Williams : Reports First Quarter 2015 Financial Results

Williams (NYSE: WMB) today announced unaudited first quarter 2015 financial results, including the financial results of its master limited partnership (MLP), Williams Partners (NYSE: WPZ), which merged with Access Midstream Partners, L.P. in the first quarter.

(1) Quarterly cash distributions in this table are declared and received in the following quarter, as these distributions relate to the first quarter's cash flow.

(2) Schedules reconciling dividend coverage ratio, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted income from continuing operations (non-GAAP measures) are available at www.williams.com and as an attachment to this news release.

Williams reported first quarter 2015 cash distributions from Williams Partners of $515 million, a $60 million or 13 percent increase from total MLP cash distributions received in first quarter 2014. Quarterly cash distributions discussed in this news release are declared and received in the following quarter, as these distributions relate to the first quarter’s cash flow.

Williams reported adjusted EBITDA of $918 million for first quarter 2015, compared with $821 million in the first quarter 2014, an increase of $97 million, or 12 percent.

Williams reported adjusted income from continuing operations of $122 million, or $0.16 per share, for first quarter 2015, compared with $190 million, or $0.28 per share, for first quarter 2014. The variance in adjusted income was driven by the absence of $173 million of business interruption insurance proceeds included in adjusted results related to the Geismar plant and sharp declines in NGL margins driven by low prices, partially offset by new fee-based revenues from Gulfstar One and Transco expansion projects.

Williams reported unaudited first quarter 2015 net income attributable to Williams of $70 million, or $0.09 per share on a diluted basis, compared with first quarter 2014 net income of $140 million, or $0.20 per share on a diluted basis. The $70 million decrease in net income attributable to Williams was primarily the result of the absence of insurance proceeds received in first quarter 2014 and sharply lower NGL margins, partially offset by the absence of 2014 losses associated with the discontinued Bluegrass Pipeline project and new fee-based revenues from Gulfstar One and Transco expansion projects.

CEO Comment

Alan Armstrong, Williams’ president and chief executive officer, made the following comments:

“First quarter 2015 results showed strong fee-based revenue growth for Williams Partners and we expect the second quarter to be even higher with Gulfstar One and Keathley Canyon Connector nearing full production and additional projects being placed in service such as the Rockaway Lateral and the mainline portion of Leidy Southeast.

“We’ve reaffirmed 2015-2017 guidance, but we do expect 2015 adjusted EBITDA to be near the low end of the range due to the extended Geismar ramp-up and the effects of low commodity prices on volumes and margins. Williams’ strong annual dividend growth rate of 10 to 15 percent through 2017 with growing coverage remains unchanged.

“Our strategy remains sound and our backlog of projects to serve the demand side of the growing natural gas market continues to build.”

Business Segment Results

Williams’ business segments for financial reporting are Williams Partners, Williams NGL & Petchem Services and Other.

For periods prior to July 1, 2014, the Other segment includes Williams’ equity earnings from its 50-percent interest in privately held Access Midstream Partners GP, L.L.C. and an approximate 23-percent limited-partner interest in Access Midstream Partners, L.P. As a result of Williams’ acquisition of additional ownership interests, periods after July 1, 2014 include the consolidated results of Access Midstream Partners. Furthermore, following the closing of the merger between Williams Partners and Access Midstream Partners in February 2015, the consolidated results of Access Midstream for periods following July 1, 2014 are now reported as part of the Williams Partners segment.

Williams NGL & Petchem Services segment is comprised of projects in various stages of development, including offgas processing at the CNRL’s Horizon upgrader plant as well as petchem pipeline projects on the Gulf Coast.

Schedules reconciling adjusted EBITDA to modified EBITDA and net income are attached to this news release.

The first quarter of 2014 includes Williams’ proportional share of the adjusted EBITDA from its equity-method investment in Access Midstream in its Other segment. Following the closing of the merger between Williams Partners and Access Midstream, the consolidated results of Access Midstream are reported as part of the Williams Partners segment. Williams NGL & Petchem Services segment is comprised of projects in various stages of development, including the CNRL Horizon offgas processing project in Canada as well as NGL and petrochemical pipeline projects on the Gulf Coast.

Williams Partners Segment

Williams Partners is focused on natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) transportation, gathering, treating, processing and storage; NGL fractionation; olefins production; and crude oil transportation.

Williams Partners reported adjusted EBITDA of $917 million for first quarter 2015, compared with $768 million for first quarter 2014. The increase is due primarily to the contribution of approximately $314 million of adjusted EBITDA from Access Midstream as a result of the merger and new fee-based revenues from Gulfstar One and Transco expansion projects, partially offset by the absence of $173 million of Geismar business interruption proceeds included in adjusted EBITDA in 2014, as well as sharply lower NGL margins.

Williams Partners’ complete financial results for first quarter 2015 are provided in the earnings news release issued today by Williams Partners.

Other Segment

The first quarter of 2014 includes $51 million for Williams’ proportional share of the adjusted EBITDA from Williams’ equity-method investment in Access Midstream, L.P. As a result of Williams’ acquisition of additional ownership interests, periods after July 1, 2014 include the consolidated results of Access Midstream Partners. Furthermore, following the closing of the merger between Williams Partners and Access Midstream Partners in February 2015, the consolidated results of Access Midstream for periods following July 1, 2014 are now reported as part of the Williams Partners segment.

Guidance

Williams is reaffirming its guidance for the years 2015 through 2017 provided on Feb. 18, 2015. We expect Williams Partners’ 2015 adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow to be near the low end of the range due to the extended Geismar ramp-up and the effects of low commodity prices on volumes and margins.

Williams’ current guidance for its earnings and capital expenditures are displayed in the following table:

(1) Adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow, cash distribution coverage ratio, cash available for dividends and dividend coverage ratio are non-GAAP measures. Reconciliations to the most relevant measures included in GAAP are attached to this news release.

(2) Crack spread is based on delivered U.S. Gulf Coast ethylene and Mont Belvieu ethane.

Williams, Williams Partners Analyst Day Set for May 13

Williams is scheduled to host its annual Analyst Day event May 13. During the event, Williams' management will give in-depth presentations covering all of Williams' and Williams Partners L.P.'s energy infrastructure businesses. The event is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 2:30 p.m. EDT.

On the day of the event, www.williams.com will feature presentation files for download along with a link to a live webcast. A replay of the Analyst Day webcast will be available for two weeks following the event.

First Quarter Materials to be Posted Shortly, Q&A Webcast Scheduled for Tomorrow

Williams’ first quarter 2015 financial results will be posted shortly at www.williams.com. The information will include the data book and analyst package.

The company and the partnership will jointly host a conference call and live webcast on Thursday, April 30, at 9:30 a.m. EDT. A limited number of phone lines will be available at (800) 475-3716. International callers should dial (719) 457-2660. A link to the webcast, as well as replays of the webcast in both streaming and downloadable podcast formats, will be available for two weeks following the event at www.williams.com.

Form 10-Q

The company plans to file its first quarter 2015 Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission this week. Once filed, the document will be available on both the SEC and Williams websites.

Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release includes certain financial measures – adjusted EBITDA, adjusted income from continuing operations (“earnings”), adjusted earnings per share, cash available for dividends, dividend coverage ratio, distributable cash flow and cash distribution coverage ratio – that are non-GAAP financial measures as defined under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Our segment performance measure, modified EBITDA, is defined as net income (loss) before income tax expense, net interest expense, equity earnings from equity-method investments, other net investing income, depreciation and amortization expense, and accretion expense associated with asset retirement obligations for nonregulated operations. We also add our proportional ownership share (based on ownership interest) of modified EBITDA of equity investments.

Adjusted EBITDA further excludes items of income or loss that we characterize as unrepresentative of our ongoing operations and may include assumed business interruption insurance related to the Geismar plant. Management believes these measures provide investors meaningful insight into results from ongoing operations.

For Williams, cash available for dividends is defined as cash received from its ownership in MLPs, cash received (used) by its NGL & Petchem Services segment (other than cash for capital expenditures) less interest, taxes and maintenance capital expenditures associated with Williams and not the underlying MLPs. We also calculate the ratio of cash available for dividends to the total cash dividends paid (dividend coverage ratio). This measure reflects Williams’ cash available for dividends relative to its actual cash dividends paid.

For Williams Partners L.P., we define distributable cash flow as adjusted EBITDA less maintenance capital expenditures, cash portion of interest expense, income attributable to noncontrolling interests and cash income taxes, plus WPZ restricted stock unit non-cash compensation and certain other adjustments that management believes affects the comparability of results. Adjustments for maintenance capital expenditures and cash portion of interest expense include our proportionate share of these items of our equity-method investments.

For Williams Partners L.P., we also calculate the ratio of distributable cash flow to the total cash distributed (cash distribution coverage ratio). This measure reflects the amount of distributable cash flow relative to our cash distribution. We have also provided this ratio calculated using the most directly comparable GAAP measure, net income.

This news release is accompanied by a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their nearest GAAP financial measures. Management uses these financial measures because they are accepted financial indicators used by investors to compare company performance. In addition, management believes that these measures provide investors an enhanced perspective of the operating performance of the Company’s assets and the cash that the business is generating.

Neither adjusted EBITDA, adjusted income from continuing operations, cash available for dividends, nor distributable cash flow are intended to represent cash flows for the period, nor are they presented as an alternative to net income or cash flow from operations. They should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for a measure of performance prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

About Williams

Williams (NYSE: WMB) is a premier provider of large-scale infrastructure to connect North American natural gas and natural gas products to growing demand for cleaner fuel and feedstocks. Headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., Williams owns approximately 60 percent of Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE: WPZ), including the general-partner interest. Williams Partners is an industry-leading, large-cap master limited partnership with operations across the natural gas value chain from gathering, processing and interstate transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids to petchem production of ethylene, propylene and other olefins. With major positions in top U.S. supply basins and also in Canada, Williams Partners owns and operates more than 33,000 miles of pipelines system wide – including the nation’s largest volume and fastest growing pipeline – providing natural gas for clean-power generation, home heating and industrial use. Williams Partners’ operations touch approximately 30 percent of U.S. natural gas. www.williams.com

Forward-Looking Statements

The reports, filings, and other public announcements of The Williams Companies, Inc. (Williams) and Williams Partners L.P. (WPZ) may contain or incorporate by reference statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. Such statements are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We make these forward-looking statements in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You typically can identify forward-looking statements by various forms of words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “continues,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “might,” “goals,” “objectives,” “targets,” “planned,” “potential,” “projects,” “scheduled,” “will,” “assumes,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “in service date” or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management and include, among others, statements regarding:

• Expected levels of cash distributions by WPZ with respect to general partner interests, incentive distribution rights, and limited partner interests;
• The levels of dividends to Williams stockholders;
• Future credit ratings of Williams and WPZ;
• Amounts and nature of future capital expenditures;
• Expansion and growth of our business and operations;
• Financial condition and liquidity;
• Business strategy;
• Cash flow from operations or results of operations;
• Seasonality of certain business components;
• Natural gas, natural gas liquids, and olefins prices, supply, and demand; and
• Demand for our services.

Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, uncertainties and risks that could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in this presentation. Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

• Whether WPZ will produce sufficient cash flows to provide the level of cash distributions we expect;
• Whether Williams is able to pay current and expected levels of dividends;
• Availability of supplies, market demand, and volatility of prices;
• Inflation, interest rates, and fluctuation in foreign exchange rates and general economic conditions (including future disruptions and volatility in the global credit markets and the impact of these events on customers and suppliers);
• The strength and financial resources of our competitors and the effects of competition;
• Whether we are able to successfully identify, evaluate and execute investment opportunities;
• Our ability to acquire new businesses and assets and successfully integrate those operations and assets into our existing businesses as well as successfully expand our facilities;
• Development of alternative energy sources;
• The impact of operational and developmental hazards and unforeseen interruptions;
• Costs of, changes in, or the results of laws, government regulations (including safety and environmental regulations), environmental liabilities, litigation, and rate proceedings;
• Williams’ costs and funding obligations for defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans;
• WPZ’s allocated costs for defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans sponsored by its affiliates;
• Changes in maintenance and construction costs;
• Changes in the current geopolitical situation;
• Our exposure to the credit risk of our customers and counterparties;
• Risks related to financing, including restrictions stemming from debt agreements, future changes in credit ratings as determined by nationally-recognized credit rating agencies and the availability and cost of capital;
• The amount of cash distributions from and capital requirements of our investments and joint ventures in which we participate;
• Risks associated with weather and natural phenomena, including climate conditions;
• Acts of terrorism, including cybersecurity threats and related disruptions; and
• Additional risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Given the uncertainties and risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, we caution investors not to unduly rely on our forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligations to and do not intend to update the above list or announce publicly the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.

In addition to causing our actual results to differ, the factors listed above may cause our intentions to change from those statements of intention set forth in this presentation. Such changes in our intentions may also cause our results to differ. We may change our intentions, at any time and without notice, based upon changes in such factors, our assumptions, or otherwise.

Investors are urged to closely consider the disclosures and risk factors in Williams’ and WPZ’s annual reports on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on Feb. 25, 2015, and each of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q available from our offices or from our website at www.williams.com.