Quarterly Report



 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

X Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009
OR
___ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from __________ to __________.


Commission file number    1-12202



ONEOK PARTNERS, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 
Delaware
   
93-1120873
(State or other jurisdiction of
   
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
           
                 
100 West Fifth Street, Tulsa, OK
   
74103
 (Address of principal executive offices)      (Zip Code)
 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code    (918) 588-7000


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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes __ No __

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer X              Accelerated filer __             Non-accelerated filer __             Smaller reporting company__

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
Class
 
Outstanding at October 30, 2009
Common units
   
59,912,777 units
Class B units
   
36,494,126 units

 
 
 

 

ONEOK PARTNERS, L.P.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

Part I.
Financial Information
 
Page No.
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
5
 
 
 
6
 
 
7
 
 
8-9
 
 
10
 
11-23
 
Item 2.
 
24-42
 
Item 3.
 
42
Item 4.
43
 
Part II.
Other Information
 
 
Item 1.
43-44
 
Item 1A.
44
 
Item 2.
 
44
 
Item 3.
44
 
Item 4.
44
 
Item 5.
44
 
Item 6.
44-45
 
 
46
 
As used in this Quarterly Report, references to “we,” “our,” “us” or the “Partnership” refer to ONEOK Partners, L.P., its subsidiary, ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership, and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

The statements in this Quarterly Report that are not historical information, including statements concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations, economic performance or related assumptions, are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “should,” “goal,” “forecast,” “could,” “may,” “continue,” “might,” “potential,” “scheduled” and other words and terms of similar meaning.  Although we believe that our expectations regarding future events are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that such expectations and assumptions will be achieved.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are described under Part I, Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, “Forward-Looking Statements” and Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report and under Part 1, Item 1A, "Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report.

INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE

We make available on our Web site copies of our Annual Report, Quarterly Reports, Current Reports on Form 8-K, amendments to those reports filed or furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and reports of holdings of our securities filed by our officers and directors under Section 16 of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such material electronically or otherwise furnishing it to the SEC.  Our Web site and any contents thereof are not incorporated by reference into this report.

We also make available on our Web site the Interactive Data Files voluntarily submitted as Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report.  In accordance with Rule 402 of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

GLOSSARY
The abbreviations, acronyms and industry terminology used in this Quarterly Report are defined as follows:

 
AFUDC
Allowance for funds used during construction
 
Annual Report
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008
 
Bbl
Barrels, 1 barrel is equivalent to 42 United States gallons
 
Bbl/d
Barrels per day
 
BBtu/d
Billion British thermal units per day
 
Bcf
Billion cubic feet
 
Btu(s)
British thermal units, a measure of the amount of heat required to raise the
   temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit
 
Bushton Plant
Bushton Gas Processing Plant
 
EBITDA
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
 
Exchange Act
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
 
FASB
Financial Accounting Standards Board
 
FERC
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
 
GAAP
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
 
Guardian Pipeline
Guardian Pipeline, L.L.C.
 
Intermediate Partnership
ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership, a wholly owned subsidiary
   of ONEOK Partners, L.P.
 
KCC
Kansas Corporation Commission
 
MBbl
Thousand barrels
 
MBbl/d
Thousand barrels per day
 
Midwestern Gas Transmission
Midwestern Gas Transmission Company
 
MMBbl
Million barrels
 
MMBtu
Million British thermal units
 
MMBtu/d
Million British thermal units per day
 
MMcf/d
Million cubic feet per day
 
Moody’s
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
 
NBP Services
NBP Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of ONEOK
 
NGL products
Marketable natural gas liquid purity products, such as ethane, ethane/propane
   mix, propane, iso-butane, normal butane and natural gasoline
 
NGL(s)
Natural gas liquid(s)
 
Northern Border Pipeline
Northern Border Pipeline Company
 
NYMEX
New York Mercantile Exchange
 
OBPI
ONEOK Bushton Processing Inc.
 
OCC
Oklahoma Corporation Commission
 
OkTex Pipeline
OkTex Pipeline Company, L.L.C.
 
ONEOK
ONEOK, Inc.
 
ONEOK Partners GP
ONEOK Partners GP, L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of ONEOK and our
   sole general partner
 
OPIS
Oil Price Information Service
 
Overland Pass Pipeline Company
Overland Pass Pipeline Company LLC
 
Partnership Agreement
Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of ONEOK
   Partners, L.P., as amended
 
POP
Percent of Proceeds
 
Quarterly Report(s)
Quarterly Report(s) on Form 10-Q
 
S&P
Standard & Poor’s Rating Group
 
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
 
Securities Act
Securities Act of 1933, as amended
 
XBRL
eXtensible Business Reporting Language
 

 
 
 
 



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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                       
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                       
ONEOK Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries
                       
                       
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit amounts)
 
                         
Revenues
  $ 1,560,003     $ 2,241,107     $ 4,207,925     $ 6,444,034  
Cost of sales and fuel
    1,267,124       1,915,707       3,399,523       5,569,176  
Net margin
    292,879       325,400       808,402       874,858  
Operating expenses
                               
Operations and maintenance
    92,855       86,456       258,246       243,929  
Depreciation and amortization
    41,857       30,408       121,750       90,383  
General taxes
    12,253       11,032       36,815       28,799  
Total operating expenses
    146,965       127,896       416,811       363,111  
Gain (loss) on sale of assets
    (1,180 )     22       2,760       50  
Operating income
    144,734       197,526       394,351       511,797  
Equity earnings from investments (Note K)
    20,054       29,412       55,464       74,805  
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
    7,290       15,616       25,761       35,788  
Other income
    5,026       990       8,841       3,724  
Other expense
    (299 )     (5,784 )     (2,728 )     (7,951 )
Interest expense
    (50,371 )     (34,447 )     (152,167 )     (107,681 )
Income before income taxes
    126,434       203,313       329,522       510,482  
Income taxes
    (4,729 )     670       (10,668 )     (6,703 )
Net income
    121,705       203,983       318,854       503,779  
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    212       111       232       368  
Net income attributable to ONEOK Partners, L.P.
  $ 121,493     $ 203,872     $ 318,622     $ 503,411  
                                 
Limited partners’ interest in net income:
                               
Net income attributable to ONEOK Partners, L.P.
  $ 121,493     $ 203,872     $ 318,622     $ 503,411  
General partner’s interest in net income
    (25,010 )     (24,397 )     (70,710 )     (65,790 )
Limited partners’ interest in net income
  $ 96,483     $ 179,475     $ 247,912     $ 437,621  
                                 
Limited partners’ net income per unit, basic and diluted (Note L)
  $ 1.00     $ 1.97     $ 2.67     $ 4.93  
                                 
Number of units used in computation ( thousands )
    96,402       90,920       92,932       88,768  
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
                               

 
 
ONEOK Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries
           
           
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2009
   
2008
 
Assets
 
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 30,535     $ 177,635  
Accounts receivable, net
    445,185       317,182  
Affiliate receivables
    21,532       25,776  
Gas and natural gas liquids in storage
    187,773       190,616  
Commodity exchanges and imbalances
    85,073       55,086  
Derivative financial instruments (Notes B and C)
    5,983       63,780  
Other current assets
    41,713       28,176  
Total current assets
    817,794       858,251  
                 
Property, plant and equipment
               
Property, plant and equipment
    6,250,762       5,808,679  
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    933,264       875,279  
Net property, plant and equipment (Note I)
    5,317,498       4,933,400  
                 
Investments and other assets
               
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
    774,347       755,492  
Goodwill and intangible assets
    670,786       676,536  
Other assets
    36,619       30,593  
Total investments and other assets
    1,481,752       1,462,621  
Total assets
  $ 7,617,044     $ 7,254,272  
                 
Liabilities and partners’ equity
               
Current liabilities
               
Current maturities of long-term debt
  $ 261,931     $ 11,931  
Notes payable (Note F)
    515,000       870,000  
Accounts payable
    508,331       496,763  
Affiliate payables
    32,489       23,333  
Commodity exchanges and imbalances
    204,401       191,165  
Other current liabilities
    159,154       100,832  
Total current liabilities
    1,681,306       1,694,024  
                 
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities (Note G)
    2,826,016       2,589,509  
                 
Deferred credits and other liabilities
    60,717       54,773  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note H)
               
                 
Partners’ equity
               
ONEOK Partners, L.P. partners’ equity:
               
General partner
    83,798       77,546  
Common units: 59,912,777 and 54,426,087 units issued and outstanding at
   September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively
    1,571,123       1,361,058  
Class B units: 36,494,126 units issued and outstanding at
   September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008
    1,386,000       1,407,016  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (Note D)
    2,499       64,405  
Total ONEOK Partners, L.P. partners’ equity
    3,043,420       2,910,025  
                 
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries
    5,585       5,941  
                 
Total partners’ equity
    3,049,005       2,915,966  
Total liabilities and partners’ equity
  $ 7,617,044     $ 7,254,272  
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

 

ONEOK Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries
           
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Operating activities
           
Net income
  $ 318,854     $ 503,779  
Depreciation and amortization
    121,750       90,383  
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
    (25,761 )     (35,788 )
Gain on sale of assets
    (2,760 )     (50 )
Equity earnings from investments
    (55,464 )     (74,805 )
Distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates
    56,896       67,812  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    (128,003 )     98,214  
Affiliate receivables
    4,244       9,245  
Gas and natural gas liquids in storage
    2,843       (59,690 )
Derivative financial instruments
    (3,035 )     (47,017 )
Accounts payable
    20,375       (52,516 )
Affiliate payables
    9,156       11,401  
Commodity exchanges and imbalances, net
    (16,751 )     (3,521 )
Accrued interest
    29,695       32,117  
Other assets and liabilities
    16,999       29,101  
Cash provided by operating activities
    349,038       568,665  
                 
Investing activities
               
Changes in investments in unconsolidated affiliates
    (19,878 )     3,063  
Acquisitions
    -       2,450  
Capital expenditures (less allowance for equity funds used during construction)
    (491,256 )     (860,167 )
Proceeds from sale of assets
    8,528       133  
Cash used in investing activities
    (502,606 )     (854,521 )
                 
Financing activities
               
Cash distributions:
               
General and limited partners
    (370,094 )     (332,090 )
Noncontrolling interests
    (588 )     (223 )
Borrowing of notes payable, net
    515,000       180,000  
Repayment of notes payable with maturities over 90 days
    (870,000 )     -  
Issuance of long-term debt, net of discounts
    498,325       -  
Long-term debt financing costs
    (4,000 )     -  
Repayment of long-term debt
    (8,948 )     (8,947 )
Issuance of common units, net of discounts
    241,643       450,198  
Contribution from general partner
    5,130       9,508  
Cash provided by financing activities
    6,468       298,446  
Change in cash and cash equivalents
    (147,100 )     12,590  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    177,635       3,213  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 30,535     $ 15,803  
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

 
 
ONEOK Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries
                       
             
                         
                         
   
ONEOK Partners, L.P. Partners’ Equity
 
                         
                         
   
Common
Units
   
Class B
Units
   
General
Partner
   
Common
Units
 
(Unaudited)
   
(Units)
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
                         
December 31, 2008
    54,426,087       36,494,126     $ 77,546     $ 1,361,058  
Net income
    -       -       70,710       150,688  
Other comprehensive loss (Note D)
    -       -       -       -  
Issuance of common units (Note E)
    5,486,690       -       -       241,643  
Contribution from general partner (Note E)
    -       -       5,130       -  
Distributions paid (Note E)
    -       -       (69,588 )     (182,266 )
September 30, 2009
    59,912,777       36,494,126     $ 83,798     $ 1,571,123  
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

 

ONEOK Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries
                       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS’ EQUITY
             
(Continued)
                       
                         
   
ONEOK Partners, L.P. Partners’ Equity
           
         
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
   
Noncontrolling
Interests in
Consolidated
Subsidiaries
       
         
Total Partners’
Equity
 
   
Class B
Units
 
(Unaudited)
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
                         
December 31, 2008
  $ 1,407,016     $ 64,405     $ 5,941     $ 2,915,966  
Net income
    97,224       -       232       318,854  
Other comprehensive loss (Note D)
    -       (61,906 )     -       (61,906 )
Issuance of common units (Note E)
    -       -       -       241,643  
Contribution from general partner (Note E)
    -       -       -       5,130  
Distributions paid (Note E)
    (118,240 )     -       (588 )     (370,682 )
September 30, 2009
  $ 1,386,000     $ 2,499     $ 5,585     $ 3,049,005  
                                 

 
 
ONEOK Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries
                       
                   
                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
 
(Thousands of dollars)
                         
Net income
  $ 121,705     $ 203,983     $ 318,854     $ 503,779  
Other comprehensive income (loss) (Note D)
    (13,418 )     80,863       (61,906 )     44,563  
Comprehensive income
    108,287       284,846       256,948       548,342  
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    212       111       232       368  
Comprehensive income attributable to ONEOK Partners, L.P.
  $ 108,075     $ 284,735     $ 256,716     $ 547,974  
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
                               

 

ONEOK Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

A.           SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and reflect all adjustments that, in our opinion, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  The 2008 year-end consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.  These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report.

As a result of increased integration within our natural gas liquids business, we implemented changes to the structure of our previous reportable business segments during the third quarter of 2009 to better align them with how we manage our businesses.  Our financial results are now reported in three segments: (i) Natural Gas Gathering and Processing; (ii) Natural Gas Pipelines, both of which remain unchanged; and (iii) Natural Gas Liquids, which is comprised of our former natural gas liquids gathering and fractionation segment and our former natural gas liquids pipelines segment.  Prior period amounts have been recast to reflect these segment changes.

Our accounting policies are consistent with those disclosed in Note A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report.

Goodwill Impairment Test - We assess our goodwill for impairment at least annually.  There were no impairment charges resulting from our July 1, 2009, impairment test.

Recently Issued Accounting Updates

The following recently issued accounting updates affect our consolidated financial statements during 2009:

FASB Accounting Standards Codification - In June 2009, the FASB established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (Codification) as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP.  While the Codification does not change GAAP, it does change the manner in which we reference authoritative accounting principles in our consolidated financial statements.  The Codification is effective for and has been implemented in this Quarterly Report.

Noncontrolling Interests - Effective for our year beginning January 1, 2009, we retroactively adopted new presentation and disclosure requirements for existing noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interests).  We report noncontrolling interests as a component of equity in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and to us in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Effective for our year beginning January 1, 2009, we provide enhanced disclosures about how derivative and hedging activities affect our financial position, financial performance and cash flows.  These additional disclosures have been applied prospectively.  See Note C for applicable disclosures.

Fair Value Measurements - As of January 1, 2009, we began measuring our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to initial recognition based upon a revised definition of fair value.  The impact of these measurement changes was not material.  See Note B for disclosures of our fair value measurements.

Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value - In August 2009, the FASB provided clarification for measuring liabilities at fair value.  When a quoted price in an active market for an identical liability is not available, we will be required to measure fair value using a valuation technique that uses quoted prices of similar liabilities, quoted prices of identical or similar liabilities when traded as assets, or another valuation technique that is consistent with GAAP, such as the income or market approach.  Additionally, when estimating the fair value of a liability, we will not be required to include a separate input or adjustment to other inputs relating to the existence of a restriction that prevents the transfer of the liability.  We will consider liabilities measured using an unadjusted quoted price in an active market for either an identical liability or an identical liability when traded as an asset as a Level 1 fair value measurement.  We will apply this guidance when measuring liabilities at fair value beginning in the fourth quarter of 2009 and do not expect the impact on those measurements to be material.

Limited Partners’ Net Income Per Unit - Effective for our year beginning January 1, 2009, the Emerging Issues Task Force issued guidance aimed to improve the comparability of net income per unit calculations for master limited partnerships
 
 

with incentive distributions rights.  We retroactively applied this guidance, and there was no impact on our limited partners’ net income per unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.  See Note L for a discussion of our calculation of basic and diluted limited partners’ net income per unit.

Interim Disclosures about Fair Value - Effective for our quarter ended June 30, 2009, we provide disclosures of fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods.  These disclosures are included in Note B.

Subsequent Events - Effective for our quarter ended June 30, 2009, the FASB established standards related to the accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before consolidated financial statements are issued.  We have evaluated subsequent events through November 5, 2009, the date our consolidated financial statements were issued, and all required disclosures have been made.

B.           FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Refer to Notes A and C of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report for a discussion of our fair value measurements and the fair value hierarchy.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements - The following tables set forth our recurring fair value measurements for the periods indicated:

   
September 30, 2009
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Netting (a)
   
Total
 
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Derivatives
                             
Assets (b)
  $ -     $ 6,143     $ 7,316     $ (7,476 )   $ 5,983  
Liabilities (c)
  $ -     $ (4,444 )   $ (4,106 )   $ 7,476     $ (1,074 )
(a) - Our derivative assets and liabilities are presented in our Consolidated Balance Sheet on a net basis. We net derivative assets and liabilities when a legally enforceable master netting arrangement exists between us and the counterparty to a derivative contract.
 
(b) - Included in derivative financial instruments in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
                 
(c) - Included in deferred credits and other liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
               
 

   
December 31, 2008
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Netting (a)
   
Total
 
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Derivatives
                             
Assets (b)
  $ -     $ 26,131     $ 37,649     $ -     $ 63,780  
(a) - Our derivative assets and liabilities are presented in our Consolidated Balance Sheet on a net basis. We net derivative assets and liabilities when a legally enforceable master netting arrangement exists between us and the counterparty to a derivative contract.
 
(b) - Included in derivative financial instruments in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
                 
 
At September 30, 2009, and December 31, 2008, we had no cash collateral held or posted under our master netting arrangements.

We categorize derivatives for which fair value is determined based on multiple inputs within a single level, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

Our derivative instruments categorized as Level 2 include non-exchange traded fixed-price swaps for natural gas and condensate that are valued based on NYMEX-settled prices for natural gas and crude oil, respectively.  Our derivative instruments categorized as Level 3 include over-the-counter fixed-price swaps for purity NGL products and natural gas basis swaps.  These swaps are valued based on information from a pricing service, the forward NYMEX curve for crude oil, correlations of specific NGL purity products to crude oil and internally developed basis curves incorporating observable and unobservable market data.  We corroborate the data on which our fair value estimates are based using our market knowledge of recent transactions and day-to-day pricing fluctuations and analysis of historical relationships of data from the pricing service compared with actual settlements and correlations.  We do not believe that our Level 3 fair value estimates have a material impact on our results of operations, as the majority of our derivatives are accounted for as cash flow hedges for which ineffectiveness is not material.
 


The following table sets forth a reconciliation of our Level 3 fair value measurements for the periods indicated:
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
Derivative Assets (Liabilities)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Net assets (liabilities) at beginning of period
  $ 11,597     $ (37,704 )   $ 37,649     $ (16,400 )
   Total realized/unrealized gains (losses):
                               
       Included in earnings (a)
    1,652       (3,407 )     3,738       (2,434 )
       Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
    (10,039 )     56,176       (38,177 )     33,899  
Net assets (liabilities) at end of period
  $ 3,210     $ 15,065     $ 3,210     $ 15,065  
                                 
Total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings
                               
attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses)
                               
relating to assets and liabilities still held as of the end
                               
of the period (a)
  $ 51     $ (3,422 )   $ 51     $ (3,422 )
(a) - Included in revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
                         
 
Other Financial Instruments - The approximate fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable is equal to book value, due to its short-term nature.  The fair value of borrowings under our $1.0 billion amended and restated revolving credit agreement dated March 30, 2007 (Partnership Credit Agreement), approximates the carrying value since the interest rates are periodically adjusted to reflect current market conditions.

The estimated fair value of the aggregate of our senior notes outstanding, including current maturities, was $3.3 billion at September 30, 2009.  The book value of the aggregate of our senior notes outstanding, including current maturities, was $3.1 billion at September 30, 2009.  The estimated fair value of the aggregate of our senior notes outstanding has been determined using quoted market prices for similar issues with similar terms and maturities.

C.           RISK MANAGEMENT AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES USING DERIVATIVES

Risk Management Activities - We are sensitive to changes in natural gas, crude oil and NGL prices, principally as a result of contractual terms under which these commodities are processed, purchased and sold.  We use physical forward sales and financial derivatives to secure a certain price for a portion of our natural gas, condensate and NGL products.  We follow established policies and procedures to assess risk and approve, monitor and report our risk management activities.  We have not used these instruments for trading purposes.  We are also subject to the risk of interest rate fluctuation in the normal course of business.

Commodity price risk - Commodity price risk refers to the risk of loss in cash flows and future earnings arising from adverse changes in the price of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil.  We use the following commodity derivative instruments to mitigate the commodity price risk associated with a portion of the forecasted sales of these commodities:
·  
Futures contracts - Standardized exchange-traded contracts to purchase or sell natural gas and crude oil at a specified price, requiring delivery on, or settlement through, the sale or purchase of an offsetting contract by a specified future date under the provisions of exchange regulations. 
·  
Forward contracts  - Commitments to purchase or sell natural gas, crude oil or NGLs for delivery at some specified time in the future.  Forward contracts are different from futures in that forwards are customized and non-exchange traded.
·  
Swaps - Financial trades involving the exchange of payments based on two different pricing structures for a commodity.  In a typical commodity swap, parties exchange payments based on changes in the price of a commodity or a market index, while fixing the price they effectively pay or receive for the physical commodity.  As a result, one party assumes the risks and benefits of the movements in market prices while the other party assumes the risks and benefits of a fixed price for the commodity. 

In our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment, we are exposed to commodity price risk, primarily NGLs and natural gas, as a result of receiving commodities in exchange for services associated with our POP contracts.  To a lesser extent, exposures arise from the relative price differential between NGLs and natural gas, or the gross processing spread, with respect to our keep-whole processing contracts.  We are also exposed to basis risk between the various production and market locations where we buy and sell commodities.  As part of our hedging strategy, we use the previously described commodity derivative instruments to minimize the impact of price fluctuations related to natural gas, NGLs and condensate.  We reduce our gross processing spread exposure through a combination of physical and financial hedges.  We utilize a portion of our
 


POP equity natural gas as an offset, or natural hedge, to an equivalent portion of our keep-whole shrink requirements.  This has the effect of converting our gross processing spread risk to NGL commodity price risk.  We hedge a portion of the forecasted sales of the commodities we retain, including NGLs, natural gas and condensate.
 
In our Natural Gas Pipelines segment, we are exposed to commodity price risk because our intrastate and interstate natural gas pipelines collect natural gas from our customers for operations or as part of our fee for services provided.  When the amount of natural gas consumed in operations by these pipelines differs from the amount provided by our customers, our pipelines must buy or sell natural gas, or store or use natural gas from inventory, which can expose us to commodity price risk depending on the regulatory treatment for this activity.  We use physical forward sales to reduce the impact of price fluctuations related to natural gas.  At September 30, 2009, we were not using any financial derivative instruments with respect to our natural gas pipeline operations.

In our Natural Gas Liquids segment, we are exposed to basis risk primarily as a result of the relative value of NGL purchases at one location and sales at another location.  To a lesser extent, we are exposed to commodity price risk resulting from the relative values of the various NGL products to each other, NGLs in storage and the relative value of NGLs to natural gas.  We utilize fixed-price physical forward contracts to reduce the impact of price fluctuations related to NGLs.  At September 30, 2009, we were not using any financial derivative instruments with respect to our NGL activities.

Interest rate risk - We manage interest rate risk through the use of fixed-rate debt, floating-rate debt and, at times, interest-rate swaps.  Interest-rate swaps are agreements to exchange an interest payment at some future point based on the differential between two interest rates.

Accounting Treatment - We record derivative instruments at fair value, with the exception of normal purchases and normal sales that are expected to result in physical delivery.  The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a cash flow hedging relationship and, if so, the reason for holding it.

The table below summarizes the various ways in which we account for our derivative instruments and the impact on our consolidated financial statements:

   
Recognition and Measurement
Accounting Treatment
Balance Sheet
 
Income Statement
Normal purchases and normal sales
 
- Fair value not recorded
 
 - Change in fair value not recognized in earnings
Mark-to-market
 
- Recorded at fair value
 
 - Change in fair value recognized in earnings
Cash flow hedge
 
- Recorded at fair value
 
 - Ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the
   derivative instrument is recognized in earnings
 
   
- Effective portion of the gain or loss on the
   derivative instrument is reported initially
   as a component of accumulated other
   comprehensive income (loss)
 
 - Effective portion of the gain or loss on the
   derivative instrument is reclassified out of
   accumulated other comprehensive income
   (loss) into earnings when the forecasted
   transaction affects earnings
Fair value hedge
 
- Recorded at fair value
 
- The gain or loss on the derivative instrument
   is recognized in earnings
 
   
- Change in fair value of the hedged item is
   recorded as an adjustment to book value
 
- Change in fair value of the hedged item is
   recognized in earnings
 
We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as risk management objectives, strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions and methods for assessing and testing correlation and hedge ineffectiveness.  We specifically identify the forecasted transaction that has been designated as the hedged item with a cash flow hedge.  We assess the effectiveness of hedging relationships quarterly by performing a regression analysis on our fair value and cash flow hedging relationships to determine whether the hedge relationships are highly effective on a retrospective and prospective basis.  We also document our normal purchases and normal sales transactions that we expect to result in physical delivery and that we elect to exempt from derivative accounting treatment.

Cash flows from futures, forwards and swaps that are accounted for as hedges are included in the same Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows category as the cash flows from the related hedged items.
 


Fair Values of Derivative Instruments -   Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  See Note B for a discussion of the inputs associated with our fair value measurements and our fair value hierarchy disclosures.

As of September 30, 2009, we had $13.5 million of derivative assets and $8.6 million of derivative liabilities, excluding the impact of netting, all of which related to commodity contracts.

As of September 30, 2009, we had fixed-price natural gas swaps with a notional quantity of 4.4 Bcf and natural gas basis swaps with a notional quantity of 4.4 Bcf.  Additionally, we had fixed-price crude oil and NGL swaps with a notional quantity of 1.5 MMBbl.

Cash Flow Hedges - At September 30, 2009, our Consolidated Balance Sheet reflected a net unrealized gain of $6.4 million in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), with a corresponding offset in derivative financial instrument assets and liabilities that will be realized within the next 15 months as the forecasted transactions affect earnings.  If prices remain at current levels, we will recognize $7.4 million in gains over the next 12 months, and we will recognize losses of $1.0 million thereafter.

The following table sets forth the effect of cash flow hedges recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for the periods indicated:
 
Derivatives in Cash Flow
Hedging Relationships
 
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Commodity contracts
  $ (1,588 )   $ (15,232 )
Interest rate contracts
    1,035       1,599  
Total gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive
   income (loss) (effective portion)
  $ (553 )   $ (13,633 )
                 
The following table sets forth the effect of cash flow hedges on our Consolidated Statements of Income for the periods indicated:

 
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from
           
Derivatives in Cash Flow
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
Hedging Relationships
(Loss) into Net Income (Effective Portion)
 
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2009
 
     
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Commodity contracts
Revenues
  $ 12,500     $ 47,248  
Interest rate contracts
Interest expense
    365       1,237  
Total gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive
   income (loss) into net income (effective portion)
  $ 12,865     $ 48,485  
 
Ineffectiveness related to our cash flow hedges was not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.  In the event that it becomes probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur, we would discontinue cash flow hedge treatment, which would affect earnings.  There were no gains or losses due to the discontinuance of cash flow hedge treatment during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

Fair Value Hedges - In prior years, we terminated various interest-rate swap agreements.  The net savings from the termination of these swaps is being recognized in interest expense over the terms of the debt instruments originally hedged.  Interest expense savings from the amortization of terminated swaps for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, were not material.  Interest expense savings from the amortization of terminated swaps for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, were $2.8 million, and the remaining amortization of terminated swaps will be recognized over the following periods.
       
 
(Millions of dollars)
Remainder of 2009
  $ 0.9  
2010
  $ 3.7  
2011
  $ 0.9  

At September 30, 2009, none of the interest on our fixed-rate debt was swapped to floating using interest-rate swaps.
 


Credit Risk - All the commodity derivative contracts we enter into are with   ONEOK Energy Services Company, L.P. (OES), a subsidiary of ONEOK.  OES enters into similar commodity derivative contracts with third parties at our direction and on our behalf.  We have an indemnification agreement with OES that indemnifies and holds OES harmless from any liability they may incur solely as a result of entering into commodity derivative contracts on our behalf.  Derivative assets for which we would indemnify OES in the event of a default by the counterparty totaled $6.0 million at September 30, 2009, and were with investment-grade counterparties that are primarily in the oil and gas sector.

D.           OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following table sets forth other comprehensive income (loss) for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
  $ (553 )   $ 66,661     $ (13,633 )   $ 13,496  
Less:  Realized gains (losses) on derivatives
   recognized in net income
    12,865       (14,202 )     48,485       (31,067 )
Other
    -       -       212       -  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
  $ (13,418 )   $ 80,863     $ (61,906 )   $ 44,563  

The balance in accumulated other comprehensive income in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2009, and December 31, 2008 was attributable to unrealized gains and losses on derivatives.

E.           PARTNERS’ EQUITY

Equity Issuance - In June 2009, we completed an underwritten public offering of 5,000,000 common units at $45.81 per common unit, generating net proceeds of approximately $219.9 million after deducting underwriting discounts but before offering expenses.

In July 2009, we sold an additional 486,690 common units at $45.81 per common unit to the underwriters of the public offering upon the partial exercise of their option to purchase additional common units to cover over-allotments.  We received net proceeds of approximately $21.4 million from the sale of the common units after deducting underwriting discounts but before offering expenses.

In conjunction with the public offering and partial exercise by the underwriters of their overallotment option, ONEOK Partners GP contributed an aggregate of $5.1 million in order to maintain its 2 percent general partner interest in us.  As a result of these transactions, ONEOK and its subsidiaries now hold an aggregate 45.1 percent interest in us.

We used the proceeds from the sale of common units and the general partner contributions to repay borrowings under our Partnership Credit Agreement and for general partnership purposes.

Cash Distributions Paid - For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, cash distributions included $69.6 million paid to our general partner, of which $62.2 million was related to incentive distributions.  The quarterly distributions paid to our limited partners in each of the first, second and third quarters of 2009 were $1.08 per unit.  These distributions pertained to the fourth quarter of 2008, first quarter of 2009 and second quarter of 2009.

Cash Distributions Declared - In October 2009, we declared a cash distribution of $1.09 per unit ($4.36 per unit on an annualized basis) for the third quarter of 2009, an increase of $0.01 from the previous quarter.  The distribution will be paid on November 13, 2009, to unitholders of record at the close of business on October 30, 2009.

F.           CREDIT FACILITIES

Our Partnership Credit Agreement, which expires in March 2012, contains certain financial and other typical covenants as discussed in Note H of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report.  Among other things, these covenants include maintaining a ratio of indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA (EBITDA, as adjusted for all non-cash charges and increased for projected EBITDA from certain lender-approved capital expansion projects) of no more than 5 to 1.  At
 


September 30, 2009, our ratio of indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA was 4.7 to 1, and we were in compliance with all covenants under our Partnership Credit Agreement.

At September 30, 2009, we had $515 million of borrowings outstanding under our Partnership Credit Agreement, and under the most restrictive provisions of our Partnership Credit Agreement had $219.7 million of credit available.  At September 30, 2009, we had a total of $49.2 million issued in letters of credit outside of the Partnership Credit Agreement.

Borrowings under our Partnership Credit Agreement are short term in nature, ranging from one day to six months.  Accordingly, these borrowings are classified as short-term notes payable.

G.           LONG-TERM DEBT

Debt Issuance - In March 2009, we completed an underwritten public offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 8.625 percent Senior Notes due 2019 (2019 Notes).

We may redeem the 2019 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to their maturity at a redemption price equal to the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and a make-whole premium.  The redemption price will never be less than 100 percent of the principal amount of the 2019 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.  The 2019 Notes are senior unsecured obligations, ranking equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness, and effectively junior to all of the existing and future debt and other liabilities of any non-guarantor subsidiaries.  The 2019 Notes are nonrecourse to our general partner.

The net proceeds from the 2019 Notes, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses, of approximately $494.3 million were used to repay indebtedness outstanding under our Partnership Credit Agreement.

The 2019 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Intermediate Partnership.  The guarantee ranks equally in right of payment to all of the Intermediate Partnership’s existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness.  We have no significant assets or operations other than our investment in our wholly owned subsidiary, the Intermediate Partnership, which is also consolidated.  At September 30, 2009, the Intermediate Partnership held partnership interests and the equity in our subsidiaries, as well as a 50 percent interest in Northern Border Pipeline.

The terms of the 2019 Notes are governed by an indenture, dated as of September 25, 2006, between us and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, as supplemented by the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated March 3, 2009 (Indenture).  The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued and provides that debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more additional series.  The Indenture contains covenants including, among other provisions, limitations on our ability to place liens on our property or assets and to sell and leaseback our property.

The 2019 Notes will mature on March 1, 2019.  We will pay interest on the 2019 Notes on March 1 and September 1 of each year.  The first payment of interest on the 2019 Notes was made on September 1, 2009.  Interest on the 2019 Notes accrues from March 3, 2009, which was the issuance date.

H.           COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Investment in Northern Border Pipeline  - During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we made equity contributions of $42.3 million to Northern Border Pipeline.  We do not anticipate any additional equity contributions in 2009 or material equity contributions in 2010.

Environmental Liabilities -   We are subject to multiple environmental, historical and wildlife preservation laws and regulations affecting many aspects of our present and future operations.  Regulated activities include those involving air emissions, stormwater and wastewater discharges, handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, hazardous materials transportation, and pipeline and facility construction.  These laws and regulations require us to obtain and comply with a wide variety of environmental clearances, registrations, licenses, permits and other approvals.  Failure to comply with these laws, regulations, permits and licenses may expose us to fines, penalties and/or interruptions in our operations that could be material to our results of operations.  If a leak or spill of hazardous substances or petroleum products occurs from lines or facilities that we own, operate or otherwise use, we could be held jointly and severally liable for all resulting liabilities, including response, investigation and clean-up costs, which could materially affect our results of operations and cash flows.  In addition, emission controls required under the federal Clean Air Act and other similar federal and state laws could require unexpected capital expenditures at our facilities.  We cannot assure that existing environmental regulations will not be revised or that new regulations will not be adopted or become applicable to us.  Revised or additional regulations that result
 


in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our expenditures for environmental evaluation, mitigation, remediation and compliance to date have not been significant in relation to our financial position or results of operations, and our expenditures related to environmental matters had no material effect on earnings or cash flows during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

Legal Proceedings - We are a party to various litigation matters and claims that have arisen in the normal course of our operations.  While the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the final outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

I.           PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The following table sets forth our property, plant and equipment, by segment, for the periods indicated:

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Non-Regulated
           
Natural Gas Gathering and Processing
  $ 1,432,781     $ 1,368,223  
Natural Gas Pipelines
    168,316       167,625  
Natural Gas Liquids
    916,495       879,047  
Other
    5,432       50,474  
Regulated
               
Natural Gas Pipelines
    1,506,122       1,460,764  
Natural Gas Liquids
    2,221,616       1,882,546  
Property, plant and equipment
    6,250,762       5,808,679  
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    933,264       875,279  
Net property, plant and equipment
  $ 5,317,498     $ 4,933,400  

Property, plant and equipment on our Consolidated Balance Sheets includes construction work in process for capital projects that have not yet been placed in service and therefore are not being depreciated.  The following table sets forth our construction work in process, by segment, for the periods indicated:

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
 
(Thousands of dollars)
Natural Gas Gathering and Processing
  $ 59,573     $ 135,252  
Natural Gas Pipelines
    35,544       107,686  
Natural Gas Liquids
    239,938       566,843  
Other
    817       197  
Total construction work in process
  $ 335,872     $ 809,978  



J.           SEGMENTS

Segment Descriptions - As a result of increased integration within our natural gas liquids business, we implemented changes to the structure of our previous reportable business segments during the third quarter of 2009 to better align them with how we manage our businesses.  Our financial results are now reported in these three segments: (i) Natural Gas Gathering and Processing; (ii) Natural Gas Pipelines, both of which remain unchanged; and (iii) Natural Gas Liquids, which is comprised of our former natural gas liquids gathering and fractionation segment and our former natural gas liquids pipelines segment.  Prior period amounts have been recast to reflect these segment changes.

Our operations are divided into three reportable business segments based on similarities in economic characteristics, products and services, types of customers, methods of distribution and regulatory environment, as follows:
·  
our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment primarily gathers and processes unprocessed natural gas;
·  
our Natural Gas Pipelines segment primarily operates regulated interstate and intrastate natural gas transmission pipelines and natural gas storage facilities; and
·  
our Natural Gas Liquids segment primarily gathers, treats, fractionates and transports NGLs and stores, markets and distributes NGL products.

Accounting Policies - The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note A and Note L of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report.  Intersegment and affiliate sales are recorded on the same basis as sales to unaffiliated customers.  Net margin is comprised of total revenues less cost of sales and fuel.  Cost of sales and fuel includes commodity purchases, fuel and transportation costs.

Customers - For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, and three months ended September 30, 2008, we had no single unaffiliated customer from which we received 10 percent or more of our consolidated revenues.  We had one unaffiliated customer from which we received $686.3 million, or approximately 11 percent, of our consolidated revenues, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  All of these revenues pertained to our Natural Gas Liquids segment.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, sales to affiliated customers were less than 10 percent of our consolidated revenues.  See Note M for additional information about our sales to affiliated customers.

Operating Segment Information - The following tables set forth certain selected financial information for our operating segments for the periods indicated:
 
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 
Natural Gas
Gathering and Processing
   
Natural Gas
Pipelines (a)
   
Natural Gas
Liquids (b)
   
Other and
Eliminations
   
Total
 
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 91,349     $ 68,523     $ 1,283,549     $ -     $ 1,443,421  
Sales to affiliated customers
    86,676       29,906       -       -       116,582  
Intersegment revenues
    84,751       213       5,640       (90,604 )     -  
Total revenues
  $ 262,776     $ 98,642     $ 1,289,189     $ (90,604 )   $ 1,560,003  
                                         
Net margin
  $ 89,342     $ 75,938     $ 128,917     $ (1,318 )   $ 292,879  
Operating costs
    33,559       22,869       49,557       (877 )     105,108  
Depreciation and amortization
    15,312       10,607       15,944       (6 )     41,857  
Gain (loss) on sale of assets
    (253 )     (730 )     (144 )     (53 )     (1,180 )
Operating income (loss)
  $ 40,218     $ 41,732     $ 63,272     $ (488 )   $ 144,734  
                                         
Equity earnings from investments
  $ 8,396     $ 11,039     $ 619     $ -     $ 20,054  
Capital expenditures
  $ 23,230     $ 14,000     $ 131,820     $ 346     $ 169,396  
(a) - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $81.3 million, net margin of $59.9 million and operating income of $31.7 million.
 
(b) - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our Natural Gas Liquids segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $66.8 million, of which $42.4 million related to sales within the segment, net margin of $50.5 million and operating income of $22.4 million.
 


 
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2008
 
Natural Gas
Gathering and Processing
   
Natural Gas
Pipelines (a)
   
Natural Gas
Liquids (b)
   
Other and
Eliminations
   
Total
 
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 129,305     $ 55,528     $ 1,847,464     $ 48     $ 2,032,345  
Sales to affiliated customers
    178,167       30,595       -       -       208,762  
Intersegment revenues
    190,403       567       6,194       (197,164 )     -  
Total revenues
  $ 497,875     $ 86,690     $ 1,853,658     $ (197,116 )   $ 2,241,107  
                                         
Net margin
  $ 111,720     $ 65,762     $ 148,384     $ (466 )   $ 325,400  
Operating costs
    35,651       23,852       37,940       45       97,488  
Depreciation and amortization
    12,533       8,607       9,262       6       30,408  
Gain (loss) on sale of assets
    2       -       20       -       22  
Operating income (loss)
  $ 63,538     $ 33,303     $ 101,202     $ (517 )   $ 197,526  
                                         
Equity earnings from investments
  $ 8,819     $ 20,207     $ 386     $ -     $ 29,412  
Capital expenditures
  $ 35,769     $ 107,822     $ 191,989     $ -     $ 335,580  
(a) - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $71.2 million, net margin of $52.8 million and operating income of $25.9 million.
 
(b) - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our Natural Gas Liquids segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $33.6 million, of which $23.7 million related to sales within the segment, net margin of $29.3 million and operating income of $11.0 million.
 


Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 
Natural Gas
Gathering and Processing
   
Natural Gas
Pipelines (a)
   
Natural Gas
Liquids (b)
   
Other and
Eliminations
   
Total
 
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 227,162     $ 168,733     $ 3,443,743     $ -     $ 3,839,638  
Sales to affiliated customers
    289,596       78,691       -       -       368,287  
Intersegment revenues
    236,362       536       15,950       (252,848 )     -  
Total revenues
  $ 753,120     $ 247,960     $ 3,459,693     $ (252,848 )   $ 4,207,925  
                                         
Net margin
  $ 261,686     $ 208,367     $ 341,361     $ (3,012 )   $ 808,402  
Operating costs
    99,418       67,533       129,833       (1,723 )     295,061  
Depreciation and amortization
    44,225       34,029       43,488       8       121,750  
Gain (loss) on sale of assets
    2,821       (727 )     (145 )     811       2,760  
Operating income (loss)
  $ 120,864     $ 106,078     $ 167,895     $ (486 )   $ 394,351  
                                         
Equity earnings from investments
  $ 20,583     $ 32,802     $ 2,079     $ -     $ 55,464  
Investments in unconsolidated
  affiliates
  $ 326,722     $ 418,137     $ 29,488     $ -     $ 774,347  
Total assets
  $ 1,587,760     $ 1,488,645     $ 4,133,618     $ 407,021     $ 7,617,044  
Noncontrolling interests in
  consolidated subsidiaries
  $ -     $ 5,451     $ 119     $ 15     $ 5,585  
Capital expenditures
  $ 75,557     $ 48,268     $ 366,614     $ 817     $ 491,256  
(a) - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $200.7 million, net margin of $164.3 million and operating income of $77.6 million.
 
(b) - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our Natural Gas Liquids segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $181.6 million, of which $112.5 million related to sales within the segment, net margin of $139.3 million and operating income of $63.2 million.
 


 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2008
 
Natural Gas
Gathering and Processing
   
Natural Gas
Pipelines (a)
   
Natural Gas
Liquids (b)
   
Other and
Eliminations
   
Total
 
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 366,095     $ 173,442     $ 5,308,029     $ 49     $ 5,847,615  
Sales to affiliated customers
    504,541       91,878       -       -       596,419  
Intersegment revenues
    602,542       1,338       19,573       (623,453 )     -  
Total revenues
  $ 1,473,178     $ 266,658     $ 5,327,602     $ (623,404 )   $ 6,444,034  
                                         
Net margin
  $ 336,746     $ 196,173     $ 343,974     $ (2,035 )   $ 874,858  
Operating costs
    101,538       67,900       103,746       (456 )     272,728  
Depreciation and amortization
    36,431       25,547       28,388       17       90,383  
Gain (loss) on sale of assets
    (3 )     (18 )     39       32       50  
Operating income (loss)
  $ 198,774     $ 102,708     $ 211,879     $ (1,564 )   $ 511,797  
                                         
Equity earnings from investments
  $ 23,989     $ 49,421     $ 1,395     $ -     $ 74,805  
Investments in unconsolidated
  affiliates
  $ 323,537     $ 403,373     $ 29,539     $ -     $ 756,449  
Total assets
  $ 1,593,872     $ 1,371,178     $ 3,669,801     $ 357,444     $ 6,992,295  
Noncontrolling interests in
  consolidated subsidiaries
  $ -     $ 5,800     $ 132     $ 15     $ 5,947  
Capital expenditures
  $ 98,604     $ 159,810     $ 601,688     $ 65     $ 860,167  
(a) - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $221.7 million, net margin of $155.0 million and operating income of $76.9 million.
 
(b) - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our Natural Gas Liquids segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $104.1 million, of which $67.2 million related to sales within the segment, net margin of $86.8 million and operating income of $33.6 million.
 

K.           UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES

Equity Earnings from Investments - The following table sets forth our equity earnings from investments for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Northern Border Pipeline
  $ 10,882     $ 20,090     $ 32,374     $ 48,752  
Fort Union Gas Gathering, L.L.C.
    4,397       4,033       10,412       9,792  
Bighorn Gas Gathering, L.L.C.
    1,935       2,044       5,845       6,367  
Lost Creek Gathering Company, L.L.C.
    1,445       1,345       3,647       4,427  
Other
    1,395       1,900       3,186       5,467  
Equity earnings from investments
  $ 20,054     $ 29,412     $ 55,464     $ 74,805  

Unconsolidated Affiliates Financial Information - The following table sets forth summarized combined financial information of our unconsolidated affiliates for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Income Statement
                       
Operating revenues
  $ 101,987     $ 98,298     $ 296,004     $ 304,733  
Operating expenses
  $ 49,312     $ 44,382     $ 138,544     $ 132,927  
Net income
  $ 42,929     $ 64,217     $ 125,574     $ 153,965  
                                 
Distributions paid to us
  $ 19,615     $ 30,466     $ 83,088     $ 91,093  



L.      LIMITED PARTNERS’ NET INCOME PER UNIT

Limited partners’ net income per unit is computed by dividing net income attributable to ONEOK Partners, L.P., after deducting the general partner’s allocation as discussed below, by the weighted-average number of outstanding limited partner units, which includes our common and Class B limited partner units.  As discussed in Note B of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report, ONEOK, as sole holder of our Class B units, has waived its right to receive increased quarterly distributions on the Class B units.  Because ONEOK has waived its right to increased quarterly distributions, currently each Class B unit and common unit share equally in the earnings of the partnership, and neither has any liquidation or other preferences.  ONEOK retains the option to withdraw its waiver at any time by giving us no less than 90 days advance notice.  ONEOK Partners GP owns the entire 2 percent general partnership interest in us, which entitles it to incentive distribution rights that provide for an increasing proportion of cash distributions from the partnership as the distributions made to limited partners increase above specified levels.

For purposes of our calculation of limited partners’ net income per unit, net income attributable to ONEOK Partners, L.P. is generally allocated to the general partner as follows: (i) an amount based upon the 2 percent general partner interest in net income attributable to ONEOK Partners, L.P. and (ii) the amount of the general partner’s incentive distribution rights based on the total cash distributions declared for the period.  The amount of incentive distribution allocated to our general partner totaled $22.5 million and $64.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.  The amount of incentive distribution allocated to our general partner totaled $20.3 million and $55.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively.

The terms of our Partnership Agreement limit the general partner’s incentive distribution to the amount of available cash calculated for the period.  As such, incentive distribution rights are not allocated on undistributed earnings or distributions in excess of earnings.  Gains resulting from interim capital transactions, as defined in our Partnership Agreement, are generally not subject to distribution; however, our Partnership Agreement provides that if such distributions were made, the ince