EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 99250
Filing Year: 2022
Filename: 99250_10-K_2022_0000099250-22-000004.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
In this report, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco) is at times referred to in the first person as “we”, “us” or “our”.
Transco is indirectly owned by The Williams Companies, Inc. (Williams), a publicly traded Delaware corporation.
GENERAL
We are an interstate natural gas transmission company that owns and operates a natural gas pipeline system extending from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico through Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to the New York City metropolitan area. Our principal business is the interstate transportation of natural gas which is regulated by the FERC.
At December 31, 2021, our natural gas pipeline had a system-wide delivery capacity totaling approximately 18.6 MMdth/d. During 2021, we completed two fully-contracted expansions, which added more than 0.5 MMdth/d of firm transportation capacity to our pipeline. In addition, we added more than 0.1 MMdth/d of interim firm transportation capacity to our pipeline which will continue until the Regional Energy Access expansion project is placed in service (see Pipeline Projects below). The system is comprised of approximately 9,800 miles of mainline and branch transmission pipelines, 59 compressor stations, four underground storage fields and one LNG storage facility. Compression facilities at sea level rated capacity total approximately 2.4 million horsepower.
We have natural gas storage capacity in four underground storage fields located on or near our pipeline system or market areas and we operate two of these storage fields. We also have storage capacity in an LNG storage facility that we own and operate. The total usable gas storage capacity available to us and our customers in such underground storage fields and LNG storage facility and through storage service contracts is approximately 194 MMdth of natural gas. At December 31, 2021, our customers had stored in our facilities approximately 140 MMdth of natural gas. Storage capacity permits our customers to inject gas into storage during the summer and off-peak periods for delivery during peak winter demand periods.
MARKETS AND TRANSPORTATION
Our natural gas pipeline system serves customers in Texas and 12 southeast and Atlantic seaboard states including major metropolitan areas in Georgia, North Carolina, Washington, D.C., Maryland, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Our major customers are public utilities and municipalities that provide service to residential, commercial, industrial and electric generation end users. Shippers on our pipeline system include public utilities, municipalities, intrastate pipelines, direct industrial users, electrical generators, gas marketers and producers. Our largest customer in 2021 was Dominion Energy, Inc., which accounted for approximately 11 percent of our total operating revenues. Our firm transportation agreements are generally long-term agreements with various expiration dates and account for the major portion of our business. Additionally, we offer interruptible transportation services under shorter-term agreements.
Our facilities are divided into eight rate zones. Five are located in the production area and three are located in the market area. Long-haul transportation is gas that is received in one of the production-area zones and delivered in a market-area zone. Market-area transportation is gas that is both received and delivered within market-area zones. Production-area transportation is gas that is both received and delivered within production-area zones.
PIPELINE PROJECTS
The pipeline projects listed below were either completed during 2021 or are significant future pipeline projects for which we have customer commitments. In 2022, we expect to invest capital of approximately $171 million in pipeline projects.
Leidy South
The Leidy South Project involves an expansion of our existing natural gas transmission system and an extension of our system through a capacity lease with National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation that will enable us to provide incremental firm transportation from Clermont, Pennsylvania and from the Zick interconnection on Transco’s Leidy Line to the River Road regulating station in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. In July 2020, we received approval from the FERC for the project. We placed 125 Mdth/d of capacity under the project into service in the fourth quarter of 2020, and in September and October of 2021, we placed approximately 382 Mdth/d of additional capacity into service. The remaining facilities under the project were placed into service in December 2021. In total, the project increased capacity by 582 Mdth/d.
Regional Energy Access
The Regional Energy Access Expansion involves an expansion of our existing natural gas transmission system to provide incremental firm transportation capacity from receipt points in northeastern Pennsylvania to multiple delivery points in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. We filed our certificate application for the project with the FERC on March 26, 2021. We plan to place the project into service as early as the fourth quarter of 2024, assuming timely receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. The project is expected to increase capacity by 829 Mdth/d.
RATE MATTERS
FERC regulation requires all terms and conditions of service, including the rates charged, to be filed with and accepted by the FERC before any changes can go into effect. We establish our rates primarily through the FERC's ratemaking process, but we also may negotiate rates with our customers pursuant to the terms of our tariff and FERC policy. Key determinants in the ratemaking process are (1) costs of providing service, including depreciation expense, (2) allowed rate of return, including the equity component of the capital structure and related income taxes, and (3) contract and volume throughput assumptions. The allowed rate of return is determined in each rate case. Rate design and the allocation of costs between the reservation and commodity rates also impact profitability. As a result of these proceedings, certain revenues may be collected subject to refund. We record estimates of rate refund liabilities considering our and third-party regulatory proceedings, advice of counsel and other risks.
Since September 1, 1992, we have designed our rates using the straight fixed-variable (SFV) method of rate design. Under the SFV method of rate design, substantially all fixed costs, including return on equity and income taxes, are included in a reservation charge to customers and all variable costs are recovered through a commodity charge to customers. While the use of SFV rate design limits our opportunity to earn incremental revenues through increased throughput, it also limits our risk associated with fluctuations in throughput.
REGULATION
FERC Regulation
Our interstate transmission and storage activities are subject to regulation by the FERC under the Natural Gas Act of 1938, as amended (NGA), and under the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, as amended, and as such, our rates and charges for the transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce, the extension, enlargement or abandonment of jurisdictional facilities, and accounting, among other things, are subject to regulation. We hold certificates of public convenience and necessity issued by the FERC authorizing ownership and operation of pipelines, facilities and properties for which certificates are required under the NGA. FERC Standards of Conduct govern the relationship between natural gas transmission providers and marketing function employees as defined by the rule. The standards of conduct are intended to prevent natural gas transmission providers from preferentially benefiting gas marketing functions by requiring the employees of a transmission provider that perform transmission functions to function independently from gas marketing employees and by restricting the information that transmission providers may provide to gas marketing employees. Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the FERC is authorized to impose civil penalties of up to approximately $1.4 million per day for each violation of its rules.
FERC Updates Certificate Policy Statement and Issues Interim Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Policy Statement On February 18, 2022, FERC issued two policy statements providing guidance for its pending and future consideration of interstate natural gas pipeline projects. The first policy statement is an Updated Certificate Policy Statement, which FERC will apply in pending and future certificate proceedings. This policy statement provides an analytical framework for how FERC will consider whether a project is in the public convenience and necessity and explains that FERC will consider all impacts of a proposed project, including economic and environmental impacts, together. The second policy statement is an Interim GHG Policy Statement, which sets forth how FERC will assess the impacts of natural gas infrastructure projects on climate change in its reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act and the NGA. FERC also seeks comment on all aspects of the interim policy statement, including the approach to assessing the significance of the proposed project’s contribution to climate change. While the guidance is subject to revision based on the comments received, FERC will begin applying the framework established in this policy statement to pending cases.
Environmental Matters
Our operations are subject to federal environmental laws and regulations as well as the state and local laws and regulations adopted by the jurisdictions in which we operate. We could incur liability to governments or third parties for any unlawful discharge of pollutants into the air, soil, or water, as well as liability for cleanup costs. Materials could be released into the environment in several ways including, but not limited to:
•Leakage from gathering systems, underground gas storage caverns, pipelines, transportation facilities and storage tanks;
•Damage to facilities resulting from accidents during normal operations;
•Damages to onshore and offshore equipment and facilities resulting from storm events or natural disasters; and
•Blowouts, cratering and explosions.
In addition, we may be liable for environmental damage caused by former owners or operators of our properties.
We believe compliance with current environmental laws and regulations will not have a material adverse effect on our capital expenditures, earnings or current competitive position. However, environmental laws and regulations could affect our business in various ways from time to time, including incurring capital and maintenance expenditures, fines and penalties, and creating the need to seek relief from the FERC for rate increases to recover the costs of certain capital expenditures and operation and maintenance expenses.
For additional information regarding the potential impact of federal, state or local regulatory measures on our business and specific environmental issues, please refer to “Risk Factors - Our operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations, including laws and regulations relating to climate change and greenhouse gas
emissions, which may expose us to significant costs, liabilities, and expenditures that could exceed our expectations,” and “Environmental Matters” in Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 4 - Contingent Liabilities and Commitments of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Safety and Maintenance
Our operations are subject to the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, as amended, the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002, the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Jobs Creation Act of 2011 (Pipeline Safety Act), and the Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act of 2016 and 2020, which regulate safety requirements in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of interstate natural gas transmission facilities. The United States Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) administers federal pipeline safety laws.
Federal pipeline safety laws authorize PHMSA to establish minimum safety standards for pipeline facilities and persons engaged in the transportation of gas or hazardous liquids by pipeline. These safety standards apply to the design, construction, testing, operation, and maintenance of gas and hazardous liquids pipeline facilities affecting interstate or foreign commerce. PHMSA has also established reporting requirements for operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities, as well as provisions for establishing the qualification of pipeline personnel and requirements for managing the integrity of gas transmission and distribution lines and certain hazardous liquid pipelines. To ensure compliance with these provisions, PHMSA performs pipeline safety inspections and has the authority to initiate enforcement actions.
In October 2019, PHMSA published a final rulemaking imposing new or more stringent requirements for certain natural gas pipelines, including expanding certain of PHMSA’s current regulatory safety programs for natural gas lines in high-population areas (also known as moderate consequence areas (MCAs)) that do not qualify as high consequence areas (HCAs) and requiring maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) validation through re-verification of all historical records for pipelines in service, which may require natural gas pipelines installed before 1970 (previously excluded from certain pressure testing obligations) to be pressure tested. PHMSA split this rule (Mega Rule), into three separate rulemaking proceedings. The first of these three rulemakings, relating to onshore gas transmission pipelines, imposes numerous requirements, including MAOP reconfirmation, material and component verification, the periodic assessment of additional pipeline mileage outside of HCAs, the reporting of exceedances of MAOP, and the consideration of seismicity as a risk factor in integrity management. The second of these three rulemakings contains new repair requirements for HCAs and non-HCAs, and requires operators to inspect pipelines within 72 hours of extreme weather events or natural disasters. Operators will have to install or enhance leak detection systems, and make modifications to their pipeline systems to accommodate inline inspection tools. The third of these three rulemakings provides PHMSA with the authority to issue emergency orders to address imminent hazards such as unsafe conditions or faulty components used on pipe.
In accordance with the final rules, we have developed new procedures and updated our existing pipeline safety program to facilitate meeting all requirements within the time frames stated.
We are also expecting additional regulations due to the PIPES Act of 2020 that became law in December 2020. The PIPES Act of 2020 reauthorizes PHMSA’s pipeline safety program through September 2023. The new legislation includes mandates for PHMSA to publish final rules for advanced leak detection for gas pipelines, additional repair criteria for gas pipelines, and updated operation and maintenance standards requirements applicable to large-scale liquefied natural gas facilities.
New regulations adopted by PHMSA may impose more stringent requirements applicable to integrity management programs and other pipeline safety aspects of our operations, which could cause us to incur increased capital and operating costs and operational delays.
Pipeline Integrity Regulations We have an enterprise-wide Gas Integrity Management Plan that we believe meets the PHMSA final rule that was issued pursuant to the requirements of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002. The rule requires gas pipeline operators to develop an integrity management program for transmission pipelines that could affect HCAs in the event of pipeline failure. The integrity management program includes a baseline assessment plan along with periodic reassessments to be completed within required time frames. In meeting the integrity regulations, we have identified HCAs and developed baseline assessment plans. Ongoing periodic reassessments and initial assessments of any new HCAs have been completed. We estimate that the cost to be incurred in 2022 associated with this program to be approximately $112 million. Management considers the costs associated with compliance with the rule to be prudent costs incurred in the ordinary course of business and, therefore, recoverable through our rates.
Cybersecurity Matters
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued Security Directive Pipeline-2021-01 (Security Directive 1) on May 26, 2021, which required that owners/operators of critical pipelines (1) report cybersecurity incidents to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) within 12 hours; (2) appoint a cybersecurity coordinator to coordinate with TSA and CISA; and (3) conduct a self-assessment of cybersecurity practices, identify any gaps, and develop a plan and timeline for remediation. We fully complied with the requirements of Security Directive 1 within the timeframe required. On July 19, 2021, the TSA issued Security Directive Pipeline-2021-02 (Security Directive 2), which required owners/operators of critical pipelines to implement additional cybersecurity measures to prevent disruption and degradation to their infrastructure in response to a purported ongoing threat. We have evaluated the impacts of Security Directive 2 and made significant progress towards compliance. We are coordinating with the TSA to establish action plans and timelines to remain in compliance with Security Directive 2. See “Risk Factors - A breach of our information technology infrastructure, including a breach caused by a cybersecurity attack on us or third parties with whom we are interconnected, may interfere with the safe operation of our assets, result in the disclosure of personal or proprietary information, and harm our reputation.”
EMPLOYEES
Transco has no employees. Operations, management and certain administrative services are provided by Williams and its affiliates.
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
We engage in transactions with Williams and other Williams’ subsidiaries. (See Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 9 - Transactions with Major Customers and Affiliates of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The reports, filings, and other public announcements of Transco, may contain or incorporate by reference statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. Such statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). These forward-looking statements relate to anticipated financial performance, management’s plans and objectives for future operations, business prospects, outcome of regulatory proceedings, market conditions, and other matters.
All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this report that address activities, events, or developments that we expect, believe, or anticipate will exist or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by various forms of words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “continues,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “might,” “goals,” “objectives,” “targets,” “planned,” “potential,” “projects,” “scheduled,” “will,” “assumes,” “guidance,”
“outlook,” “in-service date,” or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management and include, among others, statements regarding:
•Our and our affiliates’ future credit ratings;
•Amounts and nature of future capital expenditures;
•Expansion and growth of our business and operations;
•Expected in-service dates for capital projects;
•Financial condition and liquidity;
•Business strategy;
•Cash flow from operations or results of operations;
•Rate case filings;
•Natural gas prices, supply, and demand;
•Demand for our services; and
•The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, uncertainties, and risks that could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in this report. Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:
•The impact of operational and developmental hazards and unforeseen interruptions;
•Development and rate of adoption of alternative energy sources;
•The strength and financial resources of our competitors and the effects of competition;
•Availability of supplies, including lower than anticipated volumes from third parties, and market demand;
•Volatility of pricing including the effect of lower than anticipated energy commodity prices;
•Changes in maintenance and construction costs, as well as our ability to obtain sufficient construction-related inputs, including skilled labor;
•The impact of existing and future laws and regulations, the regulatory environment, environmental matters, and litigation, as well as our ability to obtain necessary permits and approvals, and achieve favorable rate proceeding outcomes;
•Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from stakeholders with respect to our environmental, social, and governance practices;
•The physical and financial risks associated with climate change;
•Our exposure to the credit risk of our customers and counterparties;
•Our ability to successfully expand our facilities and operations;
•Whether we are able to successfully identify, evaluate, and timely execute our capital projects and investment opportunities;
•Risks related to financing, including restrictions stemming from debt agreements, future changes in credit ratings as determined by nationally recognized credit rating agencies, and the availability and cost of capital;
•Inflation, interest rates, and general economic conditions (including future disruptions and volatility in the global credit markets and the impact of these events on customers and suppliers);
•Our costs for defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans sponsored by our affiliates;
•The risks resulting from outbreaks or other public health crises, including COVID-19;
•Changes in the current geopolitical situation;
•Changes in U.S. governmental administration and policies;
•Risks associated with weather and natural phenomena, including climate conditions and physical damage to our facilities;
•Acts of terrorism, cybersecurity incidents, and related disruptions; and
•Additional risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Given the uncertainties and risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, we caution investors not to unduly rely on our forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligations to and do not intend to update the above list or announce publicly the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.
In addition to causing our actual results to differ, the factors listed above and referred to below may cause our intentions to change from those statements of intention set forth in this report. Such changes in our intentions may also cause our results to differ. We may change our intentions, at any time and without notice, based upon changes in such factors, our assumptions, or otherwise.
Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, we caution that there are important factors, in addition to those listed above, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These factors are described in the following section.
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risk factors in addition to the other information in this report. If any of the risks discussed below occur, our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and, in some cases our reputation, could be materially adversely affected. Each of these factors could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities.
Risks Inherent to Our Industry and Business
Our natural gas transportation and storage activities involve numerous risks and hazards that might result in accidents and unforeseen interruptions.
Our operations are subject to all the risks and hazards typically associated with the transportation and storage of natural gas including, but not limited to:
•Aging infrastructure and mechanical problems;
•Damages to pipelines and pipeline blockages or other pipeline interruptions;
•Uncontrolled releases of natural gas;
•Operator error;
•Damage caused by third-party activity, such as operation of construction equipment;
•Pollution and other environmental risks; and
•Fires, blowouts, cratering, and explosions.
Any of these risks could result in loss of human life, personal injuries, significant damage to property, environmental pollution, impairment of our operations, loss of services to our customers, reputational damage, and substantial losses to us. The location of certain segments of our pipeline in or near populated areas, including residential areas, commercial business centers, and industrial sites, could increase the level of damages resulting from these risks. An event such as those described above could cause considerable harm and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, particularly if the event is not fully covered by insurance.
Certain of our services are subject to long-term, fixed-price contracts that are not subject to adjustment, even if our cost to perform such services exceeds the revenues received from such contracts.
We provide some services pursuant to long-term, fixed-price contracts. It is possible that costs to perform services under such contracts will exceed the revenues we collect for our services. Although other services are priced at cost-based rates that are subject to adjustment in rate cases, under FERC policy, a regulated service provider and a customer may mutually agree to sign a contract for service at a “negotiated rate” that may be above or below the FERC regulated cost-based rate for that service. These “negotiated rate” contracts are not generally subject to adjustment for increased costs that could be produced by inflation or other factors relating to the specific facilities being used to perform the services.
We may not be able to extend or replace expiring natural gas transportation and storage contracts at favorable rates, on a long-term basis, or at all.
Our primary exposure to market risk occurs at the time the terms of existing transportation and storage contracts expire or are subject to termination. Upon expiration or termination of our existing contracts, we may not be able to extend such contracts with existing customers or obtain replacement contracts at favorable rates, on a long-term basis or at all. Failure to extend or replace a significant portion of our existing contracts may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. Our ability to extend or replace existing customer contracts on favorable terms is subject to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including:
•The level of existing and new competition to deliver natural gas to our markets and competition from alternative fuel sources such as electricity, coal, fuel oils, or nuclear energy;
•Pricing, demand, availability, and margins for natural gas in our markets;
•Whether the market will continue to support long-term firm contracts;
•The effects of regulation on us, our customers, and our contracting practices; and
•The ability to understand our customers’ expectations, efficiently and reliably deliver high quality services, and effectively manage customer relationships. The results of these efforts will impact our reputation and positioning in the market.
Competitive pressures could lead to decreases in the volume of natural gas contracted for or transported through our pipeline system.
The principal elements of competition among natural gas transportation and storage assets are rates, terms of service, access to natural gas supplies, flexibility, and reliability. Although most of our pipeline system’s current capacity is fully contracted, the FERC has taken certain actions to strengthen market forces in the interstate natural gas pipeline industry that have led to increased competition throughout the industry. Similarly, a highly liquid competitive commodity market in natural gas and increasingly competitive markets for natural gas services, including competitive secondary markets in pipeline capacity, have developed. As a result, pipeline capacity is being used more efficiently, and peaking and storage services are increasingly effective substitutes for annual pipeline capacity. As a result, we could experience some “turnback” of firm capacity as the primary terms of existing agreements expire. If we are unable to remarket this capacity or can remarket it only at substantially discounted rates compared to previous contracts, we or our remaining customers may have to bear the costs associated with the turned back capacity.
We compete primarily with other interstate pipelines and storage facilities in the transportation and storage of natural gas. Some of our competitors may have greater financial resources and access to greater supplies of natural gas than we do. Some of these competitors may expand or construct transportation and storage systems that would create additional competition for natural gas supplies or the services we provide to our customers. Moreover, Williams and its other affiliates may not be limited in their ability to compete with us. In a number of key markets, interstate pipelines are now facing competitive pressure from other major pipeline systems, enabling local distribution companies and end users to choose a transmission provider based on considerations other than location. Other entities could construct new pipelines or expand existing pipelines that could potentially serve the same markets as our pipeline system. Any such new pipelines could offer transportation services that are more desirable to shippers because of locations, facilities, or other factors. These new pipelines could charge rates or provide service to locations that would result in greater net profit for shippers and producers and thereby force us to lower the rates charged for service on our pipeline in order to extend our existing transportation service agreements or to attract new customers. We are aware of proposals by competitors to expand pipeline capacity in certain markets we also serve, which, if the proposed projects proceed, could increase the competitive pressure upon us. Further, natural gas also competes with other forms of energy available to our customers, including electricity, coal, fuel oils, and other alternative energy sources. We may not be able to successfully compete against current and future competitors and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Any significant decrease in supplies of natural gas in the supply basins we access or in demand for those supplies in the markets we serve could adversely affect our business and operating results.
Our ability to maintain and expand our business depends on the level of drilling and production predominately by third parties in our supply basins. Production from existing wells and natural gas supply basins with access to our pipeline will naturally decline over time. The amount of natural gas reserves underlying these existing wells may also be less than anticipated, and the rate at which production from these reserves declines may be greater than anticipated. We do not obtain independent evaluations of natural gas reserves underlying such wells and supply basins with access to our pipeline. Accordingly, we do not have independent estimates of total reserves dedicated to our pipeline or the anticipated life of such reserves. In addition, low prices for natural gas, regulatory limitations, including environmental regulations, or the lack of available capital for these projects could adversely affect the development and production of additional reserves, as well as gathering, storage, pipeline transportation, and import and export of natural gas supplies. Localized low natural gas prices in one or more of our existing supply basins, whether caused by a lack of infrastructure or otherwise, could also result in depressed natural gas production in such basins and limit the supply of natural gas made available to us. The competition for natural gas supplies to serve other markets could also reduce the amount of natural gas supply for our customers.
Demand for our transportation services depends on the ability and willingness of shippers with access to our facilities to satisfy demand in the markets we serve by deliveries through our system. Any decrease in this demand could adversely affect our business. Demand for natural gas is also affected by weather, future industrial and economic conditions, fuel conservation measures, alternative fuel requirements, governmental regulation including governmentally imposed constraints such as prohibitions on natural gas hookups in newly constructed buildings, and technological advances in fuel economy and energy generation devices, all of which are matters beyond our control.
A failure to obtain sufficient natural gas supplies or a reduction in demand for our services in the markets we serve could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Significant prolonged changes in natural gas prices could affect supply and demand and cause a reduction in or termination of our long-term transportation and storage contracts or throughput on our system.
Higher natural gas prices over the long term could result in a decline in the demand for natural gas and, therefore, in our long-term transportation and storage contracts or throughput on our system. Also, lower natural gas prices over the long term could result in a decline in the production of natural gas, resulting in reduced contracts or throughput on our system. As a result, significant prolonged changes in natural gas prices could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our costs of testing, maintaining, or repairing our facilities may exceed our expectations, and the FERC may not allow, or competition in our markets may prevent, our recovery of such costs in the rates we charge for our services.
We have experienced and could experience in the future unexpected leaks or ruptures on our gas pipeline system or storage facilities. Either as a preventative measure or in response to a leak or another issue, we could be required by regulatory authorities to test or undertake modifications to our systems. If the cost of testing, maintaining, or repairing our facilities exceed expectations and the FERC does not allow us to recover, or competition in our markets prevents us from recovering, such costs in the rates that we charge for our services, such costs could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
The operation of our businesses might be adversely affected by regulatory proceedings, changes in government regulations or in their interpretation or implementation, or the introduction of new laws or regulations applicable to our businesses or our customers.
Public and regulatory scrutiny of the energy industry has resulted in the proposal and/or implementation of increased regulations. Such scrutiny has also resulted in various inquiries, investigations, and court proceedings, including litigation of energy industry matters. Both the customers on our system and regulators have rights to challenge the rates we charge under certain circumstances. Any successful challenge could materially affect our results of operations.
Certain inquiries, investigations, and court proceedings are ongoing. Adverse effects may continue as a result of the uncertainty of these ongoing inquiries, investigations, and court proceedings, or additional inquiries and proceedings by federal or state regulatory agencies or private plaintiffs. In addition, we cannot predict the outcome of any of these inquiries or whether these inquiries will lead to additional legal proceedings against us, civil or criminal fines and/or penalties, or other regulatory action, including legislation, which might be materially adverse to the operation of our business and our revenues and net income or increase our operating costs in other ways. Current legal proceedings or other matters, including environmental matters, suits, regulatory appeals, and similar matters, might result in adverse decisions against us which, among other outcomes, could result in the imposition of substantial penalties and fines and could damage our reputation. The result of such adverse decisions, either individually or in the aggregate, could be material and may not be covered fully or at all by insurance.
In addition, existing regulations, including those pertaining to financial assurances to be provided by our businesses in respect of potential asset decommissioning and abandonment activities, might be revised, reinterpreted, or otherwise enforced in a manner that differs from prior regulatory action. New laws and regulations might also be adopted or become applicable to us, our customers, or our business activities. The change in the U.S. governmental administration and its policies may increase the likelihood of such legal and regulatory developments. If new laws or regulations are imposed relating to oil and gas extraction, or if additional or revised levels of reporting, regulation, or permitting moratoria are required or imposed, including those related to hydraulic fracturing, the volumes of natural gas that we transport could decline, our compliance costs could increase, and our results of operations could be adversely affected.
Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from stakeholders with respect to our environmental, social and governance practices may impose additional costs on us or expose us to new or additional risks.
Companies across all industries are facing increasing scrutiny from stakeholders related to their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Investor advocacy groups, institutional investors, investment funds, and other influential investors are also increasingly focused on ESG practices and in recent years have placed increasing importance on the implications and social cost of their investments. Regardless of the industry, investors’ increased focus and activism related to ESG and similar matters may hinder access to capital, as investors may decide to reallocate capital or to not commit capital as a result of their assessment of a company’s ESG practices. Companies that do not adapt to or comply with investor or other stakeholder expectations and standards, which are evolving, or that are perceived to have not responded appropriately to the growing concern for ESG issues, regardless of whether
there is a legal requirement to do so, may suffer from reputational damage and the business, financial condition, and/or stock price of such a company could be materially and adversely affected.
We face pressures from our stakeholders, who are increasingly focused on climate change, to prioritize sustainable energy practices, reduce our carbon footprint and promote sustainability. Our stakeholders may require us to implement ESG procedures or standards in order to continue engaging with us, to remain invested in us, or before they will make further investments in us. Additionally, we may face reputational challenges in the event our ESG procedures or standards do not meet the standards set by certain constituencies. We have adopted certain practices as highlighted in Williams’ 2020 Sustainability Report, including with respect to air emissions, biodiversity and land use, climate change, and environmental stewardship. It is possible, however, that our stakeholders might not be satisfied with our sustainability efforts or the speed of their adoption. If we do not meet our stakeholders’ expectations, our business and/or our ability to access capital could be harmed.
Additionally, adverse effects upon the oil and gas industry related to the worldwide social and political environment, including uncertainty or instability resulting from climate change, changes in political leadership and environmental policies, changes in geopolitical-social views toward fossil fuels and renewable energy, concern about the environmental impact of climate change, and investors’ expectations regarding ESG matters, may also adversely affect demand for our services. Any long-term material adverse effect on the oil and gas industry could have a significant financial and operational adverse impact on our business.
The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
We may be subject to physical and financial risks associated with climate change.
The threat of global climate change may create physical and financial risks to our business. Energy needs vary with weather conditions. To the extent weather conditions may be affected by climate change, energy use could increase or decrease depending on the duration and magnitude of any changes. Increased energy use due to weather changes may require us to invest in more pipelines and other infrastructure to serve increased demand. A decrease in energy use due to weather changes may affect our financial condition through decreased revenues. Extreme weather conditions in general require more system backup, adding to costs, and can contribute to increased system stresses, including service interruptions. Weather conditions outside of our operating territory could also have an impact on our revenues. To the extent the frequency of extreme weather events increases, this could increase our cost of providing service. We may not be able to pass on the higher costs to our customers or recover all costs related to mitigating these physical risks.
Additionally, many climate models indicate that global warming is likely to result in rising sea levels and increased frequency and severity of weather events, which may lead to higher insurance costs, or a decrease in available coverage, for our assets in areas subject to severe weather. These climate-related changes could damage our physical assets, especially operations located in low-lying areas near coasts and river banks, and facilities situated in hurricane-prone and rain-susceptible regions.
To the extent financial markets view climate change and GHG emissions as a financial risk, this could negatively impact our cost of and access to capital. Climate change and GHG regulation could also reduce demand for our services. Our business could also be affected by the potential for lawsuits against GHG emitters, based on links drawn between GHG emissions and climate change.
Our operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations, including laws and regulations relating to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, which may expose us to significant costs, liabilities, and expenditures that could exceed our expectations.
Our operations are subject to extensive federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing environmental protection, endangered and threatened species, the discharge of materials into the environment, and the security of chemical and industrial facilities. Substantial costs, liabilities, delays, and other significant issues related to environmental laws and regulations are inherent in the gathering, transportation, and storage of natural gas as well as waste disposal practices and construction activities. New or amended environmental laws and regulations can also
result in significant increases in capital costs we incur to comply with such laws and regulations. Failure to comply with these laws, regulations, and permits may result in the assessment of administrative, civil, and/or criminal penalties, the imposition of remedial obligations, the imposition of stricter conditions on or revocation of permits, the issuance of injunctions limiting or preventing some or all of our operations, and delays or denials in granting permits.
Joint and several strict liability may be incurred without regard to fault under certain environmental laws and regulations for the remediation of contaminated areas and in connection with spills or releases of materials associated with natural gas, oil, and wastes on, under, or from our properties and facilities. Private parties, including the owners of properties through which our pipeline system passes and facilities where our wastes are taken for reclamation or disposal, may have the right to pursue legal actions to enforce compliance as well as to seek damages for noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations or for personal injury or property damage arising from our operations. Some sites at which we operate are located near current or former third-party hydrocarbon storage and processing or oil and natural gas operations or facilities, and there is a risk that contamination has migrated from those sites to ours.
We are generally responsible for all liabilities associated with the environmental condition of our facilities and assets, whether acquired or developed, regardless of when the liabilities arose and whether they are known or unknown. In connection with certain acquisitions and divestitures, we could acquire, or be required to provide indemnification against, environmental liabilities that could expose us to material losses, which may not be covered by insurance. In addition, the steps we could be required to take to bring certain facilities into compliance could be prohibitively expensive, and we might be required to shut down, divest, or alter the operation of those facilities, which might cause us to incur losses.
In addition, climate change regulations and the costs that may be associated with such regulations and with the regulation of emissions of GHGs have the potential to affect our business. Regulatory actions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the passage of new climate change laws or regulations could result in increased costs to operate and maintain our facilities, install new emissions controls on our facilities, or administer and manage any GHG emissions program. We believe it is possible that future governmental legislation and/or regulation may require us either to limit GHG emissions associated with our operations or to purchase allowances for such emissions. However, we cannot predict precisely what form these future regulations might take, the stringency of any such regulations or when they might become effective. Several legislative bills have been introduced in the United States Congress that would require carbon dioxide emission reductions. Previously considered proposals have included, among other things, limitations on the amount of GHGs that can be emitted (so called “caps”) together with systems of permitted emissions allowances. These proposals could require us to reduce emissions or to purchase allowances for such emissions.
In addition to activities on the federal level, state and regional initiatives could also lead to the regulation of GHG emissions sooner than and/or independent of federal regulation. These regulations could be more stringent than any federal legislation that may be adopted. Future legislation and/or regulation designed to reduce GHG emissions could make some of our activities uneconomic to maintain or operate. We continue to monitor legislative and regulatory developments in this area and otherwise take efforts to limit and reduce GHG emissions from our facilities. Although the regulation of GHG emissions may have a material impact on our operations and rates, we believe it is premature to attempt to quantify the potential costs of the impacts.
If we are unable to recover or pass through a significant level of our costs related to complying with climate change regulatory requirements imposed on us, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
We depend on certain key customers for a significant portion of our revenues. The loss of any of these key customers or the loss of any contracted volumes could result in a decline in our business.
We rely on a limited number of customers for a significant portion of our revenues. Although some of these customers are subject to long-term contracts, we may be unable to negotiate extensions or replacements of these contracts on favorable terms, or at all. For the year ended December 31, 2021, our largest customer was Dominion Energy, Inc., which accounted for approximately 11 percent of our operating revenues. The loss of all, or even a portion of, the revenues from contracted volumes supplied by our key customers, as a result of competition, creditworthiness, inability to negotiate extensions or replacements of contracts, or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
We are exposed to the credit risk of our customers and counterparties and our credit risk management will not be able to completely eliminate such risk.
We are subject to the risk of loss resulting from nonpayment and/or nonperformance by our customers and counterparties in the ordinary course of our business. Generally, our customers are rated investment grade, are otherwise considered creditworthy, are required to make pre-payments or provide security to satisfy credit concerns, or are dependent upon us, in some cases without a readily available alternative, to provide necessary services. However, our credit procedures and policies cannot completely eliminate customer credit risk. Our customers and counterparties include industrial customers, local distribution companies, natural gas producers, and marketers whose creditworthiness may be suddenly and disparately impacted by, among other factors, commodity price volatility, deteriorating energy market conditions, and public and regulatory opposition to energy producing activities. In a low commodity price environment certain of our customers have been or could be negatively impacted, causing them significant economic stress resulting, in some cases, in a customer bankruptcy filing or an effort to renegotiate our contracts. To the extent one or more of our key customers commences bankruptcy proceedings, our contracts with such customers may be subject to rejection under applicable provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code, or, if we so agree, may be renegotiated. Further, during any such bankruptcy proceeding, prior to assumption, rejection, or renegotiation of such contracts, the bankruptcy court may temporarily authorize the payment of value for our services less than contractually required, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition. If we fail to adequately assess the creditworthiness of existing or future customers and counterparties, or otherwise do not take sufficient mitigating actions, including obtaining sufficient collateral, deterioration in their creditworthiness, and any resulting increase in nonpayment and/or nonperformance by them could cause us to write down or write off accounts receivable. Such write-downs or write-offs could negatively affect our operating results for the period in which they occur, and, if significant, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
If third-party pipelines and other facilities interconnected to our pipeline and facilities become unavailable to transport natural gas, our revenues could be adversely affected.
We depend upon third-party pipelines and other facilities that provide delivery options to and from our pipeline and storage facilities for the benefit of our customers. Because we do not own these third-party pipelines or facilities, their continuing operation is not within our control. If these pipelines or other facilities were to become temporarily or permanently unavailable for any reason, or if throughput were reduced because of testing, line repair, damage to pipelines or facilities, reduced operating pressures, lack of capacity, increased credit requirements or rates charged by such pipelines or facilities, or other causes, we and our customers would have reduced capacity to transport, store or deliver natural gas to end use markets, thereby reducing our revenues. Any temporary or permanent interruption at any key pipeline interconnection causing a material reduction in volumes transported on our pipeline or stored at our facilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
We do not own all of the land on which our pipeline and facilities are located, which could disrupt our operations.
We do not own all of the land on which our pipeline and facilities have been constructed. As such, we are subject to the possibility of increased costs to retain necessary land use. In those instances in which we do not own the land on which our facilities are located, we obtain the rights to construct and operate our facilities on land owned by third parties and governmental agencies for a specific period of time. Our loss of any of these rights, through our inability to renew right-of-way contracts or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
We face opposition to operation and expansion of our pipelines and facilities from various individuals and groups.
We have experienced, and we anticipate that we will continue to face, opposition to the operation and expansion of our pipelines and facilities from governmental officials, environmental groups, landowners, tribal groups, local groups, and other advocates. In some instances, we encounter opposition that disfavors hydrocarbon-based energy supplies regardless of practical implementation or financial considerations. Opposition to our operation and expansion can take many forms, including the delay or denial of required governmental permits, organized protests, attempts to block or sabotage our operations, intervention in regulatory or administrative proceedings involving our assets, or lawsuits or other actions designed to prevent, disrupt, or delay the operation or expansion of our assets and business. In addition, acts of sabotage or eco-terrorism could cause significant damage or injury to people, property, or the environment or lead to extended interruptions of our operations. Any such event that delays or prevents the expansion of our business, that interrupts the revenues generated by our operations, or which causes us to make significant expenditures not covered by insurance, could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to grow or effectively manage our growth.
As part of our growth strategy, we engage in significant capital projects. We have a project lifecycle process and an investment evaluation process. These are processes we use to identify, evaluate, and execute on acquisition opportunities and capital projects. We may not always have sufficient and accurate information to identify and value potential opportunities and risks or our investment evaluation process may be incomplete or flawed. Our growth may also be dependent upon the construction of new natural gas gathering, transportation, compression, processing, or treating pipelines and facilities, as well as the expansion of existing facilities. Additional risks associated with construction may include the inability to obtain rights-of-way, skilled labor, equipment, materials, permits, and other required inputs in a timely manner such that projects are completed on time and the risk that construction cost overruns could cause total project costs to exceed budgeted costs. Additional risks associated with growing our business include, among others, that:
•Changing circumstances and deviations in variables could negatively impact our investment analysis, including our projections of revenues, earnings, and cash flow relating to potential investment targets, resulting in outcomes that are materially different than anticipated;
•We could be required to contribute additional capital to support acquired businesses or assets and we may assume liabilities that were not disclosed to us that exceed our estimates and for which contractual protections are either unavailable or prove inadequate;
•Acquisitions could disrupt our ongoing business, distract management, divert financial and operational resources from existing operations, and make it difficult to maintain our current business standards, controls, and procedures; and
•Acquisitions and capital projects may require substantial new capital, including the issuance of debt or equity, and we may not be able to access credit or capital markets or obtain acceptable terms.
If realized, any of these risks could have an adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations, including the possible impairment of our assets, or cash flows.
Risks Related to Strategy and Financing
A downgrade of our credit ratings, which are determined outside of our control by independent third parties, could impact our liquidity, access to capital, and our costs of doing business.
Downgrades of our credit ratings increase our cost of borrowing and could require us to provide collateral to our counterparties, negatively impacting our available liquidity. In addition, our ability to access capital markets could be limited by a downgrade of our credit ratings.
Credit rating agencies perform independent analysis when assigning credit ratings. The analysis includes a number of criteria such as business composition, market and operational risks, as well as various financial tests. Credit rating agencies continue to review the criteria for industry sectors and various debt ratings and may make changes to those criteria from time to time. Credit ratings are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the credit ratings agencies.
Our ability to obtain credit in the future could be affected by Williams’ credit ratings.
Substantially all of Williams’ operations are conducted through its subsidiaries. Williams’ cash flows are substantially derived from loans, dividends, and distributions paid to it by its subsidiaries. Due to our relationship with Williams, our ability to obtain credit will be affected by Williams’ credit ratings. If Williams were to experience a deterioration in its credit standing or financial condition, our access to capital and our ratings could be adversely affected. Any downgrading of a Williams credit rating could result in a downgrading of our credit rating. A downgrading of a Williams credit rating could limit our ability to obtain financing in the future upon favorable terms, if at all.
Restrictions in our debt agreements and the amount of our indebtedness may affect our future financial and operating flexibility.
Our total outstanding long-term debt (including current portion) as of December 31, 2021 was $5.29 billion.
The agreements governing our indebtedness contain covenants that restrict our ability to incur certain liens to support indebtedness and our ability to merge or consolidate or sell all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, certain of our debt agreements contain various covenants that restrict or limit, among other things, our ability to guarantee certain indebtedness, to make certain distributions during the continuation of an event of default, and to enter into certain affiliate transactions and certain restrictive agreements and to change the nature of our business. Certain of our debt agreements also contain, and those we enter into in the future may contain, financial covenants and other limitations with which we will need to comply. Williams’ debt agreements contain similar covenants with respect to Williams and its subsidiaries, including us.
Our debt service obligations and the covenants described above could have important consequences. For example, they could, among other things:
•Make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness, which could in turn result in an event of default on such indebtedness;
•Impair our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, general limited liability company purposes, or other purposes;
•Diminish our ability to withstand a continued or future downturn in our business or the economy generally;
•Require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to debt service payments, thereby reducing the availability of cash for working capital, capital expenditures, general limited liability company purposes, or other purposes; and
•Limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate, including by limiting our ability to expand or pursue our business activities and by preventing us from engaging in certain transactions that might otherwise be considered beneficial to us.
Our ability to comply with our debt covenants, to repay, extend, or refinance our existing debt obligations and to obtain future credit will depend primarily on our operating performance. Our ability to refinance existing debt obligations or obtain future credit will also depend upon the current conditions in the credit markets and the availability of credit generally. If we are unable to comply with these covenants, meet our debt service obligations, or obtain future credit on favorable terms, or at all, we could be forced to restructure or refinance our indebtedness, seek additional equity capital, or sell assets. We may be unable to obtain financing or sell assets on satisfactory terms, or at all.
Our failure to comply with the covenants in the documents governing our indebtedness could result in events of default, which could render such indebtedness due and payable. We may not have sufficient liquidity to repay our indebtedness in such circumstances. In addition, cross-default or cross-acceleration provisions in our debt agreements could cause a default or acceleration to have a wider impact on our liquidity than might otherwise arise from a default or acceleration of a single debt instrument. For more information regarding our debt agreements, please read Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Capital Resources and Liquidity and Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 5 - Debt and Financing Arrangements of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Difficult conditions in the global financial markets and the economy in general could negatively affect our business and results of operations.
Our business may be negatively impacted by adverse economic conditions or future disruptions in the global financial markets. Included among these potential negative impacts are industrial or economic contraction (including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic) leading to reduced energy demand and lower prices for our products and services and increased difficulty in collecting amounts owed to us by our customers. We, along with Williams and Northwest Pipeline LLC, are party to a credit agreement with aggregate commitments available of $3.75 billion, with up to an additional $500 million increase in aggregate commitments available under certain circumstances. We and Northwest Pipeline LLC are each subject to a $500 million borrowing sublimit. As of December 31, 2021, we had a borrowing capacity of $500 million under such credit facility, but our ability to borrow under that facility could be impaired if one or more of our lenders fails to honor its contractual obligation to lend to us. If financing is not available when needed, or is available only on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to implement our business plans or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures. In addition, financial markets have periodically been affected by concerns over U.S. fiscal and monetary policies. These concerns, as well as actions taken by the U.S. federal government in response to these concerns, could significantly and adversely impact the global and U.S. economies and financial markets, which could negatively impact us in the manner described above.
Williams can exercise substantial control over our distribution policy and our business and operations and may do so in a manner that is adverse to our interests.
Because we are an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Williams, Williams exercises substantial control over our business and operations and makes determinations with respect to, among other things, the following:
•Payment of distributions and repayment of advances;
•Decisions on financings and our capital raising activities;
•Mergers or other business combinations; and
•Acquisition or disposition of assets.
Williams could decide to increase distributions or advances to our member consistent with existing debt covenants. This could adversely affect our liquidity.
Risks Related to Regulations That Affect Our Industry
Our natural gas transportation and storage operations are subject to regulation by the FERC, which could have an adverse impact on our ability to establish transportation and storage rates that would allow us to recover the full cost of operating our pipeline and storage assets, including a reasonable rate of return.
In addition to regulation by other federal, state, and local regulatory authorities, under the NGA, our interstate pipeline transportation and storage services and related assets are subject to regulation by the FERC. Federal regulation extends to such matters as:
•Transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce;
•Rates, operating terms, types of services and conditions of service;
•Certification and construction of new interstate pipeline and storage facilities;
•Acquisition, extension, disposition, or abandonment of existing interstate pipeline and storage facilities;
•Accounts and records;
•Depreciation and amortization policies;
•Relationships with affiliated companies that are involved in marketing functions of the natural gas business; and
•Market manipulation in connection with interstate sales, purchases, or transportation of natural gas.
Regulatory or administrative actions in these areas, including successful complaints or protests against our rates, can affect our business in many ways, including by decreasing existing tariff rates or setting future tariff rates to levels such that revenues are inadequate to recover increases in operating costs or to sustain an adequate return on capital investments, decreasing volumes in our pipelines, increasing our costs, and otherwise altering the profitability of our business.
Unlike other interstate pipelines that own facilities in the offshore Gulf of Mexico, we charge our transportation customers a separate fee to access our offshore facilities. The separate charge is referred to as an “IT feeder” charge. The “IT feeder” rate is charged only when gas is actually transported on the applicable facilities and typically it is paid by producers or marketers. Because the “IT feeder” rate is typically paid by producers and marketers, it generally results in netback prices to producers that are slightly lower than the netbacks realized by producers transporting on other interstate pipelines. This rate design disparity can result in producers bypassing our offshore facilities in favor of alternative transportation facilities.
Risks Related to Employees and Outsourcing of Support Activities
Failure of our service providers or disruptions to outsourcing relationships might negatively impact our ability to conduct our business.
We rely on Williams and other third parties for certain services necessary for us to be able to conduct our business. We have a limited ability to control these operations and the associated costs. Certain of Williams’ accounting and information technology functions that we rely on are currently provided by third-party vendors, and sometimes from service centers outside of the United States. Services provided pursuant to these arrangements could be disrupted. Similarly, the expiration of agreements associated with such arrangements or the transition of services between providers could lead to loss of institutional knowledge or service disruptions. Our reliance on Williams and others as service providers and on Williams’ outsourcing relationships, and our limited ability to control certain costs, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our allocation from Williams for costs for its defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans are affected by factors beyond our and Williams’ control.
As we have no employees, employees of Williams and its affiliates provide services to us. As a result, we are allocated a portion of Williams’ costs for defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans. The timing and amount of our allocations under the defined benefit pension plans depend upon a number of factors that Williams controls, including changes to pension plan benefits, as well as factors outside of Williams’ control, such as asset returns, interest rates, and changes in pension laws. Changes to these and other factors that can significantly increase our allocations could have a significant adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Risks Related to Weather, Other Natural Phenomena and Business Disruption
Our assets and operations, as well as our customers’ assets and operations, can be affected by weather and other natural phenomena.
Our assets and operations, especially those located offshore, and our customers’ assets and operations can be adversely affected by hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, landslides, tornadoes, and other natural phenomena and weather conditions, including extreme or unseasonable temperatures, making it more difficult for us to realize the historic rates of return associated with our assets and operations. A significant disruption in our or our customers’ operations or the occurrence of a significant liability for which we were not fully insured could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our business could be negatively impacted by acts of terrorism and related disruptions.
Given the volatile nature of the commodities we transport and store, our assets and the assets of our customers and others in our industry may be targets of terrorist activities. A terrorist attack could create significant price volatility, disrupt our business, limit our access to capital markets, or cause significant harm to our operations, such as full or partial disruption to our ability to transport natural gas. Acts of terrorism, as well as events occurring in response to or in connection with acts of terrorism, could cause environmental repercussions that could result in a significant decrease in revenues or significant reconstruction or remediation costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
A breach of our information technology infrastructure, including a breach caused by a cybersecurity attack on us or third parties with whom we are interconnected, may interfere with the safe operation of our assets, result in the disclosure of personal or proprietary information, and harm our reputation.
We rely on our information technology infrastructure to process, transmit, and store electronic information, including information we use to safely operate our assets. In addition to the oversight of our business provided by our Management Committee, the Williams’ Board of Directors has oversight responsibility with regard to enterprise-wide assessment of the major risks inherent in its businesses, including cybersecurity risks. Accordingly, the Williams’ Board of Directors reviews management’s efforts to address and mitigate such risks, including the establishment and implementation of policies to address cybersecurity threats. We have invested, and expect to continue to invest, significant time, manpower, and capital in our information technology infrastructure. However, the age, operating systems, or condition of our current information technology infrastructure and software assets and our ability to maintain and upgrade such assets could affect our ability to resist cybersecurity threats. While we believe that we maintain appropriate information security policies, practices, and protocols, we regularly face cybersecurity and other security threats to our information technology infrastructure, which could include threats to our operational industrial control systems and safety systems that operate our pipelines, plants, and assets. We face unlawful attempts to gain access to our information technology infrastructure, including coordinated attacks from hackers, whether state-sponsored groups, “hacktivists”, or private individuals. We face the threat of theft and misuse of sensitive data and information, including customer and employee information. We also face attempts to gain access to information related to our assets through attempts to obtain unauthorized access by targeting acts of deception against individuals with legitimate access to physical locations or information. We also are subject to cybersecurity risks arising from the fact that our business operations are interconnected with third parties, including third-party pipelines, other facilities, and our contractors and vendors. In addition, the breach of certain business systems could affect our ability to correctly record, process, and report financial information. Breaches in our
information technology infrastructure or physical facilities, or other disruptions, including those arising from theft, vandalism, fraud, or unethical conduct, could result in damage to or destruction of our assets, unnecessary waste, safety incidents, damage to the environment, reputational damage, potential liability, the loss of contracts, the imposition of significant costs associated with remediation and litigation, heightened regulatory scrutiny, increased insurance costs, and have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
General Risk Factors
We face risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other health epidemics.
The global outbreak of the coronavirus, including its variants (COVID-19) is currently impacting countries, communities, supply chains, and markets. We provide a critical service to our customers, which means that it is paramount that we keep our employees safe. We cannot predict whether, and the extent to which, COVID-19 will have a material impact on our business, including our liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations. COVID-19 poses a risk to our employees, our customers, our suppliers, and the communities in which we operate, which could negatively impact our business. To the extent that our access to the capital markets is adversely affected by COVID-19, we may need to consider alternative sources of funding for our operations and for working capital, any of which could increase our cost of capital. Measures to try to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter in place orders, and shutdowns, may cause us to experience operational delays or to delay plans for growth. The extent to which COVID-19 may impact our business will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions taken to contain it or treat its impact, among others. To the extent the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects our business and financial results, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other factors described in this report.
We do not insure against all potential risks and losses and could be seriously harmed by unexpected liabilities or by the inability of our insurers to satisfy our claims.
In accordance with customary industry practice, we maintain insurance against some, but not all, risks and losses, and only at levels we believe to be appropriate. The occurrence of any risks not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows, and our ability to repay our debt.
A failure to attract and retain an appropriately qualified workforce could negatively impact our results of operations.
Events such as an aging workforce without appropriate replacements, mismatch of skill sets to future needs, or unavailability of contract labor may lead to operating challenges such as lack of resources, loss of knowledge, and a lengthy time period associated with skill development, including with the workforce needs associated with projects and ongoing operations. Williams’ failure to hire and adequately obtain replacement employees, including the ability to transfer significant internal historical knowledge and expertise to the new employees, or the future availability and cost of contract labor, may adversely affect our ability to manage and operate the businesses. If Williams is unable to successfully attract and retain an appropriately qualified workforce, results of operations could be negatively impacted.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
Our gas pipeline facilities are generally owned in fee simple. However, a substantial portion of such facilities is constructed and maintained pursuant to rights-of-way, easements, permits, licenses or consents on and across properties owned by others. Compressor stations, with appurtenant facilities, are located in whole or in part either on lands owned or on sites held under leases or permits issued or approved by public authorities. Our storage facilities
are either owned or contracted for under long-term leases or easements. We lease our company offices in Houston, Texas.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Environmental
While it is not possible for us to predict the final outcome of any pending legal proceedings involving governmental authorities under federal, state, and local laws regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, we do not anticipate a material effect on our consolidated financial position if we were to receive an unfavorable outcome in any one or more of such proceedings. Our threshold for disclosing material environmental legal proceedings involving a governmental authority where potential monetary sanctions are involved is $1 million.
Other
The additional information called for by this item is provided in Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 4 - Contingent Liabilities and Commitments of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
We are indirectly owned by Williams.
Distributions totaling $344 million and $1,020 million were declared and paid by us to our parent during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. In January 2022, we made a distribution to our parent of $58 million.
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, our parent made contributions to us totaling $417 million and $115 million, respectively. In January 2022, our parent made a $128 million contribution to us.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
General
The following discussion and analysis of critical accounting estimates, results of operations and capital resources and liquidity should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included within Item 8.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions. We believe that the nature of these estimates and assumptions is material due to the subjectivity and judgment necessary, or the susceptibility of such matters to change, and the impact of these on our financial condition or results of operations.
Regulatory Accounting
We are regulated by the FERC. Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 980, “Regulated Operations,” (Topic 980) provides that certain costs that would otherwise be charged to expense should be deferred as regulatory assets, based on the expected recovery from customers in future rates. Likewise, certain actual or anticipated credits that would otherwise reduce expense should be deferred as regulatory liabilities, based on the expected return to customers in future rates. Management's expected recovery of deferred costs and return of deferred credits generally results from specific decisions by regulators granting such ratemaking treatment. We record certain incurred costs and obligations as regulatory assets or liabilities if, based on regulatory orders or other available evidence, it is probable that the costs or obligations will be included in amounts allowable for recovery or refunded in future rates. Accounting for businesses that are regulated and apply the provisions of Topic 980 can differ from the accounting requirements for non-regulated businesses. Transactions that are recorded differently as a result of regulatory accounting requirements include the capitalization of an equity return component on regulated capital projects, capitalization of other project costs, retirements of general plant assets, employee-related benefits, environmental costs, negative salvage, asset retirement obligations (ARO) and other costs and taxes included in, or expected to be included in, future rates. As a rate-regulated entity, our management has determined that it is appropriate to apply the accounting prescribed by Topic 980 and, accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the effects of the types of transactions described above that result from regulatory accounting requirements. Management’s assessment of the probability of recovery or pass through of regulatory assets and liabilities requires judgment and interpretation of laws and regulatory commission orders. If, for any reason, we cease to meet the criteria for application of regulatory accounting treatment for all or part of our operations, the regulatory assets and liabilities related to those portions ceasing to meet such criteria would be eliminated from the Consolidated Balance Sheet and included in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the period in which the discontinuance of regulatory accounting treatment occurs, unless otherwise required to be recorded under other provisions of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The aggregate amount of regulatory assets reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet is $367.4 million at December 31, 2021. The aggregate amount of regulatory liabilities reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet is $989.5 million at December 31, 2021. A summary of regulatory assets and liabilities is included in Note 11 - Regulatory Assets and Liabilities of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Results of Operations
This analysis discusses financial results of our operations for the years 2021 and 2020. Variances due to changes in natural gas prices and transportation volumes have little impact on revenues, because under our rate design methodology, the majority of overall cost of service is recovered through firm capacity reservation charges in our transportation rates.
We have cash out sales, which settle gas imbalances with shippers. In the course of providing transportation services to customers, we may receive different quantities of gas from shippers than the quantities delivered on behalf of those shippers. Additionally, we transport gas on various pipeline systems, which may deliver different quantities of gas on our behalf than the quantities of gas received from us. These transactions result in gas transportation and exchange imbalance receivables and payables. Our tariff includes a method whereby the majority of transportation imbalances are settled on a monthly basis through cash out sales or purchases. The cash out sales have no impact on our operating income.
We recognized Net Income of $1,066.2 million in 2021 compared to $880.0 million in 2020. The significant components of this year-over-year increase of $186.1 million (21.2 percent) are discussed further below.
Operating Revenues increased $150.5 million (6.0 percent) primarily due to the following:
Natural gas sales increased $8.0 million (9.9 percent) to $88.3 million for 2021 when compared to 2020. The increase was due to higher cash out pricing, partially offset by lower cash out volumes. Natural gas sales are offset in operating costs and expenses and therefore have no net impact on our results of operations.
Natural gas transportation increased $137.2 million (6.1 percent) to $2,378.9 million for 2021 when compared to 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to:
•$65.3 million from our Southeastern Trail project place into service in November 2020;
•$32.8 million from our Leidy South project, which was partially placed into service in November 2020 with the remaining capacity placed into service primarily during the fourth quarter of 2021;
•$26.3 million higher electric power costs, which are recovered from our customers through transportation rates and are offset in Operating Costs and Expenses resulting in no net impact on our results of operations;
•$19.3 million higher revenues related to a cash out surcharge (offset in Operating Costs and Expenses resulting in no net impact on our results of operations);
•$7.9 million from our Hillabee 2 project placed into service in May 2020;
•Partially offset by $9.4 million primarily resulting from the implementation of lower rates for certain services concurrent with the effective date of our last rate case settlement; and
•$6.0 million lower revenue due to one less billable day.
Natural gas storage increased $5.8 million (3.6 percent) to $167.8 million for 2021 when compared to 2020. The increase was primarily due to an increase in rates effective in the second quarter of 2020.
Operating Costs and Expenses, excluding Cost of natural gas sales, which is directly offset in Operating Revenues, decreased $54.7 million (4.4 percent) from the comparable period in 2020. This decrease was primarily attributable to:
•$167.8 million due to the absence of the impairment of assets for the Northeast Supply Enhancement project in 2020;
•Partially offset by a $37.1 million increase in Operation and maintenance expenses primarily resulting from (i) higher electric power costs of $26.3 million (electric power costs are recovered from customers through transportation rates and are offset in Operating Revenues resulting in no net impact on our results of operations), (ii) $17.7 million higher employee labor and related benefit costs, including charges associated with higher expected performance under the Williams incentive compensation plan
in 2021 and the absence of the 2020 favorable impact from a change in an employee benefit policy, partially offset by (iii) $10 million of lower fuel expense;
•$35.6 million increase in Administrative and general expenses primarily due to (i) a $15.8 million increase in employee labor and related benefit costs, including charges associated with higher expected performance under the Williams incentive compensation plan in 2021 as well as the absence of the 2020 favorable impact from a change in an employee benefit policy, (ii) $10.9 million of higher allocated corporate expenses and (iii) a $6.2 million charge to bad debt expense;
•$25.8 million increase in Depreciation and amortization costs primarily as a result of additional assets placed into service and an increase in ARO related depreciation due to revisions in expected timing of abandonment and estimates for removal costs;
•$9.0 million increase in Taxes - other than income taxes primarily due to an increase in property valuations; and
•$5.6 million unfavorable change in Other expense, net driven by $19.3 million associated with a cash out surcharge (offset in Operating Revenues resulting in no net impact on our results of operations), partially offset by favorable changes associated with the deferral of $9.8 million of ARO related depreciation (offset in Depreciation and amortization resulting in no net impact on our results of operations).
Other (Income) and Other Expenses in 2021 had an unfavorable change of $11.0 million (3.8 percent) over 2020 driven by an increase of $15.0 million in interest expense primarily related to interest incurred on new debt issued in May 2020, partially offset by $4.4 million due to the absence of interest expense associated with our rate reserve liability for Docket No. RP18-1126.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
Method of Financing
We fund our capital requirements with cash flows from operating activities, equity contributions from Williams, advances from Williams, accessing capital markets, and, if required, borrowings under the credit facility described below.
We may raise capital through private debt offerings, as well as offerings registered pursuant to offering-specific registration statements. Interest rates, market conditions, and industry conditions will affect amounts raised, if any, in the capital markets. On May 8, 2020, we completed a private placement of $700 million of 3.25 percent senior unsecured notes due 2030 and $500 million of 3.95 percent senior unsecured notes due 2050. We used the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including the funding of capital expenditures. The notes issued in May 8, 2020 were the subject of a registration rights agreement. In the fourth quarter of 2020, we completed an exchange of these notes for substantially identical new notes that are registered under the Securities Act.
We, along with Williams and Northwest Pipeline LLC, are co-borrowers under a $3.75 billion unsecured credit facility. Total letter of credit capacity available to Williams under the credit facility is $500 million. We may borrow up to $500 million under the credit facility to the extent not otherwise utilized by Williams and Northwest Pipeline LLC. See Note 5 - Debt and Financing Arrangements of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the credit facility.
We are a participant in Williams's cash management program, and we make advances to and receive advances from Williams. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, our advances to Williams totaled approximately $1,669.4 million and $642.7 million, respectively. These advances are represented by demand notes.
Capital Expenditures
We categorize our capital expenditures as either maintenance capital expenditures or expansion capital expenditures. Maintenance capital expenditures are those expenditures required to maintain the existing operating capacity and service capability of our assets, including replacement of system components and equipment that are worn, obsolete, completing their useful life, or necessary to remain in compliance with environmental laws and regulations. Expansion capital expenditures improve the service capability of existing assets, extend useful lives, increase transmission or storage capacities from existing levels, reduce costs or enhance revenues. We anticipate 2022 capital expenditures will be approximately $171 million for expansion projects and $396 million for maintenance projects.
Recent Developments
COVID-19
The outbreak of COVID-19 has severely impacted global economic activity and caused significant volatility and negative pressure in financial markets. We continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and have taken steps intended to protect the safety of our customers, employees and communities, and to support the continued delivery of safe and reliable service to our customers and the communities we serve. Our financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity have not been materially impacted by direct effects of COVID-19.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
At December 31, 2021, our debt portfolio included only fixed rate debt, which mitigates the impact of fluctuations in interest rates. The following table provides information about our long-term debt, including current maturities, as of December 31, 2021. The following table presents principal cash flows and weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates.
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Thereafter Total (1) Fair Value December 31, 2021
(Millions)
Long-term debt, excluding other financing obligation:
Fixed rate $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 1,208 $ 2,975 $ 4,183 $ 4,890
Weighted-average interest rate 5.20% 5.20% 5.20% 5.20% 4.44% 4.40%
Other financing obligation:
Fixed rate $ 26 $ 28 $ 31 $ 34 $ 37 $ 1,000 $ 1,156 $ 1,960
Weighted-average interest rate 9.39% 9.44% 9.44% 9.45% 9.46% 9.49%
____________________________
(1) Excludes unamortized discount / premium and debt issuance costs.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42)
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Member’s Equity
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Note 2 - Revenue Recognition
Note 3 - Leases
Note 4 - Contingent Liabilities and Commitments
Note 5 - Debt and Financing Arrangements
Note 6 - ARO Trust
Note 7 - Fair Value Measurements
Note 8 - Benefit Plans
Note 9 - Transactions with Major Customers and Affiliates
Note 10 - Asset Retirement Obligations
Note 11 - Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Management Committee and Member of Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (the Company) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in member’s equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Description of the Matter Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company is an interstate natural gas transmission company that is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) and applies accounting principles in Topic 980 for regulated operations. As such, certain incurred costs that would otherwise be charged to expense are deferred as regulatory assets, based on the expected recovery from customers in future rates. Likewise, certain actual or anticipated credits that would otherwise reduce expense are deferred as regulatory liabilities, based on the expected return to customers in future rates. The Company records items as regulatory assets or liabilities if, based on regulatory orders or other available evidence, it is probable that the costs or obligations will be included in amounts allowable for recovery or refund in future rates.
Auditing regulatory assets and liabilities is complex as it requires specialized knowledge of rate-regulated activities and judgments as to matters that could affect the recording of regulatory assets and liabilities.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of internal controls over the Company’s accounting for regulatory assets and liabilities, including, among others, controls over the evaluation of filings with regulatory bodies and their effects on existing regulatory assets and liabilities, including factors that may affect the timing or nature of recoverability.
We performed audit procedures that included, among others, reviewing evidence of correspondence with regulatory bodies to test that the Company evaluated new information obtained from regulatory rulings. For example, we assessed the recoverability, considering information obtained from regulatory orders, of various regulatory assets. In addition, we tested calculations of material regulatory assets and liabilities, including that amortization for certain regulatory assets and liabilities corresponded to relevant regulatory rulings and/or orders.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1995.
Houston, Texas
February 28, 2022
TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Thousands of Dollars)
Year Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Operating Revenues:
Natural gas sales $ 88,328 $ 80,351 $ 105,884
Natural gas transportation 2,378,940 2,241,760 2,188,058
Natural gas storage 167,800 161,956 147,687
Other 19,732 20,246 11,113
Total operating revenues 2,654,800 2,504,313 2,452,742
Operating Costs and Expenses:
Cost of natural gas sales 88,328 80,351 105,884
Operation and maintenance 413,882 376,747 432,786
Administrative and general 220,378 184,768 217,000
Depreciation and amortization 489,524 463,757 433,480
Taxes - other than income taxes 92,661 83,687 76,632
Impairment of assets 2,336 170,128 -
Regulatory credit resulting from tax rate changes (30,752) (30,752) (24,202)
Other expense, net 11,105 5,461 6,195
Total operating costs and expenses 1,287,462 1,334,147 1,247,775
Operating Income 1,367,338 1,170,166 1,204,967
Other (Income) and Other Expenses:
Interest expense - affiliate 53 892 2,319
- other 322,645 311,451 283,990
Interest income - affiliate (123) (132) (89)
- other (4,591) (4,265) (4,349)
Allowance for equity and borrowed funds used during construction (AFUDC) (22,125) (22,648) (39,289)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates - - (3,216)
Miscellaneous other (income) expenses, net 5,311 4,832 2,305
Total other (income) and other expenses 301,170 290,130 241,671
Net Income 1,066,168 880,036 963,296
Other comprehensive income:
Equity interest in unrealized gain on interest rate hedges (includes $(162) for the year ended December 31, 2019 of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassification for equity interest in realized losses (gains) on interest rate hedges)
- - (641)
Comprehensive Income $ 1,066,168 $ 880,036 $ 962,655
See accompanying notes.
TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Thousands of Dollars)
December 31,
2021 2020
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash $ - $ -
Receivables:
Trade 234,680 223,864
Affiliates 6,978 1,011
Advances to affiliate 1,669,368 642,734
Other (less allowance of $6,222 and $- in 2021 and 2020, respectively)
12,977 14,660
Transportation and exchange gas receivables 7,685 4,627
Inventories:
Gas in storage, at original cost 695 926
Gas available for customer nomination, at average cost 12,553 7,909
Materials and supplies, at average cost 41,189 47,462
Regulatory assets 114,351 62,861
Other 17,058 13,847
Total current assets 2,117,534 1,019,901
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Natural gas transmission plant 17,713,050 17,123,779
Less-Accumulated depreciation and amortization 5,227,128 4,802,256
Total property, plant and equipment, net 12,485,922 12,321,523
Other Assets:
Regulatory assets 253,081 281,870
Right-of-use assets 68,817 78,899
Other 292,957 252,051
Total other assets 614,855 612,820
Total assets $ 15,218,311 $ 13,954,244
(continued)
See accompanying notes.
TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Thousands of Dollars)
December 31,
2021 2020
LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Payables:
Trade $ 163,001 $ 109,636
Affiliates 69,128 32,676
Cash overdrafts 21,404 18,813
Transportation and exchange gas payables 10,125 1,905
Accrued liabilities:
Property and other taxes 26,470 20,177
Interest 76,656 75,806
Regulatory liabilities 57,369 57,086
Customer deposits 21,004 24,686
Customer advances 14,582 27,082
Asset retirement obligations 58,418 52,764
Other 25,883 41,864
Long-term debt due within one year 25,594 22,640
Total current liabilities 569,634 485,135
Long-Term Debt 5,269,024 5,217,140
Other Long-Term Liabilities:
Asset retirement obligations 459,969 397,737
Regulatory liabilities 932,101 946,774
Deferred revenue 194,464 205,030
Lease liability 68,582 78,688
Advances for construction costs - 38,585
Other 4,281 4,336
Total other long-term liabilities 1,659,397 1,671,150
Contingent Liabilities and Commitments (Note 4)
Member’s Equity:
Member’s capital 4,960,499 4,543,499
Retained earnings 2,759,757 2,037,320
Total member’s equity 7,720,256 6,580,819
Total liabilities and member’s equity $ 15,218,311 $ 13,954,244
See accompanying notes.
TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN MEMBER’S EQUITY
(Thousands of Dollars)
Year Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Member's Capital:
Balance at beginning of period $ 4,543,499 $ 4,428,499 $ 4,428,499
Cash contributions from parent 417,000 115,000 -
Balance at end of period 4,960,499 4,543,499 4,428,499
Retained Earnings:
Balance at beginning of period 2,037,320 2,177,284 2,099,567
Net income 1,066,168 880,036 963,296
Cash distributions to parent (343,731) (1,020,000) (824,000)
Non-cash distribution to parent - - (25,000)
Non-cash distribution of investments in subsidiaries - - (36,579)
Balance at end of period 2,759,757 2,037,320 2,177,284
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income:
Balance at beginning of period - - 534
Equity interest in unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate hedge - - (641)
Non-cash distribution of investments in subsidiaries - - 107
Balance at end of period - - -
Total Member's Equity $ 7,720,256 $ 6,580,819 $ 6,605,783
See accompanying notes.
TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Thousands of Dollars)
Year Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 1,066,168 $ 880,036 $ 963,296
Adjustments to reconcile net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 489,524 463,757 433,480
Impairment of assets 2,336 170,128 -
Allowance for equity funds used during construction (equity AFUDC) (17,080) (14,889) (28,785)
Regulatory credit resulting from tax rate changes (30,752) (30,752) (24,202)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates - - (3,216)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates - - 4,908
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables - affiliates (5,967) (342) 582
- trade and other (15,355) 14,742 (52,307)
Transportation and exchange gas receivable (3,058) 1,733 (1,845)
Regulatory assets - current (51,490) 6,579 26,330
Regulatory assets - non-current 30,501 11,361 3,622
Inventories 1,860 8,695 (1,787)
Payables - affiliates 36,452 (15,064) (2,981)
- trade 953 (915) (18,842)
Accrued liabilities (4,302) 22,881 (1,723)
Asset retirement obligations 7,177 12,027 15,713
Reserve for rate refunds - (188,842) 188,842
Deferred revenue (10,566) (10,568) (10,566)
Other, net (47,745) (36,990) (36,365)
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,448,656 1,293,577 1,454,154
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from long-term debt - 1,195,629 -
Proceeds from other financing obligations 3,297 8,725 41,513
Payments on other financing obligations (22,635) (20,366) (17,436)
Payments for debt issuance costs (59) (11,441) -
Cash distributions to parent (343,731) (1,020,000) (824,000)
Cash contributions from parent 417,000 115,000 -
Advances from affiliate, net - (252,549) 252,549
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 53,872 14,998 (547,374)
(continued)
See accompanying notes.
TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Thousands of Dollars)
Year Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures (1) $ (481,280) $ (649,459) $ (901,374)
Contributions and advances for construction costs 36,945 35,284 47,034
Disposal of property, plant and equipment, net (32,565) (43,900) (45,720)
Advances to affiliate, net (1,026,634) (642,734) 33,034
Contributions to unconsolidated affiliates - - (12,250)
Purchase of ARO Trust investments (28,804) (53,357) (72,946)
Proceeds from sale of ARO Trust investments 29,810 45,591 45,479
Other, net - - (37)
Net cash used in investing activities (1,502,528) (1,308,575) (906,780)
Increase (decrease) in cash - - -
Cash at beginning of period - - -
Cash at end of period $ - $ - $ -
____________________________
(1) Increase to property, plant and equipment, exclusive of equity AFUDC $ (512,293) $ (582,896) $ (854,761)
Changes in related accounts payable and accrued liabilities 31,013 (66,563) (46,613)
Capital expenditures $ (481,280) $ (649,459) $ (901,374)
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest (exclusive of amount capitalized) $ 313,828 $ 299,470 $ 268,559
Income taxes 127 352 76
See accompanying notes.
TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Corporate Structure and Control
In this report, Transco (which includes Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC and, unless the context otherwise requires, all of our majority-owned subsidiaries) is at times referred to in the first person as “we,” “us” or “our.”
Transco is indirectly owned by The Williams Companies, Inc. (Williams), a publicly traded Delaware corporation. Transco is a single member limited liability company, and as such, single member losses are limited to the amount of its investment.
Nature of Operations
We are an interstate natural gas transmission company that owns and operates a natural gas pipeline system extending from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico through Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to the New York City metropolitan area. The system serves customers in Texas and the 12 southeast and Atlantic seaboard states mentioned above, including major metropolitan areas in Georgia, Washington D.C., Maryland, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Regulatory Accounting
We are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 980, “Regulated Operations,” (Topic 980), provides that certain costs that would otherwise be charged to expense should be deferred as regulatory assets, based on the expected recovery from customers in future rates. Likewise, certain actual or anticipated credits that would otherwise reduce expense should be deferred as regulatory liabilities, based on the expected return to customers in future rates. Management's expected recovery of deferred costs and return of deferred credits generally results from specific decisions by regulators granting such ratemaking treatment. We record certain incurred costs and obligations as regulatory assets or liabilities if, based on regulatory orders or other available evidence, it is probable that the costs or obligations will be included in amounts allowable for recovery or refunded in future rates. Accounting for businesses that are regulated and apply the provisions of Topic 980 can differ from the accounting requirements for non-regulated businesses. Transactions that are recorded differently as a result of regulatory accounting requirements include the capitalization of an equity return component on regulated capital projects, capitalization of other project costs, retirements of general plant assets, employee- related benefits, environmental costs, negative salvage, asset retirement obligations (ARO), and other costs and taxes included in, or expected to be included in, future rates. As a rate-regulated entity, our management has determined that it is appropriate to apply the accounting prescribed by Topic 980 and, accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the effects of the types of transactions described above that result from regulatory accounting requirements.
TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Basis of Presentation
Williams’ acquisition of us in 1995 was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, an allocation of the purchase price was assigned to our assets and liabilities based on their estimated fair values. The purchase price allocation to us primarily consisted of a $1.5 billion allocation to property, plant and equipment and adjustments to deferred taxes based upon the book basis of the net assets recorded as a result of the acquisition. The amount allocated to property, plant and equipment is being depreciated on a straight-line basis over 40 years, the estimated useful lives of these assets at the date of acquisition, at approximately $35 million per year. At December 31, 2021, the remaining property, plant and equipment allocation was approximately $0.5 billion. Current FERC policy does not permit us to recover through rates amounts in excess of original cost.
A reclassification within Operating Costs and Expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income to include Cost of natural gas transportation within Operation and maintenance of approximately $53.7 million and $50.3 million for 2020 and 2019, respectively, has been made to conform to the 2021 presentation.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of the subsidiaries we control. Companies in which we and our subsidiaries own 20 percent to 50 percent of the voting common stock or otherwise exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the company are accounted for under the equity method. The equity method investments prior to December 31, 2019 (see Note 9 - Transactions with Major Customers and Affiliates) consist of Cardinal Pipeline Company, LLC (Cardinal) with ownership interest of approximately 45 percent and Pine Needle LNG Company, LLC (Pine Needle) with ownership interest of 35 percent. We received distributions associated with our equity method investments totaling $4.9 million in 2019. We made a $12.3 million contribution to Pine Needle in the second quarter of 2019.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions which, in the opinion of management, are significant to the underlying amounts included in the financial statements and for which it would be reasonably possible that future events or information could change those estimates include: 1) litigation-related contingencies; 2) environmental remediation obligations; 3) impairment assessments of long-lived assets; 4) depreciation; 5) asset retirement obligations; and 6) measurement of regulatory assets and liabilities.
Revenue Recognition
Our customers are comprised of public utilities, municipalities, natural gas marketers and producers, intrastate pipelines, direct industrial users, and electric power generators.
Service revenue contracts from our gas pipeline business contain a series of distinct services, with the majority of our contracts having a single performance obligation that is satisfied over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by our performance. Most of our natural gas sales contracts have a single performance obligation with revenue recognized at a point in time when the natural gas has been sold and delivered to the customer.
Certain customers reimburse us for costs we incur associated with construction of property, plant, and equipment utilized in our operations. As a rate-regulated entity applying Topic 980, we follow FERC guidelines with respect to reimbursement of construction costs. FERC tariffs only allow for cost reimbursement and are non-negotiable in nature; thus, in our judgment, the construction activities do not represent an ongoing major and central operation of our gas pipeline business and are not within the scope of ASC Topic 606, “Revenues from Contracts with Customers.” Accordingly, cost reimbursements are treated as a reduction to the cost of the constructed asset.
TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Operating Revenues
We are subject to regulation by certain state and federal authorities, including the FERC, with revenue derived from both firm and interruptible transportation and storage contracts. Firm transportation and storage agreements primarily provide for a fixed reservation charge based on the pipeline or storage capacity reserved, and a commodity charge based on the volume of natural gas delivered/stored, each at rates specified in our FERC tariffs or as negotiated with our customers, with contract terms that are generally long-term in nature. Most of our long-term contracts contain an evergreen provision, which allows the contracts to be extended for periods primarily up to one year in length an indefinite number of times following the specified contract term and until terminated generally by either us or the customer. Interruptible transportation and storage agreements provide for a volumetric charge based on actual commodity transportation or storage utilized in the period in which those services are provided, and the contracts are generally limited to one-month periods or less. Our performance obligations include the following:
•Firm transportation or storage under firm transportation and storage contracts-an integrated package of services typically constituting a single performance obligation, which includes standing ready to provide such services and receiving, transporting or storing (as applicable), and redelivering commodities;
•Interruptible transportation and storage under interruptible transportation and storage contracts-an integrated package of services typically constituting a single performance obligation once scheduled, which includes receiving, transporting or storing (as applicable), and redelivering commodities.
In situations where, in our judgment, we consider the integrated package of services as a single performance obligation, which represents a majority of our contracts with customers, we do not consider there to be multiple performance obligations because the nature of the overall promise in the contract is to stand ready (with regard to firm transportation and storage contracts), receive, transport or store, and redeliver natural gas to the customer; therefore, revenue is recognized over time upon satisfaction of our daily stand ready performance obligation.
We recognize revenues for reservation charges over the performance obligation period, which is the contract term, regardless of the volume of natural gas that is transported or stored. Revenues for commodity charges from both firm and interruptible transportation services and storage services are recognized when natural gas is delivered at the agreed upon delivery point or when natural gas is injected or withdrawn from the storage facility because they specifically relate to our efforts to provide these distinct services. Generally, reservation charges and commodity charges are recognized as revenue in the same period they are invoiced to our customers. As a result of the ratemaking process, certain amounts collected by us may be subject to refunds upon the issuance of final orders by the FERC in pending rate proceedings. We use judgment to record estimates of rate refund liabilities considering our and other third-party regulatory proceedings, advice of counsel, and other risks. At December 31, 2021, we had no such rate refund liabilities.
Natural Gas Sales
In the course of providing transportation services to customers, we may receive different quantities of natural gas from customers than the quantities delivered on behalf of those customers. The resulting imbalances are primarily settled through the purchase or sale of natural gas with each customer under terms provided for in our FERC tariffs. Revenue is recognized from the sale of natural gas upon settlement of the transportation and exchange imbalances (see Gas Imbalances below).
Contract Liabilities
Our contract liabilities consist of advance payments from customers, which include prepayments, and other billings for which future services are to be provided under the contract. These amounts are deferred until recognized in revenue when the associated performance obligation has been satisfied, which is primarily straight-line over the remaining contractual service periods, and are classified as current or non-current according to when such amounts are expected to be recognized. Current and non-current contract liabilities are included within Accrued Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities - Deferred revenue, respectively, in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Contracts requiring advance payments and the recognition of contract liabilities are evaluated to determine whether the advance payments provide us with a significant financing benefit. This determination is based on the combined effect of the expected length of time between when we transfer the promised good or service to the customer, when the customer pays for those goods or services and the prevailing interest rates. We have assessed our contracts and determined none of our contracts contain a significant financing component.
Leases
We are a lessee through noncancellable lease agreements for property and equipment consisting primarily of buildings, land, vehicles, and equipment used in both our operations and administrative functions. We recognize a lease liability with an offsetting right-of-use asset in our Consolidated Balance Sheet for operating leases based on the present value of the future lease payments. We have elected to combine lease and nonlease components for all classes of leased assets in our calculation of the lease liability and the offsetting right-of-use asset.
Our lease agreements require both fixed and variable periodic payments, with initial terms typically ranging from one year to 30 years. Payment provisions in certain of our lease agreements contain escalation factors which may be based on stated rates or a change in a published index at a future time. The amount by which a lease escalates based on the change in a published index, which is not known at lease commencement, is considered a variable payment and is not included in the present value of the future lease payments, which only includes those that are stated or can be calculated based on the lease agreement at lease commencement. In addition to the noncancellable periods, many of our lease agreements provide for one or more extensions of the lease agreement for periods ranging from one year in length to an indefinite number of times following the specified contract term. Other lease agreements provide for extension terms that allow us to utilize the identified leased asset for an indefinite period of time so long as the asset continues to be utilized in our operations. In consideration of these renewal features, we assess the term of the lease agreements, which includes using judgment in the determination of which renewal periods and termination provisions, when at our sole election, will be reasonably certain of being exercised. Periods after the initial term or extension terms that allow for either party to the lease to cancel the lease are not considered in the assessment of the lease term. Additionally, we have elected to exclude leases with an original term of one year or less, including renewal periods, from the calculation of the lease liability and the offsetting right-of-use asset.
We use judgment in determining the discount rate upon which the present value of the future lease payments is determined. This rate is based on a collateralized interest rate corresponding to the term of the lease agreement using company, industry, and market information available.
Environmental Matters
We are subject to federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized depending on their economic benefit and potential for rate recovery. We believe that expenditures required to meet applicable environmental laws and regulations are prudently incurred in the ordinary course of business and such expenditures would be permitted to be recovered through rates.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. The carrying values of these assets are also based on estimates, assumptions and judgments relative to capitalized costs, useful lives and salvage values. These estimates, assumptions and judgments reflect FERC regulations, as well as historical experience and expectations regarding future industry conditions and operations. The FERC identifies installation, construction and replacement costs that are to be capitalized. All other costs are expensed as incurred. Gains or losses from the ordinary sale or retirement of property, plant and equipment are credited or charged to accumulated depreciation; certain other gains or losses are recorded in operating income.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
We provide for depreciation under the composite (group) method using the straight-line method at FERC prescribed rates that are applied to the cost of the group for transmission facilities, production and gathering facilities and storage facilities. Under this method, assets with similar lives and characteristics are grouped and depreciated as one asset. Included in our depreciation rates is a negative salvage component (net cost of removal) that we currently collect in rates. Our depreciation rates are subject to change each time we file a general rate case with the FERC. Depreciation rates used for major regulated gas plant facilities at December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
Category of Property Depreciation Rate
Gathering facilities 0% - 1.00%
Storage facilities 1.86% - 2.05%
Onshore transmission facilities 2.50% - 7.13%
Offshore transmission facilities 1.25%
We record a liability and increase the basis in the underlying asset for the present value of each expected future ARO at the time the liability is initially incurred, typically when the asset is acquired or constructed. Measurements of AROs include, as a component of future expected costs, an estimate of the price that a third party would demand, and could expect to receive, for bearing the uncertainties inherent in the obligations, sometimes referred to as a market-risk premium. The ARO asset is depreciated in a manner consistent with the expected timing of the future abandonment of the underlying physical assets. We measure changes in the liability due to passage of time by applying an interest method of allocation. The depreciation of the ARO asset and accretion of the ARO liability are recognized as an increase to a regulatory asset, as management expects to recover such amounts in future rates. The regulatory asset is amortized commensurate with our collection of these costs in rates.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
We evaluate our long-lived assets, including capitalized project development costs, for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate, in our management’s judgment, that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. When an indicator of a potential impairment has occurred, we compare our management’s estimate of undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the assets to the carrying value of the assets to determine whether an impairment has occurred. We apply a probability-weighted approach to consider the likelihood of different cash flow assumptions. If an impairment of the carrying value has occurred, we determine the amount of the impairment recognized in our consolidated financial statements by estimating the fair value of the assets and recording a loss for the amount that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value.
For assets identified to be disposed of in the future and considered held for sale in accordance with ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” we compare the carrying value to the estimated fair value less the cost to sell to determine if recognition of an impairment is required. Until the assets are disposed of, the estimated fair value, which includes estimated cash flows from operations until the assumed date of sale, is recalculated when related events or circumstances change.
Judgments and assumptions are inherent in our estimate of undiscounted future cash flows used to determine recoverability of an asset and the estimate of an asset’s fair value used to calculate the amount of impairment to recognize.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
Allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC) represents the estimated cost of borrowed and equity funds applicable to utility plant in process of construction and are included as a cost of property, plant and equipment because it constitutes an actual cost of construction under established regulatory practices. The FERC has prescribed a formula to be used in computing separate allowances for borrowed and equity AFUDC. The allowance for borrowed funds used during construction was $5.0 million, $7.7 million, and $10.5 million, for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The allowance for equity funds was $17.1 million, $14.9 million, and $28.8 million, for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Income Taxes
We are a natural gas company organized as a pass-through entity and our taxable income or loss is consolidated on the federal income tax return of our parent, Williams. We generally are treated as a pass-through entity for state and local income tax purposes, and those taxes are generally borne on a consolidated basis by Williams. Net income for financial statement purposes may differ significantly from taxable income of Williams as a result of differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are carried on a gross basis, with no discounting, less an allowance for doubtful accounts. We estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts, considering current expected credit losses using a forward-looking “expected loss” model, the financial condition of our customers, and the age of past due accounts. The majority of our trade receivable balances are due within 30 days. We monitor the credit quality of our counterparties through review of collection trends, credit ratings, and other analyses, such as bankruptcy monitoring, if applicable. Financial assets are evaluated as one pool. Changes in counterparty risk factors could lead to reassessment of the composition of our financial assets as one pool. We calculate our allowance for credit losses incorporating an aging method. In estimating our expected credit losses, we utilized historical loss rates over many years. Our expected credit loss estimate considered both internal and external forward-looking commodity price expectations, as well as counterparty credit ratings, and factors impacting their near-term liquidity.
We do not offer extended payment terms and typically receive payment within one month. We consider receivables past due if full payment is not received by the contractual due date. Past due accounts are generally written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts only after all collection attempts have been exhausted. We do not have a material amount of significantly aged receivables at December 31, 2021 and 2020. The balance of our allowance for doubtful accounts was $6.2 million at December 31, 2021 and was primarily related to non-trade receivables. The balance of our allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2020 was minimal.
Gas Imbalances
In the course of providing transportation services to customers, we may receive different quantities of gas from shippers than the quantities delivered on behalf of those shippers. Additionally, we transport gas on various pipeline systems which may deliver different quantities of gas on behalf of us than the quantities of gas received from us. These transactions result in gas transportation and exchange imbalance receivables and payables which are recovered or repaid in cash (see Deferred Cash Out below) or through the receipt or delivery of gas in the future and are recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. Settlement of imbalances requires agreement between the pipelines and shippers as to allocations of volumes to specific transportation contracts and timing of delivery of gas based on operational conditions. Our tariff includes a method whereby most transportation imbalances are settled on a monthly basis. Each month a portion of the imbalances are not identified to specific parties and remain unsettled. These are generally identified to specific parties and settled in subsequent periods. We believe that amounts that remain unidentified to specific parties and unsettled at year end are valid balances that will be settled with no material adverse effect upon our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Management has implemented a policy of continuing to carry any unidentified transportation and exchange imbalances on the books for a three-year period. At the end of the three year period a final assessment will be made of their continued validity. Absent a valid reason for maintaining the imbalance, any remaining balance will be
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
recognized in income. Certain imbalances are being recovered or repaid in cash or through the receipt or delivery of gas upon agreement of the parties as to the allocation of the gas volumes, and as permitted by pipeline operating conditions. These imbalances have been classified as current assets and current liabilities at December 31, 2021 and 2020. We utilize the average cost method of accounting for gas imbalances.
Deferred Cash Out
Most transportation imbalances are settled in cash on a monthly basis (cash-out). In accordance with our tariff, revenues received from the cash-out of transportation imbalances in excess of costs incurred are deferred and offset by the deferral of costs incurred in excess of revenues received. At the end of each annual August through July reporting period, if the cumulative revenues received exceed the costs incurred, the over recovered amounts are applied to any prior under recovery balance or refunded. If the cumulative revenues received are less than the costs incurred, the net under recovered amounts are carried forward and offset against any future net over recoveries that may occur in a subsequent annual reporting period.
Materials and Supplies Inventory
All materials and supplies inventory is stated at average cost. We perform an annual review of materials and supplies inventories, including a quarterly analysis of parts that may no longer be useful due to planned replacements of compressor engines and other components on our system. Based on this assessment, we record a reserve for the value of the inventory which can no longer be used for maintenance and repairs on our pipeline. There was a minimal reserve at December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Contingent Liabilities
We record liabilities for estimated loss contingencies, including environmental matters, when we assess that a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. These liabilities are calculated based upon our assumptions and estimates with respect to the likelihood or amount of loss and upon advice of legal counsel, engineers, or other third parties regarding the probable outcomes of the matters. These calculations are made without consideration of any potential recovery from third-parties. We recognize insurance recoveries or reimbursements from others when realizable. Revisions to these liabilities are generally reflected in income when new or different facts or information become known or circumstances change that affect the previous assumptions or estimates.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
We do not have employees. Certain of the costs charged to us by Williams associated with employees who directly support us include costs related to Williams’ pension and other postretirement benefit plans (see Note 8 - Benefit Plans). Although the underlying benefit plans of Williams are single-employer plans, we follow multiemployer plan accounting whereby the amount charged to us and thus paid by us, is based on our share of net periodic benefit cost.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities and Cash Equivalents
We use the indirect method to report cash flows from operating activities, which requires adjustments to net income to reconcile to net cash flows provided by operating activities. We include short-term, highly-liquid investments that have an original maturity of three months or less as cash equivalents.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Note 2 - Revenue Recognition
Revenue by Category
Our revenue disaggregation by major service line includes Natural gas sales, Natural gas transportation, Natural gas storage, and Other, which are separately presented on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.
Contract Liabilities
The following table presents a reconciliation of our contract liabilities:
Year Ended December 31,
2021 2020
(Thousands)
Balance at beginning of period $ 215,596 $ 226,164
Recognized in revenue
(10,566) (10,568)
Balance at end of period $ 205,030 $ 215,596
Remaining Performance Obligations
Our remaining performance obligations primarily include reservation charges on contracted capacity on our firm transportation and storage contracts with customers. Amounts from certain contracts included in the table below, which are subject to the periodic review and approval by the FERC, reflect the rates for such services in our current FERC tariffs, net of estimated reserve for refund, for the life of the related contracts; however, these rates may change based on future tariffs approved by the FERC and the amount and timing of these changes is not currently known. This table excludes the variable consideration component for commodity charges. Certain of our contracts contain evergreen and other renewal provisions for periods beyond the initial term of the contract. The remaining performance obligations as of December 31, 2021, do not consider potential future performance obligations for which the renewal has not been exercised and exclude contracts with customers for which the underlying facilities have not received FERC authorization to be placed into service.
The following table presents the amount of the contract liabilities balance expected to be recognized as revenue when performance obligations are satisfied and the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations under certain contracts as of December 31, 2021.
Contract Liabilities Remaining Performance Obligations
(Thousands)
2022 (one year)
$ 10,566 $ 2,459,819
2023 (one year)
10,566 2,270,708
2024 (one year)
10,568 2,158,904
2025 (one year)
10,566 1,605,313
2026 (one year)
10,566 1,576,023
Thereafter
152,198 12,120,387
Total $ 205,030 $ 22,191,154
Accounts Receivable
Receivables from contracts with customers are included within Receivables - Trade and Receivables - Affiliates and receivables that are not related to contracts with customers are included within the balance of Receivables - Advances to affiliate and Receivables - Other in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Note 3 - Leases
We are a lessee through non-cancellable lease agreements for property and equipment consisting primarily of buildings, land, vehicles, and equipment used in both our operations and administrative functions.
Year Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
(Thousands)
Lease Cost:
Operating lease cost $ 9,292 $ 9,691 $ 10,276
Variable lease cost 4,764 3,135 6,867
Total lease cost
$ 14,056 $ 12,826 $ 17,143
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities $ 9,554 $ 3,690 $ 9,986
December 31,
2021 2020
(Thousands)
Other Information:
Right-of-use assets
$ 68,817 $ 78,899
Operating lease liabilities:
Current (included in Accrued liabilities - Other in our Consolidated Balance Sheet)
$ 5,919 $ 6,222
Lease liability
$ 68,582 $ 78,688
Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases (years) 14 15
Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases 4.68% 4.66%
As of December 31, 2021, the following table represents our operating lease maturities, including renewal provisions that we have assessed as being reasonably certain of exercise, for each of the years ended December 31:
(Thousands)
2022 $ 9,416
2023 9,135
2024 8,835
2025 8,531
2026 9,239
Thereafter 61,838
Total future lease payments
106,994
Less amount representing interest 32,493
Total obligations under operating leases
$ 74,501
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Note 4 - Contingent Liabilities and Commitments
Rate Matters
General rate case (Docket No. RP18-1126)
On August 31, 2018, we filed a general rate case with the FERC for an overall increase in rates and to comply with the terms of the settlement in our prior rate case to file a rate case no later than August 31, 2018. On September 28, 2018, the FERC issued an order accepting and suspending our general rate filing to be effective March 1, 2019, subject to refund and the outcome of a hearing, except that rates for certain services that were proposed as overall rate decreases were accepted, without suspension, to be effective October 1, 2018. On December 31, 2019, we filed a stipulation and agreement with the FERC to resolve all issues in the proceeding without the need for a hearing. On March 24, 2020, the FERC approved the settlement, which became effective on June 1, 2020. Pursuant to the settlement, our next general rate case must be filed no later than August 30, 2024.
Environmental Matters
We have had studies underway for many years to test some of our facilities for the presence of toxic and hazardous substances such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and mercury to determine to what extent, if any, remediation may be necessary. We have also similarly evaluated past on-site disposal of hydrocarbons at a number of our facilities. We have worked closely with and responded to data requests from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state agencies regarding such potential contamination of certain of our sites. We are conducting environmental assessments and implementing a variety of remedial measures that may result in increases or decreases in the total estimated costs. At December 31, 2021, we had a balance of approximately $2.5 million for the expense portion of these estimated costs, $0.7 million recorded in Accrued liabilities and $1.8 million recorded in Other Long-Term Liabilities - Other in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. At December 31, 2020, we had a balance of approximately $2.4 million for the expense portion of these estimated costs, $0.7 million recorded in Accrued liabilities and $1.7 million recorded in Other Long-Term Liabilities - Other in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
We have been identified as a potentially responsible party (PRP) at various Superfund and state waste disposal sites. Based on present volumetric estimates and other factors, our estimated aggregate exposure for remediation of these sites is less than $0.5 million. The estimated remediation costs for all of these sites are included in the environmental liabilities discussed above. Liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and applicable state law can be joint and several with other PRPs. Although volumetric allocation is a factor in assessing liability, it is not necessarily determinative; thus, the ultimate liability could be substantially greater than the amounts described above.
The EPA and various state regulatory agencies routinely propose and promulgate new rules, and issue updated guidance to existing rules. These rulemakings include, but are not limited to, rules for reciprocating internal combustion engine and combustion turbine maximum achievable control technology, review and updates to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and rules for new and existing source performance standards for volatile organic compounds and methane. We continuously monitor these regulatory changes and how they may impact our operations. Implementation of new or modified regulations may result in impacts to our operations and increase the cost of additions to Total property, plant and equipment, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheet for both new and existing facilities in affected areas; however due to regulatory uncertainty on final rule content and applicability timeframes, we are unable to reasonably estimate the cost of these regulatory impacts at this time.
We consider prudently incurred environmental assessment and remediation costs and the costs associated with compliance with environmental standards to be recoverable through rates. To date, we have been permitted recovery of environmental costs, and it is our intent to continue seeking recovery of such costs through future rate filings.
Other Matters
Various other proceedings are pending against us and are considered incidental to our operations.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Summary
We have disclosed all significant matters for which we are unable to reasonably estimate a range of possible loss. We estimate that for all matters for which we are able to reasonably estimate a range of loss, including those noted above and others that are not individually significant, our aggregate reasonably possible losses beyond amounts accrued for all of our contingent liabilities are immaterial to our expected future annual results of operations, liquidity and financial position. These calculations have been made without consideration of any potential recovery from third parties.
Other Commitments
We have commitments for construction and acquisition of property, plant and equipment of approximately $3 million at December 31, 2021.
Note 5 - Debt and Financing Arrangements
Long-Term Debt
December 31,
2021 2020
(Thousands)
Debentures:
7.08% due 2026
$ 7,500 $ 7,500
7.25% due 2026
200,000 200,000
Total debentures 207,500 207,500
Notes:
7.85% due 2026
1,000,000 1,000,000
4.0% due 2028
400,000 400,000
3.25% due 2030
700,000 700,000
5.4% due 2041
375,000 375,000
4.45% due 2042
400,000 400,000
4.6% due 2048
600,000 600,000
3.95% due 2050
500,000 500,000
Total notes 3,975,000 3,975,000
Other financing obligations 1,156,124 1,104,143
Total long-term debt, including current portion 5,338,624 5,286,643
Unamortized debt issuance costs (30,393) (32,505)
Unamortized debt premium and discount, net (13,613) (14,358)
Long-term debt due within one year (25,594) (22,640)
Total long-term debt $ 5,269,024 $ 5,217,140
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
The following table presents aggregate minimum maturities of long-term debt and other financing obligations outstanding at December 31, 2021, excluding net unamortized debt premium (discount) and debt issuance costs, for each of the next five years (in thousands):
2022 $ 25,594
2023 $ 28,029
2024 $ 30,701
2025 $ 33,630
2026 $ 1,244,343
No property is pledged as collateral under any of our long-term debt issues.
Restrictive Debt Covenants
At December 31, 2021, none of our debt instruments restrict the amount of distributions to our parent, provided, however, that under the credit facility described below, we are restricted from making distributions to our parent during an event of default if we have directly incurred indebtedness under the credit facility. Our debt agreements contain restrictions on our ability to incur secured debt beyond certain levels and to guarantee certain indebtedness. The indenture governing our $1 billion of 7.85 percent Senior Notes due 2026 further restricts our ability to guarantee certain indebtedness.
Issuance and Retirement of Long-Term Debt
On May 8, 2020, we issued $700 million of 3.25 percent senior unsecured notes due 2030 and $500 million of 3.95 percent senior unsecured notes due 2050 to investors in a private debt placement. As part of the issuance, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers of the unsecured notes. Under the terms of the agreement, we were obligated to file and consummate a registration statement for an offer to exchange the notes for a new issue of substantially identical notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, within 365 days from closing and to use commercially reasonable efforts to complete the exchange offer. In the fourth quarter of 2020, we filed the registration statement and completed the exchange offer.
Other Financing Obligations
During the construction of the Dalton, Atlantic Sunrise and Leidy South Expansion projects, we received funding from co-owners for their proportionate share of construction costs. Amounts received were recorded in Advances for construction costs and the costs associated with construction were capitalized in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Upon placing these projects into service we began utilizing the co-owners’ undivided interest in the assets, including the associated pipeline capacity, and reclassified the funding previously received from co-owners from Advances for construction costs to debt. The obligations, which mature in 2052, 2038 and 2041, respectively, require monthly interest and principal payments and bear interest rates of approximately 9 percent, 9 percent and 16 percent, respectively.
Dalton Expansion Project
At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the amount included in Long-Term Debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheet for this financing obligation is $251.9 million and $254.4 million, and the amount included in Long-term debt due within one year on our Consolidated Balance Sheet for this financing obligation is $2.5 million and $2.3 million, respectively.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Atlantic Sunrise Project
During 2021 and 2020, we received $2.6 million and $8.7 million, respectively, of additional funding from a co-owner for its proportionate share of construction costs related to its undivided ownership interest in Atlantic Sunrise. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the amount included in Long-Term Debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheet for this financing obligation is $807.1 million and $827.1 million, and the amount included in Long-term debt due within one year on our Consolidated Balance Sheet for this financing obligation is $22.4 million and $20.3 million, respectively.
Leidy South Project
Upon placing the applicable portion of the project in service during the fourth quarter of 2021, we began utilizing the co-owner’s undivided interest in the facilities, including the associated pipeline capacity, and reclassified approximately $72 million of funding previously received from our co-owner from Advances for construction costs to debt to reflect the financing obligation payable to our co-owner over an expected term of 20 years. At December 31, 2021, the amount included in Long-Term Debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheet for this financing obligation is $71.5 million, and the amount included in Long-term debt due within one year on our Consolidated Balance Sheet for this financing obligation is $0.7 million. As this transaction did not meet the criteria for sale leaseback accounting due to our continued involvement, it was accounted for as a financing arrangement over the course of the capacity agreement.
Long-Term Debt Due Within One Year
The long-term debt due within one year at December 31, 2021 and 2020, are associated with the previously described other financing obligations.
Credit Facility
In October 2021, we, along with Williams and Northwest Pipeline LLC, the lenders named therein, and an administrative agent entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (Credit Agreement) that reduced aggregate commitments available from $4.5 billion to $3.75 billion, with up to an additional $500 million increase in aggregate commitments available under certain circumstances. The Credit Agreement was effective on October 8, 2021. The maturity date of the credit facility is October 8, 2026. However, the co-borrowers may request up to two extensions of the maturity date each for an additional one-year period to allow a maturity date as late as October 8, 2028, under certain circumstances. The Credit Agreement allows for swing line loans up to an aggregate of $200 million, subject to available capacity under the credit facility, and letters of credit commitments of $500 million. We and Northwest Pipeline LLC are each able to borrow up to $500 million under the credit facility to the extent not otherwise utilized by the other co-borrowers. At December 31, 2021, no letters of credit have been issued and no loans were outstanding under the credit facility.
The Credit Agreement contains the following terms and conditions:
•Various covenants may limit, among other things, a borrower’s and its material subsidiaries’ ability to grant certain liens supporting indebtedness, merge or consolidate, sell all or substantially all of its assets in certain circumstances, make certain distributions during an event of default, and each borrower and each borrower’s respective material subsidiaries’ ability to enter into certain restrictive agreements.
•If an event of default with respect to a borrower occurs under the credit facility, the lenders will be able to terminate the commitments for the respective borrowers and accelerate the maturity of the loans of the defaulting borrower under the credit facility and exercise other rights and remedies.
•Other than swing line loans, each time funds are borrowed, the applicable borrower may choose from two methods of calculating interest: a fluctuating base rate equal to an alternative base rate as defined in the Credit Agreement plus an applicable margin or a periodic fixed rate equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus an applicable margin. Williams is required to pay a commitment fee based on the unused portion of the credit facility. The applicable margin is determined by reference to a pricing schedule
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
based on the applicable borrower’s senior unsecured long-term debt ratings and the commitment fee is determined by reference to a pricing schedule based on Williams’ senior unsecured long-term debt ratings. The Credit Agreement also includes customary provisions to provide for replacement of LIBOR with an alternative benchmark rate when LIBOR ceases to be available.
The ratio of debt to capitalization (defined as net worth plus debt), each as defined in the Credit Agreement, must be no greater than 65 percent for each of Northwest Pipeline LLC and us.
At December 31, 2021, we are in compliance with this covenant.
Commercial Paper Program
In 2018, Williams entered into a $4.0 billion commercial paper program that has been reduced to $3.5 billion in connection with the October 2021 Credit Agreement. Williams’ management considers amounts outstanding under this program to be a reduction of available capacity under the credit facility. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, Williams had no outstanding commercial paper.
Note 6 - ARO Trust
We are entitled to collect in rates the amounts necessary to fund our ARO. We deposit monthly, into an external trust account (ARO Trust), the revenues specifically designated for ARO. The ARO Trust carries a moderate risk portfolio. The Money Market Funds held in our ARO Trust are considered investments. We measure the financial instruments held in our ARO Trust at fair value. However, in accordance with Topic 980, both realized and unrealized gains and losses of the ARO Trust are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities.
Pursuant to the approved stipulation and agreement in Docket No. RP18-1126 the annual funding obligation effective March 31, 2020 is approximately $16.0 million, with deposits made monthly.
Investments within the ARO Trust were as follows (in millions):
December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020
Amortized
Cost Basis Fair
Value Amortized
Cost Basis Fair
Value
Money Market Funds $ 5.9 $ 5.9 $ 5.8 $ 5.8
U.S. Equity Funds 52.7 121.4 59.9 108.0
International Equity Funds 31.7 43.2 34.2 43.7
Municipal Bond Funds 87.7 90.0 74.9 78.0
Total $ 178.0 $ 260.5 $ 174.8 $ 235.5
Note 7 - Fair Value Measurements
The following table presents, by level within the fair value hierarchy, certain of our significant financial assets and liabilities. The carrying values of short-term financial assets that have variable interest rates (advances to affiliate), accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Therefore, these assets and liabilities are not presented in the following table.
TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Fair Value Measurements Using
Carrying
Amount Fair
Value Quoted
Prices In
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1) Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2) Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
(Millions)
Assets (liabilities) at December 31, 2021:
Measured on a recurring basis:
ARO Trust investments $ 260.5 $ 260.5 $ 260.5 $ - $ -
Additional disclosures:
Long-term debt, including current portion (5,294.6) (6,849.8) - (6,849.8) -
Assets (liabilities) at December 31, 2020:
Measured on a recurring basis:
ARO Trust investments $ 235.5 $ 235.5 $ 235.5 $ - $ -
Additional disclosures:
Long-term debt, including current portion (5,239.8) (6,949.0) - (6,949.0) -
Fair Value Methods
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
ARO Trust investments: We deposit a portion of our collected rates, pursuant to the terms of the Docket No. RP18-1126 rate case settlement, into the ARO Trust which is specifically designated to fund future AROs. The ARO Trust invests in a portfolio of actively traded mutual funds that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis based on quoted prices in an active market and are reported in Other Assets-Other on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. However, both realized and unrealized gains and losses are ultimately recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities. See Note 6 - ARO Trust for more information.
Long-term debt, including current portion: The disclosed fair value of our long-term debt is determined primarily by a market approach using broker quoted indicative period-end bond prices. The quoted prices are based on observable transactions in less active markets for our debt or similar instruments. The fair values of the financing obligations associated with our Dalton, Atlantic Sunrise and Leidy South projects, which are included within long-term debt, were determined using an income approach (see Note 5 - Debt and Financing Arrangements).
TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Nonrecurring fair value measurements
Approvals required for the Northeast Supply Enhancement project from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection have been denied and we have not refiled at this time. Beginning in May 2020, we discontinued capitalization of costs related to this project. Considering that the customer precedent agreements and FERC certificate for the project remain in effect, we had previously concluded that the probability of completing the project was sufficient to not require impairment. However, developments in the political and regulatory environments caused us to slightly lower that assessed probability such that the capitalized project costs required impairment in 2020. As of December 31, 2020, the estimated fair value of the materials within the capitalized project costs were determined to be $41.5 million and considered other internal uses and salvage values for the Property, plant, and equipment, net, a Level 3 measurement. The remaining capitalized costs were determined to have no fair value. As a result we recognized an impairment charge of $170.1 million during the fourth quarter of 2020.
Note 8 - Benefit Plans
Certain of the benefit costs charged to us by Williams associated with employees who directly support us are described below. Additionally, allocated corporate expenses from Williams to us also include amounts related to these same employee benefits, which are not included in the amounts presented below (see Note 9 - Transactions with Major Customers and Affiliates).
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Williams has noncontributory defined benefit pension plans (Williams Pension Plan, Williams Inactive Employees Pension Plan and The Williams Companies Retirement Restoration Plan) that provide pension benefits for its eligible employees hired prior to January 1, 2019. Pension costs charged to us by Williams were $4.1 million, $9.1 million and $9.6 million for 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Included in our pension costs are settlement charges of $3.7 million for 2020.
Williams makes annual cash contributions to the pension plans, based on annual actuarial estimates, which we recover through rates that are set through periodic general rate filings. Effective with the Docket No. RP18-1126 rate case settlement, any amounts of annual contributions that fall below a threshold are recorded as adjustments to income and refunded through future rate adjustments. The amounts of deferred pension collections recorded as regulatory liabilities at December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $34.5 million and $38.9 million, respectively. Also effective with the Docket No. RP18-1126 rate case settlement, the pension regulatory liability as of March 1, 2019 is being amortized over a five-year period.
Williams provides subsidized retiree medical benefits to a closed group of participants as well as retiree life insurance to eligible participants. We recognized other postretirement benefit income of $4.7 million, $4.5 million and $4.1 million for 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
We have been allowed by rate case settlements to collect or refund in future rates any differences between the actuarially determined costs and amounts currently being recovered in rates related to other postretirement benefits. Any differences between the annual actuarially determined cost and amounts currently being recovered in rates are recorded as an adjustment to expense and collected or refunded through future rate adjustments. The amounts of other postretirement benefits costs deferred as regulatory liabilities at December 31, 2021 and 2020 are $50.5 million and $60.9 million, respectively. Effective with the Docket No. RP18-1126 rate case settlement, the other postretirement benefits regulatory liability as of March 1, 2019 is being amortized over a period of approximately five years.
TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Defined Contribution Plan
Williams maintains a defined contribution plan for substantially all of its employees. Williams charged us compensation expense of $11.4 million, $9.5 million, and $7.9 million in 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively, for Williams’ company contributions to this plan.
Employee Stock-Based Compensation Plan Information
The Williams Companies, Inc. 2007 Incentive Plan (the Plan), as subsequently amended and restated, provides for Williams’ common stock-based awards to both employees and non-management directors. The Plan permits the granting of various types of awards including, but not limited to, restricted stock units and stock options. Awards may be granted for no consideration other than prior and future services or based on certain financial performance targets achieved.
Williams currently bills us directly for compensation expense related to stock-based compensation awards based on the fair value of the awards. We are also billed for our proportionate share of Williams’ and other affiliates’ stock-based compensation expense through various allocation processes.
Total stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $5.9 million, $4.0 million, and $5.9 million, respectively, excluding amounts allocated from Williams.
Note 9 - Transactions with Major Customers and Affiliates
Major Customers
Dominion Energy, Inc. accounted for $297.7 million (11 percent), $248.5 million (10 percent) and $250.7 million (10 percent) of our operating revenues during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. No other customers accounted for 10 percent or more of our revenues during any of the three years ended December 31, 2021.
Affiliates
We are a participant in Williams’ cash management program, and we make advances to and receive advances from Williams. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, our advances to Williams totaled approximately $1,669.4 million and $642.7 million, respectively. These advances are represented by demand notes and are classified as Receivables - Advances to affiliate in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. Advances are stated at the historical carrying amounts. Interest expense and income are recognized when earned and collectability is reasonably assured. The interest rate on these intercompany demand notes is based upon the daily overnight investment rate paid on Williams’ excess cash at the end of each month. At December 31, 2021, the interest rate was 0.01 percent.
Included in Operating Revenues in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for 2021, 2020 and 2019 are revenues received from affiliates of $37.4 million, $11.4 million, and $10.5 million, respectively. The rates charged to provide sales and services to affiliates are the same as those that are charged to similarly-situated nonaffiliated customers.
Included in Cost of natural gas sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for 2021, 2020 and 2019 are costs of gas purchased from affiliates of $7.9 million, $5.6 million, and $4.0 million, respectively. All gas purchases are made at market or contract prices.
We have no employees. Services necessary to operate our business are provided to us by Williams and certain affiliates of Williams. We reimburse Williams and its affiliates for all direct and indirect expenses incurred or payments made (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and benefits) in connection with these services. Employees of Williams also provide general, administrative and management services to us, and we are charged for certain administrative expenses incurred by Williams. These charges are either directly identifiable or allocated to our assets. Direct charges are for goods and services provided by Williams at our request. Allocated charges are based on a three-factor formula, which considers revenues; property, plant and equipment; and payroll. In
TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
management’s estimation, the allocation methodologies used are reasonable and result in a reasonable allocation to us of our costs of doing business incurred by Williams. In the accompanying Statement of Comprehensive Income, we have recorded approximately $329.7 million, $278.8 million, and $304.5 million during 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, for these service expenses, which are primarily included in Operation and maintenance and Administrative and general expenses.
We provide services to certain of our affiliates. We recorded reductions in operating expenses for services provided to and reimbursed by our affiliates of $7.3 million, $5.1 million, and $4.4 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
We made cash distributions to our parent of $343.7 million, $1,020.0 million and $824.0 million during 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During January 2022, we made an additional cash distribution of $57.5 million.
During 2021 and 2020, our parent made cash contributions totaling $417.0 million and $115.0 million, respectively, to us. During January 2022, our parent made an additional $128.0 million contribution to us.
During 2019, we recognized a non-cash distribution of $25 million to our parent related to a settlement agreement between Williams and a co-owner in our Atlantic Sunrise project. Although the agreement was between Williams and a third party, since the agreement was in part related to our Atlantic Sunrise project, the settlement amount was added to our Atlantic Sunrise project financing obligation.
Effective December 31, 2019, we made a $36.6 million non-cash distribution to our parent of our interests in our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cardinal Operating Company, LLC, Pine Needle Operating Company, LLC, TransCarolina LNG Company, LLC, and TransCardinal Company, LLC.
Note 10 - Asset Retirement Obligations
These accrued obligations relate to underground storage caverns, offshore platforms, pipelines, and gas transmission facilities. At the end of the useful life of each respective asset, we are legally obligated to plug storage caverns and remove any related surface equipment, to dismantle offshore platforms, to cap certain gathering pipelines at the wellhead connection and remove any related surface equipment, and to remove certain components of gas transmission facilities from the ground.
During 2021 and 2020, our overall asset retirement obligation changed as follows (in thousands):
2021 2020
Beginning balance $ 450,501 $ 459,209
Accretion 22,343 23,142
New obligations 1,249 1,154
Changes in estimates of existing obligations (1) 59,460 (21,889)
Property dispositions/obligations settled (15,166) (11,115)
Ending balance $ 518,387 $ 450,501
______________________
(1) Changes in estimates of existing obligations are primarily due to the annual review process, which considers various factors including inflation rate, current estimates for removal costs, discount rates, and the estimated remaining life of assets. The increase in 2021 is primarily due to an increase in estimated removal cost for offshore AROs. The decrease in 2020 is primarily due to a decrease in the inflation rate.
We are entitled to collect in rates the amounts necessary to fund our ARO. All funds received for such retirements are deposited into an external trust account dedicated to funding our ARO (see Note 6 - ARO Trust).
TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Note 11 - Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
The regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities resulting from our application of the provisions of Topic 980, included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2021 and 2020 are as follows (in thousands):
Regulatory Assets 2021 2020
Current regulatory assets:
Fuel cost $ 61,312 $ 34,149
Electric power cost 25,961 7,826
ARO 16,029 16,029
Deferred cash out 6,192 -
Asset retirement costs - Eminence 4,857 4,857
Total current regulatory assets 114,351 62,861
Non-current regulatory assets:
ARO 126,270 123,436
Deferred cash out 41,082 70,023
Grossed-up deferred taxes on equity funds used during construction 34,660 36,089
Asset retirement costs - Eminence 27,788 31,741
Slug Catcher 6,292 6,429
Other 16,989 14,152
Total non-current regulatory assets 253,081 281,870
Total regulatory assets $ 367,432 $ 344,731
Regulatory Liabilities 2021 2020
Current regulatory liabilities:
Deferred taxes - liability $ 31,521 $ 31,521
Postretirement benefits other than pension 15,000 15,000
Pension 10,394 10,394
Sentinel meter station depreciation 102 102
Other 352 69
Total current regulatory liabilities 57,369 57,086
Non-current regulatory liabilities:
Negative salvage 533,815 504,465
Deferred taxes - liability 330,502 361,254
Postretirement benefits other than pension 35,532 45,879
Pension 24,126 28,520
Sentinel meter station depreciation 6,814 6,656
Other 1,312 -
Total non-current regulatory liabilities 932,101 946,774
Total regulatory liabilities $ 989,470 $ 1,003,860
TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
The significant regulatory assets and liabilities include:
Grossed-up deferred taxes on equity funds used during construction: Regulatory asset balance established to offset the deferred tax for the equity component of the allowance for funds used during the construction of long-lived assets. All amounts were generated during the period that we were a taxable entity. Taxes on capitalized funds used during construction and the offsetting deferred income taxes are included in the rate base and are recovered over the depreciable lives of the long-lived assets to which they relate.
ARO: Regulatory asset balance established to offset depreciation of the ARO asset and changes in the ARO liability due to the passage of time. The regulatory asset is being recovered through our rates, and is being amortized to expense consistent with the amounts collected in rates (see Note 10 - Asset Retirement Obligations).
Asset retirement costs - Eminence: Regulatory asset balance associated with the Eminence Storage Field retirement costs. The regulatory asset is being recovered through our rates and is being amortized to expense consistent with the amounts collected in rates.
Deferred cash out: This amount represents the deferral of gains or losses on the purchases and sales of gas imbalances with shippers. These amounts will be recovered/refunded under terms provided for in our FERC tariff.
Fuel cost: This amount represents the difference between the gas retained from our customers and the gas consumed in operations. These amounts are not included in the rate base but are expected to be recovered/refunded in subsequent annual fuel tracker filing periods.
Electric power cost: This amount represents the difference between the electric power costs recovered from our customers and the electric power costs incurred in operations. These amounts are not included in the rate base but are expected to be recovered/refunded in subsequent annual electric power tracker filing periods.
Slug catcher: This amount represents certain costs associated with the replacement of a component of a slug catcher which was included in the Docket No. RP18-1126 rate case settlement. A regulatory asset has been established to recognize the recovery of Transco’s investment in the slug catcher as it is collected through Transco’s depreciation rates and is being amortized at the prescribed depreciation rate for onshore transmission facilities (see Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies).
Negative salvage: Our rates include a component designed to recover certain future retirement costs for which we are not required to record an ARO. We record a regulatory liability representing the cumulative residual amount of recoveries through rates, net of expenditures associated with these retirement costs.
Deferred taxes - liability: Regulatory liability balance was established as a result of a decrease to rate base deferred taxes due to a decrease to the effective federal income tax rate. The timing of the refund of the regulatory liability to rate payers is stated in the Docket No. RP18-1126 rate case settlement.
Sentinel meter station depreciation: This amount reflects the incremental depreciation being recorded related to the meter station modifications made for three of the Sentinel shippers. These modifications will be recovered through a surcharge over a defined period of time as stated in the Sentinel FERC order. The incremental depreciation represents the difference between the FERC granted depreciation rate for such facilities in the last rate case as compared to the depreciation rates in the Sentinel order which are based on the contractual terms in the surcharge agreements. The incremental depreciation will be recorded through the end of the contractual term and then will be amortized.
Postretirement benefits other than pension: We recover the actuarially determined cost of postretirement benefits through rates that are set through periodic general rate filings. Any differences between the annual actuarially determined cost and the amounts recovered in rates are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities to be collected or refunded through future rate adjustments. These amounts are not included in the rate base. Effective with the Docket No. RP18-1126 rate case settlement, the other postretirement benefits regulatory liability balance as of March 1, 2019, is currently being amortized (see Note 8 - Benefit Plans).
TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Pension: We recover the actuarially determined pension cash contributions through rates that are set through periodic general rate filings. Effective with the Docket No. RP18-1126 rate case settlement, any amounts of annual contributions that fall below the threshold are recorded as adjustments to income and refunded through future rate adjustments. Also effective with the Docket No. RP18-1126 rate case settlement, the pension regulatory liability balance as of March 1, 2019, is currently being amortized (see Note 8 - Benefit Plans).

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our Senior Vice President and our Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(e) and 15d - 15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended) (Disclosure Controls) or our internal control over financial reporting (Internal Controls) will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. We monitor our Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls and make modifications as necessary; our intent in this regard is that the Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls will be modified as systems change and conditions warrant.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our Disclosure Controls was performed as of the end of the period covered by this report. This evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Senior Vice President and our Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer. Based upon that evaluation, our Senior Vice President and our Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer concluded that these Disclosure Controls are effective at a reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes during the fourth quarter of 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(f) and 15d - 15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management regarding the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorization of our management; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Senior Vice President and our Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, we assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on our assessment, we concluded that, as of December 31, 2021, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.
This annual report does not include a report of the company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. A report by the company’s registered public accounting firm is not required pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other information
None.
PART III
Since we meet the conditions set forth in General Instruction (I)(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K, the information required by Items 10, 11, 12, and 13, is omitted.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Fees for professional services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm in each of the last two fiscal years in each of the following categories are (in millions):
2021 2020
Audit fees $ 1.4 $ 1.4
Audit-related fees - -
Tax fees - -
All other fees - -
Total fees $ 1.4 $ 1.4
Fees for audit services include fees associated with the annual audit, the reviews for our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, the reviews for other SEC and FERC filings, and accounting consultation.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Williams, we do not have a separate audit committee. The Williams Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of Ernst & Young LLP (EY) as such appointment relates to us and Williams’ other affiliates. The Williams Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the determination of fees associated with EY’s audit of our financial statements. The Williams Audit Committee has established a policy regarding pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services provided by EY to Williams and its affiliates. On an ongoing basis, management presents specific projects and categories of service, including projects and categories of service relating to us, to the Williams Audit Committee to request advance approval. The Williams Audit Committee reviews those requests and advises management if the Williams Audit Committee approves the engagement of EY. On a periodic basis, management reports to the Williams Audit Committee regarding the actual spending for such projects and services compared to the approved amounts. The Williams Audit Committee may also delegate the authority to pre-approve audit and permitted non-audit services, excluding services related to internal control over financial reporting, to a subcommittee of one or more committee members, provided that any such pre-approvals are reported on at a subsequent Williams Audit Committee meeting.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Page
Reference
to 2021 10-K
(a) 1 and 2. Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC financial statements and schedules
Index
Covered by Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm:
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Member’s Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following schedules are omitted because of the absence of the conditions under which they are required: I, II, III, IV, and V.
3. Exhibits
Exhibit Number Description
2 Certificate of Conversion dated December 22, 2008 and effective December 31, 2008 (filed on February 24, 2011 as Exhibit 2.1 to our annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
3.1 Certificate of Formation executed as of December 22, 2008 and effective December 31, 2008 (filed on February 24, 2011 as Exhibit 3.1 to our annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2 Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC dated February 17, 2010 (filed on October 28, 2010 as Exhibit 3.2 to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
4.1 Senior Indenture dated July 15, 1996 between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation and Citibank, N.A., as Trustee (filed on April 2, 1996 as Exhibit 4.1 to our registration statement Form S-3 (File No. 333-02155) and incorporated herein by reference).
4.2 Indenture, dated as of August 12, 2011 between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (filed on August 12, 2011 as Exhibit 4.1 to our current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
4.3 Indenture, dated as of July 13, 2012, between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (filed on July 16, 2012 as Exhibit 4.1 to our current report Form 8-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
4.4 Indenture, dated as of January 22, 2016, between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on January 22, 2016 as Exhibit 4.1 to our current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
4.5 Indenture, dated as of March 15, 2018, between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on March 15, 2018 as Exhibit 4.1 to our current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
4.6 Indenture, dated as of May 8, 2020, between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on May 8, 2020 as Exhibit 4.1 to our current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1 Administrative Services Agreement, dated as of February 17, 2010, by and between Transco Pipeline Services LLC and Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (filed on February 22, 2010 as Exhibit 10.3 to Williams Partners L.P.’s, Form 8-K (File No. 001-32599) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2 Assignment Agreement dated February 13, 2013 by and between Transco Pipeline Services LLC and Williams WPC-I, LLC, effective January 1, 2013 (filed on February 27, 2013 as Exhibit 10.2 to our annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 8, 2021 between The Williams Companies, Inc., Northwest Pipeline LLC, and Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company, LLC, as co-borrowers, the lenders named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent (filed on October 8, 2021 as Exhibit 10.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference).
31.1* Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2* Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32 ** Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS*
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101.SCH* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
101.CAL* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
101.DEF* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.
101.LAB* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
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104* Cover Page Interactive Data File. The cover page interactive data file does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document (contained in Exhibit 101).
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Billeigh W. Mark
Billeigh W. Mark
Controller
Date: February 28, 2022
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature Title
/s/ Scott A. Hallam Management Committee Member and
Senior Vice President
(Principal Executive Officer)
Scott A. Hallam
/s/ Mary A. Hausman Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Mary A. Hausman
/s/ Billeigh W. Mark Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Billeigh W. Mark
Date: February 28, 2022

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Fees for professional services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm in each of the last two fiscal years in each of the following categories are (in millions):
2021 2020
Audit fees $ 1.4 $ 1.4
Audit-related fees - -
Tax fees - -
All other fees - -
Total fees $ 1.4 $ 1.4
Fees for audit services include fees associated with the annual audit, the reviews for our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, the reviews for other SEC and FERC filings, and accounting consultation.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Williams, we do not have a separate audit committee. The Williams Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of Ernst & Young LLP (EY) as such appointment relates to us and Williams’ other affiliates. The Williams Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the determination of fees associated with EY’s audit of our financial statements. The Williams Audit Committee has established a policy regarding pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services provided by EY to Williams and its affiliates. On an ongoing basis, management presents specific projects and categories of service, including projects and categories of service relating to us, to the Williams Audit Committee to request advance approval. The Williams Audit Committee reviews those requests and advises management if the Williams Audit Committee approves the engagement of EY. On a periodic basis, management reports to the Williams Audit Committee regarding the actual spending for such projects and services compared to the approved amounts. The Williams Audit Committee may also delegate the authority to pre-approve audit and permitted non-audit services, excluding services related to internal control over financial reporting, to a subcommittee of one or more committee members, provided that any such pre-approvals are reported on at a subsequent Williams Audit Committee meeting.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Page
Reference
to 2021 10-K
(a) 1 and 2. Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC financial statements and schedules
Index
Covered by Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm:
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Member’s Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following schedules are omitted because of the absence of the conditions under which they are required: I, II, III, IV, and V.
3. Exhibits
Exhibit Number Description
2 Certificate of Conversion dated December 22, 2008 and effective December 31, 2008 (filed on February 24, 2011 as Exhibit 2.1 to our annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
3.1 Certificate of Formation executed as of December 22, 2008 and effective December 31, 2008 (filed on February 24, 2011 as Exhibit 3.1 to our annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2 Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC dated February 17, 2010 (filed on October 28, 2010 as Exhibit 3.2 to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
4.1 Senior Indenture dated July 15, 1996 between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation and Citibank, N.A., as Trustee (filed on April 2, 1996 as Exhibit 4.1 to our registration statement Form S-3 (File No. 333-02155) and incorporated herein by reference).
4.2 Indenture, dated as of August 12, 2011 between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (filed on August 12, 2011 as Exhibit 4.1 to our current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
4.3 Indenture, dated as of July 13, 2012, between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (filed on July 16, 2012 as Exhibit 4.1 to our current report Form 8-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
4.4 Indenture, dated as of January 22, 2016, between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on January 22, 2016 as Exhibit 4.1 to our current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
4.5 Indenture, dated as of March 15, 2018, between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on March 15, 2018 as Exhibit 4.1 to our current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
4.6 Indenture, dated as of May 8, 2020, between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on May 8, 2020 as Exhibit 4.1 to our current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1 Administrative Services Agreement, dated as of February 17, 2010, by and between Transco Pipeline Services LLC and Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (filed on February 22, 2010 as Exhibit 10.3 to Williams Partners L.P.’s, Form 8-K (File No. 001-32599) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2 Assignment Agreement dated February 13, 2013 by and between Transco Pipeline Services LLC and Williams WPC-I, LLC, effective January 1, 2013 (filed on February 27, 2013 as Exhibit 10.2 to our annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 8, 2021 between The Williams Companies, Inc., Northwest Pipeline LLC, and Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company, LLC, as co-borrowers, the lenders named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent (filed on October 8, 2021 as Exhibit 10.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference).
31.1* Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2* Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32 ** Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS*
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* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.