TRANSCANADA: TransCanada Reports 8 Per Cent Increase in Comparable Earnings Per Share in 2008
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Feb. 3, 2009) - TransCanada Corporation (TSX:TRP) (NYSE:TRP) (TransCanada or the Company) today announced comparable earnings for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $1.3 billion or $2.25 per share, an increase of approximately eight per cent on a per share basis compared to 2007. TransCanada's Board of Directors also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.38 per common share, an increase of six per cent.
"TransCanada's financial performance in 2008 demonstrates our ability to generate significant earnings and cash flow even in these uncertain economic times," said Hal Kvisle, TransCanada president and chief executive officer. "This has enabled our Board of Directors to increase the dividend on common shares for the ninth consecutive year. The new quarterly dividend of $0.38 per common share equates to $1.52 per common share on an annualized basis, an increase of six per cent.
"TransCanada made significant progress on a number of major projects in 2008, including the Keystone oil pipeline system, the North Central Corridor expansion, the Bruce Power refurbishment, and three large-scale, gas-fired power plants. These major projects are all under construction today. In 2009, we expect to invest approximately $6 billion in these and other capital projects. The strong cash flow generated by our operating assets, along with recently completed debt and common equity issues, mean we are well-positioned to fund our sizable capital program. Looking forward, we expect to generate strong, long-term financial returns for our shareholders as a result of our growing portfolio of high-quality energy infrastructure assets, our proven project development and execution capabilities, and our strong financial position."
Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2008 Highlights
(All financial figures are unaudited and in Canadian dollars unless noted otherwise)
- Comparable earnings for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $1.3 billion ($2.25 per share)
- Net income for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $1.4 billion ($2.53 per share)
- Funds generated from operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $3.0 billion
- Comparable earnings for fourth quarter 2008 of $271 million ($0.46 per share)
- Net income for fourth quarter 2008 of $277 million ($0.47 per share)
- Funds generated from operations for fourth quarter 2008 of $712 million
- Invested $6.4 billion in 2008 in a number of growth opportunities including the Keystone Pipeline system, Ravenswood generating station, Bruce Power, Portlands Energy Centre and Halton Hills generating station.
TransCanada reported net income for fourth quarter 2008 of $277 million ($0.47 per share) compared to $377 million ($0.70 per share) for fourth quarter 2007. Net income in fourth quarter 2007 included $56 million of favourable income tax adjustments and a $14 million gain on the sale of land. Fourth quarter 2008 and 2007 included $6 million and $10 million, respectively, of fair value gains in the natural gas storage business.
Comparable earnings were $271 million ($0.46 per share) for fourth quarter 2008 compared to $297 million ($0.55 per share) in fourth quarter 2007. The $26 million ($0.09 per share) decrease was primarily due to higher Corporate costs, which included unrealized losses of $39 million after-tax ($0.07 per share) from the change in the fair value of derivatives used to manage TransCanada's exposure to rising interest rates that do not qualify as hedges for accounting purposes together with the impact of financing incremental debt to fund the Company's growth. Partially offsetting these higher corporate costs were higher earnings in the Energy and Pipelines businesses.
Net income was $1.4 billion ($2.53 per share) for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to net income of $1.2 billion ($2.31 per share) for 2007. Net income in 2008 included $152 million of gains from bankruptcy settlements with Calpine, $10 million of GTN lawsuit settlement proceeds, a $27 million write-down of the Broadwater liquefied natural gas (LNG) project costs and $26 million of favourable income tax adjustments. Net income in 2007 included favourable income tax adjustments of $102 million, $14 million gain on the sale of land and $7 million of net unrealized gains from natural gas storage fair value changes.
Comparable earnings for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $1.3 billion ($2.25 per share), compared to $1.1 billion ($2.08 per share) for 2007. The $179 million ($0.17 per share) increase was primarily due to higher earnings from the Energy and Pipelines businesses partially offset by higher Corporate expenses.
Notable recent developments in Pipelines, Energy and Corporate include:
Pipelines
- The Keystone Pipeline system has completed approximately 40 per cent of the engineering, procurement and construction activities for the initial phase of the project to Wood River, Patoka and Cushing. In November, an application was filed with the U.S. Department of State for a Presidential Permit for the Keystone expansion to the U.S. Gulf Coast.
TransCanada agreed to increase its equity ownership in the Keystone partnership to 79.99 per cent, which will reduce ConocoPhillips' equity ownership to 20.01 per cent. Certain parties who have agreed to make volume commitments to the Keystone expansion have an option to acquire up to a combined 15 per cent equity ownership in the Keystone partnerships. If these options are exercised, TransCanada's equity ownership could be reduced to 64.99 per cent.
- In November, ANR's Cold Springs 1 storage facility was placed in service. The project added 14 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas storage and 200 million cubic feet per day (mmcf/d) of withdrawal capacity, and increased ANR's total storage capacity to 250 Bcf.
- The Bison Pipeline project is a proposed 480 kilometre (km) pipeline from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming to the Northern Border system in North Dakota. The project has shipping commitments for approximately 405 mmcf/d and is expected to be in service in fourth quarter 2010. The capital cost of the project is estimated at US$500 - US$600 million. TransCanada continues to work with shippers to finalize the size and design of this project.
- In December 2008, the Alaska Commissioner of Revenue and Natural Resources issued the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA) license to TransCanada. TransCanada has committed under AGIA to advance the Alaska Pipeline project through an open season and subsequent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) certification. TransCanada has commenced the engineering, environmental, field and commercial work, and expects to conclude an open season by mid-2010.
- TransCanada recently concluded a binding open season for gas transmission service from the Montney Groundbirch area located in northeastern B.C. Shippers have committed to firm gas transportation contracts and volumes associated with these commitments are expected to reach 1.1 Bcf per day (Bcf/d) by 2014. The proposed pipeline will be approximately 77 km in length and is expected to commence service in fourth quarter 2010, subject to receipt of necessary regulatory approvals. The proposed project is expected to cost approximately $250 million.
- TransCanada is finalizing details associated with a binding open season and pipeline extension project to service the Horn River shale gas area in northeastern B.C. with the Alberta System. The Horn River project is expected to commence operation in early 2011.
Energy
- In fourth quarter 2008, Bruce Power completed a review of the end of life estimates for Units 3 and 4. Unit 3 is now expected to be in commercial service until 2011, which provides the benefit of nearly two additional years of generation before the unit commences an expected 36-month refurbishment period. After the refurbishment period, the end of life estimate for Unit 3 is expected to increase from the originally expected date of 2037 to 2038.
In addition, Unit 4 is now expected to be in commercial service until 2016, providing nearly seven years of generation before the unit commences a similar refurbishment period, after which, the end of life estimate for Unit 4 is expected to increase from the originally expected date of 2036 to 2042.
Refurbishment work continues on Units 1 and 2 and the units are expected to return to commercial service in 2010.
- The 109 megawatt (MW) Carleton wind farm, the third of six phases of the Cartier Wind project, was placed in service in November 2008. The remaining phases are expected to be constructed through 2012, subject to receipt of necessary approvals. Once completed, the combined capacity of the six phases is expected to be 740 MW.
- The 550 MW Portlands Energy Centre is nearing the completion of construction and is expected to be placed in service in first quarter 2009. Construction of the 683 MW Halton Hills generating station is approximately 50 per cent complete and is anticipated to be in service in the third quarter of 2010.
- In other Energy developments, TransCanada advanced construction work on the Kibby Wind Power project, with commissioning of the first phase expected to begin in fourth quarter 2009. In December 2008, TransCanada received a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility from the Arizona Corporation Commission, approving the construction of the 575 MW Coolidge Generating Station in Arizona. Construction is expected to commence in the summer of 2009 and the facility is expected to be in service in 2011.
Corporate
- The Board of Directors of TransCanada declared a quarterly dividend of $0.38 per common share, an increase of six per cent, for the quarter ending March 31, 2009, on TransCanada's outstanding common shares.
- In late fourth quarter 2008, the TransCanada Board of Directors approved an increase in the discount on the issuance of common shares from treasury under TransCanada's Dividend Reinvestment and Share Repurchase Plan from two to three per cent for the common share dividend payable on January 30, 2009.
- On November 25, 2008, TransCanada completed a public offering of 30,500,000 common shares. On December 5, 2008, an additional 4,575,000 common shares were issued upon exercise of the underwriter's over-allotment option. Gross proceeds from the common share offering and the over-allotment option totalled approximately $1.157 billion. The proceeds of this offering will be used to partially fund capital projects, including the Keystone Pipeline system, for general corporate purposes and to repay short-term indebtedness.
- In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2008, a subsidiary of TransCanada closed a new US$1.0 billion committed bank facility with certain of its existing relationship banks. The revolving, extendable, expandable facility has an initial term of 364 days with a one-year term out at the option of the borrower and will support a new commercial paper program dedicated to funding expenditures for the Keystone Pipeline system.
- In January 2009, the Company issued US$750 million of 7.125 per cent and US$1.25 billion of 7.625 per cent Senior Unsecured Notes maturing on January 15, 2019, and January 15, 2039, respectively. Net proceeds from the issue are expected to be used to partially fund TransCanada's capital projects, retire maturing debt obligations and for general corporate purposes. These notes were issued under the US$3.0 billion debt shelf prospectus filed in the United States in January 2009.
- Global financial markets remain volatile, however, TransCanada's liquidity position remains sound, underpinned by highly predictable cash flow from operations, significant cash balances on hand from recent securities issues, as well as committed revolving bank lines of US$1.0 billion, $2.0 billion and US$300 million, maturing in November 2010, December 2012 and February 2013, respectively. To date, no draws have been made on these facilities.
Fourth Quarter and Year End 2008 Financial Highlights
Operating Results Three months ended Year ended
(unaudited) December 31 December 31
(millions of dollars) 2008 2007 2008 2007
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Revenues 2,332 2,189 8,619 8,828
Net Income 277 377 1,440 1,223
Comparable Earnings (1) 271 297 1,279 1,100
Cash Flows
Funds generated from operations (1) 712 741 3,021 2,621
(Increase)/decrease in operating
working capital (197) (46) (181) 215
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Net cash provided by operations 515 695 2,840 2,836
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Capital Expenditures 1,235 595 3,134 1,651
Acquisitions, Net of Cash Acquired 171 1 3,229 4,223
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Three months ended Year ended
Common Share Statistics December 31 December 31
(unaudited) 2008 2007 2008 2007
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Net Income Per Share - Basic $ 0.47 $ 0.70 $ 2.53 $ 2.31
Comparable Earnings Per Share - Basic
(1) $ 0.46 $ 0.55 $ 2.25 $ 2.08
Dividends Declared Per Share $ 0.36 $ 0.34 $ 1.44 $ 1.36
Basic Common Shares Outstanding
(millions)
Average for the period 597 539 570 530
End of period 616 540 616 540
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(1) For a further discussion on comparable earnings, comparable earnings per
share and funds generated from operations, refer to the Non-GAAP
Measures section in this news release.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release may contain certain information that is forward looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "expect", "believe", "may", "should", "estimate", "project", "outlook", "forecast" or other similar words are used to identify such forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements in this document are intended to provide TransCanada shareholders and potential investors with information regarding TransCanada and its subsidiaries, including management's assessment of TransCanada's and its subsidiaries' future financial and operational plans and outlook. Forward-looking statements in this document may include, amongst others, statements regarding the anticipated business prospects and financial performance of TransCanada and its subsidiaries, expectations or projections about the future, strategies and goals for growth and expansion, expected and future cash flows, costs, schedules, operating and financial results and expected impact of future commitments and contingent liabilities. All forward-looking statements reflect TransCanada's beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements were made. Actual results or events may differ from those predicted in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, the ability of TransCanada to successfully implement its strategic initiatives and whether such strategic initiatives will yield the expected benefits, the operating performance of the Company's natural gas pipeline and energy assets, the availability and price of energy commodities, regulatory processes and decisions, changes in environmental and other laws and regulations, competitive factors in the natural gas pipeline and energy industry sectors, construction and completion of capital projects, labour, equipment and material costs, access to capital markets, interest and currency exchange rates, technological developments and the current economic conditions in North America. By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could cause TransCanada's actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed. Additional information on these and other factors is available in the reports filed by TransCanada with Canadian securities regulators and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed in this news release or otherwise, and to not use future-oriented information or financial outlooks for anything other than their intended purpose. TransCanada undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Non-GAAP Measures
TransCanada uses the measures "comparable earnings", "comparable earnings per share", "funds generated from operations" and "operating income" in this news release. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). They are, therefore, considered to be non-GAAP measures and are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. Management of TransCanada uses non-GAAP measures to improve its ability to compare financial results among reporting periods and to enhance its understanding of operating performance, liquidity and ability to generate funds to finance operations. Non-GAAP measures are also provided to readers as additional information on TransCanada's operating performance, liquidity and ability to generate funds to finance operations.
Management uses the measure of comparable earnings/(expenses) to better evaluate trends in the Company's underlying operations. Comparable earnings comprise net income adjusted for specific items that are significant, but are not reflective of the Company's underlying operations. Specific items are subjective, however, management uses its judgement and informed decision-making when identifying items to be excluded in calculating comparable earnings, some of which may recur. Specific items may include but are not limited to certain income tax refunds and adjustments, gains or losses on sales of assets, legal and bankruptcy settlements, and certain fair value adjustments. The table in the Consolidated Results of Operations section of this news release presents a reconciliation of comparable earnings to net income. Comparable earnings per share is calculated by dividing comparable earnings by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period.
Funds generated from operations comprises net cash provided by operations before changes in operating working capital. A reconciliation of funds generated from operations to net cash provided by operations is presented in the Fourth Quarter and Year End 2008 Financial Highlights table in this news release.
Operating income is reported in the Company's Energy business segment and comprises revenues less operating expenses as shown on the Consolidated Income Statement. A reconciliation of operating income to net income is presented in the Energy section of this news release.
Consolidated Results of Operations
Reconciliation of Comparable Earnings
to Net Income
(unaudited) Three months ended Year ended
(millions of dollars except per December 31 December 31
share amounts) 2008 2007 2008 2007
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Pipelines
Comparable earnings 210 202 740 686
Specific items (net of tax):
Calpine bankruptcy settlements - - 152 -
GTN lawsuit settlement - - 10 -
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Net income 210 202 902 686
Energy
Comparable earnings 147 104 641 459
Specific items (net of tax, where
applicable):
Fair value adjustments of natural gas
storage inventory
and forward contracts 6 10 - 7
Writedown of Broadwater LNG project
costs - - (27) -
Gain on sale of land - 14 - 14
Income tax adjustments - 30 - 34
----------------------------------------
Net income 153 158 614 514
Corporate
Comparable expenses (86) (9) (102) (45)
Specific item:
Income tax reassessments and
adjustments - 26 26 68
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Net (expenses)/income (86) 17 (76) 23
----------------------------------------
Net Income (1) 277 377 1,440 1,223
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----------------------------------------
Net Income Per Share (2)
Basic $ 0.47 $ 0.70 $ 2.53 $ 2.31
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----------------------------------------
Diluted $ 0.46 $ 0.70 $ 2.52 $ 2.30
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
(1) Comparable Earnings 271 297 1,279 1,100
Specific items (net of tax, where
applicable):
Fair value adjustments of
natural gas storage inventory
and forward contracts 6 10 - 7
Calpine bankruptcy settlements - - 152 -
GTN lawsuit settlement - - 10 -
Writedown of Broadwater LNG
project costs - - (27) -
Gain on sale of land - 14 - 14
Income tax reassessments and
adjustments - 56 26 102
----------------------------------------
Net Income 277 377 1,440 1,223
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
(2) Comparable Earnings Per Share $ 0.46 $ 0.55 $ 2.25 $ 2.08
Specific items - per share:
Fair value adjustments of natural
gas storage inventory
and forward contracts 0.01 0.02 - 0.01
Calpine bankruptcy settlements - - 0.27 -
GTN lawsuit settlement - - 0.02 -
Writedown of Broadwater LNG
project costs - - (0.05) -
Gain on sale of land - 0.03 - 0.03
Income tax reassessments and
adjustments - 0.10 0.04 0.19
----------------------------------------
Net Income Per Share $ 0.47 $ 0.70 $ 2.53 $ 2.31
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----------------------------------------
TransCanada's net income in fourth-quarter 2008 was $277 million or $0.47 per share compared to $377 million or $0.70 per share in fourth-quarter 2007. Net income decreased $100 million primarily due to increased net expenses from Corporate, which included net unrealized losses of $39 million after tax or $0.07 per share in fourth-quarter 2008, for changes in the fair value of derivatives, used to manage the Company's exposure to rising interest rates, that do not qualify as hedges for accounting purposes. Corporate's net expenses also increased in fourth-quarter 2008 compared to fourth-quarter 2007 as a result of higher financial charges from financing the Ravenswood acquisition and higher unrealized gains in 2007 for changes in the fair value of derivatives used to manage the Company's exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Earnings from the Pipelines business increased in fourth-quarter 2008 compared to fourth-quarter 2007 primarily due to earnings recognized from a 2008 revenue requirement settlement for the Alberta System and increased earnings for PipeLines LP, partially offset by the inclusion in earnings in fourth-quarter 2007 of a rate case settlement for GTN. Earnings from the Energy business were slightly lower in fourth-quarter 2008 compared to fourth-quarter 2007 as increases in Western Power, Eastern Power and Bruce Power were more than offset by a decrease in earnings from Natural Gas Storage and favourable income tax adjustments included in fourth-quarter 2007. Western Power earnings increased significantly in fourth-quarter 2008 compared to fourth-quarter 2007 primarily due to increased margins from the Alberta power portfolio. Energy's earnings in fourth-quarter 2008 and 2007 included $6 million after tax ($7 million pre-tax) and $10 million after tax ($15 million pre-tax), respectively, of net unrealized gains resulting from changes in the fair value of proprietary natural gas storage inventory and natural gas forward purchase and sale contracts. Energy's earnings in fourth-quarter 2007 also included a $14 million after-tax ($16 million pre-tax) gain on the sale of land. Net income for fourth-quarter 2007 included $56 million ($30 million in Energy and $26 million in Corporate) of favourable income tax adjustments as a result of changes in Canadian federal income tax legislation. On a per share basis, the $0.23 per share decrease in earnings in fourth-quarter 2008 compared to fourth-quarter 2007 was also due to an increased number of shares outstanding following the Company's share issuances in 2008.
Comparable earnings in fourth-quarter 2008 were $271 million or $0.46 per share compared to $297 million or $0.55 per share for the same period in 2007. Comparable earnings in fourth-quarter 2008 and 2007 excluded the $6 million and $10 million, respectively, of net unrealized gains resulting from changes in the fair value of proprietary natural gas storage inventory and natural gas forward purchase and sale contracts. Comparable earnings in fourth-quarter 2007 also excluded the $56 million of favourable income tax adjustments and the $14-million gain on the sale of land.
Net income was $1.4 billion or $2.53 per share for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $1.2 billion or $2.31 per share in 2007. The $217-million or $0.22 per share increase in net income for 2008 compared to 2007 was due to increased earnings in the Pipelines and Energy businesses, partially offset by an increase in net expenses in Corporate. Earnings in Pipelines were higher for 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to $152 million after tax ($240 million pre-tax) of gains on shares received by GTN and Portland for bankruptcy settlements from certain subsidiaries of Calpine Corporation (Calpine) and proceeds from a GTN lawsuit settlement of $10 million after tax ($17 million pre-tax). Pipelines' earnings also increased due to a full year of earnings from ANR in 2008. Earnings in Energy increased in 2008 compared to 2007 as earnings from Western Power, Eastern Power and Bruce Power increased primarily due to higher realized prices, partially offset by reduced earnings from Natural Gas Storage and a $27 million after-tax ($41 million pre-tax) writedown of costs previously capitalized for the Broadwater LNG project. Energy's earnings for 2007 included a $7 million gain ($10 million pre-tax) from natural gas storage fair value changes. Corporate net expenses in 2008 increased from 2007 primarily due to the unrealized losses on derivatives and higher financial charges. Net income included favourable income tax adjustments of $26 million in 2008 compared to $102 million of favourable income tax adjustments ($68 million in Corporate and $34 million in Energy) recorded in 2007 relating to changes in Canadian federal and provincial corporate income tax legislation, the resolution of certain income tax matters and an internal restructuring.
Comparable earnings for 2008 were $1.3 billion or $2.25 per share compared to $1.1 billion or $2.08 per share for the same period in 2007. Comparable earnings for 2008 excluded the $152 million of gains from the Calpine bankruptcy settlements, $10-million GTN lawsuit settlement proceeds, $27-million writedown of the Broadwater LNG project costs and $26-million favourable income tax adjustments. Comparable earnings for 2007 excluded the favourable income tax adjustments of $102 million, $14-million gain on the sale of land and $7 million of net unrealized gains from natural gas storage fair value changes.
Results from each of the segments for the three months and year ended December 31, 2008 are discussed further in the Pipelines, Energy and Corporate sections of this news release.
Funds generated from operations of $712 million and $3.0 billion for the three months and year ended December 31, 2008, respectively, decreased $29 million (or four per cent) and increased $400 million (or 15 per cent), respectively, compared to the same periods in 2007. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily due to higher earnings.
Pipelines
The Pipelines business generated net income and comparable earnings of $210 million in fourth-quarter 2008, an increase of $8 million compared to net income and comparable earnings of $202 million in fourth-quarter 2007.
Net income and comparable earnings for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $902 million and $740 million, respectively, compared to net income and comparable earnings of $686 million in 2007. Comparable earnings for 2008 excluded the after-tax gains of $152 million received by GTN and Portland for the Calpine bankruptcy settlements, and $10 million of after-tax proceeds received by GTN from a lawsuit settlement with a software supplier.
Pipelines Results
Three months ended Year ended
(unaudited) December 31 December 31
(millions of dollars) 2008 2007 2008 2007
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Wholly Owned Pipelines
Canadian Mainline 74 72 278 273
Alberta System 48 41 145 138
ANR (1) 38 35 132 104
GTN 16 32 65 58
Foothills 5 6 24 26
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181 186 644 599
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Other Pipelines
Great Lakes (2) 12 11 44 47
PipeLines LP (3) 10 4 25 18
Iroquois 5 4 18 15
Tamazunchale 7 3 16 10
Other (4) 5 13 34 46
Northern Development (6) (4) (9) (7)
General, administrative, support
costs and other (4) (15) (32) (42)
----------------------------------------
29 16 96 87
----------------------------------------
Comparable Earnings 210 202 740 686
Specific items (net of tax):
Calpine bankruptcy settlements (5) - - 152 -
GTN lawsuit settlement - - 10 -
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Net Income 210 202 902 686
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(1) ANR's results include earnings from the date of acquisition of February
22, 2007.
(2) Great Lakes' results reflect TransCanada's 53.6 per cent ownership in
Great Lakes since February 22, 2007 and 50 per cent ownership prior to
that date.
(3) PipeLines LP's results include TransCanada's effective ownership of an
additional 14.9 per cent interest in Great Lakes since February 22, 2007
as a result of PipeLines LP's acquisition of a 46.4 per cent interest in
Great Lakes and TransCanada's 32.1 per cent interest in PipeLines LP.
(4) Other includes results of Portland, Ventures LP, TQM, TransGas and Gas
Pacifico/INNERGY.
(5) GTN and Portland received shares of Calpine with an initial after-tax
value of $95 million and $38 million (TransCanada's share),
respectively, from the bankruptcy settlements with Calpine. These shares
were subsequently sold for an additional after-tax gain of $19 million.
Wholly Owned Pipelines
Canadian Mainline's net income for fourth-quarter and the year ended December 31, 2008 increased $2 million and $5 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2007 primarily due to higher performance-based incentives earned, lower operations, maintenance and administrative (OM&A) costs and a higher rate of return on common equity (ROE), as determined by the National Energy Board (NEB), of 8.71 per cent in 2008 compared to 8.46 per cent in 2007. These increases were partially offset by a lower average investment base.
The Alberta System's net income in fourth-quarter 2008 and 2007 was $48 million and $41 million, respectively. The Alberta System's net income for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $145 million and $138 million, respectively. Earnings in fourth-quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased primarily due to the recognition of earnings related to the 2008 revenue requirement settlement in fourth-quarter 2008, which is discussed further in the Other Recent Developments section of this news release. Earnings in 2007 reflected an approved ROE of 8.51 per cent on a deemed common equity of 35 per cent.
ANR's net income in fourth-quarter 2008 was $38 million compared to $35 million in fourth-quarter 2007. Net income for 2008 was $132 million compared to $104 million for the period from February 22, 2007 to December 31, 2007. The increase in fourth-quarter 2008 was primarily due to higher revenues from new growth projects and the positive impact of a stronger U.S. dollar, partially offset by higher OM&A costs, including costs related to damage from Hurricane Ike. The annual increase in 2008 was primarily due to a full year of earnings in 2008 and increased revenues from new growth projects, partially offset by increased OM&A costs.
GTN's comparable earnings in fourth-quarter 2008 decreased $16 million compared to the same period in 2007. The decrease was primarily due to the positive impact of a rate case settlement included in fourth-quarter 2007 earnings. These increases were partially offset by lower OM&A expenses and the positive impact of a stronger U.S. dollar in 2008. GTN's comparable earnings increased $7 million in 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to lower OM&A expenses.
Operating Statistics
Year ended Canadian Alberta GTN
December 31 Mainline(1) System(2) ANR(3)(4) System(3) Foothills
(unaudited) 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007
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Average
investment base
($ millions) 7,012 7,292 4,368 4,224 n/a n/a n/a n/a 749 818
Delivery volumes
(Bcf)
Total 3,467 3,183 3,800 4,020 1,655 1,210 783 827 1,292 1,441
Average per day 9.5 8.7 10.4 11.0 4.5 3.8 2.1 2.3 3.5 3.9
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(1) Canadian Mainline's physical receipts originating at the Alberta border
and in Saskatchewan for the year ended December 31, 2008 were 1,898 Bcf
(2007 - 2,090 Bcf); average per day was 5.2 Bcf (2007 - 5.7 Bcf).
(2) Field receipt volumes for the Alberta System for the year ended December
31, 2008 were 3,843 Bcf (2007 - 4,047 Bcf); average per day was 10.5 Bcf
(2007 - 11.1 Bcf).
(3) ANR's and the GTN System's results are not impacted by current average
investment base as these systems operate under a fixed rate model
approved by the FERC.
(4) ANR's results include delivery volumes from the date of acquistion of
February 22, 2007.
Other Pipelines
TransCanada's proportionate share of net earnings from Other Pipelines was $29 million for the three months ended December 31, 2008 compared to $16 million for the same period in 2007. Other Pipelines' earnings increased in fourth-quarter 2008 primarily due to lower support costs, higher PipeLines LP and Tamazunchale earnings, and a stronger U.S. dollar, partially offset by lower TransGas, Gas Pacifico/INNERGY and Portland earnings.
Other Pipelines' comparable earnings for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $96 million compared to $87 million for the same period in 2007. The increase was primarily due to lower general, administrative and support costs and higher PipeLines LP, Tamazunchale and Iroquois earnings, partially offset by lower earnings for Gas Pacifico/INNERGY, TransGas, Portland and Great Lakes.
At December 31, 2008, Other Assets included $74 million and $42 million for capitalized costs related to the Keystone Pipeline system expansion to the U.S. Gulf Coast and the Bison Pipeline project, respectively.
As at December 31, 2008, TransCanada had advanced $140 million to the Aboriginal Pipeline Group (APG) with respect to the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline Project (MGP). TransCanada and the other co-venture companies involved in the MGP continue to pursue approval of the proposed project, focusing on obtaining regulatory approval and the Canadian government's support of an acceptable fiscal framework. Project timing continues to be uncertain. Detailed discussions with the Canadian government have taken place and have resulted in a proposal in January 2009 from the government to the MGP. The co-venture group is considering the proposal and is expected to respond to the government in the near future. In the event the co-venture group is unable to reach an agreement with the government on an acceptable fiscal framework, the parties will need to determine the appropriate next steps for the project. For TransCanada, this may result in a reassessment of the carrying amount of the APG advances.
Energy
Energy's net income of $153 million in fourth-quarter 2008 decreased $5 million compared to $158 million in fourth-quarter 2007. Comparable earnings in fourth-quarter 2008 of $147 million increased $43 million compared to $104 million for the same period in 2007. Comparable earnings excluded net unrealized gains of $6 million after tax ($7 million pre-tax) and $10 million after tax ($15 million pre-tax) in fourth-quarter 2008 and 2007, respectively, resulting from changes in the fair value of proprietary natural gas storage inventory and natural gas forward purchase and sale contracts. In addition, comparable earnings in fourth-quarter 2007 excluded the $14-million gain on sale of land and $30 million of favourable income tax adjustments.
Energy's net income for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $614 million increased $100 million compared to $514 million for the same period in 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2008, comparable earnings of $641 million increased $182 million compared to the same period in 2007 and excluded a $27 million after-tax ($41 million pre-tax) writedown of costs previously capitalized for the Broadwater LNG project. Comparable earnings of $459 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 excluded net unrealized gains of $7 million after tax ($10 million pre-tax) resulting from natural gas storage fair value changes, the $14-million gain on sale of land and $34 million of favourable income tax adjustments.
Energy Results Three months ended Year ended
(unaudited) December 31 December 31
(millions of dollars) 2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Power 106 58 426 308
Eastern Power 73 66 338 255
Bruce Power 50 43 201 167
Natural Gas Storage 40 57 135 146
General, administrative, support
costs and other (51) (45) (168) (158)
----------------------------------------
Operating income 218 179 932 718
Financial charges (7) (6) (23) (22)
Interest income and other 3 18 6 26
Writedown of Broadwater LNG project
costs - - (41) -
Income taxes (61) (33) (260) (208)
----------------------------------------
Net Income 153 158 614 514
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Comparable Earnings 147 104 641 459
Specific items (net of tax, where
applicable):
Fair value adjustments of natural
gas storage inventory and forward
contracts 6 10 - 7
Writedown of Broadwater LNG
project costs - - (27) -
Gain on sale of land - 14 - 14
Income tax adjustments - 30 - 34
----------------------------------------
Net Income 153 158 614 514
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Western Power
Western Power Results Three months ended Year ended
(unaudited) December 31 December 31
(millions of dollars)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
Revenues
Power 298 245 1,140 1,045
Other (1) 22 18 130 89
----------------------------------------
320 263 1,270 1,134
----------------------------------------
Commodity purchases resold
Power (152) (154) (575) (608)
Other (2) (17) (12) (64) (65)
----------------------------------------
(169) (166) (639) (673)
----------------------------------------
Plant operating costs and other (39) (35) (180) (135)
Depreciation (6) (4) (25) (18)
----------------------------------------
Operating Income 106 58 426 308
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
(1) Other revenue includes sales of natural gas, sulphur and thermal carbon
black.
(2) Other commodity purchases resold includes the cost of natural gas sold.
Western Power Sales Volumes Three months ended Year ended
(unaudited) December 31 December 31
(GWh) 2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supply
Generation 589 471 2,322 2,154
Purchased
Sundance A & B and Sheerness PPAs 3,225 3,209 12,368 12,199
Other purchases 180 206 807 1,433
----------------------------------------
3,994 3,886 15,497 15,786
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Sales
Contracted 2,705 2,644 11,284 11,998
Spot 1,289 1,242 4,213 3,788
----------------------------------------
3,994 3,886 15,497 15,786
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Western Power's operating income of $106 million in fourth-quarter 2008 increased $48 million compared to $58 million in fourth-quarter 2007 primarily due to increased margins from the Alberta power portfolio resulting from higher overall realized power prices and market heat rates on both contracted and uncontracted volumes of power sold in Alberta. The market heat rate is determined by dividing the average price of power per megawatt hour (MWh) by the average price of natural gas per gigajoule for a given period. Western Power's power revenues increased in fourth-quarter 2008 compared to fourth-quarter 2007 as a result of higher overall realized power prices and higher volumes generated.
Western Power manages the sale of its supply volumes on a portfolio basis. A portion of its supply is held for sale in the spot market for operational reasons and the amount of supply volumes eventually sold into the spot market is dependent upon the ability to transact in forward sales markets at acceptable contract terms. This approach to portfolio management assists in minimizing costs in situations where Western Power would otherwise have to purchase electricity in the open market to fulfill its contractual sales obligations. Approximately 32 per cent of power sales volumes were sold into the spot market in fourth-quarter 2008, consistent with fourth-quarter 2007. To reduce its exposure to spot market prices on uncontracted volumes, as at December 31, 2008, Western Power had fixed-price power sales contracts to sell approximately 8,800 gigawatt hours (GWh) for 2009 and 5,500 GWh for 2010.
Western Power's operating income for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $426 million increased $118 million compared to the same period in 2007, primarily due to higher overall realized power prices and a $23 million pre-tax ($16 million after tax) increase from sales of sulphur at significantly higher prices in 2008. TransCanada has been selling modest quantities of sulphur on a break-even basis since 2005. Western Power plant operating costs and other increased due to higher generation in 2008 compared to 2007.
Eastern Power
Eastern Power Results (1) Three months ended Year ended
(unaudited) December 31 December 31
(millions of dollars) 2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue
Power 402 346 1,254 1,481
Other (2) 92 53 350 239
-------------------------------------
494 399 1,604 1,720
-------------------------------------
Commodity purchases resold
Power (157) (169) (519) (755)
Other (3) (85) (45) (324) (208)
-------------------------------------
(242) (214) (843) (963)
-------------------------------------
Plant operating costs and other (146) (107) (342) (454)
Depreciation (33) (12) (81) (48)
-------------------------------------
Operating Income 73 66 338 255
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
(1) Includes Carleton effective November 22, 2008, Ravenswood effective
August 26, 2008 and Anse-à-Valleau effective November 10, 2007.
(2) Other revenue includes sales of natural gas.
(3) Other commodity purchases resold includes the cost of natural gas sold.
Eastern Power Sales Volumes (1)
Three months ended Year ended
(unaudited) December 31 December 31
(GWh) 2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supply
Generation 1,459 2,129 5,043 8,095
Purchased 1,638 1,811 6,183 6,986
----------------------------------------
3,097 3,940 11,226 15,081
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Sales
Contracted 3,059 3,798 10,990 14,505
Spot 38 142 236 576
----------------------------------------
3,097 3,940 11,226 15,081
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
(1) Includes Carleton effective November 22, 2008, Ravenswood effective
August 26, 2008, Anse-à-Valleau effective November 10, 2007 and
Bécancour throughout 2007.
Eastern Power's operating income of $73 million increased $7 million compared to $66 million in fourth-quarter 2007 due to higher realized prices on sales to commercial and industrial customers in New England, the positive impact of the stronger U.S. dollar in fourth-quarter 2008 and incremental earnings from the Carleton Wind farm, which went into service in November 2008. On December 31, 2008, Ravenswood fulfilled its obligation under a tolling agreement with Hess Corporation that was in place at the time of acquisition. In 2009, TransCanada will manage the marketing of output from the Ravenswood plant in a manner consistent with its other U.S. northeast portfolio of assets.
Eastern Power's power revenues of $402 million in fourth-quarter 2008 increased $56 million compared to fourth-quarter 2007 due to incremental revenue from the newly-acquired Ravenswood facility and higher realized prices on sales to commercial and industrial customers in New England. Other revenues and other commodity purchases resold increased in fourth-quarter 2008 by $39 million and $40 million, respectively, due to increased purchases and sales of natural gas. Purchased power volumes of 1,638 GWh were lower in fourth-quarter 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 as a result of decreased sales volumes to commercial and industrial customers. Plant operating costs and other of $146 million, which includes fuel gas consumed in generation, increased in fourth-quarter 2008 from the prior year due to the incremental operating costs from Ravenswood, partially offset by the suspension of generation at the Becancour facility.
Eastern Power's operating income of $338 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased $83 million compared to $255 million in 2007 due to increased water flows from the TC Hydro generation assets and increased margins on power sales to commercial and industrial customers in New England. The agreement to suspend generation at the Becancour facility beginning January 1, 2008 resulted in decreases to power revenues, plant operating costs and other, generation volumes and contracted sales in 2008. The suspension agreement has not materially affected Eastern Power's operating income due to capacity payments received pursuant to the agreement with Hydro-Quebec. This agreement to suspend generation at the Becancour facility extends to December 31, 2009.
In fourth-quarter 2008, one per cent of power sales volumes were sold into the spot market, compared to four per cent in fourth-quarter 2007. Eastern Power is focused on selling the majority of its power under contract to wholesale, commercial and industrial customers, while managing a portfolio of power supplies sourced from its own generation and wholesale power purchases. To reduce its exposure to spot market prices, as at December 31, 2008, Eastern Power had entered into fixed price power sales contracts to sell approximately 13,000 GWh for 2009 and 15,000 GWh for 2010, although certain contracted volumes are dependent on customer usage levels. Actual amounts contracted in future periods will depend on market liquidity and other factors.
Bruce Power
Bruce Power Results Three months ended Year ended
December 31 December 31
(unaudited) 2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bruce Power (100 per cent basis)
(millions of dollars)
Revenues
Power 524 493 2,064 1,920
Other (1) 20 28 96 113
-------------------------------------------
544 521 2,160 2,033
-------------------------------------------
Operating expenses
Operations and maintenance(2) (239) (258) (1,066) (1,051)
Fuel (39) (28) (139) (104)
Supplemental rent(2) (44) (42) (174) (170)
Depreciation and amortization (41) (36) (151) (151)
-------------------------------------------
(363) (364) (1,530) (1,476)
-------------------------------------------
Operating Income 181 157 630 557
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
TransCanada's proportionate share
- Bruce A (6) (5) 62 24
TransCanada's proportionate share
- Bruce B 61 53 158 161
-------------------------------------------
TransCanada's proportionate share 55 48 220 185
Adjustments (5) (5) (19) (18)
-------------------------------------------
TransCanada's combined operating
income from Bruce Power 50 43 201 167
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
Bruce Power - Other Information
Plant availability
Bruce A 62% 68% 82% 78%
Bruce B 98% 93% 87% 89%
Combined Bruce Power 86% 86% 86% 86%
Planned outage days
Bruce A 46 46 91 121
Bruce B - 13 100 93
Unplanned outage days
Bruce A 17 6 27 17
Bruce B 5 3 65 32
Sales volumes (GWh)
Bruce A - 100 per cent 2,000 2,250 10,580 10,180
TransCanada's proportionate share 977 1,096 5,159 4,959
Bruce B - 100 per cent 7,020 6,670 24,680 25,290
TransCanada's proportionate share 2,218 2,108 7,799 7,992
Combined Bruce Power - 100 per cent 9,020 8,920 35,260 35,470
TransCanada's proportionate share 3,195 3,204 12,958 12,951
Results per MWh
Bruce A power revenues $ 63 $ 60 $ 62 $ 59
Bruce B power revenues $ 57 $ 54 $ 57 $ 52
Combined Bruce Power revenues $ 58 $ 56 $ 59 $ 55
Combined Bruce Power fuel $ 4 $ 3 $ 4 $ 3
Combined Bruce Power operating
expenses(3) $ 38 $ 40 $ 42 $ 41
Percentage of output sold to spot
market 19% 44% 23% 45%
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
(1) Other revenue includes Bruce A fuel cost recoveries of $16 million and
$61 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2008,
respectively ($10 million and $35 million for the three months and year
ended December 31, 2007, respectively). Other revenue also includes
unrealized losses of $3 million and $6 million as a result of changes
in fair value of held-for-trading derivatives for the three months and
year ended December 31, 2008, respectively (gains of $11 million and
$47 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2007,
respectively).
(2) Includes adjustments to eliminate the effects of inter-partnership
transactions between Bruce A and Bruce B.
(3) Net of fuel cost recoveries.
TransCanada's combined operating income of $50 million from its investment in Bruce Power increased $7 million in fourth-quarter 2008 compared to fourth-quarter 2007 primarily due to higher revenues resulting from higher realized prices.
TransCanada's proportionate share of operating loss in Bruce A increased $1 million to $6 million in fourth-quarter 2008 compared to fourth-quarter 2007 as a result of lower revenues due to decreased output resulting from planned outages, partially offset by higher contract prices and lower operating costs.
TransCanada's proportionate share of operating income in Bruce B increased $8 million to $61 million in fourth-quarter 2008 compared to fourth-quarter 2007 primarily due to higher realized prices achieved during fourth-quarter 2008, as well as increased output. The increase in realized prices was due to higher contract prices on a higher proportion of volumes sold under contract in the three months ended December 31, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
TransCanada's combined operating income from its investment in Bruce Power for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $201 million compared to $167 million for the same period in 2007. The increase of $34 million was primarily due to higher realized prices as a result of higher contract prices on a higher proportion of volumes sold under contract and higher output at Bruce A. These increases were partially offset by lower output at Bruce B, unrealized gains in 2007 from changes in the fair value of power swaps and forward sales contracts, and higher operating and staff costs in 2008 compared to 2007.
TransCanada's share of Bruce Power's generation for fourth-quarter 2008 decreased slightly to 3,195 GWh compared to 3,204 GWh in fourth-quarter 2007. The Bruce units ran at a combined average availability of 86 per cent in fourth-quarter 2008, which is consistent with fourth-quarter 2007.
The overall plant availability percentage in 2009 is expected to be in the low 90s for the four Bruce B units and the mid 80s for the two operating Bruce A units. An approximate six week maintenance outage of Bruce B Unit 8 is scheduled to begin mid April 2009 and an approximate six week maintenance outage of Bruce B Unit 6 is scheduled to begin early October 2009. An approximate six week maintenance outage of Bruce A Unit 4 is scheduled to start in early March 2009 and an approximate one-month outage of Bruce A Unit 3 is expected to commence mid-March 2009.
Pursuant to the terms of a contract with the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), all of the output from Bruce A in fourth-quarter 2008 was sold at a fixed price of $63.00 per MWh (before recovery of fuel costs from the OPA) compared to $59.69 per MWh in fourth-quarter 2007. In addition, sales from the Bruce B Units 5 to 8 were subject to a floor price of $47.66 per MWh in fourth-quarter 2008 and $46.82 per MWh in fourth-quarter 2007. Both the Bruce A and Bruce B reference prices are adjusted annually for inflation on April 1. Payments received pursuant to the Bruce B floor price mechanism are subject to a recapture payment dependent on annual spot prices over the term of the contract. Bruce B net income has not included any amounts received under this floor price mechanism to date. To further reduce its exposure to spot market prices, as at December 31, 2008, Bruce B had entered into fixed price sales contracts to sell forward approximately 12,460 GWh for 2009 and 7,100 GWh for 2010.
As at December 31, 2008, Bruce A had incurred $2.6 billion in costs for the refurbishment and restart of Units 1 and 2, and approximately $0.2 billion for the refurbishment of Units 3 and 4.
Power Plant Availability
Weighted Average Power Plant Availability (1)
Three months ended Year ended
December 31 December 31
(unaudited) 2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Power 86% 79% 87% 90%
Eastern Power (2)(3) 59% 93% 78% 96%
Bruce Power 86% 86% 86% 86%
All plants, excluding Bruce Power 61% 89% 79% 93%
All plants 70% 89% 83% 91%
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
(1) Plant availability represents the percentage of time in the period that
the plant is available to generate power.
(2) Eastern Power plant availability includes Carleton effective November
22, 2008, Ravenswood effective August 26, 2008, Anse-à-Valleau
effective November 10, 2007 and Bécancour throughout 2007.
(3) Eastern Power plant availability decreased in the three months and
year ended December 31, 2008 due to outages experienced on Units 10 and
30 at Ravenswood throughout fourth-quarter 2008.
Natural Gas Storage
Natural Gas Storage operating income of $40 million in fourth-quarter 2008 decreased $17 million compared to $57 million in fourth-quarter 2007. The decrease was due to lower realized seasonal natural gas price spreads at the Edson facilities compared to the same period in 2007. Operating income in fourth-quarter 2008 included net unrealized gains of $7 million ($6 million after tax) for changes in the fair value of proprietary natural gas inventory in storage and natural gas forward purchase and sale contracts compared to net unrealized gains of $15 million ($10 million after tax) for the same period in 2007.
Natural Gas Storage operating income of $135 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $11 million lower than the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily due to lower average storage values realized by CrossAlta, partially offset by higher earnings from the sale of proprietary natural gas at Edson in 2008. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2008 included nil for changes in the fair value of proprietary natural gas inventory in storage and natural gas forward purchase and sale contracts compared to net unrealized gains of $10 million ($7 million after tax) for the same period in 2007.
The unrealized gains resulting from changes in the fair value of proprietary natural gas inventory in storage and natural gas forward purchase and sale contracts are excluded in determining comparable earnings. TransCanada simultaneously enters into a forward purchase of natural gas for injection into storage and an offsetting forward sale of natural gas for withdrawal at a later period, thereby locking in future positive margins and effectively eliminating exposure to price movements of natural gas. Fair value adjustments recorded each period on proprietary natural gas held in storage inventory and these forward contracts are not representative of the amounts that will be realized on settlement.
Corporate
Corporate's net expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2008 were $86 million compared to net income of $17 million for the same period in 2007. Excluding the $26 million of favourable income tax adjustments in fourth-quarter 2007, Corporate's comparable expenses increased $77 million. The increase in comparable expenses was primarily due to net unrealized losses of $39 million after tax from changes in the fair value of derivatives, used to manage the Company's exposure to rising interest rates, that do not qualify as hedges for accounting purposes. The fair value of these derivatives was negatively impacted as interest rates dropped to historic lows late in fourth-quarter 2008. In addition, higher financial charges resulting from financing the Company's 2008 capital program, including the Ravenswood acquisition, and higher losses from changes in the fair value of derivatives used to manage the Company's exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations were partially offset by increased capitalization of interest to finance a larger capital spending program.
Corporate's net expenses for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $76 million compared to net income of $23 million for the same period in 2007. Excluding the $26 million and $68 million of favourable income tax adjustments recorded in 2008 and 2007, respectively, Corporate's comparable expenses were $102 million and $45 million, respectively. The $57-million increase in comparable expenses in 2008 was primarily due to the net unrealized losses for changes in the fair value of derivatives and higher financial charges, partially offset by increased capitalization of interest expense, as previously discussed.
Other Recent Developments
Pipelines
Canadian Mainline
In December 2008, the NEB approved interim tolls for Canadian Mainline transportation service effective January 1, 2009. TransCanada expects to file an application with the NEB for final 2009 tolls in first-quarter 2009.
On December 4, 2008, the NEB announced that Canadian Mainline's ROE will be 8.57 per cent for 2009, a decrease from 8.71 per cent in 2008.
Alberta System
On December 17, 2008, the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) approved the Alberta System's 2008 - 2009 Revenue Requirement Settlement Application as filed, in its entirety. The settlement fixed certain OM&A costs, ROE and income tax, subject to an ROE and an income tax adjustment mechanism. The AUC also approved the Alberta System's 2008 interim rates on a final basis for the period January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008.
In 2008, the AUC initiated a Generic Cost of Capital proceeding to review the generic ROE and capital structures of AUC regulated utilities. On November 20, 2008, TransCanada filed an application requesting an 11 per cent return on 40 per cent deemed common equity for the Alberta System in 2009. The hearing is scheduled to begin in May 2009.
In June 2008, TransCanada filed an application with the NEB to establish federal jurisdiction over the Alberta System. The proceeding concluded on November 28, 2008 and a decision is expected from the NEB in first-quarter 2009. Changing from AUC to NEB jurisdiction will allow for the expansion of the Alberta System beyond Alberta provincial borders.
TQM
An NEB hearing was conducted in September and October 2008 on TQM's cost of capital application for the years 2007 and 2008, which requested approval of an 11 per cent ROE on 40 per cent deemed common equity. A decision from the NEB is expected in March 2009. TQM's rates currently reflect the NEB ROE formula on 30 per cent deemed common equity.
Keystone Pipeline System
TransCanada has agreed to increase its equity ownership in the Keystone partnerships to 79.99 per cent from 50 per cent. ConocoPhillips' equity ownership will be reduced to 20.01 per cent. In accordance with this agreement, TransCanada will fund all contributions to the partnerships until the target equity ownerships are achieved. At December 31, 2008, TransCanada's equity ownership in the Keystone partnerships was approximately 62 per cent.
Consolidated Income
(unaudited) Three months ended Year ended
(millions of dollars except per December 31 December 31
share amounts) 2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues 2,332 2,189 8,619 8,828
Operating Expenses
Plant operating costs and other 881 798 3,062 3,030
Commodity purchases resold 415 412 1,511 1,959
Depreciation 289 291 1,189 1,179
----------------------------------------
1,585 1,501 5,762 6,168
----------------------------------------
747 688 2,857 2,660
----------------------------------------
Other Expenses/(Income)
Financial charges 326 195 943 943
Financial charges of joint ventures 21 18 72 75
Interest income and other 4 (28) (92) (152)
Calpine bankruptcy settlements - - (279) -
Writedown of Broadwater LNG project
costs - - 41 -
Gains on sales of assets - (16) - (16)
----------------------------------------
351 169 685 850
----------------------------------------
Income before Income Taxes and
Non-Controlling Interests 396 519 2,172 1,810
Income Taxes
Current 47 85 526 432
Future 48 28 76 58
----------------------------------------
95 113 602 490
----------------------------------------
Non-Controlling Interests
Preferred share dividends of
subsidiary 5 5 22 22
Non-controlling interest in PipeLines
LP 16 21 62 65
Other 3 3 46 10
----------------------------------------
24 29 130 97
----------------------------------------
Net Income 277 377 1,440 1,223
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Net Income Per Share
Basic $ 0.47 $ 0.70 $ 2.53 $ 2.31
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Diluted $ 0.46 $ 0.70 $ 2.52 $ 2.30
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Average Shares Outstanding - Basic
(millions) 597 539 570 530
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted
(millions) 599 542 572 532
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Consolidated Cash Flows
Three months ended Year ended
(unaudited) December 31 December 31
(millions of dollars) 2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Generated From Operations
Net income 277 377 1,440 1,223
Depreciation 289 291 1,189 1,179
Future income taxes 48 28 76 58
Non-controlling interests 24 29 130 97
Employee future benefits
funding (in excess of)/lower
than expense (6) 25 17 43
Writedown of Broadwater
LNG project costs - - 41 -
Gain on sale of assets,
net of current income taxes - (14) - (14)
Other 80 5 128 35
---------------------------------------------
712 741 3,021 2,621
(Increase)/decrease in
operating working capital (197) (46) (181) 215
---------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operations 515 695 2,840 2,836
---------------------------------------------
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures (1,235) (595) (3,134) (1,651)
Acquisitions, net of
cash acquired (171) (1) (3,229) (4,223)
Disposition of assets, net
of current income taxes 7 35 28 35
Deferred amounts and other (325) (81) (168) (340)
---------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing
activities (1,724) (642) (6,503) (6,179)
---------------------------------------------
Financing Activities
Dividends on common shares (167) (129) (577) (546)
Distributions paid to
non-controlling interests (31) (20) (141) (88)
Notes payable issued/(repaid),
net 827 (600) 1,293 (46)
Long-term debt issued, net
of issue costs - 1,162 2,197 2,616
Reduction of long-term debt (52) (229) (840) (1,088)
Long-term debt of joint
ventures issued 16 20 173 142
Reduction of long-term debt
of joint ventures (19) (18) (120) (157)
Common shares issued, net
of issue costs 1,132 14 2,384 1,711
Junior subordinated notes
issued, net of issue costs - - - 1,094
Preferred securities redeemed - - - (488)
Partnership units of
subsidiary issued - - - 348
---------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by
financing activities 1,706 200 4,369 3,498
---------------------------------------------
Effect of Foreign Exchange
Rate Changes on Cash and
Cash Equivalents 59 (4) 98 (50)
---------------------------------------------
Increase in Cash and
Cash Equivalents 556 249 804 105
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Beginning of period 752 255 504 399
---------------------------------------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents
End of period 1,308 504 1,308 504
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(unaudited) December 31, December 31,
(millions of dollars) 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents 1,308 504
Accounts receivable 1,280 1,116
Inventories 489 497
Other 523 188
----------------------------
3,600 2,305
Plant, Property and Equipment 29,189 23,452
Goodwill 4,397 2,633
Other Assets 2,228 1,940
----------------------------
39,414 30,330
----------------------------
----------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Notes payable 1,702 421
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1,876 1,767
Accrued interest 359 261
Current portion of long-term debt 786 556
Current portion of long-term debt of
joint ventures 207 30
----------------------------
4,930 3,035
Deferred Amounts 1,719 1,107
Future Income Taxes 1,223 1,179
Long-Term Debt 15,368 12,377
Long-Term Debt of Joint Ventures 869 873
Junior Subordinated Notes 1,213 975
----------------------------
25,322 19,546
----------------------------
Non-Controlling Interests
Non-controlling interest in PipeLines LP 721 539
Preferred shares of subsidiary 389 389
Other 84 71
----------------------------
1,194 999
----------------------------
Shareholders' Equity 12,898 9,785
----------------------------
39,414 30,330
----------------------------
----------------------------
Consolidated Comprehensive Income
Three months ended Year ended
(unaudited) December 31 December 31
(millions of dollars) 2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income 277 377 1,440 1,223
---------------------------------------------
Other Comprehensive
Income/(Loss), Net of Income
Taxes
Change in foreign currency
translation gains and losses
on investments in foreign
operations (1) 425 (8) 571 (350)
Change in gains and losses on
hedges of investments
in foreign operations (2) (486) 2 (589) 79
Change in gains and losses
on derivative instruments
designated as cash flow
hedges (3) (100) 38 (60) 42
Reclassification to net
income of gains and losses
on derivative instruments
designated as cash flow
hedges pertaining to
prior periods (4) 1 6 (23) 42
Change in gains and losses
on available-for-sale
financial instruments (5) 2 - 2 -
---------------------------------------------
Other Comprehensive
Income/(Loss) (158) 38 (99) (187)
---------------------------------------------
Comprehensive Income 119 415 1,341 1,036
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Net of income tax recovery of $61 million and $104 million for the
three months and year ended December 31, 2008, respectively
(2007 - $6 million and $101 million expense, respectively).
(2) Net of income tax recovery of $253 million and $303 million for the
three months and year ended December 31, 2008, respectively
(2007 - $1 million and $41 million expense, respectively).
(3) Net of income tax recovery of $65 million and $41 million for the
three months and year ended December 31, 2008, respectively
(2007 - $24 million and $27 million expense, respectively).
(4) Net of income tax expense of $1 million and recovery of $19 million
for the three months and year ended December 31, 2008, respectively
(2007 - $4 million and $23 million expense, respectively).
(5) Net of income tax expense of nil for the three months and year ended
December 31, 2008.
Consolidated Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Currency Cash Flow
(unaudited) Translation Hedges
(millions of dollars) Adjustment and Other Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2006 (90) - (90)
Transition adjustment resulting from
adopting new financial instruments
standards (1) - (96) (96)
Change in foreign currency translation
gains and losses on investments in
foreign operations (2) (350) - (350)
Change in gains and losses on hedges
of investments in foreign
operations (3) 79 - 79
Change in gains and losses on
derivative instruments designated as
cash flow hedges (4) - 42 42
Reclassification to net income of gains
and losses on derivative instruments
designated as cash flow hedges
pertaining to prior periods (5) - 42 42
-------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2007 (361) (12) (373)
Change in foreign currency translation
gains and losses on investments in
foreign operations (2) 571 - 571
Change in gains and losses on hedges
of investments in foreign operations (3) (589) - (589)
Change in gains and losses on derivative
instruments designated as cash flow
hedges (4) - (60) (60)
Reclassification to net income of gains
and losses on derivative instruments
designated as cash flow hedges
pertaining to prior periods (5)(6) - (23) (23)
Change in gains and losses on
available-for-sale financial
instruments (7) 2 2
-------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2008 (379) (93) (472)
-------------------------------
-------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Net of income tax recovery of $44 million.
(2) Net of income tax recovery of $104 million for the year ended December
31, 2008 (2007 - $101 million expense).
(3) Net of income tax recovery of $303 million for the year ended December
31, 2008 (2007 - $41 million expense).
(4) Net of income tax recovery of $41 million for the year ended
December 31, 2008 (2007 - $27 million expense).
(5) Net of income tax recovery of $19 million for the year ended December
31, 2008 (2007 - $23 million expense).
(6) The net losses related to cash flow hedges reported in accumulated
other comprehensive income that will be reclassified to net income in
the next 12 months is estimated to be $62 million ($41 million net
losses, net of tax). These estimates assume constant commodity prices,
interest rates and foreign exchange rates over time, however, the
actual amounts that will be reclassified will vary based on changes in
these factors.
(7) Net of income tax expense of nil.
Consolidated Shareholders' Equity
(unaudited) Year ended December 31
(millions of dollars) 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Shares
Balance at beginning of period 6,662 4,794
Proceeds from shares issued under
public offering, net of issue costs 2,363 1,683
Shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan 218 157
Proceeds from shares issued on exercise of
stock options 21 28
------------------------
Balance at end of period 9,264 6,662
------------------------
Contributed Surplus
Balance at beginning of period 276 273
Issuance of stock options 3 3
------------------------
Balance at end of period 279 276
------------------------
Retained Earnings
Balance at beginning of period 3,220 2,724
Net income 1,440 1,223
Common share dividends (833) (731)
Transition adjustment resulting from
adopting new financial instruments standards - 4
------------------------
Balance at end of period 3,827 3,220
------------------------
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Balance at beginning of period (373) (90)
Other comprehensive income/ (loss) (99) (187)
Transition adjustment resulting from adopting
new financial instruments standards - (96)
------------------------
Balance at end of period (472) (373)
------------------------
3,355 2,847
------------------------
Total Shareholders' Equity 12,898 9,785
------------------------
------------------------
Segmented Information
Three months ended
December 31 Pipelines Energy Corporate Total
----------------------------------------------------------
(unaudited -
millions of
dollars) 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues 1,233 1,212 1,099 977 - - 2,332 2,189
Plant operating
costs and other (477) (448) (402) (348) (2) (2) (881) (798)
Commodity
purchases resold - (1) (415) (411) - - (415) (412)
Depreciation (224) (252) (65) (39) - - (289) (291)
----------------------------------------------------------
532 511 217 179 (2) (2) 747 688
Financial charges
and non-controlling
interests (200) (165) - - (150) (59) (350) (224)
Financial charges
of joint ventures (15) (12) (6) (6) - - (21) (18)
Interest income
and other 13 7 3 2 (20) 19 (4) 28
Gains on sales of
assets - - - 16 - - - 16
Income taxes (120) (139) (61) (33) 86 59 (95) (113)
----------------------------------------------------------
Net Income 210 202 153 158 (86) 17 277 377
----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
Year ended
December 31 Pipelines Energy Corporate Total
----------------------------------------------------------
(unaudited -
millions of
dollars) 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues 4,650 4,712 3,969 4,116 - - 8,619 8,828
Plant operating
costs and other (1,732) (1,670) (1,326) (1,353) (4) (7) (3,062) (3,030)
Commodity
purchases resold - (72) (1,511) (1,887) - - (1,511) (1,959)
Depreciation (989) (1,021) (200) (158) - - (1,189) (1,179)
----------------------------------------------------------
1,929 1,949 932 718 (4) (7) 2,857 2,660
Financial charges
and non-controlling
interests (782) (793) - 1 (291) (248) (1,073) (1,040)
Financial charges
of joint ventures (49) (52) (23) (23) - - (72) (75)
Interest income
and other 73 52 6 10 13 90 92 152
Calpine
bankruptcy
settlements 279 - - - - - 279 -
Writedown of
Broadwater LNG
project costs - - (41) - - - (41) -
Gains on sales of
assets - - - 16 - - - 16
Income taxes (548) (470) (260) (208) 206 188 (602) (490)
----------------------------------------------------------
Net Income 902 686 614 514 (76) 23 1,440 1,223
----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
Teleconference - Audio and Slide Presentation
TransCanada will hold a teleconference today at 1:00 p.m. (Mountain) / 3:00 p.m. (Eastern) to discuss the fourth-quarter 2008 financial results and general developments and issues concerning the Company. Analysts, members of the media and other interested parties wanting to participate in the teleconference and webcast should phone (866) 225-6564 or (416) 641-6136 (Toronto area) at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the teleconference. No passcode is required. A live audio and slide presentation webcast of the teleconference will also be available on TransCanada's website at [ www.transcanada.com ].
The conference will begin with a short address by members of TransCanada's executive management, followed by a question and answer period for investment analysts. A question and answer period for members of the media will immediately follow.
A replay of the teleconference will be available two hours after the conclusion of the call until midnight (Eastern) February 10, 2009. Please call (800) 408-3053 or (416) 695-5800 (Toronto area) and enter pass code 3280776#. The webcast will be archived and available for replay on [ www.transcanada.com ].
With more than 50 years' experience, TransCanada is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure including natural gas pipelines, power generation, gas storage facilities, and projects related to oil pipelines and LNG facilities. TransCanada's network of wholly owned pipelines extends more than 59,000 kilometres (36,500 miles), tapping into virtually all major gas supply basins in North America. TransCanada is one of the continent's largest providers of gas storage and related services with approximately 370 Bcf of storage capacity. A growing independent power producer, TransCanada owns, or has interests in, over 10,900 megawatts of power generation in Canada and the United States. TransCanada's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol TRP.
Note: All financial figures are in Canadian dollars unless noted otherwise.
TransCanada welcomes questions from shareholders and potential investors.