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National Fuel Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Earnings and Announces Preliminary Guidance for Fiscal 2025

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y., July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — National Fuel Gas Company (“National Fuel” or the “Company”) (NYSE:NFG) today announced consolidated results for the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal year and for the nine months ended June 30, 2024.

FISCAL 2024 THIRD QUARTER SUMMARY

MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

David P. Bauer, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Fuel Gas Company, stated: “National Fuel’s solid third quarter adjusted operating results were bolstered by increased earnings from our rate-regulated businesses and our disciplined hedging program, which mitigated a large portion of the potential impact of lower natural gas prices in our upstream business. Despite this near-term commodity price challenge, National Fuel’s long-term outlook for growing earnings and free cash flow remains strong.

“Our ongoing transition to Seneca’s Eastern Development Area (“EDA”) continues to exceed expectations and positions us well to see further improvements in capital efficiency. We are also seeing significant growth in our regulated businesses as a result of recent ratemaking activity and our ongoing modernization programs. Combining our solid operational execution across our assets with the strong long-term outlook for natural gas prices, we expect to deliver greater than 10% average annual growth in earnings per share over the next three years.

“Additionally, National Fuel’s strong outlook supports our commitment to returning an increasing amount of capital to shareholders through our long-standing and growing dividend, as well as our share repurchase program authorized earlier this year. This commitment to return cash to shareholders, along with our expected growth in earnings and free cash flow, and our continued focus on delivering strong returns on capital, provide an excellent foundation to drive significant value for shareholders.”

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP EARNINGS TO ADJUSTED OPERATING RESULTS

                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
(in thousands except per share amounts)     2024       2023       2024       2023  
Reported GAAP Earnings   $ (54,158)     $ 92,620     $ 245,134     $ 403,189  
Items impacting comparability:                
Impairment of exploration and production properties (E&P)     200,696             200,696        
Tax impact of impairment of exploration and production properties     (55,686)             (55,686)        
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset (E&P)     1,186       1,430       4,848       3,702  
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset     (325)       (392)       (1,330)       (1,015)  
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments (Corporate / All Other)     15       (355)       (1,803)       (1,632)  
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on other investments     (3)       74       379       343  
Adjusted Operating Results   $ 91,725     $ 93,377     $ 392,238     $ 404,587  
                 
Reported GAAP Earnings Per Share   $ (0.59)     $ 1.00     $ 2.65     $ 4.37  
Items impacting comparability:                
Impairment of exploration and production properties, net of tax (E&P)     1.58             1.57        
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset, net of tax (E&P)     0.01       0.01       0.04       0.03  
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, net of tax (Corporate / All Other)                 (0.02)       (0.01)  
Rounding     (0.01)                   (0.01)  
Adjusted Operating Results Per Share   $ 0.99     $ 1.01     $ 4.24     $ 4.38  

FISCAL 2024 GUIDANCE UPDATE

National Fuel is revising its fiscal 2024 earnings guidance to a range of $5.00 to $5.10 per share, an increase of 3% at the midpoint of the Company’s prior guidance range. This updated range, which excludes items impacting comparability, reflects the results of the third quarter along with updated assumptions for the remaining three months of the year.

The Company is now assuming NYMEX natural gas prices will average $2.40 per MMBtu for the remainder of fiscal 2024, an increase of $0.40 from the prior assumption. For guidance purposes, this updated natural gas price projection approximates the current NYMEX forward curve.

The Exploration and Production segment’s fiscal 2024 net production is now expected to be in the range of 390 to 400 Bcf, a decrease of 2.5 Bcf from previous guidance at the midpoint. This decrease is driven by the impact of approximately 5.6 Bcf of price-related curtailments due to low in-basin pricing during the third quarter, partially offset by better-than-expected results in the EDA. This guidance range does not incorporate any future price-related curtailments over the remainder of the fiscal year. Seneca currently has firm sales contracts in place for approximately 95% of its projected remaining fiscal 2024 natural gas production, significantly limiting its exposure to in-basin markets. Approximately 73% of expected remaining production is either matched by a financial hedge or was entered into at a fixed price.

Seneca is also reducing its fiscal 2024 capital guidance by $10 million at the top end of the range, or $5 million at the midpoint of guidance. This is the second consecutive quarter of capital reductions at Seneca as a result of operational efficiencies associated with the ongoing transition to the EDA and is indicative of the capital efficiency trends we are realizing as we head into fiscal 2025.

The Company’s other fiscal 2024 guidance assumptions remain largely unchanged and are detailed in the table on page 8.

INITIATION OF FISCAL 2025 PRELIMINARY GUIDANCE

In the non-regulated Exploration and Production and Gathering segments, the ongoing transition to the highly prolific EDA and lower activity compared to fiscal 2024 is anticipated to drive modest long-term production growth (0-5% annually) and reduce capital expenditures, furthering the trend of enhancing capital efficiency. Combining this with the outlook for higher natural gas prices, these segments are positioned to generate increasing earnings and free cash flow in fiscal 2025. In addition, recent and ongoing ratemaking activity, along with continued investments in system modernization, is expected to drive meaningful growth in rate base and earnings at the Company’s rate-regulated segments.

As a result of these factors, the Company is initiating preliminary earnings guidance for fiscal 2025 with a range of $5.75 to $6.25 per share, or $6.00 per share at the midpoint, an increase of 19% from the midpoint of the revised fiscal 2024 guidance range.

Seneca’s fiscal 2025 net production is expected to increase to a range of 400 to 420 Bcf, an increase of 4% versus fiscal 2024 at the midpoint of the guidance range. In addition, the Company is assuming NYMEX natural gas prices of $3.25 per MMBtu for the year, which will drive expected natural gas price realizations after hedging to increase by approximately $0.20 per Mcf from estimated fiscal 2024 realizations.

Overall, Seneca has firm sales contracts in place for approximately 88% of its expected fiscal 2025 natural gas production, significantly limiting its exposure to in-basin markets. Approximately 60% of expected production is supported by financial hedges or fixed price contracts, balancing downside protection with upside opportunity. To the extent that NYMEX increases $0.25 per MMBtu for the year, we would expect earnings per share to increase by approximately $0.35 per share, whereas a decrease to prices of $0.25 per MMBtu would reduce projected earnings per share by $0.30.

In the Company’s regulated segments, the impact of the recently settled Supply Corporation rate case is expected to drive continued revenue growth in the Pipeline and Storage segment, with revenues projected to be in a range of $415 million to $435 million, which at the midpoint represents a 4% increase from the fiscal 2024 guidance range. In addition, in the Utility segment, the Company is proceeding with the rate case filed in late 2023 in its New York jurisdiction. The impact of the expected base rate increase is expected to further contribute to growing margin and net income in this segment.

The Company’s consolidated capital expenditures in fiscal 2025 are expected to be in a range of $885 million to $970 million, which is largely in line with fiscal 2024 guidance.

Capital expenditures in the Company’s rate-regulated Pipeline and Storage and Utility segments, collectively, are expected to be in the range of $295 million to $335 million for fiscal 2025, an increase of 8% from fiscal 2024 at the midpoint. Most of this spending will be focused on modernization programs that further enhance the safety, reliability, and resiliency of the Company’s critical infrastructure, and contribute to the ongoing reduction in the Company’s emissions profile. Investments in these businesses, combined with ongoing ratemaking activity to timely recovery on these investments, provide for the ability to generate stable, predictable, value-accretive returns, and are an efficient means of deploying cash flow generated across the Company to the long-term benefit of shareholders.

The Company projects fiscal 2025 capital expenditures in its Exploration and Production and Gathering segments, collectively, to be in the range of $590 million to $635 million, a decrease of $25 million, or 4%, from fiscal 2024 at the midpoint. This capital program assumes a pace of development driven by operating a single, dedicated frac fleet throughout the year. Further, Seneca plans to operate one to two horizontal rigs and intermittently operate a top hole rig. In addition, the Gathering segment will continue its multi-year build out of key centralized infrastructure in the Tioga County region, which supports Seneca’s EDA development activity.

Additional details on the Company’s updated forecast assumptions and business segment guidance for fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2025 are outlined in the table on page 8.

DISCUSSION OF THIRD QUARTER RESULTS BY SEGMENT

The following earnings discussion of each operating segment for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 is summarized in a tabular form on pages 9 and 10 of this report (earnings drivers for the nine months ended June 30, 2024 are summarized on pages 11 and 12). It may be helpful to refer to those tables while reviewing this discussion.

Note that management defines adjusted operating results as reported GAAP earnings adjusted for items impacting comparability, and adjusted EBITDA as reported GAAP earnings before the following items: interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization, other income and deductions, impairments, and other items reflected in operating income that impact comparability.

Upstream Business

Exploration and Production Segment

The Exploration and Production segment operations are carried out by Seneca. Seneca explores for, develops and produces primarily natural gas reserves in Pennsylvania.

  Three Months Ended
  June 30,
(in thousands)   2024       2023   Variance
GAAP Earnings $ (112,028)     $ 43,329   $ (155,357)  
Impairment of exploration and production properties, net of tax   145,010           145,010  
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset, net of tax   861       1,038     (177)  
Adjusted Operating Results $ 33,843     $ 44,367   $ (10,524)  
           
Adjusted EBITDA $ 128,535     $ 134,236   $ (5,701)  

Seneca’s third quarter GAAP earnings decreased $155.4 million versus the prior year. This was primarily driven by a non-cash, pre-tax impairment charge of $200.7 million ($145.0 million after-tax) to write-down the carrying value of Seneca’s reserves under the full cost method of accounting. This method requires Seneca to perform a quarterly “ceiling test” comparing the present value of future net revenues from its reserves based on an unweighted arithmetic average of first day of the month pricing for each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period (“the ceiling”) with the book value of those reserves at the balance sheet date. If the book value of the reserves exceeds the ceiling, a non-cash impairment charge must be recorded in order to reduce the book value of the reserves to the calculated ceiling. For purposes of the ceiling test, the 12-month average of first day of the month pricing for NYMEX natural gas for period ended June 30, 2024 was $2.32 per MMBtu. Seneca could potentially record non-cash impairments in future quarters depending on the commodity price environment.

Excluding this item, as well as the net impact of unrealized losses recorded quarter-over-quarter related to reductions in the fair value of contingent consideration received in connection with the June 2022 divestiture of Seneca’s California asset (see table above), Seneca’s adjusted operating results decreased $10.5 million as higher natural gas production was more than offset by increases in per unit operating expenses.

During the third quarter, Seneca produced 96.5 Bcf of natural gas, an increase of 1.8 Bcf, or 2%, from the prior year, despite the impact of approximately 5.6 Bcf of price-related curtailments due to low in-basin pricing. The increase in production was largely due to production from new Marcellus and Utica wells in Seneca’s EDA.

Seneca’s average realized natural gas price, after the impact of hedging and transportation costs, was $2.28 per Mcf, an increase of $0.01 per Mcf from the prior year. Pre-hedging realized natural gas prices decreased 10% from the prior year; however, Seneca’s hedging portfolio, which experienced a gain of $0.78 per Mcf during the quarter, more than offset this impact.

On a per unit basis, lease operating and transportation expense (“LOE”) was $0.69 per Mcf, an increase of $0.04 per Mcf from the prior year. On an absolute basis, LOE increased $4.8 million primarily due to higher transportation and gathering costs as a result of increased production. LOE included $55.0 million for gathering and compression services from the Company’s Gathering segment to connect Seneca’s production to sales points along interstate pipelines.

General and administrative (“G&A”) expense was $0.19 per Mcf, an increase of $0.02 per Mcf from the prior year. On an absolute basis, Seneca’s G&A expense increased $2.3 million primarily due to an increase in personnel costs.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) expense was $0.71 per Mcf, an increase of $0.07 per Mcf from the prior year. Absolute DD&A expense increased $8.2 million due to a higher per unit DD&A rate and higher natural gas production. The higher per unit rate was driven by an increase in Seneca’s full cost pool due to a combination of higher capitalized costs and an increase in estimated future development costs related to proved undeveloped wells.

Seneca’s all other operating and maintenance (“O&M”) expense increased $2.2 million due primarily to an increase in an accrual for estimated plugging and abandonment expenses related to certain offshore Gulf of Mexico wells that were sold by Seneca to an operator that has since gone bankrupt. As a result, a portion of the cost of abandoning the wells is expected to revert back to Seneca.

Midstream Businesses

Pipeline and Storage Segment

The Pipeline and Storage segment’s operations are carried out by Supply Corporation and Empire Pipeline, Inc. (“Empire”). The Pipeline and Storage segment provides natural gas transportation and storage services to affiliated and non-affiliated companies through an integrated system of pipelines and underground natural gas storage fields in western New York and Pennsylvania.

  Three Months Ended
  June 30,
(in thousands)   2024     2023   Variance
GAAP Earnings $ 30,690   $ 23,813   $ 6,877
           
Adjusted EBITDA $ 68,221   $ 57,636   $ 10,585

The Pipeline and Storage segment’s third quarter GAAP earnings increased $6.9 million versus the prior year primarily due to higher operating revenues, partly offset by higher O&M, DD&A, and interest expenses.

The increase in operating revenues of $13.0 million, or 14%, was primarily attributable to an increase in Supply Corporation’s transportation and storage rates effective February 1, 2024, in accordance with its rate case settlement.

O&M expense increased $1.9 million primarily due to an increase in personnel costs. The increase in DD&A expense of $0.7 million was attributable to higher average depreciable plant in service compared to the prior year, partially offset by a modest adjustment to depreciation expense related to the final regulatory approval of Supply Corporation’s rate case settlement. Interest expense increased $1.0 million primarily due to a higher average amount of net borrowings.

Gathering Segment

The Gathering segment’s operations are carried out by National Fuel Gas Midstream Company, LLC’s limited liability companies. The Gathering segment constructs, owns and operates natural gas gathering pipelines and compression facilities in the Appalachian region, which delivers Seneca and other non-affiliated Appalachian production to the interstate pipeline system.

  Three Months Ended
  June 30,
(in thousands)   2024     2023   Variance
GAAP Earnings $ 24,979   $ 24,135   $ 844
           
Adjusted EBITDA $ 47,631   $ 46,032   $ 1,599

The Gathering segment’s third quarter GAAP earnings increased $0.8 million versus the prior year primarily due to higher operating revenues, partly offset by higher DD&A expense. Operating revenues increased $1.2 million, or 2%, which was the result of a $2.2 million increase in revenue from Seneca and a $1.0 million decrease in revenue from non-affiliated parties. DD&A expense increased $0.7 million primarily due to higher average depreciable plant in service compared to the prior year.

Downstream Business

Utility Segment

The Utility segment operations are carried out by Distribution Corporation, which sells or transports natural gas to customers located in western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania.

  Three Months Ended
  June 30,
(in thousands)   2024     2023   Variance
GAAP Earnings $ 2,559   $ 37   $ 2,522
           
Adjusted EBITDA $ 21,047   $ 20,912   $ 135

The Utility segment’s third quarter GAAP earnings increased $2.5 million versus the prior year due to higher customer margins (operating revenues less purchased gas sold) and a lower effective income tax rate, partially offset by an increase in O&M and DD&A expenses.

The $3.4 million increase in customer margin for the quarter was primarily due to the impact of the base rate increase in Distribution Corporation’s Pennsylvania jurisdiction. Higher revenues from the Company’s system modernization tracking mechanisms in its New York service territory also contributed to the increase. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in customer usage due primarily to warmer weather as compared to the prior-year third quarter. Weather was 35.3% and 28.3% warmer than the prior-year third quarter in Pennsylvania and New York, respectively. As part of Distribution Corporation’s rate settlement in Pennsylvania, the Company received approval to implement a weather normalization adjustment (“WNA”), which serves to help mitigate the impact of temperature fluctuations on usage and margin revenues billed to residential and small commercial customers during the months of October through May (subject to a 3% deadband). The Company recovered approximately $1.7 million from the Pennsylvania WNA mechanism in the current quarter. Distribution Corporation continues to benefit from a WNA mechanism in its New York jurisdiction, which generated revenue of $2.1 million during the quarter, an increase of $1.4 million over the prior year, which also helped to mitigate the impact of warmer weather on margins.

O&M expense increased by $3.4 million, primarily driven by higher personnel costs largely due to an increase in headcount and a slight increase in wage rates. Increases in professional and legal fees related to the current New York rate case proceeding and higher technology-related costs also contributed to the increase. These increases were partially offset by a decline in the accrual for uncollectible accounts due to a decrease in the natural gas commodity component of customer bills. DD&A expense increased $1.4 million primarily due to higher average depreciable plant in service compared to the prior year.

The reduction in the Utility segment’s effective income tax rate was primarily driven by an increase in tax deductions related to certain repairs and maintenance expenditures as a result of updated IRS guidance published in 2023.

Corporate and All Other

The Company’s operations that are included in Corporate and All Other generated a combined net loss of $0.4 million in the current-year third quarter, which was $1.7 million lower than the combined earnings of $1.3 million in the prior-year third quarter. The reduction in earnings was primarily driven by a $1.0 million decrease in investment income on marketable securities and corporate-owned life insurance policies.

EARNINGS TELECONFERENCE

The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at 10 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss this announcement. All participants must pre-register to join this conference using the Participant Registration link. Once registered, an email will be sent with important details for this conference, as well as a unique Registrant ID. A webcast link to the conference call will be provided under the Events Calendar on the NFG Investor Relations website at investor.nationalfuelgas.com. A replay will be available following the call through the end of the day, Thursday, August 8, 2024. To access the replay, dial 1-800-770-2030 and provide Playback ID 99768.

National Fuel is an integrated energy company reporting financial results for four operating segments: Exploration and Production, Pipeline and Storage, Gathering, and Utility. Additional information about National Fuel is available at www.nationalfuelgas.com.

Certain statements contained herein, including statements identified by the use of the words “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “believes,” “seeks,” “will,” “may” and similar expressions, and statements which are other than statements of historical facts, are “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The Company’s expectations, beliefs and projections contained herein are expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that such expectations, beliefs or projections will result or be achieved or accomplished. In addition to other factors, the following are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements: impairments under the SEC’s full cost ceiling test for natural gas reserves; changes in the price of natural gas; changes in laws, regulations or judicial interpretations to which the Company is subject, including those involving derivatives, taxes, safety, employment, climate change, other environmental matters, real property, and exploration and production activities such as hydraulic fracturing; governmental/regulatory actions, initiatives and proceedings, including those involving rate cases (which address, among other things, target rates of return, rate design, retained natural gas and system modernization), environmental/safety requirements, affiliate relationships, industry structure, and franchise renewal; the Company’s ability to estimate accurately the time and resources necessary to meet emissions targets; governmental/regulatory actions and/or market pressures to reduce or eliminate reliance on natural gas; increased costs or delays or changes in plans with respect to Company projects or related projects of other companies, as well as difficulties or delays in obtaining necessary governmental approvals, permits or orders or in obtaining the cooperation of interconnecting facility operators; changes in economic conditions, including inflationary pressures, supply chain issues, liquidity challenges, and global, national or regional recessions, and their effect on the demand for, and customers’ ability to pay for, the Company’s products and services; the creditworthiness or performance of the Company’s key suppliers, customers and counterparties; financial and economic conditions, including the availability of credit, and occurrences affecting the Company’s ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms for working capital, capital expenditures and other investments, including any downgrades in the Company’s credit ratings and changes in interest rates and other capital market conditions; changes in price differentials between similar quantities of natural gas sold at different geographic locations, and the effect of such changes on commodity production, revenues and demand for pipeline transportation capacity to or from such locations; the impact of information technology disruptions, cybersecurity or data security breaches; factors affecting the Company’s ability to successfully identify, drill for and produce economically viable natural gas reserves, including among others geology, lease availability and costs, title disputes, weather conditions, water availability and disposal or recycling opportunities of used water, shortages, delays or unavailability of equipment and services required in drilling operations, insufficient gathering, processing and transportation capacity, the need to obtain governmental approvals and permits, and compliance with environmental laws and regulations; the Company’s ability to complete strategic transactions; increasing health care costs and the resulting effect on health insurance premiums and on the obligation to provide other post-retirement benefits; other changes in price differentials between similar quantities of natural gas having different quality, heating value, hydrocarbon mix or delivery date; the cost and effects of legal and administrative claims against the Company or activist shareholder campaigns to effect changes at the Company; negotiations with the collective bargaining units representing the Company’s workforce, including potential work stoppages during negotiations; uncertainty of natural gas reserve estimates; significant differences between the Company’s projected and actual production levels for natural gas; changes in demographic patterns and weather conditions (including those related to climate change); changes in the availability, price or accounting treatment of derivative financial instruments; changes in laws, actuarial assumptions, the interest rate environment and the return on plan/trust assets related to the Company’s pension and other post-retirement benefits, which can affect future funding obligations and costs and plan liabilities; economic disruptions or uninsured losses resulting from major accidents, fires, severe weather, natural disasters, terrorist activities or acts of war, as well as economic and operational disruptions due to third-party outages; significant differences between the Company’s projected and actual capital expenditures and operating expenses; or increasing costs of insurance, changes in coverage and the ability to obtain insurance. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date thereof.

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES

GUIDANCE SUMMARY

As discussed on page 2, the Company is revising its earnings guidance for fiscal 2024 and initiating guidance for fiscal 2025. Additional details on the Company’s forecast assumptions and business segment guidance for fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2025 are outlined in the table below.

The revised earnings guidance range does not include the impact of certain items that impacted the comparability of earnings during the nine months ended June 30, 2024, including: (1) the after tax impairment of exploration and production properties, which reduced earnings by $1.57 per share; (2) after-tax unrealized losses on a derivative asset, which reduced earnings by $0.04 per share; and (3) after-tax unrealized gains on other investments, which increased earnings by $0.02 per share. While the Company expects to record certain adjustments to unrealized gain or loss on a derivative asset and unrealized gain or loss on investments during the three months ending September 30, 2024, the amounts of these and other potential adjustments and charges, including ceiling test impairments, are not reasonably determinable at this time. As such, the Company is unable to provide earnings guidance other than on a non-GAAP basis.

  Updated FY 2024 Guidance   Preliminary FY 2025 Guidance
Adjusted Consolidated Earnings per Share, excluding items impacting comparability $5.00 to $5.10   $5.75 to $6.25
Consolidated Effective Tax Rate ~ 24.5%   ~ 24.5 – 25%
       
Capital Expenditures (Millions)      
Exploration and Production $525 – $545   $495 – $525
Pipeline and Storage $120 – $140   $130 – $150
Gathering $95 – $110   $95 – $110
Utility $150 – $175   $165 – $185
Consolidated Capital Expenditures $890 – $970   $885 – $970
       
Exploration and Production Segment Guidance*      
       
Commodity Price Assumptions      
NYMEX natural gas price $2.40 /MMBtu   $3.25 /MMBtu
Appalachian basin spot price $1.50 /MMBtu   $2.30 /MMBtu
       
Production (Bcf) 390 to 400   400 to 420
       
E&P Operating Costs ($/Mcf)      
LOE ~ $0.69   $0.68 – $0.70
G&A ~ $0.18   $0.18 – $0.19
DD&A $0.70 – $0.72   $0.70 – $0.74
       
Other Business Segment Guidance (Millions)      
Gathering Segment Revenues $240 – $250   $245 – $255
Pipeline and Storage Segment Revenues $400 – $415   $415 – $435

* Fiscal 2024 commodity price assumptions are for the remaining three months of the fiscal year.

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS
QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
                       
  Upstream   Midstream   Downstream        
                       
  Exploration &   Pipeline &           Corporate /    
(Thousands of Dollars) Production   Storage   Gathering   Utility   All Other   Consolidated*
                       
Third quarter 2023 GAAP earnings $ 43,329     $ 23,813     $ 24,135     $ 37     $ 1,306     $ 92,620  
Items impacting comparability:                      
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset   1,430                       1,430  
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset   (392)                       (392)  
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments                   (355)       (355)  
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on other investments                   74       74  
Third quarter 2023 adjusted operating results   44,367       23,813       24,135       37       1,025       93,377  
Drivers of adjusted operating results**                      
Upstream Revenues                      
Higher (lower) natural gas production   3,158                       3,158  
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging   248                       248  
Midstream Revenues                      
Higher (lower) operating revenues       10,289       959               11,248  
Downstream Margins***                      
Impact of usage and weather               (2,404)           (2,404)  
Impact of new rates in Pennsylvania               2,285           2,285  
System modernization and improvement tracker revenues               3,528           3,528  
Higher (lower) other operating revenues               (435)           (435)  
Operating Expenses                      
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses   (3,765)                       (3,765)  
Lower (higher) operating expenses   (3,558)       (1,518)       369       (2,711)       (435)       (7,853)  
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes   (596)                       (596)  
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion   (6,473)       (570)       (589)       (1,087)           (8,719)  
Other Income (Expense)                      
Higher (lower) other income                   (623)       (623)  
(Higher) lower interest expense   (823)       (776)                   (1,599)  
Income Taxes                      
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate   1,413       (510)       (22)       3,290       (142)       4,029  
All other / rounding   (128)       (38)       127       56       (171)       (154)  
Third quarter 2024 adjusted operating results   33,843       30,690       24,979       2,559       (346)       91,725  
Items impacting comparability:                      
Impairment of exploration and production properties   (200,696)                       (200,696)  
Tax impact of impairment of exploration and production properties   55,686                       55,686  
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative asset   (1,186)                       (1,186)  
Tax impact of unrealized gain (loss) on derivative asset   325                       325  
Unrealized gain (loss) on other investments                   (15)       (15)  
Tax impact of unrealized gain (loss) on other investments                   3       3  
Third quarter 2024 GAAP earnings $ (112,028)     $ 30,690     $ 24,979     $ 2,559     $ (358)     $ (54,158)  
                       
* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations.                      
** Drivers of adjusted operating results have been calculated using the 21% federal statutory rate.
*** Downstream margin defined as operating revenues less purchased gas expense.
 
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS PER SHARE
QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
                       
  Upstream   Midstream   Downstream        
                       
  Exploration &   Pipeline &           Corporate /    
  Production   Storage   Gathering   Utility   All Other   Consolidated*
                       
Third quarter 2023 GAAP earnings per share $ 0.47     $ 0.26     $ 0.26     $     $ 0.01     $ 1.00  
Items impacting comparability:                      
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset, net of tax   0.01                       0.01  
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, net of tax                          
Third quarter 2023 adjusted operating results per share   0.48       0.26       0.26             0.01       1.01  
Drivers of adjusted operating results**                      
Upstream Revenues                      
Higher (lower) natural gas production   0.03                       0.03  
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging                          
Midstream Revenues                      
Higher (lower) operating revenues       0.11       0.01               0.12  
Downstream Margins***                      
Impact of usage and weather               (0.03)           (0.03)  
Impact of new rates in Pennsylvania               0.02           0.02  
System modernization and improvement tracker revenues               0.04           0.04  
Higher (lower) other operating revenues                          
Operating Expenses                      
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses   (0.04)                       (0.04)  
Lower (higher) operating expenses   (0.04)       (0.02)             (0.03)             (0.09)  
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes   (0.01)                       (0.01)  
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion   (0.07)       (0.01)       (0.01)       (0.01)           (0.10)  
Other Income (Expense)                      
Higher (lower) other income                   (0.01)       (0.01)  
(Higher) lower interest expense   (0.01)       (0.01)                   (0.02)  
Income Taxes                      
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate   0.02       (0.01)             0.04             0.05  
All other / rounding   0.01       0.01       0.01             (0.01)       0.02  
Third quarter 2024 adjusted operating results per share   0.37       0.33       0.27       0.03       (0.01)       0.99  
Items impacting comparability:                      
Impairment of exploration and production properties, net of tax   (1.58)                       (1.58)  
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative asset, net of tax   (0.01)                       (0.01)  
Unrealized gain (loss) on other investments, net of tax                          
Rounding                   0.01       0.01  
Third quarter 2024 GAAP earnings per share $ (1.22)     $ 0.33     $ 0.27     $ 0.03     $     $ (0.59)  
                       
* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations.                      
** Drivers of adjusted operating results have been calculated using the 21% federal statutory rate.
*** Downstream margin defined as operating revenues less purchased gas expense.
 
                       
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS
NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
                       
  Upstream   Midstream   Downstream        
                       
  Exploration &   Pipeline &           Corporate /    
(Thousands of Dollars) Production   Storage   Gathering   Utility   All Other   Consolidated*
Nine months ended June 30, 2023 GAAP earnings $ 195,503     $ 77,147     $ 73,207     $ 55,574     $ 1,758     $ 403,189  
Items impacting comparability:                      
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset   3,702                       3,702  
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset   (1,015)                       (1,015)  
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments                   (1,632)       (1,632)  
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on other investments                   343       343  
Nine months ended June 30, 2023 adjusted operating results   198,190       77,147       73,207       55,574       469       404,587  
Drivers of adjusted operating results**                      
Upstream Revenues                      
Higher (lower) natural gas production   44,664                       44,664  
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging   (39,994)                       (39,994)  
Higher (lower) other operating revenues   (3,607)                       (3,607)  
Midstream Revenues                      
Higher (lower) operating revenues       17,931       11,377               29,308  
Downstream Margins***                      
Impact of usage and weather               (710)           (710)  
Impact of new rates in Pennsylvania               17,663           17,663  
System modernization and improvement tracker revenues               6,210           6,210  
Regulatory revenue adjustments               (2,119)           (2,119)  
Higher (lower) other operating revenues               (1,923)           (1,923)  
Operating Expenses                      
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses   (11,197)                       (11,197)  
Lower (higher) operating expenses   (7,903)       (4,456)           (7,725)       (1,578)       (21,662)  
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes   3,301                       3,301  
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion   (31,161)       (2,594)       (1,728)       (2,570)           (38,053)  
Other Income (Expense)                      
Higher (lower) other income       1,260           1,283       (1,794)       749  
(Higher) lower interest expense   (4,738)       (2,367)       578           1,906       (4,621)  
Income Taxes                      
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate   2,895       (845)       (1,003)       7,535       64       8,646  
All other / rounding   599       (594)       79       630       282       996  
Nine months ended June 30, 2024 adjusted operating results   151,049       85,482       82,510       73,848       (651)       392,238  
Items impacting comparability:                      
Impairment of exploration and production properties   (200,696)                       (200,696)  
Tax impact of impairment of exploration and production properties   55,686                       55,686  
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative asset   (4,848)                       (4,848)  
Tax impact of unrealized gain (loss) on derivative asset   1,330                       1,330  
Unrealized gain (loss) on other investments                   1,803       1,803  
Tax impact of unrealized gain (loss) on other investments                   (379)       (379)  
Nine months ended June 30, 2024 GAAP earnings $ 2,521     $ 85,482     $ 82,510     $ 73,848     $ 773     $ 245,134  
                       
* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations.                      
** Drivers of adjusted operating results have been calculated using the 21% federal statutory rate.
*** Downstream margin defined as operating revenues less purchased gas expense.
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS PER SHARE
NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
                       
  Upstream   Midstream   Downstream        
                       
  Exploration &   Pipeline &           Corporate /    
  Production   Storage   Gathering   Utility   All Other   Consolidated*
Nine months ended June 30, 2023 GAAP earnings per share $ 2.12     $ 0.84     $ 0.79     $ 0.60     $ 0.02     $ 4.37  
Items impacting comparability:                      
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset, net of tax   0.03                       0.03  
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, net of tax                   (0.01)       (0.01)  
Rounding                   (0.01)       (0.01)  
Nine months ended June 30, 2023 adjusted operating results per share   2.15       0.84       0.79       0.60             4.38  
Drivers of adjusted operating results**                      
Upstream Revenues                      
Higher (lower) natural gas production   0.48                       0.48  
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging   (0.43)                       (0.43)  
Higher (lower) other operating revenues   (0.04)                       (0.04)  
Midstream Revenues                      
Higher (lower) operating revenues       0.19       0.12               0.31  
Downstream Margins***                      
Impact of usage and weather               (0.01)           (0.01)  
Impact of new rates in Pennsylvania               0.19           0.19  
System modernization and improvement tracker revenues               0.07           0.07  
Regulatory revenue adjustments               (0.02)           (0.02)  
Higher (lower) other operating revenues               (0.02)           (0.02)  
Operating Expenses                      
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses   (0.12)                       (0.12)  
Lower (higher) operating expenses   (0.09)       (0.05)           (0.08)       (0.02)       (0.24)  
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes   0.04                       0.04  
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion   (0.34)       (0.03)       (0.02)       (0.03)           (0.42)  
Other Income (Expense)                      
Higher (lower) other income       0.01           0.01       (0.02)        
(Higher) lower interest expense   (0.05)       (0.03)       0.01           0.02       (0.05)  
Income Taxes                      
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate   0.03       (0.01)       (0.01)       0.08             0.09  
All other / rounding                     0.01       0.02       0.03  
Nine months ended June 30, 2024 adjusted operating results per share   1.63       0.92       0.89       0.80             4.24  
Items impacting comparability:                      
Impairment of exploration and production properties, net of tax   (1.57)                       (1.57)  
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative asset, net of tax   (0.04)                       (0.04)  
Unrealized gain (loss) on other investments, net of tax                   0.02       0.02  
Rounding   0.01                   (0.01)        
Nine months ended June 30, 2024 GAAP earnings per share $ 0.03     $ 0.92     $ 0.89     $ 0.80     $ 0.01     $ 2.65  
                       
* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations.                      
** Drivers of adjusted operating results have been calculated using the 21% federal statutory rate.
*** Downstream margin defined as operating revenues less purchased gas expense.
               
               
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
               
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts)              
  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  June 30,   June 30,
  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS   2024       2023       2024       2023  
Operating Revenues:              
Utility Revenues $ 124,858     $ 144,538     $ 616,977     $ 862,914  
Exploration and Production and Other Revenues   220,905       216,581       739,537       738,107  
Pipeline and Storage and Gathering Revenues   71,679       67,585       216,228       203,803  
    417,442       428,704       1,572,742       1,804,824  
Operating Expenses:              
Purchased Gas   4,952       35,425       167,444       450,461  
Operation and Maintenance:              
Utility   53,412       50,080       166,405       156,885  
Exploration and Production and Other   35,148       27,659       102,768       86,315  
Pipeline and Storage and Gathering   40,019       38,607       114,321       109,347  
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes   21,201       20,427       66,635       71,999  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization   113,454       102,410       348,179       299,973  
Impairment of Exploration and Production Properties   200,696             200,696        
    468,882       274,608       1,166,448       1,174,980  
               
Operating Income (Loss)   (51,440)       154,096       406,294       629,844  
               
Other Income (Expense):              
Other Income (Deductions)   3,188       3,551       12,989       12,754  
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt   (32,876)       (26,311)       (89,791)       (83,499)  
Other Interest Expense   (1,341)       (5,781)       (14,250)       (15,485)  
               
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes   (82,469)       125,555       315,242       543,614  
               
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)   (28,311)       32,935       70,108       140,425  
               
Net Income (Loss) Available for Common Stock $ (54,158)     $ 92,620     $ 245,134     $ 403,189  
               
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share              
Basic $ (0.59)     $ 1.01     $ 2.67     $ 4.40  
Diluted $ (0.59)     $ 1.00     $ 2.65     $ 4.37  
               
Weighted Average Common Shares:              
Used in Basic Calculation   91,874,049       91,803,638       91,966,034       91,725,286  
Used in Diluted Calculation   91,874,049       92,294,666       92,467,787       92,268,904  
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
   
  June 30,   September 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)   2024     2023  
ASSETS      
Property, Plant and Equipment $14,245,690   $13,635,303  
Less – Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization   6,834,824     6,335,441  
Net Property, Plant and Equipment   7,410,866     7,299,862  
Current Assets:      
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments   81,414     55,447  
Receivables – Net   156,846     160,601  
Unbilled Revenue   15,032     16,622  
Gas Stored Underground   14,186     32,509  
Materials and Supplies – at average cost   48,331     48,989  
Other Current Assets   82,923     100,260  
Total Current Assets   398,732     414,428  
Other Assets:      
Recoverable Future Taxes   80,820     69,045  
Unamortized Debt Expense   6,007     7,240  
Other Regulatory Assets   73,934     72,138  
Deferred Charges   89,740     82,416  
Other Investments   79,547     73,976  
Goodwill   5,476     5,476  
Prepaid Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Costs   230,591     200,301  
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments   100,317     50,487  
Other   5,007     4,891  
Total Other Assets   671,439     565,970  
Total Assets $8,481,037   $8,280,260  
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES      
Capitalization:      
Comprehensive Shareholders’ Equity      
Common Stock, $1 Par Value Authorized – 200,000,000 Shares; Issued and      
Outstanding – 91,612,488 Shares and 91,819,405 Shares, Respectively $91,612   $91,819  
Paid in Capital   1,046,479     1,040,761  
Earnings Reinvested in the Business   1,970,384     1,885,856  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)   5,050     (55,060)  
Total Comprehensive Shareholders’ Equity   3,113,525     2,963,376  
Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Portion and Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs   2,637,115     2,384,485  
Total Capitalization   5,750,640     5,347,861  
Current and Accrued Liabilities:      
Notes Payable to Banks and Commercial Paper       287,500  
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt   50,000      
Accounts Payable   101,200     152,193  
Amounts Payable to Customers   62,569     59,019  
Dividends Payable   47,195     45,451  
Interest Payable on Long-Term Debt   46,926     20,399  
Customer Advances       21,003  
Customer Security Deposits   36,674     28,764  
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities   169,133     160,974  
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments   2,941     31,009  
Total Current and Accrued Liabilities   516,638     806,312  
Other Liabilities:      
Deferred Income Taxes   1,172,068     1,124,170  
Taxes Refundable to Customers   302,733     268,562  
Cost of Removal Regulatory Liability   289,356     277,694  
Other Regulatory Liabilities   164,390     165,441  
Other Post-Retirement Liabilities   2,741     2,915  
Asset Retirement Obligations   157,653     165,492  
Other Liabilities   124,818     121,813  
Total Other Liabilities   2,213,759     2,126,087  
Commitments and Contingencies        
Total Capitalization and Liabilities $8,481,037   $8,280,260  
         
         
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
    Nine Months Ended
    June 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)     2024       2023  
         
Operating Activities:        
Net Income Available for Common Stock   $ 245,134     $ 403,189  
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
Provided by Operating Activities:
       
Impairment of Exploration and Production Properties     200,696        
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization     348,179       299,973  
Deferred Income Taxes     47,212       101,096  
Stock-Based Compensation     15,984       15,807  
Other     18,542       16,640  
Change in:        
Receivables and Unbilled Revenue     5,253       192,324  
Gas Stored Underground and Materials and Supplies     18,981       11,757  
Unrecovered Purchased Gas Costs           75,244  
Other Current Assets     17,431       (12,230)  
Accounts Payable     (13,705)       (52,340)  
Amounts Payable to Customers     3,550       21,972  
Customer Advances     (21,003)       (26,108)  
Customer Security Deposits     7,910       9,741  
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities     23,846       45,363  
Other Assets     (35,346)       (39,367)  
Other Liabilities     (14,649)       (7,949)  
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities   $ 868,015     $ 1,055,112  
         
Investing Activities:        
Capital Expenditures   $ (684,200)     $ (727,738)  
Acquisition of Upstream Assets           (124,758)  
Sale of Fixed Income Mutual Fund Shares in Grantor Trust           10,000  
Other     (1,371)       13,397  
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities   $ (685,571)     $ (829,099)  
         
Financing Activities:        
Proceeds from Issuance of Short-Term Note Payable to Bank   $     $ 250,000  
Repayment of Short-Term Note Payable to Bank           (250,000)  
Net Change in Other Short-Term Notes Payable to Banks and Commercial Paper     (287,500)       78,500  
Shares Repurchased Under Repurchase Plan     (27,847)        
Reduction of Long-Term Debt           (549,000)  
Net Proceeds From Issuance of Long-Term Debt     299,396       297,533  
Dividends Paid on Common Stock     (136,610)       (130,653)  
Net Repurchases of Common Stock Under Stock and Benefit Plans     (3,916)       (6,696)  
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities   $ (156,477)     $ (310,316)  
         
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash     25,967       (84,303)  
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period     55,447       137,718  
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at June 30   $ 81,414     $ 53,415  
                   
                   
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND STATISTICS
(UNAUDITED)
                   
UPSTREAM BUSINESS
                   
                   
  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts) June 30,   June 30,
EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SEGMENT   2024       2023     Variance     2024     2023   Variance
Total Operating Revenues $ 220,905     $ 216,581     $ 4,324     $ 739,537   $ 738,107   $ 1,430  
Operating Expenses:                  
Operation and Maintenance:                  
General and Administrative Expense   18,213       15,877       2,336       53,170     48,910     4,260  
Lease Operating and Transportation Expense   66,581       61,815       4,766       203,317     189,144     14,173  
All Other Operation and Maintenance Expense   4,526       2,358       2,168       12,714     6,970     5,744  
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes   3,050       2,295       755       9,764     13,943     (4,179)  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization   68,778       60,584       8,194       214,191     174,747     39,444  
Impairment of Exploration and Production Properties   200,696             200,696       200,696         200,696  
    361,844       142,929       218,915       693,852     433,714     260,138  
                   
Operating Income (Loss)   (140,939)       73,652       (214,591)       45,685     304,393     (258,708)  
                   
Other Income (Expense):                  
Non-Service Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Credit   100       347       (247)       301     1,042     (741)  
Interest and Other Income (Deductions)   (488)       (806)       318       (830)     (1,098)     268  
Interest Expense   (14,670)       (13,628)       (1,042)       (45,046)     (39,049)     (5,997)  
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes   (155,997)       59,565       (215,562)       110     265,288     (265,178)  
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)   (43,969)       16,236       (60,205)       (2,411)     69,785     (72,196)  
Net Income (Loss) $ (112,028)     $ 43,329     $ (155,357)     $ 2,521   $ 195,503   $ (192,982)  
Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Diluted) $ (1.22)     $ 0.47     $ (1.69)     $ 0.03   $ 2.12   $ (2.09)  
                   
                   
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND STATISTICS
(UNAUDITED)
                   
MIDSTREAM BUSINESSES
                   
  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts) June 30,   June 30,
PIPELINE AND STORAGE SEGMENT   2024       2023     Variance     2024     2023   Variance
Revenues from External Customers $ 68,035     $ 62,956     $ 5,079     $ 204,071   $ 194,800   $ 9,271  
Intersegment Revenues   37,384       29,439       7,945       103,781     90,354     13,427  
Total Operating Revenues   105,419       92,395       13,024       307,852     285,154     22,698  
Operating Expenses:                  
Purchased Gas   614       223       391       1,540     1,111     429  
Operation and Maintenance   28,128       26,207       1,921       83,142     77,501     5,641  
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes   8,456       8,329       127       25,776     25,452     324  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization   18,453       17,732       721       56,157     52,874     3,283  
    55,651       52,491       3,160       166,615     156,938     9,677  
                   
Operating Income   49,768       39,904       9,864       141,237     128,216     13,021  
                   
Other Income (Expense):                  
Non-Service Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Credit   1,257       1,330       (73)       3,772     3,990     (218)  
Interest and Other Income   2,362       1,831       531       6,340     4,653     1,687  
Interest Expense   (11,855)       (10,873)       (982)       (35,698)     (32,702)     (2,996)  
Income Before Income Taxes   41,532       32,192       9,340       115,651     104,157     11,494  
Income Tax Expense   10,842       8,379       2,463       30,169     27,010     3,159  
Net Income $ 30,690     $ 23,813     $ 6,877     $ 85,482   $ 77,147   $ 8,335  
Net Income Per Share (Diluted) $ 0.33     $ 0.26     $ 0.07     $ 0.92   $ 0.84   $ 0.08  
                   
                   
  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  June 30,   June 30,
GATHERING SEGMENT   2024       2023     Variance     2024     2023   Variance
Revenues from External Customers $ 3,644     $ 4,629     $ (985)     $ 12,157   $ 9,003   $ 3,154  
Intersegment Revenues   56,476       54,277       2,199       174,544     163,297     11,247  
Total Operating Revenues   60,120       58,906       1,214       186,701     172,300     14,401  
Operating Expenses:                  
Operation and Maintenance   12,382       12,849       (467)       32,682     33,252     (570)  
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes   107       25       82       224     39     185  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization   9,732       8,987       745       28,800     26,613     2,187  
    22,221       21,861       360       61,706     59,904     1,802  
                   
Operating Income   37,899       37,045       854       124,995     112,396     12,599  
                   
Other Income (Expense):                  
Non-Service Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Credit   9       37       (28)       28     112     (84 )
Interest and Other Income   113       63       50       257     458     (201 )
Interest Expense   (3,393)       (3,613)       220       (10,824)     (11,556)     732  
Income Before Income Taxes   34,628       33,532       1,096       114,456     101,410     13,046  
Income Tax Expense   9,649       9,397       252       31,946     28,203     3,743  
Net Income $ 24,979     $ 24,135     $ 844     $ 82,510   $ 73,207   $ 9,303  
Net Income Per Share (Diluted) $ 0.27     $ 0.26     $ 0.01     $ 0.89   $ 0.79   $ 0.10  
                   
                   
                   
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND STATISTICS
(UNAUDITED)
                   
DOWNSTREAM BUSINESS
                   
                   
  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts) June 30,   June 30,
UTILITY SEGMENT   2024       2023     Variance     2024     2023   Variance
Revenues from External Customers $ 124,858     $ 144,538     $ (19,680)     $ 616,977   $ 862,914   $ (245,937)  
Intersegment Revenues   86       79       7       479     500     (21)  
Total Operating Revenues   124,944       144,617       (19,673)       617,456     863,414     (245,958)  
Operating Expenses:                  
Purchased Gas   40,096       63,151       (23,055)       264,983     533,452     (268,469)  
Operation and Maintenance   54,349       50,915       3,434       169,261     159,483     9,778  
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes   9,452       9,639       (187)       30,471     32,169     (1,698)  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization   16,373       14,997       1,376       48,678     45,425     3,253  
    120,270       138,702       (18,432)       513,393     770,529     (257,136)  
                   
Operating Income   4,674       5,915       (1,241)       104,063     92,885     11,178  
                   
Other Income (Expense):                  
Non-Service Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Credit (Costs)   462       8       454       1,788     (5)     1,793  
Interest and Other Income   1,485       1,694       (209)       4,735     4,903     (168)  
Interest Expense   (8,417)       (8,441)       24       (25,402)     (26,193)     791  
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes   (1,796)       (824)       (972)       85,184     71,590     13,594  
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)   (4,355)       (861)       (3,494)       11,336     16,016     (4,680)  
Net Income $ 2,559     $ 37     $ 2,522     $ 73,848   $ 55,574   $ 18,274  
Net Income Per Share (Diluted) $ 0.03     $     $ 0.03     $ 0.80   $ 0.60   $ 0.20  
                   
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND STATISTICS
(UNAUDITED)
                   
  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts) June 30,   June 30,
ALL OTHER   2024       2023     Variance     2024     2023   Variance
Total Operating Revenues $     $     $     $   $   $  
Operating Expenses:                  
Operation and Maintenance                         21     (21)  
                          21     (21)  
                   
Operating Loss                         (21)     21  
Other Income (Expense):                  
Interest and Other Income (Deductions)   (65)       (65)             (184)     (451)     267  
Interest Expense   (97)       (41)       (56)       (262)     (89)     (173)  
Loss before Income Taxes   (162)       (106)       (56)       (446)     (561)     115  
Income Tax Benefit   (38)       (25)       (13)       (105)     (131)     26  
Net Loss $ (124)     $ (81)     $ (43)     $ (341)   $ (430)   $ 89  
Net Loss Per Share (Diluted) $     $     $     $   $   $  
           
  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  June 30,   June 30,
CORPORATE   2024       2023     Variance     2024     2023   Variance
Revenues from External Customers $     $     $     $   $   $  
Intersegment Revenues   1,285       1,152       133       3,856     3,455     401  
Total Operating Revenues   1,285       1,152       133       3,856     3,455     401  
Operating Expenses:                  
Operation and Maintenance   3,873       3,323       550       12,789     10,770     2,019  
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes   136       139       (3)       400     396     4  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization   118       110       8       353     314     39  
    4,127       3,572       555       13,542     11,480     2,062  
                   
Operating Loss   (2,842)       (2,420)       (422)       (9,686)     (8,025)     (1,661 )
Other Income (Expense):                  
Non-Service Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Costs   (386)       (354)       (32)       (1,161)     (1,063)     (98 )
Interest and Other Income   39,025       36,312       2,713       120,288     111,598     8,690  
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt   (32,876)       (26,311)       (6,565)       (89,791)     (83,499)     (6,292 )
Other Interest Expense   (3,595)       (6,031)       2,436       (19,363)     (17,281)     (2,082 )
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes   (674)       1,196       (1,870)       287     1,730     (1,443 )
Income Tax Benefit   (440)       (191)       (249)       (827)     (458)     (369 )
Net Income (Loss) $ (234)     $ 1,387     $ (1,621)     $ 1,114   $ 2,188   $ (1,074 )
Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Diluted) $     $ 0.01     $ (0.01)     $ 0.01   $ 0.02   $ (0.01 )
                   
                   
  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  June 30,   June 30,
INTERSEGMENT ELIMINATIONS   2024       2023     Variance     2024     2023   Variance
Intersegment Revenues $ (95,231)     $ (84,947)     $ (10,284)     $ (282,660)   $ (257,606)   $ (25,054)  
Operating Expenses:                  
Purchased Gas   (35,758)       (27,949)       (7,809)       (99,079)     (84,102)     (14,977)  
Operation and Maintenance   (59,473)       (56,998)       (2,475)       (183,581)     (173,504)     (10,077)  
    (95,231)       (84,947)       (10,284)       (282,660)     (257,606)     (25,054)  
Operating Income                              
Other Income (Expense):                  
Interest and Other Deductions   (40,686)       (36,846)       (3,840)       (122,345)     (111,385)     (10,960)  
Interest Expense   40,686       36,846       3,840       122,345     111,385     10,960  
Net Income $     $     $     $   $   $  
Net Income Per Share (Diluted) $     $     $     $   $   $  
                       
                       
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       
SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)
(Thousands of Dollars)
                       
  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  June 30,   June 30,
  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
          Increase           Increase
    2024     2023   (Decrease)     2024     2023   (Decrease)
                       
Capital Expenditures:                      
Exploration and Production(1) $ 114,679 (2) $ 269,171 (4) $ (154,492)     $ 399,820 (2)(3) $ 592,787 (4)(5) $ (192,967)  
Pipeline and Storage   26,212 (2)   33,503 (4)   (7,291)       68,791 (2)(3)   66,767 (4)(5)   2,024  
Gathering   29,570 (2)   21,297 (4)   8,273       69,088 (2)(3)   55,379 (4)(5)   13,709  
Utility   49,257 (2)   39,446 (4)   9,811       117,508 (2)(3)   88,676 (4)(5)   28,832  
Total Reportable Segments   219,718     363,417     (143,699)       655,207     803,609     (148,402)  
All Other                          
Corporate   71     45     26       253     449     (196)  
Total Capital Expenditures $ 219,789   $ 363,462   $ (143,673)     $ 655,460   $ 804,058   $ (148,598)  

(1) The quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2024 includes $6.2 million related to the acquisition of assets from UGI. The quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2023 includes $124.8 million related to the acquisition of upstream assets acquired from SWN, as well as $11.5 million related to the acquisition of assets from EXCO. The acquisition cost for the assets acquired from SWN is reported as a component of Acquisition of Upstream Assets on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

(2) Capital expenditures for the quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2024, include accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to capital expenditures of $50.9 million, $7.0 million, $14.6 million, and $8.0 million in the Exploration and Production segment, Pipeline and Storage segment, Gathering segment and Utility segment, respectively. These amounts have been excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at June 30, 2024, since they represent non-cash investing activities at that date.

(3) Capital expenditures for the nine months ended June 30, 2024, exclude capital expenditures of $43.2 million, $31.8 million, $20.6 million and $13.6 million in the Exploration and Production segment, Pipeline and Storage segment, Gathering segment and Utility segment, respectively. These amounts were in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at September 30, 2023 and paid during the nine months ended June 30, 2024. These amounts were excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at September 30, 2023, since they represented non-cash investing activities at that date. These amounts have been included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at June 30, 2024.

(4) Capital expenditures for the quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2023, include accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to capital expenditures of $52.8 million, $7.7 million, $2.8 million, and $8.5 million in the Exploration and Production segment, Pipeline and Storage segment, Gathering segment and Utility segment, respectively. These amounts were excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at June 30, 2023, since they represented non-cash investing activities at that date.

(5) Capital expenditures for the nine months ended June 30, 2023, exclude capital expenditures of $83.0 million, $15.2 million, $10.7 million and $11.4 million in the Exploration and Production segment, Pipeline and Storage segment, Gathering segment and Utility segment, respectively. These amounts were in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at September 30, 2022 and paid during the nine months ended June 30, 2023. These amounts were excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at September 30, 2022, since they represented non-cash investing activities at that date. These amounts have been included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at June 30, 2023.

                   
DEGREE DAYS                  
              Percent Colder
              (Warmer) Than:
Three Months Ended June 30, Normal   2024   2023   Normal (1)   Last Year (1)
Buffalo, NY 912   565   788   (38.0)     (28.3)  
Erie, PA(2) 776   519   802   (33.1)     (35.3)  
                   
Nine Months Ended June 30,                  
Buffalo, NY 6,491   5,128   5,656   (21.0)     (9.3)  
Erie, PA(2) 5,727   4,759   5,434   (16.9)     (12.4)  
                   

(1) Percents compare actual 2024 degree days to normal degree days and actual 2024 degree days to actual 2023 degree days.
(2) Normal degree days changed from NOAA 30-year degree days to NOAA 15-year degree days with the implementation of new base rates in Pennsylvania in August 2023.

                         
                         
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         
EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION INFORMATION
                         
                         
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
            Increase           Increase
      2024     2023   (Decrease)     2024     2023   (Decrease)
                         
Gas Production/Prices:                        
Production (MMcf)                        
Appalachia     96,504     94,747     1,757       300,144     278,562     21,582  
                         
Average Prices (Per Mcf)                        
Weighted Average   $ 1.50   $ 1.66   $ (0.16)     $ 1.93   $ 3.05   $ (1.12 )
Weighted Average after Hedging     2.28     2.27     0.01       2.45     2.62     (0.17 )
                         
Selected Operating Performance Statistics:                        
General and Administrative Expense per Mcf (1)   $ 0.19   $ 0.17   $ 0.02     $ 0.18   $ 0.18   $  
Lease Operating and Transportation Expense per Mcf (1)(2)   $ 0.69   $ 0.65   $ 0.04     $ 0.68   $ 0.68   $  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization per Mcf (1)   $ 0.71   $ 0.64   $ 0.07     $ 0.71   $ 0.63   $ 0.08  
                         

(1) Refer to page 16 for the General and Administrative Expense, Lease Operating and Transportation Expense and Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization Expense for the Exploration and Production segment.

(2) Amounts include transportation expense of $0.59 and $0.55 per Mcf for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, respectively. Amounts include transportation expense of $0.57 and $0.57 per Mcf for the nine months ended June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, respectively.
  

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
             
EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION INFORMATION
 
Hedging Summary for Remaining Three Months of Fiscal 2024   Volume     Average Hedge Price
Gas Swaps            
NYMEX   38,670,000 MMBTU   $ 3.35 / MMBTU
No Cost Collars   14,400,000 MMBTU   $ 3.22 / MMBTU (Floor) / $3.79 / MMBTU (Ceiling)
Fixed Price Physical Sales   18,576,729 MMBTU   $ 2.43 / MMBTU
Total   71,646,729 MMBTU      
             
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2025   Volume     Average Hedge Price
Gas Swaps            
NYMEX   115,030,000 MMBTU   $ 3.49 / MMBTU
No Cost Collars   57,085,000 MMBTU   $ 3.44 / MMBTU (Floor) / $4.54 / MMBTU (Ceiling)
Fixed Price Physical Sales   80,477,792 MMBTU   $ 2.48 / MMBTU
Total   252,592,792 MMBTU      
             
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2026   Volume     Average Hedge Price
Gas Swaps            
NYMEX   40,635,000 MMBTU   $ 3.95 / MMBTU
No Cost Collars   50,595,000 MMBTU   $ 3.48 / MMBTU (Floor) / $4.68 / MMBTU (Ceiling)
Fixed Price Physical Sales   76,661,112 MMBTU   $ 2.44 / MMBTU
Total   167,891,112 MMBTU      
             
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2027   Volume     Average Hedge Price
Gas Swaps            
NYMEX   21,750,000 MMBTU   $ 4.16 / MMBTU
No Cost Collars   3,560,000 MMBTU   $ 3.53 / MMBTU (Floor) / $4.76 / MMBTU (Ceiling)
Fixed Price Physical Sales   59,118,055 MMBTU   $ 2.50 / MMBTU
Total   84,428,055 MMBTU      
             
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2028   Volume     Average Hedge Price
Gas Swaps            
NYMEX   1,750,000 MMBTU   $ 4.16 / MMBTU
Fixed Price Physical Sales   21,987,828 MMBTU   $ 2.68 / MMBTU
Total   23,737,828 MMBTU      
             
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2029   Volume     Average Hedge Price
Fixed Price Physical Sales   7,051,614 MMBTU   $ 2.88 / MMBTU
             
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2030   Volume     Average Hedge Price
Fixed Price Physical Sales   266,314 MMBTU   $ 2.92 / MMBTU
                         
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         
                         
                         
Pipeline and Storage Throughput – (millions of cubic feet – MMcf)        
                         
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
            Increase           Increase
    2024   2023   (Decrease)   2024   2023   (Decrease)
Firm Transportation – Affiliated   18,377   22,295   (3,918)     92,433   108,911   (16,478)  
Firm Transportation – Non-Affiliated   150,133   159,145   (9,012)     498,435   528,234   (29,799)  
Interruptible Transportation   118   97   21     1,508   2,024   (516)  
    168,628   181,537   (12,909)     592,376   639,169   (46,793)  
                         
Gathering Volume – (MMcf)                        
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
            Increase           Increase
    2024   2023   (Decrease)   2024   2023   (Decrease)
Gathered Volume   118,445   118,707   (262)     367,832   336,078   31,754  
                         
                         
Utility Throughput – (MMcf)                        
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
            Increase           Increase
    2024   2023   (Decrease)   2024   2023   (Decrease)
Retail Sales:                        
Residential Sales   8,123   9,600   (1,477)     53,168   57,636   (4,468 )
Commercial Sales   1,308   1,434   (126)     8,401   8,812   (411 )
Industrial Sales   62   87   (25)     389   506   (117 )
    9,493   11,121   (1,628)     61,958   66,954   (4,996 )
Transportation   12,819   12,468   351     52,984   53,567   (583 )
    22,312   23,589   (1,277)     114,942   120,521   (5,579 )
                         
           
           
                                 
                                 

  

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In addition to financial measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this press release contains information regarding adjusted operating results, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow, which are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors because they provide an alternative method for assessing the Company’s ongoing operating results or liquidity and for comparing the Company’s financial performance to other companies. The Company’s management uses these non-GAAP financial measures for the same purpose, and for planning and forecasting purposes. The presentation of non-GAAP financial measures is not meant to be a substitute for financial measures in accordance with GAAP.

Management defines adjusted operating results as reported GAAP earnings before items impacting comparability. The following table reconciles National Fuel’s reported GAAP earnings to adjusted operating results for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
(in thousands except per share amounts)     2024       2023       2024       2023  
Reported GAAP Earnings   $ (54,158)     $ 92,620     $ 245,134     $ 403,189  
Items impacting comparability:                
Impairment of exploration and production properties (E&P)     200,696             200,696        
Tax impact of impairment of exploration and production properties     (55,686)             (55,686)        
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset (E&P)     1,186       1,430       4,848       3,702  
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset     (325)       (392)       (1,330)       (1,015)  
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments (Corporate / All Other)     15       (355)       (1,803)       (1,632)  
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on other investments     (3)       74       379       343  
Adjusted Operating Results   $ 91,725     $ 93,377     $ 392,238     $ 404,587  
                 
Reported GAAP Earnings Per Share   $ (0.59)     $ 1.00     $ 2.65     $ 4.37  
Items impacting comparability:                
Impairment of exploration and production properties, net of tax (E&P)     1.58             1.57        
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset, net of tax (E&P)     0.01       0.01       0.04       0.03  
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, net of tax (Corporate / All Other)                 (0.02)       (0.01)  
Rounding     (0.01)                   (0.01)  
Adjusted Operating Results Per Share   $ 0.99     $ 1.01     $ 4.24     $ 4.38  

Management defines adjusted EBITDA as reported GAAP earnings before the following items: interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization, other income and deductions, impairments, and other items reflected in operating income that impact comparability. The following tables reconcile National Fuel’s reported GAAP earnings to adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
(in thousands)     2024       2023       2024       2023  
Reported GAAP Earnings   $ (54,158)     $ 92,620     $ 245,134     $ 403,189  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization     113,454       102,410       348,179       299,973  
Other (Income) Deductions     (3,188)       (3,551)       (12,989)       (12,754)  
Interest Expense     34,217       32,092       104,041       98,984  
Income Taxes     (28,311)       32,935       70,108       140,425  
Impairment of Exploration and Production Properties     200,696             200,696        
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 262,710     $ 256,506     $ 955,169     $ 929,817  
                 
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment                
Pipeline and Storage Adjusted EBITDA   $ 68,221     $ 57,636     $ 197,394     $ 181,090  
Gathering Adjusted EBITDA     47,631       46,032       153,795       139,009  
Total Midstream Businesses Adjusted EBITDA     115,852       103,668       351,189       320,099  
Exploration and Production Adjusted EBITDA     128,535       134,236       460,572       479,140  
Utility Adjusted EBITDA     21,047       20,912       152,741       138,310  
Corporate and All Other Adjusted EBITDA     (2,724)       (2,310)       (9,333)       (7,732)  
Total Adjusted EBITDA   $ 262,710     $ 256,506     $ 955,169     $ 929,817  

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
SEGMENT ADJUSTED EBITDA

    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
(in thousands)     2024       2023       2024       2023  
Exploration and Production Segment                
Reported GAAP Earnings   $ (112,028)     $ 43,329     $ 2,521     $ 195,503  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization     68,778       60,584       214,191       174,747  
Other (Income) Deductions     388       459       529       56  
Interest Expense     14,670       13,628       45,046       39,049  
Income Taxes     (43,969)       16,236       (2,411)       69,785  
Impairment of Exploration and Production Properties     200,696             200,696        
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 128,535     $ 134,236     $ 460,572     $ 479,140  
                 
Pipeline and Storage Segment                
Reported GAAP Earnings   $ 30,690     $ 23,813     $ 85,482     $ 77,147  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization     18,453       17,732       56,157       52,874  
Other (Income) Deductions     (3,619)       (3,161)       (10,112)       (8,643)  
Interest Expense     11,855       10,873       35,698       32,702  
Income Taxes     10,842       8,379       30,169       27,010  
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 68,221     $ 57,636     $ 197,394     $ 181,090  
                 
Gathering Segment                
Reported GAAP Earnings   $ 24,979     $ 24,135     $ 82,510     $ 73,207  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization     9,732       8,987       28,800       26,613  
Other (Income) Deductions     (122)       (100)       (285)       (570)  
Interest Expense     3,393       3,613       10,824       11,556  
Income Taxes     9,649       9,397       31,946       28,203  
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 47,631     $ 46,032     $ 153,795     $ 139,009  
                 
Utility Segment                
Reported GAAP Earnings   $ 2,559     $ 37     $ 73,848     $ 55,574  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization     16,373       14,997       48,678       45,425  
Other (Income) Deductions     (1,947)       (1,702)       (6,523)       (4,898)  
Interest Expense     8,417       8,441       25,402       26,193  
Income Taxes     (4,355)       (861)       11,336       16,016  
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 21,047     $ 20,912     $ 152,741     $ 138,310  
                 
Corporate and All Other                
Reported GAAP Earnings   $ (358)     $ 1,306     $ 773     $ 1,758  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization     118       110       353       314  
Other (Income) Deductions     2,112       953       3,402       1,301  
Interest Expense     (4,118)       (4,463)       (12,929)       (10,516)  
Income Taxes     (478)       (216)       (932)       (589)  
Adjusted EBITDA   $ (2,724)     $ (2,310)     $ (9,333)     $ (7,732)  
         

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
FREE CASH FLOW

Management defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities, less net cash used in investing activities, adjusted for acquisitions and divestitures. The following table reconciles National Fuel’s free cash flow to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

         
    Nine Months Ended
    June 30,
(in thousands)     2024     2023
         
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities   $ 868,015   $ 1,055,112
         
Less:        
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities     685,571     829,099
      182,444     226,013
Plus:        
Acquisitions         124,758
Upstream Acquisitions Included in Capital Expenditures(1)     6,178     11,502
         
Free Cash Flow   $ 188,622   $ 362,273

(1) Amount for the nine months ended June 30, 3024 of $6.2 million relates to the acquisition of assets from UGI. Amount for the nine months ended June 30, 2023 of $11.5 million relates to the acquisition of assets from EXCO. Both of these amounts are included in Capital Expenditures on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the respective periods.

The Company is unable to provide a reconciliation of any projected free cash flow measure to its comparable GAAP financial measure without unreasonable efforts. This is due to an inability to calculate the comparable GAAP projected metrics, including operating income and total production costs, given the unknown effect, timing, and potential significance of certain income statement items.


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