Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

  (Mark One)

x    ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 or

¨    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 1-33007

SPECTRA ENERGY CORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

  20-5413139

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, Texas

  77056

(Address of principal executive offices)

  (Zip Code)

713-627-5400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, par value $0.001

  New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ¨ No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

Large accelerated filer ¨                     Accelerated filer ¨                    Non-accelerated filer x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes ¨ No x

Estimated aggregate market value of the common equity held by nonaffiliates of the registrant at March 28, 2007: $16,267,000,000. The Registrant had no outstanding common equity held by nonaffiliates at June 30, 2006.

Number of shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding at March 28, 2007: 631,465,000

 



Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CORP

FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2006

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item

        Page

PART I.

  

1.

   Business    4
  

General

   4
  

Recent Developments

   5
  

Businesses of Spectra Energy

   6
  

U.S. Gas Transmission

   6
  

Western Canada Transmission & Processing

   10
  

Distribution

   12
  

Field Services

   13
  

Supplies and Raw Materials

   15
  

Regulations

   16
  

Environmental Matters

   16
  

Geographic Regions

   17
  

Employees

   17
  

Additional Information

   18
  

Executive Officers

   20

1A.

   Risk Factors    21

1B.

   Unresolved Staff Comments    27

2.

   Properties    27

3.

   Legal Proceedings    28

4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    28

PART II.

  

5.

   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities    29

6.

   Selected Financial Data    30

7.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    31

7A.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    62

8.

   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    63

9.

   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure    147

9A.

   Controls and Procedures    147

PART III.

  

10.

  

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

   148

11.

   Executive Compensation    150

12.

   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters    178

13.

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence    179

14.

   Principal Accounting Fees and Services    181

PART IV.

  

15.

   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules    183
   Signatures    184
   Exhibit Index   

 

2


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This document includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by terms and phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “continue,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “will,” “potential,” “forecast,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from the results predicted. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to:

 

   

state, federal and foreign legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect cost and investment recovery, have an effect on rate structure, and affect the speed at and degree to which competition enters the natural gas industries;

   

the outcomes of litigation and regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries;

   

the weather and other natural phenomena, including the economic, operational and other effects of hurricanes and storms;

   

the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates;

   

general economic conditions, including any potential effects arising from terrorist attacks and any consequential hostilities or other hostilities;

   

changes in environmental, safety and other laws and regulations;

   

the results of financing efforts, including the ability to obtain financing on favorable terms, which can be affected by various factors, including credit ratings and general economic conditions;

   

declines is the market prices of equity securities and resulting funding requirements for defined benefit pension plans;

   

growth in opportunities, including the timing and success of efforts to develop domestic and international pipeline, storage, gathering, processing and other infrastructure projects and the effects of competition;

   

the performance of natural gas transmission and storage, distribution, and gathering and processing facilities;

   

the extent of success in connecting natural gas supplies to gathering, processing and transmission systems and in connecting to expanding gas markets;

   

the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by accounting standard-setting bodies;

   

conditions of the capital markets and equity markets during the periods covered by the forward-looking statements;

   

the ability to successfully complete merger, acquisition or divestiture plans, regulatory or other limitations imposed as a result of a merger, acquisition or divestiture; and the success of the business following a merger, acquisition or divestiture; and

   

the ability to operate effectively as a stand-alone, publicly-traded company.

In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events described in the forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a different extent or at a different time than Spectra Energy Corp has described. Spectra Energy Corp undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

3


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

PART I

 

Item 1. Business.

General

LOGO

Spectra Energy Corp (Spectra Energy) owns and operates a large and diversified portfolio of complementary natural gas-related energy assets and is one of North America’s premier midstream natural gas companies. For close to a century, Spectra Energy and its predecessor companies have developed critically important pipelines and related energy infrastructure connecting natural gas supply sources to premium markets. Spectra Energy operates in three key areas of the natural gas industry: transmission and storage, distribution and gathering and processing. The midstream sector of the natural gas industry is the link between the production of natural gas and the delivery of its components to end-use markets, and consists of the transmission and storage and the gathering and processing areas of the industry. Based in Houston, Texas, Spectra Energy provides transportation and storage of natural gas to customers in various regions of the Eastern and Southeastern United States, the Maritimes Provinces and the Pacific Northwest in the United States and Canada and in the province of Ontario in Canada. It also provides natural gas sales and distribution service to retail customers in Ontario, and natural gas gathering and processing services to customers in Western Canada. Spectra Energy also has a 50% ownership in DCP Midstream, LLC, (DCP Midstream), formerly Duke Energy Field Services, LLC, one of the largest natural gas gatherers and processors in the United States. Spectra Energy’s operations are subject to various federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations.

Spectra Energy’s pipeline systems consist of approximately 17,500 miles of transmission pipelines. The pipeline systems receive natural gas from major North American producing regions for delivery to markets primarily in the Mid-Atlantic, New England and Southeastern states, the Maritimes Provinces, Ontario, Alberta and the Pacific Northwest. For 2006, Spectra Energy’s proportional throughput for its pipelines totaled 3,248 trillion British thermal units (TBtu), compared to 3,410 TBtu in 2005. These amounts include throughput on wholly-owned U.S. and Canadian pipelines and Spectra Energy’s proportional share of throughput on pipelines that are not wholly-owned. Spectra Energy’s storage facilities provide approximately 265 Bcf of storage capacity in the United States and Canada.

DCP Midstream gathers, compresses, processes, transports, trades and markets, and stores natural gas. DCP Midstream also fractionates, transports, gathers, treats, processes, trades and markets, and stores natural gas liquids, or NGLs. DCP Midstream is 50% owned by ConocoPhillips and 50% owned by Spectra Energy. DCP Midstream gathers raw natural gas through gathering systems located in major natural gas producing regions: Permian Basin, Mid-Continent, East Texas-North Louisiana, Gulf Coast, South, Central and Rocky Mountain.

 

4


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Recent Developments

Spin-off from Duke Energy

On January 2, 2007, Duke Energy Corporation (Duke Energy) completed the spin-off of its natural gas businesses, primarily comprised of the Natural Gas Transmission and Field Services business segments of Duke Energy that were owned through Duke Energy’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Duke Capital LLC (now Spectra Energy Capital, LLC). Spectra Energy Capital, LLC (Spectra Energy Capital) was contributed by Duke Energy to Spectra Energy and all of the outstanding common stock of Spectra Energy was distributed to the Duke Energy shareholders. The Duke Energy shareholders received one share of Spectra Energy common stock for every two shares of Duke Energy common stock, resulting in the issuance of approximately 631 million shares of Spectra Energy on January 2, 2007.

Prior to the distribution by Duke Energy, Spectra Energy Capital implemented an internal reorganization in which the operations and assets of Spectra Energy Capital that were not associated with the natural gas businesses, were contributed by Spectra Energy Capital to Duke Energy or its subsidiaries. The contribution to Duke Energy, made in December 2006, included the following operations:

 

   

International Energy business segment;

   

Crescent Resources (a real estate business);

   

The remaining portion of Spectra Energy Capital’s business formerly known as Duke Energy North America (DENA), which included unregulated power plant development and operations, and the marketing and trading of various energy services and commodities; and

   

Other miscellaneous operations, such as a fiber optic communications network and a project development services partnership, that were not associated with the natural gas operations of Spectra Energy.

Following this internal reorganization and the distribution by Duke Energy to Spectra Energy, Spectra Energy Capital is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Spectra Energy. All of the operating assets, liabilities and operations of Spectra Energy are held by Spectra Energy Capital, except for employee benefit plan assets and liabilities that were contributed by Duke Energy directly to Spectra Energy in a separation transaction. As a result of these spin-off steps, Spectra Energy Capital is treated as the predecessor entity for financial statement purposes. Accordingly, this Form 10-K includes the audited consolidated financial statements of Spectra Energy Capital. References throughout this document to the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto are referring to the statements of Spectra Energy Capital.

 

5


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Businesses of Spectra Energy

As of December 31, 2006, Spectra Energy’s businesses were reported by Spectra Energy Capital primarily in its Natural Gas Transmission and Field Services segments. As a result of the reorganization and spin-off of Spectra Energy from Duke Energy on January 2, 2007, Spectra Energy now manages its business in four reportable segments: U.S. Transmission, Western Canada Transmission & Processing, Distribution and Field Services. The first three segments are primarily included in Spectra Energy Capital’s Natural Gas Transmission segment and DCP Midstream is reported in the Field Services segment of Spectra Energy Capital. The remainder of Spectra Energy’s business operations is expected to be presented as “Other,” and consists of unallocated corporate costs, a wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary, employee benefit plan assets and liabilities and other miscellaneous businesses.

The following sections describe the business and operations of each of Spectra Energy’s businesses. (For more information on the operating outlook of Spectra Energy and its segments, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Introduction—Executive Overview and Economic Factors for Duke Energy’s Business.” For financial information on Spectra Energy Capital’s business segments, see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Business Segments.”)

U.S. GAS TRANSMISSION

Spectra Energy’s U.S. Gas Transmission business provides transportation and storage of natural gas for customers in various regions of the Eastern and Southeastern United States and the Maritimes Provinces in the United States and Canada. Spectra Energy’s U.S. pipeline systems consist of more than 12,800 miles of transmission pipelines with five primary transmission systems: Texas Eastern Transmission, L.P. (Texas Eastern), Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC (Algonquin), East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC (East Tennessee), Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, LLC and Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.P. (collectively, Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline), and Gulfstream Natural Gas System, LLC (Gulfstream). These pipeline systems receive natural gas from major North American producing regions for delivery to markets. For 2006, U.S. gas transmission’s proportional throughput for its pipelines totaled 1,930 TBtu, compared to 1,953 TBtu in 2005. This includes throughput on wholly owned pipelines and its proportional share of throughput on pipelines that are not wholly owned. A majority of contracted transportation volumes are under long-term firm service agreements with local distribution company (LDC) customers in the pipelines’ market areas. Firm transportation services are also provided to gas marketers, producers, other pipelines, electric power generators and a variety of end-users, and both firm and interruptible transportation services are provided to various customers on a short-term or seasonal basis. In the course of providing transportation services, U.S. Gas Transmission also processes natural gas on its Texas Eastern system. Demand on the pipeline systems is seasonal, with the highest throughput occurring during colder periods in the first and fourth calendar quarters.

 

6


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Texas Eastern

The Texas Eastern gas transmission system extends approximately 1,700 miles from producing fields in the Gulf Coast region of Texas and Louisiana to Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. It consists of two parallel systems, one with three large-diameter parallel pipelines and the other with one to three large-diameter pipelines. Texas Eastern’s onshore system consists of approximately 8,600 miles of pipeline and 73 compressor stations (facilities that increase the pressure of gas to facilitate its pipeline transmission). Texas Eastern also owns and operates two offshore Louisiana pipeline systems, which extend approximately 100 miles into the Gulf of Mexico and include approximately 500 miles of Texas Eastern’s pipeline system and has an ownership interest in a processing plant in Southern Louisiana. Texas Eastern has two joint-venture storage facilities in Pennsylvania and one wholly-owned and operated storage field in Maryland. Texas Eastern’s total working capacity in these three fields is 75 billion cubic feet (Bcf). Texas Eastern is connected with two storage facilities through Market Hub Partners operations in Texas and Louisiana.

LOGO

Algonquin

The Algonquin pipeline connects with Texas Eastern’s facilities in New Jersey, and extends approximately 250 miles through New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts where it connects to the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline. The system consists of approximately 1,100 miles of pipeline with six compressor stations.

LOGO

 

7


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

East Tennessee

East Tennessee’s transmission system crosses Texas Eastern’s system at two points in Tennessee and consists of two mainline systems totaling approximately 1,400 miles of pipeline in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia, with 18 compressor stations. East Tennessee has a liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facility in Tennessee with a total working capacity of 1.2 Bcf. East Tennessee also connects to Saltville Gas Storage Company L.L.C. (Saltville), a subsidiary of Spectra Energy, and other storage facilities in Virginia that have a working gas capacity of approximately 5 Bcf.

LOGO

Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline

Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline transmission system is operated primarily through Spectra Energy’s 77.53% investments in Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, LP and Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, LLC. Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline transmission system extends approximately 900 miles from producing fields in Nova Scotia through New Brunswick, Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, connecting to Algonquin in Beverly, Massachusetts. There are two compressor stations on the system.

LOGO

 

8


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Gulfstream

Spectra Energy also has a 50% investment in Gulfstream, a 691-mile interstate natural gas pipeline system owned and operated jointly by Spectra Energy and The Williams Companies, Inc. Gulfstream has a capacity to transport 1.1 Bcf/day from Mississippi and Alabama, crossing the Gulf of Mexico to markets in central and southern Florida. Gulfstream has one compressor station.

LOGO

Storage Services

Spectra Energy, through its subsidiary Market Hub Partners (MHP), owns and operates two natural gas storage facilities, Moss Bluff and Egan, with a total storage capacity of approximately 35 Bcf. The Moss Bluff facility consists of three storage caverns located in Southeast Texas and has access to five pipeline systems including the Texas Eastern system. The Egan facility consists of three storage caverns located in South Central Louisiana and has access to eight pipeline systems including the Texas Eastern system. MHP markets natural gas storage services to pipelines, LDCs, producers, end users and natural gas marketers. Texas Eastern and East Tennessee also provide firm and interruptible open-access storage services. Storage is offered as a stand-alone unbundled service or as part of a no-notice bundled service with transportation. East Tennessee also connects to Saltville Gas Storage Company L.L.C., a subsidiary of Spectra Energy. These underground reservoir and salt cavern storage facilities are located in Virginia and provide storage services to customers in the Southeastern United States.

Customers and Contracts

In general, Spectra Energy’s U.S. pipelines provide transportation services to LDC’s, electric power generators, industrial and commercial customers, as well as energy marketers. Transportation and storage services are provided under firm agreements where customers reserve capacity in pipelines and storage facilities. The vast majority of these agreements provide for fixed reservation charges that are paid monthly regardless of actual volumes transported on Spectra Energy’s pipelines or injected or withdrawn from our storage by customers plus a small variable component that is based on volumes transported to recover variable costs.

Spectra Energy also provides interruptible transportation and storage service agreements where customers can use capacity if it is available at the time of the request and payments under these services are based on volumes transported or stored. These U.S. operations also provide a variety of other value-added services including natural gas parking, loaning and balancing services to meet customers’ needs. These services are provided in accordance with tariffs that govern the provision of services and are approved by the appropriate regulatory agency that has jurisdiction over those systems.

 

9


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Competition

Spectra Energy’s U.S. transportation and storage businesses compete with similar facilities that serve its supply and market areas in the transportation and storage of natural gas. The principal elements of competition are rates, terms of service and flexibility and reliability of service.

The natural gas that Spectra Energy transports in its transmission business competes with other forms of energy available to its customers and end-users, including electricity, coal, propane and fuel oils. Several factors influence the demand for natural gas including price changes, the availability of natural gas and other forms of energy, the level of business activity, conservation, legislation, governmental regulations, the ability to convert to alternative fuels, weather and other factors.

WESTERN CANADA TRANSMISSION & PROCESSING

Spectra Energy’s Western Canada Transmission & Processing business is comprised of the BC Pipeline and Field Services operations, the Midstream operations and the NGL Marketing operations.

BC Pipeline and Field Services provide natural gas transportation and gas gathering and processing services. BC Pipeline is regulated by the National Energy Board (NEB) under full cost of service regulation, and transports processed natural gas from facilities primarily in northeast British Columbia (BC) to markets in the lower mainland of BC and the US Pacific Northwest. The BC Pipeline has approximately 1,800 miles of transmission pipeline in British Columbia and Alberta, as well as 18 mainline compressor stations. For 2006, throughput for the BC Pipeline totaled 579 TBtu, compared to 619 TBtu in 2005. Total transmission capacity is approximately 2.0 Bcf per day.

The BC Field Services business, which is regulated by the NEB under a “light-handed” regulatory model, consists of raw gas gathering pipelines and gas processing facilities, primarily in northeast BC. These facilities provide services to natural gas producers to remove impurities from the raw gas stream including water, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and other substances. Where required, these facilities also remove various NGLs for subsequent sale. The BC Field Services business includes five gas processing plants located in British Columbia, 22 field compressor stations, and more than 1,800 miles of gathering pipelines.

The Midstream business provides similar gas gathering and processing services in BC and Alberta through Spectra Energy’s 46% interest in Spectra Energy Income Fund (Income Fund), formerly Duke Energy Income Fund, a Canadian Income Trust. The Midstream business consists of 13 natural gas processing plants and approximately 1,000 miles of gathering pipelines. Total processing capacity is approximately 870 MMcf per day.

The Empress NGL Marketing business provides NGL extraction, fractionation, transportation, storage and marketing services to both western Canadian producers and NGL customers throughout Canada and the northern tier of the U.S. Assets include, among other things, a majority ownership interest in an NGL extraction plant, an integrated NGL fractionation facility, an NGL transmission pipeline, seven terminals along the pipeline, two NGL storage facilities, and an NGL marketing and gas supply business. Total processing capacity of the Empress system is approximately 2.4 Bcf of gas per day. The Empress system is located in Western and Central Canada.

 

10


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

LOGO

Competition

Western Canada Transmission & Processing businesses compete with third-party midstream companies, exploration and production companies and pipelines in the transportation of natural gas. The Company competes directly with other pipeline facilities serving its market areas. The principal elements of competition are rates, terms of service, and flexibility and reliability of service. Customer demands for toll certainty and lower cost tailored services have promoted increased competition from other midstream service companies and producers. Spectra Energy believes it is able to offer a very competitive service offering along all of these dimensions due to its scale, geographical presence in important supply and market areas, financial stability and flexibility, and the strength of stakeholder relationships. Moreover, the presence of our existing pipeline assets, right of way, customer base and operations enables Spectra Energy to more quickly and cost effectively add capacity and service for customers in core markets. Spectra Energy’s reputation for customer service, project execution, stakeholder relations, reliability and predictable rates further enhance its competitive advantage. Taken as a whole, Spectra Energy believes its service offerings are among the most competitive in the sector.

Natural gas competes with other forms of energy available to our customers and end-users, including electricity, coal and fuel oils. The primary competitive factor is price. Changes in the availability or price of natural gas and other forms of energy, the level of business activity, conservation, legislation, governmental regulations, the ability to convert to alternative fuels, weather and other factors affect the demand for natural gas in the areas served by Spectra Energy.

Customers & Contracts

Spectra Energy’s BC Pipeline provides: (i) transportation services from the outlet of natural gas processing plants in Northeast BC to LDCs, end use industrial and commercial customers, and exploration and production companies requiring transportation services to the nearest liquid natural gas trading hub; and (ii) transportation services primarily to downstream markets in the Pacific Northwest (both United States and Canada.) Major customer segments include local distribution companies, electric power generators, exploration and production companies, gas marketers, and industrial and commercial end users.

The largest portion of Spectra Energy’s business in Western Canada is represented by the BC Field Services and Midstream operations providing raw natural gas gathering and processing services to exploration and production companies under firm agreements which are primarily fee for service contracts. These operations provide both firm and interruptible service. Although both operations gather and process raw natural gas from the Western Canadian Sedimentary basin, they are significantly different in size and infrastructure within their respective regions.

 

11


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

The NGLs extraction operation at Empress, Alberta produces approximately 50,000 barrels of NGLs per day comprised of approximately 50% ethane, 32% propane, 12% butanes and 6% condensate. All ethane is sold to Alberta-based petrochemical companies, the majority of propane is sold to propane wholesalers, butane is sold mainly into the motor gasoline refinery market, and condensate sales are directed to the crude blending market.

DISTRIBUTION

Spectra Energy provides retail distribution services in Canada through its subsidiary, Union Gas Limited (Union Gas). Union Gas owns primarily pipeline, storage and compression facilities used in the transportation, storage and distribution of natural gas. Union Gas’ system consists of approximately 22,000 miles of distribution pipelines. Union Gas’ underground natural gas storage facilities have a working capacity of approximately 150 Bcf in 20 underground facilities located in depleted gas fields. Its transmission system consists of approximately 3,000 miles of high-pressure transmission pipeline and six mainline compressor stations.

Union Gas distributes natural gas to approximately 1.3 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in Northern, Southwestern and Eastern Ontario and provides storage, transportation and related services to utilities and other industry participants in the gas markets of Ontario, Quebec and the Central and Eastern United States. Union Gas is regulated by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) pursuant to the provisions of the Ontario Energy Board Act (1998) and is subject to regulation in a number of areas including rates.

Union Gas provides natural gas storage and transportation services for other utilities and energy market participants in Ontario, Quebec and the United States. Its storage and transmission system forms an important link in moving natural gas from Western Canadian and U.S. supply basins to Central Canadian and Northeastern U.S. markets. Transportation and storage customers are primarily Canadian natural gas transmission and distribution companies. A substantial amount of Union Gas’ annual transportation and storage revenue is generated by fixed demand charges under contracts with remaining terms of up to 11 years and an average outstanding term of 3.9 years.

Union Gas’ distribution services to power generation and industrial customers are affected by weather, economic conditions and the price of competitive energy sources. Most of Union Gas’ power generation, industrial and large commercial customers, and a portion of residential customers, purchase their natural gas directly from suppliers or marketers. Because Union Gas earns income from the distribution of natural gas and not the sale of the natural gas commodity, gas distribution margins are not affected by the source of customers’ gas supply.

LOGO

 

12


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Competition

Union Gas is a regulated entity and is not generally subject to third-party competition within its distribution franchise area, although a recent decision of the OEB has permitted physical bypass of Union Gas’ facilities even within its distribution franchise area. In addition, other companies could enter Union Gas’ markets or regulations could change.

Customers and Contracts

The rates that Union Gas charges for its regulated services are subject to the approval of the OEB. Union Gas’ distribution service area extends throughout Northern Ontario from the Manitoba border to the North Bay/Muskoka area, through Southern Ontario from Windsor to just west of Toronto, and across Eastern Ontario from Port Hope to Cornwall. Union Gas’ franchise area has a population of approximately four million people and a diversified commercial and industrial base.

Union Gas also provides natural gas storage and transportation services for other utilities and energy market participants in Ontario, Quebec and the United States. Transportation and storage customers include large Canadian natural gas transmission and distribution companies.

FIELD SERVICES

Field Services includes Spectra Energy’s investment in DCP Midstream. Field Services gathers, compresses, processes, transports, trades and markets, and stores natural gas. DCP Midstream also fractionates, transports, gathers, treats, processes, trades and markets, and stores NGLs. In July 2005, Spectra Energy Capital completed the disposition of its 19.7% interest in DCP Midstream, which resulted in Spectra Energy Capital and ConocoPhillips becoming equal 50% owners in DCP Midstream. Additionally, the disposition transaction included the acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ interest in the Empress System and the transfer of the Canadian Midstream operations of Field Services to Spectra Energy Capital. Subsequent to the closing of the DCP Midstream disposition transaction, effective July 1, 2005, DCP Midstream was no longer consolidated into Spectra Energy Capital’s consolidated financial statements and is accounted for as an equity method investment. The Canadian Midstream operations and the Empress System were transferred to Spectra Energy’s Western Canada Transmission & Processing segment. Additionally, in February 2005, DCP Midstream sold its wholly-owned subsidiary, Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC, the general partner of TEPPCO Partners L.P., and Spectra Energy sold its limited partner interest in TEPPCO Partners L.P., in each case to the same unrelated third party.

In 2005, DCP Midstream formed DCP Midstream Partners, LP a master limited partnership. DCP Midstream Partners, LP (DCPLP) completed an initial public offering in December 2005. As a result, DCP Midstream has a 42% ownership interest in DCPLP, consisting of a 40% limited partner ownership interest and a 2% general partner ownership interest. DCP Midstream owns 100% of the general partner of DCPLP and, therefore, consolidates DCPLP in its financial statements.

DCP Midstream operates in 16 states in the United States (Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wyoming). DCP Midstream’s gathering systems include connections to several interstate and intrastate natural gas and NGL pipeline systems and one natural gas storage facility. DCP Midstream gathers raw natural gas through gathering systems located in seven major natural gas producing regions: Permian Basin, Mid-Continent, East Texas-North Louisiana, Gulf Coast, South, Central, and Rocky Mountain. DCP Midstream owns or operates approximately 56,000 miles of gathering and transmission pipe, with approximately 34,000 active receipt points.

 

13


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

LOGO

DCP Midstream’s natural gas processing operations separate raw natural gas that has been gathered on its own systems and third-party systems into condensate, NGLs and residue gas. DCP Midstream processes the raw natural gas at 53 natural gas processing facilities.

The NGLs separated from the raw natural gas are either sold and transported as NGL raw mix, or further separated through a fractionation process into their individual components (ethane, propane, butane, and natural gasoline) and then sold as components. DCP Midstream fractionates NGL raw mix at six processing facilities that it owns and operates and at four third-party-operated facilities in which it has an ownership interest. In addition, DCP Midstream operates a propane wholesale marketing business. DCP Midstream sells NGLs to a variety of customers ranging from large, multi-national petrochemical and refining companies to small, regional retail propane distributors. Substantially all of its NGL sales are at market-based prices.

The residue gas separated from the raw natural gas is sold at market-based prices to marketers and end-users, including large industrial customers and natural gas and electric utilities serving individual consumers. DCP Midstream markets residue gas directly or through its wholly-owned gas marketing company and its affiliates. DCP Midstream also stores residue gas at its 8 Bcf natural gas storage facility.

DCP Midstream uses NGL trading and storage at the Mont Belvieu, Texas and Conway, Kansas NGL market centers to manage its price risk and to provide additional services to its customers. Asset-based gas trading and marketing activities are supported by ownership of the Spindletop storage facility and various intrastate pipelines which provide access to market centers/hubs such as Katy, Texas, and the Houston Ship Channel. DCP Midstream undertakes these NGL and gas trading activities through the use of fixed forward sales, basis and spread trades, storage opportunities, put/call options, term contracts and spot market trading. DCP Midstream believes there are additional opportunities to grow its services with its customer base.

DCP Midstream’s operating results are significantly impacted by changes in average NGL and crude oil prices, which increased approximately 10% and 15%, respectively, in 2006 compared to 2005. DCP Midstream closely monitors the risks associated with these price changes. (See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for a discussion of DCP Midstream’s exposure to changes in commodity prices.)

Competition

In gathering and processing natural gas and in marketing and transporting natural gas and NGLs, DCP Midstream competes with major integrated oil companies, major interstate and intrastate pipelines, national and local natural gas gatherers, and brokers, marketers and distributors of natural gas supplies. Competition for natural gas supplies is based primarily on the reputation, efficiency and reliability of operations, the availability of gathering and transportation to high-demand markets, the pricing arrangement offered by the gatherer/

 

14


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

processor and the ability of the gatherer/processor to obtain a satisfactory price for the producer’s residue gas and extracted NGLs. Competition for sales to customers is based primarily upon reliability, services offered, and price of delivered natural gas and NGLs.

Customers and Contracts

DCP Midstream sells NGLs to a variety of customers ranging from large, multi-national petrochemical and refining companies to small regional retail propane distributors. Substantially all of DCP Midstream’s NGL sales are made at market-based prices, including approximately 40% of its NGL production that is committed to ConocoPhillips and its affiliate, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LLC under existing contracts that have primary terms that expire on December 31, 2014. In 2006, ConocoPhillips and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, combined, represented approximately 22% of DCP Midstream’s consolidated revenues.

The residual natural gas (primarily methane) that results from processing raw natural gas is sold at market-based prices to marketers and end-users. End-users include large industrial companies, natural gas distribution companies and electric utilities.

DCP Midstream purchases or takes custody of substantially all of its raw natural gas from producers, principally under the following types of contractual arrangements:

 

   

Percentage-of-proceeds arrangements. In general, DCP Midstream purchases natural gas from producers, transports and processes it and then sells the residue natural gas and NGLs in the market. The payment to the producer is an agreed upon percentage of the proceeds from those sales. DCP Midstream’s revenues correlate directly with the price of natural gas and NGLs.

 

   

Fee-based arrangements. DCP Midstream receives a fee or fees for the various services it provides including gathering, compressing, treating, processing or transporting natural gas. The revenue DCP Midstream earns is directly related to the volume of natural gas that flows through its systems and is not directly dependent on commodity prices.

 

   

Keep-whole. DCP Midstream gathers raw natural gas from producers for processing and then markets the NGLs. DCP Midstream keeps the producer whole by returning an equivalent amount of natural gas after the processing is complete. DCP Midstream is exposed to the “frac spread” which is the value difference between the NGLs extracted and the natural gas returned to the producer.

As defined by the terms of the above arrangements, DCP Midstream sells condensate, which is generally similar to crude oil and is produced in association with natural gas gathering and processing.

Supplies and Raw Materials

Spectra Energy purchases a variety of manufactured equipment and materials for use in operations and expansion projects. The primary equipment and materials utilized in operations and project execution processes are steel pipe, compression, valves, fittings and other consumables.

Spectra Energy operates a North American supply chain management network with employees dedicated to this function in the United States and Canada. The supply chain management group uses the scale of the Spectra Energy group to maximize the efficiency of supply networks where applicable.

The recovery in global economic growth, particularly in the North American energy sector, and rising international demand have led to increased demand levels and increased costs of steel used in certain of the manufactured equipment required by Spectra Energy’s operations. While some of these increases in price and supplier capacity will be offset through the use of strategic supplier contracts, Spectra Energy expects stable to rising prices and constant to extended lead times for many of these products in 2007 through 2009 compared to the previous three year period. The increasing costs and extended lead times are expected to primarily affect the expansion project execution process.

There can be no assurance that the ability to obtain sufficient equipment and materials will not be adversely affected by unforeseen developments. In addition, the price of equipment and materials may vary, perhaps substantially, from year to year.

 

15


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Regulations

Most of Spectra Energy’s U.S. gas transmission pipeline and storage operations are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The FERC regulates natural gas transportation in U.S. interstate commerce including the establishment of rates for services. The FERC also regulates the construction of U.S. interstate pipelines and storage facilities including extension, enlargement or abandonment of such facilities. In addition, certain operations are subject to oversight by state regulatory commissions.

FERC regulations restrict U.S. interstate pipelines from sharing transmission or customer information with energy affiliates and require that U.S. interstate pipelines function independently of their energy affiliates.

The FERC may propose and implement new rules and regulations affecting interstate natural gas transmission companies, which remain subject to the FERC’s jurisdiction. These initiatives may also affect certain transportation of gas by intrastate pipelines.

Spectra Energy’s U.S. gas transmission operations are subject to the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state and local environmental agencies. For a discussion of environmental regulation, please see the section entitled “Environmental Matters.” Spectra Energy’s U.S. interstate natural gas pipelines are also subject to the regulations of the Department of Transportation (DOT) concerning pipeline safety.

The natural gas transmission, storage and distribution operations in Canada are subject to regulation by the NEB and provincial agencies in Canada, such as the OEB. These agencies have jurisdiction similar to the FERC for regulating rates, regulating the operations of facilities and construction of any additional facilities. Spectra Energy’s BC Field Services business in Western Canada is regulated by the NEB pursuant to a framework for light-handed regulation under which the NEB acts on a complaints basis for rates associated with that business. Similarly, the rates charged by our midstream operations for gathering and processing services in Western Canada are regulated on a complaints basis by applicable provincial regulators. The Empress NGL businesses are not under any form of rate regulation.

The intrastate natural gas and NGL pipelines owned by DCP Midstream are subject to state regulation. To the extent that the natural gas intrastate pipelines provide services under Section 311 of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, they are also subject to FERC regulation. The interstate natural gas pipeline owned and operated by DCP Midstream is subject to FERC regulation, but its natural gas gathering and processing activities are not subject to FERC regulation.

DCP Midstream is subject to the jurisdiction of the EPA and state and local environmental agencies. For more information, see “Environmental Matters.” DCP Midstream’s natural gas transmission pipelines and some gathering pipelines are also subject to the regulations of the DOT, and in some cases, state agencies, concerning pipeline safety.

Environmental Matters

Spectra Energy is subject to federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations with regard to air and water quality, hazardous and solid waste disposal and other environmental matters. These regulations often impose substantial testing and certification requirements.

Environmental laws and regulations affecting Spectra Energy include, but are not limited to:

   

The Clean Air Act, or CAA, and the 1990 amendments to the CAA, as well as state laws and regulations affecting air emissions (including State Implementation Plans related to existing and new national ambient air quality standards), which may limit new sources of air emissions. Spectra Energy’s natural gas processing, transmission, and storage assets are considered sources of air emissions, and thus are subject to the CAA. Owners and/or operators of air emission sources, such as Spectra Energy, are responsible for obtaining permits for existing and new sources of air emissions, and for annual compliance and reporting.

 

16


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
   

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, which requires permits for facilities that discharge wastewaters into the environment. The Oil Pollution Act (OPA), was enacted in 1990 and amends parts of the Clean Water Act and other statutes as they pertain to the prevention of and response to oil spills. OPA imposes certain spill prevention, control and countermeasure requirements. Although Spectra Energy is primarily a natural gas business, OPA affects its business primarily because of the presence of liquid hydrocarbons (condensate) in its offshore pipelines.

   

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA, which imposes liability for remediation costs associated with environmentally contaminated sites. Under CERCLA, any individual or entity that currently owns or in the past owned or operated a disposal site can be held liable and required to share in remediation costs, as well as transporters or generators of hazardous substances sent to a disposal site. Because of the geographical extent of its operations, Spectra Energy has disposed of waste at many different sites.

   

The Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which requires certain solid wastes, including hazardous wastes, to be managed pursuant to a comprehensive regulatory regime. As part of its business, Spectra Energy generates solid waste within the scope of these regulations and therefore must comply with such regulations.

   

The Toxic Substances Control Act, which requires that polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated materials be managed in accordance with a comprehensive regulatory regime. Because of the historic use of lubricating oils containing PCBs, the internal surfaces of some of Spectra Energy’s pipeline systems are contaminated with PCBs and liquids and other materials removed from these pipelines must be managed in compliance with such regulations.

   

The National Environmental Policy Act, which requires federal agencies to consider potential environmental impacts in their decisions, including siting approvals. Many of Spectra Energy’s projects require federal agency review, and therefore the environmental effect of proposed projects is a factor in determining whether Spectra Energy will be permitted to complete proposed projects.

   

The Fisheries Act (Canada), which regulates activities near any body of water in Canada.

   

The Environmental Management Act (British Columbia); The Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (Alberta); and The Environmental Protection Act (Ontario), are each provincial laws governing various aspects, including permitting and site remediation obligations, of Spectra Energy’s facilities and operations in those provinces.

(For more information on environmental matters involving Spectra Energy, including possible liability and capital costs, see Notes 4 and 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Regulatory Matters,” and “Commitments and Contingencies—Environmental,” respectively.)

Except to the extent discussed in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Regulatory Matters,” and Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Commitments and Contingencies—Environmental Matters,” compliance with federal, state, provincial and local provisions regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise protecting the environment, is incorporated into the routine cost structure of Spectra Energy’s various business units and is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the competitive position, consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position of Spectra Energy.

Geographic Regions

For a discussion of Spectra Energy’s foreign operations and the risks associated with them, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Foreign Currency Risk,” and Notes 3 and 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Business Segments” and “Risk Management and Hedging Activities, Credit Risk, and Financial Instruments,” respectively.

Employees

Spectra Energy had approximately 4,950 employees as of December 31, 2006, including approximately 3,250 employees outside of the United States, all in Canada. In addition, DCP Midstream, Spectra Energy’s joint venture with ConocoPhillips, employed approximately 2,300 employees as of such date. Approximately 1,500 of Spectra Energy’s employees, all of whom are located in Canada, are subject to collective bargaining agreements governing their employment with Spectra Energy. Spectra Energy reached agreements with all bargaining units with agreements subject to renewal in 2006.

 

17


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Additional Information

Spectra Energy was incorporated on July 28, 2006 as a Delaware corporation. Its principal executive offices are located at 5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, Texas 77056 and its telephone number is 713-627-5400. Spectra Energy electronically files reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxies and amendments to such reports. The public may read and copy any materials that Spectra Energy files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Additionally, information about Spectra Energy, including its reports filed with the SEC, is available through Spectra Energy’s web site at http://www.spectraenergy.com. Such reports are accessible at no charge through Spectra Energy’s web site and are made available as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is filed with or furnished to the SEC. Spectra Energy’s website and the information contained on that site, or connected to that site, are not incorporated by reference into this report.

Glossary

Terms used to describe Spectra Energy’s business are defined below.

Accrual Model of Accounting (Accrual Model).    An accounting term used by Spectra Energy Capital to refer to contracts for which there is generally no recognition in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for any changes in fair value until the service is provided or the associated delivery period occurs or there is hedge ineffectiveness. As discussed further in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” this term is applied to derivative contracts that are accounted for as cash flow hedges, fair value hedges, and normal purchases or sales, as well as to non-derivative contracts used for commodity risk management purposes. As this term is not explicitly defined within U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Spectra Energy Capital’s application of this term could differ from that of other companies.

Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC).    An accounting convention of regulators that represents the estimated composite interest costs of debt and a return on equity funds used to finance construction. The allowance is capitalized in the property accounts and included in income.

British Thermal Unit (Btu).    A standard unit for measuring thermal energy or heat commonly used as a gauge for the energy content of natural gas and other fuels.

Cubic Foot (cf).    The most common unit of measurement of gas volume; the amount of natural gas required to fill a volume of one cubic foot under stated conditions of temperature, pressure and water vapor.

Derivative.    A financial instrument or contract in which its price is based on the value of underlying securities, equity indices, debt instruments, commodities or other benchmarks or variables. Often used to hedge risk, derivatives involve the trading of rights or obligations, but not the direct transfer of property. Gains or losses on derivatives are often settled on a net basis.

Distribution.    The system of lines, transformers, switches and mains that connect natural gas transmission systems to customers.

Energy Marketing.    Identification and execution of physical energy related transactions, generally with customized provisions to meet the needs of the customer or supplier, throughout the supply chain.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).    The U.S. agency that is responsible for researching and setting national standards for a variety of environmental programs, and delegates to states the responsibility for issuing permits and for monitoring and enforcing compliance.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).    The U.S. agency that regulates the transportation of electricity and natural gas in interstate commerce and authorizes the buying and selling of energy commodities at market-based rates.

Forward Contract.    A contract in which the buyer is obligated to take delivery, and the seller is obligated to deliver a specified amount of a commodity with a predetermined price formula on a specified future date, at which time payment is due in full.

Fractionation/Fractionate.    The process of separating liquid hydrocarbons from natural gas into propane, butane, ethane and other related products.

 

18


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Futures Contract.    A contract, usually exchange traded, in which the buyer is obligated to take delivery and the seller is obligated to deliver a fixed amount of a commodity at a predetermined price on a specified future date.

Gathering System.    Pipeline, processing and related facilities that access production and other sources of natural gas supplies for delivery to mainline transmission systems.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).    Natural gas that has been converted to a liquid by cooling it to minus 260 degrees Fahrenheit.

Liquidity.    The ease with which assets or products can be traded without dramatically altering the current market price.

Local Distribution Company (LDC).    A company that obtains the major portion of its revenues from the operations of a retail distribution system for the delivery of gas for ultimate consumption.

Mark-to-Market Model of Accounting (MTM Model).    An accounting term used by Spectra Energy Capital to refer to derivative contracts for which an asset or liability is recognized at fair value and the change in the fair value of that asset or liability is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As discussed further in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” this term is applied to trading and undesignated non-trading derivative contracts. As this term is not explicitly defined within U.S. GAAP, Spectra Energy Capital’s application of this term could differ from that of other companies.

Natural Gas.    A naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases found in porous geological formations beneath the earth’s surface, often in association with petroleum. The principal constituent is methane.

Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs).    Liquid hydrocarbons extracted during the processing of natural gas. Principal commercial NGLs include butanes, propane, natural gasoline and ethane.

No-notice Bundled Service.    A pipeline delivery service which allows customers to receive or deliver gas on demand without making prior nominations to meet service needs and without paying daily balancing and scheduling penalties.

Origination.    Identification and execution of physical energy related transactions, generally with customized provisions to meet the needs of the customer or supplier, throughout the supply chain.

Option.    A contract that gives the buyer a right but not the obligation to purchase or sell an underlying asset at a specified price at a specified time.

Portfolio.    A collection of assets, liabilities, transactions or trades.

Residue Gas.    Gas remaining after the processing of natural gas.

Swap.    A contract to exchange cash flows in the future according to a prearranged formula.

Throughput.    The amount of natural gas or NGLs transported through a pipeline system.

Transmission System.    An interconnected group of natural gas pipelines and associated facilities for transporting natural gas in bulk between points of supply and delivery points to industrial customers, LDCs, or for delivery to other natural gas transmission systems.

Volatility.    An annualized measure of the fluctuation in the price of an energy contract.

 

19


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Executive Officers

The following table sets forth information regarding Spectra Energy’s executive officers. Each of the individuals set forth below assumed their current position immediately before Spectra Energy’s listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Name  

        Age     

Position  

Fred J. Fowler

      61    President and Chief Executive Officer, Director

Martha B. Wyrsch

      49    President and Chief Executive Officer – Spectra Energy Transmission, Director

Gregory L. Ebel

      42    Group Executive and Chief Financial Officer

William S. Garner, Jr.  

      57    Group Executive, General Counsel and Secretary

Alan N. Harris

      53    Group Executive and Chief Development Officer

Keith A. Crane

      42    Vice President and Treasurer

Sabra L. Harrington

      44    Vice President and Controller

Fred J. Fowler served as Group Executive and President of Duke Energy Gas from April 2006 until assuming his current position. Prior to then, Mr. Fowler served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Duke Energy Corporation from November 2002 until April 2006. Mr. Fowler served as Group Vice President of PanEnergy from 1996 until the PanEnergy merger in 1997, when he was named Group Vice President, Energy Transmission.

Martha B. Wyrsch served as President of Duke Energy Gas Transmission from March 2005 until assuming her current position. Ms. Wyrsch served as Group Vice President and General Counsel of Duke Energy Corporation from January 2004 until March 2005. Prior to then, Ms. Wyrsch served as Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs for Duke Energy Corporation from February 2003 until January 2004; Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs for Duke Energy Business Services from January 2003 until February 2003 and Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Duke Energy Field Services from February 2001 until January 2003.

Gregory L. Ebel served as President of Union Gas from January 2005 until assuming his current position. Prior to then, Mr. Ebel served as Vice President, Investor & Shareholder Relations of Duke Energy Corporation from November 2002 until January 2005. Mr. Ebel joined Duke Energy as Managing Director of Mergers and Acquisitions in connection with the company’s acquisition of Westcoast Energy. He served in that position from March 2002 until November 2002. At Westcoast Energy, Mr. Ebel served as Vice President of Strategic Development from March 1999 until March 2002.

William S. Garner, Jr. served as Group Vice President, Corporate Development of Duke Energy Gas Transmission from March 2006 until assuming his current position. Prior to joining Duke Energy, Mr. Garner served as managing director at Petrie Parkman & Co., a company which provides investment banking and advisory services to the energy industry and institutional investors. He served in this position from March 2000 until March 2006.

Alan N. Harris served as Group Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Duke Energy Gas Transmission from February 2004 until assuming his current position. Prior to then, Mr. Harris served as Executive Vice President of Duke Energy Gas Transmission from January 2003 until February 2004; Senior Vice President, Strategic Development & Planning from March 2002 until January 2003 and Vice President, Controller & Strategic Planning from April 1999 until March 2002.

Keith A. Crane was hired in October 2006 by Duke Energy Gas Transmission to become Vice President and Treasurer of Spectra Energy in connection with the spin off. Prior to joining Duke Energy, Mr. Crane was an independent financial consultant from June 2005 to October 2006; from January 2005 to June 2005, he was engaged in charitable work for the Houston Heights Association, a historic neighborhood preservation organization. From March 2003 until January 2005 he was treasurer for Entergy-Koch, LP a private energy trading and gas transportation company and parent of Entergy-Koch Trading, LP and from August 2001 to March 2003 he was Treasurer of both Entergy-Koch, LP and Entergy-Koch Trading, LP.

 

20


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sabra L. Harrington served as Vice President, Financial Strategy of Duke Energy Gas Transmission from February 2006 until assuming her current position. Prior to then, Ms. Harrington served as Vice President and Controller of Duke Energy Gas Transmission from August 2003 until February 2006. From March 2002 until August 2003, Ms. Harrington served as Controller of Duke Energy Gas Transmission and from April 1999 until March 2002, she served as Director, Gas Accounting, Forecasts, Budgets and Reporting.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

The risk factors discussed herein relate specifically to risks associated with Spectra Energy subsequent to its spin-off from Duke Energy in January 2007. Accordingly, risks associated with operations that were distributed to Duke Energy on December 30, 2006 are not discussed in this section.

Reductions in demand for natural gas, or low levels in the market prices of commodities affects Spectra Energy’s operations and cash flows.

Declines in demand for natural gas as a result of economic downturns in Spectra Energy’s franchised gas service territory may reduce overall gas deliveries and reduce Spectra Energy’s cash flows, especially if its industrial customers reduce production and, therefore, consumption of gas. Spectra Energy’s gas gathering and processing businesses may experience a decline in the volume of natural gas gathered and processed at their plants, resulting in lower revenues and cash flows, as lower economic output reduces energy demand.

Lower demand for natural gas and lower prices for natural gas and natural gas liquids result from multiple factors that affect the markets where Spectra Energy transports, stores, distributes, gathers, and processes natural gas including:

 

   

weather conditions, including abnormally mild winter or summer weather that cause lower energy usage for heating or cooling purposes, respectively;

   

supply of and demand for energy commodities, including any decreases in the production of natural gas which could negatively affect Spectra Energy’s processing business due to lower throughput;

   

capacity and transmission service into, or out of, Spectra Energy’s markets; and

   

petrochemical demand for natural gas liquids.

The lack of availability of natural gas resources may cause customers to contract with alternative suppliers, which could materially adversely affect Spectra Energy’s sales, earnings, and cash flows.

Spectra Energy’s natural gas businesses are dependent on the continued availability of natural gas production and reserves. Prices for natural gas, regulatory limitations, or a shift in supply sources due to importing of foreign liquefied natural gas could adversely affect development of additional reserves and production that is accessible by Spectra Energy’s pipeline, gathering, processing and distribution assets. Lack of commercial quantities of natural gas available to these assets will cause customers to contract with alternative suppliers, thereby reducing their reliance on Spectra Energy’s services, which in turn would materially adversely affect Spectra Energy’s sales, earnings and cash flows.

Investments and projects located in Canada expose Spectra Energy to fluctuations in currency rates that may adversely affect cash flows and results of operations.

Spectra Energy is exposed to foreign currency risk from investments and operations in Canada. As of December 31, 2006, a 10% devaluation in the currency exchange rate of the Canadian dollar would result in an estimated net loss on the translation of Canadian currency earnings of approximately $25 million. The balance sheet would be negatively affected by approximately $460 million currency translation through the cumulative translation adjustment in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Natural gas gathering and processing operations are subject to commodity price risk which could result in economic losses in earnings and cash flows.

Spectra Energy has gathering and processing operations that consist of contracts to buy and sell commodities, including contracts for natural gas, natural gas liquids and other commodities that are settled by the

 

21


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

delivery of the commodity or cash. Spectra Energy’s major commodity market risk is natural gas liquids prices, due primarily to its investment in DCP Midstream. Natural gas liquids prices historically track oil prices. At historical natural gas liquid-to-oil prices, a $1 per barrel move in oil prices would affect Spectra Energy’s pre-tax earnings from DCP Midstream by approximately $15 million.

With respect to the Empress system, a $1 change in the difference between the Btu-equivalent price of propane (used as a proxy for Empress’ NGL production) and the price of natural gas in Alberta, Canada (which represents theoretical gross margin for processing liquids from the gas and is commonly called the frac-spread) would affect Spectra Energy’s pre-tax earnings by approximately $25 million.

If prices of commodities significantly deviate from historical prices, if the price volatility or distribution of those changes deviates from historical norms, or if the correlation between natural gas liquids and oil prices deviates from historical norms, Spectra Energy’s approach to price risk management may not protect it from significant losses. In addition, adverse changes in energy prices may result in economic losses in earnings, cash flows and the balance sheet.

Spectra Energy’s business is subject to extensive regulation that affects operations and costs.

Spectra Energy’s U.S. assets and operations are subject to regulation by federal, state and local authorities, including regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and by various authorities under federal, state and local environmental laws. The majority of Spectra Energy’s Canadian natural gas assets are subject to federal and provincial regulation including the National Energy Board and the Ontario Energy Board and likewise by federal and provincial environmental laws. Regulation affects almost every aspect of Spectra Energy’s business, including, among other things, the ability to determine terms and rates for services provided by some of its businesses; make acquisitions, issue equity or debt securities; and pay dividends.

In addition, regulators have taken actions to strengthen market forces in the gas pipeline industry, which have led to increased competition. In a number of key markets, interstate pipelines are facing competitive pressure from a number of new industry participants, such as alternative suppliers as well as traditional pipeline competitors. Increased competition driven by regulatory changes could have a material impact on Spectra Energy’s business, financial condition and operating results.

Transmission and storage, distribution, and gathering and processing activities involve numerous risks that may result in accidents or otherwise affect operations.

There are a variety of hazards and operating risks inherent in natural gas transmission and storage, distribution, and gathering and processing activities, such as leaks, explosions and mechanical problems that could cause substantial financial losses. In addition, these risks could result in loss of human life, significant damage to property, environmental pollution, and impairment of operations, any of which could result in substantial losses to Spectra Energy. For pipeline and storage assets located near populated areas, including residential areas, commercial business centers, industrial sites and other public gathering areas, the level of damage resulting from these risks could be greater. Spectra Energy does not maintain insurance coverage against all of these risks and losses, and any insurance coverage it might maintain may not fully cover the damages caused by those risks and losses for which it does maintain insurance. Therefore, should any of these risks materialize, it could have a material adverse effect on Spectra Energy’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Spectra Energy is subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations, compliance with which requires significant capital expenditures, can increase cost of operations, and may affect or limit business plans, or expose Spectra Energy to environmental liabilities.

Spectra Energy is subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations affecting many aspects of its present and future operations, including air emissions, water quality, wastewater discharges, solid waste and hazardous waste. These laws and regulations can result in increased capital, operating, and other costs. These laws and regulations generally require Spectra Energy to obtain and comply with a wide variety of environmental licenses, permits, inspections and other approvals. Compliance with environmental laws and regulations can

 

22


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

require significant expenditures, including expenditures for clean up costs and damages arising out of contaminated properties, and failure to comply with environmental regulations may result in the imposition of fines, penalties and injunctive measures affecting operating assets. Spectra Energy may not be able to obtain or maintain from time to time all required environmental regulatory approvals for its operating assets or development projects. If there is a delay in obtaining any required environmental regulatory approvals, if Spectra Energy fails to obtain and comply with them or if environmental laws or regulations change and become more stringent, the operation of facilities or the development of new facilities could be prevented, delayed or become subject to additional costs. No assurance can be made that the costs that will be incurred to comply with environmental regulations in the future will not have a material effect.

Spectra Energy’s Canadian businesses may be subject to the Kyoto Protocol. If Canada does implement a program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Spectra Energy may be obligated to reduce emissions and/or purchase emission credits. Due to the substantial uncertainty regarding what plan, if any, Canada will implement and whether this plan will apply to Spectra Energy’s facilities, Spectra Energy cannot estimate the potential effect of greenhouse gas regulation in Canada on business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Spectra Energy is involved in numerous legal proceedings, the outcome of which are uncertain, and resolution adverse to Spectra Energy could negatively affect cash flows, financial condition or results of operations.

Spectra Energy is subject to numerous legal proceedings. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties, and Spectra Energy cannot predict the outcome of individual matters with assurance. It is reasonably possible that the final resolution of some of the matters in which Spectra Energy is involved could require additional expenditures, in excess of established reserves, over an extended period of time and in a range of amounts that could have a material effect on cash flows and results of operations.

Spectra Energy relies on access to short-term money markets and longer-term capital markets to finance capital requirements and support liquidity needs, and access to those markets can be adversely affected, which could adversely affect cash flows or restrict businesses.

Spectra Energy’s business is financed to a large degree through debt. The maturity and repayment profile of debt used to finance investments often does not correlate to cash flows from assets. Accordingly, Spectra Energy relies on access to both short-term money markets and longer-term capital markets as a source of liquidity for capital requirements not satisfied by the cash flow from operations and to fund investments originally financed through debt. If Spectra Energy is not able to access capital at competitive rates, its ability to finance operations and implement its strategy may be adversely affected. Restrictions on Spectra Energy’s ability to access financial markets may also affect its ability to execute its business plan as scheduled. An inability to access capital may limit Spectra Energy’s ability to pursue improvements or acquisitions that it may otherwise rely on for future growth.

Spectra Energy maintains revolving credit facilities to provide back-up for commercial paper programs and/or letters of credit at various entities. These facilities typically include financial covenants which limit the amount of debt that can be outstanding as a percentage of the total capital for the specific entity. Failure to maintain these covenants at a particular entity could preclude that entity from issuing commercial paper or letters of credit or borrowing under the revolving credit facility and could require other affiliates to immediately pay down any outstanding drawn amounts under other revolving credit agreements which could adversely affect cash flow or restrict businesses.

Spectra Energy may be unable to secure long-term transportation agreements, which could expose transportation volumes and revenues to increased volatility.

In the future, Spectra Energy may be unable to secure long-term transportation agreements for its gas transmission business as a result of economic factors, lack of commercial gas supply to its systems, increased competition, or changes in regulation. Without long-term transportation agreements, Spectra Energy’s revenues and contract volumes will be exposed to increased volatility and Spectra Energy cannot provide assurance that its pipelines will be utilized at similar levels or operate profitably. The inability to secure these agreements would materially adversely affect business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

23


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Native land claims have been asserted in British Columbia and Alberta which could affect future access to public lands, the success of which claims could have a significant adverse affect on Spectra Energy’s natural gas production and processing.

Certain aboriginal groups have claimed aboriginal and treaty rights over a substantial portion of public lands on which Spectra Energy’s facilities in British Columbia and Alberta, and the gas supply areas served by those facilities, are located. The existence of these claims, which range from the assertion of rights of limited use to aboriginal title, has given rise to some uncertainty regarding access to public lands for future development purposes. Such claims, if successful, could have a significant adverse effect on natural gas production in British Columbia and Alberta which could have a material adverse effect on the volume of natural gas processed at Spectra Energy’s facilities and of natural gas liquids and other products transported in the associated pipelines. Spectra Energy cannot predict the outcome of these claims or the impact they may ultimately have on business and operations.

If Spectra Energy or its rated subsidiaries are unable to maintain an investment grade credit rating, liquidity may be adversely affected and the cost of borrowing may increase. Spectra Energy cannot be sure that Spectra Energy or its rated subsidiaries will obtain or maintain investment grade credit ratings.

Spectra Energy’s senior unsecured long-term debt is currently rated investment grade by various rating agencies. If the rating agencies were to rate Spectra Energy or its rated subsidiaries below investment grade, such entity’s borrowing costs would increase, perhaps significantly. In addition, the entity would likely be required to pay a higher interest rate in future financings, and its potential pool of investors and funding sources would likely decrease. Furthermore, if Spectra Energy’s short-term debt rating were to be below tier 2 (e.g. A-2/P-2, S&P and Moody’s respectively), access to the commercial paper market could be significantly limited. There are requirements for Spectra Energy to post collateral or a letter of credit if its S&P credit rating falls below BBB—. Any downgrade or other event negatively affecting the credit ratings of Spectra Energy’s subsidiaries could make their costs of borrowing higher or access to funding sources more limited, which in turn could increase Spectra Energy’s need to provide liquidity in the form of capital contributions or loans to such subsidiaries, thus reducing the liquidity and borrowing availability of the consolidated group.

Protecting against potential terrorist activities requires significant capital expenditures and a successful terrorist attack could adversely affect Spectra Energy’s business.

Future acts of terrorism and any possible reprisals as a consequence of any action by the United States and its allies could be directed against companies operating in the United States. This risk is particularly great for companies, like Spectra Energy, operating in any energy infrastructure industry that handles volatile gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons. The potential for terrorism has subjected Spectra Energy’s operations to increased risks that could have a material adverse effect on business. In particular, Spectra Energy may experience increased capital and operating costs to implement increased security for its facilities and pipelines, such as additional physical facility and pipeline security and additional security personnel. Moreover, any physical damage to high profile facilities resulting from acts of terrorism may not be covered, or covered fully, by insurance. Spectra Energy may be required to expend material amounts of capital to repair any facilities, the expenditure of which could adversely affect cash flow and business.

Due to proposed or potential changes in Canadian tax laws, Spectra Energy may not be able to fully realize its goal of utilizing tax-efficient structures to improve its cost of capital, optimize returns on assets, and finance portfolio growth.

Spectra Energy’s business strategy includes utilizing tax-efficient structures, such as master limited partnerships (MLP) and Canadian income trusts. On October 31, 2006, the Minister of Finance of Canada announced proposed changes to the income tax treatment of “flow-through entities,” including income trusts. If the proposal is implemented in its current form, income trusts will be subject to tax at corporate rates on the taxable portion of their distributions. Further, unitholders will be treated as if they have received a dividend equal to the taxable portion of their distributions, and will be taxed accordingly. These proposed changes will generally apply beginning in the 2007 taxation year for trusts that begin to be publicly-traded after October 2006, but would only apply beginning with the 2011 taxation year to those income trusts, such as the Income Fund, that were already publicly traded at the time of the announcement. While the proposed Canadian changes have not yet

 

24


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

been implemented, such changes could have an adverse effect on Spectra Energy’s ability to fully implement its business strategy which may affect its access to capital and the ability to maximize returns on the assets it might hold, and result in an inability to finance portfolio growth through the use of this vehicle.

Risks Relating to the Separation of Spectra Energy from Duke Energy

Spectra Energy may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that it expects to achieve from the separation from Duke Energy.

Spectra Energy may not be able to achieve the full strategic and financial benefits that it expects will result from the separation from Duke Energy or such benefits may be delayed or may not occur at all.

 

   

Prior to the separation, Spectra Energy’s business was operated by Duke Energy as part of its broader corporate organization. Duke Energy or its affiliates performed various corporate functions for Spectra Energy, including, but not limited to, accounts payable, cash management, treasury, tax administration, certain governance functions (including compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and internal audit) and external reporting. Spectra Energy’s historical financial results reflect allocations of corporate expenses from Duke Energy for these and similar functions. These allocations may be more or less than Spectra Energy may incur in the future.

 

   

Spectra Energy’s business was integrated with the other businesses of Duke Energy. Historically, Spectra Energy shared economies of scope and scale in costs, employees, vendor relationships and certain customer relationships with Duke Energy. The Transition Services Agreement entered into with Duke Energy may not capture the benefits Spectra Energy’s businesses have enjoyed as a result of having been integrated with the other businesses of Duke Energy. The loss of these benefits may have an adverse effect on business, results of operations and financial condition following the separation.

 

   

Future borrowing costs for Spectra Energy’s business may be higher than Duke Energy’s borrowing costs prior to the separation.

 

   

Other significant changes may occur in Spectra Energy’s cost structure, management, financing and business operations as a result of operating within Spectra Energy as a company separate from Duke Energy.

Spectra Energy may be unable to make, on a timely or cost-effective basis, the changes necessary to operate as a separate, publicly-traded company, and Spectra Energy may experience increased costs as a result of the separation.

Following the separation, Duke Energy is contractually obligated to provide to Spectra Energy and its subsidiaries only those services specified in the Transition Services Agreement and other agreements entered into with Duke Energy in connection with the separation. Spectra Energy may be unable to replace in a timely manner or on comparable terms, the services that Duke Energy previously provided that are not specified in the Transition Services Agreement or the other agreements. Also, upon the expiration of the Transition Services Agreement or other agreements, many of the services that are covered in such agreements will be provided internally or by unaffiliated third parties, and Spectra Energy expects that in some instances it may incur higher costs to obtain such services than it incurred under the terms of such agreements. In addition, if Duke Energy does not continue to perform effectively the transition services and the other services that are called for under the Transition Services Agreement and the other agreements, Spectra Energy may not be able to operate its business effectively and profitability may decline.

Spectra Energy’s agreements with Duke Energy may not reflect terms that would have resulted from arm’s-length negotiations among unaffiliated third parties.

The agreements related to the separation from Duke Energy were prepared in the context of the separation from Duke Energy while Spectra Energy was still part of Duke Energy and, accordingly, may not reflect terms that would have resulted from arm’s-length negotiations among unaffiliated third parties. The terms of the agreements were prepared in the context of the separation related to, among other things, allocation of assets, liabilities, rights, indemnifications and other obligations between Duke Energy and Spectra Energy.

 

25


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Spectra Energy will be responsible for certain contingent and other corporate liabilities related to the natural gas transmission and storage, distribution, and gathering and processing businesses of Duke Energy.

Under the Separation and Distribution Agreement and Tax Matters Agreement, Spectra Energy will assume and be responsible for certain contingent and other corporate liabilities related to the natural gas transmission and storage, distribution, and gathering and processing businesses of Duke Energy (including associated costs and expenses, whether arising prior to, at, or after the distribution) and Spectra Energy may be required to indemnify Duke Energy for these liabilities which may have a material effect on financial condition and results of operations. In addition, Spectra Energy may also be responsible for sharing unknown liabilities that do not relate to either its business following the separation or the business of Duke Energy following the separation (for example, liabilities associated with certain corporate activities not specifically attributable to either business).

Spectra Energy’s executive officers and some of its directors may have or may hold Duke Energy equity awards which may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest.

Because of their current or former positions with Duke Energy, substantially all of the Spectra Energy directors and executive officers own shares of Duke Energy common stock, options to purchase shares of Duke Energy common stock or other equity awards based on Duke Energy common stock. Upon Duke Energy’s distribution of all of Spectra Energy’s shares of common stock to Duke Energy shareholders, these options and other equity awards were converted into options and other equity awards based in part on Duke Energy common stock and in part on Spectra Energy common stock. Accordingly, following Duke Energy’s distribution of Spectra Energy to shareholders, these officers and non-employee directors will own shares of both Duke Energy and Spectra Energy common stock and/or hold options to purchase common stock and other equity awards based on shares of common stock of both Duke Energy and Spectra Energy. The individual holdings of common stock, options to purchase common stock and other equity awards based on common stock of Duke Energy may be significant for some of these persons compared to these persons’ total assets. Even though Spectra Energy’s board of directors include directors who are independent from Duke Energy, Spectra Energy’s executive officers were previously employees of Duke Energy. Ownership by those directors and officers of common stock, options to purchase common stock and other equity awards based on common stock of Duke Energy may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest when those directors and officers are faced with decisions that could have different implications for Duke Energy than the decisions do for Spectra Energy.

Spectra Energy might not be able to engage in desirable strategic transactions and equity issuances following the distribution.

To preserve the tax-free treatment to Duke Energy of the distribution, under the Tax Matters agreement that Spectra Energy entered into with Duke Energy, for the two year period following the distribution, Spectra Energy may be prohibited, except in specified circumstances, from issuing equity securities to satisfy financing needs, acquiring businesses or assets with equity securities, or engaging in other actions or transactions that could jeopardize the tax-free status of the distribution. These restrictions may limit Spectra Energy’s ability to pursue strategic transactions or engage in new business or other transactions that may maximize the value of its business.

Risks Relating to Spectra Energy’s Common Stock

Substantial sales of Spectra Energy’s common stock may occur in connection with its spin-off from Duke Energy, which could cause its stock price to decline.

It is possible that some shareholders of Duke Energy that received shares of Spectra Energy common stock in the spin-off transaction, including possibly some of Spectra Energy’s largest shareholders, may sell their shares of Spectra Energy common stock for reasons such as that Spectra Energy’s business profile or market capitalization as a separate, publicly-traded company does not fit their investment objectives. The sales of significant amounts of Spectra Energy common stock or the perception in the market that this will occur may result in the lowering of the market price of Spectra Energy’s common stock.

 

26


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Provisions in Spectra Energy’s certificate of incorporation, by-laws and of Delaware law may prevent or delay an acquisition of the company, which could decrease the trading price of Spectra Energy common stock.

Spectra Energy’s certificate of incorporation, by-laws and Delaware law contain provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids by making such practices or bids unacceptably expensive to the raider and to encourage prospective acquirors to negotiate with its board of directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions include, among others:

 

   

a board of directors that is divided into three classes with staggered terms;

   

inability of Spectra Energy’s shareholders to act by written consent;

   

rules regarding how shareholders may present proposals or nominate directors for election at shareholder meetings;

   

the right of Spectra Energy’s board of directors to issue preferred stock without shareholder approval; and

   

limitations on the right of shareholders to remove directors.

Delaware law also imposes some restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between Spectra Energy and any holder of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock.

Spectra Energy believes these provisions are important for a new public company and protect its shareholders from coercive or otherwise potentially unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirors to negotiate with its board of directors and by providing the board of directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make Spectra Energy immune from takeovers. However, these provisions apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some shareholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that Spectra Energy’s board of directors determines is not in the best interests of the company and its shareholders.

Although Spectra Energy currently anticipates paying dividends, there cannot be any assurance that dividends will be paid in the future.

Currently, Spectra Energy anticipates paying dividends of approximately 60% of its anticipated annual net income per share of common stock. However, there can be no assurance that Spectra Energy will have sufficient surplus under Delaware law to be able to pay dividends in future periods. This may result from extraordinary cash expenses, actual expenses exceeding contemplated costs, funding of capital expenditures, or increases in reserves. The declaration and payment of dividends by Spectra Energy will be subject to the sole discretion of its board of directors and will depend upon many factors, including its financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of its operating subsidiaries, covenants associated with certain of its debt obligations, legal requirements, regulatory constraints and other factors deemed relevant by its board of directors. If Spectra Energy does not pay dividends, the price of its common stock may decline.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

Item 2. Properties.

At December 31, 2006, Spectra Energy had over 100 primary facilities located in the United States and Canada. Spectra Energy generally owns sites associated with its major pipeline facilities, such as compressor stations. However, it generally operates its transmission facilities—transmission and distribution pipelines—using rights of way pursuant to easements to install and operate pipelines but does not own the fee of underlying realty. Except as described in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements “Debt and Credit Facilities,” none of Spectra Energy’s property was secured by mortgages or other material security interests at December 31, 2006.

Spectra Energy’s corporate headquarters are located at 5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, Texas 77056, which is a leased facility. The lease expires in April, 2018. It also maintains major offices in Calgary, Alberta; Vancouver, British Columbia; Chatham, Ontario; Boston, Massachusetts; Tampa, Florida; Halifax, Nova Scotia;

 

27


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

and Nashville, Tennessee. For a description of its material properties, please see Item 1 of this report. Spectra Energy’s property, plant and equipment includes buildings, technical equipment and other equipment capitalized under capital lease agreements. For more details, please refer to Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements “Property, Plant and Equipment.”

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

For information regarding legal proceedings, including regulatory and environmental matters, see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Regulatory Matters” and Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Commitments and Contingencies—Litigation” and “Commitments and Contingencies—Environmental.”

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Not applicable.

 

28


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Market for Common Stock

Spectra Energy’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “SE.” A “when-issued” trading market for Spectra Energy’s common stock on the NYSE began on December 14, 2006 and “regular-way” trading of Spectra Energy’s common stock began on January 3, 2007. Prior to December 14, 2006, there was no market for Spectra Energy’s common stock. At December 31, 2006, all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Spectra Energy were owned by Duke Energy.

Holders of Record

As of March 28, 2007, there were approximately 161,000 holders of record of Spectra Energy’s common stock and approximately 660,000 beneficial owners.

Dividends

Spectra Energy did not pay any cash dividends for the fiscal years ending 2006 and 2005. On March 15, 2007, Spectra Energy paid a cash dividend on its common stock of $0.22 per share, to shareholders of record on the close of business February 16, 2007. Currently, Spectra Energy anticipates a dividend payout ratio of approximately 60% of its anticipated annual net income per share of common stock. The declaration and payment of dividends by Spectra Energy will be subject to the sole discretion of the board of directors and will depend upon many factors, including Spectra Energy’s financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of its operating subsidiaries, covenants associated with certain of its debt obligations, legal requirements, regulatory constraints and other factors deemed relevant by the board of directors. Spectra Energy anticipates increasing its dividend in an amount consistent with underlying growth in earnings.

Unregistered Sales

In connection with Spectra Energy’s incorporation on July 28, 2006, Spectra Energy issued to Duke Energy 1,000 shares of Spectra Energy’s common stock, par value $.001 per share, in exchange for a $1.00 contribution. The issuance of such shares of Spectra Energy common stock to Duke Energy was exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended.

Market Repurchases

Spectra Energy has not made any repurchases of shares of its common stock.

 

29


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

Spectra Energy Capital, LLC(a)

The following table presents Spectra Energy Capital’s selected historical financial data. The historical financial data are not necessarily indicative of any future performance or what the financial position and results of operations would have been if Spectra Energy Capital had operated as a separate, stand-alone entity during the periods presented.

 

     2006    2005     2004     2003(c)     2002  
   (in millions)  

Statement of Operations

           

Operating revenues

   $ 4,532    $ 9,454     $ 13,433     $ 11,937     $ 8,559  

Operating expenses

     3,334      8,123       11,757       11,837       7,622  

Gains (losses) on sales of other assets and other, net

     47      522       (349 )     3       —    
                                       

Operating income

     1,245      1,853       1,327       103       937  

Other income and expenses, net

     736      1,668       306       373       374  

Interest expense

     605      675       858       915       760  

Minority interest expense

     45      511       214       138       93  
                                       

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     1,331      2,335       561       (577 )     458  

Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations

     395      926       1,268       (260 )     125  
                                       

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     936      1,409       (707 )     (317 )     333  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     308      (731 )     593       (1,381 )     (38 )
                                       

Income (loss) before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     1,244      678       (114 )     (1,698 )     295  

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax and minority interest

     —        (4 )     —         (160 )     —    
                                       

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,244    $ 674     $ (114 )   $ (1,858 )   $ 295  
                                       

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(d)

     3.1      4.3       1.7       —   (b)     1.4  

Balance Sheet

Total assets

   $ 20,345    $ 35,056     $ 37,183     $ 39,892     $ 45,109  

Long-term debt including capital leases, less current maturities

   $ 7,726    $ 8,790     $ 11,288     $ 13,655     $ 15,703  

(a) Significant transactions reflected in the results above include: 2006 transfer of certain businesses to Duke Energy in December 2006 (see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”), 2006 transfer of former DENA Midwestern assets to Duke Energy Ohio (see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”), 2006 Crescent joint venture transaction and subsequent deconsolidation effective September 7, 2006 (see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale”), 2005 DENA disposition (see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale”), 2005 deconsolidation of DCP Midstream effective July 1, 2005 (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Acquisitions and Dispositions”), 2005 DCP Midstream sale of TEPPCO (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Acquisitions and Dispositions”), 2004 tax charge as a result of the conversion to an LLC (see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Income Taxes”), 2004 DENA sale of the Southeast plants (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Acquisitions and Dispositions”), and 2003 DENA charges (see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale”).
(b) Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges by $500 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.
(c) As of January 1, 2003, Spectra Energy Capital adopted the remaining provisions of Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) 02-03, “Issues Involved in Accounting for Derivative Contracts Held for Trading Purposes and for Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities” (EITF 02-03) and SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” (SFAS No. 143). In accordance with the transition guidance for these standards, Spectra Energy Capital recorded a net-of-tax and minority interest cumulative effect adjustment for change in accounting principles.
(d) Includes pre-tax gains of approximately $0.9 billion, net of minority interest, related to the sale of TEPPCO GP and LP in 2005 (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Acquisitions and Dispositions”).

 

30


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

INTRODUCTION

Management’s Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

In June 2006, the Board of Directors of Duke Energy authorized management to pursue a plan to create two separate publicly traded companies by spinning off Duke Energy’s natural gas businesses that were owned through Duke Energy’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Duke Capital LLC (now Spectra Energy Capital, LLC). On January 2, 2007, Duke Energy completed the spin-off of its natural gas businesses, including Spectra Energy Capital and its Natural Gas Transmission and Field Services segments to Duke Energy’s shareholders. Spectra Energy Capital was contributed by Duke Energy to Spectra Energy and all of the outstanding common stock of Spectra Energy was distributed to the Duke Energy shareholders. The Duke Energy shareholders received one share of Spectra Energy common stock for every two shares of Duke Energy common stock, resulting in the issuance of approximately 631 million shares of Spectra Energy on January 2, 2007.

Prior to the distribution by Duke Energy, Spectra Energy Capital implemented an internal reorganization in which the operations and assets of Spectra Energy Capital that were not associated with the natural gas businesses, were contributed by Spectra Energy Capital to Duke Energy or its subsidiaries. The contribution to Duke Energy included the following operations:

 

   

International Energy business segment;

   

Crescent Resources (a real estate business);

 

   

The remaining portion of Spectra Energy Capital’s business formerly known as DENA (Duke Energy North America), which included unregulated power plant development and operations, and the marketing and trading of various energy services and commodities; and

 

   

Other miscellaneous operations, such as a fiber optic communications network and a project development services partnership, that were not associated with the natural gas operations of Spectra Energy.

Following this internal reorganization and the distribution by Duke Energy to Spectra Energy, Spectra Energy Capital became a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Spectra Energy. All of the operating assets, liabilities and operations of Spectra Energy are held by Spectra Energy Capital, except for employee benefit plan assets and liabilities that were contributed by Duke Energy directly to Spectra Energy in the separation transaction. As a result of these spin-off steps, Spectra Energy Capital is treated as the predecessor entity of Spectra Energy for financial statement purposes. Accordingly, this Form 10-K includes the audited consolidated financial statements of Spectra Energy Capital. References throughout this document, including the discussions throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, to the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto are referring to the statements of Spectra Energy Capital. Future financial statements and related information of Spectra Energy will reflect that of Spectra Energy Capital for all prior periods reported.

The results of operations of substantially all of the businesses retained by Duke Energy are reflected as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for all periods presented. Transferred corporate services entities remain presented within continuing operations of Spectra Energy Capital for all periods presented since Spectra Energy Capital will continue to provide similar corporate services to support the operations of Spectra Energy.

2006 Financial Results.     For the year-ended December 31, 2006, Spectra Energy Capital reported income from continuing operations of $936 million as compared to income from continuing operations of $1,409 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The decrease in income from continuing operations was due primarily to

 

31


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

the absence of prior year pre-tax gains of approximately $900 million (net of minority interest of approximately $343 million) recorded in 2005 related to DCP Midstream’s sale of TEPPCO GP, which is the general partner of TEPPCO LP and Spectra Energy Capital’s sale of its limited partner interests in TEPPCO LP, and an approximate $575 million gain recorded in 2005 as a result of the DCP Midstream disposition transaction, partially offset by the absence of prior year hedge losses in 2006 associated with de-designated Field Services’ hedges and reduced income tax expense in 2006, as discussed below. The highlights for 2006 include the following:

 

   

Natural Gas Transmission’s results were flat from 2005 to 2006, but were affected by strong commodity prices related to processing activities and higher operating and maintenance expenses.

 

   

Field Services experienced lower earnings in 2006 primarily as a result of the 2005 gains on the sale of the TEPPCO investments and the transfer of a 19.7% interest in DCP Midstream to ConocoPhillips in July 2005, which resulted in the deconsolidation of the investment in DCP Midstream. Results in 2006 were favorably affected by strong commodity prices.

 

   

Other experienced lower losses in 2006 primarily as a result of prior year impact of realized and unrealized mark-to-market impacts on certain discontinued cash flow hedges originally entered into to hedge Field Services’ commodity price risk and decreased captive insurance expenses due to the transfer of ownership in Bison to Duke Energy effective April 1, 2006.

 

   

Income tax expense from continuing operations, net of tax, was lower in 2006 as a result of a decrease in earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and a reduction in the effective tax rate. The reduction in the effective tax rate resulted primarily from a benefit to state taxes due to a reduction in the unitary state tax rate in 2006 as a result of Duke Energy’s merger with Cinergy.

 

   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations improved in 2006 compared to the prior year due primarily to an approximate $0.7 billion after-tax impairment charge (approximately $0.9 billion pre-tax) in 2005 related to the former DENA segment, as a result of the decision to exit substantially all former DENA operations except for the Midwestern operations, remaining Southeastern operations, and the related investment in DETM. For purposes of these financial statements, the Midwestern operations are included in discontinued operations for all periods presented as the Midwestern assets and related operations were transferred by Spectra Energy Capital to Duke Energy Ohio in April 2006. Additionally, results reflect the net of tax impacts of the operations of International Energy and Spectra Energy Capital’s interest in Crescent, including an approximate $250 million pre-tax gain recorded in 2006 on Spectra Energy Capital’s sale of an effective 50% of its interest in Crescent, and various operations previously included in Other, which are classified in discontinued operations as a result of Spectra Energy Capital transferring these operations to Duke Energy in December 2006, and the impacts of termination or sale of the final remaining contracts at former DENA.

Spectra Energy’s Strategy.    Following the spin-off from Duke Energy, Spectra Energy expects to benefit from a sharper focus on core business and growth opportunities, with greater flexibility in accessing capital markets and responding to changes in the industry.

Spectra Energy’s primary business objective is to provide value added, reliable and safe services to customers, which Spectra Energy believes will create opportunities to deliver increased dividends per share and value to shareholders of Spectra Energy. Spectra Energy intends to accomplish this objective by executing the following overall business strategies:

   

capitalize on the size and attributes of existing assets;

 

   

pursue organic growth, expansion projects, strategic acquisitions and other business opportunities arising in Spectra Energy’s market and supply areas;

   

continue to develop operational efficiencies among existing assets;

 

   

utilize tax-efficient financial structures, such as MLPs, to improve access to capital, optimize returns on assets and finance portfolio growth;

 

   

continue to focus on operational excellence including safety, reliability, compliance and stringent cost management; and

 

   

retain and enhance customer and other stakeholder relationships.

 

32


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Through the continued execution of these strategies, Spectra Energy expects to grow and strengthen the overall business, capture new growth opportunities and deliver value to Spectra Energy’s stakeholders.

Economic Factors for Spectra Energy’s Business.    At December 31, 2006, Spectra Energy operated within the business unit structure of Duke Energy, as the Natural Gas Transmission and Field Services segments of Duke Energy. The business units of Duke Energy, including the Natural Gas Transmission, Field Services, U.S. Franchised Electric and Gas and International Energy operations, were generally managed autonomously from one another. Therefore, the primary business operations of Spectra Energy and Spectra Energy Capital are not expected to change significantly from the previous operating environment of the Natural Gas Transmission and Field Services segments. There were certain shared functions among Duke Energy units, including shared corporate and business services, as well as shared strategic initiatives and capital resource allocations that will no longer be reflected in Spectra Energy’s results of operations. The scope of Spectra Energy’s corporate management will increase as a result of the separation from Duke Energy because Spectra Energy will be creating new governance and business support functions—previously provided by Duke Energy—that are required in order to operate as a separate company.

Spectra Energy’s regulated businesses are generally economically stable and are not significantly impacted in the long-term by seasonal temperature variations and changing commodity prices. However, all of Spectra Energy’s businesses can be negatively affected by sustained downturns or sluggishness in the economy, including reductions in demand and low market prices for natural gas and NGLs, all of which are beyond Spectra Energy’s control, and could impair the ability to meet long-term goals.

Subsequent to the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream, and the December 2006 distribution of the operations discussed above to Duke Energy, substantially all of Spectra Energy’s revenues are based on regulated tariff rates, which include the recovery of certain fuel costs. However, lower overall economic output would cause Spectra Energy to experience a decline in the volume of natural gas transported and distributed or gathered and processed at its plants, resulting in lower earnings and cash flows. This decline would primarily affect distribution revenues in the short-term. Processing revenues are also impacted by volumes of natural gas made available to the system, which is primarily driven by levels of natural gas drilling activity. Transmission revenues could be impacted by long-term economic declines that could result in the non-renewal of long-term contracts at time of expiration. Pipeline transportation and storage customers continue to renew most contracts as they expire.

Spectra Energy’s key markets—the Northeast United States, Florida and the Southeast United States, Ontario and the Pacific Northwest—are projected to continue to exhibit higher than average annual growth in natural gas demand versus the North American and U.S. Lower 48 average growth rates through 2015. This demand growth is primarily driven by the natural gas-fired electric generation sector. The natural gas industry is currently experiencing a significant shift in the sources of supply, and this dramatic change is affecting Spectra Energy’s growth strategies. Traditionally, supply to Spectra Energy’s markets has come from the Gulf Coast region, onshore and offshore, as well as from fields in Western Canada and Eastern Canada. The national supply profile is shifting to new, and, in some cases, non-conventional sources of gas from basins in the Rockies, Mid-Continent and East Texas. In addition, the natural gas supply outlook will be shaped by new LNG re-gasification facilities being built. LNG will clearly be an important new source of supply, but the timing and extent of incremental supply from LNG is yet to be determined and, at present, LNG remains a small percentage of the overall supply to the markets Spectra Energy serves. These supply shifts are shaping the growth strategies that Spectra Energy will pursue, and therefore, will affect the nature of the projects anticipated in the capital and investment expenditure increases discussed below in “—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Spectra Energy’s businesses in the U.S. are subject to regulations on the federal and state level. Regulations, applicable to the gas transmission and storage industry, have a significant impact on the nature of the businesses and the manner in which they operate. Changes to regulations are ongoing and Spectra Energy cannot predict the future course of changes in the regulatory environment or the ultimate effect that any future changes will have on its business. Additionally, investments and projects located in Canada expose Spectra Energy to risks related to Canadian laws, taxes, economic conditions, fluctuations in currency rates, political conditions and policies of the Canadian government. From 2002 through 2006, the Canadian dollar has strengthened significantly compared to the U.S. dollar, which has favorably impacted earnings during these periods. Changes in this exchange rate or other of these factors are difficult to predict and may impact future results.

 

33


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Certain of Spectra Energy’s earnings are impacted by fluctuations in commodity prices, especially the earnings of the DCP Midstream investment and the Empress NGL operations in Canada. Although natural gas and NGL commodity prices increased in 2005 and 2006, this trend in commodity prices may not be indicative of future prices. Currently, Spectra Energy does not enter into derivative instruments to hedge the expected exposures associated with its processing business in Canada. Prior to 2006, to mitigate the risks associated with its investment in DCP Midstream, Spectra Energy entered into derivative instruments to hedge a portion of these expected exposures. Management evaluates, on an ongoing basis, the level of such hedging and currently does not have any plans to enter into new hedge positions around these earnings.

It is expected that the effective income tax rates will approximate 30-35% on an annual basis, taking into consideration the United States and Canadian tax jurisdictions applicable to operations.

Spectra Energy relies on access to both short-term money markets and longer-term capital markets as a source of liquidity for capital requirements not met by cash flow from operations. An inability to access capital at competitive rates could adversely affect Spectra Energy’s ability to implement its strategy. Market disruptions, or a downgrade of the credit ratings of Spectra Energy Capital or its subsidiaries may increase the cost of borrowing or adversely affect the ability to access one or more sources of liquidity.

For further information related to management’s assessment of Spectra Energy’s risk factors, see Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL

Consolidated Operating Revenues

Year Ended December 31, 2006 as Compared to December 31, 2005. Consolidated operating revenues for 2006 decreased $4,922 million, compared to 2005. This change was driven by:

   

A $5,530 million decrease due to the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream, effective July 1, 2005, and

 

   

An $87 million decrease in captive insurance revenues due to the transfer of ownership in Bison to Duke Energy effective April 1, 2006.

Partially offsetting this decrease in revenues were:

 

   

A $468 million increase at Natural Gas Transmission due primarily to Canadian assets (approximately $281 million), primarily higher processing revenues on the Empress System acquired in August 2005, favorable Canadian dollar foreign exchange impacts (approximately $157 million), and recovery of higher natural gas commodity costs (approximately $146 million), resulting from higher natural gas prices passed through to customers without a mark-up at Union Gas, partially offset by lower gas usage due to unseasonably warmer winter weather (approximately $186 million), and

 

   

An approximate $130 million increase in Other related to the prior year impact of mark-to-market losses, primarily unrealized, due to increased commodity prices as a result of the discontinuance of certain cash flow hedges entered into to hedge Field Services’ commodity price risk (see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Risk Management and Hedging Activities, Credit Risk, and Financial Instruments”) from February 22, 2005 to June 30, 2005. Effective with the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream on July 1, 2005, mark-to-market changes related to these discontinued hedges are classified in Other income and expenses, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Year Ended December 31, 2005 as Compared to December 31, 2004. Consolidated operating revenues for 2005 decreased $3,979 million, compared to 2004. This change was driven by:

   

A $5,380 million decrease due to the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream, effective July 1, 2005

 

   

An approximate $130 million decrease resulting from mark-to-market losses, primarily unrealized, due to increased commodity prices as a result of the discontinuance of certain cash flow hedges entered into to hedge Field Services’ commodity price risk discussed above, and

 

   

An $113 million decrease at Commercial Power due to the sale of the Southeast plants in 2004.

 

34


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Partially offsetting these decreases in revenues were:

 

   

An approximate $850 million increase at Field Services, excluding the impact of the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream, due primarily to higher average commodity prices, primarily NGL and natural gas in the first six months of 2005, and

 

   

A $704 million increase at Natural Gas Transmission due primarily to new Canadian assets (approximately $269 million), primarily the Empress System, favorable foreign exchange rates (approximately $153 million) as a result of the strengthening Canadian dollar (partially offset by currency impacts to expenses), higher natural gas prices that are passed through to customers (approximately $152 million), an increase related to U.S. business operations (approximately $60 million) driven by higher rates and contracted volumes and increased gas distribution revenues (approximately $36 million), resulting from higher gas usage in the power market

For a more detailed discussion of operating revenues, see the segment discussions that follow.

Consolidated Operating Expenses

Year Ended December 31, 2006 as Compared to December 31, 2005. Consolidated operating expenses for 2006 decreased $4,789 million, compared to 2005. The change was primarily driven by:

   

An approximate $5,090 million decrease due to the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream, effective July 1, 2005

 

   

A $133 million decrease in captive insurance expenses due primarily to the transfer of ownership in Bison to Duke Energy effective April 1, 2006, and prior year recognition of reserves for estimated property damage related to hurricanes and business interruption losses, and

 

   

An approximate $120 million decrease associated with the prior year recognition of unrealized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) as a result of the discontinuance of certain cash flow hedges entered into to hedge Field Services’ commodity price risk, which were previously accounted for as cash flow hedges (see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Risk Management and Hedging Activities, Credit Risk, and Financial Instruments”).

Partially offsetting these decreases in expenses was:

 

   

A $447 million increase at Natural Gas Transmission due primarily to Canadian assets (approximately $189 million), primarily the Empress System, increased natural gas prices at Union Gas (approximately $146 million), resulting from high natural gas prices passed through to customers without a mark-up at Union Gas, higher operating and maintenance, including pipeline integrity and project development expenses (approximately $133 million), Canadian dollar foreign exchange impacts (approximately $124 million), partially offset by lower gas purchase costs at Union Gas resulting primarily from unseasonably warmer winter weather (approximately $157 million).

Year Ended December 31, 2005 as Compared to December 31, 2004. Consolidated operating expenses for 2005 decreased $3,634 million, compared to 2004. The change was primarily driven by:

   

A $5,072 million decrease due to the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream, effective July 1, 2005, and

 

   

A $143 million decrease at Commercial Power due to the sale of the Southeast Plants in 2004.

Partially offsetting these decreases in expenses were:

 

   

An approximate $675 million increase in operating expenses at Field Services driven primarily by higher average NGL and natural gas prices in the first six months of 2005

 

   

A $640 million increase at Natural Gas Transmission due primarily to new Canadian assets (approximately $272 million), primarily gas purchase costs associated with the Empress System, increased natural gas prices at Union Gas (approximately $152 million, which is offset in revenues), foreign exchange impacts (approximately $118 million) as discussed above (offset by currency impacts to revenues), and increased gas purchases for distribution (approximately $43 million) primarily due to higher gas usage in the power market

 

35


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
   

An approximate $120 million increase related to the recognition of unrealized losses in AOCI as a result of the discontinuance of certain cash flow hedges entered into to hedge Field Services’ commodity price risk, which were previously accounted for as cash flow hedges (see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Risk Management and Hedging Activities, Credit Risk, and Financial Instruments”), and

 

   

A $59 million increase as a result of the 2004 correction of an immaterial accounting error in prior periods related to reserves at Bison.

For a more detailed discussion of operating expenses, see the segment discussions that follow.

Consolidated Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Assets and Other, net

Consolidated gains (losses) on sales of other assets and other, net was a gain of $47 million for 2006, a gain of $522 million for 2005, and a loss of $349 million for 2004. The gain in 2006 was due primarily to gains on settlements of customers’ transportation contracts at Natural Gas Transmission (approximately $28 million). The gain in 2005 was due primarily to the pre-tax gain resulting from the DCP Midstream disposition transaction (approximately $575 million), partially offset by net pre-tax losses at Commercial Power, principally the termination of former DENA structured power contracts in the Southeast region (approximately $70 million). The loss in 2004 was due primarily to pre-tax losses on the sale of the Southeast Plants (approximately $360 million) at Commercial Power.

Consolidated Operating Income

Year Ended December 31, 2006 as Compared to December 31, 2005. For 2006, consolidated operating income decreased $608 million, compared to 2005. Decreased operating income was primarily related to an approximate $575 million gain in 2005 resulting from the DCP Midstream disposition transaction and the impacts of the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream, effective July 1, 2005, which amounted to approximately $440 million for 2005. Partially offsetting these decreases were an approximate $250 million negative impact to operating income in 2005 related to the discontinuance of certain cash flow hedges entered into to hedge Field Services’ commodity price risk and an approximate $70 million charge in 2005 related to the termination of former DENA structured power contracts in the Southeast region.

Year Ended December 31, 2005 as Compared to December 31, 2004. For 2005, consolidated operating income increased $526 million, compared to 2004. Increased operating income was due primarily to the gain in 2005 resulting from the DCP Midstream disposition transaction and the charge in 2004 associated with the sale of the Southeast Plants in 2005, partially offset by charges in 2005 related to the discontinuance of certain cash flow hedges entered into to hedge Field Services’ commodity price risk, charges in 2005 related to the termination of structured power contracts in the Southeast region and increased liabilities associated with mutual insurance companies.

Other drivers to operating income are discussed above. For more detailed discussions, see the segment discussions that follow.

Consolidated Other Income and Expenses

Year Ended December 31, 2006 as Compared to December 31, 2005. For 2006, consolidated other income and expenses decreased $932 million, compared to 2005. The decrease was due primarily to $1,245 million of pre-tax gains on sales of equity investments recorded in 2005, primarily associated with the sale of TEPPCO GP and Spectra Energy Capital’s limited partner interest in TEPPCO LP, partially offset by an increase of approximately $254 million in equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates due primarily to the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream effective July 1, 2005.

Year Ended December 31, 2005 as Compared to December 31, 2004. For 2005, consolidated other income and expenses increased $1,362 million, compared to 2004. The increase was due primarily to $1,245 million of pre-tax gains associated with the sale of TEPPCO GP and Spectra Energy Capital’s limited partner interest in TEPPCO LP, equity income of $292 million for the investment in DCP Midstream subsequent to the

 

36


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

deconsolidation of DCP Midstream, effective July 1, 2005, slightly offset by the realized and unrealized pre-tax losses recognized in 2005 on certain derivative contracts hedging Field Services commodity price risk which were discontinued as cash flow hedges as a result of the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream by Spectra Energy Capital. Effective with the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream on July 1, 2005, mark-to-market changes related to the Field Services discontinued hedges are classified in Other income and expenses, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, while from February 22, 2005 to June 30, 2005 these mark-to-market changes were classified in Non-regulated electric, natural gas, natural gas liquids and other revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Consolidated Interest Expense

Year Ended December 31, 2006 as Compared to December 31, 2005. For 2006, consolidated interest expense decreased $70 million, compared to 2005. This decrease is primarily attributable to reduced interest expense associated with DCP Midstream, which was deconsolidated on July 1, 2005 (an approximate $82 million impact).

Year Ended December 31, 2005 as Compared to December 31, 2004. For 2005, consolidated interest expense decreased $183 million, compared to 2004. This decrease was due primarily to Spectra Energy Capital’s debt reduction in 2004 (an approximate $120 million impact) and the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream effective July 1, 2005 (an approximate $80 million impact).

Consolidated Minority Interest Expense

Year Ended December 31, 2006 as Compared to December 31, 2005. For 2006, consolidated minority interest expense decreased $466 million, compared to 2005. This decrease primarily resulted from the 2005 gain associated with the sale of TEPPCO GP and the impact of deconsolidation of DCP Midstream effective July 1, 2005.

Year Ended December 31, 2005 as Compared to December 31, 2004. For 2005, consolidated minority interest expense increased $297 million, compared to 2004. This increase was driven primarily by increased earnings at DCP Midstream in the first six months of 2005 as a result of the sale of TEPPCO GP and higher commodity prices, offset by the impact of the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream effective July 1, 2005.

Consolidated Income Tax Expense from Continuing Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2006 as Compared to December 31, 2005. For 2006, consolidated income tax expense from continuing operations decreased $531 million, compared to 2005. This decrease primarily resulted from lower pre-tax earnings, due primarily to the 2005 gains associated with the sale of TEPPCO GP and Spectra Energy Capital’s limited partner interest in TEPPCO LP as discussed above. The effective tax rate decreased in 2006 (30%) compared to 2005 (40%). The lower effective tax rate for year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to December 31, 2005 resulted primarily from a $30 million benefit to state taxes due to a reduction in the unitary state tax rate in 2006 as a result of Duke Energy’s merger with Cinergy, a $25 million tax benefit in 2006 related to the impairment of an investment in Bolivia and a $34 million tax expense related to the repatriation of foreign earnings.

Year Ended December 31, 2005 as Compared to December 31, 2004. For 2005, consolidated income tax expense from continuing operations decreased $342 million, compared to 2004. The decrease in income tax expense from continuing operations is primarily a result of the reorganization of Duke Energy Americas LLC (DEA) in 2004 which caused the recognition of tax expense of approximately $1,030 offset by approximately $2.0 billion in higher pre-tax earnings in 2005, due primarily to the gains associated with the sale of TEPPCO GP, Spectra Energy Capital’s limited partner interest in TEPPCO LP, and the DCP Midstream disposition transaction (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Acquisitions and Dispositions”). The effective tax rate for 2005 was 40%, compared to approximately 226% in 2004. The decrease in the effective tax rate was due primarily to the decrease in deferred taxes of approximately $1,030 million related to the restructuring of certain subsidiaries in 2004. (See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Income Taxes.”)

 

37


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Consolidated Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of tax

Consolidated income (loss) from discontinued operations was $308 million for 2006, ($731) million for 2005, and $593 million for 2004. These amounts represent results of operations and gains (losses) on dispositions related primarily to former DENA’s assets and contracts outside the Midwestern and Southeastern United States, which are included in Other, as well as the operations of International Energy and Spectra Energy Capital’s effective 50% interest in Crescent, and a number of businesses previously included in Other, which are classified in discontinued operations as a result of Spectra Energy Capital transferring these businesses to Duke Energy in December 2006 (see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale”). The 2006 amount is primarily comprised of the net favorable operations of International Energy and Spectra Energy Capital’s effective 50% interest in Crescent.

The 2005 amount is primarily comprised of an approximate $740 million non-cash, after-tax charge (approximately $900 million pre-tax) for the impairment of assets, and the discontinuance of hedge accounting and the discontinuance of the normal purchase/normal sale exception for certain positions, as a result of the decision to exit substantially all of former DENA’s remaining assets and contracts outside the Midwestern United States and certain contractual positions related to the Midwestern assets. Additionally, during 2005, Spectra Energy Capital recognized after-tax losses of approximately $330 million (approximately $400 million pre-tax) as the result of selling certain gas transportation and structured contracts related to the former DENA operations. These charges were offset by the recognition of after-tax gains of approximately $160 million (approximately $200 million pre-tax) related to the recognition of deferred gains in AOCI related to discontinued cash flow hedges related to the former DENA operations and the net favorable operations of International Energy and Spectra Energy Capital’s effective 50% interest in Crescent, and a number of businesses previously included in Other.

The 2004 amount is primarily comprised of a $273 million after-tax gain resulting from the sale of International Energy’s Asia-Pacific Business, and an approximate $180 million after-tax gain on the sale of two partially constructed merchant power plants in the western United States offset by operating losses at the western and northeast merchant power plants and the net favorable operations of International Energy and Spectra Energy Capital’s effective 50% interest in Crescent, and a number of businesses previously included in Other.

Consolidated Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle, net of tax and minority interest

During 2005, Spectra Energy Capital recorded a net-of-tax and minority interest cumulative effect adjustment for a change in accounting principle of $4 million as a reduction in earnings. The change in accounting principle related to the implementation of FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations,” in which the timing or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of Spectra Energy Capital.

Segment Results

Management evaluates segment performance based on earnings before interest and taxes from continuing operations, after deducting minority interest expense related to those profits (EBIT). On a segment basis, EBIT excludes discontinued operations, represents all profits from continuing operations (both operating and non-operating) before deducting interest and taxes, and is net of the minority interest expense related to those profits. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are managed centrally by Spectra Energy Capital, so the gains and losses on foreign currency remeasurement, and interest and dividend income on those balances, are excluded from the segments’ EBIT. Management considers segment EBIT to be a good indicator of each segment’s operating performance from its continuing operations, as it represents the results of Spectra Energy Capital’s ownership interest in operations without regard to financing methods or capital structures.

Effective with the reporting of the 2007 results, and in accordance with SFAS No. 131, “Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” Spectra Energy Capital will report financial and operating information on the following four business segments: U.S. Transmission, Distribution, Western Canada Transmission & Processing, and Field Services.

 

38


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

On April 1, 2006, Spectra Energy Capital transferred the operations of its wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary, Bison, to Duke Energy. Accordingly, Bison’s operations are not included in Spectra Energy Capital’s results of operations subsequent to its transfer to Duke Energy. Due to continuing involvement between Bison and Spectra Energy Capital entities, the results of operations of Bison do not qualify for discontinued operations treatment.

Additionally, in April 2006, Spectra Energy Capital indirectly transferred to Duke Energy Ohio, its ownership interest in former DENA’s Midwestern assets, representing a mix of combined cycle and peaking plants, with a combined capacity of approximately 3,600 MW. This transfer has been accounted for as a capital contribution at historical cost. An agreement between Spectra Energy Capital and Duke Energy Ohio associated with the transfer was assigned by Spectra Energy Capital to Duke Energy in the fourth quarter of 2006. The results of operations for former DENA’s Midwestern assets have been reflected as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In December 2006, Spectra Energy Capital transferred the operations of International Energy and Spectra Energy Capital’s effective 50% interest in Crescent, and various other operations previously included in Other to Duke Energy. The results of operations for the majority of these operations have been reflected as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Spectra Energy Capital’s corporate and shared services operations were also transferred to Duke Energy in December 2006. However, as Spectra Energy Capital will have similar types of functions and costs in future periods, substantially all expenses associated with these corporate governance and shared service functions are classified within results from continuing operations in Other for all periods.

As discussed in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” during the third quarter of 2005, the Board of Directors of Duke Energy authorized and directed management to execute the sale or disposition of substantially all former DENA’s remaining assets and contracts outside the Midwestern United States and certain contractual positions related to the Midwestern assets. As a result of this exit plan, as well as the transfers of the former DENA Midwestern assets and certain businesses previously included in Other (including DETM), as discussed above, the continuing operations of the former DENA segment, which are now reflected as a component of the Commercial Power segment, include only the Southeastern operations which were disposed of in 2004 and related structured power contracts that were terminated during 2005.

Spectra Energy Capital’s segment EBIT may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure of another company because other entities may not calculate EBIT in the same manner. Segment EBIT is summarized in the following table, and detailed discussions follow.

 

39


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

EBIT by Business Segment

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2006     2005     Variance
2006 vs
2005
    2004     Variance
2005 vs
2004
 
     (in millions)  

Natural Gas Transmission

   $ 1,438     $ 1,388     $ 50     $ 1,329     $ 59  

Field Services (a)

     569       1,946       (1,377 )     367       1,579  

Commercial Power (b)

           (70 )     70       (386 )     316  
                                        

Total reportable segment EBIT

     2,007       3,264       (1,257 )     1,310       1,954  

Other

     (89 )     (278 )     189       48       (326 )
                                        

Total reportable segment and other EBIT

     1,918       2,986       (1,068 )     1,358       1,628  

Interest expense

     (605 )     (675 )     70       (858 )     183  

Interest income and other (c)

     18       24       (6 )     61       (37 )
                                        

Consolidated earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ 1,331     $ 2,335     $ (1,004 )   $ 561     $ 1,774  
                                        

 

(a) In July 2005, Duke Energy caused a Spectra Energy Capital subsidiary to complete the agreement with ConocoPhillips to reduce Spectra Energy Capital’s ownership interest in DCP Midstream from 69.7% to 50%. Field Services segment data includes DCP Midstream as a consolidated entity for periods prior to July 1, 2005 and an equity method investment for periods after June 30, 2005.

 

(b) Reflects amounts associated with former DENA’s Southeast operations prior to the sale of the plants in August 2004 and the sale of the structured power contracts in December 2005.

 

(c) Other includes foreign currency transaction gains and losses and additional minority interest expense not allocated to the segment results.

Minority interest expense as shown and discussed below includes only minority interest expense related to EBIT of Spectra Energy Capital’s joint ventures. It does not include minority interest expense related to interest and taxes of the joint ventures.

The amounts discussed below include intercompany transactions that are eliminated in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Natural Gas Transmission

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2006    2005    Variance
2006 vs
2005
    2004    Variance
2005 vs
2004
 
     (in millions, except where noted)  

Operating revenues

   $ 4,523    $ 4,055    $ 468     $ 3,351    $ 704  

Operating expenses

     3,162      2,715      447       2,075      640  

Gains (losses) on sales of other assets and other, net

     47      13      34       17      (4 )
                                     

Operating income

     1,408      1,353      55       1,293      60  

Other income and expenses, net

     69      65      4       63      2  

Minority interest expense

     39      30      9       27      3  
                                     

EBIT

   $ 1,438    $ 1,388    $ 50     $ 1,329    $ 59  
                                     

Proportional throughput, TBtu (a)

     3,248      3,410      (162 )     3,332      78  

 

(a) Trillion British thermal units. Revenues are not significantly impacted by pipeline throughput fluctuations since revenues are primarily composed of demand charges.

 

40


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Year Ended December 31, 2006 as Compared to December 31, 2005

Operating Revenues.    The increase was driven primarily by:

 

   

A $281 million increase due to Canadian assets purchased in August 2005, primarily higher processing revenues on the Empress System as a result of commodity prices,

 

   

A $157 million increase due to foreign exchange rates favorably impacting revenues from the Canadian operations as a result of the strengthening Canadian dollar (partially offset by currency impacts to expenses),

 

   

A $146 million increase from recovery of higher natural gas commodity costs, resulting from higher natural gas prices passed through to customers without a mark-up at Union Gas. This revenue increase is offset in expenses,

 

   

A $27 million increase in U.S. business operations driven by increased processing revenues associated with transportation, and

 

   

A $26 million increase from completed and operational pipeline expansion projects in the U.S.

Partially offsetting these increases was:

 

   

A $186 million decrease in gas distribution revenues at Union Gas primarily resulting from lower gas usage due to warmer winter weather compared to 2005.

Operating Expenses.    The increase was driven primarily by:

 

   

A $189 million increase in gas purchase cost associated with the Empress System,

 

   

A $146 million increase related to increased natural gas prices at Union Gas. This amount is offset in revenues.

 

   

A $133 million increase primarily related to increased operating and maintenance expenses on pipeline and storage operations, including pipeline integrity and project development expenses, higher insurance premiums, and benefit costs, and

 

   

A $124 million increase caused by foreign exchange impacts (offset by currency impacts to revenues, as discussed above).

Partially offsetting these increases were:

 

   

A $157 million decrease in gas purchase costs at Union Gas, primarily resulting from lower gas usage due to unseasonably warmer winter weather, and

 

   

A $15 million decrease related to the resolution in 2006 of prior tax years’ ad valorem tax issues.

Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Assets and Other, net.    The increase was driven primarily by a $28 million gain in 2006 on the settlement of a customer’s transportation contract, and a $5 million gain on the sale of Stone Mountain assets in 2006.

Other Income and Expenses, net.    The increase was driven primarily by a pre-tax Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 51 gain of $15 million related to the Income Fund’s issuance of additional units of the Canadian income trust fund, partially offset by a construction fee received in 2005 from an affiliate as a result of the successful completion of the Gulfstream Natural Gas System, LLC (Gulfstream), 50% owned by Spectra Energy Capital, and Natural Gas Transmission’s 50% share of operating and maintenance expenses in 2006 on the Southeast Supply Header project.

EBIT.    The increase in EBIT is due primarily to the increase in processing earnings (primarily Empress System), the gain on settlement of a customer’s transportation contract, U.S. business expansion, the gain on the Income Fund’s issuance of additional units of the Canadian income trust fund, a gain on a property insurance settlement and the strengthening Canadian dollar, partially offset by increased operating and maintenance expenses, and lower Union results primarily due to weather.

 

41


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Matters Impacting Future Natural Gas Transmission Results

As previously discussed, Spectra Energy and Spectra Energy Capital have implemented new business segment reporting in 2007. Amounts previously reported for Spectra Energy Capital’s Natural Gas Transmission segment will primarily be reported in the new U.S. Transmission, Distribution and Western Canada Transmission & Processing segments. The following discusses matters impacting future results of these new segments.

U.S. Transmission plans to continue earnings growth through capital efficient projects, such as transportation and storage expansion to support a two-pronged “supply push” / “market pull” strategy, as well as continued focus on optimizing the performance of the existing operations through organizational efficiencies and cost control. Future earnings growth will be dependent on the success of expansion plans in both the market and supply areas of the pipeline network, the ability to continue renewing service contracts and continued regulatory stability. Commodity prices will continue to impact processing revenues that are associated with transportation services.

Distribution plans to continue earnings growth through capital efficient “market pull” expansion projects of transportation and storage capacity to support the projected demand growth in the Ontario market. The projected natural gas demand in Ontario benefits the continued retail distribution growth as well. Distribution’s earnings are impacted significantly by weather during the winter heating season. In addition, earnings over the last several years have benefited from the strengthening Canadian dollar and would be impacted by future changes in the US/Canadian dollar exchange rates. As with all of Spectra Energy Capital’s regulated entities, regulatory changes may impact future earnings.

Western Canada Transmission & Processing plans to continue earnings growth through capital efficient “supply push” projects, primarily associated with gathering and processing expansion to support drilling activity in northern British Columbia. Earnings will also continue to improve through optimizing the performance of the existing system and through organizational efficiencies. In addition, future earnings will be impacted by the ability to renew service contracts and regulatory stability. Earnings from processing services will be impacted by the ability to access additional natural gas reserves. In addition, the Empress NGL business will be impacted by both gas flows and the effects of natural gas and NGL commodity prices. On October 31, 2006, the Minister of Finance in Canada announced proposed changes to the income tax treatment of “flow-through entities,” including income trusts, such as the Income Fund, in which the Western Canada Transmission & Processing segment owns approximately 46% as of December 2006. If the proposal is implemented in its current form, income trusts will be subject to tax at corporate rates on the taxable portion of their distributions which would apply beginning with the 2011 taxation year of the Income Fund. On December 15, 2006, the Department of Finance of Canada provided further guidance on “normal growth” for flow-through entities. The guidance limits the amount of new equity that can be issued if the Income Fund wishes to retain its current tax status until 2011. The guidance indicates, subject to annual limits, that the Income Fund can issue up to Canadian $296 million of new equity prior to December 31, 2010 without losing its current tax status. The legislation is still in draft form and is subject to continuing debate. The implementation of the legislation could have an adverse effect on the Income Fund, its ability to pay distributions and the market value of its units. Spectra Energy Capital will monitor the impact of these proposed changes on the Income Fund and on the future use of such entities, but does not currently expect significant impacts to Spectra Energy Capital as a result of these changes.

Year Ended December 31, 2005 as Compared to December 31, 2004

Operating Revenues.    The increase was driven primarily by:

 

   

A $269 million increase due to new Canadian assets, primarily the Empress System

 

   

A $153 million increase due to foreign exchange rates favorably impacting revenues from the Canadian operations as a result of the strengthening Canadian dollar (partially offset by currency impacts to expenses)

 

   

A $152 million increase from recovery of higher natural gas commodity costs, resulting from higher natural gas prices that are passed through to customers without a mark-up at Union Gas. This revenues increase is offset in expenses

 

42


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
   

A $60 million increase for U.S. business operations driven by higher rates at Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, LLC and Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, LP (collectively, M & N Pipeline) and favorable commodity prices on natural gas processing activities

 

   

A $36 million increase in gas distribution revenues, primarily due to higher gas usage in the power market, and

 

   

A $20 million increase from completed and operational pipeline expansion projects in the U.S.

Operating Expenses.    The increase was driven primarily by:

 

   

A $272 million increase due to new Canadian assets, primarily gas purchase costs associated with the Empress System

 

   

A $152 million increase related to increased natural gas prices at Union Gas. This amount is offset in revenues

 

   

A $118 million increase caused by foreign exchange impacts (offset by currency impacts to revenues, as discussed above)

 

   

A $43 million increase in gas purchases for distribution, primarily due to higher gas usage in the power market, and

 

   

A $23 million increase related to the 2004 resolution of ad valorem tax issues in various states.

Other Income and Expenses, net.    The increase was driven primarily by the successful completion of the Gulfstream Phase II project which went into service in February 2005 and increased volumes at Gulfstream, resulting in a $11 million increase in Gas Transmission’s 50% equity earnings and a $5 million construction fee received from an affiliate. These increases were partially offset by a $16 million gain in 2004 on the sale of equity investments, primarily due to the resolution of contingencies related to the sales price of those investments.

EBIT.    The increase in EBIT was due primarily to earnings from U.S. business expansion projects, improved U.S. operations and favorable foreign exchange rate impacts from the strengthening Canadian dollar, partially offset by the 2004 resolution of ad valorem tax issues.

Field Services

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2006     2005    Variance
2006 vs
2005
    2004    Variance
2005 vs
2004
 
     (in millions, except where noted)  

Operating revenues

   $     $ 5,530    $ (5,530 )   $ 10,044    $ (4,514 )

Operating expenses

     5       5,215      (5,210 )     9,489      (4,274 )

Gains (losses) on sales of other assets and other, net

           577      (577 )     2      575  
                                      

Operating income

     (5 )     892      (897 )     557      335  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates (a)

     574       292      282            292  

Other income and expenses, net

           1,259      (1,259 )     37      1,222  

Minority interest expense

           497      (497 )     227      270  
                                      

EBIT

   $ 569     $ 1,946    $ (1,377 )   $ 367    $ 1,579  
                                      

Natural gas gathered and processed/transported, TBtu/d (b)

     6.8       6.8            6.8       

NGL production, MBbl/d (c)

     361       353      8       356      (3 )

Average natural gas price per MMBtu (d)

   $ 7.23     $ 8.59    $ (1.36 )   $ 6.14    $ 2.45  

Average NGL price per gallon (e)

   $ 0.94     $ 0.85    $ 0.09     $ 0.68    $ 0.17  

 

(a) Includes Spectra Energy Capital’s 50% equity in earnings of DCP Midstream net income subsequent to the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream effective July 1, 2005. Results of DCP Midstream prior to July 1, 2005 are presented on a consolidated basis.
(b) Trillion British thermal units per day
(c) Thousand barrels per day
(d) Million British thermal units. Average price based on NYMEX Henry Hub
(e) Does not reflect results of commodity hedges

 

43


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

In July 2005, Duke Energy caused a Spectra Energy Capital subsidiary to complete the transfer of a 19.7% interest in DCP Midstream to ConocoPhillips, Spectra Energy Capital’s co-equity owner in DCP Midstream, which reduced Spectra Energy Capital’s ownership interest in DCP Midstream from 69.7% to 50% and resulted in Spectra Energy Capital and ConocoPhillips becoming equal 50% owners in DCP Midstream. As a result of the DCP Midstream disposition transaction, Spectra Energy Capital deconsolidated its investment in DCP Midstream and subsequently has accounted for DCP Midstream as an investment utilizing the equity method of accounting (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Acquisitions and Dispositions”).

Year Ended December 31, 2006 as Compared to December 31, 2005

Operating Revenues.    The decrease was due to the DCP Midstream disposition transaction and subsequent deconsolidation of DCP Midstream.

Operating Expenses.    The decrease was due to the DCP Midstream disposition transaction and subsequent deconsolidation of DCP Midstream. Operating expenses for 2005 were also impacted by approximately $120 million of losses recognized due to the reclassification of pre-tax unrealized losses in AOCI as a result of the discontinuance of certain cash flow hedges entered into to hedge Field Services’ commodity price risk, which were previously accounted for as cash flow hedges.

Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Assets and Other, net.    The decrease was due primarily to an approximate pre-tax gain of $575 million on the DCP Midstream disposition transaction in the prior year.

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates.    The increase is due to Spectra Energy Capital’s 50% of equity in earnings of DCP Midstream’ net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2006 as compared to equity in earnings of DCP Midstream’ net income for the six months ended December 31, 2005. DCP Midstream’ earnings during the twelve months ended December 31, 2006 have continued to be favorably impacted by increased NGL and crude oil prices as compared to the prior period, as well as increased trading and marketing gains due primarily to changes in natural gas prices and the timing of derivative and inventory transactions.

Other Income and Expenses, net.    The decrease is due to the DCP Midstream disposition transaction and subsequent deconsolidation of DCP Midstream. In 2005, DCP Midstream had a pre-tax gain on the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary, TEPPCO GP, the general partner of TEPPCO LP of $1.1 billion, and Spectra Energy Capital had a pre-tax gain on the sale of its limited partner interest in TEPPCO LP of approximately $97 million. TEPPCO GP and Spectra Energy Capital’s limited partner interest in TEPPCO LP were each sold to Enterprise GP Holdings LP, an unrelated third party.

Minority Interest Expense.    The decrease was due to the DCP Midstream disposition transaction and subsequent deconsolidation of DCP Midstream. Minority interest expense for 2005 was due primarily to the gain on the sale of TEPPCO GP to Enterprise GP Holdings LP for approximately $1.1 billion, as discussed above.

EBIT.    The decrease in EBIT from 2006 to 2005 resulted primarily from the gain on sale of TEPPCO GP and Spectra Energy Capital’s limited partner interest in TEPPCO LP in 2005 and gain on the DCP Midstream disposition transaction in 2005. These decreases were partially offset by increased NGL and crude oil prices in 2006 as compared to the prior year.

Matters Impacting Future Field Services Results

Field Services, through its 50% investment in DCP Midstream, has developed significant size and scope in natural gas gathering, processing and NGL marketing and plans to focus on operational excellence and organic growth. DCP Midstream’s revenues and expenses are significantly dependent on prevailing commodity prices for NGLs and natural gas, and past and current trends in price changes of these commodities may not be indicative of future trends. DCP Midstream anticipates that current price levels will continue to stimulate drilling and help to offset declining raw natural gas supplies. Although the prevailing price of natural gas has less short term significance to its operating results than the price of NGLs, in the long term, the growth and sustainability of DCP Midstream’s business depends on natural gas prices being at levels sufficient to provide incentives and capital for producers to increase natural gas exploration and production. Future equity in earnings of DCP

 

44


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Midstream will continue to be sensitive to commodity prices that have historically been cyclical and volatile. There are many important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed. Management can provide no assurances regarding the impact of future commodity prices or drilling activity.

Year Ended December 31, 2005 as Compared to December 31, 2004

Operating Revenues.    The decrease was due to the DCP Midstream disposition transaction and subsequent deconsolidation of DCP Midstream. This decrease was partially offset by increased revenues of approximately $850 million during the six months ended June 30, 2005 versus the comparable period in the prior year which was primarily attributable to a $0.14 per gallon increase in average NGL prices and a $0.66 per MMBtu increase in average natural gas prices.

Operating Expenses.    The decrease was due to the DCP Midstream disposition transaction and subsequent deconsolidation of DCP Midstream. Subsequent to June 2005, the results of DCP Midstream are included in Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates. This decrease was partially offset by:

 

   

Increased operating expense of approximately $675 million during the six months ended June 30, 2005 versus the comparable period in the prior year which was primarily attributable to higher average costs of raw natural gas supply, due primarily to an increase in average NGL and natural gas prices, and

 

   

An approximate $120 million increase due to the reclassification of pre-tax unrealized losses in AOCI in 2005 as a result of the discontinuance of certain cash flow hedges entered into to hedge Field Services’ commodity price risk, which were previously accounted for as cash flow hedges (see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Risk Management and Hedging Activities, Credit Risk, and Financial Instruments”). After the discontinuance of these hedges, changes in their fair value are being recognized in Other results, as management considers the discontinuance to be an event which disassociates the contracts from the Field Services’ results.

Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Assets and Other, net.    The increase was primarily due to an approximate pre-tax gain of $575 million on the DCP Midstream disposition transaction.

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates.    The increase was driven by the equity in earnings of $292 million for Spectra Energy Capital’s investment in DCP Midstream subsequent to the completion of the DCP Midstream disposition transaction and related deconsolidation. DCP Midstream earnings during the six months ended December 31, 2005 have continued to be favorably impacted by increased commodity prices. These increases were partially offset by higher operating costs and pipeline integrity work as well as lower volumes due in part to hurricane interruptions.

Other Income and Expenses, net.    The increase was driven primarily by an approximate $1.1 billion pre-tax gain in 2005 on the sale of DCP Midstream’ wholly-owned subsidiary, TEPPCO GP, the general partner of TEPPCO LP, and the pre-tax gain on the sale of Spectra Energy Capital’s limited partner interest in TEPPCO LP of approximately $100 million. TEPPCO GP and Spectra Energy Capital’s limited partner interest in TEPPCO LP were each sold to Enterprise GP Holdings LP, an unrelated third party. The gain was partially offset by a $33 million decrease in earnings from equity method investments, primarily as a result of the sale of TEPPCO GP and Spectra Energy Capital’s limited partner interest in TEPPCO LP in the first quarter of 2005.

Minority Interest Expense.    The increase was due primarily to the minority interest impact of the gain on the sale of TEPPCO GP to Enterprise GP Holdings LP as well as increased earnings at DCP Midstream during the six months ended June 30, 2005 due to commodity price increases. This increase was partially offset by the DCP Midstream disposition transaction and the related deconsolidation of Spectra Energy Capital’s investment in DCP Midstream.

EBIT.    The increase was primarily driven by the gain on sale of TEPPCO GP and Spectra Energy Capital’s limited partner interest in TEPPCO LP, the gain as a result of the DCP Midstream disposition transaction and favorable effects of commodity price increases, partially offset by the impact of Spectra Energy Capital’s decreased ownership percentage resulting from the completion of the DCP Midstream disposition transaction. Also, in the first quarter of 2005, Spectra Energy Capital discontinued certain cash flow hedges entered into to

 

45


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

hedge Field Services’ commodity price risk (see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Risk Management and Hedging Activities, Credit Risk, and Financial Instruments”). As a result of the discontinuance of these cash flow hedges and hedge accounting treatment, approximately $120 million of pre-tax unrealized losses in AOCI related to these contracts have been recognized by Field Services during the year ended December 31, 2005. Field Services’ future results are subject to volatility for factors such as commodity price changes.

Supplemental Data

Below is supplemental information for DCP Midstream operating results subsequent to deconsolidation on July 1, 2005:

 

     Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2006
   Six Months Ended
December 31, 2005
     (in millions)

Operating revenues

   $ 12,335    $ 7,463

Operating expenses

     11,063      6,814
             

Operating income

     1,272      649

Other income and expenses, net

     5      1

Interest expense, net

     119      62

Income tax expense

     23      4
             

Net income

   $ 1,135    $ 584
             

Commercial Power

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2006    2005     Variance
2006 vs
2005
   2004     Variance
2005 vs
2004
 
     (in millions)  

Operating revenues

   $    $     $    $ 113     $ (113 )

Operating expenses

                     143       (143 )

Gains (losses) on sales of other assets and other, net

          (70 )     70      (359 )     289  
                                      

Operating income

          (70 )     70      (389 )     319  

Other income and expenses, net

                     3       (3 )
                                      

EBIT

   $    $ (70 )   $ 70    $ (386 )   $ 316  
                                      

Commercial Power includes the historical results of the remaining Southeastern operations related to the assets which were disposed of in 2004 and the sale of the structured power contracts in 2005, but are not included in discontinued operations due to continuing involvement (see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale.”)

Year Ended December 31, 2006 as compared to December 31, 2005

Gain (losses) on Sales of Other Assets and Other, net.    The increase was driven primarily by an approximate $70 million pre-tax charge in 2005 related to the termination of structured power contracts in the Southeastern Region.

EBIT.    The increase was due to the approximate $70 million pre-tax charge in 2005 related to the termination of structured power contracts in the Southeastern Region.

Year Ended December 31, 2005 as compared to December 31, 2004

Operating Revenues.    The decrease was due to the sale of the Southeast plants in 2004.

Operating Expenses.    The decrease was due to the sale of the Southeast plants in 2004.

 

46


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Gains (losses) on sales of other assets and other, net.    The 2005 loss was due primarily to an approximate $70 million pre-tax charge related to the termination of structured power contracts in the Southeastern Region. The 2004 results include pre-tax losses of approximately $360 million associated with the sale of the Southeast Plants.

EBIT.    EBIT loss decreased driven by the loss recognized in 2004 on the sale of the Southeast Plants.

Other

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2006     2005     Variance
2006 vs
2005
    2004     Variance
2005 vs
2004
 
     (in millions)  

Operating revenues

   $ 30     $ (4 )   $ 34     $ 111     $ (115 )

Operating expenses

     182       303       (121 )     222       81  

Gains (losses) on sales of other assets and other, net

           4       (4 )     (8 )     12  
                                        

Operating income

     (152 )     (303 )     151       (119 )     (184 )

Other income and expenses, net

     63       25       38       167       (142 )
                                        

EBIT

   $ (89 )   $ (278 )   $ 189     $ 48     $ (326 )
                                        

Year Ended December 31, 2006 as Compared to December 31, 2005

Operating Revenues.    The increase was driven primarily by:

 

   

An approximate $130 million increase as a result of the prior year impact of realized and unrealized mark-to-market losses on certain discontinued cash flow hedges originally entered into to hedge Field Services’ commodity price risk which were accounted for as Operating Revenues prior to the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream, effective July 1, 2005.

Partially offsetting this increase were:

 

   

An $87 million decrease in captive insurance revenues due to the transfer of ownership in Bison to Duke Energy effective April 1, 2006, and

 

   

A $21 million decrease due to a prior year mark-to-market gain related to former DENA’s hedge discontinuance in the Southeast.

Operating Expenses.    The decrease was driven primarily by:

 

   

A $133 million decrease in captive insurance expenses due primarily to the transfer of ownership in Bison to Duke Energy effective April 1, 2006, and prior year recognition of reserves for estimated property damage related to hurricanes and business interruption losses.

Partially offsetting this decreases was:

 

   

A $13 million increase primarily associated with Duke Capital’s proportionate share of Duke Energy’s costs to achieve the Cinergy merger in 2006.

Other Income and Expenses, net.    The increase was driven primarily by an approximate $45 million favorable variance resulting from the realized and unrealized mark-to-market impacts associated with certain discontinued cash flow hedges originally entered into to hedge Field Services’ commodity price risk which are recorded in Other income and expenses, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations subsequent to the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream, effective July 1, 2005. Other income and expenses, net includes $82 million and $68 million in 2006 and 2005, respectively, related to management fees charged to an unconsolidated affiliate.

EBIT.    The increase was due primarily to the favorable variance related to realized and unrealized mark-to-market impacts of certain discontinued cash flow hedges originally entered into to hedge Field Services’ commodity price risk and prior year recognition of reserves for estimated property damage related to hurricanes and business interruption, partially offset by the prior year mark-to-market gain related to former DENA hedge discontinuance in the Southeast.

 

47


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Matters Impacting Future Other Results

Future Other results will include corporate and business services provided for the operations of Spectra Energy, and will also include costs and losses associated with Spectra Energy Capital’s new captive insurance company.

As a result of the separation from Duke Energy, Spectra Energy, primarily through Spectra Energy Capital, has newly staffed various corporate and other support functions, such as treasury, tax, cash management, payroll, accounts payable, information technology, human resources, and legal and compliance that will be required to operate as a stand-alone public company. Primarily during the first year following the separation date, it is expected that Duke Energy will provide certain transition services to Spectra Energy until such time as Spectra Energy can create all of the necessary stand-alone functions. The Duke Energy corporate costs included in Spectra Energy Capital’s historical financial statements will be replaced by Spectra Energy’s independent operating costs, including the new corporate functions, and will also include transition service fees paid to Duke Energy pursuant to the transition service arrangements that are expected to occur primarily in 2007. The amount of fees expected to be paid to Duke Energy in 2007 is approximately $10 million, but could vary depending on the ultimate usage and level of services required. Future corporate costs of Spectra Energy Capital are expected to be significantly less than the historical level of such costs given that the historical corporate services were structured to provide services to all of Spectra Energy Capital’s previous business groups, including International Energy, Crescent, DENA and DETM. In addition, Spectra Energy Capital has discontinued providing management services to the Duke Energy affiliate, and as such, will no longer realize the associated management fee income.

In 2007, Other will include costs associated with the spin-off, such as costs for branding the new company, replacing signage, creating new investor and other stakeholder communication processes and costs for building and/or reconfiguring the required information systems primarily around financial systems. The spin-off costs expected to affect the operating results of Other will approximate $50 million in 2007 and are not expected to be material thereafter.

Year Ended December 31, 2005 as Compared to December 31, 2004

Operating Revenues.    The decrease was driven primarily by:

 

   

An approximate $130 million decrease as a result of the realized and unrealized mark-to-market impact of certain discontinued cash flow hedges originally entered into to hedge Field Services’ commodity price risk (see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Risk Management and Hedging Activities, Credit Risk, and Financial Instruments”).

Partially offsetting this decrease was:

 

   

A $21 million mark-to-market gain in 2005 related to former DENA’s hedge discontinuance in the Southeast.

Operating Expenses.    The increase was driven primarily by:

 

   

A $59 million increase as a result of the 2004 correction of an immaterial accounting error in prior periods related to reserves at Bison attributable to property losses at several Spectra Energy Capital subsidiaries, and

 

   

A $19 million increase as a result of increased liabilities associated with mutual insurance companies.

Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Assets and Other, net.    The 2004 loss was due primarily to a loss on the sale of an aircraft.

Other Income and Expenses, net.    The decrease was driven primarily by an $83 million decrease in a management fees charged to an unconsolidated affiliate and an approximate $64 million decrease as a result of the realized and unrealized mark-to-market impact on discontinued hedges related to Field Services’ commodity price risk. (See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Risk Management and Hedging Activities, Credit Risk, and Financial Instruments.”)

 

48


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

EBIT.    The decrease was due primarily to the realized and unrealized mark-to-market impacts of certain discontinued cash flow hedges originally entered into to hedge Field Services’ commodity price risk, the reversal of insurance reserves at Bison in 2004 and a decrease in management fees charged to an unconsolidated affiliate. These decreases were partially offset by the mark-to-market gain in 2005 related to former DENA’s hedge discontinuance in the Southeast.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The application of accounting policies and estimates is an important process that continues to evolve as Spectra Energy Capital’s operations change and accounting guidance evolves. Spectra Energy Capital has identified a number of critical accounting policies and estimates that require the use of significant estimates and judgments.

Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on other various assumptions that they believe are reasonable at the time of application. The estimates and judgments may change as time passes and more information becomes available. If estimates and judgments are different than the actual amounts recorded, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to take into consideration the new information. Spectra Energy Capital discusses its critical accounting policies and estimates and other significant accounting policies with senior members of management. Spectra Energy Capital’s critical accounting policies and estimates are discussed below.

Regulatory Accounting

Spectra Energy Capital accounts for certain of its regulated operations under the provisions of SFAS No. 71, “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation.” As a result, Spectra Energy Capital records assets and liabilities that result from the regulated ratemaking process that would not be recorded under GAAP for non-regulated entities. Regulatory assets generally represent incurred costs that have been deferred because such costs are probable of future recovery in customer rates. Regulatory liabilities generally represent obligations to make refunds to customers for previous collections for costs that either are not likely to or have yet to be incurred. Management continually assesses whether the regulatory assets are probable of future recovery by considering factors such as applicable regulatory environment changes and recent rate orders to other regulated entities. Based on this continual assessment, management believes the existing regulatory assets are probable of recovery. This assessment reflects the current political and regulatory climate at the state, provincial and federal levels, and is subject to change in the future. If future recovery of costs ceases to be probable, asset write-offs would be required to be recognized in operating income. Additionally, the regulatory agencies can provide flexibility in the manner and timing of the depreciation of property, plant and equipment and amortization of regulatory assets. Total regulatory assets were $959 million as of December 31, 2006 and $1,063 million as of December 31, 2005. Total regulatory liabilities were $569 million as of December 31, 2006 and $420 million as of December 31, 2005. (See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Regulatory Matters.”)

Long-Lived Asset Impairments and Assets Held For Sale

Spectra Energy Capital evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets, excluding goodwill, when circumstances indicate the carrying value of those assets may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets, impairment would exist when the carrying value exceeds the sum of estimates of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the asset is impaired, the asset’s carrying value is adjusted to its estimated fair value. When alternative courses of action to recover the carrying amount of a long-lived asset are under consideration, a probability-weighted approach is used for developing estimates of future cash flows.

Spectra Energy Capital uses the best information available to estimate fair value of its long-lived assets and may use more than one source. Judgment is exercised to estimate the future cash flows, the useful lives of long-lived assets and to determine management’s intent to use the assets. The sum of undiscounted cash flows is primarily dependent on forecasted commodity prices for both the sales of power and the natural gas fuel costs over periods of time consistent with the useful lives of the assets or changes in the real estate market. Management’s intent to use or dispose of assets is subject to re-evaluation and can change over time.

 

49


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

A change in Spectra Energy Capital’s plans regarding, or probability assessments of, holding or selling an asset could have a significant impact on the estimated future cash flows. Spectra Energy Capital considers various factors when determining if impairment tests are warranted, including but not limited to:

 

   

Significant adverse changes in legal factors or in the business climate;

 

   

A current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses, or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset;

 

   

An accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of a long-lived asset;

 

   

Significant adverse changes in the extent or manner in which an asset is used or in its physical condition or a change in business strategy;

   

A significant change in the market value of an asset; and

 

   

A current expectation that, more likely than not, an asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of before the end of its estimated useful life.

Judgment is also involved in determining the timing of meeting the criteria for classification as an asset held for sale under SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” (SFAS No. 144)

During 2006 and 2005, Spectra Energy Capital recorded impairments on several of its long-lived assets. (For discussion of these impairments, see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held For Sale.”)

Spectra Energy Capital uses the criteria in SFAS No. 144 and EITF 03-13, “Applying the Conditions in Paragraph 42 of SFAS No. 144 in Determining Whether to Report Discontinued Operations,” to determine whether components of Spectra Energy Capital that are being disposed of or are classified as held for sale are required to be reported as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. To qualify as a discontinued operation under SFAS No. 144, the component being disposed of must have clearly distinguishable operations and cash flows. Additionally, pursuant to EITF 03-13, Spectra Energy Capital must not have significant continuing involvement in the operations after the disposal (i.e. Spectra Energy Capital must not have the ability to influence the operating or financial policies of the disposed component) and cash flows of the assets sold must have been eliminated from Spectra Energy Capital’s ongoing operations (i.e. Spectra Energy Capital does not expect to generate significant direct cash flows from activities involving the disposed component after the disposal transaction is completed). Assuming both preceding conditions are met, the related results of operations for the current and prior periods, including any related impairments and gains or losses on sales, are reflected as Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, net of tax, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. If an asset held for sale does not meet the requirements for discontinued operations classification, any impairments and gains or losses on sales are recorded in continuing operations as Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Assets and Other, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Impairments for all other long-lived assets, other than goodwill, are recorded as Impairments and other charges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Impairment of Goodwill

At December 31, 2006 and 2005, Spectra Energy Capital had goodwill balances of $3,507 million and $3,775 million, respectively. Spectra Energy Capital evaluates the impairment of goodwill under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (SFAS No. 142). The majority of Spectra Energy Capital’s goodwill at December 31, 2006 relates to the acquisition of Westcoast Energy, Inc. (Westcoast) in March 2002, whose assets are primarily included within the Natural Gas Transmission segment. As of the acquisition date, Spectra Energy Capital allocates goodwill to a reporting unit, which Spectra Energy Capital defines as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment. As required by SFAS No. 142, Spectra Energy Capital performs an annual goodwill impairment test and updates the test if events or circumstances occur that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Key assumptions used in the analysis include, but are not limited to, the use of an appropriate discount rate and estimated future cash flows. In estimating cash

 

50


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

flows, Spectra Energy Capital incorporates expected growth rates, regulatory stability, ability to renew contracts, and foreign currency exchange rates, as well as other factors that affect its revenue and expense forecasts. As a result of the annual 2006 impairment test required by SFAS No. 142, Spectra Energy Capital did not record any impairment on its goodwill during 2006, 2005 or 2004.

As noted previously, the business segments of Spectra Energy Capital were revised early in 2007 as a result of the separation from Duke Energy, impacting the reporting units used for goodwill impairment reviews. This change to the reporting unit designations has not resulted in any impairments of Spectra Energy Capital’s goodwill. Management continues to remain alert for any indicators that the fair value of a reporting unit could be below book value and will assess goodwill for impairment as appropriate.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues on sales of natural gas, natural gas transportation, storage and distribution as well as sales of petroleum products, primarily at Natural Gas Transmission and Field Services (prior to deconsolidation), are recognized when either the service is provided or the product is delivered. Revenues related to these services provided or products delivered but not yet billed are estimated each month. These estimates are generally based on contract data, regulatory information, estimated distribution usage based on historical data adjusted for heating degree days, commodity prices and preliminary throughput and allocation measurements. Final bills for the current month are billed and collected in the following month. Differences between actual and estimated unbilled revenues are immaterial.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Known Trends and Uncertainties

Spectra Energy will rely primarily upon cash flows from operations and additional financing transactions of Spectra Energy Capital to fund its liquidity and capital requirements for 2007. As of December 31, 2006, Spectra Energy Capital had negative working capital of approximately $730 million. This balance includes short-term debt of $349 million and current maturities of long-term debt of $550 million which are due primarily in July 2007 and December 2007 and are expected to be financed through additional long-term borrowings. In addition to the issuance of short-term debt and new long-term debt issuances expected during 2007, Spectra Energy expects to complete an MLP transaction during mid-2007 which could provide net cash proceeds of approximately $300 million to $400 million. See further discussion in Financing Cash Flows. Spectra Energy Capital also has access to four revolving credit facilities available in two currencies, with total combined capacities of $950 million and Canadian $600 million. These facilities will be used principally as a back-stop for commercial paper programs at Spectra Energy Capital subsidiaries.

Ultimate cash flows from operations are subject to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, earnings sensitivities to weather, commodity prices, and the timing of associated regulatory cost recovery approval (see “Item 1A. Risk Factors” for details). As discussed further in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Commitments and Contingencies,” Spectra Energy Capital entered into a settlement agreement and paid approximately $100 million to resolve pending litigation associated with the Citrus Trading matter. Spectra Energy Capital recorded the $100 million charge in the fourth quarter of 2006 within discontinued operations.

Spectra Energy Capital projects 2007 capital and investment expenditures of approximately $1.6 billion, consisting of $0.8 billion for U.S. Transmission, $0.5 billion for Western Canada Transmission & Processing, and $0.3 billion for Distribution. Total projected 2007 capital and investment expenditures include approximately $1.1 billion of expansion capital expenditures and approximately $0.5 billion for maintenance and upgrades of existing plants, pipelines and infrastructure to serve growth.

As Spectra Energy Capital executes on its strategic objectives around organic growth and expansion projects, capital and investment expenditures could average approximately $1.5 billion per year over the next several years. The timing and extent of these projects are likely to vary significantly from year to year, however. Given the anticipated levels of ongoing capital and investment expenditures over the next several years, capital resources will likely include additional long-term borrowings as well as the utilization of financial structures such as MLPs. However, Spectra Energy Capital expects to maintain a capital structure and liquidity profile that continues to support an investment-grade credit rating.

 

51


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Spectra Energy Capital monitors compliance with all debt covenants and restrictions, and does not currently believe that it will be in violation or breach of its debt covenants. However, circumstances could arise that may alter that view. If and when management had a belief that such potential breach could exist, appropriate action would be taken to mitigate any such issue. Spectra Capital also maintains an active dialogue with the credit rating agencies, and believes that the current investment grade credit ratings are stable.

Operating Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities was $693 million in 2006 compared to $1,072 million in 2005, a decrease of $379 million. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was due primarily to the following:

 

   

An approximate $400 million decrease in 2006 due to the net settlement of remaining DENA contracts

 

   

Collateral received by Spectra Energy Capital (approximately $540 million) in 2006 from Barclays, partially offset by

 

   

The settlement of the payable to Barclays (approximately $600 million) in 2006

Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,072 million in 2005 compared to $2,237 million in 2004, a decrease of $1,165 million. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was due primarily to the following:

 

   

Approximately $800 million of additional net cash collateral posted by Spectra Energy Capital during 2005 attributable to increased crude prices, as well as increases to the forward market prices of power

 

   

An approximate $900 million increase in taxes paid, and

 

   

The impacts of the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream effective July 1, 2005.

Investing Cash Flows

Net cash provided by investing activities was $1,569 million in 2006 compared to $1,241 million in 2005, an increase in cash provided of $328 million. Net cash provided by investing activities was $1,241 million in 2005 compared to $760 million in 2004, an increase in cash provided of $481 million.

The increase in cash provided by investing activities in 2006 as compared to 2005 is primarily due to the following:

 

   

An approximate $700 million increase in cash provided by proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities, net of purchases of marketable securities, and

 

   

A decrease in cash used for acquisitions of approximately $200 million, as a result of the approximately $230 million 2005 acquisition of the Empress System at Natural Gas Transmission.

These increases were partially offset by the following:

 

   

A decrease in proceeds received from asset sales in 2006 as compared to 2005. Asset sales activity in 2006 of approximately $2.0 billion primarily involved the disposal of the former DENA operations outside of the Midwestern United States, as well as the Crescent JV transaction. Asset sales activity in 2005 of approximately $2.4 billion primarily involved the disposition of the investments in TEPPCO as well as the DCP Midstream disposition transaction.

 

   

$152 million of distributions from equity investees were considered returns of equity in 2006 (primarily DCP Midstream), as compared to $383 million (see below) in 2005.

The increase in cash provided by investing activities in 2005 as compared to 2004 was also impacted by the following:

 

   

Proceeds from the 2005 sale of TEPPCO GP and Spectra Energy Capital’s interest in TEPPCO LP for approximately $1.2 billion,

 

   

DCP Midstream disposition transaction proceeds of approximately $1.0 billion received in 2005,

 

52


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
   

$383 million of distributions from equity investees (approximately $310 million for Gulfstream and approximately $73 million for DCP Midstream) were considered returns of equity in 2005, and

 

   

Decreased amounts of cash invested in short-term investments in 2005 as compared to 2004.

These increases were partially offset by:

 

   

The approximate $1.6 billion in proceeds received in 2004 primarily from the sales of the Asia-Pacific Business, Southeast Plants and Moapa and Luna partially completed facilities.

Capital and Investment Expenditures by Business Segment

Capital and investment expenditures are detailed by business segment in the following table. Capital and investment expenditures presented below include expenditures from both continuing and discontinued operations.

 

     Years Ended December 31,
     2006    2005    2004
     (in millions)

Natural Gas Transmission

   $ 790    $ 930    $ 544

Field Services (a)

          86      202

International Energy

     58      23      28

Crescent (b)(c)

     507      599      568

Other

     130      31      40
                    

Total consolidated

   $ 1,485    $ 1,669    $ 1,382
                    

 

(a) As a result of the deconsolidation of DCP Midstream, effective July 1, 2005, Field Services amounts only include DCP Midstream capital and investment expenditures for periods prior to July 1, 2005.

 

(b) Amounts include capital expenditures associated with residential real estate of $322 million for the period from January 1, 2006 through the date of deconsolidation (September 7, 2006), $355 million in 2005, and $322 million in 2004 which are included in Capital Expenditures for Residential Real Estate within Cash Flows from Operating Activities on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

(c) As a result of the deconsolidation of Crescent, effective September 7, 2006, Crescent amounts for 2006 only include Crescent capital and investment expenditures for periods prior to September 7, 2006.

Financing Cash Flows and Liquidity

Spectra Energy Capital’s consolidated capital structure as of December 31, 2006, including short-term debt, was 58% debt, 38% member’s equity and 4% minority interests. The fixed charges coverage ratio, calculated using SEC guidelines, was 3.1 times for 2006, which includes a pre-tax gain of approximately $250 million on the sale of an effective 50% interest in Crescent, 4.3 times for 2005, which includes a pre-tax gain on the sale of TEPPCO GP and LP of approximately $0.9 billion, net of minority interest, and 1.7 times for 2004.

Net cash used in financing activities was $2,454 million in 2006 compared to $2,341 million in 2005, an increase of $113 million. The change was due primarily to the following:

 

   

Approximately $1.0 billion increase in distributions to parent, net of capital contributions, in 2006, due primarily to the debt proceeds from the Crescent JV transaction and the transfer of cash held at Bison and Spectra Energy Capital businesses transferred to Duke Energy during 2006; partially offset by

 

   

Approximately $0.7 billion increase in proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt, commercial paper and notes payable in 2006, net of redemptions, due primarily to the debt proceeds from the Crescent JV transaction.

Net cash used in financing activities was $2,341 million in 2005 compared to $2,902 million in 2004, a decrease of $561 million. The change was due primarily to the following:

 

   

Approximately $2.5 billion of higher net paydowns of long-term debt, commercial paper, notes payable, and preferred stock of a subsidiary during 2004 in connection with an effort to reduce debt balances,

 

53


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
   

Approximately $120 million of lower net distributions to minority interest in 2005, and

 

   

$110 million of proceeds in 2005 from the Income Fund’s issuance of Trust units.

This decrease was partially offset by:

 

   

An increase of approximately $1.8 billion of net distributions to Duke Energy and,

 

   

An increase of approximately $350 million of advances to Duke Energy in 2005 as compared to 2004.

Significant Financing Activities—Year Ended 2006.

During the year ended December 31, 2006, Spectra Energy Capital terminated an $800 million syndicated credit facility and $710 million of other bi-lateral credit facilities, offset by the addition of a new $350 million syndicated credit facility. The terminations of these credit facilities primarily reflect Spectra Energy Capital’s reduced liquidity needs as a result of exiting the DENA business.

In November 2006, Union Gas issued 125 million Canadian dollars of 4.85% fixed-rate debentures (approximately $108 million U.S. dollar equivalents as of the closing date) due in 2022.

In September 2006, prior to the completion of the partial sale of Crescent to the MS Members as discussed in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale,” Crescent issued approximately $1.23 billion principal amount of debt. The net proceeds from the debt issuance of approximately $1.21 billion were recorded as a Financing Activity on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As a result of Spectra Energy Capital’s deconsolidation of Crescent effective September 7, 2006, Crescent’s outstanding debt balance of $1,298 million was removed from Spectra Energy Capital’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In September 2006, Union Gas issued 165 million Canadian dollars of 5.46% fixed-rate debentures (approximately $148 million in U.S. dollar equivalents as of the issuance date) due in 2036.

In September 2006, the Income Fund sold approximately 9 million previously unissued Trust Units for proceeds of $94 million, net of commissions and other expenses of issuance. The sale of these Trust Units reduced Spectra Energy Capital’s ownership interest in the Income Fund to approximately 46% at December 31, 2006. As a result of the sale of additional Trust Units, Spectra Energy Capital recognized an approximate $15 million pre-tax SAB No. 51 gain on the sale of subsidiary stock. The proceeds from the offering plus the draw down of approximately 39 million Canadian dollars on an available credit facility were used by the Income Fund to acquire a 100% interest in Westcoast Gas Services, Inc. from Spectra Energy Capital.

During 2006, Spectra Energy Capital advanced approximately $89 million to its parent, Duke Energy, and forgave advances to Duke Energy of approximately $602 million. Additionally, during 2006, Spectra Energy Capital distributed approximately $2,361 million to Duke Energy to provide funding support for Duke Energy’s dividend payments and share repurchase plan. The distribution was principally obtained from the proceeds received on Spectra Energy Capital’s sale of 50% of Crescent to the MS Members.

Significant Financing Activities—Year Ended 2005.

In December 2005, the Income Fund, a Canadian income trust fund, was created which sold approximately 40% ownership in the Canadian Midstream operations for proceeds, net of underwriting discount, of approximately $110 million. In January 2006, a subsequent greenshoe sale of additional ownership interests, pursuant to an overallotment option, in the Income Fund were sold for approximately $10 million.

On September 21, 2005, Union Gas issued 200 million Canadian dollars of 4.64% fixed-rate debentures (approximately $171 million in U.S. dollar equivalents as of the issuance date) due in 2016.

In April 2005, Spectra Energy Capital received a $269 million capital contribution from Duke Energy, which Spectra Energy Capital classified as an addition to Member’s Equity.

During 2005, Spectra Energy Capital distributed $2.1 billion to its parent, Duke Energy, to principally provide for funding for the execution of Duke Energy’s accelerated share repurchase transaction and to provide

 

54


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

funding support for Duke Energy’s dividend. The distribution was primarily obtained from Spectra Energy Capital’s portion of the cash proceeds realized from the sale by DCP Midstream of TEPPCO GP and Spectra Energy Capital’s sale of its limited partner interest in TEPPCO LP.

During 2004, $267 million of cash advances were received by Spectra Energy Capital from Duke Energy. During the first quarter of 2005, Duke Energy forgave these advances of $267 million and Spectra Energy Capital classified the $267 million as an addition to Member’s Equity. Additionally, during the third quarter of 2005, Duke Energy forgave additional advances of $494 million as an addition to Member’s Equity. These transactions are considered non-cash financing activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Significant Financing Activities—Year Ended 2004.

In December 2004, Spectra Energy Capital reached an agreement to sell its partially completed Gray’s Harbor power generation facility (Grays Harbor) to an affiliate of Invenergy LLC. In 2004, Spectra Energy Capital terminated its capital lease with the dedicated pipeline which would have transported natural gas to Grays Harbor. As a result of this termination, approximately $94 million was paid by Spectra Energy Capital in January 2005.

Available Credit Facilities and Restrictive Debt Covenants.    Spectra Energy Capital’s credit agreements contain various financial and other covenants. Failure to meet those covenants beyond applicable grace periods could result in accelerated due dates and/or termination of the agreements. As of December 31, 2006, Spectra Energy Capital was in compliance with those covenants. In addition, some credit agreements may allow for acceleration of payments or termination of the agreements due to nonpayment, or to the acceleration of other significant indebtedness of the borrower or some of its subsidiaries. None of the debt or credit agreements contain material adverse change clauses.

At December 31, 2006, Spectra Energy Capital and certain of its subsidiaries had approximately $695 million of credit facilities which expire in 2007. It is Spectra Energy Capital’s intent to replace the expiring credit facilities. (For information on Spectra Energy Capital’s credit facilities as of December 31, 2006, see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Debt and Credit Facilities.”)

Credit Ratings.    The short-term and long-term debt of Spectra Energy Capital and certain subsidiaries are rated by Standard & Poor’s (S&P), Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) and Dominion Bond Rating Service (DBRS).

Credit Ratings Summary as of March 23, 2007

 

    

Standard

and
Poor’s

  

Moody’s
Investor

Service

   Dominion Bond
Rating Service

Spectra Energy Capital (a)

   BBB    Baa1    Not applicable

Texas Eastern Transmission, LP (a)

   BBB+    A3    Not applicable

Westcoast Energy Inc. (a)

   BBB+    Not applicable    A(low)

Union Gas (a)

   BBB+    Not applicable    A

Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, LLC (b)

   A    A2    A

Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, LP (b)

   A    A2    A

 

(a) Represents senior unsecured credit rating

 

(b) Represents senior secured credit rating

These entities credit ratings are dependent upon, among other factors, the ability to generate sufficient cash to fund capital and investment expenditures, while maintaining the strength of their current balance sheets. These credit ratings could be negatively impacted if as a result of market conditions or other factors, they are unable to maintain their current balance sheet strength, or if earnings and cash flow outlook materially deteriorates.

Other Financing Matters.    As of December 31, 2006, Spectra Energy Capital and its subsidiaries had effective SEC shelf registrations which allowed for the issuance of up to $592 million in gross proceeds from debt and other securities. Additionally, as of December 31, 2006, subsidiaries of Spectra Energy Capital had

 

55


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

935 million Canadian dollars (approximately U.S. $807 million) available under Canadian shelf registrations for issuances in the Canadian market. Of the 935 million Canadian dollars available under Canadian shelf registrations, 500 million expires in May 2008 and 435 million expires in August 2008.

Spectra Energy currently anticipates a dividend payout ratio of approximately 60% of estimated annual net income per share of common stock. The declaration and payment of dividends will be subject to the sole discretion of Spectra Energy’s Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including the financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of our operating subsidiaries, covenants associated with certain of our debt obligations, legal requirements, regulatory constraints and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors. A first quarter dividend of $0.22 per share was declared on January 5, 2007 and paid on March 15, 2007.

On March 30, 2007, a subsidiary of Spectra Energy Capital filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC to register the initial public offering of limited partner units of a proposed MLP that would hold certain pipeline and storage assets of Spectra Energy Capital. The assets include a 100% interest in East Tennessee and a 50% interest in MHP, which are currently wholly-owned subsidiaries of Spectra Energy Capital, and a 24.5% interest in Gulfstream, representing approximately one-half of Spectra Energy Capital’s current 50% ownership interest in Gulfstream. Spectra Energy currently estimates that proceeds of approximately $300 million to $400 million would be received by Spectra Energy Capital upon closing of the transaction.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Spectra Energy Capital and certain of its subsidiaries enter into guarantee arrangements in the normal course of business to facilitate commercial transactions with third parties. These arrangements include financial and performance guarantees, stand-by letters of credit, debt guarantees, surety bonds and indemnifications. (See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Guarantees and Indemnifications,” for further details of the guarantee arrangements.)

Most of the guarantee arrangements entered into by Spectra Energy Capital enhance the credit standing of certain subsidiaries, non-consolidated entities or less than wholly owned entities, enabling them to conduct business. As such, these guarantee arrangements involve elements of performance and credit risk, which are not included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The possibility of Spectra Energy Capital having to honor its contingencies is largely dependent upon the future operations of the subsidiaries, investees and other third parties, or the occurrence of certain future events.

Issuance of these guarantee arrangements is not required for the majority of Spectra Energy Capital’s operations. Thus, if Spectra Energy Capital discontinued issuing these guarantee arrangements, there would not be a material impact to the consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

In contemplation of Duke Energy’s spin-off of the natural gas businesses on January 2, 2007, certain guarantees that were previously issued by Spectra Energy Capital were transferred to Duke Energy prior to the consummation of the spin-off. Duke Energy has indemnified Spectra Energy Capital against any losses incurred under the remaining guarantee obligations that relate to Duke Energy operations.

Spectra Energy Capital does not have any other material off-balance sheet financing entities or structures, except for normal operating lease arrangements, guarantee arrangements and financings entered into by equity investment pipeline and field services operations. (For additional information on these commitments, see Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Commitments and Contingencies” and Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Guarantees and Indemnifications.”)

Contractual Obligations

Spectra Energy Capital enters into contracts that require payment of cash at certain specified periods, based on certain specified minimum quantities and prices. The following table summarizes Spectra Energy Capital’s contractual cash obligations for each of the periods presented. The table below excludes all amounts classified as current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, other than current maturities of long-term debt, as well as future obligations of businesses included in discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 (see

 

56


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale”). It is expected that the majority of current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets will be paid in cash in 2007.

Contractual Obligations as of December 31, 2006

 

     Payments Due By Period
     Total   

Less than 1

year

(2007)

  

2-3 Years

(2008 &

2009)

  

4-5 Years

(2010 &

2011)

  

More than

5 Years

(Beyond

2012)

     (in millions)

Long-term debt (a)

   $ 13,954    $ 1,116    $ 2,335    $ 1,977    $ 8,526

Capital leases (a)

     4      1      3          

Operating leases (b)

     197      30      53      43      71

Purchase Obligations: (g)

              

Firm capacity payments (c)

     1,541      395      306      236      604

Energy commodity contracts (d)

     1,080      891      189          

Other purchase obligations (e)

     233      202      31          

Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (f)

                        
                                  

Total contractual cash obligations

   $ 17,009    $ 2,635    $ 2,917    $ 2,256    $ 9,201
                                  

 

(a) See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Debt and Credit Facilities.” Amount includes interest payments over life of debt or capital lease.

 

(b) See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Commitments and Contingencies.”

 

(c) Includes firm capacity payments that provide Spectra Energy Capital with uninterrupted firm access to natural gas transportation and storage.

 

(d) Includes contractual obligations to purchase physical quantities of NGLs and natural gas, primarily for Union Gas’ distribution operations. Amount includes certain hedges per SFAS No. 133. For contracts where the price paid is based on an index, the amount is based on forward market prices at December 31, 2006.

 

(e) Includes contracts for software and consulting or advisory services. Amount also includes contractual obligations for engineering, procurement and construction costs for pipeline projects. Amount excludes certain open purchase orders for services that are provided on demand, and the timing of the purchase can not be determined.

 

(f) Excludes cash obligations for asset retirement activities (see Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Asset Retirement Obligations”). The amount of cash flows to be paid to settle the asset retirement obligations is not known with certainty as Spectra Energy Capital may use internal resources or external resources to perform retirement activities. Asset retirement obligations recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets total $85 million at December 31, 2006. Amount excludes reserves for litigation, environmental remediation and self-insurance claims (see Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Commitments and Contingencies”) because Spectra Energy Capital is uncertain as to the timing of when cash payments will be required. Additionally, amount excludes annual insurance premiums that are necessary to operate the business (see Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Commitments and Contingencies”), funding of other post-employment benefits (see Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Employee Benefit Plans”) and regulatory credits (see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Regulatory Matters”) because the amount and timing of the cash payments are uncertain. Also amount excludes Deferred Income Taxes and Investment Tax Credits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets since cash payments for income taxes are determined based primarily on taxable income for each discrete fiscal year.

 

(g) Purchase obligations reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets have been excluded from the above table.

 

57


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Risk and Accounting Policies

Spectra Energy is exposed to market risks associated with commodity prices, credit exposure, interest rates, equity prices and foreign currency exchange rates. Management has established comprehensive risk management policies to monitor and manage these market risks. The Chief Financial Officer of Spectra Energy is responsible for the overall governance of managing credit risk and commodity price risk, including monitoring exposure limits.

See “Critical Accounting Policies—Risk Management Accounting and Revenue Recognition” for further discussion of the accounting for derivative contracts.

Disclosures about market risks related to businesses transferred to Duke Energy in December 2006 are not reflected herein since such exposures have no impact on the ongoing operations of Spectra Energy post spin-off.

Commodity Price Risk

Spectra Energy is exposed to the impact of market fluctuations in the prices of NGL’s and natural gas as a result of its investment in DCP Midstream, ownership of the Empress assets in Western Canada and processing plants associated with the U.S. pipeline assets. Price risk represents the potential risk of loss from adverse changes in the market price of these energy commodities. Spectra Energy’s exposure to commodity price risk is influenced by a number of factors, including contract size, length, market liquidity, location and unique or specific contract terms.

Spectra Energy employs established policies and procedures to manage its risks associated with these market fluctuations, which may include the use of forward physical transactions as well as commodity derivatives, such as swaps and options. To the extent that instruments accounted for as hedges are effective in offsetting the transaction being hedged, there is no impact to the Consolidated Statements of Operations until delivery or settlement occurs. Accordingly, assumptions and valuation techniques for these contracts have no impact on reported earnings prior to settlement. Several factors influence the effectiveness of a hedge contract, including the use of contracts with different commodities or unmatched terms and counterparty credit risk. When hedge accounting is used, hedge effectiveness is monitored regularly and measured each month.

Spectra Energy is primarily exposed to market price fluctuations of NGL prices in the Field Services segment, which is involved in gathering and processing activities. NGL prices historically track crude oil prices, therefore, Spectra Energy is disclosing the NGL price sensitivities in terms of crude oil price changes. Based on a sensitivity analysis as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, at forecast NGL-to-oil price relationships, a $10 per barrel move in oil prices would affect Spectra Energy’s annual pre-tax earnings by approximately $170 million in 2007 and $95 million in 2006. In addition, with respect to the Empress processing and NGL marketing activities in Western Canada, as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, a $1 change in the difference between the Btu-equivalent price of propane (used as a proxy for Empress’ NGL production) and the price of natural gas in Alberta, Canada would affect Spectra Energy’s pre-tax earnings by approximately $25 million on an annual basis for both 2007 and 2006. The spread between NGL prices and the price of natural gas represents the theoretical gross margin for processing liquids from the gas and is commonly called the frac-spread. These hypothetical calculations consider prior hedge positions and estimated production levels, but do not consider other potential effects that might result from such changes in commodity prices.

See also Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Risk Management and Hedging Activities, Credit Risk, and Financial Instruments.”

Credit Risk

Credit risk represents the loss that Spectra Energy would incur if a counterparty fails to perform under its contractual obligations. Spectra Energy’s principal customers for natural gas transportation, storage, and gathering and processing services are industrial end-users, marketers, local distribution companies and utilities

 

58


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

located throughout the U.S. and Canada. Spectra Energy has concentrations of receivables from natural gas and electric utilities and their affiliates, as well as industrial customers and marketers. These concentrations of customers may affect Spectra Energy’s overall credit risk in that risk factors can negatively impact the credit quality of the entire sector. Credit risk associated with gas distribution services are primarily impacted by general economic conditions in the service territory. Where exposed to credit risk, Spectra Energy analyzes the counterparties’ financial condition prior to entering into an agreement, establishes credit limits and monitors the appropriateness of those limits on an ongoing basis. Spectra Energy also obtains cash or letters of credit from customers to provide credit support, where appropriate, based on its financial analysis of the customer and the regulatory or contractual terms and conditions applicable to each transaction. Approximately 85% of Spectra Energy’s credit exposures for transportation, storage, and gathering and processing services are with customers who have an investment grade rating or equivalent based on an evaluation by Spectra Energy.

Spectra Energy had no net exposure to any one customer that represented greater than 10% of the gross fair value of trade accounts receivable at December 31, 2006. Based on Spectra Energy’s policies for managing credit risk, its exposures and its credit and other reserves, Spectra Energy does not anticipate a materially adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations as a result of non-performance by any counterparty.

In 1999, the Industrial Development Corp of the City of Edinburg, Texas (IDC) issued approximately $100 million in bonds to purchase equipment for lease to Duke Hidalgo (Hidalgo), a subsidiary of Spectra Energy Capital. Spectra Energy Capital unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed the lease payments of Hidalgo to IDC through 2028. In 2000, Hidalgo was sold to Calpine Corporation and Spectra Energy Capital remained obligated under the lease guaranty. In January 2006, Hidalgo and its subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy protection in connection with the previous bankruptcy filing by its parent, Calpine Corporation in December 2005. Gross, undiscounted exposure under the guarantee obligation as of December 31, 2006 is approximately $200 million, including principal and interest payments. Spectra Energy Capital does not believe a loss under the guarantee obligation is probable as of December 31, 2006, but continues to evaluate the situation. Therefore, no reserves have been recorded for any contingent loss as of December 31, 2006. No demands for payment have been made under the guarantee. If losses are incurred under the guarantee, Spectra Energy Capital has certain rights which should allow it to mitigate such loss. Subsequent to Duke Energy’s January 2, 2007 spin-off of Spectra Energy Capital, this guarantee remained with Spectra Energy Capital. However, Duke Energy indemnified Spectra Energy Capital against any future losses that could arise from payments required under this guarantee.

Interest Rate Risk

Spectra Energy Capital is exposed to risk resulting from changes in interest rates as a result of its issuance of variable and fixed rate debt and commercial paper. Spectra Energy Capital manages its interest rate exposure by limiting its variable-rate exposures to percentages of total capitalization and by monitoring the effects of market changes in interest rates. Spectra Energy Capital also enters into financial derivative instruments, including, but not limited to, interest rate swaps, swaptions and U.S. Treasury lock agreements to manage and mitigate interest rate risk exposure. (See Notes 1, 7, and 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” “Risk Management and Hedging Activities, Credit Risk, and Financial Instruments,” and “Debt and Credit Facilities.”)

Based on a sensitivity analysis as of December 31, 2006, it was estimated that if market interest rates average 1% higher (lower) in 2007 than in 2006, interest expense, net of offsetting impacts in interest income, would increase (decrease) by approximately $8 million. Comparatively, based on a sensitivity analysis as of December 31, 2005, had interest rates averaged 1% higher (lower) in 2006 than in 2005, it was estimated that interest expense, net of offsetting impacts in interest income, would have been immaterial. These amounts were estimated by considering the impact of the hypothetical interest rates on variable-rate securities outstanding, adjusted for interest rate hedges, short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents outstanding as of December 31, 2006 and 2005. If interest rates changed significantly, management would likely take actions to manage its exposure to the change. However, due to the uncertainty of the specific actions that would be taken and their possible effects, the sensitivity analysis assumes no changes in Spectra Energy Capital’s financial structure.

 

59


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Equity Price Risk

Spectra Energy Capital’s wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary that began operations in January 2007, effective with the separation from Duke Energy, maintains investments to fund various business risks and losses, such as workers compensation, property, business interruption and general liability. The investments may be exposed to price fluctuations in equity markets and changes in interest rates in the future at the direction of an investment manager selected by Spectra Energy Capital management.

Spectra Energy’s costs of providing non-contributory defined benefit retirement and postretirement benefit plans are dependent upon a number of factors, such as the rates of return on plan assets, discount rate, the rate of increase in health care costs and contributions made to the plans.

Foreign Currency Risk

Spectra Energy is exposed to foreign currency risk from investments and operations in Canada. To mitigate risks associated with foreign currency fluctuations, investments are naturally hedged through debt denominated or issued in the foreign currency. Spectra Energy may also use foreign currency derivatives from time-to-time to manage its risk related to foreign currency fluctuations. To monitor its currency exchange rate risks, Spectra Energy uses sensitivity analysis, which measures the impact of devaluation of the Canadian dollar.

A 10% devaluation in the Canadian dollar exchange rate as of December 31, 2006 in Spectra Energy Capital’s currency exposure would result in an estimated net loss on the translation of local currency earnings of approximately $25 million to Spectra Energy Capital’s Consolidated Statements of Operations in 2007. The Consolidated Balance Sheet would be negatively impacted by approximately $460 million currency translation through the cumulative translation adjustment in AOCI as of December 31, 2006 as a result of a 10% devaluation in the currency exchange rate.

OTHER ISSUES

Global Climate Change. Spectra Energy’s assets and operations in the U.S. and Canada may become subject to direct and indirect effects of possible future global climate change regulatory actions. Canada is a party to the United Nations-sponsored Kyoto Protocol, which prescribes specific greenhouse gas emission-reduction targets for developed countries for the 2008-2012 period. The Canadian government is actively considering its approach to implementing its national obligation under the Kyoto Protocol, but that approach has not yet been determined.

The U.S. is not a party to the Kyoto Protocol, and the federal government has not adopted a mandatory greenhouse gas reduction requirement. While several bills have been introduced in the U.S. Congress that would impose greenhouse gas emission constraints, final legislation has yet to advance.

A number of states, primarily in the Northeast and Western U.S. are either in the process of establishing or considering state or regional programs that would mandate future reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The final details and implementation schedules of such future state or regional programs, and whether they might directly affect the natural gas sector, are uncertain.

The likelihood of greenhouse gas regulation and the key details of future restrictions are highly uncertain, and thus the likely future affects on Spectra Energy are highly uncertain. Due to the speculative outlook regarding any U.S. federal and state policies and the uncertainty of the Canadian policy, Spectra Energy cannot estimate the potential effect of either nation’s greenhouse gas policy on its future combined results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Spectra Energy will monitor the development of greenhouse gas regulatory policies in both countries, and will assess the potential implications of greenhouse gas policies for its business operations in the U.S. and Canada if policies become sufficiently certain to support a meaningful assessment.

(For additional information on other issues related to Spectra Energy Capital, see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Regulatory Matters” and Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Commitments and Contingencies.”)

 

60


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

New Accounting Standards

The following new accounting standards have been issued, but have not yet been adopted by Spectra Energy Capital as of December 31, 2006:

SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140” (SFAS No. 155). In February 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 155, which amends SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” and SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities” (SFAS No. 140). SFAS No. 155 allows financial instruments that have embedded derivatives to be accounted for at fair value at acquisition, at issuance, or when a previously recognized financial instrument is subject to a remeasurement (new basis) event, on an instrument-by-instrument basis, in cases in which a derivative would otherwise have to be bifurcated. SFAS No. 155 is effective for Spectra Energy Capital for all financial instruments acquired, issued, or subject to remeasurement after January 1, 2007, and for certain hybrid financial instruments that have been bifurcated prior to the effective date, for which the effect is to be reported as a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. Spectra Energy Capital does not anticipate the adoption of SFAS No. 155 will have any material impact on its consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS No. 157). In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. However, in some cases, the application of SFAS No. 157 may change Spectra Energy Capital’s current practice for measuring and disclosing fair values under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. For Spectra Energy Capital, SFAS No. 157 is effective as of January 1, 2008 and must be applied prospectively except in certain cases. Spectra Energy Capital is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 157, and cannot currently estimate the impact of SFAS No. 157 on its consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (SFAS No. 159). In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, which permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. For Spectra Energy Capital, SFAS No. 159 is effective as of January 1, 2008 and will have no impact on amounts presented for periods prior to the effective date. Spectra Energy Capital cannot currently estimate the impact of SFAS No. 159 on its consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position and has not yet determined whether or not it will choose to measure items subject to SFAS No. 159 at fair value.

FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48). In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, which provides guidance on accounting for income tax positions about which Spectra Energy Capital has concluded there is a level of uncertainty with respect to the recognition in its financial statements. FIN 48 prescribes a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet. Tax positions are defined very broadly and include not only tax deductions and credits but also decisions not to file in a particular jurisdiction, as well as the taxability of transactions. Spectra Energy Capital will implement FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. The implementation is expected to result in a cumulative effect adjustment to beginning Member’s Equity on the Consolidated Statement of Member’s Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) in the first quarter 2007 in the range of $15 million to $30 million. Corresponding entries will impact a variety of balance sheet line items, including Deferred Income Taxes, Taxes Accrued, Other Liabilities, and Goodwill. Upon implementation of FIN 48, Spectra Energy Capital will reflect interest expense related to taxes as Interest Expense, in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. In addition, subsequent accounting for FIN 48 (after January 1, 2007) will involve an evaluation to determine if any changes have occurred that would impact the existing uncertain tax positions as well as determining whether any new tax positions are uncertain. Any impacts resulting from the evaluation of existing uncertain tax positions or from the recognition of new uncertain tax positions would impact income tax expense and interest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, with offsetting impacts to the balance sheet line items described above. Uncertain tax positions on consolidated or combined tax returns filed by Duke Energy which are indemnified by Spectra Energy will be recorded as payables to Duke Energy.

 

61


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 123(R)-5, “Amendment of FASB Staff Position FAS 123(R)-1” (FSP No. FAS 123(R)-5). In October 2006, the FASB staff issued FSP No. FAS 123(R)-5 to address whether a modification of an instrument in connection with an equity restructuring should be considered a modification for purposes of applying FSP No. FAS 123(R)-1, “Classification and Measurement of Freestanding Financial Instruments Originally Issued in Exchange for Employee Services under FASB Statement No. 123(R) (FSP No. FAS 123(R)-1).” In August 2005, the FASB staff issued FSP FAS 123(R)-1 to defer indefinitely the effective date of paragraphs A230—A232 of SFAS No. 123(R), and thereby require entities to apply the recognition and measurement provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) throughout the life of an instrument, unless the instrument is modified when the holder is no longer an employee. The recognition and measurement of an instrument that is modified when the holder is no longer an employee should be determined by other applicable generally accepted accounting principles. FSP No. FAS 123(R)-5 addresses modifications of stock-based awards made in connection with an equity restructuring and clarifies that for instruments that were originally issued as employee compensation and then modified, and that modification is made to the terms of the instrument solely to reflect an equity restructuring that occurs when the holders are no longer employees, no change in the recognition or the measurement (due to a change in classification) of those instruments will result if certain conditions are met. This FSP is effective for Spectra Energy Capital as of January 1, 2007. The impact to Spectra Energy Capital of applying FSP No. FAS 123(R)-5 in subsequent periods will be dependent upon the nature of any modifications to Spectra Energy Capital’s share-based compensation awards.

FSP No. AUG AIR-1, “Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance Activities,” (FSP AUG AIR-1). In September 2006, the FASB Staff issued FSP No. AUG AIR-1. This FSP prohibits the use of the accrue-in-advance method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities in annual and interim financial reporting periods, if no liability is required to be recorded for an asset retirement obligation based on a legal obligation for which the event obligating the entity has occurred. The FSP also requires disclosures regarding the method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities and the effects of implementing the FSP. The guidance in this FSP is effective for Spectra Energy Capital as of January 1, 2007 and will be applied and retrospectively for all financial statements presented. Spectra Energy Capital does not anticipate the adoption of FSP No. AUG AIR-1 will have any material impact on its consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

 

62


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Spectra Energy Corp:

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Spectra Energy Corp (the “Company”), as of December 31, 2006. This financial statement is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the balance sheet is free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, 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. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the balance sheet, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall balance sheet presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such balance sheet presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Spectra Energy Corp at December 31, 2006 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

As discussed in Note 2 to the balance sheet, the spin-off of the Company from Duke Energy Corporation was completed on January 2, 2007.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Houston, Texas

April 2, 2007

 

63


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Spectra Energy Corp

Balance Sheet

 

     December 31,
2006
 

ASSETS

  

Total Assets

   $  
        

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

  

Preferred Stock, $0.001 par, 22 million shares authorized, no shares outstanding at December 31, 2006

   $  

Common stock, $0.001 par, one billion shares authorized, one thousand shares outstanding at December 31, 2006

     1  

Less receivable from Duke Energy Corporation

     (1 )
        

Total Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity

   $  
        

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

64


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Spectra Energy Corp

Notes to Financial Statements

(1) General

Gas SpinCo, Inc. was incorporated in the state of Delaware on July 28, 2006. Effective November 8, 2006, Gas SpinCo. Inc., changed its name to Spectra Energy Corp (the Company). On July 28, 2006, Duke Energy Corporation (Duke Energy), the sole shareholder of the Company, subscribed for 1,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at par. The receivable from Duke Energy relates to the subscription for 1,000 shares of the Company and has been reflected as a deduction from stockholder’s equity on the accompanying balance sheet.

The Company was formed to hold the assets and liabilities associated with Duke Energy’s natural gas business, including the transmission and storage, distribution and gathering and processing businesses. See Note 2 for further discussion.

During the period from incorporation to the date of these financial statements, December 31, 2006, the Company had no operations and no cash flows.

(2) Subsequent Event

On December 8, 2006, Duke Energy announced that its Board of Directors formally approved the distribution (the Distribution) of all the shares of common stock of the Company to Duke Energy’s shareholders (on an as converted basis). On January 2, 2007, Duke Energy completed the Distribution. Duke Energy distributed to the Company all of the ownership interests in Spectra Energy Capital, LLC (formerly Duke Capital LLC), which owned the assets and operations of Duke Energy’s natural gas businesses, and distributed one-half share of common stock of the Company for each share of Duke Energy common stock held by Duke Energy shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 18, 2006.

As a result of the separation transactions, Spectra Energy Capital represents the predecessor of the Company for financial statement purposes. Future financial statements of the Company will reflect the financial statements of Spectra Energy Capital for all prior periods reported.

 

65


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Member of Spectra Energy Capital, LLC:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Spectra Energy Capital, LLC (formerly Duke Capital LLC) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations, member’s equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, 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. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Spectra Energy Capital, LLC and subsidiaries at December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, in 2006 the Company changed its method of accounting for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as a result of adopting Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans.

As discussed in Notes 1 and 21 to the consolidated financial statements, all of the member’s equity of the Company was contributed by its parent, Duke Energy Corporation, to Spectra Energy Corp as a result of Duke Energy Corporation’s spin-off of the natural gas businesses effective January 2, 2007.

 

/s/     DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP        

Charlotte, North Carolina

April 2, 2007

 

66


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions)

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2006     2005     2004  

Operating Revenues

      

Regulated natural gas and natural gas liquids

   $ 3,987     $ 3,714     $ 3,272  

Non-regulated electric, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and other

     545       5,740       10,161  
                        

Total operating revenues

     4,532       9,454       13,433  
                        

Operating Expenses

      

Natural gas and petroleum products purchased

     1,435       5,821       9,273  

Operation, maintenance and other

     1,202       1,338       1,425  

Fuel used in electric generation and purchased power

     —         —         92  

Depreciation and amortization

     489       611       733  

Property and other taxes

     208       228       212  

Impairments and other charges

     —         125       22  
                        

Total operating expenses

     3,334       8,123       11,757  
                        

Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Assets and Other, net

     47       522       (349 )
                        

Operating Income

     1,245       1,853       1,327  
                        

Other Income and Expenses

      

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

     609       355       90  

(Losses) gains on sales and impairments of equity method investments

     (3 )     1,245       (5 )

Gain on sale of subsidiary stock

     15       —         —    

Other income and expenses, net

     115       68       221  
                        

Total other income and expenses

     736       1,668       306  

Interest Expense

     605       675       858  

Minority Interest Expense

     45       511       214  
                        

Earnings From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes

     1,331       2,335       561  

Income Tax Expense from Continuing Operations

     395       926       1,268  
                        

Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations

     936       1,409       (707 )

Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, net of tax

     308       (731 )     593  
                        

Income (Loss) Before Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle

     1,244       678       (114 )

Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle, net of tax and minority interest

     —         (4 )     —    
                        

Net Income (Loss)

   $ 1,244     $ 674     $ (114 )
                        

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

67


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)

 

     December 31,    December 31,
     2006    2005

ASSETS

     

Current Assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 299    $ 491

Short-term investments

     —        521

Receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $13 at December 31, 2006 and $121 at December 31, 2005)

     779      1,935

Inventory

     397      444

Assets held for sale

     —        1,528

Unrealized gains on mark-to-market and hedging transactions

     —        90

Other

     150      1,599
             

Total current assets

     1,625      6,608
             

Investments and Other Assets

     

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

     1,618      1,931

Goodwill

     3,507      3,775

Notes receivable

     36      138

Unrealized gains on mark-to-market and hedging transactions

     17      87

Assets held for sale

     —        3,597

Investments in residential, commercial and multi-family real estate (net of accumulated depreciation of $17 at December 31, 2005)

     —        1,281

Other

     56      737
             

Total investments and other assets

     5,234      11,546
             

Property, Plant and Equipment

     

Cost

     15,639      19,341

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     3,245      3,655
             

Net property, plant and equipment

     12,394      15,686
             

Regulatory Assets and Deferred Debits

     1,092      1,216
             

Total Assets

   $ 20,345    $ 35,056
             

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

68


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)

 

     December 31,
2006
   December 31,
2005

LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S EQUITY

     

Current Liabilities

     

Accounts payable

   $ 246    $ 1,837

Notes payable and commercial paper

     349      83

Taxes accrued

     214      258

Interest accrued

     149      155

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

     —        1,488

Current maturities of long-term debt

     550      1,394

Unrealized losses on mark-to-market and hedging transactions

     7      207

Other

     843      1,892
             

Total current liabilities

     2,358      7,314
             

Long-term Debt

     7,726      8,790
             

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

     

Deferred income taxes

     2,980      3,167

Unrealized losses on mark-to-market and hedging transactions

     13      19

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

     —        2,085

Other

     1,064      1,428
             

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

     4,057      6,699
             

Commitments and Contingencies

     

Minority Interests

     565      749
             

Member’s Equity

     

Member’s Equity

     4,598      10,848

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     1,041      656
             

Total member’s equity

     5,639      11,504
             

Total Liabilities and Member’s Equity

   $ 20,345    $ 35,056
             

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

69


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

 

       Year Ended December 31,  
       2006     2005     2004  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

        

Net income (loss)

     $ 1,244     $ 674     $ (114 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

        

Depreciation and amortization

       606       774       1,014  

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

       —         4       —    

Gains on sales of investments in commercial and multi-family real estate

       (201 )     (191 )     (201 )

Gains on sales of equity investments and other assets

       (308 )     (1,764 )     (192 )

Impairment charges

       48       159       194  

Deferred income taxes

       104       (240 )     1,136  

Minority Interest

       60       538       195  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

       (712 )     (479 )     (154 )

Contribution to company-sponsored pension plans

       (48 )     (45 )     (29 )

Distributions from equity investments

       707       473       139  

(Increase) decrease in

        

Net realized and unrealized mark-to-market and hedging transactions

       16       534       208  

Receivables

       167       (243 )     (251 )

Inventory

       115       (74 )     17  

Other current assets

       1,272       (969 )     38  

Increase (decrease) in

        

Accounts payable

       (690 )     126       99  

Taxes accrued

       53       56       314  

Other current liabilities

       (461 )     558       86  

Capital expenditures for residential real estate

       (322 )     (355 )     (322 )

Cost of residential real estate sold

       143       294       268  

Other, assets

       (749 )     1,136       (239 )

Other, liabilities

       (351 )     106       31  
                          

Net cash provided by operating activities

       693       1,072       2,237  
                          

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

        

Capital expenditures

       (987 )     (997 )     (1,035 )

Investment expenditures

       (87 )     (23 )     (25 )

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

       (89 )     (294 )     —    

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

       (9,290 )     (30,918 )     (55,010 )

Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities

       9,775       30,706       54,537  

Net proceeds from the sales of equity investments and other assets, and sales of and collections on notes receivable

       2,025       2,372       1,651  

Proceeds from the sales of commercial and multi-family real estate

       254       372       606  

Settlement of net investment hedges and other investing derivatives

       (163 )     (296 )     —    

Distributions from equity investments

       152       383       —    

Other

       (21 )     (64 )     36  
                          

Net cash provided by investing activities

       1,569       1,241       760  
                          

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

        

Proceeds from the:

        

Issuance of long-term debt

       1,799       543       153  

Payments for the redemption of:

        

Long-term debt

       (1,662 )     (840 )     (2,815 )

Preferred stock of a subsidiary

       (1 )     —         (176 )

Decrease in cash overdrafts

        

Notes payable and commercial paper

       261       15       11  

Distributions to minority interests

       (304 )     (861 )     (1,477 )

Contributions from minority interests

       247       779       1,277  

Advances (to) from parent

       (89 )     (242 )     107  

Capital contributions from parent

       —         269       —    

Distributions to parent

       (2,361 )     (2,100 )     —    

Cash associated with operations transferred

       (427 )     —         —    

Proceeds from Spectra Energy Income Fund

       104       110       —    

Other

       (21 )     (14 )     18  
                          

Net cash used in financing activities

       (2,454 )     (2,341 )     (2,902 )
                          

Changes in cash and cash equivalents included in assets held for sale

       —         3       39  
                          

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

       (192 )     (25 )     134  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

       491       516       382  
                          

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

     $ 299     $ 491     $ 516  
                          

Supplemental Disclosures

        

Cash paid for interest, net of amount capitalized

     $ 679     $ 833     $ 1,044  

Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes

     $ 238     $ 486     $ (403 )

Significant non-cash transactions:

        

Transfer of legal entities to Duke Energy

     $ 2,952     $ —       $ —    

Transfer of Midwestern assets to Duke Energy Ohio

     $ 1,462     $ —       $ —    

Forgiveness of advances to Duke Energy

     $ 602     $ —       $ —    

Transfer of Bison to Duke Energy

     $ 60     $ —       $ —    

Distributions from parent

     $ —       $ —       $ —    

Advances from parent converted to equity

     $ —       $ 761     $ —    

Debt retired in connection with disposition of businesses

     $ —       $ —       $ 840  

Note receivable from sale of southeast plants

     $ —       $ —       $ 48  

Remarketing of senior notes

     $ —       $ —       $ 1,625  

Canadian midstream asset transfer

     $ —       $ 97     $ —    

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

70


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF MEMBER’S EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)

 

                      Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income  
    Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Member’s
Equity
    Foreign
Currency
Adjustments
    Net
Gains
(Losses)
on Cash
Flow
Hedges
    Minimum
Pension
Liability
Adjustment
    Other     FAS 158
Pension
Adjustment
    Total  

Balance December 31, 2003

  $ 8,563     $ 2,790     $ —       $ 314     $ 310     $ (24 )   $ —       $ —       $ 11,953  
                                                                       

Net loss

    —         —         (114 )     —         —         —         —         —         (114 )

Conversion to Duke Capital LLC

    (8,563 )     (2,790 )     11,353       —         —         —         —         —         —    

Other Comprehensive Income

                 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

    —         —         —         279       —         —         —         —         279  

Foreign currency translation adjustments reclassified into earnings as a result of the sale of Asia-Pacific Business

    —         —         —         (54 )     —         —         —         —         (54 )

Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges(a)

    —         —         —         —         300       —         —         —         300  

Reclassification into earnings from cash flow hedges(b)

    —         —         —         —         (80 )     —         —         —         (80 )

Minimum pension liability adjustment

    —         —         —         —         —         4       —         —         4  
                       

Total comprehensive income

                    335  

Other, net

    —         —         (15 )     —         —         —         —         —         (15 )
                                                                       

Balance December 31, 2004

  $ —       $ —       $ 11,224     $ 539     $ 530     $ (20 )   $ —       $ —       $ 12,273  
                                                                       

Net income

    —         —         674       —         —         —         —         —         674  

Other Comprehensive Income

                 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

    —         —         —         244       —         —         —         —         244  

Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges (a)

    —         —         —         —         409       —         —         —         409  

Reclassification into earnings from cash flow hedges(b)

    —         —         —         —         (1,025 )     —         —         —         (1,025 )

Minimum pension liability adjustment

    —         —         —         —         —         (40 )       —         (40 )

Net unrealized gains on FAS 115 securities

    —         —         —         —         —         —         19       —         19  
                       

Total comprehensive income

                    281  

Advances from parent converted to equity

    —         —         761       —         —         —         —         —         761  

Capital contributions from parent

    —         —         269       —         —         —         —         —         269  

Distribution to parent

    —         —         (2,100 )     —         —         —         —         —         (2,100 )

Other, net

    —         —         20       —         —         —         —         —         20  
                                                                       

Balance December 31, 2005

  $ —       $ —       $ 10,848     $ 783     $ (86 )   $ (60 )   $ 19     $ —       $ 11,504  
                                                                       

Net income

    —         —         1,244       —         —         —         —         —         1,244  

Other Comprehensive Income

                 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

    —         —         —         106       —         —         —         —         106  

Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges(a)

    —         —         —         —         (6 )     —         —         —         (6 )

Net unrealized gains on FAS 115 securities (e)

    —         —         —         —         —         —         14       —         14  
                       

Reclassification into earnings from cash flow hedges(b)

    —         —         —         —         39       —         —         —         39  

Reclassification into earnings of FAS 115 investments(g)

    —         —         —         —         —         —         (33 )     —         (33 )

Transfer of taxes on net investment hedge and other hedges to Duke Capital

    —         —         —         62       7       —         —         —         69  

Transfer of legal entities to Duke Energy

    —         —         —         205       —         —         —         —         205  

Transfer of Midwestern assets to Duke energy Ohio(c)

    —         —         —         —         40       —         —         —         40  

Minimum pension liability adjustment (d)

    —         —         —         —         —         (1 )     —         —         (1 )
                       

Total comprehensive income

                    1,677  

Transfer of Midwestern assets to Duke Energy Ohio

    —         —         (1,462 )     —         —         —         —         —         (1,462 )

Transfer of Bison to Duke Energy

    —         —         (60 )     —         —         —         —         —         (60 )

Forgiveness of advances to Duke Energy

    —         —         (602 )     —         —         —         —         —         (602 )

Distribution to parent

    —         —         (796 )     —         —         —         —         —         (796 )

Distribution to parent associated with sale of Crescent

    —         —         (1,602 )     —         —         —         —         —         (1,602 )

Transfer of legal entities to Duke Energy

    —         —         (2,952 )     —         —         —         —         —         (2,952 )

Pension Adjustment—FAS 158 transition(f)

    —         —         —         —         —         61       —         (109 )     (48 )

Other, net

    —         —         (20 )     —         —         —         —         —         (20 )
                                                                       

Balance December 31, 2006

  $ —       $ —       $ 4,598     $ 1,156     $ (6 )   $ —       $ —       $ (109 )   $ 5,639  
                                                                       

(a)   Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges, net of $3 tax benefit in 2006, $234 tax expense in 2005, and $180 tax expense in 2004.
(b)   Reclassification into earnings from cash flow hedges, net of $20 tax expense in 2006, $584 tax benefit in 2005, and $48 tax benefit in 2004.
(c)   Net of $24 tax expense in 2006.
(d)   Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of $27 tax benefit in 2005, and $2 tax expense in 2004.
(e)   Net of $8 tax expense in 2006, and $10 tax expense in 2005.
(f)   FAS 158 pension adjustment, net of $27 tax benefit in 2006 (see note 19).
(g)   Net of $18 tax benefit in 2006.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

71


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations and Basis of Consolidation.    Spectra Energy Capital, LLC (collectively with its subsidiaries, Spectra Energy Capital, formerly Duke Capital LLC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Duke Energy Corporation (Duke Energy) until January 2, 2007, at which time Spectra Energy Capital became a wholly owned subsidiary of Spectra Energy Corp (Spectra Energy) as discussed below, is an energy company located in the Americas. These Consolidated Financial Statements include, after eliminating intercompany transactions and balances, the accounts of Spectra Energy Capital and all majority-owned subsidiaries where Spectra Energy Capital has control, and those variable interest entities where Spectra Energy Capital is the primary beneficiary.

On April 1, 2006, Spectra Energy Capital transferred the operations of its wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary, Bison Insurance Company Limited (Bison), to Duke Energy. Accordingly, Bison’s operations are not included in Spectra Energy Capital’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows subsequent to its transfer to Duke Energy. Due to continuing involvement between Bison and Spectra Energy Capital entities, the results of operations of Bison do not qualify for discontinued operations treatment.

Additionally, in April 2006, Spectra Energy Capital indirectly transferred to Duke Energy Ohio, Inc. (Duke Energy Ohio, formerly The Cincinnati Gas & Electric Company (CG&E)), a subsidiary of Cinergy, its ownership interest in former Duke Energy North America’s (DENA’s) Midwestern assets, representing a mix of combined cycle and peaking plants. In connection with this transfer, Spectra Energy Capital transferred to Duke Energy Ohio approximately $1.6 billion of assets at their carrying value and approximately $0.1 billion of liabilities at their carrying value, for a net transfer of approximately $1.5 billion. This transfer has been accounted for as a capital distribution at historical cost. In connection with the transfer, Spectra Energy Capital and Duke Energy Ohio entered into an arrangement through April 2016, unless otherwise extended by the parties, whereby Spectra Energy Capital will reimburse Duke Energy Ohio in the event of certain cash shortfalls that may result from Duke Energy Ohio’s ownership of the Midwestern assets. Payments made between Spectra Energy Capital and Duke Energy Ohio were immaterial during 2006. This agreement was assigned by Spectra Energy Capital to Duke Energy in the fourth quarter of 2006. The results of operations for former DENA’s Midwestern assets have been reflected as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations up through the date of transfer.

On September 7, 2006, Spectra Energy Capital deconsolidated Crescent Resources, LLC (Crescent) due to a reduction in ownership and its inability to exercise control over Crescent (see Note 12). Crescent has been accounted for as an equity method investment since the date of deconsolidation.

Effective July 1, 2005, Spectra Energy Capital has deconsolidated DCP Midstream, LLC (formerly Duke Energy Field Services, LLC) (DCP Midstream) due to a reduction in ownership and its inability to exercise control over DCP Midstream (see Note 2). DCP Midstream has been subsequently accounted for as an equity method investment.

On January 2, 2007, Duke Energy completed the spin-off of its natural gas businesses to shareholders. The new natural gas business, which is named Spectra Energy, consists principally of the Natural Gas Transmission and Field Services business segments of Spectra Energy Capital, and excludes certain operations which were transferred from Spectra Energy Capital to Duke Energy in December 2006, primarily International Energy, Spectra Energy Capital’s effective 50% interest in Crescent and certain operations within Other, primarily Duke Energy Trading and Marketing, LLC (DETM), Duke Energy Merchants, LLC (DEM), DukeNet Communications, LLC (DukeNet), and Spectra Energy Capital’s 50% interest in Duke/Fluor Daniel (D/FD). The results of operations of most of these transferred businesses are included in discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for all periods presented. Corporate service companies that were transferred to Duke Energy in December 2006 are reported within continuing operations of Spectra Energy Capital since corporate services are expected to be provided to support the operations of Spectra Energy. In addition, although there are no assets or operations of the Commercial Power segment of Spectra

 

72


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued

 

Energy Capital, certain power plant operations within the previous Commercial Power segment of Spectra Energy Capital are reported in continuing operations as a result of continuing involvement by Spectra Energy Capital in 2005 subsequent to the sale of such operations in 2004. See further discussion in Notes 2 and 12.

Use of Estimates.    To conform to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes. Although these estimates are based on management’s best available knowledge at the time, actual results could differ.

Reclassifications and Revisions.    Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to conform to current year presentation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents.    All highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition are considered cash equivalents.

Short-term Investments.    Spectra Energy Capital may actively invest a portion of its available cash balances in various financial instruments, such as tax-exempt debt securities that frequently have stated maturities of 20 years or more and tax-exempt money market preferred securities. These instruments provide for a high degree of liquidity through features such as daily and 7 day notice put options and 7, 28, and 35 day auctions which allow for the redemption of the investments at their face amounts plus earned income. As Spectra Energy Capital intends to sell these instruments within one year or less, generally within 30 days from the balance sheet date, they are classified as current assets. Spectra Energy Capital has classified all short-term investments that are debt securities as available-for-sale under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, “Accounting For Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” (SFAS No. 115), and they are carried at fair market value. Investments in money-market preferred securities that do not have stated redemptions are accounted for at their cost, as the carrying values approximate market values due to their short-term maturities and no credit risk. Realized gains and losses and dividend and interest income related to these securities, including any amortization of discounts or premiums arising at acquisition, are included in earnings as incurred. Purchases and sales of available-for-sale securities are presented on a gross basis within Investing Cash Flows in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Inventory.    Inventory consists primarily of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) held in storage for transmission and processing, and also includes materials and supplies. Natural gas inventories primarily relate to the distribution business in Canada and are valued at costs approved by the regulator. The difference between the approved price and the actual cost of gas purchased is recorded in either accounts receivable or other current liabilities for future disposition with customers, subject to approval by the regulator. The remaining inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or market value, primarily using the average cost method.

Components of Inventory

 

     December 31,
   2006    2005
   (in millions)

Natural gas

   $ 290    $ 269

Materials and supplies

     90      130

Petroleum products

     17      45
             

Total inventory

   $ 397    $ 444
             

Accounting for Risk Management and Hedging Activities and Financial Instruments.    Spectra Energy Capital uses a number of different derivative and non-derivative instruments in connection with its commodity price, interest rate and foreign currency risk management activities, such as swaps, futures, forwards and options.

 

73


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued

 

All derivative instruments not designated as hedges or qualifying for the normal purchases and normal sales exception under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (SFAS No. 133), as amended, are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair value as Unrealized Gains or Unrealized Losses on Mark-to-Market and Hedging Transactions. Cash inflows and outflows related to derivative instruments, except those that contain financing elements and those related to net investment hedges and other investing activities, are a component of operating cash flows in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cash inflows and outflows related to derivative instruments containing financing elements are a component of financing cash flows in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows while cash inflows and outflows related to net investment hedges and derivatives related to other investing activities are a component of investing cash flows in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Spectra Energy Capital designates all energy commodity derivatives as either trading or non-trading. Gains and losses for all derivative contracts that do not represent physical delivery contracts are reported on a net basis in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For each of the physical delivery contracts that are derivatives, the accounting model and presentation of gains and losses, or revenue and expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations is shown below.

 

Classification of Contract

  

Spectra Energy Capital Accounting Model

 

Presentation of Gains & Losses or Revenue & Expense

Non-trading derivatives:

    

Cash flow hedge

   Accrual(b)   Gross basis in the same statement of operations category as the related hedged item

Fair value hedge

   Accrual(b)   Gross basis in the same statement of operations category as the related hedged item

Undesignated

   Mark-to-market(a)   Net basis in the related statement of operations category for interest rate, currency and commodity derivatives

(a) An accounting term used by Spectra Energy Capital to refer to derivative contracts for which an asset or liability is recognized at fair value and the change in the fair value of that asset or liability is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, with the exception of Union Gas Limited’s (Union Gas) regulated business, which is recognized as a regulatory asset or liability. This term is applied to undesignated non-trading derivative contracts. As this term is not explicitly defined within GAAP, Spectra Energy Capital’s application of this term could differ from that of other companies.
(b) An accounting term used by Spectra Energy Capital to refer to contracts for which there is generally no recognition in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for any changes in fair value until the service is provided, the associated delivery period occurs or there is hedge ineffectiveness. As discussed further below, this term is applied to derivative contracts that are accounted for as cash flow hedges and fair value hedges, as well as to non-derivative contracts used for commodity risk management purposes. As this term is not explicitly defined within GAAP, Spectra Energy Capital’s application of this term could differ from that of other companies.

Where Spectra Energy Capital’s derivative instruments are subject to a master netting agreement and the criteria of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation (FIN) No. 39, “Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts—An Interpretation of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 10 and FASB Statement No. 105” (FIN 39), are met, Spectra Energy Capital presents its derivative assets and liabilities, and accompanying receivables and payables, on a net basis in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2006, subsequent to the transfer of businesses to Duke Energy, Spectra Energy Capital does not have any significant outstanding derivative instruments and does not participate in master netting arrangements in the normal course of its business.

Cash Flow and Fair Value Hedges.    Qualifying energy commodity and other derivatives may be designated as either a hedge of a forecasted transaction or future cash flows (cash flow hedge) or a hedge of a

 

74


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued

 

recognized asset, liability or firm commitment (fair value hedge). For all hedge contracts, Spectra Energy Capital prepares formal documentation of the hedge in accordance with SFAS No. 133. In addition, at inception and every three months, Spectra Energy Capital formally assesses whether the hedge contract is highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows or fair values of hedged items. Spectra Energy Capital documents hedging activity by transaction type (futures/swaps) and risk management strategy (commodity price risk/interest rate risk).

Changes in the fair value of a derivative designated and qualified as a cash flow hedge, to the extent effective, are included in the Consolidated Statements of Member’s Equity and Comprehensive Income as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) until earnings are affected by the hedged transaction. Spectra Energy Capital discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it has determined that a derivative no longer qualifies as an effective hedge, or when it is no longer probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will occur. When hedge accounting is discontinued because the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective hedge, the derivative is subject to the Mark-to-Market Model of accounting (MTM Model) prospectively. Gains and losses related to discontinued hedges that were previously accumulated in AOCI will remain in AOCI until the underlying contract is reflected in earnings; unless it is probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will not occur at which time associated deferred amounts in AOCI are immediately recognized in current earnings.

For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, Spectra Energy Capital recognizes the gain or loss on the derivative instrument, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item in earnings, to the extent effective, in the current period. All derivatives designated and accounted for as hedges are classified in the same category as the item being hedged in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. In addition, all components of each derivative gain or loss are included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

Valuation.    When available, quoted market prices or prices obtained through external sources are used to measure a contract’s fair value. For contracts with a delivery location or duration for which quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined based on internally developed valuation techniques or models. For derivatives recognized under the MTM Model, valuation adjustments are also recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Goodwill.    Spectra Energy Capital evaluates goodwill for potential impairment under the guidance of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (SFAS No. 142). Under this standard, goodwill is subject to an annual test for impairment. Spectra Energy Capital has designated August 31 as the date it performs the annual review for goodwill impairment for its reporting units. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 142, Spectra Energy Capital performs the annual review for goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level, which Spectra Energy Capital has determined to be an operating segment or one level below.

Impairment testing of goodwill consists of a two-step process. The first step involves a comparison of the implied fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the process involves a comparison of the fair value and carrying value of the goodwill of that reporting unit. If the carrying value of the goodwill of a reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess. Additional impairment tests are performed between the annual reviews if events or changes in circumstances make it more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying amount.

Spectra Energy Capital primarily uses a discounted cash flow analysis to determine fair value. Key assumptions in the determination of fair value include the use of an appropriate discount rate and estimated future cash flows. In estimating cash flows, Spectra Energy Capital incorporates expected growth rates, regulatory stability, the ability to renew contracts, and foreign currency exchange rates, as well as other factors that affect its revenue and expense forecasts.

Property, Plant and Equipment.    Property, plant and equipment are stated at the lower of historical cost less accumulated depreciation. Spectra Energy Capital capitalizes all construction-related direct labor and

 

75


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued

 

material costs, as well as indirect construction costs. Indirect costs include general engineering, taxes and the cost of funds used during construction. The cost of renewals and betterments that extend the useful life of property, plant and equipment is also capitalized. The cost of repairs, replacements and major maintenance projects, which do not extend the useful life or increase the expected output of property, plant and equipment, is expensed as it is incurred. Depreciation is generally computed over the asset’s estimated useful life using the straight-line method. The composite weighted-average depreciation rates, including depreciation associated with businesses included in discontinued operations were 3.32% for 2006, 3.60% for 2005, and 3.84% for 2004. Also, see “Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC),” discussed below.

When Spectra Energy Capital retires its regulated property, plant and equipment, it charges the original cost plus the cost of retirement, less salvage value, to accumulated depreciation and amortization. When it sells entire regulated operating units, or retires or sells non-regulated properties, the cost is removed from the property account and the related accumulated depreciation and amortization accounts are reduced. Any gain or loss is recorded in earnings, unless otherwise required by the applicable regulatory body.

Spectra Energy Capital recognizes asset retirement obligations (ARO’s) in accordance with SFAS No. 143, “Accounting For Asset Retirement Obligations” (SFAS No. 143), for legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the asset and FIN No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations” (FIN 47), for conditional ARO’s in which the timing or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of Spectra Energy Capital. Both SFAS No. 143 and FIN 47 require that the fair value of a liability for an ARO be recognized in the period in which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset. This additional carrying amount is then depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset.

Long-Lived Asset Impairments, Assets Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations.    Spectra Energy Capital evaluates whether long-lived assets, excluding goodwill, have been impaired when circumstances indicate the carrying value of those assets may not be recoverable. For such long-lived assets, an impairment exists when its carrying value exceeds the sum of estimates of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. When alternative courses of action to recover the carrying amount of a long-lived asset are under consideration, a probability-weighted approach is used for developing estimates of future undiscounted cash flows. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable based on these estimated future undiscounted cash flows, the impairment loss is measured as the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value, such that the asset’s carrying value is adjusted to its estimated fair value.

Management assesses the fair value of long-lived assets using commonly accepted techniques, and may use more than one source. Sources to determine fair value include, but are not limited to, recent third party comparable sales, internally developed discounted cash flow analysis and analysis from outside advisors. Significant changes in market conditions resulting from events such as changes in commodity prices or the condition of an asset, or a change in management’s intent to utilize the asset would generally require management to re-assess the cash flows related to the long-lived assets.

Spectra Energy Capital uses the criteria in SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (SFAS No. 144), to determine when an asset is classified as “held for sale.” Upon classification as “held for sale,” the long-lived asset or asset group is measured at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell, depreciation is ceased and the asset or asset group is separately presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. When an asset or asset group meets the SFAS No. 144 criteria for classification as held for sale within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Spectra Energy Capital does not retrospectively adjust prior period balance sheets to conform to current year presentation.

Spectra Energy Capital uses the criteria in SFAS No. 144 and Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)03-13, “Applying the Conditions in Paragraph 42 of FASB Statement No. 144 in Determining Whether to Report

 

76


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued

 

Discontinued Operations” (EITF 03-13), to determine whether components of Spectra Energy Capital that are being disposed of or are classified as held for sale are required to be reported as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. To qualify as a discontinued operation under SFAS No. 144, the component being disposed of must have clearly distinguishable operations and cash flows. Additionally, pursuant to EITF 03-13, Spectra Energy Capital must not have significant continuing involvement in the operations after the disposal (i.e. Spectra Energy Capital must not have the ability to influence the operating or financial policies of the disposed component) and cash flows of the operations being disposed of must have been eliminated from Spectra Energy Capital’s ongoing operations (i.e. Spectra Energy Capital does not expect to generate significant direct cash flows from activities involving the disposed component after the disposal transaction is completed). Assuming both preceding conditions are met, the related results of operations for the current and prior periods, including any related impairments, are reflected as Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, net of tax, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. If an asset held for sale does not meet the requirements for discontinued operations classification, any impairments and gains or losses on sales are recorded in continuing operations as Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Assets and Other, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Impairments for all other long-lived assets, excluding goodwill, are recorded as Impairment and Other Charges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Captive Insurance Reserves.    Prior to April 1, 2006, Spectra Energy Capital had captive insurance subsidiaries which provided insurance coverage to Spectra Energy Capital entities as well as certain third parties, on a limited basis, for various business risks and losses, such as workers compensation, property, business interruption and general liability. Liabilities included provisions for estimated losses incurred, but not yet reported (IBNR), as well as provisions for known claims which have been estimated on a claims-incurred basis. IBNR reserve estimates involve the use of assumptions and are primarily based upon historical loss experience, industry data and other actuarial assumptions. Reserve estimates are adjusted in future periods as actual losses differ from historical experience. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Subsequent to April 1, 2006, Spectra Energy Capital was provided insurance coverage through a captive insurance company of its parent, Duke Energy, as well as certain third parties. Effective January 2, 2007, this coverage and the associated insurance assets and liabilities applicable to the ongoing operations of Spectra Energy Capital transferred to a new captive insurance subsidiary of Spectra Energy Capital.

Spectra Energy Capital’s captive insurance entities also had reinsurance coverage, which provided reimbursement to Spectra Energy Capital for certain losses above a per incident and/or aggregate retention. Spectra Energy Capital’s captive insurance entities also had an aggregate stop-loss insurance coverage, which provided reimbursement from third parties to Spectra Energy Capital for its paid losses above certain per line of coverage aggregate amounts during a policy year. Spectra Energy Capital recognized a reinsurance receivable for recovery of incurred losses under its captive’s reinsurance and stop-loss insurance coverage once realization of the receivable is deemed probable by its captive insurance companies.

During 2004, Spectra Energy Capital eliminated intercompany reserves at its captive insurance subsidiaries of approximately $59 million which was a correction of an immaterial accounting error related to prior periods.

Unamortized Debt Premium, Discount and Expense.    Premiums, discounts and expenses incurred with the issuance of outstanding long-term debt are amortized over the terms of the debt issues. Any call premiums or unamortized expenses associated with refinancing higher-cost debt obligations to finance regulated assets and operations are amortized consistent with regulatory treatment of those items, where appropriate.

Environmental Expenditures.    Spectra Energy Capital expenses environmental expenditures related to conditions caused by past operations that do not generate current or future revenues. Environmental expenditures related to operations that generate current or future revenues are expensed or capitalized, as appropriate. Liabilities are recorded when the necessity for environmental remediation becomes probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated, or when other potential environmental liabilities are reasonably estimable and probable.

Cost-Based Regulation.    Spectra Energy Capital accounts for certain of its regulated operations under the provisions of SFAS No. 71, “Accounting for Certain Types of Regulation” (SFAS No. 71). The economic effects

 

77


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued

 

of regulation can result in a regulated company recording assets for costs that have been or are expected to be approved for recovery from customers or recording liabilities for amounts that are expected to be returned to customers in the rate-setting process in a period different from the period in which the amounts would be recorded by an unregulated enterprise. Accordingly, Spectra Energy Capital records assets and liabilities that result from the regulated ratemaking process that would not be recorded under GAAP for non-regulated entities. Management continually assesses whether regulatory assets are probable of future recovery by considering factors such as applicable regulatory changes and recent rate orders applicable to other regulated entities. Based on this continual assessment, management believes the existing regulatory assets are probable of recovery. These regulatory assets and liabilities are primarily classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Regulatory Assets and Deferred Debits, and Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities. Spectra Energy Capital periodically evaluates the applicability of SFAS No. 71, and considers factors such as regulatory changes and the impact of competition. If cost-based regulation ends or competition increases, Spectra Energy Capital may have to reduce its asset balances to reflect a market basis less than cost and write-off their associated regulatory assets and liabilities. (For further information see Note 4.)

Guarantees.    Spectra Energy Capital accounts for guarantees and related contracts, for which it is the guarantor, under FIN No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (FIN 45). In accordance with FIN 45, upon issuance or modification of a guarantee on or after January 1, 2003, Spectra Energy Capital recognizes a liability at the time of issuance or material modification for the estimated fair value of the obligation it assumes under that guarantee, if any. Fair value is estimated using a probability-weighted approach. Spectra Energy Capital reduces the obligation over the term of the guarantee or related contract in a systematic and rational method as risk is reduced under the obligation. Any additional contingent loss for guarantee contracts outside the scope of FIN 45 is accounted for and recognized in accordance with SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies” (SFAS No. 5).

Spectra Energy Capital has entered into various indemnification agreements related to purchase and sale agreements and other types of contractual agreements with vendors and other third parties. These agreements typically cover environmental, tax, litigation and other matters, as well as breaches of representations, warranties and covenants. Typically, claims may be made by third parties for various periods of time, depending on the nature of the claim. Spectra Energy Capital’s potential exposure under these indemnification agreements can range from a specified to an unlimited dollar amount, depending on the nature of the claim and the particular transaction (see Note 17).

Stock-Based Compensation.    Effective January 1, 2006, Spectra Energy Capital adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS No. 123(R)) (see Note 18). SFAS No. 123(R) establishes accounting for stock-based awards exchanged for employee and certain non-employee services. Accordingly, for employee awards, equity classified stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which generally begins on the date the award is granted through the earlier of the date the award vests or the date the employee becomes retirement eligible. Awards, including stock options, granted to employees that are already retirement eligible are deemed to have vested immediately upon issuance, and therefore, compensation cost for those awards is recognized on the date such awards are granted.

Spectra Energy Capital elected to adopt the modified prospective application method as provided by SFAS No. 123(R), and accordingly, financial statement amounts for periods prior to January 1, 2006 in this Form 10-K have not been restated. There were no modifications to outstanding stock options prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R). Spectra Energy Capital has historically been allocated its proportionate share of stock-based compensation expense from its parent, Duke Energy.

Spectra Energy Capital previously applied Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and FIN 44, “Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation—an Interpretation of APB Opinion 25” and provided the required pro forma disclosures of SFAS

 

78


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued

 

No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS No. 123). Since the exercise price for all stock options granted under those plans was equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the grant date, no compensation cost was recognized in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Revenue Recognition.    Revenues on sales of natural gas, natural gas transportation, storage and distribution as well as sales of petroleum products are recognized when either the service is provided or the product is delivered. Revenues related to these services provided or products delivered, but not yet billed, are estimated each month. These estimates are generally based on contract data, regulatory information, estimated distribution usage based on historical data, commodity prices and preliminary throughput and allocation measurements. Final bills for the current month are billed and collected in the following month. Differences between actual and estimated unbilled revenues are immaterial.

Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC).    AFUDC, which represents the estimated debt and equity costs of capital funds necessary to finance the construction of new regulated facilities, consists of two components, an equity component and an interest component. The equity component is a non-cash item. AFUDC is capitalized as a component of Property, Plant and Equipment cost, with offsetting credits to the Consolidated Statements of Operations. After construction is completed, Spectra Energy Capital is permitted to recover these costs through inclusion in the rate base and in the depreciation provision. The total amount of AFUDC included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was $21 million in 2006, which consisted of an equity component of $11 million and an interest expense component of $10 million. The total amount of AFUDC included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was $17 million in 2005, which consisted of an equity component of $8 million and an interest expense component of $9 million. The total amount of AFUDC included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was $17 million in 2004, which consisted of an equity component of $9 million and an interest expense component of $8 million.

Accounting For Sales of Stock by a Subsidiary.    Spectra Energy Capital accounts for sales of stock by a subsidiary under Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 51, “Accounting for Sales of Stock of a Subsidiary” (SAB 51). Under SAB 51, companies may elect, via an accounting policy decision, to record a gain on the sale of stock of a subsidiary equal to the amount of proceeds received in excess of the carrying value of the shares. Spectra Energy Capital has elected to treat such excesses as gains in earnings, which are reflected in Gain on Sale of Subsidiary Stock in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2006, Spectra Energy Capital recognized a gain of approximately $15 million related to the sale of securities of the Spectra Energy Income Fund (Income Fund), formerly the Duke Energy Income Fund (see Note 2).

Income Taxes.    As a result of Duke Energy’s merger with Cinergy, Spectra Energy Capital and its subsidiaries entered into a tax sharing agreement with Duke Energy, effective April 1, 2006, where the separate return method is used to allocate income taxes to Duke Energy’s subsidiaries based on the results of their operations. The accounting for income taxes essentially represents the income taxes that Spectra Energy Capital would incur if Spectra Energy Capital were a separate company filing its own tax return as a C-Corporation. Prior to entering into this tax sharing agreement, Spectra Energy Capital and Duke Energy Americas (DEA) were pass-through entities for U.S. income tax purposes.

Management evaluates and records contingent tax liabilities and related interest based on the probability of ultimately sustaining the tax deductions or income positions. Management assesses the probabilities of successfully defending the tax deductions or income positions based upon statutory, judicial or administrative authority.

Segment Reporting.    SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” (SFAS No. 131), establishes standards for a public company to report financial and descriptive information about its reportable operating segments in annual and interim financial reports. Operating segments are components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and evaluate performance. Two or more operating segments may be aggregated into a single reportable segment provided aggregation is consistent

 

79


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued

 

with the objective and basic principles of SFAS No. 131, if the segments have similar economic characteristics, and the segments are considered similar under criteria provided by SFAS No. 131. There is no aggregation within Spectra Energy Capital’s defined business segments. SFAS No. 131 also establishes standards and related disclosures about the way the operating segments were determined, products and services, geographic areas and major customers, differences between the measurements used in reporting segment information and those used in the general-purpose financial statements, and changes in the measurement of segment amounts from period to period. The description of Spectra Energy Capital’s reportable segments, consistent with how business results are reported internally to management and the disclosure of segment information in accordance with SFAS No. 131, are presented in Note 3.

Foreign Currency Translation.    The local currencies of Spectra Energy Capital’s foreign operations have been determined to be their functional currencies, except for certain foreign operations whose functional currency has been determined to be the U.S. Dollar, based on an assessment of the economic circumstances of the foreign operation, in accordance with SFAS No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation.” Assets and liabilities of foreign operations, except for those whose functional currency is the U.S. Dollar, are translated into U.S. Dollars at current exchange rates. Translation adjustments resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates are included as a separate component of AOCI. Revenue and expense accounts of these operations are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency, which were not material for all periods presented, are included in the results of operations of the period in which they occur. Deferred taxes are not provided on translation gains and losses where Spectra Energy Capital expects earnings of a foreign operation to be permanently reinvested. Gains and losses relating to derivatives designated as hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in foreign operations are reported in foreign currency translation as a separate component of AOCI.

Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows.    Spectra Energy Capital has made certain classification elections within its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows related to discontinued operations, cash received from insurance proceeds and cash overdrafts. Cash flows from discontinued operations are combined with cash flows from continuing operations within operating, investing and financing cash flows within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cash received from insurance proceeds are classified depending on the activity that resulted in the insurance proceeds (for example, business interruption insurance proceeds are included as a component of operating activities while insurance proceeds from damaged property are included as a component of investing activities). With respect to cash overdrafts, book overdrafts are included within operating cash flows while bank overdrafts are included within financing cash flows.

Distributions from Equity Investees.    Spectra Energy Capital considers dividends received from equity investees which do not exceed cumulative equity in earnings subsequent to the date of investment a return on investment and classifies these amounts as operating activities within the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cumulative dividends received in excess of cumulative equity in earnings subsequent to the date of investment are considered a return of investment and are classified as investing activities within the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Cumulative Effect of Changes in Accounting Principles.    As of December 31, 2005, Spectra Energy Capital adopted the provisions of FIN 47. In accordance with the transition guidance of this standard, Spectra Energy Capital recorded a net-of-tax cumulative effect adjustment of approximately $4 million.

New Accounting Standards.    The following new accounting standards were adopted by Spectra Energy Capital during the year ended December 31, 2006 and the impact of such adoption, if applicable, has been presented in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements:

SFAS No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS No. 123(R)).    In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), which replaces SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” SFAS No. 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements

 

80


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued

 

based on their fair values. For Spectra Energy Capital, timing for implementation of SFAS No. 123(R) was January 1, 2006. The pro forma disclosures previously permitted under SFAS No. 123 are no longer an acceptable alternative. Instead, Spectra Energy Capital is required to determine an appropriate expense for stock options and record compensation expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for stock options. Spectra Energy Capital implemented SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method, which required Spectra Energy Capital to record compensation expense for all unvested awards beginning January 1, 2006.

Spectra Energy Capital currently also has retirement eligible employees with outstanding share-based payment awards (unvested stock awards, stock based performance awards and phantom stock awards). Compensation cost related to those awards was previously expensed over the stated vesting period or until actual retirement occurred. Effective January 1, 2006, Spectra Energy Capital is required to recognize compensation cost for new awards granted to employees over the requisite service period, which generally begins on the date the award is granted through the earlier of the date the award vests or the date the employee becomes retirement eligible. Awards, including stock options, granted to employees that are already retirement eligible are deemed to have vested immediately upon issuance, and therefore, compensation cost for those awards is recognized on the date such awards are granted.

The adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) did not have a material impact on Spectra Energy Capital’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position in 2006 based on awards outstanding as of the implementation date. However, the impact to Spectra Energy Capital in periods subsequent to adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) will be largely dependent upon the nature of any new share-based compensation awards issued to employees. (See Note 18.)

SAB No. 107, “Share-Based Payment” (SAB No. 107).    On March 29, 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) staff issued SAB No. 107 to express the views of the staff regarding the interaction between SFAS No. 123(R) and certain SEC rules and regulations and to provide the staff’s views regarding the valuation of share-based payment arrangements for public companies. Spectra Energy Capital adopted SFAS No. 123(R) and SAB No. 107 effective January 1, 2006.

FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 123(R)-4, “Classification of Options and Similar Instruments Issued as Employee Compensation That Allow for Cash Settlement upon the Occurrence of a Contingent Event” (FSP No. FAS 123(R)-4).    In February 2006, the FASB staff issued FSP FAS No. 123(R)-4 to address the classification of options and similar instruments issued as employee compensation that allow for cash settlement upon the occurrence of a contingent event. The guidance amends SFAS No. 123(R). FSP No. FAS 123(R)-4 provides that cash settlement features that can be exercised only upon the occurrence of a contingent event that is outside the employee’s control does not require classifying the option or similar instrument as a liability until it becomes probable that the event will occur. FSP No. FAS 123(R)-4 applies only to options or similar instruments issued as part of employee compensation arrangements. The guidance in FSP No. FAS 123(R)-4 was effective for Spectra Energy Capital as of April 1, 2006. Spectra Energy Capital adopted SFAS No. 123(R) as of January 1, 2006 (see Note 18). The adoption of FSP No. FAS 123(R)-4 did not have a material impact on Spectra Energy Capital’s consolidated statement of operations, cash flows or financial position.

FSP No. FAS 115-1 and 124-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and its Application to Certain Investments” (FSP No. FAS 115-1 and 124-1).    The FASB issued FSP No. FAS 115-1 and 124-1 in November 2005, which was effective for Spectra Energy Capital beginning January 1, 2006. This FSP addresses the determination as to when an investment is considered impaired, whether that impairment is other than temporary, and the measurement of an impairment loss. This FSP also includes accounting considerations subsequent to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment and requires certain disclosures about unrealized losses that have not been recognized as other-than-temporary impairments. The guidance in this FSP amends SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” and SFAS No. 124, “Accounting for Certain Investments Held by Not-for-Profit Organizations,” and APB Opinion No. 18, “The

 

81


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued

 

Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock” (APB 18). The adoption of FSP No. FAS 115-1 and 124-1 did not have a material impact on Spectra Energy Capital’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

FSP No. FIN 46(R)-6, “Determining the Variability to Be Considered In Applying FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (FSP No. FIN 46(R)-6).”    In April 2006, the FASB staff issued FSP No. FIN 46(R)-6 to address how to determine the variability to be considered in applying FIN 46(R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” The variability that is considered in applying FIN 46(R) affects the determination of whether the entity is a variable interest entity (VIE), which interests are variable interests in the entity, and which party, if any, is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The variability affects the calculation of expected losses and expected residual returns. This guidance is effective for all entities with which Spectra Energy Capital first becomes involved or existing entities for which a reconsideration event occurs after July 1, 2006. The adoption of FSP No. FIN 46(R)-6 did not have a material impact on Spectra Energy Capital’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

SFAS No. 158, “Employer’s Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (SFAS No. 158).    In October 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, which changes the recognition and disclosure provisions and measurement date requirements for an employer’s accounting for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The recognition and disclosure provisions require an employer to (1) recognize the funded status of a benefit plan—measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation—in its statement of financial position, (2) recognize as a component of Other Comprehensive Income (OCI), net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost, and (3) disclose in the notes to financial statements certain additional information. SFAS No. 158 does not change the amounts recognized in the income statement as net periodic benefit cost. Spectra Energy Capital is required to initially recognize the funded status of its defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans and to provide the required additional disclosures as of December 31, 2006 (see Note 19). Retrospective application is not permitted. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 recognition and disclosure provisions resulted in an increase in total assets of approximately $21 million (consisting of an increase in deferred tax assets of $27 million, offset by a decrease in intangible assets of $6 million), an increase in total liabilities of approximately $69 million and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, of approximately $48 million as of December 31, 2006. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 did not have any impact on Spectra Energy Capital’s consolidated results of operations or cash flows.

Under the measurement date requirements of SFAS No. 158, an employer is required to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year-end statement of financial position (with limited exceptions). Historically, Spectra Energy Capital has measured its plan assets and obligations up to three months prior to the fiscal year-end, as allowed under the authoritative accounting literature. The measurement date requirement is effective for the year ending December 31, 2008, and early application is encouraged. Spectra Energy Capital intends to adopt the change in measurement date effective January 1, 2007 by remeasuring plan assets and benefit obligations as of that date, pursuant to the transition requirements of SFAS No. 158. Net periodic benefit cost for the three-month period between September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2006 will be recognized, net of tax, as a separate adjustment of retained earnings as of January 1, 2007. Additionally, changes in plan assets and plan obligations between September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2006 not related to net periodic benefit cost will be recognized, net of tax, as an adjustment to OCI.

SAB No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (SAB No. 108).    In September 2006 the SEC issued SAB No. 108, which provides interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. Traditionally, there have been two widely-recognized approaches for quantifying the effects of financial statement misstatements. The income statement approach focuses primarily on the impact of a misstatement on the income statement—including the reversing effect of prior year misstatements—but its use can lead to the accumulation of misstatements in the balance sheet. The

 

82


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued

 

balance sheet approach, on the other hand, focuses primarily on the effect of correcting the period-end balance sheet with less emphasis on the reversing effects of prior year errors on the income statement. The SEC staff believes that registrants should quantify errors using both a balance sheet and an income statement approach (a “dual approach”) and evaluate whether either approach results in quantifying a misstatement that, when all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors are considered, is material.

SAB No. 108 was effective for Spectra Energy Capital’s year ended December 31, 2006. SAB No. 108 permits existing public companies to initially apply its provisions either by (i) restating prior financial statements as if the “dual approach” had always been used or (ii), under certain circumstances, recording the cumulative effect of initially applying the “dual approach” as adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities as of January 1, 2006 with an offsetting adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings. Spectra Energy Capital has historically used a dual approach for quantifying identified financial statement misstatements. Therefore, the adoption of SAB No. 108 did not have any material impact on Spectra Energy Capital’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

The following new accounting standards were adopted by Spectra Energy Capital during the year ended December 31, 2005 and the impact of such adoption, if applicable, has been presented in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements:

SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets—an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29” (SFAS No. 153).    In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153 which amends APB Opinion No. 29, “Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions,” by eliminating the exception to the fair-value principle for exchanges of similar productive assets, which were accounted for under APB Opinion No. 29 based on the book value of the asset surrendered with no gain or loss recognition. SFAS No. 153 also eliminates APB Opinion No. 29’s concept of culmination of an earnings process. The amendment requires that an exchange of nonmonetary assets be accounted for at fair value if the exchange has commercial substance and fair value is determinable within reasonable limits. Commercial substance is assessed by comparing the entity’s expected cash flows immediately before and after the exchange. If the difference is significant, the transaction is considered to have commercial substance and should be recognized at fair value. SFAS No. 153 is effective for nonmonetary transactions occurring on or after July 1, 2005. The adoption of SFAS No. 153 did not have a material impact on Spectra Energy Capital’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

FASB Interpretation No. (FIN) 47 “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations(FIN 47).    In March 2005, the FASB issued FIN 47, which clarifies the accounting for conditional asset retirement obligations as used in SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” (SFAS No. 143). A conditional asset retirement obligation is an unconditional legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. Therefore, an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation under SFAS No. 143 if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The provisions of FIN 47 were effective for Spectra Energy Capital as of December 31, 2005, and resulted in an increase in assets of $7 million, an increase in liabilities of $11 million and a net-of-tax cumulative effect adjustment to earnings of approximately $4 million.

FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. APB 18-1, “Accounting by an Investor for Its Proportionate Share of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income of an Investee Accounted for under the Equity Method in Accordance with APB Opinion No. 18 upon a Loss of Significant Influence” (FSP No. APB 18-1).    In July 2005, the FASB staff issued FSP No. APB 18-1 which provides guidance for how an investor should account for its proportionate share of an investee’s equity adjustments for other comprehensive income (OCI) upon a loss of significant influence. APB Opinion No. 18 requires a transaction of an equity method investee of a capital nature be accounted for as if the investee were a consolidated subsidiary, which requires the investor to record its proportionate share of the investee’s adjustments for OCI as increases or decreases to the investment account with corresponding adjustments in equity. FSP No. APB 18-1 requires that an investor’s proportionate share of an investee’s equity adjustments for OCI should be offset against the carrying value of the investment at the time

 

83


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued

 

significant influence is lost and equity method accounting is no longer appropriate. However, to the extent that the offset results in a carrying value of the investment that is less than zero, an investor should (a) reduce the carrying value of the investment to zero and (b) record the remaining balance in income. The guidance in FSP No. APB 18-1 was effective for Spectra Energy Capital beginning October 1, 2005. The adoption of FSP No. APB 18-1 did not have a material impact on Spectra Energy Capital’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

The following new accounting standards were adopted by Spectra Energy Capital during the year ended December 31, 2004 and the impact of such adoption, if applicable, has been presented in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements:

FIN 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”.    In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN 46 which requires the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity’s activities to consolidate the variable interest entity. FIN 46 defines a variable interest entity as an entity in which the equity investors do not have substantive voting rights and there is not sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support. The primary beneficiary absorbs a majority of the expected losses and/or receives a majority of the expected residual returns of the variable interest entity’s activities. In December 2003, the FASB issued FIN 46 (Revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities—An Interpretation of ARB No. 51” (FIN 46R), which supersedes and amends the provisions of FIN 46. While FIN 46R retains many of the concepts and provisions of FIN 46, it also provides additional guidance and additional scope exceptions, and incorporates FASB Staff Positions related to the application of FIN 46.

The provisions of FIN 46 applied immediately to variable interest entities created, or interests in variable interest entities obtained, after January 31, 2003, while the provisions of FIN 46R were required to be applied to those entities, except for special purpose entities, by the end of the first reporting period ending after March 15, 2004 (March 31, 2004 for Spectra Energy Capital). For variable interest entities created, or interests in variable interest entities obtained, on or before January 31, 2003, FIN 46 or FIN 46R was required to be applied to special-purpose entities by the end of the first reporting period ending after December 15, 2003 (December 31, 2003 for Spectra Energy Capital), and was required to be applied to all other non-special purpose entities by the end of the first reporting period ending after March 15, 2004 (March 31, 2004 for Spectra Energy Capital).

Spectra Energy Capital has consolidated certain non-special purpose operating entities, previously accounted for under the equity method of accounting. These entities, which are substantive entities, had an immaterial amount of total assets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005. The impact of consolidating these entities on Spectra Energy Capital’s consolidated financial statements was not material. In addition, at December 31, 2005, Spectra Energy Capital recorded Net Property, Plant and Equipment of $109 million and Long-term Debt of $173 million on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, associated with a natural gas processing variable interest entity that was consolidated by Spectra Energy Capital. In 2006, Spectra Energy Capital exercised its right to repurchase the assets held by the variable interest entity and repaid the loan.

Various changes and clarifications to the provisions of FIN 46 have been made by the FASB since its original issuance in January 2003. While not anticipated at this time, any additional clarifying guidance or further changes to these complex rules could have an impact on Spectra Energy Capital’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

SFAS No. 132 (Revised 2003), “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits” (SFAS No. 132R).    In December 2003, the FASB revised the provisions of SFAS No. 132, “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, and 106,” to include additional disclosures related to defined-benefit pension plans and other defined-benefit post-retirement plans, such as the following:

 

   

The long-term rate of return on plan assets, along with a narrative discussion on the basis for selecting the rate of return used

 

84


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued

 

   

Information about plan assets for each major asset category (i.e. equity securities, debt securities, real estate, etc.) along with the targeted allocation percentage of plan assets for each category and the actual allocation percentages at the measurement date

 

   

The amount of benefit payments expected to be paid in each of the next five years and the following five-year period in the aggregate

 

   

The current best estimate of the range of contributions expected to be made in the following year

 

   

The accumulated benefit obligation for defined-benefit pension plans

 

   

Disclosure of the measurement date utilized.

Additionally, interim reports require additional disclosures related to the components of net periodic pension costs and the amounts paid or expected to be paid to the plan in the current fiscal year, if materially different than amounts previously disclosed. The provisions of SFAS No. 132R do not change the measurement or recognition provisions of defined-benefit pension and post-retirement plans as required by previous accounting standards. The provisions of SFAS No. 132R were applied by Spectra Energy Capital effective December 31, 2003 with the interim period disclosures applied beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2004, except for the disclosure provisions of estimated future benefit payments which were effective for Spectra Energy Capital for the year ended December 31, 2004. (See Note 19 for the additional related disclosures).

FSP No. FAS 106-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003” (FSP No. FAS 106-2).    In May 2004, the FASB staff issued FSP No. FAS 106-2, which superseded FSP FAS 106-1, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.” FSP No. FAS 106-2 provides accounting guidance for the effects of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the Modernization Act). The Modernization Act introduced a prescription drug benefit under Medicare, as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans that include prescription drug benefits. FSP No. FAS 106-2 requires a sponsor to determine if its prescription drug benefits are actuarially equivalent to the drug benefit provided under Medicare Part D as of the date of enactment of the Modernization Act, and if it is therefore entitled to receive the subsidy. If a sponsor determines that its prescription drug benefits are actuarially equivalent to the Medicare Part D benefit, the sponsor should recognize the expected subsidy in the measurement of the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) under SFAS No. 106, “Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions.” Any resulting reduction in the APBO is to be accounted for as an actuarial experience gain. The subsidy’s reduction, if any, of the sponsor’s share of future costs under its prescription drug plan is to be reflected in current-period service cost.

The provisions of FSP No. FAS 106-2 were effective for the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2004. Spectra Energy Capital adopted FSP No. FAS 106-2 retroactively to the date of enactment of the Modernization Act, December 8, 2003, as allowed by the FSP. (See Note 19 for discussion of the effects of adopting this FSP).

FSP No. FAS 109-1, “Application of FASB Statement No. 109, ‘Accounting for Income Taxes,’ to the Tax Deduction on Qualified Production Activities Provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004” (FSP No. FAS 109-1).    On October 22, 2004, the President signed the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the Act). The Act provides a deduction for income from qualified domestic production activities, which will be phased in from 2005 through 2010.

Under the guidance in FSP No. FAS 109-1, which was issued in December 2004, the deduction will be treated as a “special deduction” as described in SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (SFAS No. 109). As such, for Spectra Energy Capital, the special deduction had no material impact on deferred tax assets and liabilities existing at the enactment date. Rather, the impact of this deduction is reported in the periods in which the deductions are claimed on the tax returns. For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, Spectra Energy Capital recognized a benefit of approximately $0 and $9 million, respectively, relating to the deduction from qualified domestic activities.

 

85


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued

 

FSP No. FAS 109-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004” (FSP No. FAS 109-2).    In addition to the qualified domestic production activities deduction discussed above, the Act creates a temporary incentive for U.S. corporations to repatriate accumulated income earned abroad by providing an 85% dividends received deduction for certain dividends from controlled foreign corporations. FSP No. FAS 109-2, which was issued in December 2004, states that a company is allowed time beyond the financial reporting period of enactment to evaluate the effect of the Act on its plan for reinvestment or repatriation of foreign earnings, as it applies to the application of SFAS No. 109. Although the deduction is subject to a number of limitations and some uncertainty remains as to how to interpret numerous provisions in the Act, Spectra Energy Capital believes that it has the information necessary to make an informed decision on the impact of the Act on its repatriation plans. Based on that decision, Spectra Energy Capital has repatriated approximately $500 million in extraordinary dividends, as defined in the Act, and accordingly recorded a corresponding tax liability of $39 million as of December 31, 2005. However, Spectra Energy Capital has not provided for U.S. deferred income taxes or foreign withholding tax on basis differences for its non-U.S. subsidiaries that result primarily from undistributed earnings of approximately $25 million as of December 31, 2006 and $290 million as of December 31, 2005, which Spectra Energy Capital intends to reinvest indefinitely. Determination of the deferred tax liability on these basis differences is not practicable because such liability, if any, is dependent on circumstances existing if and when remittance occurs.

The following new accounting standards have been issued, but have not yet been adopted by Spectra Energy Capital as of December 31, 2006:

SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140” (SFAS No. 155).    In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, which amends SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” and SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities.” SFAS No. 155 allows financial instruments that have embedded derivatives to be accounted for at fair value at acquisition, at issuance, or when a previously recognized financial instrument is subject to a remeasurement (new basis) event, on an instrument-by-instrument basis, in cases in which a derivative would otherwise have to be bifurcated. SFAS No. 155 is effective for Spectra Energy Capital for all financial instruments acquired, issued, or subject to remeasurement after January 1, 2007, and for certain hybrid financial instruments that have been bifurcated prior to the effective date, for which the effect is to be reported as a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. Spectra Energy Capital does not anticipate the adoption of SFAS No. 155 will have any material impact on its consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS No. 157).    In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. However, in some cases, the application of SFAS No. 157 may change Spectra Energy Capital’s current practice for measuring and disclosing fair values under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. For Spectra Energy Capital, SFAS No. 157 is effective as of January 1, 2008 and must be applied prospectively except in certain cases. Spectra Energy Capital is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 157, and cannot currently estimate the impact of SFAS No. 157 on its consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (SFAS No. 159).    In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, which permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. For Spectra Energy Capital, SFAS No. 159 is effective as of January 1, 2008 and will have no impact on amounts presented for periods prior to the effective date. Spectra Energy Capital cannot currently estimate the impact of SFAS No. 159 on its consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position and has not yet determined whether or not it will choose to measure items subject to SFAS No. 159 at fair value.

 

86


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued

 

FIN 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.”    In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, which provides guidance on accounting for income tax positions about which Spectra Energy Capital has concluded there is a level of uncertainty with respect to the recognition in Spectra Energy Capital’s financial statements. FIN 48 prescribes a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet. Tax positions are defined very broadly and include not only tax deductions and credits but also decisions not to file in a particular jurisdiction, as well as the taxability of transactions. Spectra Energy Capital will implement FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. The implementation is expected to result in a cumulative effect adjustment to beginning Member’s Equity on the Consolidated Statement of Member’s Equity and Comprehensive Income in the first quarter 2007 in the range of $15 million to $30 million. Corresponding entries will impact a variety of balance sheet line items, including Deferred income taxes, Taxes accrued and Other Liabilities. Upon implementation of FIN 48, Spectra Energy Capital will reflect interest expense related to taxes as Interest Expense, in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. In addition, subsequent accounting for FIN 48 (after January 1, 2007) will involve an evaluation to determine if any changes have occurred that would impact the existing uncertain tax positions as well as determining whether any new tax positions are uncertain. Any impacts resulting from the evaluation of existing uncertain tax positions or from the recognition of new uncertain tax positions would impact income tax expense and interest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, with offsetting impacts to the balance sheet line items described above. Uncertain tax positions on consolidated or combined tax returns filed by Duke Energy which are indemnified by Spectra Energy will be recorded as payables to Duke Energy.

FSP No. FAS 123(R)-5, “Amendment of FASB Staff Position FAS 123(R)-1” (FSP No. FAS 123(R)-5).    In October 2006, the FASB staff issued FSP No. FAS 123(R)-5 to address whether a modification of an instrument in connection with an equity restructuring should be considered a modification for purposes of applying FSP No. FAS 123(R)-1, “Classification and Measurement of Freestanding Financial Instruments Originally Issued in Exchange for Employee Services under FASB Statement No. 123(R) (FSP No. FAS 123(R)-1).” In August 2005, the FASB staff issued FSP FAS 123(R)-1 to defer indefinitely the effective date of paragraphs A230—A232 of SFAS No. 123(R), and thereby require entities to apply the recognition and measurement provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) throughout the life of an instrument, unless the instrument is modified when the holder is no longer an employee. The recognition and measurement of an instrument that is modified when the holder is no longer an employee should be determined by other applicable generally accepted accounting principles. FSP No. FAS 123(R)-5 addresses modifications of stock-based awards made in connection with an equity restructuring and clarifies that for instruments that were originally issued as employee compensation and then modified, and that modification is made to the terms of the instrument solely to reflect an equity restructuring that occurs when the holders are no longer employees, no change in the recognition or the measurement (due to a change in classification) of those instruments will result if certain conditions are met. This FSP is effective for Spectra Energy Capital as of January 1, 2007. The impact to Spectra Energy Capital of applying FSP No. FAS 123(R)-5 in subsequent periods will be dependent upon the nature of any modifications to Spectra Energy Capital’s share-based compensation awards.

FSP No. AUG AIR-1, “Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance Activities,” (FSP No. AUG AIR-1).    In September 2006, the FASB Staff issued FSP No. AUG AIR-1. This FSP prohibits the use of the accrue-in-advance method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities in annual and interim financial reporting periods, if no liability is required to be recorded for an asset retirement obligation based on a legal obligation for which the event obligating the entity has occurred. The FSP also requires disclosures regarding the method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities and the effects of implementing the FSP. The guidance in this FSP is effective for Spectra Energy Capital as of January 1, 2007 and will be applied retrospectively for all financial statements presented. Spectra Energy Capital does not anticipate the adoption of FSP No. AUG AIR-1 will have any material impact on its consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

 

87


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued

 

2. Acquisitions and Dispositions

Acquisitions (excluding acquisitions made by discontinued operations that are discussed in Note 12).    Spectra Energy Capital consolidates assets and liabilities from acquisitions as of the purchase date, and includes earnings from acquisitions in consolidated earnings after the purchase date. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at estimated fair values on the date of acquisition. The purchase price minus the estimated fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities meeting the definition of a business as defined in EITF 98-3, “Determining Whether a Nonmonetary Transaction Involves Receipt of Productive Assets or of a Business” (EITF 98-3), is recorded as goodwill. The allocation of the purchase price may be adjusted if additional, requested information is received during the allocation period, which generally does not exceed one year from the consummation date, however, it may be longer for certain income tax items.

In August 2005, Natural Gas Transmission acquired natural gas storage and pipeline assets in Southwest Virginia and an additional 50% interest in Saltville Gas Storage LLC (Saltville Storage) from units of AGL Resources for approximately $62 million. This transaction increased Natural Gas Transmission’s ownership percentage of Saltville Storage to 100%. No goodwill was recorded as a result of this acquisition.

In August 2005, Natural Gas Transmission acquired the Empress System natural gas processing and NGL marketing business from ConocoPhillips for approximately $230 million as part of the Field Services ConocoPhillips transaction discussed further in the Dispositions section below. No goodwill was recorded as a result of this acquisition.

In the second quarter of 2004, Field Services acquired gathering, processing and transmission assets in southeast New Mexico from ConocoPhillips for a total purchase price of approximately $80 million, consisting of $74 million in cash and the assumption of approximately $6 million of liabilities. As the acquired assets were not considered businesses under the guidance in EITF 98-3, no goodwill was recognized in connection with this transaction.

In the third quarter of 2004, Field Services acquired additional interest in three separate entities (for which DCP Midstream owned less than 100%, but had been consolidating) for a total purchase price of $4 million, and the exchange of some Field Services’ assets. Two of these acquisitions, Mobile Bay Processing Partners (MBPP) and Gulf Coast NGL Pipeline, LLC (GC), resulted in 100% ownership by Field Services. The MBPP transaction involved MBPP transferring certain long-lived assets to El Paso Corporation for El Paso Corporation’s interest in MBPP. As a result of this non-monetary transaction, the assets transferred were written-down to their estimated fair value which resulted in Spectra Energy Capital recognizing a pre-tax impairment of approximately $13 million, which was approximately $4 million net of minority interest. An additional 12% interest in Dauphin Island Gathering Partners (DIGP) was also purchased for $2 million, which resulted in 84% ownership by Field Services. MBPP owns processing assets in the Onshore Gulf of Mexico. GC owns a 16.67% interest in two equity investments. DIGP owns gathering and transmission assets in the Offshore Gulf of Mexico.

The pro forma results of operations for Spectra Energy Capital as if those acquisitions which closed prior to December 31, 2006 occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented do not materially differ from reported results.

Dispositions.    For the year ended December 31, 2006, the sale of other assets and businesses (which excludes discontinued operations that are discussed in Note 12) resulted in approximately $80 million in proceeds and net pre-tax gains of $47 million recorded in Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Assets and Other, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Significant sales of other assets during 2006 are detailed as follows:

 

   

Natural Gas Transmission’s sale of certain Stone Mountain natural gas gathering system assets resulted in proceeds of $18 million (which is reflected in Net proceeds from the sales of equity investments and other assets, and sales of and collections on notes receivable within Cash Flows from Investing Activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows), and pre-tax gain of $5 million which was

 

88


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SPECTRA ENERGY CAPITAL, LLC

(formerly Duke Capital LLC)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Continued

 

 

recorded in Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Assets and Other, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, Natural Gas Transmission’s sale of stock, received as consideration for the settlement of a cus