National Fuel Reports First Quarter Earnings

Rhea-AI Summary

National Fuel Gas Company reported a decrease in GAAP net income for the first quarter of its fiscal year 2024, with adjusted operating results also showing a decline. The company revised its fiscal 2024 earnings guidance due to lower natural gas price expectations, but expects an increase in net production and capital expenditures. Despite the decrease in earnings, the company remains optimistic about its long-term growth prospects.

Positive

• Exploration & Production segment saw a 11% increase in natural gas production from the prior year
• Utility segment earnings increased by 11% due to an increase in base rates from Pennsylvania jurisdiction rate case settlement
• Seneca Resources achieved a peer-leading 'A' grade under Equitable Origin's EO100TM Standard for 100% of Appalachian natural gas production
• The Company is projecting a decrease in earnings for fiscal 2024, primarily due to lower natural gas price expectations

Negative

• GAAP net income decreased from $169.7 million to $133.0 million compared to the prior year
• Adjusted operating results also decreased from $169.5 million to $135.2 million compared to the prior year

Insights

Financial Analyst

The financial results of National Fuel Gas Company for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 indicate a decline in GAAP net income year-over-year, moving from $169.7 million to $133.0 million. This decrease is significant as it may reflect challenges within the company's operations or market conditions that could influence investor confidence. The reduction in net income per share from $1.84 to $1.44 is a key metric for shareholders, as it directly affects earnings per share (EPS), a fundamental determinant of a company's value.

Furthermore, the revision of fiscal 2024 earnings guidance, with a decrease of $0.60 per share from the midpoint of previous guidance, suggests that the company is adjusting its expectations in response to external market factors, such as the lowered natural gas price expectations. This revision could have a material impact on the stock's performance as it alters the market's perception of the company's future profitability. The financial implications of New York State's Roadway Excavation Quality Assurance Act (REQAA) on capital expenditures also warrant close monitoring, as increased costs due to prevailing wage requirements could affect the company's financial position, albeit with the potential for recovery through rate case proceedings.

Energy Sector Analyst

The reported 11% increase in natural gas production by the Exploration & Production segment is a positive development, demonstrating the company's operational strength, particularly in the Eastern Development Area (EDA). This production growth could potentially enhance the company's competitive position in the energy market. However, the impact of lower natural gas price expectations on the company's earnings guidance suggests a challenging pricing environment that could offset the benefits of increased production.

The Utility segment's increased earnings due to the Pennsylvania jurisdiction rate case settlement is indicative of successful regulatory engagement, which can provide a more stable revenue stream for this segment. The company's ability to navigate regulatory environments and secure favorable rate case outcomes is crucial for long-term financial stability and growth in the regulated part of its business.

It is also noteworthy that Seneca Resources achieved an 'A' grade under the Equitable Origin's EO100TM Standard, signaling the company's commitment to sustainable and responsible energy production. While this may not have a direct financial impact, it enhances the company's reputation and aligns with increasing investor interest in environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors.

Market Research Analyst

The energy sector is highly sensitive to fluctuations in commodity prices, as evidenced by National Fuel's lowered guidance due to natural gas price expectations. The company's hedging strategy, with approximately 72% of Seneca's expected remaining production either matched by financial hedge or entered into at a fixed price, is a critical risk management tool that could mitigate the impact of price volatility on earnings.

Investors should also consider the broader market implications of the REQAA on the energy industry, as similar legislation could increase operational costs for other companies as well. The ability of National Fuel to potentially recover these costs through rate case proceedings may not be mirrored by all companies, potentially leading to a competitive advantage for National Fuel in terms of cost management.

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Fuel Gas Company (“National Fuel” or the “Company”) (NYSE:NFG) today announced consolidated results for the first quarter of its 2024 fiscal year.

FISCAL 2024 FIRST QUARTER SUMMARY

• GAAP net income of $133.0 million, or $1.44 per share, compared to GAAP net income of $169.7 million, or $1.84 per share, in the prior year.
• Adjusted operating results of $135.2 million, or $1.46 per share, compared to $169.5 million, or $1.84 per share, in the prior year (see non-GAAP reconciliation on page 2).
• Exploration & Production segment produced 101 Bcf of natural gas, an increase of 11% from the prior year, and 8% higher than the fiscal 2023 fourth quarter, driven by strong operational execution in its Eastern Development Area.
• Gathering segment earnings increased $4.1 million, or 17%, from the prior year primarily as a result of an increase in throughput from both Seneca Resources and third-party producers.
• Utility segment earnings increased by $2.7 million, or 11%, from the prior year primarily due to an increase in base rates from our 2023 Pennsylvania jurisdiction rate case settlement.
• Seneca Resources achieved a peer-leading “A” grade under Equitable Origin's EO100^TM Standard for 100% of Appalachian natural gas production, as part of an annual verification audit.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

David P. Bauer, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Fuel Gas Company, stated: “National Fuel had a strong start to fiscal 2024, with solid operational execution across our businesses. We continued to see excellent well results in our Eastern Development Area (“EDA”), which led to double-digit increases in Seneca’s production and Gathering segment throughput. As we continue to high-grade our upstream activity and focus our development activities in the EDA where we have more than a decade of high-quality inventory, we expect an ongoing improvement in capital efficiency and free cash flow generation.

“In our regulated businesses, the positive impacts of our recently settled rate case in Pennsylvania drove increased Utility earnings. As we move through the remainder of this year and into 2025, we expect our other ongoing rate proceedings will contribute to a further improvement in earnings. Longer-term, the continued need to invest in modernizing our infrastructure positions us well to deliver additional growth for the foreseeable future.

“Taken together, the long-term outlook for meaningful growth in our regulated businesses, improving capital efficiency and free cash flow generation potential from our non-regulated operations, and the strength of our investment grade balance sheet, position the Company to deliver significant shareholder value well into the future.”

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP EARNINGS TO ADJUSTED OPERATING RESULTS

		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
(in thousands except per share amounts)			2023				2022
Reported GAAP Earnings		$	133,020			$	169,689
Items impacting comparability:
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset (E&P)			4,198				—
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset			(1,151	)			—
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments (Corporate / All Other)			(1,049	)			(209	)
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on other investments			220				44
Adjusted Operating Results		$	135,238			$	169,524
Reported GAAP Earnings Per Share		$	1.44			$	1.84
Items impacting comparability:
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset, net of tax (E&P)			0.03				—
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, net of tax (Corporate / All Other)			(0.01	)			—
Adjusted Operating Results Per Share		$	1.46			$	1.84

FISCAL 2024 GUIDANCE UPDATE

National Fuel is revising its fiscal 2024 earnings guidance to reflect the results of the first quarter, along with updated forecast assumptions and projections. The Company is now projecting that earnings, excluding items impacting comparability, will be within the range of $4.90 to $5.20 per share, a decrease of $0.60 per share from the midpoint of the Company’s prior guidance range. The decrease from the Company’s prior earnings guidance primarily reflects the impact of lower natural gas price expectations, partially offset by the improved outlook for both production and lease operating and transportation expense (“LOE”) in the Exploration and Production segment.

The Company is now assuming that NYMEX natural gas prices will average $2.40 per MMBtu for the remainder of fiscal 2024, a decrease of $0.85 per MMBtu from the $3.25 per MMBtu assumed in the previous guidance. For guidance purposes, the Company’s updated natural gas price projections approximate the current NYMEX forward curve and consider the impact of local sales point differentials and new physical firm sales, transportation, and financial hedge contracts.

The Exploration and Production segment’s fiscal 2024 net production guidance is now expected to be in the range of 395 to 410 Bcf, an increase of 2.5 Bcf at the midpoint. This guidance range does not incorporate any price-related curtailments over the remainder of the fiscal year. Seneca currently has firm sales contracts in place for approximately 90% of its projected remaining fiscal 2024 production, limiting its exposure to in-basin markets. Approximately 72% of Seneca’s expected remaining production is either matched by a financial hedge, including a combination of swaps and no-cost collars, or was entered into at a fixed price.

The Company’s consolidated capital expenditures are now expected to be in the range of $885 to $1,000 million, a 2% increase from the midpoint of previous guidance. This increase is due to the estimated impact of New York State’s recently enacted Roadway Excavation Quality Assurance Act (“REQAA”), which requires that contractors pay state published prevailing wages to their employees on projects that require a permit to operate in a public right of way. We anticipate these higher costs to be passed on to the Company, which are expected to be recoverable and are being addressed in the Company’s ongoing rate case proceeding in New York.

The Company’s other guidance assumptions remain largely unchanged from the previous guidance. The details are outlined in the table on page 7.

DISCUSSION OF FIRST QUARTER RESULTS BY SEGMENT

The following earnings discussion of each operating segment for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 is summarized in a tabular form on pages 8 and 9 of this report. 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 Resources Company, LLC (“Seneca”). Seneca explores for, develops and produces primarily natural gas reserves in Pennsylvania.

	Three Months Ended
	December 31
(in thousands)		2023			2022		Variance
GAAP Earnings	$	52,483		$	91,192		$	(38,709	)
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset, net of tax		3,047			—			3,047
Adjusted Operating Results	$	55,530		$	91,192		$	(35,662	)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	159,970		$	190,330		$	(30,360	)

Seneca’s first quarter GAAP earnings decreased $38.7 million versus the prior year. Higher natural gas production, lower per unit LOE, and lower other taxes were more than offset by lower realized natural gas prices, and increases in per unit depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”), general and administrative (“G&A”), other operation and maintenance (“O&M”) and interest expenses. The earnings decrease also includes an unrealized loss of $4.2 million ($3.0 million after-tax) recognized during the current-year first quarter from a reduction in the fair value of the contingent consideration Seneca received in connection with the June 2022 divestiture of its California assets. Excluding this loss, Seneca's earnings decreased $35.7 million,

During this year's first quarter, Seneca produced 100.8 Bcf of natural gas, an increase of 10.2 Bcf, or 11%, from the prior year, 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 $2.51 per Mcf, a decrease of $0.51 per Mcf from the prior year.

On a per unit basis, LOE was $0.67 per Mcf, a decrease of $0.01 per Mcf from the prior year. On an absolute basis, LOE increased $5.5 million due primarily to higher transportation and gathering costs as a result of increased production. LOE includes $56.2 million for gathering and compression services from NFG Midstream to connect Seneca’s production to sales points along interstate pipelines.

G&A expense was $0.18 per Mcf, an increase of less than $0.01 per Mcf from the prior year. On an absolute basis, Seneca’s G&A expense increased $2.2 million primarily due to an increase in personnel costs.

DD&A expense was $0.71 per Mcf, an increase of $0.10 per Mcf from the prior year. Absolute DD&A expense increased $16.4 million due to higher natural gas production and a higher per unit DD&A rate. 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.

Other taxes decreased $3.3 million largely as a result of lower Impact Fees in Pennsylvania due to the decline in NYMEX natural gas prices. Seneca's all other O&M expense increased $3.0 million due primarily to the accrual of estimated plugging and abandonment expenses related to certain California wells that were sold by Seneca in 2004 to an operator that is no longer in business. As a result, the cost of abandoning the wells will likely revert back to Seneca.

Interest expense increased $2.0 million due primarily to higher average interest rates combined with a higher average amount of net borrowings.

Midstream Businesses

Pipeline and Storage Segment

The Pipeline and Storage segment’s operations are carried out by National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation (“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
	December 31
(in thousands)		2023			2022		Variance
GAAP Earnings	$	24,055		$	29,476		$	(5,421	)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	59,142		$	64,528		$	(5,386	)

The Pipeline and Storage segment’s first quarter GAAP earnings decreased $5.4 million versus the prior year primarily due to lower operating revenues, higher O&M and DD&A expenses. The decrease in operating revenues of $3.2 million was primarily attributable to contract expirations that occurred near the end of the prior-year first quarter. O&M expense increased $1.9 million primarily due to an increase in personnel costs. The increase in DD&A expense of $0.8 million was attributable to higher average depreciable plant in service compared to the prior year.

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
	December 31
(in thousands)		2023			2022		Variance
GAAP Earnings	$	28,825		$	24,738		$	4,087
Adjusted EBITDA	$	53,061		$	46,715		$	6,346

The Gathering segment’s first quarter GAAP earnings increased $4.1 million versus the prior year due primarily to higher operating revenues, partly offset by higher DD&A expense. Operating revenues increased $6.2 million, or 11%, which was the result of a $4.2 million increase in revenue from Seneca and a $2.0 million increase in revenue from non-affiliated parties. DD&A expense increased $0.7 million due primarily to higher average depreciable plant in service compared to the prior year.

Downstream Business

Utility Segment

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

	Three Months Ended
	December 31
(in thousands)		2023			2022		Variance
GAAP Earnings	$	26,551		$	23,817		$	2,734
Adjusted EBITDA	$	53,366		$	51,577		$	1,789

The Utility segment’s first quarter GAAP earnings increased $2.7 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 increases in O&M and DD&A expenses.

The $4.7 million increase in customer margin for the quarter was primarily a result of the $23 million annual rate increase in Distribution's Pennsylvania jurisdiction that was approved last year and went into effect in August 2023. 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 in large part to warmer weather as compared to the prior-year first quarter. The impact of temperature fluctuations on usage and margin revenues is largely protected by weather normalization adjustment (“WNA”) mechanisms in both the New York and Pennsylvania jurisdictions. The Company's WNA mechanism in Pennsylvania, which went into effect for the first time in October 2023, is subject to a dead-band threshold whereby margin impacted by weather that is more than 3% warmer or colder than normal is recovered or refunded through the mechanism.

O&M expense increased by $3.4 million, primarily driven by higher personnel costs and an increase in expenses related to the current New York rate case proceeding filed during the quarter. 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 $1.2 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 recently updated IRS guidance.

Corporate and All Other

The Company’s operations that are included in Corporate and All Other generated combined earnings of $1.1 million in the current year first quarter, which was $0.6 million higher than the combined earnings of $0.5 million in the prior-year first quarter. The increase in earnings was primarily driven by a higher amount of unrealized gains on investment securities recognized in the current quarter as compared to the prior-year first quarter.

EARNINGS TELECONFERENCE

The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 10 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss this announcement. To pre-register for the call (recommended), please visit https://www.netroadshow.com/events/login?show=4b2c797c&confId=59975. After registering, you will receive your access details via email. To join by telephone on the day of the call, dial U.S. toll free 1-833–470–1428 and provide Participant Access Code 059311. The teleconference will also be simultaneously webcast online and can be accessed on the NFG Investor Relations website at investor.nationalfuelgas.com. A telephone replay of the teleconference call will be available through the end of the day on Thursday, February 15, 2024. To access the replay, dial U.S. toll free 1-866-813-9403 and provide Replay Access Code 385109.

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.

Analyst Contact:	Brandon J. Haspett	716-857-7697
Media Contact:	Karen L. Merkel	716-857-7654

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: 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; 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; changes in the price of natural gas; impairments under the SEC’s full cost ceiling test for natural gas reserves; 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; 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 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. Additional details on the Company's forecast assumptions and business segment guidance are outlined in the table below.

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 nine months ending September 30, 2024, the amounts of these and other potential adjustments are not reasonably determinable at this time. As such, the Company is unable to provide earnings guidance other than on a non-GAAP basis.

	Previous FY 2024 Guidance		Updated FY 2024 Guidance
Adjusted Consolidated Earnings per Share, excluding items impacting comparability	$5.40 to $5.90		$4.90 to $5.20
Consolidated Effective Tax Rate	~ 25 - 25.5%		~ 25 - 25.5%
Capital Expenditures (Millions)
Exploration and Production	$525 - $575		$525 - $575
Pipeline and Storage	$120 - $140		$120 - $140
Gathering	$90 - $110		$90 - $110
Utility	$130 - $150		$150 - $175
Consolidated Capital Expenditures	$865 - $975		$885 - $1,000
Exploration & Production Segment Guidance*
Commodity Price Assumptions
NYMEX natural gas price	$3.25 /MMBtu		$2.40 /MMBtu
Appalachian basin spot price	$2.40 - $2.45 /MMBtu		$1.70 /MMBtu
Production (Bcf)	390 to 410		395 to 410
E&P Operating Costs ($/Mcf)
LOE	$0.69 - $0.71		$0.69 - $0.70
G&A	$0.17 - $0.19		$0.17 - $0.19
DD&A	$0.69 - $0.74		$0.69 - $0.74
Other Business Segment Guidance (Millions)
Gathering Segment Revenues	$240 - $260		$245 - $260
Pipeline and Storage Segment Revenues	$380 - $420		$380 - $420

* Commodity price assumptions are for the remaining 9 months of the fiscal year.

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS
QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023
(Unaudited)
	Upstream				Midstream								Downstream
	Exploration &				Pipeline &												Corporate /
(Thousands of Dollars)	Production				Storage				Gathering				Utility				All Other				Consolidated*
First quarter 2023 GAAP earnings	$	91,192			$	29,476			$	24,738			$	23,817			$	466			$	169,689
Items impacting comparability:
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments																		(209	)			(209	)
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on other investments																		44				44
First quarter 2023 adjusted operating results		91,192				29,476				24,738				23,817				301				169,524
Drivers of adjusted operating results**
Upstream Revenues
Higher (lower) natural gas production		24,265																				24,265
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging		(40,682	)																			(40,682	)
Midstream Revenues
Higher (lower) operating revenues						(2,561	)			4,878												2,317
Downstream Margins***
Impact of usage and weather														(2,759	)							(2,759	)
Impact of new rates in Pennsylvania														6,849								6,849
System modernization and improvement tracker revenues														918								918
Operating Expenses
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses		(4,367	)																			(4,367	)
Lower (higher) operating expenses		(4,121	)			(1,526	)							(3,787	)			(465	)			(9,899	)
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes		2,637																				2,637
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion		(12,962	)			(631	)			(592	)			(919	)							(15,104	)
Other Income (Expense)
Higher (lower) other income														748				(911	)			(163	)
(Higher) lower interest expense		(1,607	)			(611	)											1,280				(938	)
Income Taxes
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate		2,017				128				(483	)			1,817				27				3,506
All other / rounding		(842	)			(220	)			284				(133	)			45				(866	)
First quarter 2024 adjusted operating results		55,530				24,055				28,825				26,551				277				135,238
Items impacting comparability:
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative asset		(4,198	)																			(4,198	)
Tax impact of unrealized gain (loss) on derivative asset		1,151																				1,151
Unrealized gain (loss) on other investments																		1,049				1,049
Tax impact of unrealized gain (loss) on other investments																		(220	)			(220	)
First quarter 2024 GAAP earnings	$	52,483			$	24,055			$	28,825			$	26,551			$	1,106			$	133,020
* 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 DECEMBER 31, 2023
(Unaudited)
	Upstream				Midstream								Downstream
	Exploration &				Pipeline &												Corporate /
	Production				Storage				Gathering				Utility				All Other				Consolidated*
First quarter 2023 GAAP earnings per share	$	0.99			$	0.32			$	0.27			$	0.26			$	—			$	1.84
Items impacting comparability:
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, net of tax																		—				—
First quarter 2023 adjusted operating results per share		0.99				0.32				0.27				0.26				—				1.84
Drivers of adjusted operating results**
Upstream Revenues
Higher (lower) natural gas production		0.26																				0.26
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging		(0.44	)																			(0.44	)
Midstream Revenues
Higher (lower) operating revenues						(0.03	)			0.05												0.02
Downstream Margins***
Impact of usage and weather														(0.03	)							(0.03	)
Impact of new rates in Pennsylvania														0.07								0.07
System modernization and improvement tracker revenues														0.01								0.01
Operating Expenses
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses		(0.05	)																			(0.05	)
Lower (higher) operating expenses		(0.04	)			(0.02	)							(0.04	)			(0.01	)			(0.11	)
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes		0.03																				0.03
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion		(0.14	)			(0.01	)			(0.01	)			(0.01	)							(0.17	)
Other Income (Expense)
Higher (lower) other income														0.01				(0.01	)			—
(Higher) lower interest expense		(0.02	)			(0.01	)											0.01				(0.02	)
Income Taxes
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate		0.02				—				(0.01	)			0.02				—				0.03
All other / rounding		(0.01	)			0.01				0.01				—				0.01				0.02
First quarter 2024 adjusted operating results per share		0.60				0.26				0.31				0.29				—				1.46
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
First quarter 2024 GAAP earnings per share	$	0.57			$	0.26			$	0.31			$	0.29			$	0.01			$	1.44
* 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
	December 31,
	(Unaudited)
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS		2023				2022
Operating Revenues:
Utility Revenues	$	201,920			$	311,619
Exploration and Production and Other Revenues		254,019				276,973
Pipeline and Storage and Gathering Revenues		69,422				70,267
		525,361				658,859
Operating Expenses:
Purchased Gas		56,552				171,197
Operation and Maintenance:
Utility		53,705				50,352
Exploration and Production and Other		34,826				26,874
Pipeline and Storage and Gathering		34,962				33,261
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes		22,416				26,205
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization		115,790				96,600
		318,251				404,489
Operating Income		207,110				254,370
Other Income (Expense):
Other Income (Deductions)		3,732				6,318
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt		(28,462	)			(29,604	)
Other Interest Expense		(6,273	)			(3,843	)
Income Before Income Taxes		176,107				227,241
Income Tax Expense		43,087				57,552
Net Income Available for Common Stock	$	133,020			$	169,689
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic	$	1.45			$	1.85
Diluted	$	1.44			$	1.84
Weighted Average Common Shares:
Used in Basic Calculation		91,910,244				91,579,814
Used in Diluted Calculation		92,442,145				92,268,210

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
	December 31,			September 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)		2023				2023
ASSETS
Property, Plant and Equipment	$	13,857,060			$	13,635,303
Less - Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization		6,435,129				6,335,441
Net Property, Plant and Equipment		7,421,931				7,299,862
Current Assets:
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments		41,685				55,447
Receivables - Net		189,669				160,601
Unbilled Revenue		48,265				16,622
Gas Stored Underground		26,891				32,509
Materials and Supplies - at average cost		47,692				48,989
Other Current Assets		99,400				100,260
Total Current Assets		453,602				414,428
Other Assets:
Recoverable Future Taxes		73,283				69,045
Unamortized Debt Expense		6,829				7,240
Other Regulatory Assets		72,088				72,138
Deferred Charges		80,347				82,416
Other Investments		76,633				73,976
Goodwill		5,476				5,476
Prepaid Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Costs		208,015				200,301
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments		184,739				50,487
Other		4,549				4,891
Total Other Assets		711,959				565,970
Total Assets	$	8,587,492			$	8,280,260
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Capitalization:
Comprehensive Shareholders' Equity
Common Stock, $1 Par Value Authorized - 200,000,000 Shares; Issued and
Outstanding - 92,115,581 Shares and 91,819,405 Shares, Respectively	$	92,116			$	91,819
Paid in Capital		1,041,226				1,040,761
Earnings Reinvested in the Business		1,973,279				1,885,856
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		67,381				(55,060	)
Total Comprehensive Shareholders' Equity		3,174,002				2,963,376
Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Portion and Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs		2,385,523				2,384,485
Total Capitalization		5,559,525				5,347,861
Current and Accrued Liabilities:
Notes Payable to Banks and Commercial Paper		300,000				287,500
Accounts Payable		105,390				152,193
Amounts Payable to Customers		60,032				59,019
Dividends Payable		45,597				45,451
Interest Payable on Long-Term Debt		42,288				20,399
Customer Advances		23,086				21,003
Customer Security Deposits		30,843				28,764
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities		200,009				160,974
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments		—				31,009
Total Current and Accrued Liabilities		807,245				806,312
Other Liabilities:
Deferred Income Taxes		1,164,512				1,124,170
Taxes Refundable to Customers		317,838				268,562
Cost of Removal Regulatory Liability		284,687				277,694
Other Regulatory Liabilities		165,988				165,441
Other Post-Retirement Liabilities		2,859				2,915
Asset Retirement Obligations		164,777				165,492
Other Liabilities		120,061				121,813
Total Other Liabilities		2,220,722				2,126,087
Commitments and Contingencies		—				—
Total Capitalization and Liabilities	$	8,587,492			$	8,280,260

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)			2023				2022
Operating Activities:
Net Income Available for Common Stock		$	133,020			$	169,689
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
Provided by Operating Activities:
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization			115,790				96,600
Deferred Income Taxes			38,362				53,457
Stock-Based Compensation			4,660				5,575
Other			8,041				4,078
Change in:
Receivables and Unbilled Revenue			(58,459	)			(29,522	)
Gas Stored Underground and Materials and Supplies			6,915				5,622
Unrecovered Purchased Gas Costs			—				20,603
Other Current Assets			892				(1,748	)
Accounts Payable			(3,355	)			6,091
Amounts Payable to Customers			1,013				(265	)
Customer Advances			2,083				5,206
Customer Security Deposits			2,079				4,546
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities			28,612				4,523
Other Assets			(6,306	)			(20,238	)
Other Liabilities			(2,403	)			3,122
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities		$	270,944			$	327,339
Investing Activities:
Capital Expenditures		$	(246,938	)		$	(233,473	)
Sale of Fixed Income Mutual Fund Shares in Grantor Trust			—				10,000
Other			(920	)			14,637
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities		$	(247,858	)		$	(208,836	)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from Issuance of Short-Term Note Payable to Bank		$	—			$	250,000
Net Change in Other Short-Term Notes Payable to Banks and Commercial Paper			12,500				(60,000	)
Reduction of Long-Term Debt			—				(150,000	)
Dividends Paid on Common Stock			(45,451	)			(43,452	)
Net Repurchases of Common Stock			(3,897	)			(6,694	)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities		$	(36,848	)		$	(10,146	)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash			(13,762	)			108,357
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period			55,447				137,718
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at December 31		$	41,685			$	246,075

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND STATISTICS
(UNAUDITED)
UPSTREAM BUSINESS
	Three Months Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts)	December 31,
EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SEGMENT		2023				2022			Variance
Total Operating Revenues	$	254,019			$	276,973			$	(22,954	)
Operating Expenses:
Operation and Maintenance:
General and Administrative Expense		17,793				15,598				2,195
Lease Operating and Transportation Expense		67,074				61,546				5,528
All Other Operation and Maintenance Expense		5,544				2,523				3,021
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes		3,638				6,976				(3,338	)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization		71,965				55,558				16,407
		166,014				142,201				23,813
Operating Income		88,005				134,772				(46,767	)
Other Income (Expense):
Non-Service Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Credit		100				347				(247	)
Interest and Other Income (Deductions)		(1,513	)			1,331				(2,844	)
Interest Expense		(15,268	)			(13,234	)			(2,034	)
Income Before Income Taxes		71,324				123,216				(51,892	)
Income Tax Expense		18,841				32,024				(13,183	)
Net Income	$	52,483			$	91,192			$	(38,709	)
Net Income Per Share (Diluted)	$	0.57			$	0.99			$	(0.42	)

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND STATISTICS
(UNAUDITED)
MIDSTREAM BUSINESSES
	Three Months Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts)	December 31,
PIPELINE AND STORAGE SEGMENT		2023				2022			Variance
Revenues from External Customers	$	64,826			$	67,621			$	(2,795	)
Intersegment Revenues		29,587				30,034				(447	)
Total Operating Revenues		94,413				97,655				(3,242	)
Operating Expenses:
Purchased Gas		601				425				176
Operation and Maintenance		25,950				24,018				1,932
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes		8,720				8,684				36
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization		18,213				17,414				799
		53,484				50,541				2,943
Operating Income		40,929				47,114				(6,185	)
Other Income (Expense):
Non-Service Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Credit		1,257				1,330				(73	)
Interest and Other Income		1,931				1,864				67
Interest Expense		(11,725	)			(10,952	)			(773	)
Income Before Income Taxes		32,392				39,356				(6,964	)
Income Tax Expense		8,337				9,880				(1,543	)
Net Income	$	24,055			$	29,476			$	(5,421	)
Net Income Per Share (Diluted)	$	0.26			$	0.32			$	(0.06	)
	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
GATHERING SEGMENT		2023				2022			Variance
Revenues from External Customers	$	4,596			$	2,646			$	1,950
Intersegment Revenues		57,992				53,767				4,225
Total Operating Revenues		62,588				56,413				6,175
Operating Expenses:
Operation and Maintenance		9,504				9,687				(183	)
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes		23				11				12
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization		9,458				8,709				749
		18,985				18,407				578
Operating Income		43,603				38,006				5,597
Other Income (Expense):
Non-Service Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Credit		9				37				(28	)
Interest and Other Income		73				170				(97	)
Interest Expense		(3,729	)			(4,042	)			313
Income Before Income Taxes		39,956				34,171				5,785
Income Tax Expense		11,131				9,433				1,698
Net Income	$	28,825			$	24,738			$	4,087
Net Income Per Share (Diluted)	$	0.31			$	0.27			$	0.04

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND STATISTICS
(UNAUDITED)
DOWNSTREAM BUSINESS
	Three Months Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts)	December 31,
UTILITY SEGMENT		2023				2022			Variance
Revenues from External Customers	$	201,920			$	311,619			$	(109,699	)
Intersegment Revenues		87				62				25
Total Operating Revenues		202,007				311,681				(109,674	)
Operating Expenses:
Purchased Gas		84,051				198,420				(114,369	)
Operation and Maintenance		54,684				51,276				3,408
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes		9,906				10,408				(502	)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization		16,037				14,874				1,163
		164,678				274,978				(110,300	)
Operating Income		37,329				36,703				626
Other Income (Expense):
Non-Service Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit (Costs) Credit		470				(8	)			478
Interest and Other Income		1,911				1,440				471
Interest Expense		(8,457	)			(8,043	)			(414	)
Income Before Income Taxes		31,253				30,092				1,161
Income Tax Expense		4,702				6,275				(1,573	)
Net Income	$	26,551			$	23,817			$	2,734
Net Income Per Share (Diluted)	$	0.29			$	0.26			$	0.03

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND STATISTICS
(UNAUDITED)
	Three Months Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts)	December 31,
ALL OTHER		2023				2022			Variance
Revenues from External Customers	$	—			$	—			$	—
Intersegment Revenues		—				—				—
Total Operating Revenues		—				—				—
Operating Expenses:
Operation and Maintenance		—				21				(21	)
		—				21				(21	)
Operating Loss		—				(21	)			21
Other Income (Expense):
Interest and Other Income (Deductions)		(77	)			(324	)			247
Interest Expense		(81	)			(21	)			(60	)
Loss before Income Taxes		(158	)			(366	)			208
Income Tax Benefit		(37	)			(86	)			49
Net Loss	$	(121	)		$	(280	)		$	159
Net Loss Per Share (Diluted)	$	—			$	(0.01	)		$	0.01
	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
CORPORATE		2023				2022			Variance
Revenues from External Customers	$	—			$	—			$	—
Intersegment Revenues		1,285				1,152				133
Total Operating Revenues		1,285				1,152				133
Operating Expenses:
Operation and Maintenance		3,795				3,185				610
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes		129				126				3
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization		117				45				72
		4,041				3,356				685
Operating Loss		(2,756	)			(2,204	)			(552	)
Other Income (Expense):
Non-Service Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Costs		(387	)			(354	)			(33	)
Interest and Other Income		41,030				37,877				3,153
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt		(28,462	)			(29,604	)			1,142
Other Interest Expense		(8,085	)			(4,943	)			(3,142	)
Income before Income Taxes		1,340				772				568
Income Tax Expense		113				26				87
Net Income	$	1,227			$	746			$	481
Net Income Per Share (Diluted)	$	0.01			$	0.01			$	—
	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
INTERSEGMENT ELIMINATIONS		2023				2022			Variance
Intersegment Revenues	$	(88,951	)		$	(85,015	)		$	(3,936	)
Operating Expenses:
Purchased Gas		(28,100	)			(27,648	)			(452	)
Operation and Maintenance		(60,851	)			(57,367	)			(3,484	)
		(88,951	)			(85,015	)			(3,936	)
Operating Income		—				—				—
Other Income (Expense):
Interest and Other Deductions		(41,072	)			(37,392	)			(3,680	)
Interest Expense		41,072				37,392				3,680
Net Income	$	—			$	—			$	—
Net Income Per Share (Diluted)	$	—			$	—			$	—

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)
(Thousands of Dollars)
	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	(Unaudited)
							Increase
		2023			2022		(Decrease)
Capital Expenditures:
Exploration and Production	$	160,957	(1)(2)	$	168,505	(3)(4)	$	(7,548	)
Pipeline and Storage		24,554	(1)(2)		16,427	(3)(4)		8,127
Gathering		19,569	(1)(2)		13,293	(3)(4)		6,276
Utility		30,510	(1)(2)		25,288	(3)(4)		5,222
Total Reportable Segments		235,590			223,513			12,077
All Other		—			—			—
Corporate		61			12			49
Total Capital Expenditures	$	235,651		$	223,525		$	12,126

(1)	Capital expenditures for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, include accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to capital expenditures of $74.9 million, $5.5 million, $11.1 million, and $6.4 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 December 31, 2023, since they represent non-cash investing activities at that date.
(2)	Capital expenditures for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, 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 quarter ended December 31, 2023. 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 December 31, 2023.
(3)	Capital expenditures for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, include accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to capital expenditures of $102.9 million, $2.1 million, $1.1 million, and $4.2 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 December 31, 2022, since they represented non-cash investing activities at that date.
(4)	Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2022, 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 quarter ended December 31, 2022. 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 December 31, 2022.

 

DEGREE DAYS
							Percent Colder
							(Warmer) Than:
Three Months Ended December 31,	Normal		2023		2022		Normal (1)			Last Year (1)
Buffalo, NY	2,253		1,858		2,048		(17.5	)		(9.3	)
Erie, PA(2)	1,894		1,664		1,987		(12.1	)		(16.3	)

(1)	Percents compare actual 2023 degree days to normal degree days and actual 2023 degree days to actual 2022 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
		December 31,
								Increase
			2023			2022		(Decrease)
Gas Production/Prices:
Production (MMcf)
Appalachia			100,757			90,574			10,183
Average Prices (Per Mcf)
Weighted Average		$	2.31		$	4.77		$	(2.46	)
Weighted Average after Hedging			2.51			3.02			(0.51	)
Selected Operating Performance Statistics:
General & Administrative Expense per Mcf (1)		$	0.18		$	0.17		$	0.01
Lease Operating and Transportation Expense per Mcf (1)(2)		$	0.67		$	0.68		$	(0.01	)
Depreciation, Depletion & Amortization per Mcf (1)		$	0.71		$	0.61		$	0.10

(1)	Refer to page 13 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 $0.56 and $0.59 per Mcf for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

 

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Hedging Summary for Remaining Nine Months of Fiscal 2024		Volume					Average Hedge Price
Gas Swaps
NYMEX		112,110,000		MMBTU		$	3.37 / MMBTU
No Cost Collars		45,900,000		MMBTU		$	3.29 / MMBTU (Floor) / $4.08 / MMBTU (Ceiling)
Fixed Price Physical Sales		65,537,550		MMBTU		$	2.44 / MMBTU
Total		223,547,550		MMBTU
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2025		Volume					Average Hedge Price
Gas Swaps
NYMEX		94,960,000		MMBTU		$	3.50 / MMBTU
No Cost Collars		43,960,000		MMBTU		$	3.49 / MMBTU (Floor) / $4.65 / MMBTU (Ceiling)
Fixed Price Physical Sales		76,425,978		MMBTU		$	2.47 / MMBTU
Total		215,345,978		MMBTU
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2026		Volume					Average Hedge Price
Gas Swaps
NYMEX		38,020,000		MMBTU		$	3.98 / MMBTU
No Cost Collars		42,720,000		MMBTU		$	3.53 / MMBTU (Floor) / $4.76 / MMBTU (Ceiling)
Fixed Price Physical Sales		69,397,972		MMBTU		$	2.41 / MMBTU
Total		150,137,972		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		49,183,383		MMBTU		$	2.42 / MMBTU
Total		74,493,383		MMBTU
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2028		Volume					Average Hedge Price
Gas Swaps
NYMEX		1,750,000		MMBTU		$	4.16 / MMBTU
Fixed Price Physical Sales		12,469,845		MMBTU		$	2.49 / MMBTU
Total		14,219,845		MMBTU
Hedging Summary for Fiscal 2029		Volume					Average Hedge Price
Fixed Price Physical Sales		788,352		MMBTU		$	2.54 / MMBTU

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Pipeline & Storage Throughput - (millions of cubic feet - MMcf)
		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
						Increase
		2023		2022		(Decrease)
Firm Transportation - Affiliated		31,495		38,469		(6,974	)
Firm Transportation - Non-Affiliated		168,606		186,154		(17,548	)
Interruptible Transportation		118		1,308		(1,190	)
		200,219		225,931		(25,712	)
Gathering Volume - (MMcf)
		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
						Increase
		2023		2022		(Decrease)
Gathered Volume		124,261		108,027		16,234
Utility Throughput - (MMcf)
		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
						Increase
		2023		2022		(Decrease)
Retail Sales:
Residential Sales		17,982		20,153		(2,171	)
Commercial Sales		2,800		2,994		(194	)
Industrial Sales		138		151		(13	)
		20,920		23,298		(2,378	)
Transportation		17,528		18,310		(782	)
		38,448		41,608		(3,160	)

  

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 months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
(in thousands except per share amounts)			2023				2022
Reported GAAP Earnings		$	133,020			$	169,689
Items impacting comparability:
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset (E&P)			4,198				—
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset			(1,151	)			—
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments (Corporate / All Other)			(1,049	)			(209	)
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on other investments			220				44
Adjusted Operating Results		$	135,238			$	169,524
Reported GAAP Earnings Per Share		$	1.44			$	1.84
Items impacting comparability:
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset, net of tax (E&P)			0.03				—
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, net of tax (Corporate / All Other)			(0.01	)			—
Adjusted Operating Results Per Share		$	1.46			$	1.84

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 months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
(in thousands)			2023				2022
Reported GAAP Earnings		$	133,020			$	169,689
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization			115,790				96,600
Other (Income) Deductions			(3,732	)			(6,318	)
Interest Expense			34,735				33,447
Income Taxes			43,087				57,552
Adjusted EBITDA		$	322,900			$	350,970
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment
Pipeline and Storage Adjusted EBITDA		$	59,142			$	64,528
Gathering Adjusted EBITDA			53,061				46,715
Total Midstream Businesses Adjusted EBITDA			112,203				111,243
Exploration and Production Adjusted EBITDA			159,970				190,330
Utility Adjusted EBITDA			53,366				51,577
Corporate and All Other Adjusted EBITDA			(2,639	)			(2,180	)
Total Adjusted EBITDA		$	322,900			$	350,970

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES SEGMENT ADJUSTED EBITDA
		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
(in thousands)			2023				2022
Exploration and Production Segment
Reported GAAP Earnings		$	52,483			$	91,192
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization			71,965				55,558
Other (Income) Deductions			1,413				(1,678	)
Interest Expense			15,268				13,234
Income Taxes			18,841				32,024
Adjusted EBITDA		$	159,970			$	190,330
Pipeline and Storage Segment
Reported GAAP Earnings		$	24,055			$	29,476
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization			18,213				17,414
Other (Income) Deductions			(3,188	)			(3,194	)
Interest Expense			11,725				10,952
Income Taxes			8,337				9,880
Adjusted EBITDA		$	59,142			$	64,528
Gathering Segment
Reported GAAP Earnings		$	28,825			$	24,738
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization			9,458				8,709
Other (Income) Deductions			(82	)			(207	)
Interest Expense			3,729				4,042
Income Taxes			11,131				9,433
Adjusted EBITDA		$	53,061			$	46,715
Utility Segment
Reported GAAP Earnings		$	26,551			$	23,817
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization			16,037				14,874
Other (Income) Deductions			(2,381	)			(1,432	)
Interest Expense			8,457				8,043
Income Taxes			4,702				6,275
Adjusted EBITDA		$	53,366			$	51,577
Corporate and All Other
Reported GAAP Earnings		$	1,106			$	466
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization			117				45
Other (Income) Deductions			506				193
Interest Expense			(4,444	)			(2,824	)
Income Taxes			76				(60	)
Adjusted EBITDA		$	(2,639	)		$	(2,180	)

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 Company is unable to provide a reconciliation of projected free cash flow as described in this release to its comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP without unreasonable efforts. This is due to our inability to reliably predict 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.

FAQ

What was the GAAP net income for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024?

The GAAP net income for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 was $133.0 million.

What was the change in earnings for the Exploration & Production segment?

The Exploration & Production segment saw a 11% increase in natural gas production from the prior year.

What is the fiscal 2024 earnings guidance for National Fuel?

The company is projecting that earnings, excluding items impacting comparability, will be within the range of $4.90 to $5.20 per share, a decrease of $0.60 per share from the midpoint of the Company’s prior guidance range.

What is the reason for the decrease in fiscal 2024 earnings guidance?

The decrease from the Company’s prior earnings guidance primarily reflects the impact of lower natural gas price expectations, partially offset by the improved outlook for both production and lease operating and transportation expense in the Exploration and Production segment.

What is the projected natural gas price for the remainder of fiscal 2024?

The Company is now assuming that NYMEX natural gas prices will average $2.40 per MMBtu for the remainder of fiscal 2024, a decrease of $0.85 per MMBtu from the $3.25 per MMBtu assumed in the previous guidance.