higher operating expenses, partially offset by
higher operating revenues.  Higher operating expenses were due
primarily to higher average contract volumes.  Higher operating
revenues were due to higher average contract volumes partially offset by lower
average revenue per utility-bill management contract, attributable primarily to
product mix.
 
 - MORE
-
 
 
 Page
5
 
 Higher
operating income in the company’s wholesale natural gas marketing business for
the second quarter and six-months-ended June 30, 2009, compared to the same
periods in 2008, was due primarily to favorable changes in valuations of
derivative instruments used to hedge purchases and sales of natural gas
inventory; partially offset by unfavorable costing of physical sales activity
and lower results from risk management activities associated with hedging the
product risks of the utility-bill management contracts offered by the company’s
retail energy-related products and services businesses.
 
 The
company’s wholesale natural gas marketing business uses derivatives to mitigate
commodity price risk in order to substantially lock-in the profit margin that
will ultimately be realized.  A source of commodity price risk arises
as the wholesale natural gas marketing business purchases and holds natural gas
in storage to earn a profit margin from its ultimate sale.  However,
gas stored in inventory is required to be accounted for at the lower of
weighted-average cost or market, whereas the derivatives used to reduce the risk
associated with a change in the value of the inventory are carried at fair
value, with changes in fair value recorded in operating results in the period of
change.  In addition, the wholesale natural gas marketing business
also uses derivatives to mitigate the commodity price risks of the utility-bill
management products offered by the company’s energy-related products and
services businesses.  The gains and losses associated with the utility-bill
management products are recognized in the months that the services are provided.
However, the underlying derivatives used to hedge the price exposure are carried
at fair value. For those derivatives that do not meet the requirements for hedge
accounting, the changes in fair value are recorded in operating results in the
period of change.  As a result, earnings are subject to volatility as the
fair value of derivatives change.  The volatility resulting from this
accounting can be significant from period to period.
 
 - MORE
-
 
 
 Page
6
 
 Corporate
operating results decreased $4.0 million for the second quarter 2009,
compared to the prior year period, due primarily to the absence of a prior year
legal recovery of $3.1 million pretax.  Corporate operating results
decreased $3.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to
the prior year period, due to the absence of the aforementioned legal recovery
partially offset by a lower weather-related cost.  The company
recorded a $2.9 million pretax negative weather-related impact in the six months
ended June 30, 2009, compared to a $4.0 million pretax negative weather-related
impact recorded last year associated with certain of the company’s retail
utility-bill management products.
 
 Under
terms of a corporate swap agreement, benefits or costs resulting from variances
in normal weather associated with retail energy-related products are recorded
primarily in corporate operating results.
 
 ·
              The
      second quarter 2009 and six-months-ended June 30, 2009 financial results,
      compared to the same periods in 2008, reflect lower interest income (due
      primarily to lower average investment balances, lower interest income on
      income tax matters, and lower average rates); and a higher effective
      income tax rate.  The six-months-ended June 30, 2009 financial
      results, compared to the same period in 2008, also reflect higher pretax
      equity investment income.  Higher equity investment income was
      due primarily to a gain of $10.1 million pretax, recorded in the first
      quarter of 2009, related to the sale of the company’s equity investment
      interest in EN Engineering.
 
 - MORE
-
 
 
 Page
7
 
 Rate Case
Status
 On March
25, 2009, the company announced that its gas distribution business, Nicor Gas,
received approval from the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) for a $69 million
increase in base revenues.  New rates became effective on April 3,
2009.  On April 24, 2009, the company filed a request for rehearing
with the ICC concerning the capital structure and return on equity contained in
the ICC’s rate order contending the company’s return on rate base should be
higher.  The Attorney General’s office, Citizen’s Utility Board and
the Environmental Law and Policy Center also filed requests for rehearing on
items including the management structure of the Energy Efficiency Plan and the
rate design for residential customers.  These other parties do not
raise issues about the amount of the rate increase granted to Nicor
Gas.  On May 13, 2009, the ICC agreed to conduct a rehearing
concerning the capital structure but denied the remainder of the company’s
request.  The ICC also denied all the rehearing requests by other
parties.  The ICC has until October 13, 2009 to issue a ruling on
rehearing.  Any further changes in rates as a result of rehearing
would be effective prospectively.  Nicor Gas has also filed an appeal
of the ICC’s rate order in state appellate court.  That appeal has
been stayed until the ICC issues its ruling on rehearing.
 
 2009 Earnings
Outlook
 The
company affirmed that its estimate for 2009 diluted earnings per common share is
in the range of $2.54 to $2.74, unchanged from guidance provided in the
company’s first quarter earnings release on May 1, 2009.  As a
reminder, this estimate includes approximately $.09 per share for the positive
impact of the first quarter 2009 sale of the company’s equity interest in EN
Engineering.
 
 - MORE
-
 
 
 Page
8
 
 Consistent
with prior guidance, the annual outlook excludes, among other things, any future
impacts associated with the ICC’s Performance-Based Rate plan/Purchased Gas
Adjustment review, other contingencies, or changes in tax law.  The
company also indicated that its estimate does not reflect the additional
variability in earnings due to fair value accounting adjustments in its
businesses and other impacts that could occur because of future volatility in
the natural gas markets.  While these items could materially affect 2009
earnings, they are not currently estimable. The company's 2009 estimate assumes
normal weather for the remainder of the year.
 
 The
company will provide updates to its annual earnings outlook only as part of its
quarterly and annual earnings’ releases.
  Conference
Call
 As
previously announced, the company will hold a conference call to discuss its
second quarter 2009 financial results, and 2009 outlook.  The
conference call will be this morning, Friday, July 31, 2009 at 8:30 a.m.
central, 9:30 a.m. eastern time.  To hear the conference call live,
please log on to Nicor’s corporate website at www.nicor.com, choose
“Investor” and then select the webcast icon on the “Overview” page.  A
replay of the call will be available until 10:30 a.m. central time, Friday,
August 14, 2009.  To access the recording, call (888) 286-8010, or
(617) 801-6888 for callers outside the United States, and enter reservation
number 92141805.  The call will also be archived on Nicor’s corporate
website for 90 days.
 
 Nicor
Inc. (NYSE: GAS) is a holding company and is a member of the Standard &
Poor’s 500 Index.  Its primary business is Nicor Gas, one of the
nation’s largest natural gas distribution companies.  Nicor owns
Tropical Shipping, a containerized shipping business serving the Caribbean
region and the Bahamas.  In addition, the company owns and has an
equity interest in several energy-related businesses.  For more
information, visit the Nicor website at www.nicor.com.
  - MORE
-
 
 
 Page
9
 
 Caution Concerning
Forward-Looking Statements
 This
document includes certain forward-looking statements about the expectations of
Nicor and its subsidiaries and affiliates.  Although Nicor believes
these statements are based on reasonable assumptions, actual results may vary
materially from stated expectations.  Such forward-looking statements
may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as
“anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “planned,” “potential,”
“should,” “will,” “would,” “project,” “estimate,” “ultimate,” or similar
phrases.  Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in
the company’s forward-looking statements due to the direct or indirect effects
of legal contingencies (including litigation) and the resolution of those
issues, including the effects of an ICC review, and undue reliance should not be
placed on such statements.
 
 Other
factors that could cause materially different results include, but are not
limited to, weather conditions; natural disasters; natural gas and other fuel
prices; fair value accounting adjustments; inventory valuation; health care
costs; insurance costs or recoveries; legal costs; borrowing needs; interest
rates; credit conditions; economic and market conditions; accidents, leaks,
equipment failures, service interruptions, environmental pollution, and other
operating risks; tourism and construction in the Bahamas and Caribbean region;
energy conservation; legislative and regulatory actions; tax rulings or audit
results; asset sales; significant unplanned capital needs; future
mercury-related charges or credits; changes in accounting principles,
interpretations, methods, judgments or estimates; performance of major
customers, transporters, suppliers and contractors; labor relations; and acts of
terrorism.
 
 Readers
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date of this release.  Nicor undertakes no
obligation to publicly release any revision to these forward-looking statements
to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
 
 --30--
  
   Nicor
      Inc.PRELIMINARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
      OPERATIONSUnaudited
      (millions, except per share data)Three
      months ended
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        Six
      months endedJune
      30
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        June
      302009
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        2008
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        2009
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        2008Operating
      revenuesGas
      distribution
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        326.3
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        560.1
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        1,310.3
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        2,024.3Shipping
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        83.8
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        102.6
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        173.2
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        200.3Other
      energy ventures
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        51.2
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        52.7
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        128.3
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        122.9Corporate
      and eliminations
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        (13.7
                                                        )
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        (15.6
                                                        )
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        (53.4
                                                        )
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        (52.0
                                                        )Total
      operating revenues
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        447.6
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        699.8
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        1,558.4
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        2,295.5Operating
      expensesGas
      distributionCost
      of gas
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        156.6
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        396.2
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        873.0
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        1,582.9Operating
      and maintenance
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        69.1
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        59.7
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        159.7
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        148.3Depreciation
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        44.6
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        42.9
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        89.0
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        85.7Taxes,
      other than income taxes
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        30.9
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        40.6
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        109.7
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        124.4Shipping
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        81.3
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        96.9
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        164.1
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        190.7Other
      energy ventures
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        38.5
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        41.7
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        113.0
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        110.9Other
      corporate expenses and eliminations
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        (12.9
                                                        )
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        (18.8
                                                        )
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        (49.5
                                                        )
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        (51.2
                                                        )Total
      operating expenses
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        408.1
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        659.2
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        1,459.0
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        2,191.7Operating
      income (1)
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        39.5
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        40.6
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        99.4
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        103.8Interest
      expense, net of amounts capitalized
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        8.8
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        9.1
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        18.1
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        19.7Equity
      investment income, net
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        1.6
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        2.8
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        13.3
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        4.3Interest
      income
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        .5
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        4.2
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        1.1
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        5.5Other
      income, net
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        .3
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        .2
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        .5
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        .2Income
      before income taxes
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        33.1
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        38.7
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        96.2
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        94.1Income
      tax expense, net of benefits
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        10.2
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        9.8
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        29.5
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        23.8Net
      income
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        22.9
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        28.9
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        66.7
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        70.3Average
      shares of common stock outstandingBasic
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        45.4
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        45.3
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        45.4
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        45.3Diluted
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        45.5
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        45.3
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        45.5
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        45.3Earnings
      per average share of common stockBasic
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        .50
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        .64
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        1.47
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        1.55Diluted
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        .50
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        .64
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        1.47
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        1.55(1)  Operating
      income (loss) by business segmentGas
      distribution
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        25.1
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        20.7
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        78.9
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        83.0Shipping
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        2.5
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        5.7
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        9.1
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        9.6Other
      energy ventures
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        12.7
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        11.0
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        15.3
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        12.0Corporate
      and eliminations
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        (.8
                                                        )
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        3.2
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        (3.9
                                                        )
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        (.8
                                                        )$
                                                        39.5
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        40.6
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        99.4
                                                        
                                                        
                                                        $
                                                        103.8
  
  Nicor
      Inc.Gas
      Distribution StatisticsThree
      months ended
                                                
                                                
                                                Six
      months endedJune
      30
                                                
                                                
                                                June
      302009
                                                
                                                
                                                2008
                                                
                                                
                                                2009
                                                
                                                
                                                2008Operating revenues(millions)SalesResidential
                                                
                                                $
                                                195.5
                                                
                                                
                                                $
                                                363.1
                                                
                                                
                                                $
                                                843.6
                                                
                                                
                                                $
                                                1,376.3Commercial
                                                
                                                
                                                50.6
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                101.9
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                220.6
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                351.6Industrial
                                                
                                                
                                                5.9
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                11.1
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                25.3
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                42.1252.0
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                476.1
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                1,089.5
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                1,770.0TransportationResidential
                                                
                                                
                                                10.1
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                8.0
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                24.4
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                21.2Commercial
                                                
                                                
                                                14.3
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                11.8
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                39.4
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                43.0Industrial
                                                
                                                
                                                8.7
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                7.6
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                19.0
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                19.4Other
                                                
                                                
                                                .6
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                5.5
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                4.3
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                22.733.7
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                32.9
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                87.1
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                106.3Other
      revenuesRevenue
      taxes
                                                
                                                
                                                26.6
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                36.7
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                101.3
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                117.0Environmental
      cost recovery
                                                
                                                
                                                2.3
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                1.1
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                8.0
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                6.1Chicago
      Hub
                                                
                                                
                                                1.8
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                2.5
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                3.8
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                5.9Other
                                                
                                                
                                                9.9
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                10.8
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                20.6
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                19.040.6
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                51.1
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                133.7
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                148.0$
                                                326.3
                                                
                                                
                                                $
                                                560.1
                                                
                                                
                                                $
                                                1,310.3
                                                
                                                
                                                $
                                                2,024.3Deliveries(Bcf)SalesResidential
                                                
                                                
                                                25.8
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                26.1
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                122.2
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                130.3Commercial
                                                
                                                
                                                7.4
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                7.9
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                32.4
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                33.7Industrial
                                                
                                                
                                                1.0
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                .9
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                3.9
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                4.234.2
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                34.9
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                158.5
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                168.2TransportationResidential
                                                
                                                
                                                3.3
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                3.1
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                15.5
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                14.8Commercial
                                                
                                                
                                                12.4
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                11.7
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                50.8
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                52.2Industrial
                                                
                                                
                                                23.2
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                23.1
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                53.6
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                55.438.9
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                37.9
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                119.9
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                122.473.1
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                72.8
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                278.4
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                290.6Customers at end of period(thousands)SalesResidential
                                                
                                                
                                                1,760
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                1,777Commercial
                                                
                                                
                                                131
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                128Industrial
                                                
                                                
                                                7
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                71,898
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                1,912TransportationResidential
                                                
                                                
                                                221
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                205Commercial
                                                
                                                
                                                50
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                53Industrial
                                                
                                                
                                                5
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                5276
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                2632,174
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                2,175Other
      statisticsDegree
      days
                                                
                                                
                                                686
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                690
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                3,871
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                3,962Colder
      than normal (1)
                                                
                                                
                                                11%
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                0%
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                10%
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                7%Average
      gas cost per Mcf sold
                                                
                                                $
                                                4.42
                                                
                                                
                                                $
                                                11.29
                                                
                                                
                                                $
                                                5.38
                                                
                                                
                                                $
                                                9.37(1)
      Normal weather for Nicor Gas' service territory, for purposes of this
      report, is considered to be 5,600 degree days per year for 2009 and 5,830
      degree days per year for 2008.
   
  Nicor
      Inc.Shipping
      StatisticsThree
      months ended
                              
                              
                              Six
      months endedJune
      30
                              
                              
                              June
      302009
                              
                              
                              2008
                              
                              
                              2009
                              
                              
                              2008Twenty-foot
      equivalent units (TEUs) shipped (thousands)
                              
                              
                              42.7
                              
                              
                              
                              48.8
                              
                              
                              
                              85.3
                              
                              
                              
                              96.8Revenue
      per TEU
                              
                              $
                              1,960
                              
                              
                              $
                              2,098
                              
                              
                              $
                              2,030
                              
                              
                              $
                              2,068At
      end of periodPorts
      served
                              
                              
                              25
                              
                              
                              
                              25Vessels
      operated
                              
                              
                              16
                              
                              
                              
                              17